Can the 7th Pay Commission recommend the lowering of retirement age for Central Government employees?

Can the 7th Pay Commission recommend the lowering of retirement age for Central Government employees?

“The unconfirmed information says that the 7th Pay Commission is planning to bring about a dramatic change in the retirement age of Central Government employees”.

Yet another news story about the retirement age of Central Government employees surfaced yesterday. The reputed English news website of India Today featured a special article yesterday about the 7th Central Pay Commission. In the article, the 7th Pay Commission is likely to reduce the retirement age to 55 or on the completion of 33 years, whichever comes first.

This has raised the question in the minds of many if the Pay Commission has the authority to recommend the reducing of retirement age.

The Pay Commission has all the authority to present its explanations and recommendations about changes in the retirement age of Central Government employees. But, the Centre has the discretionary powers to either accept or reject the recommendations.

The fifth Pay Commission recommended that the retirement age be increased. Based on the recommendation, the government increased the retirement age from 58 to 60, in May 1998 (Click to view the Dopt Order). The Third Pay Commission also recommended the date of retirement of Central Government employees. The commission recommended that the retirement effect from the afternoon of the last day of the month in which the employee concerned attains the age of superannuation instead of the afternoon of the actual date of his superannuation(Click to view the Dopt Order). But, for now, there’s no confirmed news about the recommendation of reduction in retirement age.

Earlier this year rumors were in circulation that 60 years of age or 33 years of service, then it changed as 58 or 33 years service and now it becomes as 55/33 years. Though many are ready to even accept the changes in retirement age, what is unpalatable for them is the idea of linking the years of service with their age. If a talented employee joins the Central Government services at a very young age, then he is likely to lose up to seven years of service tenure.

All the government employees, especially those above the age of 40, are vehemently opposing the idea. The questions they are putting forth are –


Who are all willing to reduce the retirement age from 60 and why?

Youngsters who are looking for government jobs support the idea of reducing the retirement age. But, the question remains if they will continue to support it once they get the job.

Will the unemployment crisis in the country end if the retirement age is reduced by two years?

Is there any age limit for ministers who handle important responsibilities?

Do politicians have a retirement age from politics?

And so may questions raises in the side of existing workforce.

There is no end to this debate…it continues forever…!

Source: 90paisa.org

Minutes of the 27th SCOVA meeting held on 13th October, 2015 under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS (PP)

Minutes of the 27th SCOVA meeting held on 13th October, 2015 under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS (PP)

F.No.42/07/2015-P&PW(G)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market, New Delhi- 110003
Date:- 5th Nov, 2015

To
All the Pensioners Associations included in SCOVA
vide Resolution dated 25.08.2015

Subject: Minutes of the 27th SCOVA meeting held on 13th October, 2015 under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS (PP)

Please find enclosed herewith a copy of minutes of the 27’h meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies(SCOVA) held on 13th October, 2015 under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS(PP) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi for your king perusal and necessary action.

Encl: as above

(Sujasha Choudhury)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Authority: http://pensionersportal.gov.in/
Click to view the order

Income Tax Department issued an Advisory on Phishing, Fraudulent Refund E-mail

Income Tax Department issued an Advisory on Phishing, Fraudulent Refund E-mail

Taxpayers are requested not to respond to any email or any type of communication sent to them requesting them to furnish their personal particulars such as Bank account details, passwords, OTP etc. purported to be from the Income Tax Department.

The Income Tax Department does not seek any such information through email or any other mode of communication from the taxpayers.

If you have received any such fraud mails, kindly do not respond and register a complaint by forwarding the actual phishing email as per procedure and details given in http://www.incometaxindia.gov.in/Pages/report-phishing.aspx

Advisory :
If you receive an e-mail from someone claiming to be the authorized by Income Tax Department or directing you to an Income Tax website:

Do not reply.
Do not open any attachments. Attachments may contain malicious code that will infect your computer.

Do not click on any links. If you clicked on links in a suspicious e-mail or phishing website then do not enter confidential information like bank account, credit card details.

Do not cut and paste the link from the message into your browsers, phishers can make link look like real, but it actually send you to different websites.

Use anti-virus software, anti spyware, and a firewall and keep them updated. Some phishing e-mails contain software that can harm your computer or track your activities on the internet without your knowledge. Anti-virus & Anti-spyware software and firewall can protect you from inadvertently accepting such unwanted files.

Reporting:
 
If you receive an e-mail or find a website you think is pretending to be of Income Tax Department, forward the e-mail or website URL to phishing@incometax.gov.in. A copy may also be forwarded to incident@cert-in.org.in

You may forward the message as received or provide the Internet header of the e-mail. The Internet header has additional information to help us locate the sender.

After you forward the e-mail or header information to us, delete the message.

If you receive a phishing mail not pertaining to the Income Tax Department, forward the same to incident@cert-in.org.in​​​

Authority: https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/

Zone of consideration for inclusion in the Select List of Upper Division Clerks’ Grade of CSCS for the years 2004-2014 against Seniority Quota-regarding.

Zone of consideration for inclusion in the Select List of Upper Division Clerks’ Grade of CSCS for the years 2004-2014 against Seniority Quota-regarding.

REMINDER-I

No. 12/1/2015-CS.II (B)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan
Khan Market, New Delhi-11 0003
Dated: 4th November, 2015

OFFICE MENORANMUM

Subject: Zone of consideration for inclusion in the Select List of Upper Division Clerks’ Grade of CSCS for the years 2004-2014 against Seniority Quota-regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. of even number dated 30.09.2015 on the subject mentioned above and to state that out of 41 cadre units, only two cadre units viz. M/O Environment & Forest and M/O Youth Affairs & Sports have forwarded requisite information till date.

2. The remaining 39 cadre units are requested to forward the requisite information at the earliest latest by 18.11.2015 so that Select List of 2004-2014 of UDC Grade may be finalized.

(RajeSh Sarswat)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
Tel:- 24654020

http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02csd/gudlong.pdf

Raiwlay News: Payment of Cash instead of Food to non-gazetted railway employees

All non-gazetted staff called for breakdown duties are eligible for payment of cash when supply of free food is not possible

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)
RBE No.134/2015

No.E(P&A)II-2015/F.E.2/2

New Delhi, dated 27.10.2015

The General Managers,
All Indian Railways & Production Units etc.

Sub: Payment of cash in lieu of free food, in exceptional circumstances to the non-gazetted staff engaged in Breakdown duties.

Ref:- PNM/ NFIR Item No. 10/2015.

****

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen have raised the issue regarding payment of Diet Allowance to staff attending Breakdown duties. The issue was discussed in the PNM Meeting and it has been decided to reiterate the relevant provisions of para 1420 of IREC-II. All non-gazetted staff called for breakdown duties are eligible for supply of free food, departmentally or otherwise, during the period they are engaged in breakdown duties, however where it is not possible to make arrangements for supply of free food, in exceptional circumstances, cash in lieu thereof may be paid to the non-gazetted staff including Gangmen and Trolleymen engaged in breakdown duties, at the rates fixed by the General Manager in consultation with· FA&CAO.

2. Cash compensation in lieu of free food however shall not be admissible to gazetted staff who are called out in connection with .accidents/breakdown.

3. Kindly acknowledge receipt.

( Salim Md. Ahmed )
Deputy Director/E(P&A)II,
Railway Board.

Download Railway Board Order RBE No.134/2015 No.E(P&A)II-2015/F.E.2/2 dated 27.10.2015

Payment on account of Children Education Allowances: Submission of original bills with details for reimbursement

Office of the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Central Command)
Cariappa Road, Cantt., Lucknow – 226002

Circular

No.:-AN/IV/CEA/2015

Date: 02/11/2015

To
The Officer-In-charge,
1. All Sections of MO.
2. All Sub Offices
3. All PAOs

Sub: Payment on account of Children Education Allowances.

During Local Test Audit of vouchers of children education allowance, it is found that the name of child, for whom shoe, books and uniform purchased, were not mentioned in cash memo vouchers. Local Test Audit Team has pointed out the matter and emphasized for making suitable correction.

It is therefore, enjoined upon all concerned to intimate the name of child for whom shoe, books and uniform purchased, may be mentioned in cash memo vouchers.

All the officers/staff may be got aware of the fact for strict compliance.

sd/-
Sr. Accounts Officer (AN-IV)

Authority: http://pcdacc.gov.in/

Eligibility of widowed/ divorced daughter for grant of family pension- clarification regarding

Eligibility of widowed/ divorced daughter for grant of family pension- clarification regarding

Government of India
Ministry of Defence
Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare
D(Pension/Policy)

Subject: Eligibility of widowed/ divorced daughter for grant of family pension- clarification regarding.

A copy of Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare OM No. 1/13/09- P&PW(E) dated 28th April 2011 & 11th September 2013 on the above subject are forwarded herewith for your information and necessary action in the matter.

2. MoD (Fin/Pen) has been consulted

Click to view the order

Railway Bonus Orders: Grant of ad-hoc bonus for 30 days to the Group ‘C’ & `D’ RPF/RPSF personnel for the financial year 2014-2015

Railway Bonus Orders: Grant of ad-hoc bonus for 30 days to the Group ‘C’ & `D’ RPF/RPSF personnel for the financial year 2014-2015

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

RBE No.140/2015

No.E(P&A)II-2015/Bonus-1

New Delhi, Dated 02/11/2015

The General Managers/CAOs (R),
All Indian Railways & Production Units,
(As per mailing list)

Subject: Grant of ad-hoc bonus for 30 days to the Group ‘C’ & `D’ RPF/RPSF personnel for the financial year 2014-2015

The President is pleased to decide that all Group ‘C’ & ‘D’ RPF/RPSF personnel, may be granted ad-hoc bonus equivalent to 30 (thirty) days emoluments for the financial year 2014-2015, without any eligibility wage ceiling. The calculation ceiling of Rs.3500/- will remain unchanged.

2. The benefit will be admissible subject to the following terms and conditions:-

a) Only those Group ‘C’ & ‘D’ RPF/RPSF personnel who were in service on 31.3.2015 and have rendered at least six months of continuous service during the year 2014-2015 will be eligible for payment under these orders. Pro-rata payment will be admissible to the eligible personnel for period of continuous service during the year ranging from six months to a full year, the eligibility period being taken in terms of number of months of service (rounded to the nearest number of months).

b) The quantum of ad-hoc bonus will be worked out on the basis of average emoluments/calculation ceiling whichever is lower. To calculate ad-hoc bonus for one day, the average emoluments in a year will be divided by 30.4 (average number of days in a month). This will thereafter be multiplied by the number of days of bonus granted. To illustrate, taking the calculation ceiling of Rs.3500/-(where actual average emoluments exceed Rs.3500), ad-hoc bonus for thirty days would work out to Rs.3500×30/30.4 = Rs.3453.95 (rounded off to Rs.3454/).

c) All payments under these orders will be rounded off to the nearest rupee.
d) In the matter where the aforesaid provisions are silent, clarificatory orders issued vide this Ministry’s letter No.E(P&A)II-88/Bonus-3 dated 29.12.1988, as amended from time to time, would hold good.

e) All the Group ‘C’ & ‘D’ RPF/RPSF personnel, regardless of whether they are in uniform or out of uniform and regardless of place of their posting, shall be eligible only for ad-hoc bonus in terms of these orders.

3. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

Sd/-
(Salim. Md. Ahmed)
Deputy Director/E(P&A)-II
Railway Board.

Authority: http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/

PM to launch Gold Related Schemes on 5th November, 2015; First ever National Gold Coin minted in India with National Emblem of Ashok Chakra engraved to be released among others on the occasion

PM to launch Gold Related Schemes on 5th November, 2015; First ever National Gold Coin minted in India with National Emblem of Ashok Chakra engraved to be released among others on the occasion

The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will launch the three Gold related Schemes i.e. Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS), Gold Sovereign Bond Scheme and the Gold Coin and Bullion Scheme on Thursday, 5th November, 2015 in the national capital.

The salient features of each of the aforesaid scheme are as follows:

Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS), 2015
The GMS will replace the existing Gold Deposit Scheme, 1999. However, the deposits outstanding under the Gold Deposit Scheme will be allowed to run till maturity unless the depositors prematurely withdraw them.

Resident Indians (Individuals, HUF, Trusts including Mutual Funds/Exchange Traded Funds registered under SEBI (Mutual Fund) Regulations and Companies) can make deposits under the scheme. The minimum deposit at any one time shall be raw gold (bars, coins, jewellery excluding stones and other metals) equivalent to 30 grams of gold. There is no maximum limit for deposit under the scheme.

The gold will be accepted at the Collection and Purity Testing Centres (CPTC) certified by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The deposit certificates will be issued by banks in equivalent of 995 fineness of gold. The designated banks will accept gold deposits under the Short Term (1-3 years) Bank Deposit (STBD) as well as Medium (5-7 years) and Long (12-15 years) Term Government Deposit Schemes (MLTGD). While the former will be accepted by banks on their own account, the latter will be on behalf of the Government of India. There will be provision for premature withdrawal subject to a minimum lock-in period and penalty to be determined by individual banks for the STBD. The interest rate in the STBD will be determined by the banks. The interest rate in the medium term bonds has been fixed at 2.25% and for the long term bonds is 2.5% for the bonds issued in 2015-16.

Interest on deposits under the scheme will start accruing from the date of conversion of gold deposited into tradable gold bars after refinement or 30 days after the receipt of gold at the CPTC or the bank’s designated branch, as the case may be and whichever is earlier. During the period from the date of receipt of gold by the CPTC or the designated branch, as the case may be, to the date on which interest starts accruing in the deposit, the gold accepted by the CPTC or the designated branch of the bank shall be treated as an item in safe custody held by the designated bank.

The Short Term Bank Deposits will attract applicable Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) and Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR). However, the stock of gold held by the banks will count towards the general SLR requirement. The opening of Gold Deposit Accounts will be subject to the same rules with regard to customer identification (KYC) as are applicable to any other deposit account.

The designated banks may sell or lend the gold accepted under STBD to MMTC for minting India Gold Coins (IGC) and to jewellers, or sell it to other designated banks participating in GMS. The gold deposited under MLTGD will be auctioned by MMTC or any other agency authorised by the Central Government and the sale proceeds credited to the Central Government’s account with the Reserve Bank of India. The entities participating in the auction may include the Reserve Bank, MMTC, banks and any other entities notified by the Central Government. Banks may utilise the gold purchased in the auction for purposes indicated above. Designated banks should put in place a suitable risk management mechanism, including appropriate limits, to manage the risk arising from gold price movements in respect of their net exposure to gold. For this purpose, they have been allowed to access the international exchanges, London Bullion Market Association or make use of over-the-counter contracts to hedge exposures to bullion prices subject to the guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank.

Complaints against designated banks regarding any discrepancy in issuance of receipts and deposit certificates, redemption of deposits, payment of interest will be handled first by the bank’s grievance redress process and then by the Reserve Bank’s Banking Ombudsman.

It may be recalled that the Government of India announced the Gold Monetisation Scheme vide its Office Memorandum F.No.20/6/2015-FT dated September 15, 2015. The objective of the Scheme is to mobilise gold held by households and institutions of the country and facilitate its use for productive purposes, and in the long run, to reduce country’s reliance on the import of gold..

The list of CPTCs and Refiners are certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards. Indian Banks Association has finalized the necessary documentation including the tripartite agreements between the designated banks, CPTCs and the Refiners under the Scheme. Banks have put in place the requisite systems and procedures to implement the scheme and will continue to improve them.

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme
The Government of India has decided to issue Sovereign Gold Bonds. The Bonds will be issued in multiple tranches subject to the overall borrowing limits of GOI. Applications for the bond under the first tranche will be accepted from November 05, 2015 to November 20, 2015. The Bonds will be issued on November 26, 2015. The Bonds will be sold through banks and designated post offices as notified. It may be recalled that the Union Finance Minister had announced in Union Budget 2015-16 about developing a financial asset, Sovereign Gold Bond, as an alternative to purchasing metal gold.

Sovereign Gold Bond will be issued by Reserve Bank India on behalf of the Government of India. The Bonds will be restricted for sale to resident Indian entities including individuals, HUFs, trusts, Universities, charitable institutions. The Bonds will be denominated in multiples of gram(s) of gold with a basic unit of 1 gram. The tenor of the Bond will be for a period of 8 years with exit option from 5th year to be exercised on the interest payment dates. Minimum permissible investment will be 2 units (i.e. 2 grams of gold).The maximum amount subscribed by an entity will not be more than 500 grams per person per fiscal year (April-March). A self-declaration to this effect will be obtained. A mechanism will be put in place for internal verification of the self declarations.

In case of joint holding, the investment limit of 500 grams will be applied to the first applicant only. Each tranche will be kept open for a period to be notified. The issuance date will also be specified in the notification. Price of Bond will be fixed in Indian Rupees on the basis of the previous week’s (Monday–Friday) simple average of closing price of gold of 999 purity published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd. (IBJA).Payment for the Bonds will be through electronic funds transfer/cash payment/ cheque/ demand draft. The investors will be issued a Stock/Holding Certificate.

The Bonds are eligible for conversion into demat form. The redemption price will be in Indian Rupees based on previous week’s (Monday-Friday) simple average of closing price of gold of 999 purity published by IBJA. Bonds will be sold through banks and designated Post Offices, as notified, either directly or through agents. The investors will get interest at a fixed rate of 2.75 per cent per annum payable semi-annually on the initial value of investment for the bonds issued in 2015-16.

Bonds can be used as collateral for loans. The loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is to be set equal to ordinary gold loan mandated by the Reserve Bank from time to time. Know-your-customer (KYC) norms will be the same as that for purchase of physical gold. KYC documents such as Voter ID, Aadhaar Card/PAN or TAN /Passport will be required. The interest on Gold Bonds shall be taxable as per the provision of Income Tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961) and the capital gains tax shall also remain same as in the case of physical gold. Department of Revenue has agreed to ensure tax neutrality between the purchase of physical gold and investment in the gold bonds. This will require amendments in the existing provisions of the Income Tax act , which will be considered in the 2016-17 Budget. Bonds will be tradable on exchanges/NDS-OM from a date to be notified by RBI..The Bonds will be eligible for Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR). Commission for distribution shall be paid at the rate of 1% of the subscription amount.

Gold Coin/Bullion Scheme
The Indian gold coin & bullion is a part of the Gold Monetisation Programme. The coin will be the first ever national gold coin minted in India and will have the National Emblem of Ashok Chakra engraved on one side and Mahatma Gandhi on the other side . Initially the coins will be available in denominations of 5 and 10 grams. A 20 gram bullion will also be available. Initially, 15,000 coins of 5gm, 20,000 coins of 10 gm and 3,750 of bullions of 20 gm will be made available through MMTC outlets. The Indian Gold coin & bullion is unique in many aspects and will carry advanced anti-counterfeit features and tamper proof packaging.
The Indian Cold coin & bullion will be of 24 karat purity and 999 fineness. All coins & bullion will be hallmarked as per the BIS standards. These coins will be distributed initially through designated & recognised MMTC outlets and later through specified bank branches and post offices.

PIB

Acceptance of Diploma/Degree in Engineering prescribed for open market recruitment to posts on the railways

Acceptance of Diploma/Degree in Engineering prescribed for open market recruitment to posts on the railways — Duration of course regarding

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

RBE No.138/2015

No.E(NG)II-2013/RR-1/11

New Delhi, Dated 02/11/2015

The General Manager (P),
All Indian Railways & Production Units,
Chairman/Railway Recruitment Boards.

Subject: Acceptance of Diploma/Degree in Engineering prescribed for open market recruitnent to posts on the railways — Duration of course regarding

Instances have come to notice of this Ministry, wherein, candidates the written examination conducted by Railway Recruitment Boards are producing Diploma/Degree in Engineering of varied duration conducted by various institutions.

The matter has been looked into and it has been decided that henceforth a minimum of three year Diploma course in Engineering and a minimum of four year course in Engineering done after +2 shall only be accepted in addition to Diploma in Engineering obtained from Polytechnics. Instructions contained in Board’s letter No. dated 08.12.2011 still hold good.

Please acknowledge receipt.

sd/-
(Neeraj Kumar)
Director Estt. (N)-II
Railway Board.

Authority: http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/