Fact Check: Is the Government Really Considering a Minimum Pension Increase?

In a reply to the query regarding Minimum Pension Increase, Government clearly said in Parliament that there is no proposal to increase Minimum Pension or Family Pension.

Is the Government Really Considering a Minimum Pension Increase ?

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
(DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERS’ WELFARE)

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2200
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023)

MINIMUM PENSION

2200. SHRI L.S. TEJASVI SURYA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the number of persons receiving pension, family pension, etc., from the Government departments, Governmental agencies and organisations per year and the total amount of pension to be provided to such retired persons, State-wise along with the minimum amount of pension to be provided to each person;

(b) whether the Government is considering to increase the minimum pension taking into account the changing prices over the years and if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether any departmental, ministerial and inter-ministerial discussion has been conducted in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a): On the basis of the information provided by the Central Pension Accounting Office (for Civil Pensioners), Office of Controller General of Defence Accounts (for Defence Pensioners), Department of Telecommunications (for Telecom Pensioners), Railway Board (for Railway Pensioners), and Department of Posts (for Postal Pensioners), the details regarding the pensioners and family pensioners receiving pension and expenditure involved during the year 2022-23 under the Union Government are given as under:

Total Number of pensioners in India

S.No.	Department	No. of Pensioners	No. of Family Pensioners	Expenditure for the year 2022-23 (Rs. In crores)
1.	Civil Pensioner	780509	361476	40,811.28
2.	Defence Pensioner	2331388	835043	125269.42
3.	Telecom Pensioner	317992	120766	12448.00
4.	Railways Pensioner	856058	669710	55034.00
5.	Post Pensioner	195298	106467	8214.85
	Total	4481245	2093462	241777.55

The amount of minimum pension/ family pension under the Central Government is rupees 9000 per month.

(b) & (c): There is no proposal to increase the amount of minimum pension/ family pension. The pensioners/ family pensioners are entitled to dearness relief, based on changes in prices, from time to time.

View the official copy pdf