Revision of House Rent Allowance for CPSE employees on the basis of Census – 2011

Revision of House Rent Allowance for CPSE employees on the basis of Census – 2011

No. 2(46)/2012-DPE (WC)-GL-XIII /2015
Government of India
Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises
Department of Public Enterprises
Public Enterprises Bhawan,
Block No.14, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road,
New Delhi.

Dated, the 07th Sept 2015

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : Re-classification/Upgradation of Cities/Towns on the basis of Census – 2011 for the purpose of grant of House Rent Allowance (HRA) for CPSE employees

The undersigned is directed to refer to para ‘7’ of DPE OM dated 26.11.2008, para ‘2’(iii) of OM dated 02.04.2009 and DPE OM dated 07/01/2013 on the subject cited above.

2. Department of Expenditure, vide OM No. 2/5/2014-E.II(B) dated 21/07/2015, has re- classified the cities/towns on the basis of Census-2011 as “X”, “Y” and “Z” for the purpose of HRA as enumerated in the Annexure to this OM.

3. It has been decided that the re-classification of cities/towns on the basis of census 2011 for the purpose of grant of HRA as contained in the Department of Expenditure OM dated 21/07/2015 would also be implemented in the Central Public Sector Enterprises with effect from 1st April 2015.

4. These guidelines would be applicable to the employees of CPSEs who are on 2007 IDA pay scale and also to the employees on 6th CPC recommendation based CDA pay scales.

5. All the administrative Ministries/Departments of the Government of India are requested to bring the foregoing to the notice of the public sector enterprises under their administrative control for their information and necessary action.

6. This issues with the approval of Minister (HI & PE).

sd/-
(S Meenakshisundaram)
Director

Click to view the order

OROP Protest Team Splits; No Change in Agitation Plans, says UFESM

OROP Protest Team Splits; No Change in Agitation Plans, says UFESM

“The joint action organization that went on a fast unto death and relay fasts demanding the immediate implementation of OROP has split.”

The United Front of Ex-Servicemen Movement (UFESM), which stood united and showed the kind of determination that made even the stubborn Centre fall on its knees, has now split. It is worth mentioning here that the split in the veterans group had occurred after the success of the protest.

There are plenty of ex-servicemen’s associations in India. Around 40 such associations had united to launch the protests demanding OROP. Three months ago, these associations came together and stepped up their protests.

UFESM began its relay fast in Jantar Mantar, which soon caught the attention of the entire nation. The relay fast became fast unto death at one stage, demanding the immediate implementation of OROP. One could say that almost all the newspapers and mediahouses in the country were in support of the ex-servicemen who were demanding the OROP scheme.

The centre, which was dragging the issue for various reasons, at one point, came under attack from all quarters, and had no choice but to announce the implementation of OROP.

On September 5, the Minister of Defence announced the OROP scheme. As soon as the announcement was made, the UFESM ended its fast-unto-death protests. Yet, there were some clauses that UFESM was not happy with, and said that relay fasts against those clauses would continue.

Meanwhile, the team under the leadership of Balbir Singh announced yesterday that it was quitting the UFESM. They have accused lack of discipline and unity, and the politicizing of the issue to be the reasons for their decision to quit. The aim of the protests was to make the government announce the OROP, which has been achieved. Protests could also be held against some of the sticking anomalies in the OROP, but that will have to wait until the Government implements the order in writing, says Balbir Singh.

But, UFESM has announced that, as planned earlier, the EKTA Rally procession will be held at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in Saturday.

Source: http://www.cgstaffnews.in/

7th pay commission report will be ‘Badly Affected’ following recent OROP announcement

Seventh pay commission report will be ‘Badly affected’ following recent OROP announcement 

New Delhi: The recent One Rank One Pension (OROP) announcement has to take it toll on Seventh pay commission report for central government employees.


The Government has announced the One Rank One Pension scheme for the Ex-Servicemen. The estimated cost of One Rank One Pension (OROP) on arrears alone to the exchequer would be Rs 8000 to 10000 crore at present, and will increase further in future.

Seventh pay commission will definitely bring also toll on the exchequer as government has to manage OROP’s expenditures before Seventh pay commission expenditures.

Experts say that Central government’s salary bill will rise by 9.56% to Rs 1,00,619 crore after Seventh pay commission will come into effect.

Pay commission report will be out in a few months. As the Pay Commission merges existing DA with basic salary of government employees, the annual pension costs will go up substantially; and that will rise further depending upon the actual pay hike that is considered.

Officials of the finance ministry argue that the next Budget will not be badly affected since there is a cushion provided by, for instance, low oil prices—the OROP arrears and pay commission are not to be paid out at one go, but will be paid in installments.

This OROP announcement will be affected Seventh pay commission report badly, especially in salary hike and increasing allowances,” said a pay panel official.

“We have to look financial health of government before submitting our report. We have to save financial position of government to run the nation smoothly. We are not only to work for pay hike.” he added.

TST

Seventh Pay Commissions report to be implemented ahead of states elections in May

Seventh Pay Commissions report to be implemented ahead of states elections in May

New Delhi: Ahead of the states’ assembly elections in May’ 2016, the Central government may implement the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission after receiving the report of the pay panel within this year, which will benefit 50 lakh central government employees and 56 lakh pensioners including dependents.

“The central government will decide execution time of the pay commission’s proposals after the pay panel submits its report, which will be possible pre-election “special packages” for West Bengal, Assam, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, which are all due for polls by May 2016,” an official of the Finance Ministry said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Just like one rank one pension (OROP) was announced by Modi government on 5th of this month ahead of Bihar Assembly election despite huge financial burden to get majority seats of his party in Bihar Assembly.

OROP announcement not only is pre-election BJP’s special package but also Union cabinet approved six percent increase in DA for central government employees on Wednesday, making the total to 119 percent, on a day the Election Commission announced poll dates for Bihar is a move that would benefit the BJP in Bihar Assembly Election.

Accordingly, JD (U) leader K C Tyagi said, “The Modi government gave a ‘political bribe’ to voters. I welcome the DA hike for central government employees, but, I feel the, timing of the announcement is not correct.”

BJP needs to win most state elections in the next four years to gain control of the Rajya Sabha, where seats are distributed based on the strength of parties in state assemblies.

A defeat for Prime Minister Narendra Modi would harm his chances of consolidating power in parliament, where his reform agenda is being blocked because his party is in the minority in the Rajya Sabha.

So, Modi led BJP government is ready to give any sop to win states assemblies electons.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on August 30, that report of Seventh Pay Commission for central government employees was coming shortly.

However, Chairman of the Seventh Pay Commission, Justice Ashok Kumar Mathur told PTI on August 25, “The Commission will submit its report by the end of September.”

Now, it is expected that recommendations of Seventh Pay Commission, will be implemented before the announcement of West Bengal, Assam, Kerala and Tamil Nadu states assemblies’ election in May 2016.

The Seventh Pay Commission, which was set up by the UPA government, was required to submit its report by August-end.The government constitutes the Pay Commission almost every 10 years to revise the pay scale of its employees and often these are adopted by states after some modifications.

The Commission has already completed discussions with various stakeholders, including organisations, federations, groups representing civil employees as well as Defence services and is in the process of finalising its recommendations.

The recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission are scheduled to come into effect from January 1, 2016.

The Sixth Pay Commission was implemented with effect from January 1, 2006, the fifth from January 1, 1996 and the fourth from January 1, 1986.

TST

6% DA hike from July 2015 – Central Cabinet approved yesterday

6% DA hike from July 2015 – Central Cabinet approved yesterday

“The central cabinet has given its approval yesterday to a six percent hike in dearness allowance from July 2015 onwards, for Central Government employees and pensioners.”

Central Government employees and pensioners get two dearness allowance hikes each year. The dearness allowance for the period of months between January to June is given in March; the DA hike for July to December is given in September.

Accordingly, the second installment of Dearness Allowance, for the months of July to December, has been fixed at 6 percent. The cabinet gave its approval yesterday. The current DA of 113% will, from 01.07.2015 onwards, increase to 119%.

Following the hike, Central Government employees will get a minimum increment of Rs.420 per month. The increase is dependent on the basic pay(Band Pay + Grade Pay) of the employees. For example, let us consider an employee who has been working for 25 years, and receives a basic pay of Rs.16,000 per month. He will get a DA hike of Rs.960.

The current method of calculation of DA was prescribed by the 6th Pay Commission. The method, which has been in effect for nearly ten years now, will be used one last installment to calculate the DA of January (01.01.2016). The subsequent Dearness Allowance calculations will be made based on the method recommended by the 7th Pay Commission. The Commission is expected to submit its recommendations to the Centre by December this year. The recommended revised method of calculations for DA in the report will be follow to arrive DA from 1.1.2016.

Towards the end of this month, the Ministry of Finance will issue relevant orders to give out six percent DA payment to the Central Government employees and pensioners. Only then will the increased DA be given to the employees, along with the arrears of the past two months (July and August).

78 cities were selected from all over the country and the fluctuations in the prices of essential commodities in these cities are tracked. These fluctuations are used to calculate the monthly points (CPI-IW BY 2001 = 100), which are further used to arrive at the dearness allowance.

Source: Govtenews

Privilege Pass, PTO, Post Retirement Complimentary Pass from next year’s account should be issued 5 months in advance

Privilege Pass/PTO/Post Retirement Complimentary Pass from next year’s account should be issued 5 months in advance: Railway Board Order
 

Government of India

Ministry of‘Railways

(Railway Board)

No. E(W) 2007/PS5-1/9

New Delhi dated 02.09.2015

General Manager (P)
Eastern Railway
Kolkata.

Sub: Issue of advance Pass from next year’s account.

Ref: ER’s letter No.G470/0/1/XlV/P dated 31.08.2015.

With reference to ER’s letter cited above, it is advised that Privilege Pass/PTO/Post Retirement Complimentary Pass from next year’s account should be issued 5 months in advance in terms of amendments made to the Railway Servants (Pass) Rules, 1986 (Second Edition-1993) through ACS No.73, issued vide Board’s letter of even number dated 26.03.2012 which are reproduced below:-

Item 3 (xiv) of Schedule-II (Privilege Pass/PTO):-

When an employee has availed all passes due to him/her in a calendar year, one set of passes and/or one set of PTO may be issued to him/her for journeys commencing in the next year only and the Pass/PTO may be debited to the next year’s pass account. Such advance issue of Pass/PTO should not exceed one month more than the Advance Reservation Period i.e. five months at present, of the current year, in general, from the date of issue.

Item (i) under column 4 “other facilities” of Schedule-IV (PRCP):-

A retired Railway Servant may be issued on his/her request one set of Complimentary Pass one month more than the Advance Reservation Period ie. five months at present, in general, in advance of the current calendar year from the date of issue for journeys commencing in the next year duly debiting such issue of Complimentary pass in the next year’s account.

2. Accordingly, passes debitable to next year’s account and valid for travel in January 2016 may issue in September 2015.

(Debasis Mazumdar)

Director Estt.(Welfare)

Railway Board

Source: Indianrailways.gov.in
[http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/establishment/E%28W%29/2015/Issue_Adcance%20_Pass_090915.pdf]

Release of additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners due from 1.7.2015

Release of additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners due from 1.7.2015

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved release of an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to Pensioners w.e.f. 01.07.2015. This represents an increase of 6 percent over the existing rate of 113 percent of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate for price rise.

This will benefit about 50 lakh Government employees and 56 lakh pensioners.

The increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC). The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief would be in the order of Rs. 6655.14 crore per annum and Rs.4436.76 crore in the financial year 2015-16 (for a period of 8 months from July, 2015 to February, 2016).

PIB

Bonus Ceiling – NFIR writes to Railway Minister to remove of calculation ceiling for the purpose of payment of productivity Linked Bonus (PLB)

Bonus Ceiling – NFIR writes to Railway Minister to remove of calculation ceiling for the purpose of payment of productivity Linked Bonus (PLB)

Payment of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) – Removal of Calculation Ceiling

NFIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3,Chelmsford Road, New Delhi – 110 055

No.1/10/Part IV

Dated 08/09/2015

Shri Suresh Prabhu,
Hon’ble Minister for Railways
Railway Bhavan,
New Delhi.

Respected Sir,

Sub: Payment of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) – Removal of calculation ceiling – reg.
Ref: Item No.4 of 55 Point Charter of Demands of NFIR

Kind attention is invited to the announcement made by the Government of India, Ministry of Labour and Employment on 1st September 2015, conveyed through press Information Bureau, extract of item no.2 the subject reproduced below:-

For the purpose of bonus, the wage eligibility limit and calculation ceiling would be appropriately revised. It is proposed to revise the wage eligibility limit from Rs.10,000 to Rs.21,000 and calculation ceiling from Rs.3500 to Rs.7,000 or the minimum wage notified by the appropriate Government for that category of employment, whichever is higher, with the proposed revision of the minimum wages, the average calculation ceiling would be about Rs.10,000.

In the light of the Government’s announcement as mentioned above. NFIR requests the Hon’ble MR to kindly arrange to take action for removal of calculation ceiling for the purpose of payment of productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) to Railway employees. Incidentally it is mentioned that in the past, as and when the Government had revised the calculation ceiling, the Ministry of Railways have accordingly paid P.L. Bonus to employees.

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

Source: NFIR

Central Government Pensioners above 100 Years

Central Government Pensioners above 100 Years

The number of pensioners above 100 years of age drawing pension from Banks (PSBs) is 1774

An interesting question raised in Rajya Sabha on 4th August 2015 by the Hon’ble Member Shri Ahmed Patel regarding the Central Government Pensioners above 100 years. The Minister of State for Finance Shri Jayant Sinha replied as follows…

The number of pensioners above 100 years of age drawing pension from Banks (PSBs) is 1774, details at Annex. The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DOPPW) in a meeting held on 12.06.2015 with the concerned stakeholders in which common deficiencies in the banks’ data regarding Date of Birth, Mobile number, address of pensioner, Aadhaar numbers and number of pensioners over the age of 100 years were discussed. Banks with large number of pensioners above 100 years of age and having large number of records without date of birth of pensioners, mobile and Aadhaar numbers were asked to launch special drives and update their database. The Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) has issued instructions to banks to accept self-certification regarding marriage, income and non-employment. The banks should share master data along with Aadhaar numbers with CPAO for reconciliation of records.

Annex referred to in reply to parts (a)of Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1673 for 04.08.2015 by Shri Ahmed Patel regarding Pensioners above 100 years

S.No.	Bank Name	No. of pensioners drawing pension from Banks above 100 years
1	STATE BANK OF INDIA	792
2	STATE BANK OF BIKANER & JAIPUR	57
3	STATE BANK OF HYDERABAD	1
4	STATE BANK OF MYSORE	23
5	STATE BANK OF PATIALA	43
6	STATE BANK OF TRAVANCORE	18
7	ALLAHABAD BANK	78
8	ANDHRA BANK	1
9	BANK OF BARODA	20
10	BANK OF INDIA	18
11	BANK OF MAHARASHTRA	2
12	CANARA BANK	12
13	CENTRAL BANK OF INDIA	563
14	CORPORATION BANK	0
15	DENA BANK	3
16	INDIAN BANK	14
17	INDIAN OVERSEAS BANK	0
18	ORIENTAL BANK OF COMMERCE	4
19	PUNJAB AND SIND BANK	1
20	PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK	75
21	SYNDICATE BANK	9
22	UCO BANK	32
23	UNION BANK OF INDIA	7
24	UNITED BANK OF INDIA	1
25	VIJAYA BANK	0
26	IDBI BANK LIMITED	0
27	BHARATIYA MAHILA BANK	0
	Total	1774

Source: http://rajyasabha.nic.in/

DA and DR from July to Dec 2015 – Cabinet Committee may approve tomorrow

DA and DR from July to Dec 2015 – Cabinet Committee may approve tomorrow

As per media news, the Cabinet committee in its meeting tomorrow is likely to approve an additional Dearness Allowance for Central Government employees due from July 2015.

The second installment of this year, from July to December 2015, an additional DA is finalized hike by 6% as per the calculations recommended by 6th CPC. Now the Central Government employees and pensioners are getting 113% DA and DR, after the declaration by the Cabinet Committee on DA, it will become 119%.