Pension assures one of a life of dignity and self-dependence. However, lack of information or misinformation can be a big roadblock. Which is why being well informed is your best bet.
Here are some common errors as well as the corrective measures required to be taken by the PDAs to avoid the recurrence of irregularities in the future are as below:
Non-revision of pension as per rank of the pensioners: It has been observed that in some of the cases, the pension of the pensioner has not been revised as per the rank of the pensioner for which the pensioner is entitled. For example Pension of Commissioned Officer of the rank of Lt. Cdr in Navy which is equivalent to Major in Army and Sqn Ldr in Air Force is being paid pension for the rank of Lt Col of Army as per One Rank One Pension (OROP) referring PCDA (Pen) Circular No. 555 dated 04/02/2016. It is advised to the PDA that pension may be revised after confirming the equivalent rank as mentioned in Appendix-Y of Circular No. 555.
Wrong revision of pension of Reservist pensioners: It has been observed that pension of some of the Reservist pensioners has been revised treating rank of the pensioners as Sepoy or otherwise. In this context, it is intimated that such type of pensioners are entitled to revised pension @ Rs. 3,500/- per month w.e.f. 01/01/2006 under 6th CPC and @ Rs. 9,000/- per month w.e.f. 01/01/2016 under 7th CPC. In case, the rank of the pensioner is shown as Reservist in the original PPO/Corr PPO, but rank has been shown as Sepoy or otherwise in corrigendum PPO issued under 6th CPC series “S/Corr/6th CPC”, in such situation pension of the pensioner is required to be revised for the rank of Reservist and matter may be referred to PCDA(Pen) Allahabad for clarification/necessary action in regard to the rank of the pensioner.
Revision of pension in respect of Post-2006 Havildars granted ACP-I who later on promoted to the Rank of Hony Nb Sub: It is clarified that pension of Post-2006 Havildars granted ACP-I, who got pensionary benefits of Nb-Sub rank but later on promoted to the rank of Hony Nb Sub for which Corr. PPOs were issued revising the rank as Hony Nb Sub. Pension in such cases shall be revised for the rank of Nb Sub as per One Rank One Pension (OROP) referring PCDA (Pen) Allahabad Circular No. 555 dated 04/02/2016.
Revision of pension under One Rank One Pension (OROP) in respect of Fly Sergeant: The rank of Fly Sergeant has not been mentioned in the equivalence of ranks in Appendix – ‘Y’ of Circular No. 555dated 04.02.2016 & Circular No. 557 dated 17.03.2016. In this regard, it is clarified that rank of Fly Sergeant is equivalent to JWO of the Air Force and Naib Subedar of the Army. Hence, pension of Fly Sergeant shall be revised from the Tables of Naib Subedar as per One Rank One Pension (OROP). PCDA (Pen) Circular No. 555 dated 04/02/2016 refers.
Rounding of qualifying service: While calculating the length of qualifying service for the pensionary benefits, a fraction of a year equal to 3 months and above but less than 9 months is treated as one half (1/2) year period, and nine months or more but less than a year is treated as a completed one year for determining the amount of pension w.e.f. 28/06/1983. Prior to 28/06/1983, the broken period of service of 180 days or more is to be treated as half years w.e.f. 22/04/1960.
Wearing of Family Medals by Next of Kin (NOK)Serving Personnel and Ex-Servicemen (ESM)
Medals are to be worn only by persons on whom these are conferred while serving or by ESM as laid down in Regulations for the Army 1978 (Revised Edition). Now, it has been decided that family medals may be worn on right chest by NOK of ESM of Indian Army when attending homage ceremonies at war memorials, cemeteries and funerals. Service persons, if attired in formal civil dress, when attending homage ceremonies may also sport family medals. In case more than one set of family medals are available, then only one set will be worn as per the choice of the service persons/NOK. Ceremonial & Welfare Dte/CW-1, AG’s Branch, IHQ of MoD (Army) New Delhi letter No. B/42901/Dress/AG/CW-1 dated 11 Jul 2019 refers.
