Rules, Rights & Rites -146
I usually post all
important items related to official rulings, union news, and other general
matters on my YouTube channels: Yourskayveeyes (English) and Anbudan Kayveeyes
(Tamil).
However, due to the
recent spate of orders and the high volume of information being received, I
have not been able to convert every item into a video. Therefore, I am
introducing these new slots to post current matters and updates that have not
yet been published on YouTube. This ensures you stay informed on every detail,
even if a video hasn't been made yet …………….Kayveeyes
The 35th meeting of the Standing Committee of Voluntary
Agencies (SCOVA), held on March 10, 2026, addressed various demands from
Pensioners' Associations.
Healthcare & CGHS Demands
|
Sl. No. |
Demand / Issue |
Government Reply / Action taken |
|
1 |
Expanding CGHS Facilities at district levels or
increasing Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA). |
Approved opening of 29 new Wellness Centres across
various cities. The demand for FMA remains governed by existing Pension
Rules. |
|
2 |
Attendance Allowance for pensioners with
Parkinson’s, Dementia, or other chronic ailments. |
CGHS has been requested to examine the feasibility
of this request. |
|
3 |
Diagnostic Test Referral Limits (raising the ₹3,000
limit). |
Pensioners aged 70+ can now consult specialists without
prior referral. Tests under ₹3,000 require no additional endorsement with
a valid prescription. |
|
4 |
Medical Claim Settlement delays. |
Claims are now processed online via a revamped
Transaction Management System (TMS 2.0); pensioners can track claims via
the "myCGHS 2.0" app. |
|
5 |
Medicine Availability and substitution issues. |
A new 'Drug Procurement Policy' (Jan 2026) ensures
uninterrupted supply. Substitutions are only allowed for brands, not the
actual salt/medicine. |
|
6 |
Home Delivery of medicines. |
CGHS is currently examining the feasibility of this
service. |
·
Granting LTC benefits and
restoring pre-COVID railway concessions for senior citizens. - Decisions on LTC
for retirees must be taken by DoP&T, not Railways. Regarding
concessions, Railways noted they already provide an average 45% subsidy
on all passenger tickets.
·
Establish a higher
appellate authority for unresolved Pension Adalat cases. - Rejected. Pension Adalats are already
conducted at senior levels; a separate authority would cause unnecessary
procedural delays.
- Allow
a one-time option to discontinue FMA for Railway hospital treatment. - This
facility already exists per Board letters dated 27.10.2022 and
07.03.2025.
- Automatically
treat joint accounts as single accounts upon a pensioner's death. - Banks
confirmed compliance with guidelines to treat the family pensioner as
the primary holder.
- Recognize
transgender children as dependents for family pension. - DoPPW is
currently simplifying Rule 50 of CCS (Pension) Rules and will
consult with the Department of Expenditure.
- Abolish
tax on medical reimbursement for pensioners. - CBDT clarified that actual
medical expenditure reimbursement is not treated as a perquisite
under Section 17(2), so there is no double taxation.
- Grant
funds for the funeral of a pensioner. - There is no existing rule
or provision for such financial assistance.
Post a Comment