The Supreme Court has fined the Centre Rs 5 lakhs for failing to make a decision regarding the pension for retired regular captains under the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme. The OROP scheme, introduced by the Modi government in 2015, aims to equalize the pension rates of past retirees with those of current armed forces retirees.

A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and R Mahadevan imposed the fine on the Ministry of Defence, expressing frustration over the prolonged delay. "For how many years will this go on? Either you pay an enhanced pension by 10 per cent, or we impose a cost on you. We wanted a decision to be taken, but you have not taken it. This matter came up in 2021, but still no decision has been made," the bench stated.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhatti, representing the Army, argued that the government needed to address all six anomalies in the OROP scheme holistically, rather than making a piecemeal decision. However, the court maintained that the fine must be deposited within four weeks and granted the Centre time until November 2024 to make the necessary decisions.

During the hearing, Justice Khanna remarked, "What is this? If the government is not taking a decision, I cannot do anything. This does not give solace to these officers. They are retired captains. They have no say. They have no access to you people. Either you start paying 10 per cent more or pay the cost. The choice is yours."