Action Taken Report on the minutes of the 29th SCOVA meeting

Action Taken Report on the minutes of the 29th SCOVA meeting

SCOVA

RNo. 42/05/2018-P&P W(G)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, P.G and Pensions

Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare'

********

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan

Khan Market, New Delhi-110003

Date:Al arch, 2018

To
All the Pensioners Associations included in SCOVA
vide Resolution dated 31.01.2018

Subject: Action Taken Report on the minutes of the 29th SCOVA meeting-reg

Please find enclosed herewith Action Taken Report on the minutes of the 29th SCOVA meeting held on 12.01.2017 for your kind perusal.

End: as above

Sd/-

(Charanjit aneja)

Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Action Taken Report on the minutes of the 29th SCOVA meeting held under the chairmanship of Hon'ble MOS(PP) on 12.01.2017

S. no	Issue	Gist of Discussion held during previous SCOVA meeting	Action Taken
1.	Para 5(i) of the minutes:-  Revision of PPOs of pre-2006 pensioners	CPAO intimated that the issue of revision of the remaining 3200 PPOs for pre-2006 pensioners has been reviewed with banks. The main reason for pendency is non- availability of records. CPAO would prepare fresh list of live pending cases on the basis on e-scrolls which would be provided to the concerned Ministries/Deptts to review the pendency. The Ministries/Deptts have been asked to give certificates of non- availability of records. The banks have also been asked to do KYC when the pensioners visit them for life certificate. CPAO also informed that they have not received any grievances in respect of non-revision of these particular PPOs. Since CPAO has expressed reservation about the pending cases, it was decided that CPAO would examine these cases under Audit and treat the pendency as Nil, subject to outcome of Audit.	CPAO  CPAO vide their letter dated28.02.2018 has intimated Nil' pendency.
		Ministry of Defence intimated that 2368 (2470) PPOs of Air Force pensioners have been revised. Some discrepancies have been noted which will be resolved within a week. CGDA was requested that the list of cases be shared with the Directorate of Air Veterans (DAV) and with the Air Force Association, New Delhi. DAV would tally the list with their records and revert back with the list of pending cases.	Ministry of Defence As per records available with the Pension Sanctioning Agency (PSA),as on 01.01.2016, a total of 1,39,504 Air Force pensioners were drawing pension. Out of these,76591 were identified as pre-2006 pensioners. Latest status of revision of PPOs in respect of Air Force Pensioners is as under: Total Cases Revised authority Issued PPOs yet to be issued 76,591 69,595 6,996 The balance cases are pending due to non-matching of records(PPOs numbers) provided by PDAs with Pension Sanctioning Agencies. Banks are not able to intimate correct PPO number in remaining 6996 cases, they are also not able to provide copy of the PPOs. Air Force Association were requested to share the data of these cases so that action could be taken to reconcile the same and issue necessary Corr. PPOs. The Association has conveyed that they do not have any records.
		On the issue of PPOs of Ordnance Factory, Ambamath, CGDA committed that the pendency will be disposed of by first week of February, 2017.	> In respect of two Ordnance Factories at Ambarnath, all the PPOs i.e. 1948 cases have been revised as per CPC orders.
		Department of Telecom reported that one of the reasons for pendency of 203 cases was that the Maharashtra Circle did not have relevant records. The Department was asked to dispose of the pendency within a week. (Action:- CPAO, Ministry of Defence, Department of Telecom, Directorate of Air Veterans)	Department of Telecom All the case of pre-2006 pensioners have been revised.
2	Para5(ii) of minutes:-  Health Insurance Scheme for pensioners including those residing in Non-CGHS area	Ministry of Health informed that the final EFC Memo is under submission to the Secretary. The proposal covers Central Government civil employees and pensioners only and that too for indoor treatment. OPD and appliances would not be covered under the proposed scheme.  (Action :- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)	Ministry of Health and Family Welfare The final EFC Memo regarding finalisation of the Health Insurance Scheme has been submitted more than a year back. The matter is pending with Department of Expenditure.
3	Para 5 (iii) of the minutes:-  Special "Higher" Family Pension for dated widows of the war disabled invalided out of service.	Ministry of Defence has stated that the comments of Service Headquarters on the issue have been sought vide MOD ID Note 10.10.2016 which are still awaited. The Disabled War Veterans (India) Association, stated that the cases would cover Army personnel mostly and not Navy and Air Force personnel.  (Action:- Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare)	Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare  The matter is under examination in consultation with CGDA.
4	Para 5 (iv) of the minutes    Extension of CGHS facilities to P&T pensioners.	The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed that the recommendation of 7th CPC in this regard is under consideration of the "Allowances Committee" set up after 7th CPC. Department of Expenditure was requested to check and confirm whether the issue is actually under the purview of the "Allowances Committee". DoPPW will independently seek clarification from the Implementation Cell, Department of Expenditure.  (Action:- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)	Ministry of Health and Family Welfare In respect of (iv), the CGHS facility has been extended to all retired employees of P&T Department vide Ministry of Health & Family Welfare OM dated 19.07.2017.
	Para5 (ix) of the minutes  Conversion of Postal Dispensary at Cantt. Road Cuttack to CGHS Wellness Centre		In respect of (ix), the matter is under examination in this Ministry in consultation with Department of Posts alongwith the proposal for merger of other P&T Dispensaries with CGHS.
5	Para 5 (v) of the minutes:-  Anomaly in fixation of pension of DoT employees who were absorbed in BSNL between 01.10.2000 and 30.06.2001.	Department of Telecom informed that, as desired by the Department of Expenditure, financial implications on the formula suggested by DoPPW was being worked out in consultation with BSNL. Meanwhile, CAT Principal Bench has allowed a petition filed by the BSNL absorbee pensioners for fixing their pension only on the basis of IDA pay drawn after absorption in BSNL. Department of Telecom was requested to examine the judgement of CAT.  (Action:- Department of Telecom)	Department of Telecom  DOT has challenged the CAT(PB), Delhi order in Delhi High Court. The matter is pending in the High Court. Next date of hearing is 22.10.2018.
6	Para 5 (vii) of the minutes:-  Extension of benefit of upgraded Grade Pay to pre-2006 retirees of S-12 grade (issue of grant of grade pay of Rs. 4600/.- instead of Rs. 4200/-)	Department of Expenditure has observed that the upgraded Grade Pay of Rs.4600/- was given subsequently outside the recommendation of the 6th CPC. Since this up-gradation is post 6th CPC decision, it is not applicable to those who are holding the pre- revised scale of Rs. 6500-10,5001- and retired before 01.01.2006. Department of Telecom informed that the benefit of Grade pay of Rs. 4600/- to pre-2006 pensioners in pre-revised pay scale of Rs. 6500- 10,500/- is sub-judice.  (Action:- Department of Telecom and Department of Expenditure)	Department of Expenditure and Department of Telecom The order of the CAT, Bangalore Bench and High Court of Karnataka have been implemented in respect of petitioners to avoid contempt of court. However, the issue is being contested in some other cases pending in the courts. Department of Expenditure has not agreedto the proposal of DoPPW for extension of the benefit of the orders of CAT Bangalore, Bench in the case of other similarly placed pre-2006 pensioners who retired from pay scale of Rs.6500-10500/-. The matter has again been referred to Department of Expenditure on 22.02.2018.
7	Para 5(vii) of the minutes:-  Issues relating to CGHS Wellness Centre, Dehradun- Merger of Survey of India Dispensary in CGHS on the same lines as P&T.	Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed that the O/o Surveyor General of India has conveyed that Survey of India dispensaries were established as per the obligations under Factories Act. Therefore, their merger with CGHS on the same lines as in the case of P&T dispensaries is not possible. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was requested to examine as to how the provisions of the Act come in the way of merger of these dispensaries with CGHS, particularly when the doctors in these dispensaries are also provided by Ministry of Health under CGHS. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has stated that they have taken a decision to post 2 more contractual doctors in the CGHS Wellness Centre, Dehradun. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was requested to post doctors expeditiously.  (Action:- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)	Ministry of Health and Family Welfare  The proposal regarding merger of Survey of India Dispensary under CGHS in Dehradun has been agreed to by Surveyor General of India & the matter is being examined in consultation with M/o Science & Technology. A local committee has been formed comprising officers from Survey of India and Directorate General of CGHS to sort out the issue regarding merger of Survey of India Dispensary in CGHS.
8	Para 5(x) of the minutes:-  Stoppage of Recovery of wrongful/excess payments from Railways Pensioners.	Ministry of Railways informed that the matter regarding waiver of recovery and withdrawal of the petition filed in the Court was submitted for the approval of Railway Board and a decision was likely to be taken in 3-4 days.	Ministry of Railways  Ministry of Railway vide OM dated 16.03.2018 has informed that vide Railway Boards's letter dated 04.05.2017, instructions have been issued to provisionally stop recovery from the pensioners till further advice from the Railway Board which will be issued on receipt of instructions from Department of Expenditure. The Department of Expenditure desired certain information. The information is being collected from all Zonal Railways and Production Units. Subsequently, the same will be submitted for Department of Expenditure for approval.
9	Para 5 (xi) of the minutes:- Delay in commencement of family pension to spouse on death of pensioners.	CPAO intimated that the relevant instructions have been issued on 02.06.2016 12 Banks have reported timely commencement of family pension. However, CPAO will revert to the banks based on the reports of the e-scrolls. Also internal audit of the banks at CPPCs are conducted to check the delay. Secretary (P&PW) directed to circulate the copies of instruction issued by CPAO. CPAO will send a report on the delayed cases within a month and DoPPW will take up the issue with the Department of Financial Services. (Action:- CPAO, DoPPW and Department of Financial Services)	CPAO  The issue is being regularly taken up with the Banks and vide CPAO's OM dated 30.01.2018, instructions have been issued to start the family pension within one month from the receipt of the death certificate from the family pensioners so that they may not face any financial hardship.  DoPPW A Report dated 15.01.2018 received from CPAO confirms that there has been considerable delay by banks in commencement of family pension on death of pension. The report has been forwarded to DFS vide DoPPW's DO letter dated 07.02.2018 for issuing the necessary instructions to the Banks so that the issues related to pensioners may be settled within one month. Department of Financial Services Information is yet to be received.
10.	Para 5 (xii) of the minutes:- Payment of (i) Restoration of commutation amount and  (ii) Additional Pension on attaining the age of 80 years should be streamlined by the Banks.	CPAO intimated that the relevant instructions have been issued on 02.06.2016 Secretary(P&PW) directed to circulated the copies of instruction issued by CPAO. CPAO will send a detailed report on the delayed cases within a month and DoPPW will take up the issue with the Department of Financial Services based on the report received from CPAO.  (Action:- CPAO, DoPPW and Department of Financial Services)	CPAO  In this regard, instructions are being issued from time to time to all the CPPCs of the banks and this was also discussed in the meeting held on 31.01.2018 with the banks. Banks were instructed to make necessary flagging of dates in software for timely restoration of commutation and commencement of additional pension.  DoPPW A Report dated 15.01.2018 received from CPAO confirms that there has been considerable delay by banks in restoration of commutation of pension and grant of additional pension to old pensioners. The report has been forwarded to DFS vide DoPPW's DO letter dated 07.02.2018 for issuing the necessary instructions to the Banks so that the issues related to pensioners may be settled within one month. Department of Financial Services Information is yet to be received.
11	Para 6, Item (29.1) of the minutes:-  Item wise details of payment made to be shown in Pass Books of Pensioners.	CPAO intimated that instructions are in place to indicate the break-up of various payments to the pensioners at the time of payment of pension. All heads of CPPCs and Government Accounts Departments of the banks have been instructed to streamline their internal system to enforce the existing guidelines. A "Web responsive Pensioners Service" (WRPS) was launched by CPAO which enables the pensioners/family pensioners to see details of pension like monthly pension, DR, Medical Allowance, DA arrears, Commission/Other arrears, recoveries etc. Secretary (P&PW) directed to send copies of relevant CPAO instructions to the various Pensioners Associations and also to take up the matter with Department of Financial Services.  (Action:- CPAO, Department of Financial Services and DoPPW)	CPAO  As per CPPCs guideline, all paying branches are responsible for providing pension slip and details of all the payments made to pensions. In the meeting with banks held on 31.01.2018, CPPCs were instructed to create their website/web page with facility to know the PPO status as registration of the pensioners grievances. Banks were also instructed to follow CPPCs guidelines and provide pension slip, breakup of pension and arrear payments and other required information to the pensioners.  Department of Financial Services  Department of Financial Services vide its letter dated 02.03.2017 has asked the Public Sector Banks (PSBs) to take necessary action in the matter.
12	Para 6 (29.3) of the minutes:-  Additional Pension for recipients of disability pension of age 80 years and above.	Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare(DESW) intimated that the issue is under examination. Secretary(P&PW) asked DESW to expedite the matter.  (Action:- Department of Ex- servicemen Welfare)	Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare  The orders in this regard has been issued vide letter dated 05.09.2017.
13	Para 6 Item (29.4) of the minutes: Upgradation of Polyclinic at Bajaj Nagar, Jaipur.	Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed that the instructions have been issued to Addl. Director(CGHS), Jaipur to make necessary arrangements for repairing the instruments and machinery lying unused and for procurement of equipment for diagnostic facilities like X Ray, Dental X-Ray, Auto Analysers etc. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated that up-gradation of facilities will be completed by 31.012017.  (Action:- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)	Ministry of Health & Family Welfare  Computerisation of CGHS polyclinic, Jaipur is under process. Addl Director, CGHS, Jaipur is taking up the matter of generating online reports with NIC.
14	Para 6, Item (29.5) of the minutes:- Setting up of CGHS Wellness Centre at Kochi.	The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare intimated that the proposal regarding opening of CGHS Wellness Centre at Kochi is under active consideration.  (Action:- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)	Ministry of Health & Family Welfare  The proposal is under consideration in consultation with Department of Expenditure.
15	Para 6, Item (29.6) of the minutes:-  Empanelment of Hospitals/Health Centre with CGHS in Ambarnath/ Dombivli	Ministry of Health stated that there are 9 empanelled hospitals in Ambernath/Dombivli. The 14 enlisted hospitals in the fresh agenda do not satisfy the criteria of minimum 40 beds for empanelment. The pensioners association requested if the above condition may be relaxed for the empanelment of these hospitals.  (Action:- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)	Ministry of Health & Family Welfare  Action has been initiated for new empanelment process and revision of rates. However, the guidelines regarding empanelment of Hospitals/Health Centres under CGHS cannot be in isolation and shall be common to all cities.

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