N NCCPA

C C NEWS LETTER
P organ of
A National Co-ordination Committee of Pensioners’s Associations
13C, Feroz Shah Road, New Delhi-110001

Editor
K.K.N. Kutty

Associate Editor
Pabitra Chakraborty

Vol. 13 No.5
MAY- 2021

0ffice:
13.C Feroz Shah Road
New Delhi-110001

Dear Comrades,

The day to remember

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the struggles and sacrifices of the working class.
The National Secretariat of NCCPA greets all workers and pensioners
on this historic day. NCCPA thought it appropriate to observe the May
Day by organising a webinar, perhaps for the first time by any organisation
of Pensioners/retirees. As we are all aware, the observance of May Ist
as International Workers Day commenced more than a century back. It
was conceived to commemorate the supreme sacrifice of American
workers at Haymarket, Chicago in 1886.
The Communist manifesto written and released by Karl Marx and Engels
in 1848 had greatly impacted the working class movement throughout the

world, especially in Europe and America. The just demand
to restrict the working hours per day to eight had resonated
and the workers in many parts of America had begun to
raise this issue, for the realisation of which they organised
meetings and campaigned among the workers. Such a
meeting was to be held at the Haymarket square in Chicago
as part of the campaign amongst the industrial workers.
While the leaders of the movement were determined to go
ahead with the announced programme, the bourgeoisie,
the entrepreneurs and the politicians in power were equally
determined to prohibit convergence of the workers, if need
be even by employing violence. The brutality of Police
force employed by the ruling class resulted in the loss of
several lives both of leaders and the cadres and left
hundreds injured. The action of the provincial authorities,
the Police force and the Federal Government received the
widest possible condemnation. Ever since then, the day
is observed in memory of the comrades, who sacrificed
their life to ensure that the future generation of workers
are not exploited.
The norm of 8 hour working day got accepted in all civilised
world. Hundreds of Nations of the world made it into their
statute book. Free India made various enactments to
protect the interest of the workers and extended them
certain benefits and protection from exploitation. No doubt
all those enactments had not been the product of
graciousness on the part of the then rulers but were
certainly the offshoot of the innumerable struggles
undertaken by the Indian Working Class . It is those
enactments that had now been repealed by the present
NDA Government led by BJP. Inter alia, the stipulation of
8 hour working day has also been discarded. It has been
replaced with the dictum that the working hours must not
exceed 12 hours per day. This is the first May day, after
the new labour code of the Mody Government has become
the law of the land. What is exhibited is the class character
and class bias of the BJP the predominant partner of NDA.
The new labour code of BJP seeks to reverse the
fundamental right of the International community of
workers gained through a bloody struggle waged a century
and half back . It must also be stated that despite the norm
of 8 hour working day being a statutory obligation it had
been often violated with impunity. The free India’s law
enforcing agencies will lend a deaf ear to the complaints
of the workers. It is, therefore, rightly said that what had
been carrying on illegally, sans fear of punitive actions,
has now been legalised so that entrepreneurs need not
worry of even a stray official trying to enforce the law.
It is an occasion, we thought, must be used to remind our
members that they are basically workers as Pensioners are
workers who receive the deferred wage as Pension. As
workers, we must be concerned with the abrasive attacks
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MAY-2021
unleashed by the present government against not only
workers but also the common people. We must be
concerned of the agony, pain, distress and the utter
helplessness of our people in the face of the fast spreading
pandemic corona virus covid. 19 in its second avatar. What
we must ponder over as to what we must do to help out
our fellow country men in the days of the distress, mostly
man- made and avoidable. The pathetic sight of people
dying just because there had been no oxygen in the
hospital; there had been no bed available to take in a
patient; the queue of patients standing for medicine and
admission being replaced by a queue of relatives of
patients in front of the mortuary or cremation ground; can
we ignore these gruesome sights? The historians had
drawn the gory picture of Bengal during the great famine
days and the cruelty of the colonial rulers of those days.
Present picture of modern India reeling under the stress
and strain of the pandemic with a Government incapable
of looking after its people appears to be much worse.
The post 1991 decades witnessed the systematic
dismantling of the public health care system assiduously
built over years, in the name of liberalisation, privatisation
and globalisation. India had and continue to have the
best production units of vaccines. It can produce the
corona vaccine cheaper than any other Nation of the world,
perhaps with the exception of China. But we are now
confronted with the dire situation of the extreme deficiency
of the life saving vaccine. Vaccination has always been
free in our country as the ethos we had inherited would
not have allowed us to be the merchants of deaths. During
the last two years, many public sector vaccine producing
units were closed or handed over to the private parties.
The pricing system, the Government of India has
introduced from the Ist of May, 2021 and their refusal to
guarantee uninterrupted flow of vaccine to hospitals,
primary health centres etc. has created an extremely
untenable or piquant situation. The stony silence of the
powers that be borders on a criminal and felonious act.
NCCPA wishes to remind their members of the decision
taken by the Government of India to freeze the DA/DR in
the wake of the pandemic and the denial of the same for 18
months, which is supposed to end only in September, 2021.
The downward slide of the economy commenced even
before the pandemic entered the country, is bound to be
severe as the second wave has been much more
devastating. The denial of the DR dues must be seen
from the background of the flow of money from the
exchequer to the corporate houses in the name of bail-out
packages .
The key note address at the webinar was delivered by
Com. Hemalatha, President CITU. Our President, Com.

Shiv Gopal Mishra was present dot on time to preside
over the meeting, despite the fact that he had been under
isolation having affected by the covid. 19. Com.VAN
Namboodiri, Com.K.G. Jayaraj, conveyed their greertings.
Com.K.Raghavendran while greeting thanked the
participants , leaders and office bearers. Com. KKN Kutty
welcomed the participants and Chief Guest and presented
the issue to be discussed at the webinar very briefly. Com.
Hemalatha, in her elaborate key note address touched upon
the issues confronting the workers of the country, the
pandemic situation, the non-availability of the life saving
equipments, the consequences of destroying the public
health system, the severity of the attack unleashed on the
workers, the unemployment, the agony of the farming
community, their long struggle, the insensitiveness of the
Government in not settling the issues, the pathetic
condition of India and the Indian people, the role of the
workers in the present day context, the voluntary
assistance required to be rendered by the Pensioner
community to the suffering people at large etc. She also
spoke of the damage caused to the contemporary society
of India, the pervading obscurantism, the conscious
subversion of constitutional institutions, the sustained
attempts to divide the society and disrupt the secular social
fabric etc.
CITU has released their May day 2021 manifesto, the full
text of which has been published elsewhere in our journal.
The webinar was attended by114 comrades, much short
of our target and expectation. It appears that our inter
personnel communication is not very effective. The
organisational weakness that has come out clearly must
be a serious subject of discussion in our next National
Executive meeting. We wanted our NE meeting to be
organised physically and not on virtual platform. As the
pandemic is spreading unabated, we must have a re-
thinking on that matter.
Once again I convey the May day greetings to all NCCPA
members, on my own behalf and on behalf of the National
Secretariat of the NCCPA.
Yours fraternallhy,
KKN Kutty
Secretary General.
Empowerment of Senior Citizens – Measures taken by
government of India for the welfare of senior citizens:
Lok Sabha Q&A
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND
EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA
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MAY-2021
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 186
TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2021
EMPOWERMENT OF SENIOR CITIZENS
186. SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND
EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) the measures taken/to be taken by the Government to
tackle the various problems that a aged people have to
experience viz., decline in health conditions, retirement,
financial problems, loneliness and dependence upon others
considering the fact that the number of elderly in India is
expected to grow to 173 million by 2026, which is roughly,
18 crore by the next seven years; and
(b) the measures and policies implemented by the
Government to alleviate the problems of the aged people,
which includes, improving the economic and social
welfare, improving the health conditions, improving their
participation in activities and functions etc.
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND
EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA)
(a) & (b): A statement is laid out at Annexure A.
ANNEXURE-A
(As on December 2020)
MEASURES TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
FOR THE WELFARE OF SENIOR CITIZENS
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment:
1. Government of India, through Ministry of Social Justice
and Empowerment, announced the National Policy on
Older Persons (NPOP) in January 1999 to reaffirm the
commitment to ensure the well-being of the older persons.
The Policy envisaged State support to ensure financial
and food security, health care, shelter and other needs of
older persons, equitable share in development, protection
against abuse and exploitation, and availability of services
to improve the quality of their lives. The primary objectives
were to encourage individuals to make provision for their
own as well as their spouse’s old age; to encourage families
to take care of their older family members; to enable and
support voluntary and non-governmental organizations
to supplement the care provided by the family; to provide
care and protection to the vulnerable elderly people; to
provide adequate healthcare facility to the elderly; to
promote research and training facilities to train geriatric
care givers and organizers of services for the elderly; and
to create awareness regarding elderly persons to help them
lead productive and independent live.
2. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior
Citizens (MWPSC) Act, 2007 was enacted in December
2007 to ensure need based maintenance for parents and

senior citizens and their welfare. The Act provides for
Maintenance of Parents/ senior citizens by children/
relatives made obligatory and justiciable through
Tribunals, Revocation of transfer of property by senior
citizens in case of neglect by relatives, Penal provision for
abandonment of senior citizens, Establishment of Old Age
Homes for Indigent Senior Citizens, Adequate medical
facilities and security for Senior Citizens.
3. In order to make the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents
and Senior Citizens (MWPSC) Act, 2007 more
contemporary to the needs of senior citizens at large,
amendments, such as, adoption of uniform age criteria to
define a ‘senior citizens’, registration and prescribing
minimum standards of service, infrastructure, manpower
etc. in Senior Citizens Care Homes/Multi-service Day Care
Centres, rating of agencies providing Homecare services
to senior citizens etc. have been proposed. The
Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens
(Amendment) Bill, 2019 has been introduced in the Lok
Sabha on 11.12.2019.
4. The National Action Plan for the Welfare of Senior
Citizens (NAPSrC) is an umbrella scheme, effective since
1st April 2020, brings together articulation of each of the
current schemes, future plans, strategies and targets and
maps it with schemes/programmes, accountabilities,
financials and clear outcomes. It includes four sub-schemes
under it, namely:
 Scheme of Integrated Programme for Senior
Citizens (IPSrC): Setting up of Homes to improve the
quality of life of the Senior Citizens, especially indigent
senior citizens by providing basic amenities like shelter,
food, medical care and entertainment opportunities and
by encouraging productive and active ageing.
 State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC):
The Government of India perceives a major and critical
role of all State Governments in partnering and
implementing this Action Plan for welfare of senior citizens.
Each State/UT is expected to plan and strategize taking
into account their local considerations and frame their
own State Action Plans for the welfare of their senior
citizens.
 Convergence with Initiatives of other Ministries/
Departments in Government of India in the field of Senior
Citizens Welfare (CWMSrC): The NAPSrC has identified
initiatives to be taken by different Departments for the
benefit of senior citizens. These initiatives would be
collated, department-wise and communicated to them for
proposing Annual Action Plans in collaboration with this
department.
 Media, advocacy, capacity building, research and
study, pilots and any other project aimed towards the
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MAY-2021
welfare of the senior citizens and falling under the scope
and coverage of the NAPSrC through NISD (NISDSrC):
National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), an
autonomous body of this Department, is expected to be
the resource centre on senior citizens in the country. It will
be equipped to implement directly any project in
furtherance of the objectives of the NAPSrC.
5. Further, this Ministry has launched the ‘Rashtriya
Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)’ on 1st April, 2017 with an objective
to provide senior citizens, belonging to BPL category and
suffering from age related disabilities/ infirmities, with such
physical aids and assisted living devices which can restore
near normalcy in their bodily functions. Under the Scheme,
assisted living devices such as walking sticks, elbow
crutches, walkers/ crutches, tripods/ quadpods, hearing
aids, wheelchairs, artificial dentures and spectacles, free
of cost to senior citizens belonging to BPL category who
suffer from age related disabilities/infirmities such as low
vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth and loco-motor
disabilities. The Scheme has been revised w.e.f. F.Y. 2020-
21. Under the revised Scheme, the criteria of selection of
beneficiaries have been extended to include not only those
senior citizens belonging to BPL category but also senior
citizens with monthly income not more than Rs. 15000/-
and who suffer from age related disabilities/infirmities as
mentioned above. The Scheme is being implemented by
the “Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation
(ALIMCO)”, a Public Sector Undertaking under this
Ministry. The devices are distributed in the camp mode to
the identified beneficiaries. The Scheme is being funded
from Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund (SCWF).
6. In pursuance of the Budget Announcement, 2015-16, a
“Senior Citizens” Welfare Fund” has been created to be
utilized for such schemes, for promoting financial security
of senior citizens, healthcare and nutrition of senior citizens,
welfare of elderly widows, schemes relating to Old Age
Homes, Short Stay Homes and Day Care of senior citizens
etc. , for the promotion of the welfare of senior citizens.
The Fund comprises of the unclaimed amounts transferred
by every institution holding such fund in the Schemes
including Small Savings and other Saving Schemes of the
Central Government such as Post Office Savings
Accounts, Post Office Recurring Deposits Accounts etc.,
Accounts of Public Provident Funds and Accounts of
Employees Provident Fund, that remain unclaimed for a
period of seven years from the date of the account being
declared as inoperative account.
7. In pursuance of the National Policy for Older Persons
(NPOP), a National Council for Older Persons
(NCOP) was constituted in 1999 to oversee implementation

of the Policy and to advise the Government in the
formulation and implementation of policy and programmes
for the aged. The National Council for Older Persons
(NCOP) has been reconstituted and renamed as National
Council of Senior Citizens (NCSrC) in 2012. The mandate
of NCSrC is to advise Central and State Governments on
the entire gamut of issues related to welfare of senior
citizens and enhancement of their quality of life. The
Hon’ble Minister, Social Justice and Empowerment, is the
Chairperson of the Council.
8. In order to recognize the efforts made by eminent Senior
Citizens and Institutions involved in rendering
distinguished services for the cause of elderly persons,
especially indigent senior citizens, the Ministry of Social
Justice and Empowerment started celebrating
International Day of Older Persons (IDOP), since 1st
October, 2005, giving ‘Vayoshreshtha Samman’ in
recognition to their contribution to the society. Further,
in order to showcase the Government’s concern for senior
citizens and its commitment towards senior citizens with
the aim of strengthening their legitimate place in the
society, the Vayoshrestha Samman was upgraded
to National Award and the Scheme of National Awards
for Senior Citizens was notified in the Gazette of India on
22.01.2013. The Awards are given under thirteen
categories. The National Awards were presented for the
first time during 2013, on 1st October, on the occasion of
International Day of Older Persons (IDOP). On 1st October
every year, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
also organizes Health Camps, Inter-generational
walkathons etc. in different States with active participation
of Senior Citizens, Youth, Celebrities and Media-persons
etc.
Ministry of Rural Development:
9. National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a
Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Ministry of Rural
Development. NSAP is a social security/social welfare
programme applicable to old aged, widows, disabled
persons and bereaved families on death of primary bread
winner, belonging to below poverty line household. Old
age pension is provided under Indira Gandhi National
Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) to aged persons
belonging to below poverty line (BPL) household. Central
assistance of Rs. 200/- per month is provided to the
persons of 60-79 years of age and Rs. 500/- per month to
the persons of age of 80 years or more. This Scheme is
implemented by the States/UTs. Identification of
beneficiaries, sanction and disbursement of benefit under
the schemes is done by the States/UTs. A total of 221 lakh
is the targeted beneficiaries under IGNOAPS. The Scheme
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MAY-2021
is implemented in all States/ UTs in rural as well as urban
areas.
Department of Food and Public Distribution
10. Department of Food and Public Distribution allocates
food grains as per requirements projected by the Ministry
of Rural Development under the Annapurna Scheme,
wherein indigent Senior Citizens, who are not getting
pension under IGNOAPS, are provided 10 kg of food grains
per person per month free of cost. It also
implements Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), under which
rice and wheat at a highly subsidised cost, is extended to
households, headed by widows/terminally ill/disabled
persons/senior citizens, with no assured means of
maintenance or societal support.
Ministry of Finance:
11. Ministry of Finance has launched a scheme namely
‘Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana’ (PMVVY) to
provide social security during old age and to protect elderly
persons aged 60 and above against a future fall in their
interest income due to uncertain market conditions. The
Scheme enables old age income security for senior citizens
through provision of assured pension/ return linked to the
subscription amount based on Government guarantee to
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
PMVVY is open for subscription upto 31st March 2023
and offers an assured rate of return of 7.40% per annum for
the year 2020-21 for policy duration of 10 years. In
subsequent years, while the Scheme is in operation full
month 2023, there will be annual reset of assured rate of
return with effect from April 1st of the financial year in line
with applicable rate of return of Senior Citizens Saving
Scheme (SCSS) upto a ceiling of 7.75% with fresh appraisal
of the scheme on breach of this threshold at any point.
The differential return, i.e. the difference between return
generated by LIC and the assured returns would be borne
by Government of India as subsidy on an annual basis.
Pension is payable at the end of each period during the
policy tenure of 10 years as per the frequency of monthly/
quarterly/ half-yearly as chosen by the subscriber at the
time of purchase. Minimum purchase price under the scheme
is Rs. 1,62,162/- for a minimum pension of Rs. 1,000/- per
month and the maximum purchase price is Rs. 15 lakh per
senior citizen for getting a pension amount of Rs. 9,250/-.
The Scheme is being implemented through Life Insurance
Corporation of India (LIC). A total number of 5,83,208
subscribers are being benefitted under the scheme as on
31st December, 2020.
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare

12. Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare monitors
and ensures that the retiring Central Government
employees are granted retirement benefits including
pension, so that they can live an active and dignified life
after retirement.
Ministry of Home Affairs
13. The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued two detailed
advisories dated 27-3-2008 and 30-8-2013 to all States
Governments/UTs advising them to take immediate
measures to ensure safety and security and for elimination
of all forms of neglect, abuse and violence against old
persons through initiatives such as identification of senior
citizens, sensitization of police personnel regarding safety,
security of older persons, regular visit of the beat staff;
setting up of toll free senior citizen helpline; setting up of
senior citizen security cell; verification of domestic helps,
drivers etc.
Ministry of Railways:
14. Indian Railways have taken various measures for
Welfare of senior citizens, some of which are under:
i. As per rules, male Senior Citizens of minimum 60 years
and lady Senior Citizens of minimum 58 years are
granted concession in the fares of all classes of Mail/
Express/Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Jan Shatbdi/Duronto group of
trains. The element of concession is 40% for men and 50%
for women.
ii. In the computerised Passenger Reservation System
(PRS), there is a provision to allot lower berths to Senior
Citizens, Female passengers of 45 years and above
automatically, even if no choice is given, subject to
availability of accommodation at the time of booking.
iii. Accommodation is also earmarked for Senior Citizens
during specified hours on suburban sections by Central
and Western Railways.
iv. To help old and disabled passengers requiring
assistance at the stations and to strengthen the existing
services, ‘Yatri Mitra Sewa’ is being provided through
IRCTC at major stations for enabling passengers to book
wheelchair services cum porter services etc.
v. Separate counters are earmarked at various Passengers
Reservation System (PRS) centres for dealing with the
reservation requisitions received from Physically persons
with disability, Senior Citizens, ex-MPS, MLAs accredited
journalists and freedom fighters, if the average demand
per shift not less than 120 tickets. In case there is no
justification for earmarking of an exclusive counter for
any of these categories of persons including persons with
disability or senior citizens, one or two counters depending
upon the total demand are earmarked for dealing with the
reservation requests for all these categories of persons.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare:
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MAY-2021
15. Government of India has been implementing National
Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE) from
the F.Y. 2010-11 to provide dedicated healthcare services
to the elderly people at various level of state health care
delivery system at primary, secondary and tertiary health
care including outreach services. The Programme has two
components with the following provisions to provide
health care facilities to the elderly people in the country:-
(1) National Health Mission (NHM) component: The
district and below activities of the programme is being
covered under Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) flexible
pool of NHM which are as follows: (1) Geriatric OPD and
10 bedded Geriatric Ward at District Hospitals, (2) Bi-
weekly Geriatric Clinic at Community Health Centres
(CHCs), (3) Weekly Geriatric Clinic at Primary Health Centre
(PHCs), and (4) Provision of Aids and Appliances at Sub-
centres. The programme is being implemented on the basis
of Programme Implementation Plan (PIP) submitted by the
States/UTs and viability under the provisions of NPHCE.
(2) Tertiary Component: In addition to NHM component
of the programme, to ensure appropriate referral for
conditions not amenable to be treated at primary and
secondary level to create human resource orientated
towards geriatric care, this Ministry is supporting
development of Regional Geriatric Centres (RGCs) with
and establishment of 02 National Centres of Ageing each
at AIIMS, New Delhi and MMC, Chennai with the
following geriatric health care facilities – (1) Geriatric OPD,
30 bedded Geriatric ward for in-patient care @ RGCs and
200 bedded Geriatric ward @ NCAs, (2) 02 PG seats per
RGC and 15 PG seats per NCA in Geriatric Medicine, and
(3) Research activities, Imparting Training and
Development of training material.
16. The Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI)
Project was launched in 2016 to assess the health,
economic and social status of the elderly (age 45-60). LASI
project is being conducted by International Institute for
Population Sciences, IIPS, (Deemed University), Mumbai
which is an autonomous organization under Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare.
17. During 2018-19, Government approved the launch
of Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
(PMJAY) to cover over 10 crore poor and vulnerable
families, providing coverage upto Rs. 5 lakh per family per
year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization. With the
launch of the PMJAY, Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana
(RSBY) and Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme
(SCHIS) will be subsumed in it. All enrolled beneficiary
families of RSBY and SCHIS are entitled for benefits under
PMJAY.
Ministry of Communications:

18. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), under
Ministry of Communications, has reported that Senior
Citizens of the age of 65 years and above are exempted
from payment of registration charges for Landline
Telephone Connection. Further, Mahanagar Telephone
Nigam Ltd. (MTNL) provides concession of 25% in
installation/activation charges and monthly services/
rental charges for Landline connections under Plan-250
to Senior Citizens above 65 years of age.
Ministry of Civil Aviation:
19. In order to facilitate the passengers, particularly senior
citizens, expectant mothers, passengers with disability,
first time travellers etc., Ministry of Civil Aviation has
instructed all the stakeholders to ensure that the following
requirements are complied:
 Airline /airport operator shall ensure provision
of automated buggies free of charge for all senior citizens,
in the terminal building to facilitate their access to boarding
gates located beyond reasonable walking distance at all
airports having annual aircraft movements of 50,000 or
more. This facility may be extended to other needy
passengers on demand basis free of charge.
 Airport operators shall provide small trolleys
after security check for carriage of hand baggage
(permitted as per regulation) up to the boarding gate.
 Airport operator shall adequately display
information regarding availability of automated buggies
and small trolleys in the terminal building at prominent
locations including dos and don’ts regarding the same.
This shall also be published on the website of the airport
operator.
 Further, Air India offers 50% discount to senior
citizens on the highest economy class Basic Fare. The
discount is offered to those who have completed 60 years
of age on the date of commencement of journey.
 Senior citizens can also avail multi-level fares
offered by Air India on each sector for travel on domestic
sectors, starting from a low level advance purchase fares
which facilitate early selling to the highest one.
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs:
20. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Department
of Urban Development has issued the Model Building
Bye Laws, 2016 (MBBL) prescribing standards
for creation of elder friendly barrier free
environment with reference to buildings, toilets etc. Urban
Local Bodies shall implement the Policy by adopting the
Model Building Bye Laws, 2016. Further, under Urban
Bus Specification-II issued in 2013, the emphasis on buses
financed by the Department of Urban Development is on
procurement of low floor buses with proper ramps for easy
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MAY-2021
access of the passengers and proper space for wheel chair
to be placed in the bus for the benefit of disabled persons
and senior citizens. All metro rail projects implemented/
under implementation in the country are having disabled
and elder friendly infrastructure such as proper ramps/
lifts to the stations. There is a provision for reservation of
seats in metro rail coaches for differently-abled persons
and senior citizens. Further, Housing for All Mission/
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Guidelines have been
circulated to State/UTs to meet the demand of housing in
their States/UTs, which interalia incorporates that ‘while
making the allotment, families with senior citizens should
be given priority for allotment on ground floor or lower
floors’.
Ministry of Women and Child Development:
21. The Ministry of Women and Child Development has
constructed a 1000 bedded Old Age friendly Home for
Widows, named Krishna Kutir, at Sunrakh Bangar,
Vrindavan, Distt. Mathura, Uttar Pradesh to provide them
safe and secure place to stay, health services, nutritious
food, legal and counseling services. The Home consists
of a ground plus three floors with the facilities of ramps,
lifts, supply of adequate electricity, water and other
amenities for meeting the requirement of senior citizens
and persons with special challenges. The Home is
operational w.e.f. 01.09.2018 and managed by Govt. of Uttar
Pradesh.
Ministry of AYUSH:
22. Ministry of AYUSH provides free consultation, yoga
therapy and yoga training under Yoga and Naturopathy
and runs OPDs in various Government Hospital across the
country.
SPEECH by the President of the Technical Commission
AT THE MEETING OFAPRIL 13
Dear comrades:
The previous meeting of the Technical and Research
Commission took place on September 8, 2020. The
Commission was constituted in it and we set ourselves
some tasks: expanding and updating the survey on
the situation of Pensioners and Retirees in the world;
advance in the creation of Technical Commission (CT)
in the different regions and make a first report of the
Commission at the end of 2020.

However, we must recognize that in the seven months
since the last meeting we have made very little
progress as a Commission. Our TUI has continued
working and acting with good results, but as CT we
have not made the contribution that according to the
Statutes and the approved work plan corresponds to
us, although each of us has continued with our work
within their respective organizations.
Certainly the COVID 19 pandemic has made work
difficult, but that does not explain it, much less justify
everything. We must recognize reality and I, as the
president of the Commission, must bear most of the
responsibility. Since September 2019, due to family
circumstances, I had to dedicate myself to care tasks,
which forced me to move to another city (Valencia)
and prevented me from direct the mass work. That
being true, it is necessary to adapt to the situation in
the best possible way and that is what it is all about
from now on, so that the Commission’s work can
move forward.
That is why from this meeting we must organize our
work to make the contribution that corresponds to
the operation of our TUI. For this, the proposal is to
return to the objectives that we set for ourselves in
the previous meeting:
-Update and expand to more countries the survey on
the situation of Retirees and Pensioners in the
world.To do this, the corresponding form will be sent
in the next few days, which should be completed at
least in each country where we have a presence and
in the countries of the that we can (online or through
personal contacts) collect data.
-Start a study on the position of the main institutions
of capitalism, such as the IMF, the World Bank, the
UN, UNESCO, the OECD and others (including
NATO, due to the enormous expenses involved in
their genocidal actions of theft of wealth, as opposed
to the lack of money to make a dignified life possible
for people), or regional ones such as the European
Union and continental or regional organizations,
because although the laws that affect us are
theoretically determined at the national level, the class
enemy has its tools, which provide guidelines that are
then applied in each country. At the suggestion of our
8
MAY-2021
secretary general, I recently began to work on the
subject.
-Know how the pandemic has affected the group of
retirees and pensioners and if, taking advantage of
the occasion, in any country there has been an attack
on our rights.
As a calendar, the proposal is as follows:
During the months of April and May we would work
on collecting information. It must be done by each
country and the regional officials have to contact them
with this objective. In June we would hold another
meeting of the Commission, the date of which we
could set today (I already propose Tuesday, June 22,
at the same time as today) to debate a draft report,
which as the person in charge would propose based
on the information received, with the objective that it
can be completed by the end of July.
In addition, with the help of the rest of the people
who make up the management of our UIS, I propose:
1) Write a letter addressed to the 6 Regional
Coordinators of our TUI (Africa, America, Asia,
Europe, former Socialist Countries, Arab Countries)
(I already know that two of them: Africa and Asia,
you are in this Technical Commission) so that help in
our task to the best of your ability. This help is mutual,
since the Coordinators have to provide the Technical
Commission with data from the countries of their
Region, and at the same time the Technical
Commission has to help them to draft the base
document for the debate in each Regional
Conference.
2) Write another letter addressed to all the people
who make up the management of our TUI to help
the Technical Commission, sending to it the responses
to the survey corresponding to their own country, plus
another one from their geographical area for which
we lack data.
Comrades:
The class enemy does not stop in its objective of
nullifying the right to a decent pension as the basis of
a dignified life for Pensioners and Retirees of all
retirees and pensioners around the world. To
successfully fight against this and for our rights, it is
necessary to know the reality and the enemy’s
projects and that is our mission as CT in our TUI.

Efficacy of SCOVA & PENSIONERS PORTAL
and
the URGENT NEED TO FRAME
RECOGNITION RULES FOR PENSIONERS’
ASSOCIATIONS BY GOVERNMENT
K.B.Krishna Rao
Secretary, Karnataka P&T Pensioners Association,
The subject matter of today’s discussion, “Efficacy
of SCOVA, Pensioners Portal and the need for
Recognition Rules” is too wide. Let me first speak
about the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies,
SCOVA, in its short form. Before commenting on its
‘efficacy’ — that is its ability to produce the desired
or intended result. How effective it is in bringing the
results that we hoped for and whether the objectives
of establishing a mechanism like that of SCOVA have
been accomplished. Today’s topic requires us to take
a closer look at these aspects. But, before that, let
us first trace the back ground of its constitution and
its objectives.
Formation of Separate Department for pensioners
A separate Department viz. “Department of Pension
and Pensioners’ Welfare” was constituted to look after
the welfare of pensioners by the government headed
by late Sri Rajeev Gandhi who took over as Prime
Minister of India (1984-’89). A dignified name as
“Senior Citizens” for those aged 60 years was also
coined during this period.
Constitution of SCOVA
SCOVA, was constituted by the Govt. of India,
Department of Pension and Pensioners’ welfare in
1986 on the recommendations of the Parliamentary
Consultative Committee.
SCOVA – A FORUM
SCOVA is a forum for holding consultation with the
stakeholder’s i.e the pensioners through their
Associations and concerned Ministries/Departments
of the GoI. AS a forum, SCOVA provides the
Pensioners’ Associations an opportunity for raising
issues concerning pensioners’ welfare directly before
the concerned Ministries/Departments. It can
therefore be said that SCOVA is a mechanism for
consultation with, or representation by, the members
of the Pensioners Associations
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MAY-2021
Membership of SCOVA
The membership of SCOVA consists of 15 Non-
official members, represented by the Pensioners
Associations from various Ministries/Departments/
Regions/States etc. of which 5 will be in the Standing
Group and 10 in the Rotating Group. The standing
group would serve for three terms of two years each.
The Rotating Group would serve for one term of two
years and would be eligible for re-selection for one
more term.
On the Official side, the Secretary, Department of
Pension and Pensioners Welfare, is the Convener and
Member Secretary. The Department is under the
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and
Pensions which is under the charge of the Prime
Minister himself, assisted by a Minister of State who
is the Chairman and presides over SCOVA meetings.
( Dr Jitendra Singh is the Minister at present)
Representatives of various Ministries/Departments
of Government of India are its members. Officers
not below the rank of Joint Secretary are supposed
to attend the meeting. The Ministries/ Departments
are
(1) CPAO
(2) Department of Posts
( 3) Department of Telecom
( 4) Department of Financial Services
( 5) Department of Expenditure
(6) Controller General of Defence Accounts
(7) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(8) Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare
(9) Ministry of Railways
(10) Ministry of Home Affairs,
(11) Ministry of AYUSH
(12) NIC
Nomination of Pensioners associations to SCOVA
Pensioners Associations identified by
DoP&PW for being associated with the
implementation of Web-based Pensioners’ Portal
under the National E Governance
Plan (NeGP), are usually nominated to SCOVA.
There are now 44 such identified associations. Out

of these 44 associations, 5 are nominated to the
standing group to serve for three terms of two years
each and 10 associations
to the Rotating Group to serve for one term of two
years and would be eligible for re-selection for one
more term. So, associations nominated to standing
group will be in SCOVA for 6 years and on completion
of their terms will be out of SCOVA for another 6
years. Similarly, associations in the rotating group will
be in SCOVA for 4 years and on completion of their
terms, will be out of SCOVA for another 4 years.
There is no guarantee that the associations would be
nominated again after a break of equal number of
years of their membership of SCOVA.
Are there any norms for selection of non-official
members ie. Pensioners’ Associations?
There seem to be none. They are selected at random
supposedly by a committee in DOPPW.
While my submission is not either to belittle
or deride any pensioners association nominated to
SCOVA now or in the past, it would be in the larger
interest of pensioners if associations with considerably
large membership and have been serving the cause
of pensioners for a considerable period of time and
have established themselves in the comity of
pensioners associations in the country are considered
for membership of SCOVA.
I strongly believe that apart from Pensioners
associations, it is all the more important that the
leaders of Unions of Central government employees
who represent staff side in NC JCM, leaders of
the Confederation of Central Government Employees
and Workers(COC) and the leaders who head the
Coordination Committees of Pensioners associations
like National Coordination Committee of Pensioners
Associations (NCCPA) , who have been steadfast
Championing the cause of Pensioners are
nominated as permanent members of SCOVA.
Representatives of staff side NC JCM were
attending the SCOVA meetings till the 26th meeting
held on 3.2.2015. Legendary leaders like the Late
lamented Com S K Vyas and Com Umraomal Purohit
attended the meetings until the 24th meeting.
10
MAY-2021
Subsequent 25th & 26th meetings were attended by
Com Shiva Gopal Mishra, the present Secretary
Staff Side NC JCM. From October 2015 onwards
ie., after reconstitution of SCOVA in Aug 2015, JCM
is not represented in the meetings.
It is expedient that apart the existing 15 pensioners
associations selected by DOPPW, a set of permanent
invitees to the meeting, comprising the representatives
of JCM / COC & NCCPA must be added to the list
of participants. Among the 15 associations, at least
one or two Coordination Committees of Central
Government Pensioners’ Associations in the country
should also be nominated to SCOVA ,
thereby broad basing SCOVA to facilitate
representation to all the stake holders who have
been championing the cause of pensioner community
Objectives
The objectives are
(1)To provide a feedback on programme
implementation of process/programmes of the
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare
(2)To discuss and critically examine the policy
initiatives and
(3) To mobilize voluntary efforts to supplement the
Government action
(4) To promote constructive discussions
Recommendations of the Central Pay
Commissions
on working of SCOVA
The IV CPC constituted in July 1983 in its
report submitted in 1986 has made the following
recommendation on the working of the SCOVA:-
“In our view, Pensioners represent
manpower, rich in experience and talent, which
should be properly used in the nation-building
activities. Constitution of SCOVA, therefore,
assumes significance. We would however, suggest
that Government may examine broad-basing the
objectives (ii) and (iii) { (ii).To discuss and
critically examine the policy initiatives and (iii)
To mobilize voluntary efforts to supplement the
Government action} so as to
highlight the various problems of the Pensioners,
like medical and housing needs, their utilisation

in social welfare schemes like adult education,
rural development, urban improvement etc.”
The V CPC in its report submitted in Oct 1997 has
made the following observations/ recommendations,
vide para-141.29.
“With a view to providing an effective
forum to the Pensioners and their Associations,
we feel that SCOVA should meet more frequently
and at least once in three months. We are also of
the view that SCOVA should be a multi-tier
institution and should have the same machinery
for implementation of the decisions taken as in
the case of JCM, including that of reference to
Board of Arbitration, wherever disagreement is
recorded and the requirement of going to
Parliament where a particular award is not to be
implemented by the Government. Unless the
SCOVA becomes an effective institution for
providing redress of disputes and complaints with
respect to Pensionary matters, Courts would
continue to be flooded with petitions. The
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare may
evolve a suitable mechanism to regulate the
number of Pensioners’ Associations and identify
effective ones, which only should be consulted
on policy matters concerning the Pensioner
community.”
VI & VII CPCs did not make any recommendation
on SCOVA
Efficacy of SCOVA
Let me now dwell on how effective the
mechanism is in producing the desired or intended
result. Whether the purposes of establishing a
mechanism like that of SCOVA have since been fully
accomplished. No doubt, it has definitely
provided a forum for pensioners who, otherwise would
have been rendered voice less. I have to say without
any hesitation that the voice of pensioners is heard in
the meetings as has been experienced by me in the
meetings that I have attended. Associations do
participate in the discussions and are given an
opportunity to speak on the agenda items.
But as a forum, SCOVA has no statutory
authority. The decisions taken in the meetings even
after a good deal of discussion are not binding on any
Department and are not enforceable. It is my
11
MAY-2021
experience that in one of the meetings, even after
the representative of a Department stated that he
agrees in principal to the demand raised by the
association; the concerned department took years to
comply with the demand.
It is, therefore, imperative that SCOVA must
be accorded a status like that of JCM and there should
be a provision for arbitration in the event of
disagreement over a particular issue pursued in
SCOVA
Meetings: periodicity and the agenda
In the initial stages of SCOVA, meetings were being
held somewhat at close intervals, but without an
agenda. Minutes of the Meeting and action taken
reports were not circulated. But now meetings are
being held once or twice in year or sometimes only
once in a year. However, an agenda with the items
suggested by the members of SCOVA is taken up
for discussion. Minutes and action taken report are
being circulated. Minutes are circulated amongst the
member associations before being uploaded on the
website. It is important to note that all items/issues
suggested by the associations are not included and
only some items/issues selected by DoPPW are taken
up for discussion in the meetings. It is understood
that there is a committee in DOPPW which decides
on the items/issues which are to be included in the
agenda, of course, selected from the items suggested
by the associations.
The meetings are held for about 3 hours, usually
between 11.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. and the time
allotted is rather inadequate considering the number
of the agenda items and the importance of the subject.
Action taken report on the items of the previous
meetings is presented first and fresh items of the day’s
agenda are taken up later. Due to paucity of time, on
some occasions, a detailed discussion on the fresh
items, will not be possible and will have to be hurried
through.
Suggestion : To facilitate inclusion of all the issues
notified by the pensioners associations in the agenda
and to allow meaningful , useful and result oriented
discussions with out any time constraints, the meetings
must be held once in every 3 months, preferably on

pre-determined dates , however, subject to change
owing to exigencies. The duration of the meeting
must be 6 hours in 2 sessions.
Let me now speak on the objectives
Objective number 1 :is to provide a feedback on
programme implementation of process/programmes
of the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare:
The feedback, of course, must come from the
pensioners associations also in additions to that
furnished by the official representatives of the
Ministries/Departments. A feedback on programme
implementation of DOPPW can be given only by such
of the Pensioners’Associations who are very familiar
with the policies enunciated by the government on
pension matters and pensioners’ welfare.
In the meetings that I have attended, only a few
associations were able to provide feedback on
implementation of the recommendations of
6th & 7 th CPCs and various other orders issued
subsequently. More than 6 OMs were issued in
connection with implementation of the
recommendations of 6th CPC and 4 on 7th CPC.
Feedback from the stake holders definitely plays an
important role in addressing the inadequacies or
deficiencies in a system. And more importantly, the
powers that be must lend an ear to the submissions
made by the stake holders. It is my experience that
in the meetings, pensioners associations are allowed
to speak and their submissions are also listened to.
(b) The 2nd objective: to discuss and critically
examine the policy initiatives.
The 4th CPC has suggested that Government must
examine broad-basing this objective. But as of now,
the Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and
Pensions and Dept. of pension, the nodal department,
decide on pension policy in consultation with MoF,
DoE. In SCOVA meetings, usually matters concerning
implementation of orders already issued and fresh
demands regarding pensionery benefits or medical
facilities are discussed. It is, therefore, advisable that
DoP&PW brings before the forum of SCOVA its
pension policy initiatives so that they receive the
attention of the pensioners and are subjected to a
critical examination by all concerned as enjoined in
the objectives of SCOVA.
My suggestion that representatives of NC JCM /
COC & NCCPA must be made permanent invitees
to the meeting and Pensioners Associations with large
membership base and have established their credibility
12
MAY-2021
over the years, the Coordination Committees of
Central Government Pensioner’ Associations to
which many Pensioners Associations are affiliated
to must be nominated to SCOVA, assumes importance
and such a measure is absolutely essential for
achieving this important objective.
The 3rd objective: To mobilize voluntary efforts
to supplement the Government action
The 4th CPC observed that in their view,
Pensioners represent manpower, rich in experience
and talent, which should be properly used in the nation-
building activities.
The Hon’ble Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh, in
many of the SCOVA meetings, praising the services
of Pensioners and Pensioners Associations has called
upon pensioners to involve themselves in social work
telling them that they have only retired from service
but are not tired. Some pensioners and associations
have volunteered to extend their service under the
initiative from the Pension Department titled
“SANKALP” which provides a platform for
pensioners to access opportunities to them for useful
intervention in the society.
Swatch Bharath Abhiyan or Clean India Mission
In Karnataka, CCCGPA,
Karnataka & KP&TPA involved themselves in The
‘Swatch Bharath Abhiyan’ or Clean India Mission is a
country-wide campaign initiated by the Government of
India, a massive movement that seeks to create a clean
India. Pensioners indulged themselves in sweeping of
roads, clearing clogged drains and removing hand bills
pasted on electric poles and trees. With a view to ensure
involvement of general public and students in “Swachhta
Jan Andolan”, a programme was arranged which included,
distribution of prizes to students who have won in Essay
Competition, Cleaning and Tree Plantation in and around
school campus, Procession by students and pensioners
around school premises to bring awareness of Swachh
Bharat Mission by holding placards, etc.
Digital Life Certificate
This is yet another voluntary effort by the associations to
supplement the Government action. Many Pensioners’
Associations in the country assisted pensioners, specially
the aged and the infirm in submission of their digital life
certificates through Jevan Pramaan Portal from the comforts
of their homes. Special DLC camps were held in cities.

Even during this present pandemic covid -19 situation in
the country, some associations continued with their service
to pensioners and visited the residences of old pensioners
who needed help in submission of DLC.
The 4th objective: To promote constructive discussions
Here I should say that discussions are allowed in
the meetings. Whenever a representative of the
associations wishes to make any submission on the
agenda items, he is allowed to speak and listened to also.
The objective is to promote discussion. Hence it is
necessary that the representatives are encouraged to
actively participate in the discussion.
CONCLUSION ON SCOVA
In conclusion of my submissions on SCOVA, I would like
to emphasise that
1. SCOVA should be broad based with nominations
made to it from the associations well-established and with
large membership base & Coordination Committees of
Central Govt Pensioners’ Associations. Apart from the
pensioners’ representatives, nominees of JCM/ COC and
the NCCPA must be permanent invitees to the meetings.
2. There must be well defined norms for nominating
pensioners Associations instead of selection at random.
3. SCOVA must be accorded a status like that of
JCM and there should be a provision for arbitration in the
event of disagreement over a particular issue pursued in
SCOVA.
4. Meetings must be held once in every three
months and at least for 6 hours in two sessions
Pensioners Portal
PENSIONERS’ PORTAL is a Mission Mode Project of
DOP&PW under National e-Governance Plan (NeGP)
It is primarily aimed at making the Pension/ retirement
related information, services and grievances handling
mechanism accessible online to the needy Pensioners,
through a combination of interactive and
non-interactive components, and thus help bridge the gap
between the Pensioners and the Government. The portal
is also expected to serve as a one stop information source
for the Pensioners of Government of India
(especially Civil Pensioners) across the country. The
Objective In pursuance of the Government’s policy of
accountable, transparent and Pensioner-centric
governance, it was decided to develop a comprehensive
Pensioners’ Portal to fulfil the following objectives:
* To smoothen the process of sanctioning and
disbursement of Pension and Gratuity.
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MAY-2021
* Enable Ministries/Departments/Organisations to pay the
dues on or before the date of retirement.
* To build effective grievances redress mechanism related
to Pensioners.
* To keep the Pensioners aware of their rights and
responsibilities/ obligations.
* To enable the Pensioners’ Associations/Welfare
Organizations to access information/lodge grievances on
behalf of their members.
Others Important Non-Interactive contents of the
Pensioners’ Portal
It provides: * Details of Pension Rules, Procedures and
Schemes
* Pension Circulars/Orders
* Guidelines and welfare measures for Pensioners
* Glossary of common terms related to Pension/Pensioners
and brief information about various benefits to Senior
Citizens.
* Pension Process Map/Time Frame and downloadable
Pension related forms.
* Lists of PG Nodal Officers of various Ministries and
Departments and Central Public Information Officers
(CPIO) pertaining to Dept. of Pension & Pensioners’
Welfare dealing with RTI matters.
* Detailed Information on various matters which can be
accessed by invoking the links provided in the Portal to a
number of web sites useful for Pensioners.
* Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Important Interactive Facilities/Contents of the
Pensioners’ Portal
It provides:
* Online calculators for the calculation of Pension/
Family Pension, Gratuity and Commutation
* Pension Payment Order (PPO) Status enquiry by
pre/post retired employees.
* On-line lodging and status enquiry of grievances by
the Pensioners.
* Submission of replies/clarifications by the
Pensioners.
* Online correspondence by the Pensioners with
CPAO
* Search facility for accessing Pension-related
Guidelines, Rules, Schemes etc.
The Dept. of Pension & PW has identified 44
Associations/Organisations in the Country for being
associated with the implementation of web-based
“Pensioners’ Portal”. Karnataka P&T Pensioners’
Association is one of them

Now let me say something on the efficacy of
Pensioners Portal as required in today’s topic.
The stated objectives, no doubt, are
commendable. If the pensioners were able to get all
the benefits or facilities as stated in the objectives,
we could have been happier and opined that the portal
is serving its purposes to full extent. But the position
as of now is somewhat different and needs to be
improved upon.
No doubt as a provider of information on all pension
related matters, the portal is an excellent facility .All
O Ms /circulars are regularly uploaded to the website.
Separate links have been provided to access circulars
on pension, family pension, D R, commutation etc.
Pensioners can access relevant rules and forms and
can establish links to other websites. Through FAQ,
pensioners can ascertain information on pension
process.
The most important objective “ To build effective
grievances redress mechanism related to Pensioners”
needs to be reviewed, strengthened and made
“desired result “oriented. Centralized Pensioners
Grievance Redress and Monitoring System
(CPENGRAMS), the facility provided in the portal
for registration of grievances by pensioners and
pensioners associations regarding pension and other
matters is definitely helpful since their grievances
directly reach the authorities concerned who are
supposed to resolve them. Many grievances registered
with CPENGRAMS find resolution to the satisfaction
of the pensioners if their claims are justified. But,
the role of DOP&PW is now limited to only online
transmission of the grievances to the authorities
concerned and remind them if they are not disposed
of. Even when the grievances are not properly
disposed of by the concerned offices, DoP&PW does
not intervene to advice such offices suitably. Here I
would like to mention a few examples:
1. In one case pension of a pensioner has not
yet been revised in terms of DoP&PW OM dated
12-5-2017 under the 7th CPC. A grievance registered
with CPENGRAMS was disposed of by the Office
concerned with remarks “The case has been
discussed with PAO and it is informed that the
revision case of the pensioner is pending in the
department”
2. In yet another case, in spite of registration of
grievances three times regarding non-payment of
arrears of family pension, the controlling office on all
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MAY-2021
the 3 occasions forwarded the grievance to the PAO
and the PAO is yet to pay the arrears.
It would not be fair on my part if due credit is not
given to the portal and CPENGRAMS and if no
mention is made about the usefulness of the grievance
redress system. A majority of the hundreds of
grievances registered by KP&TPA over the past
years were settled to the satisfaction of pensioners.
In one case, the grievance was disposed of by the
PAO concerned within 3 days of its registration
And finally on the last subject” URGENT NEED
TO FRAME RECOGNITION RULES FOR
PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS BY
GOVERNMENT “
The 5th CPC had observed in its report that the
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare may
evolve a suitable mechanism to regulate the number
of Pensioners’ Associations and identify effective
ones, which only should be consulted on policy matters
concerning the Pensioner community.
In the memorandum submitted to the 7th CPC by
the Bharat Central Pensioners Confederation (BCPC)
in June 2014 which was finalised in the meeting held
on 14-6-2014 in Chennai under the joint auspices of
BCPC & National Coordination Committee of
Pensioners’ Association (NCCPA), convened by
Com K.Ragavendran , former Secretary General,
NFPE, on behalf of All India Postal & RMS
Pensioners’ Association under the guidance of the
legendary leader the late Com S.K.Vyas, the then
Secretary General, BCPC/ NCCPA, attended by me
and Com S Radhakrishna of CCCGPA, Karnataka,
it was pointed out that “ there are hundreds of
pensioners’ federations, associations,
organisations in the country and there is no
orderliness amongst them and each and every
pensioner organisation is raising its own
demands. Therefore, it was suggested, that the VII
CPC may recommend to the Government to
upgrade the status of the SCOVA like the other
forum of National Council JCM with separate
Rules framed for granting recognition to
Pensioners Organisations to give them
representation in the SCOVA. All the All India
Pensioners Associations/Federations may be
accorded recognition & extended such facilities
as have been granted to the serving employees
Association/Unions/Federations”.

Bharat Central Pensioners Confederation
(BCPC), the apex body of Pensioners Associations,
was established as a result of the initiative taken by
the Coordination Committee of Central Government
t Pensioners Associations, Karnataka in the year 2006,
when the 6th Central Pay Commission, called for
submission of Memorandum by all the stake holders.
Com N.Bhaskaran, G S, CCCGPA, Karnataka,
prompted by the remarks passed by the 5th CPC
regarding submission of memoranda by several
pensioners’ Associations, took the initiative to ensure
submission of “One Memorandum” to 6th CPC,
prevailed upon leaders at the National level to agree
to come together and organized a meeting of
Representatives of leading Pensioners’ Associations
on 15-10-2006 in Bangalore, which was atended by
leaders of pensioners associations from , Chennai,
Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkota, Nagpur, Pune,
Secunderabad, and Palakkad & Thrisur (Kerala) in
which a consensus was arrived at and a draft of
Common Memorandum to be submitted to the
6th CPC was discussed and a broad understanding
was reached, which ultimately, resulted in submission
of one memorandum to the 6th CPC , initially drafted
by Sri B Sadashiva Rao, Chairman CCCGPA,
Karnataka and Chairman of the Memorandum
Drafting Committee. In the same meeting,
recognising the necessity of forming an Apex Body
for Pensioners’ Associations at all India level, a
consensus was reached to establish a confederation
of pensioners associations.
Subsequently, in the meeting held in New
Delhi on 27-4-2008 under the president ship of the
late Sri S S Ramachandran, Chairman, One
Memorandum Steering Committee, and Secretary
General AICCPA , a resolution was passed to establish
the apex body and name it “ Bharat Central
Pensioners’ Confederation” ( B C PC). The
meeting, apart from many other pensioners’ leaders,
was attended by a host of present and past leaders
of pensioners’ movement in the country Viz. Sri
ShayamSundar, B .Sadashiva Rao,
R L Bhattacharjee, and S K Vyas . Amendments to
Memorandum of Association and Rules and
Regulations of BCPC were approved. The work
regarding preparation of the final draft of the
MOA&RR was entrusted to Sri
B.Sadashiva Rao, Vice-Chairman (South) who had
prepared the original draft.
15
MAY-2021
In view of the opinions expressed by the pay
commission and by BCPC/NCCPA and other
associations, it is strongly felt that there is an urgent
need to frame RECOGNITION RULES FOR
PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS also on par with
the Recognition of Service Associations, (RSA) Rules
1993 in respect of service unions notified on 5-11-
1933. However, the recognition rules for Pensioners
Associations would be quite different from that of
the provisions of RSA Rules1993,for reasons which
are quite obvious.
The demand for framing of Recognition
Rules for Pensioners Associations needs wider
consultations with the Coordination Committees and
Pensioners Associations before a request is made to
the government to frame such recognition rules for
Pensioners Associations because such rules are sure
to have a far reaching effect on a number of the
present Pensioners Associations in the country.
I would like to conclude by thanking Com K
Ragavendran for inviting me to speak on the topic
today and all the participants in the webinar for giving
a patient hearing, though the presentation was rather
lengthy. Thank you all once again.
0o0
Timely disbursement of additional pension to
pensioners / family pensioners of KVS on attaining
the age of 80 years and above
KENDR1YA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN (HQ)
18, Institutional Area,
Saheed Jeet Singh Marg
New Delhi – 110016
Website: www.kvsangathan.nic.in
F.No. 110230/Misc/2021/KVS(HQ)/P&I
Date-: 09.04.2021
Notice
Subject : Timely disbursement of additional
pension to pensioners/family pensioners of KVS
on attaining the age of 80 years and above –
regarding.
The matter regarding timely disbursement of additional
pension to pensioners/ family pensioners of KVS on
attaining the age of 80 years and above has been
discussed with the SBI officials. Although KVS
incorporates the details of additional pension in PPO,
SBI officials pointed out the following points, which
cause non, payment of the additional pension.
 MAY-2021
i. Non-availability of latest bank account number in website of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
revised PPO issued after implementation of New Delhi on the above mentioned subject (for
recommendation of VIIth CPC. Continuous Empanelment Scheme 2017) for
empanelment of new Health Care Organizations
(HCOs), it is hereby intimated that Kasturi Medical
ii. Non-availability of date of birth of family pensioner
Centre Pvt Ltd, 5 D.H. Road, Thakurpukur, 3A
in revised PPO.
Bus Stand, Kolkata — 700 104 has been
In case pensioner/family pensioner is not getting
empanelled under CGHS. Kolkata for a period of 02
additional pension then for timely disbursement of
(Two) years w.e.f. 21th April 2021 or till the
additional pension, the pensioners and family
validity of HCOs empanelled in 2014 & later
pensioners of KVS are advised to do the following,
on or till next empanelment whichever is earlier.
which will facilitate the system for timely disbursal
The Health Care Organizations (HCOs) who qualified
of additional pension :-
for empanelment under CGHS, Kolkata have signed
1. Provide the latest bank account details to SBI and
the Memorandum of Agreement with CGHS, Kolkata
PPO issuing authority (KVS(HQ)/ROs), so that
and submitted all other requisite documents and have
necessary updation may be done in revised PPO.
accepted the rates of 2014 of CGHS, Kolkata
2. Provide the proof of date of birth of family
uploaded in the website of CGHS., Kolkata.
pensioner to PPO issuing authority (KVS(HQ)/R0s),
A copy of this Office Memorandum along with a list
so that necessary updation may be done in revised
of empanelled HCOs is placed on the website of
PPO.
CGHS, Kolkata (www.cghskolkata.nic.in).
3. Provide email ID and mobile number to PPO
Enclosure: – Services provided by the empanelled
issuing authority for smooth communication in case
HCO.
of need.
(Dr. N.C. Debbarman)
Pensioners are welcome for any further query/
Additional Director
clarification on email ID pensionkvshq [at] gmail.com
Submission of Life Certificate by SAMPANN:
Hindi version will follow.
DoT Order Dtd. 04 March 2021
(Satya Narain Gulia)
Government of India
Joint Commissioner (Fin.)
Ministry of Communications
Department of Telecommunications
Office of Controller General of Communication
Empanelment of Kasturi Medical Centre Pvt Ltd
Accounts
under CGHS Kolkata for a period of 02 years w.e.f.
NICF Campus Ghitorni, New Delhi – 110047
21st April 2021
No. 13-8/ 2020-21/ BA&IT/21 to 53
Government of India
Dated: 04.03-2021
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
To,
Office of the Additional Director
All Pr. CCAs/ CCAs
Sarena Central Government Health Scheme
Subject: Submission of Life Certificate by
6, Esplanade East (Gr. Floor). Kolkata – 700 069.
SAMPANN – reg.
No.51-444/CGHS/KOL/Kasturi Medical/Emp/
Ref: O/o CCA pensioners Assam Circle letter no.
2021/3315-3365
ASM/CCA/PEN ADALAT/2020-21 dt.27/01/2021
Date: 20th April 2021
(Enclosed)
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Vide letter under reference a suggestion has been
Subject : Empanelment – Private Hospitals,
given by a Pensioners Association regarding
Exclusive Eye Hospitals / Centers, Exclusive
Submission of Life certificate of SAMPANN
Dental Clinics, Cancer Hospitals / Units,
pensioners in a uniform month (in month of November
Diagnostic Laboratories & Imaging Centers
every year) along with other pensioners.
under Continuous Empanelment Scheme, 2017
In this regard it is to mention that for convenience of
under CGHS, Kolkata — reg.
DoT pensioners receiving pension via SAMPANN/
In pursuance of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
Financial Management System only, timeline for Life
New Delhi Guidelines — 2017 as available on the

16

Certificate submission has been relaxed by means of
staggering. By way of staggering, a pensioner has to
submit his/her Life Certificate within one year of
submission of the previous Life Certificate .
Therefore, he/she does not have to mandatorily submit
the Life Certificate in November of each year. For
example, if a pensioner retires on 31st January, 2020
then he/she has to submit his/her Life Certificate next
in or before February, 2021
However, instead of submitting the Life Certificate
in a staggered manner, a pensioner can submit his/
her Life Certificate in November also or in any other
month he/she desires before the expiry of his/her Life
Certificate.
Therefore, I am directed to convey that all Pr. CCA/
CCA offices may inform pensioners and Pensioners
Associations regarding the above via letter/SMS/call.
This issues with approval of the Competent Authority.
(Taranjeet Singh)
ACGCA (BA&IT) Mob-8054341504
Email: taranjeet.singh30@gov .in
Amendment in Treasury Rules of Central
Government for issue of Pension Payment Order in
electronic form using digital signature, termed as
ePPO in rule
F.No, TA-2-03002(01)/1/2021-TA-II/247
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
Office of Controller General of Accounts
Mahalekha Niyantrak Bhawan,
GPO Complex, E-Block, INA, New Delhi-
110023
Dated, the 17th March, 2021
Subject: Amendment in Treasury Rules of Central
Government-Volume-I
In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of
Article 283 of the Constitution, the president hereby
makes the following amendment to the Treasury
Rules of the Central Government Volume-l:-
Correction Slip No. 78
The following Note below Rule 328(1) shall be
inserted:
Note: PAOs who are competent to issue PPOs to
various categories of pensioners of Ministries/
Departments except M/o Railways, Defence and D/
o Posts shall issue PPO in electronic form using their
digital signature through the designated electronic
17
MAY-2021
payment platform used by PAO of the Ministries/
Departments. Such PPOs is termed as e-PPO in this
rule. The procedure for processing of such e-PPOs
and other related instructions shall be issued by office
of CGA and CPAO from time to time.
(Authority: – O/o Controller General of Accounts
(TA-III Section) UO No.TA-3-6/4/2020-TA-III/CS-
4750 /33 dated 28th January 2021.)
Sd/-
{Ashish Kumar Singh)
Dy. Controller General of Accounts
To
No. 3(6)/2021-P&PW(H)-7083
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel & Public Grievance
Department of Pension and pensioners’ Welfare
8th Floor, Janpath Bhavan,
Janpath, New Delhi,
Dated: 9th March, 2021
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:-Timely payment of retirement
benefits to the retiring employees
The undersigned is directed to say that timelines have
been prescribed under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972
for each activity involved in the processing of a
pension case and for payment of pension and gratuity
to a retiring Government servant. As per this timeline,
the process of verification of service and other
preparatory work should be
undertaken one year before a Government servant is
due to retire on superannuation, the Government
servant should submit the forms six months before
retirement, the Head of Office should send the
pension case to the PAO four months before
retirement and the PAO should issue PPO and send
it to CPAO one month before retirement. The CPAO
is required to issue the Special Seal Authority within
21 days, thereafter.
2. Instructions have been issued vide this
Department’s OM No 1/27/2011- P &PW (E) dated
01.08.2017 for handing over the copy of pensioner
PPO to him/her at the time of retirement along with
other retirement dues. The Rules also provide for
sanction of provisional pension in cases where a
Government servant is likely to retire before
finalization of his pension and gratuity.

3. “BHAVISHYA’, the online Pension Sanction &
Payment Tracking System, facilitates online tracking
of pension sanction and payment process by the
individual as well as the administrative authorities and
keeps the retiring employees informed of the progress
of pension sanction process through SMS/E-Mail.
The system is, therefore, very useful for ensuring
timely payment of pensionary benefits to the retiring
Government servant.
4. In spite of the timelines prescribed in the rules/
instructions and simplification/streamlining of the
procedures through BHAVISHYA, issue of the PPO
and payment of retirement benefits continue to be
delayed in a large number of cases. A significant
percentage of the grievances registered on the
CPENGRAMS relate to non-payment of retirement
dues for several months after retirement. Delay in
settlement of retirement dues also leads to avoidable
litigation. In a number of cases, the courts have
directed payment of interest for the delayed period
to the affected pensioners, besides making adverse
comments on the functioning of the administration.
5. In order to ensure timely payment of retirement
dues in all cases, it has been decided that the progress
of the pension cases should be regularly monitored
by the Heads of the organizations and the Heads of
Departments. An effective monitoring mechanism is
required to be established in every office/Department
to review the progress of processing of the pension
cases. The information available from the
BHAVISHYA software may be utilized for this
purpose.
6. Farewell programs are often organized in the
offices on the occasion of retirement of employees.
This is one of the most appropriate occasions that
can be utilized to review the progress of the pension
cases and to sensitize the concerned staff about the
importance of timely payment of retirement dues.
Accordingly, in every farewell function, Heads of
organizations/Departments/offices may review the
18
MAY-2021
progress of pension cases of all the employees of
that organization/Department/office, who are due for
retirement in the next six months. Wherever the
processing of any pension case is found to be behind
schedule, proactive action must be taken to ensure
that all retirement dues are paid on time to the retiring
Government servant.
7. A half-yearly statement may be submitted by each
Department/organization/ office to the Secretary of
the administrative Ministry/Department indicating the
particulars of the Government servants in whose case
issue of PPO was delayed by more than two months
after retirement on superannuation. The statement
may also contain the reasons for the delay in issuing
the PPO and remedial action taken to avoid such
delays in future.
8. All the Ministries/Departments are requested to
bring the above instructions to the notice of the offices/
field organizations under their administrative control
for strict compliance.
(Rajesh Kumar)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
V 7th CPC Revision of limits of two family
pensions payable to a child in respect of both the
parents: DoP&PW OM dated 12.02.2021
1/1(2)/2020-P&PW (E) Part-1
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances &
Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan,
Khan Market, New Delhi
Dated 12 February, 2021
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Revision of limits of two family pensions
payable to a child in respect of both the parents
after the 7th CPC.
In accordance with sub-rule (11) of rule 54 of the
Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules 1972, in case
both wife and husband are Government servants and
are governed by the provisions of that rule, on their
death, the surviving child/children is/are eligible for
two family pensions in respect of the deceased
parents. As per the existing rule 54, if one of the
parents dies while in service or after retirement, the
family pension in respect of the deceased shall
become payable to the surviving husband or wife and
in the event of the death of the husband or wife, the
surviving child or children shall be granted the two
family pensions in respect of the deceased parents,
subject to the limits specified below:
(a) (i) If the surviving child or children is or are eligible
to draw two family pensions
at the rate mentioned in sub-rule (3) of Rule 54, the
amount of both the family
pensions shall be limited to forty-five thousand rupees
per month;
(a) (i) If one of the family pensions ceases to be
payable at the rate mentioned in sub-rule (3) of Rule
54, and in lieu thereof the family pension at the rate
mentioned in sub-rule (2) of Rule 54 becomes payable,
the amount of both the pensions shall also be limited
to forty-five thousand rupees per month.
(b) If both the family pensions are payable at the
rates mentioned in sub-rule (2) of Rule 54, the amount
of two family pensions shall be limited to twenty-
seven thousand rupees per month
2. The limits of Rs 45,000/- per month and Rs 27,000/
- per month in the existing Rule 54(11) were
determined at the rate of 50% and 30%, respectively,
of the highest pay of Rs.90,000/- in the 6th CPC and
were notified vide Notification No.38/80/2008-P&PW
(A) dated 8th June, 2011 (GSR 176 dated the 11th
June, 2011).
19
MAY-2021
3. References have been received in this Department
in regard to the limits of two family pensions payable
to child/children in respect of both the parents, after
the 7th CPC.
4. The highest pay in the Government has been revised
to Rs. 2,50,000/-per month after the 7th CPC.
Accordingly, it is clarified that, with effect from
01.01.2016, the amount of Rupees forty five
thousand per month in Rule 54(11)(a)@) & (i) shall
stand revised to Rupees one lakh-twenty-five
thousand per month (being 50% of Rs.2,50,000/-) and
the amount of twenty Seven thousand per month in
Rule 54(11)(b) shall stand revised to Rupees seventy
five thousand per month (being 30% of Rs. 2,50,000/
-).
5. Formal amendment to the Central Civil Services
(Pension) Rules in this respect shall be notified
separately.
Sanjoy Shankar
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
0O0
Amendment of income criteria for grant of
family pension to children/ siblings suffering
from mental or physical disability-regarding
The undersigned is directed to say that in accordance
with sub-rule (6) of Rule 54 of the Central Civil
Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, a child/sibling of a
deceased Government servant/pensioner, who is
suffering from a mental or physical disability, is eligible
for family pension for life, if the disability is of such a
nature so as to prevent him/her from earning his/her
livelihood. Further, as per the said Rule 54, a member
of the family is deemed to be earning his/her livelihood,
if his/her income, from sources other than family
pension, is equal to or more than the minimum family
pension and the dearness relief admissible thereon.
This income ceiling is also applicable for determining
eligibility for family pension of a child/sibling, suffering
from a mental or physical disability.
2. The matter regarding income criteria for
determining eligibility for family pension in the case
of a child/sibling, suffering from mental or physical
disability, has been reviewed in this Department,
 NEWS LETTER
RNI No. WBBIL/2013/53700
Date of Publication 22nd of the Month
keeping in view the special needs of such a child/sibling,
who requires greater medical care and financial
assistance. It is considered desirable that the income
ceiling for grant of family pension to such children/
siblings should commensurate with the amount of the
entitled family pension in their case.
3. Therefore, it has now been decided that a child/
sibling of a deceased Government servant/pensioner,
who is suffering from a mental or physical disability,
shall be eligible for family pension for life, if the
appointing authority is satisfied that the disability is of
such a nature so as to prevent him/her from earning
his/her livelihood, as evidenced by a disability
certificate obtained from a competent medical
authority. Such a child shall be deemed to be not
earning his/her livelihood, if his/her overall income from
sources other than family pension is less than the
entitled family pension at ordinary rate and the dearness
relief admissible thereon, payable on death of the
Government servant/pensioner concerned.
4. Accordingly, a child/sibling of a deceased
Government servant/pensioner, who is suffering from
a mental or physical disability, shall be eligible for family
pension for life, if he/she fulfils, among others, the
following conditions:
i. A disability certificate is issued by the competent
medical authority.
ii. The overall income of the disabled child, from
sources other than family pension, remains less than
the entitled family pension at ordinary rate (i.e. 30%
of the last pay drawn by the deceased Government
servant/pensioner concerned) plus the dearness relief
admissible thereon.
5. The provisions of Rule 54 of the CCS (Pension)
Rules, 1972 shall stand modified to the extent
Printed and published by R.L. Bhattacharyee on behalf of National Co-ordination Committee of Pensioners
Associations from K.G. bose Bhawan, 68B, malanga lane, Kolkata 700012 Ph. (033) 2212-23025 printed at
RD Enterprise,182, B.B. gaguly Street, Kolkata-700 012
December- 2020
Date of Posting 26th & 27th of the month
mentioned above only and the amended
provisions shall take effect from the date of issue
of this Office Memorandum. A formal amendment
of Rule 54 shall be notified separately.
In cases where a child/sibling, suffering from a
mental or physical disability is presently not in
receipt of a family pension due to non-fulfillment of
the earlier income criteria, family pension may be
granted to such a child/sibling, if he/she fulfils the
income criteria mentioned in para 3 and 4 above and
also fulfills the other conditions for grant of
family pension at the time of death of
Government servant or pensioner or previous
family pensioner. The financial benefits, in such
cases, shall accrue from the date of issue of this
Office Memorandum and no arrears for the period
from the date of death of Government servant/
pensioner/previous family pensioner shall be
admissible.
7. This OM is issued with the concurrence of
Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure vide
their ID No. 1(2)/EV/2020 dated 29.12.2020 and
02.02.2021.
8. In its application to persons belonging to Indian
Audit and Accounts Department, these orders are
issued under Article 148(5) of the Constitution and
after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor
General of India v
9. The Administrative Divisions of all Ministries/
Departments and attached/subordinate offices are
requested to bring the contents of these instructions
to the notice of all concerned for compliance.
0O0
Price Rs. 6/-