The Supreme Court has fined the Central Government Rs 5 lakh for not complying with its order regarding retired permanent captains under the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme. The court directed the Central Government to deposit the fine amount within four weeks and set the next hearing for November 25.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Central Government, informed the court that the government had not yet made a decision on the matter. The court expressed its displeasure and initially imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh. However, Justice Sanjeev Khanna suggested reducing the fine to Rs 5 lakh.
The court also warned that if the government fails to make a decision by November 14, it will order a 10 percent increase in the pension of retired permanent captains. The Supreme Court reiterated its previous decision that the OROP policy does not have any constitutional flaws and includes a provision for reviewing pensions every five years.
The court emphasized that the OROP policy is a governmental decision, and the judiciary does not interfere in policy matters. Previously, the Supreme Court had instructed the Central Government to pay arrears to eligible family pensioners and gallantry award winners of the armed forces by April 30, 2023. It also directed that arrears for pensioners over 70 years old be paid by June 30, 2023, and the remaining 11 lakh beneficiaries be paid in three equal installments by August 30, 2023, November 30, 2023, and February 28, 2024.
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