Digital payment promotion gets a boost

Digital payment promotion gets a boost

More than 3.81 lakh consumers and 21,000 merchants win prizes worth Rs.60.90 crore at Digi-Dhan Melas

The Government’s efforts to give a boost to the digital payment systems and the cashless economy, post-demonetization have generated enthusiastic response from the people. People from different age groups, occupations and different walks of life have taken part in a big way in the Lucky Grahak Yojana and Digi-dhan Vyapar Yojana giving a fillip to digital transactions.     

More than 3.81 lakh consumers and 21,000 merchants have been declared the winners of prize money worth Rs.60.90 crore at 24 Digi-Dhan Melas across the country.   Giving the details, the Union Minister Law & Justice, Electronics and Information Technology Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the Common Service Centres under the Deptt. of Electronics and Information Technology have trained 1.94 crore citizens and 5.93 lakh merchants so far for carrying out transactions through digital payment systems.

The prize money worth Rs. 60.90 crore to over 3.81 lakh winners of NITI Aayogs’s lucky draw schemes ‘Lucky Grahak Yojana, LGY’  for consumers and ‘Digi-Dhan Vyapar Yojana, DVY’ for merchants has been declared at 24 Digi-Dhan Melas across the country – daily as well as weekly.   The lucky winners include 24 year old Ashutosh Mishra, a mobile shop owner in Rampur, Odisha, 24 year old Jadhav Amit Anil from Ghatkopar, Mumbai, 27 year old Mangesh Anantrao Jadhav from Nasik, 42 year old Suman Sapra from Ulsoor, Bengaluru, Tripta Devi, a 54 year old housekeeper from Andhra Pradesh, among others.  The list includes winners from different walks of life including the small farmers, Anganwadi workers, housewives, labourers, etc.

Data analytics provided by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has highlighted a positive response among the people to adopt digital payments.  Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka have emerged as the top 5 states with maximum number of winners.  Active participation has been seen among men and women while most of the winners were in the age group of 21-30 years.

The two schemes were launched on December 25, 2016 and shall remain open till April 14, 2017.  The schemes are aimed at incentivizing the consumers and the merchants to promote digital payments.  15,000 daily winners vie for total prize money of Rs. 1.5 crore at the rate of Rs.1000 per person.  Besides, over 14,000 winners qualify for weekly draws with the total prize money of over Rs. 8.3 crore per week.

Customers and merchants using RuPay Card, BHIM, UPI (Bharat Interface for Money/Unified Payment Interface) USSD based *99# service and Aadhaar enabled Payment Service (AePS) are eligible for participating in the daily and weekly lucky draws.

These lucky draws are being held at Digi-Dhan Melas across the country.  Over 100 Digi-Dhan Melas will be held across the country to inculcate digital payment among the people.  Till date, 24 Digi-Dhan Melas have been held across the country since 25th December, 2016.  These include New Delhi, Gurugram, Ludhiana, Panaji, Dehradun, Lucknow, Ranchi, Raipur, Mumbai, Meerut, Haldwani, Amritsar, Pune, Patna, Vijayawada, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Kochi, Bilaspur, Bokaro, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Bengaluru, Jammu and Hyderabad. The exercise has covered so far 12 states and 3 Union territories. By 1st February, the exercise will have covered the cities from 21 States and 4 UTs. The upcoming Digi-Dhan Melas are scheduled to be held as per the following schedule:-


Table - List of cities for Lucky Grahak Scheme draws till February 1, 2017.

Background:

Lucky Grahak Yojana and Digi-Dhan Vyapar Yojana awards were launched in New Delhi on December 25, 2016 by Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Arun Jaitley and Union Minister of Electronics & Information Technology and Law & Justice, Ravi Shankar Prasad to incentivize digital payments. The lucky draws have been planned at over 100 Digidhan Melas spread across the country in 100 different cities till April 14, 2017. The highlights of the Schemes are as follows :

•  All transactions done by consumers and merchants from November 9, 2016 till April 14, 2017 will be eligible for winning prize under the scheme.
•  All such transactions irrespective of the fact whether it has won daily / weekly prize, will be eligible for Mega Draw to be conducted on April 14, 2017.
• Three Mega prizes for consumers worth Rs. 1 crore, Rs 50 lakh and Rs 25 lakh.
•  For merchants too, there would be three mega prizes worth Rs. 50 lakh, Rs. 25 lakh and Rs. 12 lakh.
• The draw of winners are presented at different centres on each day by the senior officials of NPCI in the presence of senior minister from GoI, representatives of NITI Aayog and general public.
• Schemes have total outlay of Rs. 340 crore of which - Rs. 300 crores would be spent on consumers and merchants while the remaining Rs. 40 crore on awareness and publicity.
• Total winners under the scheme are expected to be over 18.75 lakh.

PIB

The Central Government releases Special Central Assistance to various States to expedite their completion of area specific ongoing approved Schemes in order to fulfill the development agenda in Backward Region

The Central Government releases Special Central Assistance to various States to expedite their completion of area specific ongoing approved Schemes in order to fulfill the development agenda in Backward Region

The Union Government has been assisting the State Governments and providing “Special Assistance” with a view to expediting their completion of area specific Schemes.  This assistance is provided in view of the Government of India’s commitment to fulfilling the development agenda in backward region notwithstanding the fact that the State Plan Schemes including BRGF (State Component) are subsumed in larger devolution of Union Taxes and Duties to the States in terms of Recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission (FFC) and are delinked from the Union support with effect from 2015-16.

            In this regard, following the recent release of Rs.200 crore to the State of Bihar, the Central Government has decided to provide further “Special Assistance” of Rs.1129.40 crore to the State during 2016-2017 for completion of the approved ongoing projects under Special Plan for Bihar. These releases are in continuation to the release of Rs.1,887.53 crore which was made by the Central Government during the year 2015-16.  Including the present release of Rs.1129.40 crore, the Central Government has so far released Rs.6934.61 crore to the State of Bihar. The Central assistance would facilitate completion of ongoing projects such as strengthening of sub-transmission system (including capacity augmentation) in North and South Bihar, renovation and modernization of Barauni and Muzaffarpur Thermal Power Stations, construction of transmission system at Kishanganj with associated transmission lines, The release of fund would accelerate the completion of much needed power generation and transmission system of Bihar which in turn would lead to higher availability of electricity for the people of the State.

            The Central Government in order to honour its spill-over committed liability had recently released Special Assistance of Rs.367.93 crore to Odisha during 2016-17. This is the Final Instalment for funding of projects under Special Plan for the KBK districts (districts of Koraput, Bolangir and Kalahandi reorganized into eight districts). The plan had an approved amount of Rs. 1,250 crore for the 12th Plan period. The Special Plan for the KBK districts has been in operation since 2002-03. The area spreads over 47,646 sq. km. comprising mainly rural population (89.95%) with a large proportion of STs (38.41%) and SCs (16.25%) as per 2001 Census. The Schemes taken up under this are  largely for Promotion of Education among ST/SC Girls and Boys including development of playgrounds/sports activities in hostels and schools, Improvement of Inter-District roads/other major roads/Rural roads; Strengthening of Electric Supply Systems and Lift Irrigation/Deep Bore-wells/Check Dams.

            Further, keeping in mind the special needs of the State of Jammu & Kashmir, the Central Government had released Rs.1194.37 crore during 2015-16, for completely damages /severely damaged/partially damaged houses. Subsequently, during 2016-17, the Central Government has made a further release of Rs.2207.30 crore to the State of Jammu & Kashmir. This includes Rs.1093.34 for permanent restoration of damaged structure, Rs.313.96 crore for counterpart funding for Asian Development Bank-II loan under EAP projects of J&K Urban Sector Development Investment Programme (JKUSDIP) in order to complete the ongoing projects and Rs.800 crore for interest subvention on assistance for the restoration of livelihood for traders/self employed/business establishments etc. Cumulatively, the Central Government has so far released Rs.3401.67 crore to the State as Special Assistance.

            Similarly, the Central Government has used the Special Assistance to support the newly formed States Of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. A further release of Rs.1,976.50 crore to the State Of Andhra Pradesh was made during the Current Financial Year 2016-17. The amount included Rs.1176.50 for bridging the Resource Gap arising-out of the bifurcation of the erstwhile State, Rs.350 crore for the development of 7 Backward Districts of Anantpur, Chittoor, Cuddapah, Kurnool, Srikakulam, Vizianagram, and Vishakhapatnam and Rs.450 crore as assistance to the capital city, Amaravati. These additional resources from the Central Government would enable the State to devise and implement schemes best suited for mitigation of backwardness and alleviation of poverty. In addition, grant of Rs.100 crore was released for Polavaram Irrigation Project. Further, release of Rs.1981.54 crore was made to the state through NABARD on 27.12.2016 as Central assistance for Polavaram Irrigation Project by the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation MoWR, RD & GR.

            Further, in keeping with its commitments to support the development of backward areas of Telangana, the Central Government had provided a further “Special Assistance” of Rs.450 crore to the state.  The Backward Districts which are being supported with this development fund are Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Medak, Mahbubnagar, Rangareddy, Nalgoda and Khammam where the work of creating road network has been taken-up.

            The State of Tamil Nadu has also been a beneficiary of this Special Assistance. An amount of Rs. 200 crore was released to the state to resolve the issues affecting processing industry in Tirupur (Tamil Nadu), for adoption of Zero Liquid Discharge by 18 Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs). This provision will help the industries to minimize pollution and it will be a step towards clean environment.

PIB

7th Central Pay Commission recommendations -amendment of Service Rules/Recruitment Rules

7th Central Pay Commission recommendations -amendment of Service Rules/Recruitment Rules

No. AB-14017/13//2016-Estt(RR)-Pt
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel P.G & pensions
Department of Personnel and Training

North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 18.01.2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Seventh Central Pay Commission's recommendations -amendment of Service Rules/Recruitment Rules.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Departments OM No AB.14017/61/2008-Estt. (RR) dated 24/03/2009 regarding amendment of Service Rules/ Recruitment Rules in pursuance of Sixth Pay Commission's recommendations. The revised pay structure recommended by 6th CPC and approved by the Government included a number of 'merged grades' with a common Pay Band and Grade Pay.
2. In order to regulate the service rendered in the pre-revised scale where there have been merger of more than one grade into one with a single grade pay, it was advised that a Note to the following effect may be inserted under relevant columns in the Schedule of RRs and under relevant provisions in Service Rules.

"Note: For the purpose of computing minimum qualifying service for promotion, the service rendered on a regular basis by an officer prior to 1.1.2006/the date from which the revised pay structure based on the 6th CPC recommendations has been extended, shall be deemed to be service rendered in the corresponding grade pay/pay scale extended based on the recommendations of the Commission. For purposes of appointment on deputation/ absorption basis, the service rendered on a regular basis by an officer prior to 1.1.2006/the date from which the revised pay structure based on the 6th CPC recommendations has been extended, shall be deemed to be service rendered in the corresponding grade pay/pay scale extended based on the recommendations of the Commission except where there has been merger of more than one pre-revised scale of pay into one grade with a common grade pay/pay scale, and where this benefit will extend only for the post(s) for which that grade pay/pay scale is the normal replacement grade without any upgradation."

3. It has been observed that after implementation of 7th CPC there are only a few cases of merger/upgradation of pay scale. However in cases where merger/ upgradation of pay is recommended in the 7th CPC and the same has been accepted, there is a need to provide a Note on similar lines as above with relevant changes i.e. the date 1.1.2006 needs to be replaced with 1.1.2016 and "6th CPC" is to be replaced with "7th CPC". In other cases the Note as referred above need not to be prescribed in the RRs/SRs where no merger/ upgradation are involved as per 7th CPC recommendations.

(G. Jayanthi)
Director (E-I)

To
All Ministries / Departments of Government of India

Source: 7th CPC Ordes 2017

Seventh Central Pay Commission's recommendations - revision of pay scales - amendment of Service Rules/Recruitment Rules

Seventh Central Pay Commission's recommendations - revision of pay scales - amendment of Service Rules/Recruitment Rules

F.No. AB-14017/13/2016-Estt.(RR)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Estt.-RR Division

North Block, New Delhi
Dated:18th January 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Seventh Central Pay Commission's recommendations - revision of pay scales - amendment of Service Rules/Recruitment Rules.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's OM of even number dated 9th August, 2016 regarding amendment of Service Rules/Recruitment Rules by replacing the existing Pay Band and Grade Pay with the corresponding Level in the Pay Matrix in the revised pay structure recommended by the Seventh CPC and notified in the CCS(Revised Pay) Rules, 2016.

2. Subsequently, this Department held meetings in October/November, 2016 with the administrative Ministries/Departments to review the progress in the implementation of the OM. An important suggestion made in the meetings was with respect to facilitating the process of consultation with the Legislative Department for drafting notification for amendment of RRs in accordance with OM dated 9th August, 2016 and its Hindi translation so as to expedite the issue of notification. In this regard, this Department in consultation with Legislative Department has prepared a model notification in English and Hindi for use of the Administrative

Ministries/Departments. These are annexed at Annexure I and Annexure II.

3. Another issue which came up in the meeting is with respect to retention of standard Note under Co1.11 incorporated in the Schedule of the RRs regarding the regulation of service rendered prior to implementation of 6 thCPC, in those cases where the issue of upgradation/merger of the posts were involved. The relevant Note reads as follows:

"Note: For the purpose of computing minimum qualifying service for promotion, the service rendered on a regular basis by an officer prior to 1.1.2006/the date from which the revised pay structure based on the 6th CPC recommendations has been extended, shall be deemed to be service rendered in the corresponding grade pay/pay scale extended based on the recommendations of the Commission"

and/or

"Note: For purposes of appointment on deputation/ absorption basis, the service rendered on a regular basis by an officer prior to 1.1.2006/the date from which the revised pay structure based on the 6th CPC recommendations has been extended, shall be deemed to be service rendered in the corresponding grade pay/pay scale extended based on the recommendations of the Commission except where there has been merger of more than one pre-revised scale of pay into one grade with a common grade pay/pay scale, and where this benefit will extend only for the post(s) for which that grade pay/pay scale is the normal replacement grade without any upgradation."

4. After the implementation of 7 th CPC, there are only a few cases of  merger/upgradation of pay scale. It has been decided in consultation with UPSC that in cases where merger/upgradation of pay are not involved in the recommendations of the 7th CPC, the Note as referred above is not to be prescribed in the RRs/SRs. The guidelines in this regard have also been separately issued. The model notification includes a provision for deletion of the Note.

5. The Ministries/Departments are requested to finalise draft notification for amendment of the SRs/RRs in line with the model notification and thereafter, refer the same to the Legislative Department for vetting. The Legislative Department may dispose of references received from the Ministries/Departments within two weeks. Any amendment which is beyond the scope of the model rules will be finalized in usual process i.e. consultation with DoPT, UPSC and Legislative Department.

6. This Department is monitoring the implementation of the OM dated 09.08.2016. All Ministries / Departments are therefore requested to furnish information as per Annexure-III at the earliest.
Encl.: As above

(Jayanthi G.)
Director (E.I)

To
All Ministries/Departments of Government of India

Annexure-III

Subject: Status regarding amendment of Recruitment Rules in pursuance of OM dated 09.08.2016

Sl.No.	Post/Designation	Whether RRs notification issued for amendment of RRs as per DoPT OM dated 09.08.2016. (Yes/No)	If answer is no, current status to be indicated. (Pending in the Ministry / Legislative Department / Any other Reason)

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Meeting of the Committee constituted to suggest measures for streamlining the implementation for the National Pension System for Central Government employees

NPS Committee Meeting to be held on 20.1.2017 - NC JCM Staff Side

Meeting of the Committee constituted to suggest measures for streamlining the implementation for the National Pension System for Central Government employees

No.57/1/2016-P&PW(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel,Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market,
New Delhi-110003, Dated the 16th January, 2017

To,
(1) The Secretary,
National Conucil (Staff Side).
JCM for Central Government Employees,
13C, Finrozshah Road,
New Delhi-110001

(2) Shri Snjay Bhoosreddy,
Honoary Secretary,
Indian Civil & Administration Service (Central) Association,
190A, F Wing,
Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi - 110001,
(email-secylasca@gmail.com)

(3) Shri P.V.Rama Sastry, IPS,
Secretary/JS(Department of Consumer Affairs),
Krish Bhawan, New Delhi-110001,
(email-pvrastry@gmail.com)

Subject: Meeting of the Committee constituted to suggest measures for streamlining the implementation for the National Pension System for Central Government employees - reg.

Sir,
I am directed to say that a Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Pension) has been constituted to suggest measures for streamlining the implementation of the National Pension System.

2. A meeting of the Committee with the JCM (Staff Side) and a few other Association is proposed to be held on 20.01.2017 at 11.00 a.m. at Conference Hall, 5th floor, Sardar Patel Bhawan, New Delhi. The members nominated to atted the said meeting should be well versed with the issue and include a fair mix of NPS beneficiaries.

3. In view of the paucity of time, Associations are requested to limit their presentation to not more than 20 minutes each.

4. This Department looks forward to your participation in the meeting.

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
Director(Pension Policy)
harjit.singh59@nic.in

Source: www.ncjsmstaffside.com