Saturday 30 May 2015

Episode VI - The Longest Running Reality Show - OROP - PM's Remarks

No doubt about it': Government committed to OROP scheme, says PM Modi

There is no doubt about the govt's commitment to the OROP scheme, said PM Modi.

  (http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/govt-committed-to-orop-there-s-no-doubt-about-it-pm/87192.html)

  On OROP, the PM said the government was "in constant discussions with the armed forces personnel to arrive at a please-all definition of OROP of which there are varied versions."  "No one should have any doubts about OROP's implementation. I want everyone to know that through The Tribune. But there are varied versions about what the definition of OROP should be. Would it be proper for me to take a decision without keeping the armed forces personnel in the loop? So we are trying to arrive at a please-all decision," the PM said.......

 But there is just one definition that the Rajya Sabha Committee recommended and the UPA Govt agreed to in Feb 2014 and BJP/NDA Govt in Jun 2014 and thereafter.   

The definition is Same Years of Service, Same Rank, Same Pension w.e.f 1/1/2014 and thereafter every time there is an increase.

Also there was a BJP/NDA Govt in power from 1998 to 2004, when n decision on OROP was taken.

 .....Asked if the Government would expedite OROP, the PM said the Government was committed to it. "The government has been formed for five years."

And we have a date  that all of us are requesting - 25 May 2019 or before the Election Commission announces the dates of the General Election 2019?

 ...........................

On Friday, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had said even though all formalities of the scheme had been completed, no specific time-frame could be announced for its implementation as a couple of administrative steps were still pending. 
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/government-committed-to-one-rank-one-pension-tweets-pm-modi/#sthash.O8CZw8ue.dpuf

The administrative steps are (as revealed in the massive amount of disclosures in reply to RTI requests in the Rank Pay case of UoI Vs Lt Col N K Nair & others) as follows: -

1. MoD examines the case and with CGDA and FA(DS) providing the calculations and budgetary allocations required, prepares a substantive case for the approval of Raksha Mantri.

Is OROP file pending here at this stage?

2. The Raksha Mantri examines the proposals on the file, including the methodology, the financial impact, a Draft Govt Letter (DGL), and the budgetary requirements including the source of funding. If he has doubts he calls the MoD officials or FA (DS) or even the CGDA and obtains clarifications.

Is OROP file pending here at this stage?

3. Once the Raksha Mantri is satisfied, he approves the file and the file is sent to the Deptt of Expenditure (DoE), Ministry of Finance (MoF) for processing for the approval of Finance Minister.
  
Is OROP file pending here at this stage?

4. If DoE, MoF has any doubts those are put on file with the approval of the Jt Secy (Personnel) and the file is returned to the MoD.

Is OROP file pending here at this stage?

5. If the file is returned to MoD, clarifications are provided and the file is returned to DoE, MoF. 

 Is OROP file pending here at this stage?

6. If the DoE, MoF is satisfied with the clarifications, the file is processed through the Jt Secy (Pers), Expenditure Secretary for the approval of Finance Minister.

Is OROP file pending here at this stage?

7. If the Finance Minister has doubts/needs clarifications that cannot be provided by the DoE, MoF, the file is returned to MoD and step 5 is repeated.

 Is OROP file pending here at this stage?

8. If the Finance Minister is satisfied, he approves the OROP payment and the file is returned to MoD for further action.

 Is OROP file pending here at this stage?

9. Once the approved file is received in MoD, the DGL is converted into a Govt letter for implementation and copies are sent out as per the Standard Distribution List and OROP commences.

Is OROP file pending here at this stage?

10. Since the UPA Govt did not need the file to be put up to Prime Minister, it was approved at the level of the Finance Minister. But if the PM of BJP/NDA Govt want to approve OROP personally, the file has to put up to him through the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Is OROP file pending here at this stage?

 

Only Mr Parikkar knows! Or does he?

 

 

 

 

 


 

On Friday, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had said even though all formalities of the scheme had been completed, no specific time-frame could be announced for its implementation as a couple of administrative steps were still pending. - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/government-committed-to-one-rank-one-pension-tweets-pm-modi/#sthash.O8CZw8ue.dpuf
On Friday, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had said even though all formalities of the scheme had been completed, no specific time-frame could be announced for its implementation as a couple of administrative steps were still pending. - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/government-committed-to-one-rank-one-pension-tweets-pm-modi/#sthash.O8CZw8ue.dpuf
On Friday, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had said even though all formalities of the scheme had been completed, no specific time-frame could be announced for its implementation as a couple of administrative steps were still pending. - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/government-committed-to-one-rank-one-pension-tweets-pm-modi/#sthash.O8CZw8ue.dpuf
On Friday, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had said even though all formalities of the scheme had been completed, no specific time-frame could be announced for its implementation as a couple of administrative steps were still pending. - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/government-committed-to-one-rank-one-pension-tweets-pm-modi/#sthash.O8CZw8ue.dpuf

3 comments:

  1. Sir, the blog post states, "...definition is Same Years of Service, Same Rank, Same Pension w.e.f 1/1/2014..."

    A few questions arise:

    *My understanding was the cut off was to be 31 March 2014 (wef 01 Apr 2014). Was that assumption incorrect or was a change introduced subsequently?

    *What happens to Maj with more than 20 years and Maj/Lt Col with more than 26 years of service? The "definition" does not at all take into account the issue of ranks that were given on time bound promotions, but the text of your own blog post had clarified some views on that http://sharad10525.blogspot.in/2015/01/what-is-confusion-in-modalities-for-orop.html.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sir, the effective date is 1.1.2014 as stated by the erstwhile and present Defence Ministers. Further, it was in the Interim Budget/Vote on Account for FY 2014-15.

    It has been clarified by the Service HQ that the definition is clear, precise and takes into account the rank,, the years of service on the date of superannuation/entitlement for pension. There is no prospect of making something retrospective applicable whether it happened because of the policy existing then.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "..no prospect of making something retrospective.."

      Sir, should that be construed to mean that para 9(n) of your blog post dated 17 January 2015 (linked to in my previous comment) has "no prospect" of finding a way into the actual implementation?

      If the Hon'ble PM's view on "complexities" relating to the matter includes that particular aspect of OROP, and if the services HQs and ESM organisations are committed to resolving such issues, perhaps there could be some hope of addressing such issues on a basis that is just and equitable.

      Delete