​How is revised Dearness Relief paid out to central govt pensioners, what happens to joint pension a/c on their death- Know more​

Yes. As per RBI, banks should not compel individuals to open a new account in case of a Central Government pensioner, if there is a surviving spouse in whose favour an authorisation for family pension exists, as per the Pension Payment Order (PPO). The family pension should be credited to the existing account without opening a new account.

In case an excess pension payment has arisen due to mistakes committed by the bank, this extra amount should be refunded to the Government in a lump sum immediately after detection of the same, and without waiting for recovery of any amount from the pensioners.

Yes, pensioners can submit life certificates without visiting the branch using the Jeevan Praman platform, provided the Pension Sanctioning Authority is onboard on the platform. Banks have been specifically advised to provide super senior citizens (pensioners over 70 years of age) and differently abled or infirm persons (having medically certified chronic illness or disability), the option to submit a life certificate at their own residences.

Yes, instructions have been issued by the RBI to pension disbursing banks to allow withdrawal of pension under these conditions.

If a thumb or toe impression of the old/sick pensioner is obtained, it should be identified by two independent witnesses known to the bank, one of whom should be a bank official. However, where the pensioner cannot even put his/her thumb/ toe impression and also would not be able to be physically present in the bank, a mark can be obtained on the cheque/withdrawal form, which should be identified by two independent witnesses, one of whom should be a bank official.
The responsible bank official has to be from the same bank and preferably from the same branch where the pensioner is having his/her pension account.

As per RBI, the pension paying agency banks have to revise the Dearness Relief based on the copies of government orders received, and immediately authorise their pension paying branches to make the required payments to the pensioners.

Yes, pension paying banks should compensate the pensioner for the delay in crediting pension/ arrears thereof at a fixed interest rate of 8% p.a. for the delay after the due date of payment. This should be credited to the pensioner's account automatically without any claim from the pensioner on the same day when the bank credits the revised pension/ pension arrears. This is applicable to all delayed pension payments made since October 1, 2008.