As per the provision, the payment will be made on the arrears of pension/family pension/gratuity and in the manner applicable to the General Provident Fund amounts.
The Central Government has given a big relief to the pensioners. Under which they will not have to face delay in their pension-gratuity payment if the PPO is not issued by the central employees and pensioners. For this the department has issued notification.
The government has directed officials to ensure that pension and gratuity payments to retired central government employees are not stopped if the final pension payment order (PPO) is delayed by more than six months due to administrative issues. In case of delay in PPO, payment of temporary pension for six months is available under the extant guidelines.
Official notification
The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) has recently issued an Office Memorandum (OM). In which it has been said that in view of the provisions of Rule 62 of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, the Accounts Officer will have to dispose of the provision pension expeditiously. If the final amount of pension and gratuity has been determined by the Head of Office in consultation with the Accounts Officer within the said period, then immediately after the expiry of the period of six months provided in the rule, issue pension payment order.
In case of delay, interest will be paid on the outstanding amount
In all cases where pension/family pension/gratuity (including provisional pension/family pension/gratuity) has not been sanctioned or delayed, and it is clearly evident that the delay in payment was due to administrative reasons or default, Interest will be paid on arrears of pension/family pension/gratuity and in the manner applicable to General Provident Fund amounts, as provided in Rule 65 of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021.
O.M. dated 23rd February 2022 issued According to these instructions have been received that such a situation should not happen. Where the regular pension of a retired Government servant is not authorized by the Accounts Officer after the expiry of a period of six months. Pension should not be withdrawn under any circumstances. If for any reason the PPO for regular pension cannot be provided by the Accounts Officer by the expiry of the period of six months.
In situations where there is a apprehension of delay in issuance of PPO sanctioning regular pension, the Head of Office may be referred to the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021 (older Central Civil Services Rule 64), Services (Pension) Rules, 1972). It is necessary to provide a provisional pension/gratuity under Rule 62.
Action will be taken in case of delay in payment
If it is determined that the delay in payment of pension, family pension, or gratuity is due to administrative reasons or default, interest should be paid to the affected pensioner/family pensioner as per rules. In such circumstances disciplinary action will be taken against the Government servant or employees who are liable for administrative violations or cause delay.
