EPFO has executed agreements with numerous pension disbursing banks for credit of pension to its pensioner. Current bank agreement with pension disbursing banks states that: “Pension will be credited on the 1st working day of the month to which the pension relates or in any case not later than 5th day of the month“. However, it has been observed that payment of pension to pensioners is not credited in the account on the due date as a result of which EPS pensioners face difficulties.

The matter has been reviewed by Pension Division and keeping in line with RBI instructions, it has been decided that all field offices may send the monthly BRS to banks in such a way that pension gets credited to pensioners account on or before the last working day of the month (except for the month of March that shall continue to be credited on or after 1st April). Further, it may simultaneously be ensured that actual pension is sent to the pension disbursing banks not earlier than two days before it is to be credited in pensioners’ accounts

Accordingly, while taking note of the above instructions for strict compliance, all offices are advised to issue necessary guidelines/directions to the pension disbursing banks under their respective jurisdiction to ensure proper implementation of the above.

In view of the initial signs of a surge in cases of COVID-19,  the matter regulating attendance of Central  Government employees has been reviewed and it has been decided as under. with immediate effect till 3151  January 2022:-

(i)        Physical attendance of  Government servants below the level of  Under Secretary shall be restricted to 50% of the actual strength and the remaining 50% shall work from home.  A roster may be prepared accordingly by all the

Departments concerned.

(ii)       All officers of the level of Under Secretary & above are to attend office on regular basis.

(iii)       Persons with   Disabilities and   Pregnant women employees shall be exempted from attending office but are required to work from home.

(iv)      The officers I staff shall follow staggered timings, to avoid over-crowding  in offices, as indicated below:

(a) 9.00 AM. to 5.30.  P.M.

{b) 10.00 AM. to 6.30 P.M.

(v)       All officers/ staff residing in the containment zone shall be exempted from coming to offices till the containment zone is denotified

Those officers/  staff who are not attending office and working from home shall be available on the telephone and other electronic means of communication at all times.

(vii)     Meeting, as far as possible, shall be conducted on video-conferencing and personal meetings with visitors,  unless absolutely necessary in the public interest, are to be avoided.

(viii)    All Officers/Staff have to ensure strict compliance with covid-appropriate behavior viz. frequent washing of hands/ sanitization, wearing a mask/ face cover, observing social distancing at all times.

(ix)      Proper cleaning and frequent sanitization of the workplace,  particularly of the frequently touched surfaces may be ensured.  HoDs may also ensure non• crowding in corridors, canteens, etc.

2.         All  Ministries/  Departments  I  Offices  as  well  as  the  Central  Government employees are directed to ensure strict compliance of instructions on COVID• appropriate behavior issued by MHA, MoH&FW, and DoP&T from time to time