Action Taken Report on the Decisions of the 22nd meeting of SCOVA held on 19.02.2013

Action Taken Report on the Decisions of the 22nd meeting of SCOVA held on 19.02.2013

F. No. 42/6/2013-P&PW(G)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare
3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market, New Delhi- 110003

Date:- 6th September,2013

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: 23rd meeting of the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS (PP) to be held on 20th September, 2013 at 4.00 PM in Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi – Reg

- Venue & Time of 23rd SCOVA meeting.
- Comments on Fresh Agenda Items
-  Confirmation of the participation

The undersigned is directed to say that the 23rd meeting of the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies(SCOVA) under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS (PP) will be held on Friday, the 20th September, 2013 at 4.00 PM in:-

Committee Room-A,
Ground Floor, Vigyan Bhawan Annexe,
Maulana Axad Road,
New Delhi 110011

2. It is to say that the seven agenda items for discussion in the 23rd Meeting of SCOVA is enclosed herewith. The concerned Ministries/Departments are, therefore, requested to  kindly furnish comments on the enclosed agenda items for 23rd meeting of SCOVA latest by  12th September, 2013 to the undersigned through Fax /Email (Fax No. / E-mail Address given  below) and also in hard copy.

3. It is also requested that the name and telephone number of the official, not below the rank of Joint secretary/Director, nominated to attend the above meeting may kindly be sent to this Department early for further interaction relating to 23rd SCOVA meeting.

Sd/-
(Sujasha Choudhury)
Dy. Secretary (P)

Source: http://pensionersportal.gov.in/

MACP on Hierarchy: Supreme Court dismissed the Govt. petitions against HC Decision

MACP on Hierarchy: Supreme Court dismissed the Govt. petitions against HC Decision

Dear Comrade,
The Principal CAT [OA 904/2012 dt. 26-11-2012], Delhi and the Punjab & Haryana High Court [CWP No. 19387 of 2011 (O&M) Date of Decision: 19.10.2011] have held that MACP is to be granted on promotional hierarchy and not on next higher Grade Pay as per the 6th Pay Commission Recommendation.  The SLP filed by Union of India against the P&H decision was dismissed by the Supreme Court [CC 7467/2013].

Yours Comradely,
Manoj Kumar Sharma
Secretary General
Ministerial Staff Association
C/o-Northern Printing Group
Survey of India
Dehradun:- 248001

For more details, click here...

Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare Orders : Financial guidelines for extension of ECHS facilities to Nepal Domiciled Gorkha (NDG) ESM pensioners in Nepal

Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare Orders : Financial guidelines for extension of ECHS facilities to Nepal Domiciled Gorkha (NDG) ESM pensioners in Nepal

No.25 (02)/2012/(WE)/D (Res)
Government of India
Ministry of Defence
(Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare)

New Delhi, the 10th September, 2013

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

Subject:- Financial guidelines for extension of ECHS facilities to Nepal Domiciled Gorkha (NDG) ESM pensioners in Nepal.

Sir,
1. In continuation of this Ministry's letter No. 22D(48)/2006/ US(WE)/D (Res) dated 07th February, 2012, I am directed to convey sanction of the Competent Authority on financial management of ECHS at Embassy of India, Nepal as follows.


2. Procedure of Fund Management for ECHS in Nepal

(a) ECHS Branch to open a Current Account with SBI in Nepal (ECHS Account).

(b) Central Organisation ECHS to allot funds to ECHS Branch, Kathmandu, Nepal under intimation to Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (PCDA) (CC), Lucknow.

(c) Based on allotment, ECHS Branch to intimate requirement of funds to PCDA (CC), Lucknow on a quarterly basis/ on as required basis .

(d) PCDA (CC), Lucknow to remit funds directly to ECHS Branch bank account through SWIFT.

(e) Assistant Military Attaché (ECHS), Embassy• of India, Kathmandu, Nepal to act as Drawing and Disbursement Officer (DDO).

(f) Manual bills of Empanelled Hospitals and individual bills of ECHS beneficiaries to be routed through Lucknow Sub-Area as per the existing procedure.

(g) On-line billing when established in Nepal, will follow the same procedure as followed by other Regional Centres of ECHS which are 'On-line' for billing.

(h) Till the time manual billing is in vogue, 50% payment of hospitals / individual reimbursement claim will be done on submission of the bill and bills will be forwarded to PCDA (CC) Lucknow with the sanction of appropriate authority and endorsement on the bill regarding advance paid for pre audit & payment.

(j) At the end of month, all payment vouchers except the bills/vouchers already forwarded to PCDA (CC) Lucknow for pre audit 8s payment and a detailed list duly indicating the advances paid by the DDO along with Cash Book, will be forwarded by ECHS Branch to PCDA (CC) Lucknow for booking of expenditure and post audit.

3. Delegation of Financial Powers in Indian Rupees.
(a) Payment and Re-imbursement for Medical Treatment (Manual Billing).

(i)   Defence Attaché - Upto Rs 1 Lakh. (Above Rs 1 Lakh to be processed through Lucknow Sub-Area as per the existing procedure.)

(ii)  Area Commander UB Area -Upto Rs. 2 Lakh.
(iii) Army Commander Central Command - Upto Rs 4 Lakh.
(iv) Vice Chief of Army staff - Upto Rs 5 Lakh.
(v) MoD - Bills Above Rs. 5 Lakh.

(b) Payment and Re-imbursement for Medical Treatment (Online-Billing).

(i)  Defence Attaché - Upto Rs 1 Lakh.
(ii) Deputy MD ECHS - Above Rs 1 lakh upto Rs. 3 Lakh.
(iii) MD ECHS - Above Rs 3 lakh upto Rs. 5 Lakh.
(iv) MoD - Above Rs. 5 Lakh.

(c) For other Heads of Expenditure of ECHS. The financial powers currently being exercised in the mission will be applicable.

(d) Defense Attaché is authorised to exercise Category II powers for all ECHS related activities in Nepal.

4. Supply of Medical Stores. SEMO Command Hospital (CH), Central Command (CC) will be responsible to procure and provide medical stores to Polyclinics at Kathmandu and Pokhara. Medical stores for Polyclinic Dharan will be provided by 158 Base Hospital, Bengdubi. Polyclinics will forward their MMF through ECHS Branch, Kathmandu to SEMO, Command Hospital, Lucknow on a quarterly basis. However, the financial powers delegated to Defence Attache will be exercised for all emergent procurements which are beyond the powers of Officer in charge Polyclinics.

5. This letter issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Defence (Finance) vide their U.0 No. 2226/F/Pen dated 2nd September 2013.

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(H.K. Mallick)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Source: www.desw.gov.in
[http://www.desw.gov.in/sites/upload_files/desw/files/pdf/echs-order-10-sep-2013_2.pdf]

10% DA approval expected to be announced last day by Cabinet

10% DA approval expected to be announced last day by Cabinet
As per information available with us, cabinet might consider and approve 10% D.A. for central employees and pensioners with effect from 01.07.2013 last day (12.09.2013). With this possible hike, total D.A. payable will reach 90% of basic pay. Meanwhile, all trade unions are mounting pressure on the Govt. to merge 50% of Dearness Allowance with basic pay even there is no recommendation of merger in the sixth pay commission report. The unions threatened to resort to strike if the demand is not fulfilled. Will the Govt. succumb to this pressure in the election year ? That is the million dollar question.

Source: http://paycommissionupdate.blogspot.in/2013/09/cabinet-may-approve-10-da-today.html

Launching of Web Based software for CSSS/CSCS Cadre Management

Launching of Web Based software for CSSS/CSCS Cadre Management

No.25/1/2013-CS.II(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and Pension
Department of Personnel & Training

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan
Khan Market, New Delhi
Dated 11th September, 2013

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Launching of Web Based software for CSSS/CSCS — reg.

Reference is invited to this Department's OM No. 21/11/2010-CS.I(U) dated 4th February, 2013 vide which Web Based Software /Data in respect of officers of CSS was uploaded. The software / database in respect of officers of CSSS and CSCS has also since been posted in the test server at URL http://10.21.145.125. The system is designed for the following users :

(i) CS-II Division and AVD.I Division of DOPT -Being cadre controlling authority for CSSS and CSCS Officers, CS-II Division will function as the administrator of the software.

(ii) Ministries / Departments - Nodal officers can view the data in respect of officers under their administrative control and forward applications of officers for cadre clearance NRS. Further, all the cadre management activities such as monitoring of submission of immovable property returns and APAR of officers under their administrative control, relieving and joining orders of officers, training, encadrement proposals, seeking vigilance clearance from AVD.I Division of DOPT and from their own Vigilance Division can be undertaken through the system.

(iii) Individual CSSS / CSCS Officers -  They can view their data and make requests for cadre clearance for deputation online. They can also file Annual Immovable Property Return, lodge grievances, view orders related to them and file applications for Voluntary Retirement. Officers can log in to the system with the user id which is a combination of six digit date of birth followed by first four letters of their name i.e. ddmmyyabcd . Officers may contact the nodal officers concerned for password for logging in to the system.

2. Incomplete Data Ministries / Departments may appreciate that the software can be fully operationalised for Cadre Management activities only if the complete and accurate data in respect of all the CSSS / CSCS Officers are available in the system. However, despite several reminders over the period, data only in respect of approx 3500 CSSS officers and 2290 CSCS officials have been received. Further, data received in respect of a few officers is not complete. It need not be emphasized that in the absence of complete and accurate data, it is not possible to fully utilize the software for all Cadre Management activities as envisaged while developing this Software.

3. Correctness of data  : Ministries/Departments and individuals CSSS /CSCS officers should immediately visit the website to check if their complete and updated data is available in the system. All CSSS /CSCS officers should take a print out of the data and certify that the same is complete and correct in all respects. A copy of the data sheet, duly certified for its correctness both by the individual officer and the Ministry/Department concerned, may be forwarded to CS.II Division for records.

4. Non-availability of data : In case the data in respect of any officer not being available in the system, the same should be immediately forwarded in the MS Access Sheet. Separately i.e. not by clubbing with the data already sent. Sufficient time has already been given to the cadre units for submission of the complete data. The delay in this regard, therefore, reflects poorly on the officer and the Ministry/Department concerned. Officers concerned are also informed that in case the complete, accurate and updated data is not available in the system, any request for Cadre clearance for deputation, training etc. will not be considered. Accordingly, all officers, in their own interest, are advised to ensure that their updated data, complete in all respects is available in the system. Once complete data is available in the system, this department will issue posting, transfer and promotion orders only through the system. Similarly, the Ministries/Departments will thereafter issue the orders for relieving, joining, appointment on promotion only through the system.

5. Nodal Officers : The details of Nodal Officers have already been circulated vide this departments O.M. No. 21/11/2010 —CS.I(U) dated 4th February 2013. As advised by the said 0.M., Ministries/Departments may nominate 2-3 nodal officers viz, for administrative issues and vigilance related matters.

6. To start with, CS.II Division will entertain request for cadre clearance for deputation only through the system w.e.f. 1.1.2014. Once complete, accurate and updated data in respect of all CSSS /CSCS officers is available, it will be extended to other cadre management activities.

7. Improvements, if any, required in the software may please be brought to the notice of this Department urgently.

sd/-
(Vandana Sharma)
Director (CS.II)

Source: http://pensionersportal.gov.in/
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02csd/WebasedDIRletter.pdf]

Agenda Items for 23rd SCOVA Meeting to be held on 20th September, 2013 at New Delhi

Agenda Items for 23rd SCOVA Meeting to be held on 20th September, 2013 at New Delhi

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
(Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare)
AGENDA ITEMS FOR 23rd MEETING OF STANDING COMMITTEE OF
VOLUNTARY AGENCIES (SCOVA) TO BE HELD ON 20th SEPTEMBER, 2013, AT
VIGYAN BHANVAN ANNEXE, NEW DELHI

AGENDA ITEMS

1.Submission of application in Form 14 be dispensed with for sanction of Family Pension :-

As details of family members eligible for family pension in the event of the death of the pensioner, joint photograph with the spouse and the amount of family pension payable in the event of death of the pensioner are available under Part II of the Pension Payment Order issued by the Pay and Accounts Officer or other designated authority. It is redundant and unnecessary to insist on submission of all these details in Form 14 for sanction of Family pension. On the death of the pensioner, a written request from the spouse along with a death certificate of the pensioner is sufficient to sanction the family pension. So the extant cumbersome procedure may be dispensed with and a simplified procedure introduced.

2. Extension of benefit of upgraded Grade Pay to pre-2006 retirees of S-12grade :-

Benefit of upgraded Grade Pay Rs 4600, introduced subsequently in place ofalready implemented GP Rs.4,200/- for S-12 grade in pre-revised scale of Rs 6,500-10,500 w.e.f 01.01.2006 in terms of O.M No. F.No 1/1/2008-IC dated 13.11.2009 of M/o Finance, Department of Expenditure is not extended to pre-2006 pensioners retired from S-12 grade. The clarification assumes importance in view of the need for protection of 50% of the minimum Pay in the Pay Band & Grade Pay in O.M dated 28.1.2013.

3. Complaints to Public Grievance:-

At present the complaints lodged with Public Grievances is forwarded to the Ministry. Therefore, complaints on Subordinate Officer take a long time to reach them(Subordinate Officer). It is therefore necessary that the complaints are forwarded directly to the officers against which the complaint is lodged to avoid undue delay.

4. Broad Banding of Disablility Element for Pre-1996 cases:-

In implementation of the 5th CPC recommendations, Dept of Pensions & PW had issued OM dated 03.02.2000 for revision of disability and family pensions for post 1996 disabled pensioners which, inter alia, applied the principle of broad-banding to compute reckonable percentage of disability. Vide OM dated 11.09.2001 the same benefits were extended to pre-1996 pensioners with effect form 01.01.1996, These orders, like others issued by DP&PW, are equally applicable to civil as well as defence pensioners.MOD, however, extended the broad-banding benefit to post-96 disabled pensioners only, vide its order dated 31.01.2001, denying it to the pre-96 lot. The 2009 Cabinet Secretary's Committee, agreed to eliminate this anomaly, However, MoD(DESW) orders dated 19.01.2010 granted the benefit w.e.f 01.07.2009 only, completing ignoring the fact that the same benefit on the civil side has been extended w.e.f 01.01.1996. The matter was again raised with Deptt/ESW in August 2010. The need to apply the orders w.e.f 01.01.96 was accepted. However, the revised orders are yet to be issued even after lapse of nearly 2- 1/2 years.

5. Appointment of Specialists and General Medical Officer in CGHS :-

Aged Pensioners are unable to go to crowded Government hospitals and obtain specialist's prescription as the Specialists in the Government Hospitals are not only reluctant to issue such prescription on one hand but also the waiting time is enormous in the hospital. It is suggested that Specialist of various disciplines may be appointed on contract as is now resorted to.

6. Problems faced by non -Smart Card (old card holders) of CGHS:-

As per instructions issued by the Govt. of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare vide letter No.6024/2007/CGH5(HR)CGHS(P) Dated 17.12.2012 the beneficiaries of CGHS can get treatment in all CGHS covered cities in India and there is no need for obtaining temporary attachment while on a visit to another CGHS city. It has been brought to the notice of this Association by the members that if they carry CGHS cards while on visit to out stations, their dependant members, who do not accompany them, face great difficulty in case of emergency as without card Wellness Centres do not entertain any patient. Even in case of serious emergency empanelled hospitals do not entertain any patient if the CGHS card is not produced to them within four hours of admission and treat the CpHS beneficiaries as ordinary patients and cashless treatment is not permitted.  similar is the positions of the card holder if he leaves the card behind for use of his dependents in his absence or the dependent(s) goes to outstation. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is requested to find out a viable solution to this problem so that the beneficiaries of CGHS do not suffer during their visit to outstation.

7. Extension of benefit of OM dt. 28.1.2013 w.e.f 1.1.2006 instead of 24.9.2012:-

Govt. of India, M/o P&PG & Pensions, Department of Pension and Pensioner Welfare, New Delhi's Ordr No.F-38/37/2008-P&PW(A) dated 28.1.2013.  In the light of the judgement of the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi dated 29.04.2013 delivered with reference to Writ Petition No's WP(C) 1535/2012, WP(C) 2348/2012,WP(C) 2349/2012 and WP(C) 2350/2012 read with Hon'ble Supreme Court of India's decision in SLP (C) 23055 of 2013 of the Union OF India Vs CG S-(29) (SAG) Pensioners Association dated 29.07.2013, the date of effect mentioned in the GOI order dated 28/1/13 may be revised retrospectively from 1.1.2006 and arrears paid to the eligible Pensioners.

Forwarding letter by Pensioner Portal:-

F. No. 42/6/2013-P&PW(G)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market, New Delhi- 110003
Date:- 6th September,2013

OFFICE MEMORANDUM
 

Subject: 23rd meeting of the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) under the Chairmanship of Hon'ble MOS (PP) to be held on 20th September, 2013 at 4.00 PM in Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi - Reg

    - Venue & Time of 23rd SCOVA meeting.
    - Comments on Fresh Agenda Items
    -  Confirmation of the participation

The undersigned is directed to say that the 23rd meeting of the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies(SCOVA) under the Chairmanship of Hon'ble MOS (PP) will be held on Friday, the 20th September, 2013 at 4.00 PM in:-

Committee Room-A,
Ground Floor, Vigyan Bhawan Annexe,
Maulana Axad Road,
New Delhi 110011

2. It is to say that the seven agenda items for discussion in the 23rd Meeting of SCOVA is enclosed herewith. The concerned Ministries/Departments are, therefore, requested to  kindly furnish comments on the enclosed agenda items for 23rd meeting of SCOVA latest by  12th September, 2013 to the undersigned through Fax /Email (Fax No. / E-mail Address given  below) and also in hard copy.

3. It is also requested that the name and telephone number of the official, not below the rank of Joint secretary/Director, nominated to attend the above meeting may kindly be sent to this Department early for further interaction relating to 23rd SCOVA meeting.
 

Sd/-
(Sujasha Choudhury)
Dy. Secretary (P)

Source: http://pensionersportal.gov.in/
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D3/D03ppw/SCOVA_120913.pdf]