Cabinet approves Continuation of sub-schemes under Umbrella Scheme "Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)" for the period till November, 2018

Cabinet approves Continuation of sub-schemes under Umbrella Scheme "Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)" for the period till November, 2018

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for continuation of Anganwadi Services, Scheme for Adolescent Girls, Child Protection Services and National Crèche Scheme from 1.4.2017 to 30.11.2018 with an outlay of over Rs.41,000 crore. These are the sub-schemes under Umbrella Scheme "Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)"

Features:

. The approved Schemes include:

i. Anganwadi Services
ii. Scheme for Adolescent Girls
iii. Child Protection Services
iv. National Crèche Scheme

. The Cabinet has also approved:

i. implementation of Scheme for Adolescent Girls for out of school girls in the age group of 11-14 years, its phased expansion
ii. phasing out of the on–going Kishori Shakti Yojana for out of school girls in the age group of 11-14 years.

. The decision also provides for conversion of National Creche Scheme from Central Sector to Centrally Sponsored Scheme with the revised cost sharing between Centre and States as 60:40 for all States and UTs with legislature, 90:10 for NER and Himalayan States and 100% for UTs without legislature and implementation of the Scheme through States/UTs instead of existing implementation agencies.

Impact:
The sub-schemes listed above are not new schemes but are continuing from the XII Five Year Plan. The programme through targeted interventions will strive to reduce the level of malnutrition, anaemia and low birth weight babies, ensure empowerment of adolescent girls, provide protection to the children who are in conflict with law, provide safe place for day-care to the children of working mothers, create synergy, ensure better monitoring, issue negative alerts for timely action, encourage States/UTs to perform, guide and supervise the line Ministries and States/UTs to achieve the targeted goals and bring more transparency.

Beneficiaries:
More than 11 crore children, pregnant women & Lactating Mothers and the Adolescent Girls will be benefited through this scheme.

Financial Outlay:
The details of expenditure for the period from 01.04.2017 to 30.11.2018 for various sub-schemes are as follows:

(Rupees in crore)

Name of the sub-scheme	Amount approved
Anganwadi Services	34441.34
National Nutrition Mission (proposed)	4241.33
Scheme for Adolescent Girls	1238.37
Child Protection Services	1083.33
National Crèche Scheme	349.33
Total	41353.70

Implementation Strategy and Targets:
Anganwadi Services (ICDS) and Child Protection Services are already in operation in the entire country. The Scheme for Adolescent Girls will be expanded in a phased manner. National Creche Scheme will continue to be implemented in 23,555 creches. Approval for National Nutrition Mission shall be obtained separately.

States/districts covered:
Anganwadi Services (ICDS) and Child Protection Services are already in operation in the entire country. National Nutrition Mission will be rolled out in a phased manner. Similarly, Scheme for Adolescent Girls will be expanded in a phased manner.

Background:
The ongoing schemes have been rationalized by the Government in financial year 2016-17 and have been brought under Umbrella ICDS as its sub-schemes. These sub-schemes need to be continued for delivering the child related services to the intended beneficiaries. The aims of these schemes are as under:

a. Anganwadi Services (ICDS) aims at holistic development of children under the age of six years and its beneficiaries are children of this age group and Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers.

b. The objective of the Scheme for Adolescent Girls is to facilitate, educate and empower Adolescent Girls so as to enable them to become self-reliant and aware citizens through improved nutrition and health status, promoting awareness about health, hygiene, nutrition, mainstreaming out of school AGs into formal/non formal education and providing information/guidance about existing public services.

c. The objectives of Child Protection Services are to provide safe and secure environment for children in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection, reduce vulnerabilities through a wide range of social protection measures, prevent actions that lead to abuse, neglect, exploitation, abandonment and separation of children from families etc., bring focus on non-institutional care, develop a platform for partnership between Government & Civil Society and establish convergence of child related social protection services.

d. National Creche Scheme aims at providing a safe place for mothers to leave their children while they are at work, and thus, is a measure for empowering women as it enables them to take up employment. At the same time, it is also an intervention towards protection and development of children in the age group of 6 months to 6 years.

PIB

Cabinet approves the increase in the carpet area of houses eligible for interest subsidy under the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme for the Middle Income Group under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana

Cabinet approves the increase in the carpet area of houses eligible for interest subsidy under the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme for the Middle Income Group under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana 

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the increase in the carpet area of houses eligible for interest subsidy under the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) for the Middle Income Group (MIG) under Pradhan MantriAwasYojana (Urban).

To further enhance the scope, coverage and outreach of the Scheme, the Cabinet has approved the following:

i. increasing the carpet area in the MIG I category of CLSS from the existing 90 square metre to "up to 120 square metre" and increasing the carpet area in respect of MIG II category of CLSS from the existing 110 square metre to "up to 150 square metre"; and

ii. making the above change effective from 01.01.2017 i.e. the date the CLSS for MIG had become effective.

The CLSS for MIG is a pro-active step in meeting the challenges of urban housing shortage. It also is a pioneering step to enable the Middle Income Group to access the benefits of an interest subsidy scheme.

The CLSS for MIG covers two income segments in the MIG viz. Rs.6,00,001 to Rs.12,00,000 (MIG-I) and Rs.12,00,001 to Rs.18,00,000 (MIG-II) per annum. In the MIG-1, an interest subsidy of 4% has been provided for loan amounts up to Rs.9 lakh while in MIG-2, an interest subsidy of 3% has been provided for loan amount of Rs.12 lakh. The interest subsidy will be calculated at 9% NPV over a maximum loan tenure of 20 years or the actual tenure, whichever is lesser. Housing loans above 9 lakh and 12 lakh will be at non-subsidized rates.

The CLSS for MIG is currently effective up to 31.03.2019.

Impact

· The limit of 120 sq m. and 150 sq m. is seen as a reasonable enhancement and would cater to the market generally scouted by the MIG belonging to the two income categories specified in the scheme.
· The increase in carpet area will enable the Ml category of individuals to have a wider choice in Developers' projects.
· The increased carpet area will also give a boost to the sale of ready built flats in the affordable housing segment.

Background:
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is implementing the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme for Middle Income Group (CLSS for MIG) under the Pradhan MantriAwasYojana (Urban) since 1.01.2017 pursuant to Hon'ble Prime Minister's address to the Nation on 31.12.2016 announcing increased benefits for poor people availing housing loans, and a new interest subsidy scheme for housing loans for the Middle Income Group (MIG).

PIB

7th Pay Commission: New pay hike from April 2018

7th Pay Commission: New pay hike from April 2018

A top Finance Ministry official, who did not wish to be named told on Tuesday said that new pay hike for central government employees would come into effect from 1 April 2018.

He said that National Anomaly Committee (NAC) is likely to submit report on new pay hike by December.

The new pay hike will come into effect by April next year at the latest, he added.

Earlier, the government gave nod the 7th Pay Commission proposal of minimum basic pay from Rs 7,000 to Rs 18,000 per month while the maximum basic pay from Rs 80,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh with a fitment factor of 2.57 times uniformly of sixth pay commission's basic pay.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission, various central government employees' unions had threatened to go on an indefinite strike from 11 July, 2016.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was under pressure to assure to hike minimum pay for the central government employees day after the cabinet approval of the 7th Pay Commission's recommendations, June 30, 2016, when he had met representatives of several central government employees' unions in home minister's house with other two cabinet ministers - Rajnath Singh and Suresh Prabhu.

The assurance had prevented several central government employees' unions to go ahead with the indefinite strike starting July 11, 2016.

The Unions had asked the government to set up a committee to look into issues raised by them in relation to pay hike.

Jaitley promised the Union leaders that the pay hike issue raised by them would be considered by a High Level Committee. Accordingly, he has formed National Anomaly Committee (NAC) in September, 2016 to look into pay anomalies arising out of the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission's recommendations.

The unions had said the government approved pay hike was the lowest in the last 70 years. They had also accused the government of announcing the awards "unilaterally" without any consultation with them.

The unions had also warned to make employees minimum pay Rs 18,000 to Rs 26,000 and asked to raising fitment factor 3.68 times from 2.57 times.

"The government may come out with a decision in next financial year in this regard on the recommendations of the National Anomaly Committee," he said.

"The government is likely to go ahead for hike in minimum pay Rs 21,000 from Rs 18,000 with fitment factor 3.00. The fitment formula with 3.00 times from 2.57 times, which will be gone up he salary and pension in general for all segments of employees" the official confirmed.

TST

Government can not accommodate employee in lower pay scale because of disability: High Court

Government can not accommodate employee in lower pay scale because of disability: High Court

The Allahabad High Court has held that the government cannot accommodate an employee in a post with a lower pay scale just because he or she acquired some disability during service and became unfit for the current post.

A bench comprising justices Bharati Sapru and Siddharth passed the order while dismissing a petition filed by the Ministry of Railways.

The court directed the ministry to pay S Q Ahmed (accommodated on a post with lower pay scale because he acquired some disability) his dues according to higher pay grade with 7 per cent interest from the due date.

It also imposed a cost of Rs 50,000 on railways for not giving its employee his legitimate dues and for dragging him into litigation for no fault on his part.

In its petition, the Centre challenged an order passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal directing the Ministry of Railways to pay Ahmad his salary and other dues according to his original pay scale.
The tribunal had held that Ahmad was discriminated by the ministry and was wrongly accommodated in the post of lower pay scale on the ground that he became medically unfit for the job he was doing then.

The Railways contention was that if an employee becomes medically unfit he is only entitled for alternative employment in such category under which he is found fit, on the basis of available vacancies.

Therefore, Ahmad was appointed on a post according to his fitness and vacancy and there was nothing wrong in his appointment at a lower pay scale.

However, Ahmads counsel relied on the master circular of the railways ministry which says that during absorption of medically unfit employees, in alternative employment, railways should ensure that the interest of the staff should not be adversely affected as far as possible.

The bench was of the view that such a reduction in pay scale of an employee is discriminatory and in violation of section 47 of The Persons With Disabilities (Equal Opportunity, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.

The section provides that no establishment shall dispense with, or reduce in rank, an employee who acquires a disability during his service and in case, an employee, after acquiring disability is not suitable for the post he was holding, he could be shifted to some other post with the same pay scale and service benefits.

The bench while dismissing the petition observed, "It must be remembered that a person does not acquire or suffer disability by choice.

"An employee, who acquires disability during his service, is sought to be protected. Such employee, acquiring disability, if not protected, would not only suffer himself, but possibly all those who depend on him would also suffer."

PTI

Government considering report on age limit for civil service exams

Government considering report on age limit for civil service exams

Nearly eight months after its submission, the report of Baswan committee that suggested changes in civil service exam pattern and age limit is under examination, the government has said.
The committee had submitted its report to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on 9 August 2016.

"The Baswan Committee's report along with UPSC's recommendations on it has been received on 20 March 2017 and the same is under examination," the department of personnel and training (DoPT) said in response to an RTI query filed by a PTI correspondent.

Thousands of aspirants appear in the civil service exam conducted annually by the UPSC in three stages - preliminary, mains and interview - to select officers for Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others.

The UPSC had constituted the expert committee under the chairmanship of former human resource development secretary and retired IAS officer B S Baswan to review the scheme of civil service examination in August 2015.

The committee is understood to have recommended reduction in upper age limit of 32 years to appear in the civil service exam, officials said.

"The recommendations made by the committee including on pattern of civil service examination and age limit are presently under consideration of the UPSC," minister of state for personnel Jitendra Singh had told Rajya Sabha in a written reply in November last year.

In a related development, the UPSC has fixed a seven-day time frame for candidates to report mistakes or discrepancies in questions asked in the various examinations conducted by it.

PTI

Cabinet approves appointment of Second National Judicial Pay Commission for Subordinate Judiciary in the country

Cabinet approves appointment of Second National Judicial Pay Commission for Subordinate Judiciary in the country

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved appointment of Second National Judicial Pay Commission (SNJPC) for Subordinate Judiciary in the country.
The Commission is to be headed by Shri Justice (Retd.J P.Venkatrama Reddi, former Judge of Supreme Court of India. Shri R. Basant, a former Judge of the Kerala High Court is the Member of the Commission.

The Commission will make its recommendations to the State Governments preferably within a period of 18 months.

It will examine the present structure of emoluments and conditions of service of Judicial Officers in the States and UTs. The Commission aims to evolve the principles which would govern pay structure and other emoluments of Judicial Officers belonging to the Subordinate Judiciary of the country. It will examine the work methods and work environment as also the variety of allowance and benefits in kind that are available to Judicial Officers in addition to pay and to suggest rationalization and simplification thereof.

The Commission will devise its own procedures and formulate modalities necessary for accomplishing the task. The Commission also aims at making the pay scales and conditions of service of Judicial Officers uniform throughout the country.

The recommendations of the Commission will help in promoting efficiency in Judicial Administration, optimizing the size of judiciary etc. and to remove anomalies created in implementation of earlier recommendations.

NFPE: Non Settlements of long pending demands call of agitational programs

NFPE: Non Settlements of long pending demands - call of agitational programs

National Federation of Postal Employees
1st Floor North Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi-110 001

e-mail: nfpehq@gmail.com
website: http://www.nfpe.blogspot.com

Phone: 011.23092771
Mob: 9868819295/9810853981
No.PF-01(a)/2017

Dated: 10th November, 2017

To
Shri A.N Nanda
Secretary, Department of Post
Dak Bhawan
New Delhi -110001

Subject: Non Settlements of long pending demands- call of agitational  programs  - regarding

Sir,
The Federal Secretariat meeting of NFPE with available General Secretaries and NFPE office bearers held at NFPE office North Avenue Post Office, Building New Delhi has reviewed the whole situation arisen out of so many policy offensive and attacks unleashed by the Government of India by the way of authorizing  nationalized banks and private banks for doing business of National small savings schemes, making  the IPPB (India Post Payment Bank) as a corporate entity, proposal of closure of A.P.S, appointment of out sourced Postal Delivery  agents, cancellation of G.D.S membership verification, Delay in implementation of  GDS Committee  Report, Amendment in Rectt. rules of P.A. Non filling up of vacant posts in all cadres, non implementation of  cadre restructuring  proposals for other categories and non declaration of result of regular membership verification and so many other issues.

After a detailed and threadbare discussion the Federal Secretariat  has reached to a conclusion that it is the need of hour to resist all these policy offensives and attacks by way of struggles and serious agitational  programmes culminating in to indefinite strike.

The federal secretariat has decided the following programme of action to achieve the demands as mentioned in charter of demands.

1. Two days Relay hunger fast in front of all Divisional offices on 28th and 29th November 2017 (All Employees will wear Black Badges containing demands and will send resolution addressed to Prime - Minister).

2. Mass Dharna in front of All C.P.M.G offices on 20th December 2017

3. 5 Days Relay Dharna in front of Parliament from 12th to 16th February 2018. (All Circles will participates in Dharna day wise).

4. After that Indefinite Strike will be declared

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

1. Implementation of positive recommendations of Kamlesh Chandra Committee Report for GDS

2.Membership verification of GDS and declaration of result of regular membership verification.

3.Filling up of all vacant posts in all Cadres of Deptt of Post i.e P.A.S.A, Postmen, Mail guard, mailmen, MTS,MMS Drivers and artisans, P.A CO. P.A SBCO, Postal Actts and GDS. Drop the move of amendment in P.A. S.A., P.A.CO & P.A. SBCO Recruitment Rules.

4.Implement CSI, and RICT only after providing all required infrastructure including band width and stop harassment , victimization in the name of new schemes , technology induction, under contributory negligence factor and trade union victimization.

5.Stop out sourcing privatization and Corporatization.

6.Payment of revised wages and arrears to the casual, part time, contingent and daily rated mazdoors as per 6th & 7th CPC and settle other issues of Casual Laboures.

7.Implement cadre restructuring for left out categories i.e. RMS, MMS, PACO, PASBCO Postmaster Cadre, Postal Actts etc and accept the modifications suggested by federation before implementation of cadre restructuring in Postal Group ‘C’.

8.Withdraw N.P.S (contributory Pension Scheme) Guarantee 50% of last pay drawn as minimum pension.

9.Implement 5 days week in Postal Operative offices.

10.Stop move of diversion of business of P.O SB Schemes to Banks (Nationalized and Private)

11.Stop move of closure of Army Postal Service.

12.Grant OSA and OTA to RMS staff and special allowances for P.O & R.M.S Accounts.

13.Finalization of Recruitment Rules of AAOS IN Postal Accounts with 40% S.C.F quota as approved by DOPT.

14.Status of Audit to SBCO.

15.Benefit of SDBS to retried GDS employees.

Yours Comradely,
S/d,
(R N Parashar)
Secretary General

Source : NFPE

Pay element relating to Running Staff/Loco Inspectors after the recommendations of Seventh CPC

Pay element relating to Running Staff/Loco Inspectors after the recommendations of Seventh CPC.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No.E(P&A)II-2015/RS-25

New Delhi,
dated:13.11.2017

The General Manager,
Metro Railway,
Kolkata.

Sub : Pay element relating to Running Staff/Loco Inspectors after the recommendations of Seventh CPC.

Please refer to your letter no. MRTS/E.345/0/12/Pt.IV/Misc dt. 05.05.2017 requesting a clarification about the percentage of pay element to be reckoned for the purpose of computation of pensionary benefits in respect of Loco Inspectors. This issue has also been raised by GS/NFIR in his letter no. IV/RSAC/Conf/Pt. VIII dt. 15.09.2017.

2. Loco Inspectors are entitled to 30% add-on pay element for retirement benefits as per paragraph no. 5.5 of Board’s letter no. E(P&A)II/83/RS-10(iv) dt. 25.11.1992 which has not been amended as yet. It is clarified that the pay element (presently 30% until further orders) has to be reckoned in the revised pay structure of Seventh CPC for calculation of pensionary benefits of Loco Inspectors.

3. In this connection it is noted that many retired Loco Inspectors, even after getting the benefit of 30% add-on pay element at the time of pay fixation as Loco Inspectors, have gone to Courts of Law claiming 55% pay element for pensionary benefits equating themselves to the running staff. It is reiterated that Loco Inspectors are not classified as running staff and therefore are not entitled to 55% pay element for pensionary benefits. This fact may be conveyed to such Loco Inspectors while calculating their pensionary benefits.

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

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

7th CPC Implementation of decision relating to the grant of Children Education Allowance

7th CPC Implementation of decision relating to the grant of Children Education Allowance

F.No.33-03/2017-PAP

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATION
DEPARTMENT OF POSTS
(ESTABLISHMENT DIVISION)/PAP SECTION

DAK BHAWAN, SANSAD MARG,
NEW DELHI - 110 001

8th  Nov. 2017

To

ALL HEADS OF CIRCLES,
ALL GM (PAF)/DAS (P),
ALL DIRECTORS POSTAL STAFF COLLEGE INDIA/PTCs.

Sub: Recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission - Implementation of decision relating to the grant of Children Education Allowance.

I am directed to forward herewith a copy of extracts of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Person6e1 & Training's Office Memorandum No.27012/02/2017-Estt.(AL) dated 31.10.2017 on the subject cited above for kind information and further necessary action in this regard.

Encl: As above.

S/d,
(Narender Prakash)
Section Officer (PAP)

No. A-27012/02/2017-Estt.(AL)

Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and P&PW
Department of Personnel & Training

Block-IV, Old JNU Camws,
New Delhi
Dated: 31.10.2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission - Implementation of decision relating to the grant of Children Education Allowance.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s 0.M.No.12011/04/2008- Estt(AL) dated 11-9-2008 and O.M. No.A-27012/02/2017-Estt.(AL) dated 16/08/2017 on the subject mentioned above and to state that the reimbursement of Children Education Allowance for differently abled children of government employees shall be payable at double the normal rates prescribed. The annual ceiling fixed for reimbursement of Children Education Allowance for differently abled children of government employees is now Rs.54,000/-. The rest of the conditions will be the same as stipulated vide 0.M.No.12011/04/2008-Estt(AL) dated 11-9-2008,

2. These orders shall be effective from 1st July, 2017.

3. Hindi version follows.

S/d,
(Navneet Misra)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Tel: 26164316

To

Ministries/Departments of the Government of India.
NIC with a request to upload the OM on the website of DoPT

Stepping up of pay of senior Assistants of CSS drawing less pay on promotion in the Section Officers Grade than their juniors

Stepping up of pay of senior Assistants of CSS drawing less pay on promotion in the Section Officers Grade than their juniors

F.No.18/2/2014-CS-I(S)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

2nd Floor, A Wing, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market
New Delhi, the 6 November, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Stepping up of pay of senior Assistants of CSS drawing less pay on promotion in the Section Officers Grade than their juniors -regarding.


Ref: OM No.18/2/2007-CS-l dated 20.05.2014 & 08.07.2014 and OM No.18/212014-CS.l(S) dated 27.12.20216.

Representations have been received from some CSS officers in whose case re-fixation and recovery orders have been issued by concerned Ministries/Departments in pursuance to DOPT OM dated 20.05.2014, requesting withdrawal of the OMs referred above.

2. It is once again clarified that OM No.5/16/80-CS.I dated 13.4.1988 was issued on acceptance of award by Board of Arbitration in CA Reference No.7 of 1984 which allowed stepping up of pay of an Assistant of CSS, who is senior by virtue of having been recruited through an earlier examination but is drawing less pay on promotion in the Grade of Section Officer than his junior recruited through a later examination, up to a level equal to the pay of such junior Section Officer in the same cadre i.e. senior DR Assistant to junior DR Assistant of later exam on their promotion as Section Officer. Vide OM No.5/21/92-CS.I dated 23.2.1994 this benefit of stepping up was extended to Section Officers appointed through Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) (again applicable to DR Assistants only). OM No.5/1/96-CS.I dated 8.10.1996 further extended this benefit in case of promotee Assistants and also to the cases where both junior and senior have been recruited on the basis of the same Select List Assistants Grade Examination, as the case may be in accordance with judgements of CAT in OA No. 365/90 (Shri K.C. Sehgal VS UOI and CA No. 869/91 (Shri L.K. Chawla VS UOI), which were upheld by the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

3. That there are general guidelines of stepping up of pay issued by the Ministry of Finance vide OM No.F.2(78)-E.III(A) dated 0 .02.1966 and this Department vide OM dated 04.11.1993. One of the conditions of the general guidelines for allowing stepping up of pay to a senior govt. servant with reference to a junior is that the senior should have drawn more pay than the junior in the lower grade also.

4. However, certain clarifications were issued by CS-I Division, DoPT in 2007 and 2008 to individual Ministries/Departments, on references received from them, which were at variance with the general conditions of stepping up of pay i.e. stepping up of pay was allowed even if junior was drawing more pay than the senior in the lower grade i.e. in Assistant/Grade. Therefore, vide OM dated 29.5.2009, the clarification issued in 2007 & 2008 were withdrawn and Ministries/Departments were advised to strictly allow stepping up enforcing conditions laid down in OM dated 8.10.1996. Departments were also informed vide OM dated 21.05.2010 that as the matter was still under consideration, status-quo, as on date, might be maintained in the matter of stepping up of pay of Section Officers of CSS till the matter attains finality. Eventually, the matter attained finality and a consolidated OM as vetted by the Estt..(Pay) Division of this Department and Department of Expenditure was issued on 20.05.2014.

5. The Ministries/Departments were requested vide OM dated 20.05.14 that stepping up of pay already allowed in cases where the individuals are not covered by the OMs dated 13.04.1988, 23.02.1994 and 08.10.1996 and general conditions as laid down in OM dated 04.11.193, should be reviewed and pay re-fixed accordingly. That excess payments made to the employees in the cases of wrong stepping up of pay should be recovered in terms of DOP&T’s OM No.18/26/2011-Estt(Pay-l) dated 06.02.2014 and a compliance report in this regard furnished to this Department. It was further clarified vide OM dated 08.7.2014 that all the three OMs and general conditions of stepping up of pay are not exclusive of each other and the three OMs are to be read with and subject to the general conditions reiterated vide OM dated 4.11.1993, therefore, stepping up of pay is not to be allowed where junior was drawing more pay than the senior in the lower grade.

6. As regards, OA No.2884/2015 and similar OAs filed in this regard, it is observed that only applicants in these cases have been granted interim stay by the Learned CAT. That the said OAs have been filed by the applicants in the individual capacity. Thus in all those cases where stepping up of pay has been allowed, but where the benefited individuals were not covered by the OMs dated 13.4.88, 23.2.94 and 8.10.96 and the general conditions of stepping up of pay as laid down in the DOP&T's OM No. 4/7/92-Estt(Pay-1) dated 04.11.93, pay will have to be re-fixed and recovery of excess payment, if any, is to be made.

7. Therefore, vide reminder OM dated 27.12.16, the Ministries/Departments were requested to expedite the compliance reports as requested vide OM dated 20.05.2014 except in those cases where matter of recovery is subjudice/stayed by order of any competent court.

8. It may be mentioned that one of the similarly placed officers, in whose case orders for stepping up of pay with reference to a promotee assistant was issued but not implemented, had approached CA (PB) through OA No.1199/2014(H.C. Rai vs. UOI). The CAT vide its order dated 28.03.17 while dismissing the OA had categorically ruled that the stepping up of his pay was not in consonance with the provisions of OM dated 20.05.2014 i.e. OMs dated 13.4.88, 23.2.94 and 8.10.96.

9. With regards difficulty being faced by some Ministries/Departments in establishing links/chain of officers in refixation/recovery matters, it is hereby mentioned that many Ministries/Departments have already issued re-fixation orders establishing links by themselves as per the instructions issued by this Department.

10. All the Ministries/Departments are thus again requested to furnish the compliance reports in the prescribed proforma, latest by 15th November 2017.

11. In view of above, the representations/OMS of following have no merit and are accordingly disposed off:

Please click on source file to view the list of representations.

(Anil Tripathi)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Source : DoPT