‘Ex-Army Personnel Must Get Paid’: SC Expresses Concerns Over Pension Dues Under OROP Scheme

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The apex court urged the attorney general to file a note regarding the recent developments in the case (File/News18)

The apex court urged the attorney general to file a note regarding the recent developments in the case (File/News18)

A three-judge bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud expressed displeasure over recent communications by the Union Defence Ministry and urged them to withdraw the same.

The Supreme Court on Monday expressed concerns over non-payment of pensions to personnel from the armed forces. This is the second time SC has taken cognisance of the case this past month.

A three-judge bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud expressed displeasure over recent communications by the Union Defence Ministry and urged them to withdraw the same.

CJI Chandrachud said, “Our concern is that ex-army personnel should get paid. It is sad that 4 lakh personnel have died so far.”

The apex court urged the attorney general to file a note regarding the recent developments and enquired about the developments so far.

The top court asked the Defence Ministry to withdraw its January 20 communication in connection with the payment of arrears of One Rank-One Pension (OROP) in instalments to the eligible pensioners of the armed forces.

SC’s February Hearing

Last month, the Supreme Court had slammed the Defence Ministry over the same issue when a bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising justices – PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala heard the case.

JB Pardiwala had told Additional Solicitor General N. Venkataraman: “Here, you are not fighting a war. Here, you are fighting a battle under the rule of law, you better set your house in order. This is not the way for the Ministry of Defence to go about it.”

The Chief Justice had said: “You tell the secretary that we will take action against him for issuing that communication on January 20, he better withdraw it before the next date… the sanctity of the judicial process has to be maintained. Either the secretary withdraws that communication or we will issue a notice of contempt… no business to take law in your hands”.

Centre’s ‘Formula’

Last year in March, the apex court had delivered a judgment on the plea filed by the Indian Ex-servicemen Movement (IESM) through advocate Balaji Srinivasan against the Centre’s formula.

The apex court on January 9, had granted time till March 15 to the Centre for payment of total arrears of OROP to all eligible pensioners of the armed forces.

Later, the government moved the apex court seeking extension of time till March 15 for payment of arrears of OROP scheme to all eligible pensioners of the armed forces.

(With IANS Inputs)

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