Cabinet approves release of an instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners due from 01.07.2016

Cabinet

Press information Bureau,
Government of India

27-October, 2016 15:55 IST

Cabinet approves release of an instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government  employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners due from 01.07.2016

The Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval to release an instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to Pensioners w.e.f. 01.07.2016 representing an increase of 2% of the revised Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate for price rise. The increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.

The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief would be Rs. 5622.10 crore per annum and in the Financial Year 2016-17 for the period of 8 months (i.e. from July 2016 to February 2017), it would be Rs.3748.06 crore. About 50.68 lakh Government employees and 54.24 lakh pensioners will be benefitted.

PIB

Dearness Allowance hiked by 2% for central government employees, pensioners

Dearness Allowance hiked by 2% for central government employees, pensioners
Dearness allowance is provided to employees and pensioners to minimise the impact of price rise on their earnings.

The Cabinet on Thursday approved the 2 per cent hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central Government employees and pensioners, effective from July 1, 2016. The proposal to hike the DA was granted during the Cabinet meeting today afternoon at the Prime Minister’s Office. The announcement, which comes ahead of Diwali, is set to bring cheer to around 50 lakh central government employees and 58 lakh pensioners in the country.

Dearness allowance is provided to employees and pensioners to minimise the impact of price rise on their earnings. Earlier this year, the government hiked dearness allowance by 6% to 125 % of the basic pay. It was later merged into the basic pay, based on the recommendation of the 7th Pay Commission Panel.

Source: indianexpress.com

EPFO joins network of Common Services Centers

EPFO joins network of Common Services Centers

To expand the reach of convenience offered to EPF members, Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has joined the network of Common Services Centers (CSC). A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between EPFO and CSC e-Governance Services India Limited (CSC SPV) on 25th October 2016. The MoU is initially for a period of five years.

To start with, the pensioners of Employees Pension Scheme of EPFO can submit their digital life certificates via Jeevan Pramaan Patra programme through a large number of points of Presence (PoP) of CSC networking in addition to those available at EPFO offices. The pensioners living in remote areas can avoid cost and inconvenience of travelling down to the EPF offices or their banks for filing paper based life certificate. In near future, it is also planned to enable various other online services namely aadhaar seeding with Universal Account Number (UAN), e KYC operated upload and update facility, UAN card related services and online claim related services.

Common Services Centers (CSC) network is one of the largest government approved online service delivery channel in the world. CSC are broadband enabled rural service delivery points established by District e Governance Societies (DeGSs), selected by the State Governments, for aggregating content and offering relevant Government to Customers (G2C), Business to Customers (B2C), Business to Business (B2B) and other services. More details about Common Services Centers (CSC) and its network can be accessed at csc.gov.in

EPF subscribers may access these services at their convenience from the nearest CSC network.

PIB

Grant of of ad-hoc bonus for RPF/RPSF Personnel for the financial year 2015-16

Grant of of ad-hoc bonus for RPF/RPSF Personnel for the financial year 2015-16

Grant of ad-hoc bonus for 30 days to Group ‘C’ & ‘D’ RPF/RPSF Personnel for the financial year 2015-16. The calculation ceiling has been enhanced to Rs.7000 with effect from 1.4.2016.

The benefit will be admissible subject to the following and conditions:- Only those Group C & D RPF/RPSF personnel who were in service on 31.3.2011 and have rendered at least six months of continuous service during the year 2015-2016 will be eligible for payment under these orders. Pro-rata payment will be admissible to the eligible personnel for period of continuous service during the year ranging from six months to a full year, the eligibility period being taken in terms of number of months of service (rounded to the nearest number of months).

The quantum of ad-hoc bonus will be worked out on the basis of average emoluments/calculation ceiling whichever is lower. To calculate ad-hoc bonus for one day, the average emoluments in a year will be divided by 30.4 (average number of days in a month). This will there after be multiplied by the number of days of bonus granted. To illustrate, taking the calculation ceiling of Rs.7000/- (where actual average emoluments exceed 7000), ad-hoc bonus for thirty days would work out to 7000x30/30.4 = Rs.6907.89 (rounded off to Rs.6908/-).

All payments under these orders will be rounded off to the nearest rupee.

In the matter where the aforesaid provisions are silent, clarificatory orders issued vide this Ministry’s letter No.E(P&A)II-88/Bonus-3 dated 29.12.1988, as amended from time totime, would hold good.

All the Group C & D RPF/RPSF personnel. regardless of whether they are in uniform or out of uniform and regardless of place of their posting, shall be eligible only for ad-hoc bonus in terms of these orders.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the fallowing Joint Secretary level appointments in the Pay Band of Rs.37,400 - 67,0001- (PB-4) with Grade Pay of Rs. 10,000

Appointment of Joint Secretaries to the GOI.

No.33/13/2016-EO(SM-I)
Government of India
Secretariat of the
Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training

New Delhi, the 26th October, 2016

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the fallowing Joint Secretary level appointments in the Pay Band of Rs.37,400 - 67,0001- (PB-4) with Grade Pay of Rs. 10,000/- :

(1) Ms. Reena Sinha Puri, IRS (IT:87), as Joint Secretary & FA, Ministry of Coal, from the date of assumption of the charge of the post for a period of five years or until further orders, whichever is earlier, vice Ms. Sujata Prasad, ICAS(1983);

(2) Shri Ram Phal Pawar, IPS (WB:1988), as Joint Secretary, NATGRID under the Ministry of Home Affairs, from the date of assumption of the charge of the post for a period of five years or until further orders, whichever is earlier, vice Shri Rajiv Arora, lAS (HY:1987);

(3) Ms. Indira Murthy, CSS, as Joint Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, by upgradation of a Director level post for two years, from the date of assumption of the charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier, vice Shri Rajneesh Tingal, CSS;

(4) Shri Ravi Kant, IOFS (1986), as Joint Secretary, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, from Ihe dale of assumption of the charge of the post, for a period of five years or until further orders, whichever is earlier, vice Ms. K Damayanthi, lAS (AP:1993);

(5) Shri Rajneesh Tingal, CSS as Joint Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals from the date of assumption of the charge of the post for a period of five years or until further orders, whichever is earlier, vice Shri M. Ariz Ahammed, IAS(AM:95);

(6) Ms. Sarada G. Muraleedharan, IAS(KL :1990), as Director General (JS level), NIFT under Department of Textiles, on lateral shift basis, from Ministry of Panchayati Raj, from the date of assumption of the charge of the post, for the balance period of her overall seven year central deputation tenure or until further orders, whichever is earlier vice Shri Sudhir Tripathi, lAS (JH:1985) by keeping the Recruitment Rules for the post of Director General, NIFT in abeyance and treating the post as Non-CSS;

(Rajender Kumar)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
Tel: 23092187
26.10.2016

To
All Secretaries to the Government of India.

DoPT Order

2% Dearness Allowance for Central Government Employees and Pensioners due from July 2016 may approve in the Union Cabinet Meeting

2% Dearness Allowance for Central Government Employees and Pensioners due from July 2016  may approve in the Union Cabinet Meeting

Cabinet may approve 2% DA today

Dearness Allowance for Central Government Employees and Pensioners due from July 2016 is likely to be approved in the Union Cabinet Meeting to be held  today (27.10.2016).

As per the recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission on Dearness Allowance formula, Central Government is all set to declare 2% Dearness allowance and Dearness relief to be effective from July 1, 2016.

Table of AICPIN - All India Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers BY 2001-100 from Jan 2016 to Jun 2016 are indicated in the table with average of 261.4

 Calculation of Dearness Allowance from July 2016 as shown in the table

Month / Year	B.Y. 2001=100	12 Months Total	12 Months average	% Increase over 261.4	DA with Decimal	DA %
Jan-16	269	3152	262.67	1.26	0.48	0.48
Feb-16	267	3166	263.83	2.42	0.93	0.93
Mar-16	268	3180	265	3.59	1.37	1
Apr-16	271	3195	266.25	4.84	1.85	1
May-16	275	3212	267.67	6.26	2.39	2
Jun-16	277	3228	269	7.6	2.91	2

Report of one-man judicial committee on OROP submitted on 26.10.2016

Report of one-man judicial committee on OROP submitted on 26.10.2016

Justice Reddy committee on OROP submits report

The one-man judicial committee on One Rank One Pension (OROP) submitted its report to the Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar, here today. The Central Government had appointed the committee under the Chairmanship of Justice L Narasimha Reddy, retired Chief Justice of Patna High Court to look into the anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP.

The judicial committee had held hearings at around 20 cities/towns across the country and interacted with cross sections of Ex-Servicemen as well as their associations. The committee also received 704 representations from individuals and various Ex-Servicemen associations and had held extensive interactions with all stakeholders before submitting its report.

PIB

Prime Minister concerned over grievances of EPF beneficiaries

Prime Minister concerned over grievances of EPF beneficiaries

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed concern over the large number of grievances of labourers and EPF beneficiaries and said a system should be in place under which the process of finalisation of retirement benefits for all employees can begin a year in advance.

“Discussed methods of redressal of grievances pertaining to the Labour & Employment Ministry and how technology can play a big role in this,” Modi tweeted after his monthly meeting of PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation), an ICT-based platform where he interacts directly with top officials of the Centre and states to discuss implementation of programmes and schemes.

During the meeting, he expressed “concern at the large number of grievances of labourers and EPF beneficiaries” and said the government must be sensitive to labourers needs.

“Governments have to be sensitive to the needs & grievances of the workers, who toil day & night and have a major role in India s progress,” he added.

He said that in a democracy, the labourers should not have to struggle to receive their legitimate dues and requested introduction of a system so that the process of finalization of retirement benefits for all employees can begin a year in advance, a PMO statement said.

In case of an untimely death, he said the papers should be completed within a specified time, and officers should be made accountable for the same, the statement added.

During the meeting, Labour Secretary outlined the improvements brought in the grievance redressal system, such as introduction of online transfer of claims, electronic challans, mobile applications and SMS alerts, linking UAN to Aadhaar numbers, introduction of tele-medicine and empanelling of more super-speciality hospitals.

The Prime Minister also reviewed the progress of e-NAM (Electronic National Agriculture Mandi) initiative which began in April this year with 21 mandis spread over 8 states.

Officials said it has now expanded to 250 mandis spread over 10 states, the PMO statement said.

13 states have completed the process of amending the APMC Act, the meeting was told, after which the Prime Minister urged the remaining states to quickly make the required changes in the APMC Act, so that e-NAM could be enabled across the country.

He said the farmer can benefit only if ‘Assaying’ and ‘Grading’ facilities are made available, so that the farmer can market his produce in mandis across the country.

He also invited Chief Secretaries of states to give their suggestions on e-NAM.

PTI

7th CPC Minimum Pay and Fitment Formula: Gist of Meeting held on 25.10.2016 about Allowances, 7th CPC to Autonomous Bodies, GDS Bonus and other issues

7th CPC Minimum Pay and Fitment Formula: Gist of Meeting held on 25.10.2016 about Allowances, 7th CPC to Autonomous Bodies, GDS Bonus and other issues

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS
1st Floor, North Avenue PO Building, new Delhi - 110001

CIRCULAR DATED 26TH OCTOBER 2016

REVISION OF MINIMUM PAY AND FITMENT FORMULA
2ND MEETING OF THE GROUP OF SENIOR OFFICERS WITH JCM (NC) STAFF SIDE

DISAPPOINTING

2nd Meetings of the Group of Senior Officers (Constituted as per the assurance given by Group of Minister to NJCA) to discuss the grievances arising out of recommendations related to 7th Central Pay Commission, was held with JCM (NC) staff side on 24.10.2016 at 4 PM. The staff side explained in detail the justification for modification in the minimum pay and fitment formula, which was already explained in the memorandum submitted to Cabinet Secretary on 10th December 2015 and also in the presentation made before Joint Secretary Implementation Cell and Empowered Committee of Secretaries headed by Cabinet Secretary.

From the response of the Senior Officers, it is not clear whether they are mandated to submit a proposal on increasing the Minimum Pay and Fitment formula to Government, as assured by the Group of Ministers on 30th June 2016. Eventhough, the time frame of four months is almost over, the urgency and seriousness was lacking on the part of the Group of officers. It seems that that Government is adopting a delaying tactics or to deny the assured increase. Perhaps, they may recommend an increase in minimum pay and fitment formula at a later date, but it is quite uncertain.

Confederation National Secretariat after reviewing these developments has decided to intensify the campaign and agitational programmes demanding the Government to honour its assurance given to NJCA leadership and also to settle the 20 point charter of demands. Make the 7th November 2016 mass dharna programme a grand success. Ensure maximum participation of employees in the 15th December 2016 massive Parliament March. Get ready for strike.

ALLOWANCE COMMITTEE MEETING ON DOP&T SPECIFIC ALLOWANCES
Meeting of the Allowance Committee to discuss the DOP&T Specific allowances was held on 25.10.2016. Secretary, Department of Personnel Chaired the meeting. Important allowances like Children Education Allowance, Night Duty Allowance, Overtime Allowance, Cash Handling Allowance, Dress Allowance, Nursing Allowance, Patient Care Allowance, Family planning Allowance, Risk Allowance etc. are discussed. The Secretary, Department of Personnel gave a patient hearing and interacted with staff side on certain points. No commitment on any allowance was given.


JCM NATIONAL COUNCIL : STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING
The JCM (NC) Standing Committee meeting under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Department of Personnel was held on 25.10.2016. All agenda items were discussed. Some of the items are - JCM functioning, Compassionate appointments, amendment to the definition of anomaly, Changing MACP conditions, Ex-Servicemen pay fixation, Pay fixation option on promotion after the date of notification of CCS (RP) Rules 2016, GDS bonus enhancement to 7000/-, casual labour regularization and bonus enhancement, filling up of vacancies, upgradation of LDCs to UDCs, one time relaxation of LTC-80 availed by air by purchasing tickets from other than authorized agents, Restoration of Festival Advance, Natural Calamity Advance and Advance of leave salary, grant of entry pay recommended by 6th CPC to the promotes, reimbursement of actual medical expenditure incurred by the employees in a recognised hospital etc.

Secretary, Department of Personnel gave a patient hearing and clarified certain points. No final decision was taken on any of the agenda items. Gist published below. Minutes will be published later. It was informed that based on the discussion, each item will be examined further and decision will be taken.


AUTONOMOUS BODIES : EXTENSION OF 7TH CPC REVISED PAY STRUCTURE AND PENSIONARY BENEFITS
The issue was raised in the JCM Standing Committee meeting held on 25.10.2016 by the staff side. The official side informed that an overall review regarding the performance and financial viability etc. of each Autonomous body is being carried out by the Government. Only after completing the process decision regarding extension of 7th CPC revised pay structure and pensionary benefits, Bonus etc. will be taken. Extension of the benefits depends upon the policy decision of the Government. Hence the official side has not told any time frame for final decision. It is likely to be delayed.

Confederation has already included the demands of the employees of the autonomous bodies in its 20 point charter of demands. All Unions/Associations/Federation and employees of all autonomous bodies are requested to understand the gravity of the situation and make the 7th November 2016 mass dharna programme and 15th December 2016 Parliament March a grand success. Join the Parliament March with your flags, banners and placard with demands. Let the Government understand the discontentment and protest of employees and pensioners of Autonomous bodies. There is no short-cut to get our justified demand accepted by the Government.


GDS BONUS ENHANCEMENT TO 7000
This issue was discussed in the JCM Standing Committee meeting as a notified agenda. The official side informed that the file is still under process in the Finance Ministry and a decision is yet to be taken. Once the approval of the Finance Ministry is given the proposal is to be submitted to Cabinet for approval.
All affiliates and C-O-Cs are once again requested to extend full support and solidarity to the proposed Postal Strike on 9th & 10th November 2016, demanding bonus calculation ceiling limit enhancement to 7000/- for GDS and immediate payment of revised wages to casual labourers from 01.01.2006. Conduct solidarity demonstration in front of important Postal/RMS office on 9th & 10th November 2016.

GIST OF THE JCM STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 25.10.2016

Meeting was held under the chairmanship of Secretary, Department of Personnel. Items discussed and outcome is given below.

1. JCM FUNCTIONING
Decision: After discussion Secretary (P), assured that the JCM would be activated and steps may be taken to hold regular meetings of JCM at National and Departmental level.

2. COMPASSIONATE APPOINTMENT:
Decision: The demand of the staff side to remove 5% ceiling would be considered after studying the various. Supreme Court Judgments and the decisions of previous National Council JCM meetings.

3. RESTORATION OF INTEREST FREE ADVANCES WITHDRAWN BY THE GOVERNMENT BASED ON 7TH CPC RECOMMENDATIONS
Decision: The demand of the staff side to restore Festival advance, Natural Calamity advance and leave salary advance will be examined further.

4. AMENDMENT TO THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM “ANOMALY”
Decision: The proposal given by the staff side would be considered is consultation with Department of Expenditure.

5. FIXATION OF PAY OF RE-EMPLOYED EX-SERVICEMEN
Decision: The anomalies in the fixation of pay of re-employed Ex-Servicemen is under consideration of DOP&T.

6. OPTION FOR THOSE TO BE PROMOTED AFTER 25.07.2016, I.E. AFTER THE NOTIFICATION OF CS (REVISED PAY) RULES 2016.

Decision: This issue would be considered by the Implementation Cell of 7th CPC.

7. WITHDRAWL OF NEW CONDITIONS FOR THE GRANT OF MACP
Decision: The demand of the Staff Side for withdrawl of “Very Good” grading would be re-examined. Some more items related to Ministry of Defence was also discussed.

8. BONUS CEILING TO BE RAISED TO 7000 FOR GRAMIN DAK SEVAK EMPLOYEES OF POSTAL DEPARTMENT
Decision: Revision of Bonus ceiling for GDS and Casual Labourers would be considered by Department of Expenditure.

9. REGULARISATION OF CASUAL LABOURERS
Decision: The proposal of the staff side for regularization of all casual labourers would be considered after considering various Supreme Court judgements.

10. FILLING UP OF EXISTING VACANT POSTS
Decision: Since there is no ban on recruitment, vacancies can be filled up. Instructions in this regard will be issued once again.

11. UPGRADATION OF THE POSTS OF LOWER DIVISION CLERKS TO UPPER DIVISION CLERKS
Decision: The demand of the staff side would be considered in consultation with other Ministries.

12. GRANT OF ONE TIME RELAXATION TO THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE AVAILED LTC-80 AND TRAVELLED BY AIR BY PURCHASING TICKETS FROM OTHER THAN AUTHORIZED AGENCIES
Decision: The proposal of Ministry of Defence in this regard is under examination of DOP&T

13. GRANT OF ENTRY PAY RECOMMENDED BY 6TH CPC TO THE PROMOTEES UNDER THE PROVISION OF CCS (RP) RULES 2008
Decision: - The Judgment of Chennai CAT and Principal Bench New Delhi would be examined by DOP&T and Department of Expenditure.

14. REIMBURSEMENT OF ACTUAL MEDICAL EXPENDITURE INCURRED BY THE EMPLOYEES IN A RECOGNIZED HOSPITAL
Decision:  A separate meeting would be held by the Health Ministry with the staff side to discuss this demand.

Fraternally yours,

(M. Krishnan)
Secretary General
Mob: 09447068125
E-mail: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com

Source: Confederationhq blog

7th Central Pay Commission's recommendations - revision of Pay scales - amendment of Service Rules/Recruitment Rules

Seventh Central Pay Commission's recommendations - revision of Pay scales - amendment of Service Rules/Recruitment Rules

File No.AB-14017/13/2016-Estt.(RR)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, P.G. & Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Estt(RR) Section
***

North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 25th Oct, 2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Seventh Central Pay Commission's recommendations - revision of Pay scales - amendment of Service Rules/Recruitment Rules.

The undersigned is directed to refer to the OM of even number dated 03.10.2016 on the above mentioned subject informing about the meeting scheduled to be taken by Joint Secretary (Establishment) to review the position with respect to the amendment in Service Rules/Recruitment Rules for various posts.

2. In this regard it is stated that the meetings scheduled to be held on 25.10.2016 and 26.10.2016 for the Ministries starting with alphabets R-V and W-Z respectively has been postponed due to some unavoidable circumstances. The fresh date for the meeting will be communicated in due course of time.

(G.Jayanthi)
Director (E-1)

To
Joint Secretary (Administration/Establishment)
All concerned Ministries/Departments

7th CPC DoPT Order