Thursday, December 31, 2020
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON COVID-19 VACCINE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON COVID-19 VACCINE FOR GENERAL PUBLIC AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS/FRONTLINE WORKERS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON COVID-19 VACCINE
TARGET GROUP: GENERAL PUBLIC
S.No. | Question | Potential response |
1 | Is a COVID vaccine scheduled soon anytime? | Yes, vaccine trials are under different stages of finalization. Government of India is geared to launch a vaccine for COVID 19 soon. For more information and updates visit www.mohfw.gov.in |
2 | Will COVID 19 vaccine be given to everyone simultaneously | Based on the potential availability of vaccines the Government of India has selected the priority groups who will be vaccinated on priority as they are at higher risk. The first group includes healthcare and frontline workers. The second group to receive COVID 19 vaccine will be persons over 50 years of age and persons under 50 years with comorbid conditions. |
3 | Is it mandatory to take the vaccine? | Vaccination for COVID-19 is voluntary. However, it is advisable to receive the complete schedule of COVID-19 vaccine for protecting one-self against this disease and also to limit the spread of this disease to the close contacts including family members, friends, relatives and co-workers. |
4 | Will the vaccine be safe as it is being tested and introduced in a short span of time? | Vaccines will be introduced in the country only after the regulatory bodies clear it based on its safety and efficacy. |
5. | Can a person presently having COVID-19 (confirmed or suspected) infection be vaccinated? | Person with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection may increase the risk of spreading the same to others at vaccination site. For this reason, infected individuals should defer vaccination for 14 days after symptoms resolution. |
6. | Is it necessary for a COVID recovered person to take the vaccine? | Yes, it is advisable to receive complete schedule of COVID vaccine irrespective of past history of infection with COVID-19. This will help in developing a strong immune response against the disease. |
7 | Out of the multiple vaccines available, how is one or more vaccine chosen for administration? | The safety and efficacy data from clinical trials of vaccine candidates are examined by Drug regulator of our country before granting the vaccine chosen for license for the same. Hence, all the COVID-19 vaccines that receive license will have comparable safety and efficacy.However, it must be ensured that the entire schedule of vaccination is completed by only one type of vaccine as different COVID-19 vaccines are not interchangeable. |
8 | Does India have the capacity to store the COVID vaccine at temperature of +2 to +8 degree Celsius and transport them at | India runs one of the largest Immunization programme in the world, catering to the vaccination needs of more than 26 million newborns and 29 million pregnant women. The programme mechanisms are being strengthened / geared up to effectively cater to the country’s large and diverse population. |
9. | Will the vaccine introduced in India be as effective as the ones introduced in other countries? | Yes. The COVID 19 vaccine introduced in India will be as effective as any vaccine developed by other countries. Various phases of vaccine trials are undertaken to ensure its safety and efficacy. |
10. | How will I know if I am eligible for vaccination? | In the initial phase, COVID 19 vaccine will be provided to the priority group- Health Care and Front-line workers. The 50 plus age group may also begin early based on vaccine availability. The eligible beneficiaries will be informed through their registered mobile number regarding the Health Facility where the vaccination will be provided and the scheduled time for the same. This will be done to avoid any inconvenience in registration and vaccination of beneficiaries. |
11. | Can a person get the COVID-19 vaccine without registration with Health Department? | No, registration of beneficiary is mandatory for vaccination for COVID 19. Only after registration the information on the session site to visit and time will be shared with the beneficiary. |
12 | What documents are required for registration of eligible beneficiary? | Any of the below mentioned ID with Photo may be produced at the time of registration: • Driving License |
13 | Will a Photo / ID be required at the time of registration? | The Photo ID produced at the time of registration must be produced and verified at the time of vaccination |
14 | If a person is not able to produce Photo ID at the session site, whether s/he be vaccinated or not? | Photo ID is a must for both registration and verification of beneficiary at session site to ensure that the intended person is vaccinated |
15 | How will the beneficiary receive information about due date of vaccination? | Following online registration, beneficiary will receive SMS on their registered mobile number on the due date, place and time of vaccination. |
16. | Will vaccinated beneficiaries receive information on the status of their vaccination after completion? | Yes. On getting due dose of COVID 19 vaccine, the beneficiary will receive SMS on their registered mobile number.After all doses of vaccine are administered, a QR code based certificate will also be sent to the registered mobile number of the beneficiary. |
17. | If one is taking medicines for illnesses like Cancer, Diabetes, Hypertension etc, can s/he take the COVID- 19 vaccine? | Yes. Persons with one or more of these comorbid conditions are considered high risk category. They need to get COVID -19 vaccination. |
18. | Are there any preventive measures and precautions that one needs to follow at the session site? | We request you to rest at the vaccination centre for atleast half an hour after taking the COVID-19 vaccine. Inform the nearest health authorities I ANM I ASHA in case you feel any discomfort or uneasiness subsequently.Remember to continue following key COVID Appropriate Behaviours like wearing of mask, maintaining hand sanitization and physical distance (or 6 feet or Do Gaj). |
19 | What about the possible side-effects from COVID-19 vaccine? | COVID Vaccine will be introduced only when the safety is proven. As is true for other vaccines, the common side effects in some individuals could be mild fever, pain, etc. at the site of injection. States have been asked to start making arrangements to deal with any Covid-19 vaccine-related side-effects as one of the measures towards safe vaccine delivery among masses. |
20. | How many doses of the vaccine would have to be taken by me and at what interval? | Two doses of vaccine, 28 days apart, need to be taken by an individual to complete the vaccination schedule. |
21. | When would antibodies develop? After taking first dose, after taking second dose, or much later? | Protective levels of antibodies are generally developed two weeks after receiving the 2nd dose of COVID-19 vaccine. |
TARGET GROUP: HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS/FRONTLINE WORKERS
Sl No. | Question | Potential response |
1. | Why am I being chosen for COVID 19 vaccine? | Government of India has prioritised the most at risk/high risk groups which will get the vaccine first. Healthcare providers have led the battle against COVID 19 from the front. The government wants you to be able to continue your work, without the fear of risk associated with the virus. Therefore, healthcare and frontline workers are among the first group of people to be vaccinated in the country. |
2. | What are the groups to be vaccinated in the first phase? | Based on the potential availability of vaccines the Government of India has selected the priority groups who will be vaccinated on priority as they are at higher risk. The first group includes healthcare workers because they are at high risk of contracting the infection and protecting them helps to sustain essential health services. The vaccination of frontline workers will help in reducing the societal and economic impact by reducing COVID- 19 mortalities. The next group to receive COVID 19 vaccine will be persons over 50 years of age and persons under 50 years with comorbid conditions because there is high mortality in this category. The reason for including more than 50 years of age group for vaccination is that it will be able to cover 78% of persons having co-morbidities and thereby reduce mortality on account of COVID-19. |
More than 50 years of age group is divided into two sub groups. One sub group is 60 years and above, they will be vaccinated first. Second sub- group is between 50 to 60 years age group, they will be vaccinated after the first sub group is covered. The vaccination may not be sequential. It can go in parallel for all beneficiaries depending on the availability of the vaccine. | ||
3. | Will my family members also be given the vaccine? | Due to the limited vaccine supply in the initial phase, it will first be provided to people who are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19. In subsequent phases the COVID 19 vaccine will be made available to all others in need of the same. |
4. | Is this vaccine safe? | Yes. Safety and efficacy of vaccine will be ensured through various phases of vaccine trials and only then a vaccine will be introduced. |
5. | Does one need to follow preventive measures such as wearing a mask, hand sanitization, social distancing after receiving the COVID 19 vaccine? | Even after receiving the COVID 19 vaccine, we must continue taking all precautions like use of face cover or masks, hand sanitization and maintain distancing (6 feet or Do Gaj). These behaviours must be followed both at the session site and in general. |
6. | Are there any common side- effects of this vaccine? | The COVID 19 vaccine will be safe and effective but may have minor side effects like fever, pain, etc. at the injection site. These effects can happen in any vaccine. |
Source: mohf
Friday, December 25, 2020
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
TRAVELLING ALLOWANCE RULES – PRODUCTION OF RECEIPTS/VOUCHERS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF TRAVELLING CHARGES FOR TRAVEL WITHIN THE CITY ADMISSIBLE UNDER DAILY ALLOWANCE ON TOUR
No. 19030/2/2020-E.IV
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
North Block, New Delhi
Dated 22nd December, 2020
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Travelling Allowance Rules – production of receipts/vouchers for reimbursement of Travelling charges for travel within the city admissible under Daily Allowance on tour- regarding.
The undersigned is directed to refer to Para 2 (E) (i) & (ill) of this Department’s OM No. 19030/1/2017-E.IV dated 13.07.2017 regarding Travelling Allowance Rules — Implementation of 7th CPC vide which reimbursement for Travelling Charges for travel within the city admissible under Daily Allowance on Tour, has been prescribed. As per Para 2E(iii) of this O.M. Level 8 & Below have been allowed reimbursement of Travelling Charges without production of vouchers against self — certification and Level 9 & above have to produce vouchers.
2. Several references have been received in this Department regarding difficulties being faced by the officials in Pay Level 9 to 11 for production of receipts/vouchers while claiming reimbursement of Travelling Charges for travel within the city admissible under Daily Allowance on Tour as per Para 2E(i) of Annexure to this Department’s OM dated 13.07.2017.
3. The matter has been considered in this Department and it has been decided that for reimbursement of Travelling Charges admissible under Daily Allowance on tour as mentioned in Para 2E(i) of OM dated 13.07.2017, condition of production of receipts/vouchers for officials in Pay Level 9 to 11, is done away with subject to furnishing of self-certification in which officials have to indicate the period of travel, vehicle Number etc.
4. In their application to the persons belonging to the Indian Audit & Accounts Department, this order is issued under Article 148(5) of the Constitution and after consultation with the Comptroller & Auditor General of India.
9. This is issued with the approval of Secretary (Expenditure).
Hindi version is attached.
Sd/-
(Nirmala Dev)
Director
To,
All Ministries and Departments of the Govt. of India etc. as per standard distribution list.
Copy to : C&AG and U.P.S.C. etc. as per standard endorsement list.
GUIDELINES REGARDING TREATMENT OF CGHS BENEFICIARIES IN EMPANELLED HCOS IN DELHI-NCR
(CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW) https://cghs.gov.in/showfile.php?lid=5952
national pension system (NPS)
and future
of pension in the neo-liberal era.
M. Krishnan
Ex-Secretary
General, NFPE &
Confederation of Central
Govt. Employees &
Workers
(Paper presented in the National Webinar organised by AIPRPA
on 17-12-2020)
Fourth
Central Pay Commission headed by the Retired Justice of Supreme Court of India
Shri. Ashok Singhal, made the following observations regarding pension in para
2.13 of Part-II of its report:
“The concept
of pension, however old in its origin, had the latent and real desire to
provide for an eventuality - known and unknown.
The known eventuality was old age and probable reduction in earning
power, while unknown eventuality was disability
by decease or accident or death. It’s real purpose was security, social
security.
Eventhough the beginning was oblique, indiscernible and faint, but the
germ of an effort to provide security ran through the provision and it is
natural that it should have grown and flowered with the development of human
understanding and desire to look after and provide for those who deserve it,
for, man has constantly been seeking means by which to enhance his economic
security.”
Payment of pension to Government
employees started in Europe for the first time in Nineteenth Century. It’s genesis can be traced to the first Act
of Parliament in United Kingdom (Britain) in1810, to be concerned with the
provision of pension generally in Public Offices. The Act which substantively
devoted itself exclusively to the problem of Superannuation pension was passed
in 1834, called Superannuation Act 1834.
These are landmarks in pension history because they attempted for the
first time to establish a comprehensive and
uniform scheme for all, whom we may call
civil servants. In England, the basic
social security pension was introduced from the year 1946. In USA the pension was first introduced as a
social security scheme. It was
thereafter, that the Civil services retirement pension system was introduced in
USA in 1920. In fact, social security in
old age commended itself in earlier stages as a moral concept, but in the
course of time it required legal connotation.
In India the first pensioner’s Act
was introduced in 1871. Under the
Pensioners Act 1871, enacted during the
British Regime, Pension is a bounty given as a
matter of grace, depending on the sweet will of the employer and was to be paid
by the Collector or the Deputy Commissioner or other authorised officer. Initially this class of Pension appears to
have been introduced as a reward for loyal service.
In the course of transformation of
society from feudal to welfare state and as socialistic thinking acquired
responsibility, states obligation to provide security in old age, an escape
from undeserved want, was recognised and as a first step, pension was treated not
only as a reward for past service, but with a view to helping the employee to
avoid destitution in old age. The quid-pro-quo
was that when the employee was physically and mentally alert, he/she has
rendered unto the master the best, expecting the master to look after him in
the fall of life.
After Independence of our country,
just like every citizen of our country, Pensioners also expected positive
changes in the attitude of the National Government towards, the issues of
pensioners and improvement in the Pension structure. But nothing of that sort happened. Instead, the very same attitude of the
British Government was followed and pensioners became a neglected lot, a
category of unwanted people, a non-productive financial burden, a head-ache to
the Government. Once an employee retires
from service, the nexus between him and the Government was broken. Problems of pensioners were being placed at
the lowest position in the priority list, instead of seriously considering them
on top priority basis. The Government
mostly remained adamant, refused to budge, turned a deaf ear to the problems of
pensioners. In the 1st, 2nd and 3rd
Central Pay Commission’s terms of reference, revision of pension structure and
other pensionary benefits of the Central Government employees was not
included. Poor Pensioners could not
ventilate their grievances and they could not demonstrate as there was no
organised movement of pensioners at that time.
Most of the poor pensioners prayed to the God to improve their lot.
Inspite of acknowledging the right
to pension in Article 366(17) of the Constitution of India, in reality no
preference was given to pensioner’s till 1982.
1982 became a turning point in the history of Pensioners in India. It is in that year, Honourable Supreme Court
of India upheld the right to Pension.
The historic judgement in the Nakara case, which is called the magna
carta of pensioners, was delivered on 17-12-1982 by the five member
constitution bench of the Hon’. Supreme Court of India. I am not
going into the details of the Judgement, as my collegue Com: K.Raghavendran has
already dealt in detail, the important aspects of the judgement.
It is at that time, in 1983,
Central Government appointed 4th Central Pay Commission. Inspired by the historic judgement,
Pensioners Associations, big and small, sprang up at all important cities of
the country. The National Council, Staff
side of the Joint Consultative Machinery, of the Central Government serving
employees also siezed of the importance of the judgement. Just like 1st, 2nd & 3rd Central Pay Commissions
in the terms of reference of the 4th Central Pay Commission also, there was no
mention about revision of pension and other pensionery benefits of Central
Government employees. Combined demand of
National Council (JCM) staff side and the Pensioners organisations compelled
the Government to amend the terms of reference of 4th CPC and the following
item was also incorporated in the terms of reference.
“to examine
the existing pension structure including DCRG and making recommendations which
may be desirable and feasible”.
Fifth Central Pay Commission
headed by Retired Supreme Court Justice (Shri) S.Ratnavel Pandian made the
following observation regarding pension.
“Pension is
their deferred wage. Pension is their
statutory, inalienable and legally enforceable right and it had been earned by
the sweat of their brow”.
In the year 1971, the Hon’ble
Supreme Court of India while disposing the case pertaining to Deokinandan
Prasad Vs. State of Bihar, declared that pension is a property under Article
31(1) of the Constitution and by a mere Executive order, the state had no power
to withhold the same.
Fourth Central Pay Commission in
para 2.3 of the Part-II Report, reiterated as follows:-
“Pension is
not by way of charity or an ex-gratia payment, or a purely social welfare
measure, but may fairly be said to be in the nature of a “right” which is
enforceable by law”.
As already mentioned consequent on
pronouncement of Nakara Judgement by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, the
Government was compelled to include the clause regarding revision of pension
and pensionary benefits, in the terms of reference of 4th and 5th Central Pay
Commission. But when it came to 6th
Central Pay Commission, the
terms of reference was modified as follows:
“To examine the principles which
should govern the structure of pension to the present and former Central Govt.
Employees appointed before 1st January 2004.”
Thus the revision of pension and
pensionary benefits of Central Govt. Employees appointed after
01-01-2004, was completely excluded from the purview of 6th Pay Commission.
The reason for this change is that
the Govt. of India has introduced a New Contributory Pension Scheme for the
Central Govt. employees who joined service on or after 01-01-2004.
Pension
Refeorms in India and New Contributory Pension Scheme (NPS):
Consequent on implementation of
neo-liberal globalisation policies in 1980s, Pension privatisation offensives
has engulfed the workers and employees almost all over the world. Govt. of India also faithfully followed the
international dictates of the world capitalism.
Union Finance Minister of the erstwhile BJP Govt. ie. A.B.Vajpayee
Government in its budget speech 2001-02 envisaged a new Pension Scheme based on
defined contribution instead of defined benefit,
to new entrants entering Government service.
As a sequel to the above announcement
a High Level Expert Group was constituted on 25th June 2001 to review
the existing pension scheme and provide roadmap for introducing a new pension
system based on defined contributions.
Based on the recommendations of this committee called “Bhattacharyya
Committee on pension reforms”, the BJP Govt. issued an order on 17-12-2003,
under the title “New Pension for those appointed on or after 01-01-2004”. Government of India promulgated an ordinance
on New Pension Scheme (NPS) on 4th December 2004 to give legislative sanction
to the order. Most of the State
Government in India also followed the suit.
Govt’s repeated attempt to pass an Act in parliament could not succeed
due to stiff opposition of left parties who supported the then UPA Government
in power. Finally when a Government
without the support of Left Parties came to power the Pension Fund Regulatory
and Development Authority Act (PFRDA Act) was passed in the Parliament on 2013
September 18th.
Political
and Economic background of the New Pension System (NPS). The concept of privatized and individual
pension account and Private Fund Managers arose in the mid-eighties in Europe
and United States, when the economy of these countries,
suffered from a serious recessionary situation.
In Europe, the Government and Corporate sector thought of this change in
concept and implementation of Pension reforms largely by promoting a gradual
switch over for providing “Pensions” through funded schemes - ie; from defined
benefit to defined contribution, either managed by or on behalf of employing
companies (known in Britain as occupational pension scheme) or else on an
individual basis (Personal pensions).
Official propaganda sought to
justify this to the public on the grounds that the cost of tax payers on the
state funded schemes is no longer affordable and the pension fund scheme can
provide finance for productive investment and economic regeneration. The idea was that this private individual
finance, collected as pension contribution from the employees, when invested
will boost ,the declining share market and help economic revival. In fact,
the impetus behind the switch over towards funded pension schemes came from
politically powerful vested interests in the financial sector (ie. corporates)
who were anxious to strengthen and perpetuate the importance and profitability
of their own “industry”, thereby also increase the size of the “wall of money”
which helps to prop up the market value of their financial securities and other
assets.
Naturally, those who also promote
such increasing flows of funds into financial markets (share markets) did not
care to dwell on the likelihood that supply of funds may be rapidly
out-stripping the demand, and that there is consequent risk of serious losses
to investors (here in the case of Pension fund investors are employees) and the
collapse of the financial institutions. In reality,
any benefit supposed to depend on the vagaries of share market is always vulnerable
to total ruin. This happened during 2008 world recession.
At the beginning of 1980’s, the
International Monetory Fund (IMF) and World Bank, seriously took up the cause
of privatised Pension Scheme and consequent Pension Funds and burnt mid-night
oil to make a number of studies and set up various working groups. Publishing of the India specific report
released by World Bank in April 2001 titled - “India - Challenge of old age
income security” was followed by another report ‘ “IMF
working paper on Pension reforms in India” published in September 2001. The reports clearly stated that Pension
obligation (ie. obligation of the Government to pay pension as per the Pension
Rules) or promise ,made by the Government, which has potential on exerting
pressure on Government finance, has been the
focuss in assessing medium to long-term fiscal
sustainability. In tune
with the above neo-liberal dictates of the IMF and World Bank, in the 2001-2002
Budget spech of Finance Minister of then BJP Government made the observations
the Central Govt.’s Pension liability has reached unsustainable proportions and
hence it is high time that a new contributory pension scheme is introduced for
the Government servants entering the Central Government services.
It is quite clear that what the
Government of India was trying to do by introducing the so called “New Pension
Scheme” was nothing but faithfully following the pro-corporate pension reforms
in toto and thus it is a part of the imperialist globalisastion in the interest
of big capitalists and Multi National Companies and it has nothing to do with
the welfare of the employees or pensioners or any individual or even Government
finances.
Parliamentary Standing Committee
on Finance (2010-2011) of 15th Lok Sabha of Ministry of Finance headed by shri.
Yaswanth Sinha in its 14th Report on PFRDA Bill, has made the following
observations - Para 44 - “The Committee, deeply concerned about the uncertainty
of returns on the funds of the subscribers, are dismayed at the casual approach
of the Government as reflected in clause 20(g), wherein the hapless subscribers
have no implicit or explicit assurance of benefits, except market based
guaranteed returns mechanism, neither tried or tested. As any effective pension scheme needs to
be underpinned by stability of returns and reasonable post retirement incomes,
it is imperative that Government should provide for minimum guaranteed returns,
and not mere camouflage of market based guarantee, which should not be less than
the minimum returns available currently under ,the defined benefit pension
scheme. The Committee therefore,
desire that the Government must divise a mechanism to enable subscribers of NPS
to be ensured of such a minimum assured/guaranteed returns for their
pensioners, so that they are not put to any disadvantage vis-a-vis other
pensioners and thus going a long way in creating a sense of security amongst
the employees that not only would their capital be safe but they would also be
getting stable returns on the same. The
Committee, therefore, recommended that clause 20 (2)(g) of the Bill be altered
accordingly”.
Neither the Government has taken
any action to guarantee Minimum Pension as recommended by Parliamentary
Standing Committee, nor it has introduced a minimum assured returns scheme as
provided in sub-section 2(d) of section 20 of PFRDA Act 2013.
The Audit Report dated 4th August
2020 on National Pension System by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India
(C&AG) in Para 3.7 of its report made the following
observations/recommendations -
“As per PFRDA Act 2013, vide sub
section 2(d) under Section 20, the subscriber seeking minimum assured returns
shall have the option to invest his funds in such schemes providing minimum
assured returns as may be notified by the Authority. Even after
a lapse of more than 15 years since introduction of the NPS,
the subscribers were yet to receive such minimum assurance. Immediate steps need to be taken for
providing Minimum Assured Returns Scheme (MARS) in compliance to the provisions
of the PFRDA Act, to the subscriber for ensuring their social security post
retirement”.
As per the C&AG Audit report
dated 4th August, 2020, as on 31st March 2018, there are 58.01 lakhs Government
sector subscribers including 17,58,144 Central Government employees, 31,63,415
State Government employees, 1,70,856 Central Autonomous body employees and
7,08,585 State Autonomous body employees.
The pension of these 58 lakhs employees is not guaranteed and hence they
are living in a State of uncertainty about their futurte. Further they are not eligible for family
pension after death on retirement, Dearness relief, Additional pension inspite
of the fact that they are paying 10% of their salary every month including
Dearness Allowance towards New Pension Scheme.
They are also not eligible for pension revision through Pay
Commissions.
At the same time Corporates and
Multi National Companies are happy because as per the C&AG Audit report
dated 4th August 2020, the total Asset Under
Management (AUM) in NPS amounted
to 3,99,245 crores as on 31st January 2020
with 3,41,815.87 crores pertaining to Government Sector. (Central and State Government employees).
Employees
and Pensioners under Old Pension scheme (OPS) are also not safe:
Clause
12(5) of PFRDA Act is reads as follows:
“Notwithstanding anything
contained in clause (c) of sub section (3), the Central Govt. may, by
notification extend the application of this Act to any other pension scheme
(including any other pension scheme exempted and notified ,under clause (c) of
Sub section (3)”. That means no
seperate Act is to be passed in Parliament for this purpose.
The Central Govt. has made an
attempt in this regard, through 6th Central Pay Commission appointed in 2004,
ie. immediately after the introduction of New Pension Scheme from 01-01-2004.
As mandated by Government, the 6th
Central Pay Commission chaired by Rtd. Justice Sreekrishna has appointed Centre
for Economic Study and Policy, Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC),
Bangalore to suggest various options for suitable self-sustaining models to
finance the pensions of Central Government employees with the final objective that
funds so devised are able to meet substantially the entire pension liability of
the Government ie; pension liability of employees and pensioners coming under
the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and to
assess the financial liability that will need to be initially incurred by the
Government for implementation of such self-sustaining models.
The Committee made the following
recommendations -
“In case, the Government want to
create a pension fund to discharge their entire pension liability (ie; the
pension liability of Central Government employees and Pensioners coming under
old Pension Scheme), the study by the Institute of Scoial and Economic Change
(ISEC) reveals that the net present value of the projected pension liability is
Rs.3,35,628 Crores; based on an assumed rate of return of 8 percent. A fund of this magnitude will help the
Government to meet the pension payments from the returns of the fund and help
avoid earmarking resources on an annual basis for the mounting pension outgo
that takes place on account of Pay As You Go System (ie. old Pension System)
that currently happens in each budget.”
Government has neither accepted
this recommendation of 2006 of 6th Central Pay Commission nor rejected it. As ,the number of Old Pension Scheme
pensioners and Old Pension Scheme Central Govt. employees are coming down every
year, the Government may consider the proposal at the appropriate time. Thus, it
may be seen that the chances of converting the existing OPS pensioners and OPS
Central Government employees into pensioners getting pension from Pension fund
is still hanging over their head ,as a democleus sword. Suppose the pensioners and employees coming
munder the purview of Old Pension Scheme are brought under a Funded Pension
Scheme, as explained earlier, by a Gazette notification by the Government, they
will be governed by clauses and rules of PFRDA
Act. Their pension will be from
Pension fund. The amount of pension will
depend upon the vagaries of share market.
If Pension Fund collapse, there is no guarantee that they will get
pension. Further, they will not be
eligible for Dearness Relief, additional pension on attaining the age of 80
years, family pension if death takes place after retirement, pension revision based on the recommendations of Pay Commissions.
What
shall we do and how we can overcome this situation?
There is no short cut before the
Central Government employees and Central Government Pensioners,
both NPS and OPS, to overcome this
situation. Our social security is in
danger. We have to mobilise and fight
against these neo-liberal pension reforms.
We should build up a mass movement. We should learn lessons from the farmers of
India. Immediately on passing the farms
reforms Acts, they spontaneously reacted.
It is high time to organise, similar type of movement against NPS. Our one and the only demand should be “Scrap
NPS and restore OPS” (ie; Scrap National Pension System mand restore Old
Pension System). If 32 lakhs Central
Government Employees and 33 lakhs Central Government Pensioners rally behind
the demand and come to the street, no Government can ignore it. Along with the Central Government Employees
and Pensioners, if we succeed in making the State Government employees and
State Government Pensioner and Autonomous body employees and Pensioners, numbering about 150 lakhs also join the
movement, it will become a force of
about more than two crores in numbers and the Government will be compelled to
Scrap NPS and restore OPS. Let us work together for such a mass movement of
Employees & Pensioners. It
is not impossible. If farmers can do it, we can also do.
*************
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