On 11th May, 2022, Joint Committee of Parliament issued Payment of Family Pension (Submission of Documents) Rules, 2021. In exercise of the powers under Sec. 9(3)(g) of Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954 (Act), Central Government has regulated the payment of daily and travelling allowances and pensions of members of Parliament. These rules will be immediately effective for the payments of family pensions of the members.
Key features of Rules:
- Under the provisions of 9(3)(ee) of Act the members of the Parliament have to submit certain documents specified under the Forms of these Rules.
- The Rules covers those members which are both sitting and ex-members of Parliament. In case of deceased/dependent members, the spouse of the member can obtain the benefits of the pension on the prior conditions described under Rule 5 and Rule 6.
- The family pension [defined under Rule 2(b)] payable to the spouse/dependent person in proportion one-half of the salaries drawn by him which such Member of Parliament would have received had he retired [under Sec. 8-AC].
- For the sitting members, duly attested documents required are: Photographs, signature specimen, details of family members as per Annexure A.
- Similarly, for the ex-members, duly attested documents required are: Photographs, signature specimen, details of family members as per Annexure A.
- For the deceased members, duly attested documents required are: Identity card of the member, indemnity bond, marriage certificate, death certificate and other documents as per Form B.
- By the 31st March of every year an affidavit has to be submitted by the dependent member that he/ she who continues to be a dependent along with the Death Certificate, failing which their family pension shall be discontinued.