Central Government Jobs: Recruitment of SC,ST and OBC

Central Government Jobs: Recruitment of SC,ST and OBC

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF  PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-538
ANSWERED ON-08.08.2013

Recruitment of SC ST OBC

538 .    SHRI D.P. TRIPATHI

(a) the number of persons belong to SC/ST/OBC recruited in different groups of the Central Government Services during last five years; and

(b) the details thereof?

ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)

(a) & (b): As per information received from various Ministries/Departments, the number of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) candidates appointed by direct recruitment in different groups of the Central Government services during the years from 2006 to 2010 is given in the Annexure.

Source-http://rajyasabha.nic.in/

Annexure

Annexure referred to in reply to Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No.538 for 08/08/2013

Number of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) candidates appointed by direct recruitment in different groups of the Central Government services during the years from 2006 to 2010

Year	Groups	Scheduled Castes	Scheduled Tribes	Other Backward Classes
2006	Group A	202	216	315
	Group B	198	135	312
	Group C	9358	6511	14686
	Group D	4708	3017	4796
	Total	14466	9879	20109
2007	Group A	336	149	592
	Group B	156	84	219
	Group C	9012	6407	13667
	Group D	5784	2734	7357
	Total	15288	9374	21835
2008	Group A	395	180	691
	Group B	346	114	372
	Group C	8414	4857	13781
	Group D	7491	2477	8187
	Total	16646	7628	23031
2009	Group A	408	199	792
	Group B	566	289	1246
	Group C	10851	6750	20405
	Group D	3528	1219	3886
	Total	15353	8457	26329
2010*	Group A	238	116	555
	Group B	600	285	1112
	Group C	9895	6832	17963
	Group D	1855	581	1910
	Total	12588	7814	21540
	Grand total	74341	43152	112844

 * For the year 2010, data does not include two Ministries/Departments.

Source: govtempdiary

Hike contribution to raise minimum pension: EPFO to Government

Hike contribution to raise minimum pension: EPFO to Government

 Retirement fund body EPFO has made a case for increase in Government’s contribution to its pension scheme EPS-95 to 1.79 per cent of basic wages from existing 1.16 per cent for ensuring Rs 1,000 per month to pensioners.

“...it is believed that there is a strong case for increasing the government’s contribution from 1.16 per cent to 1.79 per cent to the EPS—95 (Employees Pension Scheme—1995) fund to support a minimum pension of Rs 1,000 per month for all categories of EPF-95 pensioners,” EPFO said in a letter to Labour Ministry.

According to the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation’s (EPFO), additional contribution of 0.63 per cent of workers’ basic wages to EPS—95 is required to pay minimum pension of Rs 1,000 per month to all categories of pensioners.

Now, the Labour Ministry would have to take up the issue with Finance Ministry for the purpose.

In the present scenario, Central Government contributes 1.16 per cent of workers’ basic wages (basic pay plus dearness allowance), towards EPS—95 fund. During 2012-13, government contributed around Rs 1,900 crore towards the EPS-95 fund which also includes some arrears.

The official estimates indicate that if the Central Government decides to increase its contribution to 1.79 per cent of the workers’ basic wages, then they would have to pay additional amount of Rs 750 crore to Rs 800 crore during this fiscal. This additional contribution would further increase to Rs 1,400 crore by 2018-19.

However, EPFO is batting for increase in the government’s contribution as neither the workers nor employers want to pay the additional 0.63 per cent of workers’ basic wages to ensure minimum pension of Rs 1,000 per month under the scheme.

The hike in contribution will be over-and-above the 8.33 per cent contributed by employers toward the pension account of employees, as well as the 1.16 per cent provided by the government under the scheme.

According to EPFO data, as of March 31, 2010, there were 35 lakh pensioners subscribed to the retirement fund body, of which 14 lakh persons get a monthly pension of less than Rs 500.

The number of EPFO pensioners getting a monthly pension of Rs 1,000 is 7 lakh. The data revealed there were cases where pensioners are getting a monthly pension as low as Rs 12 and Rs 38

Source: Business Line

Booking of Railway Tickets through Mobile Phones without internet connection

Booking of Railway Tickets through Mobile Phones without internet connection

IRCTC launches pilot project for railway ticketing through Mobile phones without internet facility

A pilot project of ticketing through non-internet based mobile phones has been launched by IRCTC on Ist July 2013. The salient features of the scheme are as follows:-

    There is no need of internet at any stage, viz. booking, payment, cancellation etc.
    The user gets ticket details Short Messaging Service (SMS) instantly.
    SMS along with Photo Identity Card in original can be used to travel, no printout of the ticket is required.

The steps taken to popularize the booking of tickets through non-internet based mobile phones through SMS mode are as follows:

• Publication in leading newspapers.
• Distribution of brochures about SMS booking.
• Sending details of the scheme through e-mail to all registered users of IRCTC.
• Display of message on the website of IRCTC.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today

RTI online web portal – Online Application of RTI

RTI online web portal – Online Application of RTI

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Online Application of RTI

Government of India has started a RTI online web portal whereby Right to Information (RTI) applications can be filed online by Indian citizens, including those who are living abroad. The detailed procedure in filing of on-line RTI applications is as under:-

An Indian citizen can file RTI application online through RTI online web-portal, having url www.rtionline.gov.in. The prescribed fee for RTI application can also be paid online through a payment gateway of State Bank of India by way of internet banking of State Bank of India and its associate banks and by using debit/credit cards of Master/Visa. This facility at present is available only for 37 Ministries/Departments of Government of India.

This was stated by Shri V. Narayanasamy, Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office in written reply to a question by Dr. Janardhan Waghmare and Sh.N.K.Singh today.

Bonus for GDS case is actively under consideration at MOF

Bonus for GDS  case is actively under consideration at MOF

It is learnt that DOP has again taken up the case with Department of Expenditure and Department of Finance for enhancement of bonus for Gramin Dak Sevaks to Rs. 3500/- at par with the regular Departmental employees.

Source: http://rmschqfour.blogspot.in/2013/08/gds-bonus-case-is-actively-under.html

Revision of pay and pension of Bank and Central Government Employees

Revision of pay and pension of Bank and Central Government Employees: Rajya Sabha Q&A

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF  FINANCE
RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-196

ANSWERED ON-06.08.2013

196 . SHRI A.A. JINNAH

Revision of pay and pension of bank employees

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Central Pay Commission benefits are not applicable for employees of banks;

(b) if so, how their salaries are revised;

(c) whether the salaries of employees of banks are revised on the recommendations of some other body;

(d) if so, the name of such body;

(e) whether the Minister is aware that after the recommendations of the said body only the salaries of servicing  employees are revised and pensioners are ignored by these bodies; and

(f) if so, the detailed reasons for ignoring pensioners of nationalized banks by such bodies whereas separate recommendations are made by pay commission for Central Government pensioners?

ANSWER

The Minister of State in the Ministry of

(Shri Namo Narain Meena)

(a) to (f) : The Central Pay Commission recommendations are not applicable to the employees of Public Sector Banks (PSBs). The pay scales of employees in PSBs are revised every five years on the basis of the Bipartite Settlement signed with Workmen Unions and Joint Note signed with Officers’ Associations by Indian Banks’ Association (IBA). Accordingly, IBA negotiates salary and service conditions of employees. As part of negotiations, the terms of payment of pension are also discussed alongwith the salary revision. The service conditions of Central Government employees differ significantly from those of bank employees and the two are regulated by their respective service regulations. Hence, no comparison can be drawn between the two.

Source-http://rajyasabha.nic.in/

Ready Reckoner for late IT Return filling

Ready Reckoner for late IT Return filling

A Ready Reckoner for Late Income Tax Return filing:

Important tax return filing dates for the Assessment Year 2013-14 (Financial Year 2012-13)

• July 31: Due date for filing tax returns
• August 5: Extended due date
• March 31, 2014: Last date for filing returns without the penalty of Rs. 5000.  However penal interest of 1% per month of delay will be levied on taxes due, if any.
• March 31, 2015: Last date for filing with penalty of upto Rs.5,000

If you have missed the August 5 deadline for filing tax returns, you can still do so.  However, bear following implications in mind:

• If you owe any taxes at the time of filing return, you will be charged a panel interest of 1% for every month of delay;
• While tax return for the financial year 2012-13 can be filed up to March 31, 2015, you will have to pay a penalty of upto Rs.5,000 if it is filed after March 31, 2014.
• You will not be able to file a revised return in case you have committed mistake while filing the original one.
• You will not be allowed to carry forward any losses incurred under the head Capital Gains and 'Business Losses' (other than depreciation loss).
• If you are entitled to interest on tax refund, if any, you may have to forgo the interest for the period of delay.

Source: http://karnmk.blogspot.in/2013/08/ready-reckoner-for-late-income-tax.html

NPS: Subscribers, Annual Return, Guidelines & Salient Feature - Rajya Sabha Q&A

NPS: Subscribers, Annual Return, Guidelines & Salient Feature - Rajya Sabha Q&A

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF  FINANCE
RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-192

ANSWERED ON-06.08.2013

Subscribers of NPS

192. SHRI NAND KUMAR SAI

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) the number of subscribers of National Pension Scheme (NPS) in the country alongwith the accumulated corpus contribution at the end of Financial Year 2012-13;
(b) whether the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has revised the guidelines for registration of Pension Fund Managers in the country;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the salient features of said guidelines;
(d)    the details of returns on NPS Scheme before and after revision of such guidelines from various sectors; and
e)    the details of the steps taken by Government to make NPS as the highest returns generating scheme in the country?

ANSWER

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)

(a) The total number of subscribers of New Pension System (NPS) at the end of Financial Year 2012-13, is 47,70,507 and the total corpus is Rs. 29,852.05 Crore.

(b) & (c) Yes, Sir. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has issued the “PFRDA (Registration of Pension Funds for Private Sector) Guidelines – 2012” on 12th July, 2012. The guidelines provide for registration of PFMs based on “fit and proper” criteria and subject to the maximum investment management fee prescribed by PFRDA.

d) As per the information provided by PFRDA, the annual returns on NPS Schemes as on 31-03-2012 and 31-03-2013 are as under :-

NPS Scheme	31-03-2012	31-03-13
Central Government	5.76%	12.39%
State Government	6.58%	13.00%
Scheme E	-7.42%	8.38%
Scheme C	10.96%	14.19%
Scheme G	5.47%	13.52%
NPS Lite	9.03%	13.40%

e) Number of measures to maximise returns while addressing risk related issues under NPS for the subscribers are in place. These include prudential investment norms and close monitoring of the investment returns of the PFMs.

Source: Rajya Sabha

EPS merger with NPS would need amendment of law, say unions

EPS merger with NPS would need amendment of law, say unions

Any move to merge the Employees Pension Scheme with the New Pension Scheme would require amendment of the Employees Provident Fund Act, which may not happen at least before the elections, according to trade unions and employers organisation.

Commenting on  Finance Minister P Chidambaram's letter to former Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge reported by this paper urging merger of the two schemes, trade unions  said any bid to impose NPS on EPS subscribers would first require amendment and that would not be a popular move in an election year.

Both the EPF Act and the EPS make mention of pension scheme and an amendment would have to be made to replace EPS to NPS in the Act, says DL Sachdev  All India Trade Union Congress State Secretary  and  member of the Central Board of Trustees.

He does not see any reason why employers organisations would support the New Pension Scheme as their contribution to EPFO would continue as before.

The employee and employer make 12% contribution each and 8.33% of this goes into pension along with a 1.66% contribution from the Government. So in either case, the employer has to contribute, says Sachdev.

It is an election year, and the Government is unlikely to take such an unpopular step now, he said.

We will oppose any merger. They cant shut down EPS without taking all of us into confidence. said AD Nagpal state secretary of the Hind Mazdoor Sabha and member of the Central Board of Trustees of the EPFO:

Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh general secretary Baij Nath Rai said that the Central Board of Trustees has not been called for nearly six months and this could be an indication of the Government's intentions regarding EPS. 'But we wont accept merger with NPS.   Pension funds are not meant for gambling. These are hard earned savings of workers and cant be gambled away in shares,' he said, referring to the equity investments that NPS does.

S Sen member of CBT from the Confederation of Indian Industries said that EPFO has been cautious on equity as it is people's money. I feel you need to take a balanced view, he said adding that he needed time to consider whether a merger could be a way out.

Ravi Wig, former president of PhD CHamber of Commerce and Industry and representing the National Employers Federation in CBT  said that the NEF  was opposed to the merger as NPS does not offer social security to the worker the way EPS does.

If a worker puts in even a day of service and dies, he gets full insurance without paying a penny under EPS. Again the returns are guaranteed and that is what ensures protection in old age, Wig said.

EPFO has already presented its case before the Finance Ministry for keeping EPS alive. In a meeting called by the ministry, last month, EPFO which comes under the Labour Ministry sent its officials to give reasons why EPS had a right to continue, and why it was much better than NPS.

One of the reasons the EPFO gave was the feature of guaranteed benefits that EPS had. It also questoined the claims of NPS that the latter earned higher returns from its investments in comparison to EPS.

EPFO pointed out that only one of the fund managers of NPS was able to get a higher return while the other fund managers earned on par with EPS.

EPFO also maintained that EPS was a cheaper pension scheme as it cost almost nothing to the investors unlike NPS where it said that processing charges ate into almost four% of the total maturity value of the fund as the charges were made on the cumulative funds each year, rather than on just the fresh savings made each year. EPS it pointed out charged only on the latter and not on cumulative savings of the investor.

Source: http://www.business-standard.com/