Pensions and grants are a way of ensuring a life of dignity and independence for forces veterans as well as their families. Salute brings you the latest updates.
Grant of family pension from a widow
Let us throw some light on the grant of the share of family pension to eligible children from a widow who is not alive on the death of ESM pensioner under regulation 71(b) of Pension Regulation 2008. The Regulation 71 (b) of pension Regulation (Part 1) 2008 states that “where a deceased is survived by a widow and has also left behind eligible child/children from another wife who is not alive, the eligible child of the deceased wife shall be entitled to the share of ordinary family pension which the mother would have received if she had been alive at the time of death of the service personnel/pensioner”.
All records offices have been advised by PCDA (Pen) Allahabad that a review may be carried out to identify the cases where 50% share of Family Pension cases have been notified to surviving widow, but claim for the other 50% share to eligible child/children from a widow who is not alive, has not been submitted to PCDA (P) Allahabad, may be forwarded at the earliest. PCDA (Pen) Allahabad Cir No. 641 of 21 Sep 2020 refers.
Revision of pension regulation
There has been a revision for the Army 2008n (Part-1) in lieu of amendment done in sub Rule (3) of Rule 54 of CCS Pension Rule by DoP & PW. Provision of Note 3 (i) & ((ii) below Army Instruction 51/80 and Regulation 64 (b) in Pension Regulation for the Army Part-1 (2008) under which the minimum of 7 years of continuous qualifying service is required for grant of enhanced rate of family pension for the Armed Forces Personnel.
On the issue of Gazette Notification No. 550 dated 19 Sep 2019 of the Min of Personnel Public Grievances & Pensions Deptt of Pension and Pensioners Welfare (DoP & PW), the condition of the minimum requirement of 7 years of continuous service for grant of enhanced rate of ordinary family pension in the sub-rule 3 (a) & (b) of Rule 54 of CCS Pension Rule 1972 has been deleted wef 01 Oct 2019 and now Govt servants who died in service/invalided out even with less than 7 years of qualifying service shall be eligible for the enhanced rate of family pension.
For an Armed Forces Personnel who died within ten years before 01 Oct 2019 without completing continuous service of 7 years, his family shall be eligible for ordinary family pension at an enhanced rate as per Regulation 64 (b) of Pension Regulation for the Army Part-1 2008 from 01 Oct 2019.
This notification also has a provision where Govt servant who died within ten years, his family shall be eligible for family pension at an enhanced rate in accordance with sub-rule (3) from 1st day of Oct 2019 subject to fulfilment of other conditions for grant of family pension.
On the above lines, it is decided that the same provision shall be extended to Armed Forces Personnel also. Accordingly, the clause, after having rendered not less than 7 years continuous qualifying service of Regulation 64 (b) of Pension Regulation for the Army Part -1, 2008, stands deleted wef 01 Oct 2019. It is also decided that where an Armed Forces Personnel died within ten years before 01 Oct 2019 without completing continuous service of 7 years, his family shall be eligible for ordinary family pension at an enhanced rate as per Regulation 64 (b) of Pension Regulation for the Army Part-1 2008 from 01 Oct 2019 subject to fulfilment of other condition for grant of ordinary family pension.
Army instruction No. 51/1980 would stand modified up-to this extent with effect from 01 Oct 2019. The regulation and instructions for grant of ordinary family pension in Navy and Air Force shall also be amended accordingly. DESW letter No. 14(02)/2019/D (Pen/Pol) dated 05 Oct 2020 and PCDA (Pen) Allahabad Cir No. 642 dated 02 Nov 2020 refers.
Extension of period for submission of life certificate
Here is some good news. The period for submission of Life certificate has been extended. This year, all central Govt Pensioners can submit Life Certificate from 01 Nov 2020 onward till Feb 2021. During this extended period, the pension will be continued to be paid by the Pension Disbursing Authority (PDAs) uninterrupted.
CGDA will take necessary action for implementation of instructions issued by DOP &PW mutatis-mutandis in their OM dated 23 Nov 2020. MoD, DESW OM dated 27 Nov 2020 and GoI, MoP, Public Grievances and Pension Deptt of Pension and pensioners’ welfare OM dated 23 Nov 2020 refers.
