A bench of CJI DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha directed the Center to ensure that all pensioners of the security forces are paid their dues and there should be no further delay.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has given a big relief to all the pensioners of the security forces. In the One Rank One Pension case, the Supreme Court has directed the Central Government to pay their arrears to all eligible pensioners of the security forces by March 15. Along with this, the Supreme Court has also given exemption to the Ex-Servicemen Association that if they are not satisfied with the payment of the dues of the Central Government, then they can approach the Supreme Court again. Apart from this, the court said that the work of payment of One Rank One Pension should be expedited.
Center has time till March 15, 2023
The Supreme Court gave the Center time till March 15, 2023, to pay dues under the 'One Rank-One Pension' (OROP) scheme to all eligible pensioners of the armed forces. A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha asked the Center to ensure that the arrears are paid to all pensioners immediately without any delay. Attorney General R. Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, said the process of tabulation has been completed by the Controller General of Defense Accounts (CGDA) and the table has been sent to the Defense Ministry for final approval.
Number of pensioners 25 lakh
Venkataramani said, "By March 15, money will start coming into the accounts of 25 lakh pensioners of the armed forces." It had moved the Supreme Court last month, requesting an extension of time till March 15, 2023, for payment. Explain that the Supreme Court has given time to the Center to make the payment for the second time.
Center had earlier asked for extension
It is worth noting that in June last year, for the first time in the Supreme Court, after seeking 3 months' extension to calculate and pay, this is the second time the Center has requested for additional time to pay the dues. The Center had then moved the top court, requesting it to grant additional time to make the payment under the court's order dated March 16, 2022. The apex court gave this 2022 verdict during the hearing of a petition filed by the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) against the Centre's OROP scheme.