Grant of Hospital Patient Care Allowance (HPCA) & Patient Care Allowance (PCA) to Group 'C' & 'D' (non-ministerial) Railway employees working in Railway Hospitals & Health Units/Clinics.

Grant of Hospital Patient Care Allowance (HPCA) & Patient Care Allowance (PCA) to Group 'C' & 'D' (non-ministerial) Railway employees working in Railway Hospitals & Health Units/Clinics.

NFIR

No. I/5(g)/Part VI

Dated: 24/12/2018

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Grant of Hospital Patient Care Allowance (HPCA) & Patient Care Allowance (PCA) to Group 'C' & 'D' (non-ministerial) Railway employees working in Railway Hospitals & Health Units/Clinics.

Ref: (i) NFIR's PNM Item No. 1212016.
(ii) Board's letter No. 2015lH-lll0/10/FIPCA dated 14/03/2016 addressed to CMD. Central Railwayy.
(iii) Board's letter No. E(P&A)II-98/FIW-6 Vol. (RBE No. 3612016.
(iv) Board's letter No. E(P&A)IV2017/AL-4 dated GM (P), Central Railway.
(v) NFIR's letterNo. U5(g)lParI VI dated 08/09/2018
(vi) Railway Board's letter No. E(P&.A)IU}0l8Avlisc./4

Kind attention of Railway Board is invited to NFIR's PNM agenda item No. 1212016 and the correspondence cited under reference.

In this connection, Railway Board vide letter dated 1310912018 conveyed to the Federation that a Committee had been constituted to find out if any other category of staff working in Railway Hospitals Hlealth Units is eligible for HPCA/PCA and the recommendations of the Committee are being processed for further necessary action. Consequently, NFIR vide its letter dated 1910912018 requested the Railway Board to make available a copy of the recommendations of the Committee to facilitate the Federation to go through the same and make appropriate suggestions. A period of more than three months passed, copy of the Committee's report has not been made available to the Federation.

NFIR, therefore, once again requests the Railway Board to please provide a copy of the recommendations of the Committee early for Federation's perusal for discussing further, with the Board.

Yours faithfully,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

Payroll Reporting in India: An Employment Perspective - Coverage and Sources of data

Payroll Reporting in India: An Employment Perspective - Coverage and Sources of data

Employees' Provident Funds Scheme: September, 2017 to October, 2018
PROVISIONAL ESTIMATES OF SUBSCRIBERS AS PER EPFO RECORDS (IN NUMBERS) 

 Coverage and Sources of data

1. The Employees Provident Fund Scheme (EPF) is a mandatory savings scheme under the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. It is managed under the aegis of Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO). It covers every establishment in which 20 or more persons are employed (and certain other establishments which may be notified by the Central Government even if they employ less than 20 persons each), subject to certain conditions and exemptions as provided for in the Act. The pay ceiling is Rs.15000/- per month. Persons drawing pay above Rs. 15,000 are exempted or can be enrolled with some permission or on voluntary basis. The number of members subscribing to this scheme gives an idea of the level of employment in the formal sector. The data on subscribers-new members, exited members and those subscribers that re-started their subscription is sourced from EPFO. More details are available at www.epfindia.gov.in.

2. The Employees State Insurance Act, 1948 is applicable to non-seasonal, manufacturing establishments (other than a mine subject to the operation of the Mines Act, 1952 (35 of 1952), or a railway running shed) employing 10 or more workers. For health and medical institutions, the threshold limit is 20 or more workers. ESI Scheme for India is an integrated social security scheme tailored to provide socio-economic protection to the workers in the organized sector and their dependents, in contingencies, such as Sickness, Maternity and Death or Disablement due to an employment injury or occupational hazard. The wage ceiling is Rs.21000/- per month. Beneficiaries are termed as Insured Persons (IP) and a new IP number can also arise due to change in employment. Employees may cease to pay contribution due to wage exceeding the statutory ceiling of Rs.21000/- per month or owing to resignation, death, retirement or dismissal. The number of subscribers of this scheme also gives an idea of the level of employment in the formal sector. Data is sourced from Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and the information may have an element of duplication with EPF data and is thus not additive. More details are available at www.esic.in.

3. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PRFRDA)'s National Pension scheme (NPS) is an easily accessible, low cost, tax-efficient, flexible and portable retirement savings account. Under the NPS, the individual contributes to his retirement account and also his employer will co-contribute for the social security/welfare of the individual. NPS is designed on defined contribution basis wherein the subscriber contributes to his account, there is no defined benefit that would be available at the time of exit from the system and the accumulated wealth depends on the contributions made and the income generated from investment of such wealth. Any citizen of India, whether resident or non-resident, individuals who are aged between 18 - 60 years as on the date of submission of his/her application can subscribe to the scheme. From 1st January 2004, the central and the state governments have adopted this scheme for new employees except for armed forces. This was extended to other establishments from 2009 onwards. More details are available at www.pfrda.org.in.

Download the full details from Central Statistics office

Inauguration of renovated & upgraded 100 beded ESI Hospital in Bhubneswar

Ministry of Labour & Employment
Inauguration of renovated & upgraded 100 beded ESI Hospital in Bhubneswar

24 DEC 2018

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated the renovated and upgraded 100 bedded ESI Hospital, Bhubaneswar (Odisha) to the Nation from IIT Campus, Bhubaneswar along with the basket of different projects of Govt. of India on 24.12.2018 (Monday).

The other dignitaries to grace the occasion were Professor Ganeshi Lal, Governor, Odisha, Shri Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister, Odisha, Shri Jual Oram, Minister of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Govt. of India and Dr. (Prof.) Prasanna Kumar Patasani, MP, Bhubneswar.
In his address, the Prime Minister said that the existing 50 bedded ESI Hospital Bhubaneswar has been renovated & upgraded to 100 bedded hospital with a project cost of Rs. 73 crore (aprox.). Equipped with all the modern facilities, this hospital will provide good medical care to beneficiaries under ESI Scheme of Bhubaneswar area. He said that the Central Govt. is working to provide the good quality medical care to every citizen of India. For this purpose, Wellness Health Centres are also being opened under 'Ayushman Bharat Yojana' to provide medical care in the remotest part of India.
The other projects inaugurated/foundation laid during the event were of Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Govt. of India, etc.

ESI Scheme in India

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 10.33 lakh factories and establishments across the country, benefiting about 3.43 crores Insured Persons/Family Units of workers. As of now, the total beneficiary population of ESI Scheme stands over 13.32 crores. Ever since its inception in 1952, the ESI Corporation has, so far, set up 154 Hospitals, 1500/148 Dispensaries / ISM Units, 815 Branch/Pay Offices and 64 Regional & Sub-Regional/Divisional Offices.

PIB

DoE: Switch over from Petrol and Diesel vehicles to Electric vehicles for hired vehicles in Secretariats/Attached offices of Ministries and Departments of Government of India located in Delhi

DoE: Switch over from Petrol and Diesel vehicles to Electric vehicles for hired vehicles in Secretariats/Attached offices of Ministries and Departments of Government of India located in Delhi

F.No.2S(7)/E.Coord.l2017
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
E.Coord Section

North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 22nd December, 2018

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Switch over from petrol and diesel vehicles to electrical vehicles for hired vehicles in Secretariats/Attached offices of Ministries and Departments of Government of India located in Delhi

Keeping in view the policy thru st of the Government that by 2030, 30% of the total vehicle fleet in the country will be electrical for the reason of its being environmental friendly, cost effective and substitute for fossil fuels, Ministries/Departments are encouraged to switch over to electrical mobility from petrol and diesel cars in respect of vehicles taken on lease/hire for official purpose.

2. Accordingly, all the Ministries/Departments may aim at replacing the petrol and diesel cars hired by Ministries/Departments in their Secretariats and attached offices (located in Delhi) through contractors by electric cars for mobility in Delhi. In cases where existing contracts for hiring of petrol/diesel vehicles have come to an end, Ministries/Departments may consider fresh contract for hiring electric vehicles.

3. To facilitate Ministries/Departments a framework of the draft agreement which the Ministries/Department may adopt for entering into contract for lease/hiring of electric vehicles is annexed. Ministries/Departments are at liberty to amend the conditions of the draft agreement as per the type of lease/hiring (Wet or Dry) entered into with the service provider.

(Annie George Mathew)
Joint Secretary to the Government of India

Download the Template of the conditions of Agreement for hiring of electric vehicles

Source: DoE

Stagnation Increment - Revision of Pension of Pre-2016 pensioners

Stagnation Increment - Revision of Pension of Pre-2016 pensioners

"Benefit of additional increment has been granted to those officers who were serving as on 1.1.2016. Those who retired/died before 1.1.2016 are, therefore, not eligible for increment after retirement for the purpose of pension."

No.38/37/2016-P&PW(A)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan
Khan Market, New Delhi-110 003
Dated the 21st December, 2018

Office Memorandum

Subject: Revision of Pension of Pre-2016 pensioners - Stagnation Increment regarding

The undersigned is directed to say that in pursuance of the decision taken by the Government on the recommendations of the 7th CPC, orders were issued vide this Deptt's OM of even number dated 12.5.2017 for revision of pension/family pension in respect of pre-2016 pensioners/family pensioners by notionally fixing pay in the pay matrix recommended by the 7th CPC in the level corresponding to the pay in the pay scale/pay band and grade pay at which the Government servant / pensioner retired/died. Concordance tables for fixation of notional pay / pension of pre-2016 pensioners were issued vide this Department's OM of even number dated 6.7.2017.

2. References/representations have been received in this Department seeking clarification on the applicability of the OM dated 7.9.2016 for the purpose of notional pay fixation and revision of pension of pre-2016 pensioners and family pensioners w.e.f. 1.1.2016. The matter has been examined in consultation with the Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure). It is clarified that the benefit of additional increment has been granted to those officers who were serving as on 1.1.2016. Those who retired/died before 1.1.2016 are, therefore, not eligible for increment after retirement for the purpose of pension.

3. This issues with the approval of Department of Expenditure vide their I.D. No.1(3)/V-V/2018 dated 4.9.2018 and 1.D. No.1(3)/V-V/2018 dated 28.11.2018

sd/-
(S.K. Makkar)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

7th CPC: Dress Allowance to officials discharging Prosecution functions on provisional basis

Dress Allowance to officials discharging Prosecution functions on provisional basis(7th CPC) - Railways

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
Ministry of Railways (Rail Mantralaya)
(Railway Board)

Pc-VII No. 124
RBE No. 199/2018
File No. PC-VII/2017/I/7/5/7(Pt.)

New Delhi, Dated: 21.12.2018

The General Managers/ CAOs(R),
AB Indian Railways and Production Units,
(As per mailing list)

Subject: Implementation of the recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission - Dress Allowance to officials discharging Prosecution functions on provisional basis.

Consequent to the decision taken by the Government of lndia on the recommendations of the 7th CPC, Kit Maintenance Allowance, Shoe Allowance, Uniform Allowance, Washing Allowance, Robe Allowance and Robe Maintenance Allowance have been subsumed into a single Dress Allowance and orders in this regard have been issued vide Board’s order No. PC-VII/2017/J/7/5/7 dated 03.10.20 17 (PC-VII No. 64/ RBE No. 141/2017).

2. A separate Prosecution Cadre is also being fonned in the Indian Railways. While formalisation of the Cadre is awaited, officials presently designated as Public Prosecutors and Assistant Public Prosecutors continue to perform prosecution related duties, including Court appearances. References are being received from Railways on payment of separate Dress Allowance to such officials as they are no longer part of the Railway Protection Force.

3. The matter has been considered in Board's office. While the Prosecution Cadre sanction and formation is being followed up with the Department of personnel & Training, it is nevertheless a fact that Public Prosecutors/Asst. Public Prosecutors as designated presently continue to perform prosecution related duties that involve appearing in Court. Accordingly, all such Public Prosecutors/Asst. Public Prosecutors who are actually attending Courts in performance of their official duties may be paid Dress Allowance @ Rs. 10,000 per annum provisionally as governed by all instructions/terms and conditions issued under Board’s Order No. PC-VII/2017/I/7/5/7 dt. 03.10.2017 (circulated as RBE No. 141/2017).

4. These orders will be taken up for review as and when the Prosecution Cadre is formally notified.

5. This issues with the approval of Board (MS and FC).

Hindi version will follow.

(Jaya Kumar G)
Deputy Director(Pay Commission) VII
Railway Board

Non-Practicing allowance of Government Doctors - Loksabha

Non-Practicing allowance of Government Doctors - Loksabha

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1960
TO BE ANSWERED ON 21sT DECEMBER, 2018

NON-PRACTICING ALLOWANCE OF GOVERNMENT DOCTORS
1960. SHRI MD. BADARUDDOZA KHAN:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the doctors of Government hospitals are doing private practice despite taking non-practicing allowance, if so, the reaction of the Government thereto indicating the number of the doctors doing private practice across the country including West Bengal;
(b) whether any steps are being taken by the Government to control it, if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a): Health being a state subject, information pertaining to the doctors doing private practice across the country including West Bengal is not centrally maintained. As per Rule 13 of CHS Rules, 2014, persons appointed to the Central Health Service shall not be allowed private practice of any kind whatsoever including any consultation and laboratory service.
In one case reported from Central Government Health Services(CGHS) Delhi, disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against the concerned officer as per rules and procedure of the Government.

(b) & (c): As and when any instance of private practice by a Central Health Service doctor is brought to the notice of this Ministry, appropriate action is taken in the matter as per rules and procedure of the Government.

Source: Loksabha

India Posts: Income Tax benefits from Post Office Saving Schemes

 Income Tax benefits from Post Office Saving Schemes
Interest rates on these post office saving schemes move in line with the government's interest rates on small savings schemes.India Post or Department of Posts, which runs the postal network of the country, offers a number of saving schemes with income tax benefits. Using these saving schemes, investor can claim a deduction up to Rs. 1.5 lakh in a financial year from taxable income under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. Interest rates on these post office saving schemes move in line with the government's interest rates on small savings schemes, which are revised on a quarterly basis.

Here are post office saving schemes that offer tax benefits:

Post Office Time Deposit (TD) or Fixed Deposit (FD) account
In a post office fixed deposit (FD), one can deposit a lump sum of money for a specific period and avail of features like guaranteed returns and choice of interest payout. Post office time deposit (TD) or Fixed Deposit (FD) account offers interest rates across four maturities: one year, two years, three years, and five years, noted India Post on it's official website- indiapost.gov.in. The investment under 5 years fixed deposit qualifies for the benefit of Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, mentioned India Post.

Post Office Public Provident Fund (PPF) account
Post office Public Provident Fund (PPF) account offers an investment avenue with decent returns coupled with income tax benefits. For the quarter ending December, PPF accounts fetch an interest rate of 8 per cent per annum. Interests on deposits are compounded on an annual basis, which means that it is added to the principal amount every year, noted India Post. PPF comes under the exempt, exempt, exempt (EEE) category of tax status. This means that returns, maturity amount and interest income are exempt from income tax. Deposits qualify for deduction from income under Section 80C of Income Tax Act.

Post Office Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) account
Post Office Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) serves as an investment avenue and helps in generating wealth for a successful retirement life. SCSS earns an interest rate of 8.7 per cent per annum, which is payable from the date of deposit on March 31/ September 30/December 31 in the first instance and thereafter, interest are payable on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31. Tax Deducted At Source (TDS) is deducted at source on interest if the interest amount is more than Rs. 10,000 per annum. Investment under this scheme qualifies for the benefit of Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 from April 1, 2007.

Post office National Savings Certificates (NSCs)
Post Office National savings certificates (NSCs) fetch an interest rate of 8 per cent per annum. This interest is compounded annually but payable at maturity. An NSC of Rs. 100 will offer Rs. 146.93 on maturity after five years. NSCs have a lock-in period of five years. Deposits in the National Savings Certificate qualify for deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.

Via: NDTV

NPS Withdrawal Norms

Ministry of Finance
NPS Withdrawal Norms

21 DEC 2018

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has changed the norms for withdrawal of National Pension System (NPS) subscribers. Keeping in view the possibility of sudden financial needs of the subscribers, the requirement of minimum period under National Pension System (NPS) for availing the facility of partial withdrawal from the mandatory Tier-I account of the subscriber has been reduced from 10 years to 3 years from the date of joining w.e.f. 10th August, 2017. The minimum gap of 5 years between two partial withdrawals has also been removed w.e.f. 10th August, 2017. A subscriber is eligible for three partial withdrawals during the period of subscription under NPS, each withdrawal not exceeding twenty-five percent of the contributions made by the subscriber and excluding contributions made by the employer. There is, however, no restriction on withdrawals from the Tier-II account of the subscriber.

The extent and purpose for which partial withdrawals from the Tier-I account under NPS are permissible are as under:

Purpose

• for higher education and marriage of his or her children including a legally adopted child;
• for the purchase or construction of a residential house or flat in his or her own name or in a joint name with his or her legally wedded spouse. In case, the subscriber already owns either individually or in the joint name a residential house or flat, other than ancestral property, no withdrawal under these regulations shall be permitted;
• for treatment of specified illnesses: if the subscriber, his legally wedded spouse, children, including a legally adopted child or dependent parents suffer from any specified illness, which shall comprise of hospitalization and treatment in respect of the following diseases:

(a) Cancer;
(b) Kidney Failure (End Stage Renal Failure);
(c) Primary Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension;
(d) Multiple Sclerosis;
(e) Major Organ Transplant
(f) Coronary Artery Bypass Graft;
(g) Aorta Graft Surgery;
(h) Heart Valve Surgery;
(i) Stroke;
(j) Myocardial Infarction;
(k) Coma;
(l) Total blindness;
(m) Paralysis;
(n) Accident of serious/ life threatening nature.
(o) Any other critical illness of a life threatening nature as stipulated in the circulars, guidelines or notifications issued by the Authority from time to time.

• Towards meeting the expenses by subscriber for skill development/re-skilling or for any other self-development activities.
• Towards meeting the expenses by subscriber for establishment of own venture or any start-ups.
• To meet medical & incidental expenses arranging out of disability or incapacitation suffered.

Limits
The subscriber should have been in the National Pension System at least for a period of three years from the date of his or her joining;
The subscriber shall be permitted to withdraw accumulations not exceeding twenty-five per cent of the contributions made by him or her and standing to his or her credit in his or her individual pension account, as on the date of application for withdrawal;

Frequency
The subscriber shall be allowed to make partial withdrawals for a maximum of three times during the entire tenure of subscription under the NPS. There is, however, no minimum time gap now stipulated between two partial withdrawals.
This was stated by Shri Ship Pratap Shukla, Minister of State for Finance in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

PIB

New Settlement Rules of SEBI

Ministry of Finance

New Settlement Rules of SEBI

21 DEC 2018

SEBI has introduced the SEBI (Settlement Proceedings) Regulations, 2018 that have been notified on 30.11.2018 and will come into effect from 01.01.2019. On the date of commencement of these Regulations the existing SEBI (Settlement of Administrative and Civil Proceedings) Regulations, 2014 shall stand repealed.

In pursuit of the objectives of SEBI (to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of and to regulate the securities market), as new challenges arise it is important to have a convergence or integration of the quasi-judicial processes within SEBI with the alternate dispute resolution process, to bring forth a more effective harmonized scheme to operate without any conflict and delay. The SEBI (Settlement of Administrative and Civil Proceedings) Regulations, 2014 introduced a mathematical and transparent system of calculating the settlement amount. However over a period of time it was noticed that there was a need for revision due to changes in securities laws, new products and increase in settlement amounts.

SEBI constituted a High Level Committee under the Chairmanship of Retd. Justice A. R. Dave (Supreme Court of India) to examine the SEBI (Settlement of Administrative and Civil Proceedings) Regulations, 2014 and comprehensively re-work the regulations after taking into account developments in domestic and foreign jurisdictions. The SEBI (Settlement Proceedings) Regulations, 2018 provide a more effective mechanism, the essential concomitants of a legal proceeding, without compromising on deterrence or providing equitable remedies to the affected investors.

The Settlement process is an alternative enforcement process that is beneficial to the alleged defaulter, investors and the regulator. Settlement allows the enforcement proceedings to be finalized at the earliest without a long drawn litigation while ensuring that the investors' rights are protected. The SEBI (Settlement Proceedings) Regulations, 2018 inter alia provide the following:-

• Disclosure related violations are settled after making the required disclosures;
• Refund to investors is made wherever required in compliance with securities laws;
• Investors are provided the required exit or purchase option in compliance with securities laws;

Thus the SEBI (Settlement Proceedings) Regulations, 2018 are likely to make all settlements transactions relating to investors more transparent.

This was stated by Shri Pon. Radhakrishnan, Minister of State for Finance in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

PIB