Achievement Shri. Alpesh Sutariya, PA Bhavnagar HPO, Rajkot Region, Gujarat Circle in Para Table Tennis

 Achievement Shri. Alpesh Sutariya, PA Bhavnagar HPO, Rajkot Region, Gujarat Circle in Para Table Tennis

I am a disabled para table tennis player, working as a postal assistant in Bhavnagar Head Post Office, Rajkot Region, Gujarat Circle. My achievements are as follows,


गुजरात को मिला नया स्टार! अल्पेशभाई ने खेलो इंडिया पैरा गेम्स में दिलाया पदक


Gujarat: भावनगर के दिव्यांग खिलाड़ी अल्पेशभाई सुतारिया ने खेलो इंडिया पैरा गेम्स 2025 में टेबल टेनिस में कांस्य पदक जीतकर गुजरात को गर्व महसूस कराया. उनकी इस सफलता से उन्हें अंतरराष्ट्रीय टूर्नामेंट में भारत का प्रतिनिधित्व करने का अवसर मिलेगा.दिल्ली में आयोजित खेलो इंडिया पैरा गेम्स 2025 में भावनगर के दिव्यांग खिलाड़ी अल्पेशभाई सुतारिया ने टेबल टेनिस में कांस्य पदक जीतकर पूरे गुजरात राज्य को गौरवान्वित किया है. यह जीत न केवल उनके कठिन परिश्रम और समर्पण का प्रमाण है, बल्कि गुजरात के खेल जगत के लिए भी एक बड़ी उपलब्धि मानी जा रही है.


डाक विभाग में कार्यरत हैं अल्पेशभाई
वर्तमान में अल्पेशभाई डाक विभाग में डाक सहायक के रूप में कार्यरत हैं. खेल के प्रति उनकी रुचि बचपन से ही रही है, और उन्होंने अपनी प्रतिभा के दम पर कई उपलब्धियां हासिल की हैं. वे अंतर्राष्ट्रीय पैरा टेबल टेनिस में भी रजत पदक विजेता रह चुके हैं, जिससे उनकी प्रतिभा और मेहनत का अंदाजा लगाया जा सकता है.


प्रतियोगिता में जबरदस्त प्रदर्शन
खेलो इंडिया पैरा गेम्स 2025 में देशभर के शीर्ष रैंकिंग वाले पैरा टेबल टेनिस खिलाड़ियों ने भाग लिया था. इस प्रतिष्ठित टूर्नामेंट में अल्पेशभाई ने अपने बेहतरीन खेल का प्रदर्शन करते हुए कांस्य पदक जीता. भारतीय खेल प्राधिकरण द्वारा आयोजित इस प्रतियोगिता में खिलाड़ियों को अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर की सुविधाएं प्रदान की गईं, जिससे उन्हें अपने खेल को और निखारने का अवसर मिला राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर भी किया शानदार प्रदर्शन
इसके पहले, अल्पेशभाई ने 17 से 23 मार्च तक वडोदरा में आयोजित पैरा टेबल टेनिस राष्ट्रीय चैंपियनशिप 2025 में भी शानदार प्रदर्शन किया था. उन्होंने क्लास वन वर्ग में रजत पदक, मिक्स डबल 7 वर्ग में कांस्य पदक और पुरुष डबल 4 वर्ग में कांस्य पदक जीतकर अपनी प्रतिभा साबित की. इस चैंपियनशिप में कुल 350 दिव्यांग खिलाड़ियों ने भाग लिया था, जिसमें अल्पेशभाई ने अपने कौशल से सभी को प्रभावित किया.


फाइनल मुकाबले में दिखाया दम
फाइनल मुकाबले में अल्पेशभाई का सामना तमिलनाडु के जे. डी. मदन से हुआ. एक रोमांचक मैच में उन्होंने शानदार खेल दिखाया, हालांकि अंतिम सेट में 8-11 से हारकर उन्हें रजत पदक से संतोष करना पड़ा. बावजूद इसके, उनका यह प्रदर्शन भविष्य में और ऊंचाइयों तक पहुंचने की प्रेरणा देता है.


Shri. Alpesh Sutariya
Postal Assistent
Bhavnagar Head Post Office,
Rajkot Region,
Gujarat Circle

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Rate of Interest on House Building Advance (HBA) for Central Government Employees for FY 2025-26

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Understanding the Controversy Surrounding Older Pensioners and the 8th Pay Commission in the Finance Bill

 Understanding the Controversy Surrounding Older Pensioners and the 8th Pay Commission in the Finance Bill

A recent debate over the Finance Bill 2025 has stirred uncertainty among central government pensioners, particularly those who retired before the anticipated 8th Pay Commission (CPC) takes effect. Speculation suggests that older pensioners might miss out on the commission’s benefits, a claim refuted by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. This article examines the issue, tracing its origins and clarifying the facts based on official statements and established practices.

Background: The 8th Pay Commission and Pension Parity

The 8th CPC, reportedly approved by the Union Cabinet in January 2025, aims to revise salaries, allowances, and pensions for central government employees and retirees, effective January 1, 2026. Historically, pay commissions—convened roughly every decade—adjust compensation to reflect economic realities. The 7th CPC, implemented in 2016, ensured pension parity between pre- and post-2016 retirees, a principle rooted in earlier commissions and reinforced by Supreme Court rulings like D.S. Nakara vs. Union of India (1983). As of March 1, 2025, approximately 36.57 lakh civilian employees and 33.91 lakh pensioners (as of December 31, 2024), alongside defense personnel, stand to be affected.

The Controversy: A Misinterpreted Amendment

The confusion stems from an amendment to the Central Civil Services (CCS) Pension Rules within the Finance Bill 2025, passed by the Lok Sabha. Critics, including the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and Congress MP K.C. Venugopal, have suggested it excludes pensioners who retired before January 2026 from 8th CPC benefits. AITUC’s Amarjeet Kaur, quoted in The Hindu (March 28, 2025), called it a “betrayal of lakhs of pensioners,” while Venugopal, per The Hindu (March 25, 2025), hinted at a “hidden agenda.” Some media reports and X posts speculated that fiscal pressures—potentially exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore, akin to the 7th CPC’s FY17 cost—might drive this shift.

The Official Response

Finance Minister Sitharaman countered these claims in the Rajya Sabha on March 27, 2025, as reported by NDTV Profit and Moneycontrol. She affirmed that parity remains intact, stating, “Pensioners retiring before January 1, 2016, received benefits equivalent to post-2016 retirees under the 7th CPC, and this principle continues.” She clarified that the amendment refines procedural aspects, not entitlement, ensuring “no discrimination.” Earlier, on March 18, 2025 (Times Now), she told MPs Kangna Ranaut and Sajda Ahmed that the 8th CPC’s terms of reference would be set soon, with financial impacts assessed later.

The Facts Behind the Debate

The amendment’s intent, per The Financial Express (March 23, 2025), is to streamline pension calculations, not revoke parity. The 8th CPC’s report, due by late 2026 or early 2027, is expected to recommend adjustments for all pensioners, possibly with interim relief, mirroring past practices. Sitharaman’s stance aligns with judicial mandates and the government’s track record. Financially, while the 8th CPC will strain budgets, a phased rollout with 12 months’ arrears—standard since the 6th CPC—mitigates immediate pressure, per Moneycontrol (March 25, 2025).

Conclusion

No evidence in the Finance Bill or official policy supports the exclusion of older pensioners from the 8th CPC. The controversy likely arises from misinterpretations of technical amendments, amplified by speculation. Sitharaman’s assurances, backed by precedent, suggest all pensioners will benefit once recommendations are finalized—expected by April 2025 for terms of reference (Moneycontrol). Stakeholders should await official updates from the Finance Ministry, avoiding unverified claims.

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Provisions on Pension Disparity passed in the Finance Bill by the Parliament

 Provisions on Pension Disparity passed in the Finance Bill by the Parliament 

Shiva Gopal Mishra
Secretary

Ph.: 23382286
National Council (Staff Side)
Joint Consultative Machinery
13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi – 110001
E-Mail : nc.jcm.np[at]gmail.com

No.NC-JCM-2025/Pension

March 29, 2025

To

All the Staff Side Members of National Council JCM

Sub: Brief on the Meeting held with Secretary (Pension) DOP&PW on 29/03/2025 through Video Conference on the provisions on Pension Disparity passed in the Finance Bill by the Parliament — Reg.,

Dear Comrades,

The Government of India while moving the Finance Bill for the approval of Parliament has included a chapter for “Validation of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules and Principles for expenditure on pension liabilities from the Consolidated Fund of India”. Through this the Government has got authority to establish distinctions among pensioners which may emanate from the accepted recommendations of the Central Pay Commissions, and in particular a distinction may be made on the basis of the date of retirement of a pensioner or the date of operationalisation of an accepted recommendation of a Central Pay commission.

After the passage of the Finance Bill in the Parliament, there was opposition inside the parliament and outside by the Staff Side of the NC JCM and also by the various Pensioners Associations, since it takes away the parity in pension recommended by the 7th CPC and implemented by the Government of India. Moreover since the 8th CPC has also been announced Pensioners all over the country were concerned about their pension revision and also for maintaining the parity between the pensioners who retired prior to 01/01/2026 and those who will be retiring after 01/01/2026 (expected date of recommendations of 8th CPC). In this situation Secretary (Pension), DOP&PW convened a meeting with the Staff Side Members of the Standing Committee of National Council JCM and also with few pensioners associations through Video Conference today.

The Staff Side was represented in the meeting by the following Comrades:

1. Shiva Gopal Mishra
2. Guman Singh

3. C Srikumar

4. Bhosle
5. Shankar Rao
6. Roopak Sarkar

We protested and opposed the move of the Government for taking the authority through Parliament for establishing disparity among pensioners, as such discrimination amongst the pensioners is a clear violation of the Supreme Court Judgment and also a threat on the recommendations of the 7th CPC which was accepted by the Government for maintaining parity between pensioners who retired prior to 01/01/2016 and after 01/01/2016. Government having announced the 8th CPC and the present decision has come as a big blow on the pensioners and hence this needs to be reconsidered and withdrawn by the Government. Our views were supported by Pensioners Associations also.

Responding to the views expressed by the Staff Side Members and the representatives of the Pensioners Associations, Secretary (Pension) clarified the following:

1. Since the 5th and 6th CPC has maintained disparity between Pensioners who retired before and after 1st January 1996 and before and after 1st January 2006 respectively which the Government also agreed and implemented those recommendations. However Government was not having any authority in the Pension Rules for providing such distinction according to the Supreme Court and hence Government for having that authority the provisions have been incorporated in the CCS (Pension) Rules.

2. The apprehension that the parity between pensioners given by the 7th CPC and implemented by the Government will be taken away is not correct since it is already there and the same will continue to be there with the 8th CPC also and hence there is nothing to worry and Government is committed towards the welfare of the pensioners.

In view of the above clarification given by the Secretary (Pension) we demanded that to remove the fear and apprehensions in the mind of pensioners, Government should issue a clarification in this regard and the same should be included in the Terms of Reference of the 8th CPC as already demanded by the Staff Side. Secretary (Pension) assured that a clarification will be issued in this regard. On a query about restoration of commuted portion of pension after 12 years, he informed that it has been decided to refer the matter to 8th CPC.

We will be updating you about further developments in this regard.

Yours fraternally,

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary

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Regarding revised tariff and weight of international Tracked Packet Service (ITPS) - Directorate order dtd 28/03/2025

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Request for Equitable Relief and Dignity in Pension Revision - BPS writes to the PM

 Request for Equitable Relief and Dignity in Pension Revision - BPS writes to the PM

Shri Narender Modi ji,

The Honorable Prime Minister, 

Government of India.

  Subject: Request for Equitable Relief and Dignity in Pension Revision 

Respected Prime Minister Sir,

On behalf of Bharat Pensioners Samaj (BPS), representing millions of pensioners across our nation, we deeply acknowledge and respect your recent decision to revise salaries and pensions of MPs retrospectively to address rising inflation. 

However, pensioners, too, have been severely affected by persistent inflation, significantly eroding  purchasing power and quality of life.

Sir, we are deeply concerned by the recent amendment introduced in the Finance Bill, which threatens to deprive existing pensioners of the benefits provided by the Central Pay Commission (CPC). This amendment, on implementation, would severely harm the financial stability and dignity of existing  pensioners nationwide. & will  remind us of the British colonia era of past when dignity and basic needs of pensioners were often overlooked.

After a prolonged interval of ten years, the minimal adjustments provided by merging Dearness Relief into the basic pension, coupled with nominal fitment benefits against squeezed DR paid over the period of ten years, barely offer genuine respite. Such limited revisions place pensioners in vulnerable circumstances. Withdrawal of even this benefit, will be reminiscent of past colonial era. 

We earnestly appeal to you to compassionately review this policy, and specifically request the immediate withdrawal of this damaging amendment to the Finance Bill. Ensuring that pensioners receive fair, just, and timely adjustments reflecting the real impact of inflation is imperative. Pensioners deserve to live their twilight years with dignity and comfort, in recognition of their lifetime contributions to the progress and prosperity of Bharat Varsh.

Bharat Pensioners Samaj holds great faith in your leadership and deeply trusts that you will deliver justice to pensioners by ensuring adequate and meaningful revision in pensions.

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Cabinet approves release of an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners w.e.f. 01.01.2025

 Ministry of Finance

Cabinet approves release of an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners w.e.f. 01.01.2025

48.66 lakh Central Government employees and 66.55 lakhs pensioners to benefit

2% benefit to cost Rs. 6614.04 crore per annum to exchequer

Posted On: 28 MAR 2025 4:16PM by PIB Delhi

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved to release of an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 01.01.2025 representing an increase of 2% over the existing rate of 53% of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate against price rise.

The combined impact on the exchequer on account of increase in both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief would be Rs. 6614.04 crore per annum. This will benefit about 48.66 lakh Central Government employees and 66.55 lakhs pensioners.

This increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th  Central Pay Commission.

***

MJPS/SKS

(Release ID: 2116184) Visitor Counter : 2870

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FM Nirmala Sitharaman Clarifies Pension Validation Rules: No Change In Existing Benefits

 FM Nirmala Sitharaman Clarifies Pension Validation Rules: No Change In Existing Benefits

Last Updated:March 28, 2025, 13:50 IST

Speaking in Rajya Sabha, the Finance Minister said all Central government pensioners who had retired before January 1, 2016 are receiving pension at par with employees who retired after January 1, 2016

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday clarified that there will be no change in pension for defence as well as central government pensioners due to the validation of existing rules. On pension parity, she said all central government pensioners who had retired before January 1, 2016, are receiving pension at par with employees who retired after January 1, 2016.

The legislation regarding the Validation of the Central Pay Commission (Pension) Rules and Principles for expenditure on Pension liabilities from the Consolidated Fund of India was passed in Lok Sabha on Tuesday as part of the Finance Bill, 2025. The legislation led to an apprehension among the government employees that their pension amount might get affected. 

“The validation rules DO NOT, in any way, change or alter the existing pensions so fixed of existing Civil Pensioners from the present stage. The validation rules also DO NOT affect Defense Pensioners in any way as they are covered by separate rules," the finance minister said while speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

She said all Central government pensioners who had retired before January 1, 2016 are receiving pension at par with employees who retired after January 1, 2016.

The finance minister further added that validation of existing rules was done in view of the recommendations made by the 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC) to ensure a distinction among pensioners.

She said that it is not an amendment to any pension Rules or instructions but only a reaffirmation of the same with effect from June 1, 1972, i.e. the date the CCS (Pension) Rules were promulgated.

“The 6th Central Pay Commission made a distinction between the retirees of pre-1.1.2006 and those of post-1.1.2006 periods. The then-Government (Congress-led UPA) had accepted the recommendations of 6th Central Pay Commission and decided that there will be a distinction between pensioners with reference to the cut-off date of 1.1.2006. The 7th Central Pay Commission has brought in parity between pre 1.1.2016 and post 1.1.2016 Pensioners. I again reiterate that this is only a Validation of existing rules. This DOES NOT alter or change existing civil or defense pension," she said.

Mar 28, 2025 2:58 pm The INDIAN EXPRESS

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