GISS Online Module: WB Govt GISS Scheme Goes Digital on WBIFMS Portal for Transparency
GISS Online Module: A long-standing issue concerning the financial savings of West Bengal state government employees is finally being resolved. In a significant move towards digitalization, the State Finance Department has decided to integrate the ‘Group Insurance cum Savings Scheme’ (GISS) into the digital ecosystem. According to Memorandum No: 045-F(J) published on February 26, 2026, the entire operation of this insurance scheme will now be managed through the WBIFMS portal. Previously, employees faced difficulties in tracking their accumulated savings and interest, a problem that this new digital module aims to eliminate completely.
Transparency and Benefits of the Digital System
Until now, the maintenance of GISS accounts was treasury-based, which was often manual and opaque. Under the old system, an employee could rarely ascertain the exact amount accumulated in their insurance fund or the interest accrued until they reached retirement. The new directive introduces several key changes:
- Subscriber-Based Model: Similar to the General Provident Fund (GPF), GISS will now operate on a subscriber-centric model. This means every employee will have a dedicated individual digital account.
- Real-Time Access: Employees will have the facility to view their GISS statements online via the WBIFMS portal at any time.
- Clear Visibility: The dashboard will transparently display the principal amount deposited and the interest added by the government, ensuring no ambiguity regarding the funds.
Administrative Overhaul and Deadlines
To implement this new system effectively, a major administrative shift has been mandated. Previously, the responsibility of maintaining GISS records lay with the Treasury or the Directorate of Treasuries and Accounts (DTA). This authority has now been transferred to the ‘Directorate of Pension, Provident Fund, and Group Insurance’ (DPPG), centralizing the management of employee benefits.
Heads of Offices (HoO) and Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) have been given a strict deadline. They must complete the enrollment of employee data into this new module by April 1, 2026. This transition specifically applies to the GISS 1983 and GISS 1987 schemes.
New Rules for Claim Processing
The modernization is not limited to just viewing accounts; the procedure for claiming funds has also been revised. For Death Claims or Retirement Claims, several old annexures and forms have been discontinued. Instead, a new format titled ‘Model Sanction Order’ (Appendix-A) has been introduced. This streamlining is expected to reduce bureaucratic red tape and ensure faster disbursement of funds to employees or their nominees.
