Poor Functioning of CGHS NOVEMBER 25, 2016 -

Poor Functioning of CGHS 

Some grievances have been received from CGHS beneficiaries through grievance portals and other channels regarding functioning of CGHS. These are mainly regarding non-issue of medicines, plastic cards, shortage of doctors/ specialists and long queue of patients in Wellness Centres.

Following action has been taken by the government in this regard:                                                     

(i) Appointment of retired doctors on contract basis as a stop gap arrangement to fill the vacant posts.

(ii) Medicines, which are not available at CGHS Wellness Centres are procured through Authorized Local Chemists.

(iii) A special drive was undertaken to clear the pendency of issue of CGHS Plastic cards

(iv)  Option for self-printing of CGHS cards for existing CGHS beneficiaries.

(v) Introduction of on-line registration for consultation at selected Wellness Centres in Bengaluru and in one zone in Delhi.

(vi) Initiation of tele-consultation on trial basis in Delhi from two CGHS Wellness Centres with specialists of Dr. R.M.L Hospital.

Regular internal audits and also external audits/studies on the functioning of CGHS have been carried out.  

Outcome of some of the important studies are as under:

(i) Staff Inspection Unit (SIU) was carried out by Ministry of finance for Staff Pattern Norms based on patient attendance.  Recommendations of the SIU have been implemented.

(ii) Based on the study carried out by Kaul Committee, computerization of all the CGHS Wellness Centres has been done

(iii) On the basis of recommendations of the CAG Audit on procurement of medicines, Medical Stores Organization (MSO) has initiated e-tender for procurement of Anti Cancer and other Lifesaving medicines. It has also been decided to procure only L1 Rate medicines under formulary for Branded Medicines.

(iv) Committee of Secretaries (COS) has also been monitoring the functioning of CGHS since 2008 and various steps have been implemented to make CGHS beneficiary friendly. As per the recommendations of COS, UTI-ITSL has been appointed as Bill Clearing Agency for settlement of credit bills of empanelled hospitals and diagnostic centres pertaining to the treatment of CGHS pensioner beneficiaries.

(v) The functioning of CGHS is also monitored by the Hon’ble Prime Minister and as per the directions under ‘PRAGATI’, the process of linking of Aadhar Number with CGHS beneficiary Numbers has been started. A special drive was undertaken to clear the pendency of issue of CGHS Plastic cards. Provision has been made for self-printing of CGHS cards by existing CGHS beneficiaries.

(vi) DAR&PG conducted a study through Quality Council of India (QCI)   to identify   areas of Grievances in Different Ministries and organizations including CGHS and suggested possible solutions.

Based on the inputs so received:

Financial Powers of Additional Directors of CGHS have been enhanced for early settlement of medical claims of Pensioners.

Introduction of on-line registration for consultation at selected Wellness Centres in Bengaluru and in one zone in Delhi.

Aadhar-based Bio-metric attendance for the staff at CGHS Wellness Centres has been implemented in Delhi and NCR.

The following steps have been taken for improvement in the functioning of CGHS in the country:-

1. Regular Inspection of Wellness Centres is carried out.

2. Monthly advisory committee meetings are held for each Wellness Centres with CMO   (Incharge)

3. Regular monitoring of empanelled hospitals by a team constituted by Additional Directors, CGHS of cities for this purpose.

4. Regular meeting of Additional Directors, CGHS with pensioner associations.SMS alert facility to CGHS beneficiaries.

The Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), Sh Faggan Singh Kulaste stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha here today.

Source: PIB News

DR ORDERS

F. No. 42/15/20 16-P&PW(G)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,

Khan Market, New Delhi – 110003

Date: 16th Nov, 2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Grant of Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners - Revised rate effective from 1.7.2016 on implementation of decision taken on recommendation of 7th Central Pay Commission.

*******

The undersigned is directed to say that subsequent to implementation of the decision taken by the Government on the recommendation of the 7th Central Pay Commission, the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Relief admissible to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners shall be as follows:

Date from which payable	Rate of Dearness Relief per month
From 01.01.2016	No Dearness Relief
From 01.07.2016	2% of Basic Pension/Family Pension

Note: - Dearness Relief at the rates indicated in the above table will also be admissible on the additional basic pension/additional family pension available to older pensioners/family pensioners based on their age as indicated in this Department's OMs 38/37/2016-P&PW (A)(i) dated 04.08.2016 and 38/37/20 16-P&PW(A)(ii) dated 04.08.2016.

2. These orders apply to (i) Civilian Central Government Pensioners/Family Pensioners (ii) The Armed Forces Pensioners, Civilian Pensioners paid out of the Defence Service Estimates, (iii) All India Service Pensioners (iv) Railway Pensioners/family pensioners.

3. These orders will not be applicable on following categories:-

(i) The Burma Civilian pensioners/family pensioners and pensioners/families of displaced Government Pensioners from Pakistan, who are Indian Nationals but receiving pension on behalf of Government of Pakistan and are in receipt of adhoc ex-gratia allowance.

(ii) Central Government Employees who had drawn lump sum amount on absorption in a PSU/Autonomous body and are in receipt of 1/3rd restored commuted portion of pension.

(iii) Pensioners who are in receipt of provisional pension in the pre-2016 pay scales/pay.

(iv) CPF beneficiaries, their widows and eligible children who are in receipt of ex-gratia payment in terms of this Department's OM No. 45/52/97-P&PW(E) dated 16.12.1997 and revised vide this Department's OM 1/10/2012-P&PW(E) dated 27.06.2013.

Separate orders will be issued in respect of the above categories.

4. Payment of DR involving a fraction of a rupee shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee.

5. Other provisions governing grant of DR in respect of employed family pensioners and re-employed Central Government Pensioners will be regulated in accordance with the provisions contained in this Department's OM No. 45/73/97-P&PW (G) dated 2.7.1999 as amended vide this Department's OM No. F.No. 38/88/2008-P&PW(G) dated 9th July, 2009. The provisions relating to regulation of DR where a pensioner is in receipt of more than one pension will remain unchanged.

6. In the case of retired Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, necessary orders will be issued by the Department of Justice separately.

7. It will be the responsibility of the pension disbursing authorities, including the nationalized banks, etc. to calculate the quantum of DR payable in each individual case.

8. The offices of Accountant General and authorised Pension Disbursing Banks are requested to arrange payment of relief to pensioners etc. on the basis of these instructions without waiting for any further instructions from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the Reserve Bank of India in view of letter No. 528-TA, 1I/34-80-U dated 23/0411981 of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India addressed to all Accountant Generals and Reserve Bank of India Circular No. GANB No. 2958/GA-64 (ii) (CGL)/81 dated the 21st May, 1981 addressed to State Bank of India and its subsidiaries and all Nationalised Banks.

9. In their application to the pensioners/family pensioners belonging to Indian Audit and

Accounts Department, these orders issue after consultation with the C&AG.

10. This issues in pursuance of instructions of Ministry of Finance, Department of

Expenditure vide their OM No. 112/2016-E.II(B) dated 4th Nov, 2016.

11. Hindi version will follow.

Sd./

 (Charanjit Taneja)

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Option regarding commutation of additional amount of pension

F.No.42/14/2016-P&PW(G)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions

Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan

khan Market, New Delhi-110003

Date: - 24th Oct, 2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Implementation of the recommendation of the 7th CPC – Option regarding commutation of additional amount of pension.

The undersigned is directed to state that in pursuance of Government’s decision on recommendation of 7th Central Pay Commission, orders have been issued for revision of provisions regulating pension/gratuity/commutation of pension etc. vide this Department’s OM 38/37/2016-P&PW(A) dated 04.08.2016. In para of the said OM, it has been mentioned that there will be no change in the provisions relating to commutation values, the limit upto which the pension can be commuted or the period after which the commuted pension is to be restored.

2. As per Rule 10 of CCS (Commutation of Pension) Rules, 1981, an applicant who has commuted a percentage of his final pension and after commutation his pension has been revised and enhanced retrospectively as a result of Government’s decision, the applicant shall be paid the difference between the commuted value determined with reference to enhanced pension and the commuted value already authorised. For the payment of difference, the applicant shall not be required to apply afresh.

3. References have been received in this Department that many pensioners who retired after 01.01.2016 and have drawn pension/commuted value of pension based on their pre-revised pay/pension do not wish to commute the pension which has become additionally commutable on revision of pay/pension on implementation of recommendations of 7th CPC. the matter has been examined in consultation with Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure), It has been decided that those pensioners who retired from 01.01.2016 till 04.08.2016 i.e. the date of issue of orders for revised pay/pension based on the recommendations of the 7th CPC may be given an option, in relaxation of Rule 10 of CCS (Commutation of Pension) Rules, 1981, not to commute the pension which has become additionally commutable on revision of pay/pension on implementation of recommendations of the 7th CPC. The Cases where the additional pension after 7th CPC has already been commuted will not be re-opened.

4. In their application to the employees of Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issue in consultation with Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

5. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure ID No.192/E.V/2016, dated 30.09.2016.

sd/-

(Suiasha Choudhury)

Director(Pension)