INDIAN RAILWAYS TECHNICAL SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION
(Estd. 1965, Regd. No.1329) Website http://irtsa.net
CHq. 32, Phase 6, Mohali,
Chandigarh-160055.
No:IRTSA/CHQ/Memo. 2020-3
Date: 30.4.2020
Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman,
Hon’ble Minister for Finance,
Government of India,
North Block, New Delhi-110001.
Respected Madam,
Subject: Freezing of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners at the
current rates till July 2021 - Appeal for review of decision; And Grant of option to credit the Additional DA to Provident Fund
Ref: Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure OM No.1/1/2020-E-II (B), dated 23-04- 2020
1) Indian Railways Technical
Supervisors Association (IRTSA) extends its fullest support and cooperation to the Government of India in its all-out effort to control
COVID-19 pandemic.
Railway men are working on the forefront risking their lives to keep freight & parcel services operational for ensuring uninterrupted supply
of essential commodities across the country. Indian Railways have taken up many special tasks to fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
2) Railways’ and other government employees and pensioners have contributed generously to PM CARES for the fight against COVID-19.
3) It is, however, very disheartening that the Government has decided, as per the order cited above, that the DA/DR is frozen and would not be
revised up to July 2021; and that no arrears will be paid. This has adversely affected the morale of the employees.
4) DA is a part of Pay, compensating for the erosion in the real value of the salary. DA can only be deducted either as a punitive measure or
with the consent of the employees.
5) Assuming 4% additional DA & DR for each of 3 spans of six months, the total loss of employees and pensioners would be over 1.5 months of
Pay & Pension and possibly even more than that, if the inflation is higher than 4 % in the next 2 spans.
6) Freezing of DA will also delay the
revision of HRA rates since as per decision of the Government on 7th CPC, whenever DA crosses 25%, rates of HRA will be revised.
7) It will also cause additional heavy loss to the employees who retire between 1-1-2020 to 30-6-2021 in terms of Gratuity and Leave encashment
as the DA is counted for the same.
8) We fully realize that a lot of funds are required to combat the social & economic impact of COVID. But freezing the DA & DR would be
counter-productive, as freezing this huge amount would give a further blow to the market as well as to the employees and the pensioners since
the amount paid as DA and DR will actually flow out to the market. This will help boost the sagging economy in post-COVID times.
9) Government had advised all private sectors to pay their employees for the lockdown period. Government, as a model employer should set an
example by not making any cut in the pay & allowances of its own employees.
10) Lower and middle class employees and pensioners are hard pressed to meet their liabilities due to heavy inflation which is bound to increase
in the post-COVID-19 scenario especially in respect of cost of Medicines and household requirements.
11) In the past,when funds were required for a National calamity like War, Floods or Cyclones etc., DA installments were deposited in the
Provident Fund with the consent of the employees. It was never frozen as of now.
12) It is, therefore, requested that, keeping in consideration all the above aspects, the following proposals may please be considered
sympathetically to avoid heart burning amongst employees and pensioners:
Order for freezing of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief may please be withdrawn.
Instead option may please be given to Employees for crediting of the amount of Additional DA to their Provident Fund in case of pre-1-4-2004
employees and to the Pension Fund (Tier 2) in case of those covered under the NPS.
Employees and pensioners may be encouraged to invest in Infrastructure Bonds etc. by increasing the ceiling limit thereof. This would
provide the government with the requisite funds and the employees will not be at a loss in the long run.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully,
(HARCHANDAN SINGH)
General Secretary.
Ministry of Labour & Employment CPFC Directs to Ensure Credit of Pension to EPS Pensioners
by 30th March
26 MAR 2020
EPFO makes payment of pension to 65 lakh pensioners every month under the Employees pension Scheme, 1995.
Central Provident Fund Commissioner (CPFC) had directed to process pension payments in all 135 offices of
EPFO in advance so that no inconvenience is caused to pensioners on account of nationwide lock down for
containing Covid-19 outbreak.
EPFO officers and staff worked with dedication under most difficult circumstances but completed the
processing of pension payments in all 135 offices and provided pensioner wise pension payment details for 65
lakh pensioners alongwith requisite cheques to all pension disbursing banks. Link nodal branches of all
pension disbursing banks throughout India have been directed to ensure credit of pension in the accounts of
pensioners by 30th March, 2020. Thus timely credit of pension at this hour of need has been ensured by all
135 field offices. EPFO is committed to serve its pensioners at all times.
The current condition does not cause the pensioners any inconvenience EPFO to generate and reconcile details
of pensioners and statement of pension amounts by 25 March 2020 for the current month.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
EPFO issues Directions for timely credit of monthly Pension to EPS Pensioners
23 MAR 2020
EPFO is disbursing monthly pension to more than 65 Lakh pensioners every month under the Employees’ Pension
Scheme, 1995.
Due to the corona virus pandemic, lock down has been declared in various parts of the country. In order to
ensure that no inconvenience is caused to the pensioners on account of the prevalent situation, Central
Provident Fund Commissioner has directed the field offices of EPFO to generate and reconcile pensioners’ details and pension amount
statements for the current month by 25th March, 2020. He further directed that the same should be forwarded
to the banks in advance so that the monthly pension is credited into the account of the pensioners in time
i.e. during the month of March itself.
Ministry of Labour & Employment Employees' Pension Scheme (Amendment) Scheme, 2020
16 MAR 2020
Representations have been received from individual Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), 1995 pensioners as well as various pensioners associations raising issue of amendments in EPS, 1995 as well as demands, inter-alia, regarding enhancement of minimum monthly pension and restoration of commuted value of pension.
Considering the demands of EPS, 1995 pensioners, the Government had constituted a High Empowered Monitoring Committee for complete evaluation and review of EPS, 1995. Based on Committee’s recommendation, the Government vide Notification G.S.R. No. 132(E) dated 20.02.2020 has notified decision to restore normal pension after completion of fifteen years from the date of such commutation, in respect of those members who availed the benefit of commutation of pension under the erstwhile paragraph 12A of this Scheme, on or before the 25th day of September, 2008.
The State / UT-wise details of number of employees enrolled under EPS, 1995 at present are at Annexure I.
Annexure I
State / UT-wise details of number of employees enrolled under EPS, 1995
Sl. No.
State / UT
Number of EPS, 1995 Members
1
ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS
46099
2
ANDHRA PRADESH
4894239
3
ARUNACHAL PRADESH
34262
4
ASSAM
1002369
5
BIHAR
1810148
6
CHANDIGARH
2773032
7
CHHATTISGARH
2120580
8
DELHI
19340659
9
GOA
1555143
10
GUJARAT
18925544
11
HARYANA
18840638
12
HIMACHAL PRADESH
1779268
13
JHARKHAND
2438508
14
KARNATAKA
28574372
15
KERALA
3608629
16
MADHYA PRADESH
5579539
17
MAHARASHTRA
48542645
18
MANIPUR
40695
19
MEGHALAYA
120929
20
MIZORAM
10007
21
NAGALAND
24928
22
ODISHA
3533218
23
PUNJAB
4314283
24
RAJASTHAN
6251397
25
TAMIL NADU
28826389
26
TELANGANA
13444683
27
TRIPURA
106403
28
UTTAR PRADESH
11330944
29
UTTARAKHAND
3746454
30
WEST BENGAL
10469959
The State/UT-wise details of the amount distributed under EPS, 1995 during each of the last three years including the current year are at Annexure II.
State / UT-wise details of the amount (in Rs.) distributed under EPS, 1995
Sl. No.
State / UT
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
1
ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS
61497107
62773604
70272071
2
ANDHRA PRADESH
1820048399
1837166781
1765949928
3
ARUNACHAL PRADESH
10866361
14758448
14173636
4
ASSAM
773713407
932873353
880834211
5
BIHAR
1653339800
1857398598
1673833899
6
CHANDIGARH
1614396700
2221443125
1841556167
7
CHHATTISGARH
1902541161
2030108245
2028321738
8
DELHI
4444734231
5376402712
5065776244
9
GOA
752720855
778092415
671802182
10
GUJARAT
3799861328
3866846976
3711775330
11
HARYANA
2946290168
2980933921
2643033792
12
HIMACHAL PRADESH
1213953849
1263977324
1177646186
13
JHARKHAND
1745556434
1820142321
1759222457
14
KARNATAKA
4351034413
3917371170
3446372700
15
KERALA
2934012504
3308418201
3250966339
16
MADHYA PRADESH
1552510160
1745126898
1536409360
17
MAHARASHTRA
7314959982
6119175248
4860107122
18
MANIPUR
28115037
40466950
36423753
19
MEGHALAYA
88095948
102186527
90112183
20
MIZORAM
6627577
7585301
7449618
21
NAGALAND
22956418
28794944
29193288
22
ODISHA
1996070775
2198978751
2296623899
23
PUNJAB
1135648802
1214518583
1234162850
24
RAJASTHAN
1951157372
2406231827
2087827011
25
TAMIL NADU
4810558218
4597522638
3885314268
26
TELANGANA
4327407810
4416820213
3745388028
27
TRIPURA
151352846
164311264
179142181
28
UTTAR PRADESH
1697131570
1878477447
1785924637
29
UTTARAKHAND
1287535813
1197591602
1179233249
30
WEST BENGAL
2902303074
2906927989
3074741443
This information was given by Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar Union Minister of State (I/C) for Labour and Employment in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
NPS - Additional Benefits on death / disability of Government Servants
EAST COAST RAILWAY
Grant of Additional Benefits on death/disability of Government Servants covered under National Pension System
(NPS) - Railway Board RBE No. 08/2020 No. D-43/4/2018- F(E)III
dated 20.01.2020.
RBE No. 08/2020
Government of India
Ministry of Railways
(Railway Board)
No. D-43/4/2018-F(E)III
New Delhi, Dated 20.01.2020
The General Managers/ Principal Financial Advisory,
All Zonal Railways/ Production Units
Sub:- Grant of Additional Benefits on death / disability of Government Servants covered under
National Pension System (NPS) - reg
Attention is invited to Board’s letter No. 2008/AC-II/21/19 dated 29.05.2009 vide which instructions were
issued providing for additional relief on death/disability of Government servants covered by New Defined
Contribution Pension System (NPS). Instructions issued vide letter ibid will be applicable to those
Government Servants who joined Government Service on or after 01.01.2004 and will take effect from the same
date i.e. 01.01.2004. Further, attention is invited to the letter No. 2016/F(E)III/1(1)/3 dated 27.05.2016
vide which Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Exits and Withdrawals under NPS) Regulation,
2015 notified vide Gazette notification dated 11.05.2015 was adopted and circulated on Railways. It is
prescribed in these regulations that if the subscriber or the family members of the deceased subscriber, upon
his death, avails the option of additional relief on seek transfer of the entire accumulated pension wealth
of subscriber to itself.
2. References were received in this office seeking clarification whether the rule allowing option for drawl
of pension/ family pension, instead of NPS corpus, is also applicable retrospectively for the cases where
corpus of NPS has already been paid to the deceased employee’s legal heirs before issue of board’s letter No.
2008/AC-II/21/19 dated 29.05.2009. If the date of application of additional benefit is retrospective, whether
it is from the date the employee deceased or from the date of issue of Board’s letter dated 29.05.2009. Also,
whether the arrears of pension/family pension is to be paid (upon surrender of NPS Corpus) or not, and the
amount is likely to be huge which would impact the Railway Finances. Clarification was, also, sought whether
the interest on the corpus is to be charged from the date of payment of corpus amount till the date of is
surrender and if so, at what rate.
3. The above issue has been examined in consultation with Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare
(DOP&PW), the nodal Department of pensioner matters. DOP&PW has clarified that Railway servant/
family member in the case of death of railway servant of his discharge from service on account of
invalidation/ disability, is entitled to pension/ family pension under old pension scheme under Railway
Services (Pension) Rules, 1993, if the Railway servant/ Family wants to. DOP&PW have, further, clarified
that the entire accumulated pension funds under NPS may be recovered from him/family with interest for the
period from the date of receipt of entire accumulated pension wealth to the subscriber under NPS to the date
of refund to the Government at the rate and manner applicable to GPF deposits from time to time.
4. The aforesaid clarification may be kept in view while dealing with cases covered under National Pension
System (NPS).
sd/-
(G. Priya Sudarsani)
Director, Finance (Estt.)
Railway Board
The Union budget for the 2020-21 financial year, presented to Parliament on February 01, 2020 by Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, envisaged a total outlay of Rs 30,42,230 crore. Rs 3,37,553 crore (excluding Defence Pension) has been allocated for Defence. A amount of Rs 1,33,825 crore was provided for Defence Pension in Budget Estimates 2020-21.
There is an increase in total Defence allocations (Rs 4,71,378 crore) of Rs 40,367.21 crore including Defence Pension over the 2019-20 fiscal year. Total defence budget accounts for 15.49 per cent of total central government spending for the 2020-21 fiscal year.
The allocation of Rs 4,71,378 crore reflects a 9.37 per cent increase over Budget Estimates (Rs 4,31,010,79 crore) for the 2019-20 financial year.
Of the Rs 3,37,553 crore allocated for the 2020-21 financial year, Rs 2,18,998 crore is for revenue (Net) expenditure and Rs 1,18,555 crore is for capital expenditure for Defence Services and Ministry of Defense organizations / departments. The total of Rs 1,18,555 crore allocated for capital spending includes expenditure related to modernisation.
Facility of Life Certificate by banks from the doorstep of the pensioners
DoPPW - All Pension Disbursing Banks send SMS / Emails to all their pensioners every year on 24 October, 1 November, 15 November and 25 November, informing them to apply their annual Life Certificates by 30 November
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Facility of Life Certificate by banks from the doorstep of the pensioners
30 JAN 2020
The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW), has taken a landmark step to make life easier for senior citizens to submit their Annual Life Certificate for continued pension. The Department vide its circular no. 12/4/2020-P&PW(C)- 6300, dated 17.01.2020 has issued directions to all the Pension Disbursing Banks to send SMSs/Emails to all their pensioners on 24th October, 1st November, 15th November and 25th November every year reminding them to submit their Annual Life Certificates by 30th November.
The Department for stricter monitoring in order to ensure that no pensioners are left out, directed all Pension Disbursing Banks to make an exception list as on 1st December every year of those pensioners who fail to submit their Life Certificate and issue another SMS/Email to them for submitting the Life Certificate. The bank in addition will also ask such pensioners through SMS/Email as to whether they are interested in submission of Life Certificate through a chargeable doorstep service, the charge not exceeding Rs.60/-.
The Central Pension Processing Cells (CPPC) of the Pension Disbursing Banks shall now be duty bound to submit a report to DoPPW in the month of January, February & March respectively, indicating the total number of pensioners who have not given their Life Certificate along with a breakup of the Certificates submitted physically and through Digital means.
The above is a landmark step from the side of the Central Government showing due care for pensioners. This step is in addition to the order issued recently dated 18.07.2019 vide which all pensioners age 80 years and above have been given an exclusive window to submit their Life Certificate w.e.f. 1st October every year instead of 1st November every year.
BHARAT PENIOSNERS SAMAJ (All India Federation of Pensioners’ Association)
One notional increment to those retired on 30th June after completion of 365 days
No.SG/BPS /01/20/16
Dated: 16.01.2020
To
The Union Minister of Finance
The Union Minister of Law & Justice
The MOS (PP) PMO
Secy , DOPT
JS, DOP & PW
Subject : One notional increment to those retired on 30th June after completion of 365 days
Madam / Sir,
Constitution
of India is sacrosanct, Government Policies & Rules have to be in
Synchronization with the constitution. In case of variations Policies
& Rules need to be amended to suit the provisions of the
constitution of India.
“Article 14 of the Constitution
ensures equality among equals : its aim is to protect persons similarly
placed against discriminatory treatment. (State of U.P. [(1969) 1 SCC
817])) Pensioners form a homogenous group (D.S. Nakara & Others vs
Union Of India on 17 December, 1982) Equivalent citations: 1983 AIR 130,
1983 SCR (2) 165 wherein it was HELD: Article 14 strikes at
arbitrariness in State action and ensures fairness and equality of
treatment. Principle underlying the guarantee is that all persons
similarly circumstanced shall be treated alike both in privileges
conferred and liabilities imposed. Equal laws would have to be applied
to all in the same situation and there should be no discrimination
between one person and another.
Madam
/ Sir, Answers to Lok Sabha unstarred Q No 427 & 2027 (copies
attached ) seek to introduce discrimination among Similarly placed.
The
judgments under reference may be in Persona, REM or Supra. The fact
remains that the honorable courts decided an issue relating to
pensionary benefit and that UOI was one of the party to the case as such
to ensure equality under Article 14 of constitution it need to be
applied to all similarly placed and not only to appellant.
Honourable
PM (in his speech in Golden Jubilee celebration of Dethi High court) as
well as Honourable Supreme Court through pronouncements in several of
its judgements has said that the issue once decided should apply to all
similarly placed. MOD through its circulars CGDA, Ulan Batar ‘Road,
Palam-Delhi Cantt No AN/III/ 3012/Circular/Vol.VII Dated 30.10.18 and
GOI Ministry of Defense D(CMU), Sena Bhawan, New Delhi, Dated
07.09..2018 has provided application of Court judgments to all similarly
placed.
Govt.
of Tamil Nadu. too has applied court judgment on the same issue for all
similarly placed pensioners vide FINANCE (PAY CELL) DEPARTMENT
G.O.Ms.No.140, Dated: 25th April, 2018. Irony is that PM & Apex
court desires application to all similarly placed the Service/ Pension
issues once legally decided. MOD too provides application of Court
judgments to all similarly placed (which includes Defence civilians
also). But DOPT and DOPPW do not agree to it.
Bharat
Pensioners Samaj once again request you not to push pensioners who are
in the evening of their lives to courts to seek redress on issues
already decided. Please have MERCY on them.
Thanking You
Yours truly,
Sd/-
S C Maheshwari
Secy General Bharat Pensioners Samaj
Obtaining of Life Certificate by Banks from the doorstep of the pensioners: DoP&PW Circular
No. 12/4/2020-P&PW(C)-6300
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pension
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare
8th Floor, Janpath Bhawan,
Janpath, New Delhi-01.
Dated January 17, 2020
CIRCULAR
Subject: Obtaining of Life Certificate by Banks from the doorstep of the pensioners
The undersigned is directed to say that instructions have been issued from time to time. for submission of Life Certificate by pensioners, in the month of November every year Attention is also drawn to the following circulars, meant to facilitate submission of Life Certificate by Pensioners and ensure Ease of Living for them:
CPAO/Tech/Grievances/2010-11/531, dated 30.06.2011, issued by Central Pension Accounting Office. New Delhi, which provides for exemption from personal appearance by Pensioners submitting Life Certificate. if the prescribed form in Annexure-XVII of Para 15.2(i) of Scheme Booklet, is signed by certain specified authorities.
CPAO/Tech/Life Certificate/2014-15/31-32, dated 30.01.2015, issued by Central Pension Accounting Office, New Delhi, which highlights the Digital Life Certificate mode of submission as part of Prime Minister’s “Digital India” scheme.
RBI/2014-15/587, dated 07.05.2015, issued by the Reserve Bank of India, prescribing mandatory issue of acknowledgement to Pensioners on submission of Life Certificates and promoting the use of Digital Life Certificates among Pensioners, which would eliminate the need for their physical presence at branches.
RBI/2017-18/89, dated 09.11.2017, issued by Reserve Bank of India, directing Banks for enabling Ease of submitting Life Certificate, whereby a Pensioner can submit Life Certificate in any branch of the pension paying Bank and the same is uploaded promptly in CBS by the receiving branch itself. It also directs all Banks to ensure Door-step submission of Life Certificate facility, along with Banking facility to all senior citizens of more than 70 years of age and differently abled or infirm persons, including pick up of cash and delivery of cash against withdrawal.
OM No. 1/20/2016-P&PW(E), dated 14.11.2017, issued by Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Weifare, which re-iterates RBI’s concen w.r.t. old/infirm pensioners, for whom Banks should make concrete efforts to provide the facility of obtaining Life Certificate from their premises/residence and exempt personal appearance.
OM No. 1/20/2018-P&PW (E), dated 18.07.2019, issued by Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, which prescribes that pensioners aged 80 years and above may be allowed to give their Life Certificate w.e.f. 1* October every year, which would be valid till 307 November of the subsequent year, in order to provide Senior pensioners with an exclusive window at Banks, for the activity and avoid the general rush.
(2) In spite of detailed instructions, as brought out above, it has been observed that a large number of pensioners (around 8-10 percent) are unable to submit their Life Certificate by the stipulated date, i.e. 30% November every year on account of various reasons. The pension disbursing authorities/banks are constrained to discontinue disbursement of their monthly pension, in such cases, due to non-submission of the Life Certificate. Such pensioners face a lot of difficulty in re-commencement of their pension.
(3) In order to promote Ease of Living for Pensioners and minimize the cases of non submission of Life Certificate by the pensioners and ensure uninterrupted disburse. Pension to them, in addition to the instructions contained in Para 1 above, the following Instructions are hereby issued for strict compliance –
All Pension disbursing banks shall send SMSs/E-mails to the pensioners on 24th October, 1st November, 15th November and 25th November, every year reminding them to submit their Annual Life Certificate by the stipulated date, ie 30th November.
All Pension disbursing banks shall make an exception list. as on 1st December every year, of those pensioners who fail to submit their Life Certificate by 30th November and send SMS/E-mail to the pensioners included in the aforesaid exception list advising them to submit the Life Certificate at the earliest to avoid discontinuation of their pension. The Bank shall also ask such pensioners, through SMS/E-mail. as to whether they are interested in submission of Life Certificate through a doorstep visit by the bank. Wherever a call centre /App based facility is available, Banks should also encourage taking request for doorstep visits through such modes. The banks shall not charge any Pensioner more than Rs. 60/- for such a doorstep visit. In line with the Reserve Bank of India circular, RBI/2014-15/587, dated 07.05.2015, all banks shall encourage promoting Life Certificate through Digital means.
As regards pensioners who have failed to submit their Life certificate in the year 2019, the banks will prepare an exception list of such pensioners immediately and follow the steps mentioned in sub-para 3(ii) above.
The CPPCs of Pension Disbursing Banks (in case of more than 1 CPPC in any Bank, then one nominated official on behalf of the bank as a whole) shall report to the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare in the months of January, February and March respectively the total number of Central Govt Pensioners who have given the Life Certificate, the total number of Pensioners who have not given their Life Certificate. along with a break-up of the certificates submitted physically and through digital means, on the following email address: rajesh.kr7 3[at]nic.in
(4) CPPCs/Branches of your bank may be advised to Strictly comply with the above instructions. The banks are also requested to give wide publicity by putting up these instructions in their websites and also on the notice boards of the branches of the bank etc.
This ts issued with the approval of competent authority.
Hind version will follow.
Sd/-
(Rajesh Kumar)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Tel No. 23310108
To,
CMDs of all Pension Disbursing Banks
Copy for information to: (1) Central Pension Accounts Officer, CPAO-Trikoot-H, Bhikaji Cama .
Place New Delhi (2) Department of Financial Services, Jeevan Deep Building, Sansad Marg, New Delhi.
Union Budget 2020 - Proposals by the NFIR for review and inclusion in the budget proposals before Parliament
Union Budget 2020 - NFIR
No. IV/Budget/ Part III
Dated: 30th Dec 2019
Shri Narendra Modiji,
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India,
Raisina Hills, South Block,
New Delhi - 110 011
Respected Shri Modiji,
Sub: General Budget 2020 – NFIR’s proposals for consideration
and inclusion in the Budget proposals to be presented before the
Parliament – reg.
NFIR requests the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, to kindly consider
the following proposals for inclusion in the ensuing Union Budget 2020
to be presented before the Parliament during Budget presentation in
February 2020 :
Pension/ Earnings of Senior Citizens may be exempted from Income Tax upto Rupees 15 lakhs per annum.
Additional
quantum of pension may be allowed to the pensioners on attainment of 70
years age instead of 80 years as at present with further increase to
those who attain 80 and 85 years age.
Restoration of commuted value of pension be done on completion of 10 years instead of 15 years.
Female
Government Employees be allowed 05 days extra Casual Leave to
facilitate maintaining their health (specially those females of age 50
years and above), keeping in view the peculiar menopause stage leading
to hormonal changes as has been granted to “Physically Challenged
Employees”.
Child Care Leave for women employees be granted with
full salary in the 2nd year as against 80% of salary at present.
Accumulation of Earned Leave (EL
/ LAP) by Government employees in excess of 300 days be allowed without
restriction in the light of judgement delivered by the Punjab &
Haryana High Court.
Family Planning Allowance, discontinued with
effect from July I, 2017 should be restored and continued wherever
already granted in terms of provisions made by the Government of India.
Pay
re-fixation be granted to the retired Defence Forces Personnel
re-employed in the Central Government Department / Organizations on the
basis of last pay drawn by them at the time of retirement from Armed
Forces.
Fixed
Medical Allowance
for retired Government employees be enhanced to not less than Rs. 3000
per month as against Rs. 1000 p.m. at present in view of high cost of
medicines and medical treatment.
Provision be made for construction of Shelter Homes for Pensioners at various locations in the country.
Reimbursement
of Tuition fee and Hostel subsidy be allowed upto Post Graduation level
in the case of wards of Central Government employees.
Reimbursement of College/ Hostel fee may also be permitted in the case of wards of retired Government employees
(pensioners).
Provision of accommodation for Office /recreation purposes be made to various Pensioners’ Orgarizations in the
country.
Yours faithfully,
(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary
Attention is invited to Para 3 (xix) of OM No.1(7)/DCPS(NPS)/2009/TA/221 dated 02,07.2009 and subsequent corrigendum No. 1(7)/DCPS(NPS)/2099/TA/295 dated 27.05.2013 issued by O/o the Controller General of Accounts, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance for submission of the requisite certificates by the Pensioners/Family Pensioners covered under NPS-Additional Relief Scheme(NPS-AR) wherein it is mentioned that -
"The Pension Account Holding Bank will be responsible for obtaining periodical certificates such as Life Certificate, Re-employment Certificate, etc. (as prescribed in CPAO's Scheme for "Payment of Pensions to Central Government Civil Pensioners through Authorised Banks") and intimating electronically to CPAO on due dates. (Life Certificate should be obtained on 1st November each year and intimation uploaded on CPAO's website.) Drawing of pensions/family pension will be subject to the receipt of Life Certificate by CPAO".
2. This office is receiving Grievances from Pensioners/Family Pensioners covered under NPS-AR wherein it is stated that some Pension Account Holding Banks are not receiving periodical certificates such as Life Certificate, Re-employment Certificate, for onward transmission to CPAO electronically (through email) on due dates which results in delay in crediting the pension into the pensioner's account by CPAO.
3. All the Heads of CPPCs/Government Business Departments are requested to direct the concerned Branches of their Bank to obtain the requisite certificates , i.e. as Life Certificate, Re-employment Certificate, etc from the pensioners and intimate electronically (through email) to CPAO on due dates for making timely payment of pension and family pension to pensioners under NPS-AR Scheme.
This issues with the approval of the Chief Controller (Pensions).
CGHS – Medical benefits to dependent parents of Central Government Employees
CGHS
Medical benefits to dependent parents of Central Government Employees
13 DEC 2019
For availing of medical facilities under Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), parents are deemed to be dependent on the Central Government employee if they are normally residing with the employee and their monthly income from all sources including pension/ family pension does not exceed Rs. 9,000 plus the amount of Dearness Relief thereon. This condition of dependency is applicable to Pensioners of State Government(s) as well.
Regarding any scheme for providing medical facility to the dependent parents of employees of private sector, The Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Act, 1948 read with ESI (Central) Rule, 1950 provides for medical benefits to the dependent parents of the Insured person i.e. an employee who works in a factory/ establishment having 10 or more workers & registered under the said Act and drawing salary less than Rs. 21,000 per month (Rs. 25,000 in case of persons with disability). Income limit for dependency of parents from all sources is Rs. 9,000 per month. The ESI Act is not applicable to Central Government employees and their dependents.
The Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), Sh Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha here today.
Grant of increment on notional basis on 1st January & 1st of
July to those employees retiring on 30th June / 31st of December Apex
Court order
NFIR
No. I/II/Part II
Dated: 16/09/2019
The Cabinet Secretary,
Rashtrapati Bhawan,
New Delhi - 110 004
Dear Sir.
Sub: Grant
of increment on notional basis on 1st January & 1st of July to
those employees retiring on 30th June / 31st of December - Apex Court
order - reg.
Ref: NFIR's letter No. I/II Part I dated 11/12/2018 addressed to Secretary (Pers), MoF (DoE).
Kind
attention is invited to Federation's letter No. I/II/Part I dated
11/12/2018 sent to the Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Department of
Expenditure relating to grant of increment on notional basis on 1st
January & 1st of July to those employees retiring on 30th June/31st
of December and urging to implement Apex Court order. Federation feels
sad to mention that though a period of about nine months has passed,
action has not been taken to implement Honorable Supreme Court order. A
copy of our letter dated 11/12/2018, mentioned ibid is enclosed for
ready reference.
Federation requests the Cabinet
Secretary to kindly intervene and see that benefit of increment on
notional basis on 1st January & 1ss July is granted to those
employees retiring / retired on 30th June / 31st December of the year
and accordingly O.M. issued soon.
With regards,
Yours faithfully,
(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary
Pursuant
to the implementation of the recommendations of 6th CPC the Staff Side
of National Council (JCM) had raised the demand, urging that the Central
Government Employees including Railway employees who complete one year
service as on 30th June and 31st December every year should be granted
one increment notionally on 1st January or 1st July for calculating
settlement benefit of those employees who retire on 30th June or 31st
December each year. The Government however did not agree to the demand
on the plea that allowing increment is not covered under the rules.
In
the above context, NFIR desires to bring to the notice of MoF that the
High Court at Madras was approached by some employees through With
Petition No. 15732/2017 praying relief in the matter. On 15/09/2017,the
High Court at Madras decided on the Writ Petition and passed order as
follows:-
"Para-7 The
Petitioner herein had completed one full year service as on 30/06/2013,
that the increment fell due on 01/07/2013, on which date he was not in
service. In view of the above Judgment of this Court, naturally he has
to be treated as having completed one full year-of service, though the
date of increment falls on the next day of his retirement. Applying the
said one notional increment for the period from 01/07/2012 to
30/06/2013, as he has completed one full year of service, though his
increment fell on 01/07/2013, for the purpose of pensionary benefits and
not for any other purpose"
Against the above order
of the High Court an SLP was filed by the Government of India before the
Hon'ble Supreme Court, which was however dismissed by the Apex Court.
The
legal position as established above clearly indicates that the employee
who has completed one full year service as on 30th June or 31st
December, as the case may be, should be granted one notional increment
despite the fact that the increment falls on 1st July or 1st January of
the year. The Federation cites following illustration to prove our
contention:-
"An employee who has completed one full
year of service as on 30th June (date of birth being 30th June or 1st
July) and 31st of December (date of birth being 31st December or 1st
January) is eligible to get one notional /increment for the period from
01/07/2018. Similarly an employee is eligible to get one notional
increment for the period from '01/01/2018 to 31/12/2018 even though the
increment falls on 01/01/2019 whose date of retirement is 31/12/2018".
NFIR,
therefore, requests the Secretary, MoF to kindly consider the above
points and see that instructions are issued to all
Ministries/Departments to grant increment on notation basis to the staff
in the situations mentioned above to calculate the terminal/retirement
benefits and also revise these benefits in favour of those who have
already retired. A copy of instructions issued may kindly be enclosed to
the Federation.
How to download of Arrear calculation sheet for pensioners
Pension seva SBI (state bank of India)
SBI has launch a website, where pensioners drawing pension from SBI can check their pension-related details instantly. One can view the pension payment details from the first pension onwards as well as other details.
What are the services available in pension seva SBI
SBI Pension Seva is a website where pensioners of SBI can login and check their pension related details instantly.
The services available on pension seva sbi website include:
Government proposes to increase the minimum pension for EPF pensioners?
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO: 23
ANSWERED ON: 24.06.2019
EPF Pension
N.K. Premachandran
Will the Minister of
LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:-
(a)whether the Government has received report from the Committee appointed for study of the issues of EPF pensioners and if so, the details thereof;
(b)the details of the recommendations of the said Committee;
(c)whether the Government has initiated action for implementation of the recommendations of the said Committee and if so, the details thereof;
(d)whether the Government proposes to increase the minimum pension for EPF pensioners and if so, the details thereof; and
(e)whether the Government also proposes to stop the realisation of amount from the pension on account of commutation of pension after realising the commuted amount and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 23 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.06.2019 BY
SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN REGARDING EPF PENSION.
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The Committee appointed for Evaluation and Review of the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995, headed by Additional Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment has submitted the report on 21st December, 2018. The report inter-alia has given observations/ recommendations on the following issues:
Increase of Minimum Monthly Member Pension
Period over which the Average Pensionable Salary is calculated
Restoration of commuted value of pension
Re-introduction of the provision for commutation of pension
Restoration of the provision of Return of Capital
Linking the monthly pension with cost of living index
Issues of payment of pension on higher/actual wages to employees of exempted establishments.
As far as pension on higher wages is concerned, the issue is sub-judice.
(c): The consultation process on the recommendations/observations on the Committee’s report has been initiated with Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and Central Board of Trustees (CBT). CBT is a tripartite body representing trade unions, employers besides representatives of Central and State Governments.
(d): The decision on increase of minimum pension for EPF is dependent on the outcome of the consultation process and has impact on Budgetary resources of the Government as the Committee has recommended that increase in pension has to come from the Budgetary resources.
(e): No decision has been taken to restore the commuted value of pension, as it has implications on sustainability of the funds under Employees’ Pension Scheme, maintained by EPFO.
Eligibility of Unmarried/ divorced/ widowed and dependent real sister of Govt. servant/ pensioners for Family Pension: Agenda Item 47th NC(JCM) Meeting
[Part of the Minutes of the 47th Meeting of National Council (JCM) held on 13th April, 2019 issued by DoPT vide OM No. 3/1/2019- JCA dated 13.06.2019]
6.5.2 Item No. 21/19/NC-47 - Eligibility of Unmarried/ divorced/ widowed and dependent real sister of Govt. servant/pensioners for Family Pension.
Staff Side stated that government have already included widowed/ divorced/ unmarried and dependent daughters, who have attained 25 years of age, in the definition of family for family pension. Dependent disabled siblings (i.e. real brothers/ sisters) are also now eligible for family pension. Unmarried/ divorced/ widowed dependent real sister of a Government servant / pensioner may also be made eligible for family pension.
Reply of the Official Side :
It was a considered decision of the government to grant family pension to dependent disabled brothers and sisters of Central Government Employees / Pensioners. There are no fresh grounds to reconsider this decision and to extend family pension to all dependent siblings.
Government proposes to increase the minimum pension for EPF pensioners?
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO: 23
ANSWERED ON: 24.06.2019
EPF Pension
N.K. Premachandran
Will the Minister of
LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:-
(a)whether
the Government has received report from the Committee appointed for
study of the issues of EPF pensioners and if so, the details thereof;
(b)the details of the recommendations of the said Committee;
(c)whether
the Government has initiated action for implementation of the
recommendations of the said Committee and if so, the details thereof;
(d)whether the Government proposes to increase the minimum pension for EPF pensioners and if so, the details thereof; and
(e)whether
the Government also proposes to stop the realisation of amount from the
pension on account of commutation of pension after realising the
commuted amount and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 23 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.06.2019 BY
SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN REGARDING EPF PENSION.
(a)
& (b): Yes, Sir. The Committee appointed for Evaluation and
Review of the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995, headed by Additional
Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment has submitted the report on
21st December, 2018. The report inter-alia has given observations/
recommendations on the following issues:
Increase of Minimum Monthly Member Pension
Period over which the Average Pensionable Salary is calculated
Restoration of commuted value of pension
Re-introduction of the provision for commutation of pension
Restoration of the provision of Return of Capital
Linking the monthly pension with cost of living index
Issues of payment of pension on higher/actual wages to employees of exempted establishments.
As far as pension on higher wages is concerned, the issue is sub-judice.
(c):
The consultation process on the recommendations/observations on the
Committee’s report has been initiated with Employees’ Provident Fund
Organisation (EPFO) and Central Board of Trustees (CBT). CBT is a
tripartite body representing trade unions, employers besides
representatives of Central and State Governments.
(d):
The decision on increase of minimum pension for EPF is dependent on
the outcome of the consultation process and has impact on Budgetary
resources of the Government as the Committee has recommended that
increase in pension has to come from the Budgetary resources.
(e):
No decision has been taken to restore the commuted value of pension,
as it has implications on sustainability of the funds under Employees’
Pension Scheme, maintained by EPFO.
Engagement of a consultant in the Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare
F.No.26020/17/2019-Adm.I
Ministry of Personnel PG & Pension
Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare
3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan
Khan Market, New Delhi
Dated 22nd May, 2019
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: Engagement of a consultant in the Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare
The Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare intends to engage a consultant to assist the Department for undertaking comprehensive review/revision of CCS (Pension) Rules and orders issued by the Government on the subject of pensionary benefits and other important issues requiring immediate attention. The revision and review of the rules etc. is being undertaken by the Department in compliance with recommendation of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the matter of UoI Vs. R. Sethumadhavan and Other. In addition, the Department may also assign the consultant any other work related to this Department.
Accordingly, applications are invited from retired Central Government Employees having been retired from the post of Deputy Secretary/ Director or equivalent i.e., to say from any-post carrying the following Pay Band / Pay Matrix:
i. Rs.15600 - 39100 + 7600 Grade Pay;. or ii. Rs.37400 - 67000 + 8700 Grade Pay; or iii. Pay Matrix 12 or 13 under 7th CPC
MANDATORY SERVICE EXPERIENCE
The applicant should have a minimum of 3 years experience in dealing with
pension cases and pension related court cases of Central Government Employees.
Age
Age should not be more than 65 years on the date of advertisement.
REMUNERATION
On selection, the consultant will be paid consolidated remuneration equivalent to his last pay drawn minus pension. He will also be paid Dearness Allowance on the 'remuneration amount' at the rates applicable for Central Government Employees on the date of engagement. No other allowance such as HRA / Transport Allowance etc. will be payable to the consultant.
The consultant may be required to undertake outstation visits also for which he will be paid Travelling Allowance/ hotel/ guest-house reimbursement as per rules applicable to equivalent scales.
DURATION OF ENGAGEMENT
The duration of engagement will be one year from the date of initial engagement which period may be curtailed or extended at the sole discretion of the Department and the same will be binding on the consultant.
The appointment of consultants would be on full-time basis and he will not be permitted to take up any other assignrnent during the period of Consultancy with the DoP&PW.
The appointment of consultant is of a temporary (non - official) nature and the appointment can be cancelled at any time by the Department without assigning any reason.
Retired central government officers desirous of consideration for the above assignment may submit their application in the prescribed proforma (Annexure-I), to Shri AshokKumar Singh, Under Secretary (Admn.I), Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare, 3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi - 110 003 latest by 7th June, 2019 either in person or through post.
Applications received beyond the closing date or giving false information will not be entertained and will be summarily rejected, Only shortlisted candidates will be intimated and department of Pension & PW reserves the right to reject any or all applications without assigning any reason.
Encl. As above
(Ashok Kumar Singh)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
ANNEXURE-I
PROFORMA APPLICATION FOR CONSULTANT IN THE DEPARTMENT OF
PENSION & PENSIONERS' WELFARE
Subject: Simplification of pension procedure-submission of undertaking by retiring
Government servant along with pension papers & Handing over of PPO booklet to Pensioners by Head
of Office - reg.
The Scheme for Payment of pensions to Central Government Civil Pensioners through Authorized Banks’,
issued by the Central Pension Accounting Office provides for an undertaking to be submitted by the
retiring Government servant/pensioner to the pension disbursing bank before commencement of pension.
The pensioner undertakes to refund or make good any amount to which he is not entitled.
2. In view of the above Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare issued instructions vide its
O.M. No. 1/27/2011-P&PW(E) dated 07.05.2014 which were also communicated through this office
O.M. No. CPAO/Tech/ Simplification /2014-15/53 dated 28.05.2014. These provisions are reiterated
below:
It has been established that the first payment of pension after retirement gets delayed mainly
due to two reasons. One, the delay in receipt of intimation by the pensioner that pension papers
have reached the bank and two delay on part of the pensioner in approaching the bank for submission
of the undertaking.
The required undertaking may be obtained by the Head of Office from the retiring Government
servant along with Form 5 and other documents before his retirement. This undertaking shall be
forwarded to the pension disbursing bank along with the Pension Payment Order by the Accounts
Officer/CPAO following the usual procedure.
The pensioner would no longer be required to visit the bank to activate the first payment of
pension. Therefore, after ascertaining that the Bank’s copy has been dispatched by the Central
Pension Accounting Office, the pensioner’s copy of the Pension Payment Order (PPO) may be handed
over to him at the time of retirement along with other retirement dues. This should be feasible in
all cases where the Government servant had submitted pension papers within the time-limits
prescribed in the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972.
However, if any employee posted at a location away from the office of the Head of Office or who
for any other reasons feels that it would be more convenient to him to obtain his copy of PPO from
the bank, may inform the Head of Office of his option in writing while submitting his pension
papers.
3. Pay & Account Office/Head of Office should not wait for the copy of PPO (SSA) for
confirmation of the dispatch of the same by CPAO to bank for handing over of the pensioner’s copy to
the retiring government servant along with other retirement dues. PAO/HOO may confirm the dispatch
of Banks Copy of PPO by visiting CPAO’s website i.e www.cpao.nic.in - See your PPO Status.
4. It has been observed that pensioner’s portion of the PPO is not being handed over to the
pensioner, but being sent to the bank through CPAO. It seems that the timeline for submission of
finalizing the pension cases as mentioned in the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 are not being adhered to
by HOO/PAO.
5. All Pr. CCAs/CCA/ CAs/AGs (with independent charge)/JS (Admin) are requested to issue
instructions to all Pay and Accounts Offices/ Head of Offices under their jurisdiction to ensure
timely submission of pension papers so that the correct procedure is followed strictly. Timeline for
finalization of pension cases as prescribed in CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 is annexed herewith.
This issues with the approval of Chief Controller (Pension).
Employees Union urges the Lavasa Committee report to be implemented by the central government
A
Jammu-based employees union on Sunday urged the Centre to implement the
recommendations of the Ashok Lavasa Committee report ahead of the
upcoming Lok Sabha polls to benefit lakhs of lower class employees and
pensioners.
A high-level committee headed by the former
Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa submitted its report on allowances to 47
lakh government employees to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in
April 2017.
"The delay in accepting the recommendations
of the Ashok Lavasa Committee report by the central government has left
the employees concerned," president National Mazdoor Conference Subash
Shastri said here.
"We urge Prime Minister Narendra
Modi and the Finance minister to take a final decision in this regard
before the announcement of the upcoming parliamentary elections," he
said.
He said the Lavasa Committee had proposed a minimum scale pension of lower class employees and pensioners to Rs 21,000.
The
committee was constituted in the wake of implementation of the seventh
pay commission by the central government for removal of pay anomalies in
the pay structure of lower class cadre of both the state and the
central government, Shastri said, adding that it will be a major issue
in the upcoming polls.
"The government employees and
the pensioners constitute a sizeable voter constituency and this
constituency can be a determining factor in the electoral
considerations," he said.
