Court Order - Pension payments to employees who retired from the DOT from 1 October 2000 to 31 July 2001 - BSNL

Court Order - Pension payments to employees who retired from the DOT from 1 October 2000 to 31 July 2001 - BSNL

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

Reserved on: 8th January, 2020
Decided on: 24th January, 2020

W.P.(C) 10019/2017 and CM APPL. 40921/2017 (stay)
UNION OF INDIA & ORS ……… Petitioners
Through: Ms. Mrinalini Sen with Ms. Kritika Gupta, Advocates.

versus

ALL INDIA BSNL PENSIONERS WELFARE
ASSOCIATION AND ORS ……… Respondents
Through: Mr. Ranvir Singh, Advocate for R1.
Mr. Naresh Kaushik with Ms. Vibhuti Tyagi and Mr.Tapasvi Raj, Advocates for R4, R9, R10 and R12.

CORAM: JUSTICE S. MURALIDHAR JUSTICE TALWANT SINGH

JUDGMENT

Dr. S. Muralidhar, J

1. The Department of Telecommunications (DOT), Government of India, (Petitioner No.1), the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) through its Chairman-cum-Managing Director (Petitioner No.2) and the Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare ("DPPW"), Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances & Pensions (Petitioner No.3) have jointly filed this petition challenging an order dated 16th December, 2016 of the Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi ("CAT") disposing of OA No. 2173/2014 filed by the Respondent No.1 and Respondents No. 4 to 14 thereby quashing an order dated 15th January, 2003 issued by the DOT in regard to payment of pension to employees who retired from the DOT between 1st October, 2000 and 31st July, 2001 and were subsequently absorbed in the BSNL. OA No. 2173/2014 was filed before the CAT by the All India BSNL Pensioners Welfare Association (hereafter Association) (Respondent No.1 herein) on behalf of 4230 affected pensioners in a representative capacity.

2. By the impugned order, the CAT has held that there was no justification for the DOT to deny the benefit to the Respondents 2 to 14 the benefit of formula adopted in Office Memorandum (OM) dated 18th October, 1999. The CAT has issued a direction to the Petitioners to re-fix the pension of the said Respondents; give them notional benefit of the IDA pay scale and thereafter grant all consequential benefits from the date of their respective dates of retirement in accordance with law.

3. It must be noted at the outset that on 23rd January, 2018 an interim order was passed that no coercive steps will be taken against the Petitioners for implementing the impugned order of the CAT.

4. The facts in brief are that on creation of the BSNL with effect from 1st October, 2000 all serving Group "A" officers were transferred to it on deputation basis. An OM dated 27th October, 1997 was issued by the DPPW on the issue of implementation of the recommendations of the 5th Central Pay Commission ("CPC") regarding revision of the provisions regulating pension/commutation of pension. This provided that pension shall continue to be calculated at 50% of average emoluments in all cases subject to a minimum of Rs.1275/- and maximum upto 50% of the highest pay in the Government.

5. The OM dated 27th October, 1997 further provided that those Government servants who opted for revised scales of pay and retired within ten months from coming into force of the revised scales of pay, basic pay for ten months preceding retirement shall be calculated as under:

• For the period during which pay is drawn in the pre-revised scale
  Basic pay plus DA and Interim Relief I and II appropriate to the basic pay at the rates in force on 01.01.1996 drawn during the relevant period and
• For the period during which pay is drawn in revised scale-Basic pay in the revised scale.

6. The above OM was further revised by an OM dated 17th December, 1998 specifying that pension shall not be less than 50% of the minimum pay in the revised pay scale.

7. Another OM dated 18th October, 1999 was issued by the DPPW modifying the earlier OM dated 27th October, 1997. This stated that the average emoluments for those retiring within ten months of coming over to the revised pay scales would be calculated thus:

“The average emoluments based on the basic pay of the preceding ten months of those Government Servants who had opted to come over to the revised scales of pay and had retired within a period of 10 months reckoned from January 1, 1996 shall be calculated as follows for the purpose of determining their pension entitlement.

(A) For the period during which pay was drawn in the pre- revised pay scales.

The total emoluments for the number of months for which pay was drawn in the pre-revised pay scales shall be calculated after taking into account the following:

i. Basic Pay (including increments if any drawn during the intervening period).
ii. Dearness allowance upto CPI 1510 i.e. @ 148%, III% and 96% of the basic pay as the case may be.
iii. The first and second installments of Interim Relief appropriate to the Basic pay drawn during the relevant period.
iv. Notional increase of the Basic Pay by applying the Fitment Benefit of 40 percent on the Basic pay in the pre-revised pay scale.

(B) For the period during which pay was drawn in the revised pay scales :
The aggregate of the Basic pay for the number of months for which pay was drawn in the revised pay scales.

The average emoluments of the preceding ten months will thereafter be calculated by adding (A) and (B) and dividing the result by 10. Pension admissible will consequently be 50% of the average emoluments so calculated.”

8. According to the Petitioners, the object behind this modification was to eliminate the anomaly in pension drawn by those retiring within ten months of coming over to the revised pay scale during the period from 1st January to 31st October, 1996 and those who retired after completion of ten months period with effect from 1st January,1996.

9. Prior to en masse transfer of DOT employees to the BSNL on deemed deputation basis with effect from 1st October 2000, several rounds of discussions were held with the unions. It was agreed to extend the retirement benefits in the BSNL in accordance with the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972. This led to insertion of Rule 37A in the CCS (Pension) Rules which came to be published on 30th September, 2000. It provided for the conditions for payment of pension and absorption upon conversion of a Government Department into a Central Autonomous Body („CAB‟) or a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU).

10. The relevant portion of the newly inserted Rule 37A of the CCS (Pension) Rules read as under:

“(4) The permanent absorption of the Government servants as employees of the Public Sector Undertaking or Autonomous Body shall take effect from the date on which their options are accepted by the Government and on and from the date of such acceptance, such employees shall cease to be Government servants and they shall be deemed to have retired from Government service.
(7) The employees including quasi-permanent and temporary employees but excluding causal labourers, who opt for permanent absorption in the Public Sector Undertaking or Autonomous Body, shall on and from date of Absorption, be governed by the rules and regulations or bye-laws of the Public Sector Undertaking or Autonomous Body, as the case may be.
(8) A permanent Government servant who has been absorbed as an employee of a Public Sector Undertaking or Autonomous Body shall be eligible for pensionary benefits on the basis of combined service rendered by him in the Government and in the Public Sector Undertaking or Autonomous Body in accordance with the formula for calculation of pension/family pension under these rules as may be in force at the time of his retirement from the Public Sector Undertaking or Autonomous Body, as the case may be.
(9) The pension of an employee under sub-rule (8) shall be calculated on the basis of his last ten months average pay.
(10) In addition to pension or family pension, as the case may be the employees shall also be eligible to Dearness relief as per Industrial Dearness Allowance pattern.
(21) Nothing contained in sub-rule (12) to (20) shall apply in the case of conversion of the Departments of Telecom Services and Telecom Operations into Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited in which case the pensioner benefits including family pension shall be paid by the government.
(22) For the purpose of payment of pensionary benefits including family pension referred to in sub-rule (21), the Government shall specify the arrangements and manner including the rate of pensionary contributions to be made by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited to the government and the manner in which financial liabilities on this account shall be met.”

11. In other words, Rule 37A provided that those Government servants permanently absorbed in PSU or the CAB would be entitled to pension in the same manner as Central Government employees.

Also check: MACP ON PROMOTIONAL HIERARCHY – MACP Supreme Court Order – Heard & Reserved – Order dated 23 Jan 2020

12. A further round of discussions was held with the unions by the management of BSNL on 2ndJanuary, 2001. It was agreed that options for absorption in the BSNL would be called in January, 2001. It was further mutually agreed that pending fitment in the IDA pay scales Group (C) & (D) optees will continue in the Central Government (CDA) pay scales. They were also to be paid an adhoc amount of Rs. 1,000/- per month with effect from1st October, 2000 which was to be adjusted from IDA emoluments, perks and benefits upon fitment in the IDA scale.

High-Court-Order-Pension-DoT-BSNLDownload

Cadre Review of Post & Telegraphs Building Works Service Group A: DoT

Cadre Review of Post & Telegraphs Building Works Service Group A: DoT

No. 24-1/2019-EW

Government of India

Ministry of Communications

Department of Telecommunications

1105, Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi 110001

Dated the November 14, 2019

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Cadre Review of Posts & Telegraphs Building Works Service (P& T BWS), Group ‘A’

The Cabinet has approved the Cadre structure of Posts & Telegraphs Building Works Service (P& T BWS), Group ‘A’ as communicated vide Cabinet Secretariat Approval No. 34/CM/2019(i} dated 8th November 2019 (Case No. 296/34/2019).

Also check: Cabinet approves Cadre review of Posts & Telegraphs Building Works Service Group A

2. The Cadre strength of Posts & Telegraphs Building Works Service, Group ‘A’ and distribution of posts at various levels has been fixed as follows:

S.No	Grade	Electrical	Civil	Architecture	Number of Posts
1	HAG (Higher Administrative Grade)				1*
2	SAG (Senior Administrative Grade)	7	3	0	10
3	JAG (Junior Administrative Grade)	28	11	2	41
4	STS (Senior Time Scale)	10	31	6	47
5	JTS (Junior Time Scale)	1	5	0	6
	Duty Posts	46	50	8	105

* Common cadre post in DoT

3. Further distribution of posts between Department of Telecommunications and Department of Posts will be issued separately.

4. There will be no fresh recruitment into P& T BWS cadre and the cadre will be phased out in such a manner that there is no adverse impact on the incumbents.

(S K Jain)

Dy Director General

Tel: 011 2371 0035

Source: DoT

Cabinet approves Cadre review of Posts & Telegraphs Building Works Service Group A

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Cabinet

06-November-2019 20:32 IST

Cabinet approves Cadre review of Posts & Telegraphs Building Works Service (P&T BWS), Group A

The Union Cabinet Chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the Cadre Review of Posts & Telegraphs Building Works Service, Group 'A'.

The number of Duty posts was fixed as 105. The approval would result in strengthening of the cadre structure both at the headquarters and in the field units of Department of Telecommunications and Department of Posts on the basis of functional requirements. This will reduce the existing stagnation of P&T BWS officers. It was also decided that there will be no fresh recruitment into the Cadre, and the cadre will be phased out in such a manner that there is no adverse impact on the incumbents.

Background:
The Posts & Telegraphs Building Works Service (P&T BWS), Group A, was constituted in 1990 as an organized Group A service. The service comprises of three wings - Civil, Electrical and Architecture - and caters to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Department of Posts (DoP). Selected through Combined Engineering Services Examination conducted by Union Public Service Commission, the officers of P&T BWS are working in management and administrative positions in the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Department of Posts (DoP), PSUs of DoT, and also on deputation in other Central Ministries/ Departments/ Autonomous Bodies and State Governments. Since the inception of the service in 1990, no cadre review of the Service has been done so far and is long overdue.

Formation of BSNL had affected the functions as well as cadre strength of the service with absorption of various officers in BSNL. After the transfer of telecom operations, service and functions of DoT to BSNL, the P&T BWS is left with the responsibility for maintenance of assets of DoT and DoP, handling of new projects, inspection of electro mechanical installations as per Central Electricity Authority Regulations, 2010, formulation of guidelines, standards and specifications for Telecom Installations, ensuring implementation of green initiatives, monitoring of EMF radiations etc. for the entire ambit of Telecom sector, both public and private, and to meet the building infrastructure needs of Department of Telecommunications and Department of Posts.

These facts coupled with the stagnation in various grades of the service necessitated a review of the structure of P&T BWS. Accordingly, a cadre structure of P&T BWS officers was approved, which is considered essential for discharge of the role & obligations of the Department of Telecommunications and Department of Posts.

The Cadre Strength was restricted to the present working strength of the cadre, and the cadre review would entail no fresh financial commitment for Government.

Also check: Calendar for Cadre Review of Central Group ‘A’ Services

PIB

Office of Principal CCA, Delhi Region Holds PENSION ADALAT on 28.06.2019 (Friday) At 11.00 A.M

We value our Employee
We care about our Pensioners

Office of Principal CCA, Delhi Region Holds PENSION ADALAT on 28.06.2019 (Friday) At 11.00 A.M

Pension Adalat will be held on 28-06-2019 (Friday) at 11:00 AM at the O/o Pr, CCA, DoT Building, Prasad Nagar, New Delhi- 110005. Telecom Pensioners/ Family Pensioners whose ppos/ Fppo have been issued by Ao (Pension), Delhi Region or who are drawing pension from pension Disbursing Authorities (Banks/ Post etc.) in Delhi Region are requested to forward their pension related grievance, if any to AO (Pension) O/o Pr. CCA, DoT Building, Near Fire Station, prasad Nagar, New Delhi in two copies containing all relevant details viz- name & designation of the pensioner/ Family pensioner, date of retirement/ death Name & address of the unit office where last served, PPO/ FPPO Number, Name and address of pension disbursing authority (Bank/ Post), current corresponding address and contact number etc, along-with full details of their grievance.

Note:-

1. If you are a Telecom pensioner/ Telecom Family Pensioner of above mentioned category and have any kind of pension / family pension related grievance, please send your representation in two copies to above mentioned officer latest by 20.06.2019.
2. Cases involving purely legal points eg. Succession etc. and the grievance involving policy matter cannot be taken up in the Adalat.
3. For more details visit at our office website : www.prccadelhi.gov.in
4. Telephone No.011 25729702, 25729703 & Toll Free No.1800118119

Source: DoT

Crucial issues related to the revival of BSNL

BSNL EMPLOYEES UNION

Centred Head Quarter

Main Recognised Representation Union,
Dada Ghosh Bhawan, 215/1, new patel Nagar,
Opp. Shadipur Bus Depot, New Delhi-110001

BSNLEU/ 604 (DEV)

06.06.2019

To,
Shn Ravi Shankar Prasad Ji,
Hon'ble Minister of Communications,
Sanchar Bhawan,
20, Ashoka Road,
New Delhi- 110001

Sir,
Sub: Crucial issues related to the revival of BSNL - reg.

At the outset, BSNLEU, the main recognised representative union In BSNL, heartily welcomes you, on your assuming change as the Hon'ble Minister of Telecommunications and IT. On this occasion, BSNLEU welcomes and also highly appreciates your statement that, BSNL and MTNL should remain healthy in the nation's interest. BSNLEU also approves your view that BSNL and MTNL need to become professional and adopt the competitive, attitude. In this connection, we also recollect the statement made by you, in your earlier tenure as the Honb'le Minister of Communications and IT, that BSNL was not allowed to grow for 10 years from 2004. BSNLEU assures to strengthen your hands, in all your endeavours to strengthen BSNL.

It is not out of context to point out here that, the entire telecom sector is stressed due to the predatory pricing being adopted by Reliance Jio. Due to this, all the telecom service providers. including Airtel and Vodafone Idea, have gone into loss. However, even under such a stressed situation, it is only BSNL, apart from Reliance Jio, which is consistently expanding its Mobile Customer bass every month. Under these circumstances, we wish to reiterate that, an early allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL, by the government, will go a long way In speedily restoring the financial health of BSNL.
At this juncture, it is our duty to bring to your kind notice that, two Important decisions of the Union cabinet, taken in September, 2000, i.e. on the eve of the formation of BSNL, are yet to be implemented. Both these decisions are very crucial for the financial revival of BSNL The first decision is that, the government would do everything possible to keep BSNL financially viable. It is needless to state that this decision needs to be implemented in letter and spirit. The second decision is that. alt the asset and liabilities of the department would be transferred to BSNL While the liabilities stand transferred to BSNL, the assets are not transferred to BSNL. We request you to kindly look into these and to do the needful.

At this juncture, we also like to draw your kind attention to the moves presently being, made by the DoT and BSNL Management, to implement VRS, is well as the rolling back of the retirement at from 60 to 58 years, in the name of reviving BSNL's financial health. When 79,295 employees, from the present strength of 1,65,657, are going to retire In the next 4 years, ie., by April,2024, we do not understand the logic behind the urgency to implement VRS in BSNL. Similarly, as per the assurance given by the government in 2000, to the erstwhile recognised federations, only the government rules with regards to retirement age, are applicable to BSNL employees. We request you to kindly look into these aspects.

Another important aspect, connected with the revival of BSNL is that the Company is having vacant lands throughout the country, whose value is pegged at more than Rs.1 lakh crore. BSNL Management has estimated to earn Rs. 5000 crore to Rs. 10,000 crore per annum, by renting / leasing out those vacant lands. However, the DoT is yet to accord necessary approval to BSNL, for the monetization of the vacant lands. Similarly, the government of India Rule, in respect of payment of Pension Contribution, is yet to be implemented in the case of BSNL, as a result of which a huge amount is being collected in excess every year from BSNL, in the name of Pension Contribution. An early decision by the DoT in these issues, will go a long way to ensure the financial revival of BSNL.
Finally, the issues of implementation of 3rd Pay Revision to the BSNL employees, and also the issue of Revision of Pension to the BSNL retirees are, agitating the minds of the employees and the pensioners, An early, as well as positive decisions on these two issues, will greatly motivate the Executives and Non-Executives of BSNL, to contribute their mite for the Revival of BSNL.

We request you to kindly look into these issues and to ensure a positive settlement of the same.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,
P. Abhimanyu
General Secretary

Source: BSNL Employees Union

DoT - MACPS for the Central Government Civilian Employees

Department of Telecommunications - MACPS for the Central Government Civilian Employees

Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) for Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ Employees who have opted for Government Service and working in Department of Telecommunications.

F.No.4-15(01)2019-PAT
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Telecommunications

1120, Sanchar Bhawan,
20, Ashoka Road.
New Delhi – 110001
Dated: 30/04/2019

Office Memorandum

Subject: Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) for the Central Government Civilian Employees.

This is in reference to DoPT OM No.35034/3/2008-Estt(D) dated 19.05.2009 and OM No.35034/3/2015-Estt(D) dated 28.09.2016 (copies enclosed) regarding Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) for the Central Government Civilian Employees.

It has been decided to implement the aforesaid orders in the case of Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ employees who have opted for Government Service and working in Department of Telecommunications or on deemed deputation basis in BSNL/MTNL and to withdraw One Time Bound Promotion (OTBP) Scheme and the Biennial Cadre Review (BCR) Scheme w.e.f 01.09.2008.

sd/-
(Patanjali Prakash)
Assistant Director General (PAT)

Source: DoT

7th Central Pay Commission - Grant of Special Compensatory Allowances subsumed under Tough Location Allowance

Implementation of the recommendations of 7th CPC - Grant of Special Compensatory Allowance subsumed under TLA

File No.No.6-23(02)/2019-PAT

F No.6-23(02)/2019-PAT
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Telecommunications

Sanchar Bhawan, 20, Ashoka Road,
New Delhi -110001
Dated: 07/02/2019

CIRCULAR No. 103 

Subject: Implementation of the recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission - Grant of Special Compensatory Allowances subsumed under Tough Location Allowance - reg.

The undersigned is directed to forward herewith a copy of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure OM No.3/1/2017-E. II (B) dated 17th January, 2019 on the subject cited above for information/ necessary action and O.M. of even number dated 19th July, 2017 has already been circulated vide this office No.31 bearing No.6-23(11)/2017-PAT dated 01/08/2017 ( copy enclosed)
Encl: As above.

(Patanjali Prakash)
Assistant Director General (PAT)
Phone:23036245

No.3/1/2017-E,II(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

New Delhi, the 19th July, 2017.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Implementation of the recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission - Grant of Special Compensatory Allowances subsumed under Tough Location Allowance.

Consequent upon the acceptance of the recommendations of Seventh Central Pay Com
mission, in supersession of the existing orders for grant of Special Compensatory Allowances viz. Special Compensatory (Remote Locality) Allowance, Bad Climate Allowance, Special Compensatory Scheduled /Tribal Area Allowance and Sunderban Allowance which have been subsumed In Tough Location Allowance, the President is pleased to decide the rates of these Special Compensatory Allowances (subsumed in Tough Location Allowance) to Central Government employees as under :

1. These rates shall increase by 25 per cent whenever the Dearness Allowance payable on the revised pay structure goes up by 50 per cent.
2. The term 'Pay Level' in the revised pay structure mean the 'Level in the Pay Matrix.
3. In respect of those employees who opt to continue in their pre-revised pay structure/Pay scales, the corresponding Level in the Pay Matrix of the post occupied on 01.01.2016 as indicated in CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016 would determine the allowance under these orders.
4. Sunderban Allowance categorised 'as Tough Location Allowance-III shall be admissible to the Central Government civilian employees working in Sunderban areas South of Dampier Hodge's llne, namely, Bhagatush Khali (Rampura), Kumlrmari (Bagna), Jhlnga Khali, Sajnakhali, Gosaba, Amlamathi (Bidya), Canning, Kultall, Plyali, Nalgaraha, Raidighi, Bhanchi, Pathar Paratlma, Bhagabatpur, Saptamukhl, Namkhane, Sikarpur, Kakdwlp, Sagar 1 Mouslni, Kalinagar, Haroa, Hlngalganj, Basanti, Kuemari, Kultola, Ghuslghata (Kulti) area. The allowance shall be admissible only upto the period for which the Government of West Bengal continues to pay this allowance to its employees.
5. Scheduled tribal Area Allowance and Bad Climate Allowance categorise Tough Location Allowance III shall be admissible only in those States where Scheduled/ Tribal Area Allowance and Bad Climate Allowance are admissible and shall be discontinued in those States where it has been discontinued for the State Government employees with effect from the date(s) of such discontinuance.
6. In the event of a place falling In more than one category, the higher rate of Tough Location Allowance will be applicable.
7. Tough Location Allowances shall not be admissible along with Special Duty Allowance. However, employees have the option for continuing Special Compensatory (Remote Locality) allowance at old. rates of 6th CPC. where it was admissible, along with Special Duty Allowance at revised rate of 10% ·of Basic Pay. ·
8. Employees may exercise their option to choose either Hard Area Allowance which Is admissible alongwith Island Special Duty Allowance or one of the Special Compensatory Allowance, subsumed under Tough Location Allowance as mentioned in Para 1 above ..
9. These orders take effect from 1st July, 2017.
10. These orders shall also apply to the civilian employees paid from the Defence Services Estimates and the expenditure will be chargeable to the relevant head of the Defence Services Estimates. In regard to Armed Forces personnel and Railway employees, separate orders will be issued by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways, respectively.
11. In so far as the employees working in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders are issued with the concurrence of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

Hindi version is attached.

DoT

DoT - Alternate Digital KYC Process for issuing new mobile connections to subscribers

DoT - Alternate Digital KYC Process for issuing new mobile connections to subscribers

Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Telecommunications
(Access Services Wing)
Sanchar Bhawan, 20, Ashoka Road, New Delhi-110 001

File No: 800-26/2016-AS.II

Dated: 03.04.2019

To,
All CMTS/UASL/Unified Licensees (having Access Service Authorization) Licensees.

Subject: Instructions for Alternate Digital KYC Process for issuing new mobile connections to subscribers-regarding.

This is in continuation to this office letter of even number dated 06.11.2018 vide which instructions for Proof of Concept (PoC) for Alternate Digital KYC Process for issuing new mobile connections to subscribers were issued. After successful completion of PoC and based on the suggestions received from stakeholders, some changes have been introduced in the process and it has been decided by the competent authority to adopt the following Digital KYC Process for issuing new mobile connections to subscribers.

a. The entire process shall only be used through the authenticated applications (App) hosted by the Licensees.

b. The access of the App shall be controlled by the Licensees and it should be ensured that the same is not used by unauthorized persons. The App shall be accessed only through login-id & password controlled mechanism given by Licensees to its authorized Point of Sale (POS). If there are multiple agents working in PoS, then each PoS agent shall be registered with Licensee and be given a separate login-id & password for accessing the App.

c. The App shall be installed only on those POS device which are having SIM card (mobile number) registered with the Licensees.

d. The customer desirous of obtaining a new mobile connection shall visit the authorized POS location of the Licensee or vice-versa. The original Proof of Identity/Proof of Address (PolI/PoA) documents shall be in possession of the customer.

e. The Licensee must ensure that the Live photograph of the customer is taken at POS terminal and the same photograph is embedded in the CAF. Further, the system application of the Licensee shall put a water-mark in readable form having CAF number, GPS coordinates, POS name, unique POS Code (assigned by licensees) and Date (DD:MM:YYYY) & time stamp (HH:MM:SS) on the captured live photograph of the customer.

f. The App of the licensees shall have the feature that only live photograph of the customer is captured and no printed photograph of the customer is captured. The background behind the customer while capturing live photograph should be of white color and no other person shall come into the frame while capturing the live photograph of the customer.

g. Similarly, the live photograph of the original POI/POA documents (placed horizontally) shall be captured vertically from above and water-marking in readable form as mentioned above shall be done. No skew or tilt in the mobile device shall be there while capturing the live photograph of the original documents.

h. The live photograph of the customer and his/her original documents shall be captured in proper light so that they are clearly readable and identifiable.

i. Thereafter, all the entries in the CAF shall be filled as per the POI/POA documents and information furnished by the customer. In those POI/POA documents where QR code is available, such details can be auto-populated by scanning the QR code instead of manual filling the details. For example, in case of physical Aadhaar/e-Aadhaar downloaded from UIDAI where QR code is available, the details like name, gender, date of birth and address can be auto-populated by scanning the QR available on Aadhaar/e-Aadhaar.

j. Once the above mentioned process is completed, an One Time Password (OTP) message containing the text that ‘please verify the details filled in form before sharing OTP’ shall be sent to customer’s own alternate mobile number. Upon successful validation of the OTP, it will be treated as customer signature on CAF. However, if the customer does not have any own alternate mobile number, then mobile number of his/her family members/relatives/known persons may be used for this purpose and be clearly mentioned in CAF. In any case, the mobile number of POS registered with the Licensee shall not be used for customer signature. The Licensee must check that the mobile number used in customer signature shall not be the mobile number of the POS.

k. The POS shall provide a declaration about the capturing of the live photograph of customer and the original POI/POA documents. For this purpose, the POS shall be verified with One Time Password (OTP) which will be sent to his mobile number registered with the Licensee. Upon successful OTP validation, it shall be treated as POS signature on the declaration. The live photograph of the POS agent shall also be captured in this POS declaration.

l. Subsequent to all these activities, the application shall give information about the completion of the process and submission of activation request to activation officer of the Licensee, and also generate the transaction-id/reference-id number of the process. POS shall intimate the details regarding transaction-id/reference-id number to customer for future reference.

m. The authorized representative of the Licensee shall check and verify that:

(i) information available in the pictures of POI/POA documents is matching with the information entered by POS in CAF.
(ii) live photograph of the customer matches with the photo available in the POI/POA documents.
(iii) All of the necessary details in CAF including mandatory fields are filled properly.

n. On successful verification, the CAF shall be digitally signed by authorized representative of the Licensee. Only after this activity, the SIM card shall be activated and tele-verification as per the prevailing guidelines shall be done before final activation of the services. However, if the customer has given his own alternate mobile number, then tele-verification through the use of 5- digit OTP pin shall be done for activation of final services.

Only two mobile connections shall be provided per day by using any one of the POI/POA documents to a customer by a Licensee (including all POS in that LSA) using the above mentioned alternate digital KYC process. However, in case more than one connection is issued, the entire process as mentioned above shall be repeated for issuing each connection.

The above mentioned digital KYC process is an alternative process to the existing process of issuance of mobile connections to subscribers and shall also be applicable for outstation and foreign customers. The additional safeguards in prevailing guidelines in respect of outstation and foreign customers shall also be followed in the above mentioned digital KYC process. However, in case of outstation customer, as an alternate method, the verification of local reference may be done by sending an OTP on the mobile number of local reference submitted by customer and upon successful OTP validation only, the local reference may be treated as tele- verified.

The above mentioned alternate digital KYC process shall be implemented within a month from the date of issue of these instructions.

The existing instructions in general and particularly those issued vide letter No. 800-09/2010-VAS dated 09" August 2012 and all other instructions shall remain the same for issuing of mobile connections to new subscribers.

sd/-
Prashant Verma
Assistant Director General (AS-II)

Source: DoT

Promotion to the grade of Higher Administrative Grade+ of the Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service Gr. 'A' in Level 16 of the Pay Matrix (Rs. 2,05,400 - 2,24,400)

Promotion to the grade of Higher Administrative Grade+ of the Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service Gr. 'A' in Level 16 of the Pay Matrix (Rs. 2,05,400 - 2,24,400)

No.14-04/2018-SEA-I
Government of India
Ministry of Communications (Sanchar Mantralaya)
Department of Telecommunications (Doorsanchar Vibhag)
Sanchar Bhawan, 20 Ashoka Road
New Delhi-110001

Dated: 23.04.2019

ORDER

Sub: Promotion to the grade of Higher Administrative Grade+ of the Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service Gr. 'A' in Level 16 of the Pay Matrix (Rs. 2,05,400 - 2,24,400)

The undersigned is directed to convey the approval of the President for promotion of Sh.Dilip Padhye (Staff No: 80200), an HAG officers of Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service Group 'A', presently posted as Sr. DDG(PAF), DoP HQ, to Higher Administrative Grade+ (HAG+) in the Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service in the level 16 of the Pay Matrix (2,05,400/- to 2,24,400) with effect from the dated of assumption of charge of the post and until further orders and post him as Advisor (Finance), DoT against the vacant post.

The officers will be entitled to exercise an option towards fixation of pay as available under FR- 22.
Necessary charge reports may please be sent to all concerned including SEA Section, DoT.

(Neha Singh)
Under Secretary(SEA)

Source: DoT

Claim of BSNL on account of pay & allowances etc. to its employees working on loan basis in DoT/Field Units

Claim of BSNL on account of pay & allowances etc. to its employees working on loan basis in DoT/Field Units

No. 34-08/2001-SEA(Vol.Il) Pt.
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Telecommunications

20 Ashoka Road, Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi - 110001
Dated: 28-03-2019

Sub: Claim of BSNL on account of pay & allowances etc. to its employees working on loan basis in DoT/Field units - reg

BSNL CO vide letter No. 500-163/2017-18/CA-III/BSNL dated 27.02.2019 raised a claim of Rs. 1749948154.00 on account of reimbursement of employee cost of BSNL's employees deputed on loan basis in DoT and its field units as well as Leave Salary contribution.

2. Approval of the Competent Authority is hereby conveyed for payment of RS'I 72,91,77,486.00 ( Rupees Seventy Two Crore Ninety One Lakh Seventy Seven Thousand Four Hundred and Eighty Six Only) only to BSNL based on provisional certificates given by Pr.CsCA/CsCA/TERM Cell on working of such BSNL employees against their sanctioned posts on loan basis (Annexure - A). The above payment is subject to final settlement/ adjustment after reconciliation.

3. All Pr.CsCA/CsCA are requested to make payment of total verified amount shown in column '10' of enclosed Annexure - 'A' to the concerned CGMT of BSNL subject to availability of budget. The payment in respect of BSNL employees worked/working on loan basis in DoT Headquarter and other Delhi based offices, if any, may be made by the Pr.CCA, Delhi Region.

4. Further it has been decided that no employee of BSNL/MTNL or any other PSUs will be engaged in DoT and its field units on loan basis w.e.f. 01.04.2019 except on deputation against sanctioned and vacant posts as per DoP&T OM No. 6/8/2009-Estt. (Pay II) dated 17.06.2010 (amended from time to time). It may be ensured that no employee of BSNL/MTNL is retained in DoT (Hqrs) and its field units on loan basis after 31.03.2019. No claim of pay and allowances of BSNL/MTNL employee working after 31.03.2019 on loan basis shall be entertained for reimbursement by DoT in future.
This issues with the approval of Secretary (T)

Encl: a.a.

(O.P.Jairath)
Asst. Director General (SEA)
Ph:. 2337 2251

Source: DoT

Demonstrations of protest against salary non - payment to BSNL employees

Demonstrations of protest against salary non - payment to BSNL employees

It is very unfortunate that payment of salaries of the Executives and Non-Executives of BSNL for the month of February, 2019 is not made today.

All of us are aware that BSNL is not getting permission of the DoT for taking Bank loans. The AUAB has already demanded that the DoT should immediately permit BSNL for taking Bank loans to tide over the crises.

However, so far, the DoT has not given the necessary approval.

The AUAB has called on the employees to organize demonstrations tomorrow the 01-03-2019, protesting the non-payment of salary and demanding the DoT to immediately grant sanction to BSNL for taking Bank loans.

All Circle and District unions of BSNLEU are requested to coordinate with the other constituents of AUAB and to organize the demonstrations successfully.

P.Abhimanyu,
General Secretary
BSNL Employees Union

BSNL Employees 3 Days Strike from 18-02-2019 to 20-02-2019

BSNL Employees 3 Days Strike from 18-02-2019 to 20-02-2019

12- Feb 2019

AUAB rejects the proposal of the Management for deferring the salary for the month of February 2019 - AUAB also rejects the appeal of the Management to withdraw the strike

A meeting between the AUAB and the BSNL Management was held today at 17.30 hrs. Shri Anupam Srivastava, CMD, BSNL, Ms.Sujatha.T Ray, Director (HR & Finance) and Shri A.M.Gupta GM (SR) were present. From AUAB, Com.P.Abhimanyu, Convener, Com.Chandeswar Singh, Chairman, Com.K.Sebastin, GS, SNEA., Com. Prahlad Rai, GS, AIBSBNLEA, Com.Pathak, AGS, AIGETOA., Com.Suresh Kumar, GS, BSNL MS, Com.H.P.Singh, Dy. GS,BSNLOA and Com.S. Sivakumar, President, AIBSNLEA participated.. The CMD, BSNL explained the serious financial crisis being faced by the BSNL and appealed for the cooperation of the AUAB, for deferring payment of the salary for the month of February 2019. The AUAB representatives firmly rejected the request of the CMD, BSNL. They told in one voice that payment that the payment of salary of employees should not be deferred. Thereafter, the CMD, BSNL said that the 3 days strike called on by the AUAB from 18-02-2019 will be self-defeating and appealed to call off the strike. The representatives of the AUAB rejected the appeal of the CMD, BSNL and reaffirmed that the strike will take place at any cost. They told the Management that the repeated assurances given by the Hon'ble Minister of State for Communications are not implemented by DoT and that the strike will now take place successfully.. The AUAB told the HB Management in categorical term that there is no question of going back from the decision to go on strike.

Source: Confederation

Year End Review 2018: Ministry of Telecommunications

Ministry of Communications
Year End Review 2018: Ministry of Telecommunications

09 JAN 2019

• Six-fold increase in Government spending on telecommunications infrastructure and services in the country - from Rs. 9,900 crores between 2009-14, to Rs. 60,000 crores (actual + planned) between 2014 -19
• Tariff reductions benefiting consumers across the country:
  

  - Average voice tariff declined by 67% - from an average per minute tariff of 51 paise in June 2014 to 11 paise in June 2018
  - Average data tariff declined by 96% - from Rs. 269 per GB in 2014, to Rs. 12 per GB in June 2018

• Restoring the trust between Government and Citizens through a smooth and transparent auction of spectrum in 2015 and 2016 - more than 1382 MHz sold, realising an upfront payment of approximately Rs. 65,000 crores
• For the spectrum auction of October, 2016, DoT received an Excellence Award from CVC in November 2017, for "Transparency in e- auction of spectrum in 2016"
• Telecom service providers now have sufficient spectrum available to offer their sevices; the regime of spectrum shortage is a thing of the past
• Under the BharatNet project, which is expected to trigger the era of Broadband in rural India, nearly 50% of the total 2.5 Lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country have been connected through high-speed OFC network by October 2018, as compared to 59 GPs in June 2014; plan to complete the remaining GPs by March 2019
• Network for Spectrum (NFS) project for Defence - project approved in July 2012; no cable laid until May 2014; 51,000 km of Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) laid in the last 4 years
• Under BharatNet and NFS projects, OFC laid at a peak rate of 800 km per day, with an average of more than 200 km per day - a record of sorts
• As a result of its' role in the BharatNet project, ITI Ltd. was able to report a net profit of Rs. 102 crores (without grants) for the year 2017-18
• Proactive engagement, planning, and investment to leverage new technologies for the welfare of citizens - High-Level Forum (HLF) for 5G India set up which submitted its report in August 2018; 5G test beds established through Industry-Academia partnership and government support; 5G field trials to be conducted over the next 12 months

Highlights in Figures

• Increase in overall tele-density in the country - from 75% in June 2014 to 93% in March 2018, adding 305 million new subscribers
• Mobile Internet subscriptions more than doubled - from 233 Million in March 2014 to 491 Million in June 2018
• Over 107% increase in internet coverage - from 251 million users in June 2014 to 512 million in June 2018
• Number of mobile Base Transceiver Stations (BTS)more than doubled - from 7.9 lakh in May 2014 to more than20 lakh in May 2018
• Country-wide OFCcoverage doubled - from 7 lakh km in May 2014 to 14 lakh km in May 2018
  Average mobile data usage per subscriber grew 51 times - from 62 MB per month to 3.2 GB per month
• Cheapest data tariff globally - from Rs. 300 per GB in 2014 to Rs. 12 per GB in June 2018, tariff reduction of 96%
• Highest mobile data consumption globally at 3.4 Billion GB per month
• Seven times growth in broadband access - from 61 million subscribers in March 2014, to 447 million subscribers in June 2018
• Digital payment transactions through mobile grew four times- from 168 million in November 2016 to 600 million now
• Five times jump in FDI inflows in Telecom Sector - from USD 1.3 billion in 2015-16, to USD 6.2 billion in 2017-18
• Connecting the Unconnected areas in the country:
• Left-Wing Extremism Affected Areas - 2335 mobile towers installed in Phase I, at a total outlay of Rs. 4,781 crores; 4072 towers approved for installation in Phase II, with a total outlay of Rs. 7,330 crores
• Biggest ever Telecom Spend in the North-East Region -Ongoing projects with a total outlay of more than Rs. 10,800 crores, connecting border areas, highways, and unconnected villages
• Submarine cable connectivity to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, in addition to strengthening connectivity within the islands and in Lakshadweep - at an outlay of Rs. 2,250 crores
• Extensive expansion of the Wi-Fi eco-system in rural areas,with an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crores - 25,000 hot-spots by BSNL in rural exchanges, 7,000 hot-spots (e-Choupals) by Common Service Centres (CSCs); Additional 1 million Hotspots planned by March 2019
• Key reforms to facilitate the operation of a Robust, Competitive, and Sustainable Telecom Sector:
• Spectrum sharing and trading allowed - to boost competition
• Spectrum harmonisation - resulting in freeing up spectrum for auction
• Sharing of passive (e.g., fibre, towers) and active (e.g., BTS) infrastructure
• Deferred Payment Liabilities - to reduce financial stress in the sector
• Easing of Right of Way (RoW) Rules and Charges - Ease of Doing Business
• Full mobile number portability
• Virtual Network Operators (VNO) license introduced - for effective infrastructure utilisation
  Input credit for VNO licensees allowed to ease tax burden
• The National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP) 2018 - summarises our Aspirations and Determination:
• Missions - NDCP 2018
• Connect India - Universal broadband coverage at 50 Mbps
• Propel India - Attracting investments worth USD 100 Billion
• Secure India - A strong, flexible, and robust communications infrastructure and data protection regime
• Objectives - NDCP 2018
• Providing Broadband to all by 2022
• Adding 4 million jobs in the sector
• Digital Communications sector to grow to 8% of India's GDP by 2022 (present 6%)
• To bring India tothe top 50 rank(from present 134) in the ICT Development Index of the International Telecom Union
• Net positive international trade in the sector - through increased local manufacturing and exports, and lower imports
• Ensuring Digital Sovereignty of the country

Department of Posts - Highlights and Achievements

• Average annual Speed Post revenue more than doubled - from Rs. 788 crores between 2006-14 to an average revenue of Rs. 1,682crores between 2014-18.
• Revenue of Rs. 415 Crores from the e-Commerce business in 2017-18, with a growth of more than 20% over the previous financial year
• Established a separate Parcel Directorate, in order to focus on this growing business segment; 42 parcel centres and 242 nodal delivery centres have already been established to handle increased volume of consignments
• Launched at all 650 IPPB branches co-located in District HQ Post Offices along with 1,01,173 Access Points
• IPPB will offer a 360-degree financial services suite across multiple channels - to benefit the unbanked and under-banked
• IPPB Stats (between 1st Sep 2018 and 1st Jan 2019):
• Total Accounts Opened:20.11 Lacs
• Cumulative Value of Transactions: INR 561 Crores
• Cumulative Volume of Transactions: 12.87 Lacs
• 995 DoP ATMs are now inter-operable with other Banks.
• Sukanya Samridhi Scheme: Out of total 1.52 Crores enrolments, 1.31 crores done through Post Offices
• Aadhar Enrolments & Updation Centres have been made functional in 13,352 Post Offices across the country till date; more than 8 Lakh enrolments and 29 lakh updates have already been completed in these centres
• 254 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) started across the country in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs - to provide passport services through POPSKs/PSKs in each parliamentary constituency; more than 17.5 lakh passport appointments have already been processed in these POPSKs.
• Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) - insurance products from the DoP, with the unique feature of ‘low premium, high bonus'; renewed drive to extend the benefits of these products to promote financial inclusion in the country
• Total Assets Under Management (AUM) (including GOI Special Securities/Floating Rate Bonds) in PLI and RPLI increased by 2.0 times between March 2014 and September 2018 - from Rs. 25,856 crores to Rs. 93,068 crores
• Benefits of Postal Life Insurance (PLI) are no longer limited to Government and Semi-Government employees; this facility is now also available to professionals (teachers, lawyers, engineers, doctors, CAs) and employees of listed companies of NSE and BSE
• Under SampoornaBima Gram Yojana, at least one person insured from each household in 2,529 villages nation-wide; 10,000 villages targeted by March 2019
• A philately scholarship scheme called Deen Dayal SPARSH (Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude &Research in Stamps as a Hobby) Yojana was introduced in November, 2017 to promote Philately among children; under the scheme, 920 scholarships will be given every year to school-children who demonstrate interest in philately. This year as of now 83,861 students have applied under the Scholarship Scheme.
• Department of Posts has been issuing stamps on people centric themes. Some of the themes on which stamps have been issued recently are - Ramayana, Mahabharata, Indian Cuisine, Solar System, Safdarjung Hospital etc.
• Circular Postage Stamps to mark the commencement of 150th Birth Anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi were issued by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 2nd October 2018. This is the first time in the history of Independent India that Circular Postage Stamps have been issued.
• Technology investments in the Department have increased from Rs. 434 crores between 2010-14 to about Rs. 1087 crore (upto Sep, 2018) between 2014-18.
• More than 1.29 lakh SIM based handheld devices are in use by Gramin Dak Sewaks in Branch Post Offices.
• 5.21 crore transactions have been processed successfully on National Automated Clearing House (NACH) platform since December 2016, handling more than Rs. 3,904crores
• Postman mobile application has been introduced to update the delivery information of accountable mail, including cash on delivery, on a real time basis

PIB

Proof of Concept (PoC) of Alternate Digital KYC Process for issuing new mobile connections to subscribers

Proof of Concept (PoC) of Alternate Digital KYC Process for issuing new mobile connections to subscribers

Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Telecommunications
(Access Services Wing)
Sanchar Bhawan, 20, Ashoka Road, New Delhi -110001

---

File No: 800-26/2016-AS.II

Dated: 06.11.2018

To
All Unified Licensees (having Access Service Authorization)/ Unified Licensees (AS)/ Unified Access Services Licensees/ Cellular Mobile Telephone Service Licensees. Subject: Proof of Concept (PoC) of Alternate Digital KYC Process for issuing new mobile connections to subscribers-regarding.

This is in continuation of this office letter of even number dated 26.10.2018 vide which Licensees were directed to discontinue the Aadhaar based E-KYC process for issuing new mobile connections to subscribers and re-verification of existing mobile subscribers. Further, in para 7 of the instructions, all Telecom Service Providers were asked to ensure readiness of their systems and offer the Proof of Concept (PoC) of the proposed Alternate Digital KYC Process by 05.11 .2018 for approval.

2. As per the proposed digital alternate KYC process by Telecom Industry for issuing new mobile connections, the Customer Acquisition Form (CAF) is to be embedded with live photograph of subscriber along with the original POIlPOA document thereby digitizing the end to end process for on boarding of new mobile subscribers by making it completely paperless.

3. The procedure to be followed for issuing mobile connections using the alternate digital KYC process is as follows:

a. The entire process shall only be used through the authenticated applications (App) hosted
by the Licensees.
b. The access of the App shall be controlled by the Licensees and it should be ensured that the same is not used by unauthorized persons.
c. The customer desirous of obtaining a new mobile connection shall visit the authorized POS location of the Licensee or vice-versa. The original Proof of Identity/Proof of Address (PoI/PoA) documents shall be in possession of the customer.
d. The Licensee must ensure that the Live photograph of the customer is taken at POS terminal and the same photograph shall be embedded in the CAF. Further, the system application of the Licensee shall put a water-mark having CAF number, GPS coordinates, POS name, unique POS Code (assigned by licensees) and Date & time stamp on the captured live photograph of the customer.
e. Similarly, the live photograph of the original POI/POA documents shall be captured and water-marking as mentioned above shall be done.
f. Thereafter, all the entries in the CAF shall be filled as per the POI/POA documents and information furnished by the customer. In those POI/POA documents where QR code is available, such details can be auto-populated by scanning the QR code instead of manual filling the details. For example, in case of physical Aadhaar/e-Aadhaar downloaded from UIDAI where QR code is available, the details like name, gender, date of birth and address can be auto-populated by scanning the QR available on Aadhaar/e-Aadhaar.
g. Once the above mentioned process is completed, an One Time Password (OTP) shall be sent to customer's own alternate mobile number. Upon successful validation of the OTP, it will be treated as customer signature on CAF. However, if the customer does not have any own alternate mobile number, then mobile number of his/her family members/relatives/known persons may be used for this purpose. Further, in case if the customer does not have any alternate mobile number to give for this purpose, then the mobile number of POS registered with the Licensee may be used.
h. The POS shall provide a declaration about the capturing of the live photograph of customer and the original POI/POA documents and/or its registered mobile number used for customer signature. For this purpose, the POS shall be verified with One Time Password (OTP) which will be sent to his mobile number registered with the Licensee. Upon successful OTP validation, it shall be treated as POS signature on the declaration.
i. Subsequent to all these activities, the application shall give information about the completion of the process and submission of activation request to activation officer of the Licensee, and also generate the transaction-id/reference-id number of the process. POS shall intimate the details regarding transaction-id/reference-id number to customer for future reference.
J. The authorized representative of the Licensee shall check and verify that: (i) information available in the pictures of POI/POA documents is matching with the information entered by POS in CAF.

(ii) live photograph of the customer matches with the photo available in the POI/POA documents.
(iii) All of the necessary details in CAF including mandatory fields are filled properly.

k. On successful verification by authorized representative of the Licensee, the SIM card shall be activated and tele-verification as per the prevailing guidelines shall be done before final activation of the services. However, if the customer has given his own alternate mobile number, then tele-verification through the use of 5-digit OTP pin shall be done for activation of final services.

4. Only two mobile connections shall be provided per day per POI/POA document to a customer by a Licensee using the above mentioned alternate digital KYC process. However, in case more than one connection is issued, the entire process as mentioned above shall be repeated for issuing each connection.

5. The above mentioned digital KYC process is an alternative process to the existing process of issuance of mobile connections to subscribers and shall also be applicable for outstation and foreign customers. The additional safeguards in prevailing guidelines in respect of outstation and foreign customers shall also be followed in the above mentioned digital KYC process.

6. The proof of concept of the above mentioned alternate digital KYC process is to be done at two locations (rural & urban) by each Licensee. As on date, following Licensees have ensured their readiness to conduct POC and offered location of POC as mentioned below:

Name of Licensee	Location 1 (urban)	Location 2 (rural)
Bharti Airtel Limited	Delhi	Meerut
BSNL	Hyderabad, Telangana	Vikarabad, Telangana
MTNL	Mumbai	Delhi (as no rural location available for MTNL)
Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited	RCP, Ghansoli, Navi Mumbai	Ganesh Nagar, Chichpada, Aeroli,Navi Mumbai
Tata Teleservices Limited	Kamal, Haryana	Assandh (Kamal District), Haryana
Vodafone Idea Limited	Delhi	Baramati, Pune District

7. Based on the POC results, further directions for any change in the process, if any, will be issued on the subject.

8. The existing instructions in general and particularly those issued vide letter No. 800- 09/20 I 0-V AS dated 09th August 2012 and all other instructions shall remain the same for issuing of mobile connections to new subscribers.

9. With regard to non-acceptability of Aadhaar/e-Aadhaar as POIIPOA documents in J&K, Assam and North East LSAs, it is clarified that at present there is no change in instructions dated 14.01.2011.

(Prashant Verma)
Assistant Director General (AS-II)
Tele No.: 011-23354042

Source:DoT

Government to allow data service initially under in-flight connectivity

Government to allow data service initially under in-flight connectivity

The telecom department is considering to allow only data services initially in flights and water vessels within Indian territorial boundaries, an official source said.

Under the proposed in-flight connectivity guidelines, both voice and data services would be provided to passengers on flights and maritime transport within the national boundaries.

"DoT will initially seek application for data services under IFC (in-flight connectivity) guidelines. There are some issues around gateway for voice so that will not start immediately," a Department of Telecom official told PTI.

In-flight connectivity service is available in most of the developed markets.

While mobile phone use will still be restricted during takeoff and landing, the Telecom Commission has approved lifting the ban on the use of mobile phones and internet services at cruising altitudes.

Globally, many airlines are offering wi-fi for passengers, but they have to switch off the facility when they enter Indian airspace.

AirAsia, Air France, British Airways, Egypt Air, Emirates, Air New Zealand, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways and Virgin Atlantic are among 30 airlines that are already allowing mobile phone use on aircraft but not in Indian airspace.

The DoT is likely to approach the Law Ministry next week for the review of these guidelines before notifying them.

PTI

Grant of Deputation (Duty) Allowance - Recommendations of the 7th CPC

Grant of Deputation (Duty) Allowance - Recommendations of the 7th CPC

F No.6-23(01)/2018-PAT
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT
Department of Telecommunications

Sanchar Bhawan, 20, Ashoka Road,

New Delhi - 110001

Datcd: 09/03/2018

CIRCULAR No. 74

Subject : Grant of Deputation (Duty) Allowance - Recommendations of the 7th CPC -reg

The undersigned is directed to forward herewith a copy of Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions. Department of Personnel & Training OM No.21/11/2017-Estt. (Pay-II) dated 24th November, 2017 on the subject cited above for information / necessary action.
Encl: As above.

(R.Thamby Jeya Raj)

Section Officer (PAT)

No.2/11/2017-Estt.(Pay-II)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi

Dated the 24th November, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Grant of Deputation (Duty) Allowance - Recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission - Regarding

This Department's OM No. 6/8/2009-Estt.(Pay-II) dated 17.6.2010 inter-alia provides for rates of Deputation (Duty) Allowance admissible to Central Government employees.

2. As provided in para 7 of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure's Resolution No.1- 2/2016-IC dated 25th July, 2016, the matter regarding allowances (except Dearness Allowance) based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) was referred to a Committee under the Chairmanship of Finance Secretary and until a final decision thereon, all Allowances have been paid at the existing rates in the existing pay structure.

3. The decision of the Government on various allowances based on the recommendations of the 7th CPC and in the light of the recommendations of the Committee under the Chairmanship of the Finance Secretary has since been issued as per the Resolution No.11-1/2016-IC dated 6th July 2017 of Department of Expenditure.

4. As mentioned at Sl.No.46 of the Appendix-II of the said Resolution dated 6th July 2017, the recommendation of the 7th CPC for enhancement of ceiling of Deputation (Duty) Allowance for civilians by 2.25 times has been accepted and this decision is effective from 15t July, 2017. Accordingly, the President is pleased to decide that the rates of Deputation (Duty) Allowance and certain other conditions relating to grant 'of Deputation (Duty) Allowance shall be as under:-
The Deputation (Duty) Aliowance admissibl,e shall be at the following rates:

(a) In case of deputation within the same station the Deputation (Duty) Allowance will be payable at the rate of 5% of basic pay subject to a maximum of Rs.4500 p.m.

(b) In case of deputation involving change of station, the Deputation (Duty) Allowance will be payable at the rate of 10% of the basic pay subject to a maximum of Rs.9000 p.m.

(c) The ceilings will further rise by 25 percent each time Dearness Allowance increases by 50 percent.

(d) Basic Pay, from time to time, plus Deputation (Duty) Allowance shall not exceed the basic pay in the apex level i.e. Rs. 2,25,000/- .In the case of Government servants receiving Non Practising Allowance, their basic pay plus Non-Practising Allowance plus Deputation (Duty) Allowance shall not exceed the average of basic pay of the revised scale applicable to the Apex Level and the Level of the Cabinet Secretary i.e. Rs.2,37,500/-.

Note: 1 'Basic pay' in the revised pay structure (the pay structure based on 7th Central Pay Commission recommendations) means the pay drawn by the deputationist, from time to time, in the prescribed Level, in Pay Matrix, of the post held by him substantively in the parent cadre, but does not include any other type f pay like personal pay, etc.

Note: 2 In cases where the basic pay in parent cadre has been upgraded on account f non-functional upgradation (NFU), Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACP), Non Functional Selection Grade (NFSG), etc., the upgraded basic pay under such upgradations shall not be taken into account for the purposed of Deputation (Duty) Allowance.

Note: 3 In the case of a Proforma Promotion under Next Below Rule (NBR) : If such a Profoqna Promotion is in a Level of the Pay Matrix which is higher than that of the ex-cadre post, the basic pay under such Proforma Promotion shall not be taken into account for the purpose of Deputation (Duty) Allowance. However, if such a Proforma Promotion under NBR is in a Level of the pay matrix which is equal to or below that of the ex-cadre post, Deputation (Duty) Allowance shall be admissible on the basic pay of the parent cadre post allowed under the proforma promotion, if opted by the deputationist.

Note: 4 In case of Reverse Foreign Service, if the appointment is made to post whose pay structure and or Dearness Allowance (DA) pattern is dissimilar to that in the parent organisation, the option for electing to draw the basic pay in the parent cadre [alongwith the Deputation (Duty) Allowance thereon and the personal pay, if any] will not be available to such employee.

Note: 5 The term 'same station' for the purpose will be determined with reference to the station where the person was on duty before proceeding on deputation.

Note: 6 Where there is no change in the headquarters with reference to the last post held, the transfer should be treated as within the same station and when there is change in headquarters it would be treated as not in the same station. So far as places falling within the same urban agglomeration of the old headquarters are concerned, they would be treated as transfer within the same station.

5. Para 6.1 of this Department's OM No.6/8/2009-Estt (Pay-II) dated 17.6.2010 stands amended to the above effect.

6. In so far as persons serving in the Indian Audit & Accounts Department are concerned, these orders issue after consultation with the Comptroller & Auditor General of India.

7. These orders shall take effect from 1st July, 2017.

(Rajeev Bahree)

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source: http://www.dot.gov.in

DoT further simplifies the process for linking of Aadhaar with mobile number

DoT further simplifies the process for linking of Aadhaar with mobile number

- Introduces new OTP based option for consumer ease with two other convenient options
- Industry welcomes the move and pledges support to the government

In a bid to expedite compliance of telecom service providers with the Hon. Supreme Court's order dated 6th February regarding linking of Aadhaar card with mobile number and reverification process of mobile users, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a comprehensive instruction on Wednesday.

As per the new rules, the DoT has introduced three new methods to link the registered mobile number with Aadhaar i.e. OTP (One Time Password) based, App based and the IVRS facility. These new methods will help subscribers to get their mobile number linked to Aadhaar without visiting the stores of the telcos. For the ease of senior citizens and the people with disability and chronic illness, DoT has also recommended for the re-verification at subscribers' doorstep. According to the new guidelines, the telecom operators should provide an online mechanism for people to request such service and based on availability schedule the visit and complete the process.

Speaking on the development, Shri Manoj Sinha, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Communications, said "The Aadhaar number system was designed to allow all residents of the country access to critical government services and important information that they may need from time to time. Mobile penetration is increasing rapidly in the country and the subscribers need to be provided with the ease of linking of the Aadhaar number with the mobile number. It is the government's endeavour to improve convenience and reduce time and energy spent by consumers to accessing government information and services that is their right to access."

Representative of COAI stated, "The latest clarifications from the DoT are aligned with what the industry, and the subscribers need at this time. While, it will take a little time to implement the directions, we are working closely with the government to improve and enhance the convenience of our consumers for undertaking Aadhaar based e-KYC linking of their mobile number. We are implementing all the necessary processes so as to be able to use the additional methods prescribed including OTP, App based and the IVRS facility. We expect it to get much faster and easier for individual mobile subscribers to comply with the e-KYC norms using their Aadhaar Registered Mobile Number (ARMN)."

In a circular in August, DoT had given instructions to the telecom service providers to provide iris or fingerprint based authentication of Aadhaar. The new regulations have specified that the telecom service providers must deploy iris readers for this purpose within a reasonable geographical area.
Further, in keeping with privacy rules, the DoT has mandated that telecom service providers' agent should not have access to the subscribers' e-KYC data and only the name and address of the subscribers should be visible. Subscribers can verify or re-verify their mobile numbers from anywhere in the country irrespective of which service area their mobile connection belongs to.

PIB

Status of Cadre Review proposals processed in DoPT from 1st January, 2011 to 30th April, 2017

Status of Cadre Review proposals processed in DoPT from 1^st January, 2011 to 30^th April, 2017

1. Approved by Cabinet

S. No.	Name of the Service	CRC* Meeting	Cabinet Approval
1.	CPWD Central Engineering Service, Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Service and Central Architecture Service	27/06/2011	03/01/2012
2.	Military Engineering Services (Indian Defence Service of Engineers, Architect Cadre and Surveyor Cadre)	22/09/2011 and23/01/2012	18/04/2013
3,	Indian Revenue Service	19/02/2013 and GoM**    on 29/04/2013	23/05/2013
4.	Indian Radio Regulatory Service	19/02/2013	03/07/2013
5.	Central Labour Service	19/02/2013	17/07/2013
6.	Indian Customs & Central Excise	27/08/2013	05/12/2013
7.	Indian Cost Accounts Service	29/10/2013	02/01/2014
8.	Central Power Engineering Service	11/12/2013	13/05/2014
9,	Indian Ordnance Factory Service	19/03/2014	29/10/2014
10,	Indian Civil Accounts Service	17/07/2013	16/01/2015
11.	Border Road Engineering Service	26/02/2015	07/04/2015
12.	Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service	08/01/2015	06/05/2015
13.	Indian Trade Service	06/0512014	01/07/2015
14.	Indian Statistical Service	24/06/2014	29/07/2015
15.	Indian Skill Development Service	10/04/2015	07/10/2015
16	Indian Postal Service	28/12/2015	25/05/2016
17.	Central Reserve Police Force	15112/2015	29/0612016
18.	Indian Information Service	05/05/2016	24/08/2016
19.	Border Security Force	29/06/2016	12/09/2016
20.	Indian P & T Accounts and Finance Service	17/09/2015	27/10/2016
21.	Ministry  of  Micro, Small   and Medium   Enterprises (MSME) Indian Enterprise Development Service (IEDS)	28/12/2015	21/12/2016
22.	Indian Telecom Service	06/10/2016	21/12/2016
23.	Central Engineering Service (Roads)                            25/4/2016		06/03/2017

* CRC - Cadre Review Committee ** GoM - Group of Ministers

1. Pending Proposals

S. No.   1 Name of the Service		Status
1. With Concerned Ministry - CRC meeting held and Cabinet approval pending (3)
1.	Indian Naval Material Management Service	The CRC meeting held on 24/10/2013. Approvals of MoS (PP) and FM have been obtained. MoD has to take the approval of Cabinet.
2.	Indian Defence Accounts Service	CRC Meeting held on 09/09/2016. Approvals of MoS (PP) and FM have been obtained. MoD has to take the approval of Cabinet. Comments of DoPT on draft Cabinet Note has been sent.
3	Indian Petroleum and Explosive Safety Service (IPESS)	CRC meeting held on 09/01/2017. Approvals of MoS (PP) and FM have been obtained. Mb Commerce & Industry. Deptt. Of Industrial Policy & Promotion has to take the approval of Cabinet.
2. With Cabinet Secretariat (0)
3. With Department of Personnel & Training (2)
4.	Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)	Approvals of Secretary (Personnel) and Secretary (Expenditure) have been obtained. Note for the Cadre Review Committee has been prepared and being sent to Cabinet Secretariat.
5.	Railway Protection Force	CRC meeting held on 2910712013. Decision with the approval of MoS (PP) and FM has been communicated to the Ministry of Railways on 09/10/2013 for taking Cabinet approval. Ministry of Railway has revised the proposal. The same is under examination.
4. With Department of Expenditure (9)
6.	Indian    Railways Personnel Service	Approval of Secretary (Personnel) has been obtained and sent to DoE for approval of Secretary (Expenditure)
7.	Indian Railways Traffic Service	-DcW
8.	Indian Railways Stores Service	-Do-
9.	Indian Railways Accounts Service	-Do-
10.	Indian  Railways Service of Mechanical Engineers	-Do-
11.	Indian  Railways Service of Electrical Engineers	-Do-
12.	Indian   Railways Service of Engineers	-Do-
13.	Indian   Railways Service of Signal Engineers	-Do-
14.	Sashastra Seema  Bal (SSB) (Group "A" Combatised)	-Do-
4. With Ministry concerned for clarifications (1)                  15. Indian P&T Building Works                 Clarifications are awaited from DoT on its revised

Note: The concerned Cadre Controlling Authorities of Central Group "A" Services have been requested vide this Division’s D.O. letter No. I-11019/16/2016-CRD dated 20.12.2016 to take action in a time-bound manner and forward the cadre review proposals/furnish the requisite information/clarifications/move Note for Cabinet etc. whats ever required. The above DO letter may be accessed at www.dopt.gov.in

Source: DoPT Orders

Delay in pension revision allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA/DR for BSNL Pensioners/Family Pensioners

Delay in pension revision allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA/DR for BSNL Pensioners/Family Pensioners

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
(A Government Of India Enterprise)
Corporate Office
(Pension Section)
5th Floor, Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi - 110 001

No.40-6/2011-Pen(B)

Dated: 24-03-2017

To
All Heads of Circles/Telecom Districts/Regions/Projects/Telecom Stores/Telecom Factories & Other Administrative Offices Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited

Sub: Delay in pension revision allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA/DR with Basic Pay/Pension to 78.2% DA/DR for BSNL Pensioners/Family Pensioners,who retired prior to 10-06-2013 - regarding.

Sir,
I am directed to forward herewith D.O.No.7-1/2013/TA-1/17/Pt./760 dated 07-03-2017 received from Member (Finance)-I/C, DOT, on the above mentioned subject, along with status of pension revision cases pending BSNL Unit-wise.

2. As directed by DOT in the aforesaid letter, all the Circles are requested to adhere to the timeline specified therein and submit complete pension papers and service books to the respective CCAs.

Encl: As above.

Yours faithfully,

(S.P.Bhatta)
Asstt.General Manager (Estt.I)
Tele.No.23037477

Prahlad Singh
Member (finance)-I/C
Tel No.23716161
Fax 23715762

Government Of India
Ministry Of Communications and
Information Technology
Department of Telecommunications

Sanchar Bhawan, 20, Ashok Road,
New Delhi - 110 001

Member (Finance) Telecom commission &
Ex-Officio Secretary to Govt. of India

D.O.No.7-1/2013/TA-1/17/Pt./760
Dated: 7th March,2017

I would like to bring to your attention the delay in the pension revision allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA/DR with Basic/Pension to 78.2% DA/DR for BSNL pensioners/family pensioners, who retired prior to 10.06.2013. Though, the revision in all cases was to be completed by 31.12.2016 as per DoT HQ letter No.40-13/2013-Pen (T) dated 18.07.2016, there is still a huge pendency as on date and the BSNL employees welfare unions have been approaching DoT asking for early settlement of the same.

On review, it is seen that some units of BSNL are sending incomplete papers or are yet to send many of the cases to the CCA offices while there is also pendency in some of the CCA units also (copy of pendency status is enclosed). To complete the task in a structured time frame, concerted efforts both by the BSNL units and CCAs office is required. Target dates both for submission of pension papers and issue of PPOs has now been reviewed both for BSNL and CCA units, which is to be strictly complied to as per the timelines given below.

BSNL (submission of complete pension papers & service Books)		CCA (issue of revised PPOs)
Pre-2007	Post- 2007	Pre-2007	Post- 2007
15.03.2017	31.03.2017	31.03.2017	10.04.2017

You are requested to kindly give your personal attention for compliance of the target dates by the BSNL units, from you end.

with regards
Yours sincerely
Sd/-
(Prahlad singh)

Status of Revision of pension of BSNL Pensioners/Family Pensioners who retired prior to 10.06.2013 by allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA/DR with Basic Pay/Pension effectively amounting to 78.2% DA/DR for the purpose of fitment. (as on 01.03.2017)

Signed Copy

Cabinet approves Cadre Review of Indian Posts & Telecommunications Accounts and Finance Service Group "A"

Cabinet approves Cadre Review of Indian Posts & Telecommunications Accounts and Finance Service Group "A"

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the first Cadre Review of Indian Posts & Telecommunications Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS) with the following salient features:

(a) Reduction of the total strength of the cadre from 420 to 376.

(b) Creation of one Apex level post of Controller General of Communication Accounts (CGCA).

(c) Creation of one additional HAG+ level post taking the grade strength to 2.

(d) Creation of two additional HAG level posts taking the grade strength from 6 to 8.

(e) Creation of 18 additional SAG level posts taking the grade strength from 37 to 55.

(f) Reduction in JAG level posts from 111 to 90.

(g) Reduction in STS level posts from 198 to 86.

(h) Creation of 21 JTS level posts taking the grade strength from 67 to 88.

(i) Creation of 46 Posts to be operated as Reserves

Background:

Indian Posts & Telecommunications Accounts and Finance Service Group ‘A” was constituted in 1972 and caters to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Department of Posts (DoP).

In Department of Telecommunications, the IP&TAFS performs the functions of assessment and collection of license fee/ spectrum usage charges, spectrum auction, USO scheme monitoring and subsidy management, exchequer control, budgeting, accounting, pension disbursement, internal audit and finance advice. In the Department of Posts, the IP&TAFS is entrusted with the functions of finance advice, budgeting, tariff and costing, accounting and internal audit.

There has been a paradigm shift in the role of Department of Telecommunications as well as the Department of Posts in recent years. In the Telecom sector, the role of the Department of Telecommunications has transformed from primarily being a Service provider, Regulator and Policy maker into the present structure whereby the Department is primarily responsible for Policy making, Licensing and Universal Service Obligation. Receipts from Department of Telecommunications, primarily License Fee, Spectrum Usage Charges and Spectrum Auction Value constitute one of the largest source of non-tax revenue for the Government of India.

Similarly, the bundle of services offered by Department of Posts has undergone a quantitative and qualitative change and the Department has ventured into areas of retailing, banking, insurance, digitizing operations etc. Further, the audit mechanism in both the Departments needs to be strengthened.

These facts coupled with the stagnation in various grades of the service necessitated a review of the structure of IP&TAFS.

PIB