DoPT - Clarification on regularization of absence during COVID-19 epidemic lockdown period

Latest DoPT Orders 2020

F.No.14029/5/2019-Estt.(L)(Pt.2)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

Old JNU Campus, New Delhi 110 067
Dated: 28.07.2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Clarification on regularization of absence during COVID-19 epidemic lockdown period – regarding.

This Department has been receiving several references/ queries from Central Government employees who proceeded on leave, with station leave permission, but could not report for duty due to non-availability of public transport / flights and restrictions on inter/ intra state movement of persons as per Ministry of Home Affairs’ Orders from time to time, to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The matter has been considered and the following clarifications relating to regularization of period of absence during the period of lockdown are issued in the matter :-

Central government employees news latest update today

S.No	Situation	Clarification
1	Government Servants who were on official tour and were unable to return to their Headquarters (HQs) due to non-availability of Public Transport	Deemed to have joined duty on the date of expiry of official tour, if intimation in any form, indicating difficulty in joining duty due to non-availability of public transport/ flights, has been given by the Government servant to the office.
2	Government servants who were on leave prior to issue of lockdown orders with effect from 25.03.2020 and the leave ended during lockdown period	Deemed to have joined duty from the date of expiry of leave, if intimation in any form, indicating difficulty in joining duty due to non-availability of public transport /flights has been given by the Government servant to the office. In case of leave on medical grounds, this is subject to production of medical/fitness certificate
3	Government servants who left HQ on the week-end prior to lockdown, i.e. 20.03.2020 (Friday), but could not return to HQ on 23.03.2020 (Monday) due to non-availability of transport.	Deemed to have joined on 23.03.2020, if intimation, in any form indicating difficulty in joining duty due to nonavailability of public transport/ flights has been given by the Government servant to the office.
4	Government servants who were on leave prior to issue of orders on lockdown with effect from 25.03.2020 and the leave expired during the lock down but who wish to curtail the leave before expirty and join duty	Curtailment of sanctioned leave may not be agreed to, unless allowed by the leave sanctioning authority only in rare cases based on official exigency. From the date following the date of expiry of leave during the period of lockdown, the employee may be deemed to have joined duty.

2. All the Ministries/ Departments and their attached/ subordinate offices are directed to regulate the period of absence strictly as per above clarifications and unnecessary references to DoPT on the subject may be avoided.

Also check: Government employees retiring during COVID pandemic will be receiving provisional pension till their regular Pension Payments

(Satyajit Mishra)
Joint Secretary to the Government of India

Source: DoPT

Regularization of leave for the absence period of Central Government Employees during lockdown period due to COVID-19

Absence during COVID-19 Lockdown period

Latest Central Government Employees News

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS
1st Floor, North Avenue PO Building, New Delhi – 110001
Website: www.confederationhq.blogspot.com
Email: confederationhq@gmail.com

Ref: Confd/ Leave/ COVID

Dated: 25.07.2020

To
The Cabinet Secretary,
Government of India,
Rashtrapati Bhawan
New Delhi

Sub: Regularisation of leave in respect of absence during Lockdown period.

Sir,
The following suggestion are submitted for regularization of leave for the absence period of Central Government Employees during lockdown period due to COVID-19 :

Also check: Clarification on regarding of Absence during COVID-19 Lockdown period
1. Regularisation of leave by declaring special casual leave or by declaring the unintended absence from duty as regular duty:

• A. For all such staff who were unable to attend office duty during lockdown period.
• B. For all such essential service staffs who were not listed in the duty roaster by their head of office during the lock down period and couldn’t attend office.
• C. For all such staff who were unable to attend office duty during unlock period for the reason their name has not been included in the duty roaster.
• D. For all such staff who were unable to attend office duty during unlock period for derth of communication facility.
• E. All such absence should invariably be counted as duty.

2. Reintroduction of quarantine leave for the Central Government employees who are:

• a) self-quarantined for co morbidity issue or have come across some COVID infected patients,
• b) whose friends and relatives are Covid 19 infected and are leaving in proximity,
• c) Asymptomatic patients who are self-quarantined.

Further we would like to point out the following:

• Quarantine Leave, as was, should not be a regular leave and akin to casual leave, it should not be treated as an absence from duty, but a leave necessitated by orders not to attend office consequential to presence of infectious diseases in the family or household of the employee.
• Quarantine leave was admissible earlier in cases of cholera, smallpox, plague, diphtheria, typhus fever and cerebrospinal meningitis. Now the issue of Covid 19 infection has to be included and the Central Government has to be requested to reissue this order with certain corrections.
• As in case of casual leave, an employee on quarantine leave should not be treated as absence from duty and his pay and allowances are not to be intermitted.
• However, unlike casual leave, Quarantine leave may be combined with any other type of leave except causal leave or special casual leave.
• Quarantine Leave of 21 days (+ 9 days) to attend dependent in the family suffering from infectious disease should be allowed.

Sir, it may also not out of context to mention that evidences available from various pay commission reports point toward existence of Quarantine leave till introduction of CCS Leave Rules, 1972 and even today it is existing in departments like OIDB (Oil Industry Development Board) under petroleum ministry. Similar dispensation may also be brought in for all Central Government employees at this situation of Pandemic.

Also check: Regularization of officer / employee absence due to lockdown w.e.f. 25th March 2020

With greetings,
Yours sincerely,
(R. N. Parashar)
General Secretary

Source: confederation

Further Extension of timelines for recording of PAR for the year 2019-20 in respect of AIS officers – DoPT

Further Extension of timelines for recording of PAR for the year 2019-20 in respect of AIS officers – DoPT

Latest DoPT Orders 2020

F.No. 11059/01/2014-AIS-III
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi
Dated 09th June, 2020

To,
The Chief Secretaries of States / UTs

Subject: Further Extension of timelines for recording of PAR for the year 2019-20 in respect of AIS officers - reg.

Sir /Madam,
I am directed to refer to the relevant provisions for recording of PAR under the AIS(PAR)Rules, 2007 as amended, including also the provisions regarding the reporting / reviewing / accepting authorities to record PAR not after one month of their retirement and also to this Department’s letters of even number dated 27.03.2020 and 30.03.2020.

2. In view of the pandemic caused by the spread of COVID 19 and the consequent nation-wide Lockdown extended from time to time, AIS officers are involved in various activities relating to management and control of the pandemic, continuance of essential services and maintenance of law and order etc. Further, most of the government offices, except those involved in essential services and law and order, are working with skeletal staff strength. In the light of exigent situation, the timelines for online generation of PAR, and submission of self-appraisal, recording of comments by reporting/ reviewing / accepting authorities and also retired/retiring government officers were extended vide this Department’s letters of even number dated 27.03.2020 and 30.03.2020.

3 In view of the continuance of the restrictions imposed due to spread of COVID 19, it would still be practically difficult for the AIS officers to either submit their self -appraisal or to record the PAR for the year 2019-2020 as reporting / reviewing / accepting authority within extended timelines. To overcome this, it has now been decided with the approval of competent authority, to further revise the existing cut-off dates prescribed for self-appraisal, reporting, reviewing and acceptance of PAR in respect of AIS officers for the year 2019-20, in relaxation of Rule 4 A (1), Rule 5(1) read with Schedule 2 of the AIS (PAR) Rules, 2007 as amended, so as to give sufficient time to each authority, as indicated below:-

Cut off dates

Activity	Existing	Already Revised	Revised
Self-appraisal for current year	31st May	30th June, 2020	31st August, 2020
Appraisal by Reporting Authority	31st July	31st August, 2020	30th September, 2020
Appraisal by Reviewing Authority	30th September	15th October, 2020	15th November, 2020
Appraisal by Accepting Authority	31st December,	31st December, 2020	31st December, 2020

Also read: AIS Conduct Rules 1968 Proposal to amend Rule 11 by inserting a new-sub Rule 4 – DoPT 2020

4. It has also been decided with the approval of Competent Authority, that irrespective of their date of retirement, the reporting/ reviewing/ accepting authorities, retiring from 29.02.2020 to 31.10.2020 shall be allowed to record PAR for the year 2019-2020 beyond the extant time line of one month after their retirement and as per the revised timeline mentioned in para 3 above, in relaxation of Rule 7A of AIS (PAR) Rules, 2007 as amended.

5. Further, it may cause a burden on healthcare system as well as risk to AIS officers to get medical examination done for submitting mandatory summary of Medical Report along with self-appraisal. Therefore, with the approval of competent authority, it has also been decided to delink the submission of summary of medical report from recording and completion of APAR for the year 2019-2020 in respect of AIS officers. Also, it has been decided to extend the timeline for conduct of Annual Medical Examination and thereafter submitting the summary of Medical Report for the PAR year 2019-2020 for a further period up to 31.12.2020.

6. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, no remarks may be recorded after 31st December,2020 in the PAR of AIS officers for the PAR year 2019-2020, in accordance with the 2nd proviso of the AIS (PAR) Rules, 2007 as amended.

Also check: Stepping up of pay of senior Assistants of CSS drawing less pay on promotion in the Section Officers Grade than their juniors

7. The aforesaid relaxation is as a one-time measure only.

(Khushbo Gowdhary)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Source: DoPT

Counting of the limitation period for the diverse purposes under CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965, CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972

Counting of the limitation period for the diverse purposes under CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965, CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972

Latest DoPT Orders 2020

F.No.11013/9/2014-Estt.A. III
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training)

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 5th June, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Counting of the limitation period for the diverse purposes under CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965, CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972

The undersigned is directed to refer to OM of even number dated 30th March, 2020 whereby, considering the unprecedented situation of lockdown w.e.f. 24th March, 2020, the period of lockdown was decided to be excluded from the time-limits prescribed in various Rules/instructions. While in the initial periods of lockdown, the Government offices were directed to work either with skeletal staff or with 1/3rd of its strength, DoPT’s extant instructions provide for attendance of 100% officers of the level of DS & above and 50% below DS on all working days. Ministry of Home Affairs vide its Order dated 30th May, 2020 has also issued instructions for phase-wise reopening of prohibited activities outside the containment zone. In view of this, it has now been decided that the exclusion of lockdown period w.e.f. 24th March, 2020 shall cease to have further effect with the issue of this O.M. Therefore, after exclusion of lockdown period, action as per time-lines provided under various Rules/ instructions may be completed within the period as explained in paras 2 & 3 of O.M. dated 30th March, 2020 referred above.

(Umesh Kumar Bhatia)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India

---

The undersigned is directed to refer to Central Civil Services (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 1965 [CCS(CCA) Rules, 1965] and Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 [CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972] and the instructions issued under these Rules wherein certain timelines have been prescribed for various activities/ events/ procedures relating to procedures under the said Rules, For instance, in the said Rules/instructions, time limits have been prescribed for the following:

• Review of order of Suspension before its expiry date [Rule 10(6) of CCS(CCA) Rules, 1965]
• Submission of written statement of defence on the charge-sheet by the charged officer ISub Rule 4 in Rule 14 of CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965]
• issuance of charge-sheet once a decision is taken by the Disciplinary Authority to initiate Disciplinary proceedings.{DopTs 0. M. No. 425/04/2012-AVDIV(A) dated 29.11.2012],
• completion of Inquiry and submission of report by the Inquiring Authority [Sub rule (24) in Rule 14 of CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965]
• disciplinary proceedings initiated against a Pensioner shall not be in respect of an event which took place four years before such initiation,{Rule 9 of CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972]
• Acceptance of notice of VRS under Rule 48Aof CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972

(The list is only illustrative and not exhaustive)

2. Consequent upon the outbreak of COVID-19, and considering the unprecedented situation of the Lockdown w.e.f. 24th March 2020, it may not be feasible to adhere to the timelines prescribed in the said Rules and to the instructions issued under the Rules. It has accordingly been decided not to count the period of the Lockdown for the purposes of adherence to the prescribed timelines, including those listed above. For example, if the due date for completing a process/work/event at the start of the Lockdown falls after 20 days, then the due date will get postponed by the number of Lockdown days and the same number (20) of days will be available to complete the work after the Lockdown is lifted.

3. However, after the Lockdown is lifted, if the time left to complete the task is less than 15 days) then the processes may be allowed to be completed within 15 days.

4. In addition, timelines may have been prescribed for receipt of applications for direct recruitment, deputation, etc. Where the last date of receipt of application for direct recruitment, deputation etc. falls within the period of the Lockdown, the last date shall be extended by the number of days of the Lockdown. Similarly, the time limits prescribed in the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964, for various purposes shall also be extended by the number of days of the Lockdown.

5. These instructions are applicable only in such cases where there is an intervening Lockdown period and it will not be applicable otherwise.

Source: DoPT

Reporting of officers in the office of the board during the lockdown period - Railway Board Order

Reporting of officers in the office of the board during the lockdown period - Railway Board Order

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

Office Order No. 30 of 2020

Sub: Reporting of Officials in Board’s Office during lockdown period

Enclosed is a copy of DOP&T’s OM No.11013/9/ 2014-Esttt.A-IIT dated 23.04.2020 regarding attendance of Officers / Staff during the lockdown period.

2. Attention in this connection is invited to para 3 of Office Order No. 25 of 2020 and also para 2 of DOP&T’s enclosed OM for following the extant instructions in letter and spirit. While preparing the roster /asking Officials below Deputy Secretary level for reporting to Office, the guiding principle should be that only upto 33% Officials and depending on the requirement be called for working from Office and all others who are not being called at Office or are residing at Containment Zones should work from home and be available at all times on Mobile phones and other Electronic means of Communications. Officials below Deputy Secretary level should not regularly be called to avoid crowding in the Office, except in case of exigencies of work.

Latest DoPT order - Maintain 33 percent of employees attendance, roaster & work from home - Central Govt Employees April 24, 2020

3. Further, Officials may be called at staggered timings as stated in para 3 of the enclosed DOPT’s OM.

4. Based on above, if required, separate rosters may be prepared by all controlling Head of the Directorates (PEDs & EDs).

Also check: PIL Filed for Central Government Employees Freezing DA in Supreme Court

(B. Majumdar)
Joint Secretary/Railway Board

No. 2020/O0&M/9/1
Dated:- 24.04.2020

Source: Indian Railways

No move to reduce the retirement age of central government employees to 50 years

Any attempt to reduce government employees' retirement age, nor such a plan discussed or contemplated at any level of government: Dr. Jitendra Singh

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

26-April, 2020

No move to reduce the retirement age of government employees, nor such a proposal discussed or contemplated at any level in the government: Dr Jitendra Singh

Strongly refuting the reports in a section of media that Government has moved a proposal for reducing the age of retirement of government employees to 50 years, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh categorically stated here today that there is no such move to reduce the retirement age nor has been such a proposal discussed or contemplated at any level in the government.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, there are certain motivated elements which have been over the last few days, time and again planting such disinformation in a section of media and attributing it to the government sources or DoP&T. He said, each time a prompt rebuttal is sought to be made in order to clear the confusion in the minds of stakeholders. He said, it was unfortunate that at a time when the country is going through Corona crises and the entire world is praising Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for his proactive handling of the pandemic, there are certain elements and vested interests which try to underplay all the good work done by the Government by planting such media stories.

On the contrary, right from the beginning of the emergence of the Corona challenge, Government and the DoP&T have, from time to time taken prompt decisions to safeguard the interests of the employees. For example, he said, even before the lockdown was officially announced, DOPT had issued an advisory for the offices to work with "absolutely necessary or minimum staff". Even though the essential services were exempted from this guideline, DOPT had issued directions to exempt the "Divyang employees even from the essential services".

Considering the constraints of the lockdown, he recalled that DOPT had postponed the last date for filling of the Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR) by the government officials.
At the same time, he referred to the UPSC’s decision to reschedule the dates of IAS / Civil Services interview / personality test and also announced that the Civil Services Preliminary Test will be done after May 3rd. Similarly, on the same line, SSC has also postponed its process of recruitment.
As for the Department of Personnel in the Ministry of Personnel, Dr Jitendra Singh said that last week there was fake news that the government had decided to impose a 30% reduction in the pension and discontinue pensions for those who are above the age of 80. However, contrary to this, the truth is that on the 31st of March there was not a single pensioner whose pension did not deposit in his account. Not only this, services of the Postal Department were sought to deliver the pension amount at the residence of the pensioners, whenever required.

As for the Department of Personnel, in the last four weeks, the Ministry of Personnel has had Video Conference consultations for Pensioners and Senior Citizens across 20 cities where pulmonary advice was given by experts like Dr Randeep Guleria, Director (AIIMS). Similarly, Yoga Sessions on Webinar are also being organised.

PIB

ECHS - CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICINES SPECIAL SANCTION IN VIEW OF COVID-19 till 30 April 2020

ECHS

CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICINES SPECIAL SANCTION IN VIEW OF COVID-19 till 30 April 2020

Tele: 25683476
Mil: 36833
Central Organisation,
ECHS Adjutant General's
Branch Integrated Headquarters
Ministry of Defence (Army)
Thimayya Nlarg, Near Gopinath
Circle, Delhi Gantt-110010

B/49761/AGIECHS

24th Apr,2020

(All Regional Centres)

REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICINES SPECIAL SANCTION IN VIEW OF COVID-19

1. Further to this HQ letter No 13/49761/AG/ECHS dated 23 Mar 2020 (copy aft).
2. A onetime sanction for purchase of medicines and claim reimbursement was issued till 30 Apr 2020. in view of extended lockdown till 03 May 2020, the veterans having life style/ chronic ailments/ diseases on long treatment may purchase medicines lasting till 31 May 2020 based on the prescription held (prescribed by Polyclinic Service hospital Empanelled hospital) irrespective of NA or otherwise - Veterans need not go to Polyclinics to collect the medicines till 31 May 2020.
3. One time sanction is hereby accorded to reimburse of above expenditure under individual reimbursement of medical claims. The bills for reimbursement to be submitted by Veterans after 15 Jun 2020.
4. This will be applicable with immediate effect till 31 May 2020.

Also check: Latest DoPT order - Maintain 33 percent of employees attendance, roaster & work from home - Central Govt Employees

(Anuparn N Adhaulia)
Col
Dir (Med)
for MD ECHS

Maintain 33% of employees attendance, roaster & work from home - DoPT Order 2020

Latest DoPT Orders 2020

Accordingly, correct Roster Can be drawn up by the Heads of Department. Needless to say, officials / staff employed at home on a specific day should always be accessible by telephone and electronic means of communication

F. No. 11013/9/2014-Estt.A-III
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment A-III Desk

North Block, New Delhi.
Dated the 23 April, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19

The undersigned is directed to refer to O.M of even number dated 17th March, 2020 on the above-mentioned subject. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) vide its Order dated 15.4.2020 has now extended the nationwide lockdown till 3rd May, 2020 to contain spread of Coronavirus in the country and has issued the consolidated revised guidelines for strict compliance. Para 18(ii) of these consolidated revised guidelines, inter-alia, provide that all officers of the level of Deputy Secretaries & above are to function with 100% attendance while 33% of the remaining officers/staff are to attend offices as per requirement.

Also check: No DA/DR & No Arrears to Central Government employees till July 2021

2. The spirit of the guidelines is that crowding in the offices may be avoided and safe social distancing norms may be maintained. It is, however, seen that in some Ministries/ Departments, more than 33% of officials /staff below Deputy Secretary level are being called to offices. This might lead to undesirable crowding in the office jeopardizing the preventive measures in place for containing the spread of COVID-19.

3. It is reiterated that guidelines for attendance for officers/staff at levels below Deputy Secretary, be strictly followed. Heads of Departments (HoDs) may also direct their officers/staff to attend office in staggered timings to further avoid crowding in offices/work spaces. As suggested vide O.M. of even number dated 19th March, 2020, the staggered timings may be as follows :-

(a) 9.00 am. to 5.30 p.m.
(b) 9.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
(c) 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.

Suitable Roster May, accordingly, be drawn up by the Heads of Department. Needless to say that officials/ staff working from home on a particular day should be available on telephone and electronic means of communications at all times. They should attend office, if called for any exigencies of work.

Sd/-
(Umesh Kumar Bhatia)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India

Source: DoPT

Attendance report during lockdown (20.04.2020 to 03.05.2020)

Latest Central Government Employees News Today

Attendance report during lockdown from 20th April to 3rd May, 2020 - COVID-19

F.No. C-35021(1)/MF.CGA/ ADMN/2020/ 2006
O/O CONTROLLER GENERAL OF ACCOUNTS
MINISTRY Of FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

NEW DELHI,

Dated: 21.04.2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Attendance report during lockdown ( 20.04.2020 to 03.05.2020) - reg.

With reference to the Ministry of Finance, D/o, D/o Expenditure OM No. A- 60011/21/2019-Ad.J dated 20.04.2020, all Jt. Controller General of Accounts are requested to arrange to provide attendance statement in respect of their verticals, in the following format so that a compiled report could be sent to M/o Finance:

Sl. No.

Unit / Section Name

Name of Officers/ Officials

Designation

Attendance statement may be sent to Administration positively by 1.00 P.M. on every working day at admn3-cga[at]gov.in.

Also read: Exemption to employees to mark biometric attendance in Aadhar Based Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS)

Attendance statement for 20th and 21st April 2020 may however kindly be sent by 3.30 P.M. today for onward submission of compiled report.

Also check: Request for relaxation in compassionate appointment – Deaths due to COVID-19

Sr. Accounts Officer (Admn)

Via: Central government news

IMPORTANT CIRCULAR - MHA Order - CGDA - Revised consolidated guidelines during the lockdown period

AN/I/Covid-19/2020

OFFICE OF THE PR. CONTROLLER OF DEFENCE ACCOUNTS (PENSIONS)
DRAUPADI GHAT, ALLAHAI3AD - 211 014,

Dated 17.04.2020

IMPORTANT CIRCULAR

To,
The All Group Officers / Officer in-charge Section, (Local)

Sub : Preventive Measures to contain the spread of (COVID-19).

As per directions issued by the Govt. of India, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), New Delhi Order
No.40-3/2020-DM-l(A) dated 15.04.2020: and Ministry of Defence, Office Order F.No.A-50024/01/2020-D (Estt.I/Gp.1) dated 15.04.2020, the CGDA I- IQrs Office, Delhi has issued guidelines vide their letter No.AN/III/3012/ Circular No.VIII dated 16.04.2020 (available on the CGDA website) for strict implementation of the revised consolidated guidelines during the lockdown period which will continue to be remain in force upto 3rd May 2020.

2. In view of the above, the Office will remain open without any restriction during the lockdown period w.e.f. 20.04.2020 subject to compliance of all instructions contained in the said Order of the MHA. All the Group Officers and Officer in Charge of Sections will ensure that the above instructions are followed scrupulously. In this regard necessary instructions in addition to the above guidelines are enclosed as Annexure-I.

3. While opening the Office w.e.f. 20.04.2020, it may be ensured that working hours for all employees who attend office should be staggered, therefore, suggested that two rosters of employees may be formed and asked to attend office as per the following timings in such a manner that 50% of employees attend office in 1st Shift and 50% in 2nd Shift:- a. 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. b. 10.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.

Necessary precautionary arrangements for disinfection of office premises, availability of sanitizers etc have been made for employees.

Encl. Annexure I

(Navpreet Kaur)
Jt.CDA(AN)

Annexure-I

NECESSARY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Large gathering or meeting i.e. more than 3-4 persons even during tea break must be avoided.
2. Work places shall have a gap of one hour and will stagger the lunch breaks of staff to ensure social distancing.
3. Pan Masala, Gutkha and Spitting at work place and in office premises is strictly banned and Rs.500/- fine will be imposed if anyone found doing so.
4. In case any employee is unwell, has dry cough, difficulty in breathing etc, he/ she or his/ her colleagues should immediately bring it to the notice of administration through Welfare Section.
5. All the Officers and Staff are advised to download the Arogya Setu App.
6. Sections are advised to ensure seating at least 6 feet away from each other.
7. It is advised to use staircases in place of lifts.
8. Norms of social distancing as issued by the Govt. of India may be followed.
9. All the officers and staff are requested to co-operate with thermal scanning arrangement at entry points of the office of the PCDA(P) and follow social distancing norms during thermal scanning process.

Sr. Accounts Officer (AN)

Entitlement of Mileage allowance in addition to Conveyance Allowance during COVID-19 Lockdown

Incentive use of own transport, following a mileage allowance, may be given to officers and staffs to make critical services from office in compliance with their controlling officers roster/orders

Employees Provident Fund Organisation MES
(Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. Of India)
Head Office

Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan,
14- Bhikaiji Cama Place,
New Delhi- 110066

HRD/1(71)2014/Misc./Pt. II

Subject: Entitlement of Mileage allowance in addition to Conveyance Allowance during COVID-19 Lockdown - regarding.

As you are aware, the services of EPFO have been brought under the essential services in public interest and it calls for skeletal attendance of officers and staff at various offices for carrying out the requisite functions. As public transport is not available during the lockdown declared by Central Government on account of COVID-19. Officers and staff may be required to use their own vehicles for coming to office to perform essential duties. Accordingly, in order to incentive's usage of own conveyance, following mileage allowance may be provided to officers and staff attending office to render essential services from office in accordance with roster/orders of their controlling officers.

• Mileage allowance will be admissible for Two / Four-wheeler vehicles used and at the corresponding rates (as being used to regulate TA bills) specified by competent Government Authorities where office is located.
• Distance will be counted by shortest route in accordance with Google Maps from office to declared place of residence as per service book of concerned officials multiplied by 2.
• Officials will give only one consolidated self-certified bill for claiming above Mileage allowance within 30 days of lifting of lockdown orders by Government of India.
• Officials using staff car or car hired by office wouldn’t be entitled tor above Mileage Allowance.
• Above mileage allowance will be admissible in addition to Transport Allowance payable under FR&SR.
• Authorities empowered to pass TA Bills as per delegation of financial powers will be competent to pass above bills.

[This issues with the approval of CPFC]

Also check: 7th CPC List of allowances along with modifications as approved by the Government of India: Appendix I of Gazette Notification

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-
(Naveen Juneja)
Regional PF Commissioner (HRD)

Regularization of employee absence due to lockdown w.e.f 25 March 2020

Regularization of employee absence due to lockdown w.e.f 25 March 2020

Officers / Staffs who have not been able to resume duties following the completion of the approved leave period due to the suspension of Train Road Communication during the lockout period shall be treated as Special Casual Leave.

EAST COAST RAILWAY
Office of the Principal Chief Personnel Officer
Rail Sadan, Mad Floor, Bhubancswar-781017

No. ECoR/ Pers/ COVID-19 /Bills

Date: 07.04.2020

All PHODsCHODs
DRM/ECoR- SBP/AVAT/KUR
CAO 'Con/ BBS, CWM'CRW/MCS
All Concerned
East Coast Railway

Sub: Regularization of absence period of officers / staff due to lockdown w.e.f. 25.03.2020.

In view of complete lockdown of 21 days announced by Govt. of India, effective all over India w.e.f. 25.03.2020 on account of spread of pandemic COVID-19, a number of officers / staff of this Railway who proceeded on sanctioned leave/ HQ leave/ Duty may not have been able to return to their respective place of duty owing to interruption of train service and road communication etc.

1. Therefore. in terms of Para 7.9 of Master Circular No. 10 of Railway Board, following instructions are issued for guidance:

TYPES OF LEAVE ADMISSIBLE: Leave Rules - CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972

• Officers staff who could not assume duty after completion of sanctioned leave period, due to suspension of Train Road Communication during the lockdown period, their over-stay is to be treated as Special Casual Leave. Similarly,in case of staff who were on HQ Leave permission as on 25.03.2020, their absence from HQ during lockdown period may be treated as Special Casual Leave.
• Staff who proceeded on duty prior ta 25.3.2020 bur could not return to their respective HQs, due to suspension of Train Road communication during the lockdown period, such forced halts period to be treated as on-duty.

2. Officer Staff who arc above 50 years of age and having underlying conditions i.e. Diabetes, Respiratory problem, Renal Diseases and other life-threatening illness may be granted Commuted leave without insisting on RMC for a period up to 4th April vide Railway Board’s Lr.No. E (P&ADI- 2020 /CPC/LE-3 dated 23.03.2020.

3. Officer staff who have been advised for quarantine by the competent authority, their salary may be drawn for the period. However, regularization of the said period will be decided later in due course.

4. Keeping in view the present scenario, the following guidelines / instructions are to be followed by all Bill compiling officers / staff of this Railway :

Check this : 7th Pay Commission Leave Rules

• Salary / Stipend for April. 2020 may be drawn for off existing regular Employees / Apprentices Trainees irrespective of their presence / absence on duty during the lockdown period, except those who are unouthorisedly absent from their duties since long (unauthorized absence prior to 25.03.2020). Over-payment found, if any, will be adjusted in the regular salary of May. 2020 or later.
• List of such employees who were on sanctioned leaves/ on duty/ home quarantined / under Quarantine should be prepared by respective Bill sections Unit in charges and should be sent through the Master Roll and also brought to the notice of respective controlling officers.

This order is provisional and subject to further order guidelines of Railway Board that may be issued in this regard.

This has approval of PCPO.

(R.N.A. Parida)
Chairman / RRC-cum- Dy. CPO/ IR&W
For Principal Chief Personnel Officer

Apprentices will continue to get their full stipend during COVID-19 Lockdown

Apprentices will continue to get their full stipend during COVID-19 Lockdown

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

31-March, 2020

"Apprentices will continue to get their full stipend during COVID-19 Lockdown": Dr MahendraNathPandey

• All establishments shall pay full stipend as applicable to the apprentices engaged under both designated and optional trade
• Reimbursement of stipend to establishments under NAPS shall be paid by the Government for the lockdown period as per the NAPS guidelines

As a part of the Government’s commitment to fight the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and fully support the public, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) today notified all the establishments under designated and optional trade to pay full stipend to apprentices engaged with them. Additionally, reimbursement of stipend to establishments under National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) shall be paid by the Government for the lockdown period as per the NAPS guidelines.

Apprentices Act, 1961 and the Apprenticeship Rules under it state that if a trade apprentice is unable to complete the period of apprenticeship training due to strike or lockout or layoff in an establishment where he is undergoing training and is not instrumental for the same, the period of his apprenticeship training shall be extended for a period equal to the period of strike or lockout or layoff, as the case maybe, and shall be paid stipend during the period of such strike or lockout or layoff or for a maximum period of six months, whichever is less.

Dr.MahendraNathPandey, Union Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurshipexpressed his views and shared, "This is the time when we all need to come forward and support each other completely. Even our honourable Prime Minister, Shri. NarendraModi appealed to businesses to act with empathy. And with this, we have decided that we will not let the morale of the country’s productive youth to be let down and will support them in every way possible. In view of this, we will ensure that apprentices continue to get their stipend during COVID-19 lockdown. I would also like to state that all the establishments have shown full commitment in this regard and are cooperating with the Government for the smooth delivery of services in a critical time like this."

Apprenticeship has been recognized as an effective way to empower young people to smoothly shift from school and college to work whilst at the same time improving links between industry and training institutions. The National Apprenticeship Programme plays a large part in the task of up-skilling India’s workforce, offering the opportunity to share costs among different parties (employers, individuals and the government) and to involve governments, employers and workers in partnership. Apprenticeship is a win-win situation both for industry and youth in coming together to help make the vision of ‘Skilled India’ a reality in future

Source: PIB

Functioning of Central Government Office - Operation to prevent the COVID-19

Payment and Accounts Offices and other payment offices shall remain open throughout working hours. The absence of staff shall not be a cause for any delay or inability of the payment and accounting systems to work.

F.No.23 (4)/E.Coord/2020
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi
Dated : 23.03.2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Functioning of Government Expenditure System during the operation of preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Attention is invited to DOPT OM No 11013/9/2014-Estt- (A-III) Dated 22.03.2020 regarding preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

2. In the present situation, the smooth and normal functioning of the Government Expenditure System is critical to safeguard the public interest. Therefore, the expenditure functions of Government in general and the Integrated Finance Divisions (IFD) of Ministries /Departments and Office of Controller General of Accounts (CGA) in particular, are essential services. Indeed, in certain sectors, the expenditure system may have to function more quickly than normal to cope with the emerging needs.

Contractual staff of Ministries / Departments and other organizations of Government of India, treated as on duty COVID-19
3. Accordingly the following clarifications, with specific reference to IFDs & CGA, are issued.

• Absence of staff shall not be a reason for any delay or non-functioning of the payment and accounting systems.
• Pay and Accounts Offices and other offices dealing with payments shall remain open during working hours.
• Financial Advisors and field offices of the CGA (Pr. CCA, CCA, CA, PAO etc) shall attend office as per normal schedule to ensure coordination and supervision and shall issue suitable instructions for the presence of others as necessary to achieve these objectives.
• The above shall be kept in view by Financial Advisers and the Office of CGA when drawing up the roster, etc as prescribed in the OM referred to above

(Annie G. Mathew)
Additional Secretary to Government of India

DoE

Contractual staff of Ministries / Departments and other organizations of Government of India, treated as on duty - COVID-19

In view of the lockdown order relating to COVID-19 prevention, as stated by various States / UT Governments, contract workers are expected to remain at home, they shall be considered as "on duty" during such absence time and the requisite pay / wages shall be paid accordingly.

F.No.23(4)/E.Coord/ 2020/1
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 23.03.2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Payment of wages to outsourced persons of Ministries / Departments and other organizations of Government of India during lockdown period due to COVID-19

As part of social distancing and isolation measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country, various State / UT Governments have announced lockdown at different places. Instructions have been separately issued by DOP&T regarding maintenance of essential services in Ministries / Departments.

2. Due to these measures, there is a likelihood of a number of contractual, casual and outsourced staff such as house-keeping staff etc. being required to stay at home, which under normal circumstances would result in deduction in their pay /wages. In order to avoid any undue hardships under the prevailing extraordinary circumstances, it has been decided that wherever any such contractual, casual and outsourced staff of Ministries / Departments and other organizations of Government of India, is required to stay at home in view of lockdown order regarding COVID-19 prevention, as announced by various States/ UT Governments, they shall be treated as “on duty” during such period of absence and necessary pay / wages would be paid accordingly.

Also check: Preventive measures to be taken to contain the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) DoPT Order

3. These instructions shall also apply to Attached/ Subordinate Offices, Autonomous /Statutory Bodies of Government of India.

4. These instructions shall apply till 30th April, 2020.

(Annie G. Mathew)
Additional Secretary to Government of India

Source: DoE