Payment / Settlement of Transport Allowance to the Employees of National Library, Kolkata

Payment /Settlement of Transport Allowance to the Employees of National Library, Kolkata.

Ref: Confdn/ Transport Allowance Dated - 08.07.2020

To
The Cabinet Secretary
Government of India
Rashtrapati Bhawan
New Delhi- 110 001

Sub: - Payment /Settlement of Transport Allowance to the Employees of National Library, Kolkata.

Sir,
On the recommendations of the V CPC, Transport Allowance was introduced subsuming CCA W.e.f 1st January, 1997. After two revisions at par recommendation of VI and VII CPC, at present, admissibility of Transport Allowance under different conditions viz. Leave, Deputation, Tour and Suspension etc. is regulated under G.O.I, Min. of Finance, Dept. of Expenditure OM No. 21/5/2017E.II (B) dated 07.07.2017, as par Para 3(a) the Allowance will not be admissible for the calendar month(s) wholly covered by leave.

Incidentally it may kindly be noted that Govt. of India, Min. of Finance, Dept. of Expenditure has not yet clarification of “leave” as in the OM dated 17.07.2017 in the context of changed situation. Under normal dispensation Dept. of Expenditure is the competent authority to clarify/ interpret or modify and provision relation to Transport Allowance.

On scrutiny of various OMs issued on different dates by MHA containing Guidelines, Advisories and Standard Operation Procedure as part of measures for containment of COVID-19, it is revealed that Offices of the Govt. of India, its Subordinate Offices other than exempted category are to function with 100% attendance of Deputy Secretary and levels above that. Remaining officers and staff are to attend up to 33%. Moreover, above guideline is subject to strict adherence to restrictions applicable to RED ZONE/ CONTAINMENT ZONE. As per instructions, employees residing in such Zones can attend office only when allowed by the local authorities of concerned State Govt. etc. or restriction is relaxed. As per the above OMs the public transports including suburban train services were under total suspension till first 4 phases of lockdown. Further, as per Standard Operation Procedure of Min. of Health & Family Welfare, the period of work from home shall not be treated as leave.

A good number of employees who commute from considerable distant places could not attend the office during the months making own arrangement, although, they were inclined to attend their duties being physically present in the offices premises. Further, according to the guidelines of Min. of Health & Family Welfare as well as Ministry of Home Affairs is “to stay at home”, “work from home” to the extent possible, so as to curb the spread /outbreak of the COVID-19. During this period the entire surroundings of the National Library was under Containment Zone as per Govt. of West Bengal notification. In the Ministry of Home Affairs Order dated 15.04.2020 it was also clearly stated, “In these containment zones, the activities allowed under these guidelines will not be permitted….. that there is no unchecked inward/outward movement of population from these zones….. The guidelines issued in this regard…… will be strictly implemented….” Therefore some employee, though willing, could not come, even they have tried their best to join their duties.
This being an unprecedented situation, the condition of one-day attendance in a month, for payment of Transport Allowance, needs to be dispensed with and Transport Allowance for the month of April & May 2020 should not be disallowed.

Your immediate intervention in this matter is highly solicited with a request to issue revised direction to the administration of the National Library and Central Reference Library for payment/settlement of Transport Allowance for the month of April 2020, etc.

With regards,

Yours sincerely,

(R. N. Parashar)

Secretary General

Confederation

Counting of the limitation period for the diverse purposes under CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965, CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972

Counting of the limitation period for the diverse purposes under CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965, CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972

Latest DoPT Orders 2020

F.No.11013/9/2014-Estt.A. III
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training)

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 5th June, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Counting of the limitation period for the diverse purposes under CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965, CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972

The undersigned is directed to refer to OM of even number dated 30th March, 2020 whereby, considering the unprecedented situation of lockdown w.e.f. 24th March, 2020, the period of lockdown was decided to be excluded from the time-limits prescribed in various Rules/instructions. While in the initial periods of lockdown, the Government offices were directed to work either with skeletal staff or with 1/3rd of its strength, DoPT’s extant instructions provide for attendance of 100% officers of the level of DS & above and 50% below DS on all working days. Ministry of Home Affairs vide its Order dated 30th May, 2020 has also issued instructions for phase-wise reopening of prohibited activities outside the containment zone. In view of this, it has now been decided that the exclusion of lockdown period w.e.f. 24th March, 2020 shall cease to have further effect with the issue of this O.M. Therefore, after exclusion of lockdown period, action as per time-lines provided under various Rules/ instructions may be completed within the period as explained in paras 2 & 3 of O.M. dated 30th March, 2020 referred above.

(Umesh Kumar Bhatia)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India

---

The undersigned is directed to refer to Central Civil Services (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 1965 [CCS(CCA) Rules, 1965] and Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 [CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972] and the instructions issued under these Rules wherein certain timelines have been prescribed for various activities/ events/ procedures relating to procedures under the said Rules, For instance, in the said Rules/instructions, time limits have been prescribed for the following:

• Review of order of Suspension before its expiry date [Rule 10(6) of CCS(CCA) Rules, 1965]
• Submission of written statement of defence on the charge-sheet by the charged officer ISub Rule 4 in Rule 14 of CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965]
• issuance of charge-sheet once a decision is taken by the Disciplinary Authority to initiate Disciplinary proceedings.{DopTs 0. M. No. 425/04/2012-AVDIV(A) dated 29.11.2012],
• completion of Inquiry and submission of report by the Inquiring Authority [Sub rule (24) in Rule 14 of CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965]
• disciplinary proceedings initiated against a Pensioner shall not be in respect of an event which took place four years before such initiation,{Rule 9 of CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972]
• Acceptance of notice of VRS under Rule 48Aof CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972

(The list is only illustrative and not exhaustive)

2. Consequent upon the outbreak of COVID-19, and considering the unprecedented situation of the Lockdown w.e.f. 24th March 2020, it may not be feasible to adhere to the timelines prescribed in the said Rules and to the instructions issued under the Rules. It has accordingly been decided not to count the period of the Lockdown for the purposes of adherence to the prescribed timelines, including those listed above. For example, if the due date for completing a process/work/event at the start of the Lockdown falls after 20 days, then the due date will get postponed by the number of Lockdown days and the same number (20) of days will be available to complete the work after the Lockdown is lifted.

3. However, after the Lockdown is lifted, if the time left to complete the task is less than 15 days) then the processes may be allowed to be completed within 15 days.

4. In addition, timelines may have been prescribed for receipt of applications for direct recruitment, deputation, etc. Where the last date of receipt of application for direct recruitment, deputation etc. falls within the period of the Lockdown, the last date shall be extended by the number of days of the Lockdown. Similarly, the time limits prescribed in the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964, for various purposes shall also be extended by the number of days of the Lockdown.

5. These instructions are applicable only in such cases where there is an intervening Lockdown period and it will not be applicable otherwise.

Source: DoPT

One-time relaxation to General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) allottees of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Retention period extended

One-time relaxation to General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) allottees of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Retention period extended

Central Government Employees News

No.12035/2/2020-Pol.II
Government of India
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Directorate of Estates
Policy-II Section

Nirman Bhavan
New Delhi-110108
Dated the 5th May, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: One-time relaxation to the allottees of General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) in view of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) - extension of retention period.

In continuation of the OM of even number dated 25-3-2020 on the above subject, it has been decided by the competent authority that suo-moto extension of retention of quarters granted to the allottees vide OM dated 25.3.2020 for the period from 17.3.2020 to 31.5.2020 shall remain extended upto 30-6-2020.

2. The other terms and condition of the OM dated 25-3-2020 will remain the same.

(M. C. Sonowal)
Deputy Director of Estates (Policy)

---

No.12035/2/2020-Pol.II
Government of India
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Directorate of Estates
Policy-II Section

Nirman Bhavan
New Delhi-110108
Dated, the 25th March, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: One-time relaxation to the allottees of General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) in view of Novel Coronavirus (COVID- 19).

Ministry has been receiving calls from various allottees of Government accommodations, who were / are due to vacate their flats / houses and are not able to do so in the light of the advisories regarding social distancing issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) under the current global Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). Further, Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) has issued Guidelines with do’s & don’ts for government personnel vide their O.M. dated 17.03.2020 to contain the spread of this virus. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) vide its Order dated 24.03.2020 has issued directions for nation-wide complete lockdown to contain the fast spreading infection.
This extraordinary situation has been considered by the Ministry and it has been decided by the Competent Authority to allow suo-moto retention for the period from 17.03.2020 to 31.05.2020 for all such allottees under the Central Government General Pool Residential Accommodation (CGGPRA) Rules, 2017. This relaxation will be applicable to the following categories:

• Rule 24(2) - where two allottees, who are in occupation of separate accommodation allotted under these rules marry each other, and are directed to surrender one of the accommodation within one month of their marriage;
• Rule 40 - which provides for concessional period of retention of GPRA under different cases; and
• Rule 44 (7 & 8) - which provides for change of accommodation.

2. The suo-moto retention period will be on the payment of licence fees as applicable to the allottee under these rules. No damage will be charged for this period.

3. These relaxations will be given to such allottees also where she/he has become unauthorized occupant of government accommodation before 17.03.2020. However, in such cases, after the retention period of 75 days i.e. upto 31.05.2020, the damage charges at telescopic rates, as was continuing prior to this period, will be resumed.

4. D.D.(Computers) will flash this message on the website for giving wide publicity.

(Vijay Andley)
Deputy Director of Estates (Policy)

Reporting of officers in the office of the board during the lockdown period

Reporting of officers in the office of the board during the lockdown period - Railway Board Order

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

Office Order No. 30 of 2020

Sub: Reporting of Officials in Board’s Office during lockdown period

Enclosed is a copy of DOP&T’s OM No.11013/9/ 2014-Esttt.A-IIT dated 23.04.2020 regarding attendance of Officers / Staff during the lockdown period.

2. Attention in this connection is invited to para 3 of Office Order No. 25 of 2020 and also para 2 of DOP&T’s enclosed OM for following the extant instructions in letter and spirit. While preparing the roster /asking Officials below Deputy Secretary level for reporting to Office, the guiding principle should be that only upto 33% Officials and depending on the requirement be called for working from Office and all others who are not being called at Office or are residing at Containment Zones should work from home and be available at all times on Mobile phones and other Electronic means of Communications. Officials below Deputy Secretary level should not regularly be called to avoid crowding in the Office, except in case of exigencies of work.

Latest DoPT order - Maintain 33 percent of employees attendance, roaster & work from home - Central Govt Employees April 24, 2020

3. Further, Officials may be called at staggered timings as stated in para 3 of the enclosed DOPT’s OM.

4. Based on above, if required, separate rosters may be prepared by all controlling Head of the Directorates (PEDs & EDs).

Also check: PIL Filed for Central Government Employees Freezing DA in Supreme Court

(B. Majumdar)
Joint Secretary/Railway Board

No. 2020/O0&M/9/1
Dated:- 24.04.2020

Source: Indian Railways

Latest DoPT order - Maintain 33 percent of employees attendance, roaster & work from home - Central Govt Employees

Latest DoPT order - Maintain 33 percent of employees attendance, roaster & work from home - Central Govt Employees

Latest DoPT Orders 2020

Accordingly, correct Roster Can be drawn up by the Heads of Department. Needless to say, officials / staff employed at home on a specific day should always be accessible by telephone and electronic means of communication

F. No. 11013/9/2014-Estt.A-III
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment A-III Desk

North Block, New Delhi.
Dated the 23 April, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19

The undersigned is directed to refer to O.M of even number dated 17th March, 2020 on the above-mentioned subject. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) vide its Order dated 15.4.2020 has now extended the nationwide lockdown till 3rd May, 2020 to contain spread of Coronavirus in the country and has issued the consolidated revised guidelines for strict compliance. Para 18(ii) of these consolidated revised guidelines, inter-alia, provide that all officers of the level of Deputy Secretaries & above are to function with 100% attendance while 33% of the remaining officers/staff are to attend offices as per requirement.

Also check: No DA/DR & No Arrears to Central Government employees till July 2021

2. The spirit of the guidelines is that crowding in the offices may be avoided and safe social distancing norms may be maintained. It is, however, seen that in some Ministries/ Departments, more than 33% of officials /staff below Deputy Secretary level are being called to offices. This might lead to undesirable crowding in the office jeopardizing the preventive measures in place for containing the spread of COVID-19.

3. It is reiterated that guidelines for attendance for officers/staff at levels below Deputy Secretary, be strictly followed. Heads of Departments (HoDs) may also direct their officers/staff to attend office in staggered timings to further avoid crowding in offices/work spaces. As suggested vide O.M. of even number dated 19th March, 2020, the staggered timings may be as follows :-

(a) 9.00 am. to 5.30 p.m.
(b) 9.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
(c) 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.

Suitable Roster May, accordingly, be drawn up by the Heads of Department. Needless to say that officials/ staff working from home on a particular day should be available on telephone and electronic means of communications at all times. They should attend office, if called for any exigencies of work.

Sd/-
(Umesh Kumar Bhatia)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India

Source: DoPT

Attendance report during lockdown from 20th April to 3rd March, 2020

Latest Central Government Employees News Today

Attendance report during lockdown from 20th April to 3rd May, 2020 – COVID-19

F.No. C-35021(1)/MF.CGA/ ADMN/2020/ 2006
O/O CONTROLLER GENERAL OF ACCOUNTS
MINISTRY Of FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

NEW DELHI,

Dated: 21.04.2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Attendance report during lockdown ( 20.04.2020 to 03.05.2020) - reg.

With reference to the Ministry of Finance, D/o, D/o Expenditure OM No. A- 60011/21/2019-Ad.J dated 20.04.2020, all Jt. Controller General of Accounts are requested to arrange to provide attendance statement in respect of their verticals, in the following format so that a compiled report could be sent to M/o Finance:

Sl. No.

Unit / Section Name

Name of Officers/ Officials

Designation

Attendance statement may be sent to Administration positively by 1.00 P.M. on every working day at admn3-cga[at]gov.in.

Also read: Exemption to employees to mark biometric attendance in Aadhar Based Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS)

Attendance statement for 20th and 21st April 2020 may however kindly be sent by 3.30 P.M. today for onward submission of compiled report.

Also check: Request for relaxation in compassionate appointment – Deaths due to COVID-19

Sr. Accounts Officer (Admn)

Via: Central Government Employees News

CGDA - Preventive Measures to contain the spread of (COVID-19) - NECESSARY INSTRUCTIONS -

AN/I/Covid-19/2020

OFFICE OF THE PR. CONTROLLER OF DEFENCE ACCOUNTS (PENSIONS)
DRAUPADI GHAT, ALLAHAI3AD - 211 014,

Dated 17.04.2020

IMPORTANT CIRCULAR

To,
The All Group Officers / Officer in-charge Section, (Local)

Sub : Preventive Measures to contain the spread of (COVID-19).

As per directions issued by the Govt. of India, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), New Delhi Order
No.40-3/2020-DM-l(A) dated 15.04.2020: and Ministry of Defence, Office Order F.No.A-50024/01/2020-D (Estt.I/Gp.1) dated 15.04.2020, the CGDA I- IQrs Office, Delhi has issued guidelines vide their letter No.AN/III/3012/ Circular No.VIII dated 16.04.2020 (available on the CGDA website) for strict implementation of the revised consolidated guidelines during the lockdown period which will continue to be remain in force upto 3rd May 2020.

2. In view of the above, the Office will remain open without any restriction during the lockdown period w.e.f. 20.04.2020 subject to compliance of all instructions contained in the said Order of the MHA. All the Group Officers and Officer in Charge of Sections will ensure that the above instructions are followed scrupulously. In this regard necessary instructions in addition to the above guidelines are enclosed as Annexure-I.

3. While opening the Office w.e.f. 20.04.2020, it may be ensured that working hours for all employees who attend office should be staggered, therefore, suggested that two rosters of employees may be formed and asked to attend office as per the following timings in such a manner that 50% of employees attend office in 1st Shift and 50% in 2nd Shift:- a. 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. b. 10.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.

Necessary precautionary arrangements for disinfection of office premises, availability of sanitizers etc have been made for employees.

Encl. Annexure I

(Navpreet Kaur)
Jt.CDA(AN)

Annexure-I

NECESSARY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Large gathering or meeting i.e. more than 3-4 persons even during tea break must be avoided.
2. Work places shall have a gap of one hour and will stagger the lunch breaks of staff to ensure social distancing.
3. Pan Masala, Gutkha and Spitting at work place and in office premises is strictly banned and Rs.500/- fine will be imposed if anyone found doing so.
4. In case any employee is unwell, has dry cough, difficulty in breathing etc, he/ she or his/ her colleagues should immediately bring it to the notice of administration through Welfare Section.
5. All the Officers and Staff are advised to download the Arogya Setu App.
6. Sections are advised to ensure seating at least 6 feet away from each other.
7. It is advised to use staircases in place of lifts.
8. Norms of social distancing as issued by the Govt. of India may be followed.
9. All the officers and staff are requested to co-operate with thermal scanning arrangement at entry points of the office of the PCDA(P) and follow social distancing norms during thermal scanning process.

Sr. Accounts Officer (AN)

EPFO Mileage plus conveyance allowance during COVID-19 Lockdown

Incentive use of own transport, following a mileage allowance, may be given to officers and staffs to make critical services from office in compliance with their controlling officers roster/orders

Employees Provident Fund Organisation MES
(Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. Of India)
Head Office

Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan,
14- Bhikaiji Cama Place,
New Delhi- 110066

HRD/1(71)2014/Misc./Pt. II

Subject: Entitlement of Mileage allowance in addition to Conveyance Allowance during COVID-19 Lockdown - regarding.

As you are aware, the services of EPFO have been brought under the essential services in public interest and it calls for skeletal attendance of officers and staff at various offices for carrying out the requisite functions. As public transport is not available during the lockdown declared by Central Government on account of COVID-19. Officers and staff may be required to use their own vehicles for coming to office to perform essential duties. Accordingly, in order to incentive's usage of own conveyance, following mileage allowance may be provided to officers and staff attending office to render essential services from office in accordance with roster/orders of their controlling officers.

• Mileage allowance will be admissible for Two / Four-wheeler vehicles used and at the corresponding rates (as being used to regulate TA bills) specified by competent Government Authorities where office is located.
• Distance will be counted by shortest route in accordance with Google Maps from office to declared place of residence as per service book of concerned officials multiplied by 2.
• Officials will give only one consolidated self-certified bill for claiming above Mileage allowance within 30 days of lifting of lockdown orders by Government of India.
• Officials using staff car or car hired by office wouldn’t be entitled tor above Mileage Allowance.
• Above mileage allowance will be admissible in addition to Transport Allowance payable under FR&SR.
• Authorities empowered to pass TA Bills as per delegation of financial powers will be competent to pass above bills.

[This issues with the approval of CPFC]

Also check: 7th CPC List of allowances along with modifications as approved by the Government of India: Appendix I of Gazette Notification

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-
(Naveen Juneja)
Regional PF Commissioner (HRD)

Regularization of employee absence due to lockdown w.e.f 25 March 2020

Regularization of employee absence due to lockdown w.e.f 25 March 2020

Officers / Staffs who have not been able to resume duties following the completion of the approved leave period due to the suspension of Train Road Communication during the lockout period shall be treated as Special Casual Leave.

EAST COAST RAILWAY
Office of the Principal Chief Personnel Officer
Rail Sadan, Mad Floor, Bhubancswar-781017

No. ECoR/ Pers/ COVID-19 /Bills

Date: 07.04.2020

All PHODsCHODs
DRM/ECoR- SBP/AVAT/KUR
CAO 'Con/ BBS, CWM'CRW/MCS
All Concerned
East Coast Railway

Sub: Regularization of absence period of officers / staff due to lockdown w.e.f. 25.03.2020.

In view of complete lockdown of 21 days announced by Govt. of India, effective all over India w.e.f. 25.03.2020 on account of spread of pandemic COVID-19, a number of officers / staff of this Railway who proceeded on sanctioned leave/ HQ leave/ Duty may not have been able to return to their respective place of duty owing to interruption of train service and road communication etc.

1. Therefore. in terms of Para 7.9 of Master Circular No. 10 of Railway Board, following instructions are issued for guidance:

TYPES OF LEAVE ADMISSIBLE: Leave Rules - CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972

• Officers staff who could not assume duty after completion of sanctioned leave period, due to suspension of Train Road Communication during the lockdown period, their over-stay is to be treated as Special Casual Leave. Similarly,in case of staff who were on HQ Leave permission as on 25.03.2020, their absence from HQ during lockdown period may be treated as Special Casual Leave.
• Staff who proceeded on duty prior ta 25.3.2020 bur could not return to their respective HQs, due to suspension of Train Road communication during the lockdown period, such forced halts period to be treated as on-duty.

2. Officer Staff who arc above 50 years of age and having underlying conditions i.e. Diabetes, Respiratory problem, Renal Diseases and other life-threatening illness may be granted Commuted leave without insisting on RMC for a period up to 4th April vide Railway Board’s Lr.No. E(P&ADI- 2020 /CPC/LE-3 dated 23.03.2020.

3. Officer staff who have been advised for quarantine by the competent authority, their salary may be drawn for the period. However, regularization of the said period will be decided later in due course.

4. Keeping in view the present scenario, the following guidelines / instructions are to be followed by all Bill compiling officers / staff of this Railway :

Check this : 7th Pay Commission Leave Rules

• Salary / Stipend for April. 2020 may be drawn for off existing regular Employees / Apprentices Trainees irrespective of their presence / absence on duty during the lockdown period, except those who are unouthorisedly absent from their duties since long (unauthorized absence prior to 25.03.2020). Over-payment found, if any, will be adjusted in the regular salary of May. 2020 or later.
• List of such employees who were on sanctioned leaves/ on duty/ home quarantined / under Quarantine should be prepared by respective Bill sections Unit in charges and should be sent through the Master Roll and also brought to the notice of respective controlling officers.

This order is provisional and subject to further order guidelines of Railway Board that may be issued in this regard.

This has approval of PCPO.

(R.N.A. Parida)
Chairman / RRC-cum- Dy. CPO/ IR&W
For Principal Chief Personnel Officer

Apprentices will continue to get their full stipend during COVID-19 Lockdown

Apprentices will continue to get their full stipend during COVID-19 Lockdown

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

31-March, 2020

"Apprentices will continue to get their full stipend during COVID-19 Lockdown": Dr MahendraNathPandey

• All establishments shall pay full stipend as applicable to the apprentices engaged under both designated and optional trade
• Reimbursement of stipend to establishments under NAPS shall be paid by the Government for the lockdown period as per the NAPS guidelines

As a part of the Government’s commitment to fight the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and fully support the public, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) today notified all the establishments under designated and optional trade to pay full stipend to apprentices engaged with them. Additionally, reimbursement of stipend to establishments under National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) shall be paid by the Government for the lockdown period as per the NAPS guidelines.

Apprentices Act, 1961 and the Apprenticeship Rules under it state that if a trade apprentice is unable to complete the period of apprenticeship training due to strike or lockout or layoff in an establishment where he is undergoing training and is not instrumental for the same, the period of his apprenticeship training shall be extended for a period equal to the period of strike or lockout or layoff, as the case maybe, and shall be paid stipend during the period of such strike or lockout or layoff or for a maximum period of six months, whichever is less.

Dr.MahendraNathPandey, Union Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurshipexpressed his views and shared, "This is the time when we all need to come forward and support each other completely. Even our honourable Prime Minister, Shri. NarendraModi appealed to businesses to act with empathy. And with this, we have decided that we will not let the morale of the country’s productive youth to be let down and will support them in every way possible. In view of this, we will ensure that apprentices continue to get their stipend during COVID-19 lockdown. I would also like to state that all the establishments have shown full commitment in this regard and are cooperating with the Government for the smooth delivery of services in a critical time like this."

Apprenticeship has been recognized as an effective way to empower young people to smoothly shift from school and college to work whilst at the same time improving links between industry and training institutions. The National Apprenticeship Programme plays a large part in the task of up-skilling India’s workforce, offering the opportunity to share costs among different parties (employers, individuals and the government) and to involve governments, employers and workers in partnership. Apprenticeship is a win-win situation both for industry and youth in coming together to help make the vision of ‘Skilled India’ a reality in future

Source: PIB

Functioning of Government Expenditure System during the operation of preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19

Payment and Accounts Offices and other payment offices shall remain open throughout working hours. The absence of staff shall not be a cause for any delay or inability of the payment and accounting systems to work.

F.No.23 (4)/E.Coord/2020
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi
Dated : 23.03.2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Functioning of Government Expenditure System during the operation of preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Attention is invited to DOPT OM No 11013/9/2014-Estt- (A-III) Dated 22.03.2020 regarding preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID- 19.

2. In the present situation, the smooth and normal functioning of the Government Expenditure System is critical to safeguard the public interest. Therefore, the expenditure functions of Government in general and the Integrated Finance Divisions (IFD) of Ministries /Departments and Office of Controller General of Accounts (CGA) in particular, are essential services. Indeed, in certain sectors, the expenditure system may have to function more quickly than normal to cope with the emerging needs.

Contractual staff of Ministries / Departments and other organizations of Government of India, treated as on duty COVID-19
3. Accordingly the following clarifications, with specific reference to IFDs & CGA, are issued.

• Absence of staff shall not be a reason for any delay or non-functioning of the payment and accounting systems.
• Pay and Accounts Offices and other offices dealing with payments shall remain open during working hours.
• Financial Advisors and field offices of the CGA (Pr. CCA, CCA, CA, PAO etc) shall attend office as per normal schedule to ensure coordination and supervision and shall issue suitable instructions for the presence of others as necessary to achieve these objectives.
• The above shall be kept in view by Financial Advisers and the Office of CGA when drawing up the roster, etc as prescribed in the OM referred to above

(Annie G. Mathew)
Additional Secretary to Government of India

DoE

Payment of wages to outsourced persons of Ministries / Departments and other organizations of Government of India during lockdown period due to COVID-19

In view of the lockdown order relating to COVID-19 prevention, as stated by various States / UT Governments, contract workers are expected to remain at home, they shall be considered as "on duty" during such absence time and the requisite pay / wages shall be paid accordingly.

F.No.23(4)/E.Coord/ 2020/1
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 23.03.2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Payment of wages to outsourced persons of Ministries / Departments and other organizations of Government of India during lockdown period due to COVID-19

As part of social distancing and isolation measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country, various State / UT Governments have announced lockdown at different places. Instructions have been separately issued by DOP&T regarding maintenance of essential services in Ministries / Departments.

2. Due to these measures, there is a likelihood of a number of contractual, casual and outsourced staff such as house-keeping staff etc. being required to stay at home, which under normal circumstances would result in deduction in their pay /wages. In order to avoid any undue hardships under the prevailing extraordinary circumstances, it has been decided that wherever any such contractual, casual and outsourced staff of Ministries / Departments and other organizations of Government of India, is required to stay at home in view of lockdown order regarding COVID- 19 prevention, as announced by various States/ UT Governments, they shall be treated as “on duty” during such period of absence and necessary pay / wages would be paid accordingly.

Also check: Preventive measures to be taken to contain the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) DoPT Order

3. These instructions shall also apply to Attached/ Subordinate Offices, Autonomous /Statutory Bodies of Government of India.

4. These instructions shall apply till 30th April, 2020.

(Annie G. Mathew)
Additional Secretary to Government of India

Source: DoE