Plugging the Loophole in CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 – The Need for Transparency and Accountability: BPS

Plugging the Loophole in CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 – The Need for Transparency and Accountability: Resolution No 14 BPS 68th AGM on 18.11.2023 At New Delhi

BHARAT PENSIONERS’ SAMAJ
(AIL India Federation of Pensioners’ Associations}
(Registered No, 2023 of 1962-63) Recognised by GOI-DOP&PW
Associate NGO International Federation on Ageing, Tornto (Canada)
2/13-A – LGF Backside, Jangpura – ‘A’,
New Delhi – 110 014
Mobile : 09868488 199 / 088604 12898

No BPS/SG/AGM/Grievance/023/014

Dated:24.12.2023

To

Dr. Jitendera Singh ji,
Honourable Minister of State (Independent Charge)
for Prime Minister’s Office; Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
for the Ministry of Science and Technology,
Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space

2.The Secy,
GOI M/O Personnel, AR,PG & Pensions

3. The Secy,
DOE-M/O Finance

4 Secretary,
GOI M/O Personnel, ,PG & Pensions- DOPT

Subject: Plugging the Loophole in CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021: The Need for Transparency and Accountability- Resolution No 14 BPS 68th AGM on 18.11.2023 At New Delhi

Sir,

Resolution No 14: CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 Rule 50(1)(b) (iii) loophole in the statuary Rule ultimately promote corruption. This AGM of Bharat Pensioners Samaj demands that the words” Head of Office may rely on any other document” may be replaced with self-declaration of income under oath.

The Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021 (CCS Pension Rules, 2021) serve as a comprehensive framework for pension-related matters concerning government employees in India. Rule 50(1)(b) (iii) of these rules, which allows the “Head of Office to rely on any other document” for determining the income of a pensioner, has been a subject of concern due to its potential to promote corruption. In this article, we examine this loophole and advocate for a change that replaces this provision with a self-declaration of income under oath, thereby promoting transparency and accountability in the pension system.

Rule 50(1)(b) (iii) of the CCS Pension Rules, 2021, states that the “Head of Office may rely on any other document” when assessing a pensioner’s income. While this provision allows for flexibility, it also opens the door to potential misuse and corruption. Without clear guidelines on what constitutes an acceptable “other document,” there is a risk that individuals with malicious intent could exploit this ambiguity for personal gain. This undermines the integrity of the pension system and erodes trust in the government’s ability to manage pension funds fairly.

To address this issue and foster transparency and accountability in the pension system, the All India Federation of Pensioners’ Associations (AIFPA ) demands that the words “Head of Office may rely on any other document” in Rule 50(1)(b)(iii) be replaced with a requirement for pensioners to submit a self-declaration of their income under oath. This change would have several benefits:

1. Transparency: Requiring pensioners to provide a self-declaration of income ensures that the source and accuracy of income information are clear and open for scrutiny.

2. Accountability: Under oath, pensioners would be legally bound to provide accurate income information. This serves as a deterrent against providing false information.

3. Reduced Corruption: Eliminating the discretion of the “Head of Office” to rely on unspecified “other documents” reduces the potential for misuse and corrupt practices.

4. Streamlined Process: Self-declarations can simplify the income verification process, making it more efficient and less prone to delays.

5. Trust in the System: The move towards self-declaration under oath reinforces public trust in the pension system, as it demonstrates a commitment to fairness and integrity.

The demand by the All India Federation of Pensioners’ Bharat Pensioners Samaj to replace the ambiguous provision in Rule 50(1)(b) (iii) of the CCS Pension Rules, 2021, with a self-declaration of income under oath is a step towards improving transparency and accountability in the pension system. Such a change would help plug the existing loophole and ensure that pensioners’ income assessments are conducted with the highest standards of integrity. It is in the best interest of both the government and the pensioners to embrace this modification, as it promotes fairness, reduces corruption risks, and strengthens the trust between the government and its retirees.

In light of the above narration, This 68th AGM of Bharat Pensioners Samaj rightly expects positive action in accepting the above resolution No14.

Thanking you

With regards

Truly yours’

Sd/-
S.C.Maheshwari
Secy. General BPS

Source: BPS