Retirement Age: No Proposal To Raise for Central Government Employees

Retirement Age: No Proposal To Raise for Central Government Employees

There is no proposal to either raise or reduce the retirement age of central government employees from the present 60 years, Lok Sabha was informed today.

“No, madam,” Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said in his reply to a question on whether government proposes to increase the retirement age of central government employees.

His reply was the same to another part of the question on whether there is a proposal to fix the retirement age at 58 years.

In the run up to the Delhi assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on two occasions scoffed at suggestions that his government planned to reduce the retirement age.

Terming it as a “misinformation campaign”, he had told the electorate that lies were being spread.
The speculation of hike in retirement age had been in circulation since the last days of the previous UPA II government.

PTI

Relaxation in minimum education qualification norms for recruitment of Sportspersons

Relaxation in minimum education qualification norms for recruitment of Sportspersons

Relaxation in minimum education qualification norms for recruitment of Sportspersons in Group-C

 G.I., Ministry of Railways, Railway Board Letter No.2015/E(Sports)/4(1)/2/Educational Qualification, dated 10.3.2015

Sub : Relaxation in minimum education qualification norms for recruitment of sportspersons in Group-C against sports quota, both through Talent Scouting and Open Advertisement, against the Non-Technical Popular Categories.

Ref.: Railway Board’s letter No.E(NG)II/2-12/RR-1/16/Pt.A dated 17.12.2014 (RBE No- 145/2014).

In the aforesaid letter it has been stipulated that the minimum educational qualification for recruitment to the post of Office Clerk, Account Clerk, Ticket Collector, Commercial Clerk and Train Clerk under Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC), should be 12th (+2 Stage) pass or equivalent, with not less than 50% marks in the aggregate.

2. The question has been raised to whether in the case of sportsperson to be appointed against the post mentioned in pre-para, has to possess minimum of 50% marks in 12th (+2 Stage). The matter has been considered and it has been decided that for recruitment to said posts against sports quota, both through Talent Scouting and Open Advertisement, the candidate having minimum a pass certificate in 12th Class (+2 Stage) need not be insisted upon and candidates possessing a pass certificate in 12th class (+2 Stage), may also be considered for appointment, provided the other prescribed conditions are satisfied in their case.

3. This issues with approval of Board (MS).

Source: NFIR

Classification of posts in the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 – Clarification

Classification of posts in the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 – Clarification Reg.

G.I., Dept. of Per. & Trg., O.M.No.13026/3/2012-Estt(L), dated 9.3.2015

Subject: Classification of posts in the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 — Clarification Reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s Notification No.21/2/75-Estt.(D) dated 11.11.1975 reclassifying the posts under the Central

Government as Group ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ & ‘D’ in place of Class ‘I’, ‘II’, ‘III’ & ‘IV’ and to state that wherever the old nomenclature of Class ‘I’ ‘II’, ‘III’ & ‘IV’ are mentioned in the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972, the same may be read as Group ‘A, ‘B’, ‘C’ & ‘D’,-respectively.

Source : www.persmin.gov.in

No Curtailing of Public Holidays

No Curtailing of Public Holidays

As per the existing policy, the Central Government Administrative Offices observe up to 17 holidays in a year on specified occasions which consist of 3 National Holidays (on 26th January, 15th August and 2nd October) and 14 other holidays to celebrate festivals of different regions/religion in a diverse country like India.

At present there is no proposal under consideration of the Government to curtail the public holidays for government employees.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in Prime Minister’s office Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question by Shri S. Thangavelu in the Rajya Sabha today.

Cash incentive to sportspersons

Cash incentive to sportspersons

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has said that incentive in the form of cash awards under the scheme of ‘Special Awards to Medal Winners in Sports Events and their Coaches’ is given to medal winners and their coaches in international events as per details given below for the sports disciplines included in Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and chess.

Individual Events at Senior Level:

Category : Open category Sports

S. No.	Name of the event	Gold Medal	Silver medal	Bronze Medal
1	Olympics Games	Rs.75 lakhs	Rs.50 lakhs	Rs.30 lakhs
2	Asian Games	Rs.30 lakhs	Rs. 20 lakhs	Rs. 10 lakhs
3	Commonwealth Games	Rs.30 lakhs	Rs. 20 lakhs	Rs. 10 lakhs
4	World Championships or World Cup (conducted in Four Year Cycle) / All England Championship of Badminton	Rs.40 lakhs	Rs. 25 lakhs	Rs.15 lakhs
5	World Championships / World Cup (Held once in two years)	Rs.20 lakhs	Rs. 14 lakhs	Rs.8 lakhs
6	World Championships / World Cup (Held annually)	Rs.10 lakhs	Rs. 7 lakhs	Rs.4 lakhs
7	Asian Championships (Held once in 4 years)	Rs.15 lakhs	Rs. 10 lakhs	Rs.5 lakhs
8	Asian Championships (Held once in 2 years)	Rs.7.5 lakhs	Rs. 5 lakhs	Rs.2.5 lakhs
9	Asian Championships (Held annually)	Rs.3.75 lakhs	Rs. 2.5 lakhs	Rs. 1.25 lakhs
10	Commonwealth Championships (Held once in 4 years)	Rs.15 lakhs	Rs. 10 lakhs	Rs.5 lakhs
11	Commonwealth Championships (Held once in 2 years)	Rs.7.5 lakhs	Rs. 5 lakhs	Rs.2.5 lakhs
12	Commonwealth Championships (Held annualy)	Rs.3.75 lakhs	Rs. 2.5 lakhs	Rs. 1.25 lakhs
13	World University Games	Rs.3.75 lakhs	Rs. 2.5 lakhs	Rs. 1.25 lakhs

Category: Para-Sports

S. No.	Name of the event	Gold Medal	Silver medal	Bronze Medal
1	Paralympics Games (Summer & Winter)	Rs.75 lakhs	Rs.50 lakhs	Rs.30 lakhs
2	Para Asian Games	Rs.30 lakhs	Rs. 20 lakhs	Rs. 10 lakhs
3	Commonwealth Games (Para Athletes)	Rs.30 lakhs	Rs. 20 lakhs	Rs. 10 lakhs
4	IPC World Cup / Championships (Held biennially)	Rs.20 lakhs	Rs. 14 lakhs	Rs.8 lakhs
5	IPC World Cup / Championships (Held annually)	Rs.10 lakhs	Rs. 7 lakhs	Rs.4 lakhs

Category : Blind Sports

S. No.	Name of the event	Gold Medal	Silver medal	Bronze Medal
1	IBSA World Championship	Rs.10 lakhs	Rs. 7 lakhs	Rs.4 lakhs

Category: Deaf Sports

S. No.	Name of the event	Gold Medal	Silver medal	Bronze Medal
1	Deaflympics	Rs.15 lakhs	Rs. 10 lakhs	Rs.5 lakhs

Category : Special Olympics- Sports

S. No.	Name of the event	Gold Medal	Silver medal	Bronze Medal
1	Special Olympics (Summer/ Winter	Rs.5 lakhs	Rs. 3 lakhs	Rs.1 lakhs

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today Shri Sonowal said, in case of Individual events of Junior level, the amount will be one-third of the amount stated above in ‘Open category Sports’ and rounded off to the nearest tens of thousands of Rupees. And, in case of Individual events of Sub-Junior level, the amount will be one-sixth of the amount stated above stated above in ‘Open category Sports’ and rounded off to the nearest tens of thousands of Rupees. Medal winners in team events are given cash awards taking into consideration the strength of the team but it is ensured that a team member does not get less than half of the award money payable to a medal winner in an individual event.

Shri Sonowal said, the Government does not pay any remuneration to the sportspersons representing the country in the international sports events. However, for the participation of Indian sportspersons and teams in international sports events approved by the Ministry at cost to the Government, the Ministry meets the expenditure towards airfare, visa fee, overseas medical insurance, daily allowance, boarding & lodging, competition entry fee etc. Daily Allowance is paid at following rates for all members of the contingent approved at full cost to Government for approved number of days of training / competition plus two days before and one day after (excluding journey time):

a) When Boarding & Lodging is being provided by the Organizers free of cost:	25 % of Daily Allowance as per Government of India rates
b) When National Sports Federation is making its own arrangements:	Ceiling of USD 75 per person per day for Lodging and Daily Allowance as per Government of India guidelines
c) When the organizers are making arrangements for Boarding and Lodging on payment:	Rates indicated for twin share accommodation in the brochure issued by organizers to be allowed for lodging and 25% of Daily Allowance as per Government of India rates

However, the Ministry paid Daily Allowance / Out of Pocket Allowance @ USD 50 per day per person to sportspersons who represented the country in mega sports events such as Olympics 2012, Asian Games 2014 and Commonwealth Games 2014, the Minister added.

PIB

Government Providing Facilities for sportspersons

Government Providing Facilities for sportspersons

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

11-March, 2015

Facilities for sportspersons

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has said that the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports provides Special Awards to Medal winners for the medals won in International Sports Events. Medal winners in National Games are not covered in the Ministry’s scheme of Special Awards.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today Shri Sonowal said, as Sports is a State subject, the primary responsibility for promotion and development of sports including identification and nurturing of potential talent is that of States. However, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and the Sports Authority of India, an autonomous body under administrative control of the Ministry, supplement the efforts of the States under the following schemes:

I. Schemes being implemented by the Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

(i) “Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan” (RGKA), a centrally sponsored scheme introduced in 2014-15 in place of erstwhile Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan, aims at construction of Integrated Sports Complexes in all block panchayats of the country in a phased manner and providing access to organized sports competitions at block, district, state and national levels.

(ii) Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme, introduced in 2010-11, envisages development of playfields by the State Governments through Playfield Associations, coach development programme through Central and State Governments, creation of infrastructure including laying of artificial turfs for hockey, football and athletics, and construction of multi-purpose hall. Under the Scheme, State Governments, local civic bodies, schools, colleges, universities and sports control boards are eligible for assistance.

(iii) Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs) for conduct of National Championships at Senior, Junior, Sub-Junior level for men and women, conduct of international tournaments in India, participation of sportspersons in international sports competitions, organizing coaching camps, engagement of foreign coaches, and procurement of sports equipments.

(iv) National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) for various activities including giving assistance to elite athletes, who are medal prospects for their customized and tailor-made training and competition exposure.

(v) Scheme of Human Resource Development in Sports focusses on developing human resources in sports sciences and sports medicine for the overall development of sports and games in the country. The scheme also provides assistance to coaches and referees / judges to upgrade knowledge / accreditation level and assistance for participation in and conduct of seminars in India, etc.

(vi) Scheme of Special Cash Awards for Winners of medals in international sports events and their coaches.

(vii) Scheme of Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons after they retire from active sports career with the objective of providing them financial security and incentivizing sporting achievements.

(viii) Scheme of National Sports Awards, viz, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Awards, Dronacharya Awards, Dhyanchand Awards for honouring them for their achievements and contributions as sportspersons and coaches.

(ix) National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons for providing lump sum financial assistance to sportspersons now living in indigent conditions for their medical treatment etc.

(x) Scheme of Sports & Games for Persons with Disabilities for broad-basing of sports among differently-abled sportspersons by way of conduct of training for community coaches, conduct of sports competitions and providing assistance to schools/institutes having differently-abled sportspersons on their rolls for procurement of sports equipments and engagement of coaches on contract basis.

II. Schemes being implemented by Sports Authority of India

(i) National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC): The main objective of the scheme is to identify gifted and talented sportspersons among school children in the age group of 8-14 years.

(ii) Army Boys Sports Companies (ABSC) is implemented in collaboration with the Army. Children in the age group of 8-16 years are imparted scientific training to achieve excellence at national and international levels. The scheme also provides job opportunities in the Indian Army. Similar arrangements are proposed to be made in Central Para-military forces.

(iii) Special Area Games (SAG): This Scheme follows an area-specific approach to scout and nurture talent for modern competitive games and sports from tribal, rural, coastal and hilly areas of the country. The main objective of the scheme is to train talented and meritorious sportspersons in the age group of 12-18 years.

(iv) SAI Training Centres (STC): Under this scheme, talented youth in the age group of 12-18 years are given the option to join the scheme on residential or non-residential basis.

(v) Centres of Excellence (COE): The main objective of this scheme is to identify and train outstanding sportspersons who are medal prospects for the country in international competitions.

Department of Post launched a scheme named My Stamp

Department of Post launched a scheme named "My Stamp"

Department of Post has launched a scheme named “My Stamp”. My Stamp is a personalised sheets of postage stamps. The personalization is achieved by printing a thumb nail photograph of the customer, images and logos of institutions, or images of artwork, heritage buildings, famous tourist places, historical cities, wildlife, other animals and birds etc., alongside the selected “My Stamp” sheet. Rs. 300 is charged from customers for one My Stamp sheet contacting 12 stamps. My Stamp can be used as valid postage for domestic mail purposes. A customer can choose from a variety of My Stamp themes available.

This information was given by the Minister of Communication and Information Technology Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad in Lok Sabha today.

Stamps as RTI Fee

Stamps as RTI Fee

The Government has constituted a committee consisting of representatives of Department of Personnel & Training, Central Information Commission, Department of Posts and Office of Controller of Accounts (Department of Personnel & Training) to examine whether postal stamps can be used for payment of RTI fees under the Right to Information Act, 2005. The Committee has given its report on 24.02.2015. The Committee has observed that the use of postage stamps as mode of payment for RTI fee/costs is neither legally feasible nor feasible from the accounting point of view. Moreover, it would not be in line with the Government initiatives towards Digital India. Hence, the Committee has recommended that postage stamps may not be used as mode of payment for RTI fee/costs. The report of the Committee has been accepted by the competent authority.

The Central Government has already launched RTI Online portal for online filing of RTI applications, including online payment of RTI fee/costs. Moreover, the facility of eIPO (electronic India Postal Order) has been launched for purchase of IPOs electronically by online payment.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in Prime Minister’s office Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question by Shri Dhananjay Mahadik, Shri Satav Rajeev, Dr. Heena Vijaykumar Gavit and Shri Mohite Patil Vijayasinh Shankarrao in the Lok Sabha today

PIB

7th Pay Commission impact may have to be absorbed in 2016-17

“7th Pay Commission impact may have to be absorbed in 2016-17″ – Says Medium Term Fiscal Policy papers presented by Finance Minister


Chances of implementation of 7th Pay Commission report in FY 2016-17 – Budget 2015 documents indicates.

Budget 2015 documents such as Para 12 and 42 of Medium Term Fiscal Policy for further 3 years, and Para 23 of Fiscal Road Map indicate the Chances of implementation of 7th Pay Commission in the Financial Year 2016-17.


7th CPC was formed in February 2014 with the time of 18 months for submission of its report. We could also see that 7CPC is already in full swing in examining the pay structure and service conditions of various cadres of Central Government Employees, Railway Employees and Defence Services personnel.

It has conducted as many as 38 meetings with organisations that represent employees, servicemen and pensioners at many places in India. Oral evidences of leading federations such as Confederation of Central Government Employees, AIRF, NFIR etc are also to be recorded soon as possible. As such we may expect that 7th Pay Commission may submit its report in time. Sixth Pay Commission also submitted its report within stipulated time of 18 months.

DA of central government employees has already crossed 100%. Previous Pay Commissions have merged entire DA with pre revised pay and also provided fitment benefit up to 40%. In these lines, we may expect that 7th CPC pay would be at least 2.5 times of Pre revised pay as on 01.01.2016. As DA rate would start at Nil rate once 7th Pay Commission is implemented, net increase in pay of Central Government Employees including Railways is expected to be 40%.

Considering the recent pay hike of 15% approved for Bank Employees in the recent Bipartite Wage Settlement which is due every four years, 40% pay hike for Central Government Employees can be rightly justified since their pay revision is due evey ten years.

While Govt is yet accept the 6th CPC’s recommendations for Performance Related Increment System (PRIS), 14th Finance Commission has recently recommended for productivity based Pay Fixation. In these circumstances it is up to 7th Pay Commission to moot out performance based pay fixation for Central Government Employees.

ECHS Revision of Rates for various Treatments

ECHS Revision of Rates for various Treatments

ECHS has revised the rates in respect of Gynae & Obst, Nephrology & Urology, General Surgery, Ophthalmology, Imaging Investigations, Cardiology. The revised rates are prescribed in this letter.

Tele:  25683476
ASCON:  36833

       Central Organisation, ECHS
Adjutant General’s Branch
Integrated Headquarters
Ministry of Qefence (Army)
Maude Line’s
Delhi Cantt-110010

B/49773/AG/ECHS/Rates/Policy

20 Feb 2015

REVISION OF RATES FOR VARIOUS TREATMENT

PROCEDURES UNDER ECHS

1. Ref this office letter No B/49773/AG/ECHS/Rates/Policy dt 07 Oct 2014 and B/49773/AG/ECHS/Rates/Policy dt 19 Nov 2014

2. CGHS has evised the rates  for various treatment procedures vide their OM No S-11011/48/2014-CGHS (HEC) dt 18 Feb 2015.The rates of under mentioned treatment procedures alongwith their CGHS code are as under:-

Sr. No.	CGHS Code	Treatment Procedure	Current Rate		Revised Rates
			Non-NABH	NABH	Non-NABH	NABH
Gynae & Obst
1	648	RVF Repair	140000	16100	18975	21821
2	1590	USG for Obstetrics–Anomalies scan	323	380	770	887
Nephrology & Urology
1	793	Epididymectomy	8000	9200	15938	18750
2	888	Lithotripsy Extra corporeal shock wave	19000	21850	19550	22483
3	746	Ureteric Catheterization	690	794	8278	10950
4	807	Kidney transplant (Related)	3500	4025	200000	230000
5	808	Kidney transplant (Unrelated including immunosuppressant therapy)	143000	164450	300000	345000
General Surgery
1	372	Secondary suture of wounds	290	334	3400	4000
2	390	Haemorrhoidectomy	2500	2875	20720	24375
3	391	Stappler Haemorrhoidectomy	4025	4629	38000	43700
4	393	Varicose vein surgery; Trendelenburg operation with suturing or ligation.	8625	9919	10000	11500
5	18	Catheterization	83	95	425	500
6	477	Fissure in Ano-Fissurectomy	5750	6613	13800	15870
7	506	Laparoscopic Paraumblical Hernia Repair	12580	14800	17500	20125
Ophthalmology
1	32	Pterygium Surgery	86	99	5500	6325
2	34	Conjunctival wound repair or exploration following blunt trauma	115	132	3300	3795
Imaging Investigations
1	150	CT-orbit and brain	173	199	1600	1840
2	991	Foramen magnum decompression for Chari Malformation	1100	1265	93750	107813
Cardiology
1	534	DVR	53000	60950	155422	178735

2. Reimbursement to beneficiaries/ empanelled hospitals shall be limited to ceiling rate or as per actuals, whichever is lower. The other terms and conditions as regards to CGHS package rates remain unchanged.
3. The revised rates shall come into force for ECHS from the date of issue and shall be in force till further orders and are applicable in all cities.

(Vijay Anand)
Col
Dir (Med)
for MD ECHS

Download B/49773/AG/ECHS/Rates/Policy issued by Ministry of Qefence (Army)

LTC to visit some SAARC countries

LTC to visit some SAARC countries

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

11-March-2015 17:37 IST

LTC to Some Countries

A proposal to provide Leave Travel Concession (LTC) to Government employees to visit some SAARC countries is in its initial stage of consideration. The details are yet to be finalized.

The purpose behind the proposal is to enhance people-to-people contact and bilateral ties in the SAARC region through increase in tourism in the region.

As per the Government’s order dated 26.09.2014, the Government has extended the facility of conversion of home town LTC to visit the states in the North East Region, Jammu & Kashmir and the UT of Andaman & Nicobar Islands for a period of two years up to 25.09.2016. This facility was first introduced in the year 2008.

Presently, no other proposal is under consideration for including more places under the conversion of Home Town LTC to anywhere in the country.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in Prime Minister’s office Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question by Shri M. Raja Mohan Reddy in the Lok Sabha today

Sukanya Samriddhi Account: RBI's Instructions for Banks

Sukanya Samriddhi Account - RBI's Instructions

RESERVE BANK OF INDIA

RBI/2014-15/494

IDMD(DGBA).CDD.No.4052/15.02.006/2014-15

March 11, 2015

Dear Sir/Madam,

    Sukanya Samriddhi Account

We forward herewith a copy of the Government of India Notification No. G.S.R.863(E) dated December 02, 2014 regarding the Sukanya Samriddhi Account for necessary action at your end. The Government of India, vide this Notification, has notified the Sukanya Samriddhi Account Rules, 2014, which came into force with effect from December 02, 2014.


2. Reporting of the Sukanya Samriddhi Account transactions i.e. receipt, payment, penalty, etc. may be directly done through the Government Account at Central Account Section, Reserve Bank of India, Nagpur on daily basis like the transactions of PPF, 1968, in order to have uniformity in reporting, reconciliation and accounting.

3. The Agency banks are required to observe the rules and regulations of the Scheme, and non-observance of rules and regulations would attract penal action, including de-authorization of the branch or bank. Pecuniary liabilities, if any, arising from such non-observance shall be borne entirely by the bank.

4. You may, therefore, approach Central Account Section, Reserve Bank of India, Nagpur for necessary arrangements to report Sukanya Samriddhi Account transactions with immediate effect.

5. Specimen of account opening application form and the passbook of the Sukanya Samriddhi Account are also enclosed for ready reference and necessary action at your end.

6. The contents of this circular may be brought to the notice of the branches of your bank operating the PPF, 1968 Scheme. These instructions should also be displayed on the notice boards of your branches for information.

Yours faithfully

(R. K. Singh)
Deputy General Manager

Source: http://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/notification/PDFs/494SSAC110315.pdf