Ex-Gratia Payment for Non-Govt Pensioners in West Bengal Announced

The Office of the Accountant General (A&E), West Bengal, has issued Circular No. Pen. Co-ordn./259/Vol. II/103, detailing an ex-gratia payment of ₹3,200 for eligible pensioners and family pensioners of non-government educational institutions under the DCRB ’81 Scheme for the fiscal year 2023-2024.

Eligibility Criteria for Ex-Gratia Payment

The ex-gratia payment applies to pensioners and family pensioners of non-government educational institutions governed by the DCRB ’81 Scheme. The eligibility requirements include:

Retired or deceased status: Pensioners who retired or passed away prior to 30 September 2023.
Exclusion from ad-hoc bonus: Pensioners who retired or died after 30 September 2010 but before 1 September 2024 are not eligible for ad-hoc bonuses.
Income threshold: The basic pension plus relief should not exceed ₹35,000 as of 31 March 2024.

This one-time lump sum payment is exclusively available to those whose income falls within these guidelines. The government has specified that this payment is to be debited to the head 2071-Pension account, specifically under the 01-Civil 109-Pension to Employees of State Aided Educational Institutions.

Steps for Pension Disbursing Officers

Pension Disbursing Officers (PDOs) are instructed to arrange for the payment to qualifying individuals by ensuring adherence to the specified eligibility criteria. These officers will oversee the distribution of the ₹3,200 ex-gratia grant to the qualifying pensioners for the current fiscal year.

Administrative Details and Communication

The circular has been dispatched to several key officers, including the All Accountants General, Pay & Accounts Officers, and other pertinent authorities in regions like New Delhi, Goa, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Kolkata. A.A.O. Pen EDP is responsible for uploading this circular, along with the enclosed memo, into the P-SAI software system.

This payment reflects the commitment of the West Bengal government to support retired educators and their families by providing necessary financial relief during the current fiscal period. The circular also underscores the importance of maintaining accurate pension records and complying with government guidelines for the timely disbursement of funds.