7th Pay Commission may bring pay parity in civil servants, officers up in arms.

7th Pay Commission may bring pay parity in civil servants, officers up in arms.

HYDERABAD: Officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the top rung of the country’s bureaucracy, are up in arms after rumours that the Seventh Pay Commission could bring about parity between them and other civil servants who are lower down in the civil service hierarchy.

Associations of IAS officers have held several formal and informal meetings to weigh options before them to thwart any attempt to whittle away at the advantages they now enjoy over others by virtue of securing top grades in the civil services exam.

Nearly 200 young IAS officers have so far submitted their representations to Cabinet secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha, the country’s top bureaucrat, and to the central IAS officers’ association, airing serious concerns over the reported move by the pay panel towards salary parity and doing away with the IAS edge in what is known as empanelment. “I was astonished to see media reports on the proposals towards parity between the services, which is nothing but an attempt to equate the gold medallist with last-benchers.Such proposals not only go against the principles of competition but also penalise top performers in the name of parity,” said 1993 batch IAS officer on condition of anonymity .

Top-ranked students in the civil services exam are assigned the IAS and Indian Foreign Service, followed by other branches such as the Indian Police Service (IPS) and the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). Empanelment refers to the selection of officer to a post which has the rank of joint secretary in the central government. The next step could be a petition by the Central Indian Civil and Administrative Association, the lobby group of IAS officers, to the cabinet secretary, who is also an IAS officer.

Sanjay Bhoosreddy, the honorary secretary for the association, told ET that over 100 IAS officers have expressed anguish with his grouping so far about the reported recommendations of the pay panel which is due to submit its report by the end of this year. “The key concerns of the junior IAS officers pertain to emoluments and losing edge in empanelment,” he said. For years, officers from branches such as the IPS and IRS have complained that they do not make it to the rank of joint secretary in the same numbers that IAS officers do, and that their salaries are lower than those of IAS officers despite working on equally complex assignments.

There are some 4,800 IAS officers across India. TS Krishnamurthy , an IRS officer who went on to become the Central Election Commissioner, argued that handing non-IAS officers a permanent handicap is not such a good idea.Instead, after some length of time, all those in the All-India Services should be treated equally . “I had a disadvantage; every time I had a handicap of two years and I feel no reason why there should be differentiation after 18 or 20 years,” he said.

“While we are recruiting some of the best people through a rigorous competitive examination, there is a widespread perception that the country is not getting best out of them over a period of time irrespective of which service they belong to.”

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme (ATAS) called “VIKALP” to be Introduced from Tomorrow i.e. 1.11.2015 on Pilot Basis

Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme (ATAS) called “VIKALP” to be Introduced from Tomorrow i.e. 1.11.2015 on Pilot Basis

Ministry of Railways

31-October, 2015

A Major Passenger Friendly move to Provide Confirmed Accommodation to Waitlisted Passengers in Alternate Trains
Facility to be Available Initially for E-Ticket (Internet Booking) Only
The Scheme to be Available Initially on Mail/ Express Trains of Two Sectors Namely Delhi –Lucknow and Delhi –Jammu

Later, The Scheme to be Extended to PRS Counter Bookings as well as on Other Journey Sectors

• With a view to provide confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers and also to ensure optimal utilisation of available accommodation, a scheme Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme(ATAS) called “VIKALP” has been conceptualised and is to be introduced from tomorrow i.e. 1.11.2015. Initially this scheme will be available only for the tickets booked through internet (E-ticket) as a pilot project for six months. More over initially this scheme would be provided on Mail/ Express Trains running on two sectors only namely Delhi-Lucknow and Delhi-Jammu sectors of Northern Railway. In this scheme, wait listed passengers of a train will be given option for getting confirmed accommodation in alternate trains. Based on the feedback, this scheme will be extended to PRS counter bookings and also on other journey sectors. This is a major passenger friendly move to provide confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers in alternate trains.

Salient Features of the scheme

• The Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme (ATAS) is presently being launched under the name “Vikalp” on pilot basis only for the tickets booked through internet (E-ticket) on two sectors i.e. Delhi-Jammu and Delhi-Lucknow sectors. Based on the feedback it will be extended on PRS as well as on other sectors.
• The scheme is presently being implemented only across Mail/Express trains of same category.
• No extra charges shall be taken from passenger or any refund shall be provided for difference of fare.
• The scheme is applicable to all waiting list passengers irrespective of booking quota and concession. In pilot phase the scheme will be available on few pre-designated trains in the above sectors only.
• Under this scheme, waiting list passengers will give choice to opt for ATAS scheme.
• ATAS opted passengers who remain fully waitlisted after charting will only be considered for allotment in the alternate train.
• Fully WL passengers opted for ATAS should check PNR status after charting.
• Either all passengers of a PNR or none will be transferred to alternate train in same class. The passenger can be considered for shifting to a train leaving from any station amongst the cluster of stations defined by Railways based on the convenience of the passengers to a station serving the destination station on the same analogy.
• The ATAS opted passengers who have been provided accommodation in the alternate train will not figure in the waitlisted charts of their original train. A separate list of passengers transferred in alternate train will be pasted along with the CONFIRMED and WAITLIST charts.
• The passenger allotted alternate accommodation can travel in the alternate train on authority of original ticket.
• Waitlisted passengers of original train shall not be allowed to board the original train if allotted alternate accommodation. If found travelling, they will be treated as travelling without ticket and charged accordingly.
• Passengers once provided alternate accommodation in alternate train will be treated as normal passengers in alternate train and will be eligible for upgradation.
• In rare situations, passengers who have been provided alternate accommodation might get dropped/re-allotted in alternate train due to last minute change in composition of the alternate train at the time of chart preparation. So, passengers who have been provided alternate accommodation should check PNR status also after preparation of charts of the alternate train for final status.
• This information will be available on Call Centre (139), PRS Enquiry Counters, Passenger Operated Enquiry Terminals installed at stations and WEB ENQUIRY on www.indianrail.gov.in.
• Passenger will also get SMS alert on their Registered mobile phone number about getting confirmed alternate accommodation.
• When an ATAS opted passenger opts to cancel, after he/she has been given an alternate accommodation, he/she will be treated as a CONFIRMED passenger and the cancellation rules will apply accordingly.
• No refund for difference of fare between the original train and the alternate train, including Tatkal charges, if any, will be given to re-allocated passengers.
• Once an ATAS passenger has been allotted alternate accommodation, journey modification will not be permitted. If required, the passenger will have to cancel the ticket and book a fresh ticket for modified journey.
• When a passenger who has been allotted alternate accommodation has not performed his journey in the alternate train, he can claim for refunds by filing a TDR request.

IMPORTANT PASSENGER INFORMATION

1. Opting for VIKALP does not mean that confirmed berth will be provided to passengers in alternate train. It is subject to train and berth availability.
2. Once confirmed in Alternate train, Cancellation charges will be as per your berth/train status in alternate train.
3. In this scheme, your boarding and terminating station might change to nearby cluster stations.
4. You can be transferred to any alternate train available within 12 hrs from the scheduled departure of original train, in which you have booked
5. Please check PNR status after charting.

****

PIB

One Rank One Pension: WHY NOT IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE OROP FOR FAMILY PENSIONERS & POTOs?

ONE RANK ONE PENSION: WHY NOT IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE OROP FOR FAMILY PENSIONERS & POTOs?

We might have all read an article couple of days ago appeared in Business Standard newspaper indicating that the due to weak financial position, the union government is mulling with the idea of pushing the implementation of OROP to next fiscal year, which means the implementation might be delayed at least by 5-6 months.

In my personal opinion both the previous and present governments have mishandled the OROP issue and they have perhaps failed to understand the real issues involved in their proper perspective. As suggested in my previous write up if the government would have chosen to introduce an element of age on retirement, in OROP, the expenditure on account of OROP would be less than half the currently estimated expenditure of 8300 crores per annum.

Going by the charts put out by various ESM blogs it appears that if OROP is implemented, every officer will be benefited ten times more than the POTOs. Considering that there are ten times more POTO veterans than the veteran officers, the total expenditure on account of OROP will be divided equally between the officers and POTOs. So, if the age limit is introduced in OROP, then the GOI can save approximately 4000 crores every year. Anyway it would be difficult to do now and in any case, it can’t be done over night! This needs tremendous political will and high calibre administrative skill.

Therefore, in the present situation, the least that the government can do is to notify the implementation of OROP for Widows and POTOs immediately and pay the first instalment of arrears without much delay.
Needless to emphasise that the POTOs are those who retire at an young age of 33-37 years in public interest and therefore they are the one who deserve OROP the most. It was their pension which was drastically reduced from 75% to 50% in 1973 and it is for this very reason alone, they are eligible for OROP.
How can those who have served to the maximum permissible age or service, resulting in their pension increase by an additional 30%, agitate to claim OROP? Under what rules and on what logic??

Interestingly, the minimum amount of pension plus DR that an officer at the lowest rank is expected to receive under OROP is more than two months salary of a sepoy. What an irony! How much more Pension do they need to lead a decent life in their 60s, 70s & 80s?

In response to my last article published in this blog, one of the senior veterans mailed to me stating that the OROP is not meant to rectify the anomaly but meant to bridge the gap between the past and present pensioners. I have no reason to differ with him, rather I am in full agreement with him.

No doubt that the concept of OROP is exactly the same. But the concept is completely different from the reasons. The concept of OROP is applicable to all pensioners including para military personnel and civil pensioners. But the reasons are unique to each group. What did we do while demanding OROP? We have built up a strong justification for extending this benefit exclusively to military veterans by citing the three cardinal reasons, which I have elaborated in my last article.

In the absence of these strong and genuine reasons no government would have agreed to grant OROP only to military personnel. The agitating veteran leaders knew it more than anybody else. They also knew very well that unless they piggy back on these reasons which are applicable only to NCOs & JCOs, they have no chance of getting OROP at all. After all they have had no valid reasons of their own for such a demand. Therefore these reasons were articulated effectively and continuously in public platforms. The leaders have so cleverly and forcefully articulated these reasons in every available platform that public at large started believing that these reasons are true to all military veterans including the officers. I salute our leaders for this dubious achievement!

They did not stop at it. They were worried that their bluff will one day be called off. So they took full control of the agitation into their own hands and started dictating it. Simultaneously, they established back-channel contacts with the political leaders and bureaucrats to negotiate a deal favourable to them before it is too late. They have succeeded to some extent in this endeavour as well.

But, we now know of all these manipulations and we are not going to take them silently anymore. We will defend our justify and demand what is due to us with all our might and strength.

It would therefore be desirable if the officers who are not eligible for OROP on the basis the three reasons articulated by themselves, encourage the GOI to notify the OROP immediately at least for POTOs & Widows and refrain gracefully from further agitation so that the already existing gap between the officers and ORs in the perception of OROP does not widen any further.

The veteran community of NCOs and JCOs on their part should mobilise members for AFVAI and strengthen it so that we are never ignored or marginalised from now on.

Sgt MPKaran
President
Karnataka Chapter, AFVAI

Source: http://afvaindia.blogspot.in/

Celebration of Defence Civilian Medical Aid Fund [DCMAF] Week

DCMAF : One of the Great Medical Scheme for Defence Civilian Employees.

Defence Civilian Medical Aid Fund [DCMAF] completed 63 years on 28th Sep 2015 : The DCMAF has been providing assistance to fulfill specified medical needs of the Defence Civilian Employees

Celebration of Defence Civilian Medical Aid Fund [DCMAF] Week

Office of the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Central Command)
Cariappa Road. Cantt.. Lucknow, Pin Code – 226002
AN/lA/1004/HQrs/Circulars

Dt: 28.10.2015

CIRCULAR

To,
The CDA RTC
The IFA (CC)
All Sub Offices
All Sections of Main Office

Sub: – Celebration of Defence Civilian Medical Aid Fund [DCMAF] Week

As per CGDA, New Delhi letter No. AN/VII/7089/DCMAF dated 15.10.2015 the Defence Civilian Medical Aid Fund [DCMAF] completed 63 years on 28th Sep 2015. The DCMAF has been providing assistance to fulfill specified medical needs of the Defence Civilian Employees.

On the occasion of the DCMAF week, which was observed from 28th Sep – 04th Oct 2015, it is requested to make special efforts to apprise the staff about the initiatives of DCMAF and motivate them to join the scheme. The application form and scheme details are attached as per Appendix ‘A’ and ‘B’ respectively.

(A.P. Mishra)
DCDA (AN)

Source: http://pcdacc.gov.in/
Click here for ‘Joining Form in Hindi‘

Discussions held by Railway Board with Federations (AIRF & NFIR) on 01.10.2015: Summary Record Note

Summary Record Note of Discussions held by Board (CRB, MS, & FC ) with Federations (AIRF & NFIR) on 01.10.2015 on issues raised by federation:-

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(RAILWAY BOARD)

*****

No. 2015/E(LR)II/1/8

New Delhi, dated :27. 10.2015

The General Secretary,
AIRF,
4, State Entry Road,
New Delhi -110055.


The General Secretary,
NFIR,
3, Cheimsford Road,
New Delhi-110055.

Dear Sirs,

Summary Record Note of Discussions held on 01.10.2015 on the above mentioned subject is sent herewith.

Yours faithfully

(Naveen Kumar)

Dy. Director Estt (LR)-I

No.2015/E(LR)II/1/8

Summary Record Note of Discussions held by Board (CRB, MS, & FC ) with Federations (AIRF & NIFR) on 01.10.2015 on issues raised by federation.

***

The following officers and representatives of Federations attended the meeting:-

Official Side	Federations
	AIRF	NFIR
Shri A. K. Mital, CRB Shri Pradeep Kumar, MS Shri S. Mookerjee, FC Mrs. Ragini Yechury, ED (IR) Shri Debashis Mallik, DE(IR)	1.Shri Rakhal Das Gupta, President 2.Shri S.G. Mishra, General Secretary 3.Shri J. R. Bhosale	1.Shri Guman Singh, President 2.Shri M. Raghavaiah, General Secretary

Item No.	Issues	Remarks
1	Exempting Railways from New Pension Scheme.	The Federation stressed that this matter needs to be taken up at the level of Hon’ble  Minister for Railways with Hon’ble Finance Minister and requested for a meeting with Hon’ble MR. The Federations re-iterated  that Railway employees’ functionings quite comparable with those of the Defence Personnel as Railwaymen work under continuous stress and strain. It was agreed to fix up a meeting of  the Federations with Hon’ble MR shortly
2	Up-gradation of Apex level Group ‘C’ posts to Group ‘B’ Gazetted (3335 posts).	2. Up-gradation of Apex level Group ‘C’ posts to Group ‘B’ Gazetted Official Side stated that proposal has again been submitted to Ministry of Finance seeking their concurrence. Thereafter, Ministry of Finance sought certain clarifications incontext to the said proposal which has been replied to them on 10.09.2015. The matter is further being pursued by Pay Commission Dte. Federations, however, stated that creation/up-gradation in Group’B’posts is within the competence of Railway Board as was observed in the meeting of Standing Committee held on 07.05.2008. It was agreed to examine this aspect after connecting the minutes of the meeting of Standing Committee of National Council referred to by the Federations.
3	Report of High Power Committee on duty hours of Running Staff.	Official Side conveyed that recommendations of the High Power Committee will be deliberated by Full Board on 06.10.2015 duly taking into account the views expressed by the Federations..
4	Induction of Course Completed Act Apprentices against Safety vacancies in GP-Rs. 1800/-.	It was proposed,from the Official Side that it is contemplated that henceforth educational qualifications for recruitment to erstwhile Group ‘D’ posts may be kept as Course Completed Act Apprentices and minimum 10th Pass Matriculation). Federations stated that they will first discuss this issue themselves jointlv.
5	Unwarranted conditions like “working on tracks” causing impediment in implementation of LARSGESS in the case of P. Way .Staff.	Federations stated that the phrase “working on track” in the case categories permitted in 2014 be removed. This was agreed to.
6	Stepping up of pay of Loco Inspectors appointed prior to 01/01/2006. The commitment given by the Railway Board for granting stepping up of pay of the Loco Inspectors on the remaining six zones is yet to be implemented.	Federations insisted that SLP be withdrawn as an agreement was reached on 07.02.2014 that stepping up of pay of LIs appointed prior to 01.01.2006 on the remaining 6 zones will be implemented. Official side stated that it will be examined in consultation with Leqal Dte.
7	Rectification of MACPS anomalies.	Federations were advised that before the issues are discussed at the level of Board (MS & FC), it will be desirable to deliberate on those issues by concerned Executive Directors (EDPC-I, EDPC-II, EDF(E) and EDE(N) ) in association with the General Secretaries of the Federations(AlRF & NFIR). For this purpose/ a meeting is to be fixed shortly

Source : NFIR

Implementation of Digital Life Certificate Programme i.r.o. Defence civilians and Defence civilian pensioners

Implementation of Digital Life Certificate Programme in respect of Defence civilians and Defence civilian pensioners

Office of the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Central Command)

Cariappa Road, Cantt., Lucknow, 

No. PT/3088/DLCP/Vol-I

Date:- 26 /10/2015

To,

1) The Area Accounts (CC)

Allahabad

2) The Area Accounts Office (CC)

Kanpur

3) All Ao GE

4) AAO/SO(A)

Pay I,II,III(Local)

Sub: - Implementation of "Digital Life Certificate Programme"-regarding.

Ref: - HQrs Office letter AT/ II / 2666 / NDA-X dated 24/04/2015.

To implement the Digital Life Certificate Programme in respect of Defence civilians and Defence civilian pensioners, it is necessary to get all the pensioners enrolled for Aadhar Card.

It is therefore requested to obtain confirmation from the formations / units whether Defence civilians under their juridictions have been enrolled for Aadhar Card.Please get the data from the units under your jurisdiction and a weakly report may be submitted showing total number of employees, number of employees enrolled and also advise them to get 100% employee enrolled with UIDAI for Aadhar .Similar procedure may be adopted for pensioners under their jurisdiction.

Desired information may please be forwarded to this office by speed-post/ return fax immediately, to enable this office to submit the information to CDA (IDS) who is a Nodal Office to act as a registrar with UIDAI.

Sr.Accounts Officer (PT)

Source: http://pcdacc.gov.in/download/circularsnew/digital_life.pdf

MPs can now admit 10 students in Kendriya Vidyalayas

MPs can now admit 10 students in Kendriya Vidyalayas

New Delhi: Members of Parliament would now get to admit as many as 10 students in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) as a proposal to raise the quota from the present six was approved by the government today.

The proposal was cleared at a meeting of the KV’s Board of Governors in the wake of increased demands by MPs, who have also made several representations in this regard to the HRD Ministry.

The MPs’ quota — enjoyed by both Lok Sabha and Raja Sabha MPs — was last increased in 2012 from two to six.

Earlier, HRD Minister Smriti Irani had informed Parliament that the proposal to increased the MPs’ quota from six to 10 was under consideration of her ministry.

The MPs quota has been considered a ticklish issue given that there are those who favour it even as others oppose it citing the need to ensure meritocracy in the over 1,000 KVs in the country.

A move by former HRD Minister Kapil Sibal to scrap the quota for MPs was met with stiff resistance following which he had to reverse the decision.

PTI

Expected DA January 2016 – AICPIN for September 2015

Expected DA January 2016 – AICPIN for September 2015

No.5/1/2015-CPI
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT
LABOUR BUREAU

CLEREMONT, SHIMLA-171004
DATED : 30th October, 2015

Press Release

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – September, 2015

The All-India CPI-IW for September, 2015 increased by 2 points and pegged at 266 (two hundred and sixty six). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by (+) 0.76 per cent between August and September, 2015 which was static between the same two months a year ago.

The maximum upward pressure to the change in current index came from Food group contributing (+) 1.78 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Arhar Dal, Masur Dal, Moong Dal, Urd Dal, Mustard Oil, Onion, Cauliflower, Green Coriander Leaves, Potato, Tea (Readymade), Sugar, Electricity Charges, Private Tuition Fee, Flower/Flower Garlands, etc. are responsible for the increase in index. However, this increase was restricted by Wheat, Fish Fresh, Poultry (Chicken), Eggs (Hen), Apple, Coconut, Tomato, Petrol, Washing Soap, etc., putting downward pressure on the index.

The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 5.14 per cent for September, 2015 as compared to 4.35 per cent for the previous month and 6.30 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 5.71 per cent against 3.55 per cent of the previous month and 6.46 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.

At centre level, Chhindwara reported the highest increase of 10 points followed by Varanasi (9 points), Pune, Tripura, Jalpaiguri and Bhilwara (6 points each). Among others, 5 points rise was observed in 5 centres, 4 points in 7 centres, 3 points in 8 centres, 2 points in 16 centres and 1.point in 19 centres. On the contrary, Goa recorded a maximum decrease of 4 points followed by Ernakulam 3 points. Among others, 2 points decrease was observed in 4 centres and 1 point in 2 centres. Rest of the 9 centres’ indices remained stationary.

The indices of 36 centres are above All India Index and other 42 centres’ indices are below national average.

The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of October, 2015 will be released on Monday, 30th November, 2015. The same will also be available on the office website www. labourbureau.gov. in.

(S.S.NEGI)
DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL

Authority: http://labourbureau.nic.in/

Click to view the Press Release in Hindi & English

7th Pay Commission recommendations on LTC – Changes in Expectation on LTC Rules

7th CPC – Modifications in LTC – Expectations…

Everyone knows that Central Government Employees are entitled to avail Leave Travel Concession (LTC) once in two years to visit home town and once in four years to visit any places in India. The employees are reimbursed full expenses for transport from the work station to the place to be visited and back.

Before the sixth CPC was implemented, availing of LTC by the employees was less in number all over India. In order to encourage employees to avail LTC, the Central Government made some impressive modifications in the rules, which saw a huge increase in the percentage of employees going for it. The employees were allowed to travel by air to Jammu & Kashmir and North Eastern States and it continued till June 2015. The modification in the rules that was brought in was the travelling expenses were given in packages depending upon employee’s designation. These visits by the employees saw a huge growth in tourism in these states. It turned out to be a great opportunity for the employees to travel to these places, to know different people, their culture and so on. But for unknown reason, the central government did not extend the orders beyond June 2015.

Home Town LTC: Is it possible to make changes in the Permanent Address of a Central Government Employee?

Those Central Government Employees having their Hometown on the outskirts of their work places, are automatically ineligible for availing LTC Hometown. But they are eligible for the LTC for visiting any other places in India. For the benefit of those employees, in exceptional cases, the CCS Rules (LTC) – Change of Hometown – allows an employee to change the Permanent Address only once in their whole service. The employee can apply for this, through their respective head of sections with detailed documents. A male employee can choose the native place of his wife or vice versa or any other closed relation’s address. Care should be taken while applying for the changes, as the rule allows only once in their whole service. After the changes in the permanent address, the employee can apply for the LTC showing the new address.

Expecting new changes in 7th CPC for availing LTC…
Central Government Employees should be allowed to avail LTC Home Town once in a year and All India LTC once in three years which can bring huge changes in the department of tourism in India. It can motivate the employees to travel, visit different places, to know different people and their working conditions etc. Air travelling should be allowed to all other places in India and can be extended to other neighbouring countries also.

Let us wait and see for the recommendations…!

Source: http://www.govtstaffnewsportal.in/

Bonus orders 2015 – Ad-hoc Bonus for Rajasthan Govt Employees

Bonus orders 2015 – Ad-hoc Bonus for Rajasthan Govt Employees

Following the Central Government, the State Government of Rajasthan has declared ad-hoc for its employees a head of Deepavali festival. The Finance Department issued orders for granting ad-hoc bonus equivalent to 30 days emoluments at the maximum ceiling of 3500.

GOVERNMENT OF RAJASTHAN

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

(RULES DIVISION)

 No.: F.6(5)FD(Rules)/2009

 Jaipur, Dated : 29.10.2015

ORDER

Subject:- Grant of ad-hoc bonus to State Government employees for the financial year 2014-15.

The matter relating to grant of ad-hoc bonus for the financial year 2014-15 to State Government employees has been considered and the Governor is pleased to order that the State Government employees may be granted ad-hoc bonus equivalent to 30 days emoluments for the financial year 2014-15 on the following terms and conditions:

(I) Government Servants who were in service on 31-03-2015 and continuing in service on 1st April 2015 and drawing pay in Grade Pay of Rs.4800 or less (excluding officers of State Services) are entitled for ad-hoc bonus.

(II) For drawing ad-hoc bonus Government employee must have rendered at least six months of continuous service during the year 2014-15. Ad-hoc bonus equal to 30 days emoluments will be admissible to eligible employees who have rendered continuous twelve month service during the year 2014-15. Pro-rata payment will be admissible for continuous service from six months to twelve months. The eligibility period shall be taken in terms of number of months or service rounded to the nearest number of months. Rounding to the nearest number of months will, however, not be permissible for service of less than six months.

(III) The amount of ad-hoc bonus payable to the eligible employees for the financial year 2014-15 will be computed on the basis of actual emoluments as on 31st March 2015 and for the purpose of calculation of ad-hoc bonus the maximum amount of emoluments will be restricted to Rs,3500/- per month.

(IV) The term ’emoluments’ occurring in this order will include basic pay, personal pay, deputation allowance and dearness allowance but will not include other allowances such as house rent allowance, compensatory (city) allowance etc.

(V) The amount of ad-hoc bonus payable shall be computed assuming the month of 31 days.

(VI) The amount of ad-hoc bonus payable will be rounded off to the nearest rupee.

It is further clarified that: –

(a) Except in the case of extra-ordinary leave (leave without pay), the period of leave of other kinds will be included for the purpose of working out eligibility period. The period of extra-ordinary leave (leave without pay) will be excluded from eligibility period but will not count as break in service for the purpose of ad-hoc bonus. In case a Government servant is on leave on 31-03-2015 the emoluments last drawn immediately before proceeding on leave shall be taken into account for the purpose of eligibility and calculation of ad-hoc bonus.

(b) The subsistence allowance given to an employee under suspension shall not be treated as emoluments. Such an employee will become eligible for the benefit of ad- hoc bonus if he is re-instated with benefit of full emoluments for the period of suspension and in other cases such period will be excluded for the purpose of eligibility as in the case of employees on leave without pay. In case a Government servant is under suspension on 31-03-2015 no ad-hoc bonus for the year 2014-15 shall be given for the present. If he is reinstated later on, eligibility of the period under suspension for the purpose of ad-hoc bonus shall be decided on the lines indicated above.

(c)The employees who retired on superannuation or on invalidation on medical grounds or on voluntary retirement or died on or before 31st March 2015 will not be eligible for ad-hoc bonus.

(d) The eligibility of the re-employed Government servants for the purpose of ad-hoc bonus shall be determined on the basis of service rendered during the year 2014-15 after re-employment. The basic pay in respect of such persons shall mean basic pay fixed on re-employment or as increased thereafter and admissible on 31-03-2015 plus pension (including commuted part, if any).

(e) Employees who resigned from service on or before 31-03-2015 shall not be eligible for ad-hoc bonus under these orders.

(f) Employees engaged on part time / casual or on a daily wage or on contract basis will not be eligible for ad-hoc bonus.

(g) Employees appointed as probationer trainee on fixed remuneration shall not be eligible for ad-hoc bonus.

(1) Government servants who were on deputation on 31-03-2015 if have opted for deputation allowance in terms of this department order No. F.1(47)FD(Gr.2)/82 dated 27th June, 1989, as amended from time to time and are eligible for ad- hoc bonus under this order, shall be paid, the admissible amount of ad-hoc bonus by the borrowing organisation. The eligibility period shall include the continuous service rendered under the Government as also the period spent on deputation upto 31st March 2015. Similarly, Government servants who returned from deputation during the year 2014-15 shall be paid ad-hoc bonus by the Government which may be calculated on the basis of eligible and continuous service rendered under the borrowing organisation and the Government.

(2) In the case of Government servants who were on deputation to Public Sector Undertakings, Cooperative Societies, Autonomous Bodies etc. and who have opted for deputation allowance in terms of this department order No.F.1(47)FD(Gr.2)/82 dated 27th June, 1989, as amended from time to time and are eligible for ad-hoc bonus under this order, out of the amount of bonus paid under the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 by the aforesaid organisation the
amount equal to the amount of ad-hoc bonus admissible under this order shall be retained by the Government servants and the residual amount shall be deposited in the Government account.

(3) Government servants on deputation who have opted for bonus and / or ex- gratia payable to the employees of the borrowing organisation in terms of this department order referred to above will be entitled to ad-hoc bonus equal to an amount by which, the bonus and / or ex-gratia admissible as per order of the borrowing organisation falls short of the total of (a) the deputation allowance which would have been admissible and (b) the ad-hoc bonus admissible under this order.

(4) In the case of Government servants belonging to the Cooperative Department and on deputation to Cooperative Institutions registered under the Rajasthan Cooperative Societies Act, 1965 whose terms of deputation are governed by the Cooperative Department Order No. F. 18 (75) Coop. 176 dated 13.07.1976 as amended from time to time, ad-hoc bonus, equal to an amount by which the bonus/ex-gratia paid/payable as per terms of deputation falls short the total of (a) 2.5% of basic pay subject to Rs.600/- per month drawn during the year 2014-15 and (b) the amount of ad-hoc bonus admissible under this order shall be payable by such borrowing Cooperative Institution.

(i) In cases where it is in the notice of Head of Office that the Government servant eligible for ad-hoc bonus on 31-03-2015 will definitely become ineligible for grant of ad-hoc bonus due to retrospective grant of pay in Grade Pay of Rs. 5400/- and above on promotion in State Services, only pro-rata ad-hoc bonus be permitted provided that the eligibility period is six months or more.

The payment of ad-hoc bonus, except to those Government servants who were on deputation on 31-03-2015, under these orders shall be made by the office in which an employee is posted on the date of issue of this order and it will be chargeable to the Budget Head to which the pay and allowances of the employees are charged.
This order shall also be applicable to the employees of the Zila Parishads & Panchayat Samities and the Work-Charged employees who are drawing pay in the pay scales prescribed for them.

By Order of the Governor

(Siddharth Mahajan)
Special Secretary, Finance (budget)

Authority: http://finance.rajasthan.gov.in

DA from 1st July 2015 – Tamilnadu Government GO for Dearness Allowance revision from 01.07.2015 to State Government employees

DA from 1st July 2015 – Tamilnadu Government GO for Dearness Allowance revision from 01.07.2015 to  State Government employees

    GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU

    2015

    Manuscript Series

    FINANCE (ALLOWANCES) DEPARTMENT

    G. O. No. 281, Dated 26th October 2015

    (Manmatha, Iyppasi-09, Thiruvalluvar Aandu 2046)

ALLOWANCES – Dearness Allowance in the pre-revised scales of pay – Enhanced Rate of Dearness Allowance from 1st July, 2015 – Orders – Issued.

READ – the following papers:

    1. G.O.Ms.No.137, Finance (Allowances) Department, dated 30.04.2015.
    2. From the Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, New Delhi, Office Memorandum No.1-(3)/2008 – E.II (B), dated 01.10.2015.

    *****

ORDER:

    In the Government Order first read above, orders were issued sanctioning revised rate of Dearness Allowance in the pre-revised scales of pay to State Government employees as detailed below:-

Date from which payable Rate of Dearness Allowance in the pre- revised scales of pay (per month)
1st January, 2015    

223 per cent of Pay plus
Dearness Pay

    2. The Government of India in its Office Memorandum second read above has enhanced the Dearness Allowance to its employees who continue in the pre-revised scales of pay from 223% to 234% with effect from 1st July 2015.

    3. Following the orders issued by the Government of India, the Government sanction the revised rate of Dearness Allowance to the State Government employees who continue to draw their pay and allowances in the pre-revised scales of pay that was in existence prior to 01.01.2006 as indicated below:-

Date from which payable     Rate of Dearness Allowance in the pre-revised scales of pay (per month)
1st July 2015     234 per cent of Pay plus
Dearness Pay

    4. The Government also direct that the Dearness Allowance increase shall be paid in cash with effect from 01.07.2015.

    5. While working out the revised Dearness Allowance, fraction of a rupee shall be rounded off to next higher rupee if such fraction is 50 paise and above and shall be ignored if it is less than 50 paise.

    6. The Government also direct that the revised Dearness Allowance sanctioned above, shall be admissible to full time employees who are at present getting Dearness Allowance and paid from contingencies at fixed monthly rates. The revised rates of Dearness Allowance sanctioned in this order shall not be admissible to part time employees.

    7. The revised Dearness Allowance sanctioned in this order will also apply to the teaching and non-teaching staff working in aided educational institutions, employees under local bodies, employees governed by the University Grants Commission/All India Council for Technical Education scales of pay, the Teachers/Physical Education Directors/Librarians in Government and Aided Polytechnics and Special Diploma Institutions, Village Assistants in Revenue Department, Noon Meal Organisers, Child Welfare Organisers, Anganwadi Workers, Cooks, Helpers, Panchayat Secretaries/Clerks in Village Panchayat under Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.

    8. The expenditure shall be debited to the detailed head of account `03. Dearness Allowance’ under the relevant minor, sub-major and major heads of account.

    9. The Treasury Officers / Pay and Accounts Officers are requested to make payment of the revised Dearness Allowance when bills are presented without waiting for the authorisation from the Principal Accountant General (A&E) Tamil Nadu, Chennai-18.

    (BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR)

    K.SHANMUGAM

    PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT

Source: TN Govt GO No.281, Dated 26th October 2015.

Processing of files referred to DOP&T for advice/clarification-procedure to be followed

Processing of files referred to DOP&T for advice/clarification-procedure to be followed

G.I., Dept. of Per. & Trg., 

O.M.F.No.43011/9/2014-Estt.D, dated 28.10.2015

Subject: Processing of files referred to DOP&T for advice/clarification-procedure to be followed.

This Department has from time to time issued instructions prescribing the procedure to be followed for making references to this Department for advice/clarification. In this regard, O.M.No.20034/2/2010-Estt(D) dated 13th August, 2010, O.M.No.20034/2/2010-Estt(D) dated 30th November, 2011 and OM of even number dated 13.02.2015 refers.

2. Inspite of these instructions, some Ministries/ Departments continue to refer the files to this Department without following the procedure enunciated in the above mentioned OMS, resulting in avoidable procedural delays, grievances and unwanted litigation.

3. In this background While reiterating instructions mentioned in the above three OMs, the following procedure for referring the proposals including court cases to this Department, may be followed:-

i. Administrative Departments shall refer cases to the DoPT only where there is a specific point which is either not covered by prevailing policies/ guidelines/ rules /regulations or interpretation of a specific clauses/provisions in the said policies/ guidelines/rules/regulations is involved for a particular case.

ii. When such a reference is made, all facts pertaining to the case may be incorporated in the Self Contained Note.

iii. All the references should be made to DOP&T with the approval of the Secretary of the Administrative Ministry/ Department. These references should be sent atleast two weeks in advance so that it can be properly examined in DoP&T.

iv. The concerned Ministry/ Department, which sends the proposal should indicate the Division within DoPT where it has to be dealt with and also to the concerned Joint Secretary/ Director so that there is no delay in processing within DoPT.

v. While sending the proposal, the name, designation of i the Joint Secretary/ Director (Phone number and e-majl id) who can be contacted for further correspondence may also be indicated.

4. The content of this O.M. may be given wide publicity and brought to the notice of all concerned and will be applicable from 1st November, 2015.

Source: www.persmin.gov.in

AICPIN Points for the month of September to be released today

AICPIN Points for the month of September to be released today

“2015 September’s All India Consumer Price Index Points for the purpose of Dearness Allowance calculation to be released today”

The last ‘Expected DA from Jan 2016’ calculations based on the 6th Pay Commission recommendations for Central Government employees and pensioners are already started. The fluctuation in the prices of essential commodities will be taken into account for this calculations. The September’s points of CPI for Industrial Workers base year 2001=100 for the calculation of additional DA and DR is expected to be released today. Already Labour Bureau released the statistics points of AIPCIN for the months of July and August and today the third step is going to be completed.

The additional dearness allowance percentage from January 2016 will be calculated based on the AICPIN points for the six months starting from July 2015 upto December 2015. The dearness allowance to be issued in the month of January 2016 will be added to the salary drawn by the employee based on the recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission. Only after this will the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission take effect.

Source: 90paisa.org

Paramilitary Forces awaiting government nod for One Rank One Pension OROP

Paramilitary Forces awaiting government nod for One Rank One Pension OROP


New Delhi: With the ‘One Rank, One Pension’ (OROP) scheme for military veterans set to be notified soon, officials of central paramilitary forces, too, may be in for good news soon as the government is likely to take a final decision on granting of “organised services” status to them.

New Delhi: With the ‘One Rank, One Pension’ (OROP) scheme for military veterans set to be notified soon, officials of central paramilitary forces, too, may be in for good news soon as the government is likely to take a final decision on granting of “organised services” status to them.

In a significant order by a division bench of Justices Kailash Gambhir and Najmi Waziri on September 3, Delhi High Court had asked the Centre to consider these forces as “organised services” and ensure non-functional financial upgradation (NFU) from 2006 in terms of the 6th Pay Commission.

“Home Ministry, the cadre-controlling authority of these officers, will soon take a final call in this regard as the court had given it eight weeks’ time to issue orders. That deadline will expire in the first week of November,” sources in the security establishment said.

They said the chiefs of these forces have also submitted their respective reports in this regard to the Home Ministry and have indicated that such upgradation should be granted to these personnel.

“Some officials of these forces, retired and serving, have also met Home Minister Rajnath Singh in this regard recently. He has assured them that the government will come out with its final decision soon,” they said.
Sources added that the government may take the final call on the issue post the declaration of Bihar poll results on November 8 as the model code of conduct is in place till then.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had yesterday said that the notification for the implementation of the OROP scheme for military veterans will be made “within days” of the Bihar poll process coming to an end.
“The government also has the option of filing a Special Leave Petition in Supreme Court for challenging the Delhi HC order. But the forces have requested the Ministry not to take this step and instead implement the HC order, as that would be a morale booster,” they said.

PTI

E-publishing of Government of India Gazette Notification – Discontinuing of the practice of physical printing

E-publishing of Government of India Gazette Notification – Discontinuing of the practice of physical printing.

No. 0-17022/1/2015-PSP-1
Government of India
Ministry of Urban Development
(PSP Division)

Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated: 30th September, 2015

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: E-publishing of Government of India Gazette Notification – Discontinuing of the practice of physical printing.

In compliance with the provisions of Section 8 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, it has been decided in consultation with Department of Legal Affairs to switch over to exclusive e-publishing of the Government of India Gazette Notification on its official website with effect from 01 .10.2015 and to do away with the physical printing of Gazette Notification. The date of publishing shall be the date of e-publication on official website by way of electronic gazette in respect of Gazette Notifications. The Gazette Notification can be accessed and downloaded/printed from the official e-Gazette website i.e. www.egazette.nic.in free of cost.
All the Ministries and Departments are requested to give wide publicity to bring this to the notice of all attached & subordinate offices, PSU, .etc., as well as various stakeholders including all private users.
This issues with the approval of competent authority

(Kailash Chaudhary)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

http://www.egazette.nic.in/ePublish-Notification.pdf

7th Pay Commission – Curtain Raiser

7th Pay Commission – Curtain Raiser –  “The Seventh Pay Commission may consider pay ratio of the pay of the bottom paid employees to the pay of the highest paid officials will come down to 1:9 from 1:12″, sources indicate.

The government constitutes the Pay Commission almost every 10 years to revise the pay scale of its employees and often states also implement the panel’s recommendations after some modifications.

Headed by Justice Ashok Kumar Mathur, the four-member 7th Pay Commission was appointed in February 2014 and the commission will hand over its recommendations to government within December 31, 2015.

Though the Official recommendations are yet to be submitted to the Government, there are many flares going around, some may be true and some may be flaws.

However, at the end of the day, it is the so called ‘sources’ who give some hint. The following is the latest the sources indicate…..

1. The commission may recommend government to ask Information and Technology department, whether it is possible to have systems in place for monitoring and supervising work being done remotely by disabled and women central government employees.
2. “As flexi working hours will allow women central government employees to strike a balance between her professional and family responsibility, maintain healthy lifestyles and contribute to parenting well, it is recommended for the same and urge upon the government to work out the modalities in this direction.”
3. Women employment under central government has been estimated to the tune of 3.37 lakh, which is 10.93 percent of the total regular central government employment, according to census of central government employees as on March 31, 2011.
4. “We are looking at whether it is technologically possible to allow disabled and women employees for working from home,” said the source. “A need was felt to provide work from home facility to persons with disabilities and women to enable them to effectively discharge their duties.,” he added.
5. The Pay Commission is likely to recommend increase 40 percent salaries hike of central government employees on average, the full implementation of which would raise the central government spending on salary and allowance Rs 1,00,619 crore.
6. The commission may recommend Rs 20,000 as salary for those in the bottom grade and maximum Rs 180,000 for Secretary level officers. The sources in the panel said pay parity ratio of mid-level tier officers will be maintained with the bottom grade.
7. Earlier, all pay commissions had not only recommended for good salary to top central government officials but also considered the disparity ratio between its highest and lowest paid employees.
8. For instance, in 1948, the post-tax salary of the highest paid government official was Rs 2,263 which was 41 times higher than the Rs 55 paid to the lowest earning employee. With subsequent pay commissions the ratio was reduced to about 1:12 in 2006.
9. “The Seventh Pay Commission may consider pay ratio of the pay of the bottom paid employees to the pay of the highest paid officials will come down to 1:9 from 1:12″, sources indicate.
10.  The first pay commission was recommended Rs 55 salary to the lowest earning employee, second Rs 80, third Rs 185, fourth Rs 750, fifth Rs 2550 and sixth Rs 6660.
11. “However, the Seventh Pay Commission is likely to recommend Rs 20,000 salary for lowest paid employees and Rs.1,80,000 for highest paid officials, “.
12. Grade Pay was derived from USA and it has increased in prominence in the early 21st century in USA. Federal employees in USA at all levels are paid based on Grade Pays. The six pay commission followed them. A grade pay is a structured pay format where employees are placed at a given pay level based on their level of education and work experience related to the position.
13. “Central government has 15 grade pays now from Rs 1,800 to Rs 12,000 for job level pay variance of its employees. Generally, multi tasking staff (MTS) and clerical jobs that require formal education, just a high school or higher secondary, who are at are at the lower levels from grade pays 1,800 to 2,000.
14.  Every employee does not get promotion in time. So, if Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) Scheme is not maintained it will be seriously affected,” the sources said.
15. Accordingly, the sources said the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) Scheme is likely to be kept the current status quo.
16. Sources say, rather than hiking pay and allowances, the panel is focused on making employees more efficient, modern and valuable. ‘The commission was created to hike salaries and allowances for central government employees but the commission now is actually focused on “efficiency, technology, skills and Pay link with productivity.’
17. The central government employees federation strongly believe that the 7th pay commission cannot recommend revising the retirement age of central government employees, since it does not fall under the purview of 7th Pay Commission. It is the central Government which makes such decisions. Yes true, but it is under purview, sources indicate.
18. The Finance ministry has already opened its stand saying, the Seventh Pay Commission will be mindful of the fiscal concerns of the government while giving its report on new pay scales and remunerations for central government employees and pensioners. Sources indicate, hence the Finance ministry has a role to play in the final report of the 7th Pay Commission.
19. The pay panel will ask the central government to urge the insurance industry to come up with feasible health insurance solution for the central government employees and pensioners. The IRDA, the insurance regulatory body of India, will be compelled to ask the health insurance companies to offer a basic insurance to every central government employee and pensioner.
20. Health insurance would be available for central government employees and pensioners till death, the insured employees and pensioners will have to pay 50% of the premium from their salaries and pensions and the remaining 50% premium may be paid by the central government.
21. The CGHS is financed mainly through the Centre’s tax revenues. Though beneficiaries do contribute a share of their wages towards premium, ranging from Rs 600 to Rs 6,000 a year depending on their pay scale, this accounts for just about 5 per cent of the total expenditure. The government shells out the remaining 95 per cent. Now the Government is looking for ways to end the CGHS in its current form and to move to an insurance based health scheme to cut costs.

Source: gconnect.in

7th Pay Commission likely to recommend work-from-home options for physically handicapped, women employees

7th Pay Commission likely to recommend work-from-home options for physically handicapped, women employees

“The 7th Pay Commission is finding out if there are possibilities for differently-abled and women employees of the Central Government to work from home.”

According to sources, the 7th Pay Commission has sought for the opinion of the Department of Information and Technology regarding this option. The 7th Pay Commission has asked to study the possibilities of differently-abled and women workers to perform simple and specialized tasks from home and stay connected via the internet and other telecommunication tools.

The 7th Pay Commission has asked the Department of Information and Technology to identify such jobs for the less than 10,000 differently-abled workers who are currently employed by the Central Government.

Sources also say that Flexi-time Working Hours options are being considered for the more than 3.5 lakh women who are employed by the Central Government.

Since it is impossible for both these segments of workers to work during night shifts, the 7th Pay Commission is looking for options to employ them in specialized monetary and supervisory works which could be performed from home. It is being said that the step will be of tremendous relief for employees who have to travel long distance to reach their offices, and for the employees who work in congested offices.

It can be inferred that the 7th Pay Commission is particular about giving priority to women and differently-abled workers. Sources say that the 7th Pay Commission believes that greater productivity could be expected from them.

It is a well-known fact that telecommuting and work-from-hope options have become very popular in the private sectors and highly specialized tasks are sometimes performed this way. The 7th Pay Commission wants to bring in this work culture to the Central Government jobs too.

Meanwhile, news and updates about the 7th Pay Commission continue to flow into the news media. The Commission is very likely to submit its report to the Government by the end of December. Sources say that the final stage of preparing the report is now on.

Speculations about 35 percent salary hike, increasing the minimum pay to Rs.21,000, 4 MACP promotions, modernizing the CGHS medical facilities, and most importantly, about the retirement age, continue to surface. Readers are requested to not believe in any of them because all of them are mere figments of the writers’ imagination.

Source: cgstaffnews.in

Grant of Dearness Relief to CPF beneficiaries in receipt of ex-gratia payment w.e.f 01.07.2015

Grant of Dearness Relief to CPF beneficiaries in receipt of ex-gratia payment w.e.f 01.07.2015.

G.I., Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare. O.M.F.No.42/10/2014-P&PW(G), dated 28.10.2015

Subject: Grant of Dearness Relief to CPF beneficiaries in receipt of ex-gratia payment w.e.f 01.07.2015.

In continuation of this Department’s OM No. 42/10/2014-P&PW(G) dated 26th May, 2015, the President is pleased to grant the Dearness Relief at the rate of 5th CPC w.e.f. 1.7.2015 to the following:

(i) The surviving CPF beneficiaries who have retired from service between the period 18.11.1960 to 31.12.1985 and are in receipt of ex-gratia @ RS.600/-p.m. w.e.f. 01.11.1997 under this Department’s OM No.45/52/97-P&PW(E) dated 16.12.1997 & revised to Rs.3000, Rs.1000,Rs.750 & Rs.650 for Group A, B, C & D respectively w.e.f 4th June,2013 vide OM No. 1/10/2012-P&PW(E) dtd.27th June, 2013 are entitled to Dearness Relief @ 234% w.e.f. 1.7.2015.

(ii) The following categories of CPF beneficiaries who are in receipt of ex-gratia payment in terms of this Department’s OM No. 45/52/97-P&PW(E) dated 16.12.1997 are entitled to DR @ 226% w.e.f. 1.7.2015.

(a) The widows and dependent children of the deceased CPF beneficiary who had retired from service prior to 1.1.1986 or who had died while in service prior to 1.1.1986 and are in receipt of Ex-gratia payment of Rs. 605/- p.m. & revised to Rs 645 p.m w.e.f 04th June ,2013 vide OM No.1/10/2012-P&PW(E) dated 27th June,2013.

(b) Central Government employees who had retired on CPF benefits before 18.11.1960 and are in receipt of Ex-gratia payment of Rs.654/-, Rs.659/-, Rs. 703/- and Rs. 965/-.

2. Payment of DR involving a fraction of a rupee shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee. In their application to the Indian Audit and Accounts Department,these orders issue in consultation with the C&AG.

3. This issues as per Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure vide their OM No 1(4)/EV/2004 dated 25.05.2015 and OM No.1(3)/2008-E.II{B) dated 01.10.2015.

4. Hindi version will follow.

Authority: http://pensionersportal.gov.in/

Click to view order

Ad-hoc Bonus orders for the employees working in various autonomous organizations

Grant of Non-Productivity Linked Bonus (Ad-hoc Bonus) to Central Government Employees for the year 2014-15 — Extension of orders to Autonomous Bodies

F.No.7/22/2008 E-III(A) Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure E III (A) Branch

New Delhi, the 26th October, 2015.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Grant of Non-Productivity Linked Bonus (Ad-hoc Bonus) to Central Government Employees for the year 2014-15 — Extension of orders to Autonomous Bodies.

Orders have been issued vide this Ministry’s Office Memorandum No.7/24/2007 E-III(A) dated 16th October, 2015 authorizing 30 days emoluments as Non-PLB (Ad-hoc bonus) for the accounting year 2014-15 to the eligible Central Government employees not covered by the Productivity Linked Bonus Schemes, subject to terms and conditions laid down therein.

2. The undersigned is directed to say that it has now been decided that the Non-PLB (Ad-hoc) bonus so admissible subject to the terms and conditions laid down in the aforesaid orders, may be extended to the employees of autonomous bodies, partly or fully funded by the Central Government which (i) follow the pattern of pay structure and emoluments identical to that of the Central Government and (ii) do not have any bonus or ex-gratia or incentive scheme in operation.

3. In case of doubt as to the operation of these orders the clarificatory orders, circulated vide this Ministry’s O.M. No.14(10)E-Coord/88 dated 4.10.88, as amended from time to time, may be kept in view, mutatis mutandis.

4. Any request for funding by the Government to meet the liability on account of Non-PLB (Ad-hoc bonus) in respect of various autonomous organizations would not be considered by the administrative Ministries concerned, as the expenditure on Non-PLB (Ad-hoc bonus) should be met from within the existing budgetary provisions of the respective organizations. While the Autonomous Bodies not funded by the Central Government may also adopt these orders as per their own administrative and financial judgment in respect of their employees, no liability for funding will, in any case, lie on the Central Government on this account.

sd/-
(Amar Nath Singh)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India

Authority: www.finmin.nic.in

Click to view order in English and Hindi

Central Government setup a committee to simplify the provisions of the Income Tax Rules

Central Govt setup a committee to simplify the provisions of the Income Tax Rules

Government Sets-Up A Committee to Simplify The Provisions of The Income Tax Act, 1961

The Government of India has constituted a Committee with a view to simplify the provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961, with the following composition:

(i) Justice R.V. Easwar, (Retd.), former Judge, Delhi High Court and former President, ITAT – Chairman
(ii) Shri V.K. Bhasin, former Law Secretary – Member
(iii) Shri Vinod Jain, Chartered Accountant – Member
(iv) Shri Rajiv Memani, Consultant – Member
(v) Shri Ravi Gupta, Sr. Advocate – Member
(vi) Shri Mukesh Patel, Tax-Advocate – Member
(vii) Shri Ajay Bahl, Consultant – Member
(viii) Shri Pradip P. Shah, Investment Adviser – Member
(ix) Shri Arvind Modi, IRS (IT:81009) – Member
(x) Dr. Vinay Kumar Singh, IRS (IT:95006) – Member

The Terms of Reference (ToR) of the Committee shall be as follows:

i) To study and identify the provisions/phrases in the Act which are leading to litigation due to different interpretations;

ii) To study and identify the provisions which are impacting the ease of doing business;

iii) To study and identify the areas and provisions of the Act for simplification in the light of the existing jurisprudence;

iv) To suggest alternatives and modifications to the existing provisions and areas so identified to bring about predictability and certainty in tax laws without substantial impact on the tax base and revenue collection; and

The Committee shall set its own procedures for regulating its work. The Committee can also work in Sub-Groups and the draft prepared by the Sub-Groups can then be approved by the whole Committee. The Committee will put its draft recommendations in the public domain. After stakeholder consultations, the Committee will formalise its recommendations. The Committee can give its recommendations in batches. The First Batch containing as many recommendations as possible shall be submitted by 31st January, 2016.
The Term of the Committee shall be for a period of one year from the date of its constitution.

PIB

Inviting comments on the proposed Recruitment Rules to the posts of Data Entry Operator Grade 'E' (Grade Pay Rs 4600) and Data Entry Operator Grade 'F' (Grade Pay Rs. 4800)

Proposed Recruitment Rules of Data Entry Operator Grade 'E' (Grade Pay Rs 4600) and Data Entry Operator Grade 'F' (Grade Pay Rs. 4800) in C&AG

OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR GENERAL OF INDIA

NEW DELHI-110 124

Notice

Sub: Inviting comments on the proposed Recruitment Rules to the posts of Data Entry Operator Grade 'E' (Grade Pay Rs 4600) and Data Entry Operator Grade 'F' (Grade Pay Rs. 4800).

Indian Audit and Accounts Department proposes to frame Recruitment Rules (RRs) for the posts of Data Processor (Grade Pay Rs. 4600) and Senior Data Processor (Grade Pay Rs. 4800) hereinafter referred as Data Entry Operator Grade E' and Data Entry Operator Grade 'F'. The proposed RRs containing draft Notification and Schedule given/posted below have been framed in accordance with the Model RRs, circulated by the DoP&T Vide OM N o AB-14017/2/2011-Estt (RR) dated 30.05.2014 and supplementary instructions circulated Vide OM No. No.AB-14017/2/2011-Estt (RR) dated 10.12.2014.

2. In terms of DoP&T OM No AB-1401 7/61/2008-Estt.(RR) dated 13.10.2015, comments on the proposed Notification and Schedule of Recruitment Rules are invited from all stake holders in the following format:

Serial N o./Column N o of the proposed Notification/Schedule of RRs to the post of DEO Grade 'E'

Comments

Serial N o./Column No of the proposed Notification/Schedule of RRs to the post of DEO Grade 'F'

Comments

3. The comments as per the above format should reach by Speed Post to this office latest by 25.11.2015 on the below mentioned address

Shri Ranjit Singh,
Asstt. C &AG (N),
0/0 the C&AG of India,
9, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg,
New Delhi- 110124.

Click here to view/download the Proposed DEO Recruitment Rules

Coverage of all construction workers under the ambit of Employees Provident Funds and Misc. Provisions Act, 1952

Centre move to bring all construction workers under EPFO

The Additional Provident Fund Commissioner has sent a circular to all regional PF offices instructing them that senior officials should visit construction spots, including roads, bridges, pipeline, railway line, buildings and enrol the workers for the benefit of the scheme.

EMPLOYEES' PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION

(Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt of India)

Head Office

Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi - 110 065

No. C-III/110001/4/3(71)Misc./2013/DL/

Dated: 15.10.2015 

To
All Regional PF Commissioners,
In-charge of Regional /Sub Regional Offices

Subject: Coverage of all construction workers under the ambit of Employees Provident Funds and Misc. Provisions Act, 1952.

Sir,

May please refer to Head Office Circular No. C-III/ 110001/4/3(71) Misc /2013/DL/12802 dated 08.10.2013 (Place at Sl. No.428) and Circular No CIII/110001/4/3(71)Misc/2013/DL/34862 dated 22.01.2015 CPFC has also sent e-mails on the subject. The issue has also been discussed in various meetings held at Zone level and attire Head Office level and instructions have also been given vide those minutes.

2. A latest letter from the Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment addressed to the CPFC is enclosed. It emphasize on the coverage of all the Building & Other Constructions Workers to ensure that this coverage is complete. The following should be done immediately.

(i) Meetings should be held with Central Public Sector Undertakings which are functioning under your area in one or other way to ensure that all workers employed in the construction work are registered under UAN. Minutes of the meeting should be uploaded on the website and should be sent on email of CPFC as well as on the email of ACC(Compliance)

(ii) Meeting should be held with State PSUs and State Department so ensure that all coverage of through construction workers takes place in respect of the workers working in these PSUs or departments including those deployed through contractors / sub-contractors. Minutes of these meetings be uploaded on the website and should be sent on email of CPFC as well as on the email of ACC(Compliance). 

(iii) Meetings with all the Trade Unions representatives should be held to deliberate on the issues of coverage of construction workers and action should be taken as per law on the suggestions made by the union representatives. The minutes of the meetings and action taken report be uploaded on the website and should be sent on email of CPFC as well as on the email of ACC(Compliance). 

(iv) All construction sites which are located in your regions/sub- regions be visited. Photographs be taken, especially when the work is going on. This must be done in respect of the buildings where the area being constructed is 10,000 sq.ft. or more and in respect of other construction works also such as road, railways, laying pipe-lines, bridges etc;. A library of such photographs should be maintained invariably and EPFO Head Office will come up with a website for keeping track of these photographs. Therse photographs are not for the sake of photographs but for coverage of all workers which are working on these sites. 

(v) You were directed through an earlier circular that you should guide all the employers having more than 500 or more workers which are engaging staff on outsourcing basis. The meetings of such employers having more than 500 employees in your zone should also be held and minutes of such meetings be uploaded on the website.

3. Principal employers be made liable to ensure compliance in respect of construction / other contractual workers deployed by them through contractors / sub contractors. It may also be impressed upon the principal employer that merely giving code numbers of contractors will not be suffice. To ensure compliance of construction workers engaged through contractors / sub contractors, they should not only ensure separate ECRs containing PF account numbers of their workers burt also copies of wages salary register and attendance register. Remittances of PF and ECRs should be verified by Principal employers from EPFO's website before releasing the bills to avoid manipulations / misappropriation of PF dues b'y their contractors / sub contractors.

4. Principal employers should also be advised to mention PF account number and UAN number on I-card of each worker. UAN numbers of all workers be got activated so that the workers can get their E-pass books and even know about deposit of PF by contractors lat month alongwith PF balance just by giving a missed call from registered mobile.

5. For the purpose of aforesaid inspections standing permission is granted and matter should not be referred to seek permission from CAIU at Head Office.

6. Action on these above points should be taken and a monthly report should be sent as to how much coverage of employees increased in your area. It needs to be ensured that such workers get the UAN so that he is entitled for portability benefits. Monthly report be submitted by 15th of the following month in enclosed performa by e-mail in excel format 

(This issues with the approval of CPFC)

Yours faithfully,

(K.L. TANEJA)

Addl. Central PF Commissioner-I (Compliance)

Source:http://epfindia.gov.in/site_docs/PDFs/Circulars/Y2015-2016/C3_Coverage_ConstructionWorkers_27618.pdf

Decentralization of Central Pension Accounting Office

Decentralization of Central Pension Accounting Office is not administratively feasible

No. A-11019/25/2015/MF.CGA(A)/NGE/AICAEA-HQ/425

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

CONTROLLER GENERAL OF ACCOUNTS

LOK NAYAK BHAWAN, KHAN MARKET

NEW DELHI

Dated, the 19th October, 2015

To,
The Secretary General,
All India Civil Accounts Employees Association,
17/2-C, P&T Quarters, Kali Bari Marg,
New Delhi -110001.

Subject: Decentralization of Central Pension Accounting Office.

Sir.

I am directed to invite your kind kind attention towards demand No. 17 of Charter of Demands submitted vide letter No. AICAEA/HQ/A-2/2015/519 dated 02.06.2015 on the subject cited above and to state that proposal has been examined by the CPAO and they have not recommended the decentralization of CPAO on the grounds that Electronic Government National Plan Scheme has been fully implemented in the CPAO.  As such, it is not administratively feasible to decentralization the CPAO.  A copy of CPAO's letter No.CPAO/Tech/Decentralization of CPAO/2015-16/1653 dated 12.10.2015 is forwarded herewith for your kind information.

Yours faithfully,

(D.D.K.T. Dason)

Assistant Controller of Accounts

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

CENTRAL PENSION ACCOUNTING OFFICE

TRIKOOT-II, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE,

NEW DELHI-110066

CPAO/Tech/Decentralization of CPAO/2015-16/1653

12.10.2015.

To,
Sh. D.D.K.T. Dasan
Asstt. Controller of Accounts
Office of the Controller General of Accounts
7th Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan,
Khan Market, New Delhi-110003

Subject:- Decentralization of Central Pension Accounting Office.

Sir,

I am directed to refer to your Office Letter NoA-l 1019 25.2015 MF.CGA(A)/NGE/AlCEA-HQ/387 dated- 01.10.2015 on the subject cited above and to offer the comments of CPAO as under:-

Taking into consideration rapid strides being made in IT decentralization of CPAO is not recommended due to the following. facts:-

i) With the movement towards e-PPO and e-Revision. the communication is increasingly being made with banks electronically minimising the effect of distance in transactions.

ii) After the operationalization of receipt of revision authorities from PAOs through digital signatures and on electronic mode. the pension processing shall become more efficient.

iii) E-PPO project for revision is Operational with four banks i.e. SBI, Chandni Chowk, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda and Canara Bank. Moreover, PFMS Division is developing a pension module under PFMS which is likely to be implemented w.e.f. 01.04.2016. After that it is expected that processing of pension payment will be more smooth and fast for stakeholders.

iv) It is desirable to reduce the human interface to minimise malpractices or malafied intentions.

v) The communication modes like telephone. e-mail, SMS etc. are becoming quickest. Hence any pensioner can lodge his grievance to Grievance Cell of CPPC of the concerned bank or grievance cell of CPAO.

vi) With the introduction of Defined Pension System w.e.f. 01 04.2004, out flow of new retirees is expected to reduce.

vii) Every information/ latest relevant orders and instructions are available at CPAO’S website and
accessible to all the stakeholders including pensioners.

viii) Pensioners have been provided the download facility of true copy of the Special Seal Authority by using login and passwords provided by CPAO.

ix) Banks/CPPCs are important agencies for outreach purposes-for pensioners.

sd/-

(Vijay Singh)

Sr. Accounts Officer (IT & Tech)

Source Order Images given below:-

Festival advance for government employees hiked to Rs 10,000

Festival advance for government employees hiked to Rs 10,000

Mumbai: Keeping in view guidelines of the Centre, the Maharashtra government has decided to increase the festival advance of non-gazetted employees to Rs 10,000.

The advance, which was earlier Rs 5,000, will cover nine major festivals – Diwali, Ramzan Id, Christmas, Parsi New Year, Rosh Hoshnaa (Jewish new year), Buddha Jayanti, Independence Day, Republic Day and Sanvatsari (last day of Jain’s ‘Paryushan).

“Non-gazetted state government employees will now get festival advance of Rs 10,000 for nine major festivals. The limit earlier was Rs 5,000. Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has taken this decision keeping the guidelines of the Central government in mind,” an official from the state finance department said.

A Government Resolution (GR) in this regard has also been issued by the finance department on October 18.

“As per the GR, non-gazetted state government employees having pay band of Rs 4,800 or less will get this benefit,” the official said.

PTI