‘OROP payments to start January’

The enhanced pension under the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme would be paid to the over 25 lakh ex-servicemen and war widows by January next year, defence sources said on Tuesday.

The first instalment of the arrears would be received by the pensioners in the first week of March, source added. The payment of enhanced pensions will cost the exchequer around `8,000 crore.

The government will also bring in a formal order on OROP this month which will see a clarification on the OROP rule that those taking retirement from now on will not get OROP benefits. “The calculation and charts are being prepared right now. The enhanced pension would be received by ex-servicemen and war widows by January. Moreover, the first instalment of the arrears would be received by them in the first week of March,” the sources said.