Decentralization of Central Pension Accounting Office

Decentralization of Central Pension Accounting Office is not administratively feasible

No. A-11019/25/2015/MF.CGA(A)/NGE/AICAEA-HQ/425

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

CONTROLLER GENERAL OF ACCOUNTS

LOK NAYAK BHAWAN, KHAN MARKET

NEW DELHI

Dated, the 19th October, 2015

To,
The Secretary General,
All India Civil Accounts Employees Association,
17/2-C, P&T Quarters, Kali Bari Marg,
New Delhi -110001.

Subject: Decentralization of Central Pension Accounting Office.

Sir.

I am directed to invite your kind kind attention towards demand No. 17 of Charter of Demands submitted vide letter No. AICAEA/HQ/A-2/2015/519 dated 02.06.2015 on the subject cited above and to state that proposal has been examined by the CPAO and they have not recommended the decentralization of CPAO on the grounds that Electronic Government National Plan Scheme has been fully implemented in the CPAO.  As such, it is not administratively feasible to decentralization the CPAO.  A copy of CPAO's letter No.CPAO/Tech/Decentralization of CPAO/2015-16/1653 dated 12.10.2015 is forwarded herewith for your kind information.

Yours faithfully,

(D.D.K.T. Dason)

Assistant Controller of Accounts

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

CENTRAL PENSION ACCOUNTING OFFICE

TRIKOOT-II, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE,

NEW DELHI-110066

CPAO/Tech/Decentralization of CPAO/2015-16/1653

12.10.2015.

To,
Sh. D.D.K.T. Dasan
Asstt. Controller of Accounts
Office of the Controller General of Accounts
7th Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan,
Khan Market, New Delhi-110003

Subject:- Decentralization of Central Pension Accounting Office.

Sir,

I am directed to refer to your Office Letter NoA-l 1019 25.2015 MF.CGA(A)/NGE/AlCEA-HQ/387 dated- 01.10.2015 on the subject cited above and to offer the comments of CPAO as under:-

Taking into consideration rapid strides being made in IT decentralization of CPAO is not recommended due to the following. facts:-

i) With the movement towards e-PPO and e-Revision. the communication is increasingly being made with banks electronically minimising the effect of distance in transactions.

ii) After the operationalization of receipt of revision authorities from PAOs through digital signatures and on electronic mode. the pension processing shall become more efficient.

iii) E-PPO project for revision is Operational with four banks i.e. SBI, Chandni Chowk, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda and Canara Bank. Moreover, PFMS Division is developing a pension module under PFMS which is likely to be implemented w.e.f. 01.04.2016. After that it is expected that processing of pension payment will be more smooth and fast for stakeholders.

iv) It is desirable to reduce the human interface to minimise malpractices or malafied intentions.

v) The communication modes like telephone. e-mail, SMS etc. are becoming quickest. Hence any pensioner can lodge his grievance to Grievance Cell of CPPC of the concerned bank or grievance cell of CPAO.

vi) With the introduction of Defined Pension System w.e.f. 01 04.2004, out flow of new retirees is expected to reduce.

vii) Every information/ latest relevant orders and instructions are available at CPAO’S website and
accessible to all the stakeholders including pensioners.

viii) Pensioners have been provided the download facility of true copy of the Special Seal Authority by using login and passwords provided by CPAO.

ix) Banks/CPPCs are important agencies for outreach purposes-for pensioners.

sd/-

(Vijay Singh)

Sr. Accounts Officer (IT & Tech)

Source Order Images given below:-

Streamlining Action on Pension grievances-uploading of replies given by the Ministries/Departments to the petitioner on CPENGRAMS

Streamlining Action on Pension grievances-uploading of replies given by the Ministries/Departments to the petitioner on CPENGRAMS

No. 55/6/2015-P&PW(C)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, P.G. & Pensions

Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi,

the 29th September, 2015

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Streamlining Action on Pension grievances-uploading of replies given by the Ministries/Departments to the petitioner on CPENGRAMS.

It has been observed that in most of the cases of pension related grievance, the Ministries/Departments/Organizations do not upload the replies to the petitioner on the portal and close the cases. It is therefore requested that in case, any letter or orders etc, are issued by the concerned Ministry/Department/Organization for redress of the grievance or for not acceding the request of the petitioner for valid reasons, the same may also be uploaded on the portal CPENGRAMS.

It is again reiterated that since effective grievance redress mechanism is a priority of the Government, the quality of disposal is important and a well reasoned speaking reply should be furnished to the petitioner before closure of grievance an a copy of the same be uploaded on CPENGRAMS,

(Seema Gupta)

Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Source: Pensioners Portal
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D3/D03ppw/ppwc_290915.pdf]

Commencement of Pension in favour of retired Railway employees: Railway Bord

Commencement of Pension in favour of retired Railway employees: Railway Bord

Government of India

Ministry of Railways

Railway Board

No. 2015/AC-II/21/10

New Delhi Dated:17.08.2015

General Secretary,
NFIR,
3, Chelmsford Road,
New Delhi-110055

Dear Sir,

Sub:- Commencement of Pension in favour of retired Railway employees.

Ref:- Your letter no. II/35/Pt.11 dated 29.7.2015.

The undersigned is directed to refer to your letter ibid and state that Board has taken various steps to streamline the pension payment system to ensure that payment of pension is commenced from the month following the month of retirement and the grievances, if any, are redressed promptly, as indicated below:

i. Single Window System has been implemented with banks to do away with delays in commencement of pension payments inherent in the earlier system. In brief, the scheme envisages that Railways will hand over the PPOs issued during a month to the nominated nodal branch of the respective banks (located at the HQ of PPO issuing Railways) by 5th of the following month. The nodal branch is responsible to forward it to their concerned Centralised Pension Processing Centre (CPPC) by 1oth of the following month so that the CPPC can commence pension w.e.f. last day of the following month. The scheme has already been implemented with 22 banks and remaining banks are under process of implementation.

ii. Further, at present, the pensioner is called to the bank for submission of an undertaking about recovery of excess/overpayments before commencement of pension. In order to obviate delays in the process of commencement of pension on this account, Board , vide letter no. F(E)III 2008/PN1/13 dated 17.3.2015 , has issued instructions that requisite undertaking may be obtained by HOD from the retiring employee before his retirement and forwarded to pension disbursing bank along with PPO by the Accounts Officer. The pensioner would no longer be required to visit the bank to activate his first payment of pension.

iii. In addition, it is planned to issue e-PPOs to the banks under the centralised Pension application (ARPAN) which would do away with the delays altogether. The same is being tested and is expected to be rolled out by end of this year. Railways are being advised to strictly follow the instructions and monitor timely commencement of pension to the staff.

iv. RBI was also addressed to direct the banks to put in place a sound grievance redressal mechanism for pensioners at CPPC/ Pension Paying Branches of the Banks . RBI has since issued the advisory to the banks to ensure expeditious redressal of pensioners’ grievances.

v. Zonal Railways have been advised to scrupulously follow the instructions issued by Board in this regard.

Yours faithfully,

sd/-

for Secretary, Railway Board

Source: NFIR

[https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B40Q65NF2_7UNVpwdEw3N0ZFQjA/view]

91-yr-old ex-railway employee awaits revision in pension

91-yr-old ex-railway employee awaits revision in pension

HT Correspondent:, Hindustan Times  Ludhiana, October 27, 2014

Madan Mohan Lal Sobti, 91, has been awaiting a revision of his pension since the past three decades. Since his retirement on August 31, 1981, as the deputy chief controller from Moradabad Division for Northern Railway, Sobiti has been living on a paltry pension of Rs8,000, which includes his dearness allowance, fixed according the government pay scales at the time of his retirement, despite three revisions in the scales since.

Three pay commissions-of 1987, 1994 and 2006-instituted since he retired have revised government pay scales. While a CAT judgment ordered the Fifth Pay Commission to bring the pre-1986 and post-1986 retirees under the complete parity and the Sixth Pay Commission to bring the pre-2006 and post-2006 retirees under the modified parity scheme, his pension remained unchanged despite 14 written requests to the railway department. Sobti has even written to the railway board chairman and successive railway ministers, only to come a cropper.

"Moradabad divisional railway manager have harassed me for the past four years. They say that my service record file is either lost or misplaced and is thus in not available," he said.


He added that no search memo was issued to settlement section to trace out the file nor was an FIR was lodged with the GRP Moradabad in this regard despite several applications demanding it since 1991.
"The pay grades and pensions have increased by manifolds by the pay commissions. I could live a dignified life and could even bear my medical expenses if my pension were revised," said Sobti, who currently lives with his son at Sunder Nagar, Rahon Road.

MS Gill, the president of the All Indian Railway Retirees Federation said the case highlights the Railways' apathy. "Sobti has been suffering from several chronic diseases and has been advised not to leave the city. The Railways has not forced him to fight for his rights," he said, demanding a solution to the problem soon.

Source: Hindustan Times

Minuets of the 25th meeting of SCOVA: DA merger BSNL Pensioner, Arrears from 01.01.2006, CGHS facilities, Revision of PPO, Pension Adalat etc.

Minutes of the 25th meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) held on 05.09.2014 under the Chairmanship of Hon'ble MOS (PP) at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi.

MOST IMMEDIATE

SCOVA Matter
F. No. 42/29/2014-P&PW(G)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market, New Delhi - 110003
Date: 25th Sept, 2014

To

All the Pensioners Associations under present SCOVA

    Subject: Minutes of the 25th meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary (SCOVA) held on 05th Sept, 2014 under the Chairmanship of Hon'ble MOS(PP). Agencies

Please find enclosed herewith a copy of minutes of the 25th meeting of- Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) held on 05th September, 2014 under the Chairmanship of Hon'ble MOS (PP) at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi for your kind perusal and necessary action.

Encl: as above
(Sujasha Choudhury)
Dy. Secretary (P)

Click here to view original copy for List of Participants

Minutes of the Advisory Committee Meeting for Web-based Pensioner’s Portal held on 29th August, 2014

Minutes of the Advisory Committee Meeting for Web-based Pensioner’s Portal held on 29th August, 2014

F.No.41/30/201 1-P&PW(C)

MINUTES OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING FOR WEB-BASED PENSIONERS’ PORTAL HELD ON 29th AUGUST, 2014 UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF SECRETARY (PENSION, AR&PG)

A list of participants is annexed.

2. A meeting of the Advisory Committee for Web-Based Pensioners’ Portal under NeGP was held on 29th August, 2014 under the chairmanship of Secretary (P, AR&PG) in Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi with a view to seek suggestions etc. for further improvements of the Pensioner Portal.

3. Secretary (P, AR&PG) welcomed the participants and requested J S (Pension) to give a brief background of constitution and role of the Advisory Committee. JS (Pension) while giving the background mentioned that the Pensioner Portal has been progressing well based on the inputs provided from time to time by user Departments forming part of the Advisory Committee. The participants were also informed that since the last meeting of the Advisory Committee was held in June, 2013, the Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare (DoP&PW) have added to the Portal two new components namely Bhavishya (an On-line Pension Sanction and Tracking System) & Sankalp (an initiative to channelize the skill and expertise of pensioners in to meaningful social activities post retirement). While giving a brief description of background and concept of these two new applications, a brief glimpse of these two web based applications was also shown online to the participants. Both initiatives were well appreciated by the member of Advisory Committee. The participants were also informed that the website of Pensioners Portal which includes latest circulars/instructions/activities of the Department is regularly being updated.

4. At this point of time and in the context of Bhavi a software, the issue regarding timely processing of pension papers of prospective pensioners also came up. Secretary (PARPG) desired that the Departments/Offices dealing with pension papers should play a pro-active role in discussing with the pensioners any existing discrepancies/shortcomings in the service records and how best these could be rectified! overcome to avoid delay in processing the pension papers. He desired that all required actions should be completed well before the date of the retirement for timely disbursement of retirement dues.

5. The representative of Bharat Pensioner Samaj felt that software similar to Bhavishya should also be introduced for Railway Pensioners. To this, ED, Railway Board informed that Railways is already in the process of setting up separate Portal for Railway Pensioners named Arpan. He also informed that Railways, on pension matters, have been following the circulars/guidelines etc issued by DoPPW. Secretary (Pension) mentioned that circular issued by DoPPW should get percolated to all lower formations/implementing agencies as soon as possible to avoid any erroneous interpretations of Rules etc. and BHAVISHYA utilised in all Ministries/Departments for ensuring timely sanction of pension.

6. Thereafter, the agenda points were taken up. I S (Pension) explained the Action Taken Report (ATR) on the decisions taken in the last Advisory Committee meeting. The representative of Bharat Pensioner Samaj had sought some clarifications on point No. 4 of the ATR regarding FAQ format, linkage with the Website of Pensioner Portal and extending cooperation with Pensioner Association, which was explained by the representative of M/o Railways. With regard to extending cooperation to the identified Pensioner Associations by We Railway, it was decided that the DoP&PW will reiterate their earlier instructions on the same. The representatives of Bharat Pensioner Samaj and Indian Ex-Service League also stated that the computers with Scarmer & Printers which were supplied to them in 2008-2009 under Pensioner Portal Scheme are now obsolete (being old version) and it should be replaced by new one with latest compatible version. On this, it was felt that National Informatics Centre (NIC) team may visit these Associations in Delhi and give a feedback on the issue.

7. Giving a lead for discussions for further improvement of Pensioner Portal, Secretary (Pension) wanted to know from the representative of D/O Electronics & Information Technology (Deity) whether the evaluation of Pensioner Portal has reached its maturity and whether the mechanism of the Advisory Committee imbibed to play Advisory Role for improvement of Pensioner Portal still exists. The representative of Deity informed that new technologies such as Mobile Service Delivery, Cloud Computing ( Meghraj), AppStore etc. have recently emerged in the field of Information Technologies. The Deity has taken an initiative to study 5 big NeGPs for revamping those NeGPs by incorporating these technologies. DoP&PW can also think of new architecture for revamping of Pensioner Portal. This matter can be further discussed with Deity and on the basis of discussions Deity may come up with a new Project. Use of mobile applications would be desirable. J S (Pension) also pointed out to the representative of Deity for completing the lrnpact Assessment of Pensioners Portal by an independent agency for which DoP&PW has been writing to Deity for the last one year or so.

8. The DDG, NIC was of the View that since the Portal is meant for Pensioners who may not be so computer savvy and other stakeholders, the users of the Pensioner Portal should be visited to have more realistic view of improving the Pensioner Portal. The representative of D/O Ex- Serviceman Welfare mentioned that the present format of CPENGRAMS do not contain provisions for sending reminders by nodal officers to its subordinate formations. This facility should be created and there should be a provision of ‘Alert’ for ‘Directions’ subsequently issued by nodal Ministry to its subordinate formations. He also desired that there should be such facility for search of cases of Defence Personal on the basis of Army ID number which is carried by Defence Personnel throughout their service period and thereafier.

9. The representative of National Ex-Service League felt the need for simplification of use of Grievance Redressal facility for rural areas as most of the Ex-Servicemen reside in these areas. He was, however, informed that since internet facilities are speedily percolating to rural areas also through Common Service Centres (CSC), there should not be any difficulty even for pensioners from rural areas to make use of facilities under Pensioner Portal. However, the use of CSCs by pensioners in village areas could be worked out as this would lead to more optimum utilisation of resources.

Source: http://scm-bps.blogspot.in/2014/09/minutes-of-advisory-committee-for-web.html

Merger of DA & Interim Relief: Strong Argument before 7th CPC by Karnataka CG Pensioners Association

Merger of DA & Interim Relief: Strong Argument before 7th CPC by Karnataka CG Pensioners Association

The Karnataka Central Government Pensioners’ Association writes to 7th CPC on Merger of DA, Interim Relief, Re-employment as Consultant, Pensioner Grievances, Court cases pertaining to Pensionary benefits etc.:-

THE
KARNATAKA
CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PENSIONERS’ ASSOCIATION (REGD.)

( Estd: 1974; Regn. S.No.143/1983-84 d/ 9th August 1983 ) “Swarna”, 120/1,
2nd Main, Gayatri Devi Park Extension, Vyalikaval, Bangalore 56000
(Affliated to BPS New Delhi, AIFPA Chennai & KCCCGPAs Bangalore)
Email ID: cgpakarn@gmail.com Tel: 23468438

RNI Regn No: KRENG/2008/27233		Postal Regn No: KRNA/BGE/200/2012-14
President S SRamanatha Rao Tel: 2661 9394	Vice-President S SKargudri Tel: 25837178	Secretary Ashok S Kololgi Tel: 9448469351	Treasurer K S Menon Tel: 9743771933

Respected Chairman and Members of the 7th CPC –

At the outset, I wish the Commission easy going in its work and hope the Commission comes out with useful recommendations. Presumably, the recommendations apply to the members or some of the members of the Commission too.

Wherever we go and whenever we approach officers for certain help or concessions, as pensioners’ associations; in majority of the cases, the reply has been that they (the presently serving officers) too retire at some time, and that they would like to help out. But help does remain afar. The Ministry of Personnel & Pensions has been doing a great deal to liberalise the situation; but they have their handicaps, as the duty-departments remain lethargic. Not much can be done in this domain, perhaps.

The Point

Several pensioners’ associations/pensioners have written to the Commission on the pensioners’ interests and requirements – I refrain from calling them as ‘demands’ as this is the lot of the beggars. The two imminent issues for favourable consideration by the Commission, nay, the Government are: the Grant of Interim Relief, and the Merger of 50% of DA/DR with pay/pension, both retrospectively.
Both these requirements in principle have been acceded to in the past by the past Pay Commissions as well as the Government; and hence there should be no qualms at all in recommending/granting the two Requirements, in the interest of social justice, whether the Government has specifically made provision for this or not in the Terms of Reference.

(To recall, the Terms of Reference to the Commission by the Government stated clearly “(Item) (h) To recommend the date of effect of its recommendations on all the above. The Commission will make its recommendations within 18 months of the date of its constitution. It may consider, if necessary, sending interim reports on any of the matters as and when the recommendations are finalised. The decision will result in the benefit of improved pay and allowances as well as rationalization of the pay structure in case of Central Government employees and other employees included in the scope of the 7th Central Pay Commission.”

About a year back, the Tamil Nadu Government, while constituting its Pay Commission, granted two months’ pay as Interim Relief. One of the Central Pay Commissions in the past announced two instalments of Interim Relief. This explains the need for Interim Relief. As such, the two Appeals should be sanctioned without much time being wasted, as there are many pensioners in advanced age-rangewho desire to have this benefit.

The other point

I write this from experience. Over the last 50 (fifty) years,there has been a high and steady rise in the number of posts created in several departments of the Government, particularly so in the Class I senior-cadre, who belong to the All-India Services, in contrast to the number of creation of posts in the junior cadres. There is rise in the volume of work admittedly; but not as much as to have a high number of senior officers. Earlier, the Departments functioned with Section Officer (who managed office), Deputy Secretary (who initiated notings), Joint Secretary(who gave opinions) and Secretary (who took decisions), in the higher rank; and they did well in dealing with papers and in deciding the issues. The file-notings used to be clear, committed, fast and final.

In the past few decades, the ranks of Additional Secretary, Special Secretary and Consultants have crept into the Govt service, with more number of Joint Secretaries. It is my contention that these posts are superfluous and their salary/allowance bills are a dent on the Exchequer. More routine tasks are done after consultations over phone. Too many officers and too much time in dealing with disposal of papers – has been the practice in the Government. I therefore strongly opine that the number of such Class I officers in all the Departments of the Government, including the Ministries, must be drastically brought down. The work will be faster, and the responsibility for decisions is fixed on limited number of officers. The Hon’ble Prime Minister has shown the way. He has cut down on the number of Ministries.

There is a whisper that thirty percent of the retired officers are re-employed in their respective departments/offices after retirement, as Consultants or other-wise, continuing to do the same job! This is something difficult to be gulped. Perhaps, this should be examined and checked. The Dept of Personnel & Training in the Ministry of Personnel may help to know the facts. The Commission may kindly take a decision.

The third

Heading the Karnataka Central Government Pensioners’Association, Bangalore, during the last 12-15 years, the Assn has recently projected many Grievances of the pensioners/members with us; and none of them has been conclusively solved. Various Ministries have come up with Grievances cells; and these have become show-cases or postoffices, with just forwarding the complaints to some nodal officers, who remain unhelpful. The Ministry of Personnel and Pensions contemplated on time-frame for redressal of such grievances; but this has been a far cry. The mechanism to get Redressal to the home of the aggrieved pensioners must therefore be fast and satisfactory. It must be remembered that the pensioners are aged, and they need results quick. A good debate on this is required within the Government, and a result-orientation infused into these Grievances cells/portals.

The fourth point

In the last few years, it is experienced that the pensioners have been forced to go to different Courts in respect of their dues and needs. These mainly refer to fixation of pension, fixation of cut-off dates and implementation of Court verdicts by the Governments. This is a situation that the pensioners cannot happily face. A good lot of time and money is wasted. The Government must rationalise and liberalise its attitude, when the learned Judges of the Court have given their verdicts after due hearings from both the parties involved. Can the Commission say something on this point, please?

Grateful Regards to a Great Commission.
n S SRamanathaRao,
n President,
n Karnataka CGPA.
Bangalore,
D/ July 18, 2014.

Source: http://scm-bps.blogspot.in/2014/07/presiden-karnataka-central-government.html

Minimum pension should not be less than the minimum pay of the lowest cadre at any point of time: BCPC meeting for 7th CPC Memo

 Minimum pension should not be less than the minimum pay of the lowest cadre at any point of time. - BCPC, Chennai Camp has authorised Secretary General to include five points in 7th CPC memorandum. Confederation published the details of Central Government Pensioners Organisations meeting

BHARAT CENTRAL PENSIONERS CONFEDERATION

Camp: Chennai
Date: 14.06.2014

As scheduled the meeting of the representatives of various Central Government Pensioners Organisations took place today in Chennai. The meeting was presided over by one of the Vice Chairman of BCPC Comrade R.L.Bhattacharyya. 31 representatives from fifteen Organisations participated in this meeting. This meeting was called to discuss all the amendments and suggestions received on the draft memorandum prepared by BCPC and exhibited in the websites. Two organisations viz., All India Railway Retired Employees Federation, Secunderabad led by Comrade Y.N.Sasthry and All India Federation of Pensioners Associations, Chennai led by Comrade Balasubramanian have sent their written suggestions for amendment of the Draft Memorandum. Some of the representatives on the spot gave their suggestions either in writing or even verbally.

All these suggestions etc were frankly considered and either incorporated or ignored on the basis of consensus reached in the meeting.


It was also agreed that the memorandum should be submitted to the 7th CPC on certain fundamental issues relating to Pensioners so that these could be focussed and claimed serious consideration by the pay commission. It was also decided that some issues which were pressed hard by the representatives should also find place in this memorandum as miscellaneous items. Further it was decided that a separate Memorandum should be prepared by departmental specific Pensioners organisations like Postal Pensioners, BSNL Pensioners, Railway Pensioners etc, which should form Part – II of the Memorandum.

The final draft of the Common Memorandum would be finalised before 22nd June and would be placed in the websites of both the NCCPA and BPS. All Organisations are requested to post their comments and convey them through emails to NCCPA (nccpa.hq@gmail.com) latest by 25th June, 2014. After considering these comments, the final Memorandum will be prepared and submitted to 7th CPC on behalf of BCPC and all the participating organisations by 30th June, 2014.

A summary of the proceedings of this meeting is also attested.

Having succeeded in finalising a common memorandum on pensioners  related issues, the first step in the direction of uniting the pensioners has been taken. More than submission of this Memorandum to the Pay Commission, we should present it before the mass of pensioners all over the country and educate them as to why these fundamental issues have been raised with emphasis rather than raising all and sundry issues before the pay commission. The meeting unanimously accepted this approach and authorised the Secretary General to finalise with the following five points prioritised:

   Scrapping the New Pension Scheme and PFRDA.

    Parity of Pension between the past and future pensioners.

    Periodical revision of pension once in 5  years in future.

    Minimum pension should not be less than the minimum pay of the lowest cadre at any point of time.

    Quantum of pension @ 67% of the Last Pay Drawn or 10 months average whichever is greater and additional pension for older pensioners.

    Comprehensive cashless as well as hazzle free medicare scheme for all pensioners without any discrimination.

This memorandum represents the aspirations of the entire community of pensioners and therefore it is primarily meant to be addressed to them if the Commission does not impart justice on the issues raised by us in this memorandum. The membership should be prepared and united for appropriate action to back these demands.

It is hoped that all Pensioners Organisations would endeavour to involve the entire membership in  pursuance of these goals, which we have raised before the Pay Commission.

Comradely Yours,
(S.K.Vyas)
Secretary General

Source: http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/

Issue of PPO on the Date of Retirement: PIB News

 Reducing Delays in First Payment of Pension – Submission of Undertaking along with Pension Papers – Issue of PPO on the Date of Retirement – Reg

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

18-June-2014 15:37 IST

Reducing Delays in First Payment of Pension – Submission of Undertaking along with Pension Papers – Issue of PPO on the Date of Retirement – Reg


The Government has observed that the first payment of pension after retirement gets delayed mainly due to two reasons. One, the delay in receipt of intimation by the pensioner that pension papers have reached the bank and two, delay on part of the pensioner in approaching the bank for submission of undertaking that he shall refund or make good any amount to which he is not entitled.


In a recent workshop with Pension Secretaries of State Governments, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions stated that the Government had decided that the required “Undertaking” may be obtained by the Head of Office from the retiring Government servant and forwarded to the pension disbursing bank along with the Pension Payment Order (PPO). The bank shall credit the pension to the account of the pensioner as soon as this Undertaking is received along with the pension documents. The pensioner would no longer be required to visit the bank to activate the first payment of pension.

This change in procedure has one additional advantage that the PPO can now be handed over in person to the retiring employee along with other retirement dues. Earlier the pensioner had to approach the bank to his copy of PPO.

With this change in rules and procedures, the pensioners would be saved considerable inconvenience and delay and his pension will commence as soon as he retires.

This and other reform initiatives were brought forth by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in his meeting with the Pension Secretaries of State Governments held on June 12, 2014.

Source: PIB

Interactive Conference with Secretaries (Pension) of State Governments

Interactive Conference with Secretaries (Pension) of State Governments

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

12-June-2014 15:40 IST

Interactive Conference with Secretaries (Pension) of State Governments

The Department of Pension & Pensioner’s Welfare held its first interactive Conference with the State Secretaries (Pension) here today with the objective of sharing information, experience and best practices on pension matters.

Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions stated that Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare is working with the vision of ensuring a life of dignity for Pensioners. The goal is to ensure 100% payment of all retirement dues and the delivery of Pension Payment Order to retiring employees on the day of retirement itself. To this end the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has taken a number of steps including review of forms, simplification of procedures and issue of clarificatory instructions thereof etc. An online Pension Sanction & Payment Tracking System called BHAVISHYA has been launched. By ensuring complete transparency, this system would obviate delays in sanction and payment of pension.

In furtherance of what the Prime Minister has been insisting upon, i.e. benefits to reach to all the States and not merely restricted to Centre, the Department of P&PW, for the first time, convened a meeting with Pension Secretaries of State Governments with intention to share experiences and exchange views on common pension related issues and also to impress upon them that the vision of ensuring life of dignity for pensioners, passes on the State government pensioners too.

Invoking PM’s mantra of “Skills, Scale and Speed”, Dr Jitendra Singh, MOS(PP)stated that the Department of Pension should look into the urgent need to utilize the skill and experience of the pensioners for the betterment of the Society. This was specially necessary in view of the increase in the number of retiring employees and increased life span.

Dr. Jitendra Singh further suggested that pre retirement counseling workshops which are being institutionalized by the Department of Pensions for the Central Government retiring employees should also be organized by the State Government for the state employees. Workshops should also be geared to prepare even the younger employees to be ready to face life after retirement. He opined for old and disabled pensioners, there should be a mechanism for delivering pension at the doorstep.

The Workshop was attended by 23 States /UTs. The response of the participants was very enthusiastic and they complimented Secretary (AR& PG and Pensions) Shri Sanjay Kothari for the same. There was a general request for regular interactions of this nature.

http://pib.nic.in/archieve/others/2014/jun/d2014061206.pdf
Source: PIB

"BHAVISHYA" Pension Sanction and Payment Tracking System Launched on Pilot Basis

"BHAVISHYA" Pension Sanction and Payment Tracking System Launched on Pilot Basis

 Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

14-February-2014

 Pension Sanction and Payment Tracking System Launched on Pilot Basis

The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has launched a web based Pension Sanction and Payment Tracking System “ BHAVISHYA” which provides for on-line tracking of sanction and payment processes by the individual as well as the administrative authorities. The new proposed system will capture information relating to the pensioner’s personal and service data including contact details like mobile number and e-mail etc. It will also have electronic Forms required to be submitted to pension sanctioning authority. The system will keep retiring employees informed of the progress of pension sanction process through SMS/E-mail in future. The application will help in monitoring the delays which take place in sanction of pension and retirement benefits to a retiring Government Servant.

The software has been launched on a pilot basis in fifteen Ministries/Departments of the Government viz. Department of Home, D/o Electronics & Information Technology, M/o Statistics & Programme Implementation, M/o Steel, D/o Health, D/o Family Welfare, D/o Ayush,M/o Urban Development/o Textiles, D/o Commerce, D/o Industrial Policy & Promotion, Planning Commission, D/o Personnel & Training/o Administrative Reforms &Public Grievances and D/o Pension & Pensioners Welfare.

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Source: PIB