Revised rates of Dearness Relief w.e.f. 01.07.2021: DoP&PW Order for Central Government Pensioners/Family Pensioners

No. 42/07/2021-P&PW(D)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market,
New Delhi – 110003
July 22, 2021

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Revised rates of Dearness Relief to Central Government Pensioners/Family Pensioners w.e.f. 01.07.2021

The undersigned is directed to refer to Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) Office Memorandum No. 1/1/2020-E-II(B), dated 23.04.2020, vide which instalments of Dearness Relief to pensioners/family pensioners due from 01.01.2020, 01.07.2020 and 01.01.2021, were frozen and to say that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Relief admissible to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 17% to 28% of the basic pension/family pension(including additional pension/family pension) with effect from 1st July 2021. The increase subsumes the additional instalments arising on 01.01.2020, 01.07.2020 and 01.01.2021.

The rate of Dearness Relief, earlier determined vide this Department’s OM No. 42/04/2019- P&PW(D) dated 21.10.2019, shall remain at 17% of basic pension/family pension for the period from 01.01.2020 till 30.06.2021.

2. These rates of Dearness Relief will be applicable to:

1. Civilian Central Government Pensioners/Family Pensioners including Central Government absorbed pensioners in PSU/Autonomous Bodies in respect of whom orders have been issued vide this Department’s OM No. 4/34/2002-P&PW(D) Vol. II dated 23.06.2017 for restoration of full pension after expiry of commutation period of 15 years.
2. The Armed Forces pensioners/family pensioners and Civilian pensioners/ family pensioners paid out of the Defence Service Estimates.
3. All India Services pensioners/family pensioners.
4. Railway pensioners/family pensioners.
5. Pensioners who are in receipt of provisional pension.
6. The Burma Civilian pensioners/family pensioners and displaced pensioners/family pensioners from Pakistan, in respect of whom orders have been issued vide this Department’s OM No. 23/3/2008-P&PW(B) dated 11.09.2017.

3. The payment of Dearness Relief involving a fraction of a rupee shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee.

4. Other provisions governing grant of Dearness Relief in respect of employed family pensioners and re-employed Central Government Pensioners will be regulated in accordance with the provisions contained in this Department’s OM No. 45/73/97-P&PW (G), dated 2.7.1999, as amended from time to time. The provisions relating to regulation of Dearness Relief where a pensioner is in receipt of more than one pension will remain unchanged.

5. In the case of retired Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, necessary orders will be issued by the Department of Justice separately.

6. It will be the responsibility of the pension disbursing authorities, including the nationalized banks, etc. to calculate the quantum of Dearness Relief payable in each individual case.

7. The offices of Accountant General and authorised Pension Disbursing Banks are requested to arrange payment of Dearness Relief to pensioners/family pensioners on the basis of these instructions without waiting for any further instructions from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the Reserve Bank of India in view of letter No. 528-TA, II/34-80-II, dated 23/04/1981, of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India addressed to all Accountant Generals and Reserve Bank of India Circular No. GANB No. 2958/GA-64 (ii) (CGL)/81 dated the 21°* May, 1981 addressed to State Bank of India and its subsidiaries and all Nationalised Banks.

8. In their application to the persons belonging to Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders are issued under Article 148(5) of the Constitution and after consultation with the Comptroller & Auditor General of India.

9. These issues in pursuance of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure’s OM No. 1/1/2020-E. I1(B) dated 20″ July, 2021.

10. Hindi version will follow.

Sd/-
(Sanjiv Narain Mathur)
Joint Secretary to the Government of India

1. All Ministries/Departments of the Government of India (as per standard distribution list).
2. Chief Secretaries and AGs of all States/UTs.
3. CMDs /CPPCs of all authorized Pension Disbursing Banks.
4. C&AG of India, UPSC, etc. as per standard endorsement list.
5. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for information.

Source: https://www.staffnews.in/2021/07/revised-rates-of-dearness-relief-w-e-f-01-07-2021-doppw-order.html

Decision taken 48th Meeting of the National Council, (JCM) held 26.06.2021: Outcome issued by Secretary, NC Staff Side Shiva Gopal Mishra

After the introductory remarks of the Chairman the following Important issues were raised on behalf of the Staff Side by the Leader, Secretary and other Staff side Members: 

"3. All Central Government employees and pensioners are anxiously waiting for the outcome of this meeting since the DA due to employees and DR due to the Pensioners are freezed from 1/1/2020 for 18 months. The Central Government employees and pensioners have contributed more than Rs. 40,000/ Crores by not receiving the DA/DR due for them. Now since the economy is getting revived according to the Government itself, Central Government employees and pensioners may be given DA and DR retrospectively with arrears. Hope Government will take a positive decision in this regard.'

Decisions taken on the Agenda point -12. With-drawal of orders of DA/ DR freeze:-

"Cabinet Secretary stated that Department of Expenditure would process the matter for getting the Cabinet Approval for restoring the frozen DA / DR from 1/7/2021. The Staff Side demanded that they are eligible for arrears from 1/1/2020 and the mode of payment can be discussed separately with the Staff Side. The Staff Side also demanded to extend the benefit to those employees who retired / expired between 1/1/2020 and 30/06/2021."

(Source : Govtempdiary blog)

Restoring the frozen DA / DR from 01.07.2021 – Process would be initiated for getting the Cabinet Approval: Cabinet Secretary

As per outcome of National Council JCM meeting held on 26.06.2021  published by NC JCM the Cabinet Secretary stated that Department of Expenditure would process the matter for getting the Cabinet Approval for restoring the frozen DA / DR from 1/7/2021.

All Central Government employees and pensioners are anxiously waiting for the outcome of this meeting since the DA due to employees and DR due to the Pensioners are freezed from 1/1/2020 for 18 months. The Central Government employees and pensioners have contributed more than Rs. 40,000/ Crores by not receiving the DA/DR due for them. Now since the economy is getting revived according to the Government itself, Central Government employees and pensioners may be given DA and DR retrospectively with arrears. Hope Government will take a positive decision in this regard.

An agenda regarding withdrawal of order of DA/DR freeze was included for discussion in meeting. The decision of issue of order regarding restoration of enhanced DA/DR as per All India CPI(IW) Index not seen.  Cabinet Secretary stated that Department of Expenditure would process the matter for getting the Cabinet Approval for restoring the frozen DA / DR from 1/7/2021.

The Staff Side demanded that they are eligible for arrears from 1/1/2020 and the mode of payment can be discussed separately with the Staff Side. The Staff Side also demanded to extend the benefit to those employees who retired / expired between 1/1/2020 and 30/06/2021.

As per details of discussion stated above it is evident that the waiting for withdrawal of freezing of DA/DR doesn’t end and subject to approval of Cabinet.  It is also clear that process to get approval is also pending.

(Source : CG Employees News blog)

COMPLETION OF 2200 DAYS OF OROP PROTEST MOVEMENT ON 22 JUN 2021

 Dated: 22 Jun 2021

Dear Friends,

1.     UFESM (JM)/IESM on 22 Jun 2021 completes 2200 days on 22 Jun 2021 of OROP Protest Movement across the Country with Jantar Mantar New Delhi being the Centre Point.

2.     You are aware that what has been implemented is not OROP but only one time increase in pension. We are waiting for the next hearing of the grant of Full OROP in Hon’ble Supreme Court on 09^th Jul 2021.  We are also continuously appealing to the Govt for the rectification of anomalies in the OROP vide Govt of India Min of Def   Notification dated 07^th Nov 2015.  With the co-operation of the Defence Family and the blessing of GOD almighty, we will continue our struggle till Full OROP is implemented.

3.     Kindly circulate this information to maximum Ex-servicemen and their families.

With Regards,                        

Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd)                                        

Advisor United Front of Ex Servicemen &                               Chairman Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM)                                                                                         

Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570     

Email:satbirsm@gmail.com

(Source : Via-e-mail)

LATEST UPDATE : ON OROP AGITATION AT JANTAR MANTAR

 "AGITATION AT JANTAR MANTAR FOR GETTING FULL OROP

 

Dear Veterans,

 

GB IESM thanks all the veterans who have expressed their view supporting the stand of GB IESM for temporary suspension of the OROP agitation at JM in view of Corona. IESM also thanks veterans who have advised to terminate the agitation at JM. This is for information of all that not even a single JCO/NCO has written to close the agitation. They are all supporting the decision of IESM.

 

IESM gets advise from large number of veterans. IESM discusses the issue within GB and depending on the input GB takes a decision. IESM has taken a decision in Mar 2020 that agitation at Jantar Mantar will remain suspended till further communication in view of the covid situation in India. This decision had been welcomed by a large majority of IESM members.

 

IESM has had detailed discussions with Col Rajan on the issue and have explained to him that langri OROP granted by the Government has many anomalies. Because of these anomalies, NCOs, JCOs and widows are being paid less pension than their counterparts who retired after July 2014 with the same rank and same length of service. We have also explained to him in detail that with these anomalies veterans will always be fixed at least one and a half increments behind present retirees. Further this definition has killed the soul of OROP. 

 

Government has been intentionally delaying even five year equalisation which was due on 1 July 2019.  If the Government is refusing to follow their own order how will the Government rectify the anomalies of LANGRI OROP, is a question to ponder. Government has even refused to pay heed to the direction of the honorable Supreme Court order dated 1 May 2019, in which HSC has directed MOD to resolve the anomalies in LANGRI OROP. On the contrary MOD has filed an affidavit in HSC that full OROP has been given to veterans and the petition filed by IESM does not have any merit and hence must be dismissed. IESM has filed a strong reply to GOI's affidavit. HSC has tentatively fixed 09 July 2021 for final arguments on the issue. If the agitation is closed at this stage then the Government Attorney General will confirm in HSC that IESM is very happy with the LANGRI OROP because they have closed the agitation. This will weaken our argument and will have adverse effects on our case. IESM has taken a decision not to close agitation at JM. This decision has the support of large number of IESM members.  

 

I cannot understand the motive behind the mail of Col Rajan in which he has requested veterans to sign on dotted lines on the draft proposed by him to put pressure on GB IESM to terminate the agitation. He has not given valid reason for closing the agitation or any alternate solution to get full OROP. His only argument is that veterans must stand in solidarity with the Government in view of the Corona pandemic. IESM has done exactly that in Mar 2020 and suspended the agitation till further communication.  IESM had collected a sum of Rs 15 lakh and donated in PM CARES fund in Apr 2020 and Rs 1, 10,000 donated in PMNRF in May 2020. IESM has communicated to the government that IESM agitation at JM has been suspended. Due to Covid-19 pandemic, we have temporarily suspended our peaceful movement. However IESM has decided agitation will continue till such times for full OROP implemented.

 

 In view of corona and services of members of IESM are available to Government for any work which is deemed fit by Government. IESM Members in Maharashtra are working in with the Government of Maharashtra providing relief to the citizens.

 

Regards,

 Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd)

Advisor United Front of Ex Servicemen (UFESM (JM) & Chairman Indian Ex Servicemen Movement (IESM)

Mob: 9312404269, 0124-4110570                                  

Email: satbirsm@gmail.com

Dated : 03 Jun 2021

(Source : Via E-mail)

Is the Government Violating SC’s May 1 Order on OROP?

 28 Jun 2019

The Defence Minister told Parliament that an internal committee was looking into the Justice Narasimha Commission report on OROP, not mentioning the Supreme Court order asking it to consider the grievances "seriously". 

A response from the Minister of Defence, Rajnath Singh, with regard to a starred question in the Lok Sabha on June 26, ought to ease all concerns about the ‘one rank one pension’ (OROP) demand of ex-servicemen. However, if one were to look at the status of the petition in the Supreme Court regarding this matter, there appears to be an anomaly regarding the appointment of a committee to look into the grievances of the retired servicemen.

The response from the Defence Minister is particularly interesting regarding questions (c), (d) and (e) in question 68.

“(c) whether there is some resentment among the ex-servicemen with the present model of the scheme and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the details of steps taken for holding negotiation with them and steps taken/being taken by the Government for redressing the issue; and

(e) the aim of setting up of Justice Narasimha Reddy Commission for OROP along with the main recommendations of the Commission and their implementation/status thereof;”

In his response to question (c) and (d), the Defence Minister stated;

“Some Ex-Servicemen Associations have been demanding changes in methodology for fixation of pension, periodicity of its revision etc. The Government appointed One Member Judicial Committee (OMJC) on OROP on 14.12.2015 to look into anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP.”

As for question (e), the Defence Minister stated;

“The Government appointed One Member Judicial Committee (OMJC) on OROP on 14.12.2015 under Justice Narasimha Reddy to look into anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation. The Committee was to take into account the financial impact of its recommendations. The Committee submitted its Report on 26.10.2016. An Internal Committee has been constituted by the Government to examine the recommendations of OMJC with respect to feasibility and financial aspects. The matter is under examination of this internal Committee.”

Also Read | OROP Not in Sight Yet After 3 Years of Litigation

On May 1, a bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Hemant Gupta passed an order which stated;

“At this stage, we are of the considered view that it would be appropriate if the Union government scrutinizes the grievances which are placed before the Court in the above note. It would be appropriate and in the interest of justice if these concerns, which have been expressed on behalf of personnel, who have served the nation as members of the Armed Forces of the Union before retirement, are duly considered by the Union government at an appropriate level.

We would expect the government to seriously consider the grievances and to determine whether and, if so, to what extent, justice can be provided for the satisfaction of all concerned.”

The grievances of the retired personnel referred to by the court in simple terms means the implementation of the Koshiyari Committee’s recommendations. In 2011, the Koshiyari Committee Report on Petition Praying for Grant of One Rank One Pension to the Armed Forces Personnel described the government’s reluctance to grant OROP as “a typical example of bureaucratic apathy”. The report had found the demand of the retired servicemen for OROP as justified and that it ought to be granted.

What also emerged in the report as a strong reason for implementing OROP is that unlike in the civil services, where the retirement age is 60, the retirement age of defence services personnel is roughly the age of 40. At this age, most people are already married and with children. Having to earn for a family becomes an imperative when one has to pay for school fees and feed and clothe one’s family members. The problem is heightened when one considers the job opportunities in civilian life for those possessing skills learnt in the Army.

Also See | #IndiaUnites: Dharna Kicks off with Voices of Dissent from Ex-Servicemen and SC-ST Organisations

In February 2014, in a meeting chaired by the Defence Minister, OROP was defined as; “One Rank One Pension (OROP) implies that uniform pension be paid to the Armed Forces Personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement and any future enhancement in the rates of pension to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners. This implies bridging the gap between the rate of pension of the current pensioners and the past pensioners and also of future enhancements in the rate of pension to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners.”

However, a letter written in 2011 by the Joint Secretary of Ex-Servicemen Welfare in the Ministry of Defence to the three service chiefs, defined OROP as a uniform payment of pension to retired servicemen “retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, regardless of the date of retirement , which implies bridging the gap between the rates of pension of current and past pensioners at periodic intervals.” This ‘tweaked’ definition has led to the ongoing litigation.

What is interesting is that the Defence Minister in his reply to Parliament has not referred to the May 1 Order in his response. Further, the Justice Narasimha Reddy Committee was set up on December 14, 2015 and submitted its report on October 26 the following year. For almost three years, the matter has been stuck with an internal committee which is looking over the contents of the Justice Reddy committee’s report. In this regard one ought to wonder whether the government is violating an Order of the Supreme Court.

(Source : https://www.newsclick.in/OROP-Modi-Government-Supreme-Court )

 

EXTENSION FOR LAST DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF NEW APPLICATIONS OF PMSS FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2020-21 TILL 30 APRIL 2021

Fwd: 

Dear Ex-Servicemen

KSB has extended the last date for Prime Minister Scholarship upto 30 April 2021

Please apply immediately

More than 1000 vacancies are available

Thanks

Col Ramesh Kumar

Director

Sainik Welfare

Telangana State

(as recd via e-mail)