Female government employees now have the option to nominate their sons or daughters for family pension, instead of their husbands, as per the amendments to the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021 moved by the Department of Pensions and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW) on January 29.
The decision is "path-breaking" and will have "far-reaching socio-economic impact", the Centre said in an official release.
Previously, family pension was granted to the spouse of a deceased government servant or pensioner, while other family members became eligible only after the spouse's ineligibility or demise, the statement said.
"However, the new amendment allows female government servants or pensioners to request the grant of family pension to their eligible child/children after their own demise, instead of their spouse," it added.
The amendment will address situations where marital discord leads to divorce proceedings or cases filed under laws such as the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, Dowry Prohibition Act or the Indian Penal Code, Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said.
The decision is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policy of giving equitable and legitimate rights to the women functionaries in every sector, he added.
According to the DoPPW, the female government servant or pensioner, who wants to change their nominees, must make a written request to the concerned head of office, stating that family pension should be granted to her eligible child or children in precedence to her spouse, in the event of her death during the ongoing proceedings.
"If the female government servant or pensioner passes away during the proceedings, the family pension will be disbursed accordingly," the statement said.
If a woman employee is survived by a widower with no eligible child, the family pension will be payable to the widower, it said. However, if the widower is the guardian of a minor child or a child suffering from a mental disorder, the family pension will be payable to the widower, as long as he remains the guardian, the statement said, adding that once the child attains majority and remains eligible for family pension, it will be payable directly to the child.
For cases where the deceased female government servant or pensioner is survived by a widower and children who have attained majority but are still eligible for family pension, the family pension will be payable to such children, it said. Singh said that a series of governance reforms have been introduced under the Prime Minister to provide an enabling environment for working women.
The minister said that the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has taken concerted efforts to increase the representation of women in central government jobs and to provide them a balance between professional as well as family life.
With PTI inputs
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