Long outstanding Demand of the Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice (Chair: Mr. Sushil Kumar Modi) presented its report on ‘Pensioner’s Grievances -Impact of Pension Adalats and Centralised Pensioners Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS)’.
As on March 31, 2020, there were around 66.7 lakh central government pensioners (including family pensioners) in India and Armed Forces Pensioners. The number has been increased to approx 70 Lakhs. The committee has observed many issues as raised by the pensioners organizations and trade unions and recommendations of the Committee include:
Additional pension: The Committee noted that presently, pensioners are entitled to receive an additional quantum of pension equivalent to :-
20% of basic pension on attaining the age of 80 years,
30% of basic pension on attaining the age of 85 years,
40% of basic pension on attaining the age of 90 years,
50% of basic pension on attaining the age of 95 years, and
100% of basic pension on crossing 100 years.
The Commission recommended extending this to provide an additional pension of :-
5% of basic pension on attaining 65 years of age,
10% of basic pension on reaching 70 years of age,
15% of basic pension on reaching 75 years.
Remaining provisions will have no change. Additional Pension from 65 Years now instead of 80 years as our Govt is in Action.
Action by Govt Organisations
After 3 years of the recommendations, the government has taken initiatives to implement the recommendations of the committee and sought an estimate from all departments regarding the number of pensioners in the age group of 65 years to 79 years of age and additional amount to be paid on account of the proposed additional pension to them.