Consult before taking policy decision on pension matters: Centre to departments

NEW DELHI: All central government departments have been asked to consult with Personnel Ministry before taking any policy decision on pension related matters.

The move comes after it was noticed that in some cases where the courts have passed orders against Government of India, the administrative ministry has not consulted the Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare (DoP&PW) on the question of filing appeal.

"In all cases where any policy issues relating to pension matters is involved, the DoP&PW should invariably be consulted before taking a decision on the question of implementation or otherwise of any order of a court," a directive issued by Personnel Ministry said.

No such order shall be implemented by the concerned departments or ministries without first referring the matter to DoP&PW for advice, it said.

Instructions have been issued from time to time that whenever there is any court order against the Government of India instructions on service matters, the administrative ministry, department or office shall consult the Department of Legal Affairs, Department of Personnel and Training and DoP&PW on the question of filing appeal against such an order, the directive said.

There are about 55 lakh central government pensioners.