Attestation Form for verification of character and antecedents prior to appointment in Government service

Verification of character and antecedents prior to appointment in Government service, SSC requests UPSC to accept provisional Identity certificate.

DOPT requests UPSC not to insist for an Identity Certificate for appointment in Government service and to dispense away with provisional Identity Certificate

Department of Personnel & Training OM on Identity Certificate while appointment in Government Service.

No. 18011/2(s)/2016-Estt. (B)
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
**********

New Delhi, Date: 08th April, 2016.

To
Secretary,
Union Public Service Commission,
Dholpur House,
Shahjahan Road,
New Delhi — 110069.

Subject: Attestation Form for verification of character and antecedents prior to appointment in Government service — regarding.

Sir,
A large number of officers are appointed in Government of India through selection process conducted by recruiting agencies like UPSC. Once the list of successful candidates are recommended by these agencies, the appointing authorities undertake an exercise of verification of the character and antecedents of the candidates for which the recommended candidates has to fill up an Attestation Form on which the verification is carried out. At present, the Attestation form includes Identity Certificate.

2. The undersigned has been directed to advice UPSC not to insist for an Identity Certificate and to dispense away with this provision (of the Identity Certificate) in future.

3. This may also be posted on UPSC’s website for information of all concerned.

4. This has the approval of Secretary (P).

Yours faithfully,
(N. Sriraman)
Director

Download DoPT circular No. 18011/2(s)/2016-Estt. (B) dated 08.04.2016

Long term and short term foreign training programmes under DFFT during 2016-17

F. No. 12037/41/2015-FTC
Government of India
Department of Personnel & Training
Training Division

Block No. IV, 3rd Floor, Old JNU Campus,
New Delhi-67 Dated 12.04.2016

To
1. The Chief Secretaries of all the State Governments/ UTs.
2. The Secretaries of all the Ministries/Departments of Government of India.

Subject: Long term and short term foreign training programmes under DFFT during 2016-17 – reg.

Sir/Madam,
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s letters of even number dated 23.03.2016 and dated 11.04.2016 on the above mentioned subject, and to make the following further clarifications in the matter:

i) As per para 12 of letter dated 23.03.206, for the long term training programmes, namely, MPA Mason Programme (Harvard University), Masters in Public Policy (Cambridge University), Masters in Public Health (John Hopkins University) and Masters in Public Policy (Blavatnik School, Oxford University), interested officers apply directly to the university and undertake admission/selection process as stipulated by the university as a private individual. Once an officer is selected by these Universities, he/she may apply for sponsorship under the DFFT Scheme through their respective controlling authorities along with requisite clearances. Under this, long term programme on Master of Public Policy at Princeton University has been added. Since tuition fee and stipend are given by the University for MPP at Princeton University, eligible officers will be paid air fare on actual basis, subject to entitlement of officers and economy instructions issued by MoF/DoPT from time to time.

ii) The programmes under LSE and LKY, as mentioned in para 3 of the letter dated 11.03.2016 are long term programmes, where, officers having confirmed admissions will be provided full funding if eligible under the DFFT scheme and subject to the availability of slots;

Yours faithfully,

(Deepika Lohra-Aran)
Dy. Secretary to the Govt. of India
Tel: 26168197

Charter of Demands – NFIR requested to the CRB for special initiative related to 7th Pay Commission

Charter of Demands – NFIR requested to the CRB for special initiative related to 7th Pay Commission

NFIR
National Federation of India Railwaymen

No. II/95/Part VIII

Dated: 13/04/2016

The Chairman,
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,
Sub : NFIR’s Charter of Demands – reg

Ref: (i) NFIR’s letter No. IV/NFIR/7th CPC/CORRES (R.B.) dated 11/01/2016
(ii) NFIR’ s letter No. IV/NJCA(N)/2014-Part I dated 23/01/2016
(iii) NFIR’s letrer No. IV/NFIR 7th CPC/CORRES (R.B) dated 12/01/2016
(iv) NFIR’s letter No. II/95 Part VIII dated 12/02/2016
(v) NFIR’s letter No. II/95/Part VIII dated 14/03/2016.
(vi) NFIR’s lefferNo. IV/NFIR/7th CPC/CORRES (R.8.) dated 11/04/2016.
(vii)Railway Board’ s letter No. 2015/E(LR)/I1/1/8 dated 08/03/2016
(viii) Railway Board’s letter No. 2016/E(LR)II/2 dated 14/15-03-2016.

Kind attention is invited to the references cited above on the pending issues of Railway employees as also the issues arisen consequent upon retrograde recommendations of 7th CPC.

During the. meeting of Empowered Committee of secretaries held on 1St March 2016 under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary, the JCM (Staff Side) Members have explained on 26 point Charter of Demands and “Strike Decision” in the event negotiated settlement is not reached. After hearing the JCM (Staff Side) Members, on each issue listed in the Charter of Demands, the Cabinet Secretary said that adequate time is needed to facilitate inter-departmental consultations to crystallize the issues to be processed further. Responding to the suggestion of Cabinet Secretary, the “strike date” has been deferred, hoping that there will be a negotiated settlement on the demands by the end of May 2016.

There are many Railway specific issues which were discussed at the level of CRB & MS on 23/08/2013, 07/02/2014, 20/07/2015, 01/10/2015, 04/02/2016 & 08/02/2016. Consequently, records note of discussions were circulated. In this connection, kind attention is invited to Railway Board’s references No. 2013/E(LR)-IU1/15 dated 02/09/2013, 2013/E(LR)II/1/17 dated 18/02/2014, 2015/E(LR)IU13/3 dated 07/08/2015, 2015/E(LR)II/1/8 dated 27/10/2015, 2015/E(LR)II/1/8 dated 30/11/2015, 2015/E(LR)II/1/8 dated 08/03/2016 & 2016/E(LR)II/1/2 dated 14/15-03-2016.

It is however noticed that commitments given by the Board pursuant to discussions are yet to be implemented. Some issues dealt in the Fast Track Committee meetings and Running Staff issues discussed in the Joint Committee Meetings are yet to be resolved satisfactorily. Orders for stepping up of pay of Loco Inspectors inducted prior to 01/01/2006 have not been issued yet even though SLPs were dismissed by the Apex Court.

The delay in finalizing the pending issues is contributing serious unrest among staff of various categories. Added to this situation, the negative and retrograde recommendations of the VIIth Central Pay Commission have generated anger and frustration among Technicians, Technical Supervisors, Running Staff, Safety categories staff, Supervisory Officials, Railway common categories staff etc.

You are aware that in the interaction meeting of Empowered Committee of Secretaries held on 30th March 2016 under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary, the Federations have explained the uniqueness of Railways and complex and difficult nature of working of Railway employees and the need for modification of 7th CPC recommendations and also rectification of VI CPC anomalies by implementing the agreements reached with the Railway Ministry. The need for exemption of Railways from National Pension System (NPS) and the communications sent by Hon’ble Railway Ministers to this effect to the Hon’ble Finance Minister have also been apprised to the chairman of the Empowered Committee of Secretaries on 30th March, 2016.

As the time is running out, the NFIR once again requests the CRB to kindly take special initiative towards resolving the issues through negotiated settlement at the earliest for preserving industrial peace in the Railways.

Thanking You,

Yours faithfully

(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Download signed copy here

OROP Anomalies : Write your views and suggestions to MoD and DESW

OROP Anomalies : Write your views and suggestions to MoD and DESW

Public Notice for addressing anomalies on One Rank One Pension (OROP)

F. No. 12(39)/2015/D(Pen/Pol)(Part-V)

Ministry of Defence
Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare
D(Pension/Policy)

New Delhi, Dated 13.04.2016

Public Notice for addressing anomalies on One Rank One Pension (OROP)

Government of India, Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare vide notification No. 12(1)/2014/D(Pen/Pol)/Part-II dated 07.11.2015 issued orders for implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme for Defence pensioners. Detailed implementation orders of OROP with 101 tables containing revised pensions of different ranks and categories have also been issued by MoD, DESW vide order No. 12(1)/2014/D(Pen/Policy)-Part-II dated 03.02.2016 and uploaded on the website of DESW at www.desw.gov.in. The Pension Disbursing Agencies (PDAs) have been authorized to carry out revision of pension of pre 1.7.2014 pensioners drawing pension as on 1.7.2014 in terms of MoD order dated 3.2.2016 with applicable rates of Dearness relief without calling for any applications from the pensioners and without any further authorization from the Pension Sanctioning Authorities concerned.

2. All affected Defence Forces pensioners of various categories, Pensioners’ Association and all concerned authorities are requested to take note of these orders for their information and further necessary action.

3. In order to take cognizance of anomalies that may arise in implementation of OROP orders, its implication on service matters including inter-services issues, Government has appointed a one-member Judicial committee headed by Justice L. Narasimha Reddy, retired Chief Justice of Patna High Court vide MoD notification No. 12(01)/2014-D (pen/Pol)-Part¬II dated 14th December, 2015.

4. Defence Forces pensioners/family pensioners, Defence Pensioners’ Associations can submit their representation, suggestions/views on the revised pension as notified under above orders, to the MoD, DESW through post or by email at addresses mentioned below by 29th April 2016
Postal Address: Under Secretary/D(Pension/Policy)

Room No. 220A, ‘B’ Wing
Sena Bhawan, New Delhi-110011
Email ID: us-pen-pol@desw.gov.in

(R.K. Arora)
Under Secretary (Pension/Policy)
Tele: 01123012973

Click to view the notice
Authority: www.desw.gov.in

NFIR write to Railway Board to settle the issue of stepping up of pay of Seniors drawing less pay than the Juniors

NFIR write to Railway Board to settle the issue of stepping up of pay of Seniors drawing less pay than the Juniors

Stepping up of pay of Seniors drawing less pay than the Juniors consequent on fixation of pay due to implementation of 6th CPC recommendations between Direct Recruits and Promotees – item no. 8 and para no. 20 & 21 of the Record Note of the meeting of the Standing Committee of National Council JCM held on 7th May 2014

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

Dated: 11/04/2016

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Stepping up of pay of Seniors drawing less pay than the Juniors consequent on fixation of pay due to implementation of 6th CPC recommendations between Direct Recruits and Promotees – item no. 8 and para no. 20 & 21 of the Record Note of the meeting of the Standing Committee of National Council JCM held on 7th May 2014.

NFIR’s letter No. IV/NFIR/6th CPC/Main10/Pt. 11 dated 10/11/2014 addressed to Secretary/DoP&T and copies endorsed to Secretary (Pers), Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance and Secretary (E), Railway Board.

(ii) DoP&T’s O.M. No. 1046768/2015-Estt(Pay-1) dated 9th March, 2015 addressed to Railway Ministry and copy endorsed to NFIR.

(iii) NFIR’s letter No. IV/NFIR/6th CPC/Main10/Part 11 dated 15/04/2015 & 02/03/2016.

(iv) Railway Board’ s letter No.PC-VI/2010/I/RSRP/1 daIed 22/03/2016.

The’reply vide Board’s letter dated, 22/03/2016, in response to NFIR’s letter dated 02/03/2016, is disappointing as the Railway Board have failed to appreciate the situation narrated by the Federation to the Secretary, DoP&T in its letter dated 10/11/2014, to which the DoP&T responded as under:-

“Department of Expenditure had, after the meeting of the National Anomaly Committee, allowed stepping up of pay to promotees with reference to Direct Recruits subject to certain conditions, including there being an element of direct recruitment, an actual junior receiving more pay etc. They’ however, decided that no general order be issued. Accordingly, Ministry of Railways may take up the matter with the Department of Expenditure for issuing of instructions, if any”.

It is needless to mention that the action as mentioned above is needed to be taken at the level of Railway Ministry (Railway Board) for which reference needs to be made to the Department of Expenditure for the purpose of issuing instructions in favour of Railway employees. This is also clear from the fact that the issue was raised in the Standing Committee meeting of NC/JCM held on 07th May 2014 refer Item No. 8 (Para 20 & 21) of the record note of the meeting. Federation is sad to point out that the Railway Board instead of taking action as per the minutes of Standing Committee meeting of NC/JCM has acted differently and have sent a copy of Board’s instructions dated 17/02/2010 to the Federation, which are not at all related to the issue involved. however without examining the issue in consultation with the Department of Expenditure.

Federation once again desires to re-iterate that already a period of more than one year has passed, unfortunately, the action needed to be taken in the matter at Board’s level has not been taken yet.

NFIR, therefore, once again requests the Railway Board to take action as indicated by the DoP&T and formulate a proposal to the Department of Expenditure (Ministry of Finance) in consultation with the Federation.

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

Click to view the letter

Source: NFIR

Central Government Employees to declare family assets for three years by July

Central Government Employees to declare family assets for three years by July

Central government employees were today told to file details of their assets and liabilities, along with that of their spouses and dependent children, as part of mandatory obligations under Lokpal Act by July.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has asked secretaries of all Central government ministries and chief secretaries of state governments to ensure that employees working under their control file the declarations in time, under its OM No.407/12/2014-AVD-IV(B).

The move comes as the deadline for filing of these returns was yesterday extended for the fifth time, till July 31.

Employees have to file three declarations–one each for 2014, 2015 and 2016. There are about 50 lakh Central government employees.

The declarations under the Lokpal law are in addition to similar ones filed by the employees under various services rules.

Employees have to give details like cash in hand, bank deposits both in domestic and in foreign, investment in bonds, debentures, shares and units in companies or mutual funds, insurance policies, provident fund, personal loans and advance given to any person or entity, among others.

They also have to declare expensive furniture, fixtures, antiques, paintings and electronic equipment if the total current value of any particular asset in any particular category (e.g. furniture, fixtures, electronic equipments) exceeds two months’ basic pay or Rs one lakh.

As per rules, notified under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, every public servant shall file declaration, information and annual returns pertaining to his assets and liabilities as on March 31 every year or on or before July 31 of that year.

For 2014, the last date for filing returns was September 15 of that year. It was first extended till December 2014, then till April 30, 2015 and third extension was up to October 15. The date was then extended to April 15, this year for filing of returns for 2014 and 2015.

Now it has been extended till July 31, 2016 and employees have to file one returns each for 2014, 2015 and 2016 by this new date.

PTI

All Banks asked to calculate 6% Dearness Relief for central government pensioners

All Banks asked to calculate 6% Dearness Relief for central government pensioners

All banks have been asked to calculate revised amount of pension following the recent six per cent hike in Dearness Relief (DR), the Centre has said.

The President is pleased to decide that the DR payable to central government pensioners and family pensioners shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 119 per cent to 125 per cent with effect from January 1, 2016,” an order issued by Ministry of Personnel, Public grievances and Pensions said.

“It will be the responsibility of the pension disbursing authorities, including the nationalised banks, etc. to calculate the quantum of DR payable in each individual case,” the order F.No.42/06/2016-P&PW(G) issued on Monday said.

There are about 58 lakh pensioners.

The Union Cabinet had on March 23, approved release of an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to central government employees and DR to pensioners from this year onwards to compensate for price rise.

The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both DA and DR would be of Rs 6,796.50 crore per annum and Rs 7,929.24 crore respectively, in the financial year 2016-17 (for a period of 14 months from January, 2016 to February, 2017).

The offices of Accountant General and authorised pension disbursing banks are requested to arrange payment of relief to pensioners etc. on the basis of this instruction without waiting for any further orders from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the Reserve Bank of India, the order said.

PTI

Rajasthan government announced 6% hike in the Dearness Allowance (DA) of its employees.

Rajasthan government announced six per cent hike in the Dearness Allowance (DA) of its employees.

Dearness Relief (DR) for the pensioners has also been increased by six per cent. The DA hike would be effective from January 1, 2016, a release said.

The prevalent DA of the state government employees was 119 per cent and has been increased to 125 per cent of the basic pay.

Nearly eight lakh employees and 3.5 lakh pensioners would be benefited by these hikes, it said.
DA hike would also be applicable for employees of the Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads, among others.
The increased DA would be paid in cash from April 1.

The arrears on account of the increased DA from January 1 to March 31 would be credited in the GPF accounts of the employees appointed before January 1, 2004 while the arrears of the hiked DA for the three months would be paid in cash to the employees appointed after January 1, 2004.

The increased Dearness Relief to the pensioners and family pensioners would also be paid in cash.
The burden on the state exchequer would be Rs 1,120 crore in the current financial year.

PTI

Pre-2006 central govt retirees to get pension hike

Pre-2006 central govt retirees to get pension hike

New Delhi: Pre-2006 pensioners will now get a hike in pension, in addition to the arrears, as the Centre has done away with a provision of having 33-year service for earning full pension.

The Department of Pensions and Pensioners Welfare has decided that the revised consolidated pension of pre-2006 pensioners shall not be lower than 50 per cent of the minimum of the pay in the pay band and the grade pay even if they had served for less than 33 years at the time of retirement.

As per rules, a central government servant is entitled to receiving superannuation pension on completion of at least 10 years of service. With effect from January 1, 2006, pension is calculated with reference to average emoluments — the average of the basic pay drawn during the last 10 months of service or last basic pay drawn whichever is higher.

Before 2006, for service of less than 33 years, amount of pension was proportionate to the actual service broken into completed half-year periods.

Several petitions were filed in Central Administrative Tribunal and in Supreme Court against this.

“The arrears of revised pension would be payable with effect from January 1, 2006,” said the government order No. 38/37/08-P&PW (A) issued on April 6.

All ministries have been asked to revise pension of all those pre-2006 pensioners who had rendered less than 33 years of service at the time of retirement. Revised Pension Payment Orders in all these cases may also be issued immediately, it said.

PTI

‘Come and Play': Govt tells central goverment employees

‘Come and Play': Govt tells central goverment employees

New Delhi: Central government employees and their families can now take part in sports and fitness activities like swimming, badminton and table tennis at top facilities of SAI under the ‘Come and Play’ scheme.

According to a DoPT order, the employees, their families and dependants can use various facilities of Sports Authority of India, including at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium and Major Dhyan Chand national stadium.

The facilities would be available on a first-come-first- serve basis and the rates would not exceed Rs 100 per person, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) order said.

There are about 50 lakh central government employees working across the country.

The facilities being offered are swimming, badminton, table tennis and fitness centres at both the stadiums, the DoPT said.

The ‘Come and Play’ scheme was initiated for optimum utilisation of SAI sports facilities across the country by providing youth from local communities and sports enthusiasts with an opportunity to get trained under expert coaches.

PTI