Will Central Government Employees get 17 percent DA in the salary of September 2019 ?

Will Central Government Employees get 17 percent DA in the salary of September 2019?

Central government is likely to approve a hike in dearness allowance (DA) to 17 per cent from the existing 12 per cent, benefiting around 30 lakh Centre’s employees and its 50 lakh pensioners including dependents.

“The five per cent DA raise has been confirmed with the release of June 2019 All India Consumer Price Index (AICPI). The AICPI for June 2019 is 316, which is two points more that May 2019 AICPI,” an official said.

He said the Finance Ministry will now put a Cabinet proposal for approval of 5 per cent DA hike from July 1 this year as the revised Consumer Price Index-Industrial Workers data for June was released by Labour Ministry on July 31.

With increase in DA, the pensioners will also gain as the benefit provided to them as dearness relief will be hiked to 17 per cent of basic pension.

The government had increased DA to 12 per cent from 9 per cent with effect from January 1, 2019, on February 27 on the basis of agreed formula for revision of the Dearness allowance.

The five per cent hike in DA would be the biggest since the implementation of the 7th pay commission recommendations in 2016.

The DA announcement may come this month and the government may not delay the DA announcement for the festival season beginning with Dussehra.

The central government employees will get 17 percent DA in the salary of September 2019.

Clarification on grant of Non-functional Scale in Indian Railways

Clarification on grant of Non-functional Scale to Gr. 'B' officers in Level-11 of Accounts Department and Level-10 in organized departments of Indian Railways

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. E(GP)2003/2/22

New Delhi,  dated: 06.08.2019

The General Managers,
All Indian Railways & Production Units

Sub.: Clarification on grant of Non-functional Scale to Gr. 'B' officers in Level-11 of Accounts Department and Level-10 in organized departments of Indian Railways- reg.

In terms of Ministry of Railways' Gazette Notification G.S.R. 210(E) dated 08.03.2018 (RBE No. 37/2018), the higher scale of Level-11 in Accounts department and Level-10 in other organised departments has to be operated to the extent of 100% of the Gr. 'B' officers on-roll including Gr. 'B' officers officiating in Level-11 on ad-hoc basis after completion of 4 years of regular service in the respective grades in organized departments. Subsequently, detailed guidelines outlining the procedure have also been issued vide Board's letter no. E(GP) 2003/2/22) dated 12.12.2018 (RBE No. 192/2018).

2. It has been observed that references are being received from various Zonal Railways seeking clarification on issues relating to the aforementioned scheme. In the past, several clarifications have been issued to various Zonal Railways over a number of issues. Therefore, in order to provide clarity on the issue, these clarifications are being summarised as under:

S.No.	Doubt	Remarks
1	Whether Gr. 'B' officers completing 4 years of regular service are to be granted NFS from the next date or from 1st January or 1st July of the following year.	The date of effect of placement in the higher Group 'B' non-functional grade will be the date when the officer becomes eligible i.e. when the officer completes four years of regular service in the relevant grade.
2.	Clarification whether Gr 'B' officers on deputation, on the date of their consideration for grant of NFS to be taken to be on roll or total no. of Gr. 'B' officers be computed excluding their names.	Officers on deputation to other departments may be granted Non­ functional Scale of Level-10 notionally from 08.03.2018 while the actual benefit will accrue to them on return from deputation and joining the cadre.
3.	Grading of APAR for allotment of higher scale of Level-11 to Gr. 'B' officers of Accounts Department and Level- 10 of other organised Departments.	The benchmark for grant of NFS of Level-11 to Gr. 'B' officers of Accounts Department and Level-10 of other organised Departments would continue to be 'Good'.
4.	Whether Gr. 'B' officers 'On-roll' includes officers on deputation.	Yes. The term Gr. 'B' officers on-roll mentioned in Board's letter dated 08.03.2018 also include officers who are having their lien on the Railway but are working elsewhere on deputation.
5.	APARs	Five years APARs are required to be considered. If any APARs is not available, the APARs of the immediately preceding year/years to that extent may be taken into account even if it pertains to non-gazetted period of service.
6.	Whether a senior employee can be considered for grant of NFS with his junior having already completed 4 years of service.	For consideration of officers for placement in the higher Gr. 'B' Scale of Level-10 (Level-11 in case of Accounts department), the senior Group 'B' employee shall be deemed to have rendered the service put in by his immediate junior and if that happens 4 years or more he should be considered for placement in higher Gr. 'B' scale of Level-10 (Level-11 in case of Accounts department).
7.	Extended Panel is required to be formed in lieu of officers who would be retiring during the intervening period.	Since the posts are being operated at 100% and officers are being granted the benefit from the date on which they are becoming eligible (through assessment being done on the prescribed date), formation of extended panel is not required.
8.	Whether service rendered in the Gr. 'B' in the previous unit can be considered for grant of NFS.	The issue may be decided in terms of Board's Letter No. E(GP)2005/1/43 dated 16.12.2005.

 Source: http://www.indianrailways.gov.in

Registration opens for farmers to register for the Pension Scheme - Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

Registration opens for PM Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana; Union Agriculture Minister urges farmers to register for the Pension Scheme

Registration for the PM Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana begins today said Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, while addressing a Press Conference in Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi today. Appealing farmers across the country to join the old age pension Scheme, the Minister said that the scheme has been envisioned with an aim to improve the life of small and marginal farmers of the country. The Minister said that the operational guidelines have been shared with the States and Agriculture Secretary Shri. Sanjay Agarwal conducted a Video Conference with States in this regard to ensure proper information dissemination and speedy implementation of the Scheme.

Elucidating the salient features of Scheme, Shri. Tomar said that the scheme is voluntary and contributory for farmers in the entry age group of 18 to 40 years and a monthly pension of Rs. 3000/- will be provided to them on attaining the age of 60 years. The farmers will have to make a monthly contribution of Rs.55 to Rs.200, depending on their age of entry, in the Pension Fund till they reach the retirement date i.e. the age of 60 years. The Central Government will also make an equal contribution of the same amount in the pension fund. The spouse is also eligible to get a separate pension of Rs.3000/- upon making separate contributions to the Fund. The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) shall be the Pension Fund Manager and responsible for Pension pay out.

The Minister stated that, in case of death of the farmer before retirement date, the spouse may continue in the scheme by paying the remaining contributions till the remaining age of the deceased farmer. If the spouse does not wish to continue, the total contribution made by the farmer along with interest will be paid to the spouse. If there is no spouse, then total contribution along with interest will be paid to the nominee. If the farmer dies after the retirement date, the spouse will receive 50% of the pension as Family Pension. After the death of both the farmer and the spouse, the accumulated corpus shall be credited back to the Pension Fund. The beneficiaries may opt voluntarily to exit the Scheme after a minimum period of 5 years of regular contributions. On exit, their entire contribution shall be returned by LIC with an interest equivalent to prevailing saving bank rates.

The farmers, who are also beneficiaries of PM-Kisan Scheme, will have the option to allow their contribution debited from the benefit of that Scheme directly. In case of default in making regular contributions, the beneficiaries are allowed to regularize the contributions by paying the outstanding dues along with prescribed interest. The initial enrollment to the Scheme is being done through the Common Service Centres in various states. Later on alternative facility of enrollment through the PM-Kisan State Nodal Officers or by any other means or online enrollment will also be made available. The enrollment is free of cost. The Common Service Centres will charge Rs.30/- per enrolment which will be borne by the Government.

There will be appropriate grievance redressal mechanism of LIC, banks and the Government. An Empowered Committee of Secretaries has also been constituted for monitoring, review and amendments of the Scheme.

Shri Tomar also said that under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi the target of 10 crore beneficiaries for this year will be achieved. The Minister added that till date, 5, 88,77,194 and 3,40,93,837 farmers’ families have availed 1st and 2nd instalments respectively under the PM-Kisan Scheme.

*****

APS/JP

Source: PIB

“Pension Adalat” for all Central Civil Pensioners will be held on 23rd August 2019: CPAO

“Pension Adalat-2019” will be held on 23rd August – CPAO

Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO)
Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure
Trikoot-II, Bhika Ji Kama Place-110066

All Central Civil Pensioners are informed that the Central Pension Accounting Office is going to organize a Pension Adalat, which will be held on 23rd August, 2019 at Central Pension Accounting Office, Bhikaji Kama Place, Trikoot-II, New Delhi-110066.

Therefore, all Central Civil Pensioners/Family Pensioners (except Railway, Defence, Post and Telegraph) are requested to send their complaint filled in as per the prescribed format through e-mail to Sr. Accounts Office, Grievance Cell at cccpao@nic.in or via post to this office by 14th August, 2019. The prescribed format is available at www.cpao.nic.in. Your complaint will be resolved in the Pension Adalat to be organized on 23rd August, 2019. Kindly send your PPO Number, Account Number, Contact Address and telephone Number along with your complaint. If the complaint is being sent by post, then please mention “Pension Adalat-2019” on the top of the closed envelope.

Dated: …………

New Delhi

{Chief Controller (Pensions)}

Details/Information of Pensioner/ Family Pensioner Grievances for redressal

Name of Pensioner/Family Pensioner:- …………………………….

Pension Payment Order: – …………………………….

Number of Pensioner/FP

Bank Name & Account number:- …………………………….

Full address:- …………………………….

Contact number:- …………………………….

e-mail ID:-

Type of grievance-(Related to Bank/CPAO/PAO)

Grievance Description:

Dated:

(Signature of Pensioner/Family Pensioner)

Retirement and death gratuity to Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan employees - Rajya Sabha Question & Answers

Retirement and death gratuity to Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan employees - Rajya Sabha Question & Answers

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3742

ANSWERED ON-25.07.2019

Retirement and death gratuity to KVS employees

3742 . Shri G.C. Chandrashekhar

(a) whether Government has extended the benefit of retirement and death gratuity to employees of autonomous bodies under the Central Government;

(b) if so, whether the Ministry has directed the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) for stoppage of retirement and death gratuity to the employees under the National Pension System (NPS);

(c) if so, the reasons therefor;

(d) the details of KVS employees benefitted so far;

(e) whether representations have been received from various stakeholders regarding restoration of the above benefit; and

(f) if so, the steps taken by Government in this regard?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

(SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL ‘NISHANK’)

(a) Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has conveyed approval for revision of pension as per recommendation of the 7th CPC to the employees of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan who retired after 1.1.2016 as well as revision of pension/family pension of those pensioners / family pensioners who retired prior to 1.1.2016. Several other autonomous bodies under the MHRD have also been extended these benefits on a case to case basis in consultation with Ministry of Finance.

(b) Yes, Sir.

(c) As per the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure OM No. F. No. 1/1/2016-E.III(A) dated 13th January, 2017, the benefits implemented by Central Government in respect of Central Government employees (as part of their service conditions) are not directly applicable to the employees working in autonomous organizations. An advisory had accordingly been issued on 12.4.2017 that in case the benefits of retirement gratuity and death gratuity have been extended to the employees of any autonomous bodies / organisations covered under NPS, the same may be withdrawn till a final decision is taken in the matter with the approval of Department of Expenditure.

(d)to (f): Do not arise.

*****

Source: Rajya Sabha

Pensioners eligible for Fixed Medical Allowance from the date of application for FMA

Clarification of Fixed Medical Allowance - The pensioners may be allowed FMA w.e.f. the date of application for FMA: CPAO OM dated 05.08.2019

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE
CENTRAL PENSION ACCOUNTING  OFFICE
TRIKOOT-II, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE,
NEW DELHI-110066

CPAO/ IT&Tech/Revision (7th CPC)/ 19.Vol-III( E)/2019-20/66

05.08.2019

Office  Memorandum

Subject:- Clarification of Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA).

Attention is invited to D P&PW OM No. 4/ 02/ 2019-P&PW (D)/42694 dated-1st July, 2 019 wherein it is mentioned that the pensioners may be allowed FMA w.e.f. the date of application for FMA, if FMA otherwise admissible to them.

SL No.	Issue	Comments of DoPPW
1.	Whether the effective date of payment of FMA in respect of the pensioners who retired before 01.12.1997 is the date of retirement or the date of submission of application.	The order were issued vide this Department's OM No. 45/57/97-P&PW (C) dated-19.12.1997 wherein FMA was granted . The existing pensioners had to opt for medical allowance and an undertaking was required to be submitted by the claimant. Hence, the orders are being implemented from 01.12.1997. If a person has retired earlier and has opted for the FMA and given undertaking at the time of issue of OM, then the FMA should be paid from 01.12.1997. After 19.12.1997, several further orders/ clarifications were issued regarding Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA). Therefore, it is difficult to accept that the pensioner was not aware of the admissibility of the FMA w.e.f.01.12.1997. In view of this, those pensioners who retired before 01.12 .1997 and did not exercised the option for FMA immediately after the issue of OM dated- 19.12.1997 would not be entitled to FMA w.e.f. 01.12.1997. However, they may be allowed FMA w.e.f. the date of application for FMA, if FMA otherwise admissible to them.
2 .	Whether the effective date of payment of FMA in respect of the pensioners who retired after 01.12.1997 is 01.12.1997 i.e. date of implementation of order or the date of submission of the application by the pensioner.	In the OM dated-19.12.1997, it has been mentioned that in case of future retirees, the option shall be obtained by the Head of Office alongwith the pension papers and in case the retiree opts for medical allowance, the FMA is payable from the following month after the date of superannuation. If the retiree opts later on or gives his option later, then the FMA is to be given from the date of application. After 19.12.1997, several further orders/clarifications were issued regarding Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA). Therefore, it is difficult to accept that the retiree/ pensioner was not aware of the admissibility of the FM A. In case of retirees/ pensioners who retired after 01.12.1997 did not exercise the option for FMA immediately on retirement, the FMA would not be admissible to them from the date of the month following the month of retirement. However, they may be allowed FMA w.e.f. the date of application for FMA, if FMA otherwise admissible to them.

All Pr. CCAs/CCAs/CAs/ AGs/ Administrators of UTs and H eads of CPPCs of the authorized banks are requested to intimate the concerned to abide by the instructions issued by D P&PW.

This issues with the approval of Chief Controller (Pension).

Sd/-

(Praful Dabral)

Sr. Accounts Officer (IT & Tech)

Source: https://cpao.nic.in

Monetary limits for filing of appeals by Income Tax Department further enhanced by CBDT

Ministry of Finance

Monetary limits for filing of appeals by Income Tax Department further enhanced by CBDT

There is a substantial pendency of appeals of the Income Tax Department before various appellate fora. The CBDT is aware of the importance of litigation management and has been continuously working towards achieving the same.

To effectively reduce taxpayer grievances/litigation and help the Department focus on litigation involving complex legal issues and high tax effect, the monetary limits for filing of appeals by the Department were last revised on 11th July,2018 vide CBDT Circular No.3 of 2018. As a step towards further management of litigation by the Government,  the monetary limits for filing Departmental appeals before various appellate fora including ITAT, High Court & Supreme Court have been revised as under:

Appellate Forum	Existing Monetary Limit(Rs.)	Revised Monetary Limit(Rs.)
Before Income Tax Appellate Tribunal	20,00,000	50,00,000
Before High Court	50,00,000	1,00,00,000
Before Supreme Court	1,00,00,000	2,00,00,000

This will further reduce time, effort and resources presently deployed in litigation to focus on issues involving litigation of substantial value.

****

RCJ/HP

Source: PIB

CGDA DOPT Order - Incentives for obtaining higher qualification - ICWA Intermediate and Final examination

Incentives for acquiring higher qualification - DAD personnel who qualify the ICWA Intermediate and Final examination: CGDA

Office of the CGDA, Ulan Batar Road, Palam,
Delhi Cantt-110010

No. AN/ III/ 3060/ I/ Vol. VIII

Dated 07.08.2019

To

All PCsDA/ PCsA (Fys.)/ PIFAs,
CsDA/ CsFA (Fys.)/ IFAs/ RTCs.
(through CGDA website).

    Subject: Amendment to OM Part-I (Revised Edition 2014): Circulation of CS No. 09/2019.

Correction Slip No. 09/ 2019 of the Office Manual Part-I (Revised Edition 2014) has been uploaded on website for information and updation of OM Part-I. The Correction Slip will not be forwarded separately.

Please download the Correction Slip and update the concerned Paras of the Office Manual Part-I (Revised Edition 2014).

(Rajeev Ranjan Kumar)
Dy. CGDA (AN)

Amendment to OM Part-I (Edition 2014)

Correction Slip No. 09/2019

CHAPTER - II
RECRUITMENT, APPOINTMENTS, PROMOTIONS & CONFIRMATIONS
Para 107

Sub para of Para 107

(1) Increment Rs. 2000/-(minimum) (2) Increment Rs. 4000/-    " (3) Increment Rs. 6000/-    " (4) Increment Rs. 8000/-    " (5) & (6) Increment Rs 10000/-(maximum)

Deleted.

Para 107 (i)

For	Read
Departmental Candidates who qualify in the Intermediate of I.CW.A. Examination will be entitled to one time lump sum incentive of Rs. 4000/ - (in lieu of existing 2 advance increments); and	Departmental Candidates who qualify in the Intermediate of ICWA. Examination will be entitled to one time lump sum incentive of Rs. 10,000/ -; and

Para 107 (ii)

For	Read
Departmental Candidates will be entitled to one time lump sum incentive of Rs. 10000/ - (Rs. Ten thousand only) on qualifying I.CW.A. final examination (in lieu of existing 6 increments).	Departmental Candidates will be entitled to one time lump sum incentive of Rs. 15000/ - (Rs. Fifteen thousand only) on qualifying I.CWA. final examination.

For	Read
All Group "B" and "C" employees of the DAD who qualify the ICWA Intermediate and Final examination will be granted the following scales of one time lumpsum incentives in supersession of existing concessions of Advance Increments available to them w.e.f. 93-94 i.e. 1-4-93.	All Government employees of the DAD who qualify the ICWA Intermediate and Final examination will be granted one time lumpsum incentives in supersession of all the existing orders/ OMs/ instructions/ guidelines.

Insert note below Para 107(ii).

Note: The grant of incentive in respect of above qualifications will be subject to the fulfillment of the criteria laid down in DoP&T OM No. 1/5/2017-Estt(Pay-I) dated 15.03.2019.

Source: CGDA.nic.in

[http://cgda.nic.in/adm/circular/AN-III-3060-07082019.pdf]

CCS (Pension) Rules 1972 & Railway rules for Compulsory retirement

Compulsory retirement under railway rules equivalent to fr 56 (j) & pension rules 48 of ccs (pension) rules 1972

(TO BE USED WHERE AN AUTHORITY OTHER THAN THE PRESIDENT IS THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY TO RETIRE A RAILWAY SERVANT)

ORDER

WHEREAS the Senior Divisional Operating Manager, Palghot, of the opinion that it is in the public interest to do so:

NOW, THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred by clauses Sub Clause (ii) and b (i) of Rule 1802 (a) read with pars 620 (It) of Manual of Pension Rules 1950 of IREC, Vol. II Senior Divisional Operating Manager/Palghat hereby retires Shri. R.K. Unnikrishnan, Station Superintendent/MJS with immediate effect, he having already attained the age of fifty-five years on the date of acceptance (29.07.19) of Review Committee’s recommendation by the ADRM. R.K.Unnikrishnan, SS/MJS, will be paid a sum equivalent to the amount of his pay plus allowances for a period of three months, calculated at the same rate at which he was drawing them immediately before his retirement. If he so desires, he may represent in writing to DRM/PGT within three weeks from the date this notice is served on him.

P.L.Ashok kumar

Senior Divisional Operating Manager/Palghat

To,
Shri. R.K. Unnikrishnan
Station Superintendent/MJS

Source: Confederation

Proposal for introduction of a Non-Functional Scale of Pay Band -3 with Grade Pay Rs. 5400/- to the posts of Postal Superintendents after completion of 4 years of regular service -DOP

Proposal for introduction of a Non-Functional Scale of PB-3 with Grade Pay Rs. 5400/- to the posts of Postal Superintendents after completion of 4 years of regular service - DOP

No. 4-3/2018-PCC

Government of India

Ministry of Communications

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi – 110001

Date: 06.08.2019

To,
All Chief Postmasters General.
CGM, BD / Parcel / PLI Directorate
Director, RAKNPA / All PTCs
Addl. DG, APS, APS Bhawan New Delhi

Sub:- Proposal for introduction of a Non-Functional Scale of PB-3 with Grade Pay Rs. 5400/- to the posts of Postal Superintendents after completion of 4 years of regular service in PB 2nd with Grade Pay Rs. 5400/- reg.

This is regarding introduction of a Non-Functional Scale of PB-3 with Grade Pay Rs. 5400/- to the posts of Postal Superintendents after completion of 4 years of regular service in PB – 2nd with Grade Pay Rs. 5400/-.

2. Various representations were received from the Postal Officers Association for introduction of Non-Functional Scale of PB-3 with Grade Pay Rs 5400/- to the posts of Postal Superintendents after completion of 4 years of regular service in PB – 2nd with Grade Pay Rs. 5400/-. In this context, it is informed that the matter has been examined in consultation with Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

3. Reply received from the Department of Expenditure vide their ID note No. 6J/2019-E.Ill (B) dated 19.07.2019 is reproduced below for information of all concerned:-

“2. Introduction of Non-Functional Scale of PB-2+5400 to the Postal Superintendents after 4 years of regular service in PB-2+4800 was based on the recommendations of the fifth Central Pay Commission. The 7th Pay Commission while considering the need to upgrade the post of Inspector (Posts) from GP 4200 to GP 4600, upgraded other posts in the hierarchy of posts in the Inspector Cadre to maintain difference in pay levels. This included upgradation of the posts of Superintendent (Posts) from the then existing PB-2+ GP 4800 & PB-2 +GP 5400 (after 4 years) to PB-2+GP 5400 (Level-9). This upgradation resulted in early financial benefits to those persons who are promoted to the posts of Superintendent (Posts), who otherwise have got the pay scale after 4 years of regular service.

3. Considering the specific recommendation of the 7th CPC to grant the upgraded pay scale of Level-9 to the post of Superintendent (Posts), there is no justification for introduction of a Non-Functional Scale to this post “

4. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.

(SB Vyavahare)

Assistant Director General (GDS/PCC)

Tele No. 011-23096629

Email-adggds(&indiapost.gov.in