Grant of Dual Family Pension i.e. OFP from Military Side as well as SFP/ LFP for re-employed Military service -Defence

Grant of Dual Family Pension i.e. OFP from Military Side as well as SFP/ LFP for re-employed Military service -Defence

No. PC -2(6)/2013/D(Pen/Pol)

Government of India/Bharat Sarkar

Ministry of Defence

Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare

D(Pension/Policy)

Dated 8th July, 2019

To

The Chief of the Army Staff
The Chief of the Naval Staff
The Chief of the Air Staff

Subject: Clarification regarding grant of Dual Family Pension i.e. Ordinary Family Pension (OFP) from Military Side as well as Special Family Pension (SFP)/ Liberalised Family Pension (LFP) for re-employed Military service – reg.

Sir,

The undersigned is directed to state that references have been received seeking clarification as to whether Special Family Pension (SFP)/Liberalised Family Pension (LFP) is admissible on death of a military pensioner re-employed in military service, and his death is attributable to military service.

2. Prior to 17.01.2013, the NOKs of Armed Force Pensioner who got re-employed in Civil Department/PSUs/Autonomous bodies/Local Fund of Central/State Governments after getting retired from military service were authorized to draw Ordinary Family Pension (OFP) either from military side or from civil side whichever was beneficial to them in terms of Gol, MoD letter No. 10(6)/92/D(Pens/Sers) dated 28.09.1992 and regulation 78 of Pension Regulation Part-I, 2008. Subsequently, vide GoI, MoD letter No.01(05)/2010-D(Pen/Policy) dated 17.01.2013, two family pensions were allowed w.e.f. 24.09.2012 in the event of death of a re-employed military pensioner.

3. It was further clarified that dual family pension is admissible irrespective of the fact whether the re-employment was in civil or military department vide GoI, MoD letter No. 10(17)/2012-D(Pen/Pol) dated 21.03.2013. Hence, the family pensioners of military personnel re-employed in military e.g. Territorial Army/Defence Security Corps (TA/DSC) are also covered in the ambit of the Gol, MoD letter No. 01(05)/2010-D(Pen/Policy) dated 17.01.2013 for grant of dual family pension w.e.f. 24.09.2012. However, the admissibility of dual family pension was restricted to ordinary family pension (OFP).

4. Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare vide their OM No. 1/3/2016-P&PW(F) dated 24.01.2019 has clarified that the provisions of two family pensions, one in respect of military/civil service and the other for civil service after re-employment, as available in terms of CCS(Pension) Rules, is also applicable under CCS(EOP) Rules.

5. The matter regarding extending the admissibility of Special Family Pension (SFP) /Liberalised Family Pension (LFP) in cases of death attributable to military service in terms of Gol, MoD letter No. 1(2)/97/D(Pen-C) dated 31.01.2001 in the case a of dual family pension has been examined. It has been decided that Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare OM No. 1/3/2016-P&PW(F) dated 24.01.2019 would apply mutatis-mutandis to military/civil pensioners re-employed in military service and it is clarified that the provision of two family pensions, one in respect of military/civil service and Special Family Pension (SFP)/Liberalised Family Pension (LFP) for re-employed military service is also applicable. Special Family Pension(SFP)/Liberalised Family Pension (LFP) if any, would be admissible in terms of GoI, MoD letter No. 1(2)/97/D(Pen-C) dated 31.01.2001 on death of a pensioner who was re-employed in military service and if his death is attributable to military service, in addition to Ordinary Family Pension in respect of the previous military/civil service.

6. Where, however, on death of the re-employed ex-serviceman if the family is eligible for Special Family Pension (SFP)/Liberalised Family Pension (LFP) for first service, family pension for second spell of service would be Ordinary Family Pension.

7. Special Family Pension (SFP)/Liberalised Family Pension (LFP) shall be granted only in respect of one service and in no case, Special Family Pension (SFP)/Liberalised Family Pension (LFP) will be granted for both the services.

8. The financial benefits in the past cases will accrue with effect from 24.09.2012.

9. Pension Regulation of the three Services shall be amended in due course.

10. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Division of this Ministry vide their ID No. 10(02)/2017/FIN/PEN dated 21.06.2019.

11. Hindi version will follow.

Yours faithfully,

(A K Agrawal)

Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India

Ex-servicemen disappointed with OROP ; protests to continue

Ex-servicemen disappointed with OROP; protests to continue

“Six of our demands have been rejected; the government has accepted only one demand – we are not happy, the protests to continue”.

The ex-servicemen’s United Front have said that they are only partially pleased on the announcement made by the government. They have announced that the protests will continue; a massive rally planned on September 12.

According to the current positions, disputes are on about three issues:

1. Revision of pension once in every two years instead of the government’s decision to revise pension once in every five years.

2. The scheme will be effect from 1.4.2014 instead of July 1, 2014

3. A five-member committee instead of a one-member committee, and the report to be submitted in 30 days.

A review of OROP scheme

Based on the recommendations of the Third Pay Commission in 1973, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had revoked the One Rank One Pension scheme. During the year, the salaries of government employees were increased from 33 percent to 50 percent.

Based on the last drawn salary, the armymen’s pensions were decreased from 70 percent to 50 percent.
The Fourth Pay Commission of 1986 rejected the demands for increasing the army pension.

The Sharad Pawar Committee in 1991 rejected the demand, but agreed to revise the pension once.
The Fifth Pay Commission of 1996 rejected the demand of the ex-servicemen.

Sonia Gandhi asked that the pension revision be included in the election manifesto of 2002.

The Sixth Pay Commission of 2006 rejected the pension demand; ex-servicemen began to protest in the open.

In 2008, a relay fast was held at Jantar Mantar by the ex-servicemen. They decided to return the medals and gallantry awards to the government. The government ignored them.

In 2009, the then President Pratibha Patil refused to meet the ex-servicemen. They handed over the medals and awards to the Rastrapati Bhavan staff.

In 2011, the ex-servicemen pension demand was presented to the Rajya Sabha committee.

The then Defence Minister AK Anthony and the then Finance Minster Pranabh Mukherjee rejected the demand saying that the scheme would require an additional Rs.8000 – 9000 crores and that the government did not have such funds to spend.

In 2013, Narendra Modi took part in a massive rally organized by the ex-servicemen in Haryana’s Rewali and expressed his support to the One Rank One Pension scheme.

As soon as Modi indicated his support, the UPA government woke up and announced that it would implement OROP from April 2014 onwards. Rs.500 crores was allocated for this purpose.

Even after the BJP-led Modi government took charge at the centre, confusions and delays continued to prevail. But the prime minister was firm on implementing OROP.

The ex-servicemen began fasting at Jantar Mantar once again in July, thus stepping up pressure on the government.

On September 5, the centre announced the implementation of One Rank One Pension. 

Removing Anomaly in Pensions of Ex-Servicemen

Removing Anomaly in Pensions of Ex-Servicemen

Removal of anomaly, if any, in the pension being given to the various categories of ex-servicemen is a continuous process. Such anomaly is redressed, as and when it comes to the notice of the Government.

The policy of “One Rank One Pension” has been adopted by the Government to address the pension disparities. The modalities for implementation of OROP are under consideration of the Government. It will be implemented once the modalities are approved by the Government.

A Pension Grievance Cell exists in the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare. Grievances received by this Cell are examined and redressed in coordination with the agencies concerned in the matter. A system of holding Pension Adalat is in place to provide a credible forum for redressal of grievances of the defence pensioners. Officers concerned of every organisation involved remain present in the Adalats and the grievances are redressed on the spot. A computerized pension enquiry project “Suvigya” has been developed by the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA).

It is an online pension enquiry system which would enable the ex-servicemen to know their entitlements of pension. A pensioners’ grievance cell exists in the Office of Principal Controller of defence Accounts (Pension), Allahabad.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply to Shri D.P Tripathi in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, 30 July 2015.

Source : PIB News

Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare Orders regarding Simplification of Pension process for permanently disabled children/siblings and dependent parents

Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare Orders regarding Simplification of Pension process for permanently disabled children/siblings and dependent parents

G.I., Dept. of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, O.M.No.1(7)/2013-D(Pension/Policy), dated 15.5.2015

SUBJECT: Simplification of Pension process for permanently disabled children/siblings and dependent parents

Sir,

The undersigned is directed to refer to the provisions contained in the GOI, MOD letter No A/49601/AG/PS-4 (e)/3363/B/D(Pen/Ser) dated 27.08.1987 as modified vide this Ministry’s letter No.906//A/D(Pen/Ser)/05 dated 13.08.2008 and No 02(03)/2010-D(Pen/Policy) dated 17th January 2013 of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare regarding grant of Pension to old parents and disabled children/sibling after the death of the pensioners/family pensioner. Certain difficulties are being experienced for grant of such pension. The matter has been examined and it has been decided to further streamline the process of grant of pension to old parents/disabled children sibling as under. The employee/pensioner/family pensioner may, at any time before or after retirement/ death of Armed Force Personnel, make a request to the Appointing Authority seeking advance approval for grant of family pension for lif to a permanently disabled child/sibling in terms of provisions contained in GOI, MOD Letter No.A/49601/AG/PS4(e)/3363/B/D (Pension/Services) dated 27.08.1987 as amended vide GOL MOD Letter No.906/ AIDGPen/Sers)/05 dated 13.08.2008, which are reproduced as under:

2. Before allowing the family pension for life to any such son or daughter, the appointing authority shall satisfy that the handicap is of such a nature so as to prevent him or her from earning his or her livelihood and the same shall be evidenced by a certificate obtained from a Medical Board comprising of a Medical Superintendent or a Principal or a Director or Head of the Institution or his nominee as Chairman and two other members, out of which at least one shall be a Specialis in the particular area of mental or physical disability including mental retardation setting out, as far as possible, the exact mental or physical condition of the child. As per GOI, MOD Letter No.PN/7995/D(Pen/Pol)/2010 dated 01.10.2010, the family Pension tothe dependent disabled siblings shall be payable if the siblings were wholly dependent upon the Armed Force Personnel immediately before his or her death and deceased Armed Force Personnel is not survived by a widow or an eligible child or eligible parents.

3(a). In terms of GOI, MOD Letter No.B/38207/AG/PS4/931/B/D(Pen/Ser) dated 6.08:-1998 the-family pension-to the parents-shall-be-payable if-the parents were wholly dependent on the Armed force Personnel immediately before his or her death and the deceased Armed force Personnel is not survived by a widow or an eligible child.
7. The authorization as indicated above shall be made in the PPO or by issuing a revised PPO if a child, parents or siblings is authorized for family pension after issue of the PPO. The revised PPO shall take the usual route to the Pension Disbursing Authority. The Pension Disbursing Authority shall start disbursing family pension to the permanently disabled child/sibling or dependent parents after the death of the pensioner/spouse/other family pensioner, as the case may be, on the basis of the PPO/revised PPO, approval of the appointing authority and the death certificates/s) of the pensioner and other family pensioners and the self-certificate for income.

8. Such an authorization shall become invalid in case a person becomes member of family after issue/amendment of such PPO and is entitled to family pension prior to the disabled child/sibling/dependent parents at the time of the death of the Pensioners/spouse. For example, the pensioner may marry/remarry after the death of first spouse or adopt a child. Such spouse/child may be eligible for family pension at the time of death of the pensioner or death/ineligibility of the spouse. A child adopted by the spouse of the pensioner shall not be treated as a member of the Family of the deceased pensioner. A decision regarding grant of family pension in such cases will be taken by the appointing authority in accordance with provisions of A151/80.

9. In order to facilitate the prompt payment of the family pension in such cases, Armed Force Personnel/pensioners/their spouses may open a bank account of such children/siblings/parents and submit the same to the Pension Sanctioning authority through the appointing authority for inclusion in the PPO /revised PPO.

10. This issues with the concurrence of the finance Division of this Ministry vide their UO No.10(01)/2015/FIN/PEN dated 24.03.2015.

Source: www.desw.gov.in

Delay in payment of pensionary benefits to Ex-Servicemen - Financial Services Orders

Delay in payment of pensionary benefits to Ex-Servicemen - Financial Services Orders

F.No.8/1/2012-B.0.III
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Financial Services
(B.O.III Section)
******

2nd Floor, Jeevan Deep Building
10, Parliament Street, New Delhi-110 001
07th June, 2013

To
(i). The Chief Executives of all Pension Paying Banks.
(ii). The Chief General Manager, In-charge, Customer Service Department,
Reserve Bank of India, Central Office, Mumbai.

Sub.: Delay in payment of pensionary benefits to the Ex-Servicemen.

Sir,
I am directed to refer to the subject cited above and to say that a case of non-payment of ex-gratia amount of Rs. 9 lakhs by the UCO Bank, Jhajjar Branch came to the notice of the Department of Financial Services with the approaching that there may be more cases of nonpayment of pensionary benefits to ex-servicemen causing frustration and feeling of isolation in the minds of those who gave their best of life for defence of nation. Such instances may be easily lapped up by the media to paint a negative picture of the PSBs and the Government which could be avoided with a little alacrity on the part of the banking officials.

2. It is therefore requested to kindly look into the matter on top priority basis by sensitizing the bank officials to be more prompt on payment of pensionary benefits to the ex-servicemen without any further delay and also to the CPPCs which need to be streamlined for timely release of pensionary dues to the Armed Forces pensioners. Action taken in this regard be intimated to this Department at the earliest.

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Rakesh Kumar Gupta)
Under Secretary
Tel: 011 23348993

Source: www.financialservices.gov.in
[http://financialservices.gov.in/download.asp?rec=270&NotificationType=C]

Grant of Ex-servicemen status to recruits boarded out on Medical grounds with disability pension

Grant of Ex-servicemen status to recruits boarded out on Medical grounds with disability pension

No. 12(I)2005/D (Res-I)

Government of India

Ministry of Defence

Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare

D (Res-I)

 

New Delhi, the 18th March, 2013.

 

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

 

Subject : Grant of Ex-servicemen status to recruits boarded out on Medical grounds with disability pension.

 

The undersigned is directed to refer to Office Memorandum of even number dated 01.02.2006 wherein with the approval of Raksha Mantri it was decided that such recruits who were boarded out /released on medical grounds and granted medical/disability pension will also be covered under the category of ‘Ex servicemen’ for all practical purposes. Reference is also invited to DOP&T Notification No.G.S.R.757 (E) dated 04.10.2012 (published in the Official Gazette on 10.10.2012) wherein ex-recruits boarded out or relieved on medical grounds and granted medical disability pension have been given the status of Ex-servicemen. It has been reported that some Rajya Sainik Boards are not issuing Ex-servicemen cards to such ex-recruits as a result of which ex-recruits are being denied the benefits available to ex-servicemen. Various representations from ex-recruits are being received and court cases have also been filed in this regard.

 

2. In this context, DOP&T has also stated that though the said notification is effective from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette i.e. 10.10.2012, the Ministry of Defence has already granted status of Ex-servicemen for all practical purposes to ex-recruits who are boarded out/released on medical grounds and granted medical/disability pension vide OM dated 01.02.2006. Accordingly DOP&T has advised that Ministry of Defence may consider the issue of granting of Ex-servicemen status to such ex-recruits who are boarded out/released on medical grounds and granted medical/disability pension w.e.f. 01.02.2006 prior to the Notification and issue instructions to the Zila Sainik Board to this effect.

 

3. The matter has been examined in the Department and, with the approval of the competent authority, it is reiterated that such recruits who were boarded out/released on medical grounds and granted medical/disability pension will be covered under the category of ex-servicemen for all practical purposes as per the OM dated 01.02.2006 w.e.f. 01.02.2006.

 

4. KSB/DGR may accordingly take necessary action to grant ESM status to such ex-recruits to avoid further hardships to the ex-recruits and decisions of all court cases in this regard may be complied with immediately. This will enable eligible ESM to avail various facilities available to them.

 

5. KSB may issue specific instruction to all RSBs/ZSBs to grant ‘Ex-servicemen’ status to such ex-recruits who were boarded out/released on medical grounds and granted medical/disability pension with effect from 01.02.2006. This OM may be uploaded on the official website of DGR/KSB for wide publicity. Compliance report may please be furnished.

 

This has the approval of the competent authority.

 

sd/-

(Vineet Saini)

Deptty Secretary (Res-I)

 

Source: www.desw.gov.in

[http://www.desw.gov.in/sites/upload_files/desw/files/pdf/DESW-OM-Dated-18-03-2013.pdf]

PCDA Pension Orders 2013 : One Rank One Pension - Rate of Minimum Guaranteed Family Pension with effect from 24.9.2012 (Commissioned Officers)

PCDA Pension Orders 2013 : One Rank One Pension - Rate of Minimum Guaranteed Family Pension with effect from 24.9.2012 (Commissioned Officers)

An Important circular has been issued by the Office of the PR.Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions)-Allahabad regarding that the Dependent Pension (Special) and Dependent Pension (Liberalised) to Defence Service Personnel and Ex-Servicemen and also issued the table of minimum guaranteed family pension effect from 24.9.2012 (Commissioned Officers). Implementation of Government decision on the recommendations of the Committee Secretaries Committee- 2012 on the issues related to Defence Service Personnel and Ex-Servicemen- Improvement in Casualty Pensionary Awards for pre- 2006 Armed Forces Officers and JCO/ ORs and equivalents.

The main content of the order is reproduced and given for your information and also given a link to the original order...

Subject : Implementation of Government decision on the recommendations of the Committee Secretaries Committee- 2012 on the issues related to Defence Service Personnel and Ex-Servicemen- Improvement in Casualty Pensionary Awards for pre- 2006 Armed Forces Officers and JCO/ ORs and equivalents.

Reference : This Office Circular No. 503 dated 17.01.2013.

Kindly refer to Table No. 1 appended in this office circular cited under reference. Your attention is invited wherein to various nomenclature columns (Column 6, 8, 11, 13, 17,19) the 2nd Life awards of SFP and 2nd Life awards of LFP have been shown. However, in the case of Commissioned Officers it should be Dependent Pension (Special) and Dependent Pension (Liberalised). In order to facilitate the PDAs for smooth revision and implementation, the same has been rectified and an amended Table No. 1(Revised) is enclosed for necessary revision/ action.

It is also mentioned that the rates of Dependent Pension (Liberalised) in case both parents are alive are @ of 75% of LFP. This has been left out inadvertently which has now been reproduced in the revised table.

2.All Pension Disbursing Authorities are authorized to revise/ update the family pension in respect of Commissioned Officers equivalent as per tables attached to this circular, if the same is beneficial. Table No. 1 appended in Circular No. 503 is replaced by Table No. 1(Revised) annexed with this circular.
3.All other terms and conditions for revision of family pension in respect of pre-2006 Armed Forces family pensioners drawing pension under casualty pensionary awards shall remain unchanged.

sd/-
(ALOK PATNI)
ACDA(P)

No. Grants/Tech/0167-XIII (508)
Dated: - 19th February 2013.

Click here to get the "Rate of Minimum Guaranteed Family Pension with effect from 24.9.2012 (Commissioned Officers)"

Source : www.pcdapension.nic.in
[http://pcdapension.nic.in/6cpc/Circular-508.pdf]