INTUC Resolution on Merger of 50% DA with Pay

INTUC Resolution on Merger of 50% DA with Pay
Merger of 50% DA With Pay

The 30th Plenary Session of Indian National Trade Union Congress INTUC was held in Raipur from 06.09.2013 to 09.09.2013.  There are 4 solutions, which are considered to be very important are adopted in this Conference. One of the four main resolution is Merger of 50% DA with Pay for central government employees. So the INTUC urges the central government to consider the demand  and accord sanction for merging 50% DA with pay. The Resolution On Merger Of 50% DA With Pay which has been adopted in 30th Plenary Session of  INTUC held in Raipur from 6-9-2013 to 9-9-2013 is given below

Resolution On Merger Of 50% DA With Pay

The Wage structure revision for Central Government employees had been enquired into by the successive pay Commission appointed by the Government of India during the past decades and gave their reports. The Government had considered the reports and decided for implementation with certain changes and improvements.

The previous pay Commissions (3rd,4th,5thand 6th ) have ,by and large, covered the aspects of the principle of wage determination . But however the job contents, remuneration commensuration with the nature of duties and responsibilities have not been taken into consideration by the pay Commissions while determining the revised pay structure, consequently the railway men have been put into disadvantage.

The 5th CPC had recommended that the DA must be merged with pay and treated as pay for computing all allowance as and when the percentage of dearness compensation exceeds 50%. Accordingly even before the setting up of 6th CPC, the DA of 50% was merged with pay.

Presently, the dearness compensation is 80% as on 1st January, 2013, while the DA had crossed 50% of pay as on 1st January, 2011.The demand for merger of DA to partially compensate the erosion in the real wages was first mooted by the Gadgil Committee in the 2nd pay Commission period. The 3rd CPC had recommended such merger when the cost of living Index crosses over 272 points i.e. 72 points over and above the base index adopted for the pay revision. In other words, the recommendation of the 3rd CPC was to merge the DA when it crossed 36%. The Government in the national Council JCM at the time of negotiation had initially agreed to merge 60% DA and later the whole of the DA before the 4th CPC was set up. The 5th CPC had merged 98% of DA with pay.

As the DA already stood at 80% of Pay and another installment is expected to be granted w.e.f. July, 2013 which may cross 90%,it is necessary that the Government takes steps to merge 50%DA with pay for all purposes for the year 2013 for ensuring compensation to the erosion of value of real wage of government employees.

The Plenary Session of INTUC therefore urges upon the Government of India to consider the demand and accord sanction for merging DA component i.e. 50% of DA with pay for all purposes.

Source: http://www.gservants.com

Identification of Pensioners Associations under the Pensioners' Portal

Identification of Pensioners Associations under the Pensioners' Portal

 F.No.55/12/2013·P&PW(C)
Government of India
Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare
3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi
************

    Identification of Pensioners Associations under the Pensioners' Portal - A Mission Mode Project under NeGP.

A Mission Mode Project Pensioners' Portal, under NeGP entrusted to Department of P&PW aims at the welfare of Central Civil Pensioners across the country. Its specific objective is to facilitate redressal of Pensioners grievances and provide detailed information, guidance etc. on pension and other retirement related matters through various stake holders. The project envisages inter-alia association of registered Pensioners Associations of Central Government Employees and other welfare organizations in the implementation process.


Under the above project this Department has already identified 30 Pensioners Associations on the basis of the following criteria. These Associations are given one time hardware/software and Grant-in-Aid up to Rs.75,000/- per annum to participate in the implementation of the scheme to defray expenses on certain approved components such as telephone/internet connection, stationary etc.

This Department now intends to identify about 20 more Pensioners Associations in a phased manner i.e. 10 Pensioners Associations during 2013-14 and further 10 Pensioners Associations during 2014-15 from various States. Preference will however be given to Central Government Pensioners Associations from the unrepresented States, which are Himachal Pradesh, Goa, North Eastern State (except Assam) and Union Territories, looking after the welfare of Civil/Railways/Defence pensioners. The Central Government Pensioners Associations desirous of getting identified under the Pensioners Portal may send their details as indicated below alongwith copies of relevant documents with reference to above criteria alongwith a write up on their vision/ plan to work towards welfare of Central Government Pensioners to Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare at the address given above within 30 days from date of publication of advertisement in newspapers. Super scribing - "Identification under Pensioners Portal"

(a) Name of Pensioners' Association with Address etc.
(b) Date of Registration/ incorporation
(c) MOA& rules, if any
(d) Objectives of the Association
(e) Sources of funding
(f) Total membership of the Association
(g) Audited Accounts for last 3 years
(h) Annual Activities Report for last 3 years
(i) Publication/journal details
(j) Composition of General Body
(k) No of General Body Meetings held
(1) Premises (whether hired or owned) by the Association
(m) Infra-structural details
(n) With whom the Association interact frequently

(Tripti P. Ghosh)
Director (PP)

Source: http://pensionersportal.gov.in
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D3/D03ppw/PA_090913.pdf]

New Pension Bill, PFRDA Bill, 2011: Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

New Pension Bill, PFRDA Bill, 2011: Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
Frequently asked questions about the new Pension Bill, PFRDA Bill, 2011, are given below.

1. What does the new pension law do?

      The PFRDA Bill, 2011, (proposed to be enacted as a law) provides for the establishment of an Authority to promote old age income security by establishing, developing and regulating pension funds, to protect the interests of subscribers to schemes of pension funds and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
    An Interim Authority has already been created vide Govt Resolution dated October 10, 2003, and November 14, 2008, and is fully functional. The passage of the bill will confer statutory status to the Interim PFRDA to develop and regulate National Pension System (NPS) earlier known as New Pension Scheme.



2. What is NPS ?

      The National Pension System reflects (NPS) Government’s effort to find sustainable solutions to the problem of providing adequate retirement income.
    The NPS is an easily accessible, low cost, tax-efficient, flexible and portable retirement savings account. Under the NPS, the individual contributes to his retirement account and also his employer can also co-contribute for the social security/welfare of the individual.
    The NPS is designed on Defined contribution basis wherein the subscriber contributes to his account, there is no defined benefit that would be available at the time of exit from the system and the accumulated wealth depends on the contributions made and the income generated from investment of such wealth.
    Eventual pension wealth is based on the level of contributions made over the years, the charges (administrative and fund management) deducted from the funds and the returns achieved by the investment fund (pension fund managers) used over a period of time during the accumulation phase in the NPS.
    The greater the value of the contributions made, the greater the investments achieved, the longer the term over which the fund accumulates and the lower the charges deducted, the larger would be the eventual benefit of the accumulated pension wealth likely to be.


3. Why should one subscribe to a pension fund?

      Pension ensures that a person has steady and adequate financial security during his old age, even after he has retired from employment or his earning capacity has extinguished/decreased.


4. What does the pension bill propose?

      The PFRDA shall administer the NPS for subscriber’s interest in accordance with the provisions of the PFRDA Act and the rules and regulations framed thereunder. The Authority has the mandate to regulate all other pension funds (other than the NPS) which are not regulated by any other enactment.


5. Is it compulsory?

      The NPS is compulsory in respect of persons appointed to public services in connection with the affairs of the Union, or to All-India Services, on or after 1-1-2004. It is also compulsory in case of employees of Central Autonomous bodies.
    The NPS is also applicable in respect of employees of various state governments and its autonomous bodies, who have joined the NPS and in respect of whom, such state governments have extended the NPS based on the notifications issued by such states.
    The NPS is voluntarily extended to the citizens of India w.e.f May, 2009, who may choose to be covered under the NPS. The NPS has also been extended to various corporates, who may choose to provide the scheme to their employees on a voluntary basis.


6. When was it first introduced?

      The PFRDA Bill 2005 was introduced in Lok Sabha in March, 2005, but could not be considered and passed due to dissolution of 14th Lok Sabha. Earlier, the PFRDA Ordinance 2004 was promulgated on December 29, 2004, which lapsed on April 7, 2005.


7. Can one decide how much on ones savings should go into stocks and how much in debt?

      Presently, in respect of government employees, the investment choice in asset class E (Equities), asset Class C (Corporate Debts) and Asset Class G (Government Securities) is in accordance with investment pattern contained in Ministry of Finance notification No. F. No. 5 (88)/2006 –PR.— dated August14,  2008. For others different schemes are applicable based on the choice exercised by the subscriber.


8. If stock prices crash, will pension be affected?

      The rate of return and NAV (Net Asset Value) of the subscriber will be susceptible to market risk.


9. Can one choose the stocks in which pension fund will put the money?

      Pension Fund Managers based on their expertise will choose the stocks for investing the collective monies of the subscriber (under full disclosure to the NPS Trust). However, individual subscriber will not have the option of choosing a particular stock.


10. Can one withdraw money whenever one wants or only after one retires?

      The subscriber can exit from the NPS and withdraw the accumulated pension wealth in the following manner and no other exits or withdrawals are permitted presently:
        a. Upon attainment of age of 60 years   : At least 40% of the accumulated pension wealth of the subscriber needs to be utilized for purchase of an annuity providing for the monthly pension of the subscriber and the balance is paid as a lump sum payment to the subscriber.
        b. Upon Death (irrespective of cause)   : The entire accumulated pension wealth (100%) would be paid to the nominee / legal heir of the subscriber and there would not be any purchase of annuity/monthly pension.
        c. Exit from the NPS before attainment of age of 60 years (irrespective of cause):   At least 80% of the accumulated pension wealth of the subscriber needs to be utilized for purchase of an annuity providing for the monthly pension of the subscriber and the balance is paid as a lump sum payment to the subscriber.


11. Can it help the industry?

      The industry can benefit by the availability of long term funds under the NPS, which may be deployed to build infrastructure. The industry can also provide the  NPS as an important social security scheme to the employees serving in such industries.

Source: http://english.manoramaonline.com

VRS applied officer should take decisions of sensitive nature with approval of next higher authority: CBDT

VRS applied officer should take decisions of sensitive nature with approval of next higher authority: CBDT

 An officer who has submitted, his/her application for voluntary retirement from service (VRS) should take decisions of sensitive nature, if any, with the approval of next higher authority. - CBDT

No. C-29016/43/2013 -Ad.VI(A)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
(Central Board of Direct Taxes)

New Delhi, the 6th September, 2013

OFFICE ORDER

It has come to the notice of the CBDT that the officers, even after giving notice for VRS, continue to take decisions of sensitive nature. The Centeral Vigilance Commission(CVC) has taken a serios view of this practice. It is, therefore, decided by the Board that an officer who has submitted, his/her application for voluntary retirement from service (VRS) should take decisions of sensitive nature, if any, with the approval of next higher authority.


2. This issues with the approval of Chairperson, CBDT.

sd/-
(Raj Kumar)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source: http://irsofficersonline.gov.in
[http://irsofficersonline.gov.in/Documents/OfficalCommunique/196201355012.PDF]

Expected DA : Cabinet Committee may approve in this week

Govt to hike DA by 10%; benefit 80 lakh employees and pensioners

New Delhi: Ahead of festival season, Central Government will this month announce a hike in dearness allowance to 90 percent from existing 80 percent, benefiting about 50 lakh central employees and 30 lakh pensioners.

According to official source, dearness allowance hike will be 10 percent and would be effective from July 1, this year.

The sources further said the exact amount of dearness allowance, as a proportion of basic pay, works out to over 90 percent after factoring in the revised all India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) for June.

According to revised data released on August 30, retail inflation for factory workers for June stood at 11.63 percent, higher than provisional estimate of 11.06 percent for the month released on July 31.

Sources said that since the revised estimate for the month of June is available, the Finance Ministry would soon prepare a proposal for the purpose for seeking Union Cabinet nod.

They further said the proposal will be moved this month.

There would be a double digit hike in DA after about three years. It was last in September, 2010, that the government had announced a hike of 10 percent to be given with effect from July 1, 2010.

DA was hiked to 80 percent from 72 percent in April, 2013, effective from January 1, this year.

As per the practice, the government uses CPI-IW data for past 12 month or a year to arrive at a number for the purpose of any DA hike. Thus, the retail inflation for industrial workers between July, 2012 to June 2013 will be used to take a final decision.

Source : PTI News

Allotment of General Pool office as well as residential accommodation to the Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRT's) & Recovery Appellate Tribunals (DRATs)

Allotment of General Pool office as well as residential accommodation to the Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRT's) & Recovery Appellate Tribunals (DRATs)

 No.11013/0/8/93-Poll

Government of India
Ministry of Urban Development
(Policy I Section)

Nirman Bhawan,New Delhi.
Dated the 30th August,2013.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Grant of eligibility for allotment of General Pool office as well as residential accommodation to the Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRT's) and Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunals (DRATs) - Reg.


In continuation to this Directorate's OMs of even number dated 28.9.2007, 16.10.2007, 16.11.2007, 14.12.2010, 27.4.2012 and 25.10.2012 whereby eligibility for allotment of General Pool accommodation, office as well as residential, was granted to Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) and Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunals DRATs) at Delhi and outstations (where General Pool accommodation exists) till 21.02.2013, the undersigned is directed to state that the issue of extending the eligibility has been considered by the Competent Authority and it has been decided to extend the eligibility status of DRTs and DRATs for allotment of General Pool office and residential accommodation, at locations except Delhi and Mumbai where such accommodation is available beyond 21.02.2013 and till such time alternative arrangements are made for providing residential accommodation to them on the recommendations of the Group of Ministers constituted to consider and examine all issues relating to uniformity of retirement age, conditions relating to the tenure of the appointment/re-appointment and provisions concerning residential and office accommodation for quasi judicial/regulatory bodies/tribunals, etc. Eligibility code allotted earlier to DRTs and DRATs will remain same. Accordingly the allotment of General Pool residential accommodation to the staff of DRTs and DRATs at stations other than Delhi and Mumbai may be regularized by charging normal license fee.

sd/-
(S.K.Jain)
Deputy Director of Estates(Policy)

Source: http://estates.nic.in
[http://estates.nic.in/WriteReadData/dlcirculars/Circulars20270.pdf]

Temporary Employees joined before Jan, 2004 and regularised in NPS will eligible for Pension & GPF: CAT

 Temporary Employees joined before Jan, 2004 and regularised in NPS will eligible for Pension & GPF: CAT

Ce­­n­tral Administrative Tri­bunal relief on pension for 16 In­di­ra Gandhi Centre for Ato­mic Research employees

Chennai: The Madras bench of the Ce­­n­tral Administrative Tri­bunal has directed the In­di­ra Gandhi Centre for Ato­mic Research (IGCAR), Kal­pakkam, to provide GPF and other benefits under Central civil service (pension) rules 1972 to 16 employees absorbed as temporary workers in 1999.

In a petition, K. Punni­yakoti of Kalpakkam and 15 others prayed for a direction to the Central government and IGCAR to extend to them the benefit of pension under the old government pension scheme.

The petitioners contended that they were granted temporary status in 1999. On September 9, 2008, they were appointed as casual labourers in the grade of ‘helper A’.

As per the order, 50 per cent of the service rendered under temporary status would be counted for retirement benefits.



After rendering three years of continuous service after conferment of temporary status, the casual labourers would be treated on a par with group D employees for the purpose of contribution to general provident fund.

They were appointed in te­mporary category and su­b­sequently regularised bet­ween May 2005 and Novem­ber 2005.

Meanwhile, the go­vernment introduced the new pension scheme in Ap­ril 2004 and the employees who joined service after Ja­nuary 1, 2004 were to be be covered under the new scheme.

In its reply, IGCAR argued that the employees who joined service after January 1, 2004 would be governed by the new pension scheme.

Employees who joined service prior to January 1, 2004 were governed by the general provident fund/contributory provident fund as per the Central civil service (pension) rules 1972.

The judicial member of the bench, B. Venkateswara Rao directed IGCAR to apply provisions of the Central civil service (pension) rules 1972 in respect of the employees and extend benefit under GPF rules. The bench also directed IGCAR to deduct monthly subscription regularly without interruption. The order is to be complied with within two months.

Source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com

DOPT ORDERS - Successful completion of mandatory CSS Training Programmes - Clarification regarding

DOPT ORDERS - Successful completion of mandatory CSS Training Programmes - Clarification regarding

No.8/1/2013-CS.I(Trg.)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
(CS-I Training)

Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Dlehi,
Dated 5th September 2013

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : Successful completion of mandatory CSS Training Programmes - Clarification regarding.

Mandatory training for CSS officers under CSS-CTP is in place vide O.M. No.4/11/2005-CSI dated 15th December, 2006, O.M. No.1/1/2009-CSI(Trg.) dated 24th February, 2010 and OM No.8/11/201000CSI(Trg.) dated 5th April, 2010 in accordance to the eligibility criteria for purposes of promotion etc., as prescribed under the CSS Rules, 2009 and relevant Regulations / Notifications.

2. The issue of failure to complete the mandatory training under CSS-CTP has been examined in this Department. It has been decided with the approval of the competent authority that the participant who fail to qualify the written/theory component of the mandatory training, shall be given a maximum of two more opportunities by the ISTM for clearing the exam. However, there will be no further opportunity for clearing the 'general assessment' or 'field component' of the tests/assignments viz., study-tour and no further facility for classroom inputs etc., would be provided. Moreover, these additional two opportunities for clearing the written component of the training programme would require such officers to take the appropriate leave from their controlling Ministries/Departments for appearing in the subsequent supplementary exams.

3. All the Ministries/Departments may bring the above stipulations under CSS-CTP to the notice of all the officers of the Central Secretariat Service in their respective Ministries/Departments.

sd/-
(Vidyadhar Jha)
Under Secretary to Government of India

Source: www.persmin.gov.in
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02csd/3timeexam.pdf]

Medical facilities for in-patient treatment and post-operative follow-up treatment to ECHS beneficiaries residing in districts not covered by ECHS

Medical facilities for in-patient treatment and post-operative follow-up treatment to ECHS beneficiaries residing in districts not covered by ECHS

No. 22D (09)12013/US (WE)/D (Res)
Govornment of India
Deptt of Ex-Servicemen Welfare
Ministry of Defence
New Delhi

Dated the 21st August, 2013

To
The Chief of the Army Staff
The Chief of the Naval Staff
The Chief of the Air Staff

Subject:- Medical facilities for in-patient treatment and post-operative follow-up treatment to ECHS beneficiaries residing in districts not covered by ECHS.

Sir.
1, The undersigned is directed to invite attention to Govt. of India, Ministry of Defence letter No. 24(48)/03/US(WE)D(Res) dated 19th December, 2003 and to state that keeping in view, the difficulties being faced by the ECHS beneficiaries residing in districts not covered by ECHS it has now been decided to liberalise the ECHS Rules as follows to enable them to avail medical facilities for in-patient treatment and post- operative follow-up treatment-

(a)

(i)   ECHS beneficiaries who are holding a valid ECHS Card and are residing in districts not covered by ECHS shall be eligible to obtain treatment from Govt. (Central/State/Local Self Government) hospitals and submit the medical re-imbursement claim to the ECHS Polyclinic (i.e. they can avail the treatment without obtaining referral from Polyclinic located outside their district),

(ii) Re-imbursement shall be limited to the CGHS rates applicable to the nearest ECHS Polyclinic and as per the ceiling rates and ward entitlements or as per actuals whichever is lower.

(b)

(i)  ECHS beneficiaries who are holding a valid ECHS card and are residing in districts not covered by ECHS shall be eligible to obtain post¬operative follow-up treatment from Govt. (Central/State/Local Self Government) hospitals in follow up cases of Renal Transplant Surgery Knee and Hip Joint Replacement, Cancer Treatment Neuro Surgery and Cardiac Surgery. However, prior permission (referral) is to be obtained from the OIC of nearest ECHS Polyclinic.

(ii) Permission shall be issued for 3 to 6 months at a time and may be extended based on medical requirement. Reimbursement for consultation, procedures and investigations shall be limited to CGHS rates applicable to the nearest ECHS polyclinic and as per the ceiling rates and ward entitlements or as per actuals ,whichever may be lower. OPD medicines shall be obtained from the concerned Polyclinic for a maximum period of 3 months at a time.

2. These order will come into effect from date of issue.

3. This issues with the concurrence of MoD (Finance) vide U.O. 1574/13/Fin/Pen dated 11th July, 2013.

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
( HK Mallick)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Source: http://www.desw.gov.in
[http://www.desw.gov.in/sites/upload_files/desw/files/pdf/in-%20patients.pdf]

Finmin Orders : Disbursement of salary/wages/pension to the Central Government Employees in the State of Kerala for the month of September, 2013 on account of ONAM festival

Finmin Orders : Disbursement of salary/wages/pension to the Central Government Employees in the State of Kerala for the month of September, 2013 on account of ONAM festival

 No.3(2)/TA/2012/497
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
Controller General of Accounts
Lok Nayak Bhawan
Khan Market, New Delhi

Dated: 06.09.2013

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Disbursement of salary/wages/pension to the Central Government Employees in the State of Kerala for the month of September, 2013 on account of ONAM festival.

In view of the 'ONAM festival, the Government have decided that the salary of all Central Government employees in the State of Kerala for the month of September, 2013 may be drawn and disbursed by the Central Government offices (including Defence, Posts & Telecommunications) on 13th September, 2013.

2. The wages for September, 2013 of the industrial employees of Central Government serving in the State of Kerala may also be disbursed in advance on 13th September, 2013.

3. The pension for September, 2013 of all Central Government Pensioners in the State of Kerala may also be disbursed by Bank/PAOs on 13th September, 2013.

4. The salary/wages/pension so disbursed is to be treated as advance payments and will be subject to adjustment after the full months salary/wages/pension of each employee/pensioner is determined. The adjustment, if any, will be made without exception from the salary/wages/pension as the case may be from the month of September, 2013.

5. The concerned Ministries/Departments are requested to bring these instructions to the notice of their offices located in the State of Kerala for necessary action immediately.

6. Reserve Bank of India is requested to bring these instructions to the notice of all paying branches of all Banks located in the State of Kerala for necessary action immediately.

sd/-
(MADAN MOHAN)
Jt. Controller General of Accounts

Source: www.confederationhq.blogspot.in
[http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/2013/09/flash-news-onam-salary-kerala-orders.html]