Irregular Payment of Defence Pension:Failure in Annual identification/Life Certificates.

Irregular Payment of Defence Pension:Failure in Annual identification/Life Certificates.

Office of the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pension),
Draupadi Ghat, Allahabad-211014.

 

Circular No.182

No. AT/Tech/256-V
Dated: 26.11.2015

 

Sub: Irregular Payment of Defence Pension:Failure in Annual identification/Life Certificates.

 

Guidelines/instructions for Annual identification of pensioner and payment on the basis of life certificates are provided in “Defence Pension Payment Instructions (DPPI)-2013” and “Scheme for Payment of Pensions of Defence Pensioners by Public Sector Banks”. Pension Disbursing Authorities (PDAs) including Banks are required to comply with these instructions strictly.

 

However, various cases have come to notice of this office where PDAs have made payment of defence pension without carrying out annual identification of pensioner or without obtaining life certificate from the pensioner. In some cases, PDAs have continued the payment for long period even after demise of pensioner or/and disappearance of pensioner. A few cases of irregular payments made by PDAs resulting in loss to exchequer due to overpayment are elaborated below:-

 

(i) In a particular case, after the death of pensioner on 10.12.2001 which was intimated to the pension paying bank by the son of pensioner. However, the bank continuously credited the pension in pensioner’s account till 2007.The account of pensioner was having a balance of Rs 6, 17,628 as on 15.04.2015

 

(ii) In another case, one bank has made payment to pensioner up to June 2015, where as he was missing since December 2011. FIR of missing of pensioner was lodged with police Station by her spouse on 25.02.2014.

 

(iii) In one more case, one pensioner, who has been residing abroad since 30.06.2001 and not reverted to submit his life certificate for 13 years but bank has made payment of defence pension continuously for 13 years on the basis of attested copy of life certificate.

 

In all these cases PDA has violated the existing provisions of above mentioned Instructions/Schemes, causing heavy loss to exchequer. Such incorrect payments have been viewed seriously by the Ministry of Defence and directed to establish the mechanism to stop the payment of such nature.

 

To overcome ineffectiveness of existing system, introduced in the manual era, of submission of change statement including Annexure D-II (in case PDA is bank) and Form I (if PDA is other than bank) by PDAs showing names of pensioners struck off from the Index Register of Defence Pension Payment, owing to transfer, death, expiry ceasation of pension etc, and also to obtain digital data of life certification from PDAs for carrying out e-audit, development of automation of audit is under process.

 

It is, therefore, requested that e-data of life certificates, submitted by the pensioners/family pensioners in the month of November each year, may now be forwarded/provided to this office by l5th of December of that year positively.

 

As regard, change statement including Annexure D-II / Form I as the case may be, digital data of changed items may also be forwarded to this office.

 

Further, for providing information or help to pensioners/family pensioners on pensionary matter, this office has initialized a TOLL FREE NUMBER 1800-180-5325. However, pensioners/family pensioners are required to provide some information viz PPO No. Service/Account No, date of discharge of pensioner or date of death of pensioner/in case of family pensioner, Records Office/Head Office etc to avoid any delay in his/her help.

 

Therefore, it is also requested that this TOLL FREE NUMBER may be given publicity among the pensioners/family pensioner through your notice board.

 

Sd
(Abhishek Singh)
Asst.CDA (P)

 

Signed copy

OROP : Sainik Aakrosh Rally on 13 Dec 2015 at Jantar Mantar - Maj Gen Satbir Singh

SAINIK AAKROSH RALLY ON 13/12/15 AT JANTAR MANTAR

for OROP  GOVT NOTIFICATION dt 7/11/15.

To: 

*UNITED FRONT OF EX SERVICEMEN (ESM)*   01 Dec 15

*ONE RANK ONE PENSION (OROP) GOVT NOTIFICATION OF 07TH NOV 15 WILL KILL ITS APPROVED DEFINITION*

*SAINIK AAKROSH RALLY ON 13 DEC 15 AT JANTAR MANTAR*

Dear Friends,

1. You are aware that the Govt Notification issued on 07th Nov 15
regarding Implementation of OROP has serious shortcomings and if
implemented, it will totally kill approved OROP Definition. The bureaucrats
and the Govt will systematically downgrade the provisions of OROP and
finally totally deny us the same.

2. The 7th CPC recommendations have come as further blow to already
downgraded, degraded, ill-treated, mistreated Military in status, pay and
allowances. Our top scales have been depressed, thereby further downgrading the Military. It is intriguing, surprising and totally unfair and
unjustified that no member from Defence Forces was included in the 7th CPC in spite of the issue having been taken up by our service Chiefs. Ignoring their strong recommendations was a grave wrong and unjustified decision of the Govt.

3. You are all aware that the present Govt also continued the
legacy of previous Govts of downgrading the Military on the behest of
bureaucracy. PM himself assured us at Rewari and many other locations
across the country including at Siachen and at Sea on board the *INS
Vikramaditya* that Actual OROP will be implemented. Unfortunately, the
Notification of 07th Nov 2015 totally belies that assurance. It is a
betrayal of faith of Soldiers. Despite our repeated requests for a
delegation meeting, PM has not granted us the meeting.

4. We are all shocked and anguished to read that the RM has now
directed Directorate of the Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESM) to launch a Media Campaign against the Soldiers on Protest Movement demanding correct implementation of OROP as per the Govt approved definition.

5. Friends, we are in our 170th Day of Protest at Jantar Mantar and
at many other locations in the Country. It is Now or Never. We have decided
to intensify our Protest Movement across the Country by holding Rallies and
informing the people of our Great Bharat about the injustices being
inflicted on the soldiers by successive Govts.

6. Friends, the Govt has vast resources to supress the Protest
Movement. We request the Defence Fraternity and the people of India to join
the struggle against the unjustified ill-treatment of Military.This will seriously affect the National security. Some of you may not be aware that *from
2006 to 2009, 40% of authorised vacancies at IMA and OTA were not
subscribed (Lok Sabha Reply by RM).*

7. Soldiers retire early and also die early vis-a-vis the other Central Govt employees as revealed by a Study carried out by the Govt. The Govt has not addressed these serious factors of Defence Personnel This is the Situation and Time that we need to stand up and demand restoration of
status of Military as existed on 26 Jan 1950 in all respects.

*8. Friends, in order to take important decisions together, “SAINIK
AAKROSH RALLY” is being held at Jantar Mantar on 13 Dec 2015 from 10AM to 3PM.*

9. The Complete Defence Fraternity and our Civilian Supporters are

requested to join in large numbers to make this Rally a Grand Success. Our
AIM is to get actual OROP implemented by the government.

10. We specially appeal to our Retired Chiefs, Army Cdrs, Corps Cdrs
and PSOs at the three Service HQs to attend the AAKROSH RALLY at Jantar Mantar on 13th Dec 2015.  Your soldiers are waiting for your expression of solidity of their cause.  The Civil Military Relations and statues of Military viz the Civilian Counterparts have to be brought back to where these existed as on 26 Jan 1950. 

 

11. Retired Chiefs are requested to jointly write to PM for the correct Implementation of sanctioned OROP as per the approved definition
without any dilution. The Notification of 7th Nov 2015 needs to be amended
after resolving all the seven anomalies which have already been pointed out
to the Govt.

*12.  **Pl give missed call at 07302440500 to support OROP, your every call
will give more impetus to our struggle of OROP.*

13. Please donate generously and send your donation in
cash/cheque/draft in the IESM account Payable to “Indian Ex Servicemen
Movement, HDFC Bank A/C No: 0616200001130, and send it to our office
address:

543, Sector 23,Gurgaon – 122017, (Haryana), INDIA The cash/cheque/draft can also be sent to Treasurer IESM at N-15, 1st Flr Greater Kailash 1
NEW DELHI -110048

You may also deposit in the account directly and forward the receipt to
above addresses. Bank Transfers are also welcome. Our Bank Details are:-

Name of Account:  Indian Ex Servicemen Movement Account No:  0616200011330. 

Name of Bank: HDFC Bank Nine Digit MICR Code of Bank: 110214009. 

IFSC Code No (for e-transfer):     HDFC 000616

Postal Address of Bank: Palam Vihar Branch, SCO 78, Sector
22, Gurgaon–122001

With regards,

Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd), 

Advisor United Front of Ex Servicemen & Chairman IESM, 

Email: satbirsm@gmail.com

Govt devises Seventh Pay commission complexity

New Delhi: The central government has formulated a fresh approach to deal with the issue of complexity over implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission report.

 

Expenditure Secretary Ratan Watal

According to officials close to the implementation process, the government has decided to make up pay gap between employees and higher officers and to continue allowances and advances, which was scrapped by the pay commission.

 

The Pay Commission recommendations implementation cell under Finance Ministry is now working on an effective mechanism for implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission report by resolving the issues that arose over pay gap between low paid employees and top level officers.

 

A proposal for raising salaries of the central government employees by 20-24% per instead of 16 per cent, was recommended by the Seventh Pay Commission is also under study, officials close to the implementation process said Thursday.

 

But the final decision on the row over better pay hike from 16 per cent is expected to come from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement in next year.

 

People, familiar with the development, told the Sen Times that for that reason the implementation cell under Finance Ministry is going slow on the file of implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission report.

 

“The final proposal on the proposed pay matrix for central government employees will be sent to the Finance Minister through Expenditure Secretary before the next budget from us,” officials close to the implementation process told the Sen Times.

 

On receipt of the proposal from the implementation cell it would be placed before the cabinet for its nod through the group of secretaries of revision pay panel report headed by cabinet secretary, they added.

 

Under the prevailing circumstances, the central government employees are unlikely to draw salaries under the new pay matrix before next financial year, as promised earlier by the finance minister.

 

Officials, however, said whenever the new pay matrix would come into effect, the central government employees would get their enhanced salaries with effect from next year January 1 but they will get the benefit of Allowances like House Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance from the date of implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations.

 

The complexity over implementation of the new pay commission cropped up soon after the recommendation made by the Seventh Pay Commission headed by Justice A K Mathur.

 

The central government employees are in for disappointment as the Seventh Pay Commission report has been proposed a 16 percent hike in pay, which is significantly lower than what the Sixth pay commission had recommended which was close to a 40 percent increase in pay.

 

The central government employees also prefer continuation of some allowances and advances like risk allowance, small family allowance, festival advance, motor cycle advance but the Mathur led Seventh Pat Commission recommended scrapping of those.

 

The officials close to the implementation process said, the central government wants to increase in basic pay for all government employees will be in the region of 20-24%. This is a very rough average because for low paid employees may get more than 26% pay hike.

 

Accordingly, minimum basic salary is likely to hike at least Rs 20,000 from Rs 18,000 recommended by the Seventh pay commission.

 

They also confirmed that the implementation cell is likely to propose doubling of existing rates of allowances and advances, which has been recommended for abolition by Seventh Pay Commission like risk allowance, small family allowance, festival advance, motor cycle advance.

 

However, a number of sources of the Finance Ministry said the cabinet would take the decision on whether the basic pay would be hiked from 16 percent or not and some allowances and advances would be scrapped or not after recommendation of the group of secretaries of revision pay panel report.

 

The Seventh Pay Commission proposed the highest basic salary at Rs 250,000 and the lowest at Rs 18,000 for the central government employees.

 

The Seventh Pay Commission has recommended abolition of pay band and pay scales, and replacing them with what is known as a pay matrix. The status of the employee, hitherto determined by grade pay, will now be determined by the level in the pay matrix.

TST

7CPC: Defence forces up in arms against Seventh Pay Commission report

New Delhi: The Defence forces forces have raised their concerns with the defence ministry about the ‘shortcomings’ in the Seventh Pay Commission report, Indian Navy chief Admiral R K Dhowan said on Thursday.

Navy Chief Admiral RK Dhowan said all issues of “concern” were being taken up with the ministry.

The navy chief, addressing the customary annual press conference in Delhi on the eve of Navy Day, was asked if there was discontent in the armed forces on the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission.

“Whatever we feel are the shortcomings are being taken up by the three services with the defence ministry to see that whatever we feel is necessary for our men, our officers, our civilians, is made available to them,” Admiral Dhowan said.

He said all issues of “concern” were being taken up with the ministry.

Officers of the armed forces feel the current Pay Commission’s recommendations were less rewarding.

Among the concerns was the way pension was calculated on the basis of the number of years served in a particular rank.

A senior official who did not want to be named said: “The rank of major general is equivalent to Joint Secretary. But an IAS officer becomes Joint Secretary sooner than an armed forces personnel would reach that rank. And the percentage of those who reach that rank in the forces is also less, which makes the system unfair.”

Another grudge is the risk-hardship matrix.

While a soldier posted at the Siachen Glacier gets an allowance of Rs.31,500 per month, a civilian bureaucrat draws 30 per cent of his salary as “hardship allowance”.

PTI

Union minister justifies AAP MLAs’ pay hike on pretext of Seventh Pay Commission

New Delhi: A Union minister Friday justified the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government’s approval for a 400% hike in MLAs salaries on the pretext of Seventh Pay Commission recommendations of salaries hike of central government employees.

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu compared central government employees salaries hike with MPs/MLAs.

The central government employees pay hiking is used to muster the support of the political domain as well as provide a justification for a “legitimate” of Delhi Assembly approved a whopping 400 per cent hike in basic salary of MLAs in the eyes of the public.
Even as the BJP and Congress criticised the pay hiking of Delhi Assembly MLAs, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said there the salary of elected representatives needed to be increased across the country.

“As Parliamentary Affairs Minister, I feel that there is a reasonable reason to enhance the salary and emoluments of elected representatives across the country, depending on the financial liability of the state and the region, including members of Parliament (MPs),” he said.

Naidu said it has become a fashion just to focus on salary of elected representatives and ignore what is happening in others sectors.

In this regard, he also referred to recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission and government’s endeavour to hike salary of the central government employees.

TST