NPS: Central govt staff may get more investment flexibility | Business Line
NPS: Central govt staff may get more investment flexibility | Business Line
My VIEW:
My VIEW:
Demystify NPS
This refers to the report “NPS: Central govt staff may get more
investment flexibility” (November 23). New Pension Scheme (later rechristened
as National Pension System was introduced in December 2003, prospectively for
central government employees (except those in defence services) joining service
from January 1, 2004. For those affected, it was ‘substitution of existing
defined benefit pension scheme by something very similar to contributory
provident fund with no guaranteed return’.
investment flexibility” (November 23). New Pension Scheme (later rechristened
as National Pension System was introduced in December 2003, prospectively for
central government employees (except those in defence services) joining service
from January 1, 2004. For those affected, it was ‘substitution of existing
defined benefit pension scheme by something very similar to contributory
provident fund with no guaranteed return’.
There is no evidence to show that the shift was after any study about
the social security aspect inherent in a pension scheme. The primary ground for
denial of pension benefits for ‘future’ employees was the unfunded pension
liability of central government which exceeded three lakh crore of rupees in
2003. The ‘Pay As You Go’ method of meeting pension liability was being
adversely commented. GOI refused to look at the suggestion to start funding
pension liabilities. NPS was consciously excluded from the terms of reference
of VI Pay Commission.
the social security aspect inherent in a pension scheme. The primary ground for
denial of pension benefits for ‘future’ employees was the unfunded pension
liability of central government which exceeded three lakh crore of rupees in
2003. The ‘Pay As You Go’ method of meeting pension liability was being
adversely commented. GOI refused to look at the suggestion to start funding
pension liabilities. NPS was consciously excluded from the terms of reference
of VI Pay Commission.
In 2006-07, ING
Group and Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore undertook a joint research
on pension systems in India at the instance of ING Global Retirement Services.
The findings are available in the form of a 588 page book “Facing the Future:
Indian Pension Systems”(By David J. W. Hatton, Naren N. Joshi, Fang Li, R.
Vaidyanathan, S. Jyothilakshmi, Shubhabrata Das and Sankarshan Basu. Publisher:
Tata McGraw Hill Rs625). This well-researched document did not find any takers
in PFRDA or the concerned ministries in GOI. The VII Pay Commission has gone
deep into the genesis and implementation of NPS, listed several concerns and
made recommendations including one for upward revision of employer’s
contribution. The following excerpt from Chapter 10.3 of the CPC report will
give an idea as to how deep the NPS mess is:
Group and Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore undertook a joint research
on pension systems in India at the instance of ING Global Retirement Services.
The findings are available in the form of a 588 page book “Facing the Future:
Indian Pension Systems”(By David J. W. Hatton, Naren N. Joshi, Fang Li, R.
Vaidyanathan, S. Jyothilakshmi, Shubhabrata Das and Sankarshan Basu. Publisher:
Tata McGraw Hill Rs625). This well-researched document did not find any takers
in PFRDA or the concerned ministries in GOI. The VII Pay Commission has gone
deep into the genesis and implementation of NPS, listed several concerns and
made recommendations including one for upward revision of employer’s
contribution. The following excerpt from Chapter 10.3 of the CPC report will
give an idea as to how deep the NPS mess is:
“The Commission notes that no department of Government of India is
taking ownership of the NPS. The
Commission recommends that a Committee consisting of Secretary, Department of
Financial Services, Secretary, Department of Pensions and Pensioners Welfare
and Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances may
be constituted to review the progress of implementation of NPS. The
Commission also recommends that steps should be taken for establishment of
an Ombudsman f or redressing individual grievances relating to NPS.”
taking ownership of the NPS. The
Commission recommends that a Committee consisting of Secretary, Department of
Financial Services, Secretary, Department of Pensions and Pensioners Welfare
and Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances may
be constituted to review the progress of implementation of NPS. The
Commission also recommends that steps should be taken for establishment of
an Ombudsman f or redressing individual grievances relating to NPS.”
M G Warrier, Mumbai
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