Minimum Monthly Pension.

   The Pension Implementation Committee, a sub committee of the Central Board of Trustees, Employees’ Provident Fund [CBT (EPF)], has recommended that the minimum monthly pension under EPS, 1995 be increased to Rs. 1000/- per month as an interim measure. The issue was placed for consideration of the CBT(EPF) in its 198th meeting held on 22.02.2012 wherein the Board decided to defer the discussion.

   As on 31st March, 2011, the number of employees getting pension benefits from the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation is 36,00,089.

   This information was given by Minister of Labour and Employment Shri Mallikarjun Kharge in reply in reply to a written question whether there is a proposal to provide fixed minimum pension to all the employees who are covered under Employees` Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO); if so, the details thereof along with the minimum amount the Government is planning to give to the pensioners; whether the Government has decided to revise the existing scheme in view of the demands of the workers for a reasonable hike in their EPF pension; the time by which the enhanced pension is likely to be disbursed; and the number of employees who are getting pension benefits from the EPFO at present?

Source: PIB

Pension Scheme in Ordnance Factories.

   The new pension scheme has been implemented in all the ordnance factories including Jabalpur based ordnance factories.

   HVF NPS Reformation Association, Avadi filed an OA before CAT Madras Bench challenging the implementation of New Pension Scheme introduced by the Government of India as unconstitutional and violative of Article 14, 16 & 21 of the Constitution of India contending, inter alia, that new pension scheme does not guarantee any minimum return on investment of employees. A strike had been called on 28.2.2012 by All India Defence Employees Federation, Indian National Defence Workers Federation and BharatiyaPratirakshaMazdoorSangh jointly demanding to scrap the new pension scheme.

   No proposal for considering the implementation of old pension scheme in ordnance factories is under consideration

   This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri MM PallamRaju in a written reply to Shri Rakesh Singh in Lok Sabha today.

Source: PIB

Medical Facilities to Gorkha Pensioners.

   The Government has extended the benefits of Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) to Nepal Domiciled Gorkha (NDG) pensioner Ex-servicemen and their dependents. Medical facilities will be provided through 3 ECHS polyclinics at Kathmandu, Pokhara and Dharan. One mobile clinic will also be attached with each of the polyclinic. The polyclinics will provide outpatient treatment and patient requiring hospitalization will be referred to empanelled hospitals in Nepal. Cashless treatment will be provided by these hospitals as is the case in India. The manpower for ECHS Polyclinics and the mobile clinics will be engaged on contractual basis. NDG Ex- servicemen residing in India already have coverage of this scheme since its inception.

   This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri MM PallamRajuin a written reply to Shri Manicka Tagore in Lok Sabha today.

PIB