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New Delhi: A very big and relief news is coming for lakhs of central employees and pensioners of the country. Now the Central Government has shown a big heart towards the employees who have been waiting for their many demands for a long time. Many sensitive and major issues to pension and Old Pension Scheme (OPS) were discussed in detail in the recently held 49th annual meeting of the National Council of the Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM), after which a new and positive update has come on the five biggest demands of the employees.

This high-profile meeting was chaired by Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan did it. The government showed seriousness on every demand raised by the employee organizations in the meeting. The most important and biggest thing is that some major and long pending demands have been given firm assurance of being sent for consideration by the upcoming 8th Pay Commission. This step of the government has brought a new wave of happiness among the central employees and elderly pensioners.

Preparation to increase pension every 5 years, matter sent to 8th Pay Commission

According to the current system, any major increase in the pension of pensioners occurs only when the new pay commission is implemented, which comes approximately once in 10 years. But this long wait of 10 years and continuously increasing inflation breaks the back of elderly pensioners. In view of this economic pressure, employee organizations have demanded that pension should be revised every 5 years so that inflation can be fought. Taking this historic proposal very seriously, the government has given a clear indication of sending it directly to the 8th Pay Commission. If this happens, lakhs of pensioners will be able to get big relief every 5 years.

There will be no big cut in family pension now

According to the current rules, after the death of a government employee, the family pension received by his family is reduced to only 30 percent of the last salary. Due to this rule, many families suddenly fall into deep financial crisis. In the meeting, the employee side strongly raised the demand that in view of the social and economic security of the family, such a huge cut in family pension should be stopped. It is a matter of relief that the government has also given its consent to send this sensitive issue to the 8th Pay Commission. This has increased the hope of employees’ families getting more financial security in the coming days.

Disabled dependents will get big relief, rules will be easy

To avail the benefit of family pension, physically handicapped or disabled dependent children had to repeatedly visit government offices and submit income certificates. This complex process was proving to be extremely distressing, both mentally and physically, for many families. Now the government has taken a big humanitarian decision to review this system. Strict instructions have been given to the concerned department to make this rule very easy and practical, and if necessary, this mandatory condition of income certificate should be abolished forever. This decision will provide huge relief to thousands of disabled dependents of the country.

Now widow daughter-in-law will also get the legal right to family pension

In this meeting, another very important and commendable demand was raised from the social point of view. The employee organizations proposed that if a government employee’s son has died, his widow and dependent daughter-in-law should also be considered as family members and given the full benefit of family pension. Taking a positive stance on this noble suggestion, the Government has decided to review the rules in collaboration with the Law Ministry and departments. If this big change is included in the rules, then many destitute women of the society will be able to get a strong financial support.

The way for the old pension scheme (OPS) will open, the luck of these people will shine.

The biggest discussion in the meeting was about the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). There are many such central employees in the country whose recruitment process had already started before December 22, 2003, but due to lateness and administrative delay of government departments, their appointment letters or joining took place after the year 2004. Such employees were forcibly included under the ambit of the New Pension Scheme (NPS).

Now the employee organizations have strongly demanded that the employees should not be punished for administrative delay and they should be given the right to the old pension scheme. The government has asked for a detailed proposal (Detailed Note) from the employee side in this matter and has assured to consider it positively.

Apart from this, the way seems to be clear for major relief in compassionate appointment cases also. The government has given its consent to give full benefits of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) to the affected families who had applied for compassionate jobs before December 22, 2003, but got jobs after January 1, 2004.

Great hope has increased for pensioners

After this very successful meeting of NC-JCM, it is completely clear that the government wants to settle the serious issues to employees and pensioners even before the formation of the 8th Pay Commission. Especially with the government’s positive stance on important issues like pension reforms, OPS and family pension, the future of millions of families seems to be secure. If all these proposals get final approval from the Cabinet in the coming days, it could prove to be the biggest relief ever in the history of central employees and pensioners.