Revision of interest rates for Small Savings Schemes for 4th Quarter of FY 2017-18 (Jan, 18 to Mar, 18) - MoF

Revision of interest rates for Small Savings Schemes for 4th Quarter of FY 2017-18 (Jan, 18 to Mar, 18) - MoF

F.No.01/04/2016-NS
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Economic Affairs
(Budget Division)

 North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 27.12.2017

  Office Memorandum

Subject: Revision of interest rates for Small Savings Schemes.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's OM of even number dated 16th February, 2016, vide which the various decisions taken by the Government regarding interest fixation for small savings schemes were communicated to all concerned.

2. On the basis of the decision of the Government, interest rates for small savings schemes are to be notified on quarterly basis. Accordingly, the rates of interest on various small savings schemes for the fourth quarter of financial year 2017-18 starting 1st January, 2018, and ending on 31st March, 2018, on the basis of the interest compounding payment built-in in the schemes, shall be as under:

Development of Software for inter cadre transfer / deputation and fixation of Seniority of promotee IAS officers

F. No. 13017/33/2016-AIS-I
Department of Personnel and Training
AIS - I 

Date: 27th December, 2017

Sub: Development of Software for inter cadre transfer / deputation and fixation of Seniority of promotee IAS officers - reg.

Seniority Desk (AIS-I) vide ID note dated 09.09.2016 and reminder dated 20.01.2017 (copies enclosed) has requested NIC, DoPT to develop software to process all cases of inter cadre transfer / deputation online and to fix Seniority of promotee IAS officers online. However, no progress in the matter has been intimated to this Desk.

2. In this connection, NIC, DoPT is requested to expedite the matter as this item has been included in the Annual Action Plan 2017.

3. This issues with the approval of JS(Admin).

(Udai Bhan Singh)
Under Secretary(AIS-I)
Seniority Desk
I/c - 274

To,
Director (NIC),
NIC, DoPT

Source: DoPT

AICPIN for the Month of November 2017

AICPIN for the Month of November 2017

No.5/1/2017-CPI
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT
LABOUR BUREAU

CLEREMONT, SHIMLA-171004
DATED: 29th December, 2017

Press Release

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) - November, 2017

The All-India CPI-IW for November, 2017 increased by 1 point and pegged at 288 (two hundred and eighty eight). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by (+) 0.35 per cent between October, 2017 and November, 2017 when compared with the decrease of (-) 0.36 per cent for the corresponding months of last year.

The maximum upward pressure to the change in current index came from Food group contributing (+) 1.10 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Wheat Atta, Eggs (Hen), Goat Meat, Milk (Cow), Onion, Tamarind, Bitter Gourd, Cabbage, Carrot, Coconut, Potato, Tomato, Cooking Gas, Electricity Charges, Firewood, Kerosene Oil, Private Tuition Fee, Petrol, Barber Charges, etc. are responsible for the increase in index. However, this increase was checked by Arhar Dal, Gram Dal, Masur Dal, Urd Dal, Groundnut Oil, Fish Fresh, Poultry (Chicken), Chillies Green, Garlic, Ginger, Brinjal, Cauliflower, French Bean, Green Coriander Leaves, Methi, Palak, Radish, Apple, Banana, etc., putting downward pressure on the index.

The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 3.97 per cent for November, 2017 as compared to 3.24 per cent for the previous month and 2.59 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 3.91 per cent against 2.26 per cent of the previous month and 1.66 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.

At centre level, Giridih reported the maximum increase of (7 points) followed by Salem and Puducherry (6 points each) and Rourkela, Sholapur, Mercara and Ghaziabad (5 points each). Among others, 4 points increase was observed in 5 centres, 3 points in 16 centres, 2 points in 13 centres and 1 point in 12 centres. On the contrary, Kolkata recorded a maximum decrease of 3 points followed by Munger-Jamalpur, Amritsar, Chandigarh and Doom Dooma Tinsukia (2 points each). Among others, 1 point decrease was observed in 7 centres. Rest of the 13 centres’ indices remained stationary.

The indices of 34 centres are above All-India Index and 42 centres indices are below national average. The indices of Vishakhapathnam and Ghaziabad centres remained at par with All-India Index.

The next issue of CPI- IW for the month of December, 2017 will be released on Wednesday, 31st January, 2018. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureaunew.gov.in.

(AMRITLALJANGID)
DEPUTY DIRECTOR

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Gramin Dak Sevaks - Lok Sabha Q&A

Gramin Dak Sevaks - Lok Sabha Q&A

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 1427

ANSWERED ON: 27.12.2017

Gramin Dak Sevaks

BHEEMRAO BASWANTHRAO PATIL

Will the Minister of
COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has constituted any Committee to look into the salary structure, other service matters and problems of Gramin Dak Sevaks and if so, the details and the composition thereof;
(b) whether the said Committee has since submitted its report and if so, the recommendations thereof; and
(c) the time by which these recommendations are likely to be implemented?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) Yes, Madam. A One Man Committee has been constituted to look into the salary structure, other service matters and problems of Gramin Dak Sevaks under the Chairmanship of Shri Kamlesh Chandra.
(b) Yes, Madam, the Committee has submitted its report to the Government. The salient features are given in the Annexure.
(c) The recommendations of the Committee have been considered by the Department. After getting the necessary approvals from all concerned, the recommendation of the Committee will be implemented.

Source - loksabha

Corrigendum of contractual fees for the persons engaged at ECHS Polyclinics

Corrigendum of contractual fees for the persons engaged at ECHS Polyclinics

File No.22D(25)/2017/(WE)/D(Res-I)

Government of India
Ministry of Defence
(Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare

Sena Bhavan, New Delhi
Dated 20 November, 2017

To
The Chief of Army Staff
The Chief of Naval Staff
The Chief of Air Staff

CORRIGENDUM

Sir.
With reference to GOl Ministry of Defence letter No.22D (50)/2007 US(WE)/D(Res).Vol.-ll dated 3rd May 2016 and 22D(50)/2007/US(WE)/D(ResNol.-II dated 2nd June 2017, I am directed to convey the sanction of the Government for following amendments w.r.t. contractual fees for the persons engaged at ECHS Polyclinics in respect of the following categories:

S.No.	Category	For Contractual fees (Rs. Per month)	Read Contractual Fees (Rs. Per month)
Para Medical
1.	Radiographer	22500	28100
2.	Laboratory Technician	22500	28100
3	Laboratory Assistant	22500	28100
4	Physiotherapist	22500	28100
5	Pharmacist	22500	28100
6	Nursing Assistant	22500	28100
Para Dental
7	Dental Hygienist/ Dental Assistant/ Dental Technician	22500	28100
Clerks
8	Clerks (ECHS Branch EOI Nepal)	18000	22500
Driver
9	Driver	15750	19700
Other Non Medical Staff
10	Chowkidar	13455	16800
11	Female attendant	13455	16800
12	Peon	13455	16800
13	Safaiwala	13455	16800

2. The revised order will be effective from 16 August 2017.

3. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Defence (Finance) vide their Id No. 33(5)/2009/Fin/Pen dated 7-11-2017.

Yours faithfully,

(A.K. Karn)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

GDS Kamlesh Chandra Committee Recommendations will be implemented soon - Minister replied in Parliament on 27th December, 2017

GDS Kamlesh Chandra Committee Recommendations will be implemented soon - Minister replied in Parliament on 27th December, 2017

Minister of State (IC) for Communications & Railways, Shri Manoj Sinha, in a written reply to a question on GDS Kamlesh Chandra Committee Report, in Lok Sabha on 27.12.2017 informed that a One Man Committee has been constituted to look into the salary structure, other service matters and problems of Gramin Dak Sevaks under the Chairmanship of Shri Kamlesh Chandra.

The Committee has submitted its report to the Government. The salient features are given in the Annexure.

The recommendations of the Committee have been considered by the Department. After getting the necessary approvals from all concerned, the recommendation of the Committee will be implemented.

Annexure : Salient features  of the One Man Committee Report headed by Shri Kamlesh Chandra

• The old system of payment of Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) is dispensed with and replaced with a new wage payment system. Under the new wage payment system, 11 TRCA slabs are subsumed into 3 Wage Scales with two Levels each for BPMs and for other than BPMs. One wage scale would be common for both the categories of GDSs.
• The minimum working hours of GDS Post Offices and GDSs are increased to 4 hours from 3 hours.
• The new working hours for GDS Post Offices will be 4 hours and 5 hours only.
• The Level 1 GDS Post Offices / GDSs will have 4 hours as working hours and Level - 2 will have 5 hours as working hours.
• The Point System for assessment of workload of BPMs has been abolished.
• The new wage payment system is linked to revenue generation of GDS Post Offices. Under the new system, there will be no increase in wages of BPMs from Level -1 to Level -2 on the basis of workload but the same will be increased based on achievement of prescribed revenue norms which is fixed at 100% for normal areas and 50% for special areas.
• The GDS Post Offices not achieving the prescribed revenue norm within the given working hours will have to open GDS Post Offices for minimum of additional 30 minutes beyond the prescribed working hours.
• The GDS BPMs will be paid Revenue Linked Allowance @10% beyond level-2 wage scale if they will be successful in achieving revenue beyond prescribed norms
• The GDS Post Offices has been categorized into A, B; C and D categories based on the revenue generation norms. The GDS Post Office in A category will achieve 100% revenue norm. The Committee has recommended a set of actions for each category of GDS Post Offices.
• The six approved categories of GDSs are subsumed into two categories only. One category will be Branch Post Master and all other 5 categories of GDSs are subsumed into one Multi Tasking Category.
• The GDSs working in the GDS Post Offices will be known as Assistant Branch Post Master (ABPMs) and those working in the Departmental Post Offices will be known as Dak Sevak (DS).
• The minimum wage has been increased to Rs. 10000/- per month and maximum pay to Rs. 35480/- per month.
• The rate of annual increase is recommended as 3%.
• A Composite Allowance comprising of support for hiring accommodation for GDS Post Offices as well as mandatory residence, office maintenance, mobile and electricity usage charges etc. has been introduced for the first time.
• Children Education Allowance @Rs. 6000/- per child per annum has been introduced for GDSs.
• Risk & Hardship Allowance @Rs. 500/- per month for GDS working in the special areas has also been introduced.
• A Financial up-gradation has been introduced at 12 years, 24 years and 36 years of services in form of two advance additional annual increases.
• The Ceiling of ex-gratia gratuity has been increased from Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 5,00,000
• The GDS Contribution for Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS) should be enhanced maximum up to 10% and minimum up to 3% of the basic wage per month, whereas the Department should contribute a fixed contribution of 3% of the basic wage of the GDSs.
• The coverage of GDS Group Insurance Scheme has been enhanced from Rs. 50000/- to Rs. 5,00,000/
• The contribution of Department in Circle Welfare Fund (CWF) has been increased from Rs. 100/ per annum to Rs. 300/ per annum.
• The scope of CWF is extended to cover immediate family members such as spouse; daughters, sons and dependent daughters in law in the scheme.
• The Committee also recommended 10% hike in the prescribed limits of financial grants and assistances in the Circle Welfare Funds.
• The Committee has recommended addition of Rs. 10,000/ for purchase of Tablet / Mobile from the Circle Welfare in the head “Financial Assistance of Fund by way of loans with lower rate of interest (5%)”.
• Provision of 26 weeks of Maternity Leave for women GDS has been recommended.
• The wages for the entire period of Maternity Leave is recommended to be paid from salary head from where wages of GDSs are paid.
• The Committee has also recommended one week of paternity leave.
• Leave accumulation and encashment facility up to 180 days has been introduced.
• Online system of engagement has been recommended.
• Alternate livelihood condition for engagement of GDSs has been relaxed.
• Voluntary Discharge scheme has been recommended.
• The Discharge age has been retained at 65 years.
• The Limited Transfer Facility has been relaxed from 1 time to 3 times for male GDSs. There will be no restriction on number of chances for transfer of women GDSs. The powers for transfer has been delegated to the concerned Divisional head.
• The ex-gratia payment during put off period should be revised to 35% from 25% of the wage and DA drawn immediately before put off.
• The Committee has recommended preferring transfer before put off duty.

Santosh Kumar Gangwar releases ESIC Calendar and Diary

Santosh Kumar Gangwar releases ESIC Calendar and Diary

Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Union Minister of State (I/C) for Labour & Employment, Government of India released the ESIC Calendar, Diary and Telephone Directory for the year 2018 at a special function in New Delhi today.

The ESIC Calendar-2018 gives basic information about the efforts taken by ESIC in increasing ESI coverage and reach, various benefits offered and areas of priorities for the New Year under ESI Scheme etc. The ESIC Diary-2018 also gives complete information about the initiatives and achievements of ESIC during the year 2017 and various benefits offered to the Insured Persons and their Beneficiaries besides complete address and contact number of various ESIC Establishments pan India. 

A short presentation on the ESIC achievements and areas of priorities for the upcoming New Year-2018 depicted through Calendar and Diary was made the occasion. The Minister appreciated and congratulated the entire ESIC team for bringing out important information on ESI Scheme through these releases which will benefit all the Stakeholders of ESI Scheme. The Minister also referred to the efforts taken by the ESIC for improving its services to the Insured Persons and Employers so as to ensure a healthy and happy workforce of the country.

The Employees State Insurance Corporation is a pioneer Social Security organization providing comprehensive social security benefits like reasonable Medical Care and a range of Cash Benefits in times of need such as employment injury, sickness, death etc. The ESI Act applies to premises/precincts where 10 or more persons are employed. The employees drawing wages up to Rs.21,000/- a month are entitled to health insurance cover and other benefits, under the ESI Act. The Act now applies to over 8.98 lakh factories and establishments across the country, benefiting about 3.19 crores family units of workers. As of now, the total beneficiary population of ESI Scheme stands over 12.40 crores. Ever since its inception in 1952, the ESI Corporation has, so far set up 151 Hospitals, 1489/174 Dispensaries / ISM Units, 815 Branch/Pay Offices and 63 Regional & Sub-Regional Offices.

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Amendment in EPF scheme for buying homes

Amendment in EPF scheme for buying homes

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1056

ANSWERED ON-27.12.2017

Amendment in EPF scheme for buying homes

1056 . Shri R. Vaithilingam

(a)whether Government will amend the Employees” Provident Fund (EPF) scheme to enable around 4 crore members of Employees” Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to withdraw upto 90 per cent of their fund for making down payments while buying houses;
(b)whether said amendment will also allow the EPFO subscribers to use their EPF accounts for paying equated monthly installments of home loans; and
(c)whether under the proposed provision in the EPF scheme, the subscribers would have to form a cooperative society with at least 10 members to avail of the facility?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) to (c): The Government vide Notification No. G.S.R.351 (E) dated 12th April, 2017 has inserted a paragraph 68BD in Employees’ Provident Funds (EPF) Scheme, 1952 for withdrawal from the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) for purchasing dwelling house or flat or construction of a dwelling house.

The withdrawal amount from the Provident Fund shall not exceed ninety per cent of the employer’s share of contribution and interest thereon and employee’s share of contribution and interest thereon.

The Scheme envisages that a member can authorise monthly installment for the repayment, wholly or partly, of any outstanding principal or interest of a loan obtained in the name of the member or spouse of the member or jointly by the member and the spouse.
The payment can be made on behalf of the member to a housing agency or primary lending agency or bank concerned, etc.

The subscriber should be a member of a cooperative society or a society registered for housing purpose under any law for the time being in force and such society has at least ten members of the Fund.

Decision of the Cabinet for enhancement of age of superannuation of Dental Doctors under Ministry of Railway

Decision of the Cabinet for enhancement of age of superannuation of Dental Doctors under Ministry of Railway

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(RAILWAY BOARD)

RRE No. 205/2017

New Delhi Dated: 26.12.2017

No. E(P&A)I-2016/RT-16

The General Managers and Principal Financial Advisers,
All Indian Railways including
Production Units etc.

Sub: Decision of the Cabinet for enhancement of age of superannuation of Dental Doctors under Ministry of Railways.

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW) vide OM No. A.12034/1/2017- CHS-V dated 30.09.2017 has communicated (i) post-facto approval of the Cabinet for enhancement of age of superannuation of doctors of Indian Railway Medical Service; (ii) approval of Cabinet for enhancement of age of superannuation of Dental doctors under Ministry of Railways to 65 years; and (iii) that Doctors shall hold the administrative post till the date of attaining the age of 62 years.

2. Accordingly, the age of superannuation of Dental Doctors under Ministry of Railways is enhanced from 60 years to 65 years.

3. Doctors shall hold administrative posts till the date of attaining the age of 62 years and thereafter their services shall be placed in Non-administrative positions.

4. Consequent upon enhancement of the age of superannuation of Dental Doctors, all Zonal Railways/Production Units are requested to review the vacancies arising from retirement in regard to direct recruitment as well as promotion so that there is no over recruitment or litigation or review DPCs because of change in “Zone of Consideration” as a result of reduction in the number of retirement vacancies.

5. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

6. Kindly acknowledge receipt.

(Anil Kumar)
Dy. Director Estt. (P&A)-I
Railway Board

Voluntary Retirement in Paramilitary Forces

Voluntary Retirement in Paramilitary Forces

PERSONNEL OF PARAMILITARY FORCES TAKING VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT

Minister of State for Home Affairs replied in Parliament(Rajya Sabha) on 27.12.2017 regarding Voluntary Retirement in Paramilitary Forces.

“As per information provided by Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles (CAPFs & AR), 19239 personnel have taken voluntary retirement from service since January, 2016.

Improvement in service conditions/ amenities and welfare of the force personnel is a continuous endeavour. A study was got conducted through Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D) into the factors causing stress and suggest remedial measures and another similar study was got conducted though Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) for BSF & CRPF”. Based on the above study report, the measures, which have been taken to boost the morale and improve the working conditions and reduce stress among the force personnel, are at Annexure-‘A’.

ANNEXURE – ‘A’

R.S.US.Q.NO.1034 FOR 27.12.2017

Measures taken to improve the working conditions and reduce stress among the force personnel

(i) Transparent policies pertaining to transfer and leave of CAPFs and AR personnel. The hospitalization period due to injuries while on duty is treated as on duty. Choice posting is considered to the extent possible after the personnel served in hard area.

(ii) Regular interaction of officers with troops to find out and redress their grievances.

(iii) Ensuring adequate rest and relief by regulating the duty hours.

(iv) Improving living conditions for troops, providing adequate recreational/ entertainment, sports, communication facilities etc. Crèche facility is also provided at various establishments (where feasible) to facilitate the female employees.

(v) Facility of retention of government accommodation at the place of last posting (for keeping the family) while posted in NE State, J&K and LWE affected areas (except State Capitals).

(vi) Providing better medical facilities, also organizing talks with specialists to address their personal and psychological concerns and organizing Meditation & Yoga routinely for better stress management.

(vii) Adequately compensating the troops deployed in difficult areas.

(viii) Other welfare measures like facility of Central Police Canteen (CPC), scholarship for wards etc. Also air courier service has been provided to CAPF personnel deployed in NE States, J&K and LWE affected areas as welfare measure.

(ix) Designating retired CAPF personnel as ex-CAPF personnel for better identity and community recognition.

(x) Promotions are released regularly to eligible personnel as & when the vacancies arise. Financial benefits under Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) are given in case promotion does not take place for want of vacancies at 10, 20 & 30 years of service.

Besides above, implementation of suitable model for improvement of working conditions of CAPFs & AR is a continuous process and instructions in this regard are issued from time to time by this Ministry.