Government enhances pension for family of employees in case of death; amends Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 - (23 Sep 2019)
Service
The Central Government has issued a Notification dated 19th September, 2019 bringing an amendment in Rule 54 of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 (CCS Rules). From now on, the family of a Government servant, who dies within seven years of joining service, will also be eligible for family pension at enhanced rate of 50% of last pay drawn, for a period of 10 years. The amendment will come into force from 1st October, 2019. Even the families of Government servants who died before completion of seven years’ service within 10 years before 1st October, 2019, shall also be eligible for family pension at enhanced rates.
The Notification further gives a an Explanatory Memorandum in respect of Sub-rule (3A) of Rule 54 of CCS Rules which provides for payment of family pension to the family of a Government servant who died within ten years before the 1st day of October, 2019 without completing continuous service of seven years. It is certified that, none will be adversely affected by giving retrospective effect to the amendment. The need for such an amendment arose as the Government felt that, the need for family pension at enhanced rate is more in the case of a Government servant who dies early in his career, as his pay at the initial phase of service is much less.
Prior to the amendment, in case of death of a Government servant, the family was entitled to a pension in accordance with Rule 54 of the CCS Rules, 1972. The family pension was payable at enhanced rate of 50% of the pay last drawn for a period of 10 years, if the Government servant had rendered a continuous service of not less than seven years; thereafter the rate of family pension was 30% of the pay last drawn. In case the Government servant had rendered a service of less than seven years before his death, the rate of family pension was 30% from the beginning and family pension at enhanced rate of 50% of last pay drawn was not payable to the family. The amended pension rules will apply to families of all government employees, including those of Central Armed Police Forces Personnel.
In a Statement rendered by Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions it is clarified that, for the purpose of death gratuity, the final amount of the death gratuity will be determined by the Head Office on the acceptance and verification of the entire spell of service. The notification has also provided in case of death gratuity that, if the entire service rendered by the deceased Government servant is not capable of being verified and accepted, the amount of death gratuity shall be provisionally determined in accordance with clause (b) of sub-rule (1) of Rule 50 of CCS Rules.
The present amendment is a welcome step for Central Government servants. However, bringing such an amendment is only a periphery of more complex as well as rigid procedures and Rules which are often being seemed as obstructions in getting full benefits across various schemes initiated by the government for government servants. The government is required to initiate such practical and more demanding steps while dealing with the government servants.
Tags : PENSION RULE AMENDMENT
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