Dearness Relief @ 46% to Central Government pensioners - OM

In an Office Memorandum dated October 27, 2023, the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) has mentioned who will be eligible for the hiked dearness relief (DR) and how it will be calculated. Earlier this month, the Ministry of Finance hiked the dearness relief (DR) for the central government pensioners from 42% to 46%. The revised dearness relief came into effect from July 1, 2023.

No. 42/04/2023-P&PW(D)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan
Khan Market, New Delhi-110003
Date:- 27th October, 2023

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Grant of Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners — Revised rate effective from 01.07.2023.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM No. 42/04/2023-P&PW(D) dated 06.04.2023 on the subject mentioned above and to state that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Relief admissible to Central Government Pensioners/Family Pensioners shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 42% to 46% of the basic pension/family pension (including additional pension/family pension) w.e.f 01st July,2023.

2. These rates of DR will be applicable to the following categories:-

(i) Civilian Central Government Pensioners/Family Pensioners including Central Govt. absorbee pensioners in PSU/Autonomous Bodies in respect of whom orders have been issued vide this Department’s OM No. 4/34/2002-P&PW(D)Vol.II dated 23.06.2017 for restoration of full pension after expiry of commutation period of 15 years.

(ii) The Armed Forces Pensioners/Family Pensioners and Civilian Pensioners/Family Pensioners paid out of the Defence Service Estimates.

(iii) All India Service Pensioners/Family Pensioners.

(iv) Railway Pensioners/Family Pensioners.

(v) Pensioners who are in receipt of provisional pension.

(vi) The Burma Civilian Pensioners/Family Pensioners and Pensioners/families of displaced Government Pensioners from Burma/ Pakistan, in respect of whom orders have been issued vide this Department’s OM No. 23/3/2008-P&PW(B) dated 11.09.2017.

3. The payment of Dearness Relief involving a fraction of a rupee shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee.

4. Other provisions governing grant of DR in respect of employed family pensioners and re-employed Central Government Pensioners will be regulated in accordance with the provisions contained in Rule 52 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 and this Department’s OM No. 45/73/97-P&PW (G) dated 2.7.1999 as amended from time to time. The provisions relating to regulation of DR where a pensioner is in receipt of more than one pension will remain unchanged.

5. In the case of retired Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, necessary orders will be issued by the Department of Justice separately.

6. It will be the responsibility of the pension disbursing authorities, including the nationalized banks, etc. to calculate the quantum of DR payable in each individual case.

7. The offices of Accountant General and authorised Pension Disbursing Banks are requested to arrange payment of Dearness Relief to Pensioners/Family Pensioners on the basis of these instructions without waiting for any further instructions from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the Reserve Bank of India in view of letter No. 528-TA, II/34-80-II dated 23/04/1981 of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India addressed to all Accountant Generals and Reserve Bank of India Circular No. GANB No. 2958/GA-64

(ii) (CGL)/81 dated the 21st May, 1981 addressed to State Bank of India and its subsidiaries and all Nationalised Banks.

8. In so far as the persons serving in Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders are issued in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, as mandated under Article 148(5) of the Constitution of India.

9. This issues in accordance with the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure’s OM No. 1/4/2023-E.II(B) dated 20.10.2023

Hindi version will follow.

( Sanjiv Narain Mathur )
Additional Secretary to the Government of India