FACILITIES and BENEFITS GIVEN TO SENIOR CITIZENS BY DIFFERENT MINISTRIES or DEPARTMENTS

Sl. No.	Name of the Ministry/Department	Facilities/Benefits given to Senior Citizens
1	Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment	Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is the nodal Ministry responsible for welfare of the Senior Citizens. It has announced the National Policy on Older Persons which seeks to assure older persons that their concerns are national concerns and they will not live unprotected, ignored and marginalized. The National Policy aims to strengthen their legitimate place in the society and to help older people to live the last phase of their life with purpose, dignity and peace. The National Policy on Older Persons inter alia visualizes support for financial security, health care and nutrition, shelter, emphasis upon education, training and information needs, provision of appropriate concessions, rebates and discounts etc. to Senior Citizens and special attention to protect and strengthen their legal rights such as to safeguard their life and property.   The National Policy on Older Persons confers the status of senior citizen to a person who has attained the age of 60 years. The Ministry has also written to all the Ministries/State Governments concerned for adopting a uniform age of 60 years  for conferring the status of senior citizen to a person and for extending facilites/concessions to them  (copy at Annexure I) The Ministry is also implementing following schemes for the benefit of Senior Citizens: The Scheme of Assistance to Panchayati Raj Institutions/Voluntary Organisations/Self Help Groups for Construction of Old Age Homes/multi-service centres for older persons.  Under this Scheme, one time construction grant for  old age homes/multi-service centre is provided. An Integrated Programme for Older Persons has been formulated by revising the earlier scheme of “Assistance to Voluntary Organisations for Programmes relating to the Welfare of the Aged”.  Under this Scheme, financial assistance upto 90% of the project cost is provided to NGOs for establishing and maintaining old age homes, day care centres, mobile medicare units and to provide non-institutional services to older persons.
2.	Ministry of Rural Development	Under the National Old Age Pension Scheme,  Central Assistance of Rs. 75/- p.m. is granted  to destitute older persons above 65 years.  This Scheme has been transferred to the State Plan w.e.f. 2002-03.  Under the Annapurna Scheme, free food grains (wheat or rice) upto 10 kg.  per month are provided to destitute older persons 65 years or above who are otherwise eligible for old age pension but are not receiving it.
3	Ministry of Finance	Section 88 of Finance Act, 1992, provides income tax rebate of upto Rs. 15,000  or actual tax whichever is less to senior citizens who have attained the age of 65 years at any time during the relevant previous year. Senior Citizens are excluded from “One by Six” scheme for filing the Income Tax Return under proviso Section 139(1).  For Senior Citizen, the deduction in respect of medical insurance premia is upto Rs. 15,000/- under Section 80 D.  RBI has permitted higher rates of interest on saving  schemes of Senior Citizens (persons having the age of 65 years and above).  Accordingly, w.e.f. 15.05.01,  Banks  permitted 0.5 per cent higher rate of interest on fixed deposits. Separate counters are marked for Senior Citizens at the time of filing the Income Tax Returns.  Senior Citizens of the age of 65 year and above as on 31st March of the assessment year, must be a pensioner and should come personally, get priority while submitting their Income Tax Returns.    Besides, on the spot assessment facility is also provided.
4	Ministry of Health & Family Welfare	The Ministry (on request from the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment) has issued instructions  to all State Governments to provide for separate queues for older persons in hospitals for registration and clinical examination.
5	Ministry of Railways	Indian Railways  provide  30% concession in all classes and trains including Rajdhani/Shatabadi trains  for both males and females  aged 60 years and above. Indian Railways also have the facility of separate counters for Senior Citizens for purchase/booking/cancellation of tickets.
6	Ministry of Civil Aviation	Indian Airlines/Jet Airways  is providing 50 per cent discount on basic fare for all domestic flights in Economy Class to senior citizens having the age of 65years (men and women)  Sahara India Airlines is providing 50 per cent discount on basic fare for all domestic flights in Economy Class to senior citizens having the age of 62years (men and women)
7	Ministry of Road Transport and Highways	Reservation of two seats for senior citizens in front row of the buses of the State Road Transport Undertakings (ASTRU).
8	MCD, Delhi	MCD, Delhi, has opened a separate counter for senior citizens for submission of property tax 1
9	Miscellaneous	Telephone connection is given on priority to senior citizens of age 65 years and above by the Ministry of Telecommunications. On the request of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India has advised Chief Justices of all High Courts in the country to accord priority to cases involving older persons and ensure their expeditious disposal.

Feb 13th 2009, by Guest
WHY THE DISPARITY IN PENSION WITH EFFECT FROM 1-1-2006 AND DENIAL OF NATURAL JUSTICE TO THE POST 1-1-1996 AND PRE 1-1-2006 PENSIONERS BY THE VI CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION AND THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT?
1. PARITY IN PENSION OF THE PRE AND POST 1-1-1996 RETIREES AND NATURAL JUSTICE TO THE PRE AND POST 1-1-1986 PENSIONERS BY THE V CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION AND THE THEN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT!
The main demand of the Past Pensioners [Retired before 1-1-1986] was for full parity in pension to those who retired during the period from 1.1.1986 onwards. The V CPC in Para 137.13 (PP 1830) had observed as under:-

"While it is desirable to grant complete parity in pension to all Past Pensioners irrespective of the date of their retirement, this may not be feasible straightaway as the financial implications would be considerable. The process of bridging the gap in pension of Past Pensioners (Pre 1986 Pensioners) has already been set in motion by the Fourth CPC when past Pensioners were granted additional relief in addition to consolidation of their pension. This process of attainment of- reasonable parity needs to be commuted so as to achieve complete parity over a period of time."
In Paras 137.13 and .14 of their Report the V CPC stated that as follow-up of our basic objective of parity, we would recommend that pension of all the Pre 1986 Retirees may be updated by notional fixation of their pay as on 1.1.86 by adopting the same formula as for the serving Employees. This step would bring all the Past Pensioners to a common platform or on the IV CPC pay scales as on 1.1.86. Thereafter, all these Pre 1986 Pensioners can be treated alike in regard to consolidation of their pension as on 1.1.96 by allowing the same fitment weightage as may be allowed to the serving Employees.
The Recommendation of the V Central Pay Commission in making Parity in Pension of Pre and Post 1-1-1996 Retirees and Revising the pension of Pre and Post 1-1-1986 Retirees suitably was accepted and implemented by the then Central Government with effect from 1-1-1996.
Had not both the V Central Pay Commission and the then Central Government had done JUSTICE to the Pre and Post 1-1-1986 Pensioners!


2. DISPARITY IN PENSION BETWEEN THE PRE AND POST 1-1-2006 RETIREES AND INJUSTICE TO THE PRE 1-1-2006 PENSIONERS BY THE VI CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION!

The Disparity in Pension between the Pre and Post 1-1-2006 Retirees and the injustice done by the VI Central Pay Commission and the Central Government to the Post 1-1-1996 and Pre 1-1-2006 Pensioners can be clearly understood by the following facts.

A. Fixation of Revised Pay and Pension in respect of Four Post 1-1-2006 Retirees is given below as per OM FN01/1/2008-IC dt.30-8-2008 and OM FN038/37/08P&PW[A] dt.2-9-2008 of Ministry of Finance,Govt of India.

a.Pre Revised Scale:5500-175-9000 [S10]
Corresponding Revised Scale:9300-34800+Grade Pay
Rs4200 [PB2]

i.Basic Pay:Rs 5500.
Revised Pay: Rs 14430 [10230+4200]
Pension:Rs 7215[50% of Pay]
ii.Basic Pay:Rs.6550.
Revised Pay:Rs16390[12190+4200]
Pension:Rs 8195[50%of Pay].

b.Pre Revised Scale:10000-325-15200 [S19]
Corresponding Revised Scale:15600-39100+
Grade Pay Rs 6600[PB3]
i.Basic Pay:Rs 10000.
Revised Pay:Rs25200 [18600+6600]
Pension:Rs12600[50% of Pay]
ii.Basic Pay:Rs.11950.
Revised Pay:28830 [22230+6600]
Pension;Rs14415 [50% of Pay]

B.Fixation of Revised Pension of Pre 1-1-2006 Retirees by the VI Central Pay Commission as per Memorahdum FNO 38/37/08-P&PW [A] dt 1-9-2008 of the Ministry of Finance,Government of India


The formula fixed by the VI Pay Commission for arriving at the Revised Pension is as follows.

Basic Pay without DP x1.86+40% of the Basic Pay.The Condition is that the Revised Pension should not be less than 50% of the minimum of the Corresponding Revised Scale+Grade Pay.
This Formula could be applied only to Pre 1-1-1996 Retirees.But the Condition that the Revised Pension should not be less than 50% of the minimum of the Revised Pay and Grade Pay cannot be applied to them since they are not covered by the Pay Scales effective from 1-1-1996.
So,the Pay Commission has really intended to apply this formula only to Employees retired from 2-1-1996 to 31-12-2005.
According to the Pay Commission, we are to find out the Corresponding Pay in the Revised Scale by adding the Grade Pay.After finding out the Corresponding Pay,we have to work out 50% of the Revised Pay which will be the Revised Pension effective from 1-1-2006. But the Condition has been wronly worded as ‘The Revised Pension shoud not be less than 50% of the minimum of the Revised Scale+Grade Pay instead of ‘The Revised Pension should not be less than 50% of the Revised Pay + Grade Pay’
So,the Condition has to be modified suitably.

Here,two illustrations are given in respect of Revision of Pension of Four Pre 1-1-2006 Retirees.

1.Basic Pay: Rs 5500.
Pension:Rs. 6215 [2750 [50% of Basic Pay]x1.86+40% of Rs2750]
2.Basic Pay:Rs 6550.
Pension:Rs.7403 [3275[50% of Basic Pay]x1.86+40% of Rs3275]
3.Basic Pay: Rs 10000.
Pension:Rs11300 [5000 [50%of Basic Pay[x1.86+40% of Rs5000]
4.Basic Pay Rs 11950.
Pension:Rs13505.[5975 [50%of Basic Pay]x1.86+40% of Rs 5975]

According to the formula of the Pay Commission, a Pensioner drawing a Basic Pay of Rs 6550 in the Scale of Rs 5500-175-9000[S10] will get only 50% of the minimum of the Revised Scale[Rs 9300-34800-PB 2]+Grade Pay of Rs4200 viz,Rs 7215 and not Rs 8195[Revised for Post 1-1-2006 Pensioner] as Pension!
Similarly,a Pensioner drawing a Basic Pay of Rs 11950 in the Scale of Rs.10000-325-15200 [S19] will get only 50% of the minimum of the Revised Scale [Rs 15600-39100-PB 3]+Grade Pay of Rs 6600 viz,Rs 12600 and not 14415 [Revised for Post 1-1-2006 Pensioner]as Pension!
Why the Pay Commission and the Central Govt have done injustice by applying double standards to the Pre and Post 1-1-2006 Pensioners who belong to the very same Pay Band?

Will not the following variations affect the Pre 1-1-2006
Pensioners permanently?

Basic Pay Rs.5500: Post 1-1-2006 Pensioner will get Rs1000 more per month besides DA!
Basic Pay Rs 6550:Post 1-1-2006 Pensioner will get
Rs 792 more per month besides DA!
Basic Pay Rs 10000: Post 1-1-2006 Pensioner will get Rs 1300 more besides DA!
Basic Pay Rs 11950: Post 1-1-2006 Pensioner will get Rs 910 more besides DA!

CONCLUSION

Is this wide variation between the pensions in the cases of Pre and Post 1-1-2006 Retirees with effect from 1-1-2006 even though they belong to the same Pay Band not against Natural Justice?

Will the Central Government immediately look into this Disparity, do JUSTICE to the Pensioners who retired from 2-1-1996 to 31-12-2005 and issue orders bringing PARITY in Pension of both the Pre and Post 1-1-2006 Pensioners as they belong to the same Pay Band?

Feb 13th 2009, by Guest
WHY THE DISPARITY IN PENSION WITH EFFECT FROM 1-1-2006 AND DENIAL OF NATURAL JUSTICE TO THE POST 1-1-1996 AND PRE 1-1-2006 PENSIONERS BY THE VI CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION AND THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT?
1. PARITY IN PENSION OF THE PRE AND POST 1-1-1996 RETIREES AND NATURAL JUSTICE TO THE PRE AND POST 1-1-1986 PENSIONERS BY THE V CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION AND THE THEN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT!
The main demand of the Past Pensioners [Retired before 1-1-1986] was for full parity in pension to those who retired during the period from 1.1.1986 onwards. The V CPC in Para 137.13 (PP 1830) had observed as under:-

"While it is desirable to grant complete parity in pension to all Past Pensioners irrespective of the date of their retirement, this may not be feasible straightaway as the financial implications would be considerable. The process of bridging the gap in pension of Past Pensioners (Pre 1986 Pensioners) has already been set in motion by the Fourth CPC when past Pensioners were granted additional relief in addition to consolidation of their pension. This process of attainment of- reasonable parity needs to be commuted so as to achieve complete parity over a period of time."
In Paras 137.13 and .14 of their Report the V CPC stated that as follow-up of our basic objective of parity, we would recommend that pension of all the Pre 1986 Retirees may be updated by notional fixation of their pay as on 1.1.86 by adopting the same formula as for the serving Employees. This step would bring all the Past Pensioners to a common platform or on the IV CPC pay scales as on 1.1.86. Thereafter, all these Pre 1986 Pensioners can be treated alike in regard to consolidation of their pension as on 1.1.96 by allowing the same fitment weightage as may be allowed to the serving Employees.
The Recommendation of the V Central Pay Commission in making Parity in Pension of Pre and Post 1-1-1996 Retirees and Revising the pension of Pre and Post 1-1-1986 Retirees suitably was accepted and implemented by the then Central Government with effect from 1-1-1996.
Had not both the V Central Pay Commission and the then Central Government had done JUSTICE to the Pre and Post 1-1-1986 Pensioners!


2. DISPARITY IN PENSION BETWEEN THE PRE AND POST 1-1-2006 RETIREES AND INJUSTICE TO THE PRE 1-1-2006 PENSIONERS BY THE VI CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION!

The Disparity in Pension between the Pre and Post 1-1-2006 Retirees and the injustice done by the VI Central Pay Commission and the Central Government to the Post 1-1-1996 and Pre 1-1-2006 Pensioners can be clearly understood by the following facts.

A. Fixation of Revised Pay and Pension in respect of Four Post 1-1-2006 Retirees is given below as per OM FN01/1/2008-IC dt.30-8-2008 and OM FN038/37/08P&PW[A] dt.2-9-2008 of Ministry of Finance,Govt of India.

a.Pre Revised Scale:5500-175-9000 [S10]
Corresponding Revised Scale:9300-34800+Grade Pay
Rs4200 [PB2]

i.Basic Pay:Rs 5500.
Revised Pay: Rs 14430 [10230+4200]
Pension:Rs 7215[50% of Pay]
ii.Basic Pay:Rs.6550.
Revised Pay:Rs16390[12190+4200]
Pension:Rs 8195[50%of Pay].

b.Pre Revised Scale:10000-325-15200 [S19]
Corresponding Revised Scale:15600-39100+
Grade Pay Rs 6600[PB3]
i.Basic Pay:Rs 10000.
Revised Pay:Rs25200 [18600+6600]
Pension:Rs12600[50% of Pay]
ii.Basic Pay:Rs.11950.
Revised Pay:28830 [22230+6600]
Pension;Rs14415 [50% of Pay]

B.Fixation of Revised Pension of Pre 1-1-2006 Retirees by the VI Central Pay Commission as per Memorahdum FNO 38/37/08-P&PW [A] dt 1-9-2008 of the Ministry of Finance,Government of India


The formula fixed by the VI Pay Commission for arriving at the Revised Pension is as follows.

Basic Pay without DP x1.86+40% of the Basic Pay.The Condition is that the Revised Pension should not be less than 50% of the minimum of the Corresponding Revised Scale+Grade Pay.
This Formula could be applied only to Pre 1-1-1996 Retirees.But the Condition that the Revised Pension should not be less than 50% of the minimum of the Revised Pay and Grade Pay cannot be applied to them since they are not covered by the Pay Scales effective from 1-1-1996.
So,the Pay Commission has really intended to apply this formula only to Employees retired from 2-1-1996 to 31-12-2005.
According to the Pay Commission, we are to find out the Corresponding Pay in the Revised Scale by adding the Grade Pay.After finding out the Corresponding Pay,we have to work out 50% of the Revised Pay which will be the Revised Pension effective from 1-1-2006. But the Condition has been wronly worded as ‘The Revised Pension shoud not be less than 50% of the minimum of the Revised Scale+Grade Pay instead of ‘The Revised Pension should not be less than 50% of the Revised Pay + Grade Pay’
So,the Condition has to be modified suitably.

Here,two illustrations are given in respect of Revision of Pension of Four Pre 1-1-2006 Retirees.

1.Basic Pay: Rs 5500.
Pension:Rs. 6215 [2750 [50% of Basic Pay]x1.86+40% of Rs2750]
2.Basic Pay:Rs 6550.
Pension:Rs.7403 [3275[50% of Basic Pay]x1.86+40% of Rs3275]
3.Basic Pay: Rs 10000.
Pension:Rs11300 [5000 [50%of Basic Pay[x1.86+40% of Rs5000]
4.Basic Pay Rs 11950.
Pension:Rs13505.[5975 [50%of Basic Pay]x1.86+40% of Rs 5975]

According to the formula of the Pay Commission, a Pensioner drawing a Basic Pay of Rs 6550 in the Scale of Rs 5500-175-9000[S10] will get only 50% of the minimum of the Revised Scale[Rs 9300-34800-PB 2]+Grade Pay of Rs4200 viz,Rs 7215 and not Rs 8195[Revised for Post 1-1-2006 Pensioner] as Pension!
Similarly,a Pensioner drawing a Basic Pay of Rs 11950 in the Scale of Rs.10000-325-15200 [S19] will get only 50% of the minimum of the Revised Scale [Rs 15600-39100-PB 3]+Grade Pay of Rs 6600 viz,Rs 12600 and not 14415 [Revised for Post 1-1-2006 Pensioner]as Pension!
Why the Pay Commission and the Central Govt have done injustice by applying double standards to the Pre and Post 1-1-2006 Pensioners who belong to the very same Pay Band?

Will not the following variations affect the Pre 1-1-2006
Pensioners permanently?

Basic Pay Rs.5500: Post 1-1-2006 Pensioner will get Rs1000 more per month besides DA!
Basic Pay Rs 6550:Post 1-1-2006 Pensioner will get
Rs 792 more per month besides DA!
Basic Pay Rs 10000: Post 1-1-2006 Pensioner will get Rs 1300 more besides DA!
Basic Pay Rs 11950: Post 1-1-2006 Pensioner will get Rs 910 more besides DA!

CONCLUSION

Is this wide variation between the pensions in the cases of Pre and Post 1-1-2006 Retirees with effect from 1-1-2006 even though they belong to the same Pay Band not against Natural Justice?

Will the Central Government immediately look into this Disparity, do JUSTICE to the Pensioners who retired from 2-1-1996 to 31-12-2005 and issue orders bringing PARITY in Pension of both the Pre and Post 1-1-2006 Pensioners as they belong to the same Pay Band?

Feb 13th 2009, by Guest
pension on1/1/2006 r.s.2470.? present pension as on sep 2008

Feb 15th 2009, by Guest
excellant information. Of great helpfor all. A.K.Chatterjee, Retired RegionalManager.

May 30th 2009, by Guest
My father is retired in 1989 as coaching suprintendent from rly., pl confirm he is intitle to get any addtional senior citizen benifit which provided in 6th pay commision. Also confirm according to his age and Basic how much salary should br raised. reply pl on sujitmki@yahoo.com