r2i forum

I am starting a thread on the topic because I find little informed debate on the issue on the Internet. There is a possibility that PM may concede the demand in his Aug 15 Red Fort speech.

http://www.rediff.com/news/special/ex-servicemen-take-their-battle-for-one-rank-one-pension-to-pm-special/20120706.htm

[quote] OROP implies that uniform pension be paid to the armed forces personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement, and any future enhancement in the rates of pension be automatically passed on to past pensioners. [/quote]

The demand is that someone who retired in 1980 as say Havildar after 15 years of service should be paid the same pension today as another person who retired in 2010 as Havildar with the same 15 years of service.
Civilian Govt pensioners do not get OROP currently.

On the face of it, it seems fair. Is it? I will my post my views later.

Bobus;470195Civilian Govt pensioners do not get OROP currently.

It would be interesting to see if the civilian govt. pensioners move the courts if OROP is instituted for military personnel. Is this also an issue for civilian govt. pensioners?

A blog on this subject that I chanced upon trying to read more on this -> http://onerankonepension.blogspot.in/2009/02/primer-on-one-rank-one-pension.html

Came across this thread and was of interest, as we hired a few retired military folks in our apartment recently.

While the blog has pointed out why this may not be applicable to civilians, there is one other difference here (may apply to the lower ranks more) : when civilians retire pension is the only source of income. Otoh - military retirement is at an age when folks can take up other employment. So this pension is an add on. E.g in apartments/gated communities they are really sought after for various roles like estate manager, security head etc., GOI could point this as a reason/excuse when there is a serious shortage of budget or there is no political benefit?
However the other angle is from fairness. e.g even for same rank, have job responsibilities/expectations evolved over the years? e.g there is a difference in the quality of havildar one gets when 10 people compete for a post, vs 1000 people. In effect, the havildar who easily got a job in 1980, is getting a fat hike due to the havildar who had to fight tooth and nail to get a job in 2000.
(i am assuming there is some form of hike for inflation though already).

I am though in favor of providing this to the family where the military spouse has expired (i.e post retirement).

I think if a country is providing free healthcare and subsidized wheat/rice/petrol etc., then pensions should be limited (or even eliminated completely). Various Provident Fund schemes, and 401k equivalents (in an easy to use/understand format) are the way of the future. Further, pensions to few at the cost of many is not a good policy, and can cause social tension and heartburn.