7th Pay Commission: Higher allowances woes plague central govt employees

7th Pay Commission: Higher allowances woes plague central govt employees

New Delhi: Central government employees have not got their higher allowances under the 7th Pay Commission recommendations over the last seven to eight months.

A central government employees union leader, said the government has not released the higher allowances for central government employees for last seven months.

He said the higher allowances issue has affected about 48 lakh serving central government employees and 52 lakh pensioners, who could not pay their house rents, tuition fees of children, installments of home and vehicle loans and insurance premiums.

We were promised in August, 2016 that the higher allowances (as per the 7th Pay Commission) would be given to us within four months, but we haven't got its till now.

They (the government) tell us that the model code of conduct has come into effect from January 4 to March 8 for five states assemblies poll process, so they can’t announce the higher allowances. Actually they do not intend to pay the higher allowances in time. In October last year, the Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa, who is the head of the Committee on Allowances, said, he was ready with the report to submit the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley but Jaitley didn't receive the report of allowances, the union leader told.

The union leader said even though the 7th Pay Pay Commission was implemented in August, 2016, the central government employees have not yet been given the higher allowances till date.

Earlier, the government has given higher basic pay in August 2016 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 for examination as the pay commission had recommended of abolishing 51 allowances and subsuming 37 others out of 196 allowances.

Accordingly, existing allowances are now paid to the central government employees according to the 6th Pay Commission recommendations until issuing of higher allowances notification.

However, the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, promised to address the issue of higher allowances after the completion of the polls of the five states.

TST

Clarification on implementation of 7th Central Pay commission

Clarification on implementation of 7th Central Pay commission

Office of the Principal CDA (Pensions)
Draupadi Ghat, Allahabad - 211 014

REGISTERED

Circular NO.574

Dated: 20th February,2017

Subject: Clarification on implementation of 7th Central Pay commission (CPC)

Reference: This office circular No.570 dated 31.10.2016.
(Available on this office website www.pcdapension.nic.in)

In terms of Para-9 of GOI, MOD letter dated 29th October 2016, the implementation of 7th CPC recommendations relating to methodology for calculation of disability element has been referred to the Anomalies Committee. The disability element which was being paid to pre-2016 Defence Pensioners as on 31.01.2015 will continue to be paid till decision on the recommendations of Anomalies Committee is taken by the Government. Accordingly, disability element will be continued @ which was paid as on 31.12.2015 (i.e. @ 119% DR), bur mean while before the implementation of the 7th CPC, dearness relief (DR) has been increased @ 125% w.e.f 01.01.2016 and paid to the pensioners.

2. The matter regarding recovery on account of payment of excess dearness relief, additional pension on disability pension & war injury element was raised by various pension Disbursing Agencies (PDAs) after the issue of this Office Circular No.570 dated 31.10.2016 on the basis of GOI, MOD letter NO.17(01)/2016-D(Pen/Pol) dated 29th October 2016 regarding implementation of 7th CPC.

3. Now, it has been decided that recovery of excess amount, if any, paid on account of payment of DR @ 125% instead of DR 119% while working out disability element/war injury element and recovery of additional pension on disability element/war injury element paid w.e.f 01.01.2016 to pensioners who attainted the age of 80 years and above will be withheld till further orders.

4. This circular has been uploaded on this office websire www.pcdapension.nic.in for dissemination to all alongwith Defence pensioners and pension Disbursing Agencies.

(S C SAROJ)
Sr.Accounts Officer(P)

Signed Copy

Revision of casualty pensionary award in respect of Pre-2006 Armed Force Officers and JCO/ORs Pensioners/Family Pensioners

Revision of casualty pensionary award in respect of Pre-2006 Armed Force Officers and JCO/ORs Pensioners/Family Pensioners

Office of the Principal CDA (Pensions)
Draupadi Ghat, Allahabad - 211 014

REGISTERED

Circular NO.576

Dated: 27th February,2017

Subject: Amendment to GOI,MOD letter No.16(01)2014/D(Pen/Pol) dated 18th May 2016 issued for revision of casualty pensionary award in respect of Pre-2006 Armed Force Officers and JCO/ORs Pensioners/Family Pensioners.

Reference: This office circular No.560 dated 08.06.2016.
(Available on this office website www.pcdapension.nic.in)

Copy of GOI,MOD letter No.16(01)/2014-D(Pen/Pol) dated 16th January,2017 is forwarded herewith for further necessary action at your end.

2. Minimum of fitment table for the rank 'MWO' group 'X' has been amended in Annexure-B (Air Force) attached with the GOI, MOD letter No.16(01)2014/D(Pen/Pol) dated 18th May 2016 (Circulated vide Circular No.560). Accordingly, Special Family Pension, 2nd Life Award of Special Family Pension, Liberalized Family Pension & 2nd Life Award of Liberalized Family Pension in respect of MWO 'X' have also been revised.

For:

Rank	Min. of fitment table	SFP	2nd Life Award of SFP	LFP	2nd Life Award of LEP
MWO	21790	13074	6537	21790	13074

Read:

Rank	Min. of fitment table	SFP	2nd Life Award of SFP	LFP	2nd Life Award of LEP
MWO	21970	13182	6591	21970	13182

3.It is requested that all affected cases may please be revised at your end and pension may be revised accordingly.

4. These orders/instructions may please be provided/circulated to all pension Disbursing Authorities (DPDOs/paying Branches/Treasuries/PAOs etc) under your jurisdiction to ensure the revision at the earliest.

5. All other terms and conditions shall remain unchanged.

6. This circular has been uploaded on this office website www.pcdapension.nic.in for dissemination to all alongwith Defence Pensioners and Pension Disbursing Agencies.

(S.C.Saroj)
Sr.Accounts Officer(P)

Signed Copy

Allowing multiple choice to the subscribers/corporates to change Investment Option - PFRDA

Allowing multiple choice to the subscribers/corporates to change Investment Option and Asset Allocation Ratio during the Financial Year

Allowing multiple choice to the subscribers/corporates to change Investment Option - PFRDA

PENSION FUND REGULATORY AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

B-14/A, Chhatrapati Shivaji Bhawan
Qutab Institutional Area,
Katwaria Sarai,
New Delhi-110016
Phone : 011-26517503
Fax : 011-26517507
Website : www.pfrda.org.in

01 March 2017

CIRCULAR

PFRDA/2017/8/PD/2
To,
All Stakeholder in the National Pension System

Subject: Allowing multiple choice to the subscribers/corporates to change Investment Option and Asset Allocation Ratio during the Financial Year

1. As per the extant guidelines, subscriber can change his/her existing Pension Fund (PF), the investment option(Active or Auto choice) as well as asset allocation ratio (allocation among asset class-Equity/Corporate Bonds/Government securities/Alternate investment ) once in a financial year. This scheme preference is applicable to the existing pension corpus as well as to the prospective subscriptions. Similarly in the NPS-Corporate Model where the choice of Pension Fund and Investment Options is exercised at Corporate level, the Corporates also have the option to change the pension fund and investment option and also asset allocation ratio once in a financial year.

2. In order to provide more choices in terms of investment option and asset allocation, the following has been decided:

(i) The subscribers/corporates will have the choice for change of the investment option (Active or Auto choice) as well as asset allocation ratio (allocation among asset class-Equity/Corporate Bonds/Government Securities/Alternate Investment) two times in a financial year.
This scheme preference will be applicable to the existing pension corpus as well as to the prospective subscriptions. The option will be available separately for Tier I and Tier II accounts.
(ii) The choice of change of Pension Fund shall remain once in a financial year.

4. The changes will come into effect from 01st April 2017.

Yours faithful

(Akhilesh Kumar)
Deputy General Manager

Signed copy

Promotion from GP Rs.1800 (Level-1) to GP Rs.1900 (Level-2) against 16-2/3% quota - Minimum eligibility Condition of service for selection

Promotion from GP Rs.1800 (Level-1) to GP Rs.1900 (Level-2) against 16-2/3% quota - Minimum eligibility Condition of service for selection

RB ESTT.No.18/2017

Government Of India/Bharat Sarkar
Ministry Of Railways/Rail Mantralaya
(Railway Board)

No.E(NG)I-2016/CFP/5

New Delhi, dated 01.03.2017

The General Managers(P)
All Zonal Railways &
Production Units etc.
(As Per Standard List)

Sub: Promotion from GP Rs.1800 (Level-1) to GP Rs.1900 (Level-2) against 16-2/3% quota - Minimum eligibility Condition of service for selection.

As the Railways are aware, in terms of Board's letter No.E(NG)1-96/CFP/27 dated 10.10.2000, 16-2/3% of the Posts in the lowest grade of Commercial Clerks, Ticket Collectors, Trains Clerks, Offices Clerks and other categories of Clerks like stores clerks, etc. are filled by promotion of Matriculate erstwhile Group 'D' employees with a minimum of two years service in the concerned seniority units entirely on merit on the basis of a competitive examination.

2. A question has now arisen as to whether any relaxation in two years of service condition is to be given to SC/ST candidates to appear in the selection for promotion from GP Rs.1800 (Level-1) to GP Rs.1900 (Level-2) against 16-2/3% quota being filled up on the basis of merit.

3. Accordingly, it is clarified that SC/ST employees in GP Rs.1800 (Level-1) will be eligible for consideration in the selection for promotion to GP Rs.1900 (Level-2) and above against 16-2/3% promotion quota, only on completion of two years regular service in the concerned seniority unit.

Please acknowledge receipt.

Hindi version shall follow.

(M.K.Meena)
Deputy Director Estt.(N)
Railway Board

Furnishing of Aadhaar mandatory for final settlement of Pension claims

Furnishing of Aadhaar mandatory for final settlement of Pension claims

Ministry of Labour & Employment
Press Information Bureau,
Government of India

02-March, 2017

The EPFO has clarified that obtaining of Aadhaar should be mandatory for the time being only for final settlement of Pension and not in withdrawl cases. The EPFO had extended the date of submission of Aadhaar Number authentication by the members of Employees’Pension Scheme 1995 upto 31st March 2017.

However, news item appearing in few dailies suggested that Aadhaar is not required in settlement of pension claims. Accordingly, the EPFO reiterated that the requirement of submitting Aadhaar is not insisted for the time being only in withdrawal benefit cases under Employees Pension Scheme, 1995. Furnishing of Aadhaar is still mandatory for final settlement of pension and scheme certificate cases.

Superannuation Benefits Schemes for employees of CPSEs - Clarification regarding Technical Formality

Superannuation Benefits Schemes for employees of CPSEs - Clarification regarding Technical Formality
No.W-02/0017/2014-DPE(WC)-GL-IV/17

Government of India
Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises
Department of Public Enterprises

Public Enterprises Bhawan
Block No.1, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road,
New Delhi, the 1st February, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Superannuation Benefits Schemes for employees of CPSEs - Clarification regarding Technical Formality

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's OM of even number dated 21.05.2014 regarding clarification of Pension and superannuation Medical Benefits Scheme in CPSEs.

2. Para xvi) of the said OM specifies that in cases where a Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE) employees has applied for a post in the same or other CPSE through proper channel and on selection to the said post, is required to resign the previous post for administrative reasons. Resignation submitted for other reasons or if competent authority has not allowed him to forward his application through proper channel is a resignation and benefit of past service will not be admissible.

4. The above clarification is only for the purposes of Superannuation Benefits Schemes implemented in CPSEs in light of DPEs OM dated 26.11.2008 and 21.05.2014 and subsequent DPE guidelines on Superannuation Benefits Schemes.

5. All the administrative Ministries/Departments are requested to bring the above to the notice of the CPSEs under their administrative control.

sd/-
(Samsul Haque)
Under Secretary

Authority: http://dpe.gov.in/

Cut-Off age to Borad level appointment in Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)

Cut-Off age to Borad level appointment in Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)

F.No.18(2)/2017-MGMT
Government of India
Ministry of Heavy Industrial and Public Enterprises
Department of Public Enterprises

Public Enterprises Bhavan,
Block No.14, CGO Complex,
Lodi Road, New Delhi-110003
Dated the 23rd February, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANUDM

Subject: Cut-Off age to Borad level appointment in Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department O.M. No.18(6)/98-CG-GL-72 dated 20th October 2005 (copy enclosed) on the subject mentioned above and to state that the residual service would henceforth be reckoned by Public Enterprises Selection Board with reference to the Date of Superannuation of candidates instead of Superannuation age for the purpose of calculating cut-off age for consideration to Board level posts in CPSEs.

2. All administrative Ministries/Departments are requested to take note of the above decision for guidance and necessary action.

sd/-
(B.N.Mishra)
Director

Authority: http://dpe.gov.in/

Central government to hire 2.8 lakh staff in a year, police, I-T and customs to get lions share

Central government to hire 2.8 lakh staff in a year, police, I-T and customs to get lions share

New Delhi: The size of the central government, particularly police and tax officials, is likely to grow with the Centre’s Budget providing for the recruitment of around 2.80 lakh more staff.

Of this number, more than 1.80 lakh would be recruits to departments of police, income tax, customs and central excise. As of March 2016, the central government had 32.84 lakh staff across 55 departments and ministries, including 13.31 lakh in railways, but excluding defence forces. This is projected to rise to 35.67 lakh by March 2018 if the recruitment goal is achieved.

Strengthening enforcement agencies seems a priority with budgetary allocations made for expansion of police forces (central paramilitary and Delhi Police), taking their strength from 10.07 lakh to 11.13 lakh by March 2018. The Centre in its Budget has provided for the recruitment of around 2.80 lakh more staff. The income tax department, the agency involved in the drive against black money post-demonetisation, is set to expand from the existing strength of 46,000 to 80,000 by March 2018.

Similarly , customs and excise department, which will implement the ambitious goods and services tax regime, will get additional manpower of over 41,000.The current strength of 50,600 for customs and excise staff is to go up to 91,700. A review of the estimated strength of establishment  in the Budget annexures indicates no change in the manpower of railways, the single largest employer (13.31 lakh) other than defence, in the three years till 2018.

Departments of space, atomic energy , cabinet secretariat and the ministries of information and broadcasting and external affairs are some others where sanctioned strength has gone up significantly.

The government had projected to increase its manpower in 2016 by 1.88 lakh but failed to make fresh recruitments in I-T, customs and central excise departments.This led to an erosion in the employee base by at least 21,000 over the strength in 2015. People superannuating far exceeded new employees.

PM Narendra Modi's interest in foreign policy has translated into a significant jump in the strength of the foreign ministry where the government has decided to add over 2,000 employees -up from 9,294 in 2016 to 11,403 in 2018. The I&B ministry , too, has increased its sanctioned strength from 4,012 two years ago to 6,258 in 2018.The cabinet secretariat has been strengthened with manpower to go up from 921 to 1,218 by next year.

TNN

Government hikes minimum wage for agriculture labourer

Government hikes minimum wage for agriculture labourer

Bandaru Dattatreya-led labour ministry has nearly doubled the minimum wage for agriculture labourer including those hired on contract, barely six months after a significant increase in minimum wages for non-agricultural labourer. Centre had on August 1 last year raised minimum wage of non-agricultural workers by 42%.

According to a labour ministry notification, an unskilled agriculture laborer would be entitled to get a minimum wage of Rs 300 per day in C-category towns as against Rs 160 now while those in B and A category towns will get Rs 303 and Rs 333 respectively.

Like-wise semi-skilled workers will be entitled to a daily minimum wage of Rs 364, Rs 335 and Rs 307 in A, B and C-category towns while the skilled workers will be paid as high as Rs 395, Rs 364 and Rs 334 under the three town categories respectively. Highly skilled workers will get Rs 438, Rs 407 and Rs 364 in A, B and C-category towns.

Besides, the wage rates prescribed by state government, if higher than this, would prevail over the central government notified rates. "Where in any area the minimum rates of wages fixed by this notification are lower than the minimum rates of wages fixed by the state government for the employees of the aforesaid employments in relation to which the state government is the appropriate government, the rates of wages fixed by the state government shall in respect of these areas, be deemed to be the minimum rates of wages payable under this notification," it said.

The notification further said, "the minimum rates of wages include wages for weekly day of rest and are applicable to employees engaged by contractors also."

A–category states includes 17 big towns including metro cities while the remaining towns have been categorized under B-category while C-category towns include areas to which the Minimum Wage Act, 1948 is applicable.

Besides, the ministry has also notified minimum wages for mine workers in all categories and in this case also the minimum wages notified by state governments, if higher than the central wages, would prevail.

Henceforth, unskilled mine workers would get Rs 350 and Rs 437 per day for above ground and underground work while skilled workers will get Rs 436 and Rs 523 respectively and the skilled workers would be entitled to daily wage of Rs 523 and Rs 610.

Via: economictimes.indiatimes.com