Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System for Railway employees – Railway Board Orders

Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System enrollment process, all the Section Officers are responsible for enrollment of staff, including MTS and others working under them and the officers of the level of Under Secretary/Deputy Directors and above may enroll themselves on the website on their own.

Government of India
Ministry of Railways
(Railway Board)

Office Order No. 66 of 2014

Sub: Enrollment for Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBA)

Hon’ble MR has directed that all personnel of the Ministry of Railways, Rail Bhavan (including those located at Pragati Maidan) shall enroll on the Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System.

2. In this regard, the spadework for enrollment on the system has been completed by the C&IS directorate and the system is now ready to be used for user enrollment.

3. It is now required that all the personnel of Ministry of Railways working In the offices of Rail Bhawan and Pragati Maidan are to enroll themselves afresh directly on the website http://attendance.gov.in/regester/employee

4. For the said enrollment process, all the Section Officers are responsible for enrollment of staff, including MTS and others working under them and the officers of the level of Under Secretary/Deputy Directors and above may enroll themselves on the website on their own. After registration, all EDs shall forward a list of the personnel enrolled n their Directorate giving the information to C&IS through email as per annexure in a spreadsheet via email. Officers above the level of SAG may send their report directly through their PPS/Sr.PPS/PSO.

5. The detailed process for enrollment is enclosed which may be followed while enrolling. The said process of enrollment of all officers/staff under AEBAS should be completed latest by 18.10.2014 (Saturday).

6. For any clarification/ assistance, the following personnel of the Railway Board Computer Centre may be contacted:

1. Sh. Krishan Kant, Programmer, Cell No. 9717635888

2. Sh. Navneet Kr Saxera, Sr Programmer, Cell No. 9717 647095

3. Sh. Akhilesh Misra, Dir. Mech Engg (C&IS), Cell No. 9717640768

2014/O&M/9/3
Dated: 15.10.20 14

sd/-
(K.Krishnan)

Joint Secretary/Railway Board

Source: http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/secretary_branches/pdf/om/Aadhar_Card_161014.pdf

COPY OF CHARGE-SHEET CANNOT BE DENIED UNDER RTI ACT: CIC

COPY OF CHARGE-SHEET CANNOT BE DENIED UNDER RTI ACT: CIC

The CIC Prof M Sridhar Acharyulu held on 3rd November 2014 that ‘charge-sheet’ has to be disclosed after separating non-disclosable portions, if any, as per restrictions prescribed under RTI Act. Ms. Usha Kanth Asiwal sought to know from Director of Vigilance Delhi, details of complaint made to Anti Corruption Bureau on 25-04-2001 and inquiry leading to registration of case against 13 persons under Prevention of Corruption Act, which is now under prosecution in Tis Hazari Courts. She sought 22 point information, which broadly relate to contents of the Charge-sheet.

The PIO denied the information u/s 8(1)(h) of the RTI Act claiming disclosure would impede investigation or prosecution. The First Appellate Authority upheld the decision of the PIO. She approached the Commission in second Appeal. Though demand was not for copy of charge-sheet, the appellant agreed that a copy of charge-sheet would answer his application. Then issue before the Commission was whether charge sheet was public document, and if so could that be shared under RTI Act with any citizen.

CIC Prof Sridhar Acharyulu explained: ‘The charge sheet is a report held by the investigating officer, or public authority or court of law. As per the RTI Act, any information held by the public authority can be accessed by the citizen subject to the exceptions provided under Section 8. Because the charge-sheet contains the evidence which need to be adduced in the court of law, there is a possibility of opening up many details which could be personal or private or confidential. If the allegation requires to be proved by call data, the charge sheet refers to sheets of call data, which surely contain call details unrelated to allegation. That could be private information need to be protected. Hence each charge sheet has to be separately examined and only after separating unnecessary and unrelated details of evidence, and only required and permissible information out of chargesheet should be disclosed. Thus Charge-sheet can neither be prohibited enbloc from disclosure nor disclosed totally. Charge-sheet is a document held by concerned authority, which has to examine disclosable aspects vis-a-vis Section 8 and 9 of the RTI Act and then decide the case’.

As per the Criminal Procedure, the charge-sheet is the end product of investigation. With filing of charge-sheet, the investigation is closed and defense that investigation might get impeded does not stand at all. Whether revealing the information impedes apprehension or prosecution is the next question. The Respondent authority did not even raise this point and did nothing to explain the Commission about possibility of impeding apprehension/prosecution by disclosure. The Public Authority just mentioned the section number and did nothing else. The First Appellate Authority also did not apply the mind and chose not to give any reasons for upholding the denial by PIO. The exemption of larger public interest provided in Section 8(1) is not available to this clause (h). Thus it has to be decided on facts whether disclosure of charge-sheet will really obstruct investigation, apprehension or prosecution. The judgment of the Delhi High Court in W.P.(C) No.3114/2007 – Shri Bhagat Singh Vs. Chief Information Commissioner & Ors on this aspect is of relevance, since it deals with the applicability of the Section 8(1)(h) of the RTI Act 2005: S Ravinder Bhat J specifically notes, “As held in the preceding part of the judgment, without a disclosure as to how the investigation process would be hampered by sharing the materials collected till the notices were issued to the assessee, the respondents could not have rejected the request for granting information. …”

It can be inferred that there is no specific provision anywhere prohibiting the disclosure of charge-sheet and if there disclosure does not affect investigation or prosecution it can be permitted under RTI, unless there is a public interest against disclosure. The chargesheets containing charges under Prevention of Corruption Act, especially against public servants, need to be in public domain, in public interest.

Citing several decisions the CIC said: There is no specific provision under any law which state that charge-sheet is a public document, but there are several judgment of the Supreme court and High court which clarify that charge sheet is a public document. Queen-Empress v. Arumugan and Ors ( (1897) ILR 20 Mad 189) has held that any person has an interest in criminal proceeding has a justify to inspect under section 76 of the Indian Evidence Act. In N David Vijay Kumar v The Pallavan Gram Bank, Indian Bank in File No. CIC/SG/A/2012/000189 CIC Mr Shailesh Gandhi ordered disclosure of Charge sheet ruling out the contention of exemption under Section 8(1)(j).

On the perusal of the RTI application, the Commission found that the information sought by the applicant are the part and parcel of the information contain in the charge-sheet prepared after the completion of the investigation under section 173 of Cr. P. C. The purpose of the appellant will be served if the copy of the same would be provided to the appellant. The respondent authority also agreed to provide the copy of charge sheet.

Considering the provisions of Cr.P.C., Evidence Act, RTI Act, erudite judicial pronouncements, certain transparency practices in CVC, facts and circumstances of the case and contentions raised, the Commission holds that the charge sheet is a public document and it shall be disclosed subject to other restrictions provided under RTI Act. There cannot be a general hard and fast rule that every charge-sheet could be disclosed or should not be. Each RTI request for copy of Charge-sheet required to be examined and only permissible part should be given. The Commission, hence, directed the respondent to examine the content of charge-sheet and to provide appellant/… the copy of those portions of charge-sheet, which would answer the queries raised by appellant in his RTI application, within 3 weeks from the date of receipt of the order.

Source : http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/

Issue of Privilege Passes/PTOs covering Udhampur-Katra Section: Clarification by Railway Board

Issue of Privilege Passes/PTOs covering Udhampur-Katra Section: Clarification by Railway Board

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD

I(W)2012/PS5-10/1

Dated.10-10-2014

The General Manager,
All Indian Railways &
Production Units

Sub: Issue of Privilege Passes/PTOs covering Udhampur-Katra Section.

Queries are being received from Railways/PU’s seeking Board approval for issue of Pass/PTOs on Udhampur-Katra Section.

In this connection, it is clarified that Railway Sections/Stations which have since been opened for passenger traffic, are part of Indian Railways. Hence, Pass/PTOs for such sections/stations may be issued. There is no need to seek Board’s approval in such cases. In future also, Passes/PTOs may be issued for such sections/stations, without making any reference to Board’s Office.

This disposes of RCF’s letter No.65-E/RCF/KXH/PASS/PTO/2014 dated 05.09.2014.

sd/-
Debasis Mazumdar)
Director Estt.(Welfare)
Railway Board

Source : AIRF
[http://www.airfindia.com/Orders%202014/katra%20udhampur%20pass.pdf]

Rendering of Life Certificate by Ex-Servicemen:

Rendering of Life Certificate by Ex-Servicemen:

Regarding submission of Life Certificate by Ex-Servicemen and circumstances in which personal appearance is exempted. The list of Officers Authorized to sign Life Certificates is also given in this post. Image of Life Certificate for Ex-servicemen and Certificate of Re-marriage/marriage are also given below. The message by DESA Blog in this regard:

Dear Veteran,

Gentle reminder that during the month of November , you are required to render a life certificate to the bank from where you are drawing your pension . Submission of this Certificate is essential for the bank to continue with disbursal of your pension.

The formats can be downloaded here life_certificate_COMPLETE_For ESM

This certificate can be submitted in any branch of the bank, but please retain the receipt of submitting the certificate. Those veterans who are abroad may submit the certificate to the local branch of the bank. The certificate is to be issued by an authorised official of the embassy / High Commission of India or Consul of Indian Consulates or a Notary Public or an Officer of an Indian Authorised Bank attached its branch in the country where the pensioner is residing.


Personal appearance is exempted under the following circumstances:-

(Please click here to download the complete list Exemption from Personal Appearance for LTA)

    Pensioners desiring to draw his/her pension through authorised agent. For this the pensioner has to execute Indemnity Bond, and to submit life certificate once in a year.

    Pensioners of rank (high status) such pensioners may be privately identified by PDA and he need not be required to appear at a public office.

    Pensioners exempted by Local Govt. for personal appearance such pensioners have to produce life certificate in 6 months.

    Pensioners unable to appear in person due to bodily illness or infirmity. Such pensioners have to submit life certificates in 6 months.

    Severely wounded and infirm pensioners, subject to production of life certificate.

    Female pensioners who are not accustomed to appear in public. She has to produce life certificate and non-re-marriage certificate.

    Children owing to illness and very young children subject to production of life certificate signed by the official of the Revenue department.

    Armed forces pensioners(PBOR) re-employed in various institutions such as Railways, Mills or private firms of Standing, etc. subject to production of life certificate and authority for payment to a representative.

    Armed forces pensioners (other then those mentioned in clause(viii) above subject to production of life certificate once in six months on IAFA-409.

    Gorkha pensioners living in Nepal or a pensioner in Bhutan and is physically unable to draw pension in person, payment may be made through a Pension Disbursing Authority in India or Indian Embassy, Nepal to a representative who produces the pensioner’s pension certificate and life certificate on IAFA-409.

    Armed forces Pensioners residing in Pauri Garhwal and Chamoli districts. Such pensioners will be required to make one journey with his representative to the Pension Disbursing Authority and state personally to him that he desires his pension to be paid in future through the representative. The PDA will record the identification mark of the representative who will be permitted to draw the pension on production of pensioner’s certificate and life certificate signed by either two male armed force pensioners or by a pensioned Officer.

    Pensioners drawing pension through Money order.

    If you are unfortunately a wheel chair bound pensioner, then you can speak to your branch manager to send some one to your home and get your Life Certificate signed by you.

Officers Authorised to sign Life Certificates

Life certificates issued/signed by one or other of the following authorities/persons can be accepted:-

• A serving or pensioned person exercising the powers of a Magistrate under the criminal procedure code (Act-V of 1898).
• A registrar or sub-registrar appointed under the Indian Registration Act 1908 (XVI of 1908).
• A Munsif.
• A police officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector in charge of Police station.
• Master, a Departmental Sub-Post Master or an Inspector of Post Office.
• Officers of the Reserve Bank of India and other PSBs in respect of pensioners drawing pension from Banks.
• The head of the village Panchayat, Gram Panchayat or Head of an executive committee of a village.
• Retired Commissioned Officers of the Armed Forces in respect of pension bill form IAFA-319 of Commissioned Officers, departmental Officers and Warrant Officers.

Source: http://desanavy.wordpress.com/2014/11/07/rendering-of-life-certificate/

Retiring central government bureaucrats may be told to write 1,000-word essay on achievements

Retiring central government bureaucrats may be told to write 1,000-word essay on achievements

NEW DELHI: All retiring central government bureaucrats will soon be able to leave behind a 1,000-word note on their significant achievements during service that can be put up online so that serving officers can draw inspiration and build on those ideas.

The ministry of personnel, which reports to the prime minister, has circulated a concept paper to all ministries, proposing to create a platform for retiring employees to volunteer to showcase “commendable work” done during service.

“While the retiring employees can look back with satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment, this would also create a database of useful suggestions and information… It will also act as a motivator for serving employees,” the concept paper says, asking the ministries to give their comments by November 30.

The ministry has, however, specified that comments which are religious or political or against national interest must not be included in the note. It has also specified that commendable work will include “any work that has contributed to the efficiency, economy and effectiveness in government functioning, any innovation which led to improved work culture or manuals or publications related to work created by the retiring employee”.
The bureaucrats will be required to submit a write-up of not more than 1,000 words six months before their retirement when they apply for pension. “Since most successful ventures would have contributions of the entire team, retiring persons must ensure that names of other members of the team are indicated in the write-ups,” the ministry has said in the concept paper.

According to the ministry, initially an online facility will be provided only to retiring employees for submitting the note. “The exercise would be completed at least one month before retirement and the result uploaded on the departmental website. The website will clearly indicate that the contents and suggestions are as provided by the retiring employee,” the concept paper says.

The retiring babus will also be asked to mention if they would be willing to volunteer for social work post-retirement. “This would be a wonderful opportunity to garner the resource of retiring employees for voluntary contribution to nation building post-retirement,” the paper says.

The ministry has also implemented a programme to provide counseling to employees who are about to retire as the government intends to utilise the services of these officials for useful interventions in society like evaluation of development schemes being implemented across India. As per a government estimate, there are about 40,000 fresh retirees every year from central government civil establishments alone, while the number could be over a lakh if personnel from defence, railways, posts and telecom were to be included. There is already a pool of 50 lakh existing pensioners.

Source:http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-11-05/news/55798129_1_concept-paper-work-culture-ministry