Age relaxation for widows for employment in Government and Central PSUs

Age relaxation for widows for employment in Government and Central PSUs

Ministry of Women and Child Development is considering taking up a proposal for age relaxation for widows for employment in Government and Central PSUs

Ministry of Women and Child Development has issued a press release

Age relaxation for widows

The Ministry of Women and Child Development is considering taking up a proposal for age relaxation for widows for employment in Government and Central PSUs. The Ministry is also considering moving a proposal for tax rebates for single women who are having children. These are at a preliminary stage and formal proposals have not yet been prepared.

This information was given by the Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

Pib.nic.in

7th Pay Commission Latest News – Budget Allocation for 7th CPC Pay and Pension Hike is true – Livemint

Livemint’s report says that 93% of expected additional outgo on account of implementation of 7th pay commission has been allocated in Budget 2016

7th Pay Commission Latest News – Budget Allocation for 7th CPC Pay and Pension Hike is true says livemint in response to Bloomberg’s report that Indian Government understates its expenditure towards Salary to an extent of US$ 15 billion to reduce budget deficit numbers

7th Pay Commission Latest News – What was initially seen as a scoop that exposed the attempt of Indian Budget 2016 to understate Deficit Numbers was later confirmed to be not true thanks to Livemint’s study on Budget Allocation for 7th Pay Commission recommended increase in pay and pension of Central Government Employees and Pensioners

Bloomberg business which is a TV and internet media had reported that an Amount equivalent to US$ 15 Billion which is to be paid to CG Employees and Pensioners as result of implementation of 7th Pay Commission report in the year 2016-17, has not been taken in to account in the Budget 2016-17.


Boomberg reported this News with much hype and titled it as : “Missing: $15 billion lost somewhere in India’s 1,500-page budget” .

Click here to read Bloomberg report on 7th Pay Commission and Budget 2016

In response to this, Livemint has now come up with a comparison study on budget allocation for pay and allowances Central Government employees in 2015-16 and 2016-17

A Bloomberg report on Wednesday titled “Missing: $15 billion lost somewhere in India’s 1,500-page budget” raised a red flag on the Indian government’s balancing of its books in Budget 2016. It pointed out how the global financial data provider and other analysts were unable to locate the numbers allocated for implementing the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission (SPC), which doles out the once-in-10-years pay hike given to central government employees. The allusion was the government may have understated this payout—and, by extension, its deficit.

Livemint’s study on funds allocated for 7th pay commission pay hike is as follows

“We tried to locate those “missing” numbers in the same budget documents. First, we need to know how much it will cost the government to implement the SPC recommendations. The estimate for 2016-17 by the SPC is a 24% increase in payouts to government employees, or Rs.102,100 crore (around $15 billion).

The first place to look for is under non-plan expenditure, and a table titled “Estimated strength of establishment and provision thereof”. This details how many employees are there in 56 government departments (excluding defence) and how much the government has budgeted to pay their salaries: an increase ofRs.65,690 crore in 2016-17. Thus, we have accounted for around 65% of SPC’s impact.

The second place to look for is pensions, the details of which are again provided under non-plan expenditure. This shows the government has budgeted for an increase of Rs.37,066 crore.”

Thus, the total increase in salary and pension bill in 2016-17 is Rs.102,756 crore. However, there is one rider. The pension liabilities include increased outgo on account of implementing the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme.


Implementing OROP is estimated to cost the government Rs.7,500 crore. Deducting this amount means the government has budgeted Rs.95,256 crore to meet SPC recommendations. In other words, the net shortfall in budget estimates on account of implementing the SPC is Rs.6,844 crore.

What’s “missing” is $1 billion and not $15 billion.”

Soure: Livemint

NFIR writes to PM to withdraw of Budget proposal to levy Income Tax on Provident Fund

NFIR writes to PM to withdraw of Budget proposal to levy Income Tax on Provident Fund

Serious resentment among employees against Budget proposal to levy Income Tax on withdrawal of 60% of provident Fund

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

Dated: 05/03/2016

Shri Narendra Modiji
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India,
152, South Block,
Raisina Hill
New Delhi – 110011

Sub: Serious resentment among employees against Budget proposal to levy Income Tax on withdrawal of 60% of provident Fund – reg.

The employees in general and Rail Workforce in particular are extremely unhappy over the Budget proposal presented by the Hon’ble Finance Minister to impose Income Tax on 60% of Provident Fund withdrawals. This proposal if enforced would cause harm to the workers at their fag end of service on superannuation.

Hon’ble Prime Minister may please appreciate that the employee withdraws his/her legitimate Provident Fund for meeting the requirements of Children Education, Construction of house or for the purpose of performing marriages of children. Levying Income Tax on these

withdrawals that too when the Provident Fund amount is recognized to be the property of the worker, would be unethical. The employees are deeply disappointed over the Budget proposal to impose Income Tax on P.F. withdrawal.

NFIR, therefore appeals to the Hon’ble Prime Minister to kindly intervene and see that the above proposal is reconsidered and withdrawn in the interest of industrial peace in the Country.

Yours sincerely,
sd/-
(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

Centre decides to withdraw tax on Provident Fund

Centre decides to withdraw tax on Provident Fund

News have surfaced that the Prime Minister has instructed the Finance Minister to put a hold on the proposed plan to impose taxes on PF withdrawals. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is expected to make an official announcement in this regard shortly.

Employee unions all over the country have been vehemently opposing the proposed tax on the withdrawals made on the most important savings of a worker, from the moment the announcement was made. Most employees depend on their provident fund savings to meet some of the most important expenses of their lives, like medical, marriages, building a house, etc. The decision to impose tax on these withdrawals was condemned by all.

Jaitley had announced a tax on 60 percent of the Employee Provident Fund, and Public Provident Fund. The government has now said that they had planned to impose tax only on the PF Interest. But, there was strong opposition for this too. Demands were made to withdraw this tax.

According to information available, Jaitley had informed at the meeting of the MPs that the Prime Minister will have to decide on this. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has recommended the Finance Minister to stop the tax on the PF withdrawals, and to conduct a thorough study on this. Arun Jaitley is expected to take the required action after consulting with the officials of his ministry. The Prime Minister’s intervention has restored the peace of mind of more than 60 lakh Government employees.

Allotment of revised pay structure for Official Language Staff on Indian Railways

Allotment of Revised Pay Structure for Official Language Staff

Railway Board letter to NFIR regarding Allotment of revised pay structure for Official Language Staff in Indian Railways

Ministry of Railways has sent a letter to Secretary regarding grant of revised pay structure for Official Language Staff in Indian Railways

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. PC-VI/2015/IR-N/1

New Delhi Dated: 18/02/2016

The General Secretary,
NFIR,
3, Chelmsford Road,
New Delhi – 110055

Sub: Allotment of revised pay structure for Official Language Staff on Indian Railways – reg.
Ref: NFIR’s letter No. IV/NFIR/Vlth CPC/Part 11 dated 02/02/2016.

Dear Sir,
    Undersigned is directed to refer to NFIR’ s letter under cited subject. In this context, copy of Ministry of Finance’s O.M  No.6(1)/E.III(B)/2011 dated 01.08.2012 is enclosed for ready reference.

DA:- As above

Yours faithfully,
For Secretary Railway Board

Download Railway Board letter No. PC-VI/2015/IR-N/1 dated 18.02.201

No.36(1)/E.III(B)/2011
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

***

New Delhi, dated the lst August 2012

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : Allotment of revised pay structure for Official Language staff of Indian Railways.

The undersigned is directed to refer to Ministry of Railways, Railway Board’s OM No.PC Vl/2008/1/5/2 dated 26.04.2012 on the subject mentioned above,

2. The matter has been examined. It has been agreed to upgrade the Grade Pay of Rajbhasha Sahayak Gr.II .from Rs.28,.00 in PB-1 to that of Grade pay of Rs.4200 in PB-2· and its merger with Rajbhasha Sahayak Gr.I and bringing the Rajbhasha Staff of Zonal Railways at par with their counterpart in CSOLS subject to the following conditions:

i) The future recruitment in the grade of Rajbhasha Sahayak would be made through 100% by direct recruitment

ii) The educational qualification of the entry Grade (Rajbhasha Sahayak) may be kept as Master’s Degree at par with Jr. Hindi Translator of CSOLS.

iii) The necessary amendments may be made in-the RRs and all future recruitment would be done based on such amended RRs.

iv) The grade of Rajbhasha Sahayak Gr.II would be phased out by placing the existing incumbents who possess the prescribed educational qualification in the higher grade and for those who do not possess the requisite qualification be placed in the higher grade only on completion of 6 years of regular service in the lower grade.

v) The benefit may ,be extended on prospective basis.

vi) Ministry of Railways satisfying itself that this will not have repercussions on any other categories or personnel.

3. This issues with the approval of JS (Pers.).

(Sunita Bansal)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Confusion on EPF due to bad phrasing in Budget speech: Union Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia

Confusion on EPF due to bad phrasing in Budget speech: Union Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia

Union Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia today defended the proposal to tax Employee’s Provident Fund withdrawals, saying the intention was only to encourage investment in pension schemes, but the phrasing in the Budget speech caused the confusion.

“The entire thing happened not because of any illogicality in the step but due to the communication gap,” Adhia said at an interaction on Budget at the Ahmedabad Management Association here.

“In the budget we try to concise the speech by minimising the words. If it goes beyond 1 hour and 30 minutes it becomes boring. When we were reducing the number of words and when it came to this paragraph we chopped it off and that is how the problem occurred,” Adhia said.

“If we had paraphrased this paragraph differently then less confusion would have been created.”

The government has in fact continued with the policy of exempting EPF at all three stages (entry, during the scheme and exit), he argued.

“We have not said that we will be taxing remaining 60 per cent (of withdrawn EPF). The first 40 per cent is totally exempt. Regarding remaining 60 per cent the expectation is you should put it in some pension scheme….To encourage people to put their money in pension products we have said if you put the remaining 60 per cent in annuity scheme it will not be taxed….original corpus after your death will go to your heir and that will also be tax exempt,” he said.

“So in a way we have continued exempt, exempt, exempt scheme, but with a time period,” he said.

“We do not wish to get anything out of this, it is not a revenue mobilisation effort,” Adiha said.

“The Finance Minister has already said that he will make the announcement on it in a very short time (in Parliament)”, he noted.

The government could not raise the Income Tax exemption limit as when it was raised the last time from Rs 2 lakh to 2.5 lakh, it lost some 40 lakh tax payers, he said to another question.

PTI

Revision of Pension of Pre 2006 Pensioners who retired from posts where pay scales have been merged /upgraded: BPS writes to PM

BPS appeal to the Prime Minister Regarding Revision of Pension of Pre 2006 Pensioners – Reg: minimum pension for Pre 2006 Pensioners who retired from posts where pay scales have been merged /upgraded

BHARAT PENSIONERS’ SAMAJ

(All India Federation of Pensioners’ Associations)

(Registered No. 2023 of 1962-63)

Member International Federation on Ageing.

Tornto (Canada)

2/l3-A – LGF Backside, Jangpura – ‘A’.

New Delhi – 110014

Mobile : 09868488199

No SG/BPS/016/01

dt: 01.03.2016

Shri Narendra Modi,

Hon. Prime Minister of India

South Block, New Delhi.

Dear Sir,

Sub: Revision of Pension of Pre 2006 Pensioners – Reg: minimum pension for Pre 2006 Pensioners who retired from posts where pay scales have been merged /upgraded.

Refz-i) Resolution of GOI No. 38/37/08-P&PW (A) dated 29-8-08 & OM Dated 1-9-08,

ii) DOP&PW OM. F.No. 38/37/08-P&PW (A) dated 3-10-08, 14-10-08 & 11-2-09

iii) DOP&PW OM. F.No. 38/37/08-P&PW (A) dated 30-7-2015

We seek your benign intervention in the following matter of injustice with a section of Pre-2006 Central Government Pensioners:

1. Sixth Pay Commission recommended for “Modified Parity” between Pre-2006 & post-2006 Pensioners. Its Recommendations were accepted by the Cabinet vide Resolution dated 29-8-08 cited above, which inter-alia provided that “The fixation (of Pension) …… will be subject to the provision that the revised pension, in no case, shall be lower than 50% of the sum of the minimum of the pay in the pay band and the grade pay thereon corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale from which the pensioner had retired.” DOP&PW issued the orders thereon vide OM dated 1-9-08.

2. Later on, DOP&PW made changes in the above said orders (vide Para 5 of OM dated 11-2-09 cited above) & inter-alia laid down the condition that “benefit of up-gradation of posts subsequent to their retirement would not be admissible to the pre-2006 pensioners in this regard.”

3. The above said condition changed the very nature and content of the decision of the Cabinet notified vide Gazette Notification dated 29-8-2008 as the said Resolution did not provide for it.

4. DOP&PW’s OM dated 11-2-09 has since been quashed by the CAT New Delhi vide OA 655/2010 directed for fixation of Pension as per Resolution dated 29-8-2008.

5. All SLPs of the Government in this regard, against the judgements of the CAT and High Courts, had been conclusively been rejected by the Apex Court vide its judgement dated 17-3-15.

 a) DOP&PW vide OM dated 28-1-2013 ordered for Revision of Pension of Pre-20006 Pensioners to 50% of minimum of the Pay in the Pay Band plus Grade Pay of the Corresponding to Pre-revised scale w.e.f. 24-9-2012 whereas the decision of the Cabinet on 24-9-2012.

b) This order was modified and implemented w.e.f. 1-1-2006 vide DOP&PW OM dated 30-7-15 – as per Orders of the Supreme Court on 17-3-2015.

6. The order dated 30-7-15 only partially implemented the orders of the Courts and the orders are yet to be issued in respect of revision of Pension as per pay scales of merged/upgraded posts.

7. DOP&PW OM No. 38/77-A/09- P&PW(A) Pt. of 5.3.2015 (para 2) says “Hon’ CAT/PB in orders dt. 1.1 1 .201 1 directed that the past pensioners may be granted w.e.f. 1.1.2006 revised pension with ref. to Fitment Table for the Post, as adopted for pay fixation of serving employees.”

8. Delhi High Court in W.P.(C) 8012/2013 had held that “policy decision of the Government in the OM dated September 01 , 2008 to fix pension for all category of pensioners did not classify post of pre January 01, 2006 retirees and all were entitled to pension as per a common formula”

9. All the above said judgements have been conclusively upheld by the Supreme Court.

10. It is, therefore, requested that Pre-2006 Pensioners be given the benefit of upgraded Pay Band and Grade Pay of the post from which they retired so that, minimum pension be not lower than 50% of the pay in the revised pay band plus the grade pay corresponding to the post from which the pensioner retired.

Yours faithfully,

sd/-

Er.S.C.Maheshwari

Secy.Genl

Bharat Pensioners Samaj

Source: http://scm-bps.blogspot.in/2016/02/bps-appeal-to-prime-minister-regarding.html

Struggle Over 7th Pay Commission

Struggle Over 7th Pay Commission

In what has given a fresh impetus to distrust between the armed forces and the government an RTI has come to fore further exacerbating the ongoing agitation over implementation of one rank one pension policy.

“We thought it was the pay commission that was selling us short, but this RTI actually revealed it was the Ministry of Defence officials,” said an officer at army headquarters, requesting not to be named.

In their presentations to the pay commission the three services raised a number of issues, but when the pay commission sought the defence ministry’s comments and recommendation, the ministry negated most of the demands of the services, the officer said.

On the issue of pay to Lt Colonels and Colonels, a major cause of concern among the armed forces, the defence ministry said in its reply to RTI application, “The basis of this demand i.e. merger of rank pay in basic pay was examined in a detailed matter by the Pranab Mukherjee committee report and the same was not accepted hence the case is not supported.”

Similarly, on the demand for equal work for armed forces personnel and civilians working side by side, the ministry said the concept of equal pay and equal work in this case is not feasible since the service conditions and the nature of job of services personnel and defence civilians are totally different.

On the issue of parity between civilians and central armed police forces, the ministry said that the army being a fighting force has its own command and control functions in its hierarchy and hence no comparison can be made with the civilians.

The ministry’s views, when read alongside the recommendations of the pay commission, do little to win the confidence of the armed forces, a senior army officer said, especially since the hardship allowances, disability allowances and basic pay scales of Colonels and Brigadiers have been reduced as compared to their counterparts in IAS, IPS and other allied services.

“I will have young officers and men fighting heavily armed terrorists in counter-insurgency areas and getting 5,000-10,000 rupees for their risk, while a bureaucrat posted at Guwahati will get five times for his hardship,” the officer said.

The anomalies of the Sixth Pay commission have been left unaddressed by the Seventh Pay Commission to further disadvantage of the armed forces, he said.

Read more at:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

Deduction of Income Tax on withdrawal of Provident Fund 60%

Deduction of Income Tax on withdrawal of Provident Fund 60%

NATIONAL COUNCIL (STAFF SIDE)
Joint Consultative Machinery for Central Government Employees
13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi – 110001
E Mail: nc.jchm.np@gmail.com

No. NC-JCM/2016

Dated:- 1st March, 2016

To
The Hon’ble Finance Minister,
Government of India,
North Block,
New Delhi.

Dear Sir,
Sub: Deduction of Income Tax on withdrawal of P.F. 60%

We are deeply shocked to learn about imposing of tax on withdrawal of P.F.(Provident Fund) which is our hard earn money which used to be utilized in all emergencies for medical, educational, building of house, marriage of daughters etc.

Imposition of tax on that had created all round agitation among govt. employees.

On behalf of National Council/JCM it is very humbly requested that this tax proposal should be withdrawn immediately to stop the mental agony of government employees.

I hope Central Govt. will not give any chance of serious agitation on this issue and will not disturb industrial peace as a whole.
Thanking you ,

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Shiv Gopal Mishra)

Source: www.ncjcmstaffside.com

Raising flag every morning in KV Schools – KVS Orders including Do’s and Dont’s

Raising flag every morning in KV Schools – KVS Orders including Do’s and Dont’s

KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN
18, Institutional Area,
Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg,
New Delhi-110016

No. F.11029/2014/KVS(HQ)/Misc./401-33

Dated : 24-02-2016

The Deputy Commissioner,
Kendriaya Vidyalaya Sangathan
All Regional Offices and ZIETs

Subject: Strict compliance of the provisions contained In the Flag Code of India, 2002 and Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 – reg.

Madam/Sir,
As you are aware that the National flag of India Is a symbol of honour and freedom for the country. It is of great significance to us. We should respect and know everything about our national flag.

You are directed to ensure raising the flag every morning and its lowering before sunset on the buildings of Kendriya Vidyalayas and regional offices. Further the Principals of your regions may be directed to position the flag post at prominent places preferably in the Morning Assembly Area so that all the students shall be able to salute the Tricolour every day.

Besides the following Do’s and Don’ts should also be observed to honour the National Flag :-

Do’s
• When the flag is hoisted, it should be flat and horizontal.
• Saffron panel should be on the top.
• When flag is hoisted in open, it should be flown from sunrise to sunset.
• Always hoist the flag briskly and lower it slowly and ceremoniously.
• All people should face the flag and stand at attention, when the flag is being hoisted or lowered.

Don’ts
• Damaged or crumbled flag should not be hoisted or displayed.
• It should not be flown half-mast (represents depressed and mourning).
• Any other flag or emblem should not be placed either above or right to the national flag.
• It should not be used as a decoration or banner In any form.
• It should not be used as a costume or uniform.
• It should not be used as a toy by children.
• It could not be printed or embroidered upon handkerchiefs, dresses or on cushion.
• After cultural or sport events, flags made of paper or any materials should not be thrown or discarded on the ground. Damage or Soiled flag, paper made flags should be disposed in private with the dignity of the flag.
• No one should bum, mutilate, deface, defiles, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon or otherwise shows disrespect to or brings into contempt (whether by words, either spoken or written, or by acts).
• It is advisable not to use plastic tags as they are non-biodegradable and harmful to the atmosphere.

You are, therefore, requested to ensure compliance of the Flag Code (enclosed) in all Regional Offices as well a Kendriya Vidyalayas.

Yours faithfully
sd/-
(U.N.Khaware)
Addl Commissioner (Acad.)

Authority: www.kvsangathan.nic.in