Govt. releases revised pensionary benefits under OROP

The Government on Monday released the revised pensionary benefits to 2,21,224 defence pensioners drawing service and disability pension in which the amount along with first instalment of arrears, had been released and credited by the Defence Ministry to the accounts of the pensioners.

In the case of remaining 1,46,335 family pensioners drawing pension from Departmental Pension Drawing Officers (DPDOs), payment along with arrears is expected to be released by March end. Banks are under process of revision work.

These steps are a follow-up to department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW) of the Ministry of Defence's notification ordering implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme for defence pensioners.

The total additional annual financial increase for grant of OROP is Rs. 7488.70 crores. The total amount on account of arrears to be paid for the period July 1 2014 to 31 December 2015 is Rs. 10925.11 crores.

Out of total annual liability of Rs. 7488.70 crores, PBOR family pensioners shall get Rs. 6,405.59 crores, which works out to 85.5% of total expenditure of OROP.

Due to increase in defence pension budget, the additional liability for current financial year 2015-16 shall be Rs. 4,721.34 crores which will increase the current defence pension liability of Rs. 60,238 crores to Rs. 64,959.34 crores for the year 2015-16.

To facilitate the pension disbursing agencies, the principal controller of defence accounts have also issued implementation instructions through a circular on 04.02.2016.

The implementation instructions along with government orders are available on the website www.pcdapension.nic.in.