VR scheme 2019 of BSNL and Terminal Benefits- Issue of Pension

 

 

 

This is not an academic exercise to satiate any passion regarding the issue concerned…

DOT in its letter dated March 3, 2021 addressed to one of the GS of Pensioners ‘ Association clarified that mentioning of BSNL VR Scheme 2019 in PPO would not result in taking away any due retirement benefits as per the existing rules provided for, from the pensioners on a later date. That is they will continue to get  the due  retirement  benefits- especially pension.

Also expressed in that letter any generic reference of CCS Pension Rules 1972 may adversely affect the unique benefits of the VR Scheme of 2019 and accordingly, to identify and to ensure discharge of the unique benefits BSNL VR Scheme has been clearly mentioned in the PPO.

 

BSNL /MTNL VRS 2019 Scheme dated 4th Nov 2019 is stating  the issue of  pension  as per  the following  para

6.2

TERMINAL BENEFITS:

In addition to the lump-sum compensation or the amount of Ex-gratia as per Clause 6.1 of the Scheme, the employee(s) voluntarily retiring under the Scheme shall be entitled to terminal and other benefits, as applicable to the said employee(s) under existing rules. The payment of such benefits shall be made in the following manner:

(a) Pension/ Family pension: The employee(s) retiring under the Scheme shall be entitled to Pension/ Family pension, as applicable, with effect from the date following the effective date of voluntary retirement and shall be authorised as per existing procedure.

Provided that the employee(s) governed by the EPF and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1952 and EPS 1995, the pension shall be administered as per applicable rules.

For Direct Recruited the rules specifically mentioned as 1952 and 1995. But for absorbed, it is stated in a generalized way as per the existing rules and existing procedures. No specific rule is mentioned.

BSNL VRS 2019 optees after retirement started getting pension and PPOs also issued. Their getting pension is now part of the unique benefits mentioned as per the scheme  and the letter addressed to the Pensioners’ association reiterates the same.

DOT OM oct 29 2019 in para 2. iii speaks about preponed pension liability 12768 cr spread over 10 years. The approval for budgetary support  to this liability  is given by the cabinet decision dt oct 23 , 2019. The OM is silent about any pension entitlement as quoted by BSNL VR Scheme 2019 para 6.2 a. or as assured by the DOT letter addressed to the Pensioners’ association.

Other than this scheme of 2019 that is giving the unique benefits to the VR optees retired – and in the absence of    ‘generic of CCS Rules’ - if any rule DOT is having to sanction pension to these optees, then the same may be placed in the public domain for the benefit of the thousands of stakeholders.

If DOT is kind enough to share the copy( thro RTI) of the cabinet note dated oct 22, 2019 and the  cabinet approval of oct 23 2019,then  one may get more light on this issue.

9-3-2021