Cabinet approves Atal Bhujal Yojana

Cabinet
Cabinet approves Atal Bhujal Yojana

24 DEC 2019

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for the implementation of the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL), a Central Sector Scheme with a total outlay of Rs.6000 crore to be implemented over a period of 5 years (2020-21 to 2024-25).

Also check: World Bank approves Rs. 6,000 crore Atal Bhujal Yojana

The scheme aims to improve ground water management through community participation in identified priority areas in seven States, viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Implementation of the scheme is expected to benefit nearly 8350 Gram Panchayats in 78 districts in these States. ATAL JAL will promote panchayat led ground water management and behavioural change with primary focus on demand side management
Out of the total outlay of Rs. 6000 crore, 50% shall be in the form of World Bank loan, and be repaid by the Central Government. The remaining 50% shall be through Central Assistance from regular budgetary support. The entire World Bank's loan component and Central Assistance shall be passed on to the States as Grants.

ATAL JAL has two major components:

A. Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building Component for strengthening institutional arrangements for sustainable ground water management in the States including improving monitoring networks, capacity building, strengthening of Water User Associations, etc.

B. Incentive Component for incentivising the States for achievements in improved groundwater management practices namely, data dissemination, preparation of water security plans, implementation of management interventions through convergence of ongoing schemes, adopting demand side management practices etc.

ATAL JAL will result in:

• Institutional strengthening for improving ground water monitoring networks and capacity building of stakeholders at different levels which will enhance ground water data storage, exchange, analysis and dissemination.
• Improved and realistic water budgeting based on an improved database and preparation of community-led Water Security Plans at Panchayat level
• Implementation of Water Security Plans through convergence of various ongoing/ new schemes of the Government of India and State Governments to facilitate judicious and effective utilization of funds for sustainable ground water management.
• Efficient use of available ground water resources with emphasis on demand side measures such as micro-irrigation, crop diversification, electricity feeder separation etc.

Impact:

• Source sustainability for Jal Jeevan Mission in the project area with active participation of local communities.
• Will contribute towards the goal of doubling the farmers' income.
• Will promote participatory ground water management.
• Improved water use efficiency on a mass scale and improved cropping pattern;
• Promotion of efficient and equitable use of ground water resources and behavioral change at the community level;

Background:
Ground water contributes to nearly 65% of total irrigated area of the country and nearly 85% of the rural drinking water supply. The limited ground water resources in the country are under threat due to the increasing demands of growing population, urbanization and industrialization. Intensive, and unregulated ground water pumping in many areas has caused rapid and widespread decline in ground water levels as well as reduction in the sustainability of ground water abstraction structures. The problem of reduction in ground water availability is further compounded by deteriorating ground water quality in some parts of the country. The increasing stress on ground water due to over- exploitation, contamination and associated environmental impacts threaten to endanger the food security of the nation, unless necessary preventive / remedial measures are taken on priority.
The Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti has taken a pioneering initiative for ensuring long term sustainability of ground water resources in the country through the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL) by adopting a mix of 'top down' and 'bottom up' approaches in identified ground water stressed blocks in seven states, representing a range of geomorphic, climatic and hydrogeologic and cultural settings. ATAL JAL has been designed with the principal objective of strengthening the institutional framework for participatory ground water management and bringing about behavioral changes at the community level for sustainable ground water resource management. The scheme envisages undertaking this through various interventions, including awareness programmes, capacity building, convergence of ongoing/ new schemes and improved agricultural practices etc.

PIB

Post Office Savings Account Scheme 2019 - Gazette Notification

Post Office Savings Account Scheme 2019 - Gazette Notification

NOTIFICATION

New Delhi, the 12th December, 2019

G.S.R. 921(E).- In exercise of the powers conferred by section 3A of the Government Savings Promotion Act, 1873 (5 of 1873), the Central Government hereby makes the following Scheme, namely:-

1. Short title and commencement:
(1) This Scheme may be called the Post Office Savings Account Scheme, 2019.
(2) It shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

2. Definitions:
(1) In this Scheme, unless the context otherwise requires,-
(a) "account" means an account opened under this Scheme;
(b) "account holder" means an individual in whose name the Account is held;
(c) "Act" means the Government Savings Promotion Act, 1873 (5 of 1873);
(d) "Form" means forms appended to this Scheme;
(e) "General Rules" means the Government Savings Promotion General Rules, 2018;
(f) "year" means a period of twelve months commencing on the 1st day of April.
(2) Words and expressions used herein but not defined shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Act and in the General Rules.

Also check: Income Tax benefits from Post Office Saving Schemes

3. Type of Account:
(1) An account may be opened by making an application in Form-1 by the following:-
(a) a single adult;
(b) two adults jointly;
(c) a guardian on behalf of a minor;(d) a guardian on behalf of a person of unsound mind;
(e) a minor who has attained the age of ten years, in his own name:
Provided that only one account can be opened by an individual as a single account:
Provided further that an account under clause (e) can only be opened if an account under clause (c) does not exist in the name of the minor or vice versa.

(2) The share of an individual in the balance in a joint account shall be in equal proportion. On the death of one of the account holder in a joint account, the surviving account holder shall be treated as the sole owner of the account and he may continue the account in accordance with the provisions of this Scheme provided another single account is not held in his name. In case a single account exists in the name of the surviving holder, the account shall have to be closed.

4. Deposits and withdrawals:
(1) The account may be opened with a minimum deposit of five hundred rupees and no subsequent deposit shall be accepted for an amount less than ten rupees.

(2) There shall be no maximum limit of deposit in an account.

(3) Withdrawals from the account for not less than fifty rupees may be made by presenting pass book alongwith Form-2 duly filled in and signed. Withdrawals from the account may also be made subject to the availability of balance above minimum prescribed limit by way of cheque or electronic means.

(4) No withdrawal shall be permitted which has the effect of reducing the balance to less than five hundred rupees.

(5) In case of an account having a balance of less than five hundred rupees immediately before the commencement of this Scheme, the account holder shall deposit the difference amount within a period of one year from the date of commencement of this Scheme, so as to bring the balance in the account to a minimum of five hundred rupees and the accounts office shall be responsible for advising the account holder through appropriate mode to make the required deposits within the specified date.

(6) If the account holder fails to make such deposit within the specified period, an account maintenance fee of one hundred rupees shall be deducted from the account on the last working day of each financial year and after deduction of the account maintenance fee, if the balance in the account becomes nil, the account shall stand automatically closed and the account holder shall be notified accordingly. This provision shall be applicable to all accounts including Silent Account.

(7) All deposits and withdrawals shall be made in whole rupees only.

Also check:  Mandatory use opening of Savings Account in CBS Post Offices

5. Interest on deposits in an account:
(1) The interest at the rate of four per cent per annum shall be allowed for a calendar month on the lowest balance at the credit of an account between the close of the tenth day and the end of the month, and such interest shall be calculated and credited in the account at the end of each year.

(2) The interest shall be allowed only on sums of whole rupees and shall be rounded off to the nearest rupee and for this purpose any amount of fifty paisa or more shall be treated as one rupee and any amount less than fifty paisa shall be ignored.

(3) No interest shall be allowed on an account for any month in which the balance at credit is below five hundred rupees at any time between the tenth and the last day of the month.

(4) If an account is closed during a year, interest shall be allowed upto the end of the month preceding the month in which the account is closed.

(5) In the event of death of an account holder, the interest in his account shall be paid only in the end of the month preceeding the month in which the account is closed.

6. Confirmation of balance
A pass book or statement of account of the account holder shall be issued by the accounts office. The account holder may confirm balance in his account by presenting his pass book during office hours.

7. Issue of cheque book
A cheque book containing ten leaves may be issued to the account holder on an application, free of charge in a year. Subsequent issue of cheque book shall be charged at two rupees per cheque.

8. Silent Account:
(1) An account in which a deposit or a withdrawal has not taken place for three complete years, shall be treated as a Silent Account and credit of interest in a Silent Account shall not be treated as a transaction.
(2) Transaction in a Silent Account shall be allowed only after revival of account. The account can be revived through an application by the account holder and after completion of the due process by the accounts office.

9. Final withdrawal on closure:
The account may be closed at any time by the account holder by surrendering the pass book, unused or partially used cheque book, if any, etc. to the accounts office, along with the application in Form-2 for closure of the account.

10. Application of General Rules:
The provisions of the General Rules shall, so far as may be, apply in relation to the matters for which no provision has been made in this Scheme.

11. Power to relax:
Where the Central Government is satisfied that the operation of any of the provision of this Scheme causes undue hardship to an account holder, it may, by order for reasons to be recorded in writing, relax the requirements of that provision in a manner not inconsistent with the provisions of the Act.

[F.No.2/2/2018 NS (Pt.I)]
RAJAT KUMAR MISHRA, Jt. Secy.

Engagement of Retired government officials in the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation as Section Officer

Latest DoPT Orders 2019

Engagement of Retired government officials in the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation as Section Officer

F.No.21/07/2019-CS-I(P)
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances Pension
Department of Personnel & Training
(C.S.I Division)

2nd Floor, 'A' wing,
Lok Nayak Bhawan,
Khan Market,
New Delhi
Dated 23 December, 2019

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Engagement of Retired Government Officials as Section Officer on retainer-ship basis in the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation

The undersigned is directed to circulate the Office Memorandum No. A-41020/1/2019 - Admin dated 17th December, 2019 (along-with enclosures) received from Ministry of Jal Shakti, proposes to engage retired Government Officials as Section Officer (SO) on retainer-ship basis in the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

2. In case of any further clarification, applicants are requested to contact the concerned Ministries/Departments.

Also check: Engagement of retired central Government officers as consultants at Section Officer & Assistant Section Officer level

(Sanjay Kumar Das Gupta)
Under Secretary to the Government of India 

CIRCULAR

It is proposed to engage retired Government employees to work as Retainers against the vacant posts of Section Officer (SO) in the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation as per the following criteria:
(a) Must have retired from Central Government Ministries / Departments.
(b) Must have retired as SO or above and well acquainted with functioning of Government Ministries.
(c) Should have good communication and interpersonal skills and excellent knowledge of Computer usage.
(d) Work profile and responsibility would be similar to post in the Central Government.

Also check: Engagement of Retired Government Officers as Consultant on contract basis in the Directorate General of Health Services as Under Secretary level

The engagement of retainers shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i) Persons must be below 64 years of age as on the last date of application.
(ii) Engagement shall initially be for a period of six months or until regular incumbents are available, whichever is earlier.
(iii) Extension of engagement, if any, shall be at the sole discretion of competent authority.
(iv) Working hours shall be from 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. during working days including half an hour lunch break in between. However, in exigencies of work, he/she may be required to sit late and may be called on Saturdays/Sundays and other Gazetted Holidays.
(v) Individual will be required to mark his attendance in Biometric Attendance System (BAS).
(vi) Shall be entitled to 4 days leave in six calendar months. The un-availed leave cannot be carried forward or encashed. (vii) Individual will give one month notice for leaving the services of the Ministry.
(viii) Engagement may be terminated at any time by the Government without assigning any reason \without any notice.
(ix) Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation shall not be responsible for any loss, accident, damage or injury suffered by the individual arising out of execution of his/her official duty.
(x) The selected officers will be paid a consolidated fee (TDS as applicable). He/She shall not be entitled for any allowances such as Dearness Allowance, residential, telephone, transport, etc.
(xi) He/She will not be allowed any foreign travel at Government Expenses.
(xii) Individual engaged shall not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person or persons any matter collected for the purpose of his/her assignment or during the course of his/her assignment, without the express written consent of the office.
(xiii) Individual engaged shall not represent or give opinion or advice in any matter which is adverse to the interest of this Office. He/She is not permitted to take up any other assignment during his period of engagement.
(xiv) Preference would be given to those retired in the last one year.

Source: DoPT

Submission of IPR for the year 2019 by the Officers of Central Secretariat Services

Submission of IPR for the year 2019 by the Officers of Central Secretariat Services

Latest DoPT Orders 2019

F. No. 26/01/2018-CS.I (PR/CMS)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions,
Department of Personnel & Training

2nd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan,
Khan Market, New Delhi
Dated December 20th , 2019.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Submission of Immovable Property Return (IPR) for the year 2019 (as on 31.12.2019) by the Officers of Central Secretariat Services (CSS) reg.

In terms of Rule 18 of CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964, the Immovable Property Return is required to be furnished by the CSS Officers in the grade of Under Secretary and above, latest by 31 .01.2020. IPR should be submitted by all the CSS Officers through Web Based Cadre Management System which is hosted at cscms.nic.in. A copy of the print out (IPR submitted online) duly signed, should also be submitted to CS.I (PR/CMS) Section, which is the custodian of Immovable Property Return (IPR) of these Officers. Assistant Section Officers and Section Officers of CSS will also submit the print out (IPR) duly signed, to their respective Admin/ Vigilance Division.

Ministries/ Departments are therefore, requested that the contents of this O.M. may be widely circulated to the notice of all CSS Officers/Officials working under their respective control. They should also ensure that the IPR for the year 2019 (as on 31.12.2019) is submitted within the stipulated time by all the CSS Officers. The officers are also informed that non-submission of IPR within the stipulated date, would invite the denial of vigilance clearance for empanelment, deputation and applying to sensitive posts and assignment to training programme (except mandatory training) as the IPR status needs to be checked for the said purpose(s).

Also check: Submission of Immovable Property Return (IPR) for the year 2018
It is, therefore, requested that all the CSS Officers may be directed to file their Immovable Property Return (IPR) for the year 2019 (as on 31.12.2019) well in time, latest by 31.01.2020, through Web Based Cadre Management System only. IPRs received beyond the stipulated date, shall not be regarded as conforming to the extant guidelines. It is also stated that the date of filing of IPR will start from 01st January, 2020 and the "Immovable Property Returns" window shall be opened/provided at cscms.nic.in. automatically from that date only.

In case of any doubt/ difficulty about filing the IPR, Shri Vijay Pal, Section Officer (PR/CMS)/ Shri Krishnandan Kumar, Assistant Section Officer (PR/CMS) may be contacted at Telephone No. 24629414.

(Sanjay Kumar Das Gupta)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source: DoPT

Senior Citizens Saving Scheme 2019 - Gazette Notification

Senior Citizens Saving Scheme 2019 -  Gazette Notification

The account shall be opened with a minimum deposit of one thousand rupees

NOTIFICATION

New Delhi, the 12th December, 2019

G.S.R. 916(E).- In exercise of the powers conferred by section 3A and section 15 of the Government Savings Promotion Act,1873 (5 of 1873), the Central Government hereby makes the following Scheme, namely:-

1. Short title and commencement:
(1) This Scheme may be called the Senior Citizens’ Savings Scheme, 2019.
(2) It shall come into force on date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

2. Definitions:
(1) In this Scheme, unless the context otherwise requires,-
(a) "account" means an account opened under this Scheme;
(b) "account holder" means an individual in whose name the account is held;
(c) "Act" means The Government Savings Promotion Act, 1873 (5 of 1873);
(d) "Form" means forms appended to this Scheme;
(e) "General Rules" means the Government Savings Promotion General Rules, 2018;
(f) "year means a period of twelve months commencing from the date of deposit in the account.
(2) Words and expressions used herein but not defined shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Act and the General Rules.

Also check: Rates if Small Saving Schemes

3. Opening of account :

(1) An individual fulfilling the following conditions may open an account by making an application in Form-1 to the accounts office, namely:-

(i) who has attained the age of sixty years on the date of opening of the account; or
(ii) who has attained the age of fifty-five years or more but less than sixty years, and who has retired on superannuation or otherwise on the date of opening of an account under this Scheme, subject to the condition that the account is opened by such individual within one month of the date of receipt of the retirement benefits and proof of date of disbursal of such retirement benefit(s) along with a certificate from the employer indicating the details of retirement on superannuation or otherwise, retirement benefits, employment held and period of such employment with the employer, is attached with the application form:

Provided that the retired personnel of Defence Services (excluding Civilian Defence employees) shall be eligible to open an account under this Scheme on attaining the age of fifty years subject to the ful filment of other specified conditions.

(2) The successor or legal heir of a deceased serving personnel shall not be eligible to deposit the terminal benefits of such deceased personnel under this Scheme.
(3) An account holder may operate more than one account under this Scheme subject to the condition that the deposits in all the accounts taken together shall not exceed the maximum limit as specified under paragraph 4.
(4) An individual may open an account in individual capacity, or jointly with spouse.
(5) In case of a joint account, the age of the first account holder shall be considered to determine the eligibility to open the account and there shall be no age-limit for the second applicant.
(6) The whole amount of deposit in a joint account shall be attributable to the first account holder only.
(7) Both the spouses can open single account and joint accounts with each other with the maximum deposit of upto fifteen lakhs rupees in each account provided both are individually eligible to open the account.

4. Deposit:
(1) The account shall be opened with a minimum deposit of one thousand rupees or any sum in multiples of one thousand rupees not exceeding fifteen lakh rupees:

Provided that the deposits in the account specified under clause (ii) of sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 3, shall be restricted to the retirement benefits received, or fifteen lakh rupees, whichever is lower.

Explanation - For the purposes of this sub-paragraph, “retirement benefits” means any payment due to the account holder on account of retirement on superannuation or otherwise and includes Provident Fund dues, retirement or superannuation gratuity, commuted value of pension, cash equivalent of leave, savings element of Group Savings Linked Insurance Scheme payable by the employer on retirement, retirement-cum- withdrawal benefit under the Employees’ Family Pension Scheme and ex-gratia payments under a voluntary or a special voluntary retirement scheme.

(2) There shall be only one deposit in the account.

(3) Where a deposit in excess to the ceiling specified under sub-paragraph (1) has been made, the accounts office shall, refund the excess deposit to the account holder immediately.

5. Interest on deposit :

(1) The deposit made under this Scheme shall bear interest at the rate of 8.6 per cent. per annum.

(2) Interest shall be payable from the date of deposit to 31st March/30th June/30th September/31stDecember on first working day of April/July/October/January, as the case may be, in the first instance and thereafter interest shall be payable on first working day of April/July/October/January as the case may be.

(3) If so authorised by the account holder, interest payable on the due dates as specified in sub-paragraph (2), shall be credited to the account holder’s savings account.

(4) If the interest payable every quarter is not claimed by an account holder, such interest shall not earn additional interest.

(5) Any amount of interest in fraction of a rupee shall be rounded off to the nearest rupee and for this purpose, any amount of fifty paisa or more shall be treated as one rupee and any amount less than fifty paisa shall be ignored.

(6) The excess amount referred to in sub-paragraph (3) of paragraph 4, shall carry interest at the rate applicable from time to time to the Post Office Savings Account and such interest shall be payable from the date of deposit of excess amount to the date of refund.

(7) In case of an account extended after maturity under sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 8, the deposit in such account shall earn interest at the rate applicable to the Scheme on the date of maturity.

(8) Interest at the rate applicable to the Post Office Savings Account shall be payable on deposits in the account which are not extended as per provision of paragraph 8 or closed on maturity or extended maturity.

(9) The interest for any period less than a quarter (as specified under the Scheme) shall be calculated as per the following formula:-
Number of days in the period x Interest for the quarter Total number of days in the quarter

(10) If the interest is not claimed on the due date, it can be claimed on any date after the due date.

6. Premature closure of account:

(1) The account holder may withdraw the deposit and close the account at any time on an application in Form-2 subject to the following conditions, namely:-

(i) In case, the account is closed before one year after the date of opening of account, interest paid on the deposit in the account shall be recovered from the deposit and the balance shall be paid to the account holder.
(ii) In case the account is closed after the expiry of one year but before the expiry of two years from the date of its opening, an amount equal to one and a half per cent. of the deposit shall be deducted and the balance shall be paid to the account holder.
(iii) In case the account is closed on or after the expiry of two years from the date of its opening, an amount equal to one per cent. of the deposit shall be deducted and the balance shall be paid to the account holder.

(2) The account holder availing the facility of extension of account under sub-paragraph(1) of paragraph 8, may withdraw the deposit and close the account at any time after the expiry of one year from the date of extension of the account without any deduction.

(3) In case of premature closure, interest on the deposit shall be payable upto the date preceding the date of premature closure after deduction of penalty as specified in sub-paragraph(1).

(4) Multiple withdrawals from an account shall not be permitted.

7. Closure of account:

(1) The deposit made at the time of opening of the account shall be paid on or after the expiry of five years or after the expiry of eight years where account was extended under paragraph 8 from the date of the opening of the account, on an application in Form-3.

(2) In case of death of the account holder before maturity or extended maturity, the account shall be closed and deposit refunded on an application in Form-3 along with interest as applicable to this Scheme till the date of the death of the account holder, to the nominee or the legal heirs, as the case may be:

Provided that interest on the deposits in the account shall earn interest at the rate applicable on Post Office Savings Account from the date of death of the account holder till the date of final closure of the account:
Provided further that in case of a joint account, or where the spouse is the sole nominee, the spouse may continue the account on the same terms and conditions as specified under this Scheme, if the spouse meets eligibility conditions under the Scheme on the date of death of the account holder.

(3) Where both the spouses have opened separate account or accounts under this Scheme and either of the spouses dies during the currency of such account or accounts, then such account or accounts standing in the name of the deceased account holder shall not be continued in accordance with the first proviso of sub- paragraph (2) and shall be closed.

8. Extension after maturity:
(1) The account holder may extend the account for a further period of three years by making an application in Form-4 within a period of one year from the date of maturity.
(2) The extension of the account under sub-paragraph (1) shall be deemed to have been made from the date of maturity irrespective of the date of application.
(3) Extension of an account under sub-paragraph (1) shall be available only once.
(4) The account holder may close the account any time after one year from the date of extension of account without any deduction under sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 6.

9. Application of General Rules:
The provisions of General Rules shall, so far as may be, apply in relation to matters for which no provisions have been made in this Scheme.

10. Power to relax:
Where the Central Government is satisfied that the operation of any of the provisions in this Scheme causes undue hardship to the account holder, it may, by order, for reasons to be recorded in writing, relax the requirements of that provision in a manner not inconsistent with the provisions of the Act.

[F. No. 2/2/2018-NS (Pt. I)]
RAJAT KUMAR MISHRA, Jt. Secy

Chance to eligible Multiple Disability (MD) ‘Divyangjan’ Level-1 candidates to correct disability option for Railway jobs - RRB

Ministry of Railways

Another chance to eligible Multiple Disability (MD) ‘Divyangjan’ Level-1 candidates to rectify disability option for Railway jobs

Eligible MD Divyangjan candidates who have filled in their Disability option incorrectly while applying can now represent to the RRC of the Zonal Railway they had opted for with proof. Option to be available from 23rd December 2019 on RRC websites

It may be recalled that Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) had advertised through their centralized CEN 02/18 notification for around 63000 vacant Level-1 posts in early February,2018. Consequent to the notification of the revised Divyangjan Act (RPWD Act, 2016) and orders of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court in a case filed by an organization for one of the Divyangjan categories, a corrigendum was issued on Feb 28, 2018. An extended one month window was provided to enable the Divyangjan categories included in the revised Act, including candidates with identified Multiple Disabilities (MD) to apply for the examination. Around 1.17 crore candidates including around 1.54 lakh Divyangjan appeared at the Computer based written tests. The number of vacancies reserved for Divyangjan  is over 2400, with around equal number reserved for the four Disability categories of Locomotor Disability (LD), Visually Impaired (VI), Hearing Impaired (HI), and Multiple Disability (MD). MD refers to candidates having more than one Disability among the other three Categories of LD, VI and HI.

The vacant posts notified for any Zonal Railway are being filled in as per merit position among those who have opted for that zonal Railway and have secured the minimum qualifying threshold marks and qualified in the Physical Efficiency Tests (PET) conducted by the Railway Recruitment Cells (RRC) of the respective Zonal Railways. Divyangjan candidates have not only been fully exempted from PET, but have been accorded 2 marks relaxation in minimum qualifying cut-offs as well. Their final selection, subject to Document Verification and Medical Examination, is therefore based on their merit position in the Computer Based Tests for their Disability category and Zonal Railway they had opted for.

While over 1025 Divyangjan candidates have already been finally selected and several more candidates’ cases are under verification/medical examination, it has been observed that the MD category has remained mostly unfilled in all Zonal Railways. It is a fact that this Category has been included as per the revised Act fairly recently and the CEN 02/2018 is among the earliest recruitment notifications to incorporate this Disability Category.

In this context, several Divyangjan candidates & groups have represented that due to unfamiliarity with the revised Categorisation and application protocol, they have filled in only Single Disability (either LD or VI or HI) option in the application form, instead of two or more of the Disabilities that they are affected with. Due to this inadvertent exercise of option, such candidates have therefore been considered only against the respective single Disability Category of LD or VI or HI as per option, and not as MD to which they actually belong.

The above representation has been considered in the Ministry of Railways, and it has been decided to allow a window period for such candidates to represent for considering them against MD Category vacancies. Accordingly, those eligible Divyangjan MD candidates who actually have more than one benchmark Disability among the three single Disability categories of LD, VI and HI but have inadvertently opted for only a single Disability Category in their application forms for the Level-1 CEN 02/2018 recruitment notification will now get another chance to be considered against unfilled MD Category vacancies of the Railway zone they had originally opted for. Such eligible Divyangjan MD candidates, who have a score of 38 or more in the written Computer Based Test (28 or more for Divyangjan of SC/ST/non-creamy layer OBC) will be able to represent to the RRC of the Zonal Railway they had opted for with proof of their belonging to MD Category. The notification and format for representation is scheduled to be available in the relevant RRC/RRB websites from 23rd December 2019 for around a fortnight. From amongst the eligible applications so received and scrutinised, shortlisting for further processing for filling up the unfilled MD vacancies will be done as per merit position. Indicative notice has already been published in newspapers for advance information of the eligible MD Category Divyangjan in this regard.

Indian Railways continues to remain committed to the cause of empowerment of Divyangjan and in following all applicable laws and provisions in this regard in letter and spirit. The dispensation being adopted above is an illustrative example in this regard.

PIB

Dusshera Holiday 2020 - Vijaya Dasami Holiday 2020 - Central Government Holidays 2020 - DoPT

Dusshera Holiday 2020 - Vijaya Dasami  Holiday 2020 - Central Government Holidays 2020 - DoPT

Latest DoPT Orders

F. No.12/1/2019-JCA2
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 20th December, 2019

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Closed Holidays for the year 2020 - Date for Dusshera regarding.

In continuation of this Department's OM of even number dated 18-6-2019 circulating therewith List of holidays for the year 2020, the undersigned is directed to state that some Central Government Employees Coordination Committees located in different States have sent representations for change in the date of Dusshera (Vijaya Dasami) holiday on 26-10-2020 (Monday) instead of 25-10-2020 (Sunday) in their States.

Also check: Holidays to be observed in Central Government Offices during the year 2020

It is hereby informed that the decision of CGEWCCs located in different States, to declare Dussehra as closed holiday for the Central Govt. Offices on 26-10-2020 (Monday), is not in accordance with the holiday policy of the Government of India. However, Restricted Holiday on 26-10-2020 (Monday) for Dussehra (Vijay Dashmi) can be celebrated by the Central Government Offices, as specifically mentioned in DoPT's OM NO.12/1/2019/JCA 2 dated 18.06.2019, at para 3.1 that "no change of dates is permissible in regard to festivals and dates indicated".

2. This issues with the approval of the competent authority.

(Juglal Singh)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. Of India

Source: DoPT

Scrap NPS - ALL INDIA GENERAL STRIKE ON 8th January, 2020

ALL INDIA GENERAL STRIKE ON 8th January, 2020 - Confederation

PRESS MEET

DEMANDING

• recovery of Huge NPAs in Banks
• Immediate wage settlement in banks and insurance
• Recruitment in Banks, Insurance and Central Government
• Scrap NPS

Also check: 2020 Nationwide Strike calls upon entire Central Government Employees

OPPOSING

• Anti Labour Reforms
• Merger of Public Sector Banks
• Corporatisation and Privatisation of PSBs, Postal and Defence Sector
• Increase of FDI in vital and sensitive sectors.

Make the General Strike a Grand Success.

Unions in Banks, Insurance and Central Govt. AIBEA, AIIEA, CC GEW, AIBOA, AIRRBEA, BEFI, NFPE, GIEAIA, AILICEF

Source: Confederation

Pension Benefits of VRS (Voluntary Retirement Scheme) and Resignation - Supreme Court Judgement

Reportable 

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

Civil Appeal No. 9076 of 2019
@SLP (C) No. 6553 of 2018

BSES Yamuna Power Ltd.                                                                      …Appellant

Versus

Sh. Ghanshyam Chand Sharma & Anr.                              …Respondents

J U D G M E N T

Dr Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, J

1.    By its order dated 26 May 2017 a Division Bench of the High Court of Delhi upheld the judgement of a Single Judge dated 21 March 2017 granting pensionary benefits to the first respondent. The judgement of the Single Judge directed the appellant to pay pensionary benefits to the first respondent on the ground that he had completed twenty years of service and had „voluntarily retired‟ and not „resigned‟ from service. The appellant challenges these findings in the present appeal.

 "On the issue of whether the first respondent has served twenty  years, we are  of  the  opinion  that  thequestion  is  of  nolegal  consequence  to  the  present dispute. Even  if  the  first  respondent  had  served  twenty  years,  under  Rule  26  of the  CCS  Pension Rules  his  past  service  stands  forfeited  upon  resignation. The first respondent is therefore not entitled to pensionary benefits. "

Navy Leave Rules 2019 to Officers, Sailors and Artificer Apprentices – Gazette Notification

Statutory Rules and Orders issued by the Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Defence

New Delhi, the 11th December, 2019

THE NAVY LEAVE REGULATIONS – 2019

S.R.O.105.— In exercise of powers conferred by section 184 of the Navy Act, 1957 (62 of 1957), the Central Government hereby makes the following regulations namely:-

CHAPTER I

GENERAL

1. Short Title. These regulations may be called the Navy Leave Regulations, 2019.

2. Application. They shall apply to Officers (including Special Duties List Officers), Sailors and Artificer Apprentices of the Indian Navy.

3. Claim to Leave. Leave shall not be claimed as of right. Its grant shall be subject to the exigencies of the Service.

4. Classification of Leave. Leave admissible to different categories of personnel shall be of the following kinds, namely:-

(a) Regular Officers (including Special Duties List Officers).

(i) Casual Leave.

(ii) Annual Leave.

(iii) Furlough.

(iv) Sick Leave.

(v) Leave on invalidment.

(vi) Child Care Leave (for Women officers).

(vii) Child Adoption Leave (for Women officers).

(viii) Paternity Leave on birth of a child.

(ix) Paternity Leave on adoption of a child.

(x) Maternity Leave.

(xi) Study Leave.

(xii) Special Casual Leave.

(b) Short Service Commissioned Officers.

(i) Casual Leave.

(ii) Annual Leave.

(iii) Furlough.

(iv) Sick Leave.

(v) Special Casual Leave.

(vi) Leave on invalidment.

(vii) Leave on termination of engagement.

(viii) Child Care Leave (for Women Officers).

(ix) Child Adoption Leave (for Women Officers).

(x) Paternity Leave on birth of a child.

(xi) Paternity Leave on adoption of a child.

(xii) Maternity Leave.

(c) Sailors.

(i) Casual Leave.

(ii) Annual Leave.

(iii) Sick Leave.

(iv) Compassionate Leave.

(v) Leave on discharge or retirement.

(vi) Paternity Leave on birth of a child.

(vii) Paternity Leave on adoption of a child.

(d) Artificer Apprentices.

(i) Casual Leave.

(ii) Annual Leave.

(iii) Sick Leave.

(iv) Paternity Leave on birth of a child.

(v) Paternity Leave on adoption of a child.

5. Date of Commencement and Termination of Leave.

(a) Leave shall commence on the date on which an individual is relieved from duty if relieved in the forenoon, and on the following day if relieved in the afternoon.

(b) Leave shall terminate on the day preceding the date of re-joining, if an individual re-joins duty in the forenoon, or on the date of re-joining, if he re-joins in the afternoon.

(c) Notwithstanding anything contained in this regulation:-

(i) (aa) Leave of Gorkha Officers shall commence or terminate on the date of crossing the Nepal border; leave of officers domiciled in Bhutan shall commence on the date of crossing the Bhutan border.

(ab) If a sailor, who has availed himself of the additional leave under regulation 46, alongwith Annual Leave or accumulated Annual Leave during the first year of a block of two years is granted Annual Leave or accumulated Annual Leave in the second calendar year of the block, that leave shall commence or terminate on the dates of crossing the Nepal or Bhutan border with no entitlement to the additional leave.

(ii) In case of personnel serving afloat, leave shall terminate on the date of their reporting to the ship on which they are borne; and in case the ship on which they are borne is temporarily away from the home port or from the port where it was scheduled to be at the time, the personnel shall report to the shore establishment of that port and their leave shall be considered as terminated on the date of reporting to the shore establishment.

(iii) For personnel serving ashore ex-India, leave in India shall commence on the date on which such personnel proceed on leave from the shore establishment to which they are appointed or transferred on arrival in India and terminate on the date they are required to report for duty prior to proceeding ex-India.

(iv) The leave of Naval personnel serving in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and on ships based on these Islands shall commence and terminate on reporting at IN Ships Adyar, Netaji Subhash and Circars.

(v) Leave of Naval personnel serving in the mainland and having their homes in Lakshadweep Islands will begin at Naval Detachment, Kochi/ NCC, Calicut from the date they are put on a vessel for their home island and will terminate on the date of their reporting back at the station aforesaid. They will be transported between the mainland and the Islands by the earliest available suitable merchant ship. The period of travel to and fro between the duty station and Naval Detachment, Kochi/ NCC, Calicut, as well as the period of stay at Kochi/ Calicut till personnel are put on a vessel, will be treated as on duty. Sailors proceeding on Annual Leave/ accumulated Annual Leave, in whose case the period of journey between Naval Detachment, Kochi/ NCC, Calicut and the leave station exceeds two days each way, will be allowed an additional leave in terms of regulation 45(d) of these regulations.

6. Prefixing and Suffixing of Holidays to Leave.

(a) If a recognised holiday (such as a Sunday, Republic Day or the like) falls on the day immediately preceding the day from which leave has been granted or such holiday follows the last day of the leave granted, an individual who is not required for duty on such holiday may with his Commanding Officer’s express permission, leave his station at the close of the day before, or return to duty at the end of such holiday, provided no extra expense is caused to the State.

(b) An individual shall be considered, as on duty, during such holiday, which shall not count against the number of days for which leave is granted.

Explanation I : The concession prefixing or suffixing of holiday to leave shall not be admissible in the case of Gorkha personnel whose leave commences or terminates on the date of crossing the Nepal or Bhutan borders under Regulation 5, Sub-regulation (c).

Explanation II : The concession of prefixing and suffixing of holidays to leave will not be admissible to sailors who enjoy the benefit of additional leave in terms of Sub-regulation (d) of Regulation 45.

Explanation III : Restricted holidays shall be treated as recognised holidays where such holidays are prefixed or suffixed to leave.

7. Place from which Leave is taken and Place at which Duty is resumed on Termination of Leave .

(a) Individual shall ordinarily proceed on leave from, and re-join after expiry of leave at their permanent duty stations.

(b) Officers not below the rank of Captain may be permitted to proceed on, or re-join duty from leave at station other than their permanent duty stations by the Chief of the Naval Staff (in the case of officers serving at Naval Headquarters)and by the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command, the Commander-in-Chief Andaman Nicobar Command and the Naval Advisers or Attachès in Indian Missions abroad, within the limit of their respective Commands, provided that:-

(i) It is necessary or expedient in the public interest for the officer to perform temporary duty at that time at a station other than his permanent duty station, and

(ii) If the officer concerned is not required to perform the duty, it would be necessary to detail some other person to perform it.

(c) Officers below the rank of Captain may be permitted, provided it results in saving to the State, to proceed on, or re-join duty from, leave at stations other than their permanent duty stations by the Chief of the Naval Staff (in the case of officers serving at Naval Headquarters) and by the Flag Officer Commanding-in- Chief Western Naval Command, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command, the Commander-in-Chief Andaman Nicobar Command and the Naval Advisers or Attachès in Indian Missions abroad, within the limits of their respective Commands.

(d) Sailors serving in the ships and establishments may, at the discretion of the Commanding Officers, be permitted to proceed on or re-join duty from leave at stations other than their permanent duty stations in which they are serving, provided it results in saving to the State.

Explanation : The provisions of this regulation shall not apply:-

(i) To Casual Leave which counts as duty;

(ii) In the case of officers who are granted leave on the conclusion of course of ten weeks’ duration or more as well as those who are detailed to attend such courses whilst on leave; and

(iii) In case where establishments or units of establishment move temporarily enbloc to places away from their permanent stations as well as to detachments located away from permanent stations.

8. Leave Entitlement. Leave entitlement for officers and personnel attached to other establishments due to disciplinary cases, will be as follows:-

(a) Officers and personnel attached to other establishments, due to disciplinary cases, are not deemed to be performing normal duty and no leave is, therefore, ordinarily permissible to them:

Provided that, in exceptional cases leave due may be granted on extreme compassionate grounds by the authority, who issued orders for their attachment to such establishment.

(b) Personnel permitted to proceed on leave from a station other than the permanent duty station may be permitted to re-join at that station, if necessary.

(c) Leave granted under this regulation shall be restricted to the barest minimum and shall not be granted unless the authority granting the leave is satisfied that it would not hamper or unduly delay the progress of the disciplinary case.

9. Overstayal of Leave.

(a) Officers.

(i) If an officer overstays his leave (except Casual Leave) no pay shall be admissible for the period of overstayal, unless an extension of leave to cover that period is granted by the Competent Authority. Cases of overstayal of Casual Leave beyond the normal entitlement at a time shall be regularised by Naval Headquarters, provided the total period of Casual Leave availed by the officer does not exceed the maximum amount of such leave admissible during the year.

(ii) In cases where the maximum amount of Casual Leave admissible in a year is exceeded as a result of overstayal by the individual or extension by the Administrative Authorities, the entire spell of Casual Leave including the period of extension or overstayal shall be treated as Annual Leave or Furlough for that year, if due.

(iii) If an officer is compelled to overstay his leave due to natural calamities like floods, earthquakes, landslides, etc, the overstayal upto 30 days in excess of the maximum leave admissible, may be regularised by Naval Headquarters at their discretion by adjustment against his future Annual Leave entitlement or Furlough as may be considered appropriate.

(b) Sailors or Artificer Apprentices. If a Sailor or Artificer Apprentice overstays his leave, the following principles shall apply, namely:-

(i) If found guilty, he shall be dealt with under the Navy Act 1957 and awarded mulcts of pay in accordance with Regulation 41 of the Regulations for the Navy, Part II.

(ii) If not found guilty, (in case of leave other than Casual Leave) an extension to cover the period in question shall be granted by the Leave Sanctioning Authority, which shall be debited to his Annual Leave account for the current year. If no Annual Leave is due for that year, such leave shall be treated as an advance of the next year’s Annual Leave. Cases of overstayal of Casual Leave beyond the normal entitlement at time, shall be regularised by the authorities mentioned in sub-clause (ab) of clause (ii) of sub-regulation (d) and provided the total period does not exceed the maximum amount of such leave admissible during the year. In cases where maximum amount of Casual Leave admissible in a year is exceeded as a result of overstayal by the individual or extension by the Commanding Officer of the Ship or Establishment, the entire spell of Casual Leave including the period of extension or overstayal, shall be treated as Annual Leave for that year, if due.

(c) In cases of overstayal of Casual Leave due to individual’s own sickness beyond the maximum Casual Leave admissible in a year, the entire period involved (Casual Leave and overstayal thereof) shall, in the first instance, be debited to the Annual Leave entitlement of the year in which Casual Leave is granted, if due. Cases of overstayal of Casual Leave due to individual’s own sickness which are not so covered by their Annual Leave entitlement involve overstayal up to 60 days from the date of falling sick shall be regularised as provided in sub-regulation (d), and by the authorities specified in clause (ii) therein, subject to satisfaction about its genuineness, after making necessary inquiries.

(d)(i)	(aa) Period prior to the date of falling sick		By adjustment against future Annual Leave entitlement.
	(ab) 30 Days from the date of falling sick		As Sick Leave with full pay and allowances.
	(ac) Next 30 days		By adjustment against future Annual Leave entitlement.
(ii)	(aa) Cases in which treatment is taken in Military or Civil Government Hospital		By the Commanding Officer of the ship or Establishment.
	(ab) Cases in which treatment is taken at home		By the Commanding Officer of ship or establishment upto a maximum of 30 days and by the authority mentioned below upto a maximum of 60 days:-(aa) Commanding Officer of the ship of the rank of Captain or above if the ship does not have any Squadron Senior, but if the Commanding Officer is of the rank of Commander or below, then Administrative Authority in respect of sailors borne on the books of ship under his administrative control. (ab) Senior Officer of the Squadron if of the rank of Commander or above in respect of sailors borne on the books of the ship of his Squadron. (ac) Administrative Authority, if the Senior Officer is of the rank below that of a Commander in respect of sailors borne on the books of the ship of his Squadron. (ad) Commanding Officer of the shore establishment in respect of sailors borne on the books of his establishment.

(iii) Cases involving overstayal beyond 60 days from the date of falling sick shall be submitted to Central Government for orders.

Explanation 1 : In cases where future leave does not accrue to an individual due to his retirement or discharge, the periods mentioned in sub-clause (aa) and (ac) of clause (i) shall be treated as Extraordinary Leave without pay and allowances by the authorities specified in sub clauses (aa) and (ab) of clause (ii).

Explanation 2 : In case where the period of overstayal is required to be adjusted against the following year’s Annual Leave entitlement, the Annual Leave of that year shall be regarded as proportionately consumed for carrying out necessary adjustments. The grant of leave on compassionate grounds in the following year if necessary, shall be dealt with under Regulation 48.

(iv) If a sailor overstays the leave granted to him due to natural calamities like floods, earthquakes and landslides the period of overstayal of leave up to 30 days may be regularised by the Commanding Officer at his discretion (overstayal of accumulated Annual Leave shall be so regularised under the orders of the Administrative Authority) . The first 15 days of the 30 days limit may be treated as Special Leave with full pay and allowances, and the remaining period upto15 days may be adjusted against the future leave entitlement of the individual. In the case of Artificer Apprentices, Special Leave with full pay and allowances upto 15 days may be sanctioned at the discretion of the Commanding Officer. Any period of overstayal of leave beyond 30 days in the case of Sailors or 15 days in the case of Artificer Apprentices, shall be reported to the Chief of Personnel for orders. In such cases, the period of overstayal may be regularised at the discretion of the Chief of Personnel by grant of leave without pay.