GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of Defence
DEPARTMENT OF EX- SERVICEMEN WELFARE

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 213
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.11.2010
Memorandum for One Rank One Pension

213. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR:
Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

1. Whether Government has received a Memorandum signed by body of Ex- personnel of Armed Forces in support of their demand for One Rank One Pension;
2. If so, the details thereof and action taken by Government on that memorandum;
3. Whether it is a fact that the State Government of Punjab has given approval of One Rank One Pension to the Ex- Armed forces personnel hailing from Punjab;
4. If so, the details thereof;
5. Whether Central Government was consulted in this regard;
6. If so, the details thereof;
7. Whether Centre too will follow the example of Punjab; and
8. If not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
(SHRI M M PALLAM RAJU)

(a) & (b): Some ex- servicemen belonging to the Indian Ex- servicemen Movement, an unrecognized body, which has been demanding One Rank One Pension and as a part of their campaign, have submitted a memorandum reportedly signed in blood.

 (c ) & (d): A Reference has been received regarding recommendation of the House of State Government of Punjab for sympathetic consideration of One Rank One Pension.
(e) & (f): No, Sir.
(g) & (h): The effort of the Government has been to improve the pension of Armed Forces pensioners. Keeping in view the spirit of the demand and the Government’s commitment to the welfare of ex- servicemen, a Committee was set up headed by Cabinet Secretary. All the seven recommendations made by the Committee were accepted and orders in implementation of the same stand issued. This would not only significantly reduce the gap between the past and present pensioners but will also considerably improve the pension of ex- servicemen including disabled ex- servicemen.