Family Pension Rules for missing Central government personnel

The Centre on Monday eased family pension regulations for missing central government employees, notably those serving in militancy-affected areas such as Jammu and Kashmir, the North-East, and Maoist-prone pockets, in a big relief.

According to the new office memorandum, in all cases where a government servant covered by the National Pension System goes missing while on duty, the benefits of the family pension will be paid to the employee’s family immediately, and if the employee re-appears and resumes service, the amount paid as family pension during the time he was missing can be deducted from his salary.

Previously, if an employee went missing, his next of kin did not receive the family pension, and the family pension was not given until he was declared dead in accordance with the law or seven years had passed after he went missing.

On Monday, Union Minister Jitendra Singh made the announcement.

The minister stated that the new OM of the Department of Pensions in this regard will bring “great relief,” particularly in areas where cases of government employees going missing are reported more regularly.

According to the minister, the modifications in pension rules were made in response to incidences of abduction of central government personnel operating in violent areas, and the decision was made “to instil trust and protect them and their families’ interests.”

In line with the instructions published on June 25, 2013, if a government servant covered by the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 goes missing, the benefits of arrears of salary, family pension, retirement gratuity, and leave encashment are paid to the families of the missing employees.