Master Circular- Disbursement of Pension by Agency Banks - ஆர்பிஐ - Reserve Bank of India
Master Circular- Disbursement of Pension by Agency Banks
RBI/2012-13/103 July 2, 2012 All Agency Banks Dear Sir/Madam Master Circular- Disbursement of Pension by Agency Banks Reserve Bank of India has been issuing various instructions relating to Payment of Government Pension by Agency Banks. These instructions were conveyed in our master circular RBI/ 2011-12/98 (Ref. DGBA.GAD.No.H- 1/31.05.001/ 2011-12) dated July 1, 2011. We now enclose an updated master circular incorporating important instructions issued on the subject upto June 30, 2012. You may also access the circular on our website /en/web/rbi/notifications/master-circulars. 2. Please acknowledge receipt. Yours faithfully, (B. K. Mishra) Encl: As above Master Circular- Disbursement of Pension by Agency Banks Payment of Pension to Government Pensioners under the various schemes through agency banks Introduction The payment of pension to retired Government employees is governed by the relevant Schemes prepared by concerned Ministries/Departments with the approval of Controller General of Accounts, Ministry of Finance, Government of India or by State Governments and involves payment of basic pension, increased Dearness Relief and other benefits as and when announced by the Governments. Various circulars issued in this connection are summarized hereunder for information. 1. Hosting of Government Orders on Dearness Relief (DR) etc. to State Government Pensioners on Web sites of State Governments. (Ref: DGBA. GAD. No.H-416/45.01.003/2002-03 dated March 21, 2003 & DGBA. GAD. No. 770/45.01.003/2003-04 dated February 25, 2004) In order to obviate the time lag between issue of Dearness Relief orders and payment of Dearness Relief to the beneficiary and to render expeditious service to the senior citizens, it has been decided that pension paying agency banks should act on the copies of the orders supplied by Government to the Head Offices and/or Regional Offices of authorized banks in the State headquarters. Further, it was decided to host the Circulars on the State Governments' secured website. All State Governments have been given the option to send the Government Orders relating to Dearness Relief to RBI in electronic format and also hard copy to enable Reserve Bank to host the same on its website. 2. Payment of Pension to Central Government Pensioners through Public Sector Banks – Steps taken by Government to minimize delay in payment of Dearness Relief (DR) to Pensioners – Discontinuation of forwarding Government Orders in respect of DR etc. through Reserve Bank of India. (Ref: DGBA. GAD. No. H-506/45.01.001/2002-03 dated April 12, 2003) In order to obviate the time lag between the issue of Dearness Relief etc. orders and actual payment to the beneficiaries and to render expeditious service to the senior citizens, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare, Government of India have taken following steps:
RBI would no longer be forwarding Government orders in respect of Dearness Relief to Agency Banks. 3. Acceptance of nomination in form ‘A’ and ‘B’- Central Civil/Railway Pension (Ref: DGBA. GAD. No.H-94/45.05.031/2004-05 dated August 24, 2004 and Ref. DGBA. GAD. No. H-3611/ 45.03.002/ 2005-06 dated October 10, 2005) With a view to avoid inconvenience to the pensioners, Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) and Ministry of Railways (Railway Board), have decided to adopt the nomination forms (‘A’ & ‘B’) . Agency banks were advised to issue necessary instructions to all pension paying branches to accept Nomination Forms ‘A’ or ‘B’ as the case may be, submitted by Central Civil/Railway pensioners for the payment of arrears of pension to the heir(s). 4. Implementation of procedure for payment of pensions and other retirement benefits to All India Service Officers retiring from Government of India while on Central Deputation. (Ref. DGBA. GAD. No. 612-644/ 45.01.001/2004-05 dated October 7, 2004) Agency Banks are advised to follow accounting procedure for payment of pension to All India Service Officers retiring from Government of India while on Central Deputation as follows:
5. Scheme for payment of pension to Defence pensioners by public sector banks – delay in submission of pension payment scrolls and steps to avoid fake & fraudulent payments. (Ref. DGBA.GAD. No. 867-899/ 45.02.001/ 2004-05 dated October 18, 2004) It has been observed that there is a lag of two to three months in submitting the pension payment scrolls to pension authorities by the pension paying banks. Often these scrolls are bunched. In this connection, a reference is invited to paragraphs 9(6), 10 and 11 of the booklet “Scheme for Payment of Pension to Defence Pensioners” wherein the procedure for transmission of pension payment scrolls by paying branches, link branches and reimbursing branches is clearly stipulated. The entire procedure needs to be completed as per the timeframe fixed so that the payment scrolls are finally received at the Office of the PCDA (Pension), Allahabad latest by 15th of the following month (except for the month of March scrolls, which should invariably reach latest by 3rd week of every year). The Office of the PCDA (Pension) has also noticed that in some cases of payment of gratuity and commutation amount were made to imposters on fake and fraudulent PPOs by the pension paying branches without observing prescribed checks. It has also been observed that in the cases of first payment of pension, either PPO numbers were not mentioned on the scrolls or incorrect PPO numbers were mentioned making it difficult to verify the correctness of the payment. Further, these payments were being shown in the main pension payment scrolls along with the regular monthly payments of Defence Pensioners. The Pension Paying Branches/ Link Branches / Reimbursing Branches are advised to put in place a more efficient system to ensure the following: (i) Pension Paying Branches to submit pension payment scrolls to Link Branches within the stipulated time (by 10th of the following month). No bunching of scrolls is done. (ii) Link Branches to forward the original copy of the scroll along with summary sheet and summary documents to disbursing banks (RBI/ SBI etc. as the case may be) by 11th of each month. (iii) Reimbursing banks should forward the original copy of the scrolls directly to CDA (Pension), Allahabad after reimbursing pension paying bank, by debit to Government Account so as to reach PCDA (Pension) by 15th of the following month except for the March scrolls. (iv) In the cases of first payments of pension, pension paying branches should prepare scrolls carefully indicating correct PPO number, amount of gratuity and commutation against the name of each pensioner and submit the same separately on a monthly basis in addition to the regular monthly payment cases which will continue to be prepared separately along with separate summary sheet. (v) Pension paying branches should prepare separate summary sheets for regular monthly pension payment cases as well as first pension payment case. 6. Scheme of Payment of Pension to Railway Pensioners by Public Sector Banks – Steps to avoid fraudulent payments. (Ref. DGBA. GAD. No. H 3389-3421/ 45.02.01/ 2004-05 dated January 6, 2005) We have been informed by the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, (Railway Board) that their vigilance department has detected cases of fraud wherein pension / pension arrears have been disbursed to unauthorized persons by some of the Public Sector Banks against fake Pension Payment Orders (PPOs). They have also observed that such fraudulent payments are made by pension paying branches without observing prescribed checks i.e. releasing payments by relying upon calculation sheet not signed by authorized signatory etc. as also non-compliance of laid down procedures, in particular regarding receipt of PPOs by banks. Railway pension paying branches are requested to strictly follow the procedure laid down in “Scheme for Payment of Railway Pension through Public Sector Banks” by the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) for disbursement of pension to Railway pensioners to avoid fraudulent payments against fake pension payment orders. 7. Payment of Central Civil Pension – Entry of Dearness Relief in both halves of Pension Payment Orders (PPOs). (Ref. DGBA. GAD. No. H.3452-3485/ 45.01.001/ 2004-05 dated January 11, 2005) It has come to our notice that some of the Pension Paying Bank branches do not update the amount of basic pension/family pension whenever there is change in basic rates in both halves of the Pension Payment Order (PPO) concerned. In this connection, we reproduce below para 12.17 and 19.1 of the "Scheme for Payment of Pensions to Central Government Civil Pensioners by Public Sector Banks”: "Whenever there is change in the basic rates of pension and/or dearness relief on pension, the paying branch shall call back the pensioner's half of the PPO and record thereon the changes, indicating, inter-alia, the date(s) from which the changes are effective. After this is done, those halves will be returned to the pensioners " (Para 12.17). Whenever any additional relief on pensions is sanctioned by Government, an intimation to this effect will be sent by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare) to the authorised representative (by name) of each nominated public sector bank at the address given by the latter. Thereafter, it shall be the responsibility of the banks to collect through their representatives operating at Delhi or otherwise, the required number of copies (to be intimated in advance) of the sanction orders, along with the ready-reckoner relating thereto, from the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare) and send them immediately to their respective Head Offices for direct transmission to the paying branches within ten days for implementation. Each paying branch will promptly determine the revised rates of relief on pensions payable to the Central Government Civil Pensioners under its payment. The calculations of these rates applicable to individual pensioners would be made as in Annexure XXII (Page 41) and they will be noted in disburser's portion of the PPOs along with the date from which relief would take effect, under attestation by the Branch Manager or In-Charge before commencing payment of relief at the revised rates and/or payment of arrears, if any, due to the pensioners on this account…….." (Para 19.1). Banks are requested to draw the attention of their pension paying branches to the above provisions and advise them to strictly follow the instructions. 8. Disbursement of Railway Pension by Agency Banks - Main areas where banks tend to make overpayment. (Ref. DGBA. GAD. No. 6073/ 45.05.031/ 2004-05 dated May 30, 2005). A list of main areas where the banks tend to make overpayments in respect of Railway pensioners received from Financial Adviser & Chief Accounts Officer’s Office, Central Railway, Mumbai was forwarded to all agency banks with a request to circulate the same among their pension paying branches and instruct them to take appropriate action so as to avoid overpayments of Railway pension. 9. Scheme of Payment of Pension to Railway Pensioners through Public Sector Banks – Designation of FA & CAOs of seven new zones by Ministry of Railways. (Ref. DGBA. GAD. No. H. 10746/ 45.03.001/ 2005-06 dated January 24, 2006) The Ministry of Railways has decided to designate FA & CAOs of seven new zones (viz. North Western Railway, Jaipur; East Central Railway, Hajipur; East Coast Railway, Bhubaneshwar; North Central Railway, Allahabad; South East Central Railway, Bilaspur; South Western Railway, Hubli; and West Central Railway, Jabalpur) to accept/ settle pension debits in respect of pension payment disbursed to Railway pensioners by authorized banks with effect from April 1, 2006. 10. Disbursement of pension through Public Sector Banks – Payment of Dearness Relief (DR). (Ref. DGBA. GAD. No. H.11303/ 45.01.003/ 2005-06 dated February 06, 2006) Pension paying banks were advised to put in place mechanism to immediately obtain copies of Government Orders and release it to the pension paying branches for action at their end so that the pensioners should get the benefits announced by Government in the succeeding month’s pension payment itself. The Controlling Offices/ Head Offices of Agency Banks should closely monitor and supervise timely and correct disbursement of Government pension to eligible pensioners. Further, in the cases of Central Civil and Railway pensioners, the pension paying banks should endorse the names of nominees as per nomination forms ‘A’ and ‘B’ on the front page of the pass book and the branches may be advised to ensure that the procedure laid down in Schemes for disbursement of pension to pensioners by public sector banks are followed scrupulously. In order to create better awareness among staff about pension payment schemes/ rules, banks may include this as an integral part of the training programmes conducted by their training establishments. 11. Payment of Pension through Authorised Banks – Credit of Pension to Joint Account operated by pensioner with his/ her spouse. (Ref. DGBA. GAD. No. 12736/ 45.03.001/ 2005-06 dated February 24, 2006) The instructions issued by Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) in regard to crediting of pension amount to the joint account alongwith spouse in whose favour an authorization for family pension exists in the Pension Payment Order (PPO) in respect of Central Civil pensioners have been made applicable to Railway pensioners also vide Ministry of Railways (Railway Board), Circular No. RBA.63/ 2005 (2005/ ACII/ 21/ 19) dated October 13, 2005. The joint account of the pensioner with the spouse could be operated either by ‘Former or Survivor’ or ‘Either or Survivor’ basis subject to certain terms and conditions mentioned in Ministry of Railways Circular dated October 13, 2005 referred to above. (Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H-2134/45.02.001/2006-07 dated August 4, 2006) Ministry of Defence and the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts have modified the scheme for payment of pension permitting credit of pension also to a joint account operated by pensioner with his/her spouse in whose favour an authorization for family pension exists in the Pension Payment Order (PPO). The joint account of the pensioner with the spouse could be operated either by 'Former or Survivor' or 'Either or Survivor' basis subject to the following terms and conditions:
Existing pensioners desiring to get their pension credited to a joint account as indicated above are required to submit an application to the bank branch, from where they are presently drawing pension in the prescribed form. This would also be signed by the pensioner's spouse in token of having accepted the terms and conditions laid down in the Ministry of Defence Office Memorandum. The above facility is applicable to the existing / future pensioners. 13. Scheme for payment of pension to West Bengal (Part A) Government pensioners by public sector banks-Credit of Pension to Joint Bank Account operated by a pensioner with his / her spouse. (Ref. DGBA.GAD. No. H.6926/45.05.005/ 2006-07 dated October 30, 2006) Government of West Bengal has modified the scheme for payment of pension permitting credit of pension also to a Joint Account operated by pensioner with his/her spouse in whose favour an authorization for family pension exists in the Pension Payment Order (PPO). The Joint Account of the pensioner with the spouse could be operated either by 'Former or Survivor' or 'Either or Survivor' basis subject to the following terms and conditions:
Existing pensioners desiring to get their pension credited to a joint account as indicated above are required to submit an application to the bank branch, from where they are presently drawing pension in the prescribed form. This would also be signed by the pensioner's spouse in token of having accepted the terms and conditions laid down by Government of west Bengal. The above facility is applicable to the existing/future pensioners 14. Scheme for payment of pension to Punjab Government pensioners by public sector banks. Government of Punjab has modified the scheme for payment of pension permitting credit of pension also to a Joint Account operated by Punjab Government pensioner with his/her spouse in whose favour an authorization for family pension exists in the Pension Payment Order (PPO). The joint account of the pensioner with the spouse could be operated either by 'Former or Survivor' or 'Either or Survivor' basis subject to the following terms and conditions:
Existing pensioners desiring to get their pension credited to a joint account as indicated above are required to submit an application to the bank branch, from where they are presently drawing pension in the prescribed form. This would also be signed by the pensioner's spouse in token of having accepted the terms and conditions laid down by Government of Punjab. The above facility is applicable to the existing/future pensioners. 15. Disbursement of Central Government Pension through Public Sector Banks - Issue of Pension Slip. (Ref.DGBA.GAD.H.10975/45.05.031/2006-07 dated January 9, 2007) It has been decided in consultation with the Central Pension Accounting Office, Ministry of Finance, and Government of India to issue pension slips to the Central Government pensioners (Civil) at commencement of pension and thereafter, wherever there is a change in quantum of pension. All the agency banks were advised to issue suitable instructions to their pension paying branches. 16. Introduction of Single Window System for reimbursement of Defence Pension Payments. (Ref. DGBA.GAD. No. H-13834/45.02.001/2006-07 dated March 13, 2007) It has been decided in consultation with the Office of Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pension) to introduce Single Window System for reimbursement of Defence Pension with effect from April 1, 2007. Hence, the Reimbursing Banks i.e. RBI (PADs), SBI and its associate banks will cease to reimburse Defence pension payments made by the banks with effect from April 1, 2007. Pension payments transactions may be reported through Link Cell in Nagpur to Central Accounts Section, Reserve Bank of India, Nagpur for fund settlement as in the case of Central Civil Pension. The agency banks are required to send the Payment scrolls to the office of the PCDA (P), Draupadi Ghat, Allahabad. 17. Scheme for payment of pension to Arunachal Pradesh Government pensioners by public sector banks: (Ref. DGBA.GAD. H-14279/45.05.024/ 2006-07 dated March 23, 2007) Government of Arunachal Pradesh has modified the scheme for payment of pension permitting credit of pension also to a Joint Account operated by pensioner with his/her spouse in whose favour an authorization for family pension exists in the pension payment order (PPO). The joint account of the pensioner with the spouse could be operated either by 'former or survivor' or 'either or survivor' basis subject to the following terms and conditions:
18. Disbursement of Central Civil/Defence/Railway and Governments of West Bengal, Goa and Kerala Pension through Public Sector Banks-Issue of Pension Slips: (Ref. DGBA.GAD. H-10975/45.05.031/ 2006-07 dated January 9, 2007 It has been decided by Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO)/Ministry of Defence/Railway and Governments of West Bengal, Goa and Kerala to issue pension slips to their pensioners including family pensioners. Accordingly, pension slips as per the prescribed format are to be issued to these pensioners/family pensioners at the commencement of pension and thereafter, whenever there is a change in quantum of pension. All the agency banks were advised to issue suitable instructions to their pension paying branches. 19. Scheme for payment of pension to Assam Government Pensioners by Public Sector Banks- Credit of pension to Joint Account operated by a pensioner with his / her spouse: (Ref. DGBA.GAD. No. 7570/45.05.018/ 2007-08 dated January 15, 2008) The Government of Assam has modified the scheme for payment of pension permitting credit of pension also to a Joint Saving/Current Bank Account operated by pensioner with his/her spouse in whose favour an authorization for family pension exists in the Pension Payment Order (PPO). The joint account of the pensioner with the spouse could be operated either by 'Former or Survivor' or 'Either or Survivor' basis subject to the following terms and conditions:
Existing pensioners desiring to get their pension credited to a joint account as indicated above are required to submit an application to the bank branch, from where they are presently drawing pension in the prescribed form. This would also be signed by the pensioner's spouse in token of having accepted the terms and conditions laid down by Government of Assam. The above facility is applicable to the existing/future pensioners. 20. Scheme for Payment of Pension to Puducherry Government Pensioners by Public Sector Banks- Amendment of the scheme. (Ref. DGBA.GAD. No. H. 9036/45.05.017/ 2007-08 dated February 19, 2008) Consequent to creation of separate Public Account for the Union Territory of Puducherry with effect from 17-12-2007, Government of Puducherry has modified the scheme for disbursement of pension through Public Sector Banks as per the Gazette Government Order Ms. No. 7/2008/FI (B) dated January 8, 2008. For the purpose of the scheme, pensioners shall also include Freedom Fighter Pensioners of the Union Territory of Puducherry.. All the agency banks were advised to take suitable action as per the revised scheme. Paras 2A.(3), 10.7, 11 and 11.1 are revised as under
21. Payment of Pension to Government of Maharashtra pensioners through Authorised banks – Credit of pension to Joint Account operated by a pensioner: (Ref. DGBA.GAD.No.11653/45.05.013/2007-08 dated May 6, 2008) The Government of Maharashtra has modified the scheme for Payment of Pension to their pensioners permitting credit of pension also to a Joint Account operated by pensioner with the pensioner's family members in whose favour an authorization for family pension exists in PPO on the following terms and conditions:
Existing pensioners who desire to get their pension amount credited to a Joint Account are required to submit an application to the Pay and Accounts Officer, Mumbai/ Treasury Officer from where they are presently drawing pension, in the prescribed format, if the pensioners/ Joint Account holders accept the terms and conditions laid down in Government orders. On receipt of undertaking from the pensioner, the concerned Treasury / Pay and Accounts Officer, Mumbai will issue order to the banks for operating Joint Account of the pensioner. 22. Scheme for payment of pension to Uttar Pradesh Government Pensioners by Public Sector Banks- Credit of pension to Joint Account operated by a pensioner with his/her spouse: The Government of Uttar Pradesh has modified the scheme for payment of pension permitting credit of pension to the individual account as also to a Joint Account operated by pensioner with his/her spouse on par with Central Government Pension Scheme subject to the following terms and conditions: (a) Once pension has been credited to a pensioner's bank account, the liability of the Government ceases. The Government will have no liability for irregular/ erroneous withdrawal of the amount by the spouse (b) The death of the pensioner shall be intimated to the Treasury office within one month of the demise, so that the crediting of monthly pension to the Joint Account will be discontinued by the Treasury Office. However, if any amount has been wrongly credited to the Joint Account, it shall be recoverable from the Joint Account or any other account held by the pensioner individually/jointly. The legal heirs, successors, executors etc. shall also be liable for refund of such irregular payment. (c) The above facility is applicable to the existing / future pensioners. Existing pensioners desiring to get their pension credited to a Joint Account will have to submit an application to the concerned Treasury/ bank where from they are presently drawing pension. The Government Order dated July 19, 2001 read with Government Orders dated December 16, 1996 and April 6, 1985 will be treated as revised to the extent as per the above Government Order. The other terms and conditions will remain unchanged. 23. Scheme for payment of pension to Uttarakhand Government Pensioners through Public Sector Banks - Credit of pension to Joint Account operated by a pensioner with family pensioner/Nominee: The Government of Uttarakhand has modified the scheme for Payment of Pension to their pensioners permitting opening of bank account in their individual names as also to a Joint Account with the family pensioner or nominee as indicated in PPO on the following terms and conditions:
The future retirees desire to open the Joint Account will submit enclosed prescribed form 1 along with pension request; however the existing pensioners who are presently drawing pension from Treasury, a Joint Account shall be opened on request by submitting an application to the Treasury/bank in the prescribed form. 24. Scheme for Payment of Pension to Orissa Government Pensioners by Public Sector Banks - Credit of pension to Joint Bank Account operated by a pensioner with his / her spouse: (Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H 13024 /45.05.006/2007-08 dated June 24, 2008) The Government of Orissa has modified the scheme by extending the facility of payment of pension through Public Sector Banks by crediting to the Saving/Current Bank Account jointly operated by the pensioner with the spouse. The Joint Account of the pensioner with the spouse could be operated either by 'Former or Survivor' or 'Either or Survivor' basis subject to the following terms and conditions:
Existing pensioners desiring to get their pension credited to a Joint Account as indicated above are required to submit an application to the bank branch, from where they are presently drawing pension in the prescribed form. This would also be signed by the pensioner's spouse in token of having accepted the terms and conditions laid down in this Department Office Memorandum No 26848 dated 24.05.2008. These instructions are also applicable to the pensioners retiring after the issue of the Memorandum No. TRD –22/07 26848/F dated May 24, 2008. 25. Scheme for Payment of pension to Telecom Pensioners through Authorized Banks-Credit of pension to Joint Bank Account operated by a pensioner with his / her spouse: (Ref. DGBA. GAD. No.H-1917/45.04.001/2008-09 dated August 21, 2008) It has been decided in consultation with Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) to permit credit of Pension also to a Joint Account operated by DOT/ Ex-DOT, DTS & DTO pensioner (absorbed in BSNL) and drawing pension through authorized banks, with his / her spouse in whose favour an authorization for family pension exists in Pension Payment Order (PPO). The Joint Account of the pensioner with the spouse could be operated either by ‘Former or Survivor’ OR ‘Either or Survivor’ basis subject to certain terms and conditions as mentioned in the Office Memorandum of Government of India, Ministry of Communications & I.T.,Department of Telecommunication, New Delhi. All agency banks have been advised to issue the instructions to their pension disbursing branches accordingly. 26. Scheme for Payment of Pension to Andhra Pradesh Government pensioners through Authorised Banks- Credit of Pension to Joint Pension Account operated by a pensioner with his / her spouse: (Ref. DGBA. GAD.No.1918/45.05.016/2008-09d dated August 21, 2008) Government of Andhra Pradesh have agreed to credit of Pension to Joint Pension Account of pensioner & his / her spouse with a condition of furnishing an affidavit by the spouse of service pensioner as detailed in the Government of Andhra Pradesh Order. Accordingly all agency banks have been advised to issue suitable instructions to their pension disbursing branches. 27. Recommendations of the Prabhakar Rao Committee on Customer Service – Pension Payments: (Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H-3085/45.01.001/2008-09 dated October 1, 2008) It has been decided to accept the recommendations of the Prabhakar Rao Committee relating to pension payments and accordingly all agency banks have been advised to issue instructions to their dealing branches to adhere to these recommendations and also instruct their internal Auditors/Inspectors to bestow due attention to the adherence to the items of work by the branches listed with respect to the checklist (enclosed therewith) and comment on the quality of customer service in their reports which may be made available to Reserve Bank’s inspecting officers, as and when they visit the branches. 28. Implementation of Government’s decision on the recommendations of Sixth Central Pay Commission – Revision of pension of pre-2006 pensioners / family pensioners etc. (Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H-3699/45.01.001/2008-09 dated October 17, 2008) Government of India, Ministry of Personnel , Public Grievances & Pensions, New Delhi have accorded the sanction of regulation of pension/family pension of all the pre-2006 pensioners / family pensioners w.e.f. January 2006 vide letter No.38/37/08-P & PW(A) dated September 1, 2008. These orders apply to all pensioners/family pensioners who were drawing pension / family pension on January 1, 2006, under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972. CCS (Extraordinary Pension) Rules & the corresponding rules applicable to Railway Pensioners & pensioners of all India services, including officers of the Indian Civil Service retired from services, on or after January 1, 1973. These orders do not apply to retired High Court and Supreme Court Judges and other Constitutional /Statutory Authorities whose pension etc. is governed by separate rules / orders. Accordingly all agency banks have been advised to issue suitable instructions to adhere to the Government recommendations while disbursing the pension to the pensioners. 29. Scheme for payment of pension to Central Government/Civil/ Defence/ Railway/Telecom/ Freedom Fighters/ State Governments Pensioners by Public Sector Banks-Staggering of pension payments by PSBs. (Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H - 7652/ 45.05.031/2008-09 dated March 3, 2009) We have been receiving the large number of complaints from pensioners regarding non payments of pension in the last four working days of each month. Instead, pension is paid by the agency banks on the last working day of the month which causes much hardship to the pensioners and they have to wait in queue for a long time. In this connection, we had reiterated the instructions contained in our earlier circular GA.NB.No.307/45.01.001/94-95 dated June 1, 1995 and advised all agency banks to spread over disbursal of pension during the period of last four working days of the month, except for the month of March, which will continue to be credited on or after the first working day of April. 30. Issue of Pension Slips/Updation of Pension Payment Order by Pension paying branches of Agency banks. (Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H-9326 /44.01.001/2008-09,dated April 29, 2009) Although suitable instructions were issued to the agency banks, for issue of Pension Slips and for updation of PPO, we have been receiving complaints from Pensioners’ Associations regarding non-issue of Pension Slips by pension paying branches. They have also complained that the pension paying branches do not update both halves of Pension Payment Order (PPO), whenever there is change in basic rates of pension advised by the concerned Government Departments. We have, therefore, advised all Regional Offices to ensure that the Inspecting Officers from PADs invariably look into the aspect of Pension Slips and updation of PPO and furnish specific comments thereon while conducting the inspection of agency banks. 31. Recovery/Refund of overpayment of pension to the Government Account. (Ref. DGBA. GAD. No.H-10450 /45.03.001/2008-09 dated June 1, 2009 and DGBA. GAD. No. H-2434/ 45.05.031/ 2009-10 dated September 15, 2009) Government of India have advised us that the overpayments of pension made by the banks are not credited back to Government account by the banks in lump sum but are remitted in installments as and when recovered from the pensioner. As this causes loss to the Government, all agency banks have been advised that whenever any excess / overpayment is detected the entire amount thereof should be credited to the Government account in lump sum immediately. We have reiterated instructions issued vide our circular dated April 18, 1991 and June 1, 2009 for recovery of excess payments and lump sum refund of excess/ overpayments respectively. 32. Scheme of Payment of Pension to Railway Pensioners through Public Sector Banks-issue of Due and Drawn statement . (Ref. DGBA. GAD. No.H 2084/ 45.03.001/ 2009-10 dated September 1, 2009) The Ministry of Railways (Railway Board), New Delhi has informed that banks are not advising the pensioners about the details of the payments made to them on account of the revised pension. Therefore, in order to bring more transparency in the procedure of payment of arrears Ministry of Railways have requested us to instruct all Public Sector Banks to provide a copy of the ‘Due and Drawn’ statement to the pensioners. All the Public Sector Banks have, therefore, been advised to issue suitable instructions to their pension paying branches for issuance of ‘Due and Drawn’ statement in the prescribed form to Railway pensioners, whenever there is a change / revision in their pension, so as to avoid inconvenience to the pensioners. They have been advised to report the action taken in the matter to the Ministry of Railways under advice to Reserve Bank. 33. Scheme for payment of pension to Central Civil/ Defence/ Railway/ Telecom Pensioners/ Freedom Fighters/State Governments' Pensioners through Public Sector Banks- Facility for withdrawal of pension by old/ sick/ disabled/ incapacitated pensioners. (Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H 3194/45.01.001/2009-10 dated October 14, 2009) It is observed that the guidelines issued by RBI are not being meticulously adhered to by the banks, may be due to ignorance of the bank staff and that of the pensioners. In order to take care of the problems/ difficulties faced by the sick and disabled pensioners in withdrawal of pension / family pension from the banks, we have reiterated the instructions issued earlier to all the agency banks and advised them to categorise the cases of sick and incapacitated pensioners as under:
With a view to enabling such old/sick/incapacitated pensioners to operate their accounts, banks have been advised to follow the procedure as under: a) Wherever thumb or toe impression of the old/sick pensioner is obtained, it should be identified by two independent witnesses known to the bank, one of whom should be a responsible bank official. b) Where the pensioner cannot even put his/her thumb/ toe impression and also would not be able to be physically present in the bank, a mark can be obtained on the cheque/withdrawal form, which should be identified by two independent witnesses, one of whom should be a responsible bank official. Accordingly, the agency banks are requested to instruct their branches to display the instructions issued in this regard on their notice board so that sick and disabled pensioners could make full use of these facilities. The banks are also advised to sensitise the staff members in the matter and to refer to the FAQs on pension disbursement hosted on our website www.rbi.org.in in case of any doubt. 34. Pension Payment to Central/ State Govt. Pensioners by Agency Banks-Compensation for delay (Ref.DO.No.CSD.CO/8793/13.01.001/2009-10 dated April 09, 2010, DGBA.GAD.No.H- 46/45.01.001/2010-11 dated July 2, 2010, DGBA.GAD.No.H- 6212 & 6213/45.01.001/2010-11 dated March 11, 2011 and DGBA.GAD.No.H- 6760/45.01.001/2011-12 dated April 13, 2012) Reserve Bank of India is receiving several complaints from the pensioners alleging inordinate delay in disbursing the revised pension and arrears. Position was reviewed by RBI and the agency banks have been instructed as under:
35. Introduction of Single Window System for Reimbursement of Railway Pension Payments. (Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H-6493/45.03.001/2010-11 dated March 21, 2011, DGBA.GAD.No. H-74/45.03.001/2011-12 dated July 5, 2011 and DGBA.GAD.No. H-8024 & 8026/ 45.03.001/ 2011-12 dated June 6, 2012) The Single Window System (SWS) has been introduced in case of the reimbursement of Railway Pension payments with Bank of Baroda and Allahabad Bank effect from April 1, 2011, with United Bank of India with effect from July 1, 2011 and with State Bank of India and Dena Bank with effect from July 1, 2012. Railway pension payments made by these banks will be reimbursed by RBI, Central Accounts Section, Nagpur. 36. Irregularities in the Railway pension payment by the public sector banks (Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H-6581/45.03.001/2011-12, dated April 9, 2012) Agency banks have been advised to strictly adhere to the instructions contained in the scheme for payment of pension to Railway pensioners. 37. Payment of Central / State Government pension by agency banks - Settlement of reimbursement claim for pension payments made (Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H-8042/45.01.001/2011-12, dated June 7, 2012) It has been decided to allow the Link branches of the agency banks to submit the reimbursement claims to Reserve Bank of India, Public Accounts Departments/ Central Accounts Section, Nagpur for Central /State Government pension payments in 4 lots instead of 3 lots in a month. List of Circulars consolidated by the Master Circular
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