REVISION OF SPL. FAMILY PENSION & DISABILITY PENSION

 INJURED SOLDIER IN HOSPITAL

A WIDOW CRYING FOR LIVLIHOOD.

 

REVISION OF SPECIAL FAMILY PENSION

AND DISABILITY PENSION

Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare letter No.17(4)/2008(1)/D(Pen/Policy))/-Vol-V dated 15^th Feb, 2011 Para 3,  revises the Special Family Pension in one long sentence as follows:-

Special Family Pension

3.         The special family pension revised in terms of this Ministry’s letter dated 11.11.2008 read with letter dated 4.5.2099, shall not be less than 60% of the minimum of the pay in the pay band plus Grade pay, Military Service pay, ‘X” Group pay where applicable/minimum pay in case of HAG and above pay scales, in the revised pay structure introduced from 1.1.2006 corresponding to the pre-revised scale held by the deceased Armed Force personnel at the time of death, subject to a minimum of Rs.7,000/- per month.

This long one sentence policy guideline is awaiting further suitable implementation instructions from the PCDA (Pensions) Allahabad.  This policy letter is addressed to the Three Service Chiefs and a copy has been sent to as many as 36 addressees as per a standard distribution list.  Unfortunately none of the Government recognized Ex-servicemen Welfare Association has been included in the list.  None of the Government Departments who have received this letter have taken any initiative to publish in their Website or for circulation by any means.

If such important policy letters affecting pensionary benefits of thousands of defence family pensioners living all over India not brought to the notice at least through the Govt. Recognized Associations, how will these pensioners get the information?  Are they not having the right to know this information?  What is the harm in sending few copies of this letter to these Associations?  There is no justification for the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare to keep the Recognized Ex-servicemen Welfare Associations in darkness.

On behalf of 2.2 million defence pensioners, we appeal to the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence to circulate all Policy letters at least to the Recognized Ex-servicemen Welfare Associations.

REVISED RATES OF SPECIAL FAMILY PENSION AND DISAILITY PENSION (PERCENTAGE BASIS) W.E.F. 01.01.2006. BASED ON MOD LETTER DT.15.02.2011.

DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ARE AWAITED FROM CDA(P) ALLAHABAD

SPECIAL FAMILY PENSION	AMOUNT	DISABILITY PENSION FOR 100%
Sepoy ‘X’ Group	Rs.7,000	Rs.3,510
Sepoy  Other Groups	Rs.7,000	Rs.3,510
Naik ‘X’ Group	Rs.7,000	Rs.3,510
Naik Other Groups	Rs.7,000	Rs.3,510
Hav. ‘X’ Group	Rs.7,000	Rs.3,510
Hav. Other Groups.	Rs.7,000	Rs.3,510
Naib Sub. ‘X’ Group	Rs.10,140	Rs.5,070
Nb. Sub Other Groups	Rs.9,300	Rs.4,650
Subedar ‘X’ Group	Rs.10,380	Rs.5,190
Sub. Other Groups.	Rs.9,540	Rs.4,770
Sub.Maj. ‘X’ Group	Rs.10,500	Rs.5,250
Sub.Maj.OtherGroups	Rs.9,660	Rs.4,830
Hony. Lt.	Rs.16,200	Rs.8,100
Hony. Capt.	Rs.16,620	Rs.8,310

The above figures are subject to confirmation from CDA(P) Allahabad. All affected disability pensioners and Special Family pensioners are eligible for arrears w.e.f. 01.01.2006.  The is no increase in SFP to the widows of Sepoys, Naiks, Havildars and equivalents  in other services, since their SFP already revised to Rs.7000.

Similarly there is no increase in the Disability pension to the ORs (Sepoy to Hav) since 30% of the min. of pay in the Pay band plus Grade Pay, MSP and 'X" Group pay  fall below Rs.3510.  This is a great disappointment.  This class of pensioners are more in number comparing to JCOs and Officers.  But there is no one to represent on behalf of these poor soldiers to the government.