Supreme Court lists pension-related issues in OROP scheme on March 20

On 13th March 2023, while hearing the matter concerning OROP scheme, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud warned the Ministry of Defence against “taking the law in their own hands.” The bench comprising CJI, Justices JB Pardiwala and PS Narasimha directed them to submit a note regarding the quantum and modalities of the pension. The top Court further told the Attorney General that the application to extent the deadline by the Centre will only be accepted by the Court if the earlier communication of January 20 is withdrawn. The bench further listed the matter for hearing on March 20, 2023.
During the hearing today, various arguments were made. Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi (behalf of petitioners) argued that “Ministry have made four applications seeking extensions, now they seek more extensions and this will affect equalisation in 2024. This is very very unfair. They have enough money for other things but they do not have money for the pensioners. 4 lakh pensioners have already died.” CJI further said that “Our only concern is that the army personnel get the amount. Show us the note on Monday- Give it to us in two parts- What has been paid, what is the modality for future payments, some categorisation, what is the prioritisation. The oldest people and the widows can be taken up first…”