You can lose Pension, Gratuity for grave misconduct or negligence

According to the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules 2021, a retired Central Government employee's pension and gratuity may be terminated if they were found guilty of serious misconduct or carelessness while on the job. Rule 8 of the CCS (Pension) Rules 2021 just received a notification of change from the Central Government.

The amendment specifies the decision-makers who may decide to withhold a retired employee's pension, gratuity, or both. Which are:

• the President, in the case of a pensioner who retired from a post for which the President is the appointing authority
• the Secretary of the Administrative Ministry or Department, in the case of a pensioner who retired from a post for which an authority subordinate to the President is the appointing authority
• the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, in the case of a pensioner who retired from the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, from a post for which an authority subordinate to the President is the appointing authority.

The following authorities may remove a pension in full or in part if the pensioner is found guilty of "severe misconduct or neglect during the term of employment" in any departmental or judicial procedures, according to the modified Rule 8 that was notified on October 7. Service provided upon re-employment following retirement may also be scrutinised.

The pension or gratuity may be withheld by the government indefinitely or for a predetermined time. Additionally, they have the authority to order the full or partial recovery of any financial loss incurred by the government from a pension or gratuity.

In accordance with this sub-rule, the Union Public Service Commission shall be consulted before the President issues any final directives. Additionally, the amount of the pension cannot be decreased below the minimum pension under rule 44, which is Rs 9000 per month, in cases where a portion of the income is withheld or withdrawn.