Highlights of Interim Budget 2014-2015

Highlights of Interim Budget 2014-2015

• ONE RANK ONE PENSION ACCEPTED FOR DEFENCE SERVICES.
  
• FISCAL DEFICIT FOR 2013-14 WILL BE 4.6 PERCENT OF GDP. CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT (CAD) WILL BE PEGGED TO$45 BILLION.
  
• FOOD INFLATION STILL THE MAIN WORRY. DECLINES SHARPLY FROM 13.6 PERCENT TO 6.2 PERCENT.
  
• IN THE CURRENT YEAR, AGRICULTURE GROWTH UP AT 4.6 PERCENT.
  
• MERCHANDISE EXPORT  2013-14 $ 326 BILLION, UP BY 6.3 PERCENT.
  
• DEFENCE ALLOCATION UP BY 10 PERCENT.
  
• GOVERNMENT WILL CONTRIBUTE RS. 1000 CRORE TO NIRBHAYA FUND.
  
• BIG EXCISE RELIEF TO AUTOMOBILE AND CAPITAL GOODS INDUSTRY.  ATTEMPTS TO BOOST DOMESTIC PRODUCTION OF MOBILE HANDSETS.
  
• 67 CASES OF ILLEGAL OFF-SHORE ACCOUNTS DETECTED. ACTION UNDERWAY TO DETERMINE TAX LIABILITY. PROSECUTIONS FOR WILLFUL TAX EVASION LAUNCHED IN 17 OTHER CASES.

The Union Finance Minister Shri P. Chidambaram today sought to present UPA Government’s ‘unparalleled’ growth record, rejecting the argument of policy paralysis. He also outlined a vision for the future with ten major tasks that must be undertaken by the Government of the day. Keeping the fiscal deficit at 4.1 percent of GDP and acceding to the long-pending demand of one rank one pension among defence personnel were other key highlights of the Interim Budget presented by him.

The Minister enumerated path-breaking decisions taken by the Government in 2013-14. These include decontrol of sugar, gradual correction of diesel prices, rationalization of railway fare, starting the process for issue of new bank licenses and restructuring of DISCOMS.

Asserting that the economy is more stable today than what it was two years ago, the Minister said that the fiscal deficit is declining, the current account deficit has been contained, inflation has moderated, the quarterly growth rate is on the rise, the exchange rate is stable, exports have increased, and hundreds of projects have been unblocked.

The Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI) and the Project Monitoring Group were setup. Thanks to the swift decisions taken by them, by the end of January, 2014, the way was cleared for completing 296 projects with an estimated project cost of Rs. 660,000 crore.

Shri Chidambaram stated that decline in GDP observed in the first quarter of 2013-14 will be arrested and the growth cycle will turn in the second quarter. He expressed the confidence that growth in Q3 and Q4 of 2013-14 will be at least 5.2 percent.

The Finance Minister stated that the annual GDP growth in the last ten years of UPA Government has been above the growth rate of 6.2 percent for the last 33 years. While it was 8.4 percent during UPA-I, it was 6.6 percent during UPA-II.

The Interim Budget estimates the plan expenditure in 2014-15 at Rs. 555,322 crore, almost the same as in the previous year. The non-plan expenditure has been raised slightly to Rs. 12,07,892 crore. Fiscal deficit for 2013-14 is likely to be contained at 4.6 percent of GDP and for 2014-15 at 4.1 percent.


PERFORMANCE
The Finance Minister Shri Chidambaram gave examples of fast growth in various sectors in the last ten years. India produces 263 million tonnes of foodgrains now as compare to 213 million tonnes ten years ago. Similar fast growths have taken place in coal production, power capacity and rural roads. Central Government’s expenditure on education has risen to Rs. 79,451 crore as compared to Rs. 10,145 crore ten years back. Expenditure on health has risen to Rs. 36,322 crore from Rs. 7,248 crore in a decade, the Minister said.

Agriculture sector has shown ‘stellar performance’ in 2013-14. Foodgrain production is estimated 263 million tonnes. Production of sugarcane, cotton, pulses, oilseeds and quality seeds has reached new records. Agricultural exports are likely to cross $ 45 billion. Agricultural credit is likely to touch 7,35,000 crore, exceeding the target of Rs. 7,00,000 crore. In the current year, agricultural GDP growth is estimated at 4.6 percent.

Merchandise exports rose by 6.3 percent in 2013-14 to $326 billion.
Eight National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZ) have been announced and another 5 NIMZ approved in-principle.

Infrastructure has grown by valuable addition to national highways, rural roads, railway tracks and port capacity. Besides, 19 oil and gas blocks were given out for exploration in 2013-14 and 7 new airports are under construction.

MAJOR PROPOSALS
The Government has accepted the principle of ‘one rank one pension’ for the defence forces and has allocated Rs. 500 crore for this purpose.

The target of agricultural credit has been raised to Rs. 8,00,000 crore. The effective rate of interest on farm loans, after interest subvention and incentive for prom payment, has been maintained at 4 percent.

Defence allocation has been enhanced by 10 percent to Rs. 2,24,000 crore. A moratorium period for all education loans taken upto 31.3.2009 has been proposed. It will benefit nearly nine lakh students borrowers by way of reduced interest burden.  Rs. 2,600 crore have been allocated for this purpose.

The Government will contribute Rs. 1000 crore to the Nirbhaya Fund on top of Rs. 1000 crore provided earlier.

Rs. 1200 crore Additional Central Assistance is being provided to the North-Eastern States, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

A venture capital fund for Scheduled Castes is proposed to be set up with an initial capital of Rs. 200 crore.

The restructured  ICDS, which is being implemented in 400 districts, will be rolled out in the remaining districts.

Rs. 1000 crore is being proposed to the National Skill Development Cooperation in view of its success in providing skills to the youth.

A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Among the tasks identified for the health of the economy in the years to come, the Minister called for keeping the fiscal deficit at 3 percent of GDP, promoting foreign investment, keeping inflation at a moderate level, and time- bound implementation of financial sector reforms. He also emphasized the need to rebuild infrastructure and promote manufacturing. Keeping subsidies under check, addressing the decay in cities and skill development will need to be given emphasis. States must share costs of flagship programmes so that more resources can be allocated to defence, railways etc.

REVENUE PROPOSALS

To give relief to automobile industry which is registering unprecedented negative growth, it is proposed to reduce the excise duty for the small cars, motor cycles, scooters and commercial vehicles by 4 percent. It will be cut from 12 percent to 8 percent.

The excise duty on SUVs is proposed to be reduced by 6 percent. From 30 percent to 24 percent.

In case of large and mid-segment cars, it is proposed to reduced excise duty by 3 percent i.e. 27/24% to 24/20%. All these reduced rates will be applicable upto June 30, 2014.

To stimulate growth in capital goods and consumer non-durable, it is proposed to reduce the excise duty from 12 to 10 percent on all goods for a period up to June 30, 2014. It is applicable to all goods falling under Chapter 84 and 85 of the Schedule to the Central Excise Act.

To encourage the domestic production of mobile handsets and reduce the dependence on imports, it is proposed to restructure the excise duty for category of mobile handsets. The rates will be 6 percent with CENVAT credit or 1 percent without CENVAT credit.

To boost domestic production of soaps and oleo chemicals, it is proposed to rationalize the customs duty structure on non-edible grade industrial oils and fractions, fatty acids and fatty alcohols at 7.5 percent.

It is proposed to withdraw the exemption from CVD on similar imported machinery to encourage domestic production of the specified road construction machinery.

The Government has succeeded in obtaining information in 67 cases of illegal Off-shore Accounts and action is underway to determine the tax liability as well as impose penalty. Prosecutions for willful tax evasion have been launched in 17 other cases.

Setting-up a Research Funding Organization that will fund research projects selected through a competitive process. Contributions to that organization will be eligible for tax benefit.

The Direct Taxes code (DTC) is ready and it will be placed on the website for a public discussion. The Finance Minister appeals to all political parties to resolve to pass the GST laws and the DTC in 2014-15.

Central Government Employees for Special concessions/facilities to working in Kashmir Valley

Central Government Employees for Special concessions/facilities to working in Kashmir Valley

 Dopt Orders - Special concessions/facilities to Central Government Employees working in Kashmir Valley in attached/subordinate offices or PSUs falling under the control of Central Government.

No. 18016/3/2011-Estt.(L)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, P.G. & Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)

New Delhi, the 17th February, 2014.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Special concessions/facilities to Central Government Employees working in Kashmir Valley in attached/subordinate offices or PSUs falling under the control of Central Government.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. No. 18016/3/2011- Estt.(L) dated 27th June, 2012 on the subject mentioned above and to state that it has been decided to extend the package of concessions/incentives to Central Government employees working in Kashmir Valley for a further period of one year w.e.f. 01.01.2013. The revised package of incentives is as per annexure.

2. The package of incentives is uniformly applicable to all Ministries/ Departments and PSUs under the Government of India and they should ensure strict adherence to the rates prescribed in the package. The concerned Ministry/Department may ensure implementation and monitoring of the package in conformity with the approved package, and therefore, all Court cases in which verdicts are given contrary to the package would have to be contested by the Ministries/Departments concerned.

Hindi version will follow

sd/-
(Mukul Ratra)
Director

ANNEXURE to DOPT’ s O.M. No.18016/3/2011-Estt.(L) dt. 17th February, 2014

DETAILS OF PACKAGE OF CONCESSIONS/FACILITIES TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES WORKING IN KASHMIR VALLEY IN ATTACHED/SUBORDINATE OFFICES OR PSUs FALLING UNDER THE CONTROL OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.

[Kashmir Valley comprises of ten districts namely, Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Kupwara, Pulwama, Srinagar, Kulgam, Shopian, Ganderbal and Bandipora]

I. ADDITIONAL H.R A. AND OTHER CONCESSIONS :

(A) Employees posted to Kashmir Valley:

(i) These employees have an option to move their families to a selected place of their choice in India at Government expense. T.A. for the families allowed as admissible in permanent transfer inclusive of transportation of personal effects, lump-sum payment for packing etc.

(ii) Departmental arrangements for stay, security and transportation to the place of work for employees.

(iii) HRA as for Class ‘Y’ city applicable for employees exercising option at (i). Such employees will be eligible for drawing the normal HRA as well at their place of posting provided Departmental arrangement is not made for his/her stay.

(iv) The period of temporary duty extended to six months. For period of temporary duty daily allowance at full rate is admissible, apart from departmental arrangements for stay, security and transportation.

(B) Employees posted to Kashmir Valley who do not wish to move their families to a selected place of residence :

A per diem allowance of Rs.10/- is paid for each day of attendance to compensate for any additional expense in transportation to and from office etc. This will be in addition to the transport allowance, which the employee is otherwise eligible for under Ministry of Finance order No. 21(2)/2008-E.II(B) dated 29.08.2008.

II. MESSING FACILITIES :
Messing Allowance to be paid to the employees at a uniform rate of Rs.15/- per day by all Departments, or in lieu messing arrangements to be made by the Departments themselves. This rate of allowance will have to be adhered to uniformly by all the Ministries/Departments with effect from 01.07.1999. The slightly higher rate of Rs.25.50/- adopted by the Department of Telecom and Posts and allowed to be continued as a special case by the Department of Personnel in consultation with the Ministry of Finance, would, however, continue to be paid at the said rate.

III. PAYMENT OF MONTHLY PENSION TO PENSIONERS OF KASHMIR VALLEY
Pensioners of Kashmir Valley who are unable to draw their monthly pensions through either Public Sector Banks or PAO treasuries from which they were receiving their pensions, would be given pensions outside the Valley where they have settled, in relaxation of relevant provisions.

NOTE :-

1. The package of concession/facilities shall be admissible in Kashmir Valley comprising of ten districts namely, Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Kupwara, Pulwama, Srinagar, Kulgam, Shopian, Ganderbal and Bandipora.

2. The package of concessions/facilities shall be admissible to Temporary Status Casual laborers working in Kashmir Valley in terms of Para 5(i) of the Causal Laborers (Grant of Temporary Status and Regularization) Scheme of Government of India, 1993.

3. The benefit of additional HRA admissible under the Kashmir Valley package shall be admissible to all Central Government employees posted to Kashmir Valley irrespective of whether they are natives of Kashmir Valley, if they choose to move their families anywhere in India subject to the conditions governing the grant of these allowances.

4. The facilities of Messing Allowance and Per Diem Allowance shall also be allowed to natives of Kashmir Valley in terms of the Kashmir Valley package.

sd/-
(Mukul Ratra)
Director

Source: www.persmin.nic.in
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/18016_3_2011_Estt_L.pdf]

Dopt issued orders on Lokpal and Lokayuktas (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2014

Dopt issued orders on Lokpal and Lokayuktas (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2014

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2014

MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
(Department of Personnel and Training)
 

ORDER

New Delhi, the 15th February, 2014

S.O. 409(E). - Whereas the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 (1 of 2014) (hereinafter referred to as the said Act) came into force on the 16th day of January, 2014;

And whereas Section 44 of the said Act requires making of a declaration of assets and liabilities by the public servant to the competent authority in the manner provided under the said Act;

And whereas Section 44 of the said Act requires furnishing of information relating to assets and liabilities, (i) by the public servant on the occasion of entering upon office within thirty days from the date of assumption of office, and
(ii) by a public servant holding his office as such within a period of thirty days from the date of coming into force of the said Act;

And whereas Section 44 of the said Act also requires the filing of annual return of such assets and liabilities with the competent authority, on or before the 31st day of July every year; and the competent authority in respect of each Ministry or Department shall ensure such statements are published on the website of such Ministry or Department by the 31st day of August of that year;

And whereas different set of rules such as—

(i) the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964;
(ii) the All-India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968;
(iii) the Railway Services (Conduct) Rules, 1966,

and other relevant rules exist with respect to public servants on filing of property returns and making of declaration of assets by every public servant which have been framed by the President or the Central Government in exercise of powers under the Constitution or the relevant Acts of Parliament and are being complied with by each and every Government servant;

And whereas the modifications or amendments of the above said rules and other relevant rules in consonance
with the provisions of Section 44 of the said Act will need some time keeping the constitutional and other statutory requirements which are to be followed while modifying or amending of such rules which are in force;

And whereas the amendment of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 shall require consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India as per the constitutional provisions, and in case of the All-India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, the amendment or modification of the said rules shall require consultation with the Governments of the States concerned in terms of Section 3 of the All-India Services Act, 1951 (61 of 1951);

And whereas after following the above procedure, it is unlikely and may not be possible to complete the process of harmonising the provisions of section 44 of the said Act with other relevant Acts and the Constitutional provisions within the timeframe provided in Section 44 of the said Act;

And whereas difficulties have arisen in giving effect to the provisions of Section 44 of the said Act and harmonising its requirement with the above referred Constitutional provisions, Acts and the rules made thereunder before the rules are made by the Central Government for prescribing the form and manner of furnishing information and filing of annual returns by public servants under the said Section 44;

Now, therefore the Central Government, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 62 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 (1 of 2014), hereby makes the following Order to remove the difficulties in respect of making of declaration of assets by public servants and filing of property returns in terms of Section 44 of the said Act, namely:—

1. Short title and commencement. - (1) This Order may be called the Lokpal and Lokayuktas (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2014.

(2) It shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

2. Modification or amendment of relevant rules in consonance with Section 44 of said Act. - (1) The modification or amendment to the relevant rules referred to in this Order shall be carried out within a period not exceeding one hundred and eighty days from the date on which the provisions of the said Act came into force.

(2) The public servants who have filed the declarations, information and returns under the provisions of the
relevant rules shall file revised declarations, information or returns, as the case may be, in compliance of the rules framed under Section 44 of the said Act within the period specified therein.

[No. 407/12/2014-AVD-IV(B)]
DEEPTI UMASHANKAR, Jt. Secy.

Source: www.persmin.gov.in
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02ser/407_12_2014-AVD-IV-B-15022014.pdf]

Reservation for persons with disabilities- Computation of reservation- Implementation of the SC Judgement: DoPT Order

Reservation for persons with disabilities- Computation of reservation- Implementation of the SC Judgement: DoPT Order

 Reservation for persons with disabilities- Computation of reservation- Implementation of the judgement of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the matter of Union of India & Ann Vs. National Federation of Blind & Ors: DoPT Order

No. 36012/24/2009-Estt.(Res)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi
dated the 14th February, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject Reservation for persons with disabilities- Computation of reservation- Implementation of the judgement of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the matter of Union of India & Ann Vs. National Federation of Blind & Ors.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M. of even number dated the 3rd December, 2014 on the subject cited above conveying the judgement of the Hon'ble Supreme Court dated 8.10.2013 in the matter of Civil Appeal No.9096 of 2013 (arising out of SLP (Civil) No.7541 of 2009) titled Union of India & Anr. Vs. National Federation of Blind & Ors. and follow up action required to be taken thereon.


All the Ministries/Departments/Organizations were, inter alia, requested to compute the number of vacancies available in all the cadres under their control including attached offices, subordinate offices, public sector undertakings, Government Companies, Cantonment Board, etc. in accordance with the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court as per Para 5 of the aforementioned O.M. of this Department and further identify the posts for disabled persons within a period of three months from the date of the judgement of the Hon'ble Supreme Court (i.e. 8.10.2013) and implement the same without default. The National Federation of Blind has filed an application and the Hon'ble Court has directed to file a status report giving details of steps taken to implement the judgement of the Hon'ble Supreme Court including the appointments made, if any. The next date of hearing is 12th March, 2014. A copy of the correspondence received in this regard from the Central Government Standing Counsel is enclosed for reference.


This Department is required to file a status report on the action taken by the Ministries/Departments in connection with the next hearing to be held on 12th March, 2014 It is requested that status report on the action taken by the Ministries/Departments/Organizations may kindly be sent to this Department within a week's time i.e. by 21 st February, 2014 so that a consolidated report could be filed before the next date of hearing.

Sd/-
(Debabrata Das)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source: www.persmin.nic.in
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02adm/36012_24_2009-Estt.Res.-14022014.pdf]

Enhancement of Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS) subscription

Enhancement of Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS) subscription

Enhancement of Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS) subscription to the employees of CGDA.

Controller General of Defence Accounts has issued orders regarding the subscription has been enhanced to Group ‘B’ Sr.Auditors from Rs.30 to Rs.60 per month with effect from 1.1.2014.

One Rank One Pension Accepted by Central Government - OROP

One Rank One Pension Accepted by Central Government - OROP

The Central Government has accepted the principle of ‘one rank one pension’ for the defence forces and has allocated Rs. 500 crore for this purpose.

The Government has allocated Rs. 500 crores to the Defence Pension Account in the current financial year itself for implementation of One Rank One Pension scheme for the Defence Forces of the country. Making the announcement in Parliament today during his Interim Budget Speech, the Finance Minister Shri P. Chidamram said that this decision will be implemented prospectively from the financial year 2014-15. The Finance Minister said the Government had decided to walk the last mile and close the gap for all retirees in all ranks. He said the demand of the Defence Services for One Rank One Pension (OROP) had been there for a long time and had been an emotive issue.

Extract of Budget Speech :

One Rank One Pension

56. Hon’ble Members are aware of the long standing demand of the Defence Services for One Rank One Pension (OROP). It is an emotive issue, it has legal implications, and it has to be handled with great sensitivity. During the tenure of the UPA Governments, changes in the pension rules applicable to the defence services were notified on three occasions in 2006, 2010 and 2013.

As a result, the gap between pre-2006 retirees and post-2006 retirees has been closed in four ranks (subject to some anomalies that are being addressed): Havildar, Naib Subedar, Subedar and Subedar Major. There is still a small gap in the ranks of Sepoy and Naik and a gap in the ranks of Major and above. We need a young fighting force, we need young jawans, and we need young officers. We also need to take care of those who served in the defence forces only for a limited number of years. Government has therefore decided to walk the last mile and close the gap for all retirees in all ranks.

I am happy to announce that Government has accepted the principle of One Rank One Pension for the defence forces. This decision will be implemented prospectively from the financial year 2014-15. The requirement for 2014-15 is estimated at Rs.500 crore and, as an earnest of the UPA Government’s commitment, I propose to transfer a sum of `500 crore to the Defence Pension Account in the current financial year itself.

Source: PIB News

Retirement Age 62 - Proposal for raising Retirement Age to 62 waits for Cabinet Nod

Retirement Age 62 - Proposal for raising Retirement Age to 62 waits for Cabinet NodRetirement Age 62 - Proposal for raising Retirement Age to 62 waits for Cabinet Nod

 We have heard it so many times . Every one of us got tired of hearing this rumour again and again. But this time this news may not fade away just as a rumour.

Because the series of events that had happened until now listed below are telling that it will be come true soon.

1. Though there is no any demand from any corner to raise the retirement age of central government employees to 62 years, a parliamentary panel has recommended a proposal to increase the retirement age of government servants to 65 years. The report of the standing committee of Parliament on social justice and empowerment tabled in the Parliament on 7th of this month. Ample justification also was given for their recommendation to increase the retirement age.

2. A reliable source close to a Cabinet Minister told that, the Cabinet Minister himself, while addressing to the Trade Union Wing of his party told ‘the Central Government would announce some important decisions in respect of central government employees within a week or two. This will be good news for all the central government employees.’

3. A close ally of a Central Minister told that, in a meeting held with the leaders of the state unit of his party day before yesterday, the Minister told the Leaders ‘a proposal of increasing retirement age of central government employees to 62 years has been waiting for Cabinet nod. It is expected that the cabinet will clear this proposal within a week. After it gets the Cabinet Nod, the formal announcement will be made by Central Government before the Election announcement.’

The above information clearly indicates that some Good News for Central Government Employees are waiting to be announced within a week or two. All the central government employees know what that good news is!

 The expected good news will be either increasing retirement age or Merging 50% DA with Basic Pay or Both!

Source: www.gservants.com
[http://www.gservants.com/2014/02/17/proposal-raising-retirement-age-62-waits-cabinet-nod/]

50% DA MERGER OR INTERIM RELIEF FOR CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

50% DA MERGER OR INTERIM RELIEF FOR CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

As everyone knows the Central Government has constituted the 7th Pay Commission and named its Chairmen recently. The decision of the government to constitute the 7th CPC has triggered many expectations among the central government employees. Among them was the merger of 50% DA with basic pay as done in the 5th CPC. But the 6th CPC did not recommended anything like that. It is understood that the employees are eagerly awaiting for an economic relief from the soaring prices of essential commodities. There are instances of announcing interim relief (I.R) to the employees apart from DA by a newly constitute pay commission prior to their implementations in the past.

 

Let us look into some of them

 

Interim relief prior to Second Pay

1ST PAYCOMMISSION

 

Details of interim relief in the past

Interim relief of Rs 5.p.m was granted by the 2nd pay commission with effect from the 1st july, 1957 to all employees drawing basic pay not exceeding Rs.250 per month.

Pay range	Dearness pay	Dearness allowance	Total of dearness allowance. Dearness pay and interim relief
	Rs	Rs	Rs
Up to Rs 50	20	25	45
Rs.51—— 100	25	30	55
Rs.101—– 150	27.50	32.50	60
Rs.151—– 200	30	35	65
Rs.251—- 300	32.50	37.50	70
Rs.301—- 500	35	35	70

 

Second Pay Commission

IInd Pay Commission

 

Interim relief as on 31.12.1972

Pay range	Dearness allowance	Portion treated as dearness pay	Interim relief
Below Rs.85	71	47	29
Rs.110-149	71	47	41
Rs.150-209	98	70	41
Rs.210-399	122	90	41
Rs.400-499	146	110	50

 

Third Pay Commission 

IIIrd Pay Commission

Interim relief (1.6.1983 and 1.3.1985)

 

Rates of interim relief from 1.6.1983

The staff side of the national council (joint consultative machinery) had raised a demand relating to the parity of scale of pay of central government employees with public sector pay scales and pending acceptance of this demand, an interim relief to all central government employees was sanctioned at the rates indicated below.

	Categories of employees/pay range	Amount of Interim Relief Sanctioned Rs.
i	For employees drawing pay below Rs.300 p.m	50 p.m
ii	For employees drawing pay of Rs.300 and above but below Rs 700 p.m	60 p.m
iii	For employees drawing pay of Rs.700 and above but below Rs 1600p.m	70 p.m
iv	For employees drawing pay of Rs.1600 and above but below Rs 2250 p.m	80 p.m
v	For employees drawing pay of Rs.1600 and above but below Rs 2250 p.m	100 p.m

 

Rates on interim relief from 1.3.1985

The Fourth Pay Commission had recommended an Installment of interim relief at the rate of 10% of the basic pay of the employees subject to minimum of Rs.50 per month to be paid with effect from 1st march 1985.

 

Fourth Pay Commission

IVth Pay Commission

 

Interim relief

First installment of interim relief to the central government employees from 16.9.1993

 

Interim relief of Rs.100/- p.m has been sanctioned to all central government employees w.e.f 16.9.1993.

 

The amount interim relief will neither be termed as ‘pay’ nor ‘allowance’ nor ‘wages’, accordingly this amount will not counted for any service benefit.

 

Second instalment of interim relief from 1st April 1995

The Fifth Central Pay commission have recommended a further instalment of interim relief at the rate of of 10% of the basic pay to the employees subject to minimum of Rs .100 per month to be paid with effect from 1st April, 1995.

 

Third instalment of interim relief from 1st April 1996

The Fifth Central Pay Commission in their interim report have recommended a further instalment of interim relief at the rate of 10% of the basic pay to the employees subject to minimum of Rs .100 per month to paid with effect from 1st April, 1995.

 

Fifth Pay Commission

Vth Pay Commission

 

The Fifth CPC, in para 105.11 of their report had recommended that DA should be converted into Dearness Pay each time the CPI increase by 50% over the base index used by the Pay Commission.

 

Merger of 50% of Dearness Allowance/Dearness Relief with basic pay/pension to Central Government employees/pensioners w.e.f. 01/04/2004.

 

6th Pay Commission

VIth Pay Commission

 The 6th pay commission after its constitution and implementation did not recommended or suggest any kind of interim relief or merging of DA with the basic pay. As of now the DA has touched 100% and its government is unable to satisfy employees. All federation and associations are pressing the government for the merger of 50% DA. They strongly suggest some kind of relief to the employees As the price of essential commodities are in the rise, the government should act now to fullfil the expectation of the employees. The government should come up with merger 50% DA merger or some interim relief to the employees as early as possible.

 

50% DA MERGER OR INTERIM RELIEF - ?

 

 Source: www.govtempdiary.com

[http://www.govtempdiary.com/2014/02/50-da-merge-or-interim-relief-for-central-government-employees/]

7th Pay Commission for Tamilnadu State Employees

7th Pay Commission for Tamilnadu State Employees

7th Pay Commission may be implemented in the financial year 2016-17 to all employees working under state government, sources said.

One of the highlight announcement in the state budget yesterday, 7th pay revision would be implemented from 1.1.2016.

Proposal of implementation of 7th Pay Revision for state employees in 2016-17.

It is expected to implement the recommendations of 7th Pay Commission in the financial year 2016-17, said in a statement on Thursday tabled the budget for 2014-15.

As a result of filling vacant posts and hike in Dearness allowance and revision of salary, additional costs incurred from 14.62 to 20 per cent growth in the fiscal 2015-16 and 2016-17 respectively.

7th Pay Commission would be implemented on implementation date only, unlike the previous pay commissions. Due to avoid the issue of arrears, the recommendations of 7th Pay commission will be implemented in immediately after the submitted report of pay commission.

Source: 7thpaycommisssionnews.in

Justification to Scrap New Pension Scheme - AIRF submitted to Finance Minister

Justification to Scrap New Pension Scheme - AIRF submitted to Finance Minister
AIRF has submitted Material Justification for the Abolition of New Pension System this will be sent to Hon'ble Finance Minister through Hon'ble Railway Minister.

Justification to Scrap New Pension Scheme

AIRF

ALL INDIA RAILWAYMEN'S FEDERATION

 

No.AIRF/24/(C)

Dated : February, 2014

The Executive Director, Estt.(IR),

Railway Board,

New Delhi

 

Dear Madam,

Sub: Justification to Scrap New Pension Scheme

 

It was agreed in the Joint Meeting, held on 7th February, 2014 with Full Board that, necessary material/justification may also be furnished by the Federations for proposed refernce to be sent to Hon'ble Finance Minister from the Hon'ble Minister for Railways. Accordingly, we are sending herewith a detailed justification for taking necessary action in the matter.

Yours faithfully,

sd/-

(Shiva Gopal Sharma)

General Secretary 

 

AIRF’s Justification to Scrap New Pension Scheme (NPS)

1. Discriminatory treatment between two sets of Railway employees viz – one appointed before 01.01.04 and the others appointed on 01.01.2004 and thereafter.

2. Although the contribution is defined, the benefit has not been defined.

3. Extract from Railway Safety Review Committee, 1998-vide para 2.1.1 and para 2.1.2 the Committee has recommended that the working in the Railways is more closely allied to the armed forces than the sometimes lacks civilian forms. As such railwaymen cannot be bracketed with other Central Govt. Employees for the purpose of Social benefit.

Para 2.1.1 During the colonial period, the Railways was conceived and operated as an auxiliary wing of the Army, primarily because it provided the transport muscle that enabled rapid movement of troops across the Indian subcontinent. There was, however, another less visible but important reason for the close linkage with the Army. The colonisers realized that the Railways, by virtue of its complex nature, required a high degree of discipline and efficiency to be able to perform its role as the prime transport mode. This, in turn, meant a system of working more closely allied to the Armed Forces than the sometimes lax civilian forms. Thus ,historically, Indian Railways (IR) has functioned differently from other Government institutions. 

Para 2.1.2 “…………. It is not only unrealistic but also dangerous to treat the Railways and its problems on par with other Government departments which has unfortunately been the case during the last five decades “.

4. Committee on railway safety was appointed by the Ministry of Railway under the Chairmanship of Dr. Anil Kakodkar. Vide para 2.3 of the report is cited below:

	Killed	Injured
Railwaymen	1,600	8,700
Passenger / Public	1.019	2,118
(Unmanned Level Crossing)	723	690

 

It would be seen that number of Railwaymen killed and injured while on duty during the period 2007 – 08 to October, 2011 was much more than passenger and public killed during the year.

 

5. Railwaymen are the second line of Defence. During Chinese aggression in the year 1962 there was massive exodus of civil population near in Arunachal Pradesh and North Bank of Brahmaputra, currency notes were burnt at the order of Dy. Commissioner, Tezpur (Sonitpur), the jail birds were freed but the Railwaymen did not leave their duty post. In this connection extract from Special Gazette published by the Railway Board during Railway Week, 1963 is given below.

“On the night of 20/21 November, 1962 following the exodous of Civil Population from Rangapara North in the Wake of reported Chinese advance Shri Rakhal Das Banerjee bravely struck to this post in the Station, displaying an extra ordinary sense of duty and great courage, he ensured safe custody of Railway Cash amounting to Rs. 26 lakhs”.

Similarly when Pakistan attacked India during 1965, the Railwaymen at the Western Sector saved lives of thousands and thousands of people by sacrificing their own lives while Bomb was exploded on Oil Tankers (Raway Wagon Tanker) (This News was appeared in the Railwaymen of 1965, may be 1966), they parted the effected wagons from the rest, but in the effort an good number of Railwaymen burnt alive.

 

Braving insurgency, Railwaymen continued to maintained the services in North Eastern Region, Naxual infested areas in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Crissa, Andhra Pradesh etc.

 

In May 2008, Loco Pilot of Lumding N. F. Railway saved lives of many persons at the cost of his own life and he was awarded ‘KIRT1 CHAKRA’. The incident is as under.

“On 15th May, 2008, ShrI N. N. Bora, Loco Pilot, Lumding was booked to work Security Special from Lumding. When the Special reached nearTunnel No. 3 at KM 57/12 between Lumding — Badarpur section terrorist pumped bullets injuring Shri N. N. Bora critically. Despite critical injury Shri Bora’s devotion to duty and presence of mind worked, the train was pushed back to a safer place and Shri Bora succumbed to the u/njury. He could save lives of all his colleagues in the train, sacrificing his life”.

6. NPS is an additional financial burden in the Railways Exchequer.

Indian Railway is paying pension and family pension and in addition to that the Indian Railway is to contributing 10% of pay and 10% of Dearness Allowance to the Pension Fund (NPS). At present the number of New Pension Holders are 4.5 Lakhs taking the average salary of such newly recruited persons as Rs. 20,000, at present the Railway is paying Rs. 2160 Crores annually towards Pension Fund. This will go on increasing with more and more persons to be recruited vice retirement and the amount will also be compounded because of annual increment, increase in the rates of Dearness allowance, MACP & Promotional benefits. This is the additional burden which the railway will have to bear with its compound effect from coming years to years on the Railway’s Finance.

 

7. Effect on Industrial relation

Gradually the number of new recruitees on or after 01.01.2004 will take over the number of persons appointed prior to 01.01.2004 and they will compel their pre 01.01.2004 counterparts to join precipitateve action to secure their (NPS Holders) rightful daim of social security i.e. Pension and Family Pension and this will leads to serious industrial unrest in the Railway Industry.

 

Taking all these factors into consideration all Railwaymen irrespective of date of appointment should be covered under Pension and Family Pension Scheme.

 

Yours faithfully, 

sd/- 

(Shiva Gopal Mishra) 

General Secretary

Source: AIRF