Special orders of the appropriate authority pro forma officiating promotion grade - Rajya Sabha

Special orders of the appropriate authority pro forma officiating promotion grade - Rajya Sabha

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Proforma Promotion Under NBR

27 JUN 2019

When an officer in a post (Whether within the cadre of his service or not) is for any reason prevented from officiating in his turn in a post on higher scale or grade borne on the cadre of the service to which he belongs, he may be authorized by special orders of the appropriate authority pro forma officiating promotion into such scale or grade and thereupon be granted the pay of that scale or grade, if that be more advantageous to him, on each occasion on which the officer immediately junior to him in the cadre of his service (or if that officer has been passed over by reason of inefficiency or unsuitability or because he is on leave or serving outside the ordinary line or forgoes officiating promotion of his own volition to that scale or grade, then the officer next junior to him not so passed over) draws officiating pay in that scale or grade.

Proforma Promotion is granted subject to fulfillment of certain conditions under the relevant instructions issued from time to time keeping in view the vacancy position.

To obviate the hardship caused in cases where all the seniors of the officer outside the line are promoted and there is no junior officer eligible for promotion within the cadre despite clear regular vacancies available for making promotions, the benefit of 'Next Below Rule' is allowed to the officers working outside their regular line in dispensation of the requirements of `one for one' and 'promotion of atleast one junior', subject to the fulfillment of the following further conditions: (a) that a post within the cadre remains unfilled for want of an approved person junior to the officer; and (b) the vacancy caused in the cadre is not filled up by making promotion on ad-hoc basis till the release of the next panel when some juniors become eligible for promotion. OM No. 8/4/84-Estt (Pay-I) dated 15th July, 1985, issued in this regard is still in force.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

PIB

Abolition of Application Fees for Government Examinations

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Abolition of Application Fees for Government Examinations

27 JUN 2019

There is no proposal under consideration of the Government to abolish application fee for all candidates appearing for Government recruitment examinations.

However, candidates belonging to Schedule Caste/ Schedule Tribe, persons with disabilities, ex-servicemen and women candidates are already exempted from payment of fee for Government recruitment examinations.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

PIB

Employment of Women in Indian Railways - PIB

Employment of Women in Indian Railways - PIB

Ministry of Railways
Employment of Women in Railways

26 JUN 2019

Around 3,650 women candidates have been given employment in the Indian Railways in technical categories in the last three years.

In the past few years, against notifications issued for various technical posts, a total of 2,79,60,224 applications were received and out of these, 46,76,928 (16.73%) were from women. Wide publicity is given to Railway recruitment notifications and every candidate, irrespective of gender, etc. fulfilling eligibility criteria is free to apply.

Application fee collected from women candidates are refunded to those who appear in the examination. Also, upper age limit in case of widows, divorced women and women judicially separated from their husbands, who are not remarried, is relaxed up to the age of 35 years. In addition, for Level-1 categories, relaxed qualifying standards for the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) for women candidates are applied.

Provisions of separate rest rooms, cloak rooms, changing rooms and crèches have been made to ensure safe working conditions for women employees.

Wide publicity is given to Railway recruitment notifications to encourage women candidates to apply for Railway jobs. Facility of online application form ensures that women are able to apply even from their home for Railway recruitment notifications.

This information was given by the Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

Child Care Allowance for Divyang Women

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Child Care Allowance for Divyang Women

26 JUN 2019

Consequent upon implementation of the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission, the rates of special allowance for women with disabilities have been increased from Rs.1500 per month to Rs.3000 per month for child care which shall be payable from the time of child’s birth till the child is two years old. This special allowance shall be payable for a maximum of two eldest surviving children and would be automatically raised by 25% every time the Dearness Allowance on the revised pay structure goes up by 50%. It is effective from 1st July, 2017 and applicable to all Central Government disabled woman employees, irrespective of their place of posting.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

PIB

Extending the benefit of financial upgradation under MACPS to Railway School Teachers

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(Railway Board)

The issue under consideration is the issue of extending the benefit of financial upgradation under MACPS to Railway School Teachers instead of CAS (Career Advancement Scheme) presently operating for them. This issue has been raised by both the Federations (AIRF and NFIR) and IRPOF. Recently, this issue was also raised in 47th Meeting of NC/JCM held on 13-4-2019, chaired by Cabinet Secretary.

Sub: Extending the benefit of financial upgradation under MACPS to Railway School Teachers.

In the above context, it is stated that Railway School Teachers have all along been treated at par with teachers under Ministry of Human Resources and Development in every respect viz. recruitment qualification, pay structure, age of retirement etc. including Career Advancement Scheme (CAS). CAS was introduced in year 1988 based on recommendations of Dr. Chattopadhyaya Committee for the teachers under Ministry of Human Resources and the same was also adopted in respect of Railway Teachers which provides for grant of two financial upgradation on completion of 12 months 24 years of service with reference to the Recruitment Grade, in certain specified Pay Scales/ Grades called Senior Scale and Selection Scale respectively.

As Railway School Teachers are common category and their service conditions etc. are regulated as per identical terms and conditions as the teachers available under Ministry of Human Resource and Development (M/o HRD), therefore, CAS Scheme was continued in their respect instead of implementation of ACP/ MACP Scheme. On receipt of some representations / references stating that the MACP Scheme is being implemented in respect of teachers working under Ministry of Defence, Department of Space, a reference was made to M/o HRD vide Board's letter dated 18.12.2017, (followed by reminders dated 27.06.2018 and 27.01.2019) seeking clarification as to whether MACP Scheme can be implemented in respect of Railway School Teachers. M/o HRD vide their letter dated 26/11/2018 have advised that Railway Board is Competent Authority to decide the terms and conditions of service of Railway School Teachers and Department of, Personnel and Training may be approached for further clarifications on MACP provisions.

Meanwhile a copy of OM dated 26-4-2019 of Ministry of Human Resource Development enclosing a copy of Speaking Order dated 18-4-2019 passed in compliance of order dated 15-11-2018 by CAT/ Lucknow in OA No. 172/2014 for extension of MACP benefit to teachers under Kendriya Vidyalayas have been received. On perusal of the said Speaking Order it has been observed as under:

a) The Association of Kendriya Vidyalaya teachers had chosen to remain in the existing Scheme of three tier pay scales (i.e. CAS) and accordingly MHRD conveyed KVS that 'Government has decided not to extend ACP Scheme to the teachings staff of KVS and that they would continue in the existing scheme;

b) On implementation of MACP Scheme, the MHRD decided to extend the same to non-teaching staff of KVS;

c) MHRD considered the issue of extension of MACP benefit to teaching category of KVS in consultation with DOPT who in turn further consulted Department of-Expenditure and taking note of the fact that one of the conditions for extending the benefit of MACPS was that the earlier ACP Scheme should have been adopted by the concerned authority and that the KVS itself had chosen not to opt for earlier ACP Scheme for their teaching staff, the proposal for grant of MACPS to teachers under KVS was not agreed by Deptt. of Expenditure;

d) In two cases viz. OA No. 3855/2015 before CAT/ PBNew Delhi and OA No. 515/2013 before CAT/ Ernakulam, the Tribunals have dismissed the claim for extension of MACP benefit to teachers under Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangatthan;

e) In view of the position stated in para (a) to (d) above, MHRD vide its Speaking order dated 18-4-2019 have declined the claim of KVS teachers for grant of MACP benefit.

3. It is pertinent to mention that benefit of financial upgradation accruing under CAS viz- a-viz MACP was examined in detail and it has been observed that MACP Scheme is broadly beneficial than the CAS presently being implemented for the Railway School Teachers as at the time of grant of financial upgradation under CAS, benefit of pay fixation is not allowed whereas in case of MACP, benefit of pay fixation is allowed an admissible in cases of normal promotion.

4. In view of the above and in terms of para 13 of DOP&T's OM dated 19-5-2009 it is proposed that CAS may be replaced by MACPS for grant of financial upgradation to the Railway School teachers.

5. This has the approval of Board (MS and, FC)

(Subhankar Dutta)
Deputy Director, pay Commission-V
Railway Board

Source: NFIR

Central Government Holiday to observed during the year 2020 - Corrigendum

Central Government Holiday to observed during the year 2020 - Corrigendum

F. No. 12/1/2019-JCA-2
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment (JCA) Section

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 26th June, 2019

CORRIGENDUM

Subject: Holidays to be observed in Central Government Offices during the year 2020 - reg.

In the list of holidays to be observed in Central Government Offices during the year 2020, circulated vide OM of even number dated 18th June, 2019, the para 6 of the OM may be read as;

“During 2020, Diwali (Deepawali) falls on Saturday, November 14, 2020 (Karthika 23).”
Hindi version will follow.

(Juglal Singh)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India

Source: DoPT

NPS: Contribution of 10 to 14 percent to National Pension System by Central Government Employees

NPS

NPS: Contribution of 10 to 14 percent to National Pension System by Central Government Employees

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 366
ANSWERED ON: 24.06.2019

National Pension System

Raksha Nikhil Khadse
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government proposes to enhance the contribution which is presently at 10 percent to National Pension System (NPS) to make the retirement income scheme more attractive;
b) if so, whether the Government has notified this change;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the date proposed for the notification of the new scheme?

ANSWER
Finance Minister

(a) to (c) Government has increased the mandatory contribution by Central Government from 10% to 14% of the basic pay+DA for all the Central Government employees covered under National Pension System Tier-I. The employees’ contribution rate would remain at the existing 10% of the basic pay+DA. This has been notified vide Gazette Notification No. 1/3/2016 PR dated 31.01.2019, and has come into force with effect from 01.04.2019.

d) Does not arise in view of reply given to parts (a) to (c).

Source: Lok Sabha

EWS - Bank loans to Economically Weaker Section under various Schemes

EWS

Bank loans to Economically Weaker Section under various Schemes

Ministry of Finance
The Government of India extends bank loans to Economically Weaker Section (EWS) under various Schemes.

25 JUN 2019

In terms of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Guidelines on Priority Sector Lending (PSL), a target of 40 percent of Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) or Credit Equivalent amount of Off-Balance Sheet Exposures (OBE), whichever is higher, as of preceding March 31st, has been mandated for lending to the priority sector by domestic Scheduled Commercial Banks and Foreign Banks with 20 branches and above. Within this, sub-targets of 10 and 18 percent of ANBC or Credit Equivalent amount of OBE, whichever is higher, as of preceding March 31st, have been mandated for lending to weaker sections and Agriculture respectively. Further, within the 18 percent target for agriculture, a sub-target of 8 percent of ANBC or OBE, whichever is higher has been prescribed for Small and Marginal Farmers.

As per RBI’s notification dated 19.06.2018 loans to individuals up to Rs. 28 lakh in metropolitan centre and Rs. 20 lakh in other centres, are eligible to be classified under priority sector, provided that the cost of dwelling unit does not exceed Rs. 35 lakh and Rs. 25 lakh, respectively. To give a fillip to low-cost housing for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Low Income Groups (LIG), the housing loan limits for eligibility under priority sector lending have been revised to Rs. 35 lakh in metropolitan centres, and Rs. 25 lakh in other centres with certain conditions. Further, there is provision of loan for construction of house for EWS and LIG wherein the total cost of house does not exceed Rs 10 lakh provided the family income limit is Rs.2 lakh per annum. This income criteria has been revised to Rs. 3 lakh per annum for EWS and Rs. 6 lakh per annum for LIG.

The Government of India extends bank loans to Economically Weaker Section (EWS) under various schemes. Some of the schemes of Government for EWS are as under:

In pursuance of the Government vision of facilitating housing to all by 2022 Government has launched Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) mission on 25.06.2015. The mission aims to provide assistance to all States/ UTs in addressing the housing requirement of urban poor including EWS/ LIG.

Under the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) for EWS/ LIG component of PMAY-U an interest subsidy of 6.5% for EWS / LIG, calculated on Housing Loan up to Rs. 6 lakh over a tenure of 20 years is provided by the Government.

III. All Scheduled Commercial Banks have adopted and implemented the IBA Model Educational Loan Scheme for pursuing higher education in India and abroad. The scheme is applicable uniformly to all students’ borrowers including students belonging to weaker sections. However, for the students belonging to EWS whose parental/family income is upto Rs 4.50 Lakh, an Interest Subsidy Scheme, namely Central Sector Interest Subsidy Scheme (CSIS), is operational under which full interest subsidy, on educational loans upto Rs 7.50 lakh, is available during the period of moratorium on loans availed under the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) Model Education Loan Scheme from Scheduled Banks. CSIS scheme benefits all categories of economically weaker students for pursuing professional/ technical courses in lndia and intends to provide affordable higher education.

This was stated by the Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharamanin a written reply to a Parliament Question in Rajya Sabha today.

PIB

Increase the limit of pension and age under Atal Pension Yojana - PFRDA

Ministry of Finance

Atal Pension Yojana

25 JUN 2019

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has submitted a proposal to increase the limit of pension and age under Atal Pension Yojana (APY). The same is under examination in consultation with PFRDA.

The number of beneficiaries under APY in last three years, State-wise, are as per Annexure A.
Atal Pension Yojana(APY) is open to all citizens of India between 18-40 years of age. Accordingly, Mudra beneficiaries, Self Help Group (SHG) members and Anganwadi workers who are citizen of India and fall between 18-40 years of age are eligible to join APY.

This was stated by the Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharamanin a written reply to a Parliament Question in Rajya Sabha today.

PIB