BSNL Latest News 2020 - Rates of Memento, Shawl and Cash gift for retired BSNL employees

BSNL Latest News 2020 - Rates of Memento, Shawl and Cash gift for retired BSNL employees

BSNL

Corporate Office
Welfare & Sports Section
1st Floor, Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, BHARAT SANCHAR NIGAM LIMITED
H.C. Mathur Lane, Janpath, New Delhi-110001 (A Govt.of India Enterprise)
Ph: 011-23739795, Email: agmsports57@gmail. com

F.No. 25-7/201 9-BSN L(WL)

Dated 08.01.2020

To
All the Chief General Manager BSNL

Sub: Farewell Function to Officers/Officials retiring from service w.e.f January 2020 onwards.

I am directed to convey the approval of competent authority regarding revision in the rates of Memento, Shawl and Cash gift for retired employees w.e.f January 2020 on wards, as under:

SI No.	Item	Existing limit	Revised limit (w.e f January 2020)
1	Cash Gift	Rs. 3001/-	Rs. NIL
2	Shawl	Rs. 750/-	Rs. 750/-
3	Memento	Rs. 500/-	Rs. 5001-

Other Miscellaneous expenditures such as Bouquets, refreshments, photographs etc have not been changed. However, in January, 2020 refreshments and Bouquets would not be provided in farewell function considering the operational issues due to mass retirement under VRS Scheme.

(Mayank Mishra)
Jt. GM (WL & Sports)

Copy to: (Through Intranet)
PPS to CMD
PPS/PS to Directors of BSNL Board and CVO, BSNL C.O.
All CGMs/PGMs/Sr.GMs/GMs, BSNL C.O.
All BSNL Unions & Associations

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Delay in pension revision allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA/DR for BSNL Pensioners/Family Pensioners

Delay in pension revision allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA/DR for BSNL Pensioners/Family Pensioners

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
(A Government Of India Enterprise)
Corporate Office
(Pension Section)
5th Floor, Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi - 110 001

No.40-6/2011-Pen(B)

Dated: 24-03-2017

To
All Heads of Circles/Telecom Districts/Regions/Projects/Telecom Stores/Telecom Factories & Other Administrative Offices Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited

Sub: Delay in pension revision allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA/DR with Basic Pay/Pension to 78.2% DA/DR for BSNL Pensioners/Family Pensioners,who retired prior to 10-06-2013 - regarding.

Sir,
I am directed to forward herewith D.O.No.7-1/2013/TA-1/17/Pt./760 dated 07-03-2017 received from Member (Finance)-I/C, DOT, on the above mentioned subject, along with status of pension revision cases pending BSNL Unit-wise.

2. As directed by DOT in the aforesaid letter, all the Circles are requested to adhere to the timeline specified therein and submit complete pension papers and service books to the respective CCAs.

Encl: As above.

Yours faithfully,

(S.P.Bhatta)
Asstt.General Manager (Estt.I)
Tele.No.23037477

Prahlad Singh
Member (finance)-I/C
Tel No.23716161
Fax 23715762

Government Of India
Ministry Of Communications and
Information Technology
Department of Telecommunications

Sanchar Bhawan, 20, Ashok Road,
New Delhi - 110 001

Member (Finance) Telecom commission &
Ex-Officio Secretary to Govt. of India

D.O.No.7-1/2013/TA-1/17/Pt./760
Dated: 7th March,2017

I would like to bring to your attention the delay in the pension revision allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA/DR with Basic/Pension to 78.2% DA/DR for BSNL pensioners/family pensioners, who retired prior to 10.06.2013. Though, the revision in all cases was to be completed by 31.12.2016 as per DoT HQ letter No.40-13/2013-Pen (T) dated 18.07.2016, there is still a huge pendency as on date and the BSNL employees welfare unions have been approaching DoT asking for early settlement of the same.

On review, it is seen that some units of BSNL are sending incomplete papers or are yet to send many of the cases to the CCA offices while there is also pendency in some of the CCA units also (copy of pendency status is enclosed). To complete the task in a structured time frame, concerted efforts both by the BSNL units and CCAs office is required. Target dates both for submission of pension papers and issue of PPOs has now been reviewed both for BSNL and CCA units, which is to be strictly complied to as per the timelines given below.

BSNL (submission of complete pension papers & service Books)		CCA (issue of revised PPOs)
Pre-2007	Post- 2007	Pre-2007	Post- 2007
15.03.2017	31.03.2017	31.03.2017	10.04.2017

You are requested to kindly give your personal attention for compliance of the target dates by the BSNL units, from you end.

with regards
Yours sincerely
Sd/-
(Prahlad singh)

Status of Revision of pension of BSNL Pensioners/Family Pensioners who retired prior to 10.06.2013 by allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA/DR with Basic Pay/Pension effectively amounting to 78.2% DA/DR for the purpose of fitment. (as on 01.03.2017)

Signed Copy

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Revision of pension of BSNL pensioners/ family pensioners, who retired prior to 10.06.2013 by allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA/ DR with Basic Pay/ pension, effectively amounting to 78.2% DA/ DR for the purpose of fitment

Revision of pension of BSNL pensioners/ family pensioners, who retired prior to 10.06.2013 by allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA/ DR with Basic Pay/ pension, effectively amounting to 78.2% DA/ DR for the purpose of fitment

No. 40-13/2013-Pen (T)

Government of India

Ministry of Communications

Department of Telecommunications

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Dated 18.07.2016

Sub:Revision of pension of BSNL pensioners/ family pensioners, who retired prior to 10.06.2013 by allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA/ DR with Basic Pay/ pension, effectively amounting to 78.2% DA/ DR for the purpose of fitment

The pension to combined service optee absorbed employees in BSNL is paid by Government as per sub-rules 21 to 23 of Rule 37-A of CCS(Pension) Rules 1972.

2. Consequent to the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) orders dated 26.11.2008, revision of pay of employees of BSNL was allowed with effect from 1.1.2007 vide Letter No. 61-01/2009-SU dated 27.02.2009. Subsequently, pension/family pension of employees retired from BSNL who retired between 01.10.2000 and 1.1.2007, was revised vide this office a.M. No. 40-17/2008-Pen (T) Vol.lll dated 15.3.2011.

3. Further to Department of Public Enterprises O.M. No. 2(70)/08-DPE (WC)-GL- VII/09 dated 02.04.2009, the benefit of merger of 50% DA with Basic Pay effectively amounting to 78.2% IDA as on 1.1.2007 for the purpose of fitment, was granted to the BSNL serving employees w.e.f. 10.6.2013 vide Order No. 61-01/2012-SU dated 10.6.2013.

4. The issue regarding revision of pension/ family pension of BSNL IDA pensioners/ family pensioners, who retired prior to 10.06.2013 has been considered by the Government, and the following has been decided:

(a)The pension/ family pension of BSNL IDA pensioners/ family pensioners, who retired prior to 01.01.2007, may be revised as on 01.01.2007 notionally with actual benefit w.e.f. 10.06.2013 by adding together
(i)Existing basic pension/ family pension including commuted portion of pension, if any
(ii)Dearness relief (IDA) @ 78.2%
(iii)Fitment weightage @ 30% of the existing pension/ family pension and dearness relief (IDA) thereon.

The amount so arrived will be regarded as consolidated pension/ family pension with effect from 10.06.2013.

(b)The pension/ family pension of BSNL IDA pensioners/ family pensioners, who retired between 01.01.2007 and 09.06.2013, their pay may be revised notionally with effect from 01.01.2007 by allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA/DR with Basic Pay/ Pension effectively amounting to 78.2% IDA for the purpose of fitment, and consequential revision of pension on notional pay with actual benefit w.e.f. 10.06.2013, at par with the serving employees of BSNL. However, these pensioners do not get actual benefit of increase in pay/ pension during the period between 01.01.2007 to 09.06.2013, and they would not get increase in the amount of DCRG, leave encashment and commutation of pension on this account.

5.The other conditions with regard to commuted portion of pension, minimum pension and increase in the quantum of pension/ family pension to the old pensioners/ family pensioners, as mentioned in this office O.M. No. 40-17/2008-Pen (T) Vol.lll dated 15.3.2011 shall remain the same.

6.Action to revise pension/ family pension in terms of these provisions may be initiated suo-moto by the concerned Heads of offices. All administrative offices of BSNL handling preparation of pension papers of BSNL pensioners may be directed to initiate the process of consolidation of pension/ family pension to the BSNL IDA pensioners/ family pensioners, who retired prior to 10.06.2013, at the consolidated rates in terms of para 4 above immediately and forward the same to the concerned CCAs for consolidation and issue of revised Pension Payment Orders (PPOs).

7. The exercise to extend benefit of these orders to the pensioners/ family pensioners should be completed by 31.12.2016.

sd/-

(S K Jain)

DDG (Establishment)

Click to Download the Original Order

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Cabinet approves Revision of pension of BSNL Pensioners Removing Anomalies

Cabinet approves Revision of pension of BSNL Pensioners Removing Anomalies

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the revision of pension of BSNL pensioners and family pensioners, who retired prior to 10.06.2013 by allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA/DR with Basic Pay/ Pension, effectively amounting to 78.2% DA/DR for the purpose of fitment, and (ii) Modifying the liability of BSNL towards the payment of pensionary benefits to the retired employees.The pension of BSNL pensioners/family pensioners, who retired prior to 10.06.2013 has been revised w.e.f. 01.01.2007 notionally with actual benefit w.e.f. 10.06.2013, by allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA/DR with Basic Pay/ Pension, effectively amounting to 78.2% DA/DR for the purpose of fitment at par with the serving employees of BSNL. However, increase in the amount of DCRG, leave encashment and commutation of pension in respect of these pensioners shall not be increased on this account.

The pension liability in respect of employees of Department of Telecommunications (DOT) / Department of Telecom Services (DTS) / Department of Telecom Operations (DTO) who retired prior to 01.10.2000 is solely borne by Government of India and the BSNL will have no liability in respect of these employees. In respect of employees who are absorbed in BSNL, the liability on account of pensionary benefits shall be fully borne by Government while BSNL will continue to discharge pension liability by way of pension contribution in accordance with FR-116 for the period they so work/worked.

The revision entails an estimated recurring annual expenditure of approximately Rs 129.63 crore for pensioners and Rs 24.93 crore for family pensioners and arrears from 2013-14 would be Rs 239.92 crore approximately for pensioners and Rs 44.62 Crore approximately for family pensioners.

Approximately118500 pensioners all over India will be benefitted by this revision.

This revision will fulfill the long pending demand of revision of pension of BSNL absorbed employees who retired prior to 10.06.2013 and will bring the pensioners at par with the serving employees of BSNL by removing the anomalies. It will help in reducing the financial burden of BSNL and removing prospects of industrial unrest in BSNL while fulfilling the commitment of Government.

Background:  The decision of the Cabinet has come in the wake of an anomalous situation created in the difference of pension formula among the BSNL retirees who retired before and after 10.06.2013. Further, the decision regarding pensionary liability is on persistent demand from various quarters and a series of deliberations at different levels to fulfill the assurance given by the Government before corporatization i.e. before formation of BSNL.

PIB

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BDPA views on the 7th Pay Commission Report

BDPA views on the 7th Pay Commission Report

BDPA views on the 7th Pay Commission Report

G.S. BDPA (INDIA) writes to Shri S. K. Makkar, Under Secretary, GOI Ministry Of Personnel,
 PG & Pensions-DOP & PW,
 New Delhi

No:BDPA(INDIA)/7th CPD/2015

Dated 21st December, 2015.

Dear Shri Makkar,

Please refer to your letter no 38/66/13-P&PW (A) (Vol.II) dated 1st/3rd December 2015 to the Pensioners‟ Associations, regarding their views on the 7th CPC report, in respect of Pension /retirement benefits. The said letter of yours though has not been received by us. But the undersigned has come to know about it through one of BPS affiliate on date i.e. 15.12.015. Accordingly undersigned submits BDPA (INDIA) views on the pension/retirement benefits as follows:

In continuation of representation vide No SG/BPS/10/2015 dtd.25-11.15 ( submitted by SG BPS) to the honorable Minister of Finance GOI following few points are put forth through DOP & PW for the consideration of Empowered Committee of Secretaries :

Fitment benefit (5.1.27)&{10.1.67(ii)} 2.57 Fitment factor has been recommended for uniform application to all employees & Pensioners arrived by dividing revised minimum pay by existing minimum salary .Minimum revised salary has been worked out on the principle of need base minimum wage following Dr Aykroyed formula of 50s which is out dated &smells of colonial mindset . The “Normative Family” is taken to consist of a spouse and two children below the age of 14yrs. (Husband 1 unit, wife 0.8 unit and children (2) at 0.6 units each). Considering wife to be .80 units is nothing but gender bias. In the present scenario a wife too put in the same amount of physical work rather may be more as compared to husband. She needs more nutrients to keep herself fit to be a mother & needs more clothing. A lady whether she is a wife of a labourer or a Secretary to Govt. of India has a basic justify to keep her reasonably presentable for which she needs some minimum add-ons as such treating her to be less than a unit is gross injustice.

Similarly growing Children of less than 14 yrs need more of proteins, fats & carbohydrates, with sufficient exercise & field activities for healthy growth. Today they need much better & more clothing compared to 50s. Today Nation needs healthy & stout young citizens. It is against the national interest to restrict their need base minimum requirement to .6 units.

The basket of items taken does not take care of digital India„s minimum requirement i.e. a smart mob phone & internet connection. The quantities of consumption & rates taken for the items in the basket are unrealistic compared to actual retail market rates.

In the light of above mentioned facts it is felt that minimum salary has been intentionally calculated to be lower to keep common fitment factor low. BDPA (INDIA) therefore, appeals that minimum revised salary be raised upwards to make it realistic.

According to 7th CPC recommendations, 2.57 fitment factors is for all employees and pensioners. But, in fact, 2.81 fitment has been given at Secretary Level by raising existing Salary of 80000/PM to 225000/ per month. This is robbing Peter to pay Paul, is violation of CPC own recommendation and that of Article 14 of the constitution of India. BDPA (INDIA), therefore, appeal that 2.81 fitment benefits be provided to all employee and Pensioners without any discrimination.

2. Minimum Pension/family pension (10.1.24)(10.1.26):As per 7th CPC recommendations revised minimum pension will be 50% of the minimum revised salary of Rs 18000/& Family pension will be 30% of it i.e. Minimum Pension will now be = Rs 9000/PM & family Pension = 5400/ So far minimum pension &Family pension have been the same i.e. Rs3500/ if existing minimum family Pension of Rs 3500/ is multiplied by 2.57 fitment benefit, it comes to Rs 8995/PM BPS request that the matter be looked into to ensure that minimum pension & family Pension remains the same.

3. Parity in Pension between pre & post seventh CPC retirees (10.1.53):
The pension formulation under Para 10.1.67(i) option 1 recommended by the Commission is that all past pensioners shall first be fixed in the Pay Matrix being recommended by it, on the basis of the Pay Band and Grade Pay at which they retired, at the minimum of the corresponding level in the matrix. This amount shall be raised, to arrive at the notional pay of the retiree, by adding the number of increments he had earned in the corresponding pay scale from which he had retired, at the rate of 3 per cent. Fifty per cent of the amount thus obtained would be the revised pension.

It would be seen that the Commission has recommended fixation of the revised pension of the past pensioners (without rectifying anomalies of 6th CPC), on the basis of the pay scale, after 31-12-2005/ Pay Band and Grade Pay from which they had retired and not on the basis of the revised pay of the post from which they had retired. The concept of full parity implies that it is the rank or post held by the pensioner which determines his pension and not the pay scale. In many cases the pay scales have been up-graded after the retirement of the pensioners as a result of Pay Commission‟s recommendations or otherwise without any change in the rank or in the nomenclature of the post held previously by them. Advantage of these upgraded pay scales was denied to those who retired earlier to such up gradation creating disparity in Pension.
The formulation proposed by the 7th CPC will not remove the existing disparity between the pension of the pre 01-01-2006 pensioners and those retiring after this date. Such a disparity will continue even after the implementation of the formulation recommended by the 7th CPC for the fixation of the pension of the past pensioners since their pension will be fixed on the basis of the pay scale from which they had retired and the benefit of revised scale upgraded after their retirement will not be admissible to them.

The principle of full parity implies that the uniform pension should be paid to all pensioners retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, irrespective of the date of their retirement. Since the formulation recommended by the Seventh Pay Commission will not bring about uniformity in the pension of the past pensioners retiring in the same rank on different dates, 7th CPC recommendation thus will not ensure full parity for all civil pensioners.

Another glaring anomaly relating to pensioners in the new Pay Matrix which the Commission has proposed after dispensing with the existing system of Pay Bands and Grade Pay introduced on the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission. In the proposed Pay Matrix, in place of the existing Grade Pay, there are 18 distinct Pay Levels which would henceforth be status determiner. Each Level lays down the minimum pay, the annual pay progression of 3 per cent and the maximum pay. It is seen that the maximum pay in each Level exceeds the minimum pay in the next higher Level. This is likely to create a situation in which a person retiring from a higher Level will receive pension less than a person retiring from a lower Level. A situation may arise where a junior may draw more pension than a senior in the level above him. In another situation ( 10.1.71 ). A pensioner of Group “A” retired at last pay drawn of Rs4,000 on 31 January, 1989 under the IV CPC regime, having drawn 9 increments in the pay scale of Rs3000-100-3500-125-4500: will draw a pension of Rs. 44200 (Level 11) where as a promotee officer who retired from the same scale of pay 0n 31st March 1996 (prior to implementation of 5th CPC) at the same basic pay i.e. Rs 4000/ will draw a pension of Rs 34850/- because he could draw only one increment in level 11 giving rise to huge disparity.

BDPA (INDIA) appeals for the removal of the anomalies discussed above while taking a decision on the Commission‟s recommendation.

4. Ratio between minimum and maximum: Instead of reducing it is raised which is against the preamble of the Constitution of Indian Republic. Issue may be revisited.

5. Raising Percentage of pension, based on sustenance L (10.1.24to27) Analysis given by CPC is silent on sustenance-this is unjustified rejection and may be reconsidered.

6. Additional pension at 75 years of age (10.1.28to 30) is denied only because Defense Ministry did not agree, this is rather absurd. If Defense Ministry does not want to have it, let them not have it. Why make others suffer on this account?

7. Medical facilities: (9.5.18 The Commission‟s recommendations regarding merging of all postal dispensaries with CGHS dispensaries and inclusion of non CGHS covered postal Pensioners are welcome.
However, its recommendations regarding Health insurance for pensioners do not suit existing pensioners on account of no coverage of existing disease without lock-in period, no provision of OPD facility, payment of premium and less amount of coverage.

BDPA (INDIA), wish to draw your kind attention to Para 9.5.18 (iii) of the 7th CPC and request you to create without delay a combined entity of CGHS, ECHS-RELHS which in terms of 7th CPC would result in a very strong network of health facilities for the Central Government employees/Pensioners across the length and breadth of the country.

8, Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) (8.1.51): It is granted to pensioners for meeting expenditure on day to day medical expenses that do not require hospitalization. Keeping in view the high cost of medicines & ever rising consultation fee of Doctors BDPA (INDIA) urge that the issue be revisited to reconsider the demand for raising FMA to Rs 2000/ PM.

With warm regards

Yours sincerely,
(D.D. MISTRY)General Secretary,
BDPA (INDIA)

To: Shri S.K.Makkar, Under Secretary, GOI Ministry Of Personnel, PG & Pensions-DOP & PW 3rd floor, Loknayak Bhawan, Khan Market. New Delhi-11014

Copy to:- Ms Vandana Sharma, Joint Secretary. DOP & PW, New Delhi for necessary action at her level please. (D.D. MISTRY) General Secretary, BDPA (INDIA)

Source: http://www.bdpa.in/

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Merger of 78.2% IDA with basic pension benefit to the absorbed BSNL Pensioners -Minutes of the 26th SCOVA meeting 03-02-2015

Merger of 78.2% IDA with basic pension benefit to the absorbed BSNL Pensioners -Minutes of the 26th SCOVA meeting 03-02-2015

inutes of the 26th meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) held on 03rd February, 2015 under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS(PP).

SCOVA Meeting

No. 42/39/2014-P&PW(G)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market,
New Delhi – 110003

Date: 26th Feb,2015

To
All the Pensioners Associations under present SCOVA

Subject: Minutes of the 26th meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) held on 03rd February, 2015 under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS(PP).

Please find enclosed herewith a copy of minutes of the 26th meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) held on 03rd February, 2015 under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS (PP) at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi for your kind perusal and necessary action.
Enel: as above

Sd/-
(Sujasha Choudury)
Dy. Secretary (P)
Tele No. : 24635979
E-mail: sujashachaudhary.edu@nic.in

Minutes of the 26th meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) held on 03.02.2015 under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS (PP) at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi.
The list of participants is at Annexure-A

At the outset Joint Secretary (Pension) welcomed Hon’ble MOS (PP), Secretary, Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, representatives of Pensioners Associations and the participating officers of various Ministries/Departments. It was stated that SCOVA is a multi¬party forum and a platform for sharing views. Under the able leadership of the Hon’ble Minister, the Department will continue to streamline the various policy issues for the benefit of the pensioners.

Thereafter, Hon’ble MOS (PP), Chairman, SCOVA, welcomed all participants to the meeting. He said that presently the number of pensioners is more than the number of employees in service. Hence, there is a large pool of experience which can be utilized in a constructive manner. MOS (PP) also mentioned that the Department has been able to effectively deliver on most of what was promised. Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) has been increased from ‘ 300 to ‘ 500, online grievance monitoring system CPENGRAMS is being used to keep the number of outstanding grievances to a minimum, BHAVISHYA (online pension sanction and payment tracking system) has been extended to 25 Ministries/Departments. MOS(PP) also stated that the Pensioner’s Portal is a part of the e-governance system which is in itself a priority of the present Government. He said that initiative “Sankalp” had immense potential to contribute to the welfare of pensioners who could continue to contribute to the society after their retirement.

Regarding the issue of agenda points suggested by the various Pensioners Associations being summarily rejected, it was informed that due importance was attached to all agenda points. However, owing to time constraints some of them are taken up for discussion during the SCOVA meeting and the items which were specific to a particular Department were forwarded to the concerned Ministries/Departments for taking necessary action. Hon’ble MOS(PP) emphasized that each Department should look at the pensioners as their own responsibility and treat them as their family members.

It was pointed out by Pensioners’ Associations that there has been delay in payment of the enhanced amount of Fixed Medical Allowance in several Postal Circles. The instructions of Department of Posts to Postal Circles for accessing the orders from the website of DoP&PW and send the copies to the Pension Disbursing Offices without delay are not being followed. A suggestion was made that the Heads of Postal Divisions (instead of the designated Officer in Postal Circle Offices) may be authorized to download the relevant order from the website of DoP&PW and send the copies to the Head Post Offices to effect timely payment to the Pensioners.

Thereafter, the Action Taken Report of 25th SCOVA meeting and Fresh Agenda items of 26th SCOVA meeting were taken up for discussion.

Discussion on ATR of 25th SCOVA meeting:-

Sl . No 1 of ATR: Status of issue of revised PPOs to pre-2006 pensioners.

CPAO informed that 29,615 cases were pending for revision. Despite several efforts, no further information was coming forth in respect of the pre- 1990 PPOs. They have approached banks and pensioners to obtain the missing information. CPAO was advised to hold meetings with individual Ministries and sort out cases issue wise so that solutions could be worked out and the pendency brought down to zero. CPAO was also advised to discuss the issue with Ministry of Railways and Department of Defence who had shown remarkable progress and brought down the pendency to Nil.

(Action: CPAO)

b) One of the Pensioner Association intimated that a number of cases were still pending in the Maharashtra Circle post offices. The Department of Posts intimated that they would consider delegating authority of revision to sub-post offices. In case of Patiala Circle, date of birth of spouse is not indicated in the revised PPOs. In respect of the comments of other Pensioners Associations, they were requested to give specific case wherein revised authority has not been issued.

(Action: Department of Posts)

c) The Ministry of Railways informed that only 5000 cases are pending where no records are available and revised PPOs could not be issued. However, the Pensioners Association informed that in Firozpur, Ambala and Delhi revised PPOs in some cases have not been issued. Ministry of Railways was therefore asked to reconfirm their figures of revised PPOs.

(Action: Ministry of Railways)

d) Department of Telecommunications informed that as on date 867 cases are pending and out of which 665 cases pertain to BSNL. Necessary action to revise these are being taken.

(Action : Department of Telecom)

e) D/o Ex-Servicemen Welfare informed that revised PPOs have been issued in most of the cases. This was refuted by the Defence Pensioner Association. Pensioners Associations were requested to give the list of the pending cases to the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare, which will take the matter with CGDA. However, CGDA was asked to also reconfirm their figures.

(Action: Ministry of Defence)

Jt. Secretary (P) requested all the Ministries/Departments to issue revised authorities for all pending cases before the next SCOVA meeting so that this item could be closed finally.
On the issue of Pension Adalat, the associations wanted that they be allowed to represent the cases of the illiterate family pensioners. It was clarified that they could very well represent the cases as individuals and not as representatives of Pensioners’ Associations. Pension Adalats were being held regularly by Survey of India for their organization, and Ministry of Defence were also conducting the same regularly hence the item may be closed.

(ii) Sl.No 2 of ATR :- Broad Banding of Disability Element for Pre-1996 cases.
The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare informed that the orders have been issued. The Department was advised to speedily implement the orders so that the benefit could percolate to all concerned pensioners, it was therefore decided to close the matter.

(iii) Sl.No 3 of ATR:- Health Insurance Scheme for pensioners including those residing at non-CGHS areas.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare intimated that the EFC Memo has been recast and has been sent to IFD for approval. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was advised to expedite a decision in this respect.

One of the pensioner association requested that the prosthesis issued to the orthopedically disabled may also be considered for insurance for easy replacement/repairs thus saving expense.
(Action: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare)

(iv) Sl.No.4 of ATR:- Dedicated day for Pensioners.
It was pointed out that in the case of Defence Pensioners, though a mechanism had been created in September, 2014 no meetings were held. The Ministry of Defence representatives were requested to hold regular meetings. Since, most of the Departments have set up institutional mechanism for meeting with the pensioners, the agenda item was closed.

(v) Sl.No 5 of ATR :- Special Family Pension for the Widows of Disabled War Veterans.
The Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare informed that the matter is being reconsidered by CGDA. One of the Pensioners Associations clarified that this issue is only for the war disabled veterans invalided out of service who are very few in number and deserved empathetic consideration. To hasten the process DoPPW may take up matter with the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri.

(Action: – D/o of Ex-servicemen Welfare ,CGDA and DoPPW)

(vi) Sl.No 6 of ATR :-
The Orders of Ministry of Health reiterating that all the pensioners are at liberty to opt themselves with any of the nearest CGHS hospital/ dispensary may be widely circulated. Arbitrary orders dated 01/08/1996 and 01/09/1996 issued by Ministry of Health and Director of CGHS may be withdrawn and the benefit of CGHS facilities be allowed to the pensioners of Department of Post and Department of Telecom.

Medical facilities for existing P&T pensioners.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare intimated that various issues including the issue relating to extension of CGHS facility to P&T pensioners is likely to be considered in a meeting of the Committee of Secretaries to be held shortly. As regards, the orders dtd 01.08.1996 and 01.09.1996, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed that the matter was still sub-judice.

(Action: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare)

(vii) Sl.No 7 of ATR:- Anomaly in fixation of pension to DoT employees absorbed in BSNL, who retired between 1.10.2000 and 31.7.2001.
It was informed that since the last SCOVA meeting, two meetings were held with the officials of Department of Telecom on 29.09.2014 and 30.12.2014 and Department of Telecom was advised to expedite the details/Reply sought in DoPPW’s ID Note dtd 28.02.2014.Department of Telecom informed that the BSNL is collecting the requisite information sought by DoPPW from corporate offices of BSNL/MTNL. Department of Telecom was advised to send a reply to DoPPW within a fortnight.

(Action: D/o Telecom & DoPPW)

(viii) Sl No.8 of ATR :- Merger of 78.2% IDA with basic pension benefit to the absorbed BSNL Pensioners.
It was informed that the proposal has been approved by Department of Expenditure, in principle. Department of Telecom informed that as per the advice of the Department of Expenditure a Cabinet Note has been prepared and sent to their IFD for approval. Department of Telecom was advised to finalise the draft Cabinet Note and circulate it to the concerned Ministries by the end of February,2015.

(Action: D/o Telecom & D/o Expenditure)

(ix) Sl.No 9 of ATR :- Extension of benefit of upgraded Grade Pay to pre-2006 retirees of S-12 grade.
D/o Expenditure had earlier observed that the benefit to grade pay of the 4600/- could not be extended to those who retired from the S-12 pay scale before 01.01.2006 as it was an upgraded scale. However, the Department of Expenditure has since sought to re-examine the issue and the relevant file on the issue has been forwarded by DoPPW to D/o Expenditure for reconsideration on 22.01.2015. D/o Expenditure was advised to expedite a decision in this regard.

(Action: D/o Expenditure & DoPPW)

(x) S.No.10 of ATR :- Extension of benefit of OM dt. 28.1.2013 w.e.f 1.1.2006 instead of 24.9.2012
It was informed that the matter is sub- judice and the next date of hearing in the SLP No 36148-50/2013 in the Hon’ble Supreme Court was fixed for 17.02.2015.

(Action: D/o P&PW)

(xi) S.No11 of ATR:- Stepping up of Disability Element on the basis of Fitment Tables.
D/o Ex-Servicemen Welfare intimated that the matter is pending with CGDA. They were advised to meet the CGDA personally to expedite the case in one month.

(Action: D/o Ex-servicemen Welfare)

(xii) S.No 12 of ATR:- Income Certificate to be produced by the Family Pensioner.
Ministry of Railways have already reiterated their instructions. They were advised to display these instructions on the website. The item may therefore be closed.

(xiii) S.No 13 of ATR:- Extension Counter of CGHS Wellness Centre at Srinagar and Upgradation of facilities at CGHS Wellness Centre at Jammu including Construction of CGHS Hospital on the plot of land allotted by J&K Govt. at Jammu.

Various issues concerning CGHS including the above issue, were discussed by JS(P), DoPPW in a meeting with AS& DG(CGHS). Various suggestions for providing a centre at Srinagar had been considered in the meeting. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed that while there were huge resource constraints, overall CGHS reforms were being looked into by the Committee of Secretaries (COS). Regarding upgradation of CGHS Wellness Centre at Jammu, it was informed that computers had been procured and supplied. Funds have been released and the procurement of other equipment was being processed. The work is expected to be completed shortly.

Regarding posting of an additional doctor at the CGHS Wellness Centre at Jammu, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was advised to explore the possibility of taking the services of a doctor from the State Govt. on deputation.

(Action: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare)

(xiv) S.No 14 of ATR:- Delay in family pension to next eligible family member in case of death of widow.
There is no case pending in DoPPW and no specific case was intimated by the SCOVA members, the item may therefore be closed.

(xv) S.No 15 of ATR:- Extension of CGHS facilities to retired BSNL employees -Issue of follow up order by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare & fixation of rates of contribution & ward entitlement by DoT.
Department of Telecom informed that since the pay structure in BSNL and Central Govt. was different, the orders of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding ward entitlement on the basis of pay band/grade pay could not be made applicable in the case of BSNL retirees. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare requested Department of Telecom to suggest alternate mechanism for the retirees of BSNL. Department of Telecom was advised to send a proposal to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in this regard in a month’s time.

(Action : Ministry Health and Family Welfare, Department of Telecom)

6. Discussion on Fresh Agenda Points for the 26th SCOVA meeting:-

(26.1) Simultaneous issue of orders for the release of Dearness Allowance

Department of Expenditure intimated that although they do not propose to issue common order both for DA and DR, the proposal could be considered and a copy of the approved Cabinet Note may be forwarded to enable the DoPPW to issue orders at an early date. No separate approval of Ministry of Finance would be required thereafter for issue of DR orders.

(Action: D/o Expenditure and DoPPW)

(26.2) Co-authorisation of Family Pension of Permanently disabled children/dependent parents and permanently disabled siblings.
The Ministry of Defence were asked to proactively take up the issue and finalise the case within a week.

(Action: Ministry of Defence)

(26.3) Non-adherence of extant rules with regard to submission of life certificate.
Regarding complaints in respect of submission of life certificate, SCOVA members were requested to give specific cases. CPAO was advised to give wide publicity to their Toll Free number so that the complaints could be lodged.

(Action:- CPAO and D/o Financial Services)

(26.4) Provision of CGHS facility for life time to dependent disabled/mentally retarded children of Central Government employees/ pensioners.
Ministry of Health was advised to examine the suggestion for extension of CGHS facilities to married disabled/mentally retarded daughter on the analogy of continuation of family pension to such children even after marriage. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare intimated that they will examine the issue.

(Action:- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)

7. Concluding, Secretary (P) stated that the public grievance module CPENGRAMS has been streamlined and lot of improvements have come after its merger with CPGRAMS. The website of the Department has all the latest orders available at the click of the mouse. He urged the SCOVA members to help the pensioners above 80 to get their Adhaar numbers so that they could exercise the online “Jeevan Pramaan” facility which would be of immense help to them. He urged the Department of Telecom to resolve the pending issues with BSNL at an early date. Finally concluding MOS(PP) indicated that Inter Departmental Communication should extend even beyond SCOVA and each Department should look at their pensioners as their responsibility and take out time for communicating or meeting with them.

The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chair.

Source: http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D3/D03ppw/SCOVA_26-FEB-2015.pdf

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