Govt details the number of pensioners at the Lok Sabha

There are over 67.95 lakh central government pensioners, including defence pensioners, as of March 31, 2023, the finance ministry said on Monday.

As per the data compiled and furnished by Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare based on database maintained by Central Pension Accounting Office, Controller General of Defence Accounts, Ministry of Railways, Department of Telecommunication and Department of Posts, the total number of central government pensioners as on March 31, 2023, is 67,95,449, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said in the Lok Sabha.

The number of civil and defence pensioners stood at close to 11.42 lakh and over 33.87 lakh, respectively. The number of telecom and postal pensioners stood at over 4.38 lakh and 3.01 lakh, respectively.

Railway pensioners stood at over 15.25 lakh as of March 2023.

To a question on whether the government proposes to restore the old pension scheme (OPS) for central government employees, Chaudhary said, "No such proposal is under consideration".

A committee has been set up under the chairmanship of the Finance Secretary to look into the issue of pensions under the National Pension System (NPS) in respect of government employees and to, inter alia, examine whether in the light of the existing framework and structure of the National Pension System, as applicable to government employees, any changes therein are warranted.

He further said the state governments of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh have informed the central government/ Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) about their decision to revert to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for their state government employees.