Status of Implementation of One Rank One Pension.

   Government has always been sensitive to the demand for One Rank One Pension. Keeping in view the spirit of the demand, several Commissions/Committees have gone into the matter. Their recommendations have resulted in improving the pension of past pensioners.

   The 5th Central Pay Commission did not recommend grant of 'One Rank, One Pension' by stating that every Pay Commission gives certain benefits in pay which are over and above the impact of inflation. The additional benefit is given either due to upgradation of recruitment qualifications or change in job contents.

   The benefits accorded on this account need not necessarily be passed on to the pensioners. It, however, recommended partial parity. Similarly the 6th Central Pay Commission recommended modified parity and not full parity in the matter of revision of pension of the past retirees. Further a Committee was set up under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary in June, 2009.

   The Committee made several recommendations aimed at narrowing the gap between earlier and current pensions. This has benefited about 12 lakh retired Personnel Below Officer Ranks (PBORs)/Officers at an annual cost of Rs.2200 crores approximate. Another Committee headed by Cabinet Secretary was set up in July, 2012 for looking into the pay and pension related issues of relevance to Defence service personnel and ex-servicemen.

   The Committee made recommendations for bridging the gap in pensions of pre and post 2006 Armed Forces pensioners, enhancement of family pensions, dual family pension and continuation of pension to physically/mentally challenged son/daughter of Armed Forces personnel on marriage. All the recommendations of the Committee have been implemented by issue of Government letters on 17.01.2013.

   This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri Jitendra Singhin a written reply to Shri NareshGujral in Rajya Sabha.

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Passbook for PF Account Holders.

Press Information Bureau
Government of India

   Passbook for PF Account Holders

   There are no dormant accounts in Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). However, as per provision of para 72(6) of the Employees’ Provident Funds (EPF) Scheme, 1952, a member’s account under certain condition is classified as Inoperative Account. All such Inoperative Accounts have a definite claimant.

   As per Para 73(1) of the EPF Scheme, 1952, a statement of account to each member through his last employer will be sent after the close of each year, showing opening balance, contribution during the year, interest credited, amount debited and closing balance of the year.

   Following initiatives have been taken by the EPFO to provide details to the PF account holders:-

   1)    Online access has been given to the EPF members to ‘Know their EPF Balance’ through the website of the EPFO at http://epfidia.gov.in

   2)    Facility of e-passbook has been provided to the EPF Members. It is an online version of the employee’s Provident Fund account. Transactions are recorded and can be tracked easily by the members by registering themselves on the website of EPFO.

   However, in the event of change of employment, a new PF number is issued to the employees as on date.

   This information was given by Minister of State for Labour & Employment Shri Kodikunnil Suresh in the Rajya Sabha today in reply to a written question.

DA to EPF Pensioners.

   As per the statistics available upto  31.03.2012, the number of pensioners receiving pension less than Rs. 500/- p.m. is  around 12 lakh and those receiving more than Rs. 500  and less than Rs.1000/- is around 16.05 lakh.
 
   A number of representations have been received against meager pension and demanding increase in the pension. In order to address this issue, the Government of India constituted an Expert Committee for reviewing the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 on 12.06.2009.  The recommendation of the Expert Committee was considered by Pension Implementation Committee (PIC), a sub-Committee of Central Board of Trustees (CBT), Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), which inter-alia recommended that a minimum monthly pension under Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 be increased to Rs. 1000/- per month as an interim measure. The recommendation of the PIC was considered by CBT, EPF. However, the discussion remained inconclusive. A proposal for providing minimum pension of Rs. 1000/- under EPS, 1995 is under consideration of the Government.
            
   Central Government appoints Valuer under Para 32 of the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 for annual valuation of Employees’ Pension Fund. Depending on the valuation report, the Central Government declared additional relief whenever Pension Fund permitted to do so. From 5th valuation of Employees’ Pension Fund as on 31.3.2001, the fund is showing continuous deficit, therefore, pension could not be revised by the Central Government.

   However, the following categories of pension were increased w.e.f. 29.01.2000 in the following manner:

Category of Pension	Increased from	Increased to
Widow/Widower Pension	Rs. 250/-	Rs. 450/-
Children Pension	Rs. 115/-	Rs. 150/-
Orphan Pension	Rs. 170/-	Rs. 250/-

   On the basis of the annual valuations carried out by the valuer appointed by the Central Government, the Central Government grants relief to pensioners, if the Employees’ Pension Fund shows surplus. The first four valuations showed surplus and accordingly relief of 4%, 5.5%, 4% & 4% was granted during 1996 to 2000. However, no relief has been declared by the Central Government after 31.03.2000 as the fund is showing continuous deficit thereafter.
 
   This information was given by Minister of State for Labour & Employment Shri  Kodikunnil Suresh in the Rajya  Sabha today in reply to a written question.

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