Service personnel are authorized to HRA, CILQ and FAA

Service personnel are authorized to HRA, CILQ and FAA

Service personnel are authorized to House Rent Allowance (HRA) / Compensation in Lieu of Quarter (CILQ) / Family Accommodation Allowance (FAA)

Accommodation facilities to Officers
Government has sanctioned construction of 1,76,065 Dwelling Units (DUs) for the Married Army officers / soldiers. Apart from construction of DUs, hiring of houses is also undertaken for Defence personnel to meet the deficiency of housing. In addition, Service personnel are authorized to House Rent Allowance (HRA) / Compensation in Lieu of Quarter (CILQ) / Family Accommodation Allowance (FAA).

Married Accommodation Project was approved in 2002 for providing approximately 2 lakh Dwelling Units (DUs) to serving defence personnel. Under this project DUs with improved specifications are being constructed. Besides, under Annual Major Works Programme (AMWP) residential accommodation projects are undertaken as per special needs from time to time.

47383 DUs of Phase-I completed. Out of 58250 DUs meant for Phase-II, 27268 DUs constructed & balance 30982 DUs are under construction. 70432 DUs are planned for Phase-III projects.
This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri Kunwar Pushpendra Singh Chandel in Lok Sabha today.

Source: PIB

KV School Online Admission 2017 - Last date extended to 15.3.2017

KV School Online Admission 2017 - Last date extended to 15.3.2017

KV School Online Admission 2017-18 : Last date of Online Registration extended upto 15th March 2017 (4:00 PM)

• In veiw of heavy demand for admission, the last date for registration in Class-1 is extended by 5 days. The revised last date: 15 March 2017 till 4.00 PM.
• Parents are requested to check their ward's online registration form and correct the mistakes, if any. No corrections will be possible after 15th March.
• Till date more than 6 lakh children have registered for admission in class 1.
• Registration for Class 2nd to 9th (subject to availability of seats) will start from 3.4.2017 at 8.00 AM to 10.4.2017 till 4.00 PM.
• Declaration of Admission List and commencement of admission process for class 1st will start from 22.3.2017 and for classes 2nd to 9th from 15.4.2017.
• The admission process for class 11th will commence after declaration of class 10th CBSE results subject to availability of vacancy after admitting KV Students.
• The whole admission process is Online and Cloud-based, hence it is completely transparent and there is no need to approach any KV Employee, Principal or any higher official personally in this regard.
• Log on to https://darpan.kvs.gov.in for registration.

Authority: http://kvsangathan.nic.in/

Implementation of 7th Pay Commission Report

Implementation of Seventh Pay Commission Report

The following steps have been taken to implement the recommendations of 7th Pay Commission Report in respect of Armed Forces personnel:

(i) Issue of Resolution dated 25th July 2016 by Ministry of Finance.
(ii) Issue of Resolution dated 5th September 2016 by Ministry of Defence.
(iii) Issue of orders dated 10th October, 2016 by Ministry of Defence for payment of ad-hoc arrears equal to 10% Basic Pay and Dearness Allowance.

The order for revision of pension to ex-servicemen pursuant to the recommendations of 7th Pay Commission Report was issued on 29th October, 2016. As per information available in respect of pre-2016 pensioners, 24 public sector banks have revised pension of 18,99,697 pensioners and have paid Rs.5883.27 crore (approx) on account of arrears of pension / family pension.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri Arvind Sawant in Lok Sabha today.

PIB

7th Pay Commission: As Budget session starts tomorrow, all eyes on Arun Jaitley to announce hike in allowances

7th Pay Commission: As Budget session starts tomorrow, all eyes on Arun Jaitley to announce hike in allowances

The Committee on Allowances has already submitted its report to the Finance Ministry in which it has reviewed the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission on allowances.

With the second part of the Budget session in Parliament starting on Thursday, all eyes are on Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who may just announce a hike in allowances for Central government employees.
The Committee on Allowances has already submitted its report to the Finance Ministry in which it has reviewed the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission on allowances.

The Committee under Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa is believed to have suggested that the house rent allowance be kept as it is and not brought down as recommended by the Seventh Pay Commission.

The pay hike under the Seventh Pay Commission has been the lowest in the last 70 years and a decrease in allowances is unlikely to go down well with nearly 50 lakh government employees.

THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SEVENTH PAY COMMISSION STORY:

• With Uttar Pradesh and Manipur voting in the final phase today, the model code of conduct will be lifted by the end of the day. The Narendra Modi government, which could not make any major announcements during the poll season, is expected to speak on the allowances soon.
• The second part of the Budget session will continue for a month till April 12, and it is widely believed that Arun Jaitley can make an announcement during the session, and employees may start getting revised allowances from the new fiscal in April.
• On allowances, this pay commission has not had the best news for government employees with the panel recommending axing 53 of the 196 allowances and merging a few others.
• Following protests by employees, the government formed a committee under Ashok Lavasa to look into the recommendations. The pay commission had suggested bringing down the house rent allowance (HRA) to 24 per cent from 30 per cent of basic pay for metros.
• While the Committee on Allowances decided against a slash in HRA, reports suggest that it has agreed with Seventh Pay Commission's recommendation on no hike in transport allowance.
• To add to the growing resentment among employees, the dearness allowance (DA) is likely to be hiked by just 2 per cent this year. "The dearness allowance as per the agreed formula by the Centre works out to be 2 per cent which would be effective from January 1, 2017," Confederation of Central Government Employees President K K N Kutty said.
• Representatives of employees unions are not happy with the hike and said it is not in sync with price rise and inflation. According to some reports, employees union are planning to protest against the "meagre" hike in DA.

Via: Indiatoday

KV School Fee Structure : No Proposal to Increase at present

KV School Fee Structure : No Proposal to Increase at present

There is no such proposal to increase the fee structure is under consideration of the Central Government at present. The Minister of State for Human Resource Depvelopment Shri Upendra Kushwaha said in a wirtten reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on 2.2.2017.

No such proposal is under consideration of the Government at present. However, while issuing guidelines for pay revision of employees of Quasi - Government Organizations, Autonomous Organizations, Statutory Bodies etc., set up by and funded / controlled by the Central Government, the Government has inter alia stipulated that the autonomous organizations are expected to manage their affairs in such a fashion that their dependence on Central Government for financial support to meet the extra financial implications is minimal, as such autonomous organizations are expected to be financially self-sufficient so as not to cause any extra burden on the Central Exchequer.

Merger of Dearness Allowance equal to 50% of basic pay w.e.f. 01/04/2004 - Reckoning as pay for running staff

Merger of Dearness Allowance equal to 50% of basic pay w.e.f. 01/04/2004 - Reckoning as pay for running staff

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD

No. EP&A)-II/2006/RS-28.

New Delhi, dated 22.11.2016.

The General Secretary,
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen,
3, Chelmsford Road,
New Delhi - 110 055.

Sub.:- Merger of Dearness Allowance equal to 50% of basic pay w.e.f. 01/04/2004 -Reckoning as pay for running staff.
Ref.: (i) DC/JCM Item No. 15/2009.GS/NFIR's letter No. IV/RSAC/Conl/Vol.VI dated 28/03/2016

Please refer to your letter dated 28.03.2016 under reference no. (ii) on the subject noted above. Iii this connection, it is mentioned that Board’s letter dated 21.10.2014 addressed to both the Federations highlighted that the basis for the exclusions was the Ministry of Finance's OM dated 01.03.2004 on the merger of 50% DA with Basic Pay that was adopted by the Ministry of Railways. Vide letter dt.
28.03.2016, however, NFIR. has not agreed with the reply and has reiterated that the exclusions violate the IREM provision of. Running Allowance and that the OM dt. 01.03.2004 of MoF is not relevant in this connection.

For a better understanding of the logic on which the three exclusions have been made the table given below may kindly be seen:-

Clause No.	Benefit of 30% pay element (mentioned in the clause)applicable to Running Staff	Relevant wording in MoF O.M. dated 01.03.2004 pertaining to the benefit	Remarks
a	Entitlement for pass/ PTO	LTC Specifically excluded from revision of entitlement on merger of 50% DA with Basic Pay	As Railways do not have LTC. Pass /PTO revision excluded accordingly vide RBE No.77/2008
d	Fixation in pay in Stationary Posts	Fixation of pay not included as an admisssble benefit for revision of entitlement on merger of 50% DA with Basic Pay	Counting of the benefit (of merger of DA with Basic) for Fixation of pay is an issue pertaining to all Government employees and not merely Running Staff of Railways. When this benefit has not been extended to any Government employee, it cannot be extended to Running Staff consolation. RBE No.77/2008 has been issued accordingly. As erest while Basic Pay element (without merger of 50% DA) however continued to be admissible for Fixation of pay of Running Staff in Stationary posts, there is no violation of relevant REM provision.
g	Entitlement of Quarters	Government accomadation specifically excluded from revision of entitlement on merger of 50% DA with Basic Pay	As Railway Quarters are Government accomadation, revision of entitlement has been excluded accordingly vide RBE No.77/2008

As brought out in the table above there has been no violation of the Rules.It is therefore requested that the item may be closed.
For Secretary Railway Board

Click here to View the Full Order

PFRDA: Let government staffs pension funds to invest 50% in equities

PFRDA: Let government staffs pension funds to invest 50% in equities

Hyderabad: The pensions fund regulator Pfrda wants government to more than treble investment levels in equity markets by government subscribers under the National Pension System (NPS) up to 50 per cent from 15 per cent now.

The regulator has sent a proposal to government seeking to allow government subscribers (state and Central government employees) invest up to 50 per cent in equities under the NPS, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority chairman Hemanth Contractor said here today.

The authority manages about Rs 1.70 trillion of funds belonging to 1.5 crore subscribers who come from government and non-government sectors. Of this 85 per cent are government subscribers which are managed by seven fund managers.

We have taken up very strongly with the government that government subscribers should be given the same choices as are available to the non-government subscribers who can invest up to 50 per cent in equity markets.

"So, what we are telling the government is that you give the same choices. Since government subscribers account for bulk of the fund this will mean a big change. Lot of money can start flowing in to equities," Contractor said.

The government is quite sympathetic to our view, he said, adding they had several rounds of discussions and he expects this to happen in the next couple of months.

"We are quite optimistic about this. It should happen," he added.

According to him, the non-government sector accounts for 15 per cent of the overall corpus.

Replying to a query, he said he has written to government seeking clarity on the regulation of some pension products offered by mutual funds and insurance companies as they are currently regulated by another regulator Irdai.

"Since we became a statutory body in 2013, we are the designated regulator of the pensions industry. So we’ve told government that all the other pension schemes floated by MFs, insurance companies should actually be regulated by us. The government is looking into our demand and has in fact set up a committee to look into the issues," Contractor said.

On the growth of the sector, he said the NPS recorded a growth of 35 per cent in the number of subscribers last year and a little over 40 per cent in the fund that it manages and this year also the growth would be on similar lines.

Contractor also said they have suggested to the government to raise the age-limit for subscribers of Atal Pension Yojana to 50 from 40 now and increase the pension slab from the present Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 a month.

Meanwhile, Karvy Compushare was appointed as the second central record-keeping agency (CRA) for serving subscribers of NPS by the Pfrda.

PTI

6-month limit to complete graft enquiries against babus

6-month limit to complete graft enquiries against babus
New Delhi: The government has decided to fix six-month deadline for completion of corruption enquiries against IAS and IPS officers among others.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has finalised draft rules to put a time limit for each stage of the enquiries to ensure expeditious disposal of corruption cases.

"The Inquiring Authority should conclude the inquiry and submit his report within a period of six months," the draft rules said.

However, this period can be extended for a further period of six months after recording reasons of the Inquiring Authority in this regard, it said.

At present, there are no rules that define time limit for conducting corruption enquiries.

As per the government proposal, officers will get copy of articles of charges from the disciplinary authority and they should give their response mandatorily within 15 days.

In cases, where a disciplinary authority decides to consult Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in the matter involving a delinquent officer, its advice need to be shared with such charged employee.
The UPSC conducts civil service examination to select officers for various services including Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) and it is consulted by authorities concerned before acting against a civil servant.

The government servant will be given 15 days to submit his representation on receipt of such advice from the Commission.

All ministries have been asked to share their comments on the proposed changes in the rules, which if comes into force will be applicable to IAS, IFS and IPS officers and those belonging to other civil services.

PTI

Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016 passed in the Parliament

Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016 passed in the Parliament

The Bill seeks to increase maternity leave available to working women from the current 12 weeks to 26 weeks for the first two children

The Lok Sabha has passed the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016 today. The Bill had already been passed by the Rajya Sabha during the Winter Session. With this, the Bill stands passed in the Parliament.
The Bill seeks to amend the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 to provide for the following:-

(i) Maternity leave available to the working women to be increased from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for the first two children.
(ii) Maternity leave for children beyond the first two will continue to be 12 weeks.
(iii) Maternity leave of 12 weeks to be available to mothers adopting a child below the age of three months as well as to the "commissioning mothers". The commissioning mother has been defined as biological mother who uses her egg to create an embryo planted in any other woman.
(iv) Every establishment with more than 50 employees to provide for creche facilities for working mothers and such mothers will be permitted to make four visits during working hours to look after and feed the child in the creche.
(v) The employer may permit a woman to work from home if it is possible to do so.
(vi) Every establishment will be required to make these benefits available to the women from the time of her appointment.

The Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Gandhi thanked the Minister for Labour and Employment, Shri Bandaru Dattatreya for taking up the demand of lakhs of women across the country and for having steered the Bill through Rajya Sabha as well as the Lok Sabha. In her message to the working women, Smt. Gandhi congratulated the women who are planning to have a child and has stated that the Ministry of Women and Child Development will continue to work for the empowerment of women.

The amendments in the Bill were taken up following the request by the WCD Minister to the Hon'ble Labour Minister to bring about these changes so that a working woman gets time to exclusively breast-feed her child for 6 months after the birth. This period also enables the working mother to recuperate herself before she goes to back to work. In her communication to the Labour Ministry, the WCD Minister had also highlighted the concerns of commissioning and adopting mothers who also require maternity leave.

PIB

GST Bill likely to be tabled before Cabinet on March 22

GST Bill likely to be tabled before Cabinet on March 22

New Delhi: Maintaining the tempo for the much-awaited Goods and Services Tax (GST) against the backdrop of the crucial Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, sources in the Finance Ministry on Wednesday said the bill will be presented before the Cabinet on March 22.

The government, which is leaving no stone unturned to lose its sight on the biggest tax reform, has said that the Central GST Law, Integrated GST Law, State GST Law and Union Territory GST and Compensation Law will be put together for the Cabinet’s approval on March 22.

However, the Finance Ministry has said that it will table the CGST, IGST and Compensation Law before the Parliament on March 27.

The Finance Minister sources have also cleared the air on SGST and UTGST, which will be cleared in the GST Council meet scheduled on March 16.

Also, it is likely that few more cesses will be added in the kitty to boost resources to compensate states. It will include Infra cess, Oil industry Development cess, and Swachh Bharat cess amongst others.

Earlier, the GST Council chaired by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley approved the draft CGST Bill and the draft I GST Bill as vetted by the Union Law Ministry. It cleared the deck for the Central Government to take these two Bills to the Parliament for their passage in the ongoing Budget Session.

ANI

Anti-labour steps of the Railway Board (Ministry of Railways)

Anti-labour steps of the Railway Board (Ministry of Railways)

No.AIRF/24(C)

Dated: March 7, 2017

The General Secretaries,
All Affiliated Unions

Dear Comrades!
Sub: Anti-labour steps of the Railway Board (Ministry of Railways)

In the DC/JCM Meeting, held today with the Railway Board, AIRF strongly lodged its protest against anti-labour steps of the Railway Board(Ministry of Railways) in general and encroachment on trade union rights by way of issuing orders dated 30.01.2017, in particular, debarring the Supervisory Staff, belonging to Safety Category, working in Grade Pay of Rs.4200 and above from becoming officebearers of the railway unions.

General Secretary AIRF, while expressing his anguish on the attitude of the Ministry of Railways, also pointed out that, despite already arrived at agreements on the following issues, Railway Board have failed to issue instructions for implementation thereof despite lapse of substantial period of time:-

(i) Upgradation of apex level Group 'C' staff to Group 'B' Gazetted.
(ii) Placement of the Supervisors in the erstwhile Grade Pay of Rs.4800 in place of GP Rs.4600 .
(iii) Non-implementation of the agreed structure of the Trackmen in the ratio of 10:20:20:50 and
their promotional avenue.
(iv) Stepping-up of pay of the Loco Inspectors.
(v) Issues related to Running Staff, already agreed upon in the Fast Track Committee.
(vi) For financial upgradation under MACPS and regular promotions, existing Benchmark(prior to VII CPC) should continue.
(vi) Regularization of Course Completed Act Apprentices, trained in Railway Establishments, in the Railways, etc. etc.

General Secretary, while expressing serious discontentment over these issues specifically, mentioned that, Ministry of Railways is directly interfering in the functioning of the trade union by issuing dictatorial instructions, which AIRF and the entire Staff Side is not going to tolerate, and that is why, meeting of the DC/JCM is bycotted.

Pursuant to the above, it has been jointly decided by both the recognized federations to launch undernoted agitational programme all over the Indian Railways:-

(a) 16th March, 2017 - Mass agitations, dharnas, demonstrations at the Branch and Depot levels.
(b) 23rd March, 2017 - Mass agitations by holding dharnas, demonstrations, rallies at the Divisional level.
(c) 30th March, 2017 - Massive demonstrations at the Zonal Headquarters, wherein memorandum addressed to Minister of Railways be handed over to the respective GMs, mentioning therein that, if no corrective action is taken by the Ministry of Railways, organized labour shall be at liberty to go for direct action, entire responsibility of which shall squarely rest with the Railway administration.

All of you are requested to take appropriate action accordingly, and report of the same may be forwarded to AIRF for better appreciation.
With Good Wishes of Holi!

Comradely yours,
sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
General Secretary

Source: AIRF

Amendment in Central Civil Services (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 1965 regarding fixing of timelines for finalizing disciplinary proceedings

DoPT Instruction regarding fixing of timelines for finalizing disciplinary proceedings

F.No.11012/9/2016-Estt.A-III

Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training Establishment Division

North Block, New Delhi - 110001
Dated: 7 March, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Amendment in Central Civil Services (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 1965 regarding fixing of timelines for finalizing disciplinary proceedings - regarding.

The undersigned is directed to say that it has been proposed to amend the CCS(CC&A) Rules 1965 by introducing stringent timelines for completing Disciplinary proceedings in a time bound manner. The proposed draft Notification for amending CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965 is enclosed herewith. Before framing the Rules, all stakeholders, Ministries / Departments are requested to offer their comments/views, if any, in this regard at the e-mail address poulose.ev13.nic.in latest by 21st March, 2017.

(Poulose.E.V)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Authority: www.dopt.gov.in

Last Date Extended to 31.3.2017 for Submission of Digital Life Certificate

Last date of submission of Digital Life Certificate through Jeevan Pramaan Patra extended upto 31st March 2017

EPF & MP Act, 1952 made applicable to all staff employed in ECHS on contractual basis

A single page composite claim form in death cases replaces Form 20, form 5-IF and Form 10-D

Noticing that many pensioners are yet to submit Aadhaar authenticated Jeevan Pramaan as life certificate for continuation of drawal of pension, the EPFO has further extended the last date of submission of Digital Life Certificate through Jeevan Pramaan Patra upto 31st March 2017. Earlier the last date was 28th February 2017.

Members and pensioners of the Employees Pension Scheme, 1995 are required to furnish Aadhaar number by 31st March 2017. In case a member has not been allotted Aadhaar Number, a copy of Aadhaar Enrolment ID slip is required to be attached for settlement of claim under EPS, 1995, namely for pension processing and monthly pension payments. Aadhaar number however is not required in case a member of pension scheme having less than 10 years of service chooses to withdraw by making an application in Form 10-C.

An Employee Enrolment Campaign-2017, started by EPFO on January 1st 2017 to cover left out workers, continues upto 31st March 2017. Under the scheme:

• The employee's share of contributions if not deducted by the employer is waived.
•  Nominal damages to be paid by the employer, in respect of the employees for whom declaration has been made under this campaign, is at the rate of Rupee One per annum.
• Administrative charges have been waived.

Even though the EPF & MP Act, 1952 does not differentiate between casual, contractual and regular employees, it was noted that a large number of contractual employees hired by principal employer including those by the government departments, PSU and autonomous Organizations have remained out of coverage under EPFO. It is the duty of the principal employer to ensure compliance of their outsourced / regular / contract / casual / daily wager to the schemes under EPF Act.

To ensure coverage of workers, principal employers have been advised to ensure that their contractors are registered with EPFO before award of any contract or making any payments. EPFO provides relevant information in this regard to principal employers online.

A health care scheme called ECHS was formulated by Ministry of Defence for its ex-servicemen. The contractual workers of ECHS till now were deprived of the social security benefits under EPFO. The ECHS now has been brought under the ambit of the EPF Act. Ministry of Defence has issued necessary directions to the ECHS for enrolling their contractual staff. Similarly, all eligible workers engaged by contractors working with Military Engineering Services (MES) and Indian Railways have also being requested to ensure coverage of contractual employees under EPFO.

Towards continuous strive to bring increased conveniences and efficiency, a single page Composite Claim Form (Aadhar) replaces Forms No. 19 (UAN), 10C (UAN) & 31(UAN) for subscribers seeding their Aadhar number with UAN. This can be submitted without the attestation of employers. For subscribers who are yet to seed Aadhaar and Bank details with their UAN, a new Composite Claim Form (Non-Aadhar) replaces the existing Forms No. 19, 10C & 31.

In addition, a Composite Claim Form in death cases replaces the existing Forms No, 20, 5-IF and 10-D. The claimants can apply for claim of Provident Fund, Insurance Fund and monthly pension through this single page composite claim form in case of death of a member.

Source: PIB

Amendment to the provisions of General Provident Fund (Central Service) Rules 1960 : liberalization of provisions for withdrawals from the Fund by the subscribers

GPF Withdrawals - Amendment orders issued on 7.3.2017

Amendment to the provisions of General Provident Fund (Central Service )Rules 1960 - liberalization of provisions for withdrawals from the Fund by the subscribers - regarding.

No.3/2/2017-P&PW(F)(ii)
Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare
Desk-F

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market, New Delhi-11 0003

Dated the 7th March, 2017.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Amendment to the provisions of General Provident Fund (Central Service) Rules 1960 - liberalization of provisions for withdrawals from the Fund by the subscribers - regarding.

The General Provident Fund (Central Service )Rules came into force in 1960 and Rule 15 of the said rules provide for withdrawals by the subscribers. Some amendments have been made from time to time to address the concerns raised by the subscribers. However, the provisions, largely remain restrictive. There is a felt need to liberalize provisions, raise limits and simplify the procedure.

2. The provisions in the rules have been reviewed and it has now been decided to permit withdrawals from the fund by the subscriber for the following purposes:

(i) Education - This will include primary, secondary and higher education, covering all streams and institutions,
(ii) Obligatory Expenses viz. betrothal, marriage, funerals, or other ceremonies of self or family members and dependants,
(iii) Illness of self, family members or dependants,
(iv) Purchase of consumer durables.

3. It has been decided to permit withdrawal of upto twelve months payor three-fourth of the amount standing at credit, whichever is less. For illness, the withdrawal may be allowed upto 90% of the amount standing at credit of the subscriber. A subscriber may seek withdrawal after completion of ten years of service.

(v) Housing including building or acquiring a suitable-house or a ready-built flat for his-residence,
(vi) Repayment of outstanding housing loan,
(vii) Purchase of house site for building a house,
(viii) Constructing a house on a site acquired,
(ix) Reconstructing or making additions on a house already acquired,
(x) Renovating, additions or alterations of ancestral house.

4. A subscriber may be allowed to withdraw upto ninety percent of the amount standing at credit for the above purposes. It is also decided do away with the present instructions which lay down that subsequent to the sale of house for which GPF withdrawal has been availed, the amount. withdrawn has to be deposited back. GPF withdrawal for housing purpose will no longer be linked with the limits prescribed under HBA rules. A subscriber may be permitted to avail the facility at any time during his service.

(xi) Purchase of motor car/motor cycle/ scooter etc. or repayment of loan already taken for the purpose,
(xii) Extensive repairs /overhauling of motor car,
(xiii)Making deposit to book a motor car/motor cycle/scoter, moped etc.

5. A subscriber may be permitted to withdraw three- fourth of the amount standing at credit or cost of the vehicle, whichever is less for the above purposes. Withdrawal for the above purpose will be permitted after completion of 10 years of service.

6. Presently, withdrawal of upto 90% of balance without assigning reasons is allowed for Government servants who are due for retirement on superannuation within a year. It is proposed that this may be allowed for upto two years before superannuation.

7. In all cases of withdrawal from the fund by the subscriber, the declared Head of Department is competent to sanction withdrawal. No documentary proof will be required to be furnished by the subscriber. A simple declaration form by the subscriber explaining the reasons for withdrawal would be sufficient.

8. As per the GPF(CS) Rule 1960, no time limit has been prescribed for sanction and payment of withdrawal amount. Therefore, it has been decided to prescribe a maximum time limit of fifteen days for sanction and payment of withdrawal from the Fund. In case of emergencies like illness etc., the time limit maybe restricted to seven days.

9. Necessary amendment to the GPF(Central Service)Rules 1960, giving effect to the above provisions will be issued in due course.

10. In so far as persons serving in Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders issue in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

11. This issues with approval of Department of Expenditure, vide their ID No. 4(1 )/EV/2017 dated 28.02.2017.

12. Hindi version of this OM will follow

sd/-
(Sujasha Choudhu)
Director

Click to view the order
Authority: http://www.pensionersportal.gov.in/

NFIR: Railway Board order dated 30.1.2017 curbing workers rights

NFIR: Railway Board's order dated 30.1.2017 curbing workers rights.

No.IV/I/Pt.III

07.March, 2017

The General Secretaries of
Affiliated Unions of NFIR
Brother,

Subject: Railway Board's order dated 30.1.2017 curbing workers' rights.

In the DC/JCM meeting held on 7.3.2017, during Opening Address, both the Federations have taken a stand that the unconstitutional order dated 30.1.2017 preventing Safety (Supervisory) Staff from becoming Office bearers should be withdrawn by the Railway Board immediately to facilitate negotiations to resume.
The President, General Secretary, Working President etc. have conveyed their strong protest against the Board’s letter dated 30.1.2017.
The General Secretary/NFIR had stated that the Railway Board has betrayed the Federations and the Railway Board has equally failed on several counts on written commitments notably:

a) Replacement of GP 4600 with 4800
b) Upgradation from Gr.C to Gr.B (Gaz.)
c) Allotment of GP 4600 to Loco (Mail)
d) Stepping up of pay of Loco Inspectors inducted prior to 1.1.2006
e) Arbitrary reversal of various decisions given in the past (as a result of agreements with the Federations) and without caring to consult federations.
f) Track Maintainers upgradation (written commitment of Board)

In light of Railway Board's total failure, the Federation (NFIR) conveyed that it is not in a mood to participate in the negotiations of DC/JCM forum and at the same time demanded immediate withdrawal of Board's order dated 30.1.2017, if the Railway Board sincerely feels that industrial relations are required to be preserved.

With the above observations in the DC/JCM meeting, the leaders left the meeting place. Both the Federations have jointly walked away from the meeting.
Please convey to all employees the above development, as the Railway Board's order is a direct attack on the rights of workers, whether they are Supervisors or Non-Supervisors and it is a gross violation of Trade Union Act, ID Act etc.

Also convey the "Walk Out" decision of Federations to GMs, CPOs etc.

Yours fraternally,
sd/-
(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

AIBEA: Retirement Gratuity Ceiling hiked to Rs.20 lakh for bank employees and officers

AIBEA: Retirement Gratuity Ceiling hiked to Rs.20 lakh for bank employees and officers

Joint Ciruclar on Gratuity Ceiling

CIRCULAR TO ALL UNITS & MEMBERS

March, 2, 2017

Dear Comrades,
Improvements in Gratuity under Gratuity Act

Our units are aware that Gratuity is one of the important retirement benefits for the bank employees and officers. In all Banks ( except SBI ), Gratuity is paid as per formula under BPS/OSR or under the Gratuity Act whichever is higher. (In SBI, Gratuity is payable under the Act only).

While there is no ceiling for Gratuity under BPS/OSR, under the Act, there is a ceiling which is at present Rs. 10 lacs. (from 25-5-2010). When an employee or officer retires from the Bank, his/her Gratuity entitlement would be calculated both under the Act and under BPS/OSR and the higher of the two will be paid.

For example, a senior substaff/Daftary retiring after 40 years’ service would be eligible for ( approx.) Rs. 5 lacs under BPS and Rs. 8 lacs under the Act and hence would be paid Rs. 8 lacs as Gratuity.

A senior Clerk/Special Asst. would be eligible for Rs. 9.50 lacs under the BPS and Rs. 10 lacs under the Act and hence would be paid Rs. 10 lacs.

A senior General Manager of a Bank retiring after 40 years’ service would be eligible for Rs. 17 lacs under the OSR and Rs. 10 lacs under the Act and hence would be paid Rs. 17 lacs.

Due to continued inflationary trend and erosion in value of rupee, AITUC and all other Central Trade Unions have been demanding improvement/removal of ceiling under the Gratuity Act. Due to their effort, the ceiling was increased from Rs. 1 lac to Rs. 2.50 lacs, and then to Rs. 3.50 lacs and to Rs. 10 lacs in May, 2010. They have been demanding for removal of ceiling on Gratuity under the Act.

AITUC and Central Trade Unions have been pursuing this issue for the last more than 4 years through various programmes and struggles.

Thus AIBEA and AIBOA have been part and parcel of all these programmes and strikes on the 12 Points Charter of Demands of the Central Trade unions which includes the demand for improvement in Gratuity Act.
AITUC and Central Trade Unions have been following up these demands with the Government and as a result, recently on 23-2-2017, the Central Government called for a Tripartite meeting on the issue of revising the ceiling on Gratuity. From AITUC, its Secretary, Com D L Sachdev participated and put forth the following suggestions.

i) While there should be no ceiling for Gratuity, as an interim measure, Government’s proposal to increase in ceiling of Rs. 20 lacs can be accepted.
ii) The revised ceiling should be made effective from January, 2016.
iii) Minimum service of 5 years for eligibility for Gratuity to be removed.
iv) Gratuity to be paid at 30 days wage per year instead of 15 days wage as atpresent.
v) All factories/establishments to be covered by the Act irrespective of number of workers.

All these matters have to be finally cleared by the Labour Ministry and then by Finance Ministry and then to be brought to the Parliament for amendment to the Gratuity Act.

Units are aware that improvement in Gratuity Act has been one of the demands of our strike on 28-2-2017. We are in touch with the AITUC and will keep our units informed of any further development in this regard.
With greetings,

Yours comradely,
sd/-
S. NAGARAJAN
GENERAL SECRETARY
AIBOA

sd/-C.H. VENKATACHALAM
GENERAL SECRETARY
AIBEA

Source: AIBEA

7th Pay Commission: Central government employees to get higher allowances from April 1, says FinMin

7th Pay Commission: Central employees to get higher allowances from April 1, says FinMin

New Delhi: Central government employees will get higher allowances according to the 7th Pay Commission recommendations from April 1, a senior finance ministry official said.

The employees will get their April salaries with higher allowances in accordance with the 7th Pay Commission recommendations, he told our reporter at the finance ministry on Monday.

Everything is decided. The Cabinet and the prime minister have to approve the Committee on Allowances report. The finance ministry has no reason to raise any question on the report of committee on allowances, he added.

He said the process to implement the higher allowances would be completed soon.

The central government approved the 7th Pay Commission scale for its employees in June, offering a highest basic pay of Rs 2.5 lakh and a minimum of Rs 18,000.

The new basic pay has been given in August 2016 with arrears, effective from January 1, 2016. The allowances, however, other than dearness allowance referred to the Committee on Allowances headed by the Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa in July 2016, for examination as the pay commission had recommended of abolishing 51 allowances and subsuming 37 others out of 196 allowances.

Accordingly, existing allowances are now paid to the employees according to the 6th Pay Commission recommendations until issuing of higher allowances notification.

The Committee on Allowances was initially given a time of four months to submit its report to the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

In October last year, Ashok Lavasa was quoted by some media outlets as saying he was ready with the report.

But the government gave extension to the committee up to February 22, 2017 on the pretext of demonetisation and the government said that the cash crunch was the reason behind the delay in announcing higher allowances.

The announcement of assembly elections in five states has given another excuse for the government as it cannot announce allowances hike till the model code of conduct is in place up to March 8.

The finance ministry official said the Committee on Allowances report states the current House Rent allowance (HRA) slab, which is 30 per cent of basic pay, for metros for employees. An announcement on the same is expected soon but no hike in Transport Allowance (TPTA) for central government employees in its report and the Transport Allowance will remain the same as 6th Pay Commission recommendations.
However, the pay panel had recommended that HRA be paid at the rate of 24 per cent, 16 per cent and 8 per cent of the new basic pay for Class X (metros), Y and Z cities, respectively.

TST

7th CPC Pay Matrix Anomaly: NFIR writes to Railway Board

7th CPC Pay Matrix Anomaly: NFIR writes to Railway Board

No.IV/NFIR/7 CPC (Imp)/2016/R.B./part I

Dated: 06/03/2017

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,
Sub: Implementation of 7th CPC Pay Matrix - Pay fixation to staff - Anomaly resulting less pay to senior in comparison with junior - reg.

Ref: Notification issued by the Railway Ministry vide RBE No.90/2016 - Rule 10(2) therof.
NFIR desires to bring to the notice of the Railway Board, the anomalous situation arisen pursuant to sub-para (2) of Rule 10 of the Notification issued by the Railway Board vide RBE No.90/2016. A case on North Western Railway is cited below as example:-

• Mr.X and Y have been working as SSE in the Loco Workshop, Ajmer in GP 4600/- (Level 7). Mr. X is senior to Mr. Y.
• Both X & Y have been drawing pay equal to Rs.60,400/- on 1st July 2016. Both the employees are due for financial upgradation benefit under MACPS in the month of February 2017.
• Mr.X has been given financial upgradation under MACPS and his pay when fixed in Level 8 comes to Rs.62,200/-. His next increment is due on 1st January 2018 when his pay will raise to 64,100/-.
• Mr.Y has been denied financial upgradation due to 'Good ACR' for the year 2014. His pay on lst July 2017 will be Rs. 62,200/- in Level 7 which will be equal to Mr. Y's pay as on 1st July 2017.
• When Mr.Y becomes fit for financial upgradation under MACPS sometime between July and December 2017, then his pay will be 64,100/- in Level 8 which will be equal to the pay of Mr.X in January 2018. Subsequently, when Mr.Y will be given next increment in January 2019 ultimately Mr. X will lag behind by six months despite being senior.

The position mentioned above clearly reveals that senior has been put to loss by way of drop in emoluments. This needs to be remedied to do justice to senior employees.

NFIR, therefore, requests the Railway Board to examine the case in the light of above illustration and take necessary action for rendering justice to senior staff in whose case, the drop in emoluments has taken place. Federation may also be apprised of Board’s response early.

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

Source: NFIR

EPFO: Here are 4 points govt is working on the retirement scheme to make it more subscriber friendly

EPFO: Here are 4 points govt is working on the retirement scheme to make it more subscriber friendly
After last year's fiasco over taxing of provident fund, the government seems to be working overtime to make changes to the retirement scheme. The government has introduced a slew of measures to make the Employee provident Fund Organsiation or EPFO more subscriber-friendly, while it is reportedly proposing more steps.
Here are the steps the government has taken or has proposed to take and what they mean to you:
1) The EPFO recently simplified the norms for provident fund claims by coming out with a single one-page form for all types of claims. This means you won't need to fill forms like Form 19, Form 10C, and Form 31 anymore to make the claims. These forms were being accepted for PF Final Settlement, EPS Pension withdrawal and PF Partial withdrawal respectively in the past.

The new form called the new Composite Claim Form (CFF) are of two types called CCF (Aadhaar) and CCF (non aadhaar). Even the process has now been made simple where the form can be submitted to EPFO which bypasses the employer completely if you are Aadhaar complaint and the account is seeded with your bank details. Here you will need to fill the CCF (AAdhaar) form and for those who are not Aadhaar compliant, they will have to fill the CCF (non aadhaar), and include the employer in the process.
Even taking advances from your PF corpus has been made easy, as going forward you don't need to provide any kind of document as proof. The recent order by the government says, "submission aadhar compliant and non-Aadhar compliant form duly signed by the EPF subscriber shall be construed as 'self-certification for the above partial withdrawals for which no documents would be required to be submitted to the EPFO offices." In short, less amount of paper work for employees as well as faster resolution of claims will be set in place.
2) By May this year EPFO is planning to launch an online facility which will simplify the claim process, EPFO Central Provident Fund Commissioner VP Joy told recently. Under the proposed scheme, the claims are expected to be settled within 20 days of submitting the form. It usually take 4-5 months for the process to get done and money to credit into your bank account. The institution is working to make the entire process computerised.

3) In another move the government is considering decreasing the employers liability towards Employees Provident Fund (EPF) in the construction sector to 10 percent of the basic pay as against the current 12 percent, as reported by The Financial Express. Reducing the amount of employer’s contribution, will possibly nudge more building/construction units to extend the EPF benefits to workers. Last year, the Delhi High Court had passed an order stating that all construction workers need to be mandatorily enrolled under the EPF scheme. The Hindu Business Line had reported, "Builders had expressed concerns over "ambiguity" in the eligibility of workers, many of whom were employed on a casual or short-term basis." And enrollment of construction workers in PF was below expectations.

4) EPFO is expected to launch a special housing scheme this month, which will make life of crores of members easier if they have or plan to avail a home loan. This scheme will enable members to make down payments or pay EMIs from their EPF account to buy houses.

According to PTI, the subscribers as well as their employers would be required to form a group housing society which would further tie up with banks and builders or sellers of homes so that EPFO members can buy homes. The scheme is likely to be launched anytime after 8 March.

Explainer: The granular details are yet to be out, only time will tell if this scheme is good.

Do keep tracking this space as we bring you more information when the scheme is launched.

Biometric attendance for 100,000 locopilots and 30,000 guards in trains

Biometric attendance for 100,000 locopilots and 30,000 guards in trains

NEW DELHI: To efficiently manage crew, Indian Railways is planning to start biometric sign on and sign off for 100,000 locopilots and 30,000 guards which will also lead to effective train operations.

The railways business plan for 2017-18 says that Indian Railways would be migrating in a big way towards biometric attendance of crew which will be far more accurate and will greatly enhance crew availability.
“Efficient management of crew is fundamental to effective train operations as it is a vital and costly input. Crew management on Indian railways has already been computerized through crew management systems rolled out over Indian Railways- with sign-on and sign-off being recorded on the system,” says the plan.
At present 15 percent of the crew is covered under biometric sign on signoff and it is targeted to increase coverage of crew under biometric sign on sign off to over 50 percent during 2017-18.

According to railway ministry, this will ensure that locopilots attend to compulsory 10 hours of duty hours as there have been complaints of data being tempered with. Earlier, the attendance was marked on a duty register maintained at platforms.

Under the biometric attendance, crew will now have to punch at station before joining of duty and sign off at end of duty and the database will be centrally integrated so that they can mark the presence across any station in the country.

Biometric attendance has been started in all central government offices so that employees don’t skip office or leave before stipulated time.