On the one hand, the employees’ organizations and defense personnel are getting furious about the One Rank One Pension scheme. On the other hand, once again a release has been issued by the Defense Ministry. Along with issuing the release, representations are also being sought to implement the 7th CPC recommendation of the retired employees for the revised Group X pay.
OROP Arrears One Rank One Pension: There is big news for the employees. In fact, once again a release has been issued regarding his One Rank One Pension scheme. Orders have been issued for this by the Defense Ministry. Under the issued order, representations are being received continuously for the implementation of the 7th CPC recommendation with the retired employees for the revised Group X pay. on which the orders have been issued.
To make the pre-01.01.2016 retired employees of this department eligible for Revised Group X Pay of Rs.6200/- (which was granted to the PBORs retired after 01.01.2016 to implement the 7th CPC recommendation) Many representations are being received for As per the recommendations of the 6th CPC, Group X and Y were given a common 7th pay scale with effect from 01.01.2019. 01.01.2006, i.e. they are on the same footing in Pay-Band 1 and 2 and draw the same Grade Pay with the same distinctive feature as ‘X-Pay’ in Group X.
The 7th CPC has recommended vide para 6.2.88 of its report:
For JCO/OR in Group X Rs. 6200/- p.m. for all X trades which involve obtaining a qualification which is equivalent to a Diploma recognized by AICTE. This amount is the difference between minimum Pay Level 6 (corresponding to Grade Pay of Rs.4200/- in 6th CPC) and Pay Level 5 (corresponding to Grade Pay of Rs.2800/- in 6th CPC).
For JCO/OR in Group X, X Pay Rs. 3600/- per month (standard fitment of 2.57 on existing Ex Pay of Rs.1400), for those who are currently in Ex Pay but do not possess technical qualification recognized by AICTE.
The above recommendation of the 7th CPC has been accepted by the Government. The X pay of X-Group employees was revised w.e.f. 01.01.2016. The recommendations of the 7th CPC are applicable to those personnel who were in service on or after 01.01.2016 and were drawing pay in the revised scales of pay applicable from 01.01.2016. 7th CPC recommendations are not applicable to those who have retired from service prior to 01.01.2016.
X Pay has two rates. 01.01.2016 for X-Group Personnel and they are eligible for pension as per emoluments reckoned drawn by them at the time of retirement from service. The emoluments count towards pensionary benefits in the Pay Matrix, Military Service Pay and X-Group Pay and Classification Allowance, if any, as drawn by the JSO/OR. JCO/OR who have drawn X Pay of Rs. Employees with a pension of Rs.6200/- are also eligible for the benefit of higher rate of X-pay in pension during their service. Others are eligible for the reduced rate of X-Pay.
With effect from 01.07.2019, in the OROP amendment, the pension of all Defense Force pensioners/family pensioners has been revised on the basis of the average of the minimum and maximum pension of retired Defense Force personnel in the calendar year 2018 on the same post with the same length of service. : It has been determined. The scheme of two different rates of X Pay has been made operational with effect from 01.01.2016 and can be implemented with prospective effect. Therefore, separate categories have been created for those who retired before 01.01.2016 and those who retired after 01.01.2016. Pension Table No. 7 applicable for personnel retiring prior to 01.01.2016 and those drawing higher rate of Ex Pay Rs. 6200/- Table No. 8 has been prepared, which is effective from 01.01.2016.
It may also be mentioned that the Hon’ble Supreme Court in its order dated 16.03.2022 in WP(C) No. 419/2016 has stated that “It is not a mandate of law that pensioners holding the same rank should be given the same pension. The differential benefits that may be applicable to some personnel, which also affect the pension payable, need not be equated with the rest of the personnel.” The Hon’ble Supreme Court has also stated that the benefit of new element in pension scheme can be potentially implemented.
Further, the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement had filed MA No. 499/2023 in WP(C) No. 419/2016 seeking the intervention of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter. The Hon’ble Court on 17.04.2023 found the said MA to be incorrect and set it aside as per the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 16.03.2023.
