Payment of family pension to the eligible family members of the Central Govt. employees covered under NPS: CGA
No. TA-3-07001/6/2021-T A-III/cs 6776/92 Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure Office of Controller General of Accounts Mahalekha Niyantrak Bhawan E-Block, GPO Complex, INA, New Delhi
Dated: 09.03.2023
Office Memorandum
Subject: Payment of family pension to the eligible family members of the Central Govt. employees covered under NPS-Reg.
This office has received references regarding payment of family pension to the eligible family members of deceased NPS employees who were not allotted PRAN Number.
2. In this regard, Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare has clarified that neither starting of NPS contribution nor PRAN generation is essential, for payment of pensionery benefits to the eligible family member of the deceased NPS employee in the event of his death, subject to fulfillment of other conditions of grant of these benefits.
3, All the Pr.CCAs/CCAs/CAs/ (ICs) of the Ministries/ Departments are, therefore, requested to take cognizance of above clarification in settling similar cases.
Old Pension Scheme are not applicable to Central Government employees appointed after 31.12.2003: Rajya Sabha QA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERS’ WELFARE)
RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 177 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2023)
REINTRODUCTION OF OLD PENSION SCHEME
177 SHRI ANIL DESAI: Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that there is a growing demand for reintroduction of pension schemes for the general employees;
(b) the response of the Central Government as more number of State Governments are going for the pension schemes for their employees; and
(c) the assessment of Government on closure of pension w.e.f. 2004 for its employees?
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFFERED TO IN REPLY OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 177 (12TH POSITION) FOR ANSWER ON 16.03.2023 BY SHRI ANIL DESAI ON REPRESENTATION OF REINTRODUCTION OF OLD PENSION SCHEME
(a) to (c): Representations have been received from time to time offering inputs on different aspects of National Pension System.
National Pension System (NPS) was introduced for Central Government employees by a Notification of Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) dated 22/12/2003. NPS is mandatory for all new recruits to the Central Government service from 01/01/2004 (except the armed forces). Most of the State Governments adopted NPS for their employees.
Consequent to introduction of NPS w.e.f. 01.01.2004, the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 were amended and the benefits of old pension scheme under these rules are not applicable to Central Government employees appointed after 31.12.2003.
Government of India, after the assessment has taken many steps for streamlining of NPS for Central Government employees and to protect the interest of the subscribers. These include enhancement of Government’s contribution from the earlier 10% of Pay plus DA to 14% of Pay plus DA, freedom of choice of selection of Pension Funds and pattern of investment to subscribers, payment of compensation for non-deposit or delayed deposit of NPS contributions for any period during 2004-2012, tax exemption under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 and increase in tax exemption limit for lump sum withdrawal on exit from earlier 40% to 60% of the amount due, making the entire withdrawal exempt from income tax.
Sub:- Payment of Pension/Family Pension in respect of NPS subscribers as per Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare Notification dated 30th March 2021 – reg.
Attention is invited to Department of Pension and Pensioner’s Welfare (DoP&PW) Gazette Notification dated 30th March, 2021 wherein the Central Civil Services (Implementation of National Pension System) Rules, 2021 came into force. The payment of pension/family pension to the pensioners/family pensioners covered under the National Pension system has been regularized through this notification. Therefore, the payment of pension in these cases will be made through the concerned CPPCs of Authorized Banks as OPS. The following categories have been created to process these pension cases:-
W- Ordinary Family Pension X- Invalid Pension Y- Extraordinary Pension Z- Extraordinary Family Pension
Moreover, in addition to creation of these categories CPAO has upgraded its system and incorporated a field of PRAN for NPS cases. The procedure for processing of these cases in CPAO is at final stage for roll out.
All the CPPCs of Authorized Banks are hereby directed to comply with the following instructions-
1. Include the above mentioned categories of NPS in their system/software. 2. Include a field of ‘PRAN’ in their system/software. 3. Comply with the Gazette Notification dated 30th March 2021
In case of any technical advice, Sh. Dhiraj Kumar (Scientific Officer- SB, CPAO) at dhiraj.kumar89[at]nic.in may be contacted.
Further, all the CPPCs of Authorized Banks are requested to intimate this office at the earliest, once these changes are implemented.
This issues with the approval of the Chief Controller (Pensions).
To, 1. Heads of CPPCs of All Authorized Banks (as per list) 2. Heads of GBD of All Authorized Banks (as per list) Copy to: 1. PS to CC (P), CPAO 2. Sr. TD, NIC (CPAO)
Pension Adalat through video conferencing, objectives of launching NPS? Lok Sabha QA
Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure O/o Controller General of Accounts Central Pension Accounting Office
Bhikaji Cama Place, Trikoot-II, New Delhi – 110066
LOK SABHA
UN-STARRED QUESTION No. 1922
TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 13th MARCH, 2023
PENSION ADALAT ORGANISED BY CPAO
1922 SHRI SUBRAT PATHAK: SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHWAHA: SHRI RAVI KISHAN
Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:
(a) Whether the Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) is going to organize a ‘Pension Adalat’ through video conferencing;
(b) If so, the details thereof along with the aims and the objectives thereof;
(c) the details of issues/matters likely to be sorted out in the said Pension Adalat;
(d) the main objectives of launching National Pension Scheme (NPS) along the number’ of persons enrolled under the scheme its inception, State/UT wise; and
(e) whether the Government achieved the objective of launching NPS and if so, the details thereof and if not, the corrective measures taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?
Answer MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)
(a) to (e): A statement is placed on the Table of the House
Statement referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Un-Starred Question No. 1922 for answer on 13th March, 2023 raised by Hon’ble Members of Parliament SHRI SUBRAT PATHAK, SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHWAHA, SHRI RAVI KISHAN regarding ‘PENSION ADALAT ORGANISED BY CPAO’
(a) & (b) Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) does organize Pension Adalat periodically, last Pension Adalat was organized by CPAO through video conferencing on 16th March, 2022.
The aims and objective of this ‘Pension Adalat’ are to facilitate prompt and quick redressal of the grievances of the pensioners/family pensioners.
(c) The details of issues/matters taken up to resolve in the Pension Adalats relate to payment of commutation value, payment of additional pension due, payment of arrear of pension due to revision & issues related to life certificate submission.
(d) The National Pension System (NPS) was introduced by the Government of lndia to replace the defined benefit pension system by defined contribution pension scheme in order to provide old age income security and to channelize the small savings into productive sectors of the economy through prudential investments. NPS was made mandatory for all new recruits to the Central Government service from 1st January, 2004, (except the armed forces in the first stage) and has also been rolled out for all citizens with effect from 1st May, 2009, on voluntary basis.
The number of persons enrolled under NPS as on 28.02.2023, since its inception, State/UT-wise is at Annexure A.
(e) Government of India has taken a number of steps for streamlining NPS for Central Government employees. These include enhancement of Government’s contribution from the earlier 10% of Pay + DA to 14% of Pay + DA, freedom of choice for selection of Pension Funds and pattern of investment to subscribers, payment of compensation for non-deposit or delayed deposit of NPS contributions for any period during 2004-2012, tax exemption under section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 and increase in tax exemption limit for lump sum withdrawal on exit from earlier 40% to 60% of the amount due, making the entire withdrawal exempt from income tax.
Coverage under Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993, in place of NPS for Railway employees who were recruited against the posts/vacancies advertised/notified for recruitment, on or before 22.12.2003
RBE No 41/2023
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR) MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAY) (RAILWAY BOARD)
No. D-43/12/2018-F(E)III
New Delhi, dated: 10.03.2023.
The General Managers/Principal Financial Advisers, All Zonal Railways/Production Units etc., DGs of RDSO and NAIR.
Subject: Coverage under Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993, in place of National Pension System, of those Railway employees who were recruited against the posts/vacancies advertised/notified for recruitment, on or before 22.12.2003.
A copy of Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoP&PW’s) O.M. No. 57/05/2021-P&PW(B) dated 03rd March, 2023 is enclosed herewith for compliance and guidance. These instructions shall apply mutatis mutandis on the Railways also. Central Civil services (Pension) Rules, 1972 correspond to the Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993. The Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance Notification No. 5/7/2003-ECB & PR, dated 22.12.2003, mentioned in DoP&PW’s O.M. dated 03.03.2023 has been circulated vide this office letter No. F(E)III/2003/PN1/24, dated 31.12.2003.
2. Similar to the amendments made in the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, and other connected rules, as mentioned in para 1 of the DoP&PW’s O.M. dated 03.03.2023, the Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993 and other connected rules were also amended vide Notification No. F(E)IN/2003/PN1/38 dated 30.12.2003. Further, DoP&PW’s O.M. No. 57/04/2019-P&PVW/(B) dated 17.02.2020 was circulated to all Zonal Railways/PUs vide letter of even number dated 03.03.2020.
3. The Railway servants who exercise option in terms of DoP&PW’s O.M. dated 03.03.2023 to switch over to the pension scheme under Railway Services (Pension) Rules 1993, shall be required to subscribe to the State Railway Provident Fund (SRPF). As regards accountal of the corpus in the NPS account of the Railway servant, the instructions issued vide Board’s letter No. 2020/AC-II/21/7, dated 18.09.2020, may be followed.
Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure
Lok Sabha
Unstarred Question No. 1971. To be answered on Tuesday, 13th March, 2023 Phalguna 22, 1944 (Saka)
Release of DA Arrears to Central Government Employees and Pensioners
1971:: SHRI C. LALROSANGA:
Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any plan to release the 18 months DA Arrears stopped during Covid-19 Epidemic to Central Government Employees and Pensioners in the near future and if so, the details thereof and the time by when the Government is likely to release the arrears;
(b) the reasons for the delay in the release of said DA arrears; and
(c) the total amount of funds required for the disbursement of the DA Arrears to Central Government Employees and Pensioners?
Answer Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (Shri Pankaj Chaudhary)
(a)&(b): No, Sir, The decision to freeze three instalments 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. As the adverse financial impact of pandemic in 2020 and the financing of welfare measures taken by Government had a fiscal spill over beyond FY 2020-21, arrears of DA/DR which mostly pertain to the difficult FY of 2020-21 are not considered feasible. Even now the fiscal deficit of the Government is running at more than double the level envisaged in the FRBM Acct.
(c): Does not arise. However, an amount of Rs.34402.32 crores had been saved and utilized to tide over the economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic on account of freezing of three installments of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief payable to Central Government employees and pensioners.
भारत सरकार वित्त मंत्रालय व्यय विभाग लोक सभा लिखित प्रश्न संख्या – 1971 स्रोमवार 13 मार्च 2023/22 फाल्गन 1944 (शक)
केन्द्र सरकार के कर्मचारियों और पेंशनभोगियों को महंगाई भत्ते की बकाया राशि जारी करना 1971. श्री सी. लालरोसांगा: क्या वित्त मंत्री यह बताने की कृपा करेंगे कि:
(क) क्या सरकार की केन्द्र सरकार के कर्मचारियों और पेंशनभोगियों को कोविड-19 महामारी के दौरान रोकी गई 18 माह की महंगाई भत्ता बकाया राशि निकट भविष्य में जारी करने की कोई योजना है और यदि हां, तो तत्संबंधी ब्यौरा क्या है और सरकार द्वारा बकाया राशि कब तक जारी किए जाने की संभावना है;
(ख) उक्त महंगाई भत्ते की बकाया राशि जारी करने में विलंब के क्या कारण हैं; और
(ग) केन्द्रीय सरकार के कर्मचारियों और पेंशनभोगियों को महंगाई भत्ता बकाया राशि के संवितरण के लिए कुल कितनी धनराशि की आवश्यकता है?
उत्तर वित्त मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री पंकज चौधरी)
(क)और(ख): जी, नहीं। केंद्रीय सरकार के कर्मचारियों/पेंशनभोगियों के महंगाई भत्ते (डीए)/महंगाई राहत (डीआर) की 01.01.2020, 01.07.2020 व 01.01.2021 से देय तीन किस्तों को रोके जाने का निर्णय कोविड-19, जिसने आर्थिक व्यवधान पैदा किया, के संदर्भ में लिया गया था ताकि सरकारी वित्त पर दबाव कम किया जा सके। चूंकि वर्ष 2020 में महामारी के प्रतिकूल वित्तीय प्रभाव और सरकार द्वारा उठाए गए कल्याणकारी उपायों के वित्त पोषण के अप्रत्यक्ष प्रभाव वित्तीय वर्ष 2020-21 के बाद भी बने रहे, महंगाई भत्ते/महंगाई राहत के बकाए को जारी करना व्यवहार्य नहीं समझा गया। यहां तक कि, इस समय भी सरकार का राजकोषीय घाटा एफआरबीएम अधिनियम में उल्लिखित स्तर के दोगुने से भी अधिक स्तर पर चल रहा है।
(ग): प्रश्न नहीं उठता। हालांकि, केंद्रीय सरकार के कर्मचारियों और पेंशनभोगियों को देय महंगाई भत्ते और महंगाई राहत की तीन किस्तों को रोके जाने से 34402.32 करोड़ रुपए की धनराशि बचायी गई थी और कोविड-19 महामारी के आर्थिक प्रभाव पर काबू पाने के लिए उपयोग में लायी गई।
Earmarking of at least 2.5% of Salary Budget for training and capacity building
F-16017/24/2022-TFA No. T-16017/21/2022-TFA Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension Department of Personnel & Training (Training Division)
Old JNU Campus, New Delhi Dated the 7th March, 2023
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: Earmarking of at least 2.5% of Salary Budget for training and capacity building – reg.
The undersigned is directed to say that the National Training Policy, 2012, inter alia. recommends that each Ministry / Department / Organization set aside at least 2.5%, of its salary budget tor training (para 9.2 of NTP, 2072 refers).
2 In this regard, attention is drawn to the D/o Expenditure’s Notification dated 10th December, 2022 copy enclosed) conveying hereby amendment to Rule 8 of the Delegation of Financial power Rules, 1978, vide which a new Object Head, namely, ‘Training Expenses’ has been created.
3. This is for Information and necessary action of all Ministries / Departments / Organizations under Government of India.
Integrated Pensioners’ Portal: All Pension portals, Pension Disbursing Bank portals, ANUBHAV, CPENGRAMS, CGHS will be integrated in a single portal – Dr Jitendra Singh
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh says, all portals like Pension Disbursing Bank portals, ANUBHAV, CPENGRAMS, CGHS will be integrated in a single portal in the form of the newly created “Integrated Pensioners’ Portal” to ensure “Ease of Living for the elder citizens”.”
Addressing the Bankers Awareness Workshop in Bhopal, Dr Jitendra Singh said, in tune with Vision of Prime Minister for an “Integrated Approach to bring Ease of Living”, the move will mitigate the problems faced by the pensioners
Says, all 18 Pension disbursing banks will be integrated in Integrated Pensioners’ Portal
Pension Department has undertaken a Nation-wide Digital Life Certificate through Face Authentication campaign in the November, 22 which has resulted into 30 lakhs pensioners submitting their life certificate digitally: Dr Jitendra Singh
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today informed that the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has decided that all the pension portals like Pension Disbursing Bank portals, ANUBHAV, CPENGRAMS, CGHS etc. will be integrated in a single portal in the form of the newly created “Integrated Pensioners’ Portal” (https://ipension.nic.in) to ensure “Ease of Living for the elder citizens”.
Addressing the Bankers Awareness Workshop in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Dr Jitendra Singh said, in tune with Vision of Prime Minister for an “Integrated Approach to bring Ease of Living”, the move will mitigate the problems faced by the pensioners with the banks like Change of bank, Submission of life certificate, Submission of death certificate of pensioners, Pension slip and retrieval of pension slip, Income tax deduction data/form 16, Pension receipt information, the websites of Pension Disbursing Banks will also be integrated with the Integrated Pensioners Portal.
The Minister also pointed out that the task of Integration of Pension Seva Portal of SBI and Canara Bank with Bhavishya portal have been completed. With this integration, the pensioners can now get their pension slip, status of submission of Life Certificate and Form-16 through the Integrated Pensioners’ Portal. He also informed that all 18 Pension disbursing banks will be integrated in Integrated Pensioners’ Portal.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, DoPPW will take care of not only serving/retiring employees but also work for the Ease of Living of our pensioners and Digital Life Certificate is another step towards this direction. He pointed out that in November 2014, an Aadhar based scheme for online submission of digital life certificate, “Jeevan Pramaan” was launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure transparency and “Ease of Living” for pensioners while submitting their life certificate.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, initially submission of DLCs using biometric devices was commenced and later, the Department engaged with MeitY to develop the milestone Face-Authentication Technology-based system based on UIDAI Aadhaar software through which it became possible to give DLC from any Android based smart phone. This breakthrough technology has reduced the dependence of pensioners on external bio-metric devices and has made the process more accessible and affordable to masses by leveraging biometric systems available on smartphones, he added.
The Minister informed that the Pension Department has undertaken a Nation-wide Digital Life Certificate through Face Authentication campaign in the November, 22 which has resulted into 30 lakhs pensioners submitting their life certificate digitally.
Secretary, Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, Shri V.Srinivas said in his address that DoPPW has commenced a series of awareness programs for Bankers with a view to provide information about the latest pension rules/procedures reforms and welfare initiatives to Bank’s field functionaries, handling pensions. He said, in line with the Government’s objective of transparency, digitization and service delivery, the Bhavishya platform has ensured End-to-End digitization of the Pension processing and payment. From the retiree filing his/her papers online till issue of the PPO in electronic format going into the Digilocker, this platform has showcased the intention of complete transparency and efficiency of the Government. The ‘Bhavishya’ platform, an integrated online pension processing system was made mandatory for all central government departments w.e.f. 01.01.2017.
This system is at present being successfully implemented in the main Secretariat of 97 Ministries/ Departments including 818 Attached Offices, 7,941 DDOs on board. As on date, more than 1,89,494 cases have been processedi.e. PPOs issued which includes more than 1,23,249 e-PPOs.
PPO in Digilocker and eliminates delays in forwarding PPO to new Pensioners, as well as the necessity of handing over a physical copy. Considering that a very large number of retirees are from CAPFs who serve in far flung areas of the country, such software is a boon both in terms of Ease of processing as well as speed and accuracy in pension processing.
It may be recalled that the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has bagged the 3rd Rank for BHAVISHYA (An online tracking system for pension sanction and payment developed by DOPPW) as per the NeSDA Assessment 2021 among all the Central Government e-Governance Service Delivery Portals. The ranking is based on Accessibility, Content Availability, Ease of Use, Information Security & Privacy, End Service Delivery, Integrated Service Delivery, Status & Request Tracking. It’s very creditable to be able to achieve rank 3 on the basis of these parameters.
This Awareness programs also provide a platform for strategizing and conceiving new initiatives for the benefit of Pensioners. This facilitated introduction of the path for integration of Bhavishya Portal with the pension paying portals of the Banks. So far State Bank of India and Canara Bank has integrated their portals with Bhavishya – IPP and process is on with Punjab National Bank.
The workshops held were an excellent two-way learning process and will go very far in reducing Pensioners’ Bank related grievances since the Pension dealing Bank officials were made aware of all the measures/OMs taken/issued by DoPPW for Ease of Living of Pensioners. Such Awareness Programs also convey a strong message of the seriousness of this Department to focus on hitherto neglected expectations of the Pensioners from Banks.
One-time option to be covered under the CCS(Pension) Rules: OPS to NPS
No. 57/05/2021-P&PW(B) Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare
Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi, the 03rd March, 2023
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Coverage under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, in place of National Pension System, of those Central Government employees who were recruited against the posts/vacancies advertised/notified for recruitment, on or before 22.12.2003.
The undersigned is directed to say that consequent on introduction of National Pension System (NPS) vide Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) Notification No. 5/7/2003-ECB & PR dated 22.12.2003, all Government servants appointed on or after 01.01.2004 to the posts in the Central Government service (except armed forces) are mandatorily covered under the said scheme. The Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 and other connected rules were also amended vide Notification dated 30.12.2003 and, after the said amendment, those rules are not applicable to the Government servants appointed to Government service after 31.12.2003.
2. Subsequently, Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare in consultation with the Department of Personnel & Training, Department of Expenditure and Department of Legal Affairs in the light of the various representations/references and decisions of Hon’ble Courts, issued instructions vide OM No. 57/04/2019-P&PW(B) dated 17.02.2020 giving one time option to Central Government employees who were declared successful for recruitment in the results declared on or before 31.12.2003 against vacancies which occurred before 01.01.2004 and were covered under the National Pension System on joining service on or after 01.01.2004, to be covered under the CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972 ( now 2021). There was fixed time schedule for different activities under the aforesaid OM dated 17.02.2020.
3. Representations have been received in this Department from the Government servants appointed on or after 01.01.2004 requesting for extending the benefit of the pension scheme under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021) on the ground that their appointment was made against the posts/vacancies advertised/notified for recruitment prior to notification for National Pension System, referring to court judgments of various Hon’ble High Courts and Hon’ble Central Administrative Tribunals allowing such benefits to applicants.
4. The matter has been examined in consultation with the Department of Financial Services, Department of Personnel & Training, Department of Expenditure and Department of Legal Affairs in the light of the various representations/references and decisions of the Courts in this regard. It has now been decided that, in all cases where the Central Government civil employee has been appointed against a post or vacancy which was advertised/notified for recruitment/appointment, prior to the date of notification for National Pension System i.e. 22.12.2003 and is covered under the National Pension System on joining service on or after 01.01.2004, may be given a one-time option to be covered under the CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021). This option may be exercised by the concerned Government servants latest by 31.08.2023.
5. Those Government servants who are eligible to exercise option in accordance with para-4 above, but who do not exercise this option by the stipulated date, shall continue to be covered by the National Pension System.
6. The option once exercised shall be final.
7. The matter regarding coverage under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021), based on the option exercised by the Government servant, shall be placed before the Appointing Authority of the posts for which such option is being exercised for consideration, in accordance with these instructions. In case the Government servant fulfills the conditions for coverage under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021), in accordance with these instructions, necessary order in this regard shall be issued latest by 31st October, 2023. The NPS account of such Government servants shall, consequently, be closed w.e.f. 31st December, 2023.
8. The Government servants who exercise option to switch over to the pension scheme under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021), shall be required to subscribe to the General Provident Fund (GPF). Regarding accountal of the corpus in the NPS account of the Government servant, Controller General of Accounts (CGA) has furnished the following clarification vide letter No. 1(7)(2)/2010/cla./TA III/390 dated 14.11.2019 & I.D. Note No. TA-3-6/3/2020-TA-III/cs-4308/450 dated 23.12.2022:
i. Adjustment of Employees’ contribution in Accounts: Amount may be credited to individual’s GPF account and the account may be recasted permitting up-to-date interest (Authority-FR-16 &Rule 11 of GPF Rules).
ii. Adjustment of Government contribution under NPS in Accounts: To be accounted for as (-) Dr. to object head 70 – Deduct Recoveries under Major Head 2071 – Pension and other Retirement benefit – Minor Head 911- Deduct Recoveries of over payment (GAR 35 and para 3.10 of List of Major and Minor Heads of Accounts).
iii. Adjustment of increased value of subscription on account of appreciation of investments — May be accounted for by crediting the amount to Govt. account under M.H. 0071- Contribution towards Pension and Other Retirements Benefits 800-Other Receipts (Note under the above Head in LMMHA).
9. All Ministries/Departments are requested to give wide publicity to these orders without fail. The cases of those Government servants who fulfill the conditions mentioned in this O.M. and who exercise option to switch over to the pension scheme under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021) may be settled by the administrative Ministries/Departments in accordance with these orders.
10. This issues in consultation with Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure vide ID Note No. 1(7)/EV/2019 dated 05.12.2022 & 07.02.2023 and in consultation with Controller General of Accounts vide their I.D. Note No. TA-3-6/3/2020-TA-III/cs-4308/450 dated 23.12.2022.
11. In so far as the persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders are issued in consultation with Comptroller and Auditor General of India, as mandated under Article 148(5) of the Constitution of India.
12. Hindi version will follow.
(Sanjiv Narain Mathur) Additional Secretary to Government of India
Railway Board Clarification on date of effectiveness of Ration Money Allowance (RMA) during WRIIL and CCL
भारत सरकार/GOVERNMENT OF INDIA रेल मंत्रालय/ MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (रेलवे बोर्ड/RAILWAY BOARD)
RBE No. 38/2023
No. E(P&A)l-2005/ALL/RPF-2
New Delhi, dated: 28.02.2023
The General Managers, All Indian Railways and Production Units etc.
Sub: Clarification on date of effectiveness of Ration Money Allowance (RMA) during Work Related Illness & Injury Leave (WRIIL) and Child Care Leave (CCL).
Attention is invited to Railway Board’s letter referred above coveying a decision on admissibility of Ration Money Allowance (RMA) during Work Related Illness & Injury Leave (WRIIL) and Child Care Leave (CCL).
2. The issue of date of effectiveness of RMA during WRIIL and CCL has been examined in Board’s office and it is stated that Board’s instructions dated 11.07.2022 would be effective from a prospective date i.e from the date of issue of the said instructions.
3. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways.
