6th Central Pay Commission (2006 – 2015) – Why was it special?

6th Central Pay Commission (2006 – 2015) – Why was it special?

Six Pay Commissions were formulated by the Central Government until now. The 6th Pay Commission had some salient features that were never seen before. Let’s find out why this particular Pay Commission was so monumental.

The recommendations made by the previous five Pay Commissions were interrelated to each other. People who had studied these would know that despite the similarities, the recommendations were not exactly generous.

“Weightage” was the most-frequently used terminology in all previous pay commissions. New employees wouldn’t be aware of this. Weightage was all about calculating a certain percentage of the basic pay and adding it to the new basic pay (Basic Pay Weightage, Fitment Weightage or Fitment Benefit). This was the method prescribed by the five Pay Commissions before.

Even more pathetic was “Increment Weightage”. Particularly the 5th Pay Commission didn’t consider all the increments that the employee had received. According to the recommendations of 5th Pay Commission, it was given on the basis of one out of three increments.

As well, those were the days when promotions were rare. For years, employees were getting meager amount as annual increment. Only disappointment remained because the employees felt as if their ten years’ progress was unfairly evaluated.

Since no significant changes were made in the calculation of DA in the 5th Pay Commission, for the entire ten years, percentage of Dearness Allowance had increased by only 74%.

Until the 5th Pay Commission, House Rent Allowance was given in four categories – 5%, 7.5%, 15%, and 30% or as consolidated amount.

Lack of generosity was also obvious in areas like Tuition Fees, Transport Allowance, and Leave Travel Concession.
The 6th Central Pay Commission was special because it was radically different from its predecessors.

“Grade Pay was introduced, and, although there were MACP confusions due to the new Hierarchy system, since its pluses outnumbered its minuses, we feel that there is nothing wrong in recollecting the good points that the Commission had recommended. This article will help the next generation employees understand why the 6th Pay Commission was so unique.”

Multiplication Factor : This is considered by many as a transparent approach.

Children’s Education Allowance : From a meager Rs.40 per month, it was raised to Rs.1000. This reflected genuine interest and concern about the future generation.

3% Increment : The decision to calculate the annual increment at 3% of the current basic pay continues to be applauded even now.

Transport Allowance : Although Convenience Allowance was clubbed with this, it was a good decision to have made the revision of transport allowance dependent on the dearness allowance.

Leave Travel Concession : Which was until then, given only for Class II travel, was elevated to AC- Tier III, and Tier II.

Child Care Leave : It was a blessing for female employees.

Military Service Pay : First time recommendation for the Armed Forces Personnel by 6th Pay Commission.

DA Calculation : The Dearness Allowance was calculated based on the All India Consumer Price Index published by Labour Bureau. Calculation method for arriving the percentage of additional Dearness Allowance was recommended by 6th CPC with important average index factor of 115.76 instead of 306.33. Dearness Allowance went up as high as 10% and earned an increase of about 120% in its ten years’ tenure.

Finally, All Central Government Employees Unions and Federations played a very important role in the revolutionary changes and liberal recommendations that were being offered to the employees. Let us not forget that it was our unified voice and determination that made it all possible.

Source: http://centralgovernmentemployeesnews.in/

Out of Turn Promotion of sportspersons on sports account in Probation period: Railway Board Order

Out of Turn Promotion of sportspersons on sports account in Probation period: Railway Board Order

RBE No 27/2015
Clarification/Corrigendum No.56
Government of India
Ministry of Railways
(Railway Board)

No. 2015/E(Sports)/4(1)/5/Probation Period

New Delhi, dated 25th March, 2015

The General Managers (P),
All Zonal Railways including
CLW, DLW. ICF, RCF, RWF, Metro Railway/Kolkata,
The CAO(R). DMW/Patiala,
The DG, RDSO/Lucknow.

Sub. Out of Turn Promotion of sportspersons on sports account in Probation period.

Ref.: Railway Board’s letter No. 2010/E(5ports)/4(-1)/1(Policy) dated 31.12.2010 (RBE No. 189B/2010).
In partial modification of existing policy, Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) have decided as under:

SN	Reference/Existing Para	Revised Para (Read as)
(i)	Para 9.2.6 of letter No. 2010/E(Sports)l4(1)/I(Policy) dated 31.12.2010 (RBE No. 189B/2010) No out-of-turn promotion shall be granted during  probation period.	If a sportsperson acquires the norms for out of turn promotion, except the condition of completion of probation, in such case, the promotion may be granted and the balance probationary period be reckoned in the higher grade, in which the promotion is proposed to be carried out.

2. This issues with approval of Board (MS) and concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways

(Railway Board)
Dy. Director, Estt.(Sports)

Source: http://www.airfindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/RBE-No.27-of-2015.pdf

Grant-in-aid for the provision of amenities or recreational or welfare facilities to the staff of the Central Government

Grant-in-aid for the provision of amenities or recreational or welfare facilities to the staff of the Central Government

F.No. 1/1/2014-Welfare
Government of India
M/o Personnel & Public Grievances & Pensions
D/o Personnel & Training

New Delhi, Dated 10 April, 2015

Office Memorandum

Subject: Grant-in-aid for the provision of amenities or recreational or welfare facilities to the staff of the Central Government- regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer this Department’s O.M. No. 1/38/98-Welfare dated 14th October, 1999 (Copy enclosed) regarding grants-in-aid for the provision of amenities for recreation/ welfare activities to the staff of the Central Government Offices in as well as outside Delhi/ New Delhi.

2. The position has been reviewed and it has been decided that the grants-in-aid to the Recreation Clubs shall be admissible at the following rates from the current financial year 2015-2016.

(i) Grants-in-aid at the rate of Rs. 25/- per head per annum as against existing rate of Rs. 10/- per head per annum .
(ii) An additional grant-in-aid subject to a maximum of Rs. 25/- per head per annum, may be given as matching grant as against the existing rate of Rs. 15/- per head per annum.
(iii) A maximum grant of Rs. 25,000/- instead of Rs. 10,000/- may be sanctioned (after considering requirement on merits) for setting up of a recreation club.

3. Instructions issued from time to time on the subject may be adhered to.

4. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure’s I.D. No. 8(41)/2014-E-II (A), 13th February, 2015 and SS&FA (Home) Dy No. 3111501, dated 04.03.2015.

(N.Sriraman)
Director (Welfare)

Click here to download Original DOPT Order

Payment of Travelling Allowance for Election Duty for a longer period: Clarification by CEO

Payment of Travelling Allowance (from residence to temporary place of duty) to those who were deputed for Election Duty in various cells of District Election Offices or CEO (HQ) for a longer period-admissibility-regarding.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER
OLD ST. STEPHENS COLLEGE BUILDING,
KASHMERE GATE, DELHI-110006

No. CEO/B&A (109)(50)/2009-LA/24025-24272

Dated: 02-03-2015

CIRCULAR

This office is in receipt of various representations from different departments/ individuals and RTI applications regarding payrnent/admissibility of Travelling Allowance (from residence to temporarily place of duty) to those who were deputed for Election Duty in various cells of District Election Offices or CEO (HQ) for a longer period.

In this regard, this office has received an endorsement from Dte. of Training & Technical Education, Govt. of NCT of Delhi vide which Finance Department, Govt. of NCT of Delhi has clarified that:-

“Travelling Allowance is not admissible for the journey performed by officers/officials from their residence to the temporary duty point. However, they are entitled to Travelling Allowance, provided they performed any local journey in connection with official duty from the temporary duty point, will be regulated as per SR-71”.
Therefore all the Head of Departments/Nodal Officers, Govt. of India, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, all autonomous bodies, District Election Officers/SDM (Elections) are hereby requested to settle the Travelling Allowance Claims for election duty as per Opinion given by the Finance Department, Govt. of NCT of Delhi. The cases already settled may also be reviewed accordingly.

This issues with the prior approval of Chief Electrol Officer, Delhi

(A.K. SRIVASTAVA)
DY. CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER

CGDA’s forwarding letter:-

Controller General of Defence Accounts
Ulan Batar Fload, Palam, Delhi Cantt- 110010

No. AN/XIV/19015/Govt. Orders/2015

07.04.2015

All PCsDA/CsDA

Sub: Payment of Travelling Allowance (from residence to temporary place of duty) to those who were deputed for Election Duty in various cells of District Election Offices or CEO (HQ) for a longer period-admissibility-regarding.

A copy of Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Old St. Stephens College Building, Kashmere Gate, Delhi-06 Circular No. CEO/B&A (109)(50)/2009- LA/24025-24272 dated 02.03.2015 on the above subject is forwarded herewith for your information, guidance and necessary action please.

– CGDA PDF

LACK OF VESTED RIGHT OF EFFECTIVE JUDICIAL REVIEW FROM ORDERS OF THE ARMED FORCES TRIBUNAL (AFT)

Lack of vested right to effective judicial review from orders of the Armed Forces Tributnal (AFT): 

IESM letter to PM/RM/LAW MINISTER/COAS/CNS/CAS

Dated: 11 April 2015

Shri Narendra Modi
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India
Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
New Delhi – 110 001

Shri Manohar Parrikar
Hon’ble Raksha Mantri
104, South Block,
New Delhi

Shri. D.V. Sadananda Gowda
Hon’ble Minister for Law & Justice
Room No. 401, A Wing,
4th Floor, Shastri Bhavan,
New Delhi – 110001

LACK OF VESTED RIGHT OF EFFECTIVE JUDICIAL REVIEW FROM ORDERS OF THE ARMED FORCES TRIBUNAL (AFT)

The Hon’ble Supreme Court on 11 March 2015 pronounced a decision in a case wherein it was held that orders passed by the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) would not be challenged by litigants in Hon’ble High Courts but only in the Supreme Court. The judgement was passed on an appeal filed by the Ministry of Defence (and perhaps also the Army HQ) during the time of the last Government. We also have reasonable information to believe that one of the grounds raised by the MoD/Army in the appeal for denying the right of judicial remedy like other citizens of India was that Fundamental Rights can be restricted/abrogated under Article 33 of the Constitution for defence personnel and hence a judicial remedy under writ jurisdiction of High Court would not be available. If it is true that this argument was raised by the MoD/Army, then it is the most unfortunate that the system itself is pleading for placing defence personnel on a lower pedestal than other citizens and pleading before the Hon’ble SC that the military community does not deserve the enjoyment of fundamental rights like others. It is a well known fact that Article 33 only operates during performance of duties to maintain discipline and has no connection with right to access of justice. It is also well known that the majority of cases in the AFT pertain to retired personnel, military widows and their families and hence Article 33 even otherwise has no applicability. This is also against the spirit of Article 39A of the Constitution which underlines equal justice for all citizens.

While in the beginning, there was an attempt to convince us that the decision will lead to ‘quicker’ justice to defence personnel, on closer and deeper examination of the issue, the following real facts and fallouts emerge:

1. There is actually no right of appeal to the Supreme Court from AFT orders as per AFT Act since an appeal only lies in exceptional cases involving ‘point of law of general public importance’ vide Section 31 of AFT Act, hence what has been pleaded before the SC is that AFT should become the court of first instance as well as the court of last instance, leaving defence personnel, veterans and widows remediless since it is well known that 99.9% of cases can never involve ‘public importance’ questions. The decision will not lead to ‘quicker’ justice but in reality remove all chances and channels of challenge/appeal against AFT decisions. Can this bogey of ‘quicker’ justice be raised at the price of fundamental rights of accessible justice and remedy to citizens?

2. It is well known that almost all such litigants cannot afford litigation in SC due to its prohibitive cost and the aura itself of being the highest court of the country. It is not understood how the defence ministry expects poor litigants including disabled soldiers and widows from all over the country to travel to Delhi and engage lawyers in SC to fight their cases. Most of the cases in the AFT involve issues such as disability benefits, pension, minor allowances, pay fixation, ACRs etc and litigants would now be expected to suffer in silence if they feel that they have not got justice from AFT.

3. Defence personnel, veterans, widows and families have been deprived of their basic right of access to justice due to the plea raised by the MoD/Army wherein while all citizens of the country would have access to multiple tiers of justice, not even one tier would be available to us. Even civil govt employees aggrieved by orders of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) can approach the HC if they are dissatisfied and then further the SC, whereas similar access has been denied to us and after an order of the AFT even the SC cannot be approached as a matter of vested right unless there is involvement of a point of general public importance.

4. We hereby express our dismay on the attempt of the official system to convey to the SC that fundamental rights of the military community should be restricted or abrogated. We are disappointed that the system itself by raising the plea of Article 33 is attempting to prove that defence personnel, ex-servicemen and their families are lower than the ordinary person on the street. This will have disastrous consequences in the years to come. If the MoD/Army makes such averments pleading for taking away the fundamental rights of their own members and former members and their families, then it is extremely unfortunate.

5. It is well known that the AFT functions under the control of the MoD and even Members of AFT are appointed by the MoD and selected by a selection committee which has the Defence Secretary as its member. AFT has also not been given civil contempt powers to ensure compliance of its orders. In other words, an ineffectual body has been created which functions under the MoD and then now on the plea of the MoD it has been assured that there is no effective appeal making it an all supreme body.

In light of the above, while expressing dissatisfaction at the stand and damaging stance of the MoD and the Army in the said case which has led to such a situation, we request you to kindly abrogate Sections 30 and 31 of the AFT Act so that AFT orders can be challenged on the lines of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) thereby making justice accessible and practical for defence personnel, ex-servicemen, widows and their families.

With regards,

Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd)
Chairman IESM

Source: http://ex-servicemenwelfare.blogspot.in/2015/04/iesm-letter-to-pmrmlaw.html

Children Education Allowance and Hostel Subsidy : Imposing the condition of 50 Kms. distance needs to be withdrawn

Children Education Allowance and Hostel Subsidy : Imposing the condition of 50 Kms. distance needs to be withdrawn

NFIR writes to the Secretary of Railway Board regarding the issues of Children Education Allowance and Hostel Subsidy…

NFIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, Chelmsford Road, New Delhi – 110 055

No. II/28/Part. V

Dated: 10.04.2015

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Children Education Allowance/Hostel Subsidy – Clarification -reg.

Ref: DC/JCM Item No.1/20I2 discussed with the Railway Board on 26th &.27th June2012.

Federation invites kind attention of the Railway Board to the issues pending with the Railway Board on the subject under DC/JCM Item No.1/2012.

2. In this connection, NFIR desires to state that as per extant instructions, the term “Hostel Subsidy” means expenses incurred by the Railway employees to meet with the Hostel fees if his/her children who have been studying in the school/college located at a minimum distance of 50 Kms., Federation desires to reiterate that there are institutions/colleges in various cities where the students are mandatorily required to opt for Hostel, those who do not opt are denied admission. In view of this reality of situation, imposing the condition of 50 Kms., distance is unjustified and therefore needs to be withdrawn.

3. It has also been reported to NFIR by its affiliate SERMC that the South Eastern Railway Authorities have imposed another condition that the distance of 50 Kms., is to be certified by the District Revenue Officer of the State Government every time the claim is made.

4. Federation further desires to bring to the notice of Railway Board following contradictory situations,arising out of extant provisions:

(i) Para 1(a), (e) & (i) of DoP&T O.M. dated 02nd September 2008 circulated under Railway Board’s letter dated 01/10/2008 (RBE 135/2008) clarifies that the Children Education Allowance and Hostel Subsidies are distinct, Railway employees cannot claim both concurrently.

(ii) Instructions issued by the Railway Board under letter dated 07/06/2013 (RBE- 55/2013), (further reference to question No. 9 of DoP&T O.M. No.21/011/08/2013-Estt./AL) have clarified that Hostel Subsidy includes fee charged for boarding and lodging in addition to fee mentioned in para 1(e) of DoP&T O.M. dated 2nd September 2008.

The position brought out above shows that the two OMs are contradictory and are not conveying clear cut institctions for payment of Children Education Allowance and Hostel Subsidy.

NFIR., therefore, requests the Railway Board to examine the points raised above and arrange to issue clarificatory instructions to the Zonal Railways/PUs to remove confusion. A copy of the instructions issued may be endorsed to the Federation.

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Dr. M. Ragnhvaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013- Submission of declaration of assets and liabilities by CSS officers for each year – regarding.

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013- Submission of declaration of assets and liabilities by CSS officers for each year: DoPT Order

No.21/2/2014-CS.I(PR/CMS)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Department of Personnel and Training

CS.I Division

2nd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan,

Khan Market, New Delhi-110003

Dated the 9th April, 2015

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013- Submission of declaration of assets and liabilities by CSS officers for each year – regarding.

Ministries/Departments may refer to CS.I Division, DoP&T’s O.M. of even number dated 7.1.2015 on the subject mentioned above.

2. As Ministries/Departments are aware that all Government servants are now required to file information and returns regarding movable and immovable property under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. In this regard, all Government Servants have been advised that:

(i) The first return under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 (as on 01.08.2014) should be filed on or before 30.04.2015; and

(ii) The next annual return under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, for the year ending 31.03.2015, should be filed on or before 31.07.2015.

3. For filing annual return under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, new forms have been developed in the Web Based Cadre Management System which is hosted at cscms.nic.in Returns under Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act should be submitted by all CSS officers through Web Based Cadre Management System. Print out of the returns submitted online in respect of Under Secretary and above level officers of CSS should also be submitted to CS.I Division as it being the custodian of returns of these officers. The procedure for filing return is as under:

(i) Login to the system at cscms.nic.in by using the userid and password. In case of any difficulty in login please contact the nodal officer of the Ministry/Department for assistance. The generic Userid is eight digit date of birth followed by first four letters of name. Userid is also the employee code assigned to individual officers in the web based system. If the password is blocked, nodal officers can reset the password of individual employees by using the ‘reset password’ facility in the Tools Menu on the top of the screen. They can also provide ‘Employee Code’ from the system to individual officers to enable them to login to the system.

(ii) Verify whether personal details are reflected in the system correctly. To verify the details click on the ‘Employee Details’ button. If the details are not correct, first have them rectified through Admin. Division of concerned Department before proceeding further.

(iii) Click ‘IPR’ button on the top and then click on ‘Lokpal Returns’ icon.

(iv) Click ‘create new PR’ button and select property return year then click on create PR.

(v) Read declaration page carefully and click on ‘next’ button.

(vi) Form-I: Add one by one details of Public Servant, his/her spouse and dependent children and save details every time. After adding of details click on ‘next’ button.

(vii) Form-II: Add Movable Properties Owned By Self/ Spouse/ Dependent one by one by clicking ADD Button and save then click on ‘next’ button.

(viii) Form-Ill: Statement of Immovable Property: Add->Select ->IPR year-> Add new property details one by one by clicking ADD Button -> click on ‘next’ button.

(ix) Form-IV: Add Statement of Debts and Other Liabilities one by one by clicking ADD button then click on ‘FINISH’ button.

(x) Click ‘finish’ button. Property Return Details page automatically opens. Users may select the year by click on the particular year and then click on ‘Final submission of IPR’ button.

4. Ministries/Departments are requested that the contents of this O.M. may be widely circulated to the notice of all CSS officers working under their control. They should also ensure that the information and returns regarding movable and immovable property under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act is submitted by all officers within the stipulated period cited above without fail.

5. In case of any difficulty, nodal officers may contact CMC officials who have developed Web Based Cadre Management System at Telephone No. 24629890.

(Utakaarsh R Tiwaari)

Director

Download Persmin OM No.21/2/2014-CS.I(PR/CMS) dated 09.04.2015

Need to boost government employees capabilities to meet people’s aspirations: PMO official

Need to boost government employees capabilities to meet people’s aspirations: PMO official

New Delhi: There is a need to enhance skills and capabilities of government employees to meet people’s aspirations, a senior official in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said today.

Addressing a training programme here, P K Mishra, Additional Principal Secretary in the PMO said the goal of the government is to make governance efficient, effective, accountable, responsive and transparent.

“This requires significant capacity building of our employees at all levels to meet the challenges and aspiration of the people and deliver various programmes launched by the new government,” he said.

Mishra said it is a big challenge before all the training institutions, faculty and trainers, to bring the required changes in skills, knowledge and aptitude of employees so that delivery improves.

He was speaking during the closing ceremony of the first national symposium on excellence in training organised by the Department of Personnel and Training in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) here.

He presented the award for excellence in training to the 12 best practice initiatives taken by individual trainers and training institutions under four thematic areas.

The two-day event was inaugurated yesterday by Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for PMO.

The symposium was organised with the overarching objective of providing an annual national platform for various stakeholders associated with training of government sector employees, an official statement said.

The symposium was designed to promote sharing of good practices among stakeholders involved in training among others, it said.

PTI

Enrolment for Aadhaar number and its seeding in pension records of all pensioners and family pensioners – regarding

Enrolment for Aadhaar number and its seeding in pension records of all pensioners and family pensioners – regarding

No. 1/19/2014-P&PW (E)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, P.G. & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market, New Delhi,
31st March, 2015

Office Memorandum

Sub: Enrolment for Aadhaar number and its seeding in pension records of all pensioners and family pensioners – regarding.

In November, 2014, the Prime Minister has launched an Aadhaar-based biometric verification system “Jeevan Pramaan” to enable pensioners to submit a digital Life Certificate on-line. This is an important step in realizing the vision of Digital India. This facility has been provided in addition to the other existing methods of submitting Life Certificate.

2. “Jeevan Pramaan” aims at sparing the pensioners and family pensioners the trouble of visiting bank or any other pension disbursing agency for submission of Life Certificates. It is possible to submit the Life Certificate from personal computers and laptops or by visiting a conveniently located Common Service Centre. Further, banks by linking Aadhaar number with bank accounts and PPO numbers will ensure authenticity of pension and other payments.

3. All the pensioners/family pensioners are, therefore, advised to get themselves and their family members registered for Aadhaar and furnish this information to the Pension Disbursing Authority. This exercise may be completed at an early date so as to avoid inconvenience at the time of submission of Life Certificate in November, 2015.

(Vandana Sharma)
Joint Secretary to the Government of India

All pensioners/family pensioners of Government of India