Following a landmark decision by the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW), Union Minister of State (Independent Charge)Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances , Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today announced doorstep Life Certificate facility for Pensioners.

The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare has, videan official circular, issued directions to all the Pension disbursing Banks to send SMSs / e-mails to all their Pensioners on 24th October, 1st November, 15th November and 25th November every year reminding them to submit their Annual Life Certificate by 30th Nov. However, the Bank, in addition, will also ask such pensioners through SMS / e-mail as to whether they are interested in submitting their Life Certificate through doorstep service, for a charge not exceeding Rs. 60/-

Disclosing this, Dr Jitendra Singh said, it was alwaysunpleasant to see elderly Pensioners struggling to submit their Annual LifeCertificate, either because they were unable to reach the concerned Bank branchor did not have the facility to send a proof through biometric digital means.He said, as per the new arrangement, a Pensioner would not have to undergo anyinconvenience for submitting the Annual Life Certificate. On the contrary, theconcerned branch of Bank will make arrangements to procure the same from thePensioner from his residence, either physically or through digital means, headded.

Describing it as a landmark decision by the Modi government,showing due concern for the Pensioners, Dr Jitendra Singh further informed thatin addition, another order has been issued recently, whereby Pensioners of 80years or above age have been provided an exclusive window to submit their LifeCertificate with effect from 1st October every year instead of 1st Novemberevery year. This, he said, coupled with doorstep Life Certificate facility,will bring further ease and convenience to the elders.

The Central Pension Processing Centre (CPPC) of the pensiondisbursing banks shall now be duty bound to submit a report indicating thebreak-up of Life Certificates submitted by Pensioners physically and throughdigital means, for authentication by the Department of Pensions.