New Delhi, Sep 4 (IANS): The Lok Sabha Wednesday passed the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill (PFRDA), 2011 to regulate the New Pension System (NPS).

The bill was introduced in the lower house in March 2011 to provide for a statutory regulatory body. Currently the PFRDA has a non-statutory status.

The NPS has been made mandatory for all the central government employees (except armed forces) entering service with effect from 1.1.2004, a finance ministry statement said. In all, 26 states have already notified NPS for their employees.

"NPS has been launched for all citizens of the country including un-organised sector workers, on voluntary basis, with effect from 1st May, 2009," the statement added.

The ministry said the PFRDA Bill would also provide subscribers a wide choice to invest their funds for assured returns by opting for government bonds as well as in other funds depending on their capacity for risk.

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