EAST COAST RAILWAY

Grant of Additional Benefits on death/disability of Government Servants covered under National Pension System (NPS) – Railway Board RBE No. 08/2020 No. D-43/4/2018- F(E)III dated 20.01.2020.

RBE No. 08/2020

Government of India
Ministry of Railways
(Railway Board)

No. D-43/4/2018-F(E)III

New Delhi, Dated 20.01.2020

The General Managers/ Principal Financial Advisory,
All Zonal Railways/ Production Units

Sub:- Grant of Additional Benefits on death / disability of Government Servants covered under National Pension System (NPS) – reg

Attention is invited to Board’s letter No. 2008/AC-II/21/19 dated 29.05.2009 vide which instructions were issued providing for additional relief on death/disability of Government servants covered by New Defined Contribution Pension System (NPS). Instructions issued vide letter ibid will be applicable to those Government Servants who joined Government Service on or after 01.01.2004 and will take effect from the same date i.e. 01.01.2004. Further, attention is invited to the letter No. 2016/F(E)III/1(1)/3 dated 27.05.2016 vide which Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Exits and Withdrawals under NPS) Regulation, 2015 notified vide Gazette notification dated 11.05.2015 was adopted and circulated on Railways. It is prescribed in these regulations that if the subscriber or the family members of the deceased subscriber, upon his death, avails the option of additional relief on seek transfer of the entire accumulated pension wealth of subscriber to itself.

Also check: Good news for NPS employees

2. References were received in this office seeking clarification whether the rule allowing option for drawl of pension/ family pension, instead of NPS corpus, is also applicable retrospectively for the cases where corpus of NPS has already been paid to the deceased employee’s legal heirs before issue of board’s letter No. 2008/AC-II/21/19 dated 29.05.2009. If the date of application of additional benefit is retrospective, whether it is from the date the employee deceased or from the date of issue of Board’s letter dated 29.05.2009. Also, whether the arrears of pension/family pension is to be paid (upon surrender of NPS Corpus) or not, and the amount is likely to be huge which would impact the Railway Finances. Clarification was, also, sought whether the interest on the corpus is to be charged from the date of payment of corpus amount till the date of is surrender and if so, at what rate.

3. The above issue has been examined in consultation with Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DOP&PW), the nodal Department of pensioner matters. DOP&PW has clarified that Railway servant/ family member in the case of death of railway servant of his discharge from service on account of invalidation/ disability, is entitled to pension/ family pension under old pension scheme under Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993, if the Railway servant/ Family wants to. DOP&PW have, further, clarified that the entire accumulated pension funds under NPS may be recovered from him/family with interest for the period from the date of receipt of entire accumulated pension wealth to the subscriber under NPS to the date of refund to the Government at the rate and manner applicable to GPF deposits from time to time.

4. The aforesaid clarification may be kept in view while dealing with cases covered under National Pension System (NPS).

sd/-
(G. Priya Sudarsani)
Director, Finance (Estt.)
Railway Board

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No.NC-JCM-2019/Pension/NPS

April 23 , 2019

The Secretary
Government of India
Department of Pension and Pensioners welfare
3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan.
Khan Market, New Delhi.

Sir,

Sub : GPF for those who have been recruited on or after 1-1-2004.

Ref : Item No. 5 of the agenda point discussed in the 47th meeting of National Council (JCM) held under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary on 13th April 2019.

You are aware that the Staff side of the National Council JCM is repeatedly demanding for withdrawing the NPS and re introduce the defined Guaranteed pension scheme under the CCS (Pension) Rules 1972 to the employees who have been recruited on or after 1-1-2004. However pending the same the staff side has represented for extending the benefit of GPF for those employees who have been appointed on or before 1-1-2004 and governed under NPS on an optional basis. In the 47th National Council JCM meeting held on 13-4-2019, the Staff side reiterated their demand and requested that the GPF scheme may be extended to the NPS employees who opt for the same as an additional saving benefit. The Cabinet Secretary desired that the demand of the Staff Side may be considered favorably. Your good self has also assured that the demand of the Staff side would be considered and decision taken at the earliest.

In view of the above we submit the following justification for extending the GPF benefit on optional basis to the employees who are governed under the NPS scheme.

The advantage of GPF to the employees is as follows:

(1) The interest rate for GPF accumulation is 8% as on date.

(2) Advances from GPF is permissible for the following purposes.

• Illness of self, family members or dependants.
• Education of family members or dependant of the subscriber. Education will include primary, secondary and higher education, covering all streams and educational institutions.
• Obligatory expenses, viz. betrothal, marriage, funerals or other ceremonies.
• Cost of legal proceedings
• Cost of defence
• Purchase of consumer durables
• Pilgrimage and visiting places of eminence. This will include any travel and tourism related activities.

(3) Apart from the advances as mentioned above GPF subscribers are entitled for withdrawals from GPF for the following purposes.

(i) Education : This will include primary, secondary and higher education covering all streams and institutions.
(ii) Obligatory expenses, viz. betrothal, marriage, funerals, or other ceremonies of self or family members and dependants.
(iii) Illness of self, family members or dependants.
(iv) Purchase of consumer durables.
(v) Housing including building or acquiring a suitable house or a ready built flat for his residence.
(vi) Repayment of outstanding housing loan.
(vii) Purchase of house site for building a house.
(viii) Constructing a house on a site acquired.
(ix) Reconstructing or making additions on a house already acquired.
(x) Renovating, additions or alterations of ancestral house.
(xi) Purchase of motor car/ motor cycle/ scooter etc. or repayment of loan already taken for the purpose.
(xii) Extensive repairs / overhauling of motor car.
(xiii) Making deposit to book a motor car / motor cycle / scooter, moped, etc

Apart from the above tax deduction under section 80C is also available. Annual statements will be issued on the 1st of April every year.

From the above it is amply clear that the GPF is more advantages to the employees than the Tier-II scheme of NPS. Therefore as stated by the staff side in the National Council JCM meeting held on 13-4-2019 it is once again reiterated that the GPF scheme may be extended to the willing NPS employees who opt for the same. Necessary orders in this regard may please be issued at the earliest.

A copy of your instructions may please be endorsed to this Office.

Thanking you

Yours faithfully,
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary

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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. D-43/4/2018-F(E)III

New Delhi, dated: 26.02.2019.

The General Managers/Principal Financial Advisors,
All Zonal Railways/Production Units.

Sub: Additional benefit on death/disability of Government servant covered by NPS – reg.

Attention is invited to Board’s letter No. 2008/AC-II/21/19 dated 29.05.2009 on the above subject vide which instructions were issued providing for additional relief on death/disability of Government servants covered by New Defined Contribution Pension System (NPS).

In the wake of the above instructions, some of the Zonal Railways have raised the issue of admissibility of provisional family pension to the family members of the deceased railway servant who were governed by National Pension System (NPS) but died prior to allotment of PRAN Card and starting of the deductions towards NPS.

The above issue has been examined in consultation with Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) and the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DOP&PW). It is clarified that all the railway servants appointed on or after 01.01.2004 are to be covered by the National Pension System (NPS). Therefore, the provisional benefits granted vide Board’s letter dated 29.05.2009 to all NPS employees in case of death in service/disability will be admissible to the family of the deceased subscribers/subscribers on fulfillment of the conditions specified therein irrespective of the fact that PRAN Card was not allotted at the time of death/disability or the deduction towards NPS had not started. However, while giving the provisional benefits instructions issued vide Board’s letter No. 2012/ F(E)III/1(1)/4 dated 08.09.2014 may also be kept in view.

sd/-
(Jitendra Kumar)
Deputy Director, Finance (Estt.) I,
Railway Board.
Ph.No.23304528.

Source: Indian railways

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Breaking News: Good news for NPS employees

  * Winning staff case in Supreme Court on old pension restoration *

In the case of old pension reinstatement, NPS employees today won a grand victory in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the employees’ old pension scheme. In the favor of the old pension, in favor of the employees and the Indian government respectively, the Supreme Court concluded that the new pension scheme is not in the interest of the employees.The court ruled that, on the basis of the cancellation of the old pension from April 1, 2004, the government had enforced the NPS was wrong. Employees should be given all the benefits of old pension from the date of their appointment. The court rejected all the arguments in favor of the government’s NPS and all the provisions of the financial system in implementing the old pension scheme of the government.

With this judgment of Hon’ble Supreme Court, the country’s pensioners have received gravitational force in their struggle and judicial lobbying.

Satyameva Jayate :

Dr. Vinod Tripathi, District Head Special B.T.C. Teacher Welfare Association, U.P.
District-pratapgarh

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AIRF General Secretary briefs about AIRF achievements.
Shiva Gopal Mishra
(General Secretary)

A.I.R.F
All India Railwaymen’s Federation
(Estd, 1924)
4, State Entry Road,
New Delhi-110055

Message

All of you are well aware that, All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) is the most reputed and oldest federation of the Railwaymen in India; which started its journey in the year 1924.

Prior to AIRF having been formed in 1924; there were a number of Railway Unions existing on different clusters of the Railways under the British Rule. It was realized by the entities that, despite their best efforts they were struggling to safeguard and protect the rights of the Indian Railwaymen from discrimination and exploitation. The British Rulers were highly discriminating the Indian Workers and their policies were highly loaded in favour of the Anglo-Indian Workers. Thus, ignorance of the safety, security, disparity in wages, medical facilities and uncongenial working conditions to our fellow brothers working in different British Railway clusters, compelled them to create a largest and strongest platform to fight against these atrocities and to protect their interests and induce self-respect at the working place. Collective decision and concerted efforts paved the way for formation of prestigious, strong, massive and meticulous organization to work for the well being of the Railwaymen 24x7x65.

All India Railwaymen’s Federation has a history and saga of sacrifices of its workers while fighting 1960, 1968 and 1974 strikes.

Friends! You are also aware that, recently the 92nd Annual Conference of AIRF was held at Allahabad from 8-10 November, 2016, wherein a number of issues related to staff grievances and demands of the Railwaymen were deliberated and discussed and future line of action was drawn.

It may also be appreciated that, although there are number of organizations at the All India level, it is AIRF that stood tall for the Railwaymen’s demands against the anti-workers policies of the government and forced the Government of India to constitute the 7th CPC.

Dear Friends! Though 7th CPC’s recommendations have since been announced and implemented also, but I am personally aggrieved and pained that, the Pay Commission and the Government ignored many genuine demands of the Railway employees. One of our main demands was restoration of the Old Pension Scheme for the employees who joined on or after 01.01.2004 and the other was Minimum Wage as Rs. 26,000 to the staff at the lowest level. In the recommendations of the 7th CPC both the demands were ignored. Apart from this, many other demands were also either partly or fully ignored in the recommendations of the 7th CPC. I have personally taken note of the demands/issues and not only lodged our strong protest to the government, but pursued them to form the committees to review these demands. In this context we also met a Group of Union Ministers and apprised them of the gravity and genuineness of our demands and got assurance from them that these would be duly taken care of. We have also held meetings with the Cabinet Secretary, Secretary(DoP&T), Secretary(Exp.) etc. of the Government of India, to extract maximum benefits for all of you, but up till now nothing fruitful has emerged.

On this occasion I would like to congratulate all of you that, despite all odds, the long pending demands of enhancing the limit of monthly wages for payment of PLB from Rs.3500 to Rs.7000 was acceded to with the consistent efforts of AIRF w.e.f 01.04.2014, and the payment of PLB along with arrears of 2014-15 has since been made to all the fellow Railwaymen. You may also appreciate that, the orders for payment of Retirement Gratuity and Death Gratuity for all the NPS contributors has as well issued by the DoP&T on regular persuasions by us.

Further to this, one of our major demands for Merger of Technician Gr. II to Gr.I has also been acceded to by the Ministry of Railway in another way by upgrading substantial number of posts to the grade of Sr. Technician and Highly Skilled Technician Gr. I. It is also a landmark achievement, but still a number of grievances and demands are yet to be resolved, as such, the 92nd Annual Conference of AIRF unanimously decided to hold “All Indian Protest Day” on 14th December, 2016 throughout the Indian Railways.

Friends! At this stage I would also like to mention that, during the last sort span of period I was not keeping good health and remained hospitalized also for recovery from the ailment. As of now I am feeling perfectly well and energetic and assure you that I am for the AIRF and the cadre only. My life is for my fellow Railwaymen; with their good wishes I am with them.

As the year 2017 is approaching, I want to take this as opportunity to extend my heartfelt greetings to all of you and your families. You all are essential part to the success of our great federation, I would like to thank you all personally for showing immense faith and confidence.

I further like to appeal all of you to work hard for the betterment of the Railways. So long, the organization is strong, we are also strong. Thus, it is our prime duty to take proper care of duties and responsibilities towards our organization, society and to the nation.

I am sure that, all of you will give priority to organize the Youth and Women because without them AIRF cannot be strong. We should also keep in our mind Mission Future. I personally assure you that, you will always find me with you in your hour of need.

Please accept my best wishes for the New Year. I am sure that, you will work with great gusto and motivation to take-up the future challenges.

With fraternal greetings!
Comradely yours,
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
General Secretary

Source : AIRF

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Extend the benefit of Gratuity to all NPS Employees

IMPORTANT GOVT ORDER

A MAJOR VICTORY OF THE STRUGGLE OF CENTRAL GOVT EMPLOYEES:

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Extension of benefits of (Retirement Gratuity and Death Gratuity) to the Central Government employees covered by new Defined Contribution Pension System (National Pension System)- regarding.

No.7/5/2012-P&PW(F)/B
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare

Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market,
New De1hi-110 003, Dated the 26 August, 2016.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : Extension of benefits of ‘Retirement Gratuity and Death Gratuity’ to the Central Government employees covered by new Defined Contribution Pension System (National Pension System) — regarding.

The undersigned is directed to say that the pension of the Government servants appointed on or after 1.1.2004 is regulated by the new Defined Contribution Pension System (known as National Pension System), notified by the Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) vide their OM No.5/7/2003-ECB & PR dated 22.12.2003. Orders were issued for payment of gratuity on provisional basis in respect of employees covered under National Pension System on their retirement from Government service on invalidation or death in service, vide this Department’s OM No.38/41/2006-P&PW(A) dated 5.5.2009.

2. The issue of grant of gratuity in respect government employees covered by the National Pension System has been under consideration of the Government. It has been decided that the government employees covered by National Pension System shall eligible for benefit of ‘Retirement gratuity and Death gratuity’ on the same terms and conditions, as are applicable to employees covered by Central Civil Service (Pension) Rule,1972.

3. These orders issue with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, vide their I.D. Note No.1(4)/EV/2006-II dated 29.07.2016.

4. In their application to the persons belonging to the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issue after consultation with Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

5. These orders will be applicable to those Central Civil Government employees who joined Government service on or after 1.1.2004 and are covered by National Pension System and will take effect from the same date i.e. 1.1_2004.

sd/-
(Harjit Singh)
Director (Pension Policy)

Click to view the order

Authority :http://www.pensionersportal.gov.in/

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Under Secretary, Govt of India responds to GS/NFIR on the National Pension System

Signed Copy

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