Higher Allowances: Central government employees have no option but to wait for cash flow to ease

Higher Allowances: Central government employees have no option but to wait for cash flow to ease

New Delhi: The central government wants to announce higher allowances under 7th Pay Commission award for its 48 lakh employees and 52 lakh pensioners, after taking the steps to ease the cash flow, that has been a major problem ever since demonetisation was announced for higher allowances announcement, official sources said.

The hike in basic pay without allowances is not helpful for maintaining central government employees’ living standard, Finance Ministry sources told on Friday.

They had also said the allowances of government employees besides basic pay should increase which would give them some financial comfort, a step they had hoped might be taken after next budget, when the cash crunch would ease.

They added that the decision on higher allowances to push since getting of payments to made ease and without facing cash crunch. Hence, the Finance Ministry felt it would be wiser to announce of higher allowances when the cash flow to ease.

In the current financial year, the government has given higher basic pay with arrears, effective from January 1, 2016 to its employees on the recommendations of the 7th pay commission but the hike in allowances other than dearness allowance referred to the 'Committee on Allowances'.

It compelled the the central government employees to get the allowances according to the 6th Pay Commission recommendations until issuing of higher allowances notification.

"The committee on Allowances headed by the Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa has finalized the report on the allowances in October but the government don’t want to announce it now, so the government gave extension the committee till February 22, 2017 to submit the report on higher allowances for getting normalized the cash crunch position, " the Finance Ministry sources said.

They also added that Finance Minister Arun Jaitley may announce the higher allowances in his budget speech for 2017-18.

TST

Government notifies law on rights of persons with disabilities

Government notifies law on rights of persons with disabilities

New Delhi: Government has notified the recently passed Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill which provides for reservation in government jobs for persons with benchmark disabilities from 3 to 4 per cent, and in higher education institutes from 3 to 5 per cent, Union Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot said today.

"The Bill was passed by Parliament in the winter session and then it was sent to the President for his assent. After the nod from the President, it was notified on Wednesday," Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot said on the foundation day of the National Trust.
On the occasion, Gehlot launched the mobile app and Facebook Page of the National Trust.

"Through the app, information regarding the schemes and programmes will be disseminated. The Facebook page was launched with an aim to bring together all NGOs and organisation working in this field on the same platform," Gehlot said.

With the enforcement of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, every child with benchmark disability between the age group of 6 and 18 years will have the right to free education.
The legislation has been made to bring Indian laws in line with the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Under the newly enacted Act, the types of disabilities have been increased from the existing seven to 21.

The newly added types include mental illness, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, chronic neurological conditions, specific learning disabilities, multiple sclerosis, speech and Language disability, thalassemia, hemophilia, sickle cell disease, multiple disabilities including deaf blindness, acid attack victims and Parkinsons disease.

Also, disability has been defined based on an evolving and dynamic concept and government will have the power to add more types of disabilities
.
As per the Act, assaulting, insulting, intimidating, denying food to a person with disability or sexually exploiting a differently-abled woman and performing a medical procedure on such women without consent which may lead in termination of pregnancy will draw a jail term up to five years once the law is passed.

Any person who contravenes any provision of the act will be punished with a maximum fine of Rs 5 lakh.

PTI

Opening of New Kendriya Vidyalaya in Khanpur Distt, Roopnagar, Punjab

Opening of New Kendriya Vidyalaya in Khanpur Distt, Roopnagar, Punjab

KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN
18, Institutional Area, Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg
New Delhi 110 016

F. 11029-06/2013-KVS/(HQ)/(Admn-1)/Vol-II

Date: 20.12.2016

OFFICE ORDER

Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) vide office-order of even number dated 04.03.2014, conveyed approval of Government of India, for establishing 54 new Kendriya Vidyalayas under Civil Sector with the stipulation that the sponsoring authority concerned is required to transfer the identified and demarcated land and also to give possession of the same to KVS prior to opening of the new Kendriya Vidyalaya. Kendriya Vidyalaya. Khanpur, Distt. Roopnagar, Punjab is one of these 54 new Kendriya Vidyalayas sanctioned.

Since the land in the matter of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khanpur, Distt. Roopnagar, Punjab has been transferred in favour of Kendriya Vidyalaya concerned, the sanction of the Commissioner, KVS is hereby conveyed to start this new Kendriya Vidyalaya under Civil Sector with effect from 01.04.2017 in academic session 2017-18 at the following location:

S.No.	Name of Kendriya Vidyalaya	Kendriya Vidyalaya will be made functional at:
1	Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khanpur, Distt. Roopnagar, Punjab	C/o Power Colony, GGSSTP, Roopnagar, Distt. Roopnagar, Punjab.

The above Vidyalaya will start functioning from class I to V (single section in each class) during the academic year 2017-18 and thereafter will grow consequently based on feasibility.

The admission process may be completed within the time schedule as per extent admission guidelines of KVS.

(S.Vijayakumar)
Joint Commissioner (Admin)

Order Copy

Indian Railways Measures to Promote Digital Payments

Indian Railways Measures to Promote Digital Payments

In pursuance of this announcement made by Government of India for promotion of Digital & Cashless Economy, Ministry of Railways has initiated some additional following package of incentives and measures. This shall be made effective from 1st January 2017.

1. Ministry of Railways has decided to instruct Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendras (YTSKs) to install POS machines and accept payments through all banks debit/credit cards for issuing both reserved and unreserved tickets. They are encouraged to accept payments through other modes also like UPI, USSD, e-wallet, Aadhar enabled payments system.

2. Ministry of Railways has decided to instruct Jan Sadharan Ticket Booking Seva (JTBs) are also instructed to accept payments through other modes like UPI, USSD, e-wallets, Aadhar enabled payments system to issue unreserved tickets.

3. Ministry Of Railways have decided to allow 5% Discount for booking of Retiring Room through digital means like using debit/credit cards.

4. Ministry of Railways have decided that 0.5% discount in the base fare of season tickets (Monthly, quarterly, Half yearly, yearly) over suburban section shall be granted in case the payment is made through digital means through debit card, credit card etc.. Other charges like MUTP surcharge, Mela surcharge, service tax etc., if applicable shall be levied separately on the base fare arrived at after giving the 0.5% concession.

PIB

7th CPC Report : Revision of Minimum Wage and Multiplying Factor etc., Assurance given by Senior Ministers

7th CPC Report : Revision of Minimum Wage and Multiplying Factor etc., Assurance given by Senior Ministers

No.IVA {JCA (Ny2014/Part III)}

Dated: 27.12.2016

Shri Narendra Modiji,
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.
South Block,
Raisina Hill,
New Delhi-110001

Respected Sir,

Sub: 7th CPC Report - Revision of Minimum Wage and Multiplying Factor etc., Assurance given by Senior Ministers-reg.

NFIR brings to your kind notice that the National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) - consisting JCM constituent organizations of Central Government employees have deferred the Indefinite Strike action on the assurance of Senior Cabinet Ministers on 30th June 2016 that a High Level Committee will be constituted to consider the demands of JCM (Staff Side) within four months for improving the minimum wage and applying revised multiplier factor for pay fixation in 7th CPC Pay Matrices to the Central Government employees which include over 1.3 million Railway employees.

Pursuant to the assurance of Group of Ministers as mentioned above, the decision to go on indefinite strike by Railway employees has been deferred, hoping that there shall be a negotiated settlement on the Charter of demands already submitted to the Cabinet Secretary by the JCM (Staff Side).

NFIR however expresses its deep sense of disappointment over breach of commitment as more than five months passed from the date of assurance given to the Leaders of JCM (Staff Side) by the Group of Ministers (Hon’ble Finance Minister, Home Minister, Railway Minister and Minister of State for Railways). The Railways specific issues on which agreement was reached between the Railway Board and the Federations have also not been implemented till date.

The Railway employees of all categories are greatly disappointed over non-fulfillment of assurances, consequently, there has been a feeling among Rail workforce that the Government is not sensitive towards resolving their genuine grievances and equally not sincere to honour its commitments.

NFIR also beings to your kind notice that even though the successive Railway Ministers have sent proposals to Finance Minister that Railways should be exempted from National Pension System (NPS) in view of complexities, unique nature of working of Railway employees and their arduous working conditions, the Government has not given its approval till now, resultantly, the Railway employees who had joined from 01/01/2004 are extremely agitated as there is no social security to them and their families in the form of guaranteed pension at par with those appointed prior to 0110112004. The unique nature of duties are comparable with Defence Forces Personnel. The death rate of Railway employees in the course of performing duties is 700 per aturum and the average number of staff injured on duty is about 3000 per annum as reported by the High Level Safety Review Committee headed by Dr. Anil Kakodkar.

NFIR further brings to your kind notice that the Indian Railways has the track record of dedicated working on account of unquestionable loyalty, dedication and devotion of Railway employees to Indian Railways. Most of them perform duties at remote places, jungle areas where minimum living facilities are not available. It needs to be appreciated that not a single man day was lost on employees’ account during the past four decades.

NFIR, therefore, requests your kind intervention in ensuring that the Government implements its commitments on revision of minimum wage and multiplier factor for the Central Governrirent employees which include rail workforce. Federation also requests that other issues which are pending before various Committees constituted by the Government may be got finalized on the basis of submissions made by JCM (Staff Side) before those Committees and also before the Cabinet Secretary. NFIR at the same time requests to kindly arrange to issue appropriate directive for solving Railways’ specific issues through negotiated settlement very soon. Also kind attention of Hon’ble Prime Minister is invited to NFIR's communication vide letter of even number dated 0111112016 and subsequent reference by the PMO to the Secretary, Department of Expenditure (Ministry of Finance) vide PMO ID No. PMOPG//D1201610326695 dated04lIl12016, endorsing copy to the Federation, in this regard.

With regards,

(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Copy to Shri Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister, Government of India, Room No. 104, North Block, Central Secretariat, New Delhi-110001 for necessary action please.
Copy to Shri Arun Jaitley, Hon’ble Finance Minister, Government of lndia, North Block New Delhi- 1 I 000 I for necessary action please.
Copy to Shri Suresh Prabhu, Hon’ble Minister for Railways, Government of India, Rail Bhavan, New Delhi for necessary action please.
Copy to Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Minister of State for Railways, Government of India, Rail Bhavan, New Delhi for necessary action please.

Source: NFIR

Railways announces 10 pct rebate in vacant berths from January 1

Railways announces 10 pct rebate in vacant berths from January 1

New Delhi: The Railways on Thursday announced 10 per cent rebate in the basic fare for vacant berths after finalisation of the reservation charts from January 1 onwards.

The rebate will be effective for six months beginning from January 1 next year. All other charges like reservation and super fast will be levied accordingly.

According to a railway notification, a passenger can avail 10 percent rebate in basic fare for availing the vacant berths in all reserved categories including AC and Sleeper class after the finalisation of the chart.

ANI

After 7th Pay Commission salary hikes, move on to raise minimum wage ceiling under EPF

After 7th Pay Commission salary hikes, move on to raise minimum wage ceiling under EPF

The minimum wage ceiling under the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) could soon be raised to Rs 25,000 from the existing Rs 15,000.

A hike in the wage limit as proposed would mean all employees drawing basic salary Rs 25,000 would have to compulsorily contribute to the provident fund.

The minimum wage ceiling under the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) could soon be raised to Rs 25,000 from the existing Rs 15,000. A proposal to to enhance the limit is likely to be sent by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to the government. A decision to propose the change has been taken at a recent meeting of Sub-committee of the Central Board of Trustees, EPFO, on contract workers held on November 7. Central Board of Trustees (CBT) is the highest decision-making body of the EPFO.

A hike in the wage limit as proposed would mean all employees drawing basic salary Rs 25,000 would have to compulsorily contribute to the provident fund. However, those drawing above that limit will have the option to become member of the provident fund, and can opt out if they want to.

The move comes in wake of changes in the wage structure in accordance with the proposal of the 7th Pay Commission. Trade union representatives at the CBT sub-committee meeting pointed out that the minimum wage of Central government employees after implementation of the Pay Commission report has been hiked to Rs 18,000. and hence the EPFO's wage ceiling of Rs 15,000 needs to be altered. They pointed out that there could be further increase in minimum wages from the Rs 18,000 is likely with the trade unions demanding a minimum wage of at least Rs 21,000 to Rs 22000.

In fact, the Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme (EDLI) is directly linked to the minimum wage ceiling. At present, If an employee is earning up to Rs 15,000 he or she can avail of benefits under the Employees Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme (EDLI). The scheme provides life insurance of up to Rs 6 lakhs.

Source: FE

One Day Strike on 15.2.2017 : Towards the inevitable end - Victory

One Day Strike on 15.2.2017 : Towards the inevitable end - Victory

15th FEBRUARY 2017 - ONE DAY STRIKE
Towards the inevitable end - Victory.

K.K.N. Kutty
President, Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and workers.

December-January is fog days in Northern India, especially Delhi. Because of the high level pollution, it is not fog that engulfs Delhi but smog. Temperature dips and rises quite often. Air and Rail traffics are frequently disturbed and sometimes go out of gear. It was not unknown to the National Sectt.of the Confederation when they decided to organize the rally at the Parliament street on 15th December, 2016. There was no alternative as on November, 6th, the stipulated four months period was over. The National Sectt. of the Confederation came to the conclusion that the Government of India is run by people who indulges in double speak. They have no shame even in indulging in betrayal.

Confederation has a noble history and fine tradition. It does not indulge in the nasty habit of mincing words. It exhibits the courage of calling a spade a spade. It always has stood for the interest of the employees and workers, whom it represents. It was built up over the years in the high values and traditions of a fine trade union. While it believes that despite the differences in ideology, perception, and approach to the issues and problems, methods of negotiation, unity of the employees and workers are paramount in winning demands. It was to uphold that tradition, on innumerable occasions, it agreed to defer the strike action, and ultimately even on 11th July, 2016. It had perceived correctly the weak pretensions of the Government, demonstrated before the leaders of the NJCA both on 30th june, 2016 and 6th July, 2016. Therefore, its leadership could appreciate the criticism that emanated from the right thinking persons in its stride. Many of those who chose to criticize the decision were concerned of the dent the decision to defer the strike action had created to the image of the Confederation. An explanatory campaign was the need of the hour. For sheer paucity of time, it could not be undertaken. It would have allayed the apprehensions. When it was done, though a little belatedly, it had its salutary impact. And naturally, the National Sectt. could not have indulged in the luxury of revisiting the issue with independent action programme when the climate in Delhi could become tolerable. As is the case with every vibrant organization, there are persons who take advantage of the situation, criticize and create cacophony with the intent of destroying the very organization itself. The mammoth rally at Delhi in front of the Parliament house on 15th December, 2016 was the vindication of the understanding the Confederation National Sectt. had on the issues and a magnificent reply to all those whose intent was to destroy the organization.

It is quite heartening that our Comrades, who felt betrayed by the chicanery of the Present Government, weathered the inclement weather conditions, the disruption of rail and air traffic movements, the difficulties in reaching the venue by road, the chilly atmosphere at Delhi and above all the persisting engineered criticism of certain vested interest, exhibited the anger and discontent in the most exemplary manner on 15th December, 2016. They deserve our felicitation, congratulation and grateful salute in creating yet another historic and successful programme. They have through their loud and emphatic slogans raised and followed by thousands provided the required impetus to the National Sect. and confidence to go ahead with the forward steps of the battle. The decision that was announced by the Secretary General to organize a one day token strike in protest against the attitude of the BJP Government was greeted therefore, with great enthusiasm by the rallyists

The demonetization and the consequent debilitating impact over the availability of currency has indeed made insurmountable impediments. The whole country has been taken for a ride in the name of the noble cause of cleaning the economy of the black income. Neither the generation of the black income s tapped nor its proliferation has been targeted. About one fifth of the National income of the country is stated to be in black. That hurts and hurts the common people. While the successive Governments that came to power in the country since 1991, including the present in office had been extending concessions and exemptions for the corporate giants in crores, the common people were finding it difficult to make the both ends meet. The enforcement laws fear to knock at the doors of those who have looted the Nation and refused to pay back even the loan they had contracted from the Nationalized Banks . The circus in the floor of the Parliament, session after session, precludes any serious discussion or deliberation over the good or bad of the executive decisions concerning governance. All appears to be with a design to obliterate the real issues of the people from the centre stage.

The 105,000- crores, which is a highly exaggerated financial outflow worked out by the 7th CPC for this fiscal year has been substantially reduced, thanks to the deferring the grant of enhanced allowances, disapproval of the Option No.1 granted by the commission to the Pensioners as a relief, the continuous derailing of the negotiating machinery and the sheer refusal even to abide by the decisions of the Judiciary and Arbitration Boards, deferring decision on extending the benefit of revision of wages and pension to the employees of the autonomous organizations etc. To sustain the untenable actions, threats are employed invoking the provisions of the colonial rules and regulations. A good number of participants in the magnificent rally at the Parliament street on 15th December, 2016 was the retired personnel, despite their physical debilities due to the advancing age. They look forward to the NCCPA and the Confederation to articulate, present and fight for their demands and ensure that justice is rendered to them.

There is no doubt that the ongoing struggle undertaken by the Confederation will create sanctions not only on the Government but also on those who witness it from the sidelines but refuse to become part and parcel of an event that is bound to have its imprint in the history of the movement of the Central Government employees in the country. That should not deter us but steel our determination to march to its glorious end of victory.

Source: Confederation

Air Chief asserted that One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme of the government is reasonably good

Air Chief asserted that One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme of the government is reasonably good

New Delhi: Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, on Wednesday asserted that One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme of the government is reasonably good and said that one should accept it.
"The OROP by the government is reasonably good. We should accept it. The anomalies are being resolved by one-judge committee. Some of the anomalies and the discrepancies which cropped up from the transition from the sixth to seventh pay commission have been resolved… others will also be resolved," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday accused the Congress Party of betraying the jawans by not fulfilling the long-pending OROP demand in the last 40 years.

Addressing a parivartan rally in Dehradun, Prime Minister Modi said, "My Army jawans were demanding OROP for the last 40 years, the party that ruled the country then never thought of their demands."

"In reality, the budget for OROP is over Rs. 10,000 crore. Why did they (Congress) betray the Jawans by allocating 500 crore for this," he added.

He said the Centre was always clear that from day one that the Jawans must get their due and therefore, his government always stated that OROP will be a reality.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar earlier last month said 95 percent of veterans have already got the benefits of the OROP scheme and they are happy with it.

The scheme, announced in September 2015, is meant to ensure equal pension to servicemen who retired on the same rank and after the same duration of service, regardless of the year of retirement.
However, retired soldiers have been alleging that the government has not addressed their concerns fully about disparity in pension payments.

ANI

Pre-Retirement counselling, LTC Simplified, Aadhaar Link with Pension and Discontinuation of Interview - PERSMIN

Pre-Retirement counselling, LTC Simplified, Aadhaar Link with Pension and Discontinuation of Interview - PERSMIN

Discontinuation of Interview at Lower Level Posts - Procedural requirements for Leave Travel Concession simplified - Seeding of Aadhaar numbers in Pensioners' Accounts - Workshops on pre-retirement counselling on 'Sankalp' and 'Anubhav'

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

27-December-2016 19:39 IST

Year End review: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Following are the highlights of the activities of Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions during the year 2016:

Prime Minister confers awards for excellence in implementation of priority programmes on 10th Civil Services Day, 21st April, 2016. For the priority programme Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJSY), Nagaon, Assam was awarded in North East and Hill States category, Chandigarh in UTs and North 24 Parganas, West Bengal in Other States group. Under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), West Sikkim and Bikaner, Rajasthan were awarded in North East & Hill states and Other States category respectively. Under Swachh Vidyalaya programme, Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Ananthapuramu, Andhra Pradesh were awarded in North East & Hill states, UTs and Other States group respectively. In the implementation of Soil Health Card Scheme, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh and Balrampur, Chhattisgarh were conferred award in North East and Hill states and Other States respectively.

Prime Minister addresses IAS Officers of the 2014 batch, August 02, 2016. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the 2014 batch of IAS officers posted as Assistant Secretaries in the Government of India. He advised the young IAS officers to remain sensitive to their circumstances and surroundings, in order to be able to effectively connect with the people of India. The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired the Valedictory Session of Assistant Secretaries on October 27, 2016. Eight selected presentations on various themes of governance were made by the officers, on themes such as DBT, Swachh Bharat, e-Courts, Tourism, Health and Satellite Applications in Governance.

Launching of six major initiatives of DoPT. On the occasion of ‘Good Governance Day’, coinciding with the birthday of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee on December 25, 2016, Dr. Jitendra Singh launched six major initiatives of the DoPT. The initiatives are: Recruitment Rules Formation, Amendment Monitoring System (RRFAMS), Immovable Property Return through Property Related Information System (PRISM), announcement of E-Service Book, Mandatory online filing of APAR by all AIS and Central Group ‘A’ Service Officers, EO App on iPhone Operating System (iOS) and launching of redesigned website of DoPT.

Employees Online (EO) Mobile App of DoPT. Earlier, on October 28, 2016, MoS Dr.Jitendra Singh launched the Employees Online (EO) App. EO App is a mobile application of the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. The application would enable its users, which may include officers, media persons and all stakeholders to stay updated on real time basis with appointments and postings approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and vacancies at senior level in the Government of India.

MoS Dr Jitendra Singh launches the telephonic feedback system for grievance redressal. Setting a precedence, the MoS (PP) Dr Jitendra Singh initiated a telephone feedback mechanism for grievance redressal of the citizens on March 22, 2016. He personally calls some complainants chosen on random basis weekly, who had registered their grievances in the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) and their grievances were disposed off. The Minister and senior officers of the DARPG also seek their feedback regarding the response given by the Government to the grievances. Dr Jitendra Singh also awarded Certificates of Appreciation to the Ministries/Departments for their performance in CPGRAMS during the year.

Seeding of Aadhaar numbers in Pensioners' Accounts. MoS Dr Jitendra Singh directed that priority should be given to pensioners visiting the bank branches for seeding Aadhaar number in their bank account. Special AADHAAR Seeding Camps were held from May 30, 2016 to June 10, 2016. These camps were organised all over the country in Pension disbursing banks and their branches. Eighty-seven percent of Central Government pensioners of all age categories have seeded their bank accounts with Aadhaar number.

Discontinuation of Interview at Lower Level Posts. The Central Government has decided to dispense with the interview for all Group C (including Group D) and non-gazetted Group B category in Central Government by 31.12.2015. Accordingly, instructions have been issued to the Staff Selection Commission mandated with the recruitment of mainly Group B (Non-Gazetted) and Group C (Non-technical) posts in the Central Ministries/Departments to discontinue the interview in all mandated recruitments commencing from 1.1.2016.

The Government decided that the issue of appointment letters need not be withheld pending the verification of character and antecedents of the successful candidates. The appointing authorities will issue provisional appointment letters after obtaining the attestation form and self declaration from the candidate.

Procedural requirements for Leave Travel Concession simplified. The Department of Personnel and Training has eased the difficulties faced by the Government employees in application and settlement of the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) claims. A copy of guidelines, that needs to be followed while availing LTC, is to be provided for the Government servant while applying for LTC.
19th National Conference on e-governance in Nagpur. The Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, Shri Nitin Gadkari and the Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the 19th National conference on e-governance in Nagpur on January 21, 2016. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis presented the National Awards for e-Governance for the Year 2015-16 in Nagpur on January 22, 2016. The awards were given for exemplary implementation of e-Governance initiatives.

Workshops on pre-retirement counselling on 'Sankalp' and 'Anubhav'. The Department of Pensions and Pensioners' Welfare, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions organized workshops on issues related to Pre-Retirement counselling on 'Sankalp' and 'Anubhav' during the year. Workshops are organized wherein the retiring employees are counselled on issues regarding steps and precaution to ensure timely payment of their retirement dues, the CGHS/medical facilities available after retirement and other related issues, most important being encouragement to employees to involve themselves in the social activities by using the time and skill available with them.

National Symposium on Excellence in Training focuses on Citizen Centric Governance. Dr. P. K. Mishra, Additional Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister inaugurated the 2nd National Symposium on Excellence in Training (NSET) on May 27, 2016. The Symposium was attended by more than 375 delegates that included Heads of State ATIs/ Central Training Institutes (CTIs) and the Faculty, Trainers and experts from Government and Private Institutions. Over-arching theme of the Symposium was Citizen Centric Governance and changing the mindset of Civil Servants to service orientation.

Two-day Regional Conference on ‘Path Breaking and High Impact Initiatives in Citizen Centric Services Delivery System’ in Guwahati, Assam (15-16 September, 2016). The conference is being organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Government of India in collaboration with the Government of Assam. Delegates from 8 states of North Eastern Region and 4 states of Eastern Region i.e. West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha and Jharkhand and senior officers of DARPG participated in the conference.
Workshop on e-Office organised by DARPG (September 08, 2016). The workshop was organised in the light of the fact that the e-Office is an important tool of e-Governance for bringing efficiency and quality in public service delivery and the DARPG is the nodal Department for implementation of e-Office in Central Ministries/Departments.

Two-day Regional Conference on ‘Innovations in Citizen Centric Services Delivery' in Jaipur (December 21-22, 2016). The Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Government of India is organising a 2-day Regional Conference on ‘Innovations in Citizen Centric Services Delivery' in Jaipur, in collaboration with Government of Rajasthan. he Conference at Jaipur is an effort to create a common platform to share experiences in the formulation and implementation of best practises in citizen centric governance, improved public service delivery through e-Governance, transparent, accountable and citizen-friendly effective administration.

Vigilance Awareness Week observed. The Central Vigilance Commission, as part of its efforts to promote probity in public life and to achieve a corruption free society, observes Vigilance Awareness Week every year. The week in which 31st October, the birthday of late Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel falls is observed as Vigilance Awareness Week. “Public participation in promoting integrity and eradicating Corruption” was chosen as the theme for Vigilance Awareness Week this year by the Commission. The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi attended the Valedictory Function of Vigilance Awareness Week 2016 on November 07, 2016. Speaking on the occasion, he said that technology has a major role to play in bringing in transparency, and curbing corruption. The National Seminar on the occasion of the Vigilance Awareness Week-2016 was also held.

Annual Convention of the Central Information Commission (CIC). Two-day Annual Convention of the Central Information Commission (CIC) was organised on November 07-08, 2016. The Conference was inaugurated by the Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh. The Annual Convention has contributed immensely in generating awareness about innovative use of RTI provisions for the benefit of the citizenry thereby strengthening public trust in democracy.

Secretary, DARPG attends the Meeting of General Members of CAPAM at Malaysia (22nd August, 2016). An Indian delegation led by the Secretary, DARPG Shri C Viswanath visited Malaysia from August 17-20, 2016 to attend the Meeting of General Members of Commonwealth Association for Public Administration & Management (CAPAM) & CAPAM Biennial Conference at Putrajaya. Shri C. Viswanath was elected on Board of Directors of CAPAM. DARPG is an institutional member of Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM) since 1997. CAPAM is an international network of senior public servants, Heads of Governments, academics and researchers from over 50 Commonwealth countries.

Swachhta Pakhwada organised by DoPT. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions organised the Swachhta Pakhwada from December 01 to December 15, 2016. During the Swachhta Pakhwada, various activities were undertaken as a massive cleanliness drive by DoPT. A Poster(s)/Slogan Competition was also organised on the theme of Swachha Bharat during Swachha Bharat Pakhwada.