7th Pay Review Commission for implementing the recommendations in Education Institutes submits its report to HRD Ministry

The Seventh Pay Review Commission for implementing the recommendations in Education Institutes submits its report to HRD Ministry

Prakash Javadekar assures University and College Teachers for getting justice in their Salary related matters
Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Shri Prakash Javadekar has assured the teacher fraternity and staff of Education Institutions, University and Colleges of getting justice in their remuneration related matters. Addressing media persons here in New Delhi, the Minister said the Seventh Pay Review Commission for implementing the recommendations in educational institute, University and Colleges has submitted its report to the Ministry of Human Resource Development. Accordingly, a Committee headed by Secretary Higher Education has been constituted. The Committee will have officials from Finance Ministry and other relevant offices and it will submit its final recommendations which will go to Cabinet.

Shri Prakash Javadekar hoped that the Professors, Staff and every individual in education sector will definitely get benefited. He said 'those who had some doubt whether government is moving or not in this direction, let me dispel their doubts that we have already started action and soon they will get good news'. He further urged the education fraternity to try more vigorously to improve the quality of education at all levels and concentrate on study, examination and assessment work.

PIB

DoPT denies Media News about extension of working hours of Central Government employees

DoPT denies Media News about extension of working hours of Central Government employees

The attention is drawn to the media news about extension of working hours of Central Government employees by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India. It has been stated in the news item that Central Government employees working hours will be changed from 09.00 AM to 07.00 PM. It was also stated that the holiday of Saturday will also be done away with for the Central Government employees.

In this regard, the DoPT clarifies that there is no such proposal under consideration of the Central Government. The media news regarding the extension of working hours and abolition of holiday on Saturday for Central Government employees is false and baseless. There is no oral or unwritten order issued in this regard.

PIB

NFIR: Special leave to the female staff connected to inquiry of sexual harassment

Dated : 17.04.2017

No.II/10/Part I

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub:  Special leave to the female staff connected to inquiry of sexual harassment-reg.


The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (DoP&T) vide Gazette notification dated 15/03/2017 No. GSR 251 (E) have issued Rule No. 48 "Special Leave connected to inquiry of sexual harassment" - an amendment to Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972 which was circulated vide No. 13026/622016-Estt (L) dated 16th March 2017 to all ministries. According to the said notification dated 15th March 2017, leave upto a period of 90 days may be granted to an aggrieved female Government employee on the recommendation of the Internal Committee or the Local Committee as the case may be, during the pendency of inquiry under the Sexual Harassment of Women at work place (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and the leave so granted shall not be debited against the leave account.

NFIR requests the Railway Board to issue corresponding instructions early duly endorsing copy to the Federation. Copy of DoP&T notification dated 15th March, 2017 is enclosed.

DA/As above

Yours faithful

S/d,

(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)

General Secretary

Source: NFIR

Service Certificate issued to the retiring Railway Employees - modification of proforma requested

Service Certificate issued to the retiring Railway Employees - modification of proforma requested

Dated : 17.04.2017

No. II/28/Part VI

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,
Sub: Service Certificate issued to the retiring Railway Employees - modification of proforma requested-reg.

Ref: NFIR's letter No. II/28/Part VI dated 15/03/2017.

Railway Board's kind attention is invited to Federation’s letter of even number dated 15/03/2017 on the above subject.

While enclosing copy of Federation’s letter dated 15/03/2017, NFIR once again requests the Railway Board to expedite decision to streamline the proformae of Service Certificate and Last Pay Certificate so that retiring employees may not face hassels for availing health care facilities. A copy of the communication sent to the GMs etc., may be endorsed to the Federation.

DA/As above

Yours faithfully,
S/d,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Dated : 15.03.2017

No.II/28/Part VI

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,
Sub: Service Certificates issued to the retiring railway employees - modification of proforma-requested.

NFIR has since come to know that in the Service Certificates being issued to the retiring railway employees, it has been mentioned as "Is he member of RECHS or RELHS - Yes or No". However, in the Last Pay Certificate being issued to retiring employees, it has been mentioned as -Last Basic Pay drawn to be recovered from settlement dues towards RELHS”. Photostat copies of the Last Pay Certificate as well Service Certificate of retired employee of South Central Railway are enclosed.

In this connection, NFIR conveys that the sentence in the Service Certificate "Is he member of RECHS or RELHS - Yes or No is unnecessary as the Last Pay drawn amount is compulsorily being deducted from the settlement dues of retiring employees. Instead, the Service Certificate should contain an endorsement -He/She is member of RELHS for which an amount of Rupees which is equivalent to the Last Pay Drawn was deducted". The present proforma of Service Certificate and LPC needs to be suitably modified in order to remove confusion and hardships,retiring staff in future days.

Incidentally, it is mentioned that when the above deficiency was pointed out at Zonal level it has been conveyed that the proforma cannot be changed at Zonal level as the formats have been designed and operated by CRIS, New Delhi.

NFIR, therefore, requests Railway Board’s intervention to re-design formats of service certificate and LPC suitably, duly taking into account the points mentioned above.

DA/As above

Yours faithfully,
S/d,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

Indian Railways takes various initiatives to facilitate travel in this summer

Indian Railways takes various initiatives to facilitate travel in this summer

In an endeavor to provide smooth travel experience to the railway travelers, Indian Railways have taken various initiatives for improved passenger experience. Considering the peak season during summers, Indian Railways is poised to offer convenient travel to the passengers without upsetting their plans. To ensure optimal utilization of available accommodation, following initiatives have been undertaken by Indian Railways:-

i) Finalization of first reservation chart at least 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train.

ii) After preparation of first reservation chart, current ticket booking facility provided through any reserved ticket booking window as well as on internet till preparation of second reservation chart.

iii) Transfer of vacant available accommodation after preparation of second reservation chart to next remote location.

iv) Following facilities are also provided online through IRCTC website:

a) Waitlisted passengers given the option of accommodation in any other train without payment of any difference of fare or grant of refund thereon under VIKALP scheme. This facility can also be availed for e tickets booked prior to 01.04.2017

b) Tickets booked across reserved ticket booking window can be cancelled through IRCTC website or through 139.

c) In case of e tickets, boarding points can be changed through IRCTC website at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure of the train.

d) The facility of online booking of wheel chair provided free of cost to passengers.

e) The facility of online booking of retiring rooms through IRCTC website has been introduced.

f) Disposable bedrolls can be purchased through IRCTC website.

g) E Catering introduced to increase food options available with passengers.

PIB

DoPT issued orders on 17.4.2017 regarding admissible of dynamic fare on LTC

DoPT issued orders on 17.4.2017 regarding admissible of dynamic fare on LTC

Clarification regarding admissibility of flexi-fare in Shatabdi/Rajdhani/ Duronto trains while availing LTC

No. 31011/3/2016-Estt.(A-IV)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment A-IV Desk

 North Block, New Delhi- 110001
Dated April 17, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Clarification regarding admissibility of flexi-fare in Shatabdi/Rajdhani/Duronto trains while availing LTC.

As per Railway Board’s Circular No. 46 of 2016 dated 07.09.2016, Ministry of Railways have introduced a flexi-fare system in Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto trains, where the base fares will increase by 10% with every 10% of berths sold subject to a prescribed ceiling limit. In this regard, this Department is in receipt of references from various segments seeking clarification on the issue of admissibility of flexi-fare while booking the tickets of these trains for the purpose of LTC.

2. The matter has been examined in consultation with Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance and it has been decided that flexi fare (dynamic fare) applicable in Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto trains shall be admissible for the journey(s) performed by these trains on LTC. This dynamic fare component shall not be admissible in cases where a non entitled Government servant travels by air and claims reimbursement for the entitled class of Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto trains. Such Government servants will get reimbursement of fare after deducting the dynamic fare component.

3. The above decision shall be applicable retrospectively with effect from 9th September, 2016, i.e. the date from which flexi-fare system was introduced by Railways.

4. Hindi version will follow.

sd/-
(Surya Narayan Jha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Click to view the order

Authority: http://dopt.gov.in/

Reimbursement of Medical claims of serving and retired Railway employees -Simplification of procedure

Dated : 17.04.2017

No.I/12/Part V

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,
Sub: Reimbursement of Medical claims of serving and retired Railway employees -Simplification of procedure - requested.

Ref: (i) NFIR's PNM Item No. 41/2016.
(ii) NFIR's letter No. U12/Part V dated 09/05/2016

The agenda Item No. 41/2016 came up for discussions in the NFIR's PNM meeting held with the Railway Board on 22/23-12-2016 when Official Side explained that a new simplified procedure is being drafted and it will be finalized shortly in consultation with the Federation. Although a period of more than three months has passed, the draft procedure/proforma have not been shared with the Federation.

NFIR, therefore, requests the Railway Board to make available the draft procedure along with the proforma relating to reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by the serving and retired Railway employees at an early date so that the same could be examined by the Federation for finalization.

Yours faithful,

S/d,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah),
General Secretary

Source : NFIR

7th CPC: Revised scales of office space for various categories of officers and staff

7th CPC: Revised scales of office space for various categories of officers and staff

Consequent upon implementation of 7th CPC Revised scales of office space for various categories of officers and staff: Directorate of Estates OM dated 16.03.2017

No.11015/1/98-Pol.1
Government of India
Ministry of Urban Development
Directorate of Estates

New Delhi, the 16th March, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Revised scales of office space for various categories of officers and staff and special requirements of Central Secretariat excluding those serving in the Income Tax, Central Excise and Customs Departments.

The undersigned is directed to refer to the then Ministry of Work & Housing O.M. No.11015(2)/75-PoI.IV dated 24.11.76, and Directorate of Estates O.M. of even number dated 20.10.87, dated 07.08.98, and dated 20.02.14 on the above subject and to say that consequent upon revision of pay scales of the Central Government employees on the recommendation of the 7th Pay Commission as notified  vide Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016, and recommendations made by the Expenditure Management Commission (EMC) constituted by Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure), it has been decided to prescribe revised scales of office space for various categories of officers and staff and special requirements as under, with immediate effect:-

Table A - Revised scales of office space for Officer and staff
Sl. No.	Existing Category	Proposed Category	Entitlement of Office space in (sq. ft./sq. mt.)
1.	Officers drawing Gr. Pay of Rs.10000/- in PB-4 and above	Officers drawing Pay in the Level 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18	360 sq. ft.(33 sq. mt.)
2.	Officers drawing Gr. Pay of Rs.7600/- in PB-3 and above but less than the Gr. Pay of Rs.10000/-	Officers drawing Pay in the Level 12, 13 and 13A	240 sq. ft.(22 sq. mt.)
3.	Officers drawing Gr. Pay. of Rs.6600/- in PB-3 and above but less than theGr. Pay of Rs.7600/-	Officers drawing Pay in the Level	120 sq. ft.(11 sq.mt.)
4.	Officers drawing Gr. Pay of Rs.4800/- in PB 2 and above/ Section Officers in the Secretariat/ Attached Offices but less than the Gr. Pay of Rs.6600/-	Officers drawing Pay in the Level 8, 9 and 10/ Section Officers in the Secretariat/Attached Offices drawing Pay in the Level 8, 9 and 10	60 sq. ft. (5.5 sq.mt.)
5.	Technical Staff such as Draughtsman, Tracers, Estimators, etc	Technical Staff such as Draughtsman, Tracers,Estimators, etc	60 sq. ft. (5.5 sq.mt.)
6.	Ministerial Staff such as Superintendents, Head Clerks, Assistants, Clerks, Multi Task Staff (MTS)	Ministerial Staff such as Superintendents, Assistant Section Officer (ASO), Senior Secretariat Assistant (SSA), Junior Secretariat Assistant (J SA), Head Clerks, Assistants, Clerks, Multi Tasking Staff MTS	40 sq. ft. (3.5 sq. mt.)
7.	Ministerial Staff of Audit Offices	Ministerial Staff of Audit Offices	40 sq. ft. (3.5 sq. mt.)

Table B - Revised Scales of office space for Special Requirement
Sl. No.	Particular	Prescribed entitlement of office space
1.	Conference Room	Conference Room should be subject to the requirement of of 237 sq.ft. (22 sq.mt) and maximum 474 sq.ft. 44.5 .mt.)
2.	Visitors Room	Visitors Room should be according to the requirement of a Ministry/Department but it should not be more than 474 sq.ft. (44 sq.mt.).  Visitor room of the size of  86 sq.ft (8 sq.mt.) will be provided to the officers of the rank of Joint Secretary . & above within the ceiling of 474 sq. ft
3.	Receptionist	120 sq.ft. (11 sq. meters)
4.	Security Room at every entrance	120 sq.ft. (11 sq. meters)
5.	Canteen	One Sq. ft. (0.09 sq. mt.) per person in an office including the space for the dining hall, kitchen, etc.
6.	Dining/Tiffin Room (for lunch)	400 sq. ft. (36 sq. meters)
7.	Ladies Common Room	120 sq. ft. (11.00 sq. Meters)
8.	Class Room	According to the requirement of Department but should not be more than 474 sq. ft. (44 sq. meters)
9.	Library	One sq. ft. for 25 books or one sq. meter for 275 books.
10.	Old Records	One sq. ft. for 20 recorded files or one sq. meter for 220 recorded files.
11.	Care taker Room	120 sq. ft. (11 sq. meter)
12.	CPWD Maintenance Staff Room	400 sq. ft. (36.00 sq. meter)
13	Stores	As per requirement of each office but should not be more than sq. ft. (36.00 sq. meter)
14	Drivers Room	120 sq. ft. (11 sq. meter)

2. The total screened requirement of office accommodation determined on the basis of revised scales will be subject to 20% austerity cut.

3. Provision for additional space in a new building, whether in the general pool or in a departmental pool, should be limited to- 10% of total requirement of an office for further expansion and that if a Ministry/Department wants more than 10% of the total requirement as additional space for expansion, they may do so with the approval of their Integrated Finance Division, keeping in view the need for maximum economy.

4. For assessment of prescribed revised scales, the total requirement for office space of the Ministry/Department and its Attached/Subordinate offices located in Delhi/New Delhi has to be given in the enclosed schedule I to IV.

5. The following categories of offices will be treated as eligible for the purpose of provision of General Pool Office Accommodation (GPOA):-

I. An office whose location in Delhi has been approved by the Cabinet / Cabinet Committee on Accommodation (CCA), subject to the condition that this approval has been granted without any restriction on provision of GPOA

II. The office is a part and parcel of the Secretariat of a Ministry or an attached / subordinate office of a Ministry / Department of the Government of India

III. The staff is paid from the consolidated Fund of India

6. This OM supersedes Ministry of Work & Housing & Urban Development O.M. No.11015(2)/75-PoI.IV dated 24.11.76, and Directorate of Estates O.M. No.11015/1/98-Pol.l dated 20.10.87, dated 07.08.98, and dated 20.02.14.

(Anand Singh)
Director of Estates

Source: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1FrUQeCAMMsLWQtWm5fT1ItWEk

Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme, 1980 - Tables of Benefits for the Savings Fund for the period from 1.1.2017 to 31.03.2017

Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme, 1980 - Tables of Benefits for the Savings Fund for the period from 1.1.2017 to 31.03.2017.

The Table of Benefits under CGEGIS-198C for the period 01-01-2016 to 31-12-2016 issued by Ministry of Finance vide their OM dated 26-02-2016 was circulated to Zonal Railways/Production Units etc. vide Board's,letter of even number dated 03-03-2016.

It has now been decided by Ministry of Finance that the Table of Benefits will now be issued on quarterly basis commencing from 01-01-2017 to 31.03.2017, Accordingly, Table of benefits under CGEGIS-1980 for the first quarter of the year 2017 i.e. 01-01-2017 to 31-03-2017 has now been issued vide Ministry of Finance's Office Memorandum No. 7(2)/EV/20l6 dated 17-03-2017. A copy of the Ministry of Finance's above office Memorandum alongwith Tables of benefits is enclosed herewith for information and necessary action.

DA: As above

(M.K.Panda)
joint Director, Pay Commission
Railway Board

No. PC-III/2000/GIS/2

New Delhi, Dated: 07.04.207

No,7(2)EV/2016
  Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

New Delhi, the 17th March,2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme, 1980 - Tables of for the savings fund for the period from 01.01.2017 to 31.03.2017.

Every year two Tables of Benefits are issued by the Ministry of Finance on calendar year basis for the savings fund to  the beneficiaries under central Government Group Insurance scheme (CGEGIS-1980). While one Table of Benefits for the Savings fund of the Scheme is based on a subscription of Rs.10 per month from 1.1.1982 to 31.12.1989 and Rs.10 per month for those employees who had opted out of the revised rates of subscription w.e.f. 1.1.1990.

2. The Tables of Benefits under CGEGIS-80 are prepared by IRDA based on the rate of interest notified by DEA for small savings including GPF. Earlier, DEA used to notify the interest rate on financial year basis. However, DEA has now shifted to notifying the interest rate on quarterly basis. In view of this, it has been decided that the Table of benefits will be issues on quarterly basis commencing from 1.1.2017 to 31.3.2017.

3. The Two Tables under CGEGIS-80 for the first quarter of the year 2017 i.e. 1.1.2017 to 31.3.2017, prepared by IRDA, are enclosed. The benefits in the Tables have been worked out on the basis of interest @8% per annum (compounded quarterly), as notified by Department of Economic Affairs.


4. While calculating the amount it has been assumed that the subscription has been recovered or will be recovered from the salary of the month in which a member ceases to be in service failing which it should be deducted from accumulated amounts payable.

5. In its application to the employees of Indian Audit and Accounts Department this Office Memorandum issues in consulation with the comptroller and Auditor General of India.

Source : NFIR

GDS Committee Report: Key Recommendations of Kamlesh Chandra Committee

GDS Committee Report: Key Recommendations of Kamlesh Chandra Committee

Kamlesh Chandra Committee submitted its report to the Government - Details of Recommendations

To examine the system of Branch Post Offices, engagement conditions, existing structure of allowances and all other welfare issues pertaining to Gramin Dak Sevaks, a one-man Committee under the Chairmanship of Shri Kamlesh Chandra, Retired Member Postal Services Board was set up. The Committee has submitted its report to the Government.

Details of the recommendations made by the Committee

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.

The minimum working hours of GDS Post Offices and GDSs are 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 wages 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.

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 GDS 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 have 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 norm. The Committee has recommended a set of actions for each category of GDS Post Offices.

The six approved categories of GDSs 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 GDSs working in the GDS Post Offices will be known as Assistant Branch Post Master (ABPMs) and those working in the Departmental Post Offices will be known as Dak Sevak (DS).

The minimum wage has been increased to Rs. 10000/- per month and maximum pay to Rs. 35480/- 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. 6000/- per child per annum has been introduced for GDSs.

Risk & Hardship Allowance @Rs. 500/- per month for GDS 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. 50000/- 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 assistances in the Circle Welfare Funds.

The Committee has recommended addition of Rs. 10,000/ for purchase of Tablet / Mobile from the Circle Welfare in the head "Financial Assistance of Fund by way of loans with lower rate of interest (5%)".

Provision of 26 weeks of Maternity Leave for women GDS 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.

Leave accumulation and encashment facility up to 180 days has been introduced.
Online system of engagement has been recommended.

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 times for male GDSs. There will be no restriction on number of chances for transfer of women GDSs. The powers 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