CITU Congratulates the Gramin Dak Sevaks for the magnificent united all India strike

CITU Congratulates the Gramin Dak Sevaks for the magnificent united all India strike
Demands the Government immediately implement the pro employee recommendations of Kamalesh Chandra Committee Report

Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) congratulates the nearly three lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) of the Postal Department for the magnificent united all India Strike. All the four GDS Unions (AIPEU-GDS, AIGDSU, NUGDS & BPEDU) are on an indefinite strike from 22 May 2018. All the postal employees’ unions have supported the strike. As per reports the strike is total and 1,29,500 Branch Post Offices remained closed.

More than 60% of the employees of the Postal Department are GDS and more than 80% of the Post Offices are GDS Branch Post Offices. Major revenue of the department comes from GDS. They are not treated as Postal employees and were paid a pittance. The Gramin Dak Sevaks have a great legacy of struggles and whatever facilities they are enjoying at present is the result of their bitter struggles along with the postal employees.

This strike was forced by the NDA government which not only denied to address the long pending demands of the Gramin Dak Sevaks for regularisation as government employees, but refused to implement the recommendations of Kamalesh Chandra Committee Report on the service conditions of the GDS. The Committee which was appointed by the government to look into the service conditions of the Gramin Dak Sevaks had submitted its report as early in November 2016. The Union Minister had promised to implement the pro-employee recommendations of the report. Even after eighteen months the orders are still awaited. The GDS and their unions were forced to go on an indefinite strike after the government had failed to meet even the latest deadline of April 2018, it had promised.

CITU expresses solidarity with the striking employees and demands that the NDA government must immediately settle the issue by agreeing to the just demands of these grass root level workers who deliver valuable service to the common people.

Issued by
Tapan Sen
General Secretary

Source : CITU

Grant of Special Casual Leave (SCL) to office bearers of the AISCSTREA and AIOBCREF/A for attending the Informal Meeting

Grant of Special Casual Leave (SCL) to office bearers of the AISCSTREA and AIOBCREF/A for attending the Informal Meeting

Government of India
Ministry of Railways
(Railway Board)

No.2017-E(SCT)I/22/5

Rail Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated: 23-05-2018

General Managers (P)
All Inidan Zonal Railways/Production Units etc.

Sub: Grant of Special Casual Leave (SCL) to office bearers of the AISCSTREA and AIOBCREF/A for attending the Informal Meeting.

Ref: (1) Board's Letter No.80E(SCT)/15/1(Pt.II) dated 21.09.1982
(2) Board's Letter No.96-E(SCT)I/71/5 dated 28.08.1997

In terms of Board's letter 21.09.1982 and 28.08.1997, the facility of Special Casual Leave and Special Passes were granted to the office bearers of All India scheduled castes and scheduled Tribes Railway Employees Association (AISCSTREA) and all India OBC Railway Employees Federation/Association (AIOBCREF/A) as and when they are required to attend the Informal meetings at the zonal Railways /Railway Board’s level.

2. However, one of the railway has sought clarification on special Casual Leave to be granted to office bearers of the recognized welfare associations viz. AISCSTREA and AIOBCREF/A for attending the Informal Meeting called for by the Railway Board/Zonal or divisional railway administration.

3. The matter has been examined and it has now been decided that 2 days special casual leave should be granted )one day for informal meeting and one day prior for their internal meeting) plus the journey time to the office bearers of all India scheduled castes and scheduled Tribes Railway Employees Association and All India OBC Railway Employees Federation/Association for attending the Informal Meeting as and when called for by the Administration at Railway Board/Zonal/Divisional level.

This has the approval of Competent Authority.

S/d,
(U.V.Mehta)
Jt.Director Estt. (Res.)

Source: NFIR

Department of Posts: Regularisation of PPF accounts opened in Joint names

Department of Posts: Regularisation of PPF accounts opened in Joint names

SB Order No. 06/2018
F.No.32-01/2017-SB
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi-110001.
Dated: 28 .05.2018

To,
All Heads of Circles/Regions
Addl. Director General, APS, New Delhi.

Subject: Regularisation of PPF accounts opened in Joint names

Respected Sir/ Madam,

The undersigned is directed to say that vide their OM No. 3/1/2016-NS dated 07.05.2018, the Ministry of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs (Budget Division), New Delhi have informed that the as per the Public Provident Fund Scheme, 1968, a PPF account can not be opened in joint names, i.e. in the names of more than one individual. Ministry of Finance has been receiving references from various Banks and Post Offices seeking regularization of irregular PPF accounts opened in joint capacity. The matter has been, examined in Ministry of Finance afresh and decided that all the institutions (Dept of Posts/Agency Banks) may undertake a one-time exercise to identify PPF accounts opened in joint capacity in contravention of the provisions of the Scheme and forward a consolidated proposal for regularization of all such PPF accounts opened by various Accounts Offices (Post Offices/Bank Branches) under them to DEA/MoF by August 30, 2018. All such joint accounts shall be considered for regularization by converting, them into single accounts in the name of one of the joint subscribers. Banks/Department of Posts are also required to indicate in their proposals the name of one of the joint subscribers in respect of each such account, in whose name the account may be regularized.

2. The Circles are accordingly requested to launch special drives for the purpose to identify PPF account opened in joint capacity, if any & forward a detailed consolidated proposal for the whole of the Circle, for sending the same onward to DEA/MoF seeking regularization. Circles are requested to take up it on Priority arrange to send their consolidated proposal so as to reach this office by 31.07.2018, so that this office may compile & send the same to DEA/MoF by the due date, i.e. 30.08.2018. The DEA/MoF would consider such joint accounts for regularization by converting them into single account in the name of one of the joint subscribers. It should, therefore be indicated clearly in the proposal as to in whole name (for amongst the joint subscribers) the account is to be made single regularized.

3. It may kindly be noted that no request for regularization in such cases shall be entertained after the said deadline & responsibility would lie on the concerned Circle on account of any additional obligation arising out of court cases or otherwise for opening of such irregular PPF accounts.

This issues with the approval of competent authority.

Yours Sincerely,
Sd/-
(P L Meena)
Assistant Director (SB-I)

Source: Dept of Posts

Clarification on abolition of posts lying vacant for more than five years: Confederation

Clarification on abolition of posts lying vacant for more than five years: Confederation

No.772655/E.Coord.I/18
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

North Block. New Delhi
Dated 23rd May, 2018

To
Shri M. Krishnan, General Secretary & Member
Standing Committee National Council, JCM
1st Floor, North Avenue,'Po' Building, New Delhi-110001

Sub: Forwarding of Representation/Petition-regarding abolition of posts lying vacant for more than five years.

Sir,
I am directed to refer to your representation dated 26th March, 2018 addressed to Hon'ble Prime Minister and a similar reference separately addressed to Hon'ble Finance Minister on the above mentioned subject.

2. The matter has been examined keeping in mind the submissions made by you in respect of this Department's O.M. dated 16.01.2018. It appears that the above issue has been raised in view of this Department’s instructions dated 12.04.2017. This Department had issued compendium of instructions with the approval of Competent Authority in supersession of all previous instructions/orders regarding creation, continuation, transfer and revival of posts. In this regard, it is seen that while issuing the compendium of instructions, some changes in the timelines have been made to ease and speed up the procedure for revival of posts under "deemed-abolished category". The changes made in the recent order is tabulated below:

Sl. No.	Prior to 12.04.2017 Order	After 12.04.2017 Order
1	The period of live post lying vacant had been one year since its creation.	Now, the post would fall under deemed-abolished category after a period of two years. The newly created posts, which do not have RRs would fall under the category of 'deemed-abolished' after a period of 3 years.
2	Physical files were received for creation/ continuation/ revival/ transfer of posts.	Now, the procedure for revival/continuation of posts under deemed-abolition has been made through e-office cutting down the processing time.
3	The guidelines/instructions for creation/ revival/ continuation/ transfer of posts were in a scattered manner.	A compendium of instructions has been issued to deal with the creation/ revival/ continuation/ transfer of posts.
4	This Department had been receiving proposals for the posts which have been lying vacant even for more than 20-30 years.	Due to this inordinate delay, this Department has issued order for revival of posts with stipulated conditions. The posts can be got revived from Department of Expenditure subject to fulfilling of stipulated conditions.

3. In view of the above, it is felt that this Department vide its consolidated instructions/guidelines dated 12.04.2017 had directed all the Ministries/Departments to abolish all the posts which are lying vacant for more than five years. Since most of the instructions were issued long time back and in a scattered manner, it became imperative for this Department to issue a compendium of instructions covering all the aspects relating to creation/revival/continuation/transfer of posts. It is seen that while issuing the instructions, this Department has also increased the period of live posts from one year to two/three years and, now, the post would fall under deemed-abolished category after a period of two years. The newly created posts, which do not have RRs would fall under the category of 'deemed-abolished' after a period of 3 years. These posts can be got revived subject to fulfilment of stipulated conditions. This Department has also cutting down the processing time by directing all the Ministries/Departments to submit their proposal in e-office mode. In addition, if a post, which had been lying vacant for more than five years and could not be agreed for revival by this Department, but is considered to be essential for smooth functioning by AM for which sincere efforts were made to fill it up by AM, a fresh proposal for creation of post containing full functional justification with the concurrence of the competent authority may be referred to this  Department.

5. I hope the above clarifies the position in the matter.

Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
(Sobeer Singh)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Source: Confederation

Guidelines to be followed for holding Of Conferences/ Workshops/Seminars, etc. (Domestic & International)

Guidelines to be followed for holding of Conferences/ Workshops/ Seminars, etc. (Domestic and International)

No. 19/(36)/E.Coord/2018
Government Of India
Ministry of Finance
Department Of Expenditure
E.Coord Branch

New Delhi, the 30th May, 2018

MEMORANDUM

Subject: Guidelines to be followed for holding Of Conferences/ Workshops/Seminars, etc. (Domestic & International)

Ministry of Finance, Department Of Expenditure has been issuing guidelines for holding of Conferences/ Workshops/ Seminars, etc. (Domestic & International) from time to time with the objective that Ministries/Departments undertake such events keeping in mind the absolute necessity of it and adhering to most economy. The extant guidelines have been reviewed and stand revised.

2. It has been decided that henceforth only proposals involving expenditure above Rs. 40 lakhs for International as well as domestic Conferences/ Seminars/ Workshops etc, will need to be referred to the Department of Expenditure.

3. International conferences/ workshops/seminars/ meetings etc:

i) All proposals involving expenditure of Rs. 40 Lakh or less for holding conferences/ workshops/ seminars} meetings etc. involving participation of foreign delegates may be decided by the Ministry/ Department in consultation with their Financial Adviser The approval of the Minister in Charge, political clearance from Ministry of External Affairs and clearance of Ministry of Home Affairs from security angle (wherever required) shall be obtained.

ii) All Proposals involving expenditure above Rs. 40 (Forty) lakh for incurring expenditure on holding conferences, workshops/ seminars/ meetings etc. with international participation should be referred to the Department of Expenditure (DOE) with the approval Of the Minister in Charge. political clearance from Ministry of External Affairs and clearance of Ministry of Home Affairs from security angle (wherever required) for obtaining approval Of the Cabinet Secretary through Secretary (Expenditure).

iii) Commitment for bearing travel/ accommodation cost on participants from foreign countries should be kept to the barest minimum. Ministries/ Departments shall exercise utmost economy and austerity in this regard

iv) "In-principle" approval of the Minister-in-charge should be taken sufficiently in advance before the event.

v) Priority will be given to those conferences that arise out of international agreements/ obligations. Other conferences etc. should be planned only if there is residual provision in the Budget.

vi) All preparations for holding the conference and other formalities should be completed sufficiently in advance to avoid any last minute hitch and embarrassment.

vii) All administrative arrangements including issuance Of invitations should be done after receiving Cabinet Secretary's approval or as per the powers delegated under this 0M.

4. Domestic conferences/ workshops/ seminars/ meetings etc: proposals involving RS 40 (Forty) lakh or less may be decided by the Ministry/ Department in consultation with their Financial Adviser. proposals involving expenditure above Rs 40 (Forty) lakh for incurring expenditure on holding conferences/ workshops/ seminars/ meetings etc, with participation limited to Indian delegates only may be referred to Department of Expenditure for approval of Secretary (Expenditure). Approval Of Secretary of the Ministry/ Department may be Obtained prior to the file being referred to Department Of Expenditure.

5. Autonomous Bodies:

i) Conferences held by Autonomous Bodies generally generate revenue from sponsorships and registrations and most of the time either they do not require government support or require in small portions. Administrative Ministries are competent to grant approval for holding the conferences (whether domestic or international) where no funds are required from Government

ii) However, if Government funds are required and the financial assistance required is more than Rs. 40 Lakhs for International as well as Domestic conferences/ workshops/seminars/ meetings etc. such cases shall be referred to Department of Expenditure.

6. General Instructions: While referring the cases of Conferences etc., whether domestic or international, to Department of Expenditure, following may be strictly adhered to:

(i) Holding of Exhibitions/ fairs/ seminars/ conferences/ workshops etc. abroad should be discouraged except for promotion of trade and business and for projection of 'Brand India'. For this purpose, depending on the nature of event, if more than one Ministry/ Department is involved, a Nodal Ministry/ Department should be identified to take the lead for coordinating and organizing the event.

(ii) All proposals referred to Department of Expenditure on the subject should be sent at least one month in advance of commencement of the event and only through the Financial Adviser concerned While referring the proposals to the Department of Expenditure, it may be ensured that necessary clearances viz. from Ministry Of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs etc. and approval Of competent authority in the Ministry/ Department have been obtained and placed in the file. In the absence of these, the proposals will be returned without processing in the Department of Expenditure

(iii) Sufficient provision in the relevant Budget should be ensured before such proposals are processed in the Ministry/ Department and before referring proposals to Department Of Expenditure. The proposal should clearly indicate the budget provision.

(iv) Stipulated timeline for submission of proposals may be adhered to strictly. It may be noted that henceforth, delayed proposals will not be processed unless accompanied by a Delay Report containing reasons for delay, duly approved by the Administrative Secretary.

(v) Holding of conferences/ workshops/seminars/ meetings etc. in Five Star Hotels is banned except in case of bilateral/ multilateral official engagements held at the level Of Minister-in-Charge or Administrative Secretary with foreign Government or international bodies of which India is a Member. Any deviation in this regard should be referred to the Department of Expenditure with adequate justification.

(vi) Ministries/Departments shall not resort to seeking ex post- facto approval on the proposals since they are liable to be rejected. Hence, adequate advance planning and obtention of all requisite approvals/clearances is emphasized

7. Notwithstanding the enhancement in the prescribed expenditure ceiling, all Ministries/ Departments shall ensure utmost economy in public expenditure.

8. This is in supersession of Department of Expenditure's earlier instructions on tie subject cited above issued vide following OMs NO.:i) 19(9)/E.Coord/2011 dated 5th March, 2015

ii)19(9)/E.Coord/2012 dated 12th July, 2012
iii)19(9)/E.Coord/2012 dated 13th September, 2011
iv) 7(1)/E.Coord/2010 dated 13th September, 2010
v) 7(1)/E.Coord/2010dated 31st May, 2010
vi) 7(1)/E.Coord/2002 dated 28th May, 2003

9. These instructions will come into operation with immediate effect.

sd/-
(H. Atheli)
Director

Source: www.doe.gov.in