Blitz Bureau
In a significant move to enhance financial security for women, the Government has amended its family pension rules. It is possible for a daughter who is divorced or separated to claim her deceased father’s pension directly, without having to wait for a legal decision.
The changes, announced by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, now allow divorced or separated daughters to claim their deceased father’s pension without the need for a court verdict. This step is part of a broader strategy to remove bureaucratic hurdles and provide immediate financial relief to women who are navigating challenging personal circumstances.
The new rules are designed to ensure that women facing marital separation or divorce are not left struggling for their rightful financial support. The updated regulations allow a woman pensioner to nominate her children for family pension over her husband if she has filed for divorce or initiated proceedings under the laws protecting women from domestic violence or dowry harassment.
Additionally, a childless widow can remarry while still receiving her deceased husband’s pension, provided her income is below the minimum pension threshold. These changes aim to provide more autonomy and security to women, ensuring they have financial independence regardless of their marital status.
Beyond pension security, the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) has introduced several initiatives to support women in Government service. These include flexible child care leave, allowing single mothers to take up to two years of leave in phases, which includes travel abroad with their children.