On Friday, the Supreme Court asked the Central Government to disburse the arrears to eligible pensioners of the armed forces within a period of 3 months. The Court extended the three months period granted to the Central Government in its judgment dated 16.03.2022, wherein the Apex Court had upheld “One Rank One Pension” (“OROP”) Scheme in Defence Forces.
However, the time period of 3 months fixed in the judgment of this Court passed on 16.03.2022 is extended until 3 months.
It was observed that as per the OROP scheme, the uniform pension is to be paid to armed services personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service and irrespective of the date of retirement and the rates of pension would be revised at periodic intervals.
The bench comprising of Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and the Justice Hima Kohli observed and noted that the Cabinet note in this regard has already been put up and the Central Government has sought some extension of time to make the payments.
The Counsel, Senior Advocate, Mr. Huzefa Ahmadi appearing on behalf of the petitioners, including Indian Ex Servicemen Movement, apprised the Bench that by 01.07.2019, the payment of the arrears was supposed to be made which the Central Government had failed to comply with the same. Furthermore, in its judgement dated 16.03.2022, the Apex Court had directed Centre to compute and disburse the arrears within 3 months. Thus, the same has not been paid till date, It was requested by Mr. Ahmadi to the bench to direct the Central Government to pay interest for delay.
Further, the bench was hopeful that the payment of arrears would be made at the earliest. The bench of Justice Chandrachud asked Additional Solicitor General, Mr. Venkataramanan to look into the same.