OROP to see more delays as govt gives panel extension

New Delhi: The tenure of the committee formed for the implementation of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme has been extended by six months up to the middle of December this year.

The government recently amended the gazette notification issued last year under which the committee headed by former Patna high court chief justice (retd) L. Narasimha Reddy was scheduled to submit its report by 14 June. With the extension, the implementation of OROP may take more time as the panel can submit its report by 14 December, people familiar with the matter said.

The government had announced implementation of OROP on 7 November 2015 to benefit over 25 lakh ex-servicemen and war widows. The OROP scheme mandates payment of uniform pension to the armed forces personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, regardless of their date of retirement, which implies that bridging the gap between the rate of pension of current and past pensioners at periodic intervals.

The other terms of reference of the committee will continue which include measures for the removal of anomalies that may arise in the implementation of OROP as notified by the government. The panel is also looking into the measures for the removal of anomalies that may arise out of inter-services issues of the three forces due to implementation of OROP besides implications on service matters.

The committee is examining all other matter referred to it by the central government on implementation of the OROP or related issues. In making its recommendations, the committee shall take into account the financial impact of its recommendations, as per its terms of reference. The panel, if necessary, may give interim reports to the government on any of the matters related to its terms of reference.