OROP Scheme: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to pay arrears to eligible family pensioners and gallantry winners of the armed forces as per the One Rank One Pension (OROP) Scheme, reported news agency ANI.
The case pertains to the pending pensions of ex-servicemen under the OROP scheme. The Supreme Court allowed the Center to pay in installments. The apex court also mentioned the deadlines for payment to different categories of pensioners.
As per the order:
- 6 lakh people who are family pensioners and gallantry award winners will get the arrears by 30th April, 2023.
- 4 lakh people above 70 years of age will be paid the arrears by June 30th, 2023.
- The remaining 11 lakh people will be paid the arrears in three equal installments – on 31st August 2023, 30th November 2023, and 28th February 2024
The top court, according to PTI, clarified that the payment of OROP dues will not affect further equalisation of the pension of ex-servicemen to be done in 2024.