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