Request for Revision of Family Pension for Widows of Retired Employees to 30% as Revised for LIC family Pensioners

FORMAT OF MEMORANDUM FOR 30% FAMILY PENSION TO BE SUBMITTED TO FINANCE MINISTER THROUGH LOCAL MEMBERS OF PRLIAMENT

  Memorandum

To,
The Hon'ble Finance Minister,
Ministry of Finance,
Government of India,
New Delhi.

Through,
Hon'ble Members of Parliament,

Shri. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Constituency: [xxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Request for Immediate Notification of 30% Family Pension for Public Sector General Insurance Pensioners under GIEPS 1995 Similar to LIC Pensioners

Respected Sir/Madam,

We, the members of the New India Assurance Retirees Association, Kerala, are writing to draw your urgent attention to the inordinate delay in the notification of a uniform rate of 30% Family Pension for General Insurance Public Sector Pensioners (GIPSA) under the General Insurance Employees Pension Scheme (GIEPS) 1995, which has already been granted to the LIC Pensioners.

As you are aware, the General Insurance Employees Pension Scheme 1995 and the Life Insurance Corporation Employees Pension Scheme 1995 were both promulgated simultaneously with similar rules and regulations. Furthermore, subsequent amendments to these schemes have been made together in alignment with the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules 1972.

It is pertinent to note that the family pension for LIC employees was enhanced from 15% to 30% of the last pay drawn long ago, in line with the Central Civil Services Pension Rules 1995. However, despite the General Insurers Public Sector Association (GIPSA), along with LIC management, having duly recommended the same for General Insurance pensioners, the notification for the same benefit has been unduly delayed for GIPSA pensioners, thereby causing immense distress and hardship.

The facts that require your immediate intervention are as follows:

1) Delayed Notification: The proposal to enhance the family pension to 30% of the last pay drawn at a uniform rate for both LIC and General Insurance Pensioners was submitted years ago, and yet the notification for General Insurance Pensioners remains pending.

2) Financial Distress of Widows: The delay in the notification has severely impacted the widows and families of General Insurance pensioners. Widows, especially those with children, are struggling to make ends meet due to this prolonged delay in receiving the rightful pension benefits.

3) Government’s Inconsistent Approach: While the family pension has been increased to 30% for LIC pensioners, this same benefit has been inexplicably withheld from General Insurance pensioners, leading to an unequal and unjustified situation for employees who served in the same public sector domain.

4) Extensive Representation: Numerous representations, including an RTI query, have been made by concerned pensioners, seeking clarification and urging for the release of the notification. However, the response has been either delayed or absent, adding to the growing sense of frustration among the family pensioners.

5) Precedents in Other Public Sector Institutions: It is important to note that all other public sector financial institutions under the Department of Financial Services (DFS) have been granted the same benefit, yet General Insurance Pensioners are being unfairly denied this right.

In light of the above, we kindly request your esteemed office to expedite the process and ensure the immediate issuance of the notification for enhancing the family pension to 30% of the last pay drawn for General Insurance Pensioners, as has already been granted to LIC Pensioners. This step will provide much-needed financial relief to the widows and families of our members who are currently living in difficult circumstances.

We trust that you will give this matter the attention it truly deserves and act swiftly to address the suffering of these pensioners.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

General Secretary

,New India Assurance Retirees Association, Kerala
(For and on behalf of Pensioners and Family Pensioners of New India Assurance Co. Ltd.)

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