Tax collection figures for the period April -December 2016 show a positive trend as Direct Taxes grow by 12.01% and Indirect Taxes grow by 25% over the corresponding period last year i.e. April-December 2015

Tax collection figures for the period April -December 2016 show a positive trend as Direct Taxes grow by 12.01% and Indirect Taxes grow by 25% over the corresponding period last year i.e. April-December 2015

Direct Tax and Indirect tax collection figures for the period April 2016 to December 2016 have shown a positive trend as Direct Taxes grow by 12.01% and Indirect Taxes grow by 25% over the corresponding period last year i.e. April-December 2015.

The details in this regard are as follows:

Direct Taxes
The figures for Direct Tax collections up to December, 2016 show that net collections are at Rs. 5.53 lakh crore which is 12.01% more than the net collections for the corresponding period last year. This collection is 65.3% of the total Budget Estimates of Direct Taxes for F.Y. 2016-17.

As regards the growth rates for Corporate Income Tax (CIT) and Personal Income Tax (PIT), in terms of gross revenue collections, the growth rate under CIT is 10.7% while that under PIT (including STT) is 21.7%. However, after adjusting for refunds, the net growth in CIT collections is 4.4% while that in PIT collections is 24.6%. Refunds amounting to Rs.1,26,371 crore have been issued during April-December, 2016, which is 30.5% higher than the refunds issued during the corresponding period last year.

After accounting for the third instalment of advance tax received in December, 2016, the collections under advance tax stand at Rs.2.82 lakh crore, which is 14.4% higher than the figures for the corresponding period of last year. CIT advance tax is growing at 10.6% while PIT advance tax has registered a growth of 38.2%.

Indirect Taxes

The figures for indirect tax collections (Central Excise, Service Tax and Customs) up to December 2016 show that net revenue collections are at Rs 6.30 lakh crore, which is 25% more than the net collections for the corresponding period last year. Till December 2016, about 81% of the Budget Estimates of indirect taxes for Financial Year 2016-17 has been achieved.

As regards Central Excise, net tax collections stood at Rs. 2.79 lakh crore during April-December, 2016 as compared to Rs.1.95 lakh crore during the corresponding period in the previous Financial Year, thereby registering a growth of 43%.

Net Tax collections on account of Service Tax during April-December, 2016 stood at Rs. 1.83 lakh crore as compared to Rs.1.48 lakh crore during the corresponding period in the previous Financial Year, thereby registering a growth of 23.9%.

Net Tax collections on account of Customs during April-December 2016 stood at Rs. 1.67 lakh crore as compared to Rs. 1.60 lakh crore during the same period in the previous Financial Year, thereby registering a growth of 4.1%.

During December 2016, the net indirect tax (with ARM) grew at the rate of 14.2% compared to corresponding month last year. The growth rate in net collection for Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax was -6.3%, 31.6% and 12.4% respectively during the month of December, 2016,
compared to the corresponding month last year. The de-growth in customs collections appear to be on account of a decline of gold imports by about 46% (in volume terms) in December 2016 over December 2015.

AIRF Performance on negotiation with 7th Pay Commission, efforts for getting Gratuity for NPS covered Employees

Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra/General Secretary/AIRF Message to its cadres explaining AIRF 
Performance on negotiation with 7th Pay Commission, efforts for getting Gratuity for NPS covered Employees

AIRF General Secretary briefs about AIRF achievements.
Shiva Gopal Mishra
(General Secretary)

A.I.R.F
All India Railwaymen’s Federation
(Estd, 1924)
4, State Entry Road,
New Delhi-110055

Message

All of you are well aware that, All India Railwaymen's Federation (AIRF) is the most reputed and oldest federation of the Railwaymen in India; which started its journey in the year 1924.

Prior to AIRF having been formed in 1924; there were a number of Railway Unions existing on different clusters of the Railways under the British Rule. It was realized by the entities that, despite their best efforts they were struggling to safeguard and protect the rights of the Indian Railwaymen from discrimination and exploitation. The British Rulers were highly discriminating the Indian Workers and their policies were highly loaded in favour of the Anglo-Indian Workers. Thus, ignorance of the safety, security, disparity in wages, medical facilities and uncongenial working conditions to our fellow brothers working in different British Railway clusters, compelled them to create a largest and strongest platform to fight against these atrocities and to protect their interests and induce self-respect at the working place. Collective decision and concerted efforts paved the way for formation of prestigious, strong, massive and meticulous organization to work for the well being of the Railwaymen 24x7x65.
All India Railwaymen’s Federation has a history and saga of sacrifices of its workers while fighting 1960, 1968 and 1974 strikes.

Friends! You are also aware that, recently the 92nd Annual Conference of AIRF was held at Allahabad from 8-10 November, 2016, wherein a number of issues related to staff grievances and demands of the Railwaymen were deliberated and discussed and future line of action was drawn.

It may also be appreciated that, although there are number of organizations at the All India level, it is AIRF that stood tall for the Railwaymen’s demands against the anti-workers policies of the government and forced the Government of India to constitute the 7th CPC.

Dear Friends! Though 7th CPC’s recommendations have since been announced and implemented also, but I am personally aggrieved and pained that, the Pay Commission and the Government ignored many genuine demands of the Railway employees. One of our main demands was restoration of the Old Pension Scheme for the employees who joined on or after 01.01.2004 and the other was Minimum Wage as Rs. 26,000 to the staff at the lowest level. In the recommendations of the 7th CPC both the demands were ignored. Apart from this, many other demands were also either partly or fully ignored in the recommendations of the 7th CPC. I have personally taken note of the demands/issues and not only lodged our strong protest to the government, but pursued them to form the committees to review these demands. In this context we also met a Group of Union Ministers and apprised them of the gravity and genuineness of our demands and got assurance from them that these would be duly taken care of. We have also held meetings with the Cabinet Secretary, Secretary(DoP&T), Secretary(Exp.) etc. of the Government of India, to extract maximum benefits for all of you, but up till now nothing fruitful has emerged.

On this occasion I would like to congratulate all of you that, despite all odds, the long pending demands of enhancing the limit of monthly wages for payment of PLB from Rs.3500 to Rs.7000 was acceded to with the consistent efforts of AIRF w.e.f 01.04.2014, and the payment of PLB along with arrears of 2014-15 has since been made to all the fellow Railwaymen. You may also appreciate that, the orders for payment of Retirement Gratuity and Death Gratuity for all the NPS contributors has as well issued by the DoP&T on regular persuasions by us.

Further to this, one of our major demands for Merger of Technician Gr. II to Gr.I has also been acceded to by the Ministry of Railway in another way by upgrading substantial number of posts to the grade of Sr. Technician and Highly Skilled Technician Gr. I. It is also a landmark achievement, but still a number of grievances and demands are yet to be resolved, as such, the 92nd Annual Conference of AIRF unanimously decided to hold “All Indian Protest Day” on 14th December, 2016 throughout the Indian Railways.

Friends! At this stage I would also like to mention that, during the last sort span of period I was not keeping good health and remained hospitalized also for recovery from the ailment. As of now I am feeling perfectly well and energetic and assure you that I am for the AIRF and the cadre only. My life is for my fellow Railwaymen; with their good wishes I am with them.

As the year 2017 is approaching, I want to take this as opportunity to extend my heartfelt greetings to all of you and your families. You all are essential part to the success of our great federation, I would like to thank you all personally for showing immense faith and confidence.

I further like to appeal all of you to work hard for the betterment of the Railways. So long, the organization is strong, we are also strong. Thus, it is our prime duty to take proper care of duties and responsibilities towards our organization, society and to the nation.

I am sure that, all of you will give priority to organize the Youth and Women because without them AIRF cannot be strong. We should also keep in our mind Mission Future. I personally assure you that, you will always find me with you in your hour of need.

Please accept my best wishes for the New Year. I am sure that, you will work with great gusto and motivation to take-up the future challenges.

With fraternal greetings!
Comradely yours,
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
General Secretary

Source : AIRF

Defence panel raises retirement age of soldiers by TWO years to 'cut new recruitment cost

Defence panel raises retirement age of soldiers by TWO years to 'cut new recruitment cost

Recommendations of the Lt Gen Shekatkar Committee were submitted to defence minister Manohar Parrikar

The report also touches upon the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff

In order to enhance their combat capabilities, a key defence ministry panel has made several recommendations including increasing the retirement age of jawans by two years, doing away with manpower in non-combat arms and shutting down military farms.

The recommendations of the Lt Gen Shekatkar Committee were submitted to defence minister Manohar Parrikar almost three weeks ago.

The report also touches upon the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff - who would be the single point contact for the military with the government.

The main aim of the committee was to suggest means to cut down on useless expenditure and use the savings to acquire and enhance fighting capabilities of the army.

One of the most important recommendations of the committee was to increase the retirement age of jawans by two years, which will help the army save a significant amount on pensions and training of personnel.

Army jawans retire after serving a minimum of 17 years and depending upon their promotion while in service.

'If the recommendations are accepted, jawans and junior commissioned officers till the rank of subedar major will get two more years of service,' ministry sources told Mail Today.

'This will reduce the cost of training new jawans along with the problem of providing them reemployment. Of the one million jawans in the army, almost 60,000 retire every year.

'For two years, the forces can also save on recruiting new manpower,' they said.

The Shekatkar committee has also suggested ‘optimising’ non-combat support arms in the army such as supply corps, ordnance and electrical and mechanical engineers who service cars and heavy vehicles.

'Even in remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, one can get private agencies close to the border to service and repair army vehicles,' the sources said.

Same applies for certain functions of the supply and ordnance corps like supplying rations and clothes to the forces.

Their roles can be limited to during war and other critical assignments.

The committee has also recommended abolishing military and dairy farms, where several thousand army personnel and a considerable number of officers are involved in mundane tasks like cattle rearing and growing vegetables.

The committee has also called for downsizing the remount veterinary corps, which looks after horses and mules for ceremonial as well as operations in the higher Himalayan regions of J&K and Arunachal Pradesh.

'With helicopters and road networks allowing vehicles to reach the last points of border areas and mountains, there is no need to maintain such a large force of mules,' the sources said.

The NCC is also on the radar of the Shekatkar committee as a large number of officers from the Army are sent there.

'The committee feels that retiring personnel can be trained and sent there as re-employment. This will save the army the regular personnel for operational duties,' the sources said.

Source : dailymail.co.uk

Demonetization vs 7th Pay Commission: Tax-paying government servants among the worst hit!

Demonetization vs 7th Pay Commission: Tax-paying government servants among the worst hit!

"Government employees, who pay regular taxes for up to the last Rupee that they earn as salaries and bonuses, are the ones who were most affected – directly and indirectly - by demonetization."
As part of its proclaimed drive to eradicate black money, counterfeit notes, and terrorism, the Government, on November 8, announced the abolishing of Rs. 500 and 1000 notes. The acute shortage of cash, that began on November 9, continues until this day. The masses are faced with hardship in one form or the other - medical expenses, marriages, house construction, outstation and foreign travels, celebrations, last rites, school fees, and everyday expenses.

An advance of Rs. 10,000 as cash was given from the salary for the month of November only.
News sources claim that the Ministry of Finance and officials of all departments are working hard to streamline the announcement and handle its after effects.

The Central Government, which has implemented only the hike in the basic pay, as recommended by the Seventh Pay Commission and has been giving it with effect from January 1, 2016 onwards and has constituted a high-level special committee under the chairmanship of Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa, to look into the recommendations regarding various allowances.

The meeting of the high-level committee must be constituted in order to decide on important allowances being given to the Central Government employees, including House Rent Allowance. Although sources claim that seven such meetings had been held until now, no decision has been reached yet.

The Seventh Pay Commission had compiled its entire report within 18 months. Four months have passed, but the committee has not been able to make its mind up about one aspect of it, the allowances. This has caused tremendous irritation and frustration among Central Government employees.

Confusions and hurdles continue to plague in constituting the meeting of the high-level committee, which must decide on the issue of allowances to the Railways, Postal, defence, and armed forces. This can be deduced from the recent letter that the Secretary of National Council (JCM) had written to the Central Government. The most recent high-level committee meeting with the NC JCM Staff Side was held on September 1, last year.

The Seventh Pay Commission had listed 196 kinds of allowances (51 allowances have been recommended to delete from the list). It must be mentioned here that, of these, the committee was constituted to look into all the allowances, except the dearness allowance. No decisions have been made yet on any of the allowances. In fact, there is no official information on the next meeting date.

Payment of dearness allowance to Armed Forces Personnel

Payment of dearness allowance to Armed Forces Personnel

URGENT

Office of the CGDA, Ulan Batar Road, Palam, Delhi Cantt - 10

No.AT/I/1498-Army/II

Dated: 05-01-2017

To
The PCDA (CC) Lucknow, PCDA (WC) Chandigarh, PCDA (SC) Pune, PCDA (NC) Jammu, PCDA Bangalore, CDA Patna, CDA Jabalpur, CDA Chennai, CDA Secunderabad, CDA Guwahati, CDA (Army) Meerut

The PCDA(O), Pune
The PCDA(N), Mumbai
The CDA(AF), New Delhi

Subject: Payment of dearness allowance to Armed Forces Personnel

MoD, D(Pay/Services) Letter No.1(2)/2004/D(Pay/Services) Dt. 23rd Nov, 2016 regarding payment of enhanced rate of dearness allowance to Armed Forces Personnel @ 132% with effect from 1st July, 2016 received through PS-3(A), AG's Branch is forwarded herewith for your necessary action please.

2. It is requested that necessary action in regard to above cited MoD letter be taken urgently.
Jt. CGDA (P&W) has seen.

(Vinod Anand)
Sr.ACGDA (P&W)

Signed Copy

29th SCOVA meeting under the chairmanship of Hon'ble MOS(PP) - Intimation regarding Date, Time and Venue of the Meeting

29th SCOVA meeting under the chairmanship of Hon'ble MOS(PP) - Intimation regarding Date, Time and Venue of the Meeting

F.No. 42/16/2016-P&PW(G)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, P.G and Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan
Khan Market, New Delhi-110003
Date: 06th Jan, 2017

To
All the Pensioners Associations included in the SCOVA vide Resolution dated 25.08.2015

Subject: 29th SCOVA meeting under the chairmanship of Hon'ble MOS(PP) - Intimation regarding Date, Time and Venue of the Meeting.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's OM of even no. dated 26th Dec,2016. The date, time and venue of the 29th SCOVA meeting is as under:

Date : 12th January, 2017 (Thursday)
Time : 11:00 am
Venue : Committee Room-A
Vigyan Bhawan Annexe
Maulana Azad Road, New Delhi

2. It is requested that the name and telephone no. of the member nominated for the meeting may kindly be sent to the undersigned. It is further requested to bring copy of PPO and also duly Idled Mandate Form (copy enclosed) so that TA/DA reimbursement would be made through e-payment mode afterwards.

3. This Department looks forward to your participation in the meeting.

(Sujasha Choudhur)
Director(P)

Source: http://persmin.nic.in/Pension.asp

Transfer of posts of CSSS to Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare

Transfer of posts of CSSS to Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare

F.No-24/01/2014-CS.1 (P)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
CS.I(P) Section

Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated 3rd January, 2017

Order

The Competent Authority in Ministry of Personnel. Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel & Training) hereby allocates the under mentioned posts, of CSSS to Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare

S.No	Designation/Post	Service to which belongs	No. of Post	Revised Strength of PA grade in DOPT	Remarks
1.	PA	CSSS	03	98	Posts created vide DoP&PW's letter No : 11013/2/2015-adm.I dated 13.07.2016

2. These posts have been adjusted against the surplus posts of P.A grades, surrendered by NITI aayog.

(K.Srinivasan)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Copy to
1. Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare Lok Nayak Bhawan New Delhi w.r.t letter No. A-11013/2/2015/ Ad-I dated 13.72016
2. Department of Personnel & Training Admin.IV Section. North Block, New Delhi w.r.t OM No. A 11013/1/2016 ad.IV dated 19.07.2016
3. Department of Expenditure (Ms. Sangita Toppo, US) North Block, New Delhi w.r.t their 10 No. 2864811 E/C 1.12016 dated 9.11.2016
4. Deputy Secretary {CS.II)/Under Secretary(CSSS)

DoPT Order 2017

Grant of one-time relaxation from the ceiling of 5% for compassionate appointments in the Ministry of Defence - BPMS

Grant of one-time relaxation from the ceiling of 5% for compassionate appointments in the Ministry of Defence - BPMS

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

05-January-2017 17:08 IST

Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh delegation meets Dr Jitendra Singh

A delegation of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh’s Industrial Unit, "Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh", held a meeting with Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh here today and sought his intervention for grant of one-time relaxation from the ceiling of 5% for compassionate appointments in the Ministry of Defence. The delegation also requested the Minister to issue directions to expedite the follow-up pertaining to LTC cases pending in the DoPT.
The members of the delegation sought to draw Dr Jitendra Singh's attention to an earlier meeting with him wherein they had brought to his notice that there is 5.85 lakh sanctioned strength of Defence Civilians, but the existing strength is only 3.98 lakh as mentioned in the report of 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC). Thus, there is a deficiency of 1.87 lakh civilian manpower and there are about 20,000 aspirants who are seeking appointment on compassionate grounds. The members of the delegation recalled that Dr Jitendra Singh had given a positive response to them and subsequently also written to the Defence Minister to take cognizance of the issue.

As per an OM of the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), there is a provision to give compassionate appointment to one of the dependants for the survival of the family in case the employee unfortunately dies during the service period leaving the family behind. But the provision for such appointment is limited to 5% of the vacancies, as a result of which, according to the members of delegation, a large number of wards are kept waiting for appointment on compassionate ground because of the ceiling.

The delegation referred to an earlier letter written by Dr Jitendra Singh to the Minister of Defence, Shri Manohar Parrikar wherein the former had requested for intervention by the Defence Ministry so that the DoPT could accordingly proceed in the matter. They requested Dr Jitendra Singh to take up the issue once again with the Ministry of Defence so that their demand could be addressed. Dr Jitendra Singh assured the members of delegation that he would again seek the views of the Minister of Defence and try to work out whatever feasible.

Enhancement of reimbursement ceiling on medical expenditure incurred by State ESI Schemes

ESIC Employees enhancement of reimbursement ceiling on medical expenditure incurred by State ESI Schemes.

HEADQUARTERS OFFICE
EMPLOYEES’ STATE INSURANCE CORPORATION
(ISO 9001-2008 CERTIFIED)
PANCHDEEP BHAWAN, C.I.G MARG, NEW DELHI - 110002.
E-mail : med1-hq@esic.in, Website : www.esic.nic.in

File no, Pt.V-13(14)38/09-Med.I(ESIC/SC)

Dated: 5.1.2017

To,
All SSMCs /SMCs/DMD / DMN/RDs / MSs, ESI Corporation
All Principal Secretary Labour/ Health (dealing State ESI scheme)
All DIMSs/AMOs, State ESI Scheme

Sub: Enhancement of reimbursement ceiling on medical expenditure incurred by State ESI Schemes.

Sir / Madam,
Under ESIC 2.0, ESIC, is expanding its medical services with improved quality and equipping its own as well State run. facilities to maximize the medical benefits for ESI beneficiaries. During the meetings held with the State Govts, it was opined that reimbursement ceiling on medical expenditure is insufficient to rollout the medical benefits under ESIC 2.0.

Accordingly, ESI Corporation in its 170th meeting held on 15th December, 2016 has approved the enhancement of ceiling on medical expenditure incurred by State ESI Schemes, as under:

a) Increase in per capita ceiling of sharing expenditure with State Governments u/s 58 (3) from Rs. 2150 to Rs. 3000 per IP with sub ceiling of Rs. 1250 for "Administration" and Rs, 1750 for "Others” for the year 2017-18.

b) From 2018-19 "Administrative" sub-ceiling will be increased in line with CPI within the overall ceiling of Rs. 3000/- per capita.

c). The ceiling of Rs. 3000/- will be fixed from 2017-2018 to 2019-20 and reviewed annually from 2020-21 on the basis of WPI and expenditure pattern of the States.

d). The State Govt. shall present Project Implementation Plan (PIP), in accordance with the guidelines issued by ESIC time to time, by 31st October every year for the next financial year for its inclusion of the Budget of the Corporation. The PIP should contain the proposal for next Financial year and the progress made during the first six months of the current year.

i. No scheme should be included which has not been duly approved by the ESIC,
ii. Should it be proposed, during the course of a financial year, to finance any scheme which has not been included into the estimates of that year, the sanction of the ESIC shall he obtained to the method for financing it.
iii. The funds shall not be appropriated for expenditure on any item which has not been approved,
iv. The PO ESIC, is authorised to re-appropriate funds from one primary unit of appropriation to another.

e) Funds for 2017-18, will be released as per current ceiling of Rs.2150/- for the first quarter. However, the PIPs for the year 2017-18 should be submitted by 31st January, 2017 to the ESIC for release of fund as per revised ceiling.

f) The plan submitted would be duly monitored by ESIC, for effective impiementation. The funds shall be released on quarter]y basis in accordance with the letter No. V-24/11/10/2001-Med-I issued on 19th April, 2016.(enclosed).

This is for your information and further necessary action.

Yours Sincerely,
(Dr. Naveen Saxena)
OSD, MEDICAL

Order Copy

Posting of Direct Recruit Assistant Section Officers in CSS

Posting of Direct Recruit Assistant Section Officers in CSS

Most Urgent

F.No.7 /15 /201 6-CS.I(A)
Governmen t of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)

New Delhi, Dated the 6th January, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Posting of Direct Recruit Assistant Section Officers in CSS

At present, 121 direct recruit Assistant Section Officers are undergoing Foundational Training organized by ISTM commencing from 19.12.2016. These DR ASOs will be posted to participating Ministries / Departments of CSS.

2. All the Ministries/Departments concerned are, therefore, requested to furnish the vacancy position in the grades of Section Officer and Assistant Section Officers as on 28.02.2017 in the format given below only bye-mail at kumar.m13@nic.in by 20.01.2017 positively. While calculating vacancies in ASO grade, it may be taken into account that 81 DR-ASOs at present, undergoing foundational training at Hydera bad will join the concerned Ministries/Departments of CSS on 23.0l.2017. Their nominations to Ministries/ Departments have been uploaded on this Department's website vide order of even number dated 27.12.2016.

1	Name of Cadre Unit
2	Vacan cies as on 28.02 .2017
		SO Grade	ASO grade
2(i)	Sanctioned strength (including recent encadrements approved by DoPT)
2(ii)	Number of officers in-position as on 28.02.2017 (including regular/adhoc)
2(iii)	Vacancies as on 28.02.2017
3	Number of ASOs already adjusted against available vacancies in SO grade under GFR 254.
4	Total number of ASOs required as on 28 .02.2017

3. In case of no response by stipulated date is received it will be presumed that Ministry/Department does not require more Assistant Section Officers at present.

(K.Srinivasan)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

To,
All Ministries/Departments of CSS (through website of this Department)
DoPT order