Disbursement of Railway Pension through Private Sector Banks
Government of India Ministry of Railways Railway Board
Non RBA Letter
No. 2018/AC-I1/21/2/ARPAN
New Delhi, dated 21.12.2022
Pr.Financial Advisors, All Zonal Railways & PUS
Pr. Chief Personnel Officers, All Zonal Railways & PUs
Sub :- Disbursement of Railway Pension through Private Sector Banks.
Ref: Board’s Letter No. 2021/AC-I1/9/2/e dated 18.02.2022(RBA No. 12/2022) and No. 2010 /AC-II/21/12(pt) dated 23.02.2022 (RBA no. 14/2022), Letter No. 2018/AC-II/21/2/ARPAN dated 12.05.2022 (RBA No. 29/2022)
Please connect Board’s letter of even no. dated 12.05.2022 conveying the preparedness of Axis Bank for processing of e-PPOs received from Zonal Railways and Production Units. Now, HDFC Bank has also confirmed that the bank has completed all technical modalities in this regard. Railway Pensioners can now opt for drawal of pension from HDFC Bank.
This is for kind information.
(Ajay Bartwal)ย Joint Director Finance/CCA Railway Board
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERSโ WELFARE)
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1889 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.12.2022)
REDRESSAL OF COMPLAINTS OF PENSIONER
1889 # DR. RADHA MOHAN DAS AGRAWAL:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) whether complaints are often received from ex-employee pensioners regarding the functioning of the Pension Disbursing Bank, if so, the nature of such complaints; and
(b) the provisions made by the Department for quick redressal of these complaints?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTERโS OFFICE
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a): Yes sir, Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare receives grievances from Pensioners regarding the functioning of the Pension Disbursing Banks and the same are assigned to Department of Financial Services (Banking Division), the concerned Department, for appropriate resolution. These grievances broadly pertain to delayed payment of Pension/Dearness Relief and arrears thereof, delayed payment/stoppage of Fixed Medical Allowance, delayed issuance of Form 16, excessive tax deduction, on-issuance of pension slip.
(b): All grievances of the pensioners are registered on Centralized Pension Grievances Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS) Portal and their disposal is monitored by the department through this system. The time limit required for redressal of grievances has been reduced from 60 days to 30 days, as per existing DARPG guidelines dated 27-07-2022. The Department also conducts Inter-Ministerial Review Meeting for monitoring the delay in the redressal of grievances by the concerned Departments.
Extension of Annual Identification for SPARSH migrated pensioners
PRINCIPAL CONTROLLER OF DEFENCE ACCOUNTS (PENSIONS)
Competent authority has accorded approval for extension of Annual identification for three months for SPARSH migrated pensioners, (Therefore “No Pension will be stopped for 3 months”) whose identification was due in month of November, 2022.
SPARSH migrated pensioners are advised hereby to perform annual identification through various modes available (through Jeevan Pramaan, through SPARSH portal and through SPARSH Service Centre) at the earliest to avoid stoppage of pension.
Pensioners who have performed Annual identification through any available modes may check their status by visiting link https://pcdapension.nic.in/pcda/view-sparshppo.php
Pensioners who have submitted Annual identification through MLC mode of SPARSH may check their status through above link regularly as it takes some time and get reflected after approval of back end user of PCDAP.
Cabinet approves revision of pension of Armed Forces Pensioners/family pensioners under OROP from July 2019
Union Cabinet approves revision of pension of Armed Forces Pensioners/family pensioners under One Rank One Pension w.e.f. July 01, 2019
Armed Forces Personnel retired up to June 30, 2019 to be covered; Over 25.13 lakh to be benefitted
Rs 23,638 crore to be paid as arrears from July 2019 to June 2022
Estimated additional annual expenditure for implementation of the revision calculated as approx. Rs 8,450 crore @31% Dearness Relief
The Union Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved revision of pension of Armed Forces Pensioners/family pensioners under One Rank One Pension (OROP) w.e.f. July 01, 2019. Pension of the past pensioners would be re-fixed on the basis of average of minimum and maximum pension of Defence Forces retirees of calendar year 2018 in the same rank with the same length of service.
Beneficiaries
The Armed Forces Personnel retired up to June 30, 2019{excluding pre-mature (PMR) retired w.e.f. July 01, 2014} will be covered under this revision. More than 25.13 lakh (including over 4.52 lakh new beneficiaries) Armed Forces Pensioners/family pensioners will be benefitted. Pension for those drawing above the average shall be protected. The benefit would also be extended to family pensioners, including war widows and disabled pensioners.
Arrears will be paid in four half-yearly instalments. However, all the family pensioners, including those in receipt of Special/Liberalised Family Pension and Gallantry Award Winners, shall be paid arrears in one instalment.
The estimated annual expenditure for the implementation of the revision has been calculated as approx. Rs 8,450 crore @31% Dearness Relief (DR). Arrears w.e.f. July 01, 2019 to December 31, 2021 have been calculated as over Rs 19,316 crore based on DR @ 17% for the period from July 01, 2019 to June 30, 2021 and @31% for the period from July 01, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Arrears w.e.f. July 01, 2019 to June 30, 2022 have been calculated as approx. Rs 23,638 crore as per the applicable dearness relief. This expenditure is over and above the ongoing expenditure on account of OROP.
Rank wise likely estimated increase (in rupees) in service pension under OROP w.e.f. July 01, 2019:
Rank
Pension as on 01.01.2016
Revised pension w.e.f. 01.07.2019
Likely arrears from 01.07.2019 to 30.06.2022
Sepoy
17,699
19,726
87,000
Naik
18,427
21,101
1,14,000
Havildar
20,066
21,782
70,000
Nb Subedar
24,232
26,800
1,08,000
Sub Major
33,526
37,600
1,75,000
Major
61,205
68,550
3,05,000
Lt. Colonel
84,330
95,400
4,55,000
Colonel
92,855
1,03,700
4,42,000
Brigadier
96,555
1,08,800
5,05,000
Maj. Gen.
99,621
1,09,100
3,90,000
Lt. Gen.
1,01,515
1,12,050
4,32,000
Background
The Government took a historic decision to implement OROP for the Defence Forces Personnel/family pensioners and issued policy letter on November 07, 2015 for revision of pensionย w.e.f.ย July 01, 2014. In the said policy letter, it was mentioned that in future, the pension would be re-fixed every 5 years. Approx. Rs 57,000 crore has been spent @Rs 7,123 crore per year in eight years in the implementation of OROP.
F No. 21/11/2022-CS.I(Coord) Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Personnel & Training
Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi, Dated the 21st December, 2022.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: Launching Event of e-HRMS 2.00 (CSCMS) portal – regarding.
The undersigned is directed to state that the revamped e-HRMS 2.00 to provide all cadre related services to the officers of CSS/CSSS/CSCS shall formally be launched by Hon’ble MoS (PP) at Civil Services Officers’ Institute (CSIO), Vinav Mara, Chanakvapuri, New Delhi, 110021 on 25th December, 2022 at 12:00 PM.
2. The function shall be followed by inauguration of books on Good Governance and supply of related books to participants.
3. In this regard all the participating Ministries/Departments are requested to nominate requisite number of officers (as per the Annexure) at the level of Under Secretary/PPS or above with the direction to attend the function.
4. This issues with the approval of competent authority.
(P.Bairagi Saho) Deputy Secretary to Government of India
To All Joint Secretary (Admn.) of Cadre units of CSS/CSSS/CSCS (Through CSCMS Portal and e-mail)
Acceptance of voluntary retirement request of medically de-categorised staff with less than 20 years qualifying service
เคญเคพเคฐเคค เคธเคฐเคเคพเคฐ GOVERNMENT OF INDIA เคฐเฅเคฒ เคฎเคเคคเฅเคฐเคพเคฒเคฏ/MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (เคฐเฅเคฒเคตเฅ เคฌเฅเคฐเฅเคก/RAILWAY BOARD)
N0. E(NG)I-2011/RE-3/2
New Delhi, dated 07.12.2022
The General Secretary, All India Railwaymenโs Federation, 1, State Entry Road, New Delhi-110 055
The General Secretary, National Federation of Indian Railwaymen, 3, Chelmsford Road, New Delhi-110 055
Sub: Acceptance of voluntary retirement request of medically de-categorised staff with less than 20 years qualifying service โ grant of compassionate appointment to the wards of such staff and grant of pension.
Ref.: Boardโs letter of even no. dated 02.09.2014.
Dear Sirs,
The undersigned is directed to refer to Item No. 12/2011 raised by the staff side in DC/JCM meeting. This item could not be discussed during the last DC/JCM meeting held on 05-06 October 2021 due to paucity of time. However, the matter has been examined in consulation with Concerned Directorates. Instructions for considering Compassionate Appointment to the wards of partially, medically de-categorized staff who seek voluntary retirement are in existence vide Boardโs letter No. E(NG)II/1995/RC/1/94 dated 14.06.2006. subject to conditions mentioned therein.
As regards the issue of settlement dues to such staff, position has been clarified to the Railways vide Item (ii) of-Boardโs letter No. E(NG)I/2001/RE-3/9 dated 18.09.2002. The demand raised by the Staff side already stands covered under the extant instructions. Therefore, the item may be treated as closed.
It is hoped that the Federations will appreciate the above position.
Yours faithfully
for Principal Executive Director (IR) Railway Board
Registration of Pensionersโ Associations under the Pensionersโ Portal Scheme – Extension in date for submission of application: DOPPW OM
F.No.4(4)/2021-P&PW(H) Government of India Department of Pension & Pensionersโ Welfare 3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi
**********
Registration of Pensionersโ Associations under the Pensionersโ Portal Scheme- Extension in date for submission of application.
The Pensionersโ Portal Scheme being implemented by the Department of Pension & Pensionersโ Welfare aims at enhancing the welfare of Central Civil Pensionersโ across the country and envisages inter-alia association of registered Pensionersโ Associations of Central Government Employees and other welfare organizations in the implementation process.
Under the above Scheme this Department has already registered 50 Pensioners Associations on the basis of laid down eligibility criteria and with the intention to register 10 more Central Government Pensioners Associations who fulfill the eligibility criterion and are from the unrepresented twelve States and four Union Territories listed below*, an advertisement was placed in Newspapers and on the website of the Department on 17th August, 2022 requesting that Central Government Pensionersโ Associations desirous of registering under the Pensioners Portal may send their details to the Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare at the address given above within 30 days from date of publication of advertisement in newspaper.
i. Bihar ii. Chhattisgarh iii. Andhra Pradesh iv. Tripura v. Goa vi. Nagaland vii. Mizoram viii. Andaman & Nicobar ix. Arunachal Pradesh x. Meghalaya xi. Sikkim xii. Himachal Pradesh xiii. Lakshadweep xiv. Dadra & Nagar Haveli xv. Ladakh xvi. Daman & Diu
This Department is pleased to inform that the last date for submission of applications has been extended by 30 days from date of this advertisement. Further, Central Government Pensionersโ Associations, looking after the welfare of Civil/Railways/Defence/Postal/Telecom pensioners, who have their registered office in any of the States/ Union Territories of India and are desirous of registering under the Pensioners Portal may send their applications to the Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare within 30 days from date of publication of advertisement in newspaper. However, those Pensionersโ Associations who have already sent their applications, in response to the advertisement published on the subject by this Department, on 17th August, 2022, need not apply again. It is also informed that preference will be given to Central Government Pensionersโ Association having their registered office in unrepresented State/UTs.
It is reiterated that interested Pensionersโ Association may send their applications and their details as indicated below along with copies of relevant documents as well as a write up on their vision/plan to work towards welfare of Central Government Pensioners at the address given above super-scribing- โRegistration under Pensioners Portalโ.
1. Name of the Pensionersโ Association with Address and contact details 2. Date of Registration/ incorporation 3. MOA & rules, if any 4. Objectives of the Association 5. Sources of funding 6. Total membership of the Association with relevant documents supporting the same. 7. Audited Accounts for last 3 Financial Years 8. Annual activities Report for last 3 Financial Years 9. Publication/ journal details 10. Composition of General Body 11. Number of General Body Meetings held annually 12. Premises — whether hired or owned by the Association 13. Infra-Structural details 14. Entities with whom the Association interacts frequently for pensionersโ welfare. Proof of the same may be enclosed.
(Ashok Kumar Singh) Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
Freezing of Small Savings Schemes accounts get matured but not closed after 3 years of maturity: Dept of Posts SB Order
SB ORDER NO. 25/2022
F. No. FS-13/7/2020-FS-Part(1) Government of India Ministry of Communications Department of Posts
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi-110001. Date: 16.12.2022
To,
All Heads of Circles/Regions
Subject:โ Freezing of Small Savings Schemes accounts get matured but not closed after 3 years of maturity reg.
Sir / Madam,
As part of continuous improvement in making the CBS system robust, incremental changes are implemented to ensure that the risk of misappropriation involved in CBS operations is minimized.
2. In view of the safety of depositorsโ hard-earned money and ensuring effective KYC compliance, competent authority has decided to freeze those MIS/SCSS/TD/KVP/NSC/RD accounts which have been matured till 30.09.2019 but not closed.
3. The details of freeze code is as under: โ
(i) Freeze reason code: INOP: โ Inoperative more than 3 years.
(ii) Cutoff date: -30.09.2019 (i.e. account matured 3 years ago and remains live).
(iii) Schemes identified: โ MIS/SCSS/TD/KVP/NSC/RD (matured but not extended)/PPF (matured but not extended)
4. A โStandard Operating Procedure for handling of accounts/certificates marked freeze under reason code โINOP: โ Inoperative more than 3 yearsโ to be followed in this regard is enclosed herewith.
5. It is requested to circulate it to all concerned for information, guidance and necessary action.
This issues with the approval of competent authority.
Enclosed: โ As above (Annexure)
Yours Sincerely
(Devendra Sharma) Asstt. Director (SB-II)
ANNEXURE
Standard Operating Procedure for handling of handling of accounts/certificates marked freeze under reason code โINOP: โ Inoperative more than 3 years
The following accounts under various National Savings Schemes have been marked as freeze with freeze reason code โINOP: โ Inoperative more than 3 years, which already have been matured but not closed within 3 years and cut-off date is taken as 30.09.2019.
2. The details of schemes are as under: โ
(i) MIS/SCSS/TD/KVP/NSC/RD (matured but not extended) (ii) PPF (matured but not extended)
3. As and when account holder approaches the post office concerned for closure of account identified under โINOP: โ Inoperative more than 3 yearsโ, the post office concerned shall follow the below mentioned procedure: โ
(i) lf any account holder whose account/certificate is found to be Frozen with freeze code โINOP: โ Inoperative more than 3 yearsโ attends any Post Office with Certificate or Passbook for closure, the account/certificate holder should be requested to submit the following documents: โ
a) Passbook/Certificate
b) KYC Documents (Mobile number, PAN card and Aadhaar or address proof as per rule 6 of Government Savings Promotion General Rules-2018)
c) Account Closure Form (SB-7A): โ Account holder should also be requested to submit account closure form, passbook and details of PO Savings Account number or Bank account details along with a cancel cheque/copy of passbook for credit of maturity value into his/her savings account. Depositor(s) signature shall be obtained on acquittance portion of account closure form, so account holder(s) need not to visit post office again and maturity value get credited in his/her PO Savings Account or Bank Account.
(ii) The SPM/Counter PA will first check & confirm the details of depositor and tally signature with Finacle/SS Book/SB-3/AOF and ensure genuineness of the account holder with relevant records.
(iii) If the account stands in Sub Office/Branch Post Office the SPM concerned shall forward the passbook, account closure form, KYC document of account holder to Head Post office concerned for unfreezing and closure of account/certificate concerned.
Procedure at Head Post Office
Note: โ For account standing in Head Post Office, similar documents shall be obtained from the account holder and follow the procedure prescribed below.
(iv) After receipt of a case for unfreezing and closure at Head Post Office, designated PA and APM (SB) shall verify the account details of documents received with Finacle. After verification of the genuineness of the case, the account/certificate concerned shall be unfreezed with two Supervisors of HO.
(v) After unfreezing of the account/certificate, Counter PA of Head Post Office, shall proceed for closure of account/certificate. The maturity value shall be credited either in PO Savings Account or Bank Account of the Account holder (Through ECS outward credit).
(vi) After closure of account by counter PA, APM (SB) shall verify closure of account.
(vii) In Head Post Office, a separate register will be maintained for โREGISTER FOR CLOSURE of account identified as INOP-Inoperative for more than 3 years. The register shall be maintained in Head Post Office in following proforma: โ
Date of receipt of case from Sub Office
Account No./ Certificate Registration number
Name of Account/ Certificate Holder
Name of SOL where Account/Certificate Stands
Date of opening
Date of maturity
Scheme
1
2
3
4
4
5
6
Date of closure
Principal Amount paid
Interest Amount paid
Maturity credit details (POSB Account No. or Bank Account No with MICR code)
Signature of Counter PA
Signature of Supervisor
Signature of Postmaster
7
8
9
10
11
12
(viii) After entering closure details in the above register, APM (SB) shall put up a register to Head Postmaster for seen.
(ix) Thereafter, Passbook, Account closure form, KYC document and cancel cheque/copy of the passbook shall be forwarded to SBCO concerned along with other vouchers.
(x) SBCO PA and supervisor while checking vouchers of closed accounts which were identified as INOP-Inoperative for more than 3 years, will check account details with Account Closure Form and copies of KYC documents of Account holder are attached with the voucher. If any shortcoming is noticed, objection should be recorded as per laid down procedure.
(xi) All Visiting/Inspecting Officers, while visiting/inspecting Head Post Offices, should invariable check the prescribed register โREGISTER FOR CLOSURE OF account identified as INOP-Inoperative for more than 3 yearsโ and see that procedure prescribed above is followed scrupulously.
(xii) CEPT shall share fortnightly report with circle CPC (CBS)on details of accounts unfreezed from โINOP-Inoperative for more than 3 yearsโ reason code.
(xiii) Circle shall get the report verified within a week with reference to the โREGISTER FOR CLOSURE OF account identified as INOP-Inoperative for more than 3 yearsโ maintained at the Head Post Office and take appropriate measures in case any discrepancy noticed.
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTERโS OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) to (c): It is submitted that Central Government Civil Pensioners/Family Pensioners who are residing in areas not covered under Central Government Health Scheme administered by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and corresponding health schemes administered by other Ministries/Departments for their retired employees and who are not availing OPD facilities under that scheme, are entitled to receive a monthly Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) of Rs.1000/- per month for meeting expenditure on their day-to-day medical expenses that do not require hospitalization. The amount of Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA), which was fixed at Rs. 100/- per month in the year 1997 has been revised from time to time. In 2008, FMA was revised to Rs. 300/- per month and in 2014, it was again increased to Rs. 500/- per month. Lastly, the amount of FMA from Rs. 500/- per month was increased to Rs.1000/- per month with effect from 01.07.2017.
Option for fixation of pay after promotion, opportunity to the employees relaxing the limitation period
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 731
TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2022 22 AGRAHAYANA, 1944 (SAKA)
OPTION FOR FIXATION OF PAY AFTER PROMOTION
731: SHRI NEERAJ SHEKHAR SHRI JAVED ALI KHAN
Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:
(a) whether Department of Expenditure had issued OM dated 15.04.2021 allowing employees to exercise/re-exercise option for fixation of pay after promotion;
(b) if so, whether Government is aware that a large number of employees could not submit their options. due to devastating Delta wave of COVID-19 pandemic and are drawing less pay than their juniors;
(c) whether Government would provide another opportunity to the employees relaxing the limitation period for exercising/re-exercising the option in view of relaxation of limitation period from 15.03.2020 to 28.02.2022 by Hon’ble Supreme Court during COVID-19 pandemic;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)
(a): Yes Sir.
(b) to (e): Department of Expenditure issued the O.M. dated 15.04.2021 providing a window of three months period to the Government employees to exercise/re-exercise option for fixation of pay. After the time limit provided in the O.M. dated 15.04.2021, the references received from Ministry/Department are examined on merit on case to case basis.
