Subsequent to the issue of Board’s letter No. PC-V/98/I/7/1/1 dated 07.02.2008, references were received from pensioners / family pensioners and banks seeking clarification as to whether those pensioners/family pensioners who are members of RELHS and availing OPD facility are also eligible for the Fixed Medical Allowance.
2. The matter has been examined and in reference to the Board’s letter dated 07.02.2008 ibid, it is clarified that since actual enrolment under the Health Scheme is not mandatory, those pensioners/family pensioners who, in terms of Board’s letter No. 97/H/28/1 dated 23.10.97, are eligible to become members of the Scheme but are not actually enrolled are also entitled for grant of Fixed Medical Allowance. Pensioners/family pensioners who possess RELHS card & avail OPD facility are NOT entitled for Fixed Medical Allowance, whereas those who possess RELHS card but do not avail OPD facility [except in cases of chronic diseases, as defined in Board’s letter No. 2006/H/DC/JCM dated 12.10.2006] are entitled for Fixed Medical Allowance.
3. Further, FMA and arrears of FMA would continue to be paid, as earlier, to pensioners /family pensioners only after submission of the enclosed undertaking form to the Pension Disbursing Authority [PDA] thereby implying that fulfillment of the following two conditions is mandatory for becoming admissible for FMA:
[i] the pensioner/family pensioner is residing beyond 2.5 kms from the nearest health unit;
[ii] the pensioner/family pensioner is not availing the facility of OPD [except in cases of chronic diseases as mentioned in para 2 above].
UNDERTAKING FORM
[To be submitted in DUPLICATE by pensioners/family pensioners to his/her Pension Disbursing Authority [PDA] one copy to be retained by PDA and other copy to be furnished to Pension Sanctioning Authority by PDA]
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I_____________________________________, a retired employee /family pensioner whose ___________________ [specify relation of Family pensioner with deceased Railway employee] was an employee of [Office address] ____________________ declare that I am residing at [residential address indicated in PPO] _______________, which is beyond 2.5 Kms from the nearest Railway hospital / health unit __________________ [Name of the Hospital /Health Unit as contained in Annexure III to Railway Board’s letter No. PC-V/98/I/7/1/1 dated 21.4.99].
2. Accordingly, I hereby opt to claim fixed medical allowance of Rs.100/- per month. Necessary endorsement may please be made in my PPO in this regard. Simultaneously, I undertake that I will not avail of OPD facilities at Railway hospitals /health units from the day I claim Medical Allowance. I also understand that grant of Medical Allowance is subject to the terms and conditions specified in Board’s letters No. PC-V/98/I/7/1/1 dated 21.4.99 and 1.3.2004.
3. I also declare that I have not availed of any treatment as Out Door Patient for the period from _______________________ [indicate here the date of retirement or the date of availing OPD facility on the last occasion or 1.12.1997, whichever is later] to _______________ [indicate here the date on which this declaration is signed]. I may accordingly be paid arrear of Medical Allowance @ Rs.100/- per month for the period mentioned above.
Signature…………………………..
Name in full………………………..
PPO No…………………………….
Issued by ………………………….
SB A/c No………………………….
Post office /Bank…………………..
Branch………………………………
Place………………………………..
Date…………………………………