7th pay commission: This is why Modi government not giving hike to 47 lakh employees

7th pay commission: This is why Modi government not giving hike to 47 lakh employees

Reports suggest that the committee under the chairmanship of finance secretary Ashok Lavasa has finalised its report for salary hike in accordance with the recommendations of the seventh CPC, but the government is unable to pay the allowances to its employees due to cash crunch.

More than 14 months have passed since the seventh pay commission report was submitted and little less seven months have elapsed since the union cabinet approved implementation of the salary hike recommendations, but the central government employees are still awaiting the good news.
Demonetisation is said to be the reason behind the delay in announcing allowances by the Narendra Modi government for the 47 lakh employees and 53 lakh pensioners. The number of beneficiaries includes 14 lakh employees and 18 lakh pensions from the armed forces.

HOW DEMONETISATION AFFECTS PAY HIKE: THINGS TO KNOW

1. The government has announced that it will implement the seventh pay commission's recommendations from January 1 last year. But, in the aftermath of demonetisation, the government is not in position to make the final decision.
2. The seventh pay commission proposed a 138.71 per cent hike in housing allowance (HRA) and 49.79 per cent for other allowances.
3. The pay commission estimated that during the current fiscal, the hike in allowances would add a burden of Rs 29,300 crore (Rs 17,200 crore under HRA and Rs 12,100 crore under other allowances). This is a huge sum but after demonetisation, the government is working hard to stave off the cash crunch that set in.
4. The Modi government has constituted a committee to look into the recommendations regarding allowances and the manner of their implementation.
5. Some reports suggest that the committee under the chairmanship of finance secretary Ashok Lavasa has finalised its report, but the government is unable to pay the allowances to its employees due to cash crunch.
6. The employees' unions have been putting pressure on the finance ministry to announce hike in allowances at the earliest.
7. The announcement of assembly elections in five states has given some time for the government as it cannot announce pay hikes till the model code of conduct is in place.
8. The assembly elections have given the government time till March 8, by when there would be some additional cash in circulation. But, by then the budget would have been presented and accommodating over Rs 29,000 crore for salaries and pensions in the budge may pose a problem.
9. The delay in implementation of the seventh pay commission's recommendations has caused tremendous irritation and frustration among employees.
10. The BJP may have to face a backlash in the assembly elections in the five states, two of which is ruled by the party either directly or in alliance. Thus, demonetisation move by the Modi government may strike a double blow to the BJP in polls.

Source: Indiatoday

GPF Resolution - accumulations at the credit of subscribers to the GPF and other similar funds 2017, w.e.f. 1st January, 2017

GPF Resolution - accumulations at the credit of subscribers to the GPF and other similar funds 2017, w.e.f. 1st January, 2017

(PUBLISHED IN PART I SECTION 1 OF GAZETTE OF INDIA)

F.NO. 5(1)-B(PD)/2016
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Economic Affairs
(Budget Division)

New Delhi, the 18th January, 2017

RESOLUTION

It is announced for general information that during the year 2016-2017, accumulations at the credit of subscribers to the General Provident Fund and other similar funds shall carry interest at the rate of 8.0% (Eight per cent) w.e.f. 1st January, 2017 to 31st March, 2017. This rate will be in force w.e.f. 1st January, 2017.

The funds concerned are:
1. The General Provident Fund (Central Services).
2. The Contributory Provident Fund (India).
3. The All India Services Provident Fund.
4. The State Railway Provident Fund.
5. The General Provident Fund (Defence Services).
6. The Indian Ordnance Department Provident Fund.
7. The Indian Ordnance Factories Workmen’s Provident Fund.
8. The Indian Naval Dockyard Workmen’s Provident Fund.
9. The Defence Services Officers Provident Fund.
10. The Armed Forces Personnel Provident Fund.
2. Ordered that the Resolution be published in Gazette of India.

(Vyasan R.)
Deputy Secretary (Budget)

To,
The Manager, (Technical Branch)
Government of India Press, Faridabad.

Source: GPF Resolution

Instructions on sealed cover procedure - where Government servant has been acquitted but appeal is contemplated/pending

F. No. 11012/6/2016-Estt.A-III
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment A-III Desk

North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 19th January, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Instructions on sealed cover procedure - where  Government servant has been acquitted but appeal is  contemplated/pending - clarification regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M. No.22011/4/91-Estt.A dated 14.09.1992 issued in the light of the Judgement dated 27.08.1991 of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Union of India v/ s K.V. Jankiraman etc. (AIR 1991 SC 2010). References have been received seeking clarification with regard to the course of action in cases where the Government servant is acquitted by trial court but an appeal against the judgment is either contemplated or has been filed. This issue
has been examined in the light of various court judgements including Bank of India and another vs. Degala Suryanarayana, Appeal (Civil) 3053-54 of 1997, (1999) 5 SCC 762 in consultation with Department of Legal Affairs and it is clarified as following:

i. Where the recommendation of DPC has been kept in sealed cover solely on account of pendency of the criminal case, the sealed cover may be opened in case of acquittal of the Government servant provided it has not been stayed by a superior court.

ii. In the order of promotion a mention may however be made that the promotion is provisional subject to the outcome of appeal that may be filed against, the acquittal of the Government servant. The promotion thus will be without prejudice to the action that may be taken if the judgement of the trial court acquitting the Government
servant is set-aside.

iii. In case on appeal the Government servant stands convicted, following action will be taken:

a. The provisional promotion shall be deemed non est, and the Government servant shall stand reverted;

b. In case of the Government servant being sentenced to imprisonment exceeding 48 hours, he will be deemed to be  under suspension in terms of rule 10(2)(b) from the date of conviction;

c. Action under rule 19 (i) of the CCS(CCA) Rules, 1965, read with OM No. 11012/11/85-Estt (A) dated the 11th November, 1985 and 4th April, 1986 shall be taken.

2. All Ministries/ Departments are requested to bring the aforesaid instructions to the notice of all concerned and take action accordingly.

3. Hindi version will follow.

(Mukesh Chaturvedi)
Director (E)

To
The Secretaries of All Ministries/ Departments (as per the standard list)
Source: ccis.nic.in

Brief of the meeting held today with the Cabinet Secretary

Cabinet Secretary assured to resolve the pending issues at the earlier in NJCA Meeting

NJCA
National Joint Council of Action
4, State Entry Road New Delhi -  110055

No.NJCA/2017

Dated: January 19, 2017

All the Constituents of
National Council(JCM)

Dear Comrades,
Sub: Brief of the meeting held today with the Cabinet Secretary

A meeting was held today with the Cabinet Secretary, Government of India, wherein myself as well as Com M.Raghavaiah were present.

We explained him about various Issues of the Central Government Employees pending at the government level The main issues were NPS, Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula, Allowances, Pension and Very Good Benchmark, etc. etc.

The Cabinet Secretary informed us that, Pension issues have already been referred to the Cabinet, and the report of the Committee on Allowances is likely to be submitted in the next month. So far as issue of NPS is concerned, he has already directed the committee to hold a meeting with the Staff Side, which has already been fixed for 20th January 2017, The issue of Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula is also being vigorously pursued by the government.

He said that, inordinate delay was because of the various problems, but the intention of the government is very clear that, they want to resolve the problems of the Central Government Employees.
He also advised us to have patience for some time and given us an assurance that he would try to get resolved pending issues of the Central Government Employees as early as possible.

Comradely yours,

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Convener

Source : ncjcmstaffside.com

Section of bank employees threaten nation-wide strike on Feb 7

Section of bank employees threaten nation-wide strike on Feb 7

New Delhi: A section of bank trade unions have threatened to go on a day-long nation-wide strike on February 7 to press various demands including complete removal of restrictions imposed during demonetisation period and safeguarding the autonomy of the Reserve Bank of India.

"It was expected that the government and the RBI would take necessary steps to mitigate the problems faced by the banks and the public but even now, we find that there is acute shortage of cash supply to the banks with the result that branches are not able to honour even the restricted payment of Rs 24,000/100,000 per week," AIBEA General Secretary C H Venkatachalam said.

Apart from All India Bank Employees’ Association( AIBEA), other unions which will be part of the strike are All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA) and Bank Employees Federation of India.
Unions are also demanding publishing names of individuals who have defaulted in paying loans of Rs 1 crore and above so that stringent measures could be taken to recover bad loans.

Other demands of banks include ensuring autonomy of RBI in cash management, compensation to family of general public, bank customers and bank staff who lost their lives in the demonetisation aftermath and payment of overtime to employees and officers for their additional effort during the 50-day demonetisation period.

He added that the government is interfering by appointing officials to monitor cash management which is affecting the autonomy of RBI. Cash management falls under the sole jurisdiction of RBI, he said.
"Humiliated" by the events since demonetisation, even RBI employees had written to Governor Urjit Patel protesting the operational "mismanagement" of the note ban exercise and the government impinging the apex bank’s autonomy.

In a letter, the employees said that the autonomy and image of RBI has been "dented beyond repair" due to mismanagement and termed the appointment of a senior Finance Ministry official for currency coordination as a "blatant encroachment" of the RBI's exclusive turf.

PTI

GDS: Gramin Dak Sevak Committee Report Major Recommendations

GDS: Gramin Dak Sevak Committee Report Major Recommendations

The Committee's major recommendations are summarised below

The Old system of payment of time related continuity Allowance (TRCA) is dispensed with and replaced with a new wage payment system. Under the new wage payment system, 11 TRCA slabs are subsumed into 3 wage scales with two levels each for BPMs and for other than BPMs. One wage scale would be common for both the categories of GDSs.

New Wage Scales

1. 10,000 - 24,470 (Other than BPM Level 1)
2. 12,000 - 29,380 (Other than BPM Level 2 & BPM Level 1)
3. 14,500 - 35,480 (BPM Level 2)

• The minimum working hours of GDS Post Offices and GDS is increased to 4 hours from 3 hours.
• The new working hours for GDS Post Offices will be 4 hours and 5 hours only.
  The Level 1 GDS Post Offices/GDSs will have 4 hours as working hours and Level – 2 will have 5 hours as working hours.
• The Point System for assessment of workload of BPMs has been abolished.
  The new wage payment system is linked to revenue generation of GDS Post Offices. Under the new system, there will be no increase in wagess of BPMs from Level-1 to Level-2 on the basis of workload but the same will be increased based on achievement of prescribed revenue norms which is fixed at 100% for normal areas and 50% for special areas which presently have 15% anticipated income norms.
• The GDS Post Offices not achieving the prescribed revenue norm within the given working hours will have to open GDS post offices for minimum of additional 30 minutes beyond the prescribed working hours.
• The GDSs BPMs will be paid Revenue Linked Allowance @10% beyond Level 2 wage scale if they will be successful in achieving revenue beyond prescribed norms
• The GDS Post Offices has been categorized into A,B,C and D categories based on the revenue generation norms. The GDS Post Office in A category will achieve 100% revenue. The Committee has recommended a set of actions for each category of GDS Post Offices.
• The six approved categories of GDS are subsumed into two categories only. One category will be Branch Post Master and all other 5 categories of GDSs are subsumed into one multi tasking category.
• The job profile of Multi Tasking GDS is expanded to include work such as Business Development and Marketing etc. Their jobs will no more be confined to their old designations. The Assistant BPM will assist BPMs for increasing revenue generation.
• The GDSs working in the GDS Post Offices will be known as Assistant Branch Post Master (ABPMs) and those working in the Department Post Offices will be known as Dak Sevak (DS).
• The minimum wage has been increased to Rs.10000/- per month and maximum to Rs.35,480/- per month.
• The rate of annual increase is recommended as 3%.
• A composite Allowance comprising of support for hiring accommodation for GDS Post Offices as well as mandatory residence, office maintenance, mobile and electricity usage charges etc. has been introduced for the first time.
  Children Education Allowance @ Rs.6,000/- per Child per annum has been introducted for GDS.
• Risk & Hardship Allowance @ Rs.500/- per month for GDSs working in the special areas has also been introduced.
• A Financial upgradation has been introduced at 12 Years, 24 years and 36 Years of services in form of two advance additional annual increases.
• The ceiling of ex-gratia gratuity has been increased from Rs.60,000 to Rs.5,00,000/-
• The GDS contribution for service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS) should be enhanced maximum up to 10% and minimum up to 3% of the basic wage per month, whereas the Department should contribute a fixed contribution of 3% of the basic wage of the GDSs.
• The coverage of GDS Group Insurance Scheme has been enhanced from Rs.50,000/0 to Rs.5,00,000/-.
• The contribution of Department in Circle Welfare Fund (CWF) has been increased from Rs.100/- per annum to Rs.300/- per annum.
• The Scope of CWF is extended to cover immediate family members such as spouse; daughters, sons and dependent daughters in law in the scheme.
• The Committee also recommended 10% hike in the prescribed limits of financial grants and assistance in the Circle Welfare Fund.
• The Committee has recommended addition of Rs.10,000/- for purchase of Tablet/Mobile from the Circle Welfare Fund in the head ” Financial Assistance from Fund by way of loans with lower rate of interest (5%)”.
• Provision of 26 weeks of Maternity Leave for women GDSs has been recommended.
• The wages for the entire period of Maternity Leave is recommended to be paid from salary head from where wages of GDSs are paid.
• The Committee has also recommended one week of Paternity Leave.
• The Committee has recommended 5 days of emergency leave per annum
  Leave accumulation and encashment facility up to 180 days has been introduced.
• Online system of engagement has been recommended.
• The maximum age limit of 50 years for Direct Recruitment of GDSs has been abolished.
• Minimum one year of GDS service will now be required for GDSs for Direct Recruitment into Departmental cadres such as MTS/Postman/Mail Guard.
• Alternate livelihood condition for engagement of GDSs has been relaxed.
  Voluntary Discharge Scheme has been recommended.
• The Discharge age has been retained at 65 years.
• The Limited Transfer Facility has been relaxed from 1 time to 3 Time for male GDSs. There will be no restriction on number of chances for transfer of women GDSs. The power for transfer has been delegated to the concerned Divisional head.
• The ex-gratia payment during put off period should be revised to 35% from 25% of the wage and DA drawn immediately before put off.
• The committee has recommended preferring transfer before put off duty.
• The compassionate Engagement of GDSs has been relaxed to give benefits to eligible dependents in all cases of death of GDS while in service.

Source: GDS Committee Report

7th Central Pay Commission recommendations -amendment of Service Rules/Recruitment Rules

7th Central Pay Commission recommendations -amendment of Service Rules/Recruitment Rules

No. AB-14017/13//2016-Estt(RR)-Pt
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel P.G & pensions
Department of Personnel and Training

North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 18.01.2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

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

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Departments OM No AB.14017/61/2008-Estt. (RR) dated 24/03/2009 regarding amendment of Service Rules/ Recruitment Rules in pursuance of Sixth Pay Commission's recommendations. The revised pay structure recommended by 6th CPC and approved by the Government included a number of 'merged grades' with a common Pay Band and Grade Pay.
2. In order to regulate the service rendered in the pre-revised scale where there have been merger of more than one grade into one with a single grade pay, it was advised that a Note to the following effect may be inserted under relevant columns in the Schedule of RRs and under relevant provisions in Service Rules.

"Note: For the purpose of computing minimum qualifying service for promotion, the service rendered on a regular basis by an officer prior to 1.1.2006/the date from which the revised pay structure based on the 6th CPC recommendations has been extended, shall be deemed to be service rendered in the corresponding grade pay/pay scale extended based on the recommendations of the Commission. For purposes of appointment on deputation/ absorption basis, the service rendered on a regular basis by an officer prior to 1.1.2006/the date from which the revised pay structure based on the 6th CPC recommendations has been extended, shall be deemed to be service rendered in the corresponding grade pay/pay scale extended based on the recommendations of the Commission except where there has been merger of more than one pre-revised scale of pay into one grade with a common grade pay/pay scale, and where this benefit will extend only for the post(s) for which that grade pay/pay scale is the normal replacement grade without any upgradation."

3. It has been observed that after implementation of 7th CPC there are only a few cases of merger/upgradation of pay scale. However in cases where merger/ upgradation of pay is recommended in the 7th CPC and the same has been accepted, there is a need to provide a Note on similar lines as above with relevant changes i.e. the date 1.1.2006 needs to be replaced with 1.1.2016 and "6th CPC" is to be replaced with "7th CPC". In other cases the Note as referred above need not to be prescribed in the RRs/SRs where no merger/ upgradation are involved as per 7th CPC recommendations.

(G. Jayanthi)
Director (E-I)

To
All Ministries / Departments of Government of India

Source: 7th CPC Ordes 2017

Seventh Central Pay Commission 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

F.No. AB-14017/13/2016-Estt.(RR)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Estt.-RR Division

North Block, New Delhi
Dated:18th January 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

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

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's OM of even number dated 9th August, 2016 regarding amendment of Service Rules/Recruitment Rules by replacing the existing Pay Band and Grade Pay with the corresponding Level in the Pay Matrix in the revised pay structure recommended by the Seventh CPC and notified in the CCS(Revised Pay) Rules, 2016.

2. Subsequently, this Department held meetings in October/November, 2016 with the administrative Ministries/Departments to review the progress in the implementation of the OM. An important suggestion made in the meetings was with respect to facilitating the process of consultation with the Legislative Department for drafting notification for amendment of RRs in accordance with OM dated 9th August, 2016 and its Hindi translation so as to expedite the issue of notification. In this regard, this Department in consultation with Legislative Department has prepared a model notification in English and Hindi for use of the Administrative

Ministries/Departments. These are annexed at Annexure I and Annexure II.

3. Another issue which came up in the meeting is with respect to retention of standard Note under Co1.11 incorporated in the Schedule of the RRs regarding the regulation of service rendered prior to implementation of 6 thCPC, in those cases where the issue of upgradation/merger of the posts were involved. The relevant Note reads as follows:

"Note: For the purpose of computing minimum qualifying service for promotion, the service rendered on a regular basis by an officer prior to 1.1.2006/the date from which the revised pay structure based on the 6th CPC recommendations has been extended, shall be deemed to be service rendered in the corresponding grade pay/pay scale extended based on the recommendations of the Commission"

and/or

"Note: For purposes of appointment on deputation/ absorption basis, the service rendered on a regular basis by an officer prior to 1.1.2006/the date from which the revised pay structure based on the 6th CPC recommendations has been extended, shall be deemed to be service rendered in the corresponding grade pay/pay scale extended based on the recommendations of the Commission except where there has been merger of more than one pre-revised scale of pay into one grade with a common grade pay/pay scale, and where this benefit will extend only for the post(s) for which that grade pay/pay scale is the normal replacement grade without any upgradation."

4. After the implementation of 7 th CPC, there are only a few cases of  merger/upgradation of pay scale. It has been decided in consultation with UPSC that in cases where merger/upgradation of pay are not involved in the recommendations of the 7th CPC, the Note as referred above is not to be prescribed in the RRs/SRs. The guidelines in this regard have also been separately issued. The model notification includes a provision for deletion of the Note.

5. The Ministries/Departments are requested to finalise draft notification for amendment of the SRs/RRs in line with the model notification and thereafter, refer the same to the Legislative Department for vetting. The Legislative Department may dispose of references received from the Ministries/Departments within two weeks. Any amendment which is beyond the scope of the model rules will be finalized in usual process i.e. consultation with DoPT, UPSC and Legislative Department.

6. This Department is monitoring the implementation of the OM dated 09.08.2016. All Ministries / Departments are therefore requested to furnish information as per Annexure-III at the earliest.
Encl.: As above

(Jayanthi G.)
Director (E.I)

To
All Ministries/Departments of Government of India

Annexure-III

Subject: Status regarding amendment of Recruitment Rules in pursuance of OM dated 09.08.2016

Sl.No.	Post/Designation	Whether RRs notification issued for amendment of RRs as per DoPT OM dated 09.08.2016. (Yes/No)	If answer is no, current status to be indicated. (Pending in the Ministry / Legislative Department / Any other Reason)

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NPS Committee Meeting to be held on 20.1.2017 - NC JCM Staff Side

NPS Committee Meeting to be held on 20.1.2017 - NC JCM Staff Side

Meeting of the Committee constituted to suggest measures for streamlining the implementation for the National Pension System for Central Government employees

No.57/1/2016-P&PW(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel,Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market,
New Delhi-110003, Dated the 16th January, 2017

To,
(1) The Secretary,
National Conucil (Staff Side).
JCM for Central Government Employees,
13C, Finrozshah Road,
New Delhi-110001

(2) Shri Snjay Bhoosreddy,
Honoary Secretary,
Indian Civil & Administration Service (Central) Association,
190A, F Wing,
Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi - 110001,
(email-secylasca@gmail.com)

(3) Shri P.V.Rama Sastry, IPS,
Secretary/JS(Department of Consumer Affairs),
Krish Bhawan, New Delhi-110001,
(email-pvrastry@gmail.com)

Subject: Meeting of the Committee constituted to suggest measures for streamlining the implementation for the National Pension System for Central Government employees - reg.

Sir,
I am directed to say that a Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Pension) has been constituted to suggest measures for streamlining the implementation of the National Pension System.

2. A meeting of the Committee with the JCM (Staff Side) and a few other Association is proposed to be held on 20.01.2017 at 11.00 a.m. at Conference Hall, 5th floor, Sardar Patel Bhawan, New Delhi. The members nominated to atted the said meeting should be well versed with the issue and include a fair mix of NPS beneficiaries.

3. In view of the paucity of time, Associations are requested to limit their presentation to not more than 20 minutes each.

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

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
Director(Pension Policy)
harjit.singh59@nic.in

Source: www.ncjsmstaffside.com

Digital payment promotion gets a boost

Digital payment promotion gets a boost

More than 3.81 lakh consumers and 21,000 merchants win prizes worth Rs.60.90 crore at Digi-Dhan Melas

The Government’s efforts to give a boost to the digital payment systems and the cashless economy, post-demonetization have generated enthusiastic response from the people. People from different age groups, occupations and different walks of life have taken part in a big way in the Lucky Grahak Yojana and Digi-dhan Vyapar Yojana giving a fillip to digital transactions.     

More than 3.81 lakh consumers and 21,000 merchants have been declared the winners of prize money worth Rs.60.90 crore at 24 Digi-Dhan Melas across the country.   Giving the details, the Union Minister Law & Justice, Electronics and Information Technology Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the Common Service Centres under the Deptt. of Electronics and Information Technology have trained 1.94 crore citizens and 5.93 lakh merchants so far for carrying out transactions through digital payment systems.

The prize money worth Rs. 60.90 crore to over 3.81 lakh winners of NITI Aayogs’s lucky draw schemes ‘Lucky Grahak Yojana, LGY’  for consumers and ‘Digi-Dhan Vyapar Yojana, DVY’ for merchants has been declared at 24 Digi-Dhan Melas across the country - daily as well as weekly.   The lucky winners include 24 year old Ashutosh Mishra, a mobile shop owner in Rampur, Odisha, 24 year old Jadhav Amit Anil from Ghatkopar, Mumbai, 27 year old Mangesh Anantrao Jadhav from Nasik, 42 year old Suman Sapra from Ulsoor, Bengaluru, Tripta Devi, a 54 year old housekeeper from Andhra Pradesh, among others.  The list includes winners from different walks of life including the small farmers, Anganwadi workers, housewives, labourers, etc.

Data analytics provided by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has highlighted a positive response among the people to adopt digital payments.  Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka have emerged as the top 5 states with maximum number of winners.  Active participation has been seen among men and women while most of the winners were in the age group of 21-30 years.

The two schemes were launched on December 25, 2016 and shall remain open till April 14, 2017.  The schemes are aimed at incentivizing the consumers and the merchants to promote digital payments.  15,000 daily winners vie for total prize money of Rs. 1.5 crore at the rate of Rs.1000 per person.  Besides, over 14,000 winners qualify for weekly draws with the total prize money of over Rs. 8.3 crore per week.

Customers and merchants using RuPay Card, BHIM, UPI (Bharat Interface for Money/Unified Payment Interface) USSD based *99# service and Aadhaar enabled Payment Service (AePS) are eligible for participating in the daily and weekly lucky draws.

These lucky draws are being held at Digi-Dhan Melas across the country.  Over 100 Digi-Dhan Melas will be held across the country to inculcate digital payment among the people.  Till date, 24 Digi-Dhan Melas have been held across the country since 25th December, 2016.  These include New Delhi, Gurugram, Ludhiana, Panaji, Dehradun, Lucknow, Ranchi, Raipur, Mumbai, Meerut, Haldwani, Amritsar, Pune, Patna, Vijayawada, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Kochi, Bilaspur, Bokaro, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Bengaluru, Jammu and Hyderabad. The exercise has covered so far 12 states and 3 Union territories. By 1st February, the exercise will have covered the cities from 21 States and 4 UTs. The upcoming Digi-Dhan Melas are scheduled to be held as per the following schedule:-


Table - List of cities for Lucky Grahak Scheme draws till February 1, 2017.

Background:

Lucky Grahak Yojana and Digi-Dhan Vyapar Yojana awards were launched in New Delhi on December 25, 2016 by Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Arun Jaitley and Union Minister of Electronics & Information Technology and Law & Justice, Ravi Shankar Prasad to incentivize digital payments. The lucky draws have been planned at over 100 Digidhan Melas spread across the country in 100 different cities till April 14, 2017. The highlights of the Schemes are as follows :

•  All transactions done by consumers and merchants from November 9, 2016 till April 14, 2017 will be eligible for winning prize under the scheme.
•  All such transactions irrespective of the fact whether it has won daily / weekly prize, will be eligible for Mega Draw to be conducted on April 14, 2017.
• Three Mega prizes for consumers worth Rs. 1 crore, Rs 50 lakh and Rs 25 lakh.
•  For merchants too, there would be three mega prizes worth Rs. 50 lakh, Rs. 25 lakh and Rs. 12 lakh.
• The draw of winners are presented at different centres on each day by the senior officials of NPCI in the presence of senior minister from GoI, representatives of NITI Aayog and general public.
• Schemes have total outlay of Rs. 340 crore of which - Rs. 300 crores would be spent on consumers and merchants while the remaining Rs. 40 crore on awareness and publicity.
• Total winners under the scheme are expected to be over 18.75 lakh.

PIB