7th CPC Revision of Pre-2016 Pension:Meeting of the Committee to examine the feasibility of implementation of 7th CPC recommendations

Minutes of the 7th meeting of the Committee set up to examine feasibility of implementation of recommendation of Seventh CPC for revision of pension of Pre-2016 held on 17.10.2016 at Sardar Patel Bhawan, New Delhi. 

5. Ms. Vandana Sharma, Additional Secretary, DOP&PW (representing Secretary, Department of Pension & PW).

6. Sh. Sanjay Singh, Chief Controller (Pension), CPAO (representing Controller General of Accounts).

7. Sh. Tanveer Ahmad, Executive Director, Railway Board (representing Member Staff Railway Board).

2. The following were present from JCM (Staff side) : 

1. Shiv Gopal Mishra, Secretary, JCM.

2. Sh. Guman Singh, Member

3. Sh. J. R. Bhosale, Member

4. Sh. K. K. N. Kutty, Member

5. Sh. C. Srikumar, Member

6. Sh. M. S. Raja, Member 

3. Recalling the discussion in the last meeting on 6.10.2016, Additional Secretary (Pension) requested the Staff side of the JCM for their considered views in regard to the alternate method of fixation of notional pay in each intervening Pay Commissions for revision of pension as on 1.1.2016, which was suggested by the Committee in that meeting.

4. The Staff side appreciated the concern shown by the Committee for finding a viable solution to the issue of revision of pension of Pre-2016 pensioners. They agreed that the increments method recommended by the Pay Commission for fixation of notional pension for revision of pension of pre-2016 pensioners may result in large scale anomalies and that the method of notional pay fixation in each intervening Pay Commission is a much more rational and scientific method. The pay fixation method would benefit almost all pre-2016 pensioners and would ensure smoother and faster revision of pension. In fact, JCM (Staff side) had, itself, suggested the pay fixation method for revision of pension to the Seventh CPC. 

5. JCM (Staff side), however, mentioned that since the increment method recommended by the Seventh CPC has been accepted by the Cabinet subject to its implementation being found feasible by the Committee, a small number of pensioners who are likely to get higher benefit by increments method (mostly retired before 1.1.1996) may feel aggrieved if their pension is not revised by that method. This may lead to litigation.

6. Sh. Tanveer Ahmad, Executive Director, Railway Board mentioned that pensioners who were promoted just before their retirement would be at a disadvantageous position on implementation of the Increment Method.. Chief Controller, CPAO mentioned that when large scale anomalies are visualized even before actual implementation of the increment method, it would not be advisable to go ahead with implementation of that method. 

7. Staff side suggested that both the options i.e. Increments Method as well as Pay Fixation Method may be offered to the pre-2016 pensioners along with the 2.57 Fitment Method (already implemented) and they may be asked to choose one of these options for revision of their pension w.e.f. 1.1.2016. This may also reduce the chances of anomalies on account of implementation of the Increments Method. 

8. Special Secretary & FA, Ministry of Home Affairs informed that the Committee will take an appropriate view in the matter after taking into account all the relevant aspects including the views expressed by the Staff side of the JCM. 

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