4. HDFC BANK 5. ICICI BANK 6. UTI POST OFFICES 10. MADHYA PRADESH (Including CHATTISGARH)
1. PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK 2. STATE BANK OF INDIA 3. HDFC BANK 4. ICICI BANK 5. UTI POST OFFICES 11. NORTH EAST REGION
1. PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK 2. STATE BANK OF INDIA 3. HDFC BANK
4. ICICI BANK 5. UTI
POST OFFICES
12. ORISSA 1. BANK OF INDIA
2. STATE BANK OF INDIA 3. UCO BANK
4. HDFC BANK 5. ICICI BANK 6. UTI
POST OFFICES
13. PUNJAB 1. PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK
2. STATE BANK OF INDIA 3. HDFC BANK
4. ICICI BANK 5. UTI
POST OFFICES
14. RAJASTHAN 1. S.B OF BIKANER & JAIPUR 2. PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK 3. HDFC BANK 4. ICICI BANK 5. UTI POST OFFICES 15. TAMIL NADU (Including PONDICHERRY) 1. INDIAN BANK
2. STATE BANK OF INDIA 3. INDIAN OVERSEAS BANK 4. HDFC BANK 5. ICICI BANK 6. UTI POST OFFICES 16. UTTAR PRADESH (Including UTARANCHAL)
1. PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK 2. STATE BANK OF INDIA 3. HDFC BANK
4. ICCI BANK 5. UTI
POST OFFICES
17. WEST BENGAL 1. PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK
2. UNITED BANK OF INDIA 3. STATE BANK OF INDIA (for
North Bengal only) 4. HDFC BANK 5. ICICI BANK 6. UTI
DISBURSEMENT OF PENSION THROUGH THE POST OFFICES [PARA 33]
Disbursement of Family pension under the erstwhile Employees’ Family Pension Scheme, 1971 is, however being made through Post Offices throughout the country.
An agreement for the disbursement of Pension under the EPS 95 through Post Offices also has been finalised between the Department of Posts and the EPFO at the Headquarters level and will be made applicable for whole of the country. The copy of this agreement has been circulated by Headquarters vide its reference dated 14th May, 2001 / 19th June, 2001
As already stated the procedure of disbursement of pension through Post Offices will be similar to that of the existing arrangements as prevalent in the banks. However, the operational procedure in brief is detailed as hereunder :-
• No separate agreement is required to be entered into at Regional / Sub-Regional level.
• “Head Post Offices” will be the “Link Offices” between the Regional Offices / Sub-Regional Offices of the EPFO and all “Sub-Post Offices” falling under the jurisdiction of respective “Head Post Offices”, are designated as paying offices.
• Unlike, the banking arrangement where there is only one Link Office attached to a RO/SRO, there may be more number of Head Post Offices which will function as Link Offices. In other words, a Regional Office / Sub-Regional Office, may have to deal with more than one Head Post Office.
• Depending upon the choice of the pensioner, Head Post Office itself may act as Paying Office in addition to its functioning as Link Office.
DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF ROs/SROs (EPFO)
The RO/SRO shall open a “Pension Payment Savings Account” with the Head Post Office(s) falling within their respective jurisdiction for depositing the money required for pension disbursement. The specimen signature of the authorised officer of the EPFO shall be provided to the respective Head Post Office.
EXISTING PENSIONER OF EMPLOYEES’ FAMILY PENSION SCHEME, 1971
The existing pensioners under the erstwhile Employees’ Family Pension Scheme 1971 presently drawing Family Pension from the Post Offices shall continue to draw pension from their respective Post Office. The disbursement of Family Pension, shall, however, be switched over under the new agreement.
CEPS software Programme has been appropriately modified to suit disbursement of Pension through Post Office also.
The modified version of the Programme has already been released separately vide Head Office Circular Letter No.Pension-1/7(2)2000/CEPS, dated 27/4/2001.
As the arrangement for disbursement of pension under EFPS, 1971 is slightly different (one pension at a time only), it may be ensured that separate Monthly statements Paying Office (Bank or Post Office) and Link Office wise be generated, so as to have easy identification for smooth reconciliation. The facility of generation of separate statements has been provided in the modified version of CEPS.
In order to have timely and continuous Reconciliation of Pension Payments, at monthly intervals, it is suggested to have a Monthly meeting with Postal Authorities (Head Post Offices), as is being done with Banks at present, to have a smooth working arrangement and stabilization of the procedure prescribed.
The new arrangement will come into effect from 1st July 2001. It is requested that necessary arrangement may be made to disburse pension through the Post Office in addition to the existing arrangement of disbursement through the banks.
“ Pensioner may, at their discretion opt to draw pension either from the designated Post Office or from a designated Bank”.
SERVICE CHARGES IN RESPECT OF NATIONALISED BANKS AND POST OFFICES:
As per the agreement, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation will pay service charges to the Bank and Post Offices on the turnover of the Pension amount disbursed. The rate of service charges currently in force is 1.25% for disbursement of monthly pension & 0.25% on non-recurring lump sum payments such as commutation, arrears etc The service charges should be claimed by the link branch from the concerned Regional Office / Sub-Regional Office on or before 15th of every month, furnishing a statement of pension actually disbursed by the paying branches (Annexure – 5) in the preceding month. The demand should be sent to Regional Provident Fund Commissioner in the prescribed form (Annexure – 15). The Regional / Sub-Regional Office will remit the service charges through a separate cheque and forward to the concerned link branch within 7 days of the receipt of the demand.
Under no circumstances, the service charges due from Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation should be adjusted in the balance lying in the pension (Savings bank) account maintained at the link branch. Similarly, the cheque received towards service charges should not be reflected in this account.
The above position is reiterated vide H.O. Letter No.Pension- 1/7/(3)2002/CEPS/21757 dated 17.02.2004.
LIFE CERTIFICATES / NON-REMARRIAGE CERTIFICATE
CERTIFICATES TO BE FURNISHED BY THE PENSIONERS