Ministry of Health instructs all hospitals to buy only Khadi products

Ministry of Health instructs all hospitals to buy only Khadi products

New Delhi: Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) which has, in the last six months, bagged large orders from several public and private sector companies since the Narendra Modi government came to power, has bagged the largest ever order from the Ministry Of Health on February 16, 2017.

According to the order issued by the Ministry of Health, its 23 Central Government hospitals and Medical research institutions across the country, such as AIIMS, NIMHANS and others, will buy Khadi products only. The 46 Khadi products which are approved by the Ministry ranges from bed sheets, abdomen sheets , dressing towels, surgeon gown , surgical patient gown to soaps , Khadi phenyl and herbal shampoo. The total procurement cost of these items will be over Rs. 150 crore. The items will be supplied by KVIC over a period of seven to eight months times as per the individual requirements.

"Ministry of Health adopting Khadi for hospitals and staff is a significant symbol of Khadi being the most natural and organic skin friendly fabric. The Prime Minister’s vision and support in promoting Khadi on ever newer horizons is a matter of great pride to KVIC," said KVIC Chairman, VK Saxena.

A list of 45 items has been circulated for the exclusive use of hospitals and autonomous institutes associated with the health ministry. The list was finalised based on the recommendation of a committee set up by the Ministry after Saxena met Health Minister J.P. Nadda in November 2016.

Last year, the sale of Khadi products was at Rs 1,510 crore and is projected to grow by 35 percent in the current financial year. Sales have boomed over the last few years as the government has pushed Khadi.
On October 2, 2016, KVIC launched ‘Khadi Institutions Registration and Certification Sewa’ (KIRCS), an online portal for registration of new Khadi institutions and for bringing more and more people to join Khadi activities in the rural areas. This has reduced time taken for registration of a new Khadi institution from three years to just 45 days.

ANI

MACP and National Anomaly Committee Issues: Confederation

MACP and National Anomaly Committee Issues: Confederation

"VERY GOOD" BENCH MARK FOR MACP AND DENIAL OF PROMOTIONAL HEIRACHY

Eversince, the MACP scheme was introduced in 2008, confederation and the JCM staff side has been demanding promotional hierarchy instead of grade pay hierarchy. Govt, instead of considering this genuine demand, suddenly issued orders imposing "very good" bench mark condition for MACP. The JCM staffside was not even consulted. JCM staff side, secretary wrote a letter to cabinet secretary on 28-07-2016 as follows:

"The Govt. has accepted one of the adverse recommendations of 7th CPC without holding any consultation with the staff side. The recommendation of the 7th CPC regarding bench mark for performance appraisal for promotion and financial upgradation under MACPs, to be enhanced from “Good” to “very good”, has been accepted by the Govt. without considering the implication on the morale of the Central Government employees… We are of the firm opinion that Govt. should reconsider their decision on the above issues and we request you to kindly withdraw the same."

Subsequently the case was discussed in the JCM standing committee meeting also on 25-10-2016, as an agenda item given by staff side. Inspite of all these, the Government is not ready to withdraw or modify the orders.

This shows the attitude of the BJP led NDA Govt. towards JCM staff side and Central Govt. employees.

NATIONAL ANOMALY COMMITTEE

The National Anomaly Committee was constituted on 09-09-2016. Two meetings are held to discuss the anomaly regarding calculation of Disability Pension for Defence force personnel. As per the definition of anomaly notified by the Government no genuine "anomaly" can be termed as "anomaly". Hence the JCM staff side has demanded to modify the definition of anomaly, as defined in earlier National Anomaly Committees constituted by Govt. at the time of previous pay commissions. But till this day, Govt. has not conceded the request of the staff side.

Allowance Committee may submit its report on 20th February 2017

Allowance Committee may submit its report on 20th February 2017

Federation Leaders associated with National Council JCM are keep telling that Allowance Committee might submit its report on 20th February 2017. The CG Staff are already very much upset over the Government’s deliberate attempt to delay the payment of Allowances by constituting many committees. Because the payment of revised Allowances is considered will impact the Governments Exchequers.

Lot of Committees formed and Meetings held after the Notification issued for implementation of 7th CPC Recommendations. But there is no any fruitful outcome from these meetings. No sign of making decisions which satisfy the Central government employees.

Had the Allowance like HRA is paid in revised rates from the date of Notification ie 25th July 2016, it seems more beneficial than waiting for the subcommittee reports. Because if revised allowances are not given retrospective effect, it will be a huge loss for Central Government Servants.

Reports suggests that the Allowance Committee may submit its report on 20th February 2017 and it will be notified with effect from 1st April 2017. Federation sources told that It is unacceptable and we will fight it out until the revised allowances implemented with effect from 1.1.2016

Option -1 for Pre-2016 Pensioners Rejected - Confederation

Option -1 for Pre-2016 Pensioners Rejected - Confederation

OPTION-I FOR PRE-2016 PENSIONERS REJECTED: In the meeting held on 30-06-2016, with Group of Ministers by JCM staff side, the Finance Minister had also clarified that Government has taken the decision to implement the recommendation of 7th CPC to bring about parity between past and present pensioners. (Vide NJCA Statement issued on 06-07-2016). Finance Minister categorically assured the NJCA leaders on 30-06-2016 that the Government has accepted the recommendation in to and Pension department has only been asked to sort out the difficulties in implementation of Option-I, if any.

NJCA wrote to Finance Minister on 16-07-2016, as follows: "The issue of acceptance of Option-I and II was discussed with your goodself at the residence of Hon’ble Home Minister (Govt. of India) wherein Hon'ble Minister for Railways and Hon'ble MoS Railways were present. You had categorically agreed our demand that no dilution would be made in the options given to the Pensioners by the 7th CPC. It is unfortunate that a rider "subject to feasibility" has been imposed on Option-I. Sir, this is very unfair and we will appreciate, if you kindly get the sentence "subject to feasibility" removed from that order, to keep your promise also".

But, Finance Minister had gone back from his assurance to JCM Staff side leaders and he refused to withdraw the condition “subject to feasibility". In the letter dated 17-10-2016, addressed to Chairman of the “Pension Option-I Committee”, the Secretary, JCM staff side requested as follows:

"The attempt therefore must be to explore the ways and means of implementing the said recommendation which is beneficial to a large number of pensioners, especially those retired prior to 1996. In view of this, the staff side is of the firm view that the Government issue orders for implementation of Option-I as there is no room for stating that the recommendation is impossible to be implemented for those who are benefitted by the said option".

Finally NJCA wrote a letter to Hon'ble Home Minister Shri. Rajnath Singh on 17-01-2017, requesting intervention. The letter reads as follows:

"The Central Government Pensioners numbering presently more than the working employees are aggrieved of the fact that the one and the only recommendation of the 7th CPC which was in their favour ie; Option-I have been recommended to be rejected by the Pension Department to the Government".

Inspite of all these, the proposal is submitted to cabinet to reject Option-I. This underlines the fact that unless NJCA revive its deferred indefinite strike, the Government will not allow Option-I to pensioners, as assured by Finance Minister.

Source: http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/

REVISION OF MINIMUM PAY, FITMENT FORMULA - HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE NOT YET CONSTITUTED:

REVISION OF MINIMUM PAY, FITMENT FORMULA - HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE NOT YET CONSTITUTED:

While deferring the indefinite strike from 11th July 2016, as per the assurance given by the Group of Ministers, the NJCA in its statement dated 06-07-2016, stated as follows:

"The committee set up to look into the matter of minimum wage and fitment formula is expected to submit their report to the Government in the given time frame of not more than four months".

Finance Ministry's press statement issued on 06-07-2016 also stated as follows: “The Ministers assured the Union leaders that the issues raised by them would be considered by a High Level Committee".
After one month, the NJCA wrote letters on 28-07-2016 to Hon'ble Home Minister, Finance Minister, Railway Minister and Cabinet Secretary in which it conveyed the following:

"It is a matter of concern that, despite elapsing of a pretty long time, nothing has been heard in this regard from the Government of India, which is leading to serious resentment amongst the Central Government employees."

Again after two months the JCM staff side, Secretary, wrote a letter on 12-08-2016, to Shri. Arun Jaitely, Finance Minister – "We are expecting a quick action on the part of the Government to operationalise the assurance of setting up a High Level Committee to go into the Minimum Wage, Multiplication factor etc. However, we are disappointed that even after a lapse of more than a month, no orders have been issued by the Government in this regard ………. we therefore appeal to you that the concerned authorities may be asked to expedite the issuance of orders setting up the committee and finalisation of the report within the available time of remaining three months."

A group of Senior Officers invited the JCM staff side on 30-08-2016 to discuss the grievances arising out of the recommendations related to 7th CPC. No High Level Committee was constituted and no terms of reference was notified. The second meeting with Group of seniors was held on 24-10-2016.

Eventhough the group of senior officers held two round of discussion with JCM staff side, surprisingly they had not come prepared to discuss increase in minimum wage and fitment formula. They made a mockery of the meeting by disclosing in the first meeting that they are not fully aware of the details of the issues to be discussed and in the second meeting they told that they came for discussing allowances (though another committee under the chairmanship of Finance Secretary is constituted for allowances) and not minimum wage and fitment formulas. The JCM staffside leaders felt humiliated.

After that meeting, the JCM staffside wrote the following letter on 26-10-2016, to Hon’ble Finance Minister…..

"We (staff side) interacted with the said committee headed by Shri. P. K. Das, Addl. Secretary (Expenditure) on 24-10-2016. It would be quite appropriate to bring to your kind notice that, we have felt, during the course of meeting, that the proceedings of the committee are extremely disappointing and are left with the impression that committee is dilly-dallying the issue…………….. we are, therefore, left with no option, but to address this communication with the fervent hope that, your goodself will direct the said committee to interact with the staff side in a fruitful manner and arrive at a mutually agreeable proposal on the issue of minimum pay and fitment formula…. We have full trust and believe that, the Government would honour the decision taken in the meeting held on 30-06- 2016 in your benign presence and suitable direction will be given to the committee to complete the assigned task within the stipulated time frame in a satisfactory manner…. It would be the most unfortunate development, we regret to state, if we are constrained to tread the path of struggle once again in the event of the committee not coming up with a satisfactory settlement."
Inspite of all these, after that (ie after 24-10-2016) no meeting of the group of senior officers was held and no discussion on minimum wage and fitment formula took place. The four months time fixed for the High Level Committee (which is yet to constituted) expired on 30-10-2016. Government has gone back from the most important assurance given to the NJCA leaders on 30-06-2016 by the Group of Cabinet Ministers. NJCA decided to defer the strike mainly because of this assurance of the Govt. that the Minimum pay and fitment formula will be enhanced. Now that Govt. has gone back and betrayed the entire Central Govt. employees and pensioners. NJCA has no other option but to revive the indefinite strike.

Source: http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/

Confederation: Arrears on Allowances including HRA and Transport Allowance is going to be rejected

Confederation: Arrears on Allowances including HRA and Transport Allowance is going to be rejected

ARREARS ON ALLOWANCES INCLUDING HRA AND TRANSPORT ALLOWANCE IS GOING TO BE REJECTED:

Now it has become clear that the Government has constituted the Allowance Committee headed by Finance Secretary, mainly to delay the implementation of enhanced allowances and finally deny the arrears by implementing the revised allowance either from 01-01-2017 or from 01-04-2017. The four months time fixed for the Allowance Committee is already extended to six months upto 22-02-2017. Reserve Bank Governor, Dr. Urjit Patel had hinted to the media that the burden of payment of arrears during this financial year will not be there, meaning that Government may not give retrospective effect to the revised allowances. The RBI Governor, Dr. Urjit Patel made the following observations, which is published in the RBI website.
"The extension of two months given to the Ministry of Finance to receive the notification on higher allowances under the Pay Commission's award could push its fuller effect into the next financial year rather than this financial year".

Further, the Allowance Committee has not held any negotiation with the JCM Staff Side. It just heard the views of the staff side. The request of the JCM staff side to hold one more meeting with staff side NJCM was not favourably considered by the Finance Secretary, who is the Chairman of the Allowance Committee. No indication is given as to whether the percentage of HRA recommended by 7th CPC will be enhanced to 30%, 20% and 10%. The fate of other allowances are also the same. Unless NJCA take a firm stand and negotiate with the Government by reviving the indefinite strike, the employees will be placed in a desperate and helpless situation, if Government is allowed to unilaterally declare the HRA and other allowances, without retrospective effect from 01-01-2016, and also without much modification, thereby denying crores of rupees as arrears.

Source: http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/

General Provident Fund (Tamilnadu) : Rate of interest for the period 01.01.2017 to 31.03.2017

General Provident Fund (Tamilnadu) : Rate of interest for the period 01.01.2017 to 31.03.2017

PROVIDENT FUND : General Provident Fund (Tamilnadu) : Rate of interest for the period 01.01.2017 to 31.03.2017 - Orders - Issued.

Read the following:- 1. G.O.Ms.No.276, Finance (Allowances) Department, dated 24.10.2016.
2. From the Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs, (Budget Division) New Delhi, Resolution No.5(1)-B(PD)/2016, dated 18.01.2017.

ORDER:
In the Government Order read above, orders were issued fixing interest for the accumulation at the credit of the subscribers to the General Provident Fund (Tamil Nadu) at 8.0% for the period from 1st October 2016 to 31st December, 2016.

2. In its order second read above, the Government of India has announced that during the year 2016-2017 accumulations at the credit of subscribers to the General Provident Fund and other similar funds shall carry interest at the rate of 8.0% with effect from 1st January 2017 to 31st March 2017.

3. The Government now direct that the rate of interest on the accumulation at the credit of the subscribers to the General Provident Fund (Tamil Nadu) shall carry interest at the rate of 8.0% (Eight point zero per cent) during the period from 1st January 2017 to 31st March 2017.

4. The rate of interest on belated final payment of General Provident Fund accumulations remaining unpaid for more than three months of its becoming payable shall be at the same rate as ordered in para 3 above.
(BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR)

K. SHANMUGAM ADDITIONAL
CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT

Click to view the original order
Authority: www.tn.gov.in

Minutes of the meeting: 29th SCOVA meeting under the chairmanship of Hon'ble MOS(PP)

Minutes of the meeting: 29th SCOVA meeting under the chairmanship of Hon'ble MOS(PP)

F.No.42/16/2016-P&PW(G)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, P.G and Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan
Khan Market, New Delhi-l10003
Date: 16th Feb, 2017

To
All the Pensioners Associations included in the SCOV A vide Resolution dated 25.08.2015

Subject: 29th SCOVA meeting under the chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS(PP) - Minutes of the meeting
Please find enclosed herewith minutes of the 29th meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies(SCOVA) held under the chairmanship of Hon'ble MOS(PP) on 12.01.2017 for your kind perusal and necessary action. The minutes of the meeting are also available on this Department's website www.pensionersportal.gov.in.

(Sujasha Choudhury)
Director(P)

Click to view the order

Draft Recruitment Rules for the Post of Multi Tasking Staff in Staff Selection Commission.

Draft Recruitment Rules for the Post of Multi Tasking Staff in Staff Selection Commission.

Draft Recruitment Rules for the post of Multi Tasking Staff in Staff Selection Commission are attached herewith for perusal of all concerned.  Comments of stakeholders, if any, may please be sent to this Department on or before 15.03.2017 at the address Section Officer, Estt.(B.I), Department of Personnel & Training, Room No.215-C, North Block, New Delhi. A soft copy of the comments may also be sent to this Department at selvakumar.m13nic.in .

[ TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA, PART II, SECTION 3, SUB-SECTION (i) ]
No.

Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
New Delhi, the

NOTIFICATION

G. S .R In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution and in accordance with DOPT O.M.No. AB.14017/6/2009- Estt.(RR) dated 30.4.2010 and in supersession of the Staff Selection Commission (Group 'D' posts) Recruitment Rules, 1978; Staff Selection Commission (Examination Work Attendant) Recruitment Rules, 1989 and Staff Selection Commission (Senior Gestetner Operator and Senior Peon) Recruitment Rules, 1996 notified on 31.05.1980, 09.10.1989 and 04.10.1996 respectively, the President hereby makes the following rules regulating the method of recruitment to the post of Multi Tasking Staff

(Group 'C') in the Staff Selection Commission, namely :-

1. Short title and commencement:-  These rules may be called the Staff Selection Commission Group 'C'
"Multi Tasking Staff' Recruitment Rules, 2017.
They shall come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2. Number of Posts, Classification and Scale of pay :- The number of posts, its classification and the Pay Level in Pay Matrix attached thereto shall be as specified in Column 2 to 4 of the Schedule annexed to these rules.

3. Method of recruitment, age limit and other Qualifications, etc.:- The method of recruitment to the said post, age limit, qualification and other matters relating to thereto shall be as specified in column 5 to 13 of the said Schedule;

4. Disqualification:- No person,
(a) Who has entered into or contracted a marriage with a person having a spouse living, or
(b) Who, having a spouse living, has entered into or contracted a marriage with any person,
shall be eligible for appointment to the said post. Provided that the Central Government may, if satisfied, that such marriage  is permissible under the personal law applicable to such person and the other party to the marriage and that there are other grounds for so doing, exempts any person from the operation of this rule.

5. Power to relax :- Where the Central Government is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient to do so, it may, by order, and for reasons to be recorded in writing, relax any of the provisions of these rules with respect to any class or category of persons.

6. Saving:- Nothing in these rules shall affect reservations, relaxations of age limit and other concessions required to be provided for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Ex-Servicemen or any other special category of persons in accordance with the orders issued by
the Central Government from time to time in this regard.

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CGA Orders: One day Strike on 16th March 2017

CGA Orders: One day Strike on 16th March 2017

No.A-12017/1/2010/MF.CGA(A)/NGE/Assoc-Agi/1224
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
Controller General of Accounts

Mahalekha Niyantrak Bhawan
E Block, GPO complex, INA
New Delhi-110023

Dated: 13th February, 2017

Subject: One Day Strike on 16th March, 2017.

Reference is invited to this office 0M of even no.502 dated 18th January, 2017. All India Civil Accounts Employees Association has intimated that the proposed One Day Strike on 15th February, 2017 has been to 16th March, 2017.

2. Attention is invited to the provisions of Government of India (Ministry of Home Affairs) 0M No.25/23/66-Estt(A) dated 09.12.1966 (reproduced as G.l. decision No.2 below Rule 7 of CCS (Conduct) Rules, which inter-alia provides that under Rule 7 (ii) of rules ibid, a Government servant shall NOT resort to or in any way abet any form of strike in connection with any matter to his service or the service of any other Government employees. If any Government servant resorts to any action in violation of Rule 7 (ii) of CCS (Conduct) Rules, disciplinary action would have to be taken against him.

3. Attention is also invited to proviso to FR 17(I) according to which any employee(s) who is absent from duty without permission shall not be entitled to any pay and allowances during the period of absence. Further, unauthorized absence shall be deemed to cause an interruption or break in service Of the employee under FR 17(A).

4. In this regard, the following decisions of the Supreme Court may also be brought to the of the employees under your Ministry/Department. The Supreme Court has held in the Case Of T.K.Rangarajan Vs. Govt. of Tamil Nadu that no right exists with the Govt. employees to strike, whether fundamental, statutory or an equitable right. In All India Bank Employees Association Vs. National Industrial Tribunal & Ors„ (1962 (3) SCR 269) the Constitution Bench of the Suprerme Court specifically held that even very liberal interpretation of sub-clause (C) of Clause (1) of Article 19 of the Constitution cannot lead to the conclusion that the trade unions have a guaranteed right to strike, either as part of collective bargaing or otherwise. There is no statutory provision empowering the employees to go on strike. The Supreme Court also agreed that going on strike is a grave misconduct under the Conduct Rules and that misconduct by Government Employees is required to be dealt with in accordance with law. Hence, once it is proved that an employee has committed the of going on a strike in any form, the Supreme Court has held in Bank of India vs. TS Kelawala [1990 (4) SLR 249] that he will have to face the consequences which may include deduction of wages and even dismissal from service.

5. In this context, it is clarified that strike means refusal of work or stoppage or slowing down of work by a group of employees acting in combination and includes:-

vii) mass abstention from work without permission which is wrongly described mass Casual Leave.
viii) refusal to work on overtime where such overtime work is necessary in public interest.
ix) resort to practice or conduct which is likely to result in or results in the cessation or substantial retardation of work in any organization. Such practice include what are ‘go-slow’, ‘sit-down’, “pen-down’, ‘stay-in’. ‘token’, ‘sympathetic’ or any other similar strike as also absence from work for participation in a ‘Bandh’ or similar movements.

6. Accordingly, Casual Leave or any other kind of leave, if applied for, should not be sanctioned to the officers and employees during the period of proposed One Day Strike on 16th March, 2017 and it should be ensured that the striking activities are not allowed inside and around the office premises. It may also be ensured that the employees, who intend to attend their office work despite the call for the strike, are not prevented from attending the office by the striking employees. Suitable contingency plan may be worked out for carrying out the various functions in field offices and Principal Accounts Offices.

7. The above instructions may be brought to the notice of staff working under your control. All the Pr. CCAs/CCAs/CAs are requested to deal with the cases in respect of employees, Who resort to action as above, in the light of above referred instructions.

8. This issues with the approval of the competent authority.

sd/-
(Sandeep Malhotra)
Sr. Accounts Officer

Click to view the order
Authority: www.cga.nic.in