Monday, November 30, 2009

TAX DEFAULTERS FACE ACTION

Self-assessed tax defaulters face action as CBDT looks to meet targets



NEW DELHI: The government has decided to crackdown on corporates and individuals that have defaulted on payment of their self-assessment in the year



in a bid to boost direct tax collections that are well below the target for the year.







Direct tax collections need to grow at 18% over the remaining five months of the fiscal 2009-10 ending March 2010 for the government to achieve its direct tax target for the year.







The Central Board of Direct Taxes - the apex direct tax body that administers corporate tax, personal income tax and wealth tax - has asked its field officials to crack down on companies that have not paid self-assessed tax for the year.







Corporate taxpayers could not only receive demand notices but also a visit from the taxman itself as the I-T department gears up for increased surveys and searches to nab evaders and boost tax collections. Self assessment tax is the amount payable by the taxpayer if his tax liability as assessed by him is than the advance tax paid by him.







The CBDT has collected data on about over 9,000 taxpayers from the electronically filed tax returns in the period April 1, 2009 to September 30, 2009 through its software tracking system. The scrutiny has revealed a shortfall of about Rs 2,000 crore in self-assessment tax despite assesses showing it as paid in their returns, a finance ministry official told ET. In a letter sent last week, the CBDT has also asked its field forces to investigate about Rs 90,000 crore of tax exemption claimed by various corporate taxpayers on account of various tax holidays in their returns.







Tax holiday schemes, including special economic zones, Software Technology Park of India, export oriented units scheme and those for infrastructure, food processing sectors are under focus.







The board has circulated a detailed list of taxpayers, the amount of tax due from them, tax exemption claimed for the field officers to carry out detailed investigations and collect due tax. E-filing of tax returns is mandatory for all corporates and assesses who have to be submitting audited results. Any delay in self assessment tax attracts a 1% a month interest levy for the delay and some penalty.







The board's letter to the field comes in the backdrop of a dismal 3.92% growth in direct tax collections in first seven months (April-October 2009) of the financial year. Corporate tax collections grew by 4.59% in same period, making the collection of enhanced target of Rs 4,00,000 crore, a Herculean task. The rate of growth has to be over 18% for the rest of the year for CBDT to achieve this target for the year 2009-10.

SOURCE;ET
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GOVT SEEKS REPORT FROM CAT CONVENER

Govt seeks report from CAT convener on disruption in test









Swinging into action, government today sought a report from the Convener of Common Admission Test (CAT) Satish Deodhar on the ongoing disruption of the computer-based entrance test for admission into IIMs.





The HRD Ministry today shot off a letter to Deodhar, asking him to submit a factual report on the whole issue of disruption in the test, which is being conducted by an American firm Prometric, a ministry official said.





Due to "virus attack" in the computers, nearly 4,000 students could not appear in the test during the first two days of the 10-day long staggered entrance that started on Saturday.





Scores of students were unable to appear in the test at several centres today also as technical glitches continued



to disrupt the exam.

Candidates could not appear in the test at a few centres in Mumbai, Bangalore and Ghaziabad owing to malfunctioning of computers at these places.





About 2.41 lakh students are scheduled to appear in the test for admission into seven IIMs and a few other B-Schools. The American firm Prometric has been awarded an USD 40 million contract by the Indian Institutes of Management to computerise the prestigious CAT



SOURCE;TIMES NOW
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Sunday, November 29, 2009

UNIFORM SCHOOL SYLLABUS

Tamil Nadu finalises unifom school syallabus

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government on Friday announced a common syllabus for school students across the state, applicable from the next academic year.







The final syllabus drafted after consultations with academicians was submitted to Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi by Minister for School Education Thangam Thenarasu.







Under the new curriculum, students of Class 6 to Class 10 will study computer science, and to inculcate reading habit among them a library period has been added.







In addition, Economics has been included as a part of Social Studies subject. (IANS



SOURCE;HEADLINES INDIA
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RAILWAYS TO LEASE OUT LAND TO EMPLOYEES FOR CULTIVATION

Railways to lease out land to employees for cultivation





 The railway board has approved the proposal to give railway land to rail employees interested in using the land for cultivation. The board

authorities have published circulars stating that the employees should submit an application if they are interested in it. The move is aimed at helping railway authorities get rid of encroachment into their land. In turn, employees might use the land for better purpose.







In the city, around two hectare land lying vacant could be used by railway employees on lease basis. Notably, divisional officials had forwarded a proposal to the railway board that they should allot vacant railway land along the rail tracks to railway employees on lease for a year. The employees would be allowed to use that land for the purpose of cultivation and gardening. In the circular, there are clear instructions that the railway inspector of works department would have to get the land under encroachments vacated as soon as possible so that they could lease it to employees.







Sources revealed that the authorities had to put in efforts to solve the problem of encroachment into railway land. They have allotted the entire work to Railway Land Development Agency (RLDA) and a special land record director had been appointed in Ferozepur division. A major problem for the railway authorities has been that they have been simply unaware of the total land under railways, but after keeping track of things through these officials, it has become easier for them to take action against encroachers- they have removed encroachments from their land in the past few months.







Rail employees feel while it would generate revenue for the authorities, the land could be put to good use in the bargain.







Giving the information, senior divisional commercial manager Dharmendra Kumar said railway authorities had appointed RLDA to make commercial use of railways’ vacant land. Now, according to the new circulars, employees could submit an application if they wanted to take the land on lease for a year.



SOURCE;TOI
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PLAN EARLY FOR RETIREMENT

Plan early for retirement





At a recent seminar, one of the guests commented that one of the biggest benefits of the improvement in medical sciences is a longer lifespan for almost every one.



 

                                                                                                                                According to him, 70s would be no more considered old age for men and you are likely to find more elders in the age of 90s than at present. While that might please all, it has its own disadvantages too. One will have more decades of retired life than his parents. In these times of hectic career life, the retired life is going to be at least 3-4 times more which means your money will have to work overtime to keep you alive.







Needless to say, the planning for post-retirement life has to begin at the earliest, the moment you start earning to be precise. The basic step is to get into the habit of investing by creating a surplus out of your income. Even if it means a small sum of Rs 2,000 per month, it is good enough for someone in the 20s as it can help in creating a large corpus over the long term.







Wealth creation can be in different forms but those who think of creating retirement corpus early in life can go for a combination of high risk assets. These could be stocks, and can cover debt and commodities at a later stage. Equity allocation can be done in three forms - mutual funds, stocks and unit-linked pension plans. The first two options are more flexible but pose the danger of discontinuance, whereas pension plans are slightly more long-term and don't allow withdrawal at least till the age of 50.







Even within pension plans, options are offered by insurance and mutual fund companies. While the former offers the option of choosing equity and debt allocation, the latter is more that of a balanced approach and has additional advantages such as flexible payment options. Another advantage of both pension plans is that they ensure regular cash flows after retirement.







While those who think of retirement at a younger age have plenty of options, it is not the case with those who think about it later in life. The lesser income years coupled with lower risk taking abilities push the older investors to be defensive approach. That would automatically mean lower percentage of risky instruments and higher percentage of moderate or no-risk products. But the biggest advantage for these professionals is that they have the ability to contribute a higher amount towards retirement fund than younger ones.







Some of the products in this case could be monthly income plans with growth option and balanced funds. A small percentage of the investment portion can find its way into large-cap funds or stocks if the investment tenure is in the range of 5-10 years.



Not everyone takes the equity route. Many tend to chase property for their surplus.







However, retired professionals or those on the verge of retirement will have to look for generating cash out of this illiquid asset in the older age. Selling or renting out can be one of the options for those sitting on multiple properties. However, the corpus in the case of sale of property needs fund management over a long period of time. Even immediate annuity plans can be one of the options for such investors.





source;et
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Wednesday, November 25, 2009

AR INDIA UNIONS SEEKS ARVIND JADAVS REMOVAL

AI unions seeks Arvind Jadhav’s removal





Three of Air India’s (AI’s) most influential labour unions have petitioned the President Pratibha Patil asking that the state owned carrier’s chairman and managing director (CMD) Arvind Jadhav be removed. In a strongly worded letter, the Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), the Air Corporations Employees Union and the Indian Aircraft Technicians Association have asked that an enquiry be instituted against Mr. Jadhav.







The letter which details the state of affairs in the airline’s, states that there can be “no viable turnaround plan” as long as Mr. Jadhav is at the helm. It comes at a time when the ICPA, the union that represents 560 Air India pilots, has indicated that it would go on strike from the midnight of November 30 if their demands are not met.







The memorandum also draws the President attention to “the background and the reasons which have led to the current financial mess in Air India” and calls for an investigation into actions of the Minister of Civil Aviation Praful Patel.





SOURCE;THE HINDU
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Tuesday, November 24, 2009

PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO CONTROL SWINE FLU VIRUS

Preventive measures to control swine flu virus

Government of India has taken a series of preventive measures to control swine flu virus. A comprehensive plan including guidelines and standard operating procedures has been put in place.







Entry screening of passengers is continuing at 22 international airports and five international checkpoints. 28 Thermal Scanners have been installed at major international airports. Those found to be suspected of H1N1 were isolated and treated. All their contacts were traced and put on chemoprophylaxis to prevent further spread.







Community surveillance to detect clusters of influenza like illness is being done through Integrated Disease Surveillance Project. Laboratory network has been strengthened and States allocated to different laboratories. There are 42 laboratories (24 in Government Sector and 18 in Private Sector) testing the clinical samples. Central teams were deputed to the states of Punjab, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala to contain the disease.







Government of India procured 40 million capsules and 4 lakh bottles of Oseltamivir, the drug to treat H1N1 Flu. 18 million have been given to the States/UTs. The drug is also used for chemoprophylaxis to prevent further spread. Adequate stock of personal protective equipments has been kept.







Three Indian manufacturers of Vaccine are being supported to manufacture H1N1 vaccine. Four million doses are being imported at vaccinate the high risk group. Training of district level teams is supported by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. IMA has been provided funds to train private practitioners.







All states have been requested to gear up the state machinery, open large number of screening centres and strengthen isolation facilities at district level.







A task force in the I&B Ministry is implementing the media plan. Travel advisory, do’s and don’s and other pertinent information on non pharmaceuticals interventions to prevent the spread has been widely published in print media and shown in visual media on regular basis. This has been translated to 14 languages and given to the states. Information is also provided on the website: http://mohfw-h1n1.nic.in.







This information was given by Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad in written reply to a question raised in Rajya Sabha today



SOURCE;PIB
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EMI CALCULATION METHOD -RESERVE BANK

EMI Calculation Methods







Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued guidelines on ‘Fair Practice Code for Lenders’ which are required to be framed by Banks/Financial Institutions/Non Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) duly adopted by their respective Boards. These guidelines which are revised periodically, inter-alia, stipulate that loan application forms in respect of all categories of loans irrespective of the amount of loan sought by the borrower should be comprehensive. It should include information about the fees/charges, if any, payable for processing, the amount of such fees refundable in the case of non acceptance of application, pre-payment options and any other matter which affects the interest of borrower, so that a meaningful comparison with that of other banks can be made and informed decision can be taken by the borrower. Further the banks are advised to inform ‘all-in-cost’ to the customer to enable him to compare the rates charged with other sources of finance.







In terms of RBI guidelines dated July 1, 2009 on ‘Loan and Advances’ – Statutory and other Restrictions’, the lender should convey to the borrower, among other things, the terms and conditions and other caveats governing credit facilities, in written and duly certified by the authorised official. A copy of the loan agreement along with a copy each of all enclosures quoted in the loan agreement should be invariably furnished to all the borrowers at the time of sanction/disbursement of loans.’







Further, Banks/Financial Institutions/NBFCs adopt an interest rate model taking into account relevant factors such as, cost of funds, margin and risk premium etc. and determine the rate of interest to be charged for loans and advances.







This information was given by Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question raised in Rajya Sabha today.

SOURCE;PIB
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Monday, November 23, 2009

SOON, FOUNDATION FOR IIT ENTRY TO BE LAID IN CLASS SIX

Soon, foundation for IIT entry to be laid in class VI





NEW DELHI: Coaching institutes for IIT JEE and medicine are now catching students really young. FIITJEE for instance will be starting a course for  class six students from 2010 session to train them for competitive exams.



The course will prepare the students in advance for the prestigious National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) conducted by NCERT in class VIII. According to FIITJEE, the foundation course will also help them learn analytical skills required to prepare for IIT JEE. Kalyan Kumar, executive director, FIITJEE, said, "Starting a foundation course for class VI students will help students develop a temperament for competitive exams, develop thinking skills and to perform their best in a given timeframe.'' He added, "We have been getting a lot of queries from parents for the course.'' Those who clear NTSE, get a scholarship for as long as they study. It is also considered to be a high-point in the curriculum vitae in future.







According to coaching institutes for competitive exams, starting early helps students test waters before they actually start tuitions for JEE from class XI. In fact, such courses are in great demand amongst parents who do not mind paying beyond the school fee when it comes to their child's career. Said Sai Kumar, course director, Time, "We start coaching students from class VIII but there are many others who start training children from classes V and VI.'' Parental pressure has led to such a trend.''







Agreed Aakash Chaudhary, director, Aakash Institute, "Most parents want their children to start writing national exams like NTSE right from the beginning. We have nearly 400 students from classes VIII, IX and X.'' He added, "They come for both engineering as well as medicine. Starting early makes sure they know it before class XI if they have an aptitude for science or not.''







And to curb stress on children, coaching centres say the course for younger students is not made rigorous. "The classes for such foundation courses are held only twice or thrice a week.'' At Aakash Institute, the foundation course starts with class VIII and is conducted through distance learning. However, schools are hardly at peace with the idea of putting class VI students through the grind.







Ameeta Mulla Wattal, principal, Springdales School, said the best way to discourage this practice was to change the attitude of parents. "We should discuss the matter with parents. If their children go for such coaching, they stop taking the school curriculum seriously. Instead of hijacking their brains, they should be exposed to interdisciplinary and holistic education.'' Bharti Rattan, who teaches chemistry in Apeejay School, Pitampura, said, "We had NTSE scholars in our school even when there were no coaching institutes. Such institutes just mint money by misleading people.''







The coaching centres and schools may be passing the buck to the parents, but parents do not agree. Vipin Sharma, father of a class VII student, said, "I want my child to do well in these times of cut-throat competition. But I cannot rely on schools for that. Schools do not even prepare each student well for CBSE curriculum.'' Another parent, Deepak Mishra, who has enrolled his son with FIITJEE, said, "My son is in class VI. Though he is preparing for NTSE, his ultimate aim will be to crack the engineering entrance exams. He gets the right atmosphere at the coaching centre as he has the best students from various schools around him.'' He added, "It's good that he is clear on becoming an engineer right from the beginning.'' SOURCE;TOI
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Thursday, November 19, 2009

WOMENS DAY CELEBRATED BY RAILWAY WOMENS WELFARE CENTRAL ORGANISATIONS

Women’s day Celebrated by Railway Women’s Welfare Central Organization (RWWCO)









Railway Women’s Welfare Central Organization (RWWCO) organized its women’s day here today. Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Railways Sh. E. Ahamed said that RWWCO has always risen to the call of the society and the nation to undertake activities of social service and welfare of mankind. Minister of State for Railways Sh. K.H.Muniyappa has called upon the members of the Railways Women ‘s Welfare Central Organization (RWWCO) to continue to work for the welfare of the society. He said that such organizations should be encouraged in their noble efforts for making the world a better place to live. Member Mechanical, Railway Board Sh. Praveen Kumar was also specially present on the occasion. Smt Arvinder Kaur Khurana, President, RWWCO was also present on the occasion.







During the function 34 outstanding women Railway employees were awarded. 15 talented children from the Indian Railways were given prizes for winning in the All India Drawing & Paining competition-2008. In addition 15 children received prizes for winning the Drawing & Painting Competition organized in Railway Board’s office. 15 children also got prizes for the Essay Competition organized in Railway Board office.







In 1986, RWWCO decided to organize Women’s Day on 19th November every year to commemorate the birthday of late Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi.







Railway Women’s Welfare Central Organization (RWWCO) is the apex body of the chain of women’s welfare organizations spread over all Indian Railways engaged in the task of welfare of railway men and their families through various need-based socio/welfare activities. While the primary concern of the Organization is the welfare of Railway employees and their families, it has always risen to the call of the society and the nation- be it environmental awareness, family welfare drives, disturbances on the borders or the natural calamities. It is one of the fore-runner voluntary Organizations in the country today. Among all its activities RWWCO pays particular attention on betterment of womenfolk of vast railways family and their children.





SOURCE;PIB
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RESULT FOR CDS EXAM (1)-2009 ANNOUNCED

Result for CDS Exam ( I ) -2009 announced







The UPSC has announced the results of the Combined Defence Services Examination (I)-2009 held by the Services Selection Board of the Ministry of Defence for admission to the 128th Course of Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala and Air Force Academy, Hyderabad (Pre-Flying) Training Course i.e. 187th F(P) Course.







The number of vacancies, as intimated by the Government is 250 for Indian Military Academy [including 32 vacancies reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Army Wing) holders], 40 for Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala [(2 for Hydra/38 for General Service) (including 6 vacancies reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Naval Wing) holders] and 32 for Air Force Academy, Hyderabad. There are some common candidates in the lists for various courses/wings.







The candidature of all the candidates is provisional. Candidates are required to submit the original certificates in support of age, educational qualification, alongwith Photostat attested copies thereof of Army/Naval/Air Headquarters, as per their first choice.







UPSC has a “Facilitation Counter” in its campus where Candidates can obtain any information / clarification regarding their examinations / recruitments during working hours in person or over telephone Nos. 23385271 / 23381125 / 23098543. Result, in order of merit, is available on PIB website i.e www.pib.nic.in and also on the U.P.S.C. website i.e. www.upsc.gov.in.







Click here for -:THE LIST OF THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES, IN ORDER OF MERIT, IS ENCLOSED.



SOURCE;PIB
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KENDRIYA HINDI SAMITI RECONSTITUTED

Kendriya Hindi Samiti reconstituted







The Kendriya Hindi Samiti has been reconstituted. The 41 Member Committee has Prime Minister as its Chairman and the Union Home Minister as Deputy Chairman. The Union Ministers of Human Resource Development, Information & Broadcasting, Communication & IT, Railways, External Affairs and Minister of State for Official Languages in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions are among the Members. Chief Ministers of Bihar, Rajasthan, Kerala, Punjab, Assam and Odisha are also among the Members besides several eminent personalities. Secretary, Department of Official Languages will be member Secretary.







The functions of this Samiti will be to bring about coordination in the work and programmes relating to the development and propagation and progressive use of Hindi for official purposes by the various Ministries/Departments of Government of India.







The Samiti will have the power to appoint Sub-Committees and co-opt additional members, as may be necessary, for assisting it in the discharge of its functions. The team of the Samiti will be three years from the date of its reconstitution



SOURCE;PIB
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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

PAY HIKE FOR WEST BENGAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

Pay hike for WB govt employees





 Altogether 16,000 employees of the West Bengal government would be benefitted in pay revision announced today for non-teaching employees, other than officers, of state-aided universities, West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education and West Bengal Board of Secondary Education.





Arrears would be paid for the period from April 2008 to March 2009 in three annual instalments beginning from 2009-10, Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta said in a press note.





The government acted on the recommendations of a panel constituted in November 2008 for examining the existing pay structure, allowances and other conditions of service of these employees



SOURCE;PTI
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Tuesday, November 17, 2009

WE ARE FIRM ON STRIKE FROM NOV 24 -AI PILOTS

We are firm on strike from Nov 24: AI pilots



 A group of Air India pilots today said it was firm on a strike from November 24 as the national carrier's management was not serious in resolving outstanding issues.

"The management does not seem to be serious in resolving our issues which include payment of productivity-linked incentives (PLI) pending for the past three months," ICPA general secretary R S Otaal told PTI here after a meeting with NACIL CMD Arvind Jadhav.





Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), the non-executive pilots body of the erstwhile Indian Airlines, has threatened to go on a strike from November 24 if the management failed to meet its long-pending demands, which include payment of PLI dues.





The pilots body is agitated over the continuous deferment of salary allowances for the past 4-5 months.





The meeting between ICPA representatives and the management of the national carrier lasted for nearly two hours

SOURCE;PTI
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Monday, November 16, 2009

NEW PENSION SCHEME -DOES NOT MEET THE BASIC REQUIRMENT OF A PENSION

 New Pension Scheme: Does not meet the basic requirement of a pension



Mythili Bhusnurmath Monday November 16, 2009

Last Monday, the Invest India Economic Foundation, the New-Delhi-based think-tank that has done yeoman’s work for pension reform in the country, held its annual conference. In the nine years since the first conference was held, we’ve come a long way. The New Pension Scheme (NPS) has been in existence for little over five years and fears of a large, and growing, hole in government finances have abated somewhat.





The pension bill is still huge. But beginning January 2004, all entrants are part of the NPS, so the problem will become progressively more manageable. Had the past trend of 21% compounded annual rate of growth continued, in about a decade from now, close to 50% of government’s budget would have been spent on salaries and pensions , an unsustainable scenario. So, as far as containing the pension bill is concerned, the NPS has delivered.





But pension reform was never meant to be only about reducing the government’s burden. It was also meant to extend the coverage of a formal pension scheme to the vast majority outside the privileged class of government employees. And for them, the NPS opened a new option; especially after it was opened to the non-government (albeit organised ) sector as well earlier this year.







In a country where close to 85% of the working population has no formal pension scheme and changing cultural norms combined with job insecurity have made old-age security a critical issue, it was expected there would be a rush to join the NPS. But surprise , surprise! Six months later, the NPS has only 3,000 voluntary subscribers (contribution is mandatory for civil servants). Why?







The usual answers range from lack of awareness to inertia to poor marketing, to competition from other products. Most speakers at the conference seemed to echo this view — virtually none was willing to concede that there is a basic flaw in how the NPS has been positioned.







Consider. Any good pension system is based on three pillars: a universal Pillar 1 that is a flat, subsistence pension, a Pillar 2 that is earnings-related , and a Pillar 3 that consists of voluntary retirement savings. In India, the National Old Age Pension Scheme — the traditional tax-funded pillar 1 — covers only those below the poverty line and is a paltry Rs 400 per month. Consequently, any pension scheme must have two attributes: certainty and survival benefit.







The NPS, unfortunately, does not offer either . The weighted average return of about 14% claimed by the NPS last year may flatter vis-à-vis 8.5% offered by its rival, the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), but it flatters to deceive. For one, there is a tax disadvantage as the corpus is taxed at maturity (NPS is subject to the EET — exempt, exempt, taxed — regime). But more important, as the experience with 401K schemes in the US has shown, NPS is subject to market volatility. Even if over the long term, equity does give you a higher return than debt — try asking the Japanese that though! — what happens if you retire when the market has tanked?







This is where schemes run by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) have an advantage. The EPF offers a fixed rate of return and the EPS (Employees’ Pension Scheme) offers survival benefit. With NPS, if a subscriber dies before retirement, the family gets only the accumulated corpus; with EPS, the wife is entitled to 50% of the pension amount with minor children (a maximum of two) entitled to another 25%.







In the rarefied atmosphere of a five-star hotel where such conferences are usually held, few, perhaps, grasped the significance of these two distinctions. But in the real world where we are talking of income levels of less than Rs 5,000 a month — assuming a per-capita income of $1,000 per annum — these are critical enough to make NPS inferior to a scheme like the EPFO’s to the vast majority of the population.







This is not to say that there is nothing wrong with the EPFO. Beginning with its shoddy house-keeping , high administrative costs and, of course, rampant corruption, the EPFO needs to do a great deal to set its house in order. Computerisation should help as should a concerted attempt to rid the organisation of corrupt elements, if necessary by outsourcing settlement of claims.







There is also a case for linking the rate of interest to the market, pruning withdrawal facilities and, possibly, the benefits as well keeping in mind the long-term sustainability of the schemes. Unfortunately, in the high decibel attack on the EPFO and the equally vociferous push by those interested in pushing more funds into the stock market, these issues are often lost sight of.







True, we are a heterogeneous society. So, there may be a case for selling differentiated products to different sections of the population . But there is an even more pressing case to be transparent about what we are selling. For the non-government sector, NPS is at best a third pillar with EPFO schemes being the second pillar. Junking the latter for the former will be a big mistake. Let both flowers bloom!



SOURCE;ET

Sunday, November 15, 2009

HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ON ANVIL

Health insurance scheme for govt employees on anvil

NEW DELHI: The government has formulated a scheme that will allow its employees to choose between a health insurance plan provided by an insurer or 10 ways to save on the health insurance





At present, the Central government employees are covered under the CHGS scheme, being operated by the health ministry.



"The scheme is already formulated...It will open the choice for government servants," G C Chaturvedi, Additional Secretary in the Finance Ministry told news agency.



The new scheme, which will be placed before the Union Cabinet for approval soon, will immediately benefit at least three lakh Central government employees, he said.





The new scheme, Chaturvedi said, will be more beneficial to the employees who are posted at places where there are no CGHS dispensaries or they are far away from the place of posting.





CGHS dispensaries and hospitals are located only in 26 places in the country.





"Those who are residing outside CGHS dispensaries areas will immediately opt for it... There are over three lakh employees which will immediately opt for it, others will take some time," Chaturvedi said.





The government had earlier appointed a inter-ministerial committee to work out a health insurance scheme to supplement the CGHS scheme to provide better coverage to its employees



SOURCE;ET
Filed Under:

RAILWAYS TO EMPLOY PEOPLE HELPING TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS-MAMATA

Railways to employ people helping to prevent accidents: Mamata







Nalikul (West Bengal): The Railways will give jobs to people who help prevent accidents or provide tip-off about sabotage, Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee said today, asking people to come forward in protecting railway property.

Any railway employee will be promoted for preventing accident or sabotage, Banerjee announced at a function in this Hooghly district area.

"The villagers are our biggest assets. I seek their assistance to protect all railway property across India. If anyone comes forward to help us avert an accident, we'll offer them a job in the railways," the minister said while laying the foundation stone of the Tarakeswar-Narikul double line, about 60 km from Kolkata.

"Many people are now trying to disturb the railway network carrying out sit-ins on the tracks, stopping Rajdhani Express and others. I urge people to resist any form of malpractices that could disturb the railways. It's the lifeline of the nation. I promise if people can do that the railways will also take care of them," she said.

Banerjee said she did not believe in working as the railways minister. "I try to work like any other employee of the railways," she said, terming the department's more than 14 lakh employees as its "main pride".

"The minister keeps on changing, but the employees remain the same. They are permanent."

She also set a deadline to set up railway connectivity between Tarakeswar and Bishnupur station.

"I sanctioned the project in 2001 when I was the railway minister in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. But there was no progress over the past eight years," she said.

"It generally takes at least two years to complete the project. But I promise, I'll complete this project by 2010," Banerjee said.(IANS)



SOURCE;HEADLINES INDIA
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Saturday, November 14, 2009

AIR INDIA LIKELY TO GET RS 800 CRORE

Air India is likely to receive about Rs 800 crore as the first tranche of equity infusion from the Government by December, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said.





In turn, the Government would review the progress the national carrier makes in implementing a series of cost-cutting and saving enhancement measures on a monthly basis, he told reporters on the sidelines of a function.

"We will see the first tranche of equity infusion in Air India coming in by December," Patel said, adding that the national carrier was initially looking at around Rs 800 crore for the first two months, Patel said.



His announcement came two days after a meeting of the Group of Ministers, headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, on the financial health of Air India and the cost- pruning measures it was implementing.



The GoM also approved an interim plan till March which would have to be implemented by the ailing carrier to justify Government's support.





SOURCE;INDIAN EXPRESS
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ABOLITION OF 10TH BOARD EXAM STILL BEING DEBATED;PM

Abolition of 10th Board exam still being debated: Manmohan





Amid the controversy over the move to scrap the tenth board examination, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said it is an experiment that is still being debated and felt no decision should be taken in haste.





“We are still debating on this issue. This is an experiment. We should not take a decision in haste”, Singh told a group a children during an interaction organised by CNN-IBN on the occasion of Children’s Day.



He was asked whether children are not being made weak by the decision to do away with the tenth board examination. “You are shielding them from difficulties,” a student asked.





Government had in September announced abolition of compulsory CBSE Board exams for class X from next academic year (2010-11) and introduction of grading system from current year.





Asked as to why education was getting costlier by the day, Dr. Singh said this was so only in private schools. In government schools, every effort was being made to ensure that education did not become a privilege for only the rich.





On what government was doing for children who are not in schools and are living on roads and begging, Dr. Singh said, “it pains me a lot. We are trying to educate all children under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan”.



source;THE HINDU
Filed Under:

FINANCE MINISTRY HAS GRANTED 4600 GRADE PAY TO 6500-10500

Finance ministry has granted 4600 grade pay to 6500-10500 wef 01-01-2006





Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Revenue

NewDelhi,dated 13th November,2009.

Subject:- Grant of the revised pay structure of grade pay of Rs.4600 in the pay band PB-2 to posts that existed in the pre-revised scale of Rs.6500-10500 as on 1.1.2006 and which were granted the normal replacement pay structure of grade pay of Rs.4200 in the pay band PB-2





Sixth Pay commission recommended merger of the three pre-revised scales of Rs.5000-8000, Rs.5500-9000 and Rs.6500-10500 and replaced them by the revised pay structure of grade pay of Rs.4200 in the pay band PB-2. Vide para 2.2.21 (v) of its report, the Commission recommended that on account of the merger of these 3 scales, some posts which constituted feeder and promotion grades would come to lie in an identical grade. The Commission gave specific recommendations in its Report granting higher grade pay of Rs.4600 to some categories of these posts. As regards the other posts, the Commission recommended that it should first be seen if the posts in theses 3 scales can be merged without any functional disturbance and if possible, the same should be done, Further, the Commission recommended that in case it is not feasible to merge the posts in these pay scales n functional consideration, the posts in the scale of Rs.5000-8000 and Rs.5500-9000 should be merged with the posts in the scale of Rs.6500-10500 being upgraded to the next higher grade in the pay band PB-2 with grade pay of Rs.4600 corresponding to the pre-revised scale of Rs.7450-11500, the posts being upgraded from the scale of Rs.6500-10500 should be merged with the post in the scale of Rs. 7450-10500.

The above recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission were notified vide para (ii), Section I in Parts B and C of the First Schedule to the CCS (RP) Rules,2008. While Part B of the First Schedule of he CCS(RP) Rules relates to revised pay scales for common categories of staff, Part C notifies revised pay structure for certain posts in Ministries, Departments and Union Territories. The above provisions of the Rules specifically mentioned that upgradations in terms of para (ii) Section I may be done in consultation with Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

Consequent upon the Notification of CCS (RP) Rules, 2008, Department of Expenditure has received a large number of references from administrative ministries / departments proposing upgradations of the posts which were in the pre-revised scale of Rs.6500-10500 as on 1.1.2006 by been granting them grade pay of Rs.4600 in the pay band PB-2. The matter has been considered and it has now been decided that the posts which were granted the normal replacement pay structure of grade pay of Rs.4200 in the pay band PB-2, will be granted pay of Rs.4600 in the pay band PB-2 corresponding to the pre-revised scale of Rs.7450-11500 w.e.f.1.1.2006. Further, in terms of the aforementioned provisions of CCS (RP) Rules, 2008, in case a post already existed in the pre-revised scale of Rs.7450-11500, the posts being upgraded from the scale of Rs.5600-10500 should be merged with the post in the scale of Rs.7450-11500.

Accordingly, in terms of Rule 6 of CCS (RP) Rules, 2008, revised pay of Government servants in the pre-revised scale of Rs.6500-10500 who were earlier granted grade pay of Rs.4200 and who have already exercised their option for drawal of pay in the revised pay structure in the format prescribed in the Second Schedule to the Rules, will be fixed again in accordance with illustration 4A annexed to CCS (RP)Rules,008.

In case of all such Government servants in the pre-revised scale of Rs.6500-10500 who were earlier granted grade pay of Rs.4200 and who had opted to have their pay fixed under CCS(RP) Rules, 2008, action as prescribed in this Department’s O.M. of even number dated 30th August, 2008 will be taken. In case a Government servant desires to revise his earlier option for coming over to the revised pay structure, he may be permitted to do so without any reference to this Department.





6. On account of pay fixation in the revised pay structure of grade pay of Rs.4600 in the pay band PB-2, arrears of pay will be recalculated and difference of arrears in respect of the entire amount will be paid immediately. The manner of drawal of arrears ahs already been indicated in this Departments/s O.M. of even number dated 30.8.2008.

SOURCE;CGEN
Filed Under:

Thursday, November 12, 2009

STRENGTHENING RAILWAY SYSTEM

Joint appeal by Railway Ministers, Board Members and Employees’ Unions to Railwaymen for Strengthening Railway System







Union Railways Minister, Kumari Mamata Banerjee alongwith both Ministers of State for Railways, Shri E. Ahamed and Shri K. H. Muniyappa, the entire Railway Board and the Chiefs of various Unions of Railway employees in a single written joint appeal to railwaymen have called upon them to strengthen the Railway system through sincere efforts and hard wok so that the Railways do not lag behind any other organization in efficiency.

The joint appeal letter which is being sent to all members of the Railway family across the country has pointed out that the mammoth railway machinery has been working efficiently only due to shear dedication and hard work of railwaymen.

Reposing full faith in the confidence, capacity and capability of railwaymen, the joint appeal has called upon them to continue their hard work and dedication for realizing the motto ‘Service with Smile’ in the best interest of the public and the nation.





Referring to the safety aspects in train operations, the joint appeal has emphasized the need for the railway men to be fully vigilant as safety never sleeps. The letter of appeal has categorically mentioned that resorting to short cut methods in discharge of duties is unacceptable.

Referring to the recent pay hikes in salaries and allowance, the joint appeal has underscored that it has now thrown a greater responsibility on railwaymen to pay back to the general public in the form of improved efficiency and a high quality service that is safe, secure and punctual. The joint appeal exhorts all employees to ensure observance of all procedures and rules so as to enable Indian Railways to achieve its goal of efficiently transporting passengers and goods across the country.





The joint appeal also reminded railway employees of their duty to caution their fellow railwaymen who may be adopting unsafe and undesirable practices which may lead to bad consequences.





Referring to the achievements of the Railways in the first six months of the current financial year, the joint appeal has pointed out that Railways have registered a growth of 6.45 per cent in freight transportation and 4.50 per cent growth in passenger transportation as compared to last year. The Railways’ earnings have also shown growth of 6.7 per cent from over Rs. 37732 crore last year to over Rs. 40259 crore in the current financial year. Safety record of Railways has also improved with 68 consequential accidents (April – September, 2009) as compared to 91 accidents last year.





Besides Union Railway Minister, Kumari Mamata Banerjee and Ministers of State Shri E. Ahamed and Shri K.H. Muniyappa, the other signatories to the joint appeal include Chairman, Railway Board, Shri S.S. Khurna, Financial Commissioner, Ms. Sowmya Raghvan, Member Electrical, Shri Sudesh Kumar, Member Engineering, Shri Rakesh Chopra, Member Mechanical, Shri Praveen Kumar, Member Traffic, Shri Shriprakash, Secretary, Railway Board, Shri K.B.L. Mittal, General Secretary (AIRF), Shri S.G. Mishra, General Secretary (NFIR), Shri M. Raghaviah, General Secretary(AIRPFA), Shri U.S. Jha, General Secretary (IRPOF), Shri Jitendra Singh and General Secretary(FROA), Ms. Ragini Yechury





SOURCE;PIB
Filed Under:

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

IIM BANGALORE GETS180 SLOT ZERO OFFERS

IIMB gets 180 slot zero offers, highest across IIMs







BANGALORE: The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore has bagged 180 "slot zero" (the first two days) offers for the batch of 348 students for



year 2010, the highest across all IIMs for summer placements.

"The entire batch of 348 students, the biggest ever batch at IIMB, was placed within a span of five days by over 150 companies, with as many 180 slot zero offers being made, the highest across all IIMs", Prof P D Jose, chairperson of the placement committee, told reporters.

More than 50% of the batch was placed by the end of Slot Zero (the first two days of placement offers).





The major recruiters included Goldman Sachs, Citi, HSBC, ABG, Nomura, Bain & Co, Standard Chartered, A T Kearney, Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey & Co, Credit Suisse, Macquarie, Merril Lynch, Morgan Stanley, J P Morgan and Barclay's Capital.





Recruiters from Sales & Marketing formed the major chunk (21 per cent) as a result of more number of FMCG companies this time, followed by Investment Banking (19 per cent), finance (16 per cent), consulting (15 per cent), general management (12 per cent), IT (9 per cent) and private equity (three per cent).





"There was a welcome jump in Investment Banking this time compared to last year (14 per cent). It was Investment Banking which occupied the top slot last time as far as recruiters were concerned", Jose said.





Eighty-nine major offers were made with the highest from Goldman Sachs (13), closely followed by Citi and HSBC (nine each).



SOURCE;TOI
Filed Under:

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

IRDA BLOCKS MOVE TO CUT AGENT FEE

IRDA blocks move to cut agent fee







NEW DELHI: Efforts to reduce the hefty commissions to agents from the premium contributions of insurance buyers have received a setback as a



six-member inter-regulatory panel set up to look into it could not agree on the issue due to resistance from the insurance regulator. The panel on investor awareness and protection, headed by D Swarup, chairman, Pension Fund Regulatory Development Authority, was considering replacing agents’ commission embedded in the premium with a fee-based system.



It will now give its report in the next ten days, but with a dissent note from IRDA, which does not support the proposal. “The committee on investor awareness may have to give its report with a dissent note from the insurance regulator. The government, however, can accept the recommendation of the panel despite the dissent note,” said one of the panel members, who asked not to be named.



IRDA is not in favour of the committee’s idea to phase out insurance agents’ commission as it feel the move could undermine the attempts to increase insurance penetration. Agent’s commissions could be as high as two-fifth of the first year’s premium paid by the insurance buyer. The commission passed on by the insurance provider, often without the knowledge of investor. Because of the stiff opposition, the panel has decided to make a distinction between pure insurance products and those like ULIPs, which have an investment element in it.





The panel wants to gradually replace the embedded commission in the case of ULIPs with a fee and reduce the commission on pure insurance products to 5% which could continue till access to insurance products in rural areas become satisfactory.



“There are 118.8 crore consumers and 27 lakh investment advisors. The committee on investor protection has to see the larger interest,” Pension Fund Regulatory Development Authority chairman Mr Swarup told ET recently. The committee has members from the finance ministry, corporate affairs ministry, RBI, IRDA and Sebi



SOURCE;ET
Filed Under:

AIR INDIA PAYS A MONTH INITIATIVES TO PILOTS ,MAY SCRAP PLI

Air India pays a month initiatives to pilots, may scrap PLI







Faced with a strike threat by its pilots, Air India on Tuesday paid a month’s incentives and allowances to its 30,000 employees as it prepares for a crucial meeting of its Board today, to decide on major cost -cutting initiatives.





The Board, which would meet in Chennai, is likely to take a decision on a proposal to scrap the productivity- linked incentives (PLI) paid to its top managerial cadre, and adopt the financial accounts for 2008-09.





“The main agenda is adoption of accounts for the previous financial year,” sources close to the development said. The Board is also likely to discuss route and capacity rationalisation as part of the cost-cutting proposals.





However, the pilots, who have warned of a strike from November 24 if their demands are not met by November 20, seem to be in no mood to relent.





“We have received our PLI/flying allowance, but it is only for August. The payment for September and October is still pending. We had given the management November 10 deadline to meet all our demands, but it has not,” Capt. V.K. Bhalla, who had led the five-day executive pilots agitation in September, told PTI.





While the original strike notice given by the non- executive pilots is effective from Tuesday, the management was asked by agitating pilots, at a meeting with Central Labour Commissioner here on Monday, to decide on their demands by November 20 to avoid the strike.



SOURCE;THE HINDU
Filed Under:

Monday, November 9, 2009

RAILWAYS TO FILL UP 40000 VACANTS POSTS SOON

Railways to fill up 40000 vacant posts soon





New Delhi, Nov 9(PTI) Railways have lifted the freeze order, issued six months ago, on the process of recruitment of about 40,000 posts of Group C employees.



The process of recruitment under Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) was frozen by the Railway Ministry in May.



"There was an order from the Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee to stop the recruitment process undertaken by the RRBs. Now with the appointments of new chairmen in 20 all RRBs, the freeze order has been lifted last week and the process of recruitment has commenced," a senior Railway Ministry official said.





RRBs will conduct examinations for the appointments of various posts including loco driver, station master, supervisor and guards in February next year.





Indian Railways is the largest employer after the Defence and every year about 50,000 employees retire from the Railway.



source;pti
Filed Under:

DEFENCE PENSION ADALAT------FAQ

Common Questions Asked in Defence Pension Adalats





By Pensioners/ Family Pensioners







Question-No.1: My husband was a defence civilian and removed from service Am I entitled for family pension?







Answer: Not entitled to family pension. However, if your husband was in receipt of compassionate allowance, you are entitled to family pension.



Question-No.2: I am widow of a deserter and have not been sanctioned family pension?



Answer: No family pension is admissible.



Question-No.3(I): I have given option and undertaking but my Pension Disbursement Agency is not paying the fixed medical allowance.



Answer: Fixed medical allowance is paid with reference to the area where the pensioner is residing. If the pensioner is residing in an area not covered by the CGHS, he is entitled to payment of fixed medical allowance.







If the Civilian Pensioner is residing in an area covered by CGHS, he is not entitled to payment of fixed Medical Allowance. As regards the payment of fixed medical allowance in respect of Armed Forces pensioners they are entitled to it subject to option and undertaking to be given by them that they do not want to avail OPD medical facility at MH/MI Room.







Question-No.3(II): I am an ex-serviceman and re-employed in a Bank. My Pension Disbursement Agency is not paying me fixed medical allowance on the ground that I am getting medical facilities from the re-employing authority.



Answer: A person who is re-employed in Bank is not entitled to payment of Medical Allowance during re-employment since medical facility would be available in the Bank.



Question-No.4: My family pension has been stopped on the ground of hearsay allegation that I have remarried.



Answer: Family Pension should not be stopped on the basis of hearsay allegation but the fact should be reported by the PDA to Pr. CDA(P) who will get the case investigated and pass appropriate orders. In case the widow's family pension has been stopped she should report the matter to Pr. CDA (P) who will issue orders for continuance or otherwise of family pension after investigation .



Question-No.5: Pensioner of the same rank, group & qualifying service who was discharged from service from the same date is getting more pension than me.



Answer: Full details of colleague pensioner is required for checking the entitlement and making comparison. However, generally there may not be any variation between the pensions of those who are of the same rank, group, qualifying service and are of the same date of discharge unless there is some wrong fixation of pension.



Question-No.6: Whether the widows of Armed Forces Pensioners who are in receipt of family pension under EPF scheme 1971, 1995 are entitled to family pension from Army side also?



Answer: Yes. Previously the widows of Armed Forces Pensioners who were in receipt of ordinary family pension under EPF scheme 1971, 1995 had to opt for one pension which was advantageous. Now, the Govt. has liberalised family pension scheme and they are entitled to family pension from Army side in addition to family pension drawn from EPF scheme 1971 or 1995. For this purpose, ROs will initiate pension claims and submit them to PSAs for sanction of family pension. The benefit is available w.e.f. 27.07.2001 in past cases and from the date following the date of death in later cases.



Question-No.7: What is the procedure for joint notification of family pension in respect of Armed Forces Pensioners?



Answer: Joint notification of family pension simultaneously with service pension in the same PPO in respect of PBOR commenced from 1.3.85 i.e. the PPOs notified on or after 1.3.85 were issued sanctioning family pension with service pension. However, this joint notification of family pension is done only in favour of wife. Children, parents etc. are not covered under joint notification system. Joint notification is also not done in cases of more them one wife or in cases of re-employment. For those who were sanctioned pension prior to 1.3.85, in their cases endorsement of family pension on the PPOs of living pensioners was issued under Ministry of Defence Letter dated 30.06.88. For this purpose, pensioner is to apply on Appendix I to MOD letter dated 30.06.88 with joint photograph of spouse and send it to the concerned RO through his PDA. PDA after verification of entries in the application will send it to RO concerned who will send the application form to PSA for endorsement of family pension.



Question-No.8: What has the pensioner to do for restoration of commuted portion of pension? From what date is it restored?



Answer: Commuted portion of pension is to be restored after 15 years from the date of commutation. This restoration was introduced w.e.f. 1.4.85 i.e. those who completed 15 years on or after 1.4.85, their pension was to be restored.







This 15 years is to be counted from date of discharge provided commutation was sanctioned simultaneously with service pension in the same PPO.







However, where commutation was sanctioned subsequent to the date of discharge the restoration of commuted portion of pension will be done on completion of 15 years from the date from which the amount of capitalized value is paid or credited to the pensioner's account.







Every pensioner has to apply to his PDA through an application after completion of 15 years for restoration.







Question-No.9: What is the procedure for transfer of pension from one PDA to another PDA?



Answer: If a pensioner is drawing pension from one PDA and desires that his pension should be transferred to another PDA, he is simply to apply on Annexure 'C' of PSB Scheme Booklet of 1987 to his PDA from where he is getting pension, giving full particulars of the PDA i.e. the name of specific treasury, particular branch of the bank with Saving Bank Account Number etc. and the present PDA will transfer his pension accounts to desired PDA. For transfer of PDA, sanction/instructions from PCDA(P) is not required. However, while forwarding pension documents to New PDA, the present PDA will intimate month and year upto which pension has been paid to the pensioner and the month from which pension is to be commenced by the New PDA. In all such cases Pension Sanctioning Authority as well as Principal CDA(P) will be informed for updating their records.



Question-No.10: What procedure is to be followed for revision of pension of Pre-86/Pre-96 Hony Commissioned Officers under modified parity formula order?



Answer: Modified Parity Formula Orders issued by Govt. of India, Ministry of Defence under their letter dated 07.06.99 envisage that w.e.f. 1.1.96 service pension of a pensioner will not be less than 50% of the minimum of the revised pay scale introduced w.e.f. 1.1.96 for 33 years service. If the actual service plus admissible weightage is less than 33 years, the service pension will be reduced proportionately. Similarly family pension w.e.f. 1.1.96 will not be less than 30% of the minimum of the revised pay scale introduced w.e.f. 1.1.96.







In case of PBOR, modified parity is beneficial only to Hony Commissioned Officers. For revision under modified parity, pensioner should apply on prescribed application form i.e. Annexure II to Govt. letter dated 14.07.98 (available with PDAs) to their PDA who will, after verification of particulars, send the application to RO concerned. In Pre-86 cases the Record Office will send the application form to the PAO concerned for notional fixation of pay as on 1.1.86 (on Annexure IV). The Annexure II (along with Annexure IV where applicable) is ultimately received by the Office of the Pr. CDA (Pensions), Allahabad for issue of corrigendum PPO revising the pension.







Question-No.11: What is the procedure for revision of Pension/Family Pension in respect of Pre-86/Pensioners/Family Pensioners?



Answer: For revision of pension/family pension of Pre-86Pensioners/Family Pensioner, the individual is required to apply to his PDA on a prescribed application form i.e. Annexure II to Govt. of India, Ministry of Defence letter dated 14.07.98. PDA will revise service pension as per Tables to the ibid MOD letter with reference to rank, group and qualifying service of the pensioner where OP (Original Pension) in his records tally with the OP shown in the Tables. If OP does not tally, these cases will be referred to Pr. CDA(P) by the PDAs who will fix revised pension w.e.f. 1.1.96 and issue clarificatory instructions to PDA for eventual payment.



Question-No.12: What is the protection for ordinary family pension, Special Family Pension and liberalised family pension to the family of a Major General?



Answer: OFP/SFP/LFP in respect of Major General was less than the corresponding family pension of a Brigadier because of the fact that a Brigadier gets Rank pay which, added to basic pay, becomes higher than the pay of a Major General. It has now been clarified by the Govt. that family pension in respect of Major General will not be less than the family pension of a Brigadier. All cases of Major General are being revised suomoto.



Question-No.13: What are the revised rates of disability element for 100% disability in pursuance of Vth CPC Govt. Orders?



Answer: Rates of disability element for 100% disability in r/o Armed Forces Pensioners have been revised w.e.f. 1.1.96 as under:















(i) Commissioned Officer of the three services including Hony Officers Rs.2600/- pm



(ii) JCOs of Army and equivalent ranks in AF and Navy Rs.1900/- pm



(iii) PBOR of the three services Rs.1550/- pm











If the disability is lower than 100% the above rates will be proportionately reduced.















The revised rates are applicable w.e.f. 1.1.96 to all the pensioners in receipt of disability pension irrespective of the date of discharge i.e. applicable to post 96 pensioners as well as Pre-96 Pensioners.







Question-No.14: To whom is rounding off benefit of percentage of disability pension admissible?



Answer: In pursuance of Vth CPC recommendations, Govt. of India, Ministry of Defence vide their letter dated 31.01.2001 have issued orders for revision of disability pension in respect of Post 96 discharge/invalidment/death cases. For purposes of grant of disability pension, following two criteria have been adhered to.







Invalidment Cases: In invalidment cases disability element will be computed as under:







Less than 50% 50%



Between 50 and 75% 75%



Between 76 and 100% 100%















DE on Discharge Release Cases: In discharge release cases, no disability element shall be payable for disabilities less than 20%. Rounding off benefit in such cases will not be allowed.







Question-No.15: Under Vth CPC orders remarriage of widow even with a person other than real brother of the deceased does not debar her from payment of special family pension. What is the exact rule position in this regard?



Answer: Before Vth CPC orders a widow, recipient of special family pension, on remarriage with real brother of the deceased was allowed special family pension. In case of remarriage of widow with a person other than the real brother of the deceased special family pension was discontinued from the date of marriage. However, in case of liberalised family pension ordinary family pension was payable on re-marriage with other than real brother.







Under Vth CPC orders applicable from 1.1.96 the position has undergone a change. Now the payment of SFP to the widow in the event of remarriage will depend upon the circumstances as to whether or not she has children and whether she supports them after remarriage.











(i) If she has no children She will get full SFP



(ii) If she has children and supports them Full SFP



(iii) If she has children but does not support 50% SFP to children & OFP to widow







The above position is valid only when the widow is the nominated heir, However, where first life award is sanctioned to parents, the payment of family pension will be regulated as under: -







(aa) If widow continues to support child(ren) after re-marriage or has no issues 50% of SFP to Parents, 50% of SFP to Widow.



(ab) If widow does not support children after re-marriage but the children are supported by the parents. Full SFP to parents, Ordinary Family Pension to widow



(ac) If children are not supported either by the remarried widow or the parents. 50% of SFP to parents, 50% of SFP to eligible children, Ordinary Family Pension to widow.



(ad) On death or disqualification of parents and the widow supports the children or has no issues. Full SFP to widow.



(ae) On death or disqualification of parents and the widow does not support the children Full SFP to children' Ordinary Family Pension to widow.







Question-No.16: Whether Dearness relief is admissible to a re-employed pensioner?



Answer: Yes with the following conditions: -







(i) Not admissible to class A Pensioners/Officers.







(ii) Admissible to PBOR and below class 'A' Pensioners.







(iii) Admissible w.e.f. 18.07.97







(iv) Admissible only when the pay on the re-employed post has been fixed on the minimum scale of pay on which re-employed.







(v) Whole of pension has been ignored while fixing his pay.







Question-No.17: What is the admissibility of Ex-gratia lump-sum compensation to the families of Armed Forces personnel who are killed in action in international wars or while taking action against extremists/anti-social elements/terrorists etc. and those killed due to accidents?



Answer: Ex-gratia lump-sum compensation is admissible to NOKs of Armed Forces personnel as under:



Rs. 1 Lakh 20.08.93 to 31.03.95 Killed by extremists/terrorist



Rs. 2 Lakh 01.04.95 to 31.07.97



Rs. 5 Lakh 01.08.97 onwards Killed due to accidents.



Rs. 7.5 Lakh 01.08.97 onwards Killed in action against terrorists



Rs. 10 Lakhto those who were killed in Operation Vijay between 01.05.99 to 31.10.99 Killed in OP Vijay.







Question-No.18: How War Injury Pension is calculated in r/o Post 96 Invalidment/discharge cases?



Answer: War Injury pension consists of two elements: -





(i) Service element





(ii) War Injury element



The procedure for calculation of War Injury Pension on invalidment and discharge is as under: -







War Injury Pension on Invalidment:







Service element in respect of Commissioned Officers will be calculated with reference to pay drawn at the time of Invalidment but counting service upto the date on which he/she should have retired in that rank in normal course including weightage as admissible. Whereas in respect of PBOR service element will be calculated on the basis of the rank and group and maximum length of service for that rank.





War Injury Element:

WIE will be equal to reckonable emoluments last drawn for 100% disablement. For lower percentage it will be reduced proportionately. However aggregate of SE and WIE will not be more than last pay drawn

War Injury Pension on discharge: -

Service element equal to service pension War Injury element Rs. 5200/-, 3800/- or 3100/-, for officers, JCOs & PBOR respectively, for 100% War Injury. For lower % it will be proportionately reduced.

Question-No.19: Whether family pension may be sanctioned to a handicapped child during lifetime of a pensioner who has no wife or any other children.



Answer: No. Family Pension in this case may be sanctioned only when the contingency arises. However, a note of such child will be kept in record of RO/HOO and P.S.A.



Question-No.20: Whether reservists who have opted for lump-sum gratuity in lieu of pension are also entitled to pension?



Answer: Yes. They are entitled to Ex-gratia pension @ Rs. 600/- pm w.e.f. 01.11.97 provided they have not received any rehabilitation assistance from the Govt. and are not in receipt of any other pension.



Question-No.21: Whether a Sepoy who was discharged from service in 1966 and awarded Sena Medal for gallantry is also entitled to any monetary allowance.



Answer: Yes. He is entitled to Rs. 250/- p.m. from 01.02.99 and not from 1966.



Question-No.22: Whether a PBOR pensioner who has got his pension commuted to the extent of only 30% of pension can subsequently commute the remaining 15%?



Answer: Yes. He can get his remaining percentage of pension commuted.



Question-No.23: I was discharged from service on 31.10.96 i.e. after 1.1.96 but my pension is lesser than pension of a pensioner of my rank, group & qualifying service discharged in 12/97. I should get the same pension under one rank, one-pension formula.



Answer: We are not aware of any Govt. letter regarding one Rank, one pension. Govt. Orders on modified parity have been issued which do not envisage that pension of all the pensioners of the same rank, group and qualifying service will be the same.





In-fact pension in respect of PBOR is calculated on maximum of the pay of the rank and group in which last served. Since Pay Scales of those who are discharged on or after 10.10.97 are higher than of those who are discharged between 1.1.96 and 9.10.97, pensions of these two categories of pensioners differ.





Question-No.24: Whether Special Family Pension in respect of JCO who has nominated his mother for pension may be divided between mother and widow.



Answer: Yes. If the mother who is nominated heir does not support her daughter-in-law who requests for division of SFP. The Pr. CDA (P) on the investigation and recommendations of civil authority/BRO, may divide the Special Family Pension in the ratio decided by him. But in no case widow's share will be less than the Ordinary Family Pension.



Question-No.25: Continuance award of Special Family Pension is admissible from which date and in whose favour is the SFP continued?



Answer: When Special Family Pension is sanctioned to widow and she becomes disqualified or dies and it is sanctioned to father or mother it is called continuance award of Special Family Pension. It is sanctioned from the date of application by the parents.



Question-No.26: Whether in all cases service element is payable along with disability element in disability pension cases?



Answer: No. Those who are discharged from service on completion of their terms of engagement with service gratuity without earning a service pension, if found suffering from a disability which is accepted as attributable to or aggravated by service at 20% or above, may be sanctioned Disability Element in addition to service gratuity. Service element is not payable in such cases.



Question-No.27: Whether restoration of commuted portion of pension is admissible to those who were absorbed permanently in autonomous bodies/PSUs and have drawn lump-sum capitalised value in lieu of pension?



Answer: Yes. Only 1/3rd portion of pension which was normally allowed to be commuted may be restored after 15 years from the date of commutation and dearness relief is also payable on this.



Question-No.28: In case of Naval Personnel whole of the Boy Service is taken as qualifying service for pension. Do similar orders exist on Air Force/Army side?



Answer: NO. However, the matter stands referred to Govt. for necessary orders.



Question No. 29: Are two service pensions/family pensions admissible?



Answer: Yes. However two pensions will be admissible for the services rendered in two organisations/Depts. Two family pension are admissible for two casualties. For example a mother who is in receipt of family pension for her husband may also get family pension for her son provided the son has left no widow/eligible child



SOURCE;PENSIONERS PORTAL
Filed Under:

Saturday, November 7, 2009

BSNL EMPLOYEES CONTRIBUTE ONE DAY SALARY TO FLOOD RELEIF FUND

BSNL employees contribute one day salary to flood relief fund

BANGALORE: The officers and staff of Bharath Sanchar Nigam Ltd, Bangalore Telecom District, have contributed their one day's salary towards the



Karnataka Chief Minister's Flood Relief Fund.





A cheque for Rs 25,88,629/- was handed over to the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa by Shubhendu Ghosh, Principal General Manager, BSNL, Bangalore on October 31, a statement said.



SOURCE;ET
Filed Under:

Friday, November 6, 2009

STAFF SELECTION COMMISSION DECLARES RESULT DATA ENTRY OPERATORS

SSC announces written part Result of Data Entry Operators’ Examination







Staff Selection Commission has announced the result of the written part of Data Entry Operator examination held in August, 2009. A total number of 2318 candidates have been declared to have qualified and are eligible for being called for the Skill Test. Schedule for holding the Skill Test on computer will be available on the Commission’s Website shortly. 3,36,317 candidates applied for the posts in the office of Comptroller and Auditor General of these 2,50,832 candidates appeared for the written test. This result is also available on the Commission’s website : http://sscresults.nic.in.



SOURCE;PIB
Filed Under:

Thursday, November 5, 2009

TEACHER TRAINING AND RECRUITEMENT

Teacher training and recruitment: Sibal asks States to conform to central laws





The Centre has asked the West Bengal Government to conform to the regulations of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) and the spirit of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act while recruiting primary teachers.





Though school education is the domain of State Governments, this central intervention has been made in view of the trouble being faced by the West Bengal Government after the Calcutta High Court declared courses run by Primary Teacher Training Institutes (PTTI) in the State as illegal due to lack of NCTE recognition.





Briefing mediapersons here, Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal said the State Government invited applications from Class X pass-outs for recruitment as primary teachers at a time when the Centre and the West Bengal administration were working to soften the impact of the High Court judgement.





In view of the advertisement for recruitment of 58,000 primary teachers, the Minister has written to the West Bengal Government urging it to revisit its recruitment process and ensure that only persons possessing minimum qualifications as prescribed by the NCTE are recruited to avoid any future complication.





"We want and expect State Governments to cooperate with us by amending laws and bringing them in conformity with the central legislation," Mr. Sibal said; pointing out that the new recruitment drive by West Bengal may well be challenged in court given that it continues with the old regime that was declared illegal by the Calcutta High Court.





Giving details on the controversy, Mr. Sibal said PTTIs in West Bengal were offering one year Diploma in Education (D.Ed) to Class X pass students while the NCTE regulation mandates a two-year D.Ed programme for primary teachers. And, only students who have cleared Class XII with 50 per cent marks are eligible for the course. Hence, these PTTIs were not recognised by the NCTE.





As a result of the judgement, 31,141 persons were adversely affected. While some have been awarded diploma by the non-recognised PTTIs, others could not write the examination because of the Court injunction. In consultation with the State Government, the Centre has worked out three options to ensure that their career prospects are not affected.





The issue has been hanging fire for over a year now to the extent that Mr. Sibal had a couple of meetings with Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee; both of whom lead their respective parties in the State.

SOURCE;THE HINDU
Filed Under:

JUNIOR TRANSLATOR EXAM RESULT ANNOUNCED

Junior Translator Exam Result announced







The Staff Selection Commission has announced the result of the competition examination for the post of Junior Translators. 70 candidates, including 3 withheld cases, have been recommended for appointment in the Department of Official Languages. Details are available on the website http://sscresults.nic.in. The Commission will make available marks secured by the qualified and non-qualified candidates on the Commission Website shortly.



The competitive examination was held in May 2009. Against 614 registered candidates, 213 qualified in the written part, and appeared in the interview held last month.



SOURCE;PIB
Filed Under:

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

UPSC---RAILWAY APPRENTICES EXAM 2009

Special Class Railway Apprentices Exam 2009 Result announced





------------------------------------------------------------------------------



The UPSC has announced the written part result of the Special Class Railway Apprentices (SCRA) Examination held in July 2009. The candidates with the Roll Numbers given below have qualified for Interview/personality Test.



The candidature of all these candidates is provisional subject to their being found eligible in all respects. In accordance with the condition(s) of their admission to the examination, the candidates should keep original certificates in support of their age, educational qualification, claim to belong to the scheduled caste/scheduled tribe/OBC etc. in readiness for submission at the time of their interview. The qualified candidates will be sent a detailed application form, which should be returned to the Commission within the closing date indicated in the forwarding letter. In case any of these candidates does not receive a communication in this regard within two weeks of the publication of this result, he/she should immediately contact the Commission, giving his/her particulars i.e. roll number, full name, date of birth, address etc. The result is also available on the UPSC website http://www.upsc.gov.in.







Union Public Service Commission have a facilitation counter at its campus. Candidate may obtain any information/clarification regarding their examination/result on working days between 10.00 A.M to 5.00 P.M in person or over telephone Nos. (011)-23385271/23381125/23098543 from this counter.





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SOURCE;PIB
Filed Under:

IGNOU-----B.Tech ENTRANCE TEST AGAIN

IGNOU to conduct B.Tech entrance test again in 10 days



New Delhi: The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) today said it will conduct an entrance test again in next 10 days, after its online test system for engineering courses collapsed on Saturday.





The IGNOU Engineering Aptitude Test (IGNEAT) is the university's first foray into online testing. The test determines entry into B. Tech and diploma programmes in engineering and technology. IGNOU is the country's largest distance education university.





On Saturday, when around 9,800 aspirants sat for the test, the IGNOU server failed and the test could not be conducted.

"The IGNEAT will be conducted within 10 days. We are still trying to ascertain the cause of server failure. We have roped in the cyber security cell (Delhi Police) to investigate the matter and have asked our technicians for a report which we would get in a week," IGNOU Vice Chancellor V. Rajashekharan Pillai told media.

The test was earlier to be conducted in five sessions - two on Oct 31 and three on Nov 1. But when the aspirants sat for the test on Saturday, only two questions popped up on the screen.





IGNOU was using the Yahoo server for conducting the test.





Pillai ruled out the possibility of a major security breach. "I don't think it is hacking, it was a server failure - and could have been due to load and congestion. We have thought of using our own server." (IANS



SOURCE;HEADLINES INDIA
Filed Under:

CENTRAL GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS STAFF DON BLACK BANDS AS PROTEST

Central government school's staff don black bands as protest





Lucknow: The entire teaching and non-teaching staff of the central government's 586 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV) across India has decided to work with a black arm bands to protest the government indifference to their demands.





The symbolic protest started on Nov 2 and will continue across the country till Nov 7.





"All of us, including the teaching and non-teaching staff, are central government employees but we are deprived of the facilities provided to other central government employees ever since the schools came into existence," said Jagdish Rai, the president of the Navodaya Vidyalaya Employees Association (NVEA).





A brain-child of former prime minister, late Rajiv Gandhi, the JNVs were established across the in country in 1986 to provide higher secondary education to children residing in rural areas. Currently there are 586 JNVs in the country providing free education to students from classes 6th to 12th.





"We do not have the privilege of pension after retirement and neither we are eligible to get the 10 percent special allowance announced in the Sixth Pay Commission to our counterparts in the Indira Gandhi National Open University and other educational organisations run by the central government," Rai added.





"We will stage a protest at the Jantar Mantar Nov 9 and will go on a day's country-wide strike Nov 16. We only demand equality like our counterparts," L.B.Reddy, a teacher in a JNV in Hyderabad. (IANS



SOURCE;THE HEADLINES OF INDIA
Filed Under: