Government Amends Rules Allowing Women Employees to Nominate Children for Family Pension
New Delhi, Jan 29 – In a significant move aimed at enhancing the welfare of women employees, the government announced on Monday amendments to the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021. Minister of State (Independent Charge) Jitendra Singh revealed that the Department of Pensions and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoP&PW) has introduced a provision enabling female government employees or pensioners to nominate their eligible child/children for family pension instead of their spouse.
This amendment seeks to address scenarios where marital discord leads to divorce proceedings or legal cases under laws such as the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, Dowry Prohibition Act, or the Indian Penal Code.
Previously, family pension was granted solely to the spouse of a deceased government servant or pensioner, with other family members becoming eligible only upon the spouse’s ineligibility or demise.
Under the new amendment, female government servants or pensioners can now request the grant of family pension to their eligible child/children in precedence to their spouse, in the event of their own demise. The DoP&PW outlined the process, requiring a written request from the female employee or pensioner to the concerned Head of Office, specifying the preference for family pension to be granted to their child/children.
Furthermore, the amendment ensures that if the female employee or pensioner passes away during proceedings, the family pension will be disbursed accordingly. Additionally, provisions are made for scenarios where the deceased employee is survived by a widower with no eligible child, or where the family includes children who have attained majority but are still eligible for family pension.
The DoP&PW also addressed concerns related to missing employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS), stating that families can now receive family pension within six months of lodging a First Information Report (FIR), eliminating the previous seven-year waiting period. Even in cases where the government servant dies before completing seven years of service, family pension shall be payable at an enhanced rate.
These amendments mark a significant step towards ensuring the welfare and financial security of women employees and their families.
