Sunday, November 27, 2011

Pending Vigilance Certificate/Major-Minor Penalty Certificate & APAR Certificate for prepation of panel of PPS for the Select List year, 2010-reg.

Streamlining of Procedure for diposal of Medical Reimbursement Claims (MRCs) in CGSH

LTC-Special Package for North-Eastern Region

Special Package for North-Eastern Region
The Ministry of Tourism, as a part of its promotional activities releases print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns to promote various tourism destinations and products of the country including the North East Region. Besides, North East specific media campaigns are launched to promote the entire North East Region. The Ministry of Tourism provides complimentary space to the North Eastern States in India pavilions set up at major international travel fairs & exhibitions. Further, In relaxation of CCS (LTC) Rules 1988, the Government has decided to permit Government servants to travel by air to North Eastern Region on LTC as follows:-
(i) Group A and Group B Central Government employees will be entitled to travel by Air from their place of posting or nearest airport to a city in the NER or nearest airport.
(ii) Other categories of employees will be entitled to travel by air to a city in the NER from Guwahati or Kolkata.
(iii) All Central Government employees will be allowed conversion of one block of Home Town LTC into LTC for destinations in NER.
(c): Every year 10% of the total plan allocation of the Ministry of Tourism is mandatorily earmarked for releasing funds to the States of the North East Region. This apart, following special dispensations are given to the North Eastern States:
(i) Under the scheme of product/infrastructure development of destinations/circuit, budget accommodation, restaurants, etc. are allowed to the States of North East Region, selected places of J&K and Eco Tourism projects only.
(ii) For organizing fairs & festivals 100% central financial assistance is allowed to the North Eastern States & the State of Jammu & Kashmir only.


This information was given by the Minister of State of Tourism, Shri Sultan Ahmed in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
source-PIB

Friday, November 25, 2011

Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for promotion in T.N.Circle to the cadre of Postmaster Grade-1 held on 29th May 2011

Revised list of Andhra Pradesh for Departmental Competitive Examination

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Revision of Interest rates in Post Office Savings Schemes with effect from 01-12-2011...

Revised list of Orissa and Karnataka Circle for Limited Departmental Competitive Examination of Postmaster Grade-1 held on 12.6.2011

Limited departmental competitive examination for promotion to the cadre of postmaster grade-1 held on 12th june 2011.

NATIONAL POSTAL POLICY 2012

Postal Policy 2012A meeting is likely on the policy to discuss various dimensions with key stakeholders, next month PTI | November 14 2011..Share..The government has started the exercise to formulate the new National Postal Policy 2012, in order to rejuvenate and bring the postal sector to the centre stage of economic development.

The Department of Post (DoP) will organise a round-table conference next month to discuss various dimensions of the policy with key stakeholders.

"DoP may complete this (discussion) exercise by April, 2012," Minister of Communications and Information Technology Kapil Sibal said, adding that the agenda of the same should be submitted by November 20.

The government said National Postal Policy (NPP) would have clear goals, defined role of various operators in the sector and regulatory mechanism in place.

"The postal sector is a key information medium that contributes to both the economic and social development. In recent years, the postal market place has grown increasingly competitive, complex and essential," Sibal added.

The minister in his communication to the DoP has indicated that the new policy should be in line with market dynamics and postal sector should contribute to social and economic development of the country.

"A comprehensive policy must be compiled to guide and regulate the development, growth and contribution of this sector over the next five to 10 years," Sibal said.

DoP had earlier come up with a National Postal Policy, which is viewed as 'prototype' of the policy, a senior ministry official said.

The policy was written by couple of postal department officers without consultation with the industry, the official added.

The new policy will be framed in consultation with various stakeholders of the Indian postal sector which will include various players in logistics, courier and e-commerce business."NPP'12 will have clear goals in terms of job creation, potential investment, guidelines for postal services and strategic focus area for the sector," the official said.
With over 1.5 lakh post offices India's Department of Post has the one of the largest postal network in the world.

In order to match the rapid growth of the country, DoP is undergoing various radical changes which includes a proposal to convert over 1.5 lakh post offices across the nation into full-fledged banks on the anvil.

The post offices currently offer financial services like savings bank, postal life insurance, pension payments and money transfer services.

MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT

AMENDMENTS IN THE CENTRAL LIST OF OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES NOTIFIED IN RESPECT OF SIXTEEN STATES

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for notifying changes in the existing Central lists of OBCs.

The National Commission for Backward Classes advised the Central Government for amendment in the Central list of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) for the States of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and West Bengal and Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar, Chandigarh, Delhi and Puducherry.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment would make amendments in the Central lists of OBCs in respect of these States and UTs. Inclusion of these castes/communities in the Central list of OBCs would enable them to avail the benefits of reservation in Central Government services and posts as well as admissions in the Central educational institutions, thus contributing to the goal of equity and inclusiveness.

PIB 16th November,2011

GOVERNMENT GIVES NOD FOR 26% FDI IN PENSION FUNDS

The government is finally going ahead with the 26% foreign direct investment in pension funds and setting up of a regulator for them. The decision — too hot to be handled in the past because of the fierce resistance from the Left — was taken by the cabinet on Wednesday.

From now on, non-government salaried people will have the choice of saving for old age in pure pension funds, instead of going in for insurance policies decked up as pension schemes.


The FDI cap, however, has been kept out of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Bill — which has been amended to bring in the regulator — as the cap may be changed in future.


A government spokesperson said, "The government is of the view that the 26% FDI cap is at par with the insurance sector. But it would like to retain the flexibility of changing the cap as and when required."


The legislation will allow the funds to invest part of their kitties in stock markets for high returns although at perceivable risks — exactly the point Left leaders were opposed to.

Subscribers, however, will have the option of choosing from a range of schemes that offer various ranges of returns based on the risk profiles.

For instance, schemes investing only in government securities can offer as low a return as 2% a year while, going by the trends during the past three years, a corporate bond plan could fetch as high as 25%.


The proposed legislation, however, does not specify an assured return option despite the parliamentary standing committee on finance, led by BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, had made a strong pitch for it.


Currently, the pension sector has its own regulator, PFRDA, but it does not have statutory powers. The UPA government, in its first term (2004-09), introduced the PFRDA Bill in July 2005, but it lapsed after the House dissolved in 2009.


The interim arrangement is functioning since 2003 through an executive order. But it cannot impose penalties. The PFRDA's new pension system (NPS) was introduced and made mandatory for all government recruits, except the armed forces, from January 1, 2004. It was opened to all citizens from May 1, 2009 on voluntary basis.


As many as 27 state governments have notified and joined the NPS. As of now, the subscriber base in the government sector stands at 1.1 million with the corpus approaching Rs 7,000 crore.

Hindustan Times, New Delhi, November 16, 2011

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Outsourcing collection of speed post and other premium service -- clarifaction regarding.

Postal Changes are here; more coming.

Details of the 41st UPC letter writing competition, 2012

Streamlining of Procedure for disposal of Medical Reimbursement Claims (MRCs) in CGHS

F. No. S.11024/8/2011/CGHS(P)
Government of India
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Department of Health and Family Welfare
Directorate General of C,G.H.S.
Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated the 14th November, 2011

CIRCULAR
SUBJECT : Streamlining of Procedure for disposal of Medical Reimbursement Claims (MRCs) in CGHS

The pensioner CGHS beneficiaries and their dependent family members are entitled to get cashless medical treatment In CGHS empanelled private hospitals on a referral by a Government medical specialist / CMO in-charge, after obtaining prior permission from the CMO in-charge of the CGHS Wellness Centre/Dispensary they are attached to. They are however, also entitled to obtain the medical services from any un-empanelled hospital in emergency condition and get reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by themselves or any of their dependent family members. They can file Medical Reimbursement Claims (MRCs) with the respective CGHS Wellness Centres they are attached to- The CMO In charge is expected to scrutinize the claim papers with reference to the prescribed Checklist and forward the same to the Office of AD/ JD in charge of the zone/city. The Office of AD/JD processes the claim and arranges reimbursement of the admissible amount to the pensioner beneficiary at the earliest.

2. A number of complaints are being received from the pensioner beneficiaries about the slow and tardy pace of disposal of MRC claims by CGHS, Complaints have also been received about the unnecessary harassment of pensioner beneficiaries who are also senior citizens, affecting them mentally and financially, and thereby creating a bad image for CGHS. CGHS is responsible for taking care of healthcare needs and well being of the central government employees and pensioners. It has therefore been decided to lay down a comprehensive procedure to be followed by all concerned in CGHS to ensure timely and hassle free disposal of the MRC claims by CGHS in order to facilitate prompt reimbursement of medical expenses to the pensioner beneficiaries.

3. The procedure to be followed by CGHS for dealing with MRC cases shall be as follows;

i. The beneficiary will submit the MRC in the prescribed format with all relevant supporting vouchers/documents in original, to the CMO-I/C of the relevant CGHS Wellness Centre. The CGHS Wellness Centre shall verify and ensure, before accepting the claim papers, that all relevant documents are enclosed as per the prescribed checklist and issue a dated acknowledgement to the claimant in token of receipt of the MRC by CGHS.

ii. The CGHS Wellness Centre shall forward the MRC papers online to the Office of Zonal AD/JD, CGHS for further processing for reimbursement of claims. The physical papers shall be sent to the office of the AD/JD within one / two days of receipt of claim papers.

iii. If there are still any deficiencies / gaps found in MRC documents/papers, the Office of AD/JD, shall retain the papers and communicate the list of deficiencies / observations, preferably online, to the CMO-I/C for removing the shortcomings. The MRC may also be returned in original to the CMO- I/C, if it is absolutely necessary for doing the needful to remove the deficiencies in consultation with the beneficiary.

iv. The CMO-I/C shall contact the beneficiary concerned and inform him about the shortcomings in the MRC papers and request him to submit the requisite information / documents. The CMO I/C shall not return the MRC in original unless it is rejected in total.

v. The MRCs should be scrutinized and processed by the Office of AD/JD as far as possible through computerized software as per the extant policy and instructions issued from time to time about the CGHS rates and admissibility of claims under CGHS.

vi. The amount found admissible as per the CGHS guidelines may be passed for payment and forwarded online / manually to the PAO for making payment. The original documents should also be forwarded simultaneously to the PAO for making payment of the admissible amount to the claimant.

vii. When a bill is sent to the PAO, the details pertaining to the claimant will be entered through computer and the claimant shall be informed of the same along with bill number, amount admissible and details of disallowances clearly indicating the specific reasons / grounds for deductions.

viii. The Office of AD/ID of the zone / city shall submit a weekly report in Form —'MRC-I' and Monthly Return in Form — 'MRC — II' indicating the details of disposal of MRC cases, to the Office of AD(HQ), CGHS for Delhi & NCR and to the Office of Additional DDG (HQ), CGHS for other than Delhi and NCR CGHS cities.

ix. A separate analytical statement shall be attached with the Monthly Return in Form-'MRC- II' giving therein, the details of the MRCs pending for 2 months and above, clearly indicating the reasons there for and steps taken to dispose of such cases.

x. The Office of AD (HQ), CGHS, New Delhi and Office of Addl. DDG (HQ), CGHS shall compile the Monthly returns received from the respective zones and cities and submit a consolidated Monthly Return on MRC cases (Zone-wise/City wise) to the Director, CGHS for monitoring of MRC cases on a monthly basis. A copy of this Monthly Return shall also be endorsed by AD (HQ), CGHS and Addl. DDG (HQ), CGHS to Additional Secretary and Director General, CGHS for his information.

4. All the CMO — I/C of the CGHS Wellness Centres and the ADs and JDs of the zone /city are herby directed to follow the above procedure religiously in both letter and spirit to ensure speedy and timely disposal of the Medical Reimbursement Claims (MRCs) filed by the pensioner CGHS beneficiaries.
End: Forms – MRC-I & II

sd/-
(L.C.Goyal)
AS&DG (CGHS)

Post office still relevant in a digital world

While our parents might still want hard copies of their bills, financial statements, or newsletters, many in our generation would scoff and log in online for the same information. Such a shift between the baby boomer generation and the Internet generation is great for the environment, but not so good for the future of the United States Postal Service.

It's no secret that post offices are struggling. The Daily has hosted multiple news stories about the potential shutdown of smaller Ames post offices and proposals to close 10 percent of all U.S. post offices have been floating through Congress for months.


While many students won't care whether the Postal Service exists 10 years from now, there are good reasons that this federal service should not be shuttered completely.


While the Internet is slowly sharing a world of information with rural communities, for many the post office still remains a major method of communication with the outside world. No commercial company in its right mind would provide a service where you can send a letter from Story City, Iowa, (pop. 3,400) to Wallace, Calif., (pop. 253) for the same price as sending a letter from Des Moines to nearby Chicago. This one-price communication network allows individuals to easily share information and ideas with others no matter where they live and is a pillar of free speech in the United States.


But on the other hand, the Postal Service is not 100 percent efficient. There are many ways it could cut costs while retaining its basic, non-tiered delivery service. We could learn a thing or two from countries like Germany, where the delivery back-end of the postal service remains, but 99.9 percent of the post offices have been shuttered and instead the postal service provides services housed in local businesses.


Our mailboxes could be co-located in fewer central locations to save on delivery costs. Service days could be cut or subdivided to allow the Postal Service to provide delivery to the country's many small towns.


Email is an amazing innovation, but it is far from perfect. Originally used to connect researchers, email is far less secure than a sealed envelope for sending information. Its ease of use makes global commerce possible, but also leads to mistakes like the leaked internal CBS memo that angered
the Bachmann campaign recently.


We go to the Post Office to send mail, get passports, register for the selective service and accomplish many other tasks today. Their services are still important to all of us, but it is time for a change. We'll miss the MU Post Office, but we can survive with fewer offices here in Ames.


Sunday, November 20, 2011

GENERAL SECRETARY PROGRAME

23/11/.2011 to 28/11/2011. Kolkata(W.B.circle) to Attend K.R. Birth celebration and Blood Donation Camp

29/11/2011 to30/2011.mumbai

02/12/2011 to 04/12/2011 Goa Attend C.W.C.meeting NUPE P-4 Maharashtra Circle in Goa

IP LINE GROUP B PROMOTION AND POSTING ORDER FOR THE YEAR 2011

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Small Savings interest rates hiked- Ministry of Finance orders dt.11.11.2011

No. 6-1/2011-NS.II (Pt.)
Ministry of Finance
Department of Economic Affairs
(Budget Division)
New Delhi, the 11th November, 2011.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Decisions on the recommendations of the Committee for
Comprehensive Review of National Small Savings Fund (NSSF).

The Thirteenth Finance Commission in its Report had, inter alia, recommended that all aspects of the design and administration of the NSSF be examined with the aim of bringing transparency, market linked rates and other much needed reforms to the scheme. As a follow up of this recommendation, the Government had constituted a Committee on 8th July, 2010, headed by Smt. Shyamala Gopinath, the then Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India for comprehensive review of NSSF. The terms of reference of the Committee included review of the existing parameters for the small saving schemes in operation and recommend mechanisms to make them more flexible and market linked; review of the existing terms of the loans extended from the NSSF to the Centre and States and recommend on the changes required in the arrangement of lending the net collection of small savings to Centre and States; review of other possible investment opportunities for the net collections from small savings and the repayment proceeds of NSSF loans extended to States and Centre; review of the administrative arrangement including the cost of operation; and review of the incentives offered on the small savings investments by the States.

2. The Committee submitted its report to the Government on 7th June, 2011. Comments/views of Department of Posts, Department of Revenue, Department of Financial Services, Department of Expenditure and all State/Union Territory Governments were sought on the recommendations made by the Committee.

3. The recommendations of the Committee have been considered in detail, taking into account the views/comments received from other Departments, States/UTs and representations received from various agents’ associations and others. After detailed examination the following decisions have been taken:-

Rationalisation of Schemes:

(i) The maturity period for Monthly Income Scheme (MIS) and National Savings Certificate (NSC) will be reduced from 6 years to 5 years.

(ii) A new NSC instrument, with maturity period of 10 years, would be introduced.
(iii) Kisan Vikas Patras (KVPs) will be discontinued.
(iv) The annual ceiling on investment under Public Provident Fund (PPF) Scheme will be increased from Rs. 70,000 to Rs..1 lakh.
(v) Interest on loans obtained from PPF will be increased to 2% p.a.from existing 1% p.a.
(vi) Liquidity of Post Office Time Deposit (POTD) – 1, 2, 3 & 5 years – will be improved by allowing pre-mature withdrawal at a rate of interest 1% less than the time deposits of comparable maturity. For pre-mature withdrawals between 6-12 months of investment, Post Office Savings Account (POSA) rate of interest will be paid.

Interest Rates on Small Savings Instruments :

(i) The rate of interest paid under Post Office Savings Account will be increased from 3.5% to 4% p.a.
(ii) The rate of interest on small savings schemes will be aligned with G-Sec rates of similar maturity, with a spread of 25 basis points (bps) with two exceptions. The spread on 10 year NSC (new instrument) will be 50 bps and on Senior Citizens Savings Scheme 100 bps. The interest rates for every financial year will be notified before 1st April of that year.
(iii) Assuming the date of implementation of the recommendations of the Committee as 1stDecember, 2011 the rate of interest on various small savings schemes for current financial year on the basis of the interest compounding/payment built in the schemes, will be as given below:-

Instrument Current Rate (%) Proposed Rate (%)
Savings Deposit 3.50 4.0
1 year Time Deposit 6.25 7.7
2 year Time Deposit 6.50 7.8
3 year Time Deposit 7.25 8.0
5 year Time Deposit 7.50 8.3
5 year Recurring Deposit 7.50 8.0
5-year SCSS 9.00 9.0
5 year MIS 8.00 (6 year MIS) 8.2
5 year NSC 8.00 (6 year NSC) 8.4
10 year NSC New Instrument 8.7
PPF 8.00 8.6


(iv) Payment of 5% bonus on maturity of MIS will be discontinued.

Commission to Agents

(i) Payment of commission on PPF schemes (1%) and Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (0.5%) will be discontinued.
(ii) Agency commission under all other schemes (except MPKBY agents) will be reduced from existing 1% to 0.5%.
(iii) Commission at existing rate of 4% will continue for Mahila Pradhan Kshetriya Bachat Yojana (MPKBY) agents.
(iv) Incentives, if any, paid by the State/UT Governments will be reduced from the commission paid by the Central Government.
Investments from NSSF :

(i) The minimum share of States in net small savings collections in a year, for investment in State Governments Securities, will be reduced from 80% to 50%. The remaining amount will be invested in Central Government securities or lent to other willing States or in securities issued by infrastructure companies/agencies, wholly owned by Central Government.
(ii) Yearly repayment of NSSF loans made by Centre and States, will be reinvested in Central and State Government securities in the ratio of 50:50.
(iii) The period of repayment of NSSF loans by Centre and States will be reduced to 10 years, with no moratorium.
(iv) For the current financial year the prevailing interest rate of 9.5% will continue. From 1st April, 2012 revised interest rate will be notified.
(iv) Half yearly payment of interest by the Centre and the States will be introduced.
(v) Interest rate on existing investments from NSSF in Central Government securities till 2006-07 will be re-set at 9% and on those from 2007-08 till 2010-11 will be re-set at 9.5%.

Operational Issues of NSSF
(i) A Monitoring Group drawn from Ministry of Finance, Reserve Bank of India, Department of Posts, State Bank of India, other select banks and select State Governments will be set up to resolve various operational issues like reducing the time lag between collection and investment, etc.
4. Necessary notifications, including those requiring amendments to rules of various small saving schemes and National Small Savings Fund (Custody & Investment) Rules, 2001 will be notified separately. The above decisions will take effect from the dates to be specified in the notifications.
5. This has the approval of Finance Minister.

(Shaktikanta Das)
Addl. Secretary to the Govt. of India

Framing of Recruitment Rules in respect of Postal Assistants/Sorting Assistants in Department of Posts.

The Gramin Dak Sevaks, these shall be filled by direct recruitment from amongst other open market candidates of the same year, fulfilling the age and qualification conditions.

1. The Gramin Dak Sevaks should have obtained at least 50% marks in 10+2 Standard or 12th class with English as a Compulsory subject. And have put in a minimum service of five years;

2. They should be within 30 years of age (35 years for those belonging to Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes and 33 years for other Backward Classes).

No. 37-47/2010-SPB-I
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT
Department of Dak Bhawan, New Delhi-110001
Dated; 18.11.2011.


1. All Chief Postmaster General

2. Postmaster General
3. The Director, PSCI, Ghaziabad


Subject; Framing of Recruitment Rules in respect of Postal Assistants/Sorting Assistants in Department of Posts.

Sir/Madam,

I am directed to forward herewith a copy of revised Recruitment Rules dated 3.11.2011 for the Posts of Postal Assistants/Sorting Assistants in Department of Posts notified in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II Section 3, Sub-section (i) dated 3.11.2011.

It is requested that the provisions of Recruitment Rules may be brought to the notice of all concerned.

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(Alka Tewari)
Assistant Director General (SPN)

Encl; As above


Please down load below link for Gazette notification for PA/SA Recruitment Rules.

https://acrobat.com/app.html#d=QLtTpX9UfwUzb3BqEpkY6g

Pension Bill will harm lakhs of employees: CPI(M)

.Reiterating its opposition to the Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority Bill, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Thursday said it should not be passed by Parliament.

In a statement, the party Polit Bureau said the Bill would deprive lakhs of government employees, both at the Central and State levels, of their right to get an assured rate of pension at the time of retirement, which they had been enjoying.


The government, it said, had ignored the Standing Committee's recommendations in this regard and would provide the legal backing for putting the pension funds into the stock market.


“This neo-liberal measure is being undertaken despite the pension funds in Western countries being badly hit by the 2008 financial crisis. Many employees found their pension benefits being sharply curtailed,” the statement said. The provision for 26 per cent FDI in the pension sector must be totally opposed, the party said, adding that the government was not including this provision in the Bill so that it could increase the FDI component in the later years without amending the law. “This Bill should not be passed in Parliament. The CPI (M) appeals to the entire Opposition to unitedly defeat the passage of the Bill,'' it said.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Indian Administrative Service (cadre) Rules, 1954

MANUAL ON POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR PURCHASE OF GOODS

Brochure on Reservation for the Scheduled Castes Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes in Services.

flash news

Based on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption headed by late Shri K. Santhanam, the Conduct Rules for Government servants were revised with a view to maintaining integrity in public Services and the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964.

Click here for download

SBT Staff Union calls for withdrawal of PFRDA Bill

The three-day national conference of the State Bank of Travancore Staff Union, which ended here on Monday, in a resolution urged the Union government to withdraw the Provident Fund Regulation and Development Authority (PFRDA) Bill-2011 for participatory pension scheme to government employees.

It said if the Bill was passed, government employees who joined service after 2004 would not be eligible for the existing Central government employees' pension. This would also deprive the employees of Provident Fund and Gratuity benefits.

Under the new Bill, the government employees would have to join the participatory pension scheme as against the existing pension scheme based on basic salary and Dearness Allowance (DA).

The Bill is also for handing over the pension fund to private financiers that will be disastrous as there is no guarantee that the money would be returned to ensure reasonable pension to the retiring government employees, the resolution said.The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill, 2011 is being introduced in Parliament to provide for the establishment of a statutory Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) to promote old age income security by establishing, developing and regulating pension funds, to protect the interests of subscribers of various pension fund schemes and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill, 2011 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 24 March, 2011 and the same has been referred to the Standing Committee on Finance on 29 March, 2011 for examination and report thereon.

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill, 2011, inter alia, provides for:
(a) establishing a statutory regulatory body to be called the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority which will undertake promotional, developmental and regulatory functions in respect of pension funds;
(b) empowering the PFRDA to regulate the National Pension System, as amended from time to time;
(c) empowering the PFRDA to perform promotional, developmental and regulatory functions relating to pension funds (including authorising and regulating intermediaries) through regulations or guidelines, prescribing the disclosure standards, protecting the interests of subscribers to schemes of pension funds;
(d) authorising the PFRDA to levy fees for services rendered, etc., to meet its expenses;
(e) empowering the PFRDA to impose penalties for any violation of the provisions of the legislation, rules, regulations, etc.

Originally, the Bill was prepared by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in 2005. But it was brought by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government led by the Congress in 2007. It could not be presented in Parliament as it was opposed by the Left parties on whose support the UPA government then survived. But now the Bill is brought by the UPA government with the support of the BJP.

Home / Vehicle loans to be costlier / Pre-payment penalty to go / Subsidy up to 15L on home loans

With the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) hiking the repo rate by 25 basis points, the home loans and vehicle loans are set to attract higher interest rates. The measure was taken by RBI to counter rising prices. The impact of a 25 basis points increase on EMIs for home and auto loans will be Rs 16 per lakh. So if you take a loan for Rs 10 lakh for 15 years tenure at 11.5% interest you were paying an EMI of Rs 11,682 now with .25% increase the EMI will become Rs 11,842. Experts say this increase by the RBI by itself may not lead to any immediate increase in lending and fixed deposit rates unless there is a rate war over savings bank accounts.

There is also good news. The Reserve Bank of India has asked the banks to waive off the pre-payment charges in floating rate loans. This will come as a relief to home loan borrowers, who are already stretched and grappling with rising interest rates.

The is also cheering news from the Union Cabinet. The Cabinet on Tuesday decided to liberalise the norms under its one per cent interest rate subsidy scheme for housing loans.

Following the decision, the subsidy would be available for loans up to Rs.15 lakh as against the present limit of Rs.10 lakh. It also decided to relax the eligibility criteria in regard to the cost of the house. The subsidy would be extended for houses costing up to Rs.25 lakh. At present, one percent susidy is applicable to only those houses costing less than Rs.20 lakh.

Government gives nod for 26% FDI in pension funds

The government is finally going ahead with the 26% foreign direct investment in pension funds and setting up of a regulator for them. The decision — too hot to be handled in the past because of the fierce resistance from the Left — was taken by the cabinet on Wednesday.

From now on, non-government salaried people will have the choice of saving for old age in pure pension funds, instead of going in for insurance policies decked up as pension schemes.

The FDI cap, however, has been kept out of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Bill — which has been amended to bring in the regulator — as the cap may be changed in future.

A government spokesperson said, “The government is of the view that the 26% FDI cap is at par with the insurance sector. But it would like to retain the flexibility of changing the cap as and when required.”

The legislation will allow the funds to invest part of their kitties in stock markets for high returns although at perceivable risks — exactly the point Left leaders were opposed to.

Subscribers, however, will have the option of choosing from a range of schemes that offer various ranges of returns based on the risk profiles.

For instance, schemes investing only in government securities can offer as low a return as 2% a year while, going by the trends during the past three years, a corporate bond plan could fetch as high as 25%.

The proposed legislation, however, does not specify an assured return option despite the parliamentary standing committee on finance, led by BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, had made a strong pitch for it.

Currently, the pension sector has its own regulator, PFRDA, but it does not have statutory powers. The UPA government, in its first term (2004-09), introduced the PFRDA Bill in July 2005, but it lapsed after the House dissolved in 2009.

The interim arrangement is functioning since 2003 through an executive order. But it cannot impose penalties. The PFRDA's new pension system (NPS) was introduced and made mandatory for all government recruits, except the armed forces, from January 1, 2004. It was opened to all citizens from May 1, 2009 on voluntary basis.

As many as 27 state governments have notified and joined the NPS. As of now, the subscriber base in the government sector stands at 1.1 million with the corpus approaching Rs 7,000 crore.

Courtesy - Hindustan Times

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Pension to central Government Employees -FAQ

1 Which rules Govern Pension?

2 Who is the Pension Sanctioning Authority?

3 What should a Government servant do to claim his pension?

4 Who is to authorize the pension?

5 What to do in case the pension has not been fixed correctly?

6 Whether retirement gratuity, death gratuity can be paid by PAO/CPAO?

7 Is the Dearness Relief payable on original basic pension or on reduced pension after commutation?

8 Is any authorization from PAO/CPAO required for payment of dearness relief on increased rates to pensioners/family pensioners?

9 Is there any restriction on commutation of pension?

10 Is there any limit on commutation of pension?

11 What will be the effective date of reduced pension if,

(a) The applicant is drawing pension from PAO?
(b) The applicant is drawing pension from a branch of Public Sector Bank?
(c) A Government servant who retired on superannuation and commutation applied in form 1-A of CCS (Commutation of Pension) Rules up to the date of retirement and commutation paid through Head of Office
12 How does the period of 15 years for restoration of commuted portion of pension reckon?

13 Whether the family can be given the benefit of 40 per cent commutation if, a pensioner dies before exercising option?

14 Is any authorization for restoration of commuted portion of pension after 15 years required from PAO/CPAO?

15 Whether retirement gratuity/death gratuity, commuted value of pension is taxable ?

16 Is the payment of Pension in Cash or through a Joint Account without EITHER or SURVIVOR facility permitted in the Scheme for Payment of Pension to Central Government Civil Pensioners by the Public Sector Banks?

17 Can a pension account be operated by a holder of Power of Attorney?

18 Can the deduction of Income Tax at source be made from pension payments?

19 Can the excess payment, if any, credited to the pensioner’s account be recovered by the bank?

20 Can the payment of retirement/death gratuity be made by the bank?

21 What to do if a pensioner/family pensioner desires to get his pension payment account transfer?

(a) From one paying branch to another of the same Public Sector Bank within the same station or a different station?
(b) From one Public Sector Bank to another Public Sector Bank within the same station. Such transfers to be allowed only once in a financial year ?
(c) From one Public Sector Bank to another Public Sector Bank at a different station?
22 What is the procedure for switchover of pension payment from Pay; Accounts Office to Public Sector Bank ?

23 Who is to authorize payment of family pension and death gratuity when a Govt. servant dies while on deputation?

24 When should a family member become eligible for the grant of family pension to get the family pension?

25 Up-to which period family pension is payable?

26 Is family pension payable to more than one person at a time?

27 How is the family pension payable to twin children?

28 Is family pension payable to a spouse judicially separated?

29 What has the pensioner to do for restoration of commuted portion of pension? What date is it restored?

30 To whom is rounding off benefit of percentage of disability pension admissible?

31 Under Vth CPC orders remarriage of widow even with a person other than real brother of the deceased does not debar her from payment of special family pension. What is the exact rule position in this regard?

32 Whether family pension may be sanctioned to a handicapped child during lifetime of a pensioner who has no wife or any other children.?

33 Continuance award of Special Family Pension is admissible from which date and in whose favour is the SFP Continued?

34 Whether in all cases service element is payable along with disability element in disability pension cases?

35 Whether restoration of commuted portion of pension is admissible to those who were absorbed permanently in autonomous bodies/PSUs and have drawn lump-sum capitalised value in lieu of pension?

36 Describe Consolidation of family pension at the rate of 30% of pay in respect of pre-96 family pension cases and method of calculation thereof?

37 Is the family pension admissible to parents; widowed/divorced/unmarried daughters?

38 What is the period of payment of enhanced family pension?

39 What is the formula for pension revision for pre-86 pensioner/family pensioner?

40 What is the minimum and maximum pension?

41 How much of the pension can be commuted?

42 Is there any ceiling on gratuities and if so what is the maximum amount admissible?

43 What is the extent of neutralization of relief granted to pensioners?

44 Is personal pension to be discontinued with effect from 1.1.1996?

45 What is the medical allowance for pensioners?

46 When can pension be withheld or withdrawn?

47 What is restoration of pension and when is it due?

48 What is enhanced family pension and how long is it paid?

49 Are the employed family pensioners and the re-employed pensioners entitled to Dearness Relief (DR) on their family pension/pension?

50 What is reduced pension?

51 When can a Government servant apply for voluntary retirement?

52 When will my DCRG/part of DCRG be released?

53 What is the meaning of the following terms?

(a) Pension Disbursing Authority
(b) Pension Sanctioning Authority
(c) PPO Issuing Authority
54 Whether older pensioners will get higher rate of pension?

55 What is the method of computing pension?

56 Is family pension available after remarriage ?

57 Whether in the case of pensioners who are in receipt of more than one pension, the floor ceiling of Rs.3500 will apply to the total of all pensions taken together?

58 Whether the element of disability pension and invalid pension will be combined or treated as separate identity?

59 Whether the provision of adding years in qualifying service for computation of pension is still in force?

60 Whether the provision of adding years in qualifying service has been withdrawn for calculating gratuity also?

61 What is the revised quantum of ex-gratia lumpsum compensation to Civilian employees who die in performance of their bon fide official duties?

62 Whether the additional pension/family pension available to old pensioners would be payable from the date of attaining age of 80 years or above or from the first day of the monthin which the date of birth falls?

63 Whether the period of 10 years for payment of enhanced family pension would also apply in the case of a Government servant who died before 1.1.2006 and in respect of whom the family was receiving enhanced family pension as on 1.1.2006 ?.

64 From which date the Constant Attendant Allowance is payable ?.

65 Whether the pensioners who retired on disability pension before 1.1.2006 would also be entitled to Constant Attendant Allowance ?

66 Whether Dearness Relief will be admissible on Constant Attendant Allowance?

67 What would be the age to be used for commutation of additional commutable pension and which factor would be used for such additional commuted value of pension?

68 From which date the reduction in pension on account of additional commutation of pension will take effect?

69 What will be the date of restoration of additional commutation of pension?




1. Which rules Govern Pension?
Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules,1972.
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2. Who is the Pension Sanctioning Authority?
The Head of Office in the Ministry/Department/Office where a Government servant last served is the pension sanctioning authority.
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3. What should a Government servant do to claim his pension?
The Head of Office is required to undertake the work of preparation of pension papers in Form No. 7 of Pension Rules two years before the date on which a Government servant is due to retire on superannuation. Eight months prior to the retirement date, a Government servant is required to furnish certain information (e.g. joint photo with spouse, family details, name of the branch of the authorised bank through which he desires to draw his pension etc.) to his Head of Office in the prescribed Form No. 5. After complying with the requirements of CCS Pension Rules 59 & 60, the Head of Office has to forward to the Pay & Accounts Officer Form 5 and Form 7 duly completed with a covering letter in Form 8 alongwith service book of the Government servant duly completed up-to-date and any other documents relied upon for the verification of service, not later than six months before the date of retirement of the Government servant.
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4. Who is to authorize the pension?
On receipt of pension papers from Head of Office, the Pay & Accounts Officer concerned will, after applying requisite checks, assess the amount of pension and issue the Pension Payment Order (both halves of Pension Payment Order, i.e. disburser’s portion and pensioner’s portion) not later than one month in advance of the date of retirement of the Government servant with forwarding authority letter, duly ink-signed and embossed, to Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) who in turn will generate on computer a Special Seal Authority on the basis of details given in the Pension Payment Order and authority letter of the Pay & Accounts Officer and forward both halves of PPO with Special Seal Authority to the concerned Link Branch of the authorised Public Sector Bank in the State/Union Territory, which after keeping the details in the Index Register will transmit the documents received from the CPAO to its paying branch opted by the pensioner, for arranging the payment.
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5. What to do in case the pension has not been fixed correctly?
The Pay & Accounts Officer while issuing the pension authorization will forward one copy of the pension calculation sheet (out of three received by him from the Head of Office) as certified by the Head of Office and countersigned by him (Pay & Accounts Officer) to the pensioner along with the intimation of his having sent the pension payment authority/PPO to the CPAO. In case it is found from the pension calculation sheet that pension has been fixed incorrectly, the matter may be taken-up with the Head of Office, PAO concerned who, if necessary, will issue an amendment authority letter to Central Pension Accounting Office for onward transmission to the paying branch through its Link Branch to carry out necessary amendments in both halves of PPO.
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6. Whether retirement gratuity, death gratuity can be paid by PAO/CPAO?
No. The amount of retirement/death gratuity as determined by the PAO shall be intimated to the Head of Office who will draw and disburse the amount to the retired Government servant or to the nominee/family as the case may be.
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7. Is the Dearness Relief payable on original basic pension or on reduced pension after commutation?
The Dearness Relief is payable on original basic pension before commutation.
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8. Is any authorization from PAO/CPAO required for payment of dearness relief on increased rates to pensioners/family pensioners?
No. Whenever any additional relief on pension/family pension is sanctioned by Government, an intimation to this effect is sent by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension (Deptt. of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare) to the authorised representative of each nominated Public Sector Bank. Each Link Branch will be responsible for ensuring that copies of the orders sanctioning additional relief have actually been received by their paying branches and payment of additional relief at the revised rates to the pensioners has been commenced by them without any undue delay. Whenever there is change in the rates of dearness relief on pension, paying branch will keep a note of rates along with the date from which relief would take effect in disburser’s portion and the pensioner’s half of the PPO under attestation by the Branch Manager or in-charge before commencing payment of relief at the revised rates and/or payment of arrears, if any, due to the pensioner on this account.
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9. Is there any restriction on commutation of pension?
Yes. No Government servant against whom departmental or judicial proceedings as referred to in Rule 9 of the Pension Rules, have been instituted before the date of his retirement or the pensioner against whom such proceedings are instituted after the date of retirement, shall be eligible to commute a fraction of his provisional pension authorised under Rule 69 of the Pension Rules or the pension, as the case may be, during the pendency of such proceedings.
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10. Is there any limit on commutation of pension?
A Government servant shall be entitled to commute for a lump sum payment up to 40 per cent of his pension.
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11. What will be the effective date of reduced pension if,
a) The applicant is drawing pension from PAO?
b) The applicant is drawing pension from a branch of Public Sector Bank?
c) A Government servant who retired on superannuation and commutation applied in Form 1-A of CCS(Commutation of Pension) Rules up to the date of retirement and commutation paid through Head of Officewithin the first month of retirement ?
a) The reduction in the amount of pension on account of the commutation shall be operative from the date of receipt of the commuted value of pension or at the end of three months after issue of authority by the PAO for the payment of commuted value of pension, whichever is earlier.
(b) The reduction in the amount of pension on account of commutation shall be operative from the date on which the commuted value of pension is credited by the bank to the applicant's account to which pension is being credited.
(c) The reduction in the amount of pension on account of commutation shall be operative from its inception. The commuted value is paid in two stages as such the reduction in the amount of pension shall be made from the respective dates of the payment as per (a) or (b) above, as the case may be.
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12. How does the period of 15 years for restoration of commuted portion of pension reckon?
The 15-year period for restoration may be reckoned from the date of retirement itself only in case where the payment of commuted value of pension was/is made during the first month of retirement leading to appropriate reduction on account of commutation in the first pension itself. In all other cases, where the commutation of pension led/leads to a reduction in the second or subsequent month, the 15-year period will be reckoned from the date on which reduction in pension became/becomes effective.
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13. Whether the family can be given the benefit of 40 per cent commutation if a pensioner dies before exercising option?
In view of Governments clarificatory orders, no such benefit can be given to the family.
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14. Is any authorization for restoration of commuted portion of pension after 15 years required from PAO/CPAO?
No. Restoration of commuted portion of pension after 15 years (from the date of crediting of commuted value) or as fixed by the Government from time to time is to be made automatically by bank on receipt of application in prescribed proforma from the eligible pensioner. In cases where the date of commutation is not readily available in the PPO, the bank will obtain the information from the concerned PAO who issued the PPO through CPAO before restoring the commuted portion of pension.
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15. Whether retirement gratuity/death gratuity, commuted value of pension is taxable ?
Retirement/death gratuity and the lump sum amount received on account of commutation of pension is not taxable under Income Tax Act.
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16. Is the payment of pension in cash or through a joint account with or without "EITHER or SURVIVOR" facility permitted in the Scheme for Payment of Pension to Central Government Civil Pensioners by Public Sector Banks?
Payment of pension in cash is not permitted in the scheme. However, the pension payment is now permitted to be credited to a joint account operated by the pensioner with his spouse (either by ‘Former or Survivor’ or ‘Either or Survivor’ basis) in whose favour an authorization exists in the Pension Payment Order, subject to certain terms and conditions.
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17. Can a pension account be operated by a holder of Power of Attorney ?
No. The pension account can not be allowed to be operated by a holder of Power of Attorney except in case of the account of former President of India or of the spouse of the deceased President. However, the facility of allowing cheque books and acceptance of standing instructions for transfer of funds from the account is admissible as per instructions of R.B.I.
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18. Can the deduction of Income Tax at source be made from pension payments ?
Yes, the paying branch will be responsible for deduction of Income Tax at source from pension payments in accordance with the rates prescribed from time to time. While deducting such tax from pension payments the paying branch will also allow deduction on account of relief available under Income Tax Act from time to time on production of proper and acceptable evidence of eligible savings by pensioners. The paying branch will also issue the pensioner in April each year a certificate of tax deducted in the form prescribed in the Income Tax Rules.
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19. Can the excess payment, if any, credited to the pensioner’s account be recovered by the bank?
Before commencing payment of pension, the paying branch is required to obtain an undertaking in the prescribed form Annexure-XI of the Scheme from the pensioner. On the strength of this undertaking the excess payment, if any, credited to his/her account can be recovered by the paying branch.
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20. Can the payment of retirement/death gratuity be made by the bank?
Unless otherwise specified, payment of death/retirement gratuity by the bank is not covered under the scheme.
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21. What to do if a pensioner/family pensioner desires to get his pension payment account transferred?
(a) From one paying branch to another of the same Public Sector Bank within the same station or a different station ?
(b) From one Public Sector Bank to another Public Sector Bank within the same station. (Such transfers to be allowed only once in a financial year)?
(c) From one Public Sector Bank to another Public Sector Bank at a different station ?
(a)Applications for transfer of pension payment account falling under this category may be entertained by the paying branch of the Public Sector Bank itself. In case the transfer is at the same station, Link Branch will make necessary entries in the register maintained by them in the prescribed form in Annexure-VIII of the scheme and forward the disburser’s portion of PPO to the paying branch at which payment is desired under intimation to the CPAO and the pensioner. In case transfer is at different station, Link Branch after keeping the requisite note, will forward disburser’s portion of the PPO to the Link Branch at new station for arranging payment through the new paying branch. Necessary intimation of effecting such transfer will be sent to CPAO by the new as well as old Link Branches in the form Annexure XXI for keeping a note of change in their records under intimation to the pensioner. The receiving Link Branch on receipt of the pension documents, will ensure forwarding the PPO to the paying branch within three days and intimate the facts to the pensioner simultaneously. Before forwarding the disburser’s portion of PPO to the new paying branch/Link Branch, it will be ensured that the month upto which the payment has been made is invariably indicated in the disburser’s portion of PPO.

(b)In cases request falling under category (b) & (c), when a pensioner applies for transfer on a simple sheet of paper the old bank (transferor paying branch) will send a letter duly signed by its Branch Manager to the Branch Manager of the new paying branch, wherever located, alongwith photocopy of the pensioner’s PPO showing the last payment made. This will be sent by Speed Post/Courier/Regd. Post to the new paying branch at the new location, alongwith a copy each to the pensioner, CPAO and for information to the Link Branch of the old paying branch. Simultaneously, the old paying branch will send the bank’s copy of the PPO to its Link Branch, duly completing all entries for transmission to the new Link Branch. However, pensioner’s copy of PPO will be retained by pensioner and produced at the new paying branch. The new paying branch will commence the pension payment immediately on receipt of letter of the last payment certificate as above. Simultaneously, it will send an intimation to its Link Branch with full details of the commencement of the pension. The old paying branch and its Link Branch will ensure that the bank’s copy of PPO is transmitted to the new paying branch through its Link Branch. Pension will be paid for three months on the basis of the photocopy of the pensioner’s PPO at transferee (New) branch, from the date of last date of payment made at the transferor (Old) branch. During this time, it will be the joint responsibility of both transferor (old) and transferee (New) bank branches to ensure that all the documents under the procedure, are received by the transferee (New) branch within the period of three months. To avoid the risk of overpayment at the time of transfer, the following certificate is required to be recorded on the Disburser’s portion of PPO by the paying branch of the Public Sector Bank:
Certified that payment of pension has been made up to the month ----------------- and that this PPO consists of ---------------------continuation sheets for recording disbursement."
Except as stated above , the transfer of a pension account from one payment point to another will not ordinarily be permitted.
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22. What is the procedure for switchover of pension payment from Pay & Accounts Office or treasury to Public Sector Bank ?
The existing pensioner will be required to submit his transfer application in the form in Annexure IX of the Scheme in duplicate to his Pension Disbursing Authority i.e. Pay & Accounts Office or Treasury as the case may be. Transfer application in duplicate shall be forwarded immediately by the Pay & Accounts Office along with the disburser’s copy of the PPO halves, duly authenticated and written up-to-date to the CPAO for transmission to the Link Branch of the Public Sector Bank for arranging payment after keeping necessary note in their records. Pay & Accounts Office should also update the entries of payment made in the pensioner’s portion of the PPO if not already done, before the transfer application is sent to the CPAO.
In case of transfer from Treasury to Public Sector Banks, the transfer application along with PPO, should be routed through the concerned A.G. whose authorised officer will countersign and also emboss special seal before transmitting the same to the CPAO.
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23. Who is to authorize payment of family pension and death gratuity when a Govt. servant dies while on deputation ?
In the case of a Govt. servant who dies while on deputation to another Central Govt. Deptt.,action to authorize family pension and death gratuity in accordance with the provisions of chapter IX of the pension Rules shall be taken by his Head of Office of the borrowing department.
In the case of a Govt. servant who dies while on deputation to a State Govt. or while on Foreign Service action to authorize the payments of family pension and death gratuity in accordance with the provisions of Chapter IX of the pension Rules shall be taken by the Head of Office or the cadre authority which sanctioned the deputation of the Govt. servant to the State Govt. or to his Foreign Service.
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24. When should a family member become eligible for the grant of family pension to get the family pension?
Normally, family pension is sanctioned and authorized at the same time as pension and indicated in the Pension Payment Order and is to be drawn after the death of the pensioner. In case of Govt. servant dying while in service, the widow or widower has to make a claim in Form 14 to the Head of Office who will sanction and authorize the family pension through its Pay & Accounts Officer.
Where the deceased Govt. servant is survived only by a child or children, the guardian (in case of minor child/children) or such child or children may submit a claim in Form 14 to the Head of Office for sanction and authorisation of family pension with its PAO.
For getting family pension, the deceased pensioner's family should apply in Form No. 14 along with a copy of the death certificate of the deceased pensioner (i) to the Pension Disbursing Authority if, the amount of family pension is already indicated in the Pension Payment Order (ii) to the Head of Office for sanction of family pension in all other cases.
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25. Up to which period family pension is payable?
Family pension is payable to one member of the family at a time in the order and for the period as under:
a)In the case of a widow or widower, up to the date of death or remarriage, whichever is earlier.
b)When widow or widower becomes ineligible, children below 25 years of age in the order of their age, up to 25 years of age or till they get married, in case of daughter or till they start earning more than the minimum family pension along with dearness allowance thereon.
c) After (a)& (b) above; for the lifetime to any unemployed son/daughter who is suffering from any disorder or disability of mind (including mentally retarded)or physically crippled or disabled.
d)Parents who were wholly dependent on the Govt. servant when he/she was alive provided the deceased employee had left neither a widow nor a child.
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26. Is family pension payable to more than one person at a time?
Normally, the family pension is payable to one eligible member at a time. However, in certain specific cases, the family pension is divided among eligible members of the family.The family pension will be paid in equal shares where the deceased Govt. servant or pensioner is survived by –
a) More than one widow (except in the case of Hindu widow). On the death of one widow, her share of the family pension shall become payable to eligible child. If she is not survived by any child, her share of the family pension shall not lapse but shall be payable to the other widows in wife; the eligible child will be paid the share, which the mother would have equal shares.
b)A widow and an eligible child through another received had she been alive.
c)A widow and an eligible child from a divorced wife; the child will be entitled to the share of family pension which the mother would have received had she not been divorced.
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27. How is the family pension payable to twin children?
Where the family pension is payable to twin children, it will be paid to such children in equal shares provided that when one such child ceases to be eligible his/her share shall revert to the other child and when both of them cease to be eligible, the family pension shall be payable to the next eligible single child/twin children.
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28. Is family pension payable to a spouse judicially separated?
Yes, family pension is payable to a spouse judicially separated but not to a spouse judicially separated on the ground of adultery.
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29. What has the pensioner to do for restoration of commuted portion of pension? From what date is it restored?
Commuted portion of pension is to be restored after 15 years from the date of commutation. This restoration was introduced w.e.f. 1.4.85 i.e. those who completed 15 years on or after 1.4.85, their pension was to be restored. This period of 15 years is to be counted from date of discharge provided commutation was sanctioned simultaneously with service pension in the same PPO.
However, where commutation was sanctioned subsequent to the date of discharge the restoration of commuted portion of pension will be done on completion of 15 years from the date from which the amount of capitalized value is paid or credited to the pensioner's account. Every pensioner has to apply to his PDA (Pension Disbursing authority) through an application after completion of 15 years for restoration of commuted portion of pension.
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30. To whom is rounding off benefit of percentage of disability pension admissible?
In pursuance of Vth CPC recommendations, Govt.of India, Ministry of Defence vide their letter dated 31.01.2001 have issued orders for revision of disability pension in respect of Post 96 discharge / invalidment / death cases. For purposes of grant of disability pension, following two criteria have been adhered to.
In invalidment cases disability element will be computed as under:
% of disability assessed by Medical Board. % to be recovered for computation of disability pension
Less than 50% 50%
Between 50 and 75% 75%
Between 76 and 100% 100%
Disability Element (DE) on Discharge Release Cases: In discharge release cases, no disability element shall be payable for disabilities less than 20%. Rounding off benefit in such cases will not be allowed.
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31. Under Vth CPC orders remarriage of widow even with a person other than real brother of the deceased does not debar her from payment of special family pension. What is the exact rule position in this regard?
Before Vth CPC orders a widow, recipient of special family pension, on remarriage with real brother of the deceased was allowed special family pension. In case of remarriage of widow with a person other than the real brother of the deceased special family pension was discontinued from the date of marriage. However, in case of liberalised family pension ordinary family pension was payable on re-marriage with other than real brother.
Under Vth CPC orders applicable from 1.1.96 the position has undergone a change. Now the payment of SFP to the widow in the event of remarriage will depend upon the circumstances as to whether or not she has children and whether she supports them after remarriage.
(i) If she has no children She will get full SFP
(ii) If she has children and supports them Full SFP
(iii) If she has children but does not support 50% SFP to children & OFP to widow
The above position is valid only when the widow is the nominated heir. However, where first life award is sanctioned to parents, the payment of family pension will be regulated as under: -
(aa) If widow continues to support child(ren) after re-marriage or has no issues 50% of SFP to Parents, 50% of SFP to Widow.
(ab) If widow does not support children after re-marriage but the children are supported by the parents. Full SFP to parents, Ordinary Family Pension to widow
(ac) If children are not supported either by the remarried widow or the parents. 50% of SFP to parents, 50% of SFP to eligible children, Ordinary Family Pension to widow.
(ad) On death or disqualification of parents and the widow supports the children or has no issues. Full SFP to widow.
(ae) On death or disqualification of parents and the widow does not support the children Full SFP to children' Ordinary Family Pension to widow.

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32. Whether family pension may be sanctioned to a handicapped child during lifetime of a pensioner who has no wife or any other children.
No. Family Pension in this case may be sanctioned only when the contingency arises. However, a note of such child will be kept in record of RO/HOO and P.S.A.
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33. Continuance award of Special Family Pension is admissible from which date and in whose favour is the SFP Continued?
When Special Family Pension is sanctioned to widow and she becomes disqualified or dies and it is sanctioned to father or mother it is called continuance award of Special Family Pension. It is sanctioned from the date of application by the parents.
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34. Whether in all cases service element is payable along with disability element in disability pension cases?
No. Those who are discharged from service on completion of their terms of engagement with service gratuity without earning a service pension, if found suffering from a disability which is accepted as attributable to or aggravated by service at 20% or above, may be sanctioned Disability Element in addition to service gratuity. Service element is not payable in such cases.
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35. Whether restoration of commuted portion of pension is admissible to those who were absorbed permanently in autonomous bodies/PSUs and have drawn lump-sum capitalised value in lieu of pension?
Yes. Only 1/3rd portion of pension which was normally allowed to be commuted may be restored after 15 years from the date of commutation and dearness relief is also payable on this in terms of O.M. dated 6.9.2007 and O.M. dated 15.9.2008.
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36. Describe Consolidation of family pension at the rate of 30% of pay in respect of pre-96 family pension cases and method of calculation thereof?
References have been received that the family pension should be calculated @ 30% of the notionally fixed pay on the basis of Fourth Pay Commission and consolidated thereafter as on 01/01/1996. This matter has been considered but it has not been found practicable to accede to the same as consolidation of pension can be done only with reference to the family pension already drawn prior to 01/01/1996. Family pension @ 30% is effective from 01.01.1996 only
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37. Is the family pension admissible to parents; widowed/divorced/unmarried daughters?
As in reply to Q.25
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38. What is the period of payment of enhanced family pension?
From 1.1.2006, where a person not governed by the Workmen’s Compensation Act dies while in service after rendering not less than seven years’ continuous service, the rate of family pension shall be equal to 50% of last pay drawn from the date of death of deceased Government Servant for a period of ten years. In the event of death of Government Servant after retirement the enhanced family pension shall be payable for a period of seven years or for a period upto the date the deceased would have attained the age of 67 years, whichever is earlier. In no case the amount of family pension exceed the pension authorised on retirement from Government service.
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39. What is the formula for pension revision for pre-2006 pensioner/family pensioner?
In terms of para 4.1 of OM No.38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 1.9.2008, the pension/family pension will be consolidated w.e.f. 1.1.2006 by adding together (i) The existing pension/family pension,(ii) Dearness Pension, where applicable, (iii)Dearness Relief @24% of basic Pension/Basic Family Pension plus dearness pension as admissible vide OM No.42/2/2006-P&PW(G) dated 5.4.2006 and (iv) Fitment weightage @40% of the existing pension/family pension. Where the existing pension at (i) includes the effect of merger of 50% of DR w.e.f. 1.4.2004, the existing pension for the purpose of fitment weightage will be re-calculated after excluding the merged DR of 50% from the pension. The amount so arrived at will be regarded as consolidated pension/family pension w.e.f. 1.1.2006.
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40. What is the minimum and maximum pension?
Minimum pension shall not be less than Rs.3500/- and maximum shall be 50% of the highest pay in Government. Pension/family pension shall not be less than 50%/30% of the minimum, of the revised scale of pay w.e.f 1.1.2006 of the post held by the pensioner.
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41. How much of the pension can be commuted?
A pensioner can opt to commute up to 40% of the pension admissible at the time of retirement.
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42. Is there any ceiling on gratuities and if so what is the maximum amount admissible?
Yes. Ceiling on all gratuities has been raised to Rs.ten lakhs (earlier the limit was Rs.3.5 lakhs). DA also to be added with pay for calculation of gratuity.
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43. What is the extent of neutralization of relief granted to pensioners?
100% neutralization of relief is granted to all pensioners at the same rate like serving employees.
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44. Is Personal Pension to be discontinued with effect from 1.1.1996 ?
Yes.
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45. What is the medical allowance for pensioners?
Rs.100/- is granted to each of the pensioners not covered by CGHS. Pensioners living in cosmopolitan cities not covered by CGHS dispensary are also eligible on production of a certificate to that effect.
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46. When can pension be withheld or withdrawn?
Future good conduct is an implied condition of every grant of pension and its continuance under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972.
The pension or a part there of can be withheld or withdrawn in such cases where a pensioner is convicted of a serious crime or found guilty of a serious or a grave act of misconduct/negligence after retirement, or during the period of service, including the service rendered upon re-employment after retirement.
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47. What is restoration of pension and when is it due?
Restoration of the fraction of the pension commuted by the pensioners becomes due for restoration after completion of 15 years period from the date of payment of lumpsum value of commutation.
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48. What is enhanced family pension and how long is it paid?
From 1.1.2006, where a person not governed by the Workmen’s Compensation Act dies while in service after rendering not less than seven years’ continuous service, the rate of family pension shall be equal to 50% of last pay drawn from the date of death of deceased Government Servant for a period of ten years. In the event of death of Government Servant after retirement the enhanced family pension shall be payable for a period of seven years or for a period upto the date the deceased would have attained the age of 67 years, whichever is earlier. In no case the amount of family pension exceed the pension authorised on retirement from Government service.
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49. Are the employed family pensioners and the re-employed pensioners entitled to Dearness Relief (DR) on their family pension/pension ?
Yes, w.e.f. 18/07/97 onwards.
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50. What is reduced pension?
Reduced pension is the part of pension which is payable after deducting commuted portion of the pension.
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51. When can a Government servant apply for voluntary retirement?
A Government servant can apply for voluntary retirement only after completion of 20 years of his Government service. He/She should apply three months in advance.
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52. When will my DCRG/part of DCRG be released?
After receipt of refund advice/ no claim certificate from pension sanctioning authority, the DCRG is released immediately.
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53. What is the meaning of the following terms?
(a) Pension Disbursing Authority
(b) Pension Sanctioning Authority
(c) PPO Issuing Authority
(a) Pension Disbursing Authority : Bank Branch/Treasury/Post Office paying your pension
(b) Pension Sanctioning Authority: The authority who sanctioned your pension before forwarding the case to Accounts.
(c) PPO Issuing Authority: If you retired from HQ, the PPO issuing authority is head of accounts branch of that unit.

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54. Whether older pensioners will get higher rate of pension?
Yes, from 1.1.2006, the quantum of pension/family pension available to old pensioners/family pensioners has been increased as follows:-
O.M.No. 38/37/08- P&PW(A) dated 2.9.2008
Age of pensioner/family pensioner Additional quantum of pension
From 80 years to less than 85 years 20% of revised basic pension/family pension
From 85 years to less than 90 years 30% of revised basic pension/family pension
From 90 years to less than 95 years 40% of revised basic pension/family pension
From 95 years to less than 100 years 50% of revised basic pension/family pension
100 years or more 100% of revised basic pension/family pension

55. What is the method of computing pension?
Pension is now payable @ 50% of the last 10 months’ average emoluments or last pay drawn, whichever is more beneficial to the retiring employee.
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56. Is family pension available after remarriage ?
Family pension has now been made available even after remarriage to childless widow of the deceased employee subject to her earnings not exceeding the prescribed minimum family pension with DR.
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57. Whether in the case of pensioners who are in receipt of more than one pension, the floor ceiling of Rs.3500 will apply to the total of all pensions taken together?
It was clarified in Deptt. of Pension & PW’s OM No.38/38/02-P&PW(A) dated 23.4.2003 that in respect of civil and military pension, the floor ceiling taking the two pensions together will not apply and the individual pensions will be governed by respective pension rules. These instructions would continue to apply in the context of revised floor ceiling of Rs.3500/-p.m. Accordingly, the floor ceiling will apply individually in the civil and military pension. In case, a person is in receipt of pension as well as family pension, the floor ceiling of Rs.3500 will apply individually to such pension and family pension
.
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58. Whether the element of disability pension and invalid pension will be combined or treated as separate identity?
It was clarified in Deptt. Of Pension & PW's OM No.45/86/97-P&PW(A) dated 7.8.2001 that the element of disability pension and invalid pension may be treated as distinct pensions. The invalid pension may continue to be regulated as per CCS(Pension) Rules subject top certain minimum amount * and the extraordinary disability pension may continue to be treated as a separate element and this should be fixed as per the degree of disability. This will be subject to the further condition that the amount of disability pension and invalid pension should in no case exceed the last pay drawn. These instructions would continue to apply in the context of revised minimum pension of Rs.3500/-. (*certain minimum amount refers to the amount calculated as per provisions of Rule 49(2)(c) of CCS(Pension) Rules.
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59. Whether the provision of adding years in qualifying service for computation of pension is still in force?
The extent of benefit of adding years of qualifying service for computation of pension/related benefits has been withdrawn w.e.f. 2.9.2008.
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60. Whether the provision of adding years in qualifying service has been withdrawn for calculating gratuity also?
Yes, w.e.f. 2.9.2008.
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61. What is the revised quantum of ex-gratia lumpsum compensation to Civilian employees who die in performance of their bon fide official duties?>
In modification of Deptt. Of Pension & PW’s OM No.45/55/97-P&PW(C) dated 11.9.1998 the ex-gratia lumpsum compensation to Civilian employees who die in performance of their bon fide official duties has been revised as under :
(a) Death occurring due to accidents in course of
Performance of duties Rs.10.00 lakhs
(b) Death occurring due to accidents in course of
Performance of duties attributable to acts of violence by terrorists, anti-social elements,etc. Rs.10.00 lakhs

(c) Death occurring
(a) enemy action in international war or border skirmishes and
(b) action against militants, terrorists, extremists etc. Rs.15.00 lakhs

(d) Death occurring
while on duty in specified high altitude, inaccessible border posts, etc. on account of natural disasters, extreme weather conditions. Rs.15.00 lakhs


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62. Whether the additional pension/family pension available to old pensioners would be payable from the date of attaining age of 80 years or above or from the first day of the month in which the date of birth falls?
The additional quantum of pension/family pension, on attaining the age of 80 years and above, would be admissible from the 1st day of month in which his date of birth falls. For example, if a pensioner/family pensioner completes age of 80 years in the month of August, 2008, he will be entitled to additional pension/family pension w.e.f. 1.8.2008. Those pensioners/family pensioners whose date of birth is 1st August, will also be entitled to additional pension/family pension w.e.f. 1.8.2008 on attaining the age of 80 years and above.
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63. Whether the period of 10 years for payment of enhanced family pension would also apply in the case of a Government servant who died before 1.1.2006 and in respect of whom the family was receiving enhanced family pension as on 1.1.2006 ?.
Yes. The period of 10 years for payment of enhanced family pension will count from the date of death of the Government servant. These orders will, however, not apply in a case where the period of seven years for payment of enhanced family pension has already completed as on 1.1.2006 and the family was in receipt of normal family pension on that date.
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64. From which date the Constant Attendant Allowance is payable ?
Constant Attendant Allowance is payable from 1.1.2006.
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65. Whether the pensioners who retired on disability pension before 1.1.2006 would also be entitled to Constant Attendant Allowance ?.
Yes, the pensioners who retired on disability pension before 1.1.2006 and fulfilling the conditions mentioned in para 10.1 of O.M. No. 38/37/08- P&PW(A) dated 2.9.2008 would also be entitled to Constant Attendant Allowance.

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66. Whether Dearness Relief will be admissible on Constant Attendant Allowance?
No.
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67. What would be the age to be used for commutation of additional commutable pension and which factor would be used for such additional commuted value of pension ?
The age reckoned for calculation of commuted value of pension at the time of original application for commutation of pension will apply for calculation of commutation value of additional commutable pension. However, as mentioned in the OM dated 2.9.2008, the commutation factor in the revised Table of Commutation Value for Pension will be used for the commutation of the additional amount of pension that has become commutable on account of retrospective revision of pay/pension.
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68. From which date the reduction in pension on account of additional commutation of pension will take effect?
Reduction in pension on account of additional commutation of pension will be in two stages as per the provisions contained in Rule 6 of the CCS(Commutation of Pension) Rules,1981.
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69. What will be the date of restoration of additional commutation of pension?
The commuted portion of pension shall be restored after 15 years from the respective dates of commutation as provided in Government of India decision No.1 under the Rule 10 of CCS(Commutation of Pension) Rules,1981. Necessary endorsement should be made on PPO.
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