Grant of family pension to the eligible member of the family of a pensioner - regarding

F.No.1/17/2011-P&PW(E)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, P.G. & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare

Lok Nayak Bhawan,
Khan Market, New Delhi
Dated: 14th Sept, 2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Grant of family pension to the eligible member of the family of a pensioner - regarding.

     The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s earlier office memoranda No. 1/17/86-P&PW(E), dated 29th August, 1986, 25th January,1991 and 18th February, 1993 and No. 1/28/04-P&PW(E) dated 31st March, 2009 and 2nd July, 2010 regarding grant of family pension to the eligible members of the family of an employee/pensioner reported missing and whose where abouts are not known.

2.    As per this Department’s O.M. Dt. 29.8.1986, subject to fulfilment of certain conditions, the family pension can be granted to the family of an  employee reported missing and whose whereabouts are not known after a period of one year reckoned from the date of filing the FIR with the police authorities. Subsequently, it was clarified vide this Department’s O.M. dated 25th January, 1991, that the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare’s O.M. dated 29th August, 1986, would be applicable in the case of missing pensioners mutatis mutandis. It was further clarified vide this Department’s O.M. No. 1/17/86-P&PW(F), dated 28.02.1993 that family pension to the eligible family member of an employee reported missing, would accrue from the date of lodging the FIR or expiry of leave in the case of an employee who had disappeared, whichever is later.

Raise our monthly pensions: RBI Unions

Raise our monthly pensions: RBI Unions

NAGPUR: The employees' unions of Reserve Bank of India demand equal pension benefits on par with those of their counterparts working in central government departments.

A chalking-a-strategy meet organized by joint body of all the unions operating in the country's apex bank is to be held on July 7 in Chennai, which in later stages would be followed by a protest march on Tuesday.

There is a special stress on increasing the family pension, a dole given to the dependent spouse after the employee's death. The family pension in RBI does not go more than Rs 7,688 a month for even for a senior officer's kin, which is too less to compare it to the rising cost of living, say unions. Family pension beneficiaries in RBI are expected to run in a few thousands.

"RBI has enough funds to increase the pension but the government is creating a hurdle. It feels that unions in other financial institutions may raise a similar demand too but there are some organizations which cannot afford a pension revision," alleged Secretary of All India RBI Employees Association (AIRBIEA), Bidyut Chakraborty.

However, RBI unions contend that if the central government employees get a benefit even without any specific provision of funds, why should not those serving the apex bank. The pay commission has increased family pension to 30% of the last drawn pay.

The unions say RBI has a corpus of Rs 5,000 crore as collections towards provident fund. A part of it can be easily diverted to pension payment.

AT RBI, the dependents of senior officers get a maximum pension of Rs 7,688 a month which is Rs 23,604 in the case of central government. The minimum monthly family pension for an RBI officers' dependent is Rs 5,533 which is Rs 16,599 in the case of a central government employee.

It is worse for the Class IV workers where the family pension does not exceed Rs 3,715 a month while their counterparts in central government get a maximum pension of Rs 11,145 per month, he said.

Chakraborty said the union has demanded a second option for pension too. There are around 2,000 RBI employees who did not go in for pension option the first time and many of them want to change their decision, added Chakraborty.

A second option will enable them getting a monthly pension payment or else a lumpsum provident fund is handed over. The pension is paid from the bank's contribution towards an employee's PF.

Source: Times of India
[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Raise-our-monthly-pensions-RBI-Unions/articleshow/9090281.cms]

Defence Pension Adalat

Defence Pension Adalat       

As per the Annual action Plan of Controller General of Defence Accounts, New Delhi in consultation with the Ministry of Defence, the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions) Allahabad will be organising a Defence Pension Adalat at Aurangabad (Maharashtra) during the month of August, 2011 for redressal of grievances of Defence pensioners including Defence Civilians drawing pension through PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS, TOs’ and DPDOs in the State of Maharashtra and adjoining areas.

 
Objective
 
Any Defence Pensioners / Defence Family Pensioners / Defence Civilian and their families having any specific grievances relating to sanction or disbursement of Defence pension are requested to submit their representation, in writing, in duplicate to :

Sri S M Deshpande,
Pension Adalat Officer
O/o Principal CDA (Pensions),
Draupadi Ghat,
Allahabad-211014,

A format of the representation is given on this website. Applicants are advised to apply as per the format, for easy processing of their applications.

Kindly Note:-

Applications can either be sent by post or by E-Mail

Two copies of the applications should be sent

Photocopies of Pension payment order, Corr PPO, discharge certificate (wherever required) and other documents must be enclosed

Each application will be allotted a unique Adalat Registration Number. The same should be quoted in all future correspondence.

Individual call letters notifying the date and venue of the Adalat will be sent in due course

Incomplete and unsigned representations will be rejected.
The Venue & Date of the Adalat will be notified in electronic and print media shortly.

TA/DA will not be reimbursed to pensioners/individuals attending the Adalat for redressal of their pension related problems.

Pension can't be withheld due to pending criminal case: CAT

Pension can't be withheld due to pending criminal case: CAT

 

New Delhi, Jun 7 (PTI) Pension and increments of a public servant cannot be withheld only on the basis a pending criminal case against him unless he is convicted, the apex administrative tribunal has held.

 

"It is amply clear that only on the basis of the case pending against the applicant (Primary School Head Master Lakhi Ram), pension cannot be withheld under Central Civil Services (CCS Pension) Rules, 1972," a two-member bench of Central Administrative Tribunal headed by Justice Meera Chhibber said.

 

The bench also favoured releasing gratuity during the pendency of criminal case but with an earlier judgement of the CAT ruling against it, the bench referred the question on the gratuity issue to a larger bench.

 

"Gratuity cannot be withheld under rules of CCS Pension Rules. Otherwise also as per the provision (of) Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, gratuity cannot be withheld," it said.

 

"Since we have taken a different view about release of gratuity during the pendency of criminal case than what had been held by the coordinate bench in another case in 2009, the matter may be placed before the chairman on administrative side for constitution of a larger bench to determine the clear position of law on the subject," the bench said.

 

The judgement came on a petition filed by Lakhi Ram, a Municipal Corporation of Delhi-run primary school headmaster, who retired in August 2007.
He had been suspended on August 13, 2001 after his arrest in criminal case relating to a property dispute.

Though he was reinstated in May 2005 and retired in 2007, his annual increments were stopped from 2001 and were not restored even after his reinstatement in service.

 

The court directed Education Department of Municipal Corporation of Delhi to grant increments to him from the date of his reinstatement to his superannuation and to fix his pay as per the sixth pay revision and determine his provisional pension.

 

 

Source: Yahoo News

Extension of scope of Family Pension to widowed/divorced/unmarried daughter and dependent disabled siblings of Central Government servants/pensioners

 

No.1/13/09-P&PW(E)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare

Lok Nayak Bhavan,
New Delhi, the 28^th April, 2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

 

Subject: Extension of scope of Family Pension to widowed/divorced/unmarried daughter and dependent disabled siblings of Central Government servants/pensioners – Clarifications – reg.

 

The undersigned is directed to state that as per the existing provisions of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 as amended from time to time, the son/daughter of a Government servant/Pensioner is eligible for family pension upto the date of his/her marriage/remarriage or till he/she starts earning or till the age of 25 years, whichever is earlier. Further, a disabled son/daughter of a Government servant/Pensioner suffering from any disorder or disability of mind, including mentally retarded, or who is physically crippled or disabled, is eligible for family pension for life subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions. Subsequently, orders were issued vide this Department’s O.M. No.45/86/97-P&PW(A) dt. 27.10.97 and No.1/19/03-P&PW(E) dt. 30.8.2004 making divorced/widowed daughters eligible for family pension even after attaining the age limit of 25 years subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions. It was subsequently clarified vide this Department’s O.M. No.1/19/03-P&PW(E) dt. 11.10.2006 that family pension to widowed/divorced daughters is admissible irrespective of the fact that the divorce/widowhood takes place after attaining the age of 25 years or before.

 

2. Further, orders have been issued vide this Department’s O.M. No.1/19/03-P&PW(E) dt. 6^th September, 2007, whereby an unmarried daughter of a Government servant/Pensioner beyond 25 years of age, has been made eligible for family pension at par with the widowed/divorced daughter subject to fulfilment of certain conditions. However, family pension to the widowed/divorced/unmarried daughters shall be payable in order of their date of birth and the younger of them shall not be eligible for family pension unless the next above has become ineligible for grant of family pension. Further, the family pension to widowed/divorced/unmarried daughters above the age of 25 years, shall be payable only after the other eligible children below the age of 25 years have ceased to be eligible to receive family pension and that there is no disabled child to receive the family pension.

 

3. Subsequently, orders have been issued vide this Department’s O.M. No.1/15/2008-P&PW(E) dt. 17.8.2009 whereby dependent disabled siblings of a Government servant/pensioner have been made eligible for family pension for life subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions.

 

4. Representations have been received in this Department from various quarters (i.e. Pensioners’ Associations, etc.) to the effect that the claims for family pension of widowed/divorced/unmarried daughters and dependent disabled siblings are not being entertained by certain Ministries/Departments on the plea that their names do not appear in the details of family members submitted by the Government servant/Pension to the Head of Office from where he/she had retired. Besides, in cases where a Government servant/Pensioner had expired prior to the issue of above referred orders by this Department, the claims of widowed/divorced/unmarried daughters, etc. for family pension are not being entertained by Ministries/Departments on the plea that they were not eligible for family pension at the time of retirement/death of the Government servant or death of the Pensioner. This Department has been requested for issue of appropriate clarificatory orders in the matter so as to settle the family pension claims of the aggrieved widowed/divorced/unmarried daughters, etc., of the Government servants/Pensioners.

 

5. The matter has been considered in this Department in consultation with Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. It is hereby clarified that subject to fulfilment of other conditions laid down therein, the widowed/divorced/unmarried daughter of a Government servant/Pensioner, will be eligible for family pension with effect from the date of issue of respective orders irrespective of the date of death of the Government servant/Pensioner. Consequently, financial benefits in such cases will accrue from the date of issue of respective orders. The cases of dependent disabled siblings of the Government servants/Pensioners would also be covered on the above lines.

 

6. All Ministries/Departments are requested kindly to settle the family pension claims of widowed/divorced/unmarried daughters and dependent disabled siblings accordingly on priority. They are also requested to bring these orders to the notice of their attached/subordinate organizations for compliance.

 

7. This issues with the concurrence of the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure vide their U.O. No.97/EV/201 1 dated 06.04.2011.

 

8. In so far as their applicability to the personnel of Indian Audit and Accounts Department is concerned, these orders are being issued in consultation with the C&AG of India vide their U.O. No.65-Audit (Rules)/14-2010 dt. 26.4.2011.

 

9. Hindi version will follow.

 

(K.S.Chibb)
Director

Order from Pension Portal

Grant of Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) to the Armed Forces Pensioners residing in area not covered under ECHS

 

OFFICE OF THE PCDA (PENSIONS) DRAUPADI GHAT ALLAHABAD

CircularNo.451                                                           Dated :- 21.02.2011

To,

1. The Chief Accountant, RBI, Deptt. of Govt. Bank Account Central Office, C-7 II^nd Floor Bandre Kurla Complex, P.B. No. 8143 Bandre East, Mumbai400051.
2. All CMDs of Public Sector Banks
3. CMD of ICICI Bank
4. CMD of IDBI Bank
5. CMD of Axis Bank
6. CMD of HDFC Bank
7. Military and Air Attache, Indian Embassy Kathmandu Nepal.
8. The Defence Pension Disbursing Officers.
9. The Treasury officers.
10. The Pay and Accounts Office.
11. Pay and Accounts Office, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai.
12. The Post Master Kathua (]&K), Camp Bell Bay (Andaman & Nicobar)

Subject :- Grant of Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) to the Armed Forces Pensioners residing in area not covered under ECHS.

Reference :-This Office Circular No. 208 (File No. Grants/Tech/0162-VIII dated 27.07.1998)

 

A Copy of Government of India, MOD letter No. 1(10)/09-D (Pen/Policy) dated 12.01.2011, on the above subject is forwarded herewith as Annexure to this circular for further necessary action at your end.

 

2. The fixed medical allowance has been enhanced from ‘100/-pm to 300/-pm with effect from 01.09.2008. Ex Servicemen who retired after 01.04.2003 have to become member of ECHS compulsorily and are not eligible to draw Fixed Medical Allowance. However, all Pre 01.04.2003 retirees have the option of either joining the Scheme or draw Fixed Medical Allowance as per the extant rates.

 

3. The other conditions for grant of Fixed Medical Allowance as brought out in this Office Circular No. 208 quoted under reference shall continue to be in force. PDAs are requested to please review the cases and revise the Fixed Medical Allowance in all the affected cases accordingly.

s/d
(S N ROY)
ACDA (P)

No.Grants/Tech/0164/Vol —II
Dated: 21^st February 2011

To view the Annexure of the order, Pl. click the link given below...
PCDA Pension

Tax exemption on gratuity

Tax exemption on gratuity

The government has hiked the limits of gratuity payment from Rs 3.5 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs. This enhanced limit is applicable to employees who retire, become incapacitated before retirement, expire or whose services were terminated on or after May 24, 2010.

As per Section 10(10) of Income Tax Act, gratuity is paid when an employee completes five or more years of full-time service with the employer. In respect of government employees, any death-cum-retirement gratuity received under the pension rules or scheme of the central or state government, or regulations applicable to the members of defence services, is not taxable.

In case of gratuity received under the Gratuity Act, 1972, any gratuity received to the extent that it does not exceed an amount calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Gratuity Act is not taxable. For employees receiving gratuity other than under the government pension or gratuity scheme and also other than under the Payment of Gratuity Act, the computation mechanism in respect of exemption limits has been specified in the IT Act. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued a notification increasing the overall tax exemption to Rs 10 lakhs.

The gratuity received by an employee is not taxable if it is received on his retirement, his becoming incapacitated prior to such retirement, termination of employment or if such gratuity is received by his widow, children or dependants on his death. Further, such gratuity does not exceed one-half month’s salary for each year of completed service, calculated on the basis of the average salary for 10 months immediately preceding the month in which such retirement or death takes place, subject to the limits prescribed by the central government.

Salary for this purpose includes dearness allowance, but excludes all other allowances and perquisites. Also, as per some judicial precedents, completed service would mean a total period of service whether under one employer or more.

In case any such gratuities are received by an employee from more than one employer in the same financial year, the aggregate amount so exempt should not exceed the overall exemption limit. Similarly, if gratuities were received in one or more financial years, the exempt amount claimed earlier has to be taken into account while computing the exemption at present.

Read more : Economictimes

'One-rank one-pension under consideration'

'One-rank one-pension under consideration'

BHIWANI/CHANDIGARH: The Chief of the Army Staff ( COAS), General VK Singh, has informed that the demand of one rank for one pension (OROP) for officers is under serious consideration. He added that the OROP for other ranks has been almost accepted. General Singh was in his hometown Bhiwani in Haryana on Saturday to attend the 'Army Mela' organized by the South-Western command. He also informed that the army authorities have chalked out a proposal for the restructuring of the force and to bring more transparency in it. On the Adarsh scam, the General assured that enough steps have been taken by the army to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future.

The two-day mela was organized at Bhim Stadium, Bhiwani under the theme, "Indian Army - Nation First Always and Every Time."

Speaking on the occasion, Gen Singh said that the Army has declared the year 2011 as the 'Year of the Disabled Soldier'.

A large number of initiatives have been launched for the well being of those army men who have suffered disablities including allotment of Rs 1 crore for upgradation of infrastructure, rehabilitation and training of quadriplegic and paraplegic patients, financial assistance of Rs 25,000 for widows of army men for higher education, one time financial assistance of Rs 20,000 to those who have suffered amputations for modification of their bathroom, education grant of Rs 400 per month per child for a maximum of two children for those who suffered fatal injuries and demise grant for the next of kin of retired JCOs & OR has been enhanced from Rs 3,000 per individual to Rs 5,000 per individual with effect from January 15 this year.

General Singh, who hails from Bhiwani informed that a large number of directions have been issued towards improvement of facilities for soldiers of Bhiwani including relocation of unit run canteen and a new building for ECHS (Ex-servicemen contributory health scheme).

Bhiwani district alone has about 35,000 Gaurav Senanis, a sizeable strength of 'Veer Naries' and 25,000 serving officers, JCOs and other ranks in the Indian Army.

The Rajya Sainik board and the pension liaison cell, Allahabad too had set up their awareness stalls to redress the grievances of retired soldiers. Haryana chief minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda was also present on the occasion and thanked the army for organizing such big event in the state.

Source: The Times of India 

COMPENSATION PAYABLE FOR DELAYED PAYMENT OF ADDITIONAL PENSION

COMPENSATION PAYABLE FOR DELAYED PAYMENT OF ADDITIONAL PENSION

A case study

One pensioner ‘X’ is drawing revised basic pension of Rs.3,500/- w.e.f. 1.1.2006. His date of birth as per pension records is 01.01.1926. The government issues orders to revise the pension as per 6th CPC on 11.11.2008 with additional pension benefits to aged pensioners. The Bank revises the Basic pension and ignores the Additional Pension.

The pensioner later represented to the bank to pay him the Additional pension w.e.f. 1.1.2006. Due to lack of customer care and centralization of all pension payments, this pensioner was paid his Additional Pension and arrears only on 31.12.2010.

RBI in the meantime issued instructions to pay compensation for delayed payment of pension and arrears w.e.f. 1.10.2008. In this case, the Additional pension should have been paid along with the revision of pension by Dec 2008. But due to the negligence of the Bank, it was not paid. Now let us see how much compensation the Bank will have to pay in this case.

According to the date of birth of the pensioner, his pension should have been fixed at Rs.4200 as on 1.1.2006, (Rs.3500+20% Additional Pension i.e. Rs.700 = Rs.4200) and paid arrears by Dec 2008. Since it was not paid, the bank have to pay Compensation from 1.10.2008 as follows:-

Amount of Additional pension arrears should have been paid for the
Period from 1.1.2006 to 30.9.2008 but not paid …. … … . Rs.24,654

Compensation payable @ 10% (Bank rate + 2% penalty) from
1.1.06 to 30.9.08 for 33 months .. .. .. .. .. Rs.2,465

RD rate of interest for the monthly increase of additional pension
(Rs.700) from 1.10.08 to 31.12.10 for 27 months … … .. Rs.2,373
Total compensation payable .. .. .. .. .. Rs.4,838

This case study shows that a pensioner who had attained 80 years of age as on 1.1.2006 is automatically eligible for a minimum pension of Rs.4,200/- (3500+700) w.e.f. 1.1.2006. Suppose if he was not paid by 30.9.2008 then he is eligible for a compensation @ 10% from 1.10.2008 to till the date of payment as per the calculation given above.

The Bank has to calculate and pay of their own, without any application from the pensioner. Unfortunately none of the bank had paid to any pensioner of their own. Whie the banks develop most advanced software for recovering their due from the customer on due dates, why they fail to introduce such a software in case payment of compensation for pensioners.

It is requested that the RBI should insist all banks to automate the payment of compensation through suitable software to enable the benefits to reach all the pensioners. This will also improve the performance of the banks in terms of customer service.


Source: Indianexserviceman

LIC plans to retain agents with pension scheme

LIC plans to retain agents with pension scheme

Life Insurance Corporation of India, the state-run company facing competition from nimble private rivals, will soon have a pension plan for its half a million strong agents to keep the flock together amid large scale poaching.

The special pension plan for its agents who earn commissions of more than 1 lakh per year may benefit about five lakh-odd agents who could be the main target of private companies, many of whom are struggling to profit.

The proposed scheme is expected to be introduced in the next few days.

"Currently, there is a scheme for agents who earn less than 1 lakh of commission per year, but there are no schemes for agents who earn more than a lakh. This scheme will be on the line of the central government's new pension scheme and will be contributory in nature," said managing director, AK Dasgupta .

At times, LIC announces cash rewards and benefits for its agents, who sell pension products to others but in most cases do not have any for themselves. "Instead of the cash reward, we may offer them this policy which will come in handy during old age," said Mr Dasgupta.

"LIC has about 14 lakh agents of which about 30-40% earn commissions of more than a lakh. The scheme will be based on productivity of an agent meaning he has to sell a certain number of policy and earn a certain amount of premium for only then will he be eligible," said a senior LIC official.

The insurance major has also recently, introduced a new scheme for agents to attract new talents. The scheme, christened, City Career Agents, will offer a monthly stipend to agents who have to cover at least 24 lives and earn a commission of 30,000 per month. This scheme is eligible for a year for a agent and is aimed at making sure that the agent can bring sizeable premium income for LIC.



Source: Economic Times

Sports Minister Sanctions Ex-Gratia Assistance to Shri Joby Mathew, Arm Wrestling Player

Sports Minister Sanctions Ex-Gratia Assistance to Shri Joby Mathew, Arm Wrestling Player.

Shri Ajay Maken, Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports (Independent Charge) has sanctioned an ex-gratia assistance of Rs.2.00 lakh to Shri Joby Mathew, Arm Wrestling Player from National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons.

Shri Joby Mathew, in spite of being an orthopaedically handicapped person, won several medals in international Arms wrestling championships from 1964 to 2010. Taking cognizance of his financial position, Sports Minister sanctioned assistance of Rs. 2 lakh to Shri Mathew .

Under the Scheme of National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports provides lump sum financial assistance to outstanding sportspersons of the past, who are facing financial distress.

Old-age pension to go into bank accounts only

Old-age pension to go into bank accounts only

New Delhi, Jan 18 (PTI) In an effort to streamline the old-age pension disbursal system, Delhi Government today decided to completely do away with paying the monthly emolument through post offices and instead it will be given through banks only.

Out of over three lakh old-age pensioners, 80,677 people have been drawing the amount of Rs 1,000 every month through post offices and they now have to open bank accounts within six months.

At a meeting of the Delhi Cabinet presided by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit it was decided to pay the old-age pension through bank accounts only, said Social Welfare Minister Mangat Ram Singhal.

The city government pays the old-age pension to poor people aged 60 years or above.

"We have decided to pay only through banks as it will help in smooth transfer of pension money. More than 2,13,000 beneficiaries have already been receiving their pension through banks," said an official.

Source: PTI

Swavalamban Benefit for NPS Account Holders

Swavalamban Benefit for NPS Account Holders

Eligible Account Holders are Required to Submit Declaration form to the PoPs

Under the Swavalamban guidelines approved by the Govt. of India, all NPS accounts opened in 2009-10 will be entitled to the benefit of Government co-contribution of Rs. 1,000 subject to fulfilling the prescribed eligibility criteria. A list of eligible account holders is available on the Website of Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA) as well as the concerned PoPs.
The PFRDA has requested the concerned NPS account holders to submit the requisite declaration form to the PoPs at the earliest to avail of the Swavalamban benefit. A copy of the Swavalamban declaration form can be downloaded from the website of the PFRDA / PoPs / NSDL.

Source: PIB

Pension Rules for Employees of PSUs

Pension Rules for Employees of PSUs

Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has issued orders which, inter alia, provide pension scheme within 30% ceiling of Basic Pay and DA. The Pension Scheme is to be framed and operated by the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).

DPE has issued orders enhancing Gratuity to Rs. 10 lakh in respect of CPSEs employees

Source : PIB