Union Government may stop Cash and Jewellery details of Central Staff

Union Government may stop Cash and Jewellery details of Central Staff under Lokpal Act…

Govt may withhold cash, jewellery details of babus: Times of India

NEW DELHI: In what could bring relief to nearly five million Central government employees, the Narendra Modi government has decided to amend the Lokpal and the Lokayukta Act to give itself a statutory power to withhold certain information from the public.

All Central staff, as per the latest order of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), have to declare their assets and liabilities, both movable and immovable, as well as those of their spouses and dependents latest by September 15. All these information would then be put up by the respective ministries on their website accessible to everyone.

A number of representations received by the government from officials expressed fear that putting details of movable assets such as jewellery and cash in hand and bank would pose a security threat to them and their dependents, leave their children vulnerable to kidnapping and ransom demands. For instance, an official said he has put all savings in general provident fund which has accumulated to Rs 75 lakhs over a period of time. Putting this information in the public domain would leave him and his family members vulnerable.

Sources said the amendments proposed only gives the government the statutory power to withhold information related to officials’ movable assets only, such as his cash in hand or bank and jewellery owned by him or his family members. The government will not be empowered to hold back information on immovable assets: house or land owned by him.

The amendment also makes it clear that it will have no impact on the current asset declaration guidelines. The officials will have to continue declaring all their assets – movable and immovable as per the previous directive. Only difference the proposed amendment will make is to ensure certain information is not made public.

The DoPT is working on the proposed amendment and has already taken a view from the law ministry to bring in the required changes. Any fresh amendment will not impact the current declaration deadline of September 15 which is applicable for all employees.

Once these declarations are received by the government, it is for the respective ministries to put them up on its website accessible to all, except those related to the movable assets for which an amendment is required to implement it.

Source: Times of India

Income Tax Officers are not too happy with new promotion rule

Income Tax Officers are not too happy with new promotion rule

IT officers not too happy with new promotion rule:
 

The Hindu Business Line
New Delhi, September 4

Better days are ahead for income tax officials, as the Government will soon notify amendments in the recruitment rules. This will facilitate promotions and direct recruitment, as approved under the cadre restructuring plan.

However, the Gazetted Officers Association of the Income Tax Department is not happy, as it wants the new posts of assistant commissioners to be filled in one go, through promotions.

“The Department of Personnel and Training is expected to issue amendments in the recruitment rules very soon,” a senior Revenue Department official told BusinessLine.

On May 23, the Cabinet approved the proposal for creation of 20,751 additional posts in the Tax Department. This includes 1,349 posts in the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) cadre and 19,402 posts in the non-IRS cadre.

Due to some procedural issues, the Department is facing vacancies at various levels. When the Cabinet approved the creation of additional posts, it permitted, as a one-time measure, filling up these posts through promotions, without amendments in the recruitment rules.

Accordingly, among others, 26 officials were promoted to the newly created grade of ‘principal chief commissioners of income tax’.

Now, 17 out of these 26 officials have retired. To top it, there are already four vacancies for members at the board level (sanctioned strength of seven, including Chairman). These vacancies are affecting decision making in the Department. As on August 1, posts vacant at the level of the chief commissioners stood at 30, principal commissioners at 330, commissioner at 208 and additional/joint commissioners over 700.

But, the real issue is at the level of assistant commissioner of income tax (ACIT), the entry level for Group ‘A’ service. Two sets of people are appointed at this level – those in the IRS and income tax officers. The cadre restructuring exercise decided to create 166 additional regular posts and 620 additional reserve posts at this. Along with 563 vacancies arising out of promotions at a higher grade, a total of 1,349 additional posts were created.

While all other newly created posts are to be filled in one go, for the assistant commissioner level, the condition is that additional posts are to be filled over five years. Every year, half of the posts are to be filled by direct recruitment and the remaining through promotions.

“This will leave most of the newly created posts at assistant commissioner level vacant for the first four years,” said Ajay Goyal, President of the Income Tax Gazetted Officers Association.

He said nearly 600 officers were awaiting promotions since the past 14 years, and will now have to wait longer. In the last cadre restructuring in 2001, around 1,000 additional posts of assistant commissioner were filled through promotions, he added.

Source: The Hindu Business Line

Flash News: Cabinet approves 7% DA hike from July 2014

Cabinet committee today approved 7% additional Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Pensioners due from July 2014.

Release of additional installment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to pensioners due from 01.07.2014

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today gave its approval for the release of an additional installment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners with effect from 01.07.2014. This is an increase of seven percent over the existing rate of 100 percent of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate for price rise.

The increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission. The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief would be of the order of approximately Rs. 7691 crore per annum and Rs.5127 crore respectively in the financial year 2014-2015 (i.e. for a period of eight months from July, 2014 to February, 2015).

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PRESS RELEASE OF AICPIN FOR THE MONTH JULY 2014 & DA TABLE

Holidays for Central Government Offices due to election in selected constituencies

Due to Parliamentary and State Assembly Election will be held in the month of September 2014, Dopt has published earlier these orders for closing CG Offices in connection with Bye-Elections…

MOST IMMEDIATE

F.NO.12/7/2014-JCA 2
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 3rd September, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Closing of Central Government Offices in connection with Bye-Elections to the Parliamentary Constituencies and Assembly Constituencies in State Assemblies etc, during September, 2014.

The undersigned is directed to say that in connection with the Bye-Elections to the Parliamentary Constituencies from the State of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh and Assembly Constituencies in various State Assemblies scheduled to be held in during September, 2014, the guidelines already issued by Department of Personnel & Training vide OM No.12/14/99-JCA dated 10th October, 2001 (copy enclosed) have to be followed for closing of the Central Government Offices including Industrial Establishments in the States.

These instructions may be brought to the notice of all concerned.

sd/-
(Ashok Kumar)
Director (JCA)

Source: www.persmin.gov.in
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/12_7_2014-JCA-2_03092014.pdf]

MACP ON PROMOTIONAL HIERARCHY – JCM (STAFF SIDE) WRITES TO SECRETARY, DOPT

JCM (Staff Side) Secretary writes to Secretary of Dopt regarding the long pending demand and the burning issue of MACP upgradation on promotional hierarchy…

Shiva Gopal Mishra
Secretary

National Council (Staff Side)
Joint consultative Machinery for Central government employees
13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi –110001
E Mail : nc.jcm.np@gmail.com
Ph: 23382286

16th May, 2014

No.NC-JCM-2014/MACP
The Secretary,
Department of Personnel and Training,
North Block,
New Delhi

Sub: Financial upgradation in the next promotional grade Hierarchy under MACP
Ref: Your letter No.P-13025/11/2014-AT dated 4.4.2014
Your letter No.P-26012/5/2011-AT dated 19.8.2013

Dear Sir,
You have granted financial upgradation to Shri Rajpal in the Promotional hierarchy under MACP in compliance of direction of Hon’ble Central Administrative Tribunal Chandigarh Bench dated 31.5.2011 in O.A. No.1038/CH/2010 Rajpal Vs UOI & Others.

You have treated it as a judgement in peronum and not a judgment in rem so far as other employees covered under MACP are concerned.

Your plea is that SLP No.7967/2013 filed by the Department/Government against the judgment of Hon’ble Court Chandgarh in C W PNo.1938/2011 was discussed on technical grounds and not on merit in this case. The ground was insufficient explanation given to condone the delay in refilling the SLP.

In this connection I may bring to your kind notice that Supreme Court in catina of cases (i.e.G.C.Ghosh Vs UOI [(1992) 19 ATC 94 SC] dated 20.7.98) has ruled that decision taken in one specific case either by the judiciary or the Government should be applied to all identical cases (i.e.,similarly cirumentanced) without forcing other employees to approach the Court of law for identical remedy or relief.

Since whether MACP should be granted to next promotional hierarchy or next grade pay hierarchy is a common issue applicable to all Government employees the decision in the case of Rajpal should be made applicable to all Government employees who are granted financial upgradation under MACP.

Since you have already granted MACP in next promotional hierarchy to Rajpal it has been absolute and has to be implemented in the case of all Government employees who are similarly placed under MACP.

I, therfore request you to reconsider and suitably modify the MACP Scheme providing for financial upgradation in the promotional hierarchy.
Thanking you.

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary

Source: http://aiamshq.blogspot.in/

Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund – All donations through PMNRF are 100% Income Tax deduction

Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund – All donations through PMNRF are 100% Income Tax deduction

All donations towards the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) are notified for 100% deduction from taxable income udner section 80G of the Incoem Tax Act, 1961

Subject: Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund – Reg.

Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) was constituted in January, 1948 to assist displaced persons from Pakistan. The resources of the PMNRF are now utilized primarily to render immediate relief to the affected families of those killed/injured in natural calamities like floods, cyclones and earthquakes, etc. or in the major accidents/ riots. The fund is also utilized to provide financial assistance for medical treatment like heart surgeries, kidney transplantation, cancer treatment, etc. The fund consists entirely of voluntary public contributions and does not get any budgetary support. Prime Minister is the Chairman of the fund.

2. The undersigned is desired to convey that arrangements may be made to display a caption “All donations towards the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) are notified for 100% deduction from taxable income under section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961″ by your Department at its home webpage. Besides, Department may also request the PSUs concerned with the Department to carry out this exercise also.

3. This issues with the approval of competent authority.

sd/-
(Santosh D. Vaidya)
Director
Ph.23017367

Source: www.persmin.gov.in
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02adm/I-28011_2_2013-Coord-03092014.pdf]

CGHS shall provide free OPD consultation facilities to senior citizens(60 yr. and above) from general public from 1.30 PM. to 3.00 P.M.

CGHS shall provide free OPD consultation facilities to senior citizens(60 yr. and above) from general public from 1.30 PM. to 3.00 P.M. on all working days on a pilot basis at the following 20 wellness centres in Delhi with effect from the 1st September, 2014.

M F.No.-156493/2014/CGHS(HQ)/56-60
Directorate General of CGHS

Office of Addl. Director (HQ), CGHS
CGHS, Building , R. K. Puaram , Sector-12,
New Delhi -110022
Date-29.08.2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Consultation for Senior Citizens of general Public at CGHS Wellness Centres on Pilot basis

With reference to the above mentioned subject the undersigned is directed to state that with a view to enhance inclusitivity of CGHS , it has been decided that CGHS shall provide free OPD consultation facilities to senior citizens(6O yr. and above) from general public from 1.30 PM. to 3.00 P.M. on all working days on a pilot basis at the following 20 wellness centres in Delhi with effect from the 1st September, 2014:

1. Pusa Road	11. Sahibabad
2. Darya Ganj	12. Kalkaji II
3. Chandani Chowk	13. Vasant Kunj
4. Vasant Vihar	14. Kasturba Nagar II
5. Sarojini Nagar L Block	15. Sarita Vihar
6. Sarojini Nagar S Y Block	16. Rajpur Road
7. Jangpura	17. Noida Sector – 82
8. Chanakyapuri	18. Gurgoan Sect-55
9. Pandara Road	19. Kalibari
10. Greater Noida	20. Mayur Vihar

In continuation to the above memorandum following Wellness Centres under AYUSH have also been added to the list of above Wellness Centres; now there are 26 Wellness Centres 20 Allopathic and 6 under AYUSH. The terms and conditions will remain the same for both the categories of Wellness Centres.

AYUSH CATEGORY	WELLNESS CENTRES
AYURVEDIC	Kali Bari Janakpuri
HOMOEOPATHIC	Kalkaji ll Sector 3 R K Puram
UNANI	Sarojini Nagar
SIDDHA	Lodhi Colony

The CGHS doctors are required to maintain records separately in respect of the services provided to the senior citizens of the general public . Following guidelines may be strictly followed:

1. The timings prescribed for OPD consultation at the above WC’s is 1.30 P.M. to 3.00 P.M.
2. There should be no harassment by asking for the age proof from the Senior Citizens.
3. The doctors are required to examine the patients clinically and advise accordingly.
4. The prescription is to be made on a separate prescription slip. Computerized CGHS prescription slip will not be used for this purpose.
5. Separate records of OPD Patients attending WC may be maintained in a register.
6. Every doctor shall maintain a separate register for convenience.
7. The matter may be given due publicity by displaying this order on the notice board of the Wellness Centre.
This issues with the approval of the competent authority.

(Dr. D.C. Joshi)
AD(HQ)
CGHS, Delhi

Source: www.msotransparent.nic
[http://msotransparent.nic.in/writereaddata/cghsdata/mainlinkfile/File756.pdf]

Greater Noida Housing Scheme – Details of 102nd Executive Committee meeting held on 27/08/2014

Greater Noida Housing Scheme - The beneficiaries those who have already applied for withdrawal consequent upon the issuance of allotment letter may also be given one chance to reconsider their withdrawal option.

Central Government Employees
Welfare Housing Organisation
(Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, Govt. of India)

6th Floor, ‘A’ wing, Janpath Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi 110001
September 2, 2014

WEB-PUBLISH

No. A-504/11

To,
All Registrations of Greater Noida Housing Scheme

Subject: Greater Noida Housing Scheme
Sir/Madam,

All the allottees of Greater Noida Housing Scheme are informed in continuation to CGEWHO’s Allotment Letter dated 25/07/2014 that due, to number of grievances/ representations/ suggestions’ regarding fixing of cost on provisional basis, received in CGEWHO, the matter was put-up before the 102nd Executive Committee meeting held on 27/08/2014 and after due deliberations the following was agreed to:-

a) In continuation to our allotment letter dated 25.07.2014 already issued to the beneficiaries a letter may be issued demanding only land component which is fixed and already intimated to the beneficiary. The last date of the payment may also be extended upto 10th October 2014.
b) The highlights of the scheme may also be intimated! displayed for information of all the beneficiaries.
c) The beneficiaries those who have already applied for withdrawal consequent upon the issuance of allotment letter may also be given one chance to reconsider their withdrawal option.
d) Balance amount of 1st installment already intimated vide Allotment Letter dated 25.02.2014 depending upon the cost arrived after finalizing of contractor shall be demanded in due course.
e) Other terms and conditions already intimated vide Allotment Letter dated 25.07.2014 will remain the same.

2. In view of the above decision of the Executive Committee, CGEWHO, separate communication is being sent to allottees for further necessary action.
3. This is issued with approval of CEO, CGEWHO.

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Arun Kumar Singh)
Asstt. Director (Admn.)
for Chief Executive Officer

Source: www.cgewho.in
[http://www.cgewho.in/GN_NOTICE0001.pdf]

Execution of Bond for availing Study Leave under Rule 9(i) of the AIS (Study Leave) Regulations, 1950

Dopt orders on the provisions of Rule 9(i) of the AIS (Study Leave) Regulations, 1960, which mandates every member of the Service who has been granted Study Leave or extension of such leave shall be required to execute a bond as given in Appendix ‘A’ or Appendix ‘A.I’.

No.11020/03/2014-AIS-III
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi
 Dated the 1st September, 2014

To,
Chief Secretaries of all States/UTs.

Subject: Execution of Bond for availing Study Leave under Rule 9(i) of the AIS (Study Leave) 
Regulations, 1950 – regarding.

Sir,

I am directed to refer to the provisions of Rule 9(i) of the AIS (Study Leave) Regulations, 1960, which mandates every member of the Service who has been granted Study Leave or extension of such leave shall be required to execute a bond as given in Appendix ‘A’ or Appendix ‘A.I’.

2. The said Bond executed by member of the Service requires putting in specified period of service after expiry of the Study Leave as prescribed by provisions of rule 9(2) of the said rules.

3. It has come to the notice of this Department that the provisions of the aforesaid bond are being circumvented and officers who have availed Study Leave proceed on prolonged spells of leave due and admissible to them and thus do not put in active service for the requisite period as indicated in the bond executed by them,

4. In view of the above, the provisions of the prescribed format of the Bond have been reviewed and decided to revise the Bond format. A copy of revised Bond is enclosed All the Ministries/Departments/State Governments are requested to ensure that the necessary Bond in respect of grant of Study Leave under the AIS (Study Leave) Regulations, 1960 may henceforth be obtained in the revised formats.

5. The contents of this letter may be brought to the notice of all the members of the All India Services.
Encl: As above.

Yours faithfully

sd/-
(Navneet Misra)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source : www.persmin.nic.in
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02ser/11020_03_2014-AIS-III-01092014.pdf]

Policy regarding participation of Indian Railways Personnel in Meditation/ Yoga/ Spiritual and other related programmes

Special Casual Leave (SCL) upto a maximum of nine (09) days inclusive of four (04) days journey time would be allowed once in a year for one such special programmes conducted by Railway Board…

Government of India (Bharat Sarkar)
Ministry of Railways (Rail Mantralaya)
(Railway Board)

No. 2012/E(Trg)/12/17

New Delhi, dt. 13.08.2014

RBE NO. 88/2014

The General Mangaers
All Indaian Railways/PUs

The Director General
NAIR/Vadodara
RDSO/Lucknow

The Directors
IRISET/Secunderabad
IRICEN/PUne
IRIEEN/Nasik
IRIMEE/Jamalpur
IRITM/Lucknow
JRRPF/Lucknow

Sub: Policy regarding participation of Indian Railways Personnel in Meditation/ Yoga/ Spiritual and other related programmes.

Ref: (1) Board’s letter no. 2012/E(Trg)/12/17 dt. 17.07.2012
(ii) Board‘s letter no. 2012/E(Trg)/12/17 dt. 26.10.2012
(iii) Board’s letter no. 2012/E(Trg)/12/17 dt. 20.09.2013 I

Railway Board, vide circulars mentioned above, has issued policy regarding participation of Indian Railways personnel in Meditation/Yoga/Spiritual and other related programmes. It has now been decided to bring out a comprehensive policy circular regarding the above.
2. Following instructions may be followed:

i) Special Casual Leave (SCL) upto a maximum of nine (09) days inclusive of four (04) days journey time would be allowed once in a year for one such programme, which would be granted by the respective Controlling officers to willing employees;
ii) Special pass (as per entitlement) would be given once in a year to such Railway employee who has been granted SCL by the Controlling officer;
iii) No TA/DA would be payable;
iv) No programme fee would be payable by Railways; and
v) The official willing to participate in such programmes would be spared subject to the convenience of the Administration.

3. Strict compliance to the above directives may be ensured by all concerned.
4. This supersedes all previous instructions/circulars on the subject.
5. This issues with the concurrence ofthe Finance Directorate of Railway Board.

sd/-
(Padma Sharma)
Dy. Director(Training)
Railway Board

Source: AIRF
[http://www.airfindia.com/Orders%202014/Railway%20Board%27s%20Policy%20reg.%20Meditation%20&%20Yoga.pdf]