Thursday, 22 October 2015

Government approves hike in bonus ceiling from Rs. 3500 to Rs 7000

Government approves hike in bonus ceiling from Rs. 3500 to Rs 7000

central_government_bonus_hike_2015_approved NEW DELHI: The Cabinet decided to double the wage ceiling for calculating bonus to Rs 7,000 per month for factory workers and establishments with 20 or more workers.

“The Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Bill, 2015 to enhance the monthly bonus calculation ceiling to Rs 7,000 per month from existing Rs 3,500 was approved by Union Cabinet here,” a source said after the Cabinet meeting.

The amendment bill will be made effective from April 1, 2015. Now the bill will be tabled in Parliament for approval.

The bill also seeks to enhance the eligibility limit for payment of bonus from the salary or wage of an employee from Rs 10,000 per month to Rs 21,000.

The Payment of Bonus Act 1965 is applicable to every factory and other establishment in which 20 or more persons are employed on any day during an accounting year.

The bill also provides for a new proviso in Section 12 which empowers the central government to vary the basis of computing bonus.

At present, under Section 12, where the salary or wage of an employee exceeds Rs 3,500 per month, the minimum or maximum bonus payable to employees are calculated as if his salary or wage were Rs 3,500 per month.

The last amendment to both the eligibility limit and the calculation ceilings under the said Act was carried out in 2007 and was made effective from April 1, 2006.

This amendment in the Act to increase wage ceiling and bonus calculation ceiling was one of ssurances given by the Centre after 10 central trade unions went on one-day strike on September 2.

The government had hinted at meeting workers’ aspirations on nine out of 12 demands submitted by the unions.

Source : AIRF

Punjab Announces Cashless Insurance for Government Employees & Pensioners

Punjab Announces Cashless Insurance for Government Employees & Pensioners

Punjab Announces Cashless Insurance for Govt Employees & Pensioners – The scheme would be made compulsory to employees and pensioners it would be optional for All India Service Officers, serving and ex-MLAs, serving and ex-Judges of Punjab and Haryana High Court.

In a significant move that will benefit over 6.50 lakh employees and pensioners of the state government, the Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday gave its nod to implement Cashless Health Insurance scheme in lieu of the existing policy of reimbursement of the medical expenses.

A decision to this effect was taken by the Cabinet in its meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here at Punjab Bhawan this evening.

Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Ministers Office said that the facility of cashless treatment would be provided to Government employee/pensioners and their dependents in more than 250 empanelled public and private hospitals in Punjab, Chandigarh and NCR (Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida) adding that under this scheme all the benefits would be granted to the employee as per Service Rules (Medical Attendance Rules 1940).

The expenses on treatment if taken outside the state would be reimbursed to the employees by the insurance company within 15 days of submission of medical claim. As per the scheme, the expenditure on treatment of patient admitted in hospital and 246 kinds of “day care” procedure (in which treatment was provided in less than 24 hours) and treatment of chronic diseases in OPD would be provided to patient without spending any money.

The OPD expenses other than those related to chronic diseases would continue to be met through fixed medical allowance. The scheme would cover pre and post hospitalisation benefits up to seven days and 30 days respectively, which were not available under the prevailing rules.

Though the insurance company cover was Rs 3 lakh per family, however, the scheme would cover a family for an unlimited amount. The scheme would be made compulsory to employees and pensioners it would be optional for All India Service Officers, serving and ex-MLAs, serving and ex-Judges of Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Source: Business Line

Finance Ministry advises Banks to issue duly signed acknowledgement to the pensioners while submitting Life Certificate

Finance Ministry advises Banks to issue duly signed acknowledgement to the pensioners while submitting Life Certificate

Department of Expenditure has advised Banks to issue the acknowledgement at the time of submission of Life Certificates by the Pensioners in the prescribed format given below.


GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE
CENTRAL PENSION ACCOUNTING OFFICE
TAIKOOT-II, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE,
NEW DELHI-110066
PHONES: 26174596, 26174456, 26174438


CPAO/IT &Tech/Scheme Booklet/2015-16/1666

16.10.2015
 Office Memorandum


Subject:- Modification in the format of Life Certificate -Issue of Acknowledgement to pensioners.

Attention is invited to this office OM No.CPAO/Tech/Simplification/2012-13/325 dated-18.02.2013 directing the banks to allow pensioners/family pensioners to submit the life certificates as well as other certificates to any branch of the bank through which their pension are being disbursed. In this context, several instances of stoppage of payment of pensions have been reported citing non-receipt of life certificate even though the pensioners had submitted their life certificates to the bank, due to misplacement of the life certificate at the bank branches concerned. Instances of some pension paying banks not accepting life certificates given to them by pensioners and directing pensioners to submit the life certificate to CPPC have also been reported causing great inconvenience to pensioners, which results in either stoppage of payment of pension or delay in payment of pension.

In this context, to alleviate the hardship faced by the pensioners, RBI has also instructed all the Agency Banks handling government pension payment, vide Notification No. RBT/2014-15/ 587 DGBA. GAD No. H-5013/ 45.01.001/2014-15 dated-07.05.2015 that on receipt of life certificate submitted in physical form, banks to issue duly signed acknowledgement to the pensioners and to enter the same in their CBS immediately and issue a system generated receipt to serve the twin purpose of acknowledgement to the pensioners as well as real- time updation of records.

To facilitate the bank authorities, CPAO has prescribed a modified format of life certificate providing therewith acknowledgement of the receipt of the life certificate vide Correction Slip No.24 to the Scheme for Payment of Pensions to Central Government Civil Pensioners by Authorized Banks. The acknowledgement is a part of the format of Life Certificate, which can be detached and given to the pensioner by the receiving bank. The format (Annexure) has been circulated to all concerned and the same has been made available on CPAO’s website ‘www.cpao.nic.in’ at the link
“For Banks”–> Guidelines for Master data.

The Chairmen/Chief Executive Directors of Authorised Banks are requested to ensure that their paying branches follow the above instructions scrupulously without fail.

This issues with the approval of Competent Authority


(Vijay Singh)
Sr. Accounts Officer (IT & Tech)
ANNEXURE-XVIl (See para 15.1page11 
of CPAO’s Scheme Booklet)


Part-A (Every year)

LIFE CERTIFICATE

(To be submitted by Pensioner once a year in November)


Certified that I have seen the pensioner Shri/Smt./Ms._______(Name of Pensioner)
holder of Pension Payment Order No.________ and that he/she is alive on this date.

1. Present address of the pensioner/family pensioner.
2. Telephone/Mobile number (if any).
3. E-mail Address (if any).

Name
Place:

Date:

Designation of Authorised Officer

Seal


ACKNOWLEDGEMENT


Life Certificate of Pensioner /Family Pensioner of Shri/Smt/Ms.__ (Name of Pensioner) holder of Pension Payment Order No.____ has been
received.

Date :-


Signature .

Name·····················

Stamp of the receiving Bank branch


Download Finance Ministry letter No.CPAO/IT &Tech/Scheme Booklet/2015-16/1666 dated 16.10.2015

Amendment of provisions relating to Railway Staff Benefit Fund

Amendment of provisions relating to Railway Staff Benefit Fund – Chapter 8 of the Indian Railway Establishment Code Volume I, 1985 Edition (Second Reprint Edition – 2003).

Railway Board has amended the Railway Staff Benefit Fund – Chapter 8 of the Indian Railway Establishment Code Volume I, 1985 Edition (Second Reprint Edition – 2003).


RBE No.125/2015
ACS No.127


GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD

No. E(W) 2010/FU-1/4
New Delhi, dated 12.10.201


The General Managers,

All Zonal Railways and Production Units etc.

Sub: Amendment of provisions relating to Railway Staff Benefit Fund – Chapter 8 of the Indian Railway Establishment Code Volume I, 1985 Edition (Second Reprint Edition – 2003).

In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution, the President is pleased to direct that Rules 805 (1) and 805 (2) of the Indian Railway Establishment Code, Volume-I 1985 Edition be amended as per enclosed Advance Correction Slip No. 127.

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

3. Hindi version is enclosed.

4. Please acknowledge receipt.

Encl: Advance Correction Slip.


(Debasis Mazumdar)
Director Establishment (Welfare)
Railway Board
5. Recreation other than sports 32 Recreational facilities, purchase of gym equipments, employees’/wards’ holiday camps, study tours. 6. Recreational facilities at institutes and Clubs etc. 36 7. Promotion of Cultural Activities 16 Organizing cultural programmes in residential colonies, Divisions and schools and purchase/maintenance of instruments etc. 8. Relief of distress, sickness, etc for staff in grade pay up to Rs.4600/ 120 To grant higher amount of relief to employees in need such as immediate financial assistance to railway employees in accidents and for employees who are long sick and hospitalized for a long period and are on leave without pay: no leave (LAP or LHAP) is in his credit. Funeral charges for death of Railway employees be given at 10,000/- in each case. 9. Sports activities 30 Encouraging sports by giving latest sports equipment and imparting training at schools, institutes and clubs 10. Scouts & Guides activities 22 Augmentation of training facility all over railways 11. Indigenous system of medicine including Homoeopathy 36 12. Immediate relief in times of crisis arising out of floods, famines, landslides, fire or any other
calamity 24 13. Developing occupational .skills of physically/mentally challenged railway employees and their wards including purchase of wheel chairs, other aids, special software etc. and organising workshops, seminars, camps etc. 50 Assistance to employees/wards in need of special equipments etc 14. Miscellaneous 80 Support for improvement in holiday homes, rest houses, entertainment/ information facility Viz colour TV; electrical appliances/maintenance fund for recurring expenses on such facilities. Total 800/- - See more at: http://www.centralgovernmentnews.com/amendment-of-provisions-relating-to-railway-staff-benefit-fund/#sthash.dlIwfvZr.dpuf

5.Recreation other than sports32Recreational facilities, purchase of gym equipments, employees’/wards’ holiday camps, study tours.
6.Recreational facilities at institutes and Clubs etc.36
7.Promotion of Cultural Activities16Organizing cultural programmes in residential colonies, Divisions and schools and purchase/maintenance of instruments etc.
8.Relief of distress, sickness, etc for staff in grade pay up to Rs.4600/120To grant higher amount of relief to employees in need such as immediate financial assistance to railway employees in accidents and for employees who are long sick and hospitalized for a long period and are on leave without pay: no leave (LAP or LHAP) is in his credit. Funeral charges for death of Railway employees be given at 10,000/- in each case.
9.Sports activities30Encouraging sports by giving latest sports equipment and imparting training at schools, institutes and clubs
10.Scouts & Guides activities22Augmentation of training facility all over railways
11.Indigenous system of medicine including Homoeopathy36
12.Immediate relief in times of crisis arising out of floods, famines, landslides, fire or any other
calamity
24
13.Developing occupational .skills of physically/mentally challenged railway employees and their wards including purchase of wheel chairs, other aids, special software etc. and organising workshops, seminars, camps etc.50Assistance to employees/wards in need of special equipments etc
14.Miscellaneous80Support for improvement in holiday homes, rest houses, entertainment/ information facility Viz colour TV; electrical appliances/maintenance fund for recurring expenses on such facilities.

Total800/-

Note: –(1) Allocation provided against Head/Activity at S.No.(1) (2) and (3) will also be utilized for financing the scheme of Cash award for wards of Railway employees for outstanding contribution in Academics & Sports as stipulated vide Annexure-I to Board’s letter No.E(W)2014/FU-1/1 dated 01-06-2015 (RBE No.54/2015.

(2) Note 3 below Clause (2) of Rule 805 may be substituted by the following:

Based on the overall per capita contribution of Rs.30/- for sports activities, sports allotments shall continue to be made by the Ministry of Railways in consultation with the Railway Sports Promotion Board, to the Zonal Railways/Production Units.

Allotment of Rs. 22/- for scouting activities will also be made by the Ministry of Railways. Rs. 24/- per capita allotted for “Immediate relief in times of crisis arising out of natural calamities” will be made from the “SBF Calamity Relief Fund” at the level of the Ministry of Railways. Therefore, allotment for Rs.76/- will be authorized centrally by Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) from sanctioned Budget allotments.

(Authority: Board’s letter No. E(W)2014/FU-l/1 dated 30.07.2014, 08.12.2014 and 01.06.2015)


INDIAN RAILWAY ESTABLISHMENT CODE VOLUME-I, 1985 EDITION

(Second Reprint Edition-2003)

CHAPTER-8

Railway Staff Benefit Fund

Advance Correction Slip No.127.

0) Clause (1) of Rule 805 may be substituted by the following:

In addition to the credits to the Fund detailed in Rule 804, there shall be credited to the fund on the 1st April of each financial year an annual grant from the revenues of the Railway at a per capita rate of Rs.800/- based on the sanctioned strength of non-gazetted Railway employees, permanent and temporary, as on the 31st March, posts charged to capital being excluded. The Fund shall be credited provisionally on the 1st April each year with an amount equal to the contribution for the previous year, the necessary adjustment being made as soon as the correct amount of the contribution has been determined. The distribution of Rs.800/- among different activities will be as under:


S. NoHead/activityAllocation(in Rs)Scope
1.Education- Scholarship for Higher Technical/Professional education for wards of staff in grade pay of above Rs.2400/- and up to Rs.4200/- @ Rs. 1500/- pm.
116
For railway wards of employees in grade pay of above Rs.2400/- and upto Rs.4200/- pursuing higher technical/professional education.
2.Scholarship for higher technical/professional education of Girl children of staff in grade pay up to Rs.2,400/-@
Rs.1500/- pm
28Scholarship for pursuing technical/ professional diploma/degree for girl children of railway employees up to Rs.2400/- in grade pay
3.Scholarship for higher technical/professional education of  Male children of staff in grade pay up to Rs.2,400/- @ Rs.1500/- pm100Scholarship for pursuing technical professional diploma/degree for male children of railway employees in grade pay up to Rs.2400/-
4.Women empowerment activities including seminar, training programmes camps, and gender sensitization camps etc.28Giving support to creches, arrangements for safety of women railway employees & other initiatives taken by Railways.

Download Railway Board RBE No.125/2015 ACS No.127 No. E(W) 2010/FU-1/4 dated 12.10.201
5. Recreation other than sports 32 Recreational facilities, purchase of gym equipments, employees’/wards’ holiday camps, study tours. 6. Recreational facilities at institutes and Clubs etc. 36 7. Promotion of Cultural Activities 16 Organizing cultural programmes in residential colonies, Divisions and schools and purchase/maintenance of instruments etc. 8. Relief of distress, sickness, etc for staff in grade pay up to Rs.4600/ 120 To grant higher amount of relief to employees in need such as immediate financial assistance to railway employees in accidents and for employees who are long sick and hospitalized for a long period and are on leave without pay: no leave (LAP or LHAP) is in his credit. Funeral charges for death of Railway employees be given at 10,000/- in each case. 9. Sports activities 30 Encouraging sports by giving latest sports equipment and imparting training at schools, institutes and clubs 10. Scouts & Guides activities 22 Augmentation of training facility all over railways 11. Indigenous system of medicine including Homoeopathy 36 12. Immediate relief in times of crisis arising out of floods, famines, landslides, fire or any other
calamity 24 13. Developing occupational .skills of physically/mentally challenged railway employees and their wards including purchase of wheel chairs, other aids, special software etc. and organising workshops, seminars, camps etc. 50 Assistance to employees/wards in need of special equipments etc 14. Miscellaneous 80 Support for improvement in holiday homes, rest houses, entertainment/ information facility Viz colour TV; electrical appliances/maintenance fund for recurring expenses on such facilities. Total 800/- - See more at: http://www.centralgovernmentnews.com/amendment-of-provisions-relating-to-railway-staff-benefit-fund/#sthash.dlIwfvZr.dpuf

Tuesday, 20 October 2015

Defence Personnel will have better facility for collection of Train I-Tickets Booked on Defence Travel System

Defence Personnel will have better facility for collection of Train I-Tickets Booked on Defence Travel System
Ministry of Railways
20-October, 2015

I-Tickets on Defence Travel System can be Collected at any PRS Counter by Defence Personnel

For hassle-free collection of i- tickets by Defence Personnel booked on the Defence Travel System on Indian Railways, the Indian Railways now affords the facility of collection of the booked i-tickets from any Computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counter of Indian Railways. Earlier, the i-tickets could be collected by the Defence Personnel at the journey originating station only. Now it has been liberalized and it can be collected from any PRS counter in the country. However, the i-tickets can be printed only once. This liberalized facility will be a big help to defence personnel.

With a view to phase out the Defence Warrant System, the Indian Railways commenced the Defence Travel System on its e- ticketing portal of IRCTC in 2009. The i-ticket now can be collected from any PRS counter by the defence personnel on showing one of the ten prescribed proofs of identity allowed for undertaking journeys on e-tickets. If some other person collects the tickets on behalf of the defence personnel, then he/she must produce any of the ten prescribed proofs of identity in original along with photocopy of the ticket-holding defence personnel.

The Railways has also issued format of receipt to be given by the Defence Personnel while collecting the i-ticket from the Railway counter which specifies inter alia details such as PNR Number and Transaction ID on Defence Travel System.

The Railway has also mitigated certain other problems encountered in booking of i-tickets for the Defence Personnel through facilities like auto cancellation of fully waitlisted e-tickets, allowing of booking of tickets on defence travel system during first thirty minutes of opening of reservation disallowed for all other ticketing agents.
****
PIB

7th Pay Commission – Advantages to Government or Employees?

7th Pay Commission – Advantages to Government or Employees?

The Central Government employees are scheduled to get salary hikes on the basis of the recommendations by January 1, 2016. According to sources, the house rent allowance too would see an increase by 20 per cent. But the most significant recommendation is that 5 to 6 per cent of the annual increment would be performance-based. There is also likely to be a provision of retiring under-performing employees by the age of 55 or 30 years of service, whichever is more.
 
The Finance ministry has already opened its stand saying, the Seventh Pay Commission will be mindful of the fiscal concerns of the government while giving its report on new pay scales and remunerations for central government employees and pensioners.
 
So the question which arises in everybody’s mind is, for whom the 7th Pay Commission is for? Is it for the Central Government employees or for the Government? For Whose benefit is it working?
 
For example there is a rumour floating around that the CGHS facility is going to take its last breath after 7th CPC. The Seventh Pay commission is planning to propose health insurance scheme to replace Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) at highly subsidized rates.
 
The pay panel will ask the central government to urge the insurance industry to come up with feasible health insurance solution for the central government employees and pensioners. The IRDA, the insurance regulatory body of India, will be compelled to ask the health insurance companies to offer a basic insurance to every central government employee and pensioner, regardless of age or medical condition and will not be allowed to make a profit of this basic insurance.
 
Health insurance would be available for central government employees and pensioners till death, the insured employees and pensioners will have to pay 50% of the premium from their salaries and pensions and the remaining 50% premium may be paid by the central government.
 
The CGHS is financed mainly through the Centre’s tax revenues. Though beneficiaries do contribute a share of their wages towards premium, ranging from Rs 600 to Rs 6,000 a year depending on their pay scale, this accounts for just about 5 per cent of the total expenditure. The government shells out the remaining 95 per cent.
 
However, now the Government is looking for ways to end the CGHS in its current form and to move to an insurance based health scheme to cut costs.
 
Recently, the CG Employee’s Welfare Ministry released an announcement which has created confusion and fury among the CG employees.
 
In the announcement it has been said that the senior officials have to analyse the service record and decide whether employees who have completed thirty years of service or reached their 50th year should continue their service or be advised to leave service after three months notice.
 
Does it take a management to learn that an official or an employee is unfit to continue in service when he has reached his 50th year? Does it take thirty years of continuous service to assess the efficiency of an employee?
 
Then what is the need for a probation period? After serving the Government for 30 years or till his 50th year, if somebody is asked to quit just like that, giving some damn reason when he is old, appears rather inhumane.
Unlike in the private sector, the pay hike in government is a once-in-10-years-affair. The Government need not and should not compare the Government employees with the private sector. The private sector works on profit mode, but the government organisations work in the service mode.
 
The NJCA at the Meeting of the Confederation held at Hyderabad on 09th October 2015 while endorsing the decision of the National Joint Council of Action (Railway, Defence & Confederation) to organize massive protest dharna at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 19th November 2015 and also Nationwide Protest Demonstration in front of all works spot & offices, has decided to further intensify the protest action against the negative attitude of the Government for the Unwarranted intervention of the Finance Ministry in the independent functioning of the Pay Commission by issuing a statement asking the 7th CPC to factor into its report the fiscal concern of the government and thereby to pressurize the commission not to recommend wage rise on the basis of a sound and scientific formulation and Causing engineered delay by the Government in the submission of 7th CPC report by granting four months extension upto 31st December 2015, even when the Pay Commission was ready to submit its report within the stipulated time i.e. 28th August 2015.
 
Source : GConnect.in

Record Note of the 5th Meeting of National Anomaly Committee (NAC) held on 9.6.2015

Record Note of the 5th Meeting of National Anomaly Committee (NAC) held on 9.6.2015

RECORD NOTE OF THE 5th NATIONAL ANOMALY COMMITTEE (NAC) MEETING HELD ON 9TH JUNE, 2015

In continuation of meeting held on 29.05.2015, a meeting of the National Anomaly Committee (NAC) was held on 09.06.2015 at 3:00 PM under the Chairpersonship of Ms. Mamta Kundra, Joint Secretary (Establishment), Deptt. of Personnel & Training in Room No.72, North Block, New Delhi.

2. Shri Asholi Chalai, Director (JCA) welcomed the representatives of the Staff Side & Official Side and invited Leader and Secretary Staff Side for their opening remarks on the items.

3. Leader Staff Side requested for Action Taken Report as agreed upon in the earlier meeting and also enquired on the status of a full time Director, JCM.

4. Leader of Staff Side suggested that a decision regarding Pay fixation under Rule S-13 to the staff who are shouldering higher responsibilities may be taken early. They also questioned the need for the concerned Ministry to send their proposals to Finance Ministry for approvals, when the employees are promoted to same grade pay and when the competent authority could take a decision. The matter may be settled within the Ministry / Department as there has been abnormal delays for more than 2/3 years.
5(a). Leader Staff Side further mentioned that the Departmental Anomaly Committee decision at the Railway Ministries level for merger of Technician GP 2400/- with GP 2800/- allotment of Grade Pay 4600/- to Loco Pilots (Mail/Exp) and grant of additional allowance to all Running Staff. These proposals are pending with the Finance Ministry long.

5(b). He also mentioned that Railway Ministry’s proposal for allotment of GP 1800/- to those retired/died between 05.09.2008 and 15.12.2008 is pending with the Ministry of Finance. He said that these former staff are entitled for GP 1800/- as there was no scope for giving them training. He further stated that in this connection, Railway Ministry’s proposal may be connected.

The Official Side noted that suggestions of the Staff Side on the issues mentioned in para 5(a) and 5(b) of the Minutes and stated that the proposal of Ministry of Railways pending with the Ministry of Finance will be examined for appropriate course of action.

5(c). Secretary, Staff Side requested that the meeting of National Council (JCM) may be convened at the earliest so that the 10 point of demands, which have already been submitted to the Government may be discussed and resolved.
The Official Side agreed to consider this suggestion.

6. It was also submitted by the Staff Side that pay fixation of Defence personnel who are re-employed in various Ministries / Departments also needs to be finalised along with cadre restructuring proposals of Ministry of Defence and Postal employees.

7(a). Secretary, Staff Side showed concern that inspite of repeated assurances, the anomalies raised by the Staff Side could not be resolved. If these anomalies are not resolved before 7th CPC, the employees will be at a great loss.

7(b). He also mentioned that many proposals from Ministry of Railways for merger of Technician GP 2400/- with GP 2800/- to many railway employees is pending with Ministry of Finance and this issue needs to be resolved at the earliest.
The Official Side noted that the issue of merger of grade pay of technician in Railways was already included in para 5(a) and 5(b) of the Minutes. The specific reference from Ministry of Railways will be examined and readdressed.

7(c). It was also submitted by the Staff Side that pay fixation of Defence Personnel who are re-employed in various Ministries/Departments also needs to be finalised along with cadre restructuring proposals of Ministry of Defence and Postal employees.

7(d). The Staff Side Members of Ministry of Defence raised the following issues:-

(i) a proposal for granting ACP benefits to the Labourers of Defence Establishment by granting a one time relaxation of Trade Test, since as confirmed by the Department of Expenditure, the post of unskilled and semi skilled has been merged w.e.f. 01.01.2006, the MOD proposal may be approved.

(ii) MoD proposal for granting 3% increment benefit on promotion of Master craftsman to Charge main in 
the same GP of Rs. 4200 may be approved.

(iii) MoD proposal for grant of bunching of increment benefits in the pre-revised pay scale of Master craftsman, pending with DoPT may be approved.

(iv) MoD’s proposal for grant of MACP in GP Rs. 4600/- to those Master Craftsman whose pay scale was upgraded w.e.f. 01.01.2006 be approved.

The Official Side informed that these were not part of the agenda for the meetings held on 29thMay and 9th June, 2015 and therefore would be examined separately.

8. Staff side insisted that matter should be referred to F.M. again with their earlier agreement.
Official Side informed that as per discussions held in the meeting, the matter will be put up once again to the Finance Minister for decision in the matter.

9. The discussion held Item-wise were as under:-

Items 1 & 8: Anomaly in the Pay Band/Grade Pay of gazetted officer in pre-revised pay scale of Rs.6500-10500. Maintaining horizontal relativity between the Sections Officers of Central Sectt. and the Income-tax Officers, Superintendents of Post Offices, Superintendents of Central Excise and Customs Deptts.

Staff Side raised issue that the Gr.B Officers in the offices outside the Secretariat in the prerevised pay scale of Rs.6500-10500 have initially granted the PB-2 with GP of Rs.4200/- subsequently revised to PB-2 with GP of Rs.4600/- without any higher pay scale on completion of 4 years as in the case of Gazetted Officer of CSS/CSSS. The pre-revised pay scales of Assistant Accounts Officer and Section Officers have been merged and granted pay scale of 7500-12000 with GP of Rs.4800/- without providing the higher pay scale of Rs.8000-10500 (PB-3 GP of Rs.5400/-) after completing of 4 years. The parity between the Secretariat Staff and outside Secretariat Services may be resolved.

JS (Pers), Deptt. of Expenditure clarified that there is a specific recommendation of 6 th CPC pertaining to Central Secretariat Staff of SOs & PS in Para-3.1.9 of its report and for those relating to staff outside CSS in Para-3.1.14. There is two tier pay structure recommended by 6th CPC in case of SOs /PS of CSS/CSSS respectively, but the same was not recommended in respect of staff outside the Secretariat.

In the case of SOs and AAOs in the IA & AD and other organised Accounts cadres, the 6 th CPC has specifically recommended the GP of Rs.4800/- for both the posts of SOs and AAOs/Audit Officers. However, the Commission did not recommend for granting GP of Rs.5400/- after completion of 4 years.

Superintendent of Post Offices, Income Tax Officers and the Superintendents of Customs & Excise were all in the pay scale of Rs.7500-12000 as on 01.01.2006, and, hence PB-3 is not applicable to them.

It was agreed that this group does not fall within the ambit of JCM being Group ‘B’ and may be delinked.
Item No.2: Anomaly in the pay scale of Data Processing Assistants Grade —A.

Staff Side said that there is disparity between the pay scale of Data Processing Assistants Grade-A and the Assistant of CSS/Steno Grade ‘C’ of CSSS, the Staff Side demands to extend the benefits which are available to CSS/CSSS with GP of Rs.4600/- to Data Processing Assistants Grade-A as well.

Official Side maintained that Data Processing Assistants Grade-A were in the pre-revised pay scale of Rs.5500-9000 and not in the pre-revised pay scale of 6500-10500 and therefore granting of GP of Rs.4600/- is not applicable.

Item No.3:- PB-2 with Grade Pay of Rs. 4200J- for Lab Technicians.

The Staff Side demanded for grant of Grade Pay of Rs.4200/- for Lab Technicians working in Ordinance Factory Hospitals against the GP of Rs.2800/-. In this regard, it was clarified that the issue of grant of Grade Pay of Rs.4200/- to Lab Technicians working in Ordinance Factory Hospitals, had already been agreed to from 01-01-2006, subject to the condition that those who were given this Grade Pay, possessed the qualifications as per the Recruitment Rules of 2005.

Item Nos. 4 & 7:- Upgradation of Pay Band and Grade Pay of LDC, UDCs and Stenographers Grill in Subordinate Offices & Maintaining the horizontal parity as recommended by the 6th Central Pay Commission.

Staff Side demanded to upgrade Pay Band and granting of Grade Pay of Rs.2800 in PB-I to LDCs to maintain the relativity between Group ‘D’ and LDCs and Rs.4200/- for UDCs and Steno Grill in the Subordinate Offices on the line of GP of Rs.4200/- for Assistants/Steno Gr. Which was upgraded to GP of Rs.4600/-. They further submitted that when a benefit is given to one category of employees, the same may be given to other cadre/subordinate offices.

It was explained that there was a need of amending recruitment rules of Multi-Skilled Staff in the Government Offices who can perform variety of jobs. The 6th CPC recommended that to do away with Group ‘D’ posts, pay scales in the Govt, the same would stand upgraded to Group ‘C’ with suitable training. The entry level in the Government is only Group ‘C’ with 10 th class pass qualification. The grade pay of the post of LDC is still higher than that of the minimum entry level in Gr ‘C’ so there is no anomaly. In view of this recommendation of 6th CPC, the Demand of the Staff Side could not be accepted.

Item No.5 Grant of GP of Rs.4200/- to Senior Clerks of Delhi Milk Scheme.

The Staff Side demanded that the UDCs (10%) of Delhi Milk Scheme (redesignated as Senior Clerks) may be allotted the pay scale of Rs.5000-8000 with effect from 01-01-1996 and placed in the pay Band -2 with grade pay of 4200/- w.e.f. 01-01-2006.

Official Side explained that the matter has already been examined in Deptt of Expenditure on receipt of proposal from Ministry of Agriculture but it was not found feasible to accept as per recommendations of 6th CPC. The Sr. Clerks have meanwhile filed two OAs in CAT and the matter is subjudice.

Item No-6 Removal of anomaly in the case of Artisan staff of different Departments.

The Staff Side requested for allowing notional pay fixation in respect of Artisans of MMS of D/o Posts. The Fourth CPC pay scales for skilled Artisan Grade II was Rs.1200-1800 and Grade-I was Rs 1320-2040. Fifth CPC clubbed both the scales of pay of Artisans to one pay scale of Rs. 4000-6000. Since it was promoted post for Artisan Staff, they stated that both the scale of pay was not justified and needs to be rectified in r/o Artisans staff of Railway and Defence with Rs. 4000-6000 for Grade-II &Rs. 4500-7000 for Grade-I. Presently, pay scales to Artisans staff of MMS in D/O Post, numbering about 168 were discriminated and were placed in combined pay scales of Rs.4000-6000. Therefore, Staff Side requested for allowing notional pay fixation in respect of Artisans of MMS of Deptt. of Posts, in the pre-revised scale of Rs. 4500-7000 w.e.f. 01-01-1996.

It was stated by Official Side that if a post is upgraded as per the recommendations of 6th CPC, the fixation of pay in the applicable band will be done by multiplying the existing basic and is regulated by Note 2A of Rule-7 of the CCS (RP) Rules, 2008. Accordingly, where a post has been upgraded as a result of 6th CPC’s Recommendations, the fixation of pay drawn by the employees as on 01-1-2006 by a factor of 1.86 and the grade pay corresponding to the upgraded scale will be payable in addition. Therefore, it not possible to deviate from the provisions of CCS (RP) Rules, 2008. However, Deptt. Of Expenditure stated that there seems to be a requirement to revise the Recruitment Rules and therefore, Department of Post has been advised to look into the matter taking into account the RRs. Staff Side agreed on this and requested to convene a meeting with them as and when issue is settled.

Item No.9:- Pay Band and Grade Pay for Medical Assistant of Ordinance Factories.

Staff Side demanded the Medical Assistants of Ordinance Factories are getting a grade pay of Rs.1800/- only, where Dresser in Indian Railway Hospitals which have similar duties were placed in the Grade pay of Rs. 2000/- in the pay scale of Rs. 3200/-. They demanded that Medical Assistants may be placed in PB-1 (GP-2400) (old pay scale of Rs. 4000-6000). They may also be provided with uniform as per with Nurses and granted nursing allowance of Rs.3200/- pm and washing allowance of Rs.600/- pm.

Official Side mentioned that the proposal to enhance the GP of Rs.1900/- for Medical Assistants was sent to Ministry of Finance on 15.10.2014, but there was no case for review. Both the Staff Side and Official Side agreed that this matter may be sent to 7 thCPC for comparing various cadres.

Item No.10: Store Keeping Staff

Staff Side stated that there is no uniformity in the matter of designation and pay scales in Department of Defence in comparison with the Store staff working under the Indian Railways. The storekeeping staff, through CDRA submitted a Memorandum to the 6thCPC requesting to remove this disparity in comparison with those working under the Railways enclosing duties/responsibilities of both the Departments but the anomaly has not been rectified. Therefore, Staff Side have demanded to remove/rectify this anomaly in pay of Store staff working under MoD in comparison with Min of Railways.

Official Side informed that the matter stands referred to 7thCPC with the recommendation that the issue of parity in the pay structure of common categories of store keeping staff may be considered particularly in view of the fact that the educational qualification of the store keeping staff in Ministry of Defence has also been revised to Graduate in any discipline or Diploma in Engineering in any discipline or Diploma in Materials Management.

Item No.11: Children Education Allowance – Denial thereof.

Staff Side stated that Reimbursement of Children Education Allowance is admissible for two eldest children studying in schools affiliated to Board Education. This was stated to be contrary to the spirit and letters of the recommendation of the VI CPC. Therefore, Staff Side demanded that the allowance be made admissible to any two school going children and also that for the children studying in nursery primary and middle class level, affiliation to any Education Board may not be insisted upon.

Official Side stated that reimbursement of CEA is a welfare measure extended by the Govt. of India to its employees children studying in recognised schools. Government has taken a considerate view under National Population Policy and RTE. Therefore, this issue is not an anomaly.

Item No.12: Note on Master Craftsman in MMS under Department of Posts for discussion in
the Fast Track Committee.

Staff Side raised demand that the Charge Hand cadre in Department of Posts should have been placed identical with the Technical Supervisors instead of Artisan Grade-1 for the reasons that the Charge hand is the promotional cadre for Artisan Grade-1 who practically supervises that work of all other Artisans Grade-I, II, III. The knowledge and technical know how required for the Charge hand is very high because of the new technology entered is servicing the modern motor vehicles. Therefore, Staff Side stated that there should be absolute parity with the same cadre of Railways and Defence departments.

It was decided that matter may be sent to 7 th CPC as it should be examined on cadre to cadre basis.
Meeting ended with vote of thanks to the Chair.

Authority: www.persmin.gov.in

One Rank One Pension : A proud daughter of a proud Artillery Veteran writes to Modi

One Rank One Pension : A proud daughter of a proud Artillery Veteran writes to Modi

A letter to the PM – One Rank One Pension – By Shalini.

Dear Mr.Prime Minister,
For Your Information Sir.

A war widow at the age of 78 has to walk 18 km every month to collect her martyr husband’s pension of Rs .13/- (Rupees Thirteen only). The Freedom Fighters of Colonial India and their widows get a better pension than what is given to the Retired Military population. Even the laborers could get their daily wages hiked with time but the war widow stands where her husband left her. Have we lost all dignity, sense of respect and basic common sense for humanity? Where are we? Rs 13/- as monthly pension and a Kg of onion, Rs 50/-. For God’s sake……. Do we still need to talk ?

Our Flag does not hover because the wind moves it, it flutters with the last breath of each soldier who died and with each breath of the soldier who lives protecting it. You don’t get to deliver a speech on the Independence Day just because you are the PM, it is because of the human shield that sweats and freezes throughout the prime of their lives.

One speech you made to the tens of thousands Ex-Servicemen at Hissar, where you committed to implement One Rank One Pension (OROP), if elected, allowing you to tap into the vote bank of the services – retired, in-service, war widows and of course their families. You should dedicate your present electoral victory to the Services. Was it just voting bank politics, Sir? Gen VK Singh (Retd) stood testimony to your promise and more than you the personnel’s believed their Gen who is now a part of your Govt. Let the men not lose faith on their roaring Gen and let your politics not make him a scapegoat please.

Mr. Pradhan Sevak of the country. as you proclaim yourself to be, kindly refrain from politicizing the Services, the only Deptt committed to the country and its people. High time you and your team including your squad of so called highly efficient bureaucrats save yourself from the mockery you have brought on your kindselves.

Let’s try solving the issues.
If budget is an issue, reduce some of the frills that the politicians and the bureaucrats enjoy sitting in air conditioned offices with all the luxury possibly available.
If you are afraid that other retired from Govt services will claim for the same then let them commit one child per family to the Indian Military. A great way to make up for the shortage of Defense personnel. Let us make national service a must in the country. A stronger Military with more head counts is never bad.
If that is still difficult, please esteemed politicians and bureaucrats get yourself back packed and perched in Kargil, Jaisalmer, Cherrapunji, Tawang, Siachin or in the Arabian Sea for a month each with the men, like the men and then let’s do some talking.
Let there be some humility and respect by the Govt and the Police force while managing our Military veterans at peaceful protest with utmost dignity. When you fail to discharge your duties efficiently, that has often happened, be it a natural disaster or an internal security issue; the only alternate available is the forces for help. They did and have come to your rescue without fail. Our neighbours have a very drastic history of Military Coups since 1958 & have been successful thrice in doing so. Let’s not forget we have an active force of 1325000 personnel, with approximately 60K retiring each year. Let’s us not create conducive environment for more trouble within the country.

The Military of the country cannot be taken on a ride for votes and then just left. High time seriousness be taken on the mature and highly sensitive protest that is going on at the Jantar Mantar and India Gate for two months now. The men there have served selflessly be it insurgency, internal security issues, disaster mitigation without any reservations. They have been decorated for their gallant and then just forgotten …not acceptable.

Mr. PM, please shun talks – time to act and show and prove that what the Congress failed and kept washing their hands off has finally been given life by you.

Let the slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ echo till eternity and your name be added to it. Let the soldiers remain to be our pride.

Jai Hind. Jai Jawan.
Regards.
Shalini. A citizen of the country.
A proud daughter of a proud Artillery Veteran


The concept – One Rank One Pension (OROP)

“bridging the gap between the rate of pension of the current pensioners and the past pensioners, and also future enhancements in the rate of pension to be automatically passed on to the past pensioners. In armed forces, equality in service has two components, namely, rank and length of service. The importance of rank is inherent in armed forces as it has been granted by the President of India and signifies command, control and responsibility in consonance with ethos of service. These ranks are even allowed to be retained by the individual concerned after his/her retirement. Hence, two armed personnel in the same rank and equal length of service should get same pension irrespective of date of retirement and any future enhancement in rates of pension be automatically passed on to the past pensioners.”

Government may effect Bonus Ceiling hike to Rs 21,000 from the present Rs.10000

Government is likely to hike Bonus from the current ceiling of Rs 10,000 (basic + DA) per month to Rs 21,000 (basic + DA) a month. Agenda is to be taken up in the forthcoming Cabinet Meet.

Government may effect Bonus Ceiling hike to Rs 21,000 (basic + DA) a month soon – More Central Government Employees to be be covered for payment of Bonus

Ministry of Labour has hinted that the ceiling of Bonus is likely to be hiked from the current ceiling of Rs.10,000 (basic + DA) per month to Rs.21,000 (basic + DA) a month.

After the Bihar elections Union Cabinet may discuss about this ordinance to amend Payments of Bonus Act 1965 to make more employees eligible for annual bonus.

If the Ordinance is approved, those earning up to Rs.21,000 (basic + DA) a month will now be eligible bonus. This would be a steep jump from the current ceiling of Rs.10,000 (basic + DA) per month.

The government is already in the process of revising the minimum wages. The Election Commission has approved the Labour Ministry’s proposal and the Union Cabinet is likely to take up the issue on promulgating ordinance next week. From this year onwards, bonus will be linked to minimum wages.

Ministry in a recent meeting with trade unions said that the government agreed to amend the Bonus Act by enhancing the eligibility ceiling under section 2(13) of the Act from Rs.10,000 per month to Rs.21,000 month. It also agreed to calculate ceiling under section 12 from Rs.3,500 per month to Rs.7,000 per month, or the minimum wage notified by the government for the category of employment.

Trade unions View

All the trade Unions demanded the abolition on ceiling on payment of bonus due to rising inflation, the Government rejected it.

Source: Deccan Herald

Monday, 19 October 2015

7th Pay Commission, OROP will not impact fiscal deficit: Jayant Sinha

Seventh Pay Commission, OROP will not impact fiscal deficit: Jayant Sinha

Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha
NEW DELHI: Increase in salary bill due to Seventh Pay Commission and Implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) will not strain government’s fiscal position, Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha today said.

“I think we are in a very good shape as far as fiscal management is concerned. That was appreciated by all economists,” he said while interacting with reporters after a meeting of economists which was chaired by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at NITI Aayog.

He made it clear that the government’s fiscal position is strong enough to bear the impact of implementation of Seventh Pay Commission and OROP.

The Seventh Pay Commission report in December is expected to recommend a hike in salary of central government employees. OROP is likely to result in an outgo of Rs 8,000-10,000 crore this fiscal.

The pre-Budget meeting discussed various issues, including agriculture productivity, job creation and fiscal expenditure.

“We had some of India’s most eminent economists and commentators there. Obviously, it is very early in the cycle to start the consultation. But we felt that if there were good ideas, we could incorporate them even in this fiscal year. Obviously, for the preparation of the current budget, we could begin the work on that right now,” he said.

“It was very good interaction and we look forward to incorporating much of this for this fiscal year as well as coming fiscal.”

There were several topics that came up, Sinha said, adding that “one very important topic that we spent time on is agriculture and what we could do to increase productivity in agriculture”.

The meeting also dwelt at length on fiscal expenditure and how to ensure fiscal expenditure, particularly public investment, could be as productive as possible.

“Third major area that we spoke about is obviously the financial sector… more credit for agriculture, MSMEs and what could we do further to strengthen our banks. The final area that we also spent time on is how to ensure we are able to create more jobs for young people, whether it is in the manufacturing sector or the service sector,” he said.

NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya, Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian and Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Urjit Patel were present.

Besides, the meeting was attended by Finance Secretary Ratan P Watal, Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das, Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia and Financial Services Secretary Anjuly Chib Duggal.

Economists such as Subir Gokarn, Director of Research at the Brookings Institution India, Ajit Ranade, Chief Economist, Aditya Birla Group, and Rajiv Lall, Vice-Chairman IDFC Ltd, also participated.

Inputs with PTI

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