Delay in Pension Payments? Here’s What the New CCS (Extraordinary Pension) Rules 2023 Mean for Govt Pensioners and Ensuring Timely Payment

DOPPW has issued an OM regarding timely payment of Extraordinary Pension to avoid delay in Pension Payments. The insights of this Order is given below

• The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) recently issued the Central Civil Services (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 2023.
• These rules apply to government employees covered under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021.
• In a recent case, a court directed the government to provide Extraordinary Pension (EOP) to the eligible family members of certain government employees killed in action during duty.
• The court ordered that these family members be granted a family pension under the EOP Rules.
• However, the concerned department initially believed that since the EOP Rules were issued by DoPPW, it was DoPPW’s responsibility to implement the court’s order.
• The matter was later clarified, confirming that the concerned department itself should implement the order, and the department eventually complied.
• The delay in processing resulted in prolonged payment of benefits to the affected families.
• The concerned department is urged to release all retirement benefits, including EOP, as per the rules without delay.
• Under Rule 65 of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021, any delay in pension, gratuity, or family pension payments attracts interest penalties.

DoPPW OM Regarding timely payment of Extraordinary Pension

No. 1/15/2024-P&PW(F)/9809
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market,
New Delhi, Dated the 25th October, 2024

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : Implementation of pension related rules and timely release of retirement benefits by the administrative Ministries / Departments.

Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) has recently issued Central Civil Services (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 2023. These rules apply to the Government servant to whom the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021 apply. Extraordinary Pension (EOP) Rules are in the form of Disability pension/extraordinary family pension that may be paid to the Government servant/his family if disablement/death (or the aggravation of disablement/death) of the Government servant, during his service, are attributed to the Government service.

2. The above rules are implemented by the administrative Ministry / Department/ Organisation. Recently, in one such case court ordered for grant of EOP to the eligible family members of few Government servants who were killed in action during Govt duty. There was order from the court to grant them family pension under EOP Rules. however, the concerned Department took a view that since these employees are covered under EOP Rules which have been notified / issued by DoPPW, hence, the order should be implemented by DoPPW. The matter was subsequently clarified to the that Department and the same was implemented by that Department only. However, the process got prolonged resulting delay in payment etc.

3.In view of the above experience, it is reiterated that as per provisions of the Allocation of Business Rules in the Govt of India, sanction of pension / pensionary benefits is the sole mandate and responsibility of the administrative Ministry / Department / organisaiton. Therefore, the concerned organization is required to release all the retirement benefits including EOP as per rules at the earliest possible. It is added that delay in payment of pension, gratuity and family pension attracts payment of interest in terms of Rule 65 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021.

4. All Ministries/Departments are requested to observe the above strictly and sensitise all authorities under them to process and release payment in such cases at the earliest possible.

5. This issues with the approval of competent authority.

(DiIip Kumar Sahu)
Under Secretary to the Govt.of India

View the Order pdf