DoPPW Releases Minutes of 35th SCOVA Meeting Held Under the Chairmanship of Dr. Jitendra Singh
The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, has released the official minutes of the 35th Meeting of the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) held on 10 March 2026 at CSOI, KG Marg, New Delhi under the chairmanship of Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Minister of State (Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions).
The minutes were circulated vide DoPPW Order No. F.No.42/11/2023-P&PW(D)/E-9312 dated 04 May 2026 to all Pensioners’ Welfare Associations (PWAs) included in SCOVA.
The meeting discussed several important issues concerning pensioners’ welfare, CGHS services, pension grievances, retirement benefits, and suggestions received from Pensioners’ Welfare Associations across the country.
What is SCOVA?
The Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) is an important consultative forum established by the Government of India to provide a direct platform for dialogue between:
Pensioners’ Welfare Associations (PWAs)
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW)
Various Ministries and Departments
Government Pensioners
SCOVA serves as a bridge between pensioners and the Government by identifying and resolving issues relating to pension, healthcare, retirement benefits, grievances, and welfare measures.
Key Highlights of the 35th SCOVA Meeting
The meeting focused on both new agenda items and pending issues carried forward from the previous SCOVA meeting held in March 2025.
DoPPW Highlights Major Pension Reforms
During the meeting, the Joint Secretary (Pension) emphasized that SCOVA continues to play a vital role in monitoring the implementation of pension-related policies and addressing issues raised by pensioners.
The forum enables Pensioners’ Welfare Associations to directly raise concerns before the concerned Ministries and Departments, ensuring faster policy responses and grievance resolution.
Secretary (Pension) Highlights Landmark Initiatives
Secretary (Pension) briefed members about several reforms introduced by the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare to improve the quality of life of pensioners.
Success of Digital Life Certificate Campaign 4.0
The Secretary appreciated the active role played by Pensioners’ Welfare Associations in making the Digital Life Certificate (DLC) Campaign 4.0 conducted in November 2025 a success.
The campaign significantly improved awareness and adoption of digital life certificates among pensioners, reducing the need for physical visits to pension disbursing authorities.
Pension Mitra Initiative Introduced
One of the most notable reforms highlighted during the meeting was the issuance of Comprehensive Guidelines on 29 September 2025 for ensuring timely payment of retirement benefits.
Under this initiative:
Pension Mitras have been introduced in government departments.
They act as facilitators for retiring employees.
Assistance is provided for pension documentation and retirement-related formalities.
Efforts are made to ensure issuance of PPOs on the date of retirement itself.
This initiative is expected to reduce delays in pension authorization and retirement benefits.
National Pension Adalats Deliver Strong Results
A major achievement highlighted during the meeting was the success of National Pension Adalats.
According to DoPPW:
More than 74% of pension-related grievances were resolved on the spot.
Resolution was achieved during the last 15 Pension Adalats.
The presence of concerned officials and direct interaction with pensioners has accelerated grievance redressal.
The National Pension Adalat mechanism has emerged as one of the most effective tools for resolving long-pending pension issues.
Grant-in-Aid to Pensioners’ Associations Increased Significantly
One of the major concerns raised in earlier SCOVA meetings related to inadequate financial support to Pensioners’ Welfare Associations.
Dr. Jitendra Singh informed members that this issue has now been addressed.
Grant Enhanced from ₹75,000 to ₹5 Lakh
The Government has increased the annual Grant-in-Aid available to eligible Pensioners’ Welfare Associations from:
Earlier Amount: ₹75,000 per annum
Revised Amount: ₹5,00,000 per annum
This substantial enhancement is expected to strengthen the functioning of pensioners’ organizations and improve outreach activities.
Major CGHS Reforms Highlighted in SCOVA
The meeting also discussed the role played by SCOVA in bringing important improvements in the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).
Revision of CGHS Package Rates
CGHS package rates have been revised to improve healthcare access and strengthen the empanelled hospital network.
Age Limit Reduced for Referral-Free Consultation
One of the most welcomed reforms is the reduction in the age criterion for referral-free consultations.
Earlier Rule
- Referral-free consultation available from age 75 years.
Revised Rule
- Referral-free consultation available from age 70 years.
This change benefits a much larger segment of senior citizens and pensioners.
Referral Validity Extended
The validity period of CGHS referrals has also been increased.
Earlier
- Referral valid for 1 month.
Revised
- Referral valid for 3 months.
This measure significantly reduces the burden on elderly pensioners who previously had to repeatedly visit wellness centres for fresh referrals.
Integration of CGHS Portal with Bhavishya
Another important reform highlighted by the Hon’ble Minister was the integration of the CGHS Portal with the Bhavishya Pension Portal.
This integration enables:
Automatic processing of CGHS membership details.
Faster issue of CGHS cards.
Seamless transition from service to retirement.
CGHS Card on Day One of Retirement
The Government aims to ensure that eligible retirees receive their CGHS card from the very first day of retirement without unnecessary delays.
This is a major “Ease of Living” initiative for retiring employees.
Dr. Jitendra Singh Emphasizes Participative Governance
While addressing the members, Dr. Jitendra Singh stressed the importance of stakeholder participation in policymaking.
He encouraged Pensioners’ Welfare Associations to:
Raise constructive suggestions.
Recommend policy improvements.
Participate actively in welfare initiatives.
Go beyond grievance-based discussions.
According to him, SCOVA has evolved into a valuable platform for collaborative policymaking and pension reforms.
Why the 35th SCOVA Meeting Matters
The decisions and discussions in the 35th SCOVA Meeting are significant because they directly impact:
Central Government Pensioners
Family Pensioners
CGHS Beneficiaries
Retiring Government Employees
Pensioners’ Welfare Associations
Future Retirees
The meeting reflects the Government’s continuing focus on:
Ease of Living
Timely Pension Sanction
Digital Services
Improved Healthcare Access Faster Grievance Resolution