7th Pay Commission latest news: Huge Coronavirus relief for central government employees, pensioners; CGHS card expiry date extended

7th Pay Commission latest news: After providing relief to the central government employees by enhancing Dearness Allowance (DA) by 4 per cent and extending Annual Personal Appraisal Review (APAR) to 30th June 2020, the center has now decided to extend CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) card validity of the central government employees and pensioners from 31st March 2020 to 30th April 2020. The Government of India took this decision in the wake of Coronavirus lockdown being imposed across India as CGHS card renewal won't be possible during the lockdown.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed about the decision through an Office Order citing, "In view of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), all out efforts re made by the Government to contain its impact by instituting measures at community as well as at individual level. Guidelines for maintaining social distancing between individuals have already been issued by the Government of India. In the spirit of above guidelines, the undersigned is directed to convey that the validity of the CGHS cards expiring on 31st March 2020 may be extended in respect of the CGHS pensioner beneficiaries contributing on annual basis and Central Government serving employees superannuating on 31.03.2020..... the validity period may be extended till 30th April 2020."

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The Modi Government has also allowed the CGHS cardholders to visit the government dispensaries and health centers during lockdown. Since, the CGHS card were getting expired on 31st March, the Central Government employees and pensioners were unable to sue their CGHS card and central government health benefits being bestowed on the serving central government employees and pensioners. This decision of the center would now enable the CGHS card holder to continue availing of the central health benefits on the same CGHS card till 30th April 2020.