Cabinet approves grant of medical facilities under Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS)

Cabinet

Cabinet approves grant of medical facilities under Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) to World War-II Veterans, Emergency Commissioned Officers (ECOs), Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs) and pre-mature retirees

More than 40,000 individual to be benefitted

07 MAR 2019

The Cabinet Meeting Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today approved the grant of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) facilities to World War-II Veterans, Emergency Commissioned Officers (ECOs), Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs) and pre-mature retirees.

As a result, over 43,000 individuals not covered so far under ECHS will be able to avail the benefits of cashless medical treatment under ECHS facilities through a network of over 425 ECHS polyclinics, over 2500 empanelled private hospitals and all Government hospitals throughout the country, subject to certain conditions.

As a special dispensation, war-widows will be exempt from one-time contribution to join ECHS.
Launched by NDA Government in April 2003, ECHS provides quality medicare to 54 lakh ex-servicemen pensioners, their dependents and a few other categories.

Measures for welfare of Ex-Servicemen:
Today's decision is yet another landmark step in the pro-active policies of the Government since its very first days for welfare of our valiant ex-servicemen, who rendered valuable service to the country.
Implementation of 'One Rank One Pension' for ex-servicemen, a demand which had been pending for over four decades, has resulted in over 20 lakh ex-servicemen receiving more thanRs. 35,000 Crore under the scheme. Other welfare measures by the Government for ex-servicemen include increase in pension by 40%, disability pension for pre-mature retirees, applicability of battle causality compensation at Line of Actual Control, Line of Control and International Border, financial assistance to soldiers on their supreme sacrifice through newly created Army Battle Causalities Welfare Fund, enhancement of ex-gratia ad-hoc allowance, Special Pension to Ex-sailors and skill development training in 36 job roles to over 30,000 retiring soldiers so far.

PIB

Cabinet will approve the establishment of 50 new civil / defence Kendriya Vidyalayas across the country.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
Cabinet approves setting up of 50 new Kendriya Vidyalayas under Civil/Defence Sector all over the country

07 MAR 2019

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the setting up of 50 new KendriyaVidyalayas under Civil/Defence Sector all over the country.


The Vidyalayas are proposed to be opened in the Civil/Defense Sector and once they are fully functional they will provide quality education to approximately 50,000 students once they become fully operational.


Consolidated list of 50 proposals recommended by the 'Challenge Method' Committee for opening of new Kendriya Vidyalayas

S.No		Name of the Sponsoring Authority	Name of KendriyaVidyalaya		Name of State
1.		Ministry of Home Affairs	210 Cobra CRPF Bn., Dalgaon, District Darrang		Assam
2.			205 Cobra CRPF Bn., Barachatti, District Gaya		Bihar
3.			45th BN SSB, Beerpur, Distt. Supaul		Bihar
4.			GC, CRPF Bilaspur		Chhattisgarh
5.			CRPF Kadarpur, Gurgaon		Haryana
6.			Group Centre, CRPF, Sonepat		Haryana
7.			CRPF Group Centre AB Road, Nayagaon, Gwalior		Madhya Pradesh
8.			BSF Campus, Kittampalayam, District Coimbatore		Tamil Nadu
9.			ITBP Idayapatti, Distt. Madurai		Tamil Nadu
10.			ITBP Shivgangai, Illupaikudi, District Shivgangai		Tamil Nadu
11.			BSF Gokulnagar, Distt. Sepahijala		Tripura
12.			39th Bn SSB, GadniaPaliakalan, District LakhimpurKhiri		Uttar Pradesh
13.			59th Bn SSB, Nanpara, District Behraich		Uttar Pradesh
14.			5EhBn, SSB Champawat,		Uttarakhand
15.			CRPF Group Centre, Siligudi		West Bengal
16.		Ministry of Railways	N.F.RailwayRangapara, Distt. Sonitpur		Assam
17.			SER Dangoaposi, District West Singhbhum		Jharkhand
18.			Railway Yeshwanthpur, District Bengaluru		Karnataka
19.			Railway Colony Bandikui, District Dausa		Rajasthan
20.			Railway Idgah, Agra Station		Uttar Pradesh
21.			NFR Katihar District New Jalpaiguri		West Bengal
22.	State Governments/ Union Territories		Irlapadu village, Nadendla Mandal, District Guntur	Andhra Pradesh
23.			Kandukur Town, District Prakasam
24.			Daporijo, District Upper Subansari	Arunachal Pradesh
25.			Namsai, District Namsai
26.			Hayuliang, District Anjaw
27.			Kondagaon, District Kondagaon (LWE)	Chhattisgarh
28.			Bilaspur, District Yamunanagar	Haryana
29.			Dharampur, District Mandi	Himachal Pradesh
30.			GandohBhalessa, District Doda	J&K
31.			Jodhpur, District Doda
32.			Koderma, District Koderma	Jharkhand
33.			Sarai Kelakharsawan
34.			Sadalga, District Belagavi, Belgaum	Karnataka
35.			Thrikkakara, Distt. Ernakulam	Kerala
36.			Agar-Malwa, Distt. Agar-Malwa	Madhya Pradesh
37.			Alirajpur, District Alirajpur
38.			Anuppur, District Anuppur
39.			Shamgarh, District Mandsaur
40.			Gadchiroli, District Gadchiroli (LWE)	Maharashtra
41.			Anandpur, District Keonjhar	Odisha
42.			Champua, District Keonjhar
43.			Chatrapur, District Ganjam
44.			Gunupur, District Rayagada
45.			Pratapgarh, District Pratapgarh	Rajasthan
46.			Udumalpet, District Tiruppur	Tamil Nadu
47.			Bandahkalan, Aayer, District Varanasi	Uttar Pradesh
48.			Madhupuri, District Fatehpur
49.			Sumerpur, District Hamirpur
50.			Khatima, District Udham Singh Nagar	Uttarakhand

PIB

No NOC requirement for driving license renewal / change of address

No NOC requirement for driving license renewal / change of address

No.RT-11036/10/2019-MVL
Government of India
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
(MVL Section)

Transport bhawan,
1, Parliament street,
New Delhi-110001
February 28, 2019

To
1.The Principal Secretaries/ Secretaries, Department of Transport of all the states/Uts;
2.The Transport Commissions of all the States/Ut Administrations

Subject: No requirement of an NOC for the renewal/change of address in the Driving Licence

Madam/Sir,
The driving license issued by any licensing authority in any state is valid throughout India and the license-holders is authorized to drive the specified class or classes of vehicles as per the licence in terms of the provisions of the motor vehicles Act, 1988 or the or the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

1. The practice of obtaining an NOC from the previous licencing authority was followed primarily with a view to checking the authority of the licence,as to whether it was indeed issued/endorsed by the previous authority and that the licences was not linked with any offence. This practice came to be adapted initially when the Diving Licences were issued in manual mode/regime and also subsequently during the decentralized operations of earlier off-line software versions of SARATHI. Now, with the current version of SARATHI Wherein all Driving Licenses are issued following a IT based application system and the details are verifiable from the database in an on-line mode, there is no need for seeking an NOC for verification of such details as per the provisions of the aforesaid Act or Rules.

2. It has been brought to the notice of this Ministry that many States are still sticking to the practice of obtaining NOC from the parent authority in both cases. i.e renewals and change of address of the driving licence. This not only caused disparity in the implementation process but has a potential of undue harassment to the applicant. In case, when a user moves from one place or State, which does not issue NOC to another place or State, which requires an NOC, the applications are rejected due to the lack of such NOC.

3. The SARATHI database contains the information of the driving licences issued by the states. Accordingly, it is advised that whenever an application for renewal or transfer of address is reserved the concerned competent authority may check the particulars online available in the SARATHI database Further, the details can also be validated using e-challan mobile application. This approach would not require the citizens to visit or approach the original Licencing Authority for getting NOC.

4. It is requested that all the Licensing Authorities be directed to stop forthwith and discontinue any old process of verification in manual mode and follow the online verification of the driving licenses for facilitation of the citizens

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Ramandeep Chowdhary)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
Tele: 23710213

Source: Confederation

Cabinet approves reservation in Teachers Cadre Ordinance, 2019

Cabinet
Cabinet approves reservation in Teachers' Cadre Ordinance, 2019

07 MAR 2019

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the proposal for promulgation of "The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers' Cadre) Ordinance, 2019" considering the University/ College as a unit instead of 'Department/ Subject'.

Impact:
This decision is expected to improve the teaching standards in the higher educational institutions to attract all eligible talented candidates.

Benefits:
This decision will allow filling up of more than 5000 vacancies by direct recruitment in Teachers' Cadre duly ensuring that the Constitutional Provisions of Articles 14, 16 and 21 shall be complied with and stipulated reservation criteria for the Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes and Socially and Educationally Backward Classes are met with.

PIB

Dearness Relief for Central Government pensioners / family pensioners - Revised rate with effect 01/01/2019

Dearness Relief for Central Government pensioners / family pensioners - Revised rate with effect 01/01/2019

3% Additional DR to CG Pensioners from Jan 2019 - Orders issued

No.42/04/2019-P&PW(D)
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 06th March, 2019

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Grant of Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners - Revised rate effective from 01.01.2019 - reg

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's OM No. 42/0612018-P&PW(G) dated 18.09.2018 on the subject mentioned above and to state that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Relief admissible to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 9% to 12% w.e.f 01.01.2019.

1. These rates of DR will be applicable to (i) Civilian Central Government Pensioners/Family Pensioners including Central Govt. absorbee pensioners in PSU/ Autonomous Bodies in respect of whom orders have been issued vide this Department's OM No. 4/34/2002-P&PW(D) Vol.1I dated 23.06.2017 for restoration of full pension after expiry of commutation period of 15 years (ii) The Armed Forces Pensioners, Civilian Pensioners paid out of the Defence Service Estimates, (iii) All India Service Pensioners (iv) Railway Pensioners/family pensioners (v) Pensioners who are in receipt of provisional pension (vi) The Burma Civilian pensioners/family pensioners and pensioners/families of displaced Government Pensioners from Burma/ Pakistan, in respect of whom orders have been issued vide this Department’s OM No. 23/3/2008-P&PW(I3) dated 11.09.2017.
2. The payment of Dearness Relief involving a fraction of a rupee shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee.
3. The payment of arrears of Dearness Relief shall not be made before the date of disbursement of pension/family pension of March,2019.
4. Other provisions governing grant of DR in respect of employed family pensioners and re-employed Central Government Pensioners will be regulated in accordance with the provisions contained in this Department's OM No. 45173/97-P&PW (G) dated 2.7.1999 as amended vide this Department’s OM No. F.No. 38/88/2008-P&PW(G) dated 9th July, 2009. The provisions relating to regulation of DR where a pensioner is in receipt of more than one pension will remain unchanged.
5. In the case of retired Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, necessary orders will be issued by the Department of Justice separately.
6. It will be the responsibility of the pension disbursing authorities, including the nationalized banks, etc. to calculate the quantum of DR payable in each individual case.
7. The offices of Accountant General and authorised Pension Disbursing Banks are requested to arrange payment of relief to pensioners etc. on the basis of these instructions without waiting for any further instructions from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India the Reserve Bank of India in view of letter No. 528-TA, IV34-80-II dated 23/04/1981 of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India addressed to all Accountant Generals and Reserve Bank of India Circular No. GANB No. 2958/GA-64 (ii) (CGL)/81 dated the 21st May, 1981 addressed to State Bank of India and its subsidiaries and all Nationalised Banks.
8. In their application to the pensioners/family pensioners belonging to Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issue after consultation with the C&AG.
9. This issues in accordance with Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure's OM No. 1I112019-E.II(B) dated 27th Feb,2019.

Hindi version will follow.

sd/-
(Charanjit Taneja)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

7th CPC Dress Allowance for Railway Signal and Telecom Helpers, Electronic and Mechanical staff, equipped with uniform and protective gear

7th CPC Dress Allowance for Railway Signal and Telecom Helpers, Electronic and Mechanical staff, equipped with uniform and protective gear.

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
RAILWAY BOARD

No. 2018/TF Cell/S&T/S&T Uniform

Dated: 05.03.2019

The General Manager, All Indian Railways/PUs, NF(Con). CORE
The DG/RDSO/Lucknow, DG/NAIR/Vadodara CAOs, DMW/Patiala, WPO/Patna, COFMOW/NDLS , RWP/Bela, CAO/IROAF

Sub: Uniform and Protective gears for Maintainers and Helpers of Signal & Telecom, Electrical (TRD) and Mechanical (ART & AHME) Staff.

Ref: 1. Railway Board's letter no. 2017/Transf.cell/Civil/03 dated 05.02.2018.

Railway Board's letter no. PC-VII/2017/11715 /7 dated 03.10.2017.

In order to ensure safe working environment for the staff working on track and also keeping in view the hardship faced by them during extreme weather conditions, provision of Special protective gears has been considered by the Board. In continuation of the protective :gears approved for Trackmen/Keymen/Patrol men vide Reference (1) above, Board (MTR, MRS, MS, FC & CRB) in consultation with DG(S&T), have also approved the following:

Protective Gears:
Provision of special protective gears has been approved for the Technicians/Maintainers and Helpers of S&T, Electrical (TRD) & Mechanical (ART & ARME) departments where duty, involves working in field/on track under extreme weather and working conditions. The list of the protective gears and other items is as indicated below:

Table-I

S. No.	Description	Functional specification	Scale	Approx. Cost (Rs.)
1.	Rain Coat with cap/hood and separate waterproof trouser	Waterproof coat and trouser with full sleeves and cap/hood.	Once in a year	1200/-
2(a)	Winter Jacket	Jacket with timer lining with/without hood/cap orange color superior quality	Once in in 2 years	2500/-
OR
2(b)**	Clothing for Subzero climate i. Jacket ii. Trouser iii. Gloves iv. Snow boots v. Cap	As per military clothing from Ordinance factories/approved suppliers of Ordinance factories.	Once in 2 years	10,000/-
3.	Safety Shoes (with Steel Toes)	As per IS 15298 (Part 2): 2011 / ISO 20345:2004 Some of the reputed brands are Bata, Liberty, Action etc.	Once in six Months	1400/-
4.	Luminous vest	Retro-reflective orange colour IS-15809 of 2008 specified by EN471 Standard	Once in Six months	500/-
5.	Tricolor LED 3-cell Torch/rechargeable torch	As being used by SCR / NR	Once a Year	1000/-

Note: 1.* Tricolor LED 3-cell Torch/ rechargeable torch to be provided to staff deputed for night duty or required to attend failures during night.

Note 2: ** Winter jackets as per item 2a) will not be supplied in subzero climate region, as provisioning of the same is already included in item 2b). In addition, any specific requirement for any particular area/climatic condition may be assessed by the respective DRM.

Mode of Procurement
Mode of Procurement shall be same as adopted for procurement of protective gears for Engineering staff vide reference (1) above. As on date, Stores Department is procuring luminous vests. The other items mentioned in Table I above, may be procured at Divisional Level, through Spot Purchase Committee comprising concerned Branch Officer, SrDFM/ DFM. SrDMM/DMM. Once the system gets stabilized, and the vendors are developed, these may be procured through Stores Department of the Division.

Dress Allowances:
The Dress Allowance for the eligible staff as per Railway Board's letter no. PC­ VII/2017/1/7/5/7 dated 03.10.2017 (RBE No. 141/2017), shall continue to be followed for above categories of staff.
Colour Scheme of uniform for Technicians/Maintainers and Helpers of S&T Department:

The colour scheme of uniform for Technicians/Maintainers and Helpers of S&T Department for both men/women - Shirt/Kurta shall be of Sky Blue and Trouser/Salwar shall be Navy Blue.

This issues with the concurrence of Associate Finance of Transformation Cell of Railway Board.
Kindly acknowledge the receipt and ensure compliance.

sd/-
(Umesh Balonda)
Executive Director/S&T
Transformation Cell

Source: Railway Board

Reimbursement of rent to Government servants during their temporary stay upto a maximum period of six months

Reimbursement of rent to Government servants during their temporary stay upto a maximum period of six months

No.2/05)2018-E.II(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 01 February 2019,

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Reimbursement of rent to Government servants during their temporary stay (upto a maximum period of six months) in State Bhavans/Guest Houses/ Departmental Guest Houses run by Central Government/State Governments /Autonomous Organizations etc.

Several references are being received in this Department seeking clarification regarding applicability of instructions contained in this Departments O.M.No.2(25)/2004-E.II(B) dated 15.12.2011 to Central Government officials on their stay in State Bhavans/Guest Houses and also in cases where Central Government off and also stay in Departmental Guest Houses.

2. The matter has been considered in this Department. In supersession of the instructions contained in aforesaid O.M. dated 15.12.2011, it has been decided that tie official on their pasting to the Centre and the Central Government officials on their transfer/posting to a new station; necessitating change of residence if they temporarily stay in State Bhavans/ Guest Houses/Departmental Guest houses run by Central Government / State Government / Autonomous Organizations etc., may be reimbursed the amount of rent paid subject to fulfillment of the following conditions:

(a) The official has applied for accommodation of his entitlement, but has not been allotted residential accommodation by the Government.
(b) The concerned Guest House, should be located at the place of posting of the official.
(c) The official must have stayed in State Bhavans/Guest Houses/Departmental Guest Houses run by Central Government/State Government/Autonomous Organizations etc and submit rent receipts in support of payment of rent.
(d) Reimbursement of rent shall be admissible up to a maximum period of six months.
(e) No House Rent Allowance (HRA) shall be admissible during this period,

These orders shall be effective from the date of issue.

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

Hindi version is attached.

(Nirmala Dav)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Nationwide protest by Central Government employees against National Pension Scheme (NPS) on 13.03.2019 : DoPT Order

DoPT Orders 2019: Nationwide protest by Central Government employees against National Pension Scheme (NPS) on 13.03.2019 :

MOST IMMEDIATE
OUT TODAY

No.45018/1/2017-Vig.
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, P.G. & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi,
Dated the 05th March, 2019

Subject: Proposed Nationwide Dharna/Demonstration by National Joint Council of India (NJCA) on 13th March, 2019 against National Pension Scheme (NPS) - Instructions under CCS (Conduct Rules), 1964 - Regarding.

1. It has been brought to the notice of the Government that a forum by the nomenclature of National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) has decided to organize Dharna/Demonstrations in front of Jantar Mantar, New Delhi and all across the country on 13th March, 20 19 in order to protest against New Pension Scheme (NPS).

2. The instructions issued by the Department of Personnel and Training prohibit the Government servants from participating in any form of strike/protest including mass casual leave, go slow etc. or any action that abet any form of strike/protest in violation of Rule 7 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964. Besides, in accordance with the proviso to Rule 17(1) of the Fundamental Rules, pay and allowances is not admissible to an employee for his absence from duty without any authority. As to the concomitant rights of an Association after it is formed, they cannot be different from the rights which can be claimed by the individual members of which the Association is composed. It follows that the right to form an Association does not include any guaranteed right to strike/protest. There is no statutory provision empowering the employees to go on strike. The Supreme Court has also agreed in several judgements that going on a strike/performing any sort of protest is a grave misconduct under the Conduct Rules and that misconduct by the Government employees is required to be dealt with in accordance with law. Any employee going on strike/protest in any form would face the consequences which, besides deduction of wages, may also include appropriate disciplinary action. Kind attention of all employees of this Department is also drawn to this Department's O.M. No.33012/ 1/(s)/2008- Estt.(B) dated 12.9.2008, on the subject for strict compliance (enclosed as Annexure-A).

3. All officers are requested that the above instructions may be brought to the notice of the employees working under their control. All officers are also requested not to sanction Casual Leave or any other kind of leave to the officers and employees, if applied for, during the period of proposed Dharna/demonstration, and ensure that the willing employees are allowed hindrance free entry into the office premises.

4. In case employees go on Dharna/demonstration, all Divisional Heads are requested to forward a report indicating the number and details of employees, who are absent from duty on the day of Dharna/demonstration, i.e., 13.03.2019.

To
(G. Srinivasan)
Director (Reservation)

Source: DoPT

Payment of DA to the CDA pattern employees of CPSEs, drawing pay in 7th CPC pay scales

DA is paid in 7th CPC pay scales to CDA patterns for CPSE employees.

F. No. W-02/0038/2017-DPE (WC)-GL-V/19
Government of India
Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises
Department of Public Enterprises

Public Enterprises Bhawan,
Block 14, CGO Comply, Lodi Road,
New Delhi-110003, the Ist March, 201.9

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Payment of DA to the CDA pattern employees of CPSEs, drawing pay in 7th CPC pay scales.

The undersigned is directed to refer to Para No. 3 and Annexure-II(a) and II(b) to this Department’s O.M. No. W-02/0058/2016-DPE(WC) dated. 17.08.2017 wherein the rates of DA payable to the employees who are following CDA pattern pay scales have been indicated.

1. The DA payable to the employees may be enhanced from the existing rate of 9% to 12% with effect from 01.01.2019.
2. The payment of Dearness Allowance involving fractions of 50 paise and above may be rounded off to the next higher rupee and the fractions of less than 50 paise may be ignored.
3. These rates are applicable in the case of CDA employees whose pay have been revised. with effect from 01.01.2016 as per DPE's O.M. dated 17.08.2017.
4. The payment of arrears of Dearness Allowance (from January to March) shall not be made before the date of disbursement of salary of March, 2019.
5. All. administrative Ministries/Departments of Government of India are requested to bring this to the notice of Central Public Sector Enterprises under their administrative Control for action at their end.

(A K Khurana)
Director