NEW DELHI: The Indian Government has finally released an official notification over the implementation of the One rank One pension scheme, as a Diwali gift to the army veterans.
There has been a heated debate over the demand of One rank One pension ever since the army personnel went on a strike.
The One rank One pension scheme will come into effect from the 1st of July, 2014. 25 lakh veterans are expected to get at least Rs.3000 to Rs.5000 as an increment to their monthly pension with the new scheme. It is estimated that the new scheme may cost an addition of Rs.8000 crore to the Government.
Though the Government has made an official announcement over ‘One rank one pension scheme’ on 5th September, the official notification has been delayed due to the election code of conduct in Bihar and the Election commission’s restrictions.
However, the army veterans were not completely pleased with the Government notification.
“This is not acceptable for us. The notification seems to be one rank five pensions and not one rank one pension”, Retd Major Satbir Singh said to the media on Saturday. The veterans demanded the Government to release their pensions at one go rather than giving it in four or five equal installments.
In its notification the Government said that the pension for widows and gallantry award winners will be given in one go and for the rest it will be issued in four equal installments. The Government said that is not possible for the administration to pay all the pension at a time, as it may imbalance the financial system, the NDTV reported.
The Union Government formed a judicial panel to deal with the issues related to the implementation of One rank One pension.
