No.NC-JCM-2025/Pension March 29, 2025
To
All the Staff Side Members of National Council JCM
Subject: Brief on the Meeting held with Secretary (Pension) DOP&PW on 29/03/2025 through Video Conference on the provisions on Pension Disparity passed in the Finance Bill by the Parliament – Reg.,
Dear Comrades,
The Government of India, while moving the Finance Bill for the approval of Parliament, has included a chapter for “Validation of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules and Principles for expenditure on pension liabilities from the Consolidated Fund of India.” Through this, the Government has gained authority to establish distinctions among pensioners, which may arise from the accepted recommendations of the Central Pay Commissions. Specifically, distinctions may be made based on the date of retirement or the date of operationalization of an accepted recommendation of a Central Pay Commission.
After the passage of the Finance Bill in Parliament, there was opposition both inside and outside Parliament by the Staff Side of the NC JCM and various Pensioners Associations. This opposition stemmed from concerns that the Bill undermines the pension parity recommended by the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) and implemented by the Government. Additionally, with the announcement of the 8th CPC, pensioners nationwide are apprehensive about pension revisions and maintaining parity between those retiring before and after 01/01/2026 (the expected date for the 8th CPC recommendations). In response, Secretary (Pension), DOP&PW, convened a video conference meeting with Staff Side Members of the National Council JCM Standing Committee and select pensioners associations.
Staff Side Representatives:
- Shiva Gopal Mishra
- Guman Singh
- C Srikumar
- Bhosle
- Shankar Rao
- Roopak Sarkar
The Staff Side strongly protested the Government’s move to institutionalize pensioner disparities, arguing that such discrimination violates Supreme Court judgments and threatens the 7th CPC’s parity framework (for pensioners retiring pre- and post-01/01/2016). The announcement of the 8th CPC, coupled with this decision, has exacerbated pensioners’ anxieties. The Staff Side demanded the withdrawal of these provisions, a stance supported by Pensioners Associations.
Secretary (Pension)’s Clarifications:
- Previous disparities (e.g., between pre/post-1996 and pre/post-2006 retirees under the 5th and 6th CPCs) were implemented without explicit authority in Pension Rules. The new provisions in the CCS (Pension) Rules formalize this authority, aligning with Supreme Court directives.
- Concerns about losing parity introduced by the 7th CPC are unfounded. The parity will continue under the 8th CPC, and the Government remains committed to pensioners’ welfare.
The Staff Side urged the Government to issue an official clarification to allay pensioners’ fears and incorporate this assurance into the 8th CPC’s Terms of Reference. Secretary (Pension) agreed to issue a clarification. On the restoration of the commuted pension portion after 12 years, he stated the matter would be referred to the 8th CPC.
Further updates will be shared as developments unfold.
Yours fraternally,
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary
