Supreme Court: SC expressed concern over the outstanding payment of OROP, said - Ministry of Defense cannot take the law in its hands

A hearing was held in the Supreme Court today regarding the payment of dues of One Rank-One Pension (OROP) scheme. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has asked the Ministry of Defense to immediately withdraw the Centre's communication dated January 20, 2023, in which it was said that the dues of One Rank One Pension (OROP) should be paid in four installments.

The Supreme Court says that the Ministry of Defense cannot take law into its own hands by releasing the communication of the Center on payment of OROP arrears in four instalments. The Center told the Supreme Court that it has paid one installment of OROP dues to ex-servicemen, but needed some more time to clear the dues.

Attorney General R Venkataramani said the Center has paid one installment of OROP dues to ex-servicemen, but some more time is needed for further payments. The bench asked Venkataramani to first withdraw the January 20 notification on payment of OROP dues, then we will consider your application for time.

The bench gave instructions to the Ministry of Defense The bench said the Defense Ministry's January 20 communication is completely contrary to its decision and it cannot unilaterally say that it will pay the OROP dues in four instalments. It has asked the Attorney General to prepare a note detailing the quantum of payment, the modalities to be adopted and the priority clause for payment of dues. The bench said that we want that there should be some sort of classification and dues should be paid to the elders first. He said that since the commencement of the hearing, more than four lakh pensioners have died.