DoPPW: Dearness Relief (DR) Hike of 3% Would Be Granted To These Pensioners

Dearness Relief (DR) for Central Government pensioners and family pensioners has been enhanced by 3% from 31% to 34% on January 1, 2022, according to the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW). On the 5th of April 2022, DoPPW issued an official memorandum stating that "The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's OM No. 42/7/2021 - P&PW(D) dated 27. 10.2021 on the subject mentioned above and to state that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Relief admissible to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 31% to 34% w.e.f 01.01.2022."

In a published on 6th April 2022, the pensioners' department has clarified that "DoPPW has issued orders on 05.04.2022 for enhancing the Dearness Relief admissible to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners from the existing rate of 31% to 34% of the basic pension/family pension w.e.f 01.01.2022."

The modified DR will apply to the following types of central government pensioners and family pensioners, according to the memorandum:

1. Civilian Central Government Pensioners/Family Pensioners including Central Govt. absorbee pensioners in PSU/Autonomous Bodies in respect of whom orders have been issued vide this Department's OM No. 4/34/2002-P&PW(D)Vol.II dated 23.06.201 7 for restoration of full pension after expiry of commutation period of 15 years.
2. The Armed Forces Pensioners, Civilian Pensioners paid out of the Defence Service Estimates.
3. All India Service Pensioners
4. Railway Pensioners/family pensioners
5. Pensioners who are in receipt of provisional pension
6. The Burma Civilian pensioners/family pensioners and pensioners/families of displaced Government Pensioners from Burma/ Pakistan, in respect of whom orders have been issued vide this Department's OM No. 23/3/2008-P&PW(B) dated 1 1.09.2017.

The Pensioners' portal, which is administered by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and is overseen by the Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare, says that "DR is normally declared twice a year during the months of March & September. So in the months of January & February, DR on Pension/Family Pension will be calculated according to the DR Rates available for the month of December of the previous year. Similarly, for the month of July & August, DR will be calculated w.r.t. DR rates available for the month of June. As regards arrears of DR for the months of January & February and July & August, the same shall be disbursed by the disbursing authorities normally in the month of April & October respectively."de