Guidelines to be followed for holding Of Conferences/ Workshops/Seminars, etc. (Domestic & International)

Guidelines to be followed for holding of Conferences/ Workshops/ Seminars, etc. (Domestic and International)

No. 19/(36)/E.Coord/2018
Government Of India
Ministry of Finance
Department Of Expenditure
E.Coord Branch

New Delhi, the 30th May, 2018

MEMORANDUM

Subject: Guidelines to be followed for holding Of Conferences/ Workshops/Seminars, etc. (Domestic & International)

Ministry of Finance, Department Of Expenditure has been issuing guidelines for holding of Conferences/ Workshops/ Seminars, etc. (Domestic & International) from time to time with the objective that Ministries/Departments undertake such events keeping in mind the absolute necessity of it and adhering to most economy. The extant guidelines have been reviewed and stand revised.

2. It has been decided that henceforth only proposals involving expenditure above Rs. 40 lakhs for International as well as domestic Conferences/ Seminars/ Workshops etc, will need to be referred to the Department of Expenditure.

3. International conferences/ workshops/seminars/ meetings etc:

i) All proposals involving expenditure of Rs. 40 Lakh or less for holding conferences/ workshops/ seminars} meetings etc. involving participation of foreign delegates may be decided by the Ministry/ Department in consultation with their Financial Adviser The approval of the Minister in Charge, political clearance from Ministry of External Affairs and clearance of Ministry of Home Affairs from security angle (wherever required) shall be obtained.

ii) All Proposals involving expenditure above Rs. 40 (Forty) lakh for incurring expenditure on holding conferences, workshops/ seminars/ meetings etc. with international participation should be referred to the Department of Expenditure (DOE) with the approval Of the Minister in Charge. political clearance from Ministry of External Affairs and clearance of Ministry of Home Affairs from security angle (wherever required) for obtaining approval Of the Cabinet Secretary through Secretary (Expenditure).

iii) Commitment for bearing travel/ accommodation cost on participants from foreign countries should be kept to the barest minimum. Ministries/ Departments shall exercise utmost economy and austerity in this regard

iv) "In-principle" approval of the Minister-in-charge should be taken sufficiently in advance before the event.

v) Priority will be given to those conferences that arise out of international agreements/ obligations. Other conferences etc. should be planned only if there is residual provision in the Budget.

vi) All preparations for holding the conference and other formalities should be completed sufficiently in advance to avoid any last minute hitch and embarrassment.

vii) All administrative arrangements including issuance Of invitations should be done after receiving Cabinet Secretary's approval or as per the powers delegated under this 0M.

4. Domestic conferences/ workshops/ seminars/ meetings etc: proposals involving RS 40 (Forty) lakh or less may be decided by the Ministry/ Department in consultation with their Financial Adviser. proposals involving expenditure above Rs 40 (Forty) lakh for incurring expenditure on holding conferences/ workshops/ seminars/ meetings etc, with participation limited to Indian delegates only may be referred to Department of Expenditure for approval of Secretary (Expenditure). Approval Of Secretary of the Ministry/ Department may be Obtained prior to the file being referred to Department Of Expenditure.

5. Autonomous Bodies:

i) Conferences held by Autonomous Bodies generally generate revenue from sponsorships and registrations and most of the time either they do not require government support or require in small portions. Administrative Ministries are competent to grant approval for holding the conferences (whether domestic or international) where no funds are required from Government

ii) However, if Government funds are required and the financial assistance required is more than Rs. 40 Lakhs for International as well as Domestic conferences/ workshops/seminars/ meetings etc. such cases shall be referred to Department of Expenditure.

6. General Instructions: While referring the cases of Conferences etc., whether domestic or international, to Department of Expenditure, following may be strictly adhered to:

(i) Holding of Exhibitions/ fairs/ seminars/ conferences/ workshops etc. abroad should be discouraged except for promotion of trade and business and for projection of 'Brand India'. For this purpose, depending on the nature of event, if more than one Ministry/ Department is involved, a Nodal Ministry/ Department should be identified to take the lead for coordinating and organizing the event.

(ii) All proposals referred to Department of Expenditure on the subject should be sent at least one month in advance of commencement of the event and only through the Financial Adviser concerned While referring the proposals to the Department of Expenditure, it may be ensured that necessary clearances viz. from Ministry Of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs etc. and approval Of competent authority in the Ministry/ Department have been obtained and placed in the file. In the absence of these, the proposals will be returned without processing in the Department of Expenditure

(iii) Sufficient provision in the relevant Budget should be ensured before such proposals are processed in the Ministry/ Department and before referring proposals to Department Of Expenditure. The proposal should clearly indicate the budget provision.

(iv) Stipulated timeline for submission of proposals may be adhered to strictly. It may be noted that henceforth, delayed proposals will not be processed unless accompanied by a Delay Report containing reasons for delay, duly approved by the Administrative Secretary.

(v) Holding of conferences/ workshops/seminars/ meetings etc. in Five Star Hotels is banned except in case of bilateral/ multilateral official engagements held at the level Of Minister-in-Charge or Administrative Secretary with foreign Government or international bodies of which India is a Member. Any deviation in this regard should be referred to the Department of Expenditure with adequate justification.

(vi) Ministries/Departments shall not resort to seeking ex post- facto approval on the proposals since they are liable to be rejected. Hence, adequate advance planning and obtention of all requisite approvals/clearances is emphasized

7. Notwithstanding the enhancement in the prescribed expenditure ceiling, all Ministries/ Departments shall ensure utmost economy in public expenditure.

8. This is in supersession of Department of Expenditure's earlier instructions on tie subject cited above issued vide following OMs NO.:i) 19(9)/E.Coord/2011 dated 5th March, 2015

ii)19(9)/E.Coord/2012 dated 12th July, 2012
iii)19(9)/E.Coord/2012 dated 13th September, 2011
iv) 7(1)/E.Coord/2010 dated 13th September, 2010
v) 7(1)/E.Coord/2010dated 31st May, 2010
vi) 7(1)/E.Coord/2002 dated 28th May, 2003

9. These instructions will come into operation with immediate effect.

sd/-
(H. Atheli)
Director

Source: www.doe.gov.in

Members of Empowered Committee for processing the Report of the 7th Pay Commission

Constitution of Empowered Committee of Secretaries for processing the Report of the Seventh Central Pay Commission – Finance Ministry Orders on 27.1.2016

No.1-4/2015-E.III(A)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

New Delhi, dated the 27th January, 2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Constitution of Empowered Committee of Secretaries for processing the Report of the Seventh Central Pay Commission

It has been decided with the approval of the Cabinet to set up an Empowered Committee of Secretaries to process the recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission.

The Committee will have the following members :

1.	Cabinet Secretary	Chairman
2.	Finance Secretary/Secretary (Expenditure)	Member
3.	Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training	Member
4.	Secretary, Department of Pension & PW	Member
5.	Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs	Member
6.	Secretary, Ministry of Defence	Member
7.	Secretary, Department of Revenue	Member
8.	Secretary, Department of Post	Member
9.	Secretary, Department of Health	Member
10.	Secretary, Department of Science & Technology	Member
11.	Chairman, Railway Board	Member
12.	Deputy Comptroller & Auditor General	Member
13.	Secretary (Security), Cabinet Secretariat	Member

2. The Committee may co-opt any other Secretary, whenever found necessary.

3. The Empowered Committee will function as a Screening Committee to screen the recommendations of the Commission after taking into account the views of the concerned stakeholders, viz, the Ministries/Departments, Staff Associations and the JCM, so as to firm up the final conclusions for approval of the Cabinet.

4. The Implementation Cell created in the Department of Expenditure shall function as Secretariat for the Empowered Committee of Secretaries.

5. The final recommendations of the Empowered Committee of Secretaries will be submitted for approval of the Cabinet.

sd/-
(Annie George Mathew)
Joint Secretary to the Government of India

Authority : www.persmin.gov.in

Click to view the order

DA Order: Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees Revised Rates effective from 1.1.2015

Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees – Revised Rates effective from 1.1.2015

Finance Ministry issued orders for the payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees at Revised Rates effective from 1.1.2015

No.1/2/2015-E-II (B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 10th April, 2015.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees Revised Rates effective from 1.1.2015.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s Office Memorandum No. 1/2/2014-E-II(B) dated 18th September, 2014 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Allowance payable to Central Government employees shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 107% to 113% with effect from January, 2015.

2. The provisions contained in paras 3, 4 and 5 of this Ministry’s O.M. No. I(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 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. Bhattacharya)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Please click the below link to view the order
Finmin Orders on DA from 1.1.2015 10042015

PUBLIC NOTICE FROM FINANCE MINISTRY – SUGGESTIONS / IDEAS ARE INVITED ON UNCLAIMED AMOUNT REMAINED IN PPF, POST OFFICE & BANKS DEPOSITS

Finance Ministry today published an important public notice on its portal that suggestions and ideas are invited on the proper utilization of the deposits remained unclaimed in various small Savings Schemes with Post Offices and Banks for welfare and protecting financial interest of Senior Citizens. Interested persons/organizations may submit their suggestions/ideas to the Joint Director National Savings Institute…

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
NATIONAL SAVINGS INSTITUTE

F.No 6504/94 (6)/2014/Comm

October 8, 2014

PUBLIC NOTICE

A committee has been constituted by Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India to examine the unclaimed amount remained In various small savings schemes viz. Public Provident Fund, Senior Citizen Saving Schemes etc. and also to recommend how this unclaimed amount can be used to protect and Further financial interest of the senior citizens, vide notification No. 13/20/2014-NS.II dated 03.09.2014. A copy of the notification is available on our website finmin.nic.in and http://www.nsiindia.gov.in.

Suggestions / ideas are invited on the proper utilization of the deposits remained unclaimed in various small Savings Schemes with Post Offices and Banks for welfare and protecting financial interest of Senior Citizens.

Interested persons/organizations may submit their suggestions/ideas to the Joint Director National Savings Institute, Govt. of India, Ministry of Finance, ‘A’ Block. 4th Floor, CGO Complex, Seminary Hills, Nagpur — 440006 or email : nsi@nsiindia.gov.in latest by 15t November 2014.

sd/-

(A.K.Chauhan)

Joint Director, NSI & Member – Secretar

Source: www.finmin.nic.in
[http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_eco_affairs/budget/Suggestion_unclaimedfund_PublicNotice08102014.pdf]

#Finance Ministry Orders, #finmin, #Finmin Order

Clarification on Submission of Boarding Pass along with TA bills – Finance Ministry Orders on 8.10.2014

Travelling Allowance (TA) Rules – Submission of Boarding Pass along with TA bills- reg.

No.19030/3/2014-E.IV
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 8th October, 2014

Office Memorandum

Subject: Travelling Allowance (TA) Rules – Submission of Boarding Pass along with TA bills- reg.

References have been received in this Department seeking review of the existing guidelines relating to submission of Boarding Passes alongwith TA bills for air journeys performed on Government account.

2. O/o Controller General of Accounts have clarified that as per provisions of Civil Accounts Manual Pay and Account Offices are mandated to ask the DDOs to produce records to ensure that the journey for which TA is being claimed, was actually performed and DDOs may accordingly be asked to enclose the Boarding Passes with the TA bills.

3. Since submission of Boarding Passes as proof of having undertaken the journey is a requirement under the rules and procedures for passing TA claims, all concerned are required to follow these instructions. Ministries/Departments etc. are accordingly advised that these instructions may be brought to the notice of all concerned for strict compliance.

sd/-
(Subhash Chand)
Director

Source: www.finmin.nic.in
[http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_expenditure/notification/tour_ltc/TARules_BoardingPass08102014.pdf]

#FINANCE MINISTRY, #Finmin, Finmin Orders, #TA / DA, #TA DA #Rules, #Travelling Allowance, #Finance Ministry Orders, #Finmin Order, #TA/DA, Travelling allowance rules

NO MERGER OF DA – FINANCE MINISTRY REPLY TO NATIONAL COUNCIL SECRETARY

NO MERGER OF DA – FINANCE MINISTRY REPLY TO NATIONAL COUNCIL SECRETARY

The All India Audit & Accounts Association has published a letter from Finance Ministry to National Council Secretary Shri Shiva Gopal Mishra on 17.6.2014, regarding the main demand of merger of dearness allowance with basic pay.

Finance Ministry said in the letter, 6th Central Pay Commission did not recommend merger of dearness allowance with basic pay at any stage and the recommendations has accepted by the Central Government vide resolution dated 29.8.2008.

The content of the letter is reproduced and given below for your information…

No.1(6)/2013-E-II(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
***

North Block, New Delhi
Dated 17th June, 2014

To
Shri Shiva Gopal Mishra,
Secretary,
National Council (Staff Side),
Joint Consultative Machinery for Central Government Employees,
13-C, Ferozshah Road,
New delhi-110 001

Subject : Merger of Dearness Allowance with Basic Pay – regarding

Sir,
This is in reference to letter No.NC-JCM/2014/DA/DP addressed to the Hon’ble Finance Minister regarding merger of Dearness Allowance (DA) with Basic Pay. It is stated that the Sixth Central Pay Commission did not recommend merger of DA with basic pay at any stage. This has been accepted by the Government vide Resolution dated 29.8.2008

Yours faithfully
sd/-
(A.Bhattacharya)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source: www.auditflag.blogspot.in
[http://auditflag.blogspot.in/2014/06/no-merger-of-da-government.html]

Transport Allowance to Central Government Employees at Faridabad, Ghaziabad Gurgaon, and Noida rates applicable to ‘Other Places’

Transport Allowance to Central Government Employees at Faridabad, Ghaziabad Gurgaon, and Noida rates applicable to ‘Other Places’

Payment of Transport Allowance to Central Government Employees posted in offices located at Faridabad, Ghaziabad Gurgaon, and Noida —Order of Hon’ble Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Principal Bench, New Delhi in O.A. No. 2080/2012 of ML Rustagi v/s Union of India & Others and 22 OAs (clubbed together) – Matter regarding.

No. 211812010-EII (B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 7th March, 2014.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Payment of Transport Allowance to Central Government Employees posted in offices located at Faridabad, Ghaziabad Gurgaon, and Noida —Order of Hon’ble Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Principal Bench, New Delhi in O.A. No. 2080/2012 of ML Rustagi v/s Union of India & Others and 22 OAs (clubbed together) – Matter regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to Order dated 4th October, 2013 of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Principal Bench, New Delhi in O.A. No. 2080/2012 of ML Rustagi v/s Union of India & Others and 22 similar OAs (clubbed together) wherein Hon’ble CAT has directed the Ministry of Finance to re-examine the whole issue of payment of Transport Allowance to Central Government Employees posted in offices located at Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Noida holistically taking into consideration its history starting from the issue of O.M. No.21(1)/97-E-II(B) dated 3.10.1997, the various directions given by the Tribunal from time to time, the arguments advanced by the Applicants in all the OAs for grant of special dispensation to satellite towns with further direction that the decision taken is to be communicated to Ministries/Departments by means of a reasoned order.

2. Accordingly, as directed by Hon’ble CAT, the entire matter has been re-examined ab-initioo in this Ministry. It is stated that Central Government Employees posted in offices located at Faridabad, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and Noida are eligible for Transport Allowance rates applicable to "Other Places" specified in Ministry of Finance O.M. No. 21(2)I2008-E-II (B) dated 29.08.2008 and NOT at ‘A-1/A’ class cities rates for the following reasons/grounds:-

(a) The ‘special dispensation’ to certain localities, including Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, and Noida, in the matter of grant of House Rent Allowance (HRA) and City Compensatory Allowance (CCA) were allowed, as special cases. by means of separate
orders issued during 1974 to 1990. The ‘special dispensation’ allowed grant of HRA & CCA at Delhi rates to employees posted in offices located in Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, and Noida. However, the ‘special dispensation’ was neither based on classification of Faridabad., Ghaziabad, Gurgaon. or Noida as ‘A-I/A’ Class cities nor inclusion of any of these areas into Delhi (UA) for the purpose of HRA and CCA.

(b) The special dispensation in the matter of grant of HRA & CCA at rates applicable to ‘A-1/A’ Class cities to certain localities including Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, and Noida has been continued till date in respect of HRA and till 31.08.2008 in the respect of CCA, by making explicit provisions in the order issued by the Ministry of Finance since 1993.

(c) The concept of Transport Allowance was introduced by the Fifth Central Pay Commission (5th CPC) to defray the cost of commuting between residence and office. The 5th CPC recommended grant of Transport Allowance @ Rs.800, Rs.400 and Rs.100 p.m. for ‘A1/A class cities and Rs.400. Rs.200 and Rs.75 p.m. for remaining cities/towns to be classified as ‘Other Places’. The 5th CPC had not specified / recommended as to what should be the basis for classification of cities/towns as ‘A-1/A’ class cities or Other Places for the purpose of Transport Allowance. On accepting the recommendation of 5th CPC, order for grant of Transport Allowance was issued vide Ministry of Finance O.M. No, 21(1)197-E-II(B)dated 3.10.1997. Though it was decided that the cities classified as ‘A-1’ and ‘A’ for the purpose of CCA shall be the same for grant of Transport Allowance also, however, it was not decided to extend the ‘special dispensation’ granted to CCA, in respect of certain localities including Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, and Noida, for Transport Allowance.

(d) Clarification in this regard was issued at point No.9 of Ministry of Finance O.M. No.21(1)/97-E-II(B) dated 22.02.2002 that the ‘special dispensation’ to some cities was extended in the case of HRA/CCA only, and that it was not applicable for Transport
Allowance.

(e) The issue of grant of Transport Allowance at higher rates to employees posted in offices located in Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Noida were raised in various OAs filed in CAT, in particular OA No. 1270/2005 which was disposed by Order dated 18.11.2005. OA No. 483/2005 along with OA No. 1292/2005 disposed by Order dated 16.09.2005 and OA No.2263/2005 disposed by Order dated 03.01.2006. The Order of CAT dated 16.09.2005 in OA No.483/2005 was challenged in the Delhi High Court and the matter was admitted as WP (C)No. 2600/2006 of ESIC & Others v/s Joint Action Council Speciality and Doctors wherein the Union of India is being represented through Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment. The Hon’ble High Court of Delhi is yet to decide the matter. Hence, the order of CAT allowing grant of Transport Allowance at ‘A-1/A’ class cities to empIoyees posted in offices located at Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Noida is, therefore, sub-judice.

(f) The 6th CPC while recommending CCA to be subsumed in Transport Allowance, did not recommend any special dispensation to be given to any locality in the matter of grant of Transport Allowance. Orders on implementation of the recommendations of the 6th CPC were issued vide Ministry of Finance O.M. No. 21(2)12008-EII (B) dated 29.08.2008 (effective from 01.09.2008) wherein higher rates of Transport Allowance were allowed to ‘A-1/A’ class cities and lower rates to ‘Other Places”. The names of those 13 cities, to which higher rates of Transport Allowance is admissible, have been explicitly mentioned therein, which do not include Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon or Noida. All cities/towns/places other than those 13
specified cities, comes under the classification of ‘Other places’ for the purpose of admissibility of Transport Allowance. Moreover, Delhi (UA) classified as ‘A-1’ class city for CCA purpose does not include the areas of Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Noida.

3. Therefore, Transport Allowance to Central Government Employees posted in offices located at Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Noida should be regulated as per the rates applicable to ‘Other Places’ in terms of Ministry of Finance O.0M. No. 21(2)12008-E.II (B) dated 29.8.2008.

sd/-
(Subhash Chand)

Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Source: www.finmin.nic.in
[http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_expenditure/notification/ta_ota/TA_OM_FNG07032014.pdf]