OROP story: Happy ending to half-decisions and confusions !

New Delhi: The OROP arrears from 1/7/2019 have been happily released by the government. In fairness, the government had never denied this OROP right to the pensioners. There was only one delay, though unfortunately long.

While on pensions/OROP, it is common knowledge that the Judiciary cannot direct the Executive on what pension to give to their employees. The courts can intervene only under Article 14 when there is inequality and two similarly placed pensioners are receiving differing pensions.

Some IESM functionaries wanted to go to SC even in 2009-2010 but were not allowed. If that had happened, there would have been no government Notification in Nov 2015 and there would have been no OROP. Post Notification, some individuals filed a case in SC falsely using the name of the IESM society, without approval from its Governing Body.

Resultantly, we have got an adverse SC judgment. This will become a millstone around the neck for future generations of pensioners who might need to raise a similar demand.

Unwisely, we have cut our own feet.

Lt Gen Raj Kadyan

Chairman IESM