Centre to Count Autonomous Body Service for Gratuity Calculation

Quick Summary

• Union Minister Jitendra Singh informed the Rajya Sabha that service rendered in autonomous bodies would be counted for gratuity grants in the central government under specific conditions.
• The Department of Pension and pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) has issued rules related to gratuity payments under the Central civil Services Payment of Gratuity Rules, 2021 for central government employees.
• These rules are not automatically applicable to employees of autonomous bodies.
• A February 2020 Office Memorandum specifies that service from autonomous bodies is recognized for gratuity grants if an employee resigns with proper permission and takes another appointment within the government.
• The payment terms, such as interest on gratuities or counting service duration, depend on individual rules laid out by respective autonomous bodies.
• Manjeet Singh Patel, President of NPS Employees Federation, expressed approval of this clarification and noted its positive impact in clearing doubts among affected employees.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The government’s clarification ensures smoother transitions and benefits computation for employees moving from autonomous bodies to central government roles. Recognizing prior service contributes to fairer treatment under retirement policies while adhering strictly to procedural compliance like resignations with proper permissions. Even though limited by each body’s own policy structure in determining exact terms, this development fosters greater certainty among transitioning personnel. It reflects incremental steps toward uniform pension reforms amid India’s broader public workforce dynamics.

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