Implementation of Centralized Pension Disbursement System

Implementation of Centralized Pension Disbursement System

Office of the CGDA, Ulan Batar Road, Palam Delhi Cantt-10

File No: 5194/AT-P/E-Project/CPDA

Dated: 26.05.2015

To,
1. Shri Rakesh Sehgal, IDA,
PCDA (Navy) Mumbai
2. Shri D R Negi, IDAS,
CDA (PD), Meerut
3. Shri R N Dash, IDAS,
CDA (AF) New Delhi

Sub: Implementation of Centralized Pension Disbursement System.

It has been decided to implement a centralized pension disbursement system for crediting pension directly into pensioner’s bank account through a Centralized Pension Disbursement Agency (CPDA).

2. This would be introduced for new pensioners in Air Force & Navy with effect from 1st July 2015 and for Army with effect from 1st August 2015. In this context, following offices have been assigned the task of CPDA to implement the proposed system:-

a) CDA (PD) Meerut- For Army Personnel & Defence civilians
b) Pr. CDA (Navy) Mumbai- For Navy Personnel
c) DCDA (Air Force) New Delhi- For Air Force Personnel

3. A Centralized Pension Disbursement policy is forwarded herewith for your information and necessary action.

4. The requirements in terms of Hardware, Software, Manpower, Space etc for establishment/implementation may be worked out and taken up with the concerned sections of the HQrs Office.

(Ajay Mishra)
JT. CGDA

Centralized Pension Disbursement Policy

Introduction

Defence Accounts Department is the nodal agency in Pension matters in respect of officers, PBORs and other employees working in the Defence Forces as well as other establishments under the Ministry of Defence. Pension is sanctioned in a centralized manner by PCDA (Pension), Allahabad in respect of Army personnel and Defence civilians; by PCDA (Navy) in respect of Navy personnel and by JCDA (AF), Subroto Park, New Delhi in respect of AF personnel. It has been decided by the Ministry of Defence that in future all pension revisions are to be carried out centrally, so that complaints relating to non-revision as well as wrong revision of pensions could be completely avoided. This is not possible in the present system where a multitude of Pension Disbursing Agencies (PDAs) are maintaining different databases and adopting different practices. This task is possible only when disbursement of pension is effected by a central agency and comprehensive database and history of disbursement is maintained there. Accordingly, a centralized pension disbursement system is being put in place for all new pensioners retiring on or after 30th June 2015. Detailed procedural guidelines for operationlisation of the system are elaborated in succeeding Paragraphs.

In the Centralized Pension Disbursement System (CPDS) only a single PDA named as Central Pension Disbursing Authority (CPDA) will function. For convenience and coordination purposes, however, three centres will be made operational and theses will be aligned with the respective PSAs.

Introduction of CPDA

Centralised Pension Disbursement System will start functioning form 1st July 2015 and will cover all new pensioners effective from that date. Every individual proceeding on superannuation shall indicate his/her bank account number and bank/branch details (bank name, IFSC code) in the pension papers. Pension will be credited into the indicated bank account directly by the CPDA every month. The bank account shall be a joint account and should be linked with the Aadhar number of the individual.

Existing pensioners will continue to draw pension from their respective Pension Disbursing Agencies.

Pension Sanction Process

There will be no change in the pension sanction process. However, the LPC-cum-data sheet can be forwarded by the paying/vetting offices to the concerned PSA through the CGDA Wide Area Network. Other documents can also be forwarded in soft format after scanning the same. Bank details and Aadhar numbers of the service personnel, his/her spouse and dependents will need to be mandatorily provided to process the pension claims.

A detailed process flow is given in the succeeding paras :

1. RO/HOO will forward the LPC-cum-data sheet and other documents for sanctions of pension in respect of the retiring employees 4 months before the retirement of the individual.
2. Descriptive Roll and an undertaking of the individual to the effect that excess payment credited to his/her account due to any bonafide error can be recovered by CPDA will also be forwarded to PSA along with pension claim.

3. RO/HOO or the concerned accounts office (CDA/PAO) can also create soft copy of all the relevant documents and can forward the same to the PSA through the CGDA WAN.

4. PSA will create soft of copy of documents along with D Roll and undertaking, in case only hard copies are received.

5. After sanctioning pension, PSA will forward original copy of PPO, RO/HOO copy and pensioner copy of PPO along with D Roll and under taking to RO/HOO 2 months prior to the retirement of the individual.

6. PSA will also upload/forward soft copy of PPO, D Roll & undertaking on CPDA system through the CGDA WAN.

7. RO/HOO will forward original copy of PPO, along with D Roll and under taking to CPDA and pensioner copy of PPO to pensioner after checking and verifying the PPO one month prior to the retirement of the individual.

Policy and Process involved in 1st Payment of Pension:

1. For making 1st payment of pension to the pensioner, he should be alive on the date of pension (i.e. next date of retirement). In the existing system, the pensioner has to present himself before the PDA on the date of pension or any subsequent date to establish this as well as for his identification. In the new system, for the purpose of identification of pensioners for 1st payment, active role of PAOs concerned in case of PBOR and Pay Audit Offices in case of Civilian employees had been envisaged. For all categories of officials, Aadhar based Jeevan Praman certification will also be accepted for this purpose.
2. In r/o PBOR, respective PAOs will be authorized to identify the pensioners on the next day of retirement.

3. The PAO will log into the CPDA system through CGDA WAN and do the needful. System will provide this facility and necessary right.

4. Same process will be followed by respective pay audit offices in respect of defence civilians.

5. Officers may also approach Defence Pension Liaison Centres / Service Centres for this purpose.

6. As Aadhar number will be mandatory field in the PPO, Jeevan Praman website, which can be accessed from any designated service centre, can also be used as an option for the above purpose.

Policy and Process involved in regular Payment of Pension:

CPDA will process cases for regular payment of pension once their first payment has been released. Every month this exercise will be carried out and a payment file will be generated through the software system and the same will be uploaded on the SBI CMP for crediting the pension amount to the respective accounts of all pensioners by the designated date.

CPDA will calculate the pension amount as given in the PPO of the pensioners. No revision of pension will be carried out by the CPDA at their end.

CPDA will carry out the change in the rate of DP as and when announced by the Govt and will accordingly pay the DP element to pensioners.

Regular payment will be subject to annual identification of pensioners.

In processing regular payment of pension, CPDA will also carry out the following changes in the pensioners’ database/profile at their end, as and when the same is required or is intimated by the pensioners –

i- Death of pensioner
ii- Re-employment of pensioner
iii- Commencement of medical allowance
iv- Bank to Bank transfer
v- Change in a/c number of bank
vi- Marriage / remarriage of family pensioner
vii- Commutation of pension after retirement
viii- Effect and adjustment of corrigendum PPO
ix- Payment of arrears
x- Recovery of demands
xi- Annual Identification
xii- LTA/Arrear claim of pension
Policy and Process involved in Annual Identification:

1. Pensioners can approach Defence Pension Liaison Centres / Service Centres for their annual identification.

2. They will identify the pensioner from the data of Descriptive Roll, Photograph and PPO available at CPDA page on the WAN linked to their system and upload identification status along with the soft copy of annual identification certificates like Life certificate, non-remarriage/remarriage certificate, non-reemployment/ employment certificate etc.

3. Jeevan Praman Portal is also one another mode to submit Life Certificate along with other certificate and identification of pensioner.

Policy and Process involved in Other Contingency before retirement:

i) In cases where individual applies for commutation of pension and PPO as such has been issued before his/her retirement and subsequently he/she dies before his/her date of retirement, no payment on account of commuted value will be authorized/paid by the CPDA. If the report of his /her demise before retirement is received in CPDA then PPO will be returned to PSA.

ii) Where a pensioner failed to receive Retirement Gratuity or DCRG granted to him/her and died, the matter shall be reported by CPDA to PSA for re-authorization of PPO in favour of dependent/recipient.

Policy and Process involved in Other Contingency after retirement:

i) There will be no change of PDA as CPDA is a single PDA. Payment of pension will be made by crediting amount of pension in the bank account of pensioner. The joint account with spouse will be preferred so that family pension and LTA can be easily commenced or credited in the account in favour of spouse in case of demise of pensioner. Change of bank branch or bank in case of transfer of account does not change the account number.
ii) Sanction of arrear of pension or LTA will be done by competent DAD officer at CPDA on form CDA-651, CDA-652 as applicable. These forms will also be available at service centers through the CPDA page on WAN. Service centre executive will get the forms filled up and signed by pensioner or nominee and then will uploaded the same along with required documents to the CPDA.

Payment of Pension through Bank account only:

After receiving PPO from PSA the CPDA will process the papers and will initiate first payment as well as subsequent monthly pension payments for credit to the pensioners’ bank accounts as in the PPO through the NEFT/RTGS or the CMP (on-line payment mechanism with SBI). Pensioners will be informed about the same through SMS on their registered mobile number as well as through e-mail.

Flow of document from PSA and RO to CPDA for 1st Payment:

1. Presently PSA send PPO to Record Office and Record Office send PPO, Descriptive Roll & other documents to PDAs for payment. All these documents are being sent by the PSA to PDAS through Record Office one month in advance. Same periodicity or procedure will be adopted in flow of documents from PSA to CPDA.

2. However in new procedure, PSAs will also send soft copy of the PPO data, D Roll & under taking of individual to the CPDA.
3. It is suggested that Aadhar number data can be linked to CPDA’s data and relevant information can be fetched from UID data to be used for Descriptive Roll.

4. The Descriptive Roll contains thumb & fingers impression, signature, photograph and address information of the pensioner. The use of D Roll as in existing system will continue till 100% seeding of Aadhar number is completed.

5. After sanctioning pension by Pension Sanctioning Authority (PSA), Original copy of PPOs (on soft format)/e-PPO will be forwarded electronically to CPDAs by concerned Pension Sanctioning Authorities (PSAs) through secured channel like CGDA intranet and for enhanced security it could also be with digital signature.

6. Hard copies of PPOs (PDA copy – original, -RO/HOO copy – 3rd Copy & pensioner copy – 4th Copy) will be forwarded to Record Offices (ROs)/Head of Offices (HOOs) for pension claims received by PSA for PBOR/Civilians as in existing system for ensuring primary checks in the PPOs with reference to claim to individual submitted by them to PSA.

7. After ensuring necessary checks original copy of PPO along with Descriptive Roll including Aadhar No., PPO No. & Photo of the pensioner along with signature etc. (if decided positive by CA), Nomination, Prescribed certificates, and undertaking/NOC for recovery if any overpayment occurred will be forwarded by RO/HOO to the CPDA well in advance before the date of retirement as in existing system.

8. Before retirement of individual as and when PPO received to RO/HOO from PSA after notification it will registered in “Jeevan Praman” portal by them so that on the next date of retirement he can be identified through biometric system and necessary certificates will be uploaded through this portal.

Flow of document from other agency to CPDA after 1st Payment:

1. The application of pensioner for various changes as mentioned above or death certificate etc and complaint/grievances will route directly or through service centers of CPDA.
2. Death information and other information which take effect may also come through Helpline, mail ID, banks etc.
3. Corr PPOs will come directly from PSA to CPDA in soft copy. Hard copy of original will also be forwarded.

4. Various annual certificates and annual identifications will be through Defence Pension Liaison centres / service centers or “Jeevan Praman” portal as mentioned above.

Service Centers of CPDA:

1. Under the CPDS, all the Defence Pension Disbursing Offices will be remodeled as Defence Pension Liaison Centres / Service Centers for new pensioners.

2. They will carry out pensioners’ annual identification, accept change requests/ applications on behalf of CPDA (for cases related to re-marriage, re-employment, death, Bank account changes etc.) and will also act as grievance handling /settlement centres as they would be linked with the CPDA server and can have a higher protocol communication with the CPDA call centre.

3. Service Centre/Desk will be opened in other DAD offices (wherever required) to cater for the above mentioned services for defence pensioners.

4. In due course, Zila Sainik Boards can be provided with necessary systems and trainings for the purpose of establishing a service center there.

5. Periodically camps can be organized by the CPDA as well as designated service centres in areas with higher pensioner concentration to take care of annual identification as well as other issues.

Grievances Redressal system:

Grievance redressal will be core focus area under the CPDS. Various interface mechanisms will be made available to pensioners to provide them information and clarification, to resolve issues raised by them on the spot to the extent possible and finally to lodge their girevances.

1. One Defence Pension Call Centre is already operational at Allahabad to provide information and clarification to pensioners relating to their pension sanction issues. The call centre will be improvised further to provide for disbursement related information to callers. Also, more centres will be made operational to cater for pensioners within specified zones/areas.

2. A dedicated website/portal of CPDA will be created to provide information to pensioners. Various Forms and copies of certificates will be available on the CPDA Portal online. Pensioners can also use e-mail facility on the portal to forward their queries/grievances.
3. Defence Pension Liaison Centres / Service Centers will also act as an interface between pensioners and CPDA. They will not only provide the pensioners with a number of facilities like identification, change requests etc. but will also provide solutions to their grievances at local level, by interacting with the centralized database.

4. Zila Sainik Boards can be provided with required systems and necessary training and in the medium term these can also act as information / service centres.

5. Portal of CPGRAM may also be used as one of the grievances redressal mechanisms by the defence pensioners.

Read more-http://cgda.nic.in/circulars/Imp%20of%20CPDS.pdf