To Finalize Pension Case not go back to a period 24 months....

 

To Finalize Pension Case not go back to a period 24 months preceding the date of retirement for raising observations relating to pay fixation etc-Directorate instruction to All Chief Postmaster General.

No.100-1/2020-Pension
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts
(Pension Section)

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg.
New Delhi-1 10001
27th July, 2020

To

Gencral Manager (Finance)
Shamnath Marg.
Delhi-54

Sir,

There are number of instances brought to the notice of this Office wherein pensioners retiring from this Directorate have to suffer financial loss as well as harassment due to delay in finalization of their pensionary benefits on account of observations raised by DAP relating to pay fixation on account of MACP/stepping up of pay ctc. which date back to many years. In some cases it relates to even 10 years prior to the date of retirement.

2. With a view to end this situation, clarification was sought from the Deptt. of Pension and Pensioner’s Welfare as to whether. in light of Rule 5(b) (v) of CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972 there is any provision that prevents Accounts Officer to raise observations related to the period prior to the 24 months from the date of retirement. DoP&PW has clarified that Rules are very clear and provisions available in Chapter 7 of the Civil Accounts Manual for the [1OD and Pay and Accounts Officer. ete may be brought to the notice of the Accounts Officer in this regard. Relevant ponion of Chapter 7 of the Manual is reproduced below:-

“7.3.2 Role of Pay and Accounts Officer:

The Pay & Accounts Officer on recciving the pension papers, will verify the service records and apply prescribed checks with reference to the applicable Pension rules. and assess the amount of pensionary benefits. The PAO concerned, keeping in mind that the intention is not a total overhaul or audit of the entire Service Book or records, but only a scrutiny limited to the immediate purpose on hand, that is the preparation of the pension papers. Any deficiency or imperfection or omission which still remains in the service records will be ignored at this stage and the determination of the qualifying service will be proceeded with on the basis of entries in the service records, whatever the degree of perfection to bring them by that time. However, for any such check of the correctness of past emoluments, the check should be the minimum that is absolutely necessary, and it should in any case not go back to a period earlicr than a maximum of 24 months preceding the date of retirement………..”

3. In view of the clarification received from the DoP&PW, it is requested that Officers in DAP, Delhi may please be directed to adhere to the Rules in this regard and should in any case not go back to a period earlier than a maximum of 24 months preceding the date of retirement for raising observations relating to pay fixation etc as per the guidelines.

Yours faithfully,

( Tarun Mittal )
Asstt. Director General (Pension)

Copy to:-

1. All the Chief Postmasters General.
2. Sr. DDG(PAF).
3. ADG(Admin./ADG(SPG).