Centre may raise age of retirement by 2 years to 62

Centre may raise age of retirement by 2 years to 62

General elections' dates may be notified on March 5

The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) is likely to take a major decision of increasing the retirement age of Central government employees by two years, from 60 to 62 this week. This would be applicable from March 1.

It would be one of the major decisions to be taken by the Cabinet before the model code of conduct for the general elections kicks in. In the Thursday meeting, the Cabinet is also likely to recommend dates for the elections. These could be notified on March 5.

"The government may clear the increase in age this week," said a source. It is likely to be a part of the terms of reference of the Seventh Pay Commission, expected to file its report in 2017. The panel, however, can recommend an interim relief through the move.

The increase in retirement age would be happening after 15 years. In 1998, it was increased to 60 from 58 following implementation of the Fifth Pay Commission. Experts said it would defer payment of retirement benefits. However, sources confirmed this would not be applicable for employees retiring on February 28.

The cabinet is expected to discuss a proposal to increase the dearness allowance by 10 per cent from January 1, to make it 100 per cent and merge 50 per cent of the increased dearness allowance with basic pay. The terms and conditions of the panel include a proposal to merge 50 per cent of dearness allowance with basic pay.

The move to increase the retirement age may pressure the states to follow. The department of personnel and training was working on the proposal for quite some time. The Budget estimate on the pension outgo for 2014-15 is Rs 80,982 crore, 0.6 per cent of the gross domestic product.

Source: http://www.business-standard.com
[http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/centre-may-raise-age-of-retirement-by-2-years-to-62-114022600007_1.html]

Voluntary retirement under FR 56(k), etc. and amendment of Rules.

Voluntary retirement under FR 56(k), etc. and amendment of Rules.

Dopt issued amendment orders on Voluntary retirement under FR 56(k),

Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training

North Block, New Delhi-n0 001
Dated : 27th February, 2014

Subject : Voluntary retirement under FR 56(k), etc. and amendment of Rules.

The provisions of Fundamental Rule 56(k), 56(m) and Rule 48 of CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972 relating to acceptance of request of voluntary retirement have been revisited as per the Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench judgement dated 4th August, 2010 in 0.A.No.1600/2009 filed by Shri Gopal Singh Purohit Vs U01 & Others to bring them at par with each other.

2.     The matter has ‘been examined in consultation with Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare and the Ministry of Law. FR 56(k) and 56 (m) have been amended vide Extra Ordinary Gazette Notification No.GSR.27(E) dated 17 th January, 2014. It shall be open to the appropriate authority to withhold permission to a Government servant who seeks to retire under FR 56(k) or 56 (m) in the following circumstances:

(i) If the Government servant is under suspension ; or

(ii) If a charge sheet has been issued and the disciplinary proceedings are pending; or

(iii) If judicial proceedings on charges which may amount to grave misconduct, are pending.

Explanation: For the purpose of this clause, judicial proceedings shall be deemed to be pending, if a complaint or report of a police officer, of which the Magistrate takes cognizance, has been made or filed in a criminal proceedings.

3.     Copy of the Gazette Notification No.G.S.R.E.(27) dated 17.1.2014 amending FR 56(k) and FR 56(m) is enclosed.

4.     All Ministries/Departments are requested to bring the contents of this O.M. to the notice of all concerned.

MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
(Department of Personnel and Training )

NOTIFICATION

New Delhi, the 17th January, 2014

GS.R. – 27(E) In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to article 309 of the Constitution, and in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General in relation to persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, the President hereby makes the following rule further to amend the Fundamental Rules, 1922, namely :-

I. (1) These rules may be called the Fundamental (First Amendment) Rules, 2014.
(2) They shall came into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2. In the Fundamental Rule, 1922, in rule 56, –
(a) in clause (k), in sub-clause ( I), for item (c), the following, shall be substituted namely :-

"(c) it shall be open to the Appropriate Authority to withhold permission to a Government servant, who seeks to retire under this clause, if,-
(i) the Government servant is under suspension: or
(ii) a charge sheet has been issued and the disciplinary proceedings are pending; or
(iii) if judicial proceedings on charges which may amount to grave misconduct, are pending.

Explanation :– For the purpose of this clause, judicial proceedings shall be deemed to be pending, if a complaint or report of a police officer, of which the Magistrate takes cognizance, has been made or filed in a criminal proceedings.";

(b) for clause (m), the following shall be substituted, namely : –

"(m)A Government servant in Group ‘C’ post who is not governed by any pension rules, may, by giving notice of not less than three months in writing to the Appropriate Authority, retire from service after he has completed thirty years service :

Provided that it shall be open to the Appropriate Authority to withhold permission to a Government servant, who seeks to retire proceedings."
(i) the Government servant is under suspension: or
(ii) a charge sheet has been issued and the disciplinary proceedings are pending; or
(iii) if judicial proceedings on charges which may amount to grave misconduct, are pending.

Explanation :- For the purpose of this clause, judicial proceedings shall be deemed to be pending, if a complaint or report
of a police officer, of which the Magistrate takes cognizance, has been made or filed in a criminal proceedings.";

[No.25013/3/2010-Estt. (A-IV)]
MAMTA KUNDR A, Jt. Secy.

Source : www.persmin.gov.in
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/25013_3_2010-Estt-A.pdf]

Government Committed to Provide Required Fund to Implement One Rank, One Pay (OROP)

Government Committed to Provide Required Fund to Implement One Rank, One Pay (OROP): Antony 

Ministry of Defence

27-February, 2014 09:55 IST

The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony has assured the Services that the Government was fully committed to implement the One Rank, One Pay (OROP) Policy and that required funds will be made available to ensure its implementation. Chairing a meeting of the top brass of the Services and senior officials of MoD, here, last evening, Shri Antony said the Finance Minister had clarified that the figure of Rs 500 crores made available to implement the scheme was only ‘indicative’.

The meeting was convened by Shri Antony to discuss the modalities for implementation of OROP. It was attended among others by the Minister of State for Defence Shri Jitendra Singh, the Defence Secretary Shri RK Mathur, Secretary Ex- Servicemen’s Welfare Smt Sangita Gairola, Secretary Defence Finance Shri Arunava Dutt, the three Service Vice Chiefs and AG from the Services Headquarters.

It was noted that “OROP implies that uniform pension be paid to the Armed Forces personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement and any future enhancement in the rates of pension to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners. This implies bridging the gap between the rate of pension of the current pensioners and the past pensioners, and also future enhancements in the rate of pension to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners”.

Shri Antony directed that the Controller General of Defence Accounts should initiate immediate necessary steps in consultation with the three Services, MoD Finance and Department of ESW to give effect to the decision. He also emphasized that family pensioners and disability pensioners would be included. Ex-Servicemen may also be appropriately consulted by the Services, Shri Antony said.

It may be recalled that improvements in the pension for Defence Services have been effected by the Government on three occasions in recent times – in 2006, 2010 and 2013. As a result of these changes, the gap in pension amount between pre-2006 and post-2006 retirees has been bridged substantially. However, keeping in view the long- standing demand, the Government has accepted the principle of OROP for Defence Services.

Source: PIB

Renewal of CGHS Plastic Cards – reg.

Renewal of CGHS Plastic Cards - CGHS Orders

The Department of Health and Family Welfare issued orders about the renewal of CGHS plastic cards.

S 11011/1/2014-CGHS (P)
Government of India
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Department of Health and Family Welfare
CGHS (Policy) Division

Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi
Dated: the 10th February, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Renewal of CGHS Plastic Cards – reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s O.M No.S.11012/3/2011-CGHS (P) dated 29.12.2011 laying down the guidelines for issue of individual plastic cards to CGHS beneficiaries. CGHS Plastic Cards were introduced in September, 2008 in Delhi NCR and the cards were initially issued with a validity period of 5 years. The CGHS Plastic Cards completing their validity period are due for renewal and accordingly fresh cards with renewed validity period are being issued by the Office of Additional Director, CGHS of the city concerned. With a view to further streamline the process of renewal of CGHS Plastic Cards, it has been decided to issue the following guidelines supplementing the existing instructions on issue of CGHS Plastic Cards:

Serving beneficiary

a) Application for renewal of CGHS Plastic Cards in the prescribed proforma (Form AA) alongwith requisite documents (current photographs, copy of pay slip and address proof of residence, if changed), should be submitted through their Administrative Office to the Office of Additional Director, CGHS of the respective CGHS city following the same procedure as prescribed for issue of fresh CGHS card.

b) Fresh CGHS Plastic Cards with same beneficiary ID nos. shall be issued with a validity period of 5 years.

c) Applications for renewal of old plastic cards can be made 3 months in advance prior to its expiry.

Pensioner beneficiary

a) Application for renewal of Pensioners’ CGHS Plastic Cards in the prescribed proforma (Form BB) alongwith requisite documents (current photographs, PPO or LPC, address proof, if changed) should be submitted to the parent CGHS Wefiness Centre where his /her card is registered. He / she can also submit the application to the Office of Additional Director, CGHS of the respective CGHS city for renewal of CGHS cards.

b) Fresh CGHS Plastic Cards with same beneficiary ID nos. shall be issued with validity for lifetime or up to the date for which the contribution has been made by the beneficiary.

c) Applications for renewal of old plastic cards can be made 3 months in advance prior to its expiry. This issues with the approval of Additional Secretary and Director General, CGHS.

End: Specimen Form AA and Form BB.

sd/-
(V.P.Singh)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Source: http://msotransparent.nic.in/cghsnew/index.asp