Govt Begins 'Gender & Religion Neutral' Reform For Divorced Daughters

New Delhi: The Government of India has now decided to extend the cover of family pension for divorce daughters even when such divorces are not finalised and would take effect immediately from date of filing of such a suit.

Minister of State for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Prime Minister Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh, has told News18 that this "gender and religion neutral reform has been introduced after receiving suggestions from several quarters."

"Earlier a divorced daughter could claim family pension only when her divorce had formalised during the parents life. But now even if the divorce has not been formalised and the parent expires, then the daughter will be able to claim a share along with others like mother, brothers (if any)," said Singh.

This development is only restricted to central government employees, as this initiative has been introduced by the Department of Personnel Training.

This development comes close on the heels of the government coming under scathing criticism from the opposition on it's proposed bill criminalising triple talaq as the government was questioned on how would a women maintain herself while the husband is in jail for three years.

"I think this was aptly answered by the Prime Minister. But having said that, our decision will impact women of all religion as it's a gender and religion neutral reform. Regarding jail, if a Hindu man can go to jail for bigamy then there is no escape for a Muslim man too, " member of the PMO told News18.

In 2013, widowed and divorced daughters of a deceased central government employee were made eligible to get family pension.

"The family pension is payable to the disabled children for life and then to the unmarried, widowed or divorced daughters above the age of 25 years," said the rule in 2013.

Singh also told News18 that the government has now decided to extend the maternity leave coverage of 26 weeks even to central government employees opting for surrogacy along with the current leave granted to the child bearing mother.

The government has also decided to hike the post retirement amount payable to disabled central government employees to 6750 from the current 4000 per month.