Monday, September 29, 2014

Relaxation to travel by air to visit NER and A&N.

No. 31011/3/2014-Estt.(A-IV) 
Government of India 
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions 
Department of Personnel and Training 
North Block, New Delhi-110 001 
Dated: 26th September, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 — Relaxation to travel by air to visit NER and A&N.

The undersigned is directed to say that in relaxation to CCS (LTC) Rules, 1988, it has been decided by the Government to permit Government servants to travel by air to North East Region (NER) , Jammu and Kashmir and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (A&N) as per the following scheme

(i) All eligible Government servants may avail LTC to visit any place in NER/ A&N against the conversion of one block of their Home Town LTC. Fresh Recruits are also eligible for this benefit against conversion of one of the three Home Towns in a block of four years applicable to them.

(ii) Government servants entitled to travel by air can avail this LTC from their Headquarters in Economy class.

(iii) Government servants not entitled to travel by air may be permitted to travel by air in Economy class in the following sectors:

a. Between Kolkata/ Guwahati and any place in NER
b. Between Kolkata/ Chennai/ Bhubaneswar and Port Blair.
c. Between Delhi / Amritsar and any place in J&K

Journey for these non-entitled employees from their Headquarters up to Kolkata/ Guwahati/ Chennai/ Bhubaneswar / Delhi / Amritsar will have to be undertaken as per their entitlement.

(iv) Air travel is to be performed by Air India in Economy Class only and at LTC-80 fare or less.

(v) Air travel by non-entitled officers on the sectors mentioned in item (iii) above may be permitted while availing LTC to any place in India (4 year Block) also.

(vi) Air Tickets to be purchased directly from the airlines (Booking counters, website of airlines) or by utilizing the service of Authorized Travel Agents viz. 'M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company', 'M/s Ashok Travels & Tours' and 'IRCTC' (to the extent IRCTC is authorized as per DoPT's O.M. No. 31011/6/2002-Estt.(A) dated 02.12.2009) while undertaking LTC journey. Booking of tickets through other agencies is not permitted.

2. These orders shall be in operation for a period of two years from the date of issue of this O.M.

3. All the Ministries/ Departments are advised to bring it to the notice of all their employees that any misuse of LTC will be viewed seriously and the employees will be liable for appropriate action under the rules. In order to keep a check on any kind of misuse of LTC, Ministries/ Departments are advised to randomly get some of the air tickets submitted by the officials verified from the Airlines concerned with regard to the actual cost of air travel vis-a-vis the cost indicated on the air tickets submitted by the officials.

4. In their application to the staff serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issue after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

sd/-
(B. Bandyopadhyay)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
Ph. (011) 23040341

Source: www.persmin.nic.in
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/31011_3_2014-Estt.A-IV-26092014.pdf]

Remembrance of a Strike: By V.V. Jacob Ex-Secretary, Class III Service Association, Survey of India

REMEMBRANCE OF A STRIKE

By Com. V.V. Jacob Ex-Secretary, Class III Service Association, Survey of India, Bangalore.
Sep 17, 2008

In the history of workers in struggle in India the nationwide strike of Central Govt. Employees on 19th. September, 1968 has a prominent place.  As we observe 40th. Anniversary of that historic struggle, we pay our respectful homage to the martyrs who laid down their life in the struggle. The main demand of employees was “Need Based Minimum Wage” as recommended by 15th. Indian Labour Conference. When the Govt. refused to settle the demands through discussion and negotiation, the employees organisations under the auspicious of “Joint Action Council” decided to go on one day token strike on 19th. Sept.1968.  Accordingly a strike notice was served on Government.


The response of government was unprecedented.  An ordinance namely “Essential Service Maintenance Ordinance” (ESMO) was issued.  The strike was banned under the ordinance.  The ordinance contained many draconian provisions that could be evoked against the strikers or the so called instigators.  As the day of strike approached, many leaders at different parts of the country were arrested and put behind bars. Many leaders had to remain underground to lead the strike.  Demonstrations and rallies of employees in various places were dispersed by lathi charge and police firing.  In places like Pathankot in Punjab scores of Railway workers fell victims to police bullets.  Government unleashed misleading propaganda against the strike.  Attempted to engineer rift in major organisations like NFPTE.  Rival leaders were propped up.

In spite of such brutal suppression, misleading propaganda and attempt to divide, the employees at large struck work on 19th.  Wherever the leaders wavered the strike was not successful.  The lesson to be learnt was that an unwavering and committed leadership can galvanise into action the rank and file in most adverse situation.

Massive victimisation followed.  More than 50,000 employees were dismissed or terminated.  All those arrested were suspended and prosecution continued.  Break in service (later converted to dies-non) and wage cut imposed on all strikers.  It took a few years sustained agitations and legal battles to get most of these victimised employees re-instated.  The dies-non remained.

At Bangalore the preparations for strike was well done under the dynamic leadership of Com. P. R. Chabaque who was the convenor of the Joint Action Committee here. Intensive campaigning was done through pamphlets and office centric meetings. A massive rally was held in Railway Institute ground behind City Railway station.

Some arrests under ESMO were made at Bangalore. Four of us in Survey of India were arrested and prosecuted. I was arrested on the 17th evening while coming out of office at Richmond road after office hours. Though surprised I was not shaken. I was a temporary employee then, having three years of service and an ordinary member of the Class III Service Association. On 17th, around noon our officer-in-charge called a staff meeting and exhorted the staff not to participate in the strike and threatened of severe consequences if any one does. Com. P. R. Chabaque, who was the Secretary of the Class III Service Association, spoke in justification of the strike and I supported him. This infuriated the O.C. And he abruptly ended the meeting. This may be the reason for my arrest. Police waited for Com. P.R.C. also, but he left the office in disguise and evaded the arrest till 20th. I was taken to Shoolay police station and kept there till the next day. Meanwhile the house I was staying at Sampangiramnagar was raided and searched. Com. K.P. Nair, President of our Association was arrested early morning on 18th from his house near Commercial street. Both of us were produced before the court in Mayo Hall and remanded and taken to Bangalore Central Jail. Com. A.K.P. Pillai was arrested on the 19th morning when moving on the road near the office. Com. Chabaque was arrested on 20th and took out bail immediately. We were in jail till 21st. We had a few comrades from Railway as inmates. Com. Jayaram, Kopeswar Rao and Namboothri are few names I could recollect. Though for few days in jail it was an experience in life.

We were bailed out on the 21st. The prosecution continued and charge-sheet under ESMO was filed against us. Renowned advocate K.S. Subbarao argued our case. We were suspended from service immediately after arrest. The case continued for more than 18 months. In the end we were all acquitted of charges and our suspensions revoked. Our colleagues supported us financially and morally during our suspension. Similar suspensions and persecutions took place in Railways, RMS etc.. I recollect a few names of leaders who were leading the movements then. Coms. Raghothaman, CV Ananda, N Bhaskaran, Muthu Subramanian (RMS), MM Farooqui (Telegraph), BN Prakash (Postal), Sastri, MS Nagaraj (AGS).There were others whose names I am not able to recollect. Strike in Bangalore was moderately successful. Some offices like RMS and Survey of India had near total strike.

Though the Central Govt. employees could not get the demand of need-based minimum wage conceded, the strike made an impact on future developments on their wage structure and service condtions. The III Pay Commission appointed after this strike had to seriously discuss this demand in their report. No struggle goes in vain. The long term impact of a struggle for a genuine cause should be understood properly. The benefits of past struggles often accrues to the present/future generation.

Let us salute the martyrs of past struggles.
Let us remember with gratitude all those who suffered immensely in the past struggles.
Let us carry forward the proud legacy left behind them.

Long live workers unity.

Source: http://karnatakacoc.blogspot.in/

Filed Under: ,

CBDT,CBEC and all their Attached and Subordinate Offices to Actively Participate in ‘Swacch Bharat’ Programme

Department of Revenue, CBDT,CBEC and all their Attached and Subordinate Offices to Actively Participate in ‘Swacch Bharat’ Programme; Chalk-Out a Detailed Action Plan to make it a Great Success; ’Swachhta Shpath ‘ to be Administered to all the Officers and Staff on 2nd October, 2014.

Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) along with their respective attached and subordinate offices have chalked-out a detailed action plan to make the Prime Minister’s ‘ Swachh Bharat’ programme a mass movement. Various steps have already been taken in this regard including creation of awareness among the staff to take pride in their premises and keep it neat and clean.

Revenue Secretary said that Department of Revenue is determined to make Swachh Bharat campaign a success in letter and spirit. A pledge ’Swachhta Shpath ‘ would be administered to all the officers and staff on 2nd October, 2014.This pledge would be preceded on the previous day by all the personnel cleaning-up their desks and office space as well as help in cleaning the premises outside their rooms. These efforts for cleanliness would be continued vigorously and monitored regularly by the senior officers.

The detailed action plan of the Department would be announced after the pledge on 2nd October, 2014 which would include among others awareness creation strategies like essay competition, cartoon, debate and skit competition etc. Topics like ‘ My contribution to cleanliness of my office’ and ‘Innovative Steps to keep my office neat and clean’ etc. will be included which will encourage good habits in the staff to involve them actively in this mass campaign. The action plan would also include time bound Division/section wise plans for completing the task of weeding-out of old and obsolete files and records among others.

Source:pib
Filed Under: , , ,

Minutes of the 25th meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) held on 05.09.2014 under the Chairmanship of Hon'ble MOS (PP) at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi.


Forwarding letter by DoPPW
MOST IMMEDIATE 
SCOVA Matter 
F. No. 42/29/2014-P&PW(G) 
Government of India 
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions 
Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan, 
Khan Market, New Delhi - 110003 
Date: 25th Sept, 2014

To

All the Pensioners Associations under present SCOVA

Subject: Minutes of the 2sth meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary (SCOVA) held on osth Sept, 2014 under the Chairmanship of Hon'ble MOS(PP). Agencies

Please find enclosed herewith a copy of minutes of the 25th meeting of- Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) held on 05th September, 2014 under the Chairmanship of Hon'ble MOS (PP) at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi for your kind perusal and necessary action.

Encl: as above 
(Sujasha Choudhury)
Dy. Secretary (P) 

  2. At the outset Joint Secretary (Pension) welcomed Hon’ble MOS (PP), Secretary, Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, representatives of Pensioners Associations and the participating officers of various Ministries/Departments. It was stated that this was the very first SCOVA meeting for the Hon’ble MOS(PP) as well as the Secretary and the SCOVA would make meaningful contribution under their able leadership. She mentioned that the Pensioners Associations had always played an important role by bringing forth issues of areas of interest to the pensioners. It was further added that the Department of Pension, in line with its vision of providing a life of dignity for retiring employees and pensioners has taken a number of initiatives. The most significant of these initiatives was the reduction in prescribed timeline for sanction and authorization of  pension, streamlining of pension procedures and spread of ‘Bhavishya’ (online pension sanction and tracking system) in 23 Ministries/ Departments.

3. The House paid tribute to the departed soul of Shri Umraomal Purohit, Secretary, National Council (JCM), Staff Side and ex-officio member of the SCOVA.

4. Various Pensioners’ Associations & JCM (staffside) made a few suggestions and requested the Departments to look into the same.

(i) Ministry of Railways was not posting their circulars on time on their website.

(ii) D/o ESW need to be more sensitive and accessible to Defence pensioners and the recognized Associations by reintroducing quarterly meetings.

(iii) Grievances are only getting closed and not getting disposed.

(iv) The Associations had been provided with computer/scanner/printers in the year 2008-2009 and were obsolete now and need to be replaced. The licensed softwares such as Window 8 and MS Office latest version also be provided.

(v) Discrimination in medical/CGHS facilities between Central Government Pensioners.

(vi) NPS employees should be given a fair deal.

(vii) Most of the pensioners from Department of Posts are getting revised pension. However, they have not received the revised pension authority as yet.

(viii) It was also requested that the authority for revision of pension/family pension being issued by Department of Post should cover both the revisions i.e from 1.1.2006 and also further revision from 24/09/2012.

(ix) There should be no discrimination among the SCOVA members of the Committee in respect of reimbursement of TA. The present process is discriminatory and people living less than 1000 K.M away have not been allowed air fare. Further even the reimbursement of railway fare is depending on the post from which the member retired which places the members on an unequal footing.

(x) The issue of Computerisation of CGHS Wellness Centre Jammu was included as an Agenda Item in 23rd SCOVA meeting held in September, 2013. In the 24th SCOVA Meeting which was held on 5th February, 2014, it was reported that the "work was in progress'. This work is still not completed and needs to be expedited.
(Action:- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)

5. Thereafter, Hon'ble MOS (PP), Chairman, SCOVA, addressed the members. He said that 28 years ago when SCOVA was formed, the number of pensioners was very small. Now the number of pensioners has increased manifold and is growing owing to the healthy life style. In addition the Department is also now addressing the needs of not only the pensioners but employees who are about to retire and specially those who are not mentally or psychologically ready to face retirement and life thereafter. This is being done through regular Pre-Retirement Counseling Session as well as focus on post retirement engagement through Sankalp. In this connection he suggested that some members of the association could be actively associated with this Department to provide services at the door steps to the elders wherever required in solving their grievances as well as reaching out to them. This Department could facilitate pensioners in holding Health Camps which are already being done by several associations. Overall, the Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare should have a wholesome and holistic approach, in fact, filling up the gap left by the breakdown of the joint family system.

He further stated that the aim of all Departments should be to address the grievances and not to close them, in keeping with the policy of the new Government not to evade the issues but address them. SCOVA members should be given an opportunity to provide inputs to be incorporated in the minutes which would become part of data bank. The minutes should also be posted on the website. On the issue of NPS the Minister stated that a note be given to JS(P). He further stated that the computers given to the association should be regularly replaced to avoid obsolescence.

6. Thereafter, the Action Taken Report of 24th SCOVA meeting and Fresh Agenda items th of 25 SCOVA meeting were taken up for discussion.

7. Discussion on ATR of 24th SCOVA meeting:

i) SI.No 1 of ATR: pensioners. Status of issue of revised PPOs to pre-2006
a) CPAO informed that as on date approximately 38,000 cases were pending for revision. Out of these 27,000 cases belong to pre-1990 retirees. Despite several efforts, no further information was coming forth in respect of the pre- 1990 PPOs. CPAO informed that they have approached banks and pensioners to obtain the missing information. CPAO was advised to hold meetings with individual Ministries and sort out cases issue wise so that solutions could be worked out and the pendency brought down to zero.
(Action: CPAO)

(b) Ministry of Railways informed that as on date approximately 26,690 cases were pending which was very good progress when compared with the pendency at the time of the previous SCOVA meeting. It was stated by one Pensioners' Association that PPO signing powers should be with lower officers and not centralized as a part of systemic correction.
(Action: Ministry of Railways)

c) Improvement indicated by Department of Posts was quite significant. However, some of the pensioners association stated that large number of pensioners in the State of Maharashtra, West Bengal and in Madhya Pradesh circle have till date not received the revised PPOs copies. On detailed discussion, it emerged that though pension had been revised hard copies of corrigendum PPOs have not been issued to pensioners. Department of Posts will further investigate the matter and ensure that hard copies are made available to pensioners.
(Action: Department of Posts)

d) Department of Telecommunications informed that approximately 7637 PPOs were pending and the reasons for the pending PPOs was that the old records were not traceable. These pensioners could not also be contacted.
(Action: Department of Telecom)

e) Ministry of Defence intimated that a total of 85,000 cases are pending including Defence Civil pensioners. However, the pensioners associations did not agree with these figures and also stated that hard copies of PPOs were not being issued. It was also informed that the revised PPOs issued to the pensioners getting invalid pensions were showing wrong amount of pension as reckonable service is not relevant in these cases.
(Action: Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare)

Secretary(P) stated that the pendency of revised PPOs was very high and requested all the Departments to launch a special drive involving field units so as to clear the pendency in 60 days time.

All the Departments will issue the revised PPOs by 31st Dec, 2014 after which the agenda item will be closed.

 On the issue of pension adalat in North East, the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare intimated that a pension adalat in Shillong will be held on 17th and 18th Oct, 2014. The associations requested that the minutes of the adalats should be issued by all the Departments.

One pensioner association recommended that Lok Adalats should not be confined to cities but should also be held in the hinterland especially in places like Ladakh, upper reaches of Himachal, Uttrakhand and areas from where the other ranks abound. Suggestion was accepted by CGDA representative.

One of the Pensioners' Associations pointed out that Pension Adalat is not being held in the IncomeTax, Central Excise and Survey of India Departments.

(Action:- CPAO, M/o Railways, D/o Telecom, of Posts,
M/o Defence, D/oPPW, D/o Revenue, Survey of India)

(ii). SI.No 2 of ATR:-New dispensary for Panchkula.

As decided in the last meeting of the SCOVA, MOS (PP) took up the matter with Ministry of Health. Ministry of Health & FW intimated that the proposal was examined and due to resource constraints, it has not been agreed to. Ministry of Health was asked to send a formal reply to the Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare indicating the status/decision on the proposal.

The issue of increasing the number of CGHS dispensary will be taken up along with other issues on CGHS in a special meeting of JS(Pension) with AS&DG, CGHS. This item may, therefore, be closed.
( Action: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and DoPPW)

(iii) SI.No 3 of ATR :- Broad Banding of Disability Element for Pre-1996 cases.

The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare informed that the proposal had been approved by Department of Expenditure and the orders in this regard will be issued by the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare shortly. One pensioners association informed the Chair that the approved file had been with the Dept of ESW for over three weeks with no forward movement. The Department of ESW clarified that the file had been put up to the Minister and orders would be issued by the ensuing week.
(Action: O/o Ex-Servicemen Welfare)

(iv) SI.No 4 of ATR:- Health Insurance Scheme for pensioners including those residing at non-CGHS areas.
Planning Commission has suggested re-casting of the EFC Memo .The Ministry of Health intimated that the Ministry of Health will submit the revised EFC Memo within two weeks.
(Action: Ministry of Health &. Family Welfare)
 (v) SI.No 5 of ATR:Dedicated day for pensioners.
Most of the Departments had fixed days for meeting the pensioners barring Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Railways and Department of Financial Service. Secretary (P) requested these Departments to fix days to meet the pensioners. Department of ESW should put in place an institutional mechanism for regular interaction with pensioners. Some pensioner associations brought out the fact that the veterans could not travel to Allahabad PCGDA every time they needed redressal. The Department of ESW should reintroduce the quarterly meetings with its ESM's asbefore to resolve issues and improve matters.
(Action : O/O of Financial Services, M/o Railways
and D/O Ex-servicemen Welfare)

(vi) SI.No 6 of ATR :- Special Family Pension for the Widows of Disabled War Veterans.
The Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare informed that it had not been possible to agree to the proposal. After discussion it was understood that the proposal considered by the Department of ESW should have been only for special family pension to the war casualties, not all disabled veterans. This number, it was stated, was not more than 3,000. Therefore, It was decided the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare will reconsider the proposal.
(Action: - M/o Defence, O/O of Ex-servicemen Welfare)

(vii) SI.No 7 of ATR:Grant of T.A. to Non-official Members attending the SCOVA meetings- Permission to perform journey by AIR and grant of actual expenses, when the journey performed is above 1,000 km.
The meeting was intimated that the Orders in respect of journey by Air when distance is above 1000 kms has been issued. The item may be closed.
(Action: DoPPW)

(viii) SI.No 8 of ATR :
(a) The Orders of Ministry of Health reiterating that all the pensioners are at liberty to opt themselves with any of the nearest CGHS hospital/ dispensary may be widely circulated. Arbitrary orders dated 01/08/1996 and 01/09/1996 issued by Ministry of Health and Director of CGHSmay be withdrawn and the benefit of CGHS facilities be allowed to the pensioners of Department of Post and Department of Telecom.
(b) Medical facilities for existing P&T pensioners.

Ministry of Health informed that the matter was still sub-judice. It was suggested that Ministry of Health may re-consider this issue to see that there is no discrimination among the employees/pensioners from the various Departments of the Central Government.
(Action: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare)

(ix) SI.No 9 of ATR:- Anomaly in fixation of pension to DoT employees absorbed in BSNL, who retired between 1.10.2000 and 31.7.2001.
DoT informed that the BSNL is collecting the requisite information sought by DoPPW from corporate offices of BSNL/MTNL. It was decided that the matter may be discussed in a meeting between DoP&PW and DOT to find a solution to the issue.
(Action: O/O Telecom & O/O P&PW)
(x) SI No.10 of ATR :-Merger of 78.2% absorbed BSNL Pensioners.

IDA with basic pension benefit to the DoP&PW has already conveyed it's 'no objection' to the proposal. Department of Expenditure intimated that they will send their comments to DOT within a week.
(Action: O/O Telecom & O/O Expenditure)

(xi) SI.No 11 of ATR:Extension of benefit of upgraded Grade Pay to pre-2006 retirees of S-12 grade.

The matter is sub-judice.
(Action: O/O Expenditure & DoPPW)

(xii) S.No.12 of ATR: Extension of benefit of OM dt. 28.1.2013 w.e.f 1.1.2006 instead of 24.9.2012

The matter is sub-judice. Secretarv(P) mentioned that as and when the Hon'ble Supreme Court decides the pending SLP, the orders of Hon'ble Supreme Court will be implemented.
(Action: O/O P&PW)

8. Discussion on fresh agenda points for the 25th SCOVA meeting:-

(25.1) Stepping up of Disability Element on the basis of Fitment Tables.

In respect of the civil pensioners the proposal has been agreed to by the Department of Expenditure and the orders will be issued shortly by the Department of Pension. In respect of ex-servicemen the file is under consideration of Ministry of Defence (Fin). It was requested that the matter be expedited.
(Action: O/O Ex-servicemen Welfare, DoPPW)

(25.2) Income Certificate to be produced by the Family Pensioner.

Ministry of Railways were in general following these instructions except in a few zones like Southern Railway, particularly Divisions like Trichy, Madurai etc. Railways were requested to reiterate the existing instructions to accept self attestation for strict compliance.
(Action: Ministry of Railways)

(25.3) and (25.4):Extension Counter of CGHS Wellness Centre Jammu at Srinagar and Upgradation of facilities at CGHS Wellness Centre Jammu including Construction of CGHS Hospital on the plot of land allotted by J&.KGovt. at Jammu.
Ministry of Health informed that due to resource and man power constraints, it is not possible to open a CGHS Wellness Centre at Srinagar.
It was decided that the issue of increasing the number of CGHS dispensary will be taken up along with other issues on CGHS in a special meeting of JS(Pension) with AS&DG, CGHS.
(Action: Ministry of Health &. Family Welfare, DoPPW)

(25.5):Delay in family pension to next eligible family member in case of death of widow.
It was noted in the meeting that procedure for payment of family pension to spouses has been streamlined resulting in smooth transition of payment to spouses. It was not possible to simplify the provision in respect of other categories. The SCOVA member who raised the issue was requested to give details of the 3 cases quoted where hardships were being faced in payment of family pension for further examination.
(Action: DoPPW)
(25.6) Extension of CGHS facilities to retired BSNL employees -Issue of follow up order by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare &. fixation of rates of contribution &.ward entitlement by DoT.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare intimated that the orders extending the CGHS facilities to retired BSNL employees drawing pension from the Government were already issued on 9/1/2014. Pensioner Association requested that Ministry of Health and Family Welfare may circulate the OM dtd 09.01.2014 to all concerned, especially to the CGHS, and supply a copy of the OM to the Pensioners' Associations under SCOVA. The item may be closed.

Pensioners' Association mentioned that in CGHS, monthly contribution is fixed on the basis of Grade Pay and ward entitlement on the basis of Pay in pay band. As there is no element of "Grade Pay" and "Pay in Pay band" in IDA pay scales the Department of Telecom / Ministry of Health and Family Welfare should evolve criteria in respect of BSNL retirees regarding monthly contribution and ward entitlement.
(Action: M/o Health and Family Welfare, Department of Telecom)

The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chair.

Source:http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D3/D03ppw/PPWG_SCOVA_250914.pdf

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Productivity Linked Bonus for the Civilians Army Ordnance Corps (AOC) for the year 2013-2014

No. 20(2)/2014/D(JCM)
Government of India 
Ministry of Defence
New Delhi, the 23rd September, 2014
To
The Chief of the Army Staff,
New Delhi.

Subject :Productivity Linked Bonus for the Civilians Army Ordnance Corps (AOC) for the year 2013-2014

Sir,
I am directed to refer to the Productivity Linked Bonus Scheme already circulated vide this Ministry's letter No. F.24(6)/80/D(JCM) dated 28th September, 1983, as amended from time to time, and to convey the sanction of the President to the payment of 40 days (Forty days) wages in cash as PLB for the year 2013-2014 to the eligible civilian employees of the AOC.

2.    The entitlement has been worked out on the basis of the working result for the year 2013-2014 in accordance with the agreed formula.

3.   The PLB will be paid to all eligible Gp. 'B' (Non-Gazetted), Gp 'C' & Gp. 'D' civilian employees of AOC who are covered under PLB Scheme for the accounting year 2013-2014.  The calculation ceiling of Rs.3500/-(3500x40x30.4) and other terms and conditions of the PLB Scheme will remain unchanged.

4.  Productivity Linked Bonus to the casual labour will be paid at the assumed wages of Rs.1200/- p.m. (1200x40/30.4) for the accounting year 2013-2014.  However in cases where the actual wages fall below Rs.1200/- the amount will be calculated on the actual monthly wages.  The other condition remain unchanged.

5. The expenditure on this account will be debitable to Defence Services Estimates under respective Heads to which the pay and allowances of these employees are debited.  The entire expenditure on the payment of PLB is to be met out of the sanctioned budget grant for the year 2014-15.

6.  This issues with the concurrence of the Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) vide their I.D.No. 169984-E-III(A)/2014 dated 19.09.2014 and Integrated Finance Division vide their Dy.No. 165/AG/PB dated 23.09.2014.

Yours faithfully,

(Gurdeep Singh)
Under secretary to the Govt. of India
Source:http://www.bpms.org.in/documents/plb-aoc-t1gi.pdf
Filed Under: ,

Guidelines on framing / amendment/relaxation of Recruitment Rules

No.AB-14017/61/2008-Estt.(RR)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel P.G.& Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 24.09.2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Attention is invited to this Department’s O.M. No. AB.14017/48/2010-Estt (RR) dated 31 December, 2010 vide which Guidelines on framing / amendment/relaxation of Recruitment Rules  and Service Rules were issued.

2. Department of Personnel & Training, with the approval of the competent authority, has decided that henceforth all the Cadre Controlling Authority of Organized Group ‘A’ Service, before referring any proposal for framing/amendment in the Service Rules of the Organized Services, are required to put the proposed amendments/revision in the Service Rules on their website for 30 days for inviting comments from the concerned officers.

3. Thereafter, taking into account the comments so received, the proposal would be sent to DoPT, UPSC and Ministry of Law for finalization.

4. All the Cadre Controlling Authorities are, therefore, requested to adhere to these instructions scrupulously. Proposal referred to this Department without following the aforesaid procedure, would not be entertained.

(Jitendra R. Gaikwad)
Under Sedretary (RR)

Source: www.persmin.nic.in
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/AB-14017_61_2008-Estt-RR_25092014.pdf]

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Honorarium for Guest Faculty

No 13024/01/2009-Trg.( Trg.Ref.)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Training Division
Block-IV, Old JNU Campus.
New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi — 110067

Dated 23rd September, 2014

OFFICE MOMORANDUM
Sub: Honorarium for Guest Faculty

The undersigned is directed to refer to DoPT’s O.M. No.13024/2/2008-Trg,1 dated 3rd March 2009 wherein rates of honorarium to the Guest faculty payable to Serving Officers/Non-Serving Officers/Experts/Eminent persons coming as guest faculty to the Central Training Establishments (CTIs) have been mentioned The same are reproduced below:

S.No.   Category                 Existing rates
1 Serving  officers         Rs. 500/- per session
2 Non-Serving Officers Rs.1000/- per session
3 Experts/Eminent        Rs.4000/-per session
                                                 with reasons justifying such resource persons                                                                                           payment duly recorded
                                                        by the Head of CTI)

2. The above rates were based on the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission and accordingly the pattern followed by the D0PT and LBSNAA, Mussoorie for the purpose of grant of honorarium payable to Guest Faculty was made applicable to all CTIs for Group A Services,

3. A number of references have been received in DoP&t from various CTIs for revision of fees/honorarium. The matter was considered and it is hereby clarified that the Fees/honorarium for guest speakers can be decided by respective Ministries/Departments in consultation with their IFD and with approval of the Competent Authority.

4. There will be no change in the other conditions as mentioned in DoPT’s 0M. referred above.

sd/-
Rajesh Arya
Director( Trg)

Source: www.persmin.nic.in
Filed Under:

Allotment upto Type-V of Railway accommodation to the pre-20-11.2006 compassionate appointee-AIRF

Government of India (Bharat Sarkar)
Ministry of Railways(Rail Mantralaya)
Railway Board
R.B,E No. 99/2014

No.E[G)2008 QR-1-8
New Delhi, Dated:12.09.2014
The General Managers,
All Indian Railways and
Production Units [others as per standard list).

Sub: Allotment upto Type-V of Railway accommodation to the pre-20-11.2006 compassionate appointee cases between 2001 and 2009.

The question of allowing higher type of Railway quarter to the pre-2006 compassionate appointee cases between 2001 and 2009 i.e. retrospectively was under consideration of Board for quite some time following receipt of representations from the affected Railway employees.

2. The Board, in exercise of the powers to make reasonable relaxations in public interest for a class/group of employees, in all or any of the existing provisions regarding house allotment/retention have agreed to allow the dispensation in regard to higher type of Railway accommodation, as allowed vide Board's letter of even number dated 28.04.2009, to all the pre-2006 compassionate appointee cases between 2001 and 2009 to provide uniformity and relief.

3. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

4. Please acknowledge receipt,

(S. Pal)
Jt. Dir.Estt. [Genl]

Source: www.airfindia.com
[http://www.airfindia.com/Orders%202014/Allotment-upto-Type-V%20RBE%2099_2014.pdf]

Guidelines on implementation of suo-motu disclosure under Section 4 of RTI Act, 2005

NO 1/6/2011-IR 
Government of India 
Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions 
Department of Personnel Training
North Block, New Delhi-110001 
Dated 22nd September, 2014 
OFFICE MEMORANDUM 

Sub: Guidelines on implementation of suo-motu disclosure under Section 4 of RTI Act, 2005 -Compliance of.

Attention is invited to this Department's O.M. of even no. dated 15.4.2013 and subsequent reminder dated 10.12.2013 on the subject mentioned above.

2. In that O.M., it was mentioned that each Ministry/Public Authority shall ensure that the guidelines for suo motu disclosure under RTI are fully operationalised within a period of 6 months from the date of their issuance i.e. 15.04.2013. It was also mentioned that the Action Taken Report on the compliance of guidelines should be sent, alongwith the URL link, to the DoPT and the Central lnformation Commission soon afler the expiry of the initial period of the 6 months. It has been noticed that most of the Ministries/Departments/PublicAuthorities have not sent the compliance reporr/Action Taken Report to this Department and Central information Commission.

3. It was required that each Ministry/Public Authority should get its proactive disclosure package audited by third party every year and such audit should be communicated to the CIC through publication on their own website. It has been noticed that most of the MinistrieslPublic Authorities have not yet got their proactive disclosure package audited by a third party. 4. It is once again requested that the guidelines mentioned in O.M. dated 15.4.2013 be complied with and the proactive disclosure package be got audited by a third party. The compliance report may be sent to this Department and the earliest.

sd/-
(Mamta Kundra)
Joint Secretary

Source: www.persmin.nic.in
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02rti/1_6_2011-IR_22092014.pdf]


Filed Under: ,

Monday, September 22, 2014

Payment of Dearness Allowance to Railway employees — Revised rates effective from 01.07.2014-RAILWAY BOARD

Government of India
Ministry of Railways
(Railway Board)
S.No.PC-VI/346
RBE No. 102/2014
New Delhi, dated 19.09.2014
No. PC-VI/2008/1/7/2/1
The GMs/CAO(R),
All Zonal Railways & Production Units,
(as per mailing list)

Sub: Payment of Dearness Allowance to Railway employees — Revised rates effective from 01.07.2014.

Please refer to this Ministry’s letter of even number dated 28.03.2014 (S.No. PC-VI/333, RBE No.32/2014) on the subject mentioned above. The President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Allowance payable to Railway employees shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 100%to 107% with effect from 1st July, 2014.

2. The provisions contained in Paras 3, 4 & 5 of this Ministry’s letter of even number dated 09.09.2008 (S.No. PC-VI/3, RBE No. 106/2008) shall Continue to be applicable while regulating Dearness Allowance under these orders.

3. The additional installment of Dearness Allowance payable under these orders shall be paid in cash to all railway employees. The arrears may be charged to the salary bill and no honorarium is payable for preparing separate bill for this purpose.

4. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

sd/-
(Vikram Gulati)
Director, Pay Commission-II
Railway Board.
Source:http://www.airfindia.com/Orders%202014/RBE_102_190914.pdf

Bank employees expect early settlement on wage revision

MANGALORE : The All India Bank Officers’ Confederation on Friday said it hoped the negotiation with the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) on September 24 would result in the wage revision acceptable to the employees, failing which United Forum of Bank Unions would be forced to take some strong steps.

Addressing the members here, Confederation President Y. Sudarshan regretted the managements treat employees as ‘liability’ when it comes to wage revision while for the rest of operations, including spread of various government schemes, they are treated as assets. The vast human resource of banks, which has helped the industry to come to the present level and is prepared to the take modernisation forward, should be treated as capital asset and salaries as long-term investment, he demanded.

Officers and employees do not take pleasure in resorting to strikes and inconvenience the public, Mr. Sudarshan clarified. It is the attitude of the managements that has been forcing them to resort to strikes. Not a single wage revision in the past two decades has come without strike whereas government employees and legislators get salaries revised at regular intervals, he regretted. The 9th bipartite agreement expired in October 2012 and since then employees have eagerly been awaiting the next revision amidst several negotiations and a couple of strikes, he said.

Initially, the IBA had offered 5 per cent hike, Mr. Sudarshan said and termed it a piece of biscuit thrown at dogs. During the recently concluded negotiations, the IBA came up to offering 11 per cent hike whereas the Confederation has stuck to its demand of 25 per cent hike. The Unions and employees are no more prepared to wait, Mr. Sudarshan added.

He said public sector banks have been continuing their contribution towards strengthening the economy even as they were the ones responsible for the nation withstanding the economic slowdown in 2011. They have been the ones ensuring government’s programmes reach the targeted class, including the latest Jan Dhan Yojana. The Confederation is also opposed to merger of PSU banks, attempts for which are reportedly being made by the central government, he said.

Confederation Advisor M. Harshavardhan and others were present.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/bank-employees-expect-early-settlement-on-wage-revision/article6429262.ece

Friday, September 19, 2014

Removal of ceiling of Rs. 3500/- under Bonus Act: Format of memorandum to PM & Labour Min. by BPMS

To,

The Prime Minister,
Govt. of India,
South Block, Raisina Hill,
New Delhi – 110001

The
Minister of Labour & Employment
Government of India,
Shram Shakti Bhawan,
Rafi Marg, New Delhi- 110001

Through: Proper Channel
SUB: Submission of memorandum of demand
.
Hon’ble Sir,
‘Government Employees National Confederation’ is a confederation of all industrial unit of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh which decided in its meeting held on 08.09.2014 to observe a week long agitation throughout the country from 15th Sep to 20th Sep 2014 in protest/demands of one of the various prevailing National issues.  Accordingly, being a constituent of BPMS/GENC/BMS this union has observed an agitation programme from 15.09.2014 to 20.09.2014 through Gate Meetings, Demonstration at Main Gate of the establishment, Wearing Black Badges and other peaceful methods
and we are submitting a memorandum of demand through proper channel for your kind consideration and suitable action at the earliest please–

Section 12 of the Payment of Bonus Act has been amended by Act 45 of 2007 (w.e.f. 01.04.2006) regarding calculation of bonus with respect to certain employees which states as under:-
“Where the salary or wage of an employee exceeds three thousand and five hundred rupees per mensem, the bonus payable to such employee under Section 10 or, as the case may be, under Section 11, shall be calculated as if his salary or wage were three thousand and five hundreds rupees per mensem.”
Meanwhile, Central Government has accepted the recommendations of 06th CPC with effect from 01.01.2006 and fixed the minimum basic pay plus grade pay as Rs. 5200 + 1800 = 7000. Therefore 28,06,369 Group ‘C’ (Non Gazetted) and 1,13,477 Group ‘B’ (Non Gazetted) total thirty lakh approx. Central Government employees are getting the bonus @ Rs. 3500/- per mensem under the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 or Productivity Linked Bonus whereas none of them is drawing wages less than Rs. 7000/- per mensem excluding other allowances which has been causing discontentment amongst the employees.

Therefore, you are requested to issue necessary directives to remove the ceiling of Rs.3500/- per mensem under the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 and Productivity Linked Bonus Scheme.

An early action is solicited please.

With regards,
Sincerely yours

(Name of Secretary)
Secretary
Copy to:
1. The General Secretary/B.M.S.,
2426, Ram Naresh Bhawan, Tilak Gali,
Pahar Ganj, New Delhi-110055

2. The General Secretary,
Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh,
02, Navin Market, Kanpur–208001
--
For your kind information please.

Source: http://bpms.org.in/documents/genc-memorandum-5vxz.pdf
Filed Under: ,

INCOME TAX FILING DATE EXTENDED TO JAMMU and KASHMIR

F.No. 225/268/2014/ITA.II
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Direct Taxes
North Block, ITA.II Division
New Delhi, the 16th of September, 2014
Order under Section 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961

Considering the large scale devastation in the State of Jammu Kashmir due to heavy rains and floods, the Central Board of Direct Taxes, in exercise of powers conferred under section 119 of the Income-tax Act. 1961, hereby extends the ‘due-date’ for filing Returns of Income from 30th September, 2014 to 30"‘ November, 2014, in cases of lncome-tax assessees in the State of Jammu & Kashmir, who, as per clause (a) of Explanation 2 to sub-section (1) of section 139 of the lncome-tax Act, 1961 were liable to file their Income tax returns by 30th September 2014.


sd/-[Richa Rastogi]
Under-Secretary to the Government of India

Source: http://irsofficersonline.gov.in/Documents/OfficalCommunique/19162014123016.pdf
Filed Under: ,

Thursday, September 18, 2014

DA JULY 2014-FINMIN ORDER ISSUED

F. No. 1/2/2014-E.II (B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 18th September, 2014.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees-Revised Rates effective from 01.07.2014.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s Office Memorandum No.1/ l/2014-E.II(B) dated 27th March, 2014 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the President is pleased to decide that the Deamess Allowance payable to Central Government employees shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 100% to 107% with effect from 1st July, 2014.

2. The provisions contained in paras 3, 4 and 5 of this Ministry’s O.M. No. 1(3)/2008-E.II(B) dated 29th August, 2008 shall continue to be applicable while regulating Dearness Allowance under these orders.

3. The additional installment of Dearness Allowance payable under these orders shall be paid in cash to all Central Government employees.

4. These orders shall also apply to the civilian employees paid from the Defence Services Estimates and the expenditure will be chargeable to the relevant head of the Defence Services Estimates. In regard to Armed Forces personnel and Railway employees, separate orders will be issued by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways, respectively.

5. In so far as the employees working in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders are issued with the concurrence of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

sd/-
(A. B arya)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
http://www.finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_expenditure/notification/da/da01072014.pdf

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Facilities Available to Account Holders Under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) to be Extended to the Existing Account Holders as Well

The Government has decided that the following facilities available to those account holders who have opened their accounts under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) would also be extended to the existing account holders subject to submission of an application by the account holder(s) to the concerned bank branch:

(i) For issuance of RuPay Debit card having inbuilt accident insurance cover of Rs.1 lakh;

(ii) For issuance of an overdraft facility of Rs.5000 after satisfactory operations in the account for some time.

The plan (PMJDY) inter-alia, envisages Universal access to banking facilities under which all the six lakh villages across the entire country would be mapped, organised into Sub Service Areas (SSAs) of 1000-1500 households and allocated to the Banks to provide at least one fixed point Banking outlet in form of either a branch or a Business Correspondent (who is named as Bank Mitra). The other components of the plan are providing at least one Basic Banking Account to each household with RuPay Debit card having inbuilt accident insurance cover of Rs. 1 lakh; an overdraft facility of Rs.5000 after satisfactory operations in the account for six months. Further, an additional life insurance cover of Rs. 30,000/- is also available to accounts opened up to 26th January, 2015, for which detailed modalities are being worked-out.

The Government has asked the banks to extend overdraft facility of Rs.5,000 as above to only one member, preferably lady of a house-hold.

Source: PIB

Filed Under: ,

Monday, September 15, 2014

Charter of Demands submitted to Cabinet Secretary by Confederation

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

Merger of DA with pay for all employees w.e.f. 01.01.2014 including Gramin Dak Sewaks and Pensioners.

Grant of Interim Relief to all employees including Gramin Dak Sewaks and Pensioners.

Inclusion of Gramin Dak Sewaks under the purview of 7th Central Pay Commission

Scrap PFRDA Act and grant statutory defined pension to all including those appointed on or after 01.01.2004.

Date of effect of 7th CPC recommendation should be 01.01.2014.

Regularisation and Revision of wages of casual labourers and contract workers.

Removal of 5% condition for compassionate appointment.

Fill up all vacant post and creation of New Post wherever justified.

Stop Downsizing, Outsourcing, Contractorisation and Privatisation of Government function.

Grant productivity Linked Bonus to all without ceiling; Compute bonus as weighted average of PLB for those not covered by PLB agreement.

Revise OTA and NDA and implement arbitration awards.

Settle all pending anomalies of 5th and 6th Pay Commission.

Source : http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/2014/09/memorandum-to-be-submitted-to-cabinet.html

Sunday, September 14, 2014

RECRUITMENT OF STENOGRAPHERS GRADE ‘D’ IN CSSS THROUGH STENOGRAPHERS GRADE ‘C’ & ‘D’ EXAMINATION, 2013 CONDUCTED BY STAFF SELECTION COMMISSION (SSC)

No.25/2/2014-CS.II(C)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension
Department of Personnel and Training

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan
Khan Market, New Delhi-110003
Dated: 11th September, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Recruitment of Stenographers Grade ‘D’ in CSSS through Stenographers Grade ‘C’ & ‘D’ Examination, 2013 conducted by Staff Selection Commission (SSC) - nomination of qualified candidates - reg.

In partial modification of this Department’s OM No.6/4/2014-CS.II(C) dated 21.08.2014, the undersigned is directed to inform that the practice of embossing of photograph of the candidates in the dossiers has since been dispensed with by the SSC.

2. In view of this para-8 of the OM No.6/4/2014-CS-ll(C) dated 21.08.2014 of this Department stands modified accordingly and the cadre units are requested not to insist on embossed photograph of the candidates.

Sd/-
(Kameshwar Mishra)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Source:http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02csd/embossing.pdf

PRE-2006 PENSIONERS – FIXATION CASE

1.      After reading our earlier website write up (Sl.2) on the above subject, some readers have sought the details of the case.

2.      The facts of the case briefly stated are as under:

a)    The VI CPC in para 5.1.47 of their report recommended that the fixation of revised pension as per the table given by them “will be subject to the provision that the revised pension, in no case, shall be lower than fifty percent of sum of the minimum of the pay in the pay band and the grade pay thereon corresponding to the prerevised pay scale from which the pensioner had retired”.

b)    The Government of India in their Resolution No.38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 29-8-2008 accepted the above proviso by reproducing it per verbatim at item 12 of the statement showing the relevant recommendations and decision of the Government thereon (vide Annexure to the said Resolution).

c)    In Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare O.M No.38/37/08 P&PW dated 1-9-2008 same proviso has been incorporated at para 4.2 thereof.

d)    The Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare through their clarificatory O.M. No.38/37/08 – P&PW (A) pt. 1 dated 3-10-2008 however modified the para 4.2 of their OM dated 1-9-2008 as under:

The pension calculated at 50% of the minimum of pay in the pay band plus grade pay would be calculated (i) at the minimum pay in the pay band (irrespective of the prerevised scale of pay from which the pensioner is retired) plus grade pay corresponding to the prerevised pay scale.”

e)    In other words in all cases it would be minimum pay of the pay band which would be taken and not the minimum pay in the pay band corresponding to the pre revised pay scale from which the pensioner had retired.

f)     This clarification was challenged by the Central Government SAG (S-29) Pensioners Association in Principal Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (vide O.A. No.655/2010). Hon’ble Tribunal in their order dated 1-11-2011 quashed the above clarificatory order of Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare dated 3-10-2008 and directed the respondents refix the pension of all pre 2006 retirees with effect from 1-1-2006 based on Government Resolution dates 29-8-2008.

g)   Government of India challenged the above decision of the said Tribunal before Delhi High Court vide WP (C) No.1535/2012 which was dismissed by the High Court vide their order dated 29-4-2013 upholding the decision of the Tribunal.

Government of India then filed the following S.L. Ps etc.
(i)    SLP (C) No.23055/2013 dismissed on 29-7-2013.
(ii)   Review Petition (C) No.2492/2013 dismissed on 12-11-2013.
(iii)  Curative Petition (C) No.126/2014 dismissed on 30-4-2014.
Thus the CAT verdict dated 1-11-2011 attained legal finality.

On 15-5-2014 the Hon’ble CAT Principal Bench New Delhi disposed of the contempt petition No.158/2012 directing the Union of India to implement the directions of the Tribunal expeditiously, preferably within three months”.
3.      The Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare in their letter No.38/77-A/09-P&PW(A) dated 29-5-2014 written to the Secretary of Petitioner Associaiton (Central Govt. SAG (S-29) Pensioners Association) has stated that as per the directions of Hon’ble CAT their order dated 1-11-2011 is required to be implemented “only in respect of Petitioners in O.A. No.655/2010 and not in respect of all pre 2006 retirees as per the Tribunals order dated 1-11-2011.

There is no such direction that it should be implemented only in respect of Petitioners. May be that Government Advocate had indicated that Government is willing to implement the judgment qua petitioners but the Tribunal had disposed of the contempt Petition by directing the Union of India to implement their directions dated 1-11-2011 expeditiously.

4.      It will not be out of place to mention here that in response to answer to Lok Sabha unstarred question No.3406 Govt. replied that  the above directions of the CAT Principal Bench had already been implemented in respect of all pre 2006 retirees but from an arbitrarily fixed date of 24-9-2012 (vide Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare O.M. F.No.38/40/12 P&PW(A) dated 28-1-2013) This order was not restricted only to members of the Petitioners Association. Accordingly the direction to implement it wef 1-1-2006 issued by the CAT has to be implemented in respect of all pre 2006 retirees also.

M. Krishnan
Secretary General
Confederation
Mob: 09447068125
e-mail: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com
Source: http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/2014/09/pre-2006-pensioners-fixation-case.html

The Central Government is giving serious thoughts about imposing fines ranging from Rs. 200 to Rs. 20,000 for smoking in public places

\The government has decided to impose strict laws to curb the menace of smoking, which causes deadly diseases like cancer and heart attack. The proposal is likely to be presented during the winter sessions of the Parliament. An expert committee, chaired by the former Chief Secretary of Delhi administration, Ramesh Chandra, was formed in this regard. The committee has submitted its report and recommendations to the Ministry of health and sanitation last week.

The recommendations presented by the Committee include –

Breaking the cigarette packs and sale of one or two cigarettes should be banned.

The minimum age of smokers must be raised from 18 to 25.

Smoking in public places must be declared as criminal offence and violators must be made to pay penalty of Rs. 200 to Rs. 20,000.

Penalty amount for manufacturers who do not print the statutory warning message on the packets must be raised from Rs. 5000 to Rs. 50,000.

Advertisements of tobacco products must be prohibited at the place of sale.

It was found that nearly 70% of the cigarettes sold at retail outlets are from broken packets. Smokers, instead of buying the entire packet, purchase one or two cigarettes from the shops.

There is a general feeling that the Government must pay similar attention to the alcohol problem too.

Source: Govtenews
Filed Under: ,

3% reservation for differently-abled persons be given in all category of government jobs: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court today held that three per cent reservation for differently-abled persons be given in all category of government jobs including in appointments and promotions to IAS while pulling up the Centre for "frustrating" the very purpose of empowering legislation by opposing it.

A bench headed by Chief Justice R M Lodha said the disabled persons have not got their due in the last 19 years after framing of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, which was passed in 1995.

Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand, appearing for the Centre, contended that reservation cannot be given in case of promotion to Group A and Group B officers category as it is not a case of appointment.

The bench, however, observed that appointment is a broader concept and the Centre is giving a narrow interpretation of it.

"You are frustating the very reservation policy and cause of class for which Parliament passed the law," the bench said.

"For the last 19 years it is not being implemented and the class, for which the legislation was made, had not got benefited as it should have," the bench said.

The court dismissed the petition of Centre challenging order of  Bombay High Court which had directed the Centre and the Union Public Service Commission to implement a 3 per cent quota in direct recruitments and promotions for the disabled in the IAS.


Source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/3-quota-must-for-disabled-people-in-all-govt-jobs-including-IAS-Supreme-Court/articleshow/42366036.cms

Information about GDS TRCA, Allowances, Leave etc


GDS MD/SV -
UPTO 3HRS : 2665-50-4165

3HR 45MTS : 3330-60-5130

>3H 45MTS :4220-75-6470

GDS MC/PKR -

UPTO 3HRS  : 2295-45-3695

3HR 45MTS  : 2870-50-4370

>3H 45MTS : 3635-65-5585

OTHER  ALLOWANCES :
FIXED STATIONERY CHARGES (FSC)
GDSBPM : RS.25 PM
GDSSV    : RS.10 PM
GDSDA   : RS.10 PM
MD/MC    : RS.10 PM
CYCLE MAINTENANCE (CMA)
(NO DISTANCE CONDITION)
GDSMD : RS.60 PM
GDSMC : RS.60 PM
OFFICE MAINTENANCE (OMA)
GDSBPM : RS.100 PM
COMBINED DUTY (CDA)
(CONDITIONS APPLY)

BPM+MD : RS.500/- PM
................: RS.250/- PM
BPM+MC : RS.500/- PM
................: RS.250/- PM BPM+MC
RS.500/- & RS.500/- OR
RS.500/- & RS.250/- OR
RS.250/- & RS.500/- OR
RS.250/- & RS.250/-
COMBINATION OF DUTY
GDSMD+MC:RS.25/- PD

GDSMC+MD:RS.25/- PD

MAX. RS.625/- PM
LEAVE :

PAID LEAVE : 20 DAYS

(IN TWO SPELLS @10 EACH)
LEAVE WITHOUT ALLOWANCES

180 DAYS IN CORRESPONDING YEAR
BOAT ALLOWANCE

GDSMC : RS.50/- PM



CASH CONVEYANCE

GDSBPM : RS.50/- PM

COMPENSATION TO GDSMC

RS.6/- PER HOUR &

MAX RS.12/- PER DAY








Source:http://sapost.blogspot.in/2014/09/information-about-gds-trca-allowances.html
Filed Under: , ,

Thursday, September 11, 2014

7% DA from July 2014 – Prompt decision is worth appreciating..!

The Centre has announced an additional 7% DA hike for the Central Government employees and Pensioners from July 2014.

Usually, agendas for central government employees’ DA hike are presented at the Cabinet meeting only on the third or fourth Thursdays of the month. There are times when these decisions were made during the last cabinet meeting of the season. Sometimes, these decisions are not made even during the last meeting and are taken up only during special meeting or at critical times.

On the 4th of this month, out of the blue, the Government announced a 7% DA hike. The cabinet’s announcement gives a positive conclusion to the relentless waiting of the past few weeks.

DA is calculated twice a year (from January to June, and from July to December) based on the changes in the Consumer Price Index (IW) BY 2001=100. The AICPIN numbers of the month are released by the Labour Bureau the following month.

In the month of August, the Labour Bureau sends the AICPIN data for the months of January to July, to the Finance Ministry. Based on the data, the Finance Ministry calculates the DA hike and the additional expense likely to be incurred, and presents the findings and reports towards the end of August to the Cabinet for its approval. The final decision is made in the month of September. This is the usual procedure.

Irrespective of the date of the Cabinet approval in the month of September, the DA hikes are calculated and given along with the salary for the month of September. Increase for the month of July and August are calculated and given as arrears to the employees and pensioners too.

Although 7% hike has been confirmed already, the prompt decision is worth appreciating!

Source : www.cgstaffnews.in

CONFEDERATION'S AGITATIONAL PROGRAMME.

CONFEDERATION’S NATIONWIDE AGITATIONAL PROGRAMME
MAKE IT A GRAND SUCCESS

Phase I – 11.09.2014 – Protest Demonstration at all important places and submission of Memorandum to Cabinet Secretary and all Departmental Heads

NB: copy to the Memorandum, Charter of Demands and explanatory notes on Charter of Demands will be exhibited in the website on 10.09.2014.

Phase – II – 19.09.2014 – Nationwide Day Long Mass Dharna at all important centres.
Phase – III – 25.09.2014 – Mass Dharna at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi

Following are the Demands: –
1. Merger of DA with pay for all employees w.e.f. 01.01.2014 including Gramin Dak Sewaks and Pensioners.
2. Grant of Interim Relief to all employees including Gramin Dak Sewaks and Pensioners.
3. Inclusion of Gramin Dak Sewaks under the purview of 7th Central Pay Commission
4. Scrap PFRDA Act and grant statutory defined pension to all including those appointed on or after 01.01.2004.
5. Date of effect of 7th CPC recommendation should be 01.01.2014.
6. Regularisation and Revision of wages of casual labourers and contract workers.
7. Removal of 5% condition for compassionate appointment.
8. Fill up all vacant post and creation of New Post wherever justified.
9. Stop Downsizing, Outsourcing, Contractorisation and Privatisation of Government function.
10. Grant productivity Linked Bonus to all without ceiling; Compute bonus as weighted average of PLB for those not covered by PLB agreement.
11. Revise OTA and NDA and implement arbitration awards.
12. Settle all pending anomalies of 5th and 6th Pay Commission.

All CHQ office bearers, General Secretaries of State C-O-Cs, Chief Executives of all affiliates and Branch/District/Divisional Secretaries are requested to mobilize maximum employees in the above programme.

Source: http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/

Grant of Dearness Allowance to State Government employees.

GOVERNMENT OF RAJASTHAN
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
(RULES DIVISION)
No. F. 6(1)FD(Rules)/2008
Jaipur, dated: 8.9.2014
ORDER

Sub:- Grant of Dearness Allowance to State Government employees.

The Governor is pleased to order that the existing rate of Dearness Allowance payable to the State Government employees, drawing pay in Rajasthan Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008, under Finance Department Order No. F.6(1 )FD(Rules)/2008 dated 01-03-2014 shall be revised from 100% to 107% with effect from 01-07-2014.

The term ‘Pay’ for the purpose of calculation of Dearness Allowance shall be the Basic Pay i.e. sum of pay in running pay band and grade pay drawn and shall not include any other type(s) of pay like Special Pay or Personal Pay, etc.

The payment on account of Dearness Allowance involving fraction of 50 paisa and above may be rounded off to the next higher rupee and the fraction of less than 50 paisa may be ignored.

The amount of increase in Dearness Allowance for the period from 01-07-2014 to 31-08-2014 shall be credited to the General Provident Fund Account of the respective employees and cash payment shall be admissible from 01-09-2014 i.e. salary for the month of September, 2014 payable on 01-10-2014.

The arrear of DA from 01-07-2014 to 31-08-2014 to the employees recruited to the Civil Services on or after 01-01 -2004 and who are governed by Contributory Pension Scheme, shall be paid in cash.

By order of the Governor,
sd/-
(Siddharth Mahajan)
Special Secretary
Finance (Budget)
Source: http://finance.rajasthan.gov.in/RULES/F6-(1)-2008-08-09-2014.pdf

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Revision of ceiling for payment of Bonus in Bonus Act 1965

Shiva Gopal Mishra
Secretary

National Council (Staff Side)
Joint Consultative Machinery
for Central Government Employees
13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi - 110001

No.NC/JCM/2014
Dated: August 23, 2014

Shri Narendra Modi Ji,
Hon'ble Prime Minister,
Government of India,
New Delhi

Respected Sir,

Sub: Revision of ceiling for payment of Bonus in Bonus Act 1965

Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 was amended in the year 2007. This Act was called as Payment of Bonus(Amendment) Act, 2007.

In Section 12 of the Principal Act (1965), payment of minimum bonus was revised from Rs.2500 to Rs.3500 w.e.f. 1st April, 2006 through Payment of Bonus(Amendment) Ordinance 2007(8 of 2007) and subsequently passed by the Parliament through Bill No.89/2007.

The Central Trade Unions and also the Constituent Organizations of Joint Consultative Machinery for Central Government employees raised the issue of amendment to the Section 12 of the Bonus Act, 1965 to remove the Ceiling of Rs.3500, mentioned in the Section 12 of the Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act 2007.

But so far the Government has not amended the Act to pay real wages to the workers as Bonus, which is causing lot of hardship to the workers due to high escalation of prices of all commodities after the enactment of the amendment to the Bonus Act 1965 in the year 2007.

You are, therefore, requested to consider the pleas made by the Central Trade Union Organizations and also the JCM Constituent Organizations for Central Government employees and amend the Section 12 of the Bonus Act, duly removing the ceiling mentioned in the Section 12 of the Payment of Bonus(Amendment) Act, 2007.

As Pooja Festival is fast approaching and orders for payment of Productivity Linked Bonus to Railway employees and Ex. gratia to other Central Government employees are likely to be issued shortly, you are further requested to propose to issue an ordinance with the approval of the President to amend Section 12 of the Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 2007 so as to enable the Railwaymen and other Central Government employees to get real wages as Bonus.

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)

Source:http://ncjcmstaffside.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/JCM-letter-to-PM-on-PLB.pdf
Filed Under: , , ,

Closing of Central Government Offices in connection with Bye-Elections to the Parliamentary Constituencies and Assembly Constituencies in State Assemblies etc, during September, 2014.

MOST IMMEDIATE 

F.NO.12/7/2014-JCA 2 
Government of India 
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions 
(Department of Personnel & Training) 

North Block, New Delhi 
Dated the 3rd September, 2014 

OFFICE MEMORANDUM 

Subject: Closing of Central Government Offices in connection with Bye-Elections to the Parliamentary Constituencies and Assembly Constituencies in State Assemblies etc, during September, 2014.

The undersigned is directed to say that in connection with the Bye-Elections to the Parliamentary Constituencies from the State of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh and Assembly Constituencies in various State Assemblies scheduled to be held in during September, 2014, the guidelines already issued by Department of Personnel & Training vide OM No.12/14/99-JCA dated 10th October, 2001 (copy enclosed) have to be followed for closing of the Central Government Offices including Industrial Establishments in the States.

These instructions may be brought to the notice of all concerned.

Sd/- 
(Ashok Kumar) 
Director (JCA)

Source:http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/12_7_2014-JCA-2_03092014.pdf

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Cabinet approves 7% DA hike for Central government employees

The Union Cabinet gave its approval on Thursday for the release of a 7 per cent additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees. It also approved Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners. Both DA and DR will become effective from July 1, 2014.

This is an increase of 7 per cent over the existing rate of 100 percent of the Basic Pay/Pension to compensate for price rise, said an official release issued on Thursday.

The increase is in accordance with an accepted formula based on the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission.

The combined impact on the exchequer in the financial year 2014-2015 (for eight-months period starting July 2014 till February 2015) on account of the DA would be of the order of approximately Rs. 7,691 crore per annum and that of the DR would be Rs. 5,127 crore.

The Cabinet also approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India Bangladesh for co-operation in the field of traditional systems of medicine and homoeopathy.

The signing of the proposed MoU will enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the areas of traditional medicine and homoeopathy the release stated adding that this will be of immense importance to both countries considering their shared cultural heritage.

There are no additional financial implications of the MoU, however, financial resources necessary to conduct research, training courses, conferences and meetings will be met from the existing allocated budget and existing plan schemes of the Department of Ayush, the release said.

The total exports of Ayush products from India in 2012-13 was Rs.2167.57 crore. India’s exports of herbal and Ayush products in 2013-14 to Bangladesh were Rs. 31.85 crore.

The Department of Ayush as a part of its mandate to propagate the Indian systems of medicine globally has taken effective steps by entering into MoUs with the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SATCM), China (the MoU has since expired), Malaysia, Trinidad and Tobago and Hungary for cooperation in traditional medicine. MoUs are proposed to be signed with Serbia and Nepal for which the Cabinet has given its approvals. Consequently, the Ministers of Health, Government of Serbia and Government of Nepal have been invited to visit India for signing of the MoUs.

Source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cabinet-approves-7-da-hike-for-central-government-employees/article6380310.ece

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Regulation of Transport Allowance at Faridabad Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and Nodia at par with Delhi rates.

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS
1st Floor, North Avenue PO Building, New Delhi – 110001
Website: WWW. Confederationhq.blogspot.com
Email: Confederationhq@yahoo.co.in

Patron
S.K.Vyas
09868244035

President
K.K.N.Kutty
09811048303

Secretary General
M.Krishnan
09447068125

Ref: Conf/Genl/2014
Dated – 26.08.2014
To
The Secretary
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
New Delhi – 110001

Sub: Regulation of Transport Allowance at Faridabad Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and Nodia at par with Delhi rates.

Sir,
Your kind attention is invited to the OM No. 21(8)2010-E-II (B) dated 01.08.2012 of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure regarding regulation of Transport Allowance at Faridabad, Gurgaon, Ghziabad and Noida wherein instructions have been issued to regulate the Transport Allowance at the rates applicable to ‘Other Cities’ i.e other than 13 classified cities as per the condition laid down in OM no. 21(2)12008-E-II (B) dated 29.08.2008. Issuance of the OM has created panics among the employees posted at these cities. Immediate action is required to be taken to avoid implementation of the OM.

In this connection following points are brought to your kind notice —
1. Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure had issued OM 2(4)-E.II (B)/65 dated 05.11.1974 vide which special dispensation was given to Faridabad at Delhi rates in respect of CCA & H RA.

2. 5th Central Pay Commission had made recommendations to grant of transport allowance to Central Government employees to compensate the cost incurred on commuting between the place of residence and the place of duty. Transport allowance was implemented vide 0M No. — 1(13)97-E-Il (B) dated 03.10.1997, according to which, transport allowance was to be regulated on the basis of classification of cities for the purpose of CCA. Para 3.1 of said order Is reproduced below-

The cities referred to as ‘A’ and ‘A-1’ in these orders shall be the same as those classified as such for the purpose of Compensatory (City) Allowance (CCA) in terms of the orders issued
separately regulating grant of CCA to the Central Government employees.

3. Vide para 4.2 8, 6 CPC had recommended abolition of CCA and increased the rates of transport allowance subsuming the element of CCA. The abolition of CCA was compensated by increasing the rates of transport allowance.

4. Faridabad has been given the status of A-1 city (as being part of the Urban Agglomerate of Delhiat par with NOIDA, Ghazia bad and Gurgan etc.) since 1974 for the purposes of HRA & CCA and since August, 1997 for the purpose of transport allowance as given above. These facilities are being extended to the Central Government employees/officers posted at Faridabad accordingly.

5. It may further be noted that, Ministry of Finance, vide No. 21 (2)/2008-E.ll dated 29.08.2008 has classified 13 cities as A-I/A which, inter-alia, includes Delhi (UA). Delhi (Urban Agglomerate) includes Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Noida & Gurgaon As such, the rates of Transport Allowance admissible for the City of Delhi, automatically stands extended to the other constituents of the Urban Agglomerate.

6. If rate of the transport allowance is reduced the rate payable to other cities, employees posted at Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Noida & Gurgaon will be deceived from the benefit given by the 6th CPC by subsuming the element of CCA in transport allowance as they were being paid CCA at Delhi rates.

7. In view of the above, it reveals that the transport allowance was being regulated on the basis of classification of cities for the purpose of CCA and payment of transport allowance at Delhi rates, to the employees posted at Faridabad is fully justified. This stands already concluded by the orders and judgments of the Hon’ble CAT Principal Bench, New Delhi (copy enclosed for ready reference) as given below-

1) OA No. 483/2005, Judgment dated 16.09.2005.
2) OA No. 2441/2005, Judgment dated 02.08,2006
3) RA No. 296/2010, Judgment dated 14.01.2011.
4) OA No. 368/2011, Judgment dated 21.07.2011.
5) OA no. 459/2011, Judgment dated 05.08.2011.
6) CP No. 302/2011, Judgment dated 30.03.2011.

8. These judgments squarely covers this issue wherein the Hon’ble CAT, Principal Bench, New Delhi had upheld the payment of Transport Allowance at par with Delhi (UA) and the said judgments were accepted by the Government and duly implemented. It appears that the Department of Expenditure has not noticed the above judicial pronouncement and issued the clarification vide OM dated 1” August, 2012, which seem to be in contravention of the directions of the Hon’ble CAT.

It is therefore, requested to kindly take cognizance of the facts and particularly the binding judgments of the Hon’bel CAT, New Delhi as mentioned above to withdraw the latest instructions issued vide ID No. 21 (8)12010-E-Il (B) dated 01.08.2012 for reducing the Transport Allowance on par with “Other Cities”.

An early action ¡n this regard is highly solicited.

DA: as above

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(M. Krishnan)
Secretary General

Source: http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/2014/08/confederation-writes-to-ministry-of.html