Not just the President, now the Secretary to Govt. can also withhold pension/ gratuity of retired Government servant – DoPPW Notification

Previously, only President has the power to withhold or withdraw pension to a retired Government servant as per CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 or 2021. Now, this rule is amended extending these powers to the following officers in the cases where the pensioner’s appointing authority is subordinate to President:

1. Secretary of the Administrative Ministry or Department; and
2. Comptroller and Auditor General of India, in case of pensioner who retired from Indian Audit and Accounts Department.

Appeal provision against the orders passed by the above officers is also provided, in which case, the President will pass orders in consultation with UPSC.

The original notification of the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare vide its Notification dated 7th October, 2022 notifying amendment to Rule 8 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 is placed below: