Appointment of the Secretaries to the Government of India

Appointment of the Secretaries to the Government of India.

No. 36/1/2016-EO(SM-I)
Government of India
Secretariat of the
Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training

New Delhi, the 11th February, 2016

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the following:

1. Appointment of Shri Girish Shankar, lAS (SH:1982), Secretary, Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs as Secretary, Department of Heavy Industry, Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises vice Shri Rajan S Katoch, lAS (MP:1979) on his superannuation on 29.02.2016.

2. (i) Creation of a post of Officer on Special Duty (Secretary level) in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion by upgrading the vacant post of Additional Secretary in that Department for the period till 29.02.2016.
(ii) Appointment of Shri Ramesh Abhishek, lAS (SH: 1982), Secretary (Performance Management), Cabinet Secretariat as Officer on Special Duty in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion with immediate effect in the rank and pay of Secretary.
(iii) Appointment of Shri Ramesh Abhishek, lAS (SH: 1982) as Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry vice Shri Amitabh Kant, lAS (KL:1980) on his superannuation on 29.02.2016.

3. Extension in service to Shri Ratan P Watal, lAS (AP:1978), Finance Secretary and Secretary, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance for a period of two months i.e., upto 30.04.2016

(Rajiv Kumar)
Secretary
Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
& Establishment Officer

Source: ccis.nic.in

Schedule of Inter Ministry Music, Dance & Short Play Competition 2015-16

Schedule of Inter Ministry Music, Dance & Short Play Competition 2015-16

MUSIC & DANCE AND SHORT PLAY COMPETITION 2015-16

(15th TO 18th FEBRUARY, 2016)

S.No	Event	Time	Duration
15th February, 2016
1.	Inaugural Function	As & when Chief Guest arrives	Welcome of Chief Guest Lighting of lamp by Hon’bleChief Guest Presentation of Bouquet toChief Guests & Guest of Honor Welcome Speech by Sh. Pradeep KumarKharma, Convenor Cultural Programme March past by participants ofdifferent Ministries
2.	Instrumental Music (Light)	10 a.m. onward	5 Min for each Participant
	Instrumental Music (Western)
	Vocal Music (Classical)
	Vocal Music (Light Classical)
	Western Music
16th February, 2016
3.	Inter-Ministry Short Play Competition	Whole Day	0930 A.M. – 0530 P.M. (60 Minutes- including set up)
17th February, 2016
4.	Classical Dance (Solo)	Whole Day	10A.M. – 6 P.M.
	Folk Dance (Solo)
	Western Dance (solo)
	Group Dance( Folk)
18th February, 2016
5.	Carnatic Music (Light)		10 A.M. onwards
	Camatic Vocal (Classical)
	Folk Music (Solo)
	Folk Music (Group)
	Closing Ceremony		Welcome of Chief Guest Cultural Programme Closing Speech by Convener,Sh. Pradeep Kumar Khanna Prize Distribution

(I.P.S. Bawa)
PS, CCSCSB
February 11,2016

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Ministry of Railways and Governments of Telangana

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Ministry of Railways and Governments of Telangana for “Formation of Joint Venture Companies for Development of Railway Infrastructure in Telangana State.

In the august presence of Chairman, Railway Board Shri A.K. Mital an Memorandum of Understanding  (MoU) between Ministry of Railways and State Government of Telangana for “Formation of Joint Venture Companies for Development of Railway Infrastructure in the State of Telangana” was signed today i.e. on 11.02.2016.   On the event of Signing Ceremony, Chairman Railway Board Shri A. K. Mital, Member Engineering Shri V. K. Gupta, Member Staff Shri Pradip Kumar, Secretary Railway Board Shri R. K. Verma and other Board Members and Senior Officials were present. On behalf of the Railway Ministry Shri Ved Prakash Dudeja, Executive Director/Works signed the MoU whereas on behalf of Government of Telangana, Shri Sunil Sharma, Principal Secretary, Department of Transport, Roads & Buildings, Govt. of Telangana signed the MoU. Dr. Shashank Goel, Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Telangana was present among others. The MoU was signed in the backdrop of Railway Minister’s Budget announcement regarding setting up of Joint Ventures with States for focused project development, resource mobilization, land acquisition, project implementation and monitoring of critical rail projects.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Railway Board stated that Railways has a big shelf of projects valuing about 3.5 lakh crore. Last year, Railways had sanctioned additional lines of nine thousand kilometres. There have always been lot of expectations from various States for new railway lines/lands. Thus,  to meet the demands of the States, a Cabinet note was got approved for formation of JV Companies. He stated that 17 States have already consented for formation of JV Companies in their respective States and 5 States have already signed MoUs with Railway Ministry in this regard which are Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha. He stated that today’s MoU will help in putting the execution of railways projects on fast track.  He stated that this will also help to take into account the priorities of the States because these projects will be finalised in consultation with the States as there would be offices from State Governments as well as Railways in the new Company which will be formed.  He stated that this is very welcome step which takes the partnership of State and Centre together to take railway projects on very fast pace.

Salient Features of the MoU:-

• In view of the growing demands for railway lines in various states and huge requirement of funds to execute them, Minister for Railways announced in his budget speech regarding setting up of Joint Ventures with states for focused project development, resource mobilization, land acquisition, project implementation and monitoring of critical rail projects.
• 17 State Governments consented for formation of Joint Venture Companies in collaboration with the Ministry of Railways for development of rail infrastructure in their respective States. Draft MoU  were sent to these State Governments and discussions were also held with them to clarify various provisions of the MoU.
• MoUs have already been signed by the Ministry of Railways with the State Governments of Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Chhattisgarh.
• Today, MoUs are being signed with the State Governments of Telangana. This signing of MOU is going to be a stepping stone for formation of JV companies.
• The MoU envisages formation of a Joint Venture companies having 51% stakes of the respective State Government and 49% stakes of Ministry of Railways. Thus, the JV companies shall be fully owned by the Government. The companies will primarily identify projects and possible financing avenues in addition to Govt of India and the State Governments. After finances for a project are tied up, project specific SPVs or special purpose vehicles shall be formed. These SPVs can have other stake holders from Industries, Central PSUs, State PSUs etc. However, the JV companies shall be  mandatory stake holders with minimum 26% shares in the SPVs.
• The ministry of Railways will sign a concession agreement of 30 years with the project SPV for safe and sound operation, revenue sharing and providing technical & marketing logistics to the SPV. The revenue sharing shall be based on already established formula being used for inter zonal apportionment of revenue.
• The most important aspect of this MoU is that the ownership of the land shall vest with the SPVs which is a departure from previous practice. This will give financial leverage to the company to exploit commercial potential of the land. This is likely to result in making project viable which are otherwise not viable.
• At the end of concession period, the railways will have option to take over the assets at a nominal price. This is largely in line with average codal life of the assets as most of the assets will need large scale replacement after 30 years.
• Indian Railways has been playing a major role in national integration by connecting the remotest places and bringing people closer to each other. Railways receive a large number of demands for network expansion as a railway line acts as an engine of growth for the area it serves.
• However, Railways have a large shelf of ongoing New Line, Gauge Conversion and Doubling projects needing about Rs 3.5 lakh crores to complete. We have been trying to meet the aspirations of public within limited availability of funds.
• To expedite the projects, Railways have been trying to mobilize resources through other than Gross Budgetary Support. However, on the initiative of Minister for Railways Sh. Suresh Prabhu, Indian Railways have tied up funds for critical capacity enhancement project of doubling, third line , electrification etc. An MoU was signed with LIC of India and we have already taken first tranche of Rs 2000 Cr for these projects. This tied up loan will ensure dedicated and assured funding for such critical projects.
• Indian Railways have targeted to commission 2000 Km New Lines, 4000 Km Gauge Conversion and 11000 Km Doubling/Tripling/ Quadrupling projects over 5 years i.e. from 2015-16 to 2019-20. In 2015-16, we had kept quite ambitious target of commissioning 2500 Km Broad Gauge track. It is a matter of great satisfaction that we are poised to not only achieve these targets but to surpass them. We have already commissioned about 1300 Km Broad Gauge track till December, 2015 against 800 Km track commissioned in the corresponding period of the previous year (Due to monsoons, major commissioning takes place in the last quarter of the financial year).
• Formation of Joint Venture Companies with the State Governments will go a long way in faster commissioning of critical rail infrastructure projects as it will not only help in mobilization of funds but also in facilitating various clearances and land acquisition.

PIB

7th Pay Commission: Nurses to go on relay hunger strike from tomorrow

7th Pay Commission: Nurses to go on relay hunger strike from tomorrow

Members of All India Government Nurses Federation will go on a relay hunger strike from February 12-27 against the Seventh Pay Commission report.

Nurses across the country are also expected to go on a mass casual leave on February 26.

“We will protest against retrograde recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission. We demand that the entry pay grade for staff nurses should be enhanced to Rs 5,400 from the existing Rs 4,600. Also the nursing allowance should be enhanced by Rs 7,800 in the 7th Central Pay Commission. Risk allowance and night duty allowances should be given to all nurses as it is given to all other government employees.

“Operation theatre or intensive care unit allowance should continue as earlier,” Federation’s Secretary General G K Khurana said.

The members have also demanded that railway nurses be given eight days of off in a month like all other nurses along with full pay during child care leave.

“We deal with the deadly infections daily but we are not provided enough risk allowances. If the demands are not met, we will go on an indefinite strike from March 15,” Khurana said.

Inputs with PTI

High Chances of Boost in Take Home Salary: Budget 2016

“We are in favour of waiving the employees’ contribution altogether up to a certain level of income. This will boost the take-home salary of such employees rather than force them to park so much of their monthly income into their EPF account for retirement,” said the official.

Budget 2016 – High Chances of Boost in Take Home Salary – An analyst said this could also help arrest the trend of higher job creation in the informal sector and jobs of informal nature in the formal sector.

The Union Budget 2016-17 is likely to announce measures to put more money into the hands of employees with a monthly income up to a certain threshold, like Rs.10,000, for instance, by doing away with their mandatory 12 per cent contribution for Provident Fund (PF) savings, a government official said on condition of anonymity.

“We are in favour of waiving the employees’ contribution altogether up to a certain level of income. This will boost the take-home salary of such employees rather than force them to park so much of their monthly income into their EPF account for retirement,” said the official, who had participated in the deliberations of a Committee of Secretaries, set up by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that has endorsed the idea.

Presently, 24 per cent of salaries of all employees in the formal sector earning up to Rs.15,000 a month, are deducted towards the employees’ PF account — with 12 per cent counted as employer’s share and 12 per cent as employee’s contribution.

Employers would continue to pay their 12 per cent share towards employees’ retirement savings account and other administrative charges, including those related to the employees’ deposit-linked insurance scheme that EPF account holders are automatically enrolled into. EPF contributions are mandatory for all firms employing twenty persons or more.

If the employees’ contribution is waived for those earning up to Rs.15,000 a month or Rs.1.8 lakh a year, the current ceiling for statutory EPF contributions, it would increase take home salaries for such employees by Rs.1,800 a month or Rs.21,600 a year. Officials said this would be the equivalent of a tax break to such beneficiaries as they are anyway not liable to pay any income tax. Personal income upto Rs.2.5 lakh a year is exempt from income tax.

While the government hopes this could spur domestic consumption and demand and play a part in reviving the investment cycle, it is also keen on doing away with the system of imposing high forced savings on low income workers through the statutory EPF contributions. The labour ministry as well as the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation that administers the scheme have been consulted over the proposal and have concurred with it.

An analyst said this could also help arrest the trend of higher job creation in the informal sector and jobs of informal nature in the formal sector.

“In a formal sector job, if you earn Rs.15,000 a month, 44.3 per cent of your salary is deducted towards statutory benefits like EPF and employees’ State insurance. For someone earning Rs.55,000 a month, the same number is just 8 per cent,” said Rituparna Chakraborty, Senior Vice-President at Teamlease.

A lot of young entrants into the workforce prefer to opt for informal work contracts with no benefits in order to ensure that their take-home salaries remain high.

“Employers can’t raise their cost to company for employees, while the young workers starting their careers want more money in hand to take care of rent, commuting costs and daily meals. And once they start their career informally, it is difficult to change track,” said Ms. Chakraborty, adding that the reduction in statutory contributions for EPF would incentivise the creation of more formal jobs.

Source: The Hindu

Double MPs’ salary, allowances soon: Parliamentary panel members to government

Double MPs’ salary, allowances soon: Parliamentary panel members to government

Several members in a parliamentary panel have pitched for quick implementation of the Centre’s proposed move to double salary and allowances of MPs and insisted that report of any government-constituted committee on the matter must be channelled through it.

At a meeting of the Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament on Wednesday, a number of MPs favoured routing of report of any independent mechanism, being set up to review salary and allowances of MPs, through the panel, which draws its power from Parliament, sources said.

They said before the report is handed over to the government it should be vetted by the committee. The members also insisted their pay and perks should be equal to that of the Cabinet Secretary, they said.

The Centre had in September last proposed to constitute a three-member Emoluments Commission to determine salary and allowances of Members of Parliament and it was endorsed at the two-day All India Whips Conference on September 29 and 30.

The proposal had come in the backdrop of a controversy over a parliamentary panel’s recommendations in June last to double the pay and perks of lawmakers. The Joint Committee, headed by BJP MP Yogi Adityanath, in its meetings in May and July last year had opined that there was need for an independent system/mechanism for review of salary and allowances of MPs.

The committee suggested that while considering enhancement of salary, parameters like inflation and hike in the salary of government officials should be taken into consideration. The panel also asked the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry to place before it the proposal.

The Ministry representatives on Wednesday told the panel that a cabinet note has been prepared for doubling salary and allowances of MPs.

To this, the panel members asked them to place the note before the Union Cabinet soon for its early approval so the proposals become a reality in this Union Budget. The Budget session of Parliament begins on February 23 and the Union Budget will be presented on February 29.

An MP gets a salary of Rs 50,000 per month. In addition, Rs 2,000 per day is paid as daily allowance when an MP signs the register while attending Parliament sessions or House committee meetings.

An MP is also entitled to Rs 45,000 constituency allowance every month — Rs 15,000 for stationery and Rs 30,000 to employ secretarial assistance staff.

In their sitting on October 20 last year, the committee decided to enhance the amount of Constituency Allowance from the present Rs 45,000 to Rs 75,000, which required an amendment in rules.

MPs are also entitled for government accommodation, air travel and train travel facilities, besides three landline telephone connections and two mobile phones. They also get a loan of Rs 4 lakh to buy a vehicle.

PTI

Family Identity Cards for retired railway employees

Family Identity Cards for retired railway employees

The Family Identity Cards for Retiring / Retired Railway Employees will be issued by the office from where the employees retired. The identity card should be carried by the spouse/dependent children during journey and produced on demand by the Ticket Checking Staff

Railway Board Order on issue of Family Identity Cards for retiring / retired railway employees with – life time validity – ID Cards with 7 years validity already issued can be replaced with this new ID Card

RBE No.12/2016
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No.E(W)2003/PS 5-8/1

New Delhi, Dated 29.01.2016

The General Managers(P)
The General Managers(Commercial),
All Indian Railways.

Sub: Family Identity Cards to retiring/retired railway employees.
Ref: Board’s letter of even No.dated 16.03.2015.

In terms of Board’s letter cited under reference, Family Identity Cards (FICs) are to be issued to retiring/retired railway employees and the Widows of railway employees with life time validity.

2. The issue of simplification of FICs, presently in the form of a booklet, was considered and with the approval of Board, it has been decided that individual FICs should be issued to the retiring/retired railway officials and the Widows of railway employees in the form of computer printed and laminated cards on the model enclosed as Annexure-I. As it is stipulated in the Pass Rules that the Railway Administration should issue FIC, for the first time simplified FICs may be issued free of cost. However, issue of duplicate FICs should be on receipt of a written request, accompanied by a copy of FIR filed on loss of the card and payment @ Rs.25/- per card.

3. The Railways should commence issue of individual FICs within 2 months from the date of issue of these instructions. It has also been decided that in order to avoid any rush, FICs in the booklet form issued till March 2015 with 7 years validity may be replaced free of cost with individual FICs as and when they become due for renewal. However, if any retired official requests for individual FICs in lieu of old FTC before the expiry of validity, such requests may not be denied and individual FICs should be issued free of cost treating it as renewal. In case of officials who retired after April 2015 and got an FIC with life time validity, they may be allowed to get it replaced with individual FICs, free of cost, as per their convenience. FICs in the booklet form will, however, continue as a valid identity proof for travel on PRCP till its replacement with individual FICs in due course so that pensioners do not face any problem while travelling. Individual FICs for travel on Widow Passes may also be issued on the same model.


4. The following instructions issued vide Board’s letter of even no. dated 04.06.2003 would continue to be in force:-

(i) The identity card should be carried by the spouse/dependent children during journey and produced on demand by the Ticket Checking Staff.

(ii) The FICs, will be issued by the office from where the employees retired.

(iii) In case of retired employees/Widows drawing Post-retirement Complimentary Pass/Widow Pass from an office other than the office where the original FIC was issued, the renewal of the FIC shall be done by the authority who is issuing the pass to the applicant. For the purpose of renewal, the applicant shall submit the old FIC based on which renewal will be done.

(iv) Any addition in the FIC shall be done only by the office who issued the FIC for the first time. Renewing authorities shall have no power to carry out any addition in FIC. However, deletion of eligible member in FIC on account of death. marriage of daughter, etc. may be allowed on request.

5. Aadhaar No., if available may be incorporated in the FICs an indicated in the format. Necessary action may be taken by the Railways accordingly.

6. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

(Sunil Kumar)
Director Establishment (welfare)
Railway Board

Download Railway Board Circular RBE No.12/2016 No.E(W)2003/PS 5-8/1, Dated 29.01.2016

7th Pay Commission Report – Some Major Problems are listed

7th Pay Commission Report – Some Major Problems are listed
It is a general view of all Central Government Employees that certain allowances, reimbursement and advances which have been abolished or restricted in 7th CPC report are to be allowed to continue

7th Pay Commission Latest News – Employees of Accounts and Audit Department raises certain Common issues in respect of 7th Pay Commission Recommendations which are applicable to all Central Government Employees

7th Pay Commission Latest News – As per representation made by the employees of Accounts and Audit Department certain common issues in respect of allowances, Interest Free Advances and Interest bearing Advances

Issues related to Allowances:

House Rent Allowance:
Recommendation of 7th Pay Commission:

The Commission recommends that HRA be paid at the rate of 24 percent, 16 percent and 8 percent of the new Basic Pay for Class X, Y and Z cities respectively. The Commission also recommends that the rate of HRA will be revised to 27 percent, 18 percent and 9 percent respectively when DA crosses 50 percent, and further revised to 30 percent, 20 percent and 10 percent when DA crosses 100 percent”

What is to be changed / taken care of in this issue on implementation of 7th Pay Commission Report ?

In para 8.7.14, the Commission took note of the link between increase in HRA and increase in house rent after implementation of recommendations of 6th CPC. There was a sharp rise in the index from the first half of 2009, immediately following 6th CPC recommendations. There is likely to a similar rise in House Rent after implementation of recommendations of 7th CPC. Hence the existing percentage of House Rent may be retained at the rate of 30 percent, 20 percent and 10 percent of the new Basic Pay for Class X, Y and Z cities respectively.

Composite Transfer and Packing Grant (CTG)
Recommendation of 7th Pay Commission:

The Commission recommended that CTG should be paid at the rate of 80 percent of last month basic’s pay. However, for transfer to and from the island territories of Andaman, Nicobar and Lakshadweep, CTG may continue to be paid at the rate of 100 percent of last month’s Basic Pay.

What is to be changed / taken care of in this issue on implementation of 7th Pay Commission Report ?

As the labour charges and cost of packing materials are continuously rising, the CTG may continue to be paid at the rate of 100 percent of last month’s Basic Pay.

Reimbursement of staying accommodation charges:
Recommendation of 7th Pay Commission:
The commission made flowing recommendations:

Level	Level Ceiling for Reimbursement (Rs.)
14 and above	7500
12 and 13	4500
9 to 11	2250
6 to 8	750
5 and below	450

For levels 8 and below, the amount of claim (up to the ceiling) may be paid without production of vouchers against  self-certified claim only.  The  self- certified claim should clearly indicate the period of stay, name of dwelling, etc. The ceiling for reimbursement will further rise by 25 percent whenever DA increases by 50 percent. Additionally, it is also provided that for stay in Class‘X’ cities, the ceiling for all employees up to Level 8 would be Rs.1,000 per day, but  it  will only be in the form of reimbursement upon production of relevant vouchers.
What is to be changed / taken care of in this issue on implementation of 7th Pay Commission Report ?

The main objective of the Audit Department is to carry out Audit function which entails long periods of stay out of headquarters. Consequently, officials at pay level 5 to 11 have to visit small towns (at Block/Sub-division level). For such places, as per recommendations of the 7th CPC, officials of pay level 8 and below will be entitled to the claim without production of vouchers (ie. against self-certified claim only), where as officials of the pay level 9 and above will have to produce vouchers for the similar claim.
To eradicate such anomalous situation, it is submitted that claims, as admissible upto pay level 8, may be paid without production of vouchers against self-certified claim to all pay level officials.

Reimbursement of travelling charges:

Recommendation of 7th Pay Commission:
The commission made following recommendations:

Level	Level Ceiling for Reimbursement (Rs.)
14 and above	AC Taxi charges up to 50 km
12 and 13	Non-AC Taxi charges up to 50 km
9 to 11	Rs. 338 per day
6 to 8	Rs. 225 per day
5 and below	Rs. 113 per day

Similar to Reimbursement of staying accommodation charges, for levels 8 and below, the claim (up to the ceiling) should be  paid without production of vouchers against self certified claim only.
What is to be changed / taken care of in this issue on implementation of 7th Pay Commission Report ?

In the same analogy, as mentioned against reimbursement of staying accommodation charges above, it is submitted that claims, as admissible upto pay level 8, may be paid without production of vouchers against self-certified claim to all pay level officials.

Family Planning Allowance:-

Recommendation of 7th Pay Commission:

The Pay Commission has recommended to abolish the Family Planning Allowances

What is to be changed / taken care of in this issue on implementation of 7th Pay Commission Report ?

This is an incentive for promoting small family norms and therefore, it needs to be continued.

Interest free advances:

Medical Advance:

Recommendation of 7th Pay Commission:
The pay Commission has recommended abolition of Medical Advance.
What is to be changed / taken care of in this issue on implementation of 7th Pay Commission Report ?

As per the existing practice, medical advance is paid to an employee to the extent of 90% of the estimated cost of treatment in case of treatment of self and dependents. Cost of treatment for illness particularly of critical/life threatening ailments, such as heart transplant/ cancer/ kidney transplant etc., even under CGHS rules, is extremely expensive. It is also pertinent to note that many hospitals even in emergent situations insist on advance payment before commencing treatment/surgery. It is very difficult for a low paid employee such as MTS/LDC/UDC etc or even for group ‘B’ and ‘A’ officers to make available large amounts required for medical treatment. Without medical advance, an official will have great difficulty in getting proper/appropriate medication.
Therefore, it is submitted that medical advance may be continued with as per existing practice.

TA Advance:

Recommendation of 7th Pay Commission:
The pay Commission has recommended abolition of  TA Advance.
What is to be changed / taken care of in this issue on implementation of 7th Pay Commission Report ?

The main function of IA &AD is auditing of Central/State Government/ PSUs etc. These auditee units are spread across the states down to the block/Panchayat level. In order to discharge audit responsibility, touring is a continuous requirement. It is not an occasional tour for short period, expenditure of which can be met out by the individual and reimbursement claimed subsequently. The officials have to be on tour continuously for upto a quarter (i.e 03 months) or even more.
For an official at pay level 6(Senior Auditor), as per the recommendations of the 7th CPC, the tour allowance for a day works out to Rs. 1770/- (Rs. 750 for accommodation+225 for travelling +Rs. 800 for food bills) and for a month it would be Rs. 53250/-. Besides, he has to incur expenditure for to and fro (i.e Hqrs. to field office and back) train/ bus fare. Monthly salary of a pay level 6 employee, as per recommendations of 7th CPC is Rs. 35400/-. As is clearly brought out, the likely monthly expenditure on tour will be significantly more than the employees’ monthly salary.
Therefore, advance is necessary to defray tour expenditure for performing official duties. This will create huge administrative issues in the department and adversely impact the Audit functions.
In view of the above, TA Advance, requires to be continued and paid as per extant provisions.

LTC Advance:

Recommendation of 7th Pay Commission:
The pay Commission has recommended abolition of  LTC Advance.
What is to be changed / taken care of in this issue on implementation of 7th Pay Commission Report ?

Under LTC facility the expenses incurred on travel to visit the destination is reimbursable. Advance upto 90% of expenses on travel to visit the destination place is admissible. This amount serves as great help to the employees to undertake the journey in arranging train/air tickets. Without this advance, the employees will find it difficult to purchase train/air tickets for his family
Besides travelling expenses, an official has to incur expenditure on account of Boarding and lodging/local travel also.
As per the recommendation of 7th CPC, officials of pay level 05 to 08 are entitled to travel by train. The travel tickets for family of four will cost more than Rs. 18000/- for a journey from Delhi to Thiruvananthapuram. Further, for level 9 and above the return tickets in economy class for the same destination i.e. Delhi to Thiruvananthapuram will cost more than Rs. 2 lakh.
A government official cannot afford such a huge amount to spent upfront for performing journey for availing home town LTC or All India LTC. Hence LTC advance is required to be continued as per extant provisions.

Bicycle Advance, Warm Clothing Advance:

Recommendation of 7th Pay Commission:
The pay Commission has recommended abolition of  these Advances.
What is to be changed / taken care of in this issue on implementation of 7th Pay Commission Report ?

These advances may continued to be paid as per existing rules as these are admissible only to low paid employees upto Grade pay of Rs. 2800 /- (Level 5)

Festival advance, advance in the event of natural calamities like Flood, Drought, Cyclone etc.

Recommendation of 7th Pay Commission:
The pay Commission has recommended abolition of  these Advances.
What is to be changed / taken care of in this issue on implementation of 7th Pay Commission Report ?

These advances may continue to be paid as per existing rules as these interest free advances are payable to Group ‘B & C’ employees as a welfare measure.

Advance of TA to a family of a deceased Govt. employee

Recommendation of 7th Pay Commission:
The pay Commission has recommended abolition of  this Advance.
What is to be changed / taken care of in this issue on implementation of 7th Pay Commission Report ?

This advance may continue to be paid as per existing rules as this helps the family of a deceased Govt. employee to cope with immediate expenses for travel to their place of settlement.

Interest Bearing Advances:-

Motor Car/Motor Cycle Advance.

Recommendation of 7th Pay Commission:
The pay Commission has recommended abolition of  this Advance.
What is to be changed / taken care of in this issue on implementation of 7th Pay Commission Report ?

The Pay Commission has abolished the Motor Car/Motor Cycle Advance on the plea that there are several schemes available in market. There are several schemes in the markets for House Building Advance also. However, the Pay Commission has not only recommended to continue with HBA but also proposed to increase the ceiling. Therefore, the plea of the commission to discontinue MCA on the basis that schemes for purchase of vehicles are available in the market does not hold good.
Further, several documentation/guarantees are required for seeking the said advances from the market. As it is convenient and safe for a Government Servant to avail such advances from the office without any hassles, these interest bearing advances may be continued as per the extant provisions.

Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) to Central Government Pensioners

Recommendation of 7th Pay Commission:

The Commission has maintained status quo of the Fixed Medical Allowance which is presently paid @ Rs. 500/- per month.

What is to be changed / taken care of in this issue on implementation of 7th Pay Commission Report ?

The costs have increased for medicines, consultations fees and Pathological Tests required for day to day medical treatment. This has risen at a much steeper rate than that of the General Price Index. A large number of pensioners are residing in remote areas or villages having no access to CGHS dispensaries and as such are wholly dependent on the paltry amount of Fixed Medical Allowance for day to day treatment.. Therefore it needs to be revised to at least Rs. 2000/- per month.

Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS):

Recommendation of 7th Pay Commission:

Assured Career Progression was introduced in 1999 with a view to grant at least two financial up gradations at an interval of 12 and 24 years where officials are stagnating for want of promotion. It was further modified to 03 financial up gradations on the recommendations of the 6th CPC. However, the 7th CPC recommended continuing with the same without any change. Also the bench mark has been increased from ‘Good’ to ‘ Very Good’

What is to be changed / taken care of in this issue on implementation of 7th Pay Commission Report ?

There should be at least four financial upgradations in entire service career of an employee at regular interval of 8 years. Hence, the MACPS may be granted to an employee after completion of 8, 16, 24 and 32 years of service.
Further, the bench mark for financial up gradation may be continued as per the existing practice – i.e. the bench mark prescribed for the post for promotion.

Transport Allowance (TPTA)

Recommendation of 7th Pay Commission:
The 7th CPC has just revised the Transport Allowance by merging 125% of DA with the existing rate of transport allowance. The revised rates are as mentioned below:

Pay level	Proposed  (Higher TPTA Cities)	Proposed  (Other TPTA Cities)
9 and above	7200+DA	3600 +DA
3 to 8	3600+DA	1800 + DA
1 and 2	1350+DA	900 + DA

What is to be changed / taken care of in this issue on implementation of 7th Pay Commission Report ?
The following is proposed for the revised Transport Allowance (TPTA)

Pay level	Proposed  (Higher TPTA Cities)	Proposed  (Other TPTA Cities)
9 and above	10000 + DA	5000 + DA
3 to 8	5000 + DA	2500 + DA
1 and 2	2500 + DA	1250 + DA

Child Care Leave (CCL):

Recommendation of 7th Pay Commission:

The 7th CPC has proposed that CCL should be granted at 100 percent of the salary for first 365 days, but at 80 percent of the salary for the next 365 days. However, CCL has been extended to single parent also.

What is to be changed / taken care of in this issue on implementation of 7th Pay Commission Report ?

It is proposed that the CCL be paid at 100 percent of salary for the entire period.

 Children Education Allowance (CEA):

Recommendation of 7th Pay Commission:

The Commission has recommended CEA @ Rs. 2250/- per month and Hostel Subsidy @ Rs. 6750/- per month.

What is to be changed / taken care of in this issue on implementation of 7th Pay Commission Report ?

Keeping  in  view  the  steep  rise  in tuition  fees,  cost  of stationery,  Books, Uniform etc.    the CEA and Hostel Subsidy may be increased @ Rs. 3000/- and @ Rs. 8000/- per month respectively.

Special Casual Leave (SCL):

Recommendation of 7th Pay Commission:

SCL is granted to employees to cover their absence from duty for various occasions like sports events, cultural activities, participation in Republic Day Parade,  voluntary blood  donation,  Trade  Union  meetings,  etc.  Full pay  is granted during SCL and it can be sanctioned with retrospective effect also.

The Pay Commission has expressed its concern at the widespread use of SCL as a means of getting away from duty. However, because of the extensive scope and case specific nature of this leave, no concrete recommendations have been made.
It has suggested that the government may, however, consider the following: (a)       Review the purposes for which SCL is presently granted.
(b)       Limit the number of purposes for which an employee can be granted SCL in a year.
(c)       Limit the total number of days that an employee can be granted SCL in a year.

What is to be changed / taken care of in this issue on implementation of 7th Pay Commission Report ?

Since SCL  is  granted to  employees to  cover their  absence  from duty for various  occasions  like  sports  events,  cultural  activities,  participation  in Republic  Day  Parade,  voluntary  blood  donation,  Trade  Union  meetings/ casting votes in their constituency, it may be continued to be granted as per existing practice.

Source: gconnect

Secretaries panel on Pay Commission to double basic pay percentage

Secretaries panel on Pay Commission to double basic pay percentage

The secretary-level committee screening the 7th Pay Commission’s recommendations is likely to recommend to double the percentage of pay hikes what the pay commission recommended with examining the all previous pay commissions’ reports.

The 7th Pay Commission submitted its report to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in November, recommending 14.27 per cent increase in basic pay of Central government employees, which is the lowest in 70 years.

The pay commission recommended fixing the highest basic salary at Rs 250,000 and the lowest at Rs 18,000 and its increased the pay gap between the minimum and maximum from existing 1:12 to 1: 13.8.

Every pay commissions reduced the ratio of pay between lowest earning employees and top bureaucrats from 1:41 in 1947 to about 1:12 in 2006.

The minimum basic salary of central government employees is now Rs 7730 while maximum salary at the level of Secretary is Rs 80,000.

Accordingly, the 7th Pay Commission didn’t go on line to consider reduction in the disparity of pay ratio between its highest and lowest paid employees.

Pay gap determines the socialism view of the government and the higher number of central government employees are in the minimum pay slabs.

The pay gap increases employee’s turnover and work-related illness, with all the associated economic consequences.

The bureaucrats with high pay are generally happier, healthier and a better place to live for almost everyone in them compare to the lower earning employees.

The central government set up the high-level Empowered Committee of Secretaries headed by Cabinet Secretary to examine the such type of issues related to the 7th Pay Commission report.

The Empowered Committee is continue receiving a lot of submissions of employees’ associations strongly opposed 14.27 per cent increase in basic pay, which was recommended by the 7th Pay Commission.

The previous Sixth Pay Commission had recommended a 20 per cent basic pay hike of central government employees, which the the secretary-level committee on that time recommended for 40 per cent basic pay hike .

Accordingly, the government doubled while implementing it in 2008.

So the government believes a 30 per cent basic pay hike of central government employees is the appropriate rate, in the present scenario and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) asked the secretaries Committee to process on this way, a PMO official told us but he requested anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak publicly.

This recommendation will now have to be considered by the secretaries Committee after the budget.
It is likely change to the hike in basic pay would be announced in April or May, he added.

The pay hike would affect the lives of over 48 lakh central government employees and 52 lakh pensioners and could trigger off similar pay hike across state governments as well.

The 7th Pay Commission has recommended a 23.55 percent hike in salary, allowances and pension involving an additional burden of Rs 1.02 lakh crore for the government, of which increase in salary would be Rs 39,100 crore, allowances Rs 29,300 crore and pension Rs 33,700 crore.

The new pay scales, subject to acceptance by the government, will come into effect from January 1, 2016.
Finance Ministry Jaitley had said that Budget for the next fiscal needs to provide Rs 1.10 lakh crore for implementing the 7th Pay Commission award and OROP.