Revised rate of Dearness Relief to Railway pensioners /family pensioners from 01.01.2010

1.            A copy of Office Memorandum No. 42/18/2010-P&PW[G] dated 31.03.2010 of Ministry of  Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions [Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare] on the above subject is enclosed for your information and necessary action.  These orders will apply mutatis mutandis on the Railways also. 

2.         A concordance of DOP&PW’s instructions referred to in the enclosed Office Memorandum and Railway Board’s corresponding Railway instructions are given below:

3.         This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.           

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Copy of Office Memorandum No. 42/18/2010-P&PW[G] dated 31.03.2010 of Ministry of  Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions [Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare] [DOP&PW]

Sub: Grant of Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners /family pensioners –Revised rate effective from 01.01.2010

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1.            The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. No. 42/12/2009-P&PW[G] dated 23.09.2009 on the subject mentioned above and to state that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Relief payable to Central Government pensioners shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 27% to 35% w.e.f. 1st January, 2010.

2.         These orders apply to [i] All Civilian Central Government Pensioners /Family Pensioners [ii] The Armed Forces Pensioners, Civilian Pensioners paid out of the Defence Service Estimates [iii] All India Service Pensioners [iv] Railway Pensioners and [v] The Burma Civilian pensioners /family pensioners and pensioners/families of displaced Government pensioners from Pakistan, who are Indian Nationals but receiving pension on behalf of Government of Pakistan, who are in receipt of ad-hoc ex-gratia allowance of 3500/- p.m. In terms of this Department’s O.M.No.23/1/97-P&PW (B) dated 23.02.1998 read with this Department’s O.M.No.23/3/2008–P&PW(B) dated 15.09.08.

3.         Central Government Employees who had drawn lumpsum amount on absorption in a PSU /Autonomous body and have become eligible to restoration of 1/3rd commuted portion of pension as well as revision of the restored amount in terms of this Department’s O.M.No.4/59/97-P&PW(D) dated 14.07.98 will also be entitled to the payment of DR @ 35% w.e.f. 1.1.2010 on full pension i.e. the revised pension  which the absorbed employee would have received on the date of restoration had he not drawn lumpsum payment on absorption and Dearness Pension subject to fulfilment of the conditions laid down in para 5 of the O.M. dated 14.7.98.  In this connection, instructions contained in this Department’s O.M.No.4/ 29/99- P&PW(D) dated 12.07.2000 refers.

4.         Payment of DR involving a fraction of a rupee shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee.

5.         Other provisions governing grant of DR in respect of employed family pensioners and re-employed Central Government Pensioners will be regulated in accordance with the provisions contained in this Department’s OM No. 45/73/97-P&PW(G) dt.2.07.99  as amended vide this Department’s OM No. F.No. 38/88/2008-P&PW[G] dated 9th July, 2009. The provisions relating to regulation of DR where pensioner is in receipt of more than one pension will remain unchanged. 

6.         In the case of retired Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, necessary orders will be issued by the Department of Justice separately.

7.         It will be the responsibility of the pension disbursing authorities, including the nationalized banks, etc. to calculate the quantum of DR payable in each individual case.

8.         The offices of Accountant General and Authorised Public Sector Banks are requested to arrange payment of relief to pensioners etc. on the basis of the above instructions without waiting for any further instructions from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the Reserve Bank of India in view of letter No. 528-TA,II/34-80-II dated 23.04.1981 of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India addressed to all Accountant Generals and Reserve Bank  of India Circular No. GANB No. 2958/GA-64 [ii] [CGL]/81 dated the 21st May, 1981 addressed to State Bank of India and its subsidiaries and all Nationalised Banks.

9.         In their application to the pensioners /family pensioners belonging to Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issue in consultation with C&AG.

10.       This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure vide their O.M.. No. 1[4]/EV/2004  dated 31.3.2010.

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