According to a recent statement from the Indian government, female employees can now name their son or daughter for a family pension in place of their spouse. Previously, only the spouse of a deceased government employee or pensioner was eligible for a family pension; other family members were not able to obtain one until the spouse passed away or became ineligible. This landmark ruling supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aim of granting women equal rights and has a broad socio-economic impact.
The Department of Pensions and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW) has proposed an amendment to the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021, according to Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh. This change permits female government employees and pensioners to provide family pensions to their eligible child or children upon their death, instead of their spouse.
The amendment would deal with cases filed under the Indian Penal Code, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, and other legislation or circumstances where marital differences result in divorce procedures.
According to the DoPPW, in the case that a female government employee or pensioner passes away while the legal proceedings are still in progress, her eligible child or children should get the family pension over her spouse. This request must be made in writing to the relevant head of office.
"If the female government servant or pensioner passes away during the proceedings, the family pension will be disbursed accordingly," said the statement.
The amendment further stated that the widower would receive the family pension if the woman employee dies and does not have any eligible child.
The statement explained that the family pension will be paid to the widower as long as he serves as the guardian of a minor child or a child with a mental illness. After the child reaches majority and is still eligible for family pension, the payment will be made directly to the child.
If a deceased female government servant or pensioner is survived by a widow and children who are still eligible for family pension, the pension will be payable to the children.
