Is the House Rent Allowance paid to Central Government employees as per the recommendations of 7th Pay Commission sufficient?

Is the House Rent Allowance paid to Central Government employees as per the recommendations of 7th Pay Commission sufficient?

If the question is to be answered at a superficial level, the answer is yes. Let us analyze things from the angle of a lower rung employee.

An employee is paid HRA at the rate of 24%, 16% and 8% of his basic salary based on the city where he works. For HRA purpose, cities in India are divided into three groups, namely X, Y and Z, and HRA is paid respectively at the rate of 24%, 16% and 8% uniformly for all categories of employees.
A person employed in Delhi will get 24% of his basic salary as HRA and an employee employed in Kanyakumari will get 8% of his basic salary as HRA. The minimum basic salary of a Central Government employee is Rs.18000. Accordingly, a person working in Delhi should get Rs.18000 x 24% = Rs.4320, and a person employed in Kanyakumari should get Rs.18000 x 8% = Rs.1440. But the minimum HRA applicable to all the three group of cities, namely X,Y and Z, are Rs.5400, Rs.3600 and Rs.1800 respectively. Accordingly, an employee working in Delhi will get Rs.5400, while an employee employed in Kanyakumari will get Rs.1800 as House Rent Allowance.

The important point to be noted here is Sixth Pay Commission had recommended HRA at the rate of 10%, 20% and 30% for Central Government employees and they were paid accordingly from 2008 to 2015. But the recommendation of the Seventh Pay Commission to reduce the HRA rates has led to the dissatisfaction among Central Government employees.

Though Seventh Pay Commission salary is paid to Central Government employees from 1-1-2016, the revised HRA paid since 1-7-2017 has increased their dissatisfaction further.

Moreover there was a great expectation for arrear payment for the period January 2016 to June 2017.
Non-fulfillment of these two highly expected demands has made the Central Government employees unhappy with HRA.

Classification of Cities / Towns	Rate of HRA	Rate of HRA (DA over 25%)	Rate of HRA (DA over 50%)
X	24 %	27%	30%
Y	16%	18%	20%
Z	8%	9%	10%

Give asset details or lose promotions and foreign postings: Government to IAS officers

Give asset details or lose promotions and foreign postings: Government to IAS officers

All IAS officers have been asked to submit details of their assets by next month and warned that the failure to do so would lead to a denial of vigilance clearances needed for promotions and foreign postings.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has written to all Central government departments, states and union territories asking them to ensure submission of Immovable Property Returns (IPRs) by IAS officers working with them by January 31, 2018.

"In view of the DoPTs instructions dated April 4, 2011, it is reiterated that failure to ensure timely submission of IPR would result in denial of vigilance clearance," Establishment Officer and Additional Secretary P K Tripathi said in the recent missive.

According to the 2011 instructions, officers who did not submit their IPR as on January 1, 2018, on time would be denied vigilance clearances and will not be considered for promotions and empanelment for senior- level posts in the government of India.

"Those who do not submit property details on time will not be considered for any posts of the Central government including foreign postings," a senior DoPT official said.

An online module has been designed for the purpose of filing of the IPR. Officers have the option of uploading the hard copy of the IPR by January 31 in the online module, the December 22 letter said.

There are 5,004 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers working across the country, according to the DoPTs latest data.

PTI

7th Pay Commission: Challenging year for Central Government Employees

7th Pay Commission: Challenging year for Central Government Employees

The central government employees passed a challenging year for a number of factors including hike in pay, minimum pay hike, raising of fitment factor, pay anomalies and non-payment of arrears on allowances, employees unions said.


The delayed implementation of allowances have saved the government nearly Rs 40,000 crore. The non-payment of arrears on allowances caused tremendous irritation and frustration among the central government employees, said a unions leader.

The government gave higher basic pay in August 2016 with arrears, effective from January 1, 2016 to its employees on the recommendations of the 7th pay commission but the allowances notified on June 6 without arrears, which came into effect from July 1, 2017.

The recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission got the Cabinet nod on June 29, 2016 in respect of basic pay, the pay panel had recommended a 14.27 per cent hike in basic pay. The previous 6th Pay Commission had recommended a 20 per cent hike, which the government doubled while implementing it in 2008.

All pay commissions made up pay gap in respect of basic pay between lower paid employees and top bureaucrats from second Pay Commission 1:41 ratio to Sixth pay commission 1:12, while 7th Pay Commission made it higher about to 1:14.

The 7th pay panel recommended minimum pay from Rs 7,000 to Rs 18,000 per month while the maximum pay from Rs 80,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh with a fitment factor of 2.57 times uniformly of basic pay of 6th pay commission.

However, the Unions have been demanding minimum pay Rs 26,000 instead of Rs 18,000 with 3.68 fitment factor.

The unions had claimed that the recommended pay hike was the lowest in the last 70 years and the Pay Commission award was not discussed with them, hence they had threatened to go on an indefinite strike over proper pay hike on July 11, 2016.

The unions had called off their indefinite strike after the government announced that a High Level Committee would be formed to address their demands.

So, the government formed the 22-member National Anomaly Committee (NAC) headed by Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) in September, 2016 instead of High Level Committee to look into pay anomalies arising out of the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission’s recommendations.

In the meantime, DoPT issued a letter on October 30 stating that the demand for increase in minimum Pay and fitment formula do not appear to be treated as anomaly, therefore, these do not come under the purview of NAC.

However, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said in Rajya Sabha on July 19, 2016, The minimum pay Rs 18,000 was made on recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission. But government will consider hiking it after discussions with all stakeholders, once the proposal in this regard will be submitted to government.

The sources in DoPT said, "The NAC is ready with it’s interim report and which will be submitted soon but no minimum pay and fitment formula will be included in the interim report."

"I would be lying if I said the DoPT letter doesn’t bother me at all, but the truth is, it doesn't bother me much because of the way of government made decisions. A hike in minimum pay has been one of the long-standing our demands. The 14.27 per cent hike in basic pay for us under the 7th Pay Commission is the lowest in 70 years. The government had issued statement on July 6, 2016 to assure us that the pay scales matter raised by us would be considered," a top union leader said.

"Our unions members often ask us what we should do to respond to the DoPT letter," he said.

"If government doesn't hike our pay, we will have no choice but to proceed on an indefinite strike," he added.

He considers 2017 a challenging year for central government employees and many of those challenges won't be going away just because 2018 calendars are hanging. He also says he's confident the government will make the right decisions during the next year.

PCDA Circular 30 - Payment of enhanced Monetary Allowances attached to pre and post independence Gallantry Awards

PCDA Circular 30 - Payment of enhanced Monetary Allowances attached to pre and post independence Gallantry Awards

Office of the Pr.C.D.A.(Pensions),
Draupadighat, Allahabad - 211014

Circular No. 30

Date: 22.12.2017

To,
1. The Director of Treasuries
2. The Post Master, Kathua, Srinagar (J&K)
3. The Post Master, Campbell Bay (Andaman & Nicobar)
4. The Defence Pension Disbursing Officer ……..
5. The Pay and Accounts Officer ……..
6. The Assistant Military Attache(P) Embassy of India,Kathmandu,(Nepal)
7. The Director of Accounts, Panaji (Goa)
8. The Chief Accounts officer (PGTPF), Gangtok, Sikkim- 737101
9. Director of Accounts, Moti Daman- 396220
10. The Chief Manager, CPPC …..
11. The Manager, Link Bank (other than CPPC) ……..
12. Director of Accounts & Treasuries, Puducherry- 605001

Subject : Payment of enhanced Monetary Allowances attached to pre and post independence Gallantry Awards.
Reference: This office Important Circular No. 9 dated 10.06.2011.

(Available on this office Website address www.pcdapension.nic.in)

Consequent upon issue of letters bearing No. 7(62)/20014-D (AG) dated 4th Dec, 2017 by Govt. of India, Ministry of Defence(reproduced as Annexure 'A' and 'B' respectively to this circular), the rates of Pre- Independence Gallantry Awards and Post-Independence Gallantry Awards have been revised w.e.f. 01st August, 2017.

2. The revised rate of monetary allowance attached with Gallantry Awards may please be paid to all recipients at revised rate, irrespective of rank and income.
3. The terms and condition for payment of monetary allowance on the authority of Pension Payment Order (PPO) notified by this office in above categories of cases is stated in brief in following Paras

i. The allowance will be admissible to the recipient of the award and on his death to his widow lawfully married by a valid ceremony. The widow will continue to receive the allowance until her death. Ordinarily, the widow who was first married shall receive the allowance, but with the special sanction of the Government, the allowance may be divided equally between the lawfully married widows of recipients.

ii. When the award has been made posthumously to a bachelor, the monetary allowance shall be paid to his father or mother, and in case the posthumous awardee was a widower, the allowance shall be paid to his son below 18 years or unmarried daughter as the case may be.

iii. Each bar to the decoration will carry the same amount of monetary allowance as admissible to the original award.

iv. The monthly monetary allowance will be paid in respect of all gallantry awards received by an individual.

v. The monetary allowance will not be taken into account for computing dearness relief.

For CMDs/Chief Managers of Link Bank/CPPCs/Director of Treasuries/ all other PDA's
It is requested that a copy of these orders / instructions may be provided to all Paying Branches/ Treasuries under your jurisdiction for making payment of the monetary allowance at the enhanced rate.

The order has also been uploaded on this office web site www.pcdapension.nic.in . The copy of same may be downloaded at your end for immediate implementation of the Government orders.

No. G-1/M/068/ICO's/Vol- V
Date: 22 .12.2017

(S.C. SAROJ)
Sr.Accounts officer (Pensions)

CL of staff to be deducted on reaching office late

CL of staff to be deducted on reaching office late

New Delhi:) Cracking the whip on lax babus, the Women and Child Development Department of the Delhi government would now deduct one casual leave for every three times an official reaches office after 9.45 am, besides seeking a written explanation from them.

The move comes after it was observed by the department that some officials posted at WCD Headquarters were not reaching office even till 9.45 am.

The department has issued a memorandum, stating that all officers and officials will ensure punctuality in reaching their respective office.

 “As per order, one day CL will be deducted for every three late comings after 9.45 am and the officer and officials will also submit the explanation,” Deputy Director (admin) S K Srivastava said in the memorandum. In case of non availability of CL in the leave account of officials concerned, EL (earned leave) will be deducted, the memorandum said.

“Further, all the branch in-charges of WCD (HQ) are hereby directed to obtain the CL applications from the officers/official and directed to ensure punctuality of officers and officials working under their control,” it stated. PTI

Join work within 24-hours or face termination: Govt to Nurses

Join work within 24-hours or face termination: Govt to Nurses

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government today asked the agitating contractual nurses to join work within 24 hours or face termination. The ultimatum was served by Mission Director of National Health Mission (NHM), Odisha, Shalini Pandit. “I request and direct the agitating contractual nurses to join duty in 24 hours or we will be compelled to terminate them,” Pandit told reporters.

Stating that the Health Minister has already assured the agitating nurses to redress their grievances soon, Pandit said “However, some staff nurses refused to call off their stir affecting the health services in the state.

Hence, we asked them to join duty within 24 hours.” Healthcare in all government hospitals across the state was severely affected as over thousands of nurses staged cease work protest from December 18. The agitating nurses recruited under NRHM are demanding regularisation of their jobs, up gradation of pay structure and equal pay for equal work with their counterparts working at the state government.

PTI

7th Central Pay Commission's recommendations - revision of Pay Scales - Meeting regarding Amendment of Service Rules/Recruitment Rules

7th Central Pay Commission's recommendations - revision of Pay Scales - Meeting regarding 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: 22nd December, 2017

MEMORANDUM

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

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's OM or even number dated 9th August. 2016 the subject mentioned above wherein it was requested that as per the CCS (Revised pay) Rules, 2016 issued by Department or Expenditure vide Notification dated 25th July, 2016, consequential amendment in the existing Service Rules.'Recruitment Rules shall be made by the Ministries/Departments by substituting the existing pay Band and Grade pay by the new pay "LEVEL in the PAY MATRIX" straightaway without making a reference 10 the Department of Personnel and Training Public Service Commission (UPSC).

2. Further, DoP&T vide of even number dated 16.02.2017 sought information with regard to implementation of OM dated 09.08,2016. The issue is being monitored by higher authorities; however, so far this Department has not received any information from Ministries/Departments even a lapse of over a year. It has been decided to hold a meeting, under the Championship or JS (E), with all Ministries/Departments on 04.01.2018 in Room No.190, North Block, New Delhi.

3. All Ministries/Departments are requested to furnish a status report regarding amendment Of Recruitment Rules in pursuance of DoP&T OM dated 09/08/2016 in the annexure-II enclosed herewith. The schedule or the meeting is as per Annexure-I.

Encl. as above:

sd/-
(Shukdeo Sah)
Under Secretary (RR-II)

To,
All Cadre controlling Ministries/Departments

Annexure- I

Schedule of the meeting to be taken by Joint Secretary (Establishment) (Venue Room No.190, North Bloack New Delhi)
S.No.	Ministies starting with alphabets	Date and Time
1.	A-I	04th January, 2018 at 03.00PM
2.	J-Z	04th January, 2018 at 03.30PM

Annexure- II

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

Sl.No	Post / Designation	Whether 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)

Authority: www.dopt.gov.in

Doctors in Government Hospitals

Doctors in Government Hospitals
Health being a State subject, the responsibility for improving the functioning of the State Government hospitals is under the jurisdiction of respective State Governments. The information in respect of State Government hospitals is not maintained centrally.

So far as Central Government hospitals under the administrative control of this Ministry is concerned, based on the requisitions received from various Government Hospitals/Institutes/Units, posts are encadred as per norms in Central Health Service (CHS) thereby increasing the number of sanctioned posts of doctors.

Insofar as the three Central Government Hospitals in Delhi viz. Safdarjung Hospital, Dr. RML Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College & Associated Hospitals are concerned, performance of these hospitals regarding patient health care services is regularly monitored by the Hospitals/Government. The day to day activities in these hospitals, like sanitation, patient flow, hospital infection control practices, attendance of staff, etc. are supervised by the Medical Superintendents/Additional Medical Superintendents as well as by the Supervisory staff to maintain hygiene and sanitation.

Status of functional and non-functional equipments is regularly monitored. In order to provide state-of-the-art facilities and basic amenities to the patients, latest high-end Test machines/equipments are procured by these hospitals as per the need arising from time to time.

Besides the above, several steps have been taken by the Government to improve the overall satisfaction of the doctors working in Government Hospitals:

(i) Enhancement of retirement age in all four sub-cadres of Central Health Service (CHS) to 65 years w.e.f 31.05.2016 to retain the talent.

(ii) Introduction of time-bound promotions for doctors under Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) Scheme, upto Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) level.

(iii) The duration of study leave to pursue higher studies/research work has been increased to 36 months for CHS officers instead of 24 months in other cases.

(iv) The benefit of Non-Functional Upgradation (NFU) has been granted to CHS doctors.

(v) The Ministry has started Foundation Training Programme (FTP) for newly recruited CHS Officers.

(vi) Electronic submission of Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR) on Smart Performance Appraisal Report Recording Online Window (SPARROW) software has been introduced for CHS.

(vii) Counseling pattern has been introduced for recruitment in GDMO sub-cadre.

(viii) Annual Preventive Health Check-Up introduced for doctors over 40 Years of age.

The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Sh Jagat Prakash Nadda stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha here today.

PIB

Shortage of Doctors in Central Government Hospitals

Shortage of Doctors in Central Government Hospitals
As far as three Central Government Hospitals in Delhi viz. Safdarjung Hospital, Dr. RML Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated Hospitals, are concerned, the details are given below:

Name of the post	Safdarjung Hospital	LHMC & Associated Hospitals	Dr. RML Hospital
Doctors	115	50	47
Resident Doctors	466	56	123
Nurses	172	131	229
Technicians	93	207	162
Other employees	168	113	437

Total vacancies filled during the last three years

Name of the post	Safdarjung Hospital	LHMC & Associated Hospitals	Dr. RML Hospital
Doctors	123	138	267
Resident Doctors	1096	544	1516
Nurses	231	401	97
Non-medical employee	106	18	58

In case of doctors, every year, on the basis of vacancies projected by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts Combined Medical Services Examination for recruitment of Medical officers of GDMO sub-cadre of Central Health Services. For filling up of vacant posts belonging to Specialists sub-cadres of Central Health Service, requisitions are also sent to UPSC. Based on the recommendations received from UPSC, candidates are given offer of appointment. Pending recommendations from UPSC, concerned units are permitted to make contractual appointments against the vacant posts, as a stop-gap arrangement, in public interest, till the time regular incumbent joins the post.

The rest of the vacant posts other than the doctors are filled as per the requirement of the respective Hospitals in terms of Recruitment Rules on regular basis, through contractual appointment as a stop-gap arrangement and on outsource basis on the basis of approval received from the Ministry.
The Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), Sh Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha here today.

PIB

Year End review: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Year End review: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Following are the highlights of the activities of Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions during the year 2017:

Prime Minister presents awards to civil servants on Civil Services Day; a record number of 2,345 entries were received to compete for the prestigious "Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2017". The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, presented awards for Excellence in Implementation of Priority Programmes and addressed Civil Servants on the occasion of the eleventh Civil Services Day on April 21, 2017. The Prime Minister presented a total of 12 awards, which included 10 under the five Priority Programmes (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM), Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana, Start-Up India & Stand-Up India) and 2 under Innovation in Public Governance category.

A record number of 2,345 entries were received to compete for the prestigious "Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2017". Of the 2,345 entries received for the awards, 1,515 have been received from 599 districts under the priority programmes category and 830 from various organizations and government agencies under innovation category.

PM addresses IAS Officers of the 2015 batch. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, addressed IAS Officers of the 2015 batch at the Inaugural Session of Assistant Secretaries on July 3, 2017. The Prime Minister advised young IAS officers to avoid getting into a mindset that resists change, and fill India's administrative system with the energy of 'New India.' As part of their Valedictory Session as Assistant Secretaries, IAS officers of the 2015 batch on September 26, 2017 made presentations before the Prime Minister.

First 'Pension Adalat' by DoP&PW held on September 20, 2017. MoS (PP) Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the first 'Pension Adalat' on September 20, 2017 at the Pre-Retirement Counselling Workshop organised by the Department of Pensions & Pensioners' Welfare (DoP&PW). During the Pension Adalat, out of the 29 selected cases, 19 cases were resolved in the Adalat itself. 18 out of these 19 cases were resolved by accepting the claims of the Pensioners. As on November 30, 2017, out of 29 grievances raised in Adalat, 26 have been resolved.

The 'Anubhav' awards 2017 were presented to 16 pensioners for their contribution towards creating institutional memory for the departments. Till date, 4,406 write-ups have been published on Anubhav.
DARPG starts 'DARPGSEVA' to address issues related to public grievances and administrative reforms. The DARPG started its Twitter Seva on February 1, 2017. The Twitter Handle is 'DARPGSEVA'. The Twitter Seva aims to address issues relating to the DARPG like Public Grievances and Administrative Reforms etc. The Twitter Seva enables the DARPG to reach out to the common public and various stakeholders for facilitating redress of grievances and other issues of importance relating to the department.

Prompt disposal of grievances by Government; DARPG writes to States Governments to link their Grievance Cells to Government's CPGRAMS. The number of grievances lodged by the people have increased 7 fold since 2014, from about 2 lakh grievances to about 14 lakh this year. This is due to the prompt response given by the Department to their grievances. Now about 99% grievances are being disposed by the DARPG. The average response time to the grievances has been reduced, e.g. in Department of Revenue, it has reduced from 108 days in 2014 to 25 days this year and similarly in Department of Telecom, it has reduced from 19 days in 2014 to 12 days this year. The DARPG is also writing letters to the Chief Secretaries of the states to link their Grievance Cells to the CPGRAMS Portal of the Union Government. It will bring uniformity and ease of disposal. It will also provide a comprehensive view of the grievances.

DARPG Grievance Study Analysis of 20 Ministries released. The DARPG's Grievance Study Analysis of 20 Ministries was released on August 25, 2017. The "Grievance Analysis & Systemic Reforms" Study was conducted for 20 ministries in the year 2015. As a result, 65 reforms have been introduced which has a positive impact on governance. Study has been undertaken for 20 more ministries in 2017 and 180 reforms have been suggested.  Steps have been taken to identify focus issues and arrive at the root cause of grievance so as to enable systemic reforms to be put in place to alleviate the root cause. A Project Management Unit has been set up for monitoring these reforms in consultation with concerned Ministries/Departments. A dedicated team has been engaged who conduct intensive deliberations with the concerned Ministries/Departments for identifying the reforms that have been implemented and draw up the monitoring metrics indicating impact of these reforms.

Centralised Pension Grievance Registration and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS). Concerted efforts are being made to bring down the pendency of old grievances while maintaining the quality in disposal for which regular review meetings were held with the Nodal Officers of various Ministries/Departments. As a result, 22,027 grievances were disposed off during the period 01.04.2017 to 24.11.17. The time limit to redress grievances is 60 days. During the same period, 84.2% grievances were disposed of within 60 days.

New training programme 'COMMIT' launched for State Government officials. MoS, Dr. Jitendra Singh launched a new training programme, 'Comprehensive Online Modified Modules on Induction Training' (COMMIT) for State Government officials on June 29, 2017. The objective of this training programme is to improve the public service delivery mechanism and provide citizen centric administration through capacity building of officials who interact with the citizens on day-to-day basis.

7th edition of the Vigilance Manual released; online version also released for the first time. The 7th e dition of the Vigilance Manual of CVC was released on September 7, 2017. The present edition of the Vigilance Manual is a public document accessible through CVC's website www.cvc.nic.in. The online version has been released along with the printed version for the first time. The 2017 edition of the Vigilance Manual incorporates 567 Paras divided into 11 Chapters with appropriate citations.

CVC to develop Integrity Index of 25 Organizations. In line with the broader strategy and emphasis on preventive vigilance, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) announced in October that it believes that the next level of systemic change can be through the tool of Integrity Index. The CVC has therefore decided to go in for development of the Integrity Index-based on bench- marking of internal processes and controls within an organisation as well as management of relationships and expectations of outside stakeholders.

Online Software for Departmental Proceedings launched. The online software for Departmental Proceedings was launched on June 22, 2017. The online system will enable monitoring of the departmental cases more effectively to complete inquiries within stipulated timeframes and fix accountability at different stages. The online portal will initially be adopted in respect of IAS officers posted in the Central Government and will subsequently be extended to AIS officers in the Central Government as well as Central Group 'A' employees. The State Governments will also be involved in the subsequent phases for consideration of extension to AIS officers serving in the States.

Government lays down specific 'timeline' for completing enquiry against officers and members of All India Services (AIS). The AIS (D&A) Rules, 1969 have been amended to provide specific timelines at different stages of the enquiry, with a view to complete the disciplinary proceedings against the members of AIS in a time-bound manner.

MoU between LBSNAA, Mussoorie and Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management (NIPAM. In March, 2017 the Union Cabinet gave its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie and Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management (NIPAM), Namibia in the field of capacity building of public officials of Namibia and other training activities for the benefit of both the institutes.

Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Hyderabad and Central University of Jammu sign MoU. Signed in New Delhi on February 10, 2017, the MoU facilitates joint activities and synergy in areas such as capacity building, evaluation studies, executive education and related areas. It included activities such as design, development and delivery of teaching and training programmes; reciprocal recognition of each other's degrees, diplomas, certificates etc.

2,149 Public Authorities aligned with the RTI Online Portal. 2,149 Public Authorities have aligned with the RTI Online Portal. This portal is in line with the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of Digital India. The emphasis of the Government has always been on transparency and good governance. The government is persuading the States to implement the RTI Online portal. The RTI online portal will also curb delays in responding to the RTIs.

Mobile App for pensioners. Moving from e-governance to m-governance, various facilities for pensioners have been brought under Mobile App.  MoS-PP, Dr Jitendra Singh launched the Mobile App on September 20, 2017 that has been created to avail the services of Pensioners' Portal. With the App, a superannuating central civil government official will be able to monitor the progress of his pension settlement, and retired officials will be able to self-assess their pension through the pension calculator and are also able to register their grievances, if any, and get updates on orders issued by the Department.

Scrapping of Interview by States and UTs. 18 States and 7 Union Territories have discontinued the practice of interview in recruitment for lower level posts. The objective of discontinuation of interview in selection process at lower level posts is to curb corruption, more objective selection in transparent manner and substantially easing the problems of poor aspirants.

Online Vigilance System of Board and below Board Level Executives of CPSEs and e-Service Book of the DoPT employees launched. The Online Vigilance System of Board and below Board Level Executives of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) was launched on March 30, 2017. The e-Service Book of the DoPT employees was also launched on the occasion. The Online Vigilance System is a technology based mechanism introduced to obtain vigilance status of 120-130 Board Level executive appointments made annually of CPSEs timely, accurately and objectively so that process of their appointment is expedited. The system would enable efficient vigilance clearance of officers on real time basis who apply for these senior level posts. The e-service book has been implemented by DoPT for its 661 employees and is taking concrete steps to roll out e-service book in respect of all Central Govt. employees in a time bound manner with the support of NIC and involvement of Cadre Controlling Authorities. In this regard a workshop of all Cadre Controlling Authorities (CCAs) was organised in April, 2017 to discuss the roll out plan in all Ministries and Departments.

Liberalisation and simplification of GPF Rules. In a major relief for government employees, Department of Pensions & Pensioners' Welfare in March, 2017 announced several relaxations in General Provident Fund Rules, with liberalization and simplification, particularly relating to advances and withdrawals by the subscriber/employee. As per the liberalised rules, limits for withdrawals have been raised and procedures simplified especially for activities of house building and education of children, where the costs have gone up manifold over the last two decades. In furtherance of the Government's commitment towards self-certification, subscribers will be allowed to withdraw funds based on a simple declaration. No further documentary evidence will be required.

20th National Conference on e-Governance organised in Vishakhapatnam on January 9-10, 2017. Organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), in association with the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, and Government of Andhra Pradesh, the Conference was addressed by Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Nara Chandrababu Naidu. National Awards for e-Governance 2016-17 were presented on the occasion.

Regional Conferences on "Good Governance and Replication of Best Practices" A two-day Regional Conference on "Good Governance and Replication of Best Practices" involving 12 States and 4 UTs of Northern, Western and Central Region of India held on July 7-8, 2017 in Nainital. Another Regional Conference on the subject was held in Goa on September 14-15, 2017. Delegates from 25 States/UTs (of Southern, Central, Eastern, North Eastern Regions and 5 other States/UTs) participated in the conference. On December 22-23, 2017 the Regional Conference on Good Governance was held in Guwahati, where delegates from 36 States and UTs participated.
The DARPG has so far organized 27 such regional conferences to share experiences in the formulation and successful implementation of Good Governance practices and to facilitate speedy and efficient delivery of public services.

Vice President inaugurated the Vigilance Awareness Week, 2017. The Vice-President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the Vigilance Awareness Week, 2017 on October 30, 2017, organised by the Central Vigilance Commission. The theme of the week this year was "My Vision-Corruption-free India".

12th Annual Convention of Central Information Commission held on December 6, 2017. Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the 12th Annual Convention of Central Information Commission (CIC) on December 06, 2017. While delivering the inaugural address, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu said that the information has to be given in a language which is understandable to everyone, especially the one who applies for it.  The Commission had about 26,000 cases pending as on 31.03.2017 as compared to about 35,000 pending cases as on 01.04. 2016.  More than 3,500 queries have been answered by CIC through facilitation desk. In the year 2016-17, the CIC conducted about 15,000 video conferences. Prior to the Annual Convention, two seminars were held in May and July this year, to discuss 'Implementation of the Right to Information Act 2005' and 'Land Records and RTI Act' respectively.

29th meeting of the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) held in New Delhi on January 12, 2017. Organised by the DoP&PW, the SCOVA meeting was chaired by MoS (PP) Dr. Jitendra Singh. During the meeting, the Minister said that minimum pension has been increased to Rs. 9,000 per person and ex-gratia amount has been increased from Rs. 10-15 lakh to Rs. 25-35 lakh.
Jeevan Pramaan. Launched by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in November, 2014, more than 11 lakh pensioners availed this Aadhar-based scheme for online submission of digital life certificate through banks during the month November, 2017. The scheme benefits pensioners specially the old and infirm who can submit life certificate from the comfort of their homes anywhere in the country or abroad. Till date about 93% of the pension bank accounts of Central Government pensioners drawing pension through banks have been seeded with Aadhaar Numbers.

PIB