The Central Secretariat Service (CSS) Forum has formally launched the 'CSS Shield' initiative, a mutual support program designed to provide financial assistance to bereaved families of deceased CSS officers. The initiative operates on the principle of 'Contribute for Family, Support with Dignity' and aims to provide at least ₹15 lakh to each affected family, with plans to progressively enhance this amount as participation grows among the approximately 13,000 CSS members.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, who spoke at the launch event, welcomed the initiative and stated that such collective efforts can create a new culture of supporting families during times of sudden loss. He emphasized that the mechanism aligns with the Personnel Ministry's broader effort to make government service systems more responsive to employees and their families, noting that the government remains open to introducing new provisions or modifying existing rules to improve responsiveness.
The CSS Shield formalizes what was previously an informal voluntary support system. Since 2020, CSS officers have collectively contributed approximately ₹1.30 crore toward financial assistance for the families of approximately 65-70 deceased officers, with the COVID-19 period particularly highlighting the need for a structured support mechanism. The initiative now seeks to bring greater consistency and predictability to this support.
During the launch event, financial assistance was presented to the families of two deceased officers - late Shri Mohan Chandra Bhatt, who served in various capacities in the Central Secretariat Service and other government organizations, and late Shri Rajendra Singh, who served for around two decades in the Administration Division of the Department of Revenue.
Dr. Jitendra Singh suggested that the initiative could expand to include scholarships for children of deceased CSS officers, providing longer-term assistance to families beyond the immediate period of loss. The CSS Forum plans to expand support for bereaved families accordingly as the program evolves and participation increases.