Ranchi: The Jharkhand government has issued a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) regarding the allocation of General Provident Fund (GPF) account numbers for state employees under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and the National Pension System (NPS).
The Finance Department has laid down separate provisions for employees opting between OPS and NPS. According to the new guidelines, employees appointed between December 1, 2004, and August 31, 2022, were given the option to join the Old Pension Scheme. Those who opted for OPS have been allotted N-series (PRAN-linked) GPF numbers.
The government clarified that such employees will have to return the government contribution along with accrued interest deposited in their PRAN accounts after retirement.
Meanwhile, employees appointed after August 31, 2022, are being automatically covered under the Old Pension Scheme and are being allotted D-series GPF numbers.
Separate Rules for Employees Changing Services
The Finance Department has also framed detailed provisions for employees who were previously employed in another service and later joined a different department or service.
As per the SOP, if an employee’s previous service is added to the new service, GPF deductions will continue in the old account initially. Later, a new GPF number for the current service will be issued, the accumulated amount will be transferred to the new account, and the old account will be closed.
However, if an employee is not eligible for continuity of previous service, they will first have to withdraw the amount from the old GPF or PRAN account. After submitting a declaration, a new D-series GPF number will be allotted for the fresh service.
Separate Provisions for Central and AIS Officers
The government has also prescribed a separate procedure for employees joining Jharkhand government service from the Central government or other services. Depending on whether past service continuity is accepted and whether recovery is required, employees will be issued either N-series or D-series GPF numbers.
In addition, a new procedure has been implemented for officers promoted to the All India Services (AIS). In such cases, the existing GPF amount will be transferred to the account linked with the new service.
The Finance Department stated that if continuity of service is not recognised in any case, the concerned employee will be allotted a D-series GPF number under the new system.
The proposal has already received approval from the state Finance Minister.