Ph.: 23382286
National Council (Staff Side)
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E-Mail : nc.jcm.np[at]gmail.com

No.NC-JCM -2022/SC

December 16, 2023

To,

All Members of the
National Council(Staff Side) – JCM

Dear Comrades,

A meeting of the Standing Committee of National Council – JCM took place on 15/12/2023 under the Chairmanship of Additional Secretary (PP) DOPT, in which officials from various Departments/Ministries participated the following Staff Side Members attended the meeting:-

Shri Shiva Gopal Mishra(Secretary), Shri M. Rghavaiah(Leader), Dr. N. Kannah, Shri J.R. Bhosle, Shri B.C. Sharma, Shri C. Srikumar, Shri Rupak Sarkar, Shri R. Srinivasan, Shri Tapas Bose,

After the introductory remark of the Chairman on behalf of the Staff Side the following issues were raised:-

1. To issue instructions to the MOD to hold regular meeting with Staff Side to resolve the issues arising after Corporatization of Ordnance Factories. It was also raised by staff side that Standing Committee as well as National Council should be held in time.
2. To issue Government orders to extend the period of Option to switch over to the 7th CPC Pay Scale at least for a period of one year i.e. up to 25/7/2017
3. To issue instructions that Service Association under CCS (RSA) Rule 1993 and Employees Cooperative Societies/ Banks which are covered under the Central Cooperative Societies Act and the respective State Governments Cooperative Societies Act are out of the purview of Rule 15 (1) of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964.
4. Not to withdraw the 3rd MACP in Grade Pay Rs. 4600/- granted to the Industrial Employees of Defence Ministry (Master Craftsman up to 31/12/ 2005 ince the same was given · based on various Court judgements).
5. Orders to be issued by Ministry of health for extending CGHS benefits to the employees in Industrial Establishments under Western Naval Command Mumbai.
6. Revision of Deposit linked Insurance Scheme under the GPF for Central Government Employees.
7. Restoration of festival advance to the Central Government Employees(Item No.6/SC/62/23).
8. Extending revised option for the employees who were given entry pay benefit on promotion in the 6th CPC Pay Scale to switch over to 6th CPC Pay Scale w.e.f. 01.01.2006.
9. Extension of LTC 80 one time relaxation in the case of employees who availed LTC to Andaman & Nicobar Island (A&N) by purchasing air tickets from other than authorized agents,

After the above discussion took place on the 13 agenda points and the decision taken are given below:-

1. Payment of FMA to Pensioners of the National Institute of Ayurveda and bring the employees of the institutes within the ambit of CCS(MA) Rules.

Decision

Staff Side protested against the Government decision to file an SLP in the Supreme Court against the High Court Judgement given in favour of the employees / Pensioners. We demanded that the SLP should be withdrawn and Government should implement the Court Judgement. After discussion Additional Secretary directed the Department of AYUSH to reconsider its decision and explore the possibility of implementing the Judgement considering the less number of employees / Pensioners of the Institute.

2. Restoration of facilities and concession withdrawn by Railways to Senior Citizens.

Decision

Staff Side demanded that to start with at least Central Government Pensioners may be allowed the Railway concessions since they are not eligible for LTC after Retirement. Additional Secretary Stated that it is a policy matter to be decided by the Government and hence Staff Side may raise this in the main meeting of NC – JCM.

3. Pension to be exempted from the purview of income taxation.
4. Disability pension of war heroes to be exempted from Income tax.

Decision

Additional Secretary Informed that Government have not agreed to exempt pension from the purview of income tax . We protested against this stand of the government.

5. Revision of the benefit of Deposit Linked Insurance Coverage from GPF.

Decision

Staff Side protested against the non cooperation of the Department of Expenditure in not settling the genuine demand of the Staff Side. After discussion Additional Secretary desired that the Department of Expenditure and Department of Pension should reconsider the matter and if required to have a meeting with the Staff Side for reaching an agreement on the issue.

6. Enhancement of Bonus Ceiling Limit of Casual Labourers consequent on enhancement of Bonus Calculation Ceiling of Central Govt Employees.

Decision

After discussion it was decided that the Department of Expenditure will issue a circular to all the Ministries/Department to find out the number of casual employees and there after a decision would be taken.

7. Modification for grievance redressal mechanism .

Decision

Staff Side complained that the grievances of pensioners and family pensioners are not being addressed properly and hence the grievance redressal mechanism in the DOP&PW and all other Ministries should be strengthened and should be properly monitored. DY. Secretary DOP&PW informed that a detailed guidelines in this regard was issued by the DOP&PW. Additional Secretary desired that a copy of the DOP&PW instructions may be forwarded to the Staff Side and the DOP&PW should ensure that the pensioner’s grievances should be attended and settled in a time bound manner. Staff side mentioned that as per norms Pension and PW department should hold minimum three meetings during year but instead of continuous persuasions and sending agenda no meeting could be held. Additional Secretary, DOP&T informed that meetings will be arranged.

8. Implementation of Govt. decision on 7th CPC recommendations on Risk Allowance to the Central Govt. Employees including Defence Civilian Employees.

Decision

Staff Side argued that Risk Allowance should be at par with the Risk and Hardship matrix and the left out operations organisations and categories should be included for the payment of Risk Allowance. Additional Secretary informed that the report of the Railway Risk Allowance Committee has been received and the same will be studied. After receipt of Risk Allowance Committee Report of Defence Ministry further Action in this regard would be taken. It was also assured by ADS that the recommendations send by railways will be analysed and hard duty allowance for various categories will be examined and replied shortly.

9. Restoration of the commuted portion of pension after 12 years:

Decision

Staff Side protested against the stand taken by Department of Expenditure that the Staff Side should wait till the next Pay Commission and that now this demand is premature. We stated that the Staff Side have already given full justification for restoration of the commuted pension after 12 years and the DOP&PW have already recommended for restoration of the commuted pension after 12 years and hence the issue needs to be settled. After discussion Additional Secretary desired that the DOP&PW and the Department of Expenditure should hold a meeting with Staff Side and if the issue is not resolved then the same·can be raised in the main meeting of the National Council – JCM.

10. MACP to be made effective from 1.12006 in implementation of the judgement of the Supreme Court.

Decision

The Supreme Court in two cases have rejected the above matter. Only in the case of Armed Force Personnel the Supreme Court gave a different Judgement and MOD of their own have implemented the judgement for Armed Forces Personnel. The matter will be further studied.

11. Grant of one notional increment for those who retired on superannuation on 30th June,

Decision

Staff Side protested against the undue delay in deciding this issue despite many judgements by the Supreme Court and we demanded that the Government Orders should be issued. Additional Secretary stated that the issue is in an advanced stage of consideration and the DOPT would take a decision in this regard very soon.

12. Applicability of the 7th CPC. Pay revision benefit for those retired on 31.12.2015.

Decision

The Matter is pending before the Supreme Court

13. To specify time frame for the completion of disciplinary cases in the case of pensioners.

Decision

Staff Side stated that there are many disciplinary cases of retired employees remaining unsettled and pending for 5 to 10 years period and hence there should be a time limit fixed for the disciplinary proceedings pending against retired government employees. Additional Secretary informed that the matter is under examination in the DOPT and detailed guidelines will be issue very soon in this regard.

After discussion on the above agenda points we raised the following important issue:

1. After the issue of DOP&PW OM Dated 03.03.2023 on the subject of option for those Central Government employees who were recruited on the basis of Notification / Advertisement issued prior to 22/12/2003 for conversion from NPS to OPS the following anomalies have cropped up and in the lower formations I field units the above OM is not properly implemented.

a. Ex Apprentices of Railways and Defence who were recruited directly on batch wise seniority basis in their cases there is no notification / advertisement and hence the vacancies sanctioned for recruitment prior to 22/12/2003 should be treated as notification. This is not happening in the units.

b. In the case of Compassionate Appointment also there is no notification and hence the employees recruited on the basis of the Call Letters issued to them / date of application for compassionate appointment etc should be treated as notification. This matter is also remaining unsettled.

c. In some cases the senior employees are kept in NPS and the Junior employees are converted to Old Pension Scheme .

To settle all the above issues and for extension of the cut of date for the appointing Authorities to take the decision etc were represented to the DOP&PW by the Secretary Staff Side and have demanded the

DOP&PW to hold a meeting with the Staff Side to decide all the various anomalies in the implementation of DOP&PW OM dated 03/03/2023. However there is no positive response from the DOP&PW. Additional Secretary directed that the DOP&PW should hold a meeting with the Staff Side to resolve the issues represented by the Staff Side.

While concluding the meeting Additional Secretary assured that the meeting of the National Council JCM under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary would take place soon.

With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary

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BHARAT PENSIONERS’ SAMAJ

All India Federation of Pensioners’ Associations)
(Registered No, 2023 of 1962-62)
Member International Federation on Ageing. Montreal (Canada)
2/13-A – LGF Backside, Jangpura – ‘A’, New Delhi – 110 014

No.BPS/ BDPA (I)/Fixed-Med/ Enhancement/ 2023

Dated 5th October 2023

To:

Hon’ble Smt. Nirmala Sitaraman,
Finance Minister, Govt. of India,
15, Safdarjung Road,
New Delhi

Sub: A request to expedite decision for enhancing Fixed Medical Allowance from Rs. 1000/- Per Month to Rs. 3000/- PM.

Respected Madam,

1. In continuation of our letter of even No. Dated 26.04.2023, we write to remind you that the Parliamentary committee on Pensioner’s Grievance has submitted its 110th report on 10.12.2021; wherein it has been recommended the enhancement vide para3.14, sub Para (i) “Fixed Medical Allowance may be enhanced from Rs 1000 to Rs 3000 per month since most pensioners are suffering from different diseases at old age and are unable to manage with meager pension as CGHS hospital is not available in every town”.

2. As were given to understand, the same was forwarded to you ministry vide F. No. 4/34/2017-P&PW(D dated 31-01-2018 for final decision.

3. We were also informed that the same has been sent to your office vide No. सं.12(3)2/ई-V/2023 –dated 05.05.2023.

4. Madam Sir, since the issue was under examination in your ministry and we have come to know that you have given nod to the proposal.

We therefore look forward to your august office for its clearance for issuance of orders on the subject by the ministry.

With Regards,

Yours Sincerely,

(D.D. MISTRY)
Secretary BSNL/PSU

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BHARAT PENSIONERS’ SAMAJ
(All India Federation of Pensioner’s Association)
(Registered No. 2023 of 1962-63)

No.BPS/ BDPA (I)/ Fixed-Med/ Enhancement/ 2023

Dated 26th April, 2023

To:

Hon’ble Smt. Nirmala Sitaraman,
Finance Minister, Govt. of India,
15, Safdarjung Road,
New Delhi

Sub: A request to expedite decision for enhancing Fixed Medical Allowance from Rs. 1000/- Per Month to Rs. 3000/- PM.

1. That the Parliamentary committee on Pensioner’s Grievance has submitted its 110th report on 10.12.2021; wherein it has been recommended the enhancement vide para3.14, sub Para (iii) “Fixed Medical Allowance may be enhanced from Rs 1000 to Rs 3000 per month since most pensioners are suffering from different diseases at old age and are unable to manage with meager pension as CGHS hospital is not available in every town”.

2. As per Para 2.21 of 120th Action Taken Report, “DoP&PW has taken-up the issue of enhancement of FMA with the Finance Ministry.

3. Now, as we understand the GOI Min of Personnel, Public Grievance& Pensions, DoP&PW F. No. 4/34/2017-P&PW (D dated 31-01-2018 has forwarded the said proposal to your Minister for further decision in the matter.

4. That GOI Min of Personnel, Public Grievance& Pensions, DoP&PW F. No. 4/34/2017-P&PW (D) dated 31-01-2018 had increased it from Rs.500/- to Rs.1000/- per month in the year 2018 to meet the day-to-day expenses on medicines for those retired Central Govt. pensioners who are residing beyond 2.5 KMs from any CGHS dispensary or any other health unit corresponding Health unit administered by other Ministries/ Departments. In turn BSNL Corporate Office had also implemented the same for the BSNL Pensioners.

5. For your information, EPFO pensioners get Rs. 2000/- PM since 01.03.2013.

6. Since 2018 till date the FMA is paid per month on the above rates whereas it is established fact that during these six years price index is increased resulting in to rise in prices of medicines which are required by the age pensioners to maintain up their health.

In light of above factual reasons, we request you to kindly expedite decision to enhance Fixed Medical Allowance from Rs 1000 to Rs 3000 per month since most pensioners are suffering from different diseases at old age and are unable to manage with paltry sum of Rs. 1000/- per month.

Your ministry will be aware of the fact that now a day’s our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai is also reiterating the stand of govt. showing its concern for Senior citizens. Your sympathetic consideration of the issue will be a boon to all the Pensioners fraternity.

We therefore look forward to your august office for early sympathetic decision in the matter.

With Regards,

Yours Sincerely,

(D.D. MISTRY)
Secretary BSNL/PSU

The post BPS – A request to expedite decision for enhancing Fixed Medical Allowance from Rs. 1000/- Per Month to Rs. 3000/- PM appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh
(AN ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF DEFENCE WORKERS)
(AN INDUSTRIAL UNIT OF B.M.S.)
(RECOGNISED BY MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, GOVT. OF INDIA)

REF: BPMS/ DoP&PW/ FMA/ 156(8/1/L)

Dated: 01.03.2023

REMINDER 1

To,

The Secretary
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions,
Govt of India, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market,
New Delhi – 110 003

Subject: Enhancement of Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA).

Reference: This federation letter of even no dated 29.08.2022

Respected Sir,

With due regards, it is submitted that Fixed Medical Allowance is granted to the Central Government pensioners/ family pensioners residing in areas not covered under Central Government Health Scheme administered by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and corresponding health schemes administered by other Ministries/ Departments for their retired employees for meeting expenditure on their day-to-day medical expenses that do not require hospitalization.

At present, this allowance is being granted @ Rs.1000/- per month to all eligible pensioners/ family pensioners with effect from 01.07.2017. DoP&PW reviews this amount periodically in order to soothe the effect of inflation on Medical Expenditure.

It is worth to mention here that corona pandemic has skyrocketed the expenditure on Medical Treatment. Therefore, the federation had represented the subject matter through its letter cited under reference mentioning that pensioners, erstwhile members/ officer bearers of this federation, are approaching this federation with request to do needful for enhancement of Fixed Medical Allowance from existing Rs.1000/- to Rs.5000 per month. But any action from your end is still awaited.

Therefore, you are again requested to peruse the matter and do the needful in this regard.

Thanking you

Sincerely Yours

(MUKESH SINGH)
General Secretary/ BPMS &
Member National Council JCM

Download Enhancement of Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) PDF

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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
(DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERS’ WELFARE)

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1086
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2022)

FIXED MEDICAL ALLOWANCE FOR RETIRED EMPLOYEES

1086 # DR. RADHA MOHAN DAS AGRAWAL:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) the amount which is paid as Fixed Medical Allowance to the retired Central Government employees by Government;

(b) the year in which the said amount was decided and whether it has ever been increased; and

(c) whether Government would consider increasing this amount?

Central Government Employees FMA FIXED MEDICAL ALLOWANCE

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) to (c): It is submitted that Central Government Civil Pensioners/ Family Pensioners who are residing in areas not covered under Central Government Health Scheme administered by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and corresponding health schemes administered by other Ministries/Departments for their retired employees and who are not availing OPD facilities under that scheme, are entitled to receive a monthly Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) of Rs.1000/- per month for meeting expenditure on their day-to-day medical expenses that do not require hospitalization. The amount of Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA), which was fixed at Rs. 100/- per month in the year 1997 has been revised from time to time. In 2008, FMA was revised to Rs. 300/- per month and in 2014, it was again increased to Rs. 500/- per month. Lastly, the amount of FMA from Rs. 500/- per month was increased to Rs.1000/- per month with effect from 01.07.2017.

The post Fixed Medical Allowance for Retired Central Government employees appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

Ministry of Railway 
Government India
Compendium of
Seventh Pay Commission Allowances

Compiled by:
Pay Commission Date.

Index

The post Compendium of 7th Pay Commission Allowances for Railway Employees appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

Discontinuation of FMA

CPAO/ IT&Tech/ 7th CPC Revision/19 Vol. III (E)/ 2022-23/128

02-08.2022

Sub:- Procedure for implementation of change of option by a Pensioner/ Family Pensioner from FMA to CGHS (OPD) facility and vice-versa- reg.

Attention is invited to Department of Pension and Pensioner’s Welfare (DoP&PW) OM No. 4/05/2019-P&PW(D) dated 23 March, 2022 wherein the revised procedure for implementation of option by a Pensioner/Family Pensioner from Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) to CGHD (OPD) facility is laid down.

The Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO), in this regard, has designed a unique format of special seal authority (SSA) and updated its database for processing of cases with regard to discontinuation of FMA. Now, on receipt of intimation in FMA Form-4 from the Central Pension Processing Centre (CPPC) regarding stoppage of FMA to pensioner/family pensioner, CPAO will update its database and issue revision authority for necessary updation in records of Pay and Accounts Office.

In view of the above, all the Pr. CCAs/ CCAs/ CAs/ AGs are requested to issue instructions to PAOs under their control to make necessary changes in their record.

This issues with the approval of the Chief Controller (Pensions).

(Satish Kumar Garg)
Sr. Accounts Officer (IT & Tech)

CENTRAL PENSION ACCOUNTING OFFICE
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
TRIKOOT-2,BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE,NEW DELHI-110066

Dated:

To,
Pay & Accounts Office
_____
_____
_____

Subject:- Discontinuation of Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) in r/o Sh./Smt. ____ Holder of PPO No.___

Sir/Madam,

In pursuance of the revised procedure for implementation of change of option by a Pensioner/ Family Pensioner from Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) to CGHS (OPD) facility, circulated vide DoPPW OM No. 4/05/2019 -P&PW(D) dated 23.03.2022, the CPPC has informed that the FMA to the Pensioner/ Family Pensioner, whose details are given below has been discontinued:

Necessary updation has been made in PARAS (CPAO Databse). This is for information and necessary action in terms of the OM cited above.

Yours faithfully
Pay and Accounts Officer

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RAILWAY SENIOR CITIZENS WELFARE SOCIETY
(Estd. 1991, Regd. No. 1881 – Under Registration of Societies Act),

No. RSCWS/CHD/ Memo / 2022-14

Dated: 13-5-2022

Dear Sir,

Sub: Enhancement of Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) for pensioners & family pensioners.

Ref: Recommendations of 110th report of Parliamentary Standing Committee on “Pensioners Grievances-Impact of Pension Adalats and Centralized Pensioners Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS)”

1. We seek your kind intervention to consider and revise Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) as per the recommendations of 110th report of Parliamentary Standing Committee on “Pensioner’s Grievances-Impact of Pension Adalats and Centralized Pensioners Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS)”.

2. At present Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) Rs.1000 per month is granted to the Railway pensioners/Family Pensioners residing in areas beyond 2.5 Kms of Railway Hospital/Health Unit for meeting expenditure on their day-to-day medical expenses that do not require hospitalization.

3. The present rate of Rs.1000 per month is inadequate considering the increased cost of medicine and medical facilities.

4. In para 3.21 of 110th report of the said Committee on “Pensioner’s Grievances-Impact of Pension Adalats and Centralized Pensioners Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS)” submitted to Parliament on 10th December 2021, it was recommended that:

“The Committee takes note of the fact that Fixed Medical Allowance is granted to pensioners who reside outside the CGHS areas for meeting expenditure on day-to-day medical expenses (OPD) that do not require hospitalization. The Committee also takes note of the request of Pensioners’ Associations for enhancement of Fixed Medical Allowance from Rs 1000 to Rs 3000 per month as most pensioners are suffering from different diseases at old age and are unable to manage with meagre pension as CGHS hospital is not available in every town. The Committee recommends DoPPW to take up this issue of enhancement of Fixed Medical Allowance with the Finance Ministry as Rs 1000 is a very meagre amount for an old age pensioner and apprise the views of the Finance Ministry to the Committee in its Action Taken Replies”.

5. It is, therefore, requested that Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) may please be enhanced to Rs.3000 per month.

Yours faithfully,

(Harchandan Singh),
General Secretary, RSCWS

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The central government is considering increasing pensions for retired employees by 1% every year. The Permanent Standing Committee of Parliament has recommended that the government implement a pension increase based on age, starting at 65 instead of the present age of 80.

The Finance Ministry is considering the recommendation and the 1% annual increase, as well as a 5% boost for seniors over the age of 65.

Central Government Employees FMA FIXED MEDICAL ALLOWANCE

Retirees who reach the age of 80 currently receive a 20% increase in their pension. The administration has included a 1% annual rise on its plan, following a recent meeting between Minister Jitendra Singh and pensioners’ organisations.

According to the organisations, a 1% annual rise would equal a 20% raise when the retiree reaches the age of 65.

According to the organisations, a 1% annual rise would equate to a 20% raise when the retiree reaches the age of 80.

Benefits for medical treatment are projected to be doubled.

The fixed medical allowance (FMA) for pensioners may be increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 by the national government.

Pensioners’ organisations have urged for an increase in FMA in light of recent increases in medicine prices. They also urged that the government give retirees with medical checks every six months or a year.

The post Central Government considering 1% annual pension hike, Medical benefits are expected to be doubled appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

No. 4/05/2019-P&PW(D)
भारत सरकार
कार्मिक, लोक श‍िकायत एवं पेंशन मंत्रालय
पेंशन एवं पेंशनभोगी कल्‍याण विभाग

तृतीय तल, लोक नायक भवन
खान मार्केट, नई द‍िल्‍ली-110003
दिनांक: 23 मार्च, 2022

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Procedure for implementation of change of option by a Pensioner/ Family Pensioner from FMA to CGHS (OPD) facility and vice-versa-reg

The undersigned is directed to say that the Central Government Civil Pensioners/ Family Pensioners residing in areas not covered under Central Government Health Scheme administered by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and corresponding health schemes administered by other Ministries/ Departments for their retired employees for meeting expenditure on their day-to­-day medical expenses that do not require hospitalization, are entitled to receive a monthly Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA). The amount of FMA was revised from time to time and was last revised to Rs.1000/- p.m. w.e.f. 01.07.2017 vide this Department’s OM No. 4/34/2017- P&PW(D) dated 19.07.2017.

2. Only those Pensioners/ Family Pensioners who are residing in an area not covered by CGHS, and specifically opt for not availing of OPD facilities in the nearest CGHS dispensary, are entitled medical allowance. An option is required to be exercised by a retiree at the time of retirement for availing OPD medical facility or FMA. Only one change in option in the life-time of a Pensioner/ Family Pensioner is allowed.

Pension Call Centre – New Toll Free Number

3. The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, in its 110th report on “Pensioner’s Grievances-Impact of Pension Adalats and Centralized Pensioners Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS)” has made following recommendation :

• (3.22) The Committee takes note of the difficulties faced by pensioners in surrendering their Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) and getting FMA Surrender Certificate to avail CGHS indoor & outdoor (OPD) facilities, and, accordingly, recommends DoPPW and CGA that the procedural loopholes coming in this way should be plugged and ensure that all such pensioners should get FMA Surrender Certificates in a hassle free manner through online mode under intimation to the bank concerned and a timeline should be fixed in this regard.

4. If a Pensioner/Family Pensioner who is residing in a non-CGHS areas and is in receipt of FMA, intends to avail the OPD facility under CGHS, etc. he has to forego FMA to become eligible for OPD facility under CGHS. However. in the absence of any guidelines for discontinuance of FMA by the Bank and issue of CGHS card for OPD facility, Pensioners/Family Pensioners are often facing difficulty in exercising revised option in this regard. The matter has been examined in consultation with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Central Pension Accounting Office and the following procedure is laid down in this regard:-

• (i) If a Pensioner/ Family Pensioner residing in non-CGHS area shifts his/her residence to a CGHS covered area, he/she no longer remains eligible for FMA irrespective whether he/she avails the CGHS facility or not. It will, therefore, be the responsibility of the Pensioner/Family Pensioner that on shifting from a non-CGHS area to a CGHS covered area and while requesting for change of address from a non-CGHS area to a CGHS covered area, he/she will apply to the Bank in Form 2 for discontinuation of his/her FMA. The pension disbursing banks will also make a provision in their system so that whenever a Pensioner/Family Pensioner gives an intimation regarding change of residence from a non-CGHS area to a CGHS covered area, the FMA being paid to the Pensioner/Family Pensioner would automatically be stopped, irrespective whether or not the Pensioner/ Family Pensioner has requested in Form-2 for stoppage of his/her FMA.
• On receipt of an application in Form-2 from the Pensioner/Family Pensioner, who has shifted from a non-CGHS area to a CGHS covered area, the Bank will issue a certificate in Form-3 regarding discontinuation of FMA to the Pensioner/Family Pensioner within three working days from the date of receipt of the application for the said certificate. Thereafter, it will be open to the Pensioner /Family Pensioner to apply to the CGHS authorities for issue of a CGHS card for both OPD and IPD facility, by payment of requisite CGHS contributions.
• In case the Pensioner/Family Pensioner applies for issue of a CGHS card, the same will be issued to him/her by the CGHS authorities as per their laid down procedure, if the Pensioner/Family Pensioner otherwise fulfils the eligibility conditions for issue of CGHS Card. The CGHS authorities will, however, issue a provisional CGHS card to the Pensioner/Family Pensioner within four working days from the date of completion of all formalities and deposit of contributions by the Pensioner/Family Pensioner and such provisional Card will remain valid till issue of a final CGHS Card.
• (ii) If a Pensioner/Family Pensioner, residing in a non-CGHS area and availing FMA in lieu of OPD facility, intends to avail CGHS facility for both OPD and IPD, he/she may apply to the concerned branch of the pension disbursing bank in Form-2 for discontinuation of FMA, to enable him/her to apply to the CGHS authorities for the CGHS facility. The Pensioner/Family Pensioner will also give an undertaking in Form-2 to the Bank that the option being exercised by him/her to avail medical facility under CGHS or other similar Health Scheme of their respective Ministry/Department, is a one­ time option and that he/she has not availed the facility of change of option from CGHS to FMA in the past. The pension disbursing bank shall, thereafter, stop the payment of FMA in respect of such Pensioner/Family Pensioner and issue a certificate in Form-3 to him/her regarding discontinuance of FMA, within three working days from the date of receipt of application.
• Thereafter the Pensioner/Family Pensioner may apply to the concerned CGHS authorities for issue of CGHS card for both OPD as well as IPD facility after paying requisite CGHS contribution, if not already paid. The CGHS authorities will, issue the CGHS Card (including OPD facility) to him/her as per their procedure, if the Pensioner/Family Pensioner otherwise fulfils the eligibility conditions for issue of CGHS Card. The CGHS authorities will, however, issue a provisional CGHS card to the Pensioner/Family Pensioner within four working days from the date of completion of all formalities and deposit of contributions by the Pensioner/Family Pensioner and such provisional Card will remain valid till issue of a final CGHS Card.
• (iii) After discontinuing the FMA, the bank will make necessary changes in both halves of PPO in regard to discontinuance of FMA. The CPPC of the concerned bank, shall send an intimation to the Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) in the proforma at Form-4 for updating the record. CPAO will thereafter forward the intimation to the concerned Pay & Account Office (PAO) after updating the data in the PARAS (i.e. CPAO’s database). On receipt of intimation from CPAO, PAO will inform the change in status to the concerned Head of Office for record.

5. If a Pensioner/Family Pensioner, who is availing CGHS/medical facility for both IPD and OPD, intends to avail FMA while residing in a non-CGHS area or on shifting of residence from a CGHS area to a non-CGHS area. he/she may apply to the CGHS authorities for surrender of OPD facility under CGHS. On receipt of an application to this effect, the CGHS authorities will make necessary endorsement on the CGHS card and issue a certificate within four working days from the date of receipt of application, that the Pensioner/Family Pensioner is not availing OPD facility and is availing only IPD facility under CGHS. Thereafter, the Pensioner/Family Pensioner will submit an application to the Head of Office along with copy of the surrender certificate for issue of a revised pension payment authority for payment of FMA. The case for issue of the revised pension payment authority will then be processed in the usual manner through PAO and CPAO and sent to the Pension Disbursing Bank for payment of FMA along with monthly pension. The revised Pension Payment Authority will be issued within two months from the date of submission of application by the Pensioner/Family pensioner in this regard. The payment of FMA in such cases will, however, be made from the date of issue of the surrender certificate by the CGHS authorities.

Encl: FMA Forms

(Charanjit Taneja)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Download DoPPW Order Procedure for implementation of change of option by a Pensioner/ Family Pensioner from FMA to CGHS (OPD) facility and vice-versa

The post Procedure for a Pensioner/Family Pensioner to switch their option from FMA to CGHS (OPD) facility and vice versa appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.