Clarification of
Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) - The pensioners may be allowed FMA w.e.f. the
date of application for FMA: CPAO OM dated 05.08.2019
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE
CENTRAL PENSION ACCOUNTING OFFICE
TRIKOOT-II, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE,
NEW DELHI-110066
CPAO/ IT&Tech/Revision (7th CPC)/ 19.Vol-III( E)/2019-20/66
05.08.2019
Office Memorandum
Subject:- Clarification of Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA).
Attention is
invited to D P&PW OM No. 4/ 02/ 2019-P&PW (D)/42694 dated-1st July, 2
019 wherein it is mentioned that the pensioners may be allowed FMA w.e.f. the
date of application for FMA, if FMA otherwise admissible to them.
Instructions issued by the OM ibid is
reproduced as under:-
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SL No.
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Issue
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Comments of DoPPW
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1.
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Whether the
effective date of payment of FMA in respect of the pensioners who retired
before 01.12.1997 is the date of retirement or the date of submission of
application.
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The order
were issued vide this Department's OM No. 45/57/97-P&PW (C)
dated-19.12.1997 wherein FMA was granted . The existing pensioners had to opt
for medical allowance and an undertaking was required to be submitted by the
claimant. Hence, the orders are being implemented from 01.12.1997. If a
person has retired earlier and has opted for the FMA and given undertaking at
the time of issue of OM, then the FMA should be paid from 01.12.1997.
After
19.12.1997, several further orders/ clarifications were issued regarding
Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA). Therefore, it is difficult to accept that the
pensioner was not aware of the admissibility of the FMA w.e.f.01.12.1997. In
view of this, those pensioners who retired before 01.12 .1997 and did not
exercised the option for FMA immediately after the issue of OM dated-
19.12.1997 would not be entitled to FMA w.e.f. 01.12.1997. However, they may
be allowed FMA w.e.f. the date of application for FMA, if FMA otherwise
admissible to them.
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2 .
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Whether the
effective date of payment of FMA in respect of the pensioners who retired
after 01.12.1997 is 01.12.1997 i.e. date of implementation of order or the
date of submission of the application by the pensioner.
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In the OM
dated-19.12.1997, it has been mentioned that in case of future retirees, the
option shall be obtained by the Head of Office alongwith the pension papers
and in case the retiree opts for medical allowance, the FMA is payable from
the following month after the date of superannuation. If the retiree opts later
on or gives his option later, then the FMA is to be given from the date of
application.
After
19.12.1997, several further orders/clarifications were issued regarding Fixed
Medical Allowance (FMA). Therefore, it is difficult to accept that the
retiree/ pensioner was not aware of the admissibility of the FM A. In case of
retirees/ pensioners who retired after 01.12.1997 did not exercise the option
for FMA immediately on retirement, the FMA would not be admissible to them
from the date of the month following the month of retirement. However, they
may be allowed FMA w.e.f. the date of application for FMA, if FMA otherwise
admissible to them.
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All Pr. CCAs/CCAs/CAs/ AGs/ Administrators of UTs and H eads of CPPCs of the authorized banks are requested to intimate the concerned to abide by the instructions issued by D P&PW.
This issues with the approval of Chief Controller (Pension).
Sd/-
(Praful Dabral)
Sr. Accounts Officer (IT & Tech)