8th CPC ToR sidelines pensioners, says Jammu CGPWA in letter to PM, FM

The Central Government Pensioners’ Welfare Association (CGPWA), Jammu, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concern over the terms of reference (ToR) of the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), alleging that existing pensioners and family pensioners have been kept out of its formal mandate.

CGPWA president Kuldeep Khoda said copies of the representation were also sent to the Union finance minister, the minister of state for pensions and the CPC chairperson.

Assurances not reflected in ToR

Khoda said that although ministers have publicly stated that the interests of pensioners would be safeguarded, the notified ToR do not reflect those assurances.

Retrospective pension rule changes flagged

The former DGP also raised objections to amendments made through the Finance Bill, 2025, saying changes to the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules retrospectively legitimise differential treatment of pensioners based on their date of retirement.

He argued that such statutory amendments override earlier court rulings and assurances given on the floor of Parliament, and can only be corrected through further legislative action.

‘Unfunded cost’ term opposed

Khoda criticised the use of the phrase “unfunded cost of non-contributory pension schemes” in the ToR, calling it unprecedented and contrary to settled law.

He cited Supreme Court rulings that have held that a pension is a deferred wage and a property right, and that pensioners form a single class.

The CGPWA also sought the implementation of parliamentary panel recommendations on an additional pension for senior citizens and urged reconsideration of the 15-year requirement for the restoration of commuted pension.

The association demanded amendment of the 8th CPC’s ToR to include existing and family pensioners explicitly.