Auto forwarding of APAR in SPARROW from the assessment year 2020-21
F.No. 25-4/2013-SPG (Vol-II) Government of India Ministry of Communications Department of Posts (Personnel Division)
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi – 110 001
Dated 29th September, 2021
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject : Auto forwarding of APAR in SPARROW from the assessment year 2020-21- reg.
This is with reference to letter no. 25-4/2013-SPG (Vol.II) dated 17.08.2021 regarding auto-auto-forwarding of APARs in SPARROW for the assessment year 2020-21.
2. It is to inform that as per DoP&T guidelines, 30.09.2021 is the last date for all the Reporting Officers to write the APARs of the officers Reported Upon in SPARROW. Therefore, all the STATE Custodians will ensure and remind all the concerned officers to complete process of writing APAR and submission to Reviewing Authority by 1800 hrs on 30.09.2021 through SPARROW, failing which the APAR will automatically get forwarded to Reviewing Authority by 23:59 hrs on 30.09.2021.
Instructions on modality for upward revision of TRCA of GDSs consequent upon increase in workload
No. 19-24/2020-GDS Government of India Ministry of Communications Department of Posts
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi — 110001 Date: 28.09.2021
To,
All Chief Postmasters General / Postmasters General
Chief General Manager, Parcel /BD / PLI Directorate / CEPT.
Director, RAKNPA / Directors of All PTCs
Addl. Director General, Army Postal Service, R.K.Puram, New Delhi
All General Managers (Finance) / Directors Postal Accounts
Sub :- Instructions on modality for upward revision of TRCA of GDSs consequent upon increase in workload – reg.
Sir/Madam,
On the above noted subject, it has come to the notice of the competent authority that in a case of upward revision of TRCA consequent upon increase in workload of a GDSBPM. Karnataka Circle fixed his TRCA by adopting the method provided for downward revision of TRCA (on reduction of workload / redeployment to lower slab) vide this Directorate OM No.14-16/2001-PAP (Pt) dated 11-10-2004. Whereas, his TRCA should have been revised upward but owing to want of clear guidelines on the issue this irregular fixation was happened and caused unnecessary litigation.
2. The matter was examined and it has been observed that. since the provisions of downward revision of TRCA are based on the same analogy as provided in the Pay Rules for fixation on placing to lower scale, upward revision of TRCA should also be considered on the same analogy provided in the Pay Rules for fixation of pay on placement to higher scale.
3. Accordingly, the competent authority has decided the following modality for upward revision of TRCA of GDS consequent upon increase in workload:
“One increase shall be added to the existing TRCA in the old slab/level (lower slab/level) and, then TRCA shall be fixed at the equal figure so arrived at in the upward slab/level (higher slab/level) of TRCA and if no such figure is available then at the immediate next higher stage of TRCA in that slab/level.”
To illustrate
If TRCA slab / level of a GDS on increase of workload has been revised upward from the TRCA slab Rs.3660-70-5760 to that of Rs.4575-85-7125 w.ef. 01.08.2013 and at the time of such upward revision his existing TRCA was 5130/-, fixation of TRCA shall be made by adding Rs. 70/- (one increase) to his existing TRCA in the old slab (i.e. 5130 + 70 = Rs.5200/-) and then it shall be fixed at Rs.5255/- of the upward slab (Rs.4575-85-7125) as no Stage at Rs.5200/- is available in the upward slab, thus. to be fixed at the immediate next higher stage Rs.5255/- and annual increase in TRCA so on i.e. Rs.5340/- on 01.08.2014.
4. The competent authority has further directed to all the administrative units to review all the pending Court Cases on the issue and to ensure the course of further necessary action in the light of these instructions.
5. It is therefore, requested to bring these instructions to the notice of all concerned immediately and ensure strict adherence in true spirit.
Yours faithfully,
(D.K.Tripathi) ADG (GDS/PCC) Tel. 011-23096629
Copy to :-
As per standard list.
CGM, CEPT for uploading the order on the India Post web site under Establishment subject.
Revision of the monetary limits for investigations in loss and fraud cases by different authorities in the Departments of Posts
Government of India Ministry of Communications Department of Posts
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg New Delhi-110001, Dated: 23.09.2021
To,
All Heads of Circles All Heads of Regions
Subject: Revision of the monetary limits for investigations in loss and fraud cases by different authorities in the Departments of Posts
The monetary limits for conducting investigations in the loss/ fraud cases by different authorities were revised vide this Directorate letter No. 8-01/2019-Inv dated October 24, 2019. During the various field visits and interactions with Circles, a need was being felt to consider further revision of the monetary limits in this respect.
2. It has, therefore, been decided to revise the monetary limits for different postal authorities for conducting investigations and handing the loss/ fraud cases as under:
S. No.
Level of Investigating Officer
Present Monetary limit (in Rs)
Revised Monetary limit (in Rs)
i.
Inspector Posts/ ASPOs
Upto Rs 1.00,000
Upto Rs 2,00,000
ii.
Divisional Head/ Chief Postmaster Senior Postmaster/ Deputy Director of Mumbai/ Kolkata GPO* Assistant Director of equivalent officer of HOs/GPOs in case of non availability of Chief Postmaster
> Rs 1,00,000 upto Rs 2,00,000
Rs 2,00,000 to Rs 5,00,000
iii.
Assistant Director/APMG of Circle and Regional Offices
Rs 2,00,000 to Rs 5,00,000
> Rs 5,00,000 to Rs 10,00,000
iv.
Director Postal Services and above
> Rs 5,00,000
> Rs 10,00,000
“Asstt Director of HOs/GPOs may also conduct investigation, in case of non-availability of CPM/Dy. Director
Note : These limits will be based on ‘Principal Amount of Loss/ Fraud including Temporary Misappropriation’. Normal Interest and Penal Interest will not be part of amount involved for the purpose of deciding the investigating authority.
3. Further, it has now been decided that only those loss and fraud cases shall henceforth be reported by the Circle to the Directorate, in which the amount involved is more than Rs.10 lakhs, instead of the present threashold limit of Rs.5 lakhs.
4. Rest of the instructions contained in the office letter no. 8-01/2019-Inv dated October 24, 2019 hold good.
This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.
Government increases the income limit of disabled dependents for family pension
Increase in income limit of Children/Siblings suffering from mental or physical disability for family pension
Increase from present eligibility income of Rs. 9,000/- per month from sources other than family pension, along with dearness relief
Ministry of Defence, Government of India has taken a decision to enhance the income criteria for grant of family pension to children/siblings suffering from mental or physical disability. Accordingly, such child/sibling shall be eligible for family pension for life, if his/her overall income from sources other than family pension remains less than the entitled family pension at ordinary rate i.e 30% of the last pay drawn by the deceased government servant/pensioner concerned plus the dearness relief admissible thereon.
The financial benefit in such cases shall accrue with effect from 08.02.2021. Presently, the disabled child/sibling is eligible for family pension if overall monthly income of disabled child/sibling from sources other than family pension is not more than Rs. 9,000/- along with dearness relief thereon.
CCS (Payment of Gratuity under National Pension System) Rules 2021 – Gazette Notification
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare)
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 23rd September, 2021
G.S.R. 658(E). – In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to article 309 and clause (5) of article 148 of the Constitution and after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India in relation to persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, the President hereby makes the following rules, namely:-
CHAPTER I
1. Short title and commencement.- (1) These rules may be called the Central Civil Services (Payment of Gratuity under National Pension System) Rules, 2021.
(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
2. Application.- Save as otherwise provided in these rules, these rules shall apply to the Government servants including civilian Government servants in the Defence Services, appointed substantively to civil services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union on or after the 1st day of January 2004, and to whom the Central Civil Services (Implementation of National Pension System) Rules, 2021 apply :
Provided that in the case of a Government servant who dies during service or is boarded out on account of disablement or retires on invalidation and who had exercised option under rule 10 of the Central Civil Services (Implementation of National Pension System) Rules, 2021 for availing benefits under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 or the Central Civil Services (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 1939, payment of gratuity shall be made in accordance with the said rules.
3. Definitions. – In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires, –
(1) (a) ‘Accounts Officer’ means an officer, whatever his official designation, of a Ministry or Department functioning under the scheme of departmentalisation of accounts, who, inter-alia is responsible for receipts, payments, Internal Audit and accounting functions of an office or Department or Ministry of the Central Government or Union territory and includes officers subordinate to the Accountant General who is entrusted with the function of maintaining the accounts or part of accounts of the Central Government or Union territory; (b) ‘allottee’ means a Government servant to whom Government accommodation has been allotted on payment of license fee or otherwise ; (c) ‘average emoluments’ means average emoluments as determined in accordance with rule 7; (d) ‘Emoluments’ means emoluments referred to in rule 6; (e) ‘Form’ means a Form appended to these rules ; (f) ‘Government’ means the Central Government ; (g) ‘Government dues’ means dues referred to in sub-rule (3) of rule 45; (h) ‘gratuity’ includes retirement gratuity and death gratuity payable under these rules; (i) ‘Minor’ means a person who has not completed the age of eighteen years ; (j) ‘Qualifying service’ means the service rendered while on duty or otherwise which shall be taken into account for the purpose of payment of gratuity admissible under these rules; (k) ‘Service Book’ includes service roll, if any.
(2) Words and expressions used herein and not defined but defined in the Fundamental Rules, 1922 or the Central Civil Services ( Implementation of National Pension System) Rules, 2021 shall have the meanings as respectively assigned to them in those rules.
4. Regulation of claims to gratuity. – (1) Any claim to gratuity shall be regulated by the provisions of these rules in force at the time when a Government servant retires or is retired or is discharged or is allowed to resign from service or dies, as the case may be.
(2) The day on which a Government servant retires or is retired or is discharged or is allowed to resign from service, as the case may be, shall be treated as his last working day and the date of death of a Government servant shall also be treated as a working day.
5. Right of President to withhold gratuity.- (1) The President reserves to himself the right of withholding gratuity, either in full or in part, and of ordering recovery from gratuity of the whole or part of any pecuniary loss caused to the Government, if, in any departmental or judicial proceedings instituted while the Government servant was in service, the retired Government servant is found guilty of grave misconduct or negligence :
Provided that the Union Public Service Commission shall be consulted before any final orders are passed by the President under this rule:
(2) (a) The departmental proceedings referred to in sub-rule (1), shall, after the retirement of the Government servant, be deemed to be proceedings under this rule and shall be continued and concluded by the authority by which they were commenced in the same manner as if the Government servant had continued in service :
Provided that in all cases where the departmental proceedings are instituted by an authority subordinate to the President, that authority shall submit a report recording its findings to the President.
(b) No gratuity shall be payable to the Government servant until the conclusion of the departmental or judicial proceedings referred to in sub-rule (1) and issue of final orders thereon.
(3) The President may at any time, either on his own motion or otherwise call for the records of any inquiry and revise any order made under these rules and may confirm, modify or set aside the order, or remit the case to an authority directing such authority to make such further enquiry as it may consider proper in the circumstances of the case, or pass such other order as he may deem fit :
Provided that no order enhancing the amount of gratuity to be withheld or withdrawn, shall be made.
(4) The President may at any time, either on his own motion or otherwise review any order passed under these rules, where extenuating or special circumstances exist to warrant such review or when any new material or evidence which could not be produced or was not available at the time of passing of the order under review and which has the effect of changing the nature of the case, has come, or has been brought, to his notice :
Provided that no order enhancing the amount of gratuity to be withheld or withdrawn, shall be made.
(5) For the purpose of this rule, –
(a) departmental proceedings shall be deemed to be instituted on the date on which the statement of charges is issued to the Government servant or pensioner, or if the Government servant has been placed under suspension from an earlier date, on such date ; and
(b) judicial proceedings shall be deemed to be instituted –
(i) in the case of criminal proceedings, on the date on which the complaint or report of a police officer, of which the Magistrate takes cognizance, is made, and
(ii) in the case of civil proceedings, on the date the plaint is presented in the court.
CHAPTER III
EMOLUMENTS AND AVERAGE EMOLUMENTS
6. Emoluments.- (1) The expression ‘emoluments’ for the purpose of determining the amount of gratuity payable under these rules shall include the basic pay as defined in rule 9 (21) (a) (i) of the Fundamental Rules, 1922, which a Government servant was receiving immediately before his retirement or on the date of his death and shall also include non-practicing allowance granted to medical officer in lieu of private practice.
Explanation. – For the purposes of this sub-rule, stagnation increment shall be treated as emoluments for calculation of gratuity.
(2) Where a Government servant immediately before his retirement or death while in service had been absent from duty or was on leave for which leave salary is payable or having been suspended had been reinstated without forfeiture of service, the emoluments which he would have drawn had he not been absent from duty or suspended shall be the emoluments for the purposes of this rule:
Provided that any increase in pay [ other than the increment referred to in sub-rule (5)] which is not actually drawn shall not form the part of his emoluments.
(3) Where a Government servant immediately before his retirement or death while in service had proceeded on leave for which leave salary is payable after having held a higher appointment whether in an officiating or temporary capacity, the benefit of emoluments drawn in such higher appointment shall be given only if it is certified that the Government servant would have continued to hold the higher appointment but for his proceeding on leave.
(4) Where a Government servant immediately before his retirement or death while in service had been absent from duty on extraordinary leave or had been under suspension, the period whereof does not count as service, the emoluments which he drew immediately before proceeding on such leave or being placed under suspension shall be the emoluments for the purposes of this rule.
(5) Where a Government servant immediately before his retirement or death while in service, was on earned leave, and earned an increment which was not withheld, such increment though not actually drawn, shall form part of his emoluments :
Provided that the increment was earned during the currency of the earned leave not exceeding one hundred and twenty days, or during the first one hundred and twenty days of earned leave where such leave was for more than one hundred and twenty days.
(6) Pay drawn by a Government servant while on deputation to another Central Government Department and to the Armed Forces of India shall be treated as emoluments.
(7) Pay drawn by a Government servant while on foreign service shall not be treated as emoluments, and the pay which he would have drawn under the Government had he not been on foreign service shall alone be treated as emoluments.
(8) Where a pensioner who is re-employed in Government service and whose pay on re-employment has been reduced by an amount not exceeding his monthly pension, the element of monthly pension by which his pay is reduced shall be treated as emoluments.
7.Average emoluments.- (1) Average emoluments shall be determined with reference to the emoluments drawn by a Government servant during the last ten months of his service.
(2) Where during the last ten months of his service, a Government servant had been absent from duty on leave for which leave salary is payable or having been suspended had been reinstated without forfeiture of service, the emoluments which he would have drawn had he not been absent from duty or suspended shall be taken into account for determining the average emoluments :
Provided that any increase in pay [ other than the increment referred to in sub-rule (4)] which is not actually drawn shall not form the part of his emoluments.
(3) Where during the last ten months of his service, a Government servant had been absent from duty on extraordinary leave, or had been under suspension the period whereof does not count as service, the aforesaid period of leave or suspension shall be disregarded in the calculation of the average emoluments and equal period before the ten months shall be included and in order that the fractions of a month, when added, worked out to one full month, a month for this purpose shall be reckoned as consisting of thirty days.
(4) Where a Government servant who was on earned leave during the last ten months of his service and earned an increment, which was not withheld, such increment though not actually drawn shall be included in the average emoluments :
Provided that the increment was earned during the currency of the earned leave not exceeding one hundred and twenty days or during the first one hundred and twenty days of earned leave where such leave was for more than one hundred and twenty days
CHAPTER IV QUALIFYING SERVICE
8. Commencement of qualifying service. – Subject to the provisions of these rules, qualifying service of a Government servant shall commence from the date he takes charge of the post to which he is first appointed either substantively or in an officiating or temporary capacity :
Provided that officiating or temporary service is followed without interruption by substantive appointment in the same or another service or post.
Subject : Return of PPO if pension has not been credited to the account of the pensioner for a period of 3 years and above-reg.
The “Scheme for Payment of Pensions to Central Government Civil Pensioners by Authorised Banks (Fifth Edition, July 2021) at para 21.4 (“Payment of arrear due to non-submission of the life certificate relate to period three years and above”) states that
“If pension has not been credited to the account of the pensioner for a period of 3 years and above, the disburser’s portion of the PPO should be returned to the CPAO by the CPPC, with suitable endorsement thereon, specifying the date up to which the pension was credited in the pensioner’s account; CPAO will forward the same to PPO issuing authority for updation of their record. Payment of arrears in such cases as also payment of current pension will be made by the CPPC on receipt of PPO with a sanction of the competent authority through the CPAO. Such payments will also be mentioned prominently in the e-payment scrolls.”
It has been observed that the guideline mentioned above is not being followed by banks. This is leading to hardships faced by family pensioners who prefer to claim the pension at a later stage. The delays caused are also sometimes leading to avoidable judicial action on the part of the pensioner.
Banks are, therefore, requested to strictly adhere to the guideline mentioned in Para 21.4 of the Scheme Booklet.
This issues with the approval of Chief Controller (Pensions).
Sd/- (Satish Kumar Garg) (Sr. Accounts Officer)
To
All the Heads of CPPCs of the Authorised Banks
All the Heads of GBUs/GBDs of the Authorised Banks
Copy for information to
PS to CC (P), CPAO
Sr. TD (NIC), CPAO
PA. To ACA, CPAO
21.4 Payment of arrear due to non-submission of the life certificate relate to period three years and above
If pension has not been credited to the account of the pensioner for a period of 3 years and above, the disburser’s portion of the PPO should be returned to the CPAO by the CPPC, with suitable endorsement thereon, specifying the date up to which the pension was credited in the pensioner’s account; CPAO will forward the same to PPO issuing authority for updation of their record. Payment of arrears in such cases as also payment of current pension will be made by the CPPC on receipt of PPO with a sanction of the competent authority through the CPAO. Such payments will also be mentioned prominently in the e-payment scrolls.
Financial upgradation under MACPS by ignoring the promotion to ASP cadre
No. 4-7/MACPS/2019-PCC Government of India Ministry of Communications Department of Posts
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi – 110001 Date : 22.09.2021
To
All Chief Postmasters General / Postmasters General
Chief General Manager, Parcel /BD / PLI Directorate / CEPT.
Director, RAKNPA / Directors of All PTCs
Addl. Director General, Army Postal Service, R.K.Puram , New Delhi
All General Managers (Finance) / Directors Postal Accounts
Sub :- Instructions on Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) Scheme – reg
Sir / Madam,
This refers to various references/representations regarding admissibility of the benefit of financial upgradation under Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) Scheme to Inspector (Posts) / Assistant Superintendent of Posts (ASP) consequent upon upgradation of pay scale of Inspector Posts cadre from Grade Pay Rs.4200/- to Rs.4600/- w.e.f. 01.01.2006 by ignoring the promotion to ASP cadre / 2nd financial upgradations under ACP Scheme earned / granted prior to 01.01.2006 in terms of para-5 of Annexure-I to MACP Scheme issued vide this Directorate OM No. 4-7/(MACPS)/2009-PCC dated 18.09.2009.
2. In this regard, it is informed that although vide this Directorate OM of even No. dated 10.02.2021, it was clarified that “promotion earned in the post carrying same grade pay in the promotional hierarchy as per Recruitment Rules shall be counted for the purpose of MACPS in terms of para-8 of Annexure -I to DoP&T OM dated 19.05.2009” yet the point of reference has again been referred to Department of Personnel & Training seeking clarification on the issue.
3. Meanwhile, the competent authority has decided that until clarification from DoP&T on the issue is received, no order for grant of MACP to IP/ASP by ignoring the promotion to ASP cadre / 2nd financial upgradations under ACP Scheme earned / granted prior to 01.01.2006 in terms of para-5 of Annexure-I to MACP Scheme shall be issued or implemented, if already issued.
4. It is therefore, requested to bring these directions to the notice of all concerned immediately and ensure strict adherence in true spirit.
Yours faithfully,
(Sapna) ADG (GDS/PCC)
Copy to :-
As per standard list.
CGM, CEPT for uploading the order on the India Post web site under Establishment subject.
Clarification on taxability of payments made to BSNL retired employees and nominees of deceased employees
BHARAT SANCHAR NIGAM LIMITED [A Government of India Enterprise]
No. BSNLCO-TAXN/13(18)/3/2020-TAXATION/4362
Dated:-22-09-2021
To 1) The Chief General Managers and IFAs, All BSNL Circles/Units. 2) Sr.GM (CA/ERP-FICO/HCM), Corporate Office 3) GM (EF/ R&P), Corporate Office
Sub.:- Clarification on taxability of payments made to retired employees and nominees of deceased employees-reg.
The undersigned is directed to intimate that, this office is receiving queries from the various circle on the subject mentioned above. In this connection the para wise replies to the queries raised by circles are as follows:-
Query: Whether reimbursement of CGHS subscription to BSNL absorbed retired employees is to be treated as income of the retired employee? And, if the answer is in affirmative, the head under which it is chargeable.
Reply: As per the proviso to section 17(2) of the Income Tax Act,1961 any reimbursement by the employer in respect of any insurance premium paid by the employee to effect an insurance on his health or the health of his family under any approved scheme by Central Govt. or IRDA is a tax free perquisite. However, in the absence of clarity on whether reimbursement to BSNL absorbed retired employees on account of CGHS subscription is an insurance premium or not, on a conservative basis, tax may be deducted at source under the head of salary.
Query: Gratuity/Leave encashment payable to Nominee/Legal Heirs of BSNL employee on death while in employment is to be shown as Income of the employee or legal heirs?
And the head under which it is chargeable.
Reply:
(i) Gratuity is a payment made by Employer to an Employee in appreciation of the past services rendered by the employee. Gratuity can either be received by:- a) The employee himself at the time of retirement. b) The legal heir on the event of the death of the employee.
Gratuity received by an employee on his retirement is taxable under the head “Salary” Whereas gratuity received by the legal heir of the deceased employee shall be taxable under the head ”Income From Other sources”.
As per circular No. 573 dated 21.08.1990, Gratuity payment to a widow or other legal heirs of any employee who dies in active service shall be exempt from income tax.
(ii) Leave salary paid to the legal heir of deceased employee is not taxable as salary. [Letter No. F.35/1/65-IT(B), dated 5/11/1965 ]. Further, leave salary by a legal heir of the Government employee who died in harness is not taxable in the hands of the recipient [Circulars No.309, dated 3/7/1981].
Query: Medical Reimbursement to the spouse/dependents of the deceased employee is taxable under which head of Income tax.
Reply: As per section 56(1) of the Income tax act, Income of every kind which is not to be excluded from the total income under this Act shall be chargeable to income-tax under the head “Income from other sources”, if it is not chargeable to income-tax under any of the heads specified in section 14,
in other words, the following conditions must be satisfied before an income can be taxed under the head of “Income from other source” :-
(i) there must be an income.
(ii) such income is not exempt under the provision of the income tax act.
(iii) such income is not chargeable to tax under any first four heads viz., “Income from Salary”, “Income from House Property”, “Profit and Gains of Business and Profession”, and “Income from Capital Gains”.
Income from other source is, therefore, a residuary head of income.
In view of the above medical reimbursement to the spouse/dependents of the deceased employee is taxable under the head of “Income from other source” of Income tax.
It is requested to kindly go through the above instructions and contents of the same may be brought to the notice of all concerned for their information and further necessary action.
This issues with the approval of Sr. GM (Taxation).
Subject :– Compliance of Covid protocols while obtaining Life Certificates from Pensioners.
In view of the Covid pandemic, all Pension Disbursing Banks are advised to ensure proper social distancing measures, as well as compliance of Covid appropriate behavior, while obtaining life certificates from pensioners/family pensioners who physically visit the branches. Officials deployed for this task should be fully vaccinated and should take the highest possible care while attending to Pensioners. Banks are also requested to devise their own innovative mechanisms to avoid rush at the branches during submission of life certificates.
2. Doorstep Banking service, which also includes collection of Digital Life Certificate from the home of pensioners, caters to a very vulnerable group w.r.t the pandemic. It may be ensured that all representatives of the Banks who visit the homes of the pensioners to obtain Life Certificates should be fully vaccinated. They should be equipped with a proper mask and sanitizer and should be advised to follow the highest possible care while obtaining the Life Certificate through bio-metric devices. These biometric devices shall be sanitized by the representative before and after each use. These instructions shall also be applicable to Postmen and Gramin Dak sevaks deployed for “Doorstep Service for submission of Life Certificate” by India Post Payments bank (IPPB).
3. As senior pensioners (aged 80 years and above) are scheduled to submit Life Certificate from 1st October 2021 onward, all Pension disbursing banks are also requested to enable Video based Customer Identification Process (V-CIP) methodology of Life Certificate, within the permissible RBI guidelines, before October, 2021. In the current pandemic, this option will ensure adequate safety and “Ease of living” for senior pensioners.
This issues with the approval of the competent authority.
(Rajesh Kumar) Under Secretary to the Government of India Tel No:- 23310108
To,
1.CMDs of all Pension Disbursing Banks (as per list)
2. Head, BDEG, India Post Payments Bank (IPPB)
Copy to:-
1. Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Jeevan Deep Building, Sansad Marg, New Delhi
2. Secretary, Department of Posts. Dak Bhawan, New Delhi
Pensioners can submit Annual Life Certificate manually or digitally as per the convenience
No. 1(8)/2021-P&PW/(H)-7468 Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare
8th Floor, B-Wing, Janpath Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi-110001 Dated: 20th September 2021
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: – Submission of Annual Life Certificate
Every Central Government pensioner has to submit Annual Life Certificate in the month of November for further continuation of pension. It has been observed that a large number of Central Government pensioners physically visit bank branches for this purpose.
2. Earlier, as a measure to enable an additional exclusive window to very senior pensioners, this Department, vide its OM No. 1/20/2018-P&PW(E), dated 18.07.2019, allowed the pensioners in the age group of 80 years and above, to submit Annual Life Certificate from 1st October onwards, instead of 1st November onwards. every year.
3. The different modes available to a pensioner for submission of Annual Life Certificate are once again summarized for Pensioners’ awareness. An Annual Life Certificate can be submitted manually or digitally as per convenience of the pensioner –
i. Life certificate can be recorded by Pension Disbursing Banks (PDAs), if the pensioner physically appears before the PDA.
ii. Personal appearance of a pensioner will not be required, if the pensioner submits the life certificate form signed by any ‘designated official.’ In accordance with para 14.3 of the Scheme Booklet issued by CPAO, a pensioner who produces a life certificate in the prescribed form signed by persons specified is exempted from personal appearance. A list of designated officials specified for signing the Life Certificate as per the scheme booklet of CPAO is attached at Annexure.
iii. Pensioners can submit Life Certificate online from home through Jeevan Pramaan Portal. The process of submission of Digital Life Certificate through “Jeevan Pramaan” may be seen at https://youtu.be/nNMIkTYqTF8. UIDAI has provided details of all biometric devices which are permissible for capturing biometrics of a person. Pensioners may visit the site www.uidai.gov.in to get information of all such devices.
iv. India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) of Department of Posts along with Meity have successfully launched the initiative of the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare: “Doorstep Service for submission of Digital Life Certificate through Postman” in November 2020. In order to make this facility available across the country, DoPPW roped in the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) to utilize its huge network of Postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks in providing doorstep facility to pensioners for submission of life certificate digitally. IPPB is utilizing its national network of more than 1,36,000 access points in Post Offices and more than 1,89,000 Postmen & Gramin Dak Sevaks with smart phones and biometric devices to provide Doorstep Banking Services. For leveraging this facility through Mobile, a pensioner has to download “Postinfo APP” from Google Play store. The process of Submission of Digital Life Certificate through Postman may be seen at https://youtu.be/cERWM_U7g54.
v. DoPPW was also instrumental in roping in an Alliance comprising 12 Public Sector Banks which do “Doorstep Banking” for its customers in 100 major cities | of the country under Ease of banking reforms. PSB Alliance has introduced the service for collection of Life Certificates under the umbrella of Doorstep Banking. DSB Agent shall visit the doorstep of Pensioner to render the service. Service can be booked by the pensioner through any of the 3 channels i.e. Mobile App, Website or Toll Free Number.
Mobile App i.e “Doorstep Banking (DSB)“ can be downloaded from Google Playstore.
Pensioners can access through Web Browser I.e https://doorstepbanks.com/ & https://dsb.imfast.co.in/doorstep/login
Through Toll free Number :- 18001213721, 18001037188
4. All Pension Disbursing Authorities are requested to take note of this OM for compliance and give wide publicity of the same amongst pensioners.
This issues with the approval of the competent authority.
(Rajesh Kumar) Under Secretary to the Govt. of India Tel. No. 23310108
Annexure
List of persons specified for signing the Life Certificate (para 14.3 of Scheme Booklet by CPAO)
A person exercising the powers of a Magistrate under the Criminal Procedure code;
A Registrar or Sub-Registrar appointed under Indian Registration Act:
A Gazetted officer of the Government:
A Police Officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector in-charge of a Police Station:
A Postmaster, a departmental Sub-postmaster or an Inspector of Post Offices:
A Class-! officer of the Reserve Bank of India ,an officer (including Grade II officer) of the State Bank of India or its subsidiary:
A Justice of Peace:
A Block Development Officer, Munsif, Tehsildar or NaibTehsildar:
A Head of Village Panchayat, Gram Panchayat, Gaon Panchayat or an
Executive Committee of a Village:
A Member of Parliament, of State legislatures or of legislatures of Union Territory Governments/Administration
