New Delhi – The central government has refuted claims circulating online suggesting the withdrawal of retirement benefits, including Dearness Allowance (DA) hikes, under the recently enacted Finance Act. The clarification comes amid ongoing discussions surrounding the implementation of the 8th Central Pay Commission recommendations.

The misinformation appears to stem from a misunderstanding of existing rules regarding employee dismissal. According to Rule 37 of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021, an employee dismissed from service due to misconduct will indeed forfeit their retirement benefits. This is a standard provision designed to address cases of serious disciplinary breaches.

The Centre emphasized that this rule has always been in place and is not a new development introduced by the Finance Act. The clarification aims to dispel confusion and prevent the spread of inaccurate information regarding pension and retirement benefits for government employees. The government’s statement highlights the importance of verifying information from official sources before sharing it widely, particularly concerning sensitive topics like retirement and financial security.

The 8th Central Pay Commission is currently under review, and any changes to pension rules or benefits would be formally announced through official government channels. This recent clarification serves as a reminder to rely on credible sources for updates on pay commission matters and related policies.