7th Central Pay Commission – Allowances expected in October 2016

7th Pay Commission: Government employees likely to get revised allowances from October

New Delhi: Central government employees are expected to see new allowances structure starting October.
As per media reports quoting sources in Finance Ministry, Finance Secretary committee is expected to submit its report by September, which is expected to be implemented soon thereafter.

In view of the strong protest staged by the representatives of Employee Associations and other stakeholders, government decided that recommendations on allowances, other than Dearness Allowance, will be examined by a Committee comprising Finance Secretary as Chairman and Secretaries of Home Affairs, Defence, Health and Family Welfare, Personnel & Training, Posts and Chairman, Railway Board as Members before taking a final decision.

To the disappointment of government employees, the Justice A K Mathur panel had recommended abolition of 51 allowances and subsuming 37 others.

The Committee was to submit its report within four months. This Committee has been constituted on 22.07.2016 and the first meeting of the Committee has been held on 04.08.2016.

The recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission cover 48 lakh Central government employees and 52 lakh pensioners.

Source : zeenews

Promotion of Group ’A' and Group 'B’ officers to Senior Scale on ad-hoc basis: Railway Board Order

Promotion of Group ’A' and Group 'B’ officers to Senior Scale on ad-hoc basis: Railway Board Order

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. E(GP)2016/1/9

New Delhi, dated 11.08.2016

The General Managers/Chief Administrative Officers/Director General,
All Indian Railways including CLW, DLW, ICF, DMW, RWF, RCF, COFMOW, MCF/RBL & RDSO.

Sub: Promotion of Group ’A' and Group 'B’ officers to Senior Scale on ad-hoc basis.

Ref: Board’s letter Nos. E(GP)85/1/48 dated 31.12.85, EV(GP)89/1/8 dated 17.04.90 and 22.08.90.

In terms of Board’s letter No. ElGP)85/1/48 dated 31.12.85, Group ‘A’/Junior Scale officers with more than 3 years of service but less than 4 years, were eligible to be considered for looking after the duties in Senior Scale, on payment of Special pay, as fixed from time to time by the Board, in addition to their pay in Junior Scale, and it was only in the absence of Group ’A’ officers who have completed their probation successfully, that Group 'B’ officers who have rendered not less than 3 years of service in Group ’B’ could be considered for ad-hoc appointment to Senior Scale. This was based on the fact that all Senior Scale posts are in Group ’A’ and, as such Group ‘B’ officers, irrespective of their length of service, can have no claim for promotion to Senior Scale, even on ad-hoc basis. However, while the position as contained in Board’s letter dated 31.12.85 basically remaining unchanged, it was decided by the Board vide Board's letter No. E(GP)89/1/8 dated 17.04.90, as a temporary measure in the overall administrative interest, that in cases where a Group 'A’/Junior Scale officer who was eligible for regular promotion to Senior Scale, having completed 4 years’ service, was not available, Group 'B’ officers, who had rendered not less than 6 years' service in Group 'B’, could be considered for ad-hoc promotion to Senior Scale, and in case, no such Group ‘B’ officer was available, the provisions contained in sub-paras 3.1(ii) and (iii) of Board's letter dated 31.12.85, would continue to be followed.

2. The matter has since been reconsidered by the Board. After careful consideration, it has been decided that the position as was laid down in Board’s letter No. E(GP)85/1/48 dated 31.12.85 which is in consonance with Rule 214(b) of IREC Vol.- I, be restored. Therefore, the order of preference to be followed henceforth, while considering Group ’A’ (Junior Scale/Group ’B' officers for ad-hoc promotion against Senior Scale vacancies, will be sunder:-

i) Vacancies arising in Senior Scale should be filled by Group .‘A’/Junior Scale officers with 4 years of service who are eligible for regular promotion to Senior Scale;


ii) If eligible Group ‘A'/Junior Scale officers are not available but Junior Scale officers with a minimum of 3 years of service in Junior Scale, who have completed the probation successfully, are available, they should be considered for looking after the duties in Senior Scale on payment of charge allowance, as fixed by the Board from time to time, in addition to pay in Junior Scale, subject to the condition that pay plus charge allowance does not exceed the pay admissible on regular promotion to Senior Scale on completion of 4 years of service in Junior Scale;

iii) Failing (i) and (ii) above, by Group ’B’ officers who have rendered not less than 3 years of service in Group 'B’ and have been adjudged suitable by a Committee of HODs for appointment against Senior Scale vacancies.

3. For making ad-hoc promotion to Senior Scale, number of vacancies arising during the period 1st July of any year to 30th June of the following year shall be computed and while empanelling Group ’B’ officers for ad-hoc promotion to Senior Scale against any such vacancies it shall be ensured that there may be no reasonable likelihood of any such Group B’ officers not getting empanelled for regular promotion to Group ’A’/Junior Scale at a later date by the DPC constituted by the UPSC, and also adequate number of Senior Scale vacancies are available for Group 'A’/Junior Scale officers so as to consider them for ad-hoc promotion on completion of 3 years of service, so that there may be no occasion for Group 'B' officers having to be reverted once they have been promoted to Senior Scale on ad-hoc basis.

sd/-
(Suman Sharma)
Director, Estt.(GP)
Railway Board

Order in Hindi

Suspension of government employees accused of corruption cannot continue beyond 90 days

Corrupt employees suspension can’t continue beyond 90 days

New Delhi: The suspension of government employees accused of corruption cannot continue beyond 90 days, the Centre said today.

It has asked secretaries of all departments to ensure that chargesheets against such employees are issued within three months time.

It should also be ensured that disciplinary proceedings are initiated as far as practicable in cases where an investigating agency is seized of the matter or criminal proceedings have been launched against such employees, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said in an order.

Citing a Supreme Court verdict, the DoPT said it has been decided that where a government servant is placed under suspension, “the order of suspension should not extend beyond three months, if within this period the chargesheet is not served to the charged officer”.

As such, it should be ensured that the charge sheet is issued before expiry of 90 days from the date of suspension, it said.

“As the suspension will lapse in case this time line is not adhered to, a close watch needs to be kept at all levels to ensure that charge sheets are issued in time,” the DoPT said in the order to all the secretaries.

The apex court while hearing a case has held that the currency of a suspension order should not extend beyond three months if within this period the Memorandum of Charges or chargesheet is not served on the delinquent officer or employee.

If the Memorandum of Charges or chargesheet is served a reasoned order must be passed for the extension of the suspension, it has said.

PTI

Need for revision of hourly rates of incentive bonus and incentive allowance in favour of Railway Staff: NFIR

Need for revision of hourly rates of incentive bonus and incentive allowance in favour of staff of Workshops/Production Units under CRJ Pattern/GIS: NFIR Reference to Railway Board

NFIR

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen

3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110 055

No.I/11/Part I

Dated: 16-08-2016

The secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi.
Dear Sir,

Sub: Need for revision of hourly rates of incentive bonus and incentive allowance in favour of staff of Workshops/Production Units under CRJ Pattern/GIS- reg.

Pursuant to the decisions of the Government on the recommendations of the VII CPC, the Railway Board vide letter No.PC-VII/2016/RSRP/2 dated 02/08/2016 (RBE No.93/2016) has circulated “Schedules for revised scales of Pay” in respect of Railway employees to be given effect from 01-01-2006.

II. In this connection, NFIR desires to state that after implementation of 6th CPC grade pay/pay band, the Railway Board had in consultation with the Federations issued instructions vide letter No.2008/M(W)/814/38 dated 29-10-2009 (RBE No.194/2009) revising hourly rates of incentive bonus under CRJ Pattern/GIS for staff in Workshops and production Units and also PCO allowance. Upward revision of rates was also granted vide RBE No.142/99 dated 21-06-1999 (i.e. after implementation of V CPC Pay Scales). A chart showing the revision of hourly rates granted by the Railway Board is placed below:

S. No	DESIGNATION	V CPC PAY SCALES & INCENTIVE HOURLY RATES AS PER RBE NO.142/99 Dt: 21-06-1999			VI CPC PAY BAND/GRADE PAY INCENTIVE HOURLY RATES AS PER RBE No.194/09 Dt: 29-10-2009
		Pay Scale	Hourly Rates under CRJ Pattern (Rs.)	Incentive Bonus Under GIS Pattern (Rs.)	Pay Scale	Hourly Rates under CRJ Pattern (Rs.)	Incentive Bonus under GIS Pattern at 100% earnings (Rs.)
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
1	Junior Engineer Grade I	5500-9000	26.45	7150	9300 – 34800 + GP 4200	49.65	13440
2	Junior Engineer Grade II	5000-8000	24.00	6500
3	Senior Technician	5000-8000	24.00
4	Supervisor	4500-7000	21.65	5850	5200-20200 + GP 2800	43.30	11700
5	Technician Grade I	4500-7000	21.65
6	Technician Grade II	4000-6000	19.25	5200	5200-20200 + GP 2400	38.50	10400
7	Technician Grade III	3650-4590	17.55	3965	5200-20200 + GP 1900	32.20	7930
8	Technician Grade III	3050-3575	14.65
9	Semi Skilled	2750-4400	13.20	3575	5200-20200 + 1800	25.45	6760
10	Unskilled	2550-3200	12.50	3315	4440-7440 + GP 1300	24.50	6630

Note:

• Incentive Bonus earnings under GIS Pattern on the basis of V CPC structure was arrived at by multiplying minimum pay of pay scale X 1.3 times (in the year 1999).
• Incentive Bonus earning under GIS pattern on the basis of VI CPC was arrived at by just doubling the values & fixing it a 100% earning level (in the year 2009).
• In case of Hourly rates earning under CRJ pattern, the Hourly rate values of V CPC were just doubled and fixed as hourly rate earnings after implementation of VI CPC.

III. NFIR now wants the Railway Board to appreciate that similar upward revision of hourly rates of incentive bonus is needed to be granted as the revised pay matrices of VII CPC have been given effect from January 1, 2016. The SSEs of Indian Railways Workshops and Production Units are presently paid incentive allowance on VI CPC pay. This also needs to be revised upwardly duly taking into consideration the revised Pay Matrix allotted to them.

NFIR, therefore, requests the Railway Board to take action for revision the rates early as was done during the year 1999 and 2009. It is also relevant to take note of the fact that there is already heavy shortage of staff in all Railway Workshops and Production Units with increased activity resulting additional workload burden on the existing staff. This aspect be given due weightage for the purpose of hiking the hourly rates of incentive bonus, PCO allowance and incentive allowance to the staff as well SSEs.

Yours faithfully,

(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)

General Secretary.

Source: NFIR

7th Pay Commission will Push Gold to Rs.35,000 – India Bullion and Jewellers Association

7th Pay Commission will Push Gold to Rs.35,000 – 7th Pay Commission payout to central government employees, which is expected to begin from September 1, 2016, will also give a boost to gold.

The coming few months dotted with festivals and 7th pay commission can provide a further boost to gold prices in India. Experts believe that festive demand can push gold prices to Rs 34,000-35,000 per 10 grams by the end of the current year.

“Gold prices are expected to remain firm in the coming months. We expect strong demand for jewellery during the upcoming festive season which would include Ganapthi and Dusshera festivals. The marriage season around December should give a further push. Gold should test Rs 34,000-35,000 in the next 4-5 months,” Saurabh Gadgil, CMD, PNG Jewellers and Director, India Bullion and Jewellers’ Association told FeMoney.

He said that the 7th Pay Commission payout to central government employees, which is expected to begin from September 1, 2016, will also give a boost to gold. “The 7th Pay Commission payout will certainly lead to higher gold sales. We are already seeing some demand from government employees who are coming and making purchases on anticipation of higher salaries due to 7th pay commission,” Gadgil CMD, PNG Jewellers and Director, India Bullion and Jewellers’ Association told.

Gold, which started year at around Rs 25,000 level closed at Rs 31,720 on August 19 according to prices of Indian Bullion and Jewellers Association quotes, which works out to gains of around 27 per cent year to date.

V P Nandakumar, MD & CEO, Manappuram Finance Limited agrees that 7th Pay Commission payout will boost gold sales. “A part of the payout can reasonably be expected to find its way into gold purchases,” he said.

Source: FE

Success Stories of the Right to Information Act, 2005 - regarding

IMMEDIATE

No.11/20/2014-IR
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 23rd August, 2016

To
The Head of All State ATIs (As per list attached)

Subject: Success Stories of the Right to Information Act, 2005 - regarding

Sir / Madam,
I am directed to say that RTI Act has been instrumental in ensuring greater and more effective access to information to all citizens of the country, especially the marginalized sections of the society. On the occasion of completion of more than 10 years of implementation of RTI Act, 2005, the Central Information Commission, New Delhi is going to hold Annual Convention in October, 2016 to mark its contribution under the Right to Information Act, 2005. To mark this event, the Commission proposes to bring out a volume titled "Success Stories of the Right to Information Act, 2005", which would be released for public by the Hon'ble Prime Minister during the Annual Convention. Central Information Commission has entrusted the work of compilation / preparation of Success Stories volume to M/s  YASHDA.

2. In this regard, the State ATIs are requested to forward all the documented Success Stories maintained by their Institute/Academy to YASHADA at the earliest to enable them to compile a volume titled "Success Stories of the Right to Information Act, 2005". The State ATIs are also requested to participate in the National Workshop to be held in last week of August, 2016 in YASHADA.

Yours faithfully,
(Gayatri Mishra)
Director (IR)

National Sports Awards – 2016

National Sports Awards – 2016

National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four years; Arjuna Award is given for consistently outstanding performance for four years; Dronacharya Award for coaches for producing medal winners at prestigious international sports events, Dhyan Chand Award for life time contribution to sports development and Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar is given to the corporate entities (both in private and public sector) and individuals who have played a visible role in the area of sports promotion and development. Overall top performing university in inter-university tournaments is given Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy.

A large number of nominations were received for these awards this year, which were considered by the Selection Committees consisting of former Olympians, Arjuna Awardees, Dronacharya Awardees, Dhyan Chand Awardees, Sports Journalists/Experts/Commentators and sports administrators. Selection Committee for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Awards was headed by Justice S.K. Agarwal, Retired Delhi High Court Judge. Selection Committee for Dronacharya Awards and Dhyan Chand Awards was headed by Ms. M.C. Mary Kom. Selection Committee for Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar was headed by Shri Rajiv Yadav, Secretary (Sports).

Based on the recommendations of the Committee and after due scrutiny, the Government has decided to confer awards upon the following sportspersons/ coaches/organizations:

(i) Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ranta 2016

S.No.	Name of the awardee	Discipline
1.	Ms. P.V. Sindhu	Badminton
2.	Ms. Dipa Karmakar	Gymnastics
3.	Shri Jitu Rai	Shooting
4.	Ms. Sakshi Malik	Wrestling

(ii) Dronacharya Awards 2016

S.No.	Name of the awardee	Discipline
1.	Shri Nagapuri Ramesh	Athletics
2.	Shri Sagar Mal Dhayal	Boxing
3.	Shri Raj Kumar Sharma	Cricket
4.	Shri Bishweshwar Nandi	Gymnastics
5.	Shri S. Pradeep Kumar	Swimming (Lifetime)
6.	Shri Mahabir Singh	Wrestling (Lifetime)

(iii) Arjuna Awards 2016

S.No.	Name of the awardee	Discipline
1.	Shri Rajat Chauhan	Archery
2.	Ms. Lalita Babar	Athletics
3.	Shri Sourav Kothari	Billiards & Snooker
4.	Shri Shiva Thapa	Boxing
5.	Shri Ajinkya Rahane	Cricket
6.	Shri Subrata Paul	Football
7.	Ms. Rani	Hockey
8.	Shri Raghunath V.R.	Hockey
9.	Shri Gurpreet Singh	Shooting
10.	Ms. Apurvi Chandela	Shooting
11.	Shri Soumyajit Ghosh	Table Tennis
12.	Ms. Vinesh	Wrestling
13.	Shri Amit Kumar	Wrestling
14.	Shri Sandeep Singh Mann	Para-Athletics
15.	Shri Virender Singh	Wrestling (Deaf)

(iv) Dhyan Chand Award 2015

S.No.	Name of the awardee	Discipline
1.	Ms. Satti Geetha	Athletics
2.	Shri Sylvanus Dung Dung	Hockey
3.	Shri Rajendra Pralhad Shelke	Rowing

(v) Rashtriya Khel Protsahana Purushkar, 2016

S.No.	Category	Entity recommended for Rashtriya Khel ProtsahanPuruskar, 2016
1.	Identification and Nurturing of Budding and Young Talent	1.Hockey Citizen Group 2.Dadar Parsee Zorostrian cricket club 3.Usha School of Athletics 4. STAIRS
2.	Encouragement to sports through corporate social responsibility	India Infrastructure Finance Corporate Limited
3.	Employment to sportspersons and other welfare measures	Reserve Bank of India
4.	Sports for Development	Subroto Mukherjee Sports Education Society

(vi) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2015-16

Punjabi University, Patiala
The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organized function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on August 29, 2016.

Apart from a medal and a citation, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardee will receive a cash prize of Rs.7.5 lakh. Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awardees will receive statuettes, certificates and cash prize of Rs.5 lakh each. Recipients of Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar will be given Trophies and certificates. Overall top performing university in inter-university tournaments will be given MAKA Trophy, award money of Rs. 10 lakh and certificate.

PIB

Clarification on admissibility of Transport Allowance in the eases where the officers are drawing Grade Pay of Rs.10,000/- in PB-4

Clarification on admissibility of Transport Allowance in the eases where the officers are drawing Grade Pay of Rs.10,000/- in PB-4

No. 21(2)/2016-E.II(B)
Government of India Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

New Delhi, 19th August, 2016.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Clarification on admissibility of Transport Allowance in the eases where the officers are drawing Grade Pay of Rs.10,000/- in PB-4 – regarding.

Reference is invited to this Department’s Office Memorandum No.21(2)/2008-E.11(B) dated 29.08.2008. Para `3? of the O.M. stipulates that Officers drawing Grade Pay of Rs.10,000/- & above and those in the HAG+ Scale, who are entitled to the use of official car in terms of Department of Expenditure (DoE) O.M. No. 20(5)/E.II(A)/93 dated 28.01.1994, shall be given the option to avail themselves of the existing facility or to draw the Transport Allowance at the rate of Rs.7,000/- p.m. plus Dearness Allowance thereon.

2. Several references have been received in this Department seeking clarification on the admissibility of Transport Allowance to officers drawing Grade Pay Rs.10,000/- under Dynamic ACP Scheme or NFU Scheme. A few cases have also been filed in the Courts in this regard. Hon’ble Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Principal Bench, New Delhi, in Order dated 13.05.2014 in U.A. No.4062/2013 filed by Shri Radhacharan Shakiya & Others V/s Union of India & Others, held that the Applicants were not entitled to draw Transport Allowance @ Rs.7,000/- pm. plus DA thereon. The said order of the Tribunal has also been upheld by Hon’ble High Court of Delhi in their Order dated 03.09.2014 passed in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 3445/2014, filed by Shri Radhacharan Shakiya & Others,

3. Accordingly, it is clarified that the officers, who are not entitled for the use of official car for commuting between residence to office and back, in terms of DoE’s OM 20(5)/E-II(A)193 dated 28.01.1994, are not eligible to opt for drawal of Transport Allowance @ Rs.7000/- p.m. + DA thereon, in terms of DoE O.M. No.21(2)/2008-E.II(B) dated 29.08.2008, even though they are drawing Grade Pay of Rs.10,000/- in PB-4 under Dynamic ACP Scheme or under the scheme of Non-Functional Upgradation (NFU).

sd/-
(Nirmala Dev)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India

Source : finmin.nic.in

BSNL retirees seek 7th Pay Commission benefits

BSNL retirees seek 7th Pay Commission benefits

Coimbatore: Tamil Nadu Circle of All India BSNL Pensioners Welfare Association today urged the Centre to extend the benefits of 7th Pay Commission to BSNL retirees, who were also covered under the government pension scheme.

In a resolution adopted at the 5th Circle Conference here, the association said all the BSNL pensioners should be brought under the Central Pay Commission and the benefits be extended to them with effect from January 2017.

The other demands include withdrawal of Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Act, reintroduction of medical allowance to pensioners, preventing sale of shares of PSUs including BSNL and so on, it added.

PTI

7th Pay Commission Effect – Coal India, Fire Service, Contract Workers demand minimum Rs.18,000

7th Pay Commission Effect – Coal India, Fire Service, Contract Workers demand minimum Rs.18,000 – The first indications of the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission (CPC) triggering demands for salary hike have begun.

The first indications of the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission (CPC) triggering demands for salary hike have begun in right earnest with Coal India Limited (CIL) workers set to join the general strike on September 2. Among the many demands include minimum monthly salary of Rs. 18,000, similar to the one proposed by the 7th CPC and accepted by the Central government employees.

CIL informed about the September 2 strike in a regulatory filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on Saturday morning. The coal workers will be joining other trade unions that have called for a general strike in which about five lakh bank employees are also likely to participate.

Of the 13 demands listed in the charter are hike in minimum monthly salary, halt to disinvestment of public sector undertakings, increased gratuity, discontinue the practice of recruiting people on contract basis and regularise employment of those hired on contractual terms.

“We have received a communication of strike notice dated 19th August 2016 for general strike on 2nd September 2016. Efforts are being made for conciliation process. If they resort to strike, it will affect production and dispatch of coal,” CIL said in its filing with the BSE.

Not lagging behind, sweepers and fire services employees held a march in Sonepet, haryana yesterday under the banner of the Nagarpalika Karamchari Sangh (NKS), Haryana, affiliated to the Sarv Karamchari Sangh.

The protesters were demanding the abolition of the appointment on contract basis and through outsourcing and the benefits of the 7th Pay Commission.

The protesters, led by state NKS president Naresh Kumar Shastri, raised slogans in support of the demands and marched through different areas. They handed over a memorandum of their demands to Urban Local Bodies Minister Kavita Jain at her house in Sector 15.

The minister said after the Assembly session, a high-level meeting would be convened in the second week of September to mull over the demands and representatives of the NKS would also be invited. The minister assured them that their legitimate demands would be accepted.

However, Finance Ministry sources indicate, “The demand of central government employees through National Joint Council of Action (NJAC) for hiking minimum pay Rs 18,000 to Rs 26,000 may be considered by the National Anomaly Committee but they can do nothing.

“Now, it is generally seen that Public Sector Undertaking employees get less pay than the central government employees and they will demand to hike pay equivalent to central government employees. So, the focus has now shifted to PSUs- whether they would implement a similar pay hike for their employees or not.”

“If they hike pay for their employees, the central government is likely to face difficulty in bearing this extra financial burden. Accordingly, central government employees demand for hiking minimum pay of Rs 18,000 may not be accepted,” they said.