Redressal of Grievances of Defence Pensioners

Effective redressal of the grievances of the Defence pensioners has been the constant endeavour of Government to strengthen the mechanism for prompt disposal. In this regard, following steps have been taken:

Action has been taken by the agencies concerned with pension sanction and disbursement viz. Service HQrs, Record Offices, Pension Sanctioning Authority and Pension Disbursement Agencies to computerise the records

Pension sanctioning at Principal Controller of Defence Accounts ( PCDA( P) is fully computerised . PCDA( P) has placed the relevant orders and instructions relating to pension in their web site (www. pcdapension.nic.in ) which also provides a calculator so that the pensioner could find out correct entitlement.

Regular Defence Pension Adalats , six in a year , are organized in different parts of the country to redress the grievances of the Armed forces pensioners near to place of their residence/work. In addition, mini pension Adalats are held by the Defence Pension Disbursing Offices ( DPDOs ).

All branches of the Public Sector Banks and 4 Private Sector Banks have been added to the existing pension disbursement network

A single window system has been introduced in DPDOs to facilitates hassle free and prompt release of first payment cheques or any working day after retirement.

Endorsements of family pension in PPO of pre – 1989 retirees, numbering about 2 lakhs were pending. A special drive has been launched for joint notification of family pension in these cases.

Role of Medical Adviser (Pension) has been dispensed with for adjudicating disability pension claims w.e.f . 1.9.2005. As a result, the recommendations of IMB/RMB, as approved by the prescribed authorities would be treated as final unless the individual himself asks for a review.

Periodical Resurvey Medical Board for continued grant of disability pension has been done away with. Now, a one time board known as Re-Assessment Medical Board will be held, whose recommendation shall be final and for life, unless the individual himself asks for a review.

ECOs/SSCOs would now get service element at par with Regular Commissioned Officers for the purpose of disability pension, which provides that they will get service element for the entire length of service rendered as against upto the date of occurrence of disability.

A copy of the specialists' opinion on the percentage of disability attributability /aggravation would be provided to the individual at the time of IMB/RMB.

The advantage of the higher pay scale granted under Assured Career Progression has been given for the purpose of computation of pension. Simplification/liberalization of provisions relating to pensionary matters is a continuous process so that the grievances of the pensioners are reduced considerably and even if there are grievances the same are attended to promptly.
Resettlement & Welfare Schemes

Pension to Armed Forces Personnel
As on April 1, 2007 the number of Defence pensioners is estimated to be about 21.91 lakhs. The estimated budget provision for the year 2007-08 (RE) is Rs.15 ,244 crores. The pension is disbursed through all branches of the 27 Public Sector Banks, 4 Private Sector Banks viz. HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, UTI Bank and IDBI Bank, 640 Treasuries, 61 Defence Pension Disbursing Offices DPDOs), 2 Post Offices, 5 Pay and Accounts Offices (PAOs) scattered all over India. For the Armed Forces pensioners residing in Nepal , disbursement of pension is done through 3 Pension Payment Offices(PPOs).
The budget estimates on Defence pension is as given below:

2006-07(RE) 13806.00 Crores

2007-08(RE) 15244.00 Crores

2008-09(BE) 15564.00 Crores

2009-10(EP) 15800.00 Crores extrapolated

2010-11(EP) 18000.00 Crores extrapolated