Other ISSUES – Grant-in-Aid, Additional Pension, Fixed Medical Allowance & SAMPANN portal: Minutes of the 34th SCOVA meeting
[Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare’s O.M. No. 4/14/2025-P&PW(D)/E-10522 dated 25.03.2025]
I. CGHS ISSUES
II. SPARSH PORTAL RELATED ISSUES
III. PENSION POLICY
IV. OTHER ISSUES
(i) Issue : Increase in the Grant-in-Aid to PWAs:
Requests have been made for an increase in the annual budget to account for inflation and rising operational costs. This includes adjusting the salary of the computer operator to align with Jharkhand Government rates (Rs. 16,000/- to Rs. 18,000/-), as well as providing additional funding for electricity bills, stationery, computer maintenance, and the salary of an office boy. The proposal highlights the valuable social welfare initiatives being provided, particularly those supporting tribal women and environmental work.
Some Associations raised the issue of including the TA expenditure in heads of expenditure from GIA.
Discussion/Decision on agenda item
It was informed that the proposal of increasing the Grant-in-aid from existing Rs. 75000/- to Rs. 5,00.000/- per annum per association has been approved by DOE/IFD.
The process for payment for enhanced grant in aid to PWAs from next financial year is being finalised.
It was informed that the heads of expenditure from GIA is also being discussed by a committee and this would be kept flexible.
(Action: DoPPW )
(ii) Issue : Physical verification at the time of starting of Additional Pension by J&K Bank:
The issue was raised by Pensionersโ Association of Jammu that Pensioners in J&K are required to appear in person for verification before receiving additional pensions after 80 years, unlike other nationalized banks. Additionally, the process for changing pension banks is slow and needs simplification.
Discussion/Decision on agenda item
It was informed by the Representative of J&K bank that the existing process being followed at district Treasury was on account of the instructions by the state government prior to 2016.
In order to facilitate the Pensioners, J&K bank further informed that they had alrcady provided the services of Bank employees making personal visits to the respective pensioner and furnish details to the treasury in order to avoid physical presence.
However, the Treasury has now agreed to delegate the power to the banks to certify and henceforth, in J&K, the same procedure as followed in other states with regard to verification will be followed.
In view of the above, the item was closed.
(iii) Issue : Integration of Indian Bank with Bhavishya Portal:
Pensionersโ Association, Chennai raised the issue of integration of Indian bank with Bhavishya portal which is preventing the pensioners from downloading pension slips and Form 16.
Discussion/Decision on agenda item
It was informed that DoPPW is already in the process to integrate all bank portals with Bhavishya. Some banks have already been integrated.
The Indian Bank representatives informed that the matter of integration with Bhavishya portal is under active consideration and would be completed soon.
In view of the above, the item was closed.ย
(iv) ISSUE: FIXED MEDICAL ALLOWANCE (FMA):
Increase in the Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) to Rs. 3000 per month, as the current allowance is insufficient due to rising medical costs, as recommended by the Parliamentary Standing Committee.
Discussion/Decision on agenda item
It was informed by Department of Expenditure that this issue may be included in the Terms of Reference (TOR) of 8th Pay Commission.
In view of the above, the item was closed.
(v) Issue : SAMPANN portal of DoT
Pensionersโ Associations from Pune and Odisha raised that the implementation of the Comprehensive Pension Management System (SAMPANN) should also be extended to Postal pensioners, as it has already been implemented for DOT pensioners.
Associations also raised the concern of reminders sent for updation of DI.Cs periodically almost every month in the SAMPANN instead of a fixed month which is creating confusion to some of the Pensioners.
Discussion/Decision on agenda item
Jt. CGCA, DOT informed that DoT had already written to Department of Posts(DoP) in January offering extension of SAMPANN to Postal employees and some other state governments also. Some of the state governments have responded in affirmation. However, response from Department of Posts is awaited.
DoP informed that the issue of migration to SAMPANN portal is being examined in the Department.
Secretary (P) also suggested to DoP to convene a meeting to resolve the issue of migration to SAMPANN or Bhavishya portal as the case may be.
Regarding updation of DLCs, it was clarified by Jt. CGCA, DOT that an additional facility is being provided to the Pensioners to update their DLC in any month of the year as per their convenience. It is only a reminder SMS which is sent periodically to the Pensioners.
Nevertheless. it was suggested that the concerns with respect to any technical difficulties faced by the Pensioners may looked into.
(Action: Department of Posts/Department of Telecom)
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