After the initial comments from the Secretary
Pension and the Secretary Staff Side, the items which had been subjected to
discussion in the earlier meeting and the action taken statement thereon were
taken up. The following were the issues that came up for discussion in the
Action Taken Statement.
1. Abnormal delay in the issue of revised PPO to
pre 2006 retirees pensioners/family pensioners. (as per the minutes of the JCM
held on 26.02.20125).The following information was given at the meeting:
Ministry/Deptt. Total Cases
Revised authority issued PPOs yet to be
revised
Civil Ministries 431172 425599 5573
Railways 984260 984260 Nil
Posts 159675 159675 Nil
Telecom 53126 52284 272
2.Cashless treatment to CGHS beneficiaries by
empanelled private hospitals. The health Ministry officials stated that since
the budgetary provisions are made separately for each Ministry it was not
possible to ensure cashless treatment to serving employees. The concerned Department
or Ministry has to enter into agreement with the hospitals.
3.Finalisation of Family pension cases within a
specified period.
It was stated by the official side that the
instructions have already been issued. Regarding the complaint from the M.P.
Circle of the Postal Department, the matter has been taken up with the
concerned authorities on 6.2.2015. The representative of the Postal Department
said that the complaint has been attended to and the matter has been settled.
Agenda Items for the meeting:
1. Grant of Gratuity on retirement/death of a
Central Govt. NPS subscriber. The representatives of the Pension department
said that the Department of Expenditure has given their concurrence for the
grant of Gratuity for the NPS subscribers on 8.1.2016. The requisite amendment
to the rules, they added were being processed and the consultation with the Law
Ministry and the Labour Ministry have already been made. They said that they
would expedite the issuance of orders in the matter.
2. Extension of the benefits of full pension to
pre-2006 pensioners who had completed more than 20 years of service but less
than 33 years. The Staff side said that despite series of judgements in favour
of the pensioners, the Government has not yet issued the orders. Recently the
Nagpur Tribunal has issued a contempt notice to the Government. They also
alleged that the pensioners are being dragged to litigation. The
Representatives of the Pension Department informed that the Department of
Expenditure had not agreed to extend the benefit generally to all which has
resulted in filing appeal. The representative of the Department of Expenditure
stated that in the light of the view of the Department of legal affairs, the
matter would be re-examined.
3. Delay in the finalisation of Family pension
cases by the PCDA (Pension) Allahabad. In response to the complaint the
representative of the Defence Ministry informed that only in a few cases, the
finalisation has been delayed due to the documentation difficulties. They
assured to sort out the matter.
4. Grant of modifed parity to all those who
retired prior to 1.1.2006 with reference to the upgraded post. The Staff Side
stated that the Department of Pension has taken a very narrow view of the
matter and the cases are dragged to the courts of law. The very spirit of the
recommendation of the 5th CPC to bring about atleast modified parity if not
full parity has not been appreciated by the Govt. The issue was discussed at
length. The official side pointed out the decisions of the Court in favour of
the position taken by the Government in the case of K.S. Krishnaswany in CANO.
3174/3006, which has been upheld by the Honourable Gujarat High Court. In reply
the Staff Side pointed out that the said decisions quoted by the official side
had come about due to the phrase employed while issuing the original order viz.
corresponding replacement scale. After some discussions, the Chairman agreed to
look into the matter afresh and revisit the order of the Department of Pension
in the matter.
5.The meeting also discussed the difficulties of
Pensioners during the hearing of Pension Adalats. The Staff Side pointed out
the need to engage some knowledgeable person to assistant the complainants. The
official side said that there had been no prohibition in the matter. The
Petitioners are entitled to seek the assistance of another pensioner in
presenting his case. If specific complaint of denial of this facility is
brought to their notice, the Pension Department will issue the necessary
instruction in the matter.
The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the
Chair
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