OROP News: Government to issue notification on One Rank One Pension after Bihar polls – Manohar Parrikar

OROP News: Government to issue notification on One Rank One Pension after Bihar polls – Manohar Parrikar

New Delhi: The notification on One Rank One Pension scheme will be issued “within days” of the Bihar poll process coming to an end as the model code of conduct is currently in place, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said today.

Asked if it would be a Diwali gift to the protesting veterans, he said, “I am trying to have it before Diwali (November 11).”

The counting of votes in Bihar will take place on November 8 but the model code of conduct will remain in place till November 12.

“It (notification) will be issued within days after the Bihar poll process ends,” Parrikar told reporters here.
He said the government did not come out with the notification as the model code of conduct has been in place.

The protesting ex-servicemen had yesterday in a letter signed in blood to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanded early implementation of OROP scheme.

On the 133rd day of their relay hunger strike at Jantar Mantar here, the veterans said that the announcement made by Parrikar on September 5 regarding the implementation of OROP had “seven serious shortcomings”.

If implemented without the removal of the shortcomings, it will kill the definition of OROP, the letter claimed.
The letter further accused Parrikar of “changing the goalpost” every now and then.

The protesting veterans asked the Prime Minister to issue notification to implement OROP scheme at the earliest.

Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement spokesperson Col (retd) Anil Kaul said the letter was signed in blood by around 200 general officers and others.

PTI

Comprehensive transfer policy for Railway officers – Denial of inter-railway transfer requests of Group ‘C’ staff-reg.

Comprehensive transfer policy for Railway officers – Denial of inter-railway transfer requests of Group ‘C’ staff-reg.

NFIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110055

Affiliated to :
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)

No. II/14/Part VI

Dated: 21/10/2015

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board.
New Delhi

Dear Sir,
Sub: Comprehensive transfer policy for Railway officers – Denial of inter-railway transfer requests of Group’C’ staff-reg.
Ref: (i) Railway Board’s letter No. E(O)III/2014/PL/05 dated 31/08/2015.
(ii) NFIR’s letter No. II/14/Part VI dated 28/09/2015.

*****

In continuation of Federation’s letter of even number dated 28/0912015, it is to convey to the Board that protest representations from staff are being received by NFIR against the restrictions clamped by the Board relating to inter-railway transfer requests of Group ‘C’ staff vide tettef No. E(O)III/2014/PL/05 dated 31/08/2015, NFIR strongly feels that the instructions contained under item no. (xi) in Board’s letterdated 3l/08/20l5 need to be deleted.

Complaints have also been received that the mutual transfer requests wherever approved by the competent authorities are not being implemented, lt is further brought to the notice of the Federation that the mutual transfer applications of staff are not being entertained on the plea that 5 years minimum service condition not fulfilled. There are also representations from a few staff that inter railway request transfer applications on’spouse grounds’are not being considered citing “non-fulfilment of 5 years service condition'”.

NFIR, therefore, once again urges upon the Railway Board to review the matter and issue suitable revised instructions for mitigating the staff hardships in the above situations. A copy of the instructions issued may be endorsed to the Federation.

Yours faithfully,
(Dr. M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

Allowing benefit of Continuous Empanelment Scheme to NABH/NABL accredited Health Care Organisation/Diagnostic Centres

Allowing benefit of Continuous Empanelment Scheme to NABH/NABL accredited Health Care Organisation/Diagnostic Centres

G.I., Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, O.M.F.No.S-11045/36/2012-CGHS(HEC), dated 16.10.2015

Subject : Allowing benefit of Continuous Empanelment Scheme to NABH/NABL accredited Health Care Organisation/Diagnostic Centres

This is with reference to the above subject.

2. The matter has been considered in view of the requests that more Health Care Organisations (HCOs) offering good quality healthcare should be empanelled under the CGHS. After careful consideration, it has now been decided that all HCOs (Hospitals/Diagnostic Centres etc.) that have finally been accredited by NABH/NABL should be allowed the benefit of the Continuous Empanelment Scheme i.e. they may be empanelled under the CGHS even if they did not apply for such empanelment in response to the tender finalised in 2014 Al other conditions for empanelment will remain the same.

3. These instructions may be brought to the notice of all NABH/NABL accredited HCOs in your jurisdiction.

sd/-
(Dr. Manoj Jain)
Sr. CMO (HEC)

Authority: http://msotransparent.nic.in/

LIST OF HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS (HCOs) EMPANELLED UNDER CGHS, DELHI & NCR W.E.F. 01.10.2014 AS PER OFFICE MEMORANDUM No. S.11045/36/2012-CGHS (HEC) DATED THE 1st OCTOBER 2014 AND FURTHER ADDED ON 12.11.2014 & 10.02.2015 & 24.02.2015, 12.05.2015 & 24.06.2015 : Click to view the latest list of hospitals
Click to view the CGHS Medical Reimbursement Medical Claim Form

Wrong Information by Central Government Pensioners to be Treated as Criminal Offence

Wrong Information by Central Government Pensioners to be Treated as Criminal Offence

If central government pensioners provide wrong information to the government, they shall face criminal cases.
Most high-ranking Central Government employees, after retirement, usually find employment in private sectors, and non-governmental organizations. If a former Central Government employee gets employed with a non-governmental organization, he/she is required to provide information about it to the Government.

While providing the information, the person has to ensure that the organization that he/she belongs to is not involved in activities that are contrary to the government’s foreign policies, national security, and goodwill in the society, or is involved in activities or campaigns that could disrupt them.

The person has to also ensure that the agency is not involved in activities that could earn commercial gains. Criminal action will be taken against the pensioner if he/she hides such information and gives false details to the government.

In addition to these, retired officials of the Central Government will also have to provide all the details of the organization that they are employed with, the reason for accepting the employment, their PAN card number, and information on the kind of activities that the organization is involved in.

The information was provided by sources at the Central Government Employees Welfare Department.

Relaxation of procedures to be followed in considering requests for medical reimbursement

Doing Away With Need For Verification Of Medical Reimbursement Claims In CGHS and Guidelines for full reimbursement

No: 4-18/2005-C&P [Vol. l- Pt. (i)]

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

Department of Health 8. Family Welfare

CGHS (P) Division

******

Nirman Bhawan, Maulana Azad Road

New Delhi, Dated the 20th February, 2009

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Relaxation of procedures to be followed in considering requests for medical reimbursement.

The undersigned is directed to slate that under the extant instructions, a CGHS card holder. who wishes to apply for reimbursement of the expenditure incurred by him / her on medical treatment of either self or his I her dependent family members. the present reimbursement procedure needs verification of bills and issue of essentiality certificate by the treating doctor, and the Medical Superintendent of the hospital. The process of verification of bills and issue of essentiality certificates are time consuming with the doctor at times being busy or being away from office for whatever reason. This necessitates repeated visits to the hospital for getting the verification done and essentiality certificate obtained. Representations have been received in the Ministry of Health 8. Family Welfare requesting for doing away with the two requirements and for the Ministries i authorities concerned to verify and check the authenticity of the claims on the basis of the prescription slip and the diagnostic report submitted by the Government servant / pensioner. in the event of any doubt, the concerned Ministry / Authority can always get verification done from the hospital concerned.

2. The undersigned is also directed to state that CGHS guidelines currently provide for relaxation of guidelines to cover full reimbursement in individual cases depending upon merits of each case. In the case of Hon’ble Members of Parliament, the powers to relax the guidelines have been delegated to the Lok Sabha Secretariat and Rajya Sabha Secretariat respectively and in the case of Hon’ble Chief Justice of Supreme Court and Judges of the Supreme Court to the Secretary General of the Supreme Court.

3. In order to reduce the burden on the Specialists in individual cases of medical reimbursement claim, it has been decided with the approval of heads of the hospitals to revise the guidelines for reimbursement by the competent authority. as follows:

(1) It has now been decided to do away with the procedure for verification of bills and issue of essentiality certificate by the treating doctor. and the Medical Superintendent of the hospital. Ministries i authorities concerned may verify and check the authenticity of the claims on the basis of the prescription slip and the diagnostic report submitted by the Government servant / pensioner. In the event of any doubt, the concerned Ministry / Authority can always get verification done from the hospital concerned. Modified reimbursement claim form. alongwith checklist is annexed.

(2) All cases involving requests for relaxation of rules for reimbursement of full expenditure will henceforth be referred to a Technical Standing Committee. to be chaired by the DGHS /AddIDGHS and consist of Director (CGHS) and subject matter specialists. if the Technical Standing Committee recommends the relaxation of rules for permitting full reimbursement of expenditure incurred by the beneficiary, the full reimbursement may be allowed by the Secretary (Health 8. Family Welfare) in consultation with IFD. A check list for consideration of requests for reimbursements in excess of approved rates may include:

(a) The treatment was obtained in a private non-empanelled hospital under emergency and the patient was admitted by others when the beneficiary was unconscious or severely incapacitated and was hospitalised for a prolonged period;

(b) The treatment was obtained in a private non-empanelled hospital under emergency and was admitted for prolonged period for treatment of Head injury, Coma. Septicemia, Multi-organ failure, etc.;

(c) The treatment was obtained in a private non-empanelled hospital under emergency for treatment of advanced malignancy;

(d) The treatment was taken under emergency in higher type of accommodation as rooms as per his I her entitlement are not available during that period;

(e) The treatment was taken in higher type of accommodation under specific conditions for isolation of patients to avoid contacting infections;

(f) The treatment was obtained in a private non-empanelled hospital under emergency when there is a strike in Government hospitals:

(g) The treatment was obtained in a private non-empanelled hospital under emergency, while on official tour to non-CGHS covered area;

(h) Approval for air-fare with or without attendant on the advice of treating doctor for treatment in another city even though he is not eligible for air travel I treatment facilities are available in city of residence and

(i) Any other special circumstances.

4. The Office Memorandum is issued with the concurrence of IFD vide D . No: 908/AS FA12009 dated the 2oth February. 2009.

(R Ravi)

Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Source: http://msotransparent.nic.in/writereaddata/cghsdata/mainlinkfile/File21.pdf

Exemption of Railway employees from New Pension Scheme/National Pension System (NPS) – NFIR writes to Railway Board on 24th October 2015

Exemption of Railway employees from New Pension Scheme/National Pension System (NPS) – NFIR writes to Railway Board on 24th October 2015

NFIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen

No. IV/NPS/PFRDA BILL/Part I

Dated : 24/10/2015

The Suresh Prabhu,
Hon’ble Minister for Railways
(Railway Board)
Rail Bhavan
New Delhi

Sub: Exemption of Railway employees from New Pension Scheme/National Pension System (NPS)-reg.

Ref: GS/NFIR’s letter No. IV/NPS/PFRDA BILL dated 26/08/2015 addressed to the Railway Board (MS).

The Government of India had introduced New Pension Scheme (NPS) applicable to the Central Government employees appointed on or after 01/01/2004. Under the scheme, 10% of the Pay of each employee is deducted from his/her salary every month and equal amount is contributed by the employer and credited to the NPS Trust controlled by the PFRDA. However those who were appointed prior to 01/01/2004 have been covered under “Liberalized Pension Scheme” and their pensionary benefits like Pension, Family Pension etc., are guaranteed by the Government. While the New Pension Scheme now being re-named as “National Pension System” is not applicable to Defence Forces, the same had unfortunately been made applicable for Railway employees with effect from 01/01/2004.

2. The duties, responsibilities, risk involved, remoteness, arduous and hazardous conditions of railway employee are akin to that of Army Personnel and therefore NFIR has been urging upon the Government as well the Railway Ministry to exempt Railway employees from New Pension Scheme. The Federation was compelled to take strike ballot on pending demands, among them “Abolition of New Pension Scheme” was one of the most important issues. Responding to the demands, the Railway Board (CRB, MS, FC) had held separate meeting with the Federations on 7’th February 2014, wherein the justification for exempting railway employees from New Pension Scheme was discussed, consequently the Railway Ministry had agreed to approach the Government. Hon’ble MR Shri Mallikarjun Kharge had sent communication to the Finance Minister on 29th March, 2014 explaining case and justifying that the Railways deserves to be exempted from NPS. Unfortunately, there has been no positive decision from the Government till now.

3. In this context, NFIR also brings to your kind notice that the JCM (Staff Side) as well the Federations have decided to launch industrial action as the Government has not responded to the charter of demands of Central Government employees. During the meeting with you on 6th August,20l5, we have also mentioned some of the issues continued unresolved when CRB and Member Staff were present.
Railway Board (CRB, NPS & FC) held another meeting with the Federations on lst October 2015 on eight short listed demands which include “Exemption of Railway Employees from New Pension Scheme”. After discussions, the Railway Board has agreed to pursue the case with the Government again. In this connection, NFIR has earlier sent a communication with full details to the Railway Board (MS) vide letter No. IV/NPS/PFRDA BILL dated 26/08/2015 (copy enclosed) to facilitate Railway Ministry to prevail upon the Government to grant exemption to Railway from NPS. Federation is confident that the Railway Ministry is taking necessary action on the inputs given by the NFIR for presenting the case before you.

4. It is, however, shocking to note that a notice has been issued by the National Pension System Trust (NPS Trust) to all the subscribers under NPS that the Trust will start recovering fee/charge @ 0.01% of the AUM on daily accrual basis to meet its expenditure w.e.f. 1st November 2015. (Copy of Notice dated 19/10/2015 is also enclosed) This provocative and arbitrary decision has generated deep sense of disappointment and anger among railway employees”

In view of the above, NFIR invites your kind attention to the communication dated 29th March 2014 of your predecessor (Shri Mallikarjun Kharge) to the Finance Minister and in-puts given by the Federation vide letter dated 26/08/2015 for taking special initiative at the level of Government for exempting Railway employees from “New Pension Scheme” (NPS) as a special case.

With regards.

Yours Sincerely
sd/-
(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

No interviews for non-gazetted govt jobs from Jan: PM

No interviews for non-gazetted govt jobs from Jan: PM

New Delhi: From January 1 next year, there will be no requirement of interview for Group D,C and B non-gazatted posts in central government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced today as part of efforts to put an end to the menace of corruption in jobs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced, there will be no more interviews for non-gazetted government posts from January 1 next year.

In his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, he recalled that he had suggested in his Independence Day address that the practice of holding interviews for recruitment at lower levels in governments could be done away with.

“The government has completed the entire process to do away with interviews for lower rank jobs. There will be no requirement of interview for Group D,C and B non-gazatted posts in central government. It will come into effect from January 1, 2016,” Modi said.

He said the practice was being abolished since it bred corruption and the poor people were being looted by ‘dalals’.

“People were getting robbed for getting employment and even when they could not get a job. It often crossed my mind as to why there was the need for an interview for small jobs.

I have never heard of a physcologist who can evaluate a person during an interview of one to two minutes,” Modi said.

He said abolition of the practice will particularly help the poor who would have to resort to “recommendations” or fall prey to brokers who made way with their money.

In his Independence Day speech, Modi had said he had seen youth often looking for ‘sifarish’ (recommendation) after getting an interview call. “Even poor widows are compelled to look for recommendations for interview of their children,” he had said then.

Recently, Minister for Personnel Jitendra Singh had written a letter to all Chief Ministers asking them to identify such posts which could be exempted from interviews.

“The governments view is that the interviews should be discontinued for recruitment to junior level posts where personality or skill assessment is not absolutely required.

“The objective behind abolition of interviews for such posts is that it will curb corruption, ensure more objective selection in a transparent manner and substantially ease the problems of the poor and resourceless aspirants,” he had said in his communication to the CMs.

PTI

Payment of Productivity Linked Bonus at revised calculation of Rs. 7000 – NFIR writes to Railway Minister

Payment of Productivity Linked Bonus at revised calculation of Rs. 7000 – NFIR writes to Railway Minister

 NFIRPayment of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) to the Railway employees at revised calculation of Rs. 7000/- p.m.- GS/NFIR WRITES TO MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

NFIR

National Federation of Indian Railways

No. I/10/Part IV

Dated: 21/10/2015

Shri Suresh Prabhu,
Hon’ble Minister for Railways.
Railway Bhavan,
New Delhi

Respected Sir,
Sub: Payment of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) to the Railway employees at revised calculation of Rs. 7000/- p.m.-reg.
Ref: (i) Item No. 4 of 55 Point Charter of Demands of NFIR.
(ii) NFIR’s letter No. I/10/Part IV dated 08/09/2015 & 07/10/2015 addressed to Hon’ble MR.
(iii) Railway Board’s letter No.E.(P&A)ll-2015PLB-4 dated 07/10/2015.

Kind attention is invited to NFIR’s communication dated 08/09/2015 to the Hon’ble MR to take action for removal of calculation ceiling of Rs. 3500/- p.m. for payment of PL Bonus to the Railway employees in view of Government’s announcement dated 1st September 2015 for relaxing calculation ceiling limit to Rs. 7000/- p.m.

Now the Union Cabinet in its meeting held on October 21, 2015 has decided to amend the Bonus Act, 1965 for enhancing the calculation ceiling from Rs. 3500/- to Rs. 7000/-.

NFIR, therefore, requests to kindly see that Railway employees are paid P.L. Bonus with revised calculation ceiling of Rs. 7000/- p.m.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

sd/-

(Dr.M.Ragavaiah)

General Secretary

Source : NFIR

BENEFITS OF OPENING OF SAVINGS ACCOUNT IN CBS POST OFFICE

Open Savings Account In A CBS Post Office To Avail All Benefits / Instant Alerts

• Instant cash withdrawal and view of all financial transactions under one passbook / statement
• Instant Issue of ATM cum Debit Card Free of Cost
• Instant Issue of Cheque book free of cost.
• No annual charges for ATM Card and Cheque books are also FREE of Cost.
• No Need to visit Post Offices and Stand on queue for withdrawal of interest and more..

 Courtesy : http://atppost.blogspot.in/

Indian retirement system ranks last in global pension index: Mercer report

Indian retirement system ranks last in global pension index: Mercer report

The Indian retirement system has been ranked last in the global pension index, according to a Mercer report. Denmark has been rated as the country with the best retirement system globally, while Australia, Germany, Japan, Singapore and the UK have increased their pension age to offset the increase in life expectancies.

India’s index value fell from 43.5 in 2014 to 40.3 in 2015, primarily because of a recent review conducted by the Economic Intelligence Unit that showed a material reduction in its household savings rate.

The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index (MMGPI) report 2015 is now in its seventh year, and has measured 25 retirement income systems against more than 40 indicators, under the sub-indices of adequacy, sustainability and integrity. The report covers almost 60% of the global population, and also suggests how governments can provide adequate and sustainable benefits that protect their citizens against longevity risk, ie. the risk of their aging population outliving their savings. This year’s MMGPI looked beyond the annual rankings to observe changes over the last seven years and assess which pension systems will continue to deliver and which ones are at risk.

“The National Pension System (NPS) is gradually gaining popularity in India. Continuing to improve education and communication will help increase coverage of pension arrangements for the working population in the organised sector, particularly popularising the corporate model of NPS among Indian employers,” said Anil Lobo, India business leader for retirement, Mercer India.

Author of the report and senior partner at Mercer, David Knox, said, “Implementing the right reforms to improve pension systems and provide financial security in retirement has never been more critical for both individuals and societies.”

The Index is used internationally both to highlight the relative strengths of pension systems and to identify opportunities and options for improvement.

Suggested measures to improve India’s system include introducing a minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals, increasing coverage of pension arrangements for the unorganised working class, introducing minimum access age so that it is clear that benefits are preserved for retirement purposes, and improving the regulatory requirements for the private pension system.

The Index looks objectively at both the publicly funded and private components of a system as well as personal assets and savings outside the pension system. It is published by the Australian Centre for Financial Studies (ACFS) in conjunction with Mercer and is funded by the Victorian State Government.

Source : The Economic Times