NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has criticized the defense secretary's decision to pay the pension arrears of retired soldiers in four installments under the One Rank One Pension scheme. Defying the court order to complete the distribution of pension arrears by March 15th, the defense secretary had ordered that the pension be paid in four installments. This was questioned by a bench chaired by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud. The court said it will not allow the law to be taken into their own hands. It has also been clarified that the request to extend the deadline for payment of arrears will not be considered without withdrawing the order. The court had criticized it on February 27th as well. Priority should be given to the elderly and women for the payment of arrears. The Ministry of Defense has also been directed to provide information by March 20th, including details on how many people have been paid so far.

First installment by 31st

Attorney General R Venkataramani informed that the first installment will be distributed by March 31. Out of 25 lakh pensioners, applications of 7 lakh have been accepted. For the rest, the process is ongoing. The Attorney General said that he is directly assessing the matter. The petitioners, including the Indian Ex-Servicemen's Movement, pointed out that four lakh people who were waiting for their pension arrears had already died.