Ex-Servicemen Wing Thanks Centre for Setting Up 8th Pay Commission; To Submit OROP Anomalies for Rectification.
Shimla:
The United Front of Ex-Servicemen (JCOs & OR) Himachal Pradesh has expressed its gratitude to the Central Government for the constitution of the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), which is scheduled to come into effect from January 1, 2026. While welcoming the long-awaited announcement, ex-servicemen also voiced concern over the delayed formation of the commission and reiterated their demand for rectification of anomalies in the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme.
Capt Jagdish Verma (Retd), Chairman of the United Front of Ex-Servicemen (JCOs & OR), Himachal Pradesh, said that although the decision to form the 8th CPC came late, it has brought relief and optimism to lakhs of serving personnel and pensioners. “We are thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central Government for setting up the 8th Central Pay Commission. Though the announcement has come close to its effective date, the decision is timely and gives new hope to the defence community,” Capt Verma remarked.
He recalled that the 7th CPC, implemented from January 1, 2016, had been constituted in February 2014, allowing sufficient time for consultation and review. However, the formation of the 8th CPC, approved by the Union Cabinet in January 2025, has been delayed, leaving limited time for deliberations before its recommendations are to take effect.
Capt Verma highlighted that several discrepancies have persisted in the OROP implementation, which was enforced from July 1, 2014, and later revised in 2019 and 2024. According to him, “Due to incorrect implementation, many earlier retirees are drawing higher pensions than those retiring now, which is contrary to the very spirit of OROP. Despite repeated representations and use of all constitutional means, our genuine demands have not yet been met.”
The United Front has decided to formally present these concerns to the newly formed 8th CPC. Once the Commission’s office, chaired by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai (Retd), former Judge of the Supreme Court, becomes operational, the organization will send a comprehensive representation outlining all identified anomalies in pension structures.
Capt Verma further informed that a delegation of ex-servicemen from Himachal Pradesh will travel to New Delhi after securing an appointment with the Commission members to personally submit their memorandum and discuss the issues in detail.
Expressing optimism, Capt Verma said, “We are hopeful that the 8th Pay Commission will take into account the long-standing disparities in pension and pay structures and bring justice to the veteran community that has served the nation with unwavering commitment and sacrifice.”
He added that the ex-servicemen community views the constitution of the 8th CPC as a positive and progressive step, one that rekindles hope for a fair and transparent redressal of long-pending grievances.
