One Rank One Pension: Latest updates from Chairman, IESM & Defence Minister Meetings

The Chairman, IESM had a meeting with the Defence Minister on 12th Nov, 2012. One Rank One Pension, Rank Pay matter, Family Pension Enhancement, Family Pension for widows etc. was discussed in meeting.  The following minutes/outcome of meeting were also handed over to the Defence Minister in the form of a written note:

1. OROP Vs Sanction of Rs 2300 Cr for Pension Enhancement: While stressing the fact that OROP has still not been given as such, and that for officers it is merely a correction of an anomaly.  Chairman, IESM thanked him for his support in getting the pension enhancement for which the government has sanctioned the amount. Notably, this is the second pension enhancement during the tenure of the present Defence Minister. He confirmed that he has already cleared the file and the case is in progress with the DOPT and efforts are being made to clear it soon.  

2. Rank Pay: The Minister confirmed that the case is being pushed through to release the arrears at the earliest.

3. Family Pension Enhancement: IESM had been pushing this case for long and they expressed gratitude for his intervention in seeing it through. The Defence Minister remarked that he has told all in the Ministry that the credit for this goes entirely to me for my dogged pursuit of the issue. (It may be known that IESM had taken some widows to his office that made personal appeals; later in a social gathering last month he light-heartedly commented that Chairman, IESM had brought families to his office and ‘gheraoed’ him). Thanking to Defence Minister the Chairman pointed out that he may be the visible face but it is the IESM that deserves credit for spearheading the case of family pension.  

4. Family Pension for Widows of Sepoys: While on family pension the Chairman pointed out that as learnt the families of all widows of Naiks to Maj Gen were going to get enhancement. However, the widows of Sepoys are being denied the same. He mentioned his apprehension that since no one is retiring as a Sepoy after 1.1.2006, the Cabinet Secretary’s Committee may not have realised the omission. Defence Minister promised to have the issue looked into.

5. Time Limit for implementation of One Rank One Pension: The minister has been often saying that they cannot sanction OROP in one go but they will keep bridging the gap between old and new pensioners gradually. Chairmen, IESM asked him if there was any timeline when the final plank on this bridge would be put. There was no firm reply. 

6. Court Cases: Chairman, IESM underscored the point that many veterans have been compelled to seek and obtain redress through the courts. A strong feeling therefore is gaining ground where the veterans are having more faith in the courts vis-à-vis the govt, which is not a happy development. While acknowledging the point Defence Minister also said happily the number of court cases is coming down. 

7. ECHS: In view of the inordinate delay in clearance of bills some good hospitals are shying away from getting empanelled. There are reports of some hospitals inflating the bills. The MoD, therefore, rightly insists on scrutinizing the bills before clearing payment. On the other hand the hospitals complain that the Ministry is using this as a pretext to delay payment, including in some cases demanding a ‘cut’. In all this the veteran suffers. While some inflation of bills must inevitably be happening, its extent could not exceed 15-20% at a maximum. To ensure that the scheme does not suffer from default, it is suggested that 50% of the billed amount must be cleared immediately under the powers of the MD ECHS. Any over-billing then can be adjusted in the remaining 50% of the claimed amount. The minister agreed to have the proposal examined on file.

8. Veterans’ Course of Action: Chairman, IESM emphasized that in view of OROP not having been sanctioned, they will continue with their struggle.