DoPT : Incentive for acquiring fresh higher qualifications, in the 7th CPC Scenario

DoPT : Incentive for acquiring fresh higher qualifications, in the 7th CPC Scenario

No. 1/5/2017-Estt (Pay-I)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel,
Public Grievances & Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 15th March, 2019

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Incentive for acquiring fresh higher qualifications, in the 7th CPC Scenario - reg

Central Government Servants acquiring fresh higher qualifications after coming into service are granted incentive in the form of one-time lump-sum amount ranging from Rs.2000/- to Rs.10,000/-, as provided in this Department's OM No. 1/2/89-Estt.(Pay-l) dated 09.04.1999 and other related OMs.

2. The 7th CPC has reviewed the rates of incentive presently available to employees on this account in addition to pay, and have suggested their rationalization and simplification in Para 8.9.11 to 8.9.14 of their report.

3. Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure (DOE) Resolution No. 1-2/2016-IC dated 25.07.2016 vide Para 7 provided that the matter regarding allowances (except Dearness Allowance) based on the recommendations of the 7th CPC shall be referred to a Committee under the Chairmanship of Finance Secretary, and until a final decision thereon, all allowances including this incentive were required to be paid at the existing rates in the existing pay structure (the pay structure based on 6th CPC) as if the pay has not been revised w.e.f. 1st January, 2016.

4. The decision of the Government on various allowances based on the recommendations of the 7th CPC and in the light of the recommendations of the Committee under the Chairmanship of Finance Secretary has been issued as per the Resolution No. 11-1/2016-IC dated 06.07.2017 of DOE.

5. The President is pleased to decide that in supersession of all the existing orders/OMs/instructions/guidelines on the subject of granting incentive for acquiring fresh higher qualifications, the following one-time lump-sum rates as incentive for acquiring fresh higher qualification by a Government employee shall be permissible for courses in fields that are directly relevant to the employee's job.

SI. No.	Qualification	Amount (Rs)
1.	Ph.D. or equivalent	30,000
2.	PG Degree/Diploma of duration more than one year, or equivalent.	25,000
3.	PG Degree/Diploma of duration one year or less, or equivalent.	20,000
4.	Degree/Diploma of duration more than three years, or equivalent.	15,000
5.	Degree/Diploma of duration three years or less, or equivalent.	10,000

6. Professional courses directly relevant to the functional requirement of the Organization/Ministry/Department but not covered by any one of the categories mentioned in para 5 above, shall be notified specifically under SI. No. 4 or S of para 5 above, by the concerned Ministry/Department in consultation with their respective IFD.

7. Ministries/Departments are free to choose courses on their own. However, the grant of incentive in respect of above qualifications will be subject to the fulfillment of the criteria laid down in para 8 below. The grant of incentive for the qualifications listed above shall be considered by the administrative authorities in consultation with their lFD and necessary orders shall be issued after ensuring that the criteria laid down in para 8 below are fulfilled.

8. Criteria/guidelines for granting incentive for acquiring fresh higher qualifications, in the 7th CPC Scenario, are as under:

8.1. The incentive will not be available for the qualifications which are laid down as essential or desirable qualifications in the recruitment rules for the post.

8.2. No incentive shall be allowed for acquiring higher qualification purely on academic or literary subjects. The acquisition of the qualification should be directly related to the functions of the post held by him/her, or to the functions to be performed in the next higher post. There should be direct nexus between the functions of the post and the qualification acquired and that it should contribute to the efficiency of the government servant.

8.3. The quantum of incentive will be uniform for all posts, irrespective of their classification or grade or the department.

8.4. The incentive shall not be admissible where the government servant is sponsored by the government or he/she avails study leave for acquiring the qualification.

8.5. The incentive would be given only for higher qualification acquired after induction into service.

8.6. No incentive would be admissible if an appointment is made in relaxation of the educational qualification. No incentive would be admissible if employee acquires the requisite qualification for such appointment at a later date.

8.7. The qualifications meriting grant of incentive should be recognized by University Grants Commission, respective regulatory bodies like AICTE, Medical Council of India, etc. set up by Central/State Government or recognized by the Government.

8.8. The incentive shall be limited to maximum two times in an employee's career, with a minimum gap of two years between successive grants.

8.9. The Government servant should prefer the claim within six months from the date of acquisition of the higher qualification.

9. The incentive as per this OM will be admissible for above qualifications acquired on or after 01.07.2017

10. Government Servants, who have acquired the fresh higher qualification on or after 01.07.2017 till the date of issuance of this OM, may also claim these incentives within six months from the date of issuance of this OM.

11. Insofar as the persons working in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders issue in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

12. Hindi Version will follow.

(Bajeev Bahree)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

To
All Ministries / Departments of Government of India

Source: DoPT

Demands include in election manifestos to Recognized political parties taking part in the 17th Lok Sabha general election

Demands include in election manifestos to Recognized political parties taking part in the 17th Lok Sabha general election

Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Singh
(An All India Federation of Defence Workers)
(An Industrial Unit of B.M.S.)

REF: BPMS/ Cir/ 18th TC/ 5

Dated: 12.03.2019

To,
The Office Bearers & CEC Members
Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh
&
The General Secretaries/ Presidents
Unions affiliated to this federation

Subject: Recognised Political Parties Participating in 17th Lok Sabha General Election: Request to include demands in Election Manifestos.

Dear Brothers & Sisters,
Sadar Namaskar

It is for your kind information that this federation along with two other recognized federations has decided to submit to all Recognised Political Parities, National/ State Level the demands/ issues of Defence Civilian Employees for inclusion in their manifestos of 17th Lok Sabha General Election.
The issues are as under

1. Self Reliance in Defence Preparedness through State Owned Defence Industries viz Ordnance Factories, DRDO, Army Workshops, Ordnance Depots, Supply Depots, DGQA etc.

As you are well aware with the issue, State Owned Defence Industries are facing serious challenges/ threats these days. It is prime responsibility of Govt to safeguard the existence of these industries in interest of the Nation and take steps so that it may flourish and provide job opportunities to citizen of India. But of late Govt made various decisions regarding these establishments led to total destruction of these industries.

Burning Issues/ Challenges of Industries

1. Categorization of more than 275 products being manufactured in the Ordnance Factories as “Non-Core”.
2. Transfer of technology developed by DRDO to Private Sectors depriving
   Ordnance Factories & DPSUs.
3. Large scale outsourcing of work of more than 1.5 lakh Civilian Posts depriving Young generation with Permanent Job.
4. Induction of 100% FDI in Defence Sector.
5. Privatization of Defence Industries by adopting various models like GOCO etc.
6. Denial of Job to trained Trade Apprentices.
7. Closure of various defence establishments like Ordnance Depots, Military Farms, Army Postal Establishments etc.
8. Inclusion of Third Party Inspection at the cost of DGQA/ DGAQA etc.
   Our Proposal that is to be included:

"To achieve self reliance in defence expand, develop and strengthen the state owned Defence Industry and to ensure full capacity utilization of these Industries."

2. National Pension System

Govt introduced a contributory pension system under National pension system for all Central Govt employees recruited on or after 01.01,2004 and deprived them of very elementary benefits of old age social security by denying CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 to them. The employees have been opposing this pension system since its introduction because it lacks the following essential benefits

1. No guarantee of any Minimum Pension under this scheme.
2. No safeguard from Price rise in absence of element of Dearness Allowance.
3. Absence of additional Pension on attaining the age of 80 Years/ 85 Years/ 90 Years/ 95 Years/ 100 Years.
4. No safeguard to Missing employees.
5. Absence of Compulsory Retirement Pension, Compassionate Pension etc.

Both Legislative Body and Executive Body are responsible for well functioning of Administration. Both get their dues from Consolidated Fund of India. It is discriminatory that Executive Body has been deprived of its old age security especially lower rung employees would suffer the most.

Our Proposal to be included:

National Pension System will be scraped and CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 will be implemented for all Central Govt Employees.

3. Appointment on Compassionate Grounds

The appointment on compassionate ground is an exception to the equality clause under Article 14. If an employee dies while in service then according to rule framed by the Central Government or the State Government, appointment to one of the dependants shall not be considered violation of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution because this exception has been provided through various rules only to mitigate the hardships of deceased employee family suffering from scarcity of very trivial things of daily life due to the death of sole bread winner of the family and sudden misery faced by the members of the family of such employee who serves the Central Government or the State Government.

A lot of Employees working under MoD are dealing with hazardous and risky operations. Because they are exposed to various hazardous chemical and other materials, they are developing various illness sometimes led to their deaths.

Proposal to be included:

One time relaxation would be provided to offer appointment on compassionate grounds to all the applicants waiting for years in MoD

5% ceiling would be removed and 100% appointment would be made on compassionate ground.

Employees who die/ incapacitate in accident while performing their official duties, Compassionate appointment would be made straight away without any delay.

Thanking You

Brotherly Yours
sd/-
(MUKESH SINGH)
General Secretary

Copy to:

1. The General Secretary, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, New Delhi
2. The In-Charge, BPMS, Pune
3. The Secretary General, GENC, Kanpur
   - For kind information please

Source: BPMS

Bunching of stages of pay in the pre-7th CPC pay scales consequent upon fixation of pay in the revised pay scales based on 7th CPC - Railway Order

Bunching of stages of pay in the pre-7th CPC pay scales consequent upon fixation of pay in the revised pay scales based on 7th CPC - Railway Order

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
Ministry of Railways (Rail Mantralaya)
(Railway Board)

PC-VII No. 134
File No. PC-VII/2016/RSRP/3

RBE No. 50/2019
New Delhi, dated: 13.03.2019

The General Managers/CAOs(R),
All Indian Railways & Production Units,
(As per mailing list)

Sub: Bunching of stages of pay in the pre-7th CPC pay scales consequent upon fixation of pay in the revised pay scales based on 7th CPC - regarding.

Please refer to Board’s letter of even no. dated 27.09.2017 forwarding therewith a copy of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure’s OM No. 1-6/2016-IC dated 03.08.2017 regarding clarification on bunching of stages in the revised pay structure under CCS(RP) Rules, 2016 for adoption of the same in Railways with respect to RS(RP) Rules, 2016.

Now, Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure vide their O.M. No. 1-6/2016-IC/E-IIIA dated 07.02.2019 (copy enclosed) have issued further clarifications on the subject matter. The clarifications issued by Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure shall be applicable mutatis mutandis in Railways with respect to RS(RP) Rules, 2016.

Encl. As above.

(Jaya Kumar G)
Deputy Director, Pay Commission–VII
Railway Board

Railways: Dearness Relief (DR) to Railway pensioners from January 2019

Railways: Dearness Relief (DR) to Railway pensioners from January 2019

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
Ministry of Railways (Rail Mantralaya)
(Railway Board)

PC-VII No.:133

RBE No.: 45/2019

File No. PC-VII/2016/I/7/2/3

New Delhi, dated: 11.03.2019

The General Manager/CAOs(R),
All Zonal Railways & Production Units,
(As per mailing list)

Sub : Grant of Dearness Relief to Railway pensioners/family pensioners - Revised rate effective from 01.01.2019.

A copy of Office Memorandum No. 42/04/2019-P&PW(D) dated 06.03.2019 of Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions (Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare) on the above subject is enclosed herewith for information and compliance. This order shall apply mutatis mutandis on Railways also.

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

Hindi version is attached below.

Encl. As above.

(Jaya Kumar G)
Deputy Director, Pay Commission-VII
Railway Board

7th Central Pay Commission regulating Casualty Pensionary Award for Defence Forces pensioners/family pensioners - PCDA Circular 618

7th Central Pay Commission regulating Casualty Pensionary Award for Defence Forces pensioners/family pensioners - PCDA Circular 618

Office of the Principal CDA(Pensions)
Draupadi Ghat, fillafia6ad- 211014

Circular No. 618

Dated: 13/03/2019

To,

1. The Chief Accountant, RBI, Deptt. Of Govt. Bank Accounts, Central office C-7, Second Floor, Bandre- Kuria Complex, P B No. 8143, Bandre East Mumbai- 400051
2. All CMDs, Public Sector Banks including IDBI Bank
3. Nodal Officers, ICICl/ HDFC/ AXIS/ IDBI Banks
4. Managers, All CPPCs
5. Military and Air Attache, Indian Embassy, Kathmandu, Nepal
6. The PCDA (WC), Chandigarh
7. The CDA (PD), Meerut
8. The CDA, Chennai
9. The Director of Treasuries, All States
10. The Pay and Accounts Officer, Delhi Administration, RK Puram and Tis Hazari, New Delhi
11. The Pay and Accounts Office, Govt of Maharashtra, Mumbai
12. The Post Master Kathua (J&K)
13. The Post Master Camp Bell Bay
14. The Pr. Pay and Accounts Officer, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Port Blair

Subject: Implementation of Government decision on the recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission- Provisions regulating Casualty Pensionary Award for Defence Forces pensioners/family pensioners-regarding.

Reference: This office Circular No. 570 dated 31.10.2016, Circular No. 582 dated 5.09.2017, Circular No. 585 dated 21.09.2017 and Circular No. 584 dated 07.09.2017.
Copy of GUI, MoD letter No. 16(3)/2017/D(Pen/Policy) dated 29th January 2019 on the above subject, which is self-explanatory, is forwarded herewith as annexure to this circular for further necessary action at your end.

2. As per ibid Govt. letter, it has been decided that following minimum ceiling shall be applied to the under mentioned casualty pensionary awards:

• The Disability/Liberalized Disability/War Injury pension (i.e. total of service element plus disability/liberalized disability/war injury element as the case may be), shall be subject to minimum of Rs.18,000/- per month irrespective of degree of disability of the personnel.
• The amount of special family pension,admissible to the families of Armed Forces personnel, shall be subject to a minimum of Rs.18,000/- per month.
• The amount of liberalized family pension, admissible to the Child/Children of Armed Forces Personnel, shall be subject to a minimum of Rs.18,000/- per month.

3. All other provisions stipulated in above mentioned circulars which are not affected by the provisions of this letter, shall remain unchanged.

4. the provisions of this letter shall take effect from 01.01.2016

5. This circular has been uploaded on this office website www.pcdapension.nic.in for dissemination to all along with Defence pensioners and pension Disbursing Agencies.

sd/-
(Sandeep Thakur)
Addl CDA (P)

PCDA Circular 619: Deletion of note of conditional sanction printed in PPOs of Pre-01.01.2006 retirees Havildar granted Hony Rank of Naib Subedar

PCDA Circular 619: Deletion of note of conditional sanction printed in PPOs of Pre-01.01.2006 retirees Havildar granted Hony Rank of Naib Subedar

Office of the Prinapar CDA(Pensions)
Draupadi Ghat, fillafia6ad- 211014

Circular No. 619

Dated: 14/03/2019

Subject: Regarding deletion of note of conditional sanction printed in PPOs of Pre-01.01.2006 retirees Havildar granted Hony Rank of Naib Subedar in compliance of Honbie High Courts and AFTs orders.

In compliance of various court orders, conditional sanctions were being issued by AG/P5-4 (Pen/Legal), IHQ (Mob), New beihi in respect of Pre-01.01.2006 retiree Havildars granted Hony rank of Naib Subedar for implementing Gol, Mob letter dated 12.06,2009 in their cases. Accordingly, corrigendum PPOs were/are being issued notifying their pension w.e.f. 01.01.2006 @ Rs. 8450/- for Group “X” and ( Rs. 7750/- for Group .Y and “Z as per the provisions of ibid Mob letter by this office. These Corrigendum PPOs have a Note containing that condition as “The sanction will, however, be subject to the final outcome of appeal, if any filed before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. In the event, the appeal is decided in favour of liaI, the petitioners shall be liable to refund the entire amount paid to him under the ibid sanction”.

1. Of late, it has been observed that large number of such cases of pre 01.01.2006 retiree Hcivildar granted Hony rank of Naib Subedar for grant of pension in terms of Gol, Mob letter dated 12.06.2009 were decided by the various Courts/AFTS. Now, AG/PS- 4 (Pen/Legal), IHQ of Mob, New beihi has started converting conditional sanction into absolute sanction by deleting the ibid contents as printed in Note of Corrigendum PPO of these cases. Large number of such type of sanctions for deleting conditional sanction are being received in this office from Record Offices concerned for issuing Corr. PPO for deleting that Note of conditional sanction in respect of pre-01.01.2006 retiree Havildar granted Hony rank of Naib Subedar.
2. As large number of Corr. PPOs are to be issued in such cases without any financial bearing or other changes, as such, it has been decided by the competent authority that the note The sanction will, however, be subject to the final outcome of appeal, if any filed before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. In the event, the appeal is decided in favour of UoI, the petitioners shall be liable to refund the entire amount paid to him under the ibid sanction” as printed in the respective PPO of those pre-01.01.2000 retirees Havildars granted Hony rank of Naib Subedar issued in compliance of the Court/AFT orders. may be treated as deleted.
3. It is further reiterated that deletion of ibid note will be applicable only where Service Pension w.e.f. 01.01.2006 @ Rs. 8450/- for Group X and @ Rs. 7750/- for Group and Group Z were notified in compliance of various Courts/AFTS orders in respect of Pre-01.01.2006 retiree Havildar granted Hony rank of Naib Subedar and not in other cases.
4. This circular has been uploaded on this office website www.pcdapension.n

sd/-
(Sandeep Thakur)
Addl CbA (P)

Clarification on applicability of Very Good benchmark for financial upgradation under MACPS and consideration of Good benchmark for the previous years before 25.07.2016

Clarification on applicability of "Very Good" benchmark for financial upgradation under MACPS - DOP

MACP

No.7-8/2016-PCC (Pt.)
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg
New Delhi - 110001
Dated: 13.03.2019

To
All Chief Postmasters General/Postmasters General.

Sub : Clarification on applicability of "Very Good" benchmark for financial upgradation under MACPS and consideration of "Good" benchmark for the previous years before 25.07.2016.

This office is in receipt of large number of references consequent upon the clarification issued vide DG Posts' letter of even number dated 02.07.2018 on the above mentioned subject, regarding allowing opportunity of making representation against 'good' benchmark and relaxation of benchmark for MACPS.

2. In this context, it is reiterated that opportunity of making representation against the APAR which are post 2009 cannot be given as it is already disclosed to the employees in APAR process.

3. Further, the benchmark for the purpose of financial upgradation under MACP was enhanced from 'good' to 'very good' w.e.f. 25.07.2016 i.e prior to 25.07.2016 the benchmark was ‘good’ for MACPS. As such, the 'good' grading of APAPRs for the period prior to 25.07.2016 may be considered for financial upgradation under MACPS. However, the "very good" benchmark applicable w.e.f. 25.07.2016 cannot be relaxed for MACPS.

4. All concerned may be informed accordingly.

(S.B.Vyavahare)
Assistant Director General (GDS/PCC)
Tel. No. 011-23096629
Email-adggds@indiapost.gov.in

Schedule for bye - elections to fill casual vacancies of 64 - Dhrangadhra AC and 85 - Manavadar AC in the Gujarat State Legislative Assembly

Election Commission

Schedule for bye-elections to fill casual vacancies from 64 - Dhrangadhra AC and 85 - Manavadar AC in the State Legislative Assembly of Gujarat

14 MAR 2019

The Election Commission of India has decided to hold bye-elections to fill casual vacancies from 64 - Dhrangadhra AC and 85 - Manavadar AC in the State Legislative. Assembly of Gujarat.

After taking into consideration various factors like, festivals, electoral rolls, etc., the Commission has decided to hold the bye-elections to these 2 Assembly Constituencies following the same schedule as for the relevant Parliamentary Constituency as per the programme mentioned as under:

Sl No.	Event	Date
1	Issue of Notification	28.03.2019
2	Last date of making Nominations	04.04.2019
3	Scrutiny of Nominations	05.04.2019
4	Last date for withdrawal of Candidatures	08.04.2019
5	Date of Poll	23.04.2019
6	Counting of Votes	23.05.2019
7	Date before which election shall be completed	27.05.2019

ELECTORAL ROLL
The electoral rolls of the Assembly Constituencies where bye-elections are being held have been revised with reference to 01.01.2019 as the qualifying date.

ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES (EVMs) & VVPATs
The Commission has decided to use EVMs & VVPATs in the bye-elections in all the polling stations. Adequate numbers of EVMs have been made available and all steps have been taken to ensure that the polls are conducted smoothly with the help of these machines.

IDENTIFICATION OF VOTERS
In consonance with the past practice, the Commission has decided that the voter’s identification shall be mandatory in the aforementioned bye- elections at the time of poll. Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) shall be the main document of identification of a voter. However, in order to ensure that no voter is deprived of his/her franchise, if his/her name figures in the Electoral Rolls, separate instructions will be issued to allow additional documents for identification of voters at the time of poll in the said bye-elections.

MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT
The Model Code of Conduct shall come into force with immediate effect in the district(s) in which the whole or any part of the Assembly Constituencies going for bye-elections is included, subject to partial modification as issued vide Commission’s instruction No. 437/6/INST/2016/CCS, dated 29th June, 2017 (available on the Commission’s website). The Model Code of Conduct shall be applicable to all candidates, political parties and the State Government concerned. The Model Code of Conduct shall also be applicable to the Union Government for the State concerned.

PIB

Suggestion to include the election manifesto to scrap the national pension system that has taken away the pension rights of central government employees - NC JCM Staff Side

Suggestion to include the right of Central Government employees in your party's election manifesto regarding the scrapping of the National Pension System

Proposal to include in the election manifesto of your party with regard to the scrapping of the National Pension System

"If you will be able to indicate your intention to replace the present new contributory scheme with the old Statutory Pension structure, in your manifesto, it might help immensely to elicit the support of the Central Government employees and their family members to your party candidates in the ensuing general election."

 NJCA
National Joint Council of Action

4, State Entry Road, New Delhi - 110055

No.NC-JCM-2019/NPS

March 8, 2019

To
The Chief Executive,
All Recognised National and State level Political Parties

Sub:- Proposal to include in the election manifesto of your party with regard to the scrapping of the National Pension System which has taken away the pension right of Central Government Employees

Dear Sir /Madam,

We write this on behalf of the organisations of the Central Government employees participating in the Joint Consultative Machinery, set up by the Government of India in 1960s as a negotiating forum to settle various demands and grievances of the employees through discussions. In the meeting that was held on 8th February, 2019, of the Standing committee of the National Council, Staff Side, it was unanimously decided that I in my capacity as the Secretary, Staff side National Council, must write to you to draw your kind attention to one of the most significant demands of the Central Government employees i.e. to replace the newly introduced contributory pension scheme with the old statutory defined Pension system and also to restore the GPF Scheme which was withdrawn by the Government. I have been asked to seek your support to this vital demand of the employees especially of the young workers who have entered government service after 1.1 .2004 and obtain an assurance from you that you will accede to the demand for the withdrawal of the New contributory scheme to replace it with the old Statutory pension system if elected to power in the ensuing general elections to constitute the 1 i 11 Lok Sabha. Before going into the difficulties being faced by the employees governed under the New Contributory Pension Scheme which is at present christened as “National Pension System (NPS)”, I would like to invite your attention to the historical judgment delivered by the Hon’ble Supreme Court by a 5 Member Bench consisting of Hon’ ble Chief Justice Y.B.Chandrachud. The Hon’ble Supreme Coutt in this case has analyzed in detail the entire issue of Pension. The most impotant portion of the above historical judgment is reproduced below for your kind consideration please.

“From the discussions 3 things emerge
 (i) that pension is neither a bounty nor a matter of grace depending upon the sweetwi/1 of the employer and that it creates a vested rights subject to 1972 Rules which are statutory in character, because they are enacted in exercise of powers conferred by the proviso to Article 309 and Clause (5) of article 148 of the constitution,
(ii) that Pension is not an ex-gratia payment but it is a payment for the past service rendered and
(iii) it is a social welfare measure rendering socio economic justice to those who in the heyday of their life ceaselessly toiled for the employer on an assurance that in their old age they would not be left in the lurch.”

As you are aware Sir/Madam, that the new contributory pension scheme was introduced by the then NDA Government in 2004 initially through an executive fiat. Later, rather much later, a bill was introduced in the Parliament to enact the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority. After the promulgation of the Notification in 2004, many State Governments adopted the scheme to cover their employees, the only exception being the State of West Bengal presently. The ostentatious reason adduced at the time of promulgation of the Notification and thereafter at the time of the introduction of the PFRDA bill, was the ever increasing financial outflow on pension account, which makes fiscal deficit management difficult. Prima facie the said reason appeared to be true as the quantum of outflow on account of Pension had been on increase. But the fact that it had always been on rise was concealed as also the one that as a percentage to the GDP, the pension payment had been continuously dwindling over the years.

The employees organisations had been pointing out to the Government that the desired objective of containing pension outflow would not come about for the next four decades. When the probable drastic reduction in pension under the new scheme was raised by the Staff Side in the National Council, the Government stated that under the new dispensation, employees will become entitled more annuity than the then existing entitlement of Pension, this assurance was given in writing by Government in the Standing Committee Meeting of the National Council (JCM) held under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Personnel) on 14′h December, 2007 and went on to assure the Government’s intervention if things turns out otherwise. It is also pertinent to mention here that the Government has exempted the Armed Force Personnel from the NPS and they continue to be in the old Pension Scheme. If the NPS is so attractive then why the Government has exempted them from NPS. This is a clear proof that the NPS is vety much detrimental when compare to the old Pension Scheme.

The scheme is presently in vogue for the last 15 years. A few employees who were originally recruited as casual workers but got regularised later (retired before completion of the 33 or 35 years of service.) They were given a paltry amount as pension amounting to less than Rs, 2000. Had they been covered under the old Pension scheme, they would have certainly got more than 20,000 as pension. The new scheme has thus become “NO pension scheme’. The new scheme has thus created consternation of a very high order amongst the employees as they rightly feel that their hard earned savings are in effect compulsorily channelled to benefit the corporate entities. Since the Govt. will have to contribute equal amount or more (now 14%)the same would act in future as a real drain on the resources of the Government and will cause hardship in the form of increased tax liability. The anger and discontent of the employees have manifested itself in huge demonstrations and such other programmes and some of them have even resorted to strike action.

We are proud to mention that our principled opposition to the scheme right from the beginning, when it was introduced by the then NDA Government, has now been vindicated as it neither benefits the subscriber nor the Nation. Incidentally we may point out that in the wake of the 6th CPC, Government agreed to set up an expert committee under the chairmanship of Dr.Gayatri, at the Indian institute of social sciences to look into all aspects of the New Pension scheme. The committee has clearly indicated that the new scheme will draw more funds from the exchequer in the coming 40 years, before any reduction in the outflow could be brought about.

We fervently feel that the new contributory scheme must be replaced by the old Pension Scheme under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972. If you will be able to indicate your intention to replace the present new contributory scheme with the old Statutory Pension structure, in your manifesto, it might help immensely to elicit the support of the Central Government employees and their family members to your party candidates in the ensuing general election.

We shall also be grateful for favour of a word in response to this communication from your end.
With kindest regards,

Yours sincerely,
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Convener

Source: ncjcmstaffside.com

Payment of Dearness Allowance to Armed Forces Officers and Personnel Below Officer Rank including NCs(E) - Revised rates effective from 01.01.2019

Payment of Dearness Allowance to Armed Forces Officers and Personnel Below Officer Rank including NCs(E) - Revised rates effective from 01.01.2019

DA to Armed Forces Officers and PBOR from Jan 2019

No. 1(2)/2004/D(Pay/Services)
Government of India
Ministry of Defence

New Delhi, the 11th March, 2019

To
The Chief of the Army Staff
The Chief of the Air Staff
The Chief of Naval Staff

Subject : Payment of Dearness Allowance to Armed Forces Officers and Personnel Below Officer Rank including NCs(E) - Revised rates effective from 01.01.2019.

Sir,

I am directed to refer to this Ministry's letter No. 1(2)/2004-D(Pay/Services) dated 18th September 2018, on the subject cited above and to say that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Allowance payable to Armed Forces Officers and Personnel Below Officer Rank, including Non-Combatants (Enrolled), shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 9% to 12% with effect from 01.01.2019.

2. The term 'basic pay' in the revised pay structure means the pay drawn in the prescribed Level in the Pay Matrix as per 7th CPC recommendations accepted by the Government, but does not include any other type of pay like special pay, etc.

3. The Dearness Allowance will continue to be a distinct element of remuneration and will not be treated as pay within the ambit of Pay rules of Defence Force Personnel.

4. The payment on account of Dearness Allowance involving fractions of 50 paise and above may be rounded to the next higher rupee and the fractions of less than 50 paise may be ignored.

5. The payment of arrears of Dearness Allowance shall not be made before the date of disbursement of salary of March, 2019.

6. This letter issues with the concurrence of Finance Division of this Ministry vide their Dy. No. 63-PA dated 07.03.2019 based on Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) O.M. No. 1/1/2019-E-II(B), dated 27th February 2019.

Your faithfully,

(Arun Kumar)
Under Secretary to the Government of India