Plight of Central Government Pensioners not covered under CGHS – NC, JCM urges to Grant FMA @ 2000 p.m. with DA

Plight of Central Government Pensioners who are residing in areas not covered under CGHS but have CGHS Card from the nearest CGHS wellness Centre- NC, JCM writes to Union Health Minister and requested to Grant Fixed Medical Allowance @ Rs.2,000/- p.m. with DA

We bring to your kind notice the sad plight of Central Government Pensioners who are residing in areas not covered under CGHS but have obtained CGHS Card from the nearest CGHS wellness Centre. They are therefore paid a paltry sum of Rs. 300/- pm by way of Fixed Medical Allowance in lieu of outdoor patient care.

2. Taking specific case of a beneficiary we find that whereas he has paid CGHS contribution @ Rs.2700 p.a., he is getting Fixed Medical Allowance of Rs. 3600/- p. a. In other words he is getting net fixed medical allowance of Rs. 900/- p.a (3600-2700) i. e. @ Rs.75/- pm instead of Rs.300/-.

3. At present doctors consultation fee is Rs.500/- and on second day he charges Rs.200/- after obtaining medical test reports etc and then prescribes medicines which may cost any amount ranging from Rs.1000/- to Rs.3000/- pm. 

4. As against Rs.75/- pm in lieu of outdoor treatment a pensioner beneficiary has to spend amounts ranging from Rs.1700 to Rs. 3700 towards outdoor treatment of usual ailments affecting on old age like gastric troubles, Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Arthritis, Heart deceases, UTI Infection and Prostate etc.

5. We have given the above details to make out a case that fixed medical allowance is too meagre to cover the outdoor treatment expenses of Central Government pensioner’s beneficiary of CGHS residing away from Cghs centres.

6. As against this, a Central Government Pensioner who is living in CGHS station and is CGHS beneficiary is getting outdoor consultation and medicines free on payment of CGHS contribution ranging from Rs. 2700 to Rs. 3500 or so.

7. Therefore there is a clear case of glaring discrimination between C.G. Pensioner living in CGHS station and one who is living in areas out of CGHS jurisdiction. Should this discrimination not end

8. We also learnt that Labour Ministry has sanctioned FMA @ Rs.2000/- pm (revising it from Rs.1200/-) which is somewhat realistic reasonable amount.

9. We therefore submit for your kind consideration a proposal that the Fixed Medical Allowance may be increased to Rs.2000/- pm.

10. Will you kindly spare some time to meet us and thus give us an opportunity to explain the said plight of Central Government Pensioners beneficiaries of CGHS living away from CGHS Centre and persuade you to get the FMA increased to Rs.2000/- pm.  In present day trend of ever increasing rates of medicines, there is also a case for grant of D.A. on FMA @ Rs.2000/- pm.

Yours faithfully

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)

Secretary