Question : Disability Pensions

(a) whether the Government has asked authorities to device a mechanism to reduce instances of misuse of the rules regarding the disability pensions for armed forces;
(b) whether the Government has decided to review all cases of defence personnel who got disability in their last rank and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the funds allocated and spent during the last three years on disability pension of armed forces;
(d) whether the Government has rolled back its recent order bringing Disability pensions for the Indian armed forces in the tax net; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and the other steps taken by the Government for the strict compliance of Income Tax?

MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)
IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
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(a) & (b): Disability Pension is granted in accordance with Government rules/policies as per the Disability assessed by Medical Board based on the instructions/guidelines issued by Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) from time to time.

(c) The Accounts and Budget in respect of Defence pension do not capture disability pension as a separate element.

(d) & (e): It has been clarified by CBDT that Circular dated 24.06.2019 issued by them is only clarificatory in nature and all other Circulars issued earlier are operative. Presently, the matter is sub-judice in the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

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