BSNL to Launch Free Roaming From 15 June, 2015

BSNL to Launch Free Roaming From 15 June, 2015

Mechanism to Control Call-Drop to be Explored

Nation-Wide Mobile Portability by July

FDI in Telecom Reaches Highest in Four Year

Wi-Fi Hotspots at all Major Tourist Places -Taj to be Inaugurated Shortly

Following is the opening statement of Sh. Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Communication & IT at the press conference on one year performance.

Ministry of Communications & IT was in the news in the past unfortunately for the wrong reasons for a variety of factors. After the new Government took over, it was important to create optimism and confidence to generate hope for growth. This, in return, required transparency, good governance and faster decision-making. By the collective effort of all, we can say with assurance that all these elements have become integral to decision making and policy formulation which has created a conducive atmosphere for investment and growth. Some of the key elements of these achievements are being enumerated hereunder.

DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

• Highest ever auction proceeds of Rs. 1,09,874 crore, against the approved reserve price of Rs 80,277 crores. This could be achieved because of good governance practices, identification of Defence Band and release of Spectrum from Defence Ministry, which has been pending for more than six years.
• Crossed 100 crore telephone connections in April 2015, the fastest increase in the last 11 months as compared to the previous three years raising national teledensity to 79.85 as against 75.23 in March 2014, 73.32 in March 2013 and 78.6 in March 2012.
• Rural teledensity grew to 48.90%, an increase of 4.57% in the last 11 months. the highest increase in the last three years (43.18 in March 2014, 41.6 in March 2013 and 39 in March 2012)
• The number of broadband connections, i.e. connections with a speed of 512 kbps or higher, increased from 65.33 million in May 2014 to 99.20 million in March 2015 with unprecedented growth of 52% in the last 10 months.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow in the telecom sector touched $ 2853 million in 2014-15 (upto February 2015). It was the highest in the last four years ($1307 million in 2013-14, $304 million in 2012-13, $1997 million in 2011-12 and $1665 million in 2010-11).

Initiatives to revive BSNL and MTNL

• BSNL revenue grew by 2.1% in 2014-15reversing the trend of negative growth in previous years.
• BSNL added 47 lakh active subscribers and MTNL added 2.11 lakh subscribers in 2014-15 reversing the trend of negative growth in previous years.
• BSNL is in the process of setting up 25645 new base transceiver stations (BTSs) in Phase-VII of its expansion plan at a cost of Rs 4,805 crore, its first such investment plan in over five years. 15000 such BTSs installed in the last one year.
• BSNL replacing network of landline local exchanges by IP (Internet Protocol) enabled Next Generation Network. 432 telephone exchanges and 70 lakh telephone lines are being replaced.
• MTNL is setting up / upgrading 1080 3G sites in Delhi and Mumbai each and 850 2G sites in Delhi and 616 2G sites in Mumbai.
• BSNL and MTNL have launched unlimited free local calls from landlines to any landline/mobile during night hours effective from May 1, 2015.
• BSNL is launching free national roaming.
• Hundred (100) WiFi hotspots at important tourist locations like Varanasi Ghats, Hussain Sagar Lake-Hyderabad, Bangalore, Cochin, Vijayawada etc. have been established by BSNL.

Other important initiatives

• Full Mobile Number Portability (FMNP) notified to allow subscribers to retain their mobile number across the country and enable linking the mobile to Aadhar completing the JAM (Jan Dhan-Aadhar-Mobile) trinity of unique identity.
• Bharat Net (National Optical Fibre Network – NOFN ) is the largest rural connectivity project of its kind in the world, seeking to link each of the 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats of the country, through a Broadband Optical Fibre Network. The work of laying optical fibre network has been speeded up (by 30 times) in the last 10 months. To make the entire project more effective in tune with the Digital India programme, a committee was constituted for further improvement and speedy implementation to serve the larger purpose of Broadband to all. Conference of State IT Ministers was held to discuss the report of committee. Many State governments have agreed in principle to effectively collaborate in implementation of Bharat Net.

DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

• Post offices modernized with 2590 Post Offices having 14.55 crore accounts migrated to Core Banking Solution and 115 Post Office ATMs commissioned.
• 13264 Post Offices have been migrated to Core Postal Life Insurance.
• Procurement of biometric solar charged mobile devices with wireless connectivity to 1,30,000 rural Post Offices is presently underway.
• Sukanya Samridhi Yojana launched on January 22, 2015, has now more than 47 lakh accounts with a total investment of more than Rs 570 crores.
• Kisan Vikas Patra re-launched on November 18, 2014 has attracted investment of about Rs 2600 crore.
• Speed Post revenue grew to Rs 1470 crore in 2014-15 from Rs 1369 crore in the previous year. In CAG report laid in Parliament on May 8, 2015, on the basis of a detailed test check in 8 States, it has been highlighted that the quality of Speed Post service is far better than that of private couriers.
• Parcel revenue growth which had dipped to-2% in 2013-14, registered a robust growth of 37% in 2014-15.
• Cash on Delivery collections increased five times to reach Rs 500 crore in 2014-15 as compared to Rs 100 crore in the previous year.

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & IT

Electronics Manufacturing:

• Modified Special Incentive Package (MSIPs): Till May 2015, 63 investment proposals worth Rs. 20,825 crore received. 40 proposals worth Rs. 9,565 crore approved. Till May 2014, only 8 proposals worth Rs. 1152 crore investment were approved.
• Electronic Manufacturing Clusters (EMCs): Till May 2015, 39 applications received, 21 approved in principle. Two EMCs at Bhopal and Jabalpur given final approval and foundation stone laid. Till May 2014, only 8 applications approved in principle.
• Electronic Development Fund approved by Cabinet on 10th December, 2014.

New pro-people initiatives:

• Digital India is a mission mode flagship programme, aimed at bridging the digital divide by providing a digital infrastructure for utility of citizens, digital delivery of services and digital empowerment.
• Jeevan Pramaan: 2.02 lakh Digital Life Certificates produced.
  · Digital Locker: Beta version launched. 1.24 lakh lockers opened.
• E-Hospital Registration: Started on May 8, 2015. More than 5421 appointments given.
• National Scholarship Portal for one stop solutions for scholarships for students.
• eBasta: Supports publishers to upload content, schools to collate and students to download on tablet, PC and Phone.

Digital Inclusion:

• Rural BPOs: 48,000 seats across different states for Rural BPOs approved.
• North East BPOs: 5000 seats for BPOs in North East approved.
• Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (DISA): scheme expanded to cover 52.50 lakh candidates, when compared to a target of only 10 lakh last year.

New Policy Initiatives:

• Policy on Open Source Software approved in April, 2015.
• Policy on Collaborative Application Development sent for notification on 11.05.2015.
• Email Policy approved on 18th February, 2015.
• e-Sign Framework has been initiated.
• Policy on use of IT resources approved on 18th February, 2015.
• Policy on Internet of Things has been drafted.

Promoting Indian Languages:

• Updated Indian Languages Toolkit available in all 22 languages now. Earlier it was available only for 10 languages.
• Internationalised Domain Names: Domain name .bharat launched in 8 languages of Devnagari script and in Gujarati, Bengali and Manipuri.

PIB

7th Central Pay Commission’s Final Meeting with JCM Staff Side National Council on 9.6.2015

7th Central Pay Commission’s Final Meeting with JCM Staff Side National Council on 9th June 2015 at 11 AM at New Delhi

Confederation published the letter received from 7th Central Pay Commission regarding the final meeting with NC JCM Staff Side on 9.6.2015. The letter is reproduced and given below for your information…

Jayant Sinha
Joint Secretary

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
SEVENTH CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION

D.O.No.7CPC/158/Meetings/2015

27 May 2015

Dear Shri Mishra,

The Seventh Central Pay Commission has had wide ranging interactions with a variety of Stakeholders. It has had a series of meetings with National Council and the Constituents of the JCM from March 2015 onwards. The Commission has also sought the views of Individual Ministries / Departments on the issues posed, in relation to matters that are relevant to the Ministries.

The Commission has scheduled a final meeting of the National Council with the 7th Central Pay Commission at 11.00 am on 9 June, 2015, in the Conference Room, 1st Floor, B-14/A. Chatrapati Shivaji Bhawan, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi.

With Regards,

Yours Sincerely
sd/-
(Jayant Sinha)

Shri.Shiv Gopal Mishra
Secretary
National Council (Staff Side)
Joint Consultative Machinery for Central Government Employees
13-C, Ferozshah Road,
New Delhi – 110001

Central government has decided not to accept voluntary retirement (VRS)

Do not accept VRS of disabled employees: Government

New Delhi: Central government has decided not to accept (VRS) notice of its disabled employees in reference to Supreme Court order in the case Bhagwan Dass & Anr Vs Punjab State Electricity Board.

The Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Act, 1995, states that no establishment shall dispense with the services of a disabled employee.

“It has been decided that whenever a government servant seeks voluntary retirement citing medical grounds or due to disability, administrative authorities shall advise him or her about the option of continuing in service with the same pay scale and service benefits,” said Office Memorandum F.No.25012/1/2015-Estt (A-IV) dated May 19 issued by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).

“If however, despite being so advised, such government servant still wishes to take voluntary retirement, the request may be processed,” it added.

The DoPT said in this order that no establishment shall dispense with or reduce in rank an employee who acquires a disability during service.

“No promotion shall be denied to a person merely on the grounds of disability,” Office Memorandum says.

“It has been noticed that in many instances, persons suffering from physical or mental disability seek voluntary retirement owing to inability to attend to duty and not being aware of the protection afforded to them by the PWD Act” the Office Memorandum added.

According to the Office Memorandum, all the ministries, departments, subordinate offices, central public sector undertakings and autonomous bodies are requested to inform disabled employees about the protection available to them under the PWD Act and must be encouraged them to continue work instead of taking VRS.

TST

Will 7th Pay Commission recommend the Revised Pay Scale without Grade Pay?

Will 7th Pay Commission recommend the Revised Pay Scale without Grade Pay?

Is there a possibility that the 7th Pay Commission would introduce the new Pay Scale for the Central Government Employees without Grade Pay?

Unionist who had interacted directly with the members of the 7th Pay Commission say that the chances are high. Although it is impossible to confirm this at the moment, all the employee federations have, through their memorandum, requested that the Grade Pay system be avoided this time.

The 6th Pay Commission had included the concept of Grade Pay as part of the basic pay. The intention behind such a concept was never explained. The Commission too didn’t bother to explain why.

So, do we really need Grade Pay Structure? 

What are the advantages? 

What do we lose if we avoid it?

As far as we could see, there was nothing to gain by splitting the basic pay into two.

 

A demand was placed before the 6th Pay Commission that increment be given with each promotion. This demand was stressed by all the employee federations at that time. As a result, the 6th Pay Commission recommended that Promotional Increment be issued with each promotion. All CG Employees federations had an important role to play in the Government’s decision to hike the Pay Commission’s recommended the rate of increment from 2.5% to 3%.

Prior to the 6th Pay Commission, if an employee’s promotion takes him from one pay scale to the next scale, he is then eligible for two promotional increments. If the promotion remained confined within the same pay scale span, then there was no increment. The federations highlighted this situation while making its demand. Also, an average employee hardly gets three promotions in his career, before retirement. In terms of monetary benefits, there was nothing much.

There might not be any relationship between Grade Pay and Promotional Increment, but there is definitely no connection between the Grade Pay and the Annual Increment.

From the day it was introduced, Grade Pay had only created pay anomalies for the employees. The system of Departmental Hierarchy, which had been in place for years, was divided into Promotional Hierarchy and Grade Pay Hierarchy. This was the main culprit. Grade Pay was also responsible for the formation of separate committee for MACP, like the National Anomaly Committee.

Those who were promoted from Rs. 2800 to Rs.4200 might have called Grade Pay a wonderful concept. But Grade Pay structure had nothing to do with it. Credit belonged to the system of Merger of Grades. Since 5000, 5500 and 6500 were merged into one category, the Grade Pay of 6500 was given to 5000 and 5500. This made an increase of 1400 possible with a single promotion from 2800 to 4200. As far as Grade Pay was concerned, this was a 50% hike.

The revelations were surprising indeed. The steep increase of 50% was confined to just one instance.

GRADE PAY	DIFFERENCE IN AMOUNT	DIFFERENCE IN %
1800
1900	100	5.56%
2000	100	5.26%
2400	400	20.00%
2800	400	16.67%
4200	1400	50.00%
4600	400	9.52%
4800	200	4.35%
5400	600	12.50%
6600	1200	22.22%
7600	1000	15.15%
8700	1100	14.47%
10000	1300	14.94%
12000	2000	20.00%

BASIC PAY	DIFFERENCE IN AMOUNT	DIFFERENCE IN %
2750
3050	300	10.91%
3200	150	4.92%
4000	800	25.00%
4500	500	12.50%
5000	500	11.11%
5500	500	10.00%
6500	1000	18.18%
7450	950	14.62%
7500	50	0.67%
8000	500	6.67%
9000	1000	12.50%
10000	1000	11.11%
10325	325	3.25%
10650	325	3.15%
12000	1350	12.68%
12750	750	6.25%
14300	1550	12.16%
15100	800	5.59%
16400	1300	8.61%
18400	2000	12.20%
22400	4000	21.74%
24050	1650	7.37%
26000	1950	8.11%
30000	4000	15.38%

Will this continue with the 7th Pay Commission too?

Source: 90paisa.org

Revision of classification cities for the purpose of House Rent Allowance and Transport Allowance to Central Government employees

Revision of classification cities for the purpose of grant of House Rent Allowance and Transport Allowance to Central Government employees

Revision of the classification/upgradation certain cities/towns on the basis of Census-2011 for the purpose of grant of House Rent Allowance and Transport Allowance to Central Government employees

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval to the proposal of the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure for reclassification/upgradation of certain cities/towns on the basis of Census-2011, for the purpose of grant of House Rent Allowance (HRA) and Transport Allowance to Central Government employees.

On the basis of the final population figures of Census-2011, two cities have qualified for being upgraded from ‘Y’ class to ‘X’ class and 21 cities have qualified for being upgraded from ‘Z’ to ‘Y’ class for the purpose of HRA. Six cities have qualified for being upgraded from “Other Places” to specified higher class for the purpose of Transport Allowance.

The revised classification of cities shall take effect from 01.04.2014. The impact on the exchequer on account of upgradation of 29 cities, would be approx. Rs.128 crore for the year 2014-15.

Background:
HRA and Transport Allowance are admissible to Central Government employees depending upon employees’ Basic Pay (including NPA where applicable)/Grade Pay and the classification of the city/town where they are posted. The existing classification of cities/towns in different classes viz. ‘X’, ‘Y’ and ‘Z’ for the purpose of HRA and 13 specified cities classified earlier as ‘A-1’/ ‘A’ and “Other Places” for the purpose of Transport Allowance, is as per the criterion recommended by the 6th Central Pay Commission. The existing qualifying limits of population for classification for HRA purpose is 50 lakhs & above for ‘X’, 5 – 50 lakhs for ‘Y’ and below 5 lakhs for ‘Z’ class city. Transport allowance is payable at ‘higher rates’ in 13 specified cities classified earlier as ‘A-1′ / ‘A’ (that is those cities having population of 20 lakhs & above) and at ‘lower rates’ in all other places.

The classification of cities/towns for this purpose is revised on the basis of their population as reflected in the decennial census report. The existing classification of various cities/towns is based on 2001 Census figures. The criterion of population for this purpose has been followed as recommended by the Central Pay Commissions.

Cities/towns to be upgraded on the basis of census-2011 for grant of House Rent Allowance

Cities to be upgraded/re-classified as “X”

Ahmadabad(UA)
Pune (UA)
Cities to be upgraded/re-classified as “Y”
Nellore (UA)
Gurgaon (UA)
Bokaro Steel City (UA)
Gulbarga (UA)
Thrissur (UA)
Malappuram (UA)
Kannur(UA)
Kollam (UA)
Ujjain (M. Coprn.)
Vasai-Virar City (M. Corpn.)
Malegaon (UA)
Nanded-Waghala (M.Corp.)
Sangli (UA)
Raurkela (UA)
Ajmer (UA)
Erode (UA)
Noida (CT)
Firozabad (NPP)
Jhansi (UA)
Siliguri (UA)
Durgapur (UA)

Cities/towns to be upgraded on the basis of census-2011 for grant of Transport Allowance

Cities to be added for higher rates of Transport Allowance (i.e. which have population of more than 20 lakh to qualify for earlier classification as “A-1”/ “A” as stipulated in O.M. No. 21(2)/2008-E.II(B) dated 29.8.2008) :

Patna (UA)
Kochi (UA)
Indore (UA)
Coimbatore (UA)
Ghaziabad (UA)

Source: PIB News

Income Tax Return Forms ITR 1, 2 and 4S Simplified for Convenience of the Taxpayers

Income Tax Return Forms ITR 1, 2 and 4S Simplified for Convenience of the Tax Payers 

A New Form ITR 2A Proposed which can be Filed by an Individual or HUF who does not have Capital Gains, Income from Business/Profession or Foreign Asset/Foreign Income; In Form ITR 2 and the New Form ITR 2A, the Main Form will not Contain more than 3 Pages, and other Information will be Captured in the Schedules which will be Required to be filled only if applicable;

As the Software for these Forms is under Preparation, they are likely to be available for e-filing by 3rd week of june 2015;Time Limit for Filing these Returns is also Proposed to be Extended up to 31.08.2015;
Only Passport Number, if available, would be required to be given in forms Itr-2 and itr-2A. Details of Foreign Trips or Expenditure thereon are not required to be Furnished

Forms ITR 1, 2 and 4S for Assessment Year 2015-16 were notified on 15th April 2015 (15.04.2015). In view of various representations, it was announced that these ITR forms will be reviewed. Having considered the responses received from various stakeholders, these forms are proposed to be simplified in the following manner for the convenience of the taxpayers:-

1) Individuals having exempt income without any ceiling (other than agricultural income exceeding Rs. 5,000) can now file Form ITR 1 (Sahaj). Similar simplification is also proposed for individuals/HUF in respect of Form ITR 4S (Sugam).

2) At present individuals/HUFs having income from more than one house property and capital gains are required to file Form ITR-2. It is, however, noticed that majority of individuals/HUFs who file Form ITR-2 do not have capital gains. With a view to provide for a simplified form for these individuals/HUFs, a new Form ITR 2A is proposed which can be filed by an individual or HUF who does not have capital gains, income from business/profession or foreign asset/foreign income.

3) In lieu of foreign travel details, it is now proposed that only Passport Number, if available, would be required to be given in Forms ITR-2 and ITR-2A. Details of foreign trips or expenditure thereon are not required to be furnished.

4) As regards bank account details in all these forms, only the IFS code, account number of all the current/savings account which are held at any time during the previous year will be required to be filled-up. The balance in accounts will not be required to be furnished. Details of dormant accounts which are not operational during the last three years are not required to be furnished.

5) An individual who is not an Indian citizen and is in India on a business, employment or student visa (expatriate), would not mandatorily be required to report the foreign assets acquired by him during the previous years in which he was non-resident if no income is derived from such assets during the relevant previous year.

6) As a measure of simplification, it has been endeavoured to ensure that in Form ITR 2 and the new Form ITR 2A, the main form will not contain more than 3 pages, and other information will be captured in the Schedules which will be required to be filled only if applicable.

As the software for these forms is under preparation, they are likely to be available for e-filing by 3rd week of June 2015. Accordingly, the time limit for filing these returns is also proposed to be extended up to 31st August, 2015 (31.08.2015). A separate notification will be issued in this regard.

Source: PIB News

Central Government committed to OROP, there’s no doubt about it: PM Narendra Modi

Central Government committed to OROP, there’s no doubt about it: PM Narendra Modi

In an exclusive interview to the Tribune, PM takes on the Opposition ove land bill, ‘achhe din’ jibe, corruption and economy

Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 29

One Rank One Pension:
One rank, one pension We are in consultation with defence personnel on its definition. We are committed to it. We are looking for a way where all stakeholders agree. This should not be politicised.

Three days after completing his first year in power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a no-holds- barred interview to The Tribune today, said his government was committed to One Rank One Pension (OROP) for ex-servicemen and that no one should have any doubts about its implementation. The PM said the Congress was politicising OROP. “The previous governments don’t have the justify to speak about it because they did nothing when they were in power.”

On OROP, the PM said the government was “in constant discussions with the armed forces personnel to arrive at a please-all definition of OROP of which there are varied versions.”

“No one should have any doubts about OROP’s implementation. I want everyone to know that through The Tribune. But there are varied versions about what the definition of OROP should be. Would it be proper for me to take a decision without keeping the armed forces personnel in the loop? So we are trying to arrive at a please-all decision,” the PM said.

In an evident dig at Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi who recently threatened an agitation if OROP was not implemented soon, the PM said, “OROP for me is not a political programme. For 57 years the jawans have been demanding OROP, but the previous governments did nothing. Those who were part of then governments must realize they don’t have the justify to speak on this issue.”

Asked if the government would expedite OROP, the PM said the Government was committed to it. “The government has been formed for five years.” Need Definition of One Rank One Pension, Says PM Modi

Read more at : The Tribune EPaper

Expected DA July 2015: AICPIN for the month of April 2015

Expected DA July 2015: AICPIN for the month of April 2015

No. 5/1/2015- CPI
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT
LABOUR BUREAU
`CLEREMONT’, SHIMLA-171004

DATED : 29th May, 2015

Press Release

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – April, 2015

The All-India CPI-IW for April, 2015 increased by 2 points and pegged at 256 (two hundred and fifty six). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by (+) 0.79 per cent between March, 2015 and April, 2015 when compared with the increase of (+) 1.26 per cent between the same two months a year ago.

The maximum upward pressure to the change in current index came from Food group contributing (+) 1.24 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Rice, Arhar Dal, Gram Dal, Urd Dal, Fish Fresh, Goat Meat, Poultry (Chicken), Milk (Buffalo & Cow), Vegetable & Fruit items, Tea (Readymade), Snack (Sweet & Saltish), Country Liquor, Electricity Charges, Doctor’s Fee, Private Tuition Fee, Tailoring Charges, etc. are responsible for the increase in index. However, this increase was restricted by Eggs (Hen), Onion, Chillies Green, Sugar, Petrol, Flower/Flower Garlands, etc., putting downward pressure on the index.
The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 5.79 per cent for April, 2015 as compared to 6.28 per cent for the previous month and 7.08 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 5.68 per cent against 6.98 per cent of the previous month and 7.76 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.

At centre level, Srinagar reported the highest increase of 9 points followed by Bhilai (5 points). Among others, 4 points increase was observed in 14 centres, 3 points in 9 centres, 2 points in 14 centres and 1 point in 18 centres. On the contrary, Giridih centre recorded a maximum decrease of 6 points followed by Guntur (3 points) and Ranchi-Hatia and Godavarikhani (2 points each). Among others, 1 point decrease was observed in 8 centres. Rest of the 9 centres’ indices remained stationary.

The indices of 36 centres are above All India Index and other 42 centres’ indices are below national average.

The next index of CPI-IW for the month of May, 2015 will be released on Tuesday, 30th June, 2015. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureau.gov.in.

sd/-
(S.S.NEGI)
Director

Source: http://www.labourbureau.gov.in/Press%20Note%20English%20Apr%202015.pdf

Dearness Allowance increase is likely to be 118% of pay from July 2015

Dearness Allowance w.e.f. 01/07/2015-reg-NFIR View

Dearness Allowance increase is likely to be 118% of pay from July 2015

NFIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110 055

Affiliated to :
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)

No. I/5(A)/Part. I Dated: 01/05/2015
The General Secretaries of
Affiliated Unions of NFIR

Dear Brother,
Sub: Dearness Allowance w.e.f. 01/07/2015 -reg.

The All India Consumer Price Index for March 2015 was 254 and if it remains as it is for next three (3) months or if it rises to 256, the average is expected to be 253. Consequently, the Dearness Allowance increase is likely to be 118% of pay from July 2015.

The above is for information of affiliates. You are aware that the Government normally announces DA. revision in September, to be given effect from July.

Yours fraternally,

sd/-

(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source-http://www.nfirindia.org/

Employees allowed to get advance money from their GPF

Employees allowed to get advance money from their GPF

Chandigarh: Punjab government today allowed its employees to get advance payment from their respective GPF (General Pension Fund) accounts for the purpose of higher education of their wards.

It also gave nod to provide non-returnable advance to its employees for the treatment of employees or their family members, removing earlier restrictions in this regard.

The Finance Department in a statement said employees could get 90 per cent non-returnable advance from GPF before their superannuation.

According to official spokespersons, employees desiring to go for ‘Haj’along with their family members could also get non-returnable advance.

He said necessary directions have been issued to all heads of departments, commissioners of divisions, Registrar of Punjab and Haryana High Court, all Deputy Commissioners and all Session Judges.

PTI