Stepping up of pay of Senior Government Servants promoted before 01.01.2016 – Rajya Sabha QA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIONS No. 876
TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2025/22 MAGHA, 1946 (SAKA)
“STEPPING UP GOVERNMENT SERVANT’S PAY” –
876: Shri Neeraj Shekhar
Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:
a) the details of references/representations received by Department of Expenditure, since 1st January, 2025 till date, from various Ministries/Departments and other organizations where CCS (Revised Pay) Rules 2016 is applicable, regarding stepping up of pay of senior Government servants promoted to higher post on or before 01.01.2015 and drawing less pay in revised pay structure than their juniors who were promoted on or after 01.01.2016 under CCS (Revised Pay) Rule 7(10) read with Rule 13 of CCS (RP) Rule, 2016, Ministry/Department/organization-wise, and
b) the number of such references which are pending along with the reasons therefor, reference-wise?
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)
(a) & (b): No such reference has been received since 1st January, 2025 in respect of senior government servants promoted on or before 01.01.2015.
Government Contributions to the National Pension System (NPS) for Railway Employees
RBE No. 14/2025
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR) MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAY) (RAILWAY BOARD)
No. 20241F(E)III/NPS1/9
New Delhi, dated: 06.02.2025
The General Managers/Principal Financial Advisers, All Zonal Railways/Production Units etc., DGs of RDSO and NAIR.
Subject: Contribution by the Government to the National Pension System in respect to the railway employees covered under NPS.
In accordance with Board’s letter No. D-43/12/2018 dated 21.02.2019, the Government shall make contribution of fourteen per cent or such other percentage as may be notified from time to time, of the emoluments of a railway servant to the Individual Pension Account of the Railway employee every month. The amount of contribution payable shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee.
2. No contribution shall be made by the Government for the period during which the railway employee is not required to make contribution. However, in cases where the leave is granted to the Subscriber on medical ground or due to his inability to join or rejoin duty on account of civil commotion; or for pursuing higher studies considered useful in discharge of his official duty, and during such leave, leave salary is not payable or is payable at a rate which is less than full pay, the Government shall make contribution equal to fourteen per cent or such other percentage as may be notified from time to time, of the notional emoluments comprising of the amount representing pay and dearness allowance in the leave salary, non-practicing allowance, pay element in running allowance in case of running staff, etc.
3. In the case of a railway employee under suspension, contribution shall be made by the Government on the basis of the emoluments determined by taking into account the subsistence allowance paid to the employee during the period of such suspension. No contribution shall be made by the Government during the period of suspension where the Subscriber had opted not to pay his contribution during the said period of suspension.
4. However, if in the final orders passed by the Government on conclusion of the inquiry, the period spent under suspension is treated as duty or leave for which leave salary is payable, contributions by the Government to the National Pension System shall be determined based on the emoluments which the Subscriber becomes entitled to for the period of suspension. The difference of the amount of contribution to be deposited by the Government and the amount of contribution already deposited during the period of suspension, shall be credited to the Individual Pension Account of the Subscriber along with interest. The rate of interest for this purpose would be the rate of interest as decided by the Government from time to time for the Public Provident Fund deposits.
5. Contribution by the Government to the Individual Pension Account during foreign service in India or outside India, including deputation to United Nations’ Secretariat or other United Nations’ Bodies, the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development, or the Asian Development Bank or the Commonwealth Secretariat or any other International organisation, shall be regulated in accordance with the orders issued by Ministry of Railways from time to time and the procedure laid down by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority.
6. The provision regarding timeline as applicable in the case of remittance of contribution by the Subscriber would also be applicable for remittance of contribution by the Government. In case there is a delay in crediting of contribution to the Individual Pension Account of the Subscriber beyond the prescribed timeline due to factors not attributable to the Subscriber, the amount shall be credited to the Individual Pension Account of the Subscriber along with interest for the delayed period. The rate of interest for this purpose would be the rate of interest, as decided by the Government from time to time, for the Public Provident Fund deposits.
(G. Priya Sudarsani) Director, Finance (Estt.) Railway Board
Contributions by Railway Employees to the National Pension System (NPS) : Railway Board RBE No 13/2025
RBE No 13/2025
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR) MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAY) (RAILWAY BOARD)
No. 2024/F(E)III/NPS1/6
New Delhi, dated: 06.02.2025.
The General Managers/Principal Financial Advisers, All Zonal Railways/Production Units etc., DGs of RDSO and NAIR.
Subject: Contribution by the Railway employee to the National Pension System in respect to railway employees covered under NPS.
In accordance with Board’s letter No. D-43/12/2018 dated 21.02.2019, a railway employee shall make a contribution of ten per cent or such other percentage as may be notified from time to time, of his emoluments to the National Pension System every month. The amount of contribution payable shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee.
2. During the period of suspension, contribution may be made by the railway employee at his option. However, if in the final orders passed by the Government on conclusion of the inquiry, the period spent under suspension is treated as duty or leave for which leave salary is payable, contributions to the National Pension System shall be determined based on the emoluments which the railway employee becomes entitled to for the period of suspension. The difference of the amount of contribution to be deposited and the amount of contribution already deposited during the period of suspension, shall be credited to the Individual Pension Account of the Subscriber along with interest. The rate of interest for this purpose would be the rate of interest as decided by the Government from time to time for the Public Provident Fund deposits.
3. No contribution shall be made by the Subscriber during the period of absence from duty (whether on leave or otherwise) for which no pay or leave salary is payable.
4. During the period of transfer on deputation to a Department or organisation under the Central Government or the State Government, the Subscriber shall remain subject to these rules in the same manner, as if he was not so transferred or sent on deputation and will continue to contribute towards National Pension System based on his emoluments.
5. The Subscriber shall contribute towards National Pension System during the period spent under probation.
6. Deduction and crediting of contributions to the Individual Pension Account during foreign service in India or outside India, including deputation to United Nations’ Secretariat or other United Nations’ Bodies, the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development, or the Asian Development Bank or the Commonwealth Secretariat or any other International organisation, shall be regulated in accordance with the instructions issued by the Ministry of Railways from time to time and the procedure laid down by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
7. The Drawing and Disbursing Officer shall deduct the contribution from the salary of the railway servant and send the bill to the Pay and Accounts Officer or Cheque Drawing and Disbursing Officer, as the case may be, along with details of contributions deducted in respect of each Subscriber on or before Twentieth day of each month.
8. (i) The Pay and Accounts Officer or the Cheque Drawing and Disbursing Officer, as the case may be, based on the details of contributions in respect of each Subscriber sent by the Drawing and Disbursing Officer to Pay and Accounts Officer or Cheque Drawing and Disbursing Officer, shall prepare and upload a Subscription Contribution File and generate a Transaction ID by Twenty-fifth day of each month.
(ii) The Pay and Accounts Officer or the Cheque Drawing and Disbursing Officer, as the case may be, shall remit the contribution to the Trustee Bank through the Accredited Bank by the last working day of each month. However, the contribution for the month of March shall be remitted by the Pay and Accounts Officer or the Cheque Drawing and Disbursing Officer to the Trustee Bank through the Accredited Bank on the first working day of the month of April.
(iii) In case of delay in crediting of contribution to the Individual Pension Account of the Subscriber beyond the prescribed timeline due to factors not attributable to the Subscriber, the amount shall be credited to the Individual Pension Account of the Subscriber along with interest for the delayed period. The rate of interest for this purpose would be the rate of interest as decided by the Government from time to time for the Public Provident Fund deposits.
(G. Priya Sudarsani) Director, Finance (Estt.) Railway Board
Railway Board clarification on deletion of name of daughter from the family details of a Railway pensioner
RBE No.09/2025
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR) MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA) (RAILWAY BOARD)
No.2024/F(E)III-PN1/8
New Delhi, dated: 30.01.2025.
The General Managers/Principal Financial Advisors, All Zonal Railways/Production Units etc, DGs of RDSO and NAIR.
Subject:- Clarification on deletion of name of daughter from the family details of a Railway pensioner.
As per Rule 75(15) of Railway Services(Pension) Rules, 1993 and instructions issued thereunder, as soon as a railway servant enters railway service, he shall furnish details of his family in Form 6 to the Head of Office and if the railway servant has no family, he shall furnish the details in Form 6 as soon as he acquires a family. This rule further provides that the railway servant shall communicate forthwith to the Head of Office any subsequent change in the size of his family including the fact of marriage of his or her child. The Railway servant is also required to submit updated family details in ‘Form 6’ at the time of retirement.
2. In this regard it is stated that the railway servant/pensioner shall submit details of all members of family whether or not eligible for family pension. The daughter is deemed to be a member of the family of railway servant as and when intimated by the railway servant in the prescribed proforma, Hence, the name of the daughter shall remain included in the details of family members. The eligibility for family pension would be decided after demise of pensioner/family pensioners in accordance with the existing rules.
3. Please acknowledge receipt.
(G. Priya Sudarsani) Director, Finance (Estt.), Railway Board.
National Pension System applicability to Railway Servants under Compulsory Retirement/Dismissal/Removal: Railway Board
RBE No. 15/2025
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR) MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAY) (RAILWAY BOARD)
No. 2025/F(E)III/NPS1/1
New Delhi, dated: 13.02.2025
The General Managers/Principal Financial Advisers, All Zonal Railways/Production Units etc., DGs of RDSO and NAIR.
Subject: Effect of compulsory retirement or dismissal or removal from railway service on the accumulated pension corpus under NPS in respect of railway servant covered under the National Pension System -reg.
The New Pension Scheme (now called as National Pension System(NPS)) was introduced vide Ministry of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs’ notification No. 5/7/2003- ECB & PR dated 22.12.2003. It was provided that the NPS would be mandatory for all new recruits to the Central Government service from 1st of January, 2004 except Armed Forces. The same was adopted on Railways vide Board’s letter No. F(E)I11/2003/PN1/24 dated 31.12.2003.
2. In cases where a railway servant covered under NPS is compulsorily retired from service as a penalty or is dismissed or removed from railway service, the lump sum and the annuity out of his accumulated pension corpus shall be paid to him in accordance with the regulations notified by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) payable to the Subscriber as admissible in the case of exit of a Subscriber from National Pension System before superannuation.
3. However, the railway servant, at his option, may continue to subscribe to the NPS with the same Permanent Retirement Account Number as a non-Government subscriber, in accordance with the regulations notified by the PFRDA.
4. The above provisions shall, however, be without prejudice to any action being taken in respect of gratuity and other retirement benefits admissible to such railway servants and those benefits shall be regulated in accordance with the rules as applicable to such benefits.
(Ramesh Chandra Pandey) Dy. Director Finance (Estt.)-III Railway Board
Railway Board Clarification: TA/DA Arrears Payable After Rate Revision (This is concise and clear)
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS RAILWAY BOARD
RBE No. 07/2025 New Delhi, dated 27.01.2025
No. F(E)I12024/A1-28/34
The General Managers/Principal Financial Advisers, All Zonal Railways & Production Units etc, DGs of RDSO and NAIR.
Sub : Payment of difference/arrears of TA/DA arising out of enhancement of rate by 25% upon revision of DA to 50% w.e.f. 01.01.2024 – clarification – reg.
2. However, a doubt has been raised by some Railways regarding admissibility of claims for payment of difference of TA/DA, where TA/DA had been paid at old rates in respect of official tours made on or after 01.01.2024, consequent to increase in the rates of TA/DA by 25% w.e.f. 01.01.2024.
3. The matter has been examined in Board’s office and it is clarified that as per para-3 of Board’s above-mentioned letter dated 05.06.2024, the revised rates of TA/DA shall be applicable w.e.f. 01.01.2024. Therefore, any payment of difference/arrears arising out of this retrospective revision of rates of TA/DA will also be payable.
4. This also disposes of Central Railway’s letter No. AC/ENG/IPAS/Nodal/TA Arr/2024 dated 19.11.2024 and Southern Railway’s letter No. P.508/EG/Arrears of TA/DA 50%, dated 23.08.2024.
Hindi version will follow.
(Sanjay Prashar) Jt Director, Finance (Estt) Railway Board.
Delay in AICPIN for Dec 2024 Release: Impacts Government Employees, Pensioners
The delay in the release of the All-India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) for December 2024 is causing significant concern among government employees and pensioners. This crucial data, used to calculate Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR), was due on January 31, 2025, according to the Labour Bureau’s official advance release calendar. This unexplained delay is leaving millions in a state of uncertainty, impacting their financial planning and livelihoods.
The CPI-IW serves as a key inflation indicator, directly influencing wage and pension adjustments. For pensioners and salaried individuals, especially those on fixed incomes, timely DA/DR revisions are essential to cope with rising prices.
The Bharat Pensioner Samaj has taken up the issue and sent a formal letter to the Honorable Minister of Labour & Employment, demanding the immediate release of the December 2024 CPI-IW data. The letter highlights the severe impact of the delay, emphasizing the financial hardship faced by pensioners who rely on timely DA/DR adjustments. The Bharat Pensioner Samaj’s communication also underscores the potential damage to the credibility of the Labour Bureau and the government’s commitment to transparency when pre-scheduled releases are delayed without explanation.
The Bharat Pensioner Samaj is not only demanding the immediate release of the December CPI-IW but also insisting on preventive measures to avoid similar delays in the future. Furthermore, they are calling for an official statement explaining the reason for the current delay and outlining the steps being taken to ensure timely data release going forward. The continued silence on this matter only serves to heighten anxieties and reinforces the need for swift and decisive action from the concerned authorities.
Grant of Fixed Medical Allowance to Central Government employees covered under National Pension System: DOPPW O.M dt 11.02.2025
No. 04/07/2020-P& PW (D) Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare
Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi, Dated: 07th February, 2025
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Grant of Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) to Central Government employees covered under National Pension System – reg.
Undersigned is directed to refer to the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare’s OM of even number dated 06.12.2023 extending the benefit of Fixed Medical Allowance to the Central Government civil employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS) on their retirement from service and who are eligible for CGHS facility but are residing outside CGHS area as per the applicable rate, if they do not avail any CGHS facility or avail only the IPD facility under CGHS.
2. The above instructions also include prescribed forms and formats for claiming the benefit of FMA by above employees. These forms and formats have been revised including PRAN details in these forms / formats as per the reference received from the office of Controller General of Accounts vide their ID note No. TA-3-6/3/2020-TA-III-Part(1)/11948/412 dated 18.12.2024. Revised Forms /Formats to be used for the above purpose are enclosed with this OM.
3. As informed by the Office of CGA vide their ID note dated 18.12.2024, the revised Head of Account for this purpose would be as under:
2071
Pensions and other Retirement Benefits
2071.01-
Civil
2071.01.101
Superannuation and Retirement Allowances
2071.01.101.01
Ordinary Pensions
2071.01.101.01.00.04
Superannuation and Retirement Allowances,
071.01.101.04
Ordinary Pensions (AIS)
2071.01.101.04.00.04
Superannuation and Retirement Allowances, Ordinary Pension (AIS)
2071.01.101.05
Additional Relief on Death/Disability of Government Servants Covered by the New Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (NPS) Ordinary Pensions (Invalid Pension)
2071.01.101.05.00.04
Superannuation and Retirement Allowances, Additional Relief on death/disability of Government Servants covered by the New Defined Contribution Scheme (NPS) Ordinary Pension (Invalid Pension)
2071.01.105.02.00.04
Family Pension
4. It is also clarified that the rate of FMA prescribed for Central Government employees retired under NPS is equal to the rate of FMA granted to Central Government employees covered under old pension scheme i.e. Rs 1000/- per month. However, the release of FMA into the account of the Central Government employee retired under NPS had been prescribed vide OM dated 06.12.2023 on quarterly basis through the respective bank.
5. It is further clarified that the release of FMA for the period September to November shall be in the first week of December. However, the release of FMA from the month of December onwards shall be subject to submission of life Certificate by the beneficiary.
6. Hindi version will follow.
Encl: as above
(S. Chakrabarti) Under Secretary to the Government of India
Re-engagement of retired employees in Railways – Rajya Sabha QA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 610 ANSWERED ON 07.02.2025
RE-ENGAGEMENT OF RETIRED EMPLOYEES IN RAILWAYS
610. SHRI A.A. RAHIM:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the number of retired employees who have been re-engaged by the Railways in the last three years;
(b) the number of vacant posts remain unfilled by new recruits during the same period; and
(c) the criteria used to determine the necessity of re-engaging retired staff instead of hiring qualified young candidates?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (c) : Occurrence and filling up of vacancies is a continuous process on Indian Railways considering its size, spatial distribution and criticality of operation. Adequate and suitable manpower is provided to cater to the regular operations, changes in technology, mechanization and innovative practices. The vacancies are filled up primarily by placement of indents by Railways with Recruitment agencies as per operational and technological requirements.
After easing of restrictions imposed on account of COVID 19, two major examinations involving more than 2.37 crore candidates had been conducted successfully during 2020 to 2022.
Exam
Candidates
Cities
Centres
Days
Shifts
L2 – L6
1.26 cr
211
726
68
133
L1
1.1 cr
191
551
33
99
Based on these exams, 130581 candidates have been recruited in Railways.
The RRB examinations are quite technical in nature entailing large scale mobilization of men and resources and training of manpower. Railway overcame all these challenges and successfully conducted the recruitment in a transparent manner following all laid down guidelines. No instance of paper leakage or similar malpractice has occurred during the entire process.
Recruitment done in Indian Railways during 2004-2014 vis-Ã -vis during 2014-2024 is given as under:-
Period
Recruitments
2004-2014
4.11 lakh
2014-2024
5.02 lakh
Further, as system improvement, the Ministry of Railways has introduced a system of publishing the annual calendar from 2024 for recruitment to various categories of Group ‘C’ post. The introduction of the annual calendar will benefit the aspirants in the following manner:
More opportunities for candidates;
Opportunities to those becoming eligible every year;
Certainty of exams;
Faster Recruitment process, Training and Appointments
Accordingly Ten Centralized Employment Notifications (CENs) for 92,116 vacancies have been notified during January to December 2024 for filling up of posts of Assistant Loco Pilots, Technicians, Sub-Inspectors, Constables in Railway Protection Force (RPF), Junior Engineers (JEs)/ Depot Material Superintendent (DMS)/ Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant (CMA),
Paramedical Categories, Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate) and Non-Technical Popular Categories (Under-Graduate), Ministerial & Isolated Categories and Level-1.
For four notifications, Computer Based Tests (CBTs) have been completed from 25.11.2024 to 30.12.2024. The details are as under:-
Exam
Candidates
Cities
Centres
Days
Shifts
1st Stage CBT for the post of ALP (18,799 vacancies)
18,40,347
156
346
5
15
CBT for the post of RPF-SI (452 vacancies)
15,35,635
143
306
5
15
1st Stage CBT for the post of JE/DMS/CMA (7,951 vacancies)
11,01,266
146
323
3
9
CBT for the post of Technician (14,298 vacancies)
22,83,812
139
312
9
27
However, sometime in order to meet exigencies, retired Railway employees are re-engaged against the vacant posts temporarily based on competency, experience etc. to ensure smooth progress of the developmental and other works.
New Delhi, February 4, 2025: The Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, addressed concerns regarding the withheld Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for Central Government employees and pensioners during the Rajya Sabha session today. The issue was raised through Un-Starred Question No. 236 by Shri Javed Ali Khan and Shri Ramji Lal Suman.
In response, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, acknowledged the freeze of three DA/DR installments, due from January 1, 2020, July 1, 2020, and January 1, 2021. The Minister cited the unprecedented economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as the primary reason for this decision, emphasizing the strain it placed on government finances.
In a clarification provided to the Rajya Sabha today, the government reiterated that releasing the 18 months of Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears for central government employees and pensioners remains unfeasible due to continued fiscal constraints.
Rajya Sabha QA
Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure
Rajya Sabha Un-Starred Question No 236 To be answered on Tuesday, 4th February 2025 Magha 15, 1946 (Saka)
Releasing of withheld DA and DR
236: Shri Javed Ali Khan: Shri Ramji Lal Suman :
Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state
(a) Whether Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for Central Government employees and pensioners were withheld for 18 months during the COVID-19 and not seized;
(b) If so, the details thereof and the reasons as to why Government has seized it;
(c) Whether Government would release the same to ensure spending by Government employees and thereby help in boosting the faltering economy of the Country;
(d) If so, the details thereof; and
(e) If not, the concrete reasons therefor?
Answer Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (Shri Pankaj Chaudhary)
(a) to (e) The decision to freeze three installments of Dearness Allowance (DA) / Dearness Relief (DR) to Central Government employees/ pensioners due from 01.01.2020, 01.07.2020 & 01.01,2021 was taken in the context of COVID-19, which caused economic disruption, so as to ease pressure on Government finances. The adverse financial impact of pandemic in 2020 and the financing of welfare measures taken by the Government had a fiscal spill over beyond FY 2020-21. Therefore, arrears of DA/DR were not considered feasible.
