Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh says that instructions have been issued for the immediate release of pension to the household of government servants who lose their life due to COVID-19
The Central Government has issued instructions for the immediate release of pension to the family of a government employee who loses his/her life due to COVID -19 infection. In a landmark order, the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) -- under the Union Ministry of Personnel -- has instructed all ministries, departments, Controller General of Accounts as well as CMDs of Pension Disbursing Banks to ensure that the family pension is started within one month of the receipt of the claim from the eligible family member of a Government servant who has lost his or her life due to COVID. The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh informed that as per the new O.M., all secretaries have been asked to personally monitor the in-service death cases and ensure the start of family pension within a month of the receipt of claim and death certificate, periodically. The secretaries shall also nominate for this purpose, an officer of the respective ministry/department, whose name and contact details shall be reflected on the website for any family member to contact in case of delay. At the same time, every ministry/department shall send a monthly position of such cases to the DoPPW, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, "The O.M. has been issued in the spirit of the sensitivity and concern with which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is personally monitoring every aspect of the COVID pandemic on a day-to-day basis. The government is committed to assist and help every section of citizens and families affected by the pandemic. The notification issued by the Department of Pension states that the COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of several Government employees during the recent surge. In many cases, the deceased employees were the sole breadwinners of their family and the casualties have left the families in urgent need of funds for livelihood. It is, therefore, incumbent to ensure that the family pension and other entitlements are released to their families expeditiously."The new O.M. also implies that action may be taken on a priority basis for disbursement of regular family pension to the bank and for payment of other entitlements of the family on the death of the government servant. It may be ensured that the Pension Payment Order (PPO) for family pension is issued and disbursement of regular family pension is commenced by the bank not later than one month after the receipt of the claim for the family pension. Dr Jitendra Singh hoped that all the departments of the government will follow these instructions in letter and spirit, and the respective Heads of Departments will monitor the same regularly.