7% DR from Jan 2018 - Orders issued by DoPPW

7% DR from Jan 2018 - Orders issued by DoPPW 

Grant of Dearness relief to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners- Revised rate effective from 01.01.2018

No.42/06/2018-P&PW(G)
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 22nd March,2018

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Grant of Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners - Revised rate effective from 01.01.2018.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's OM No. 42/15/2016-P&PW(G) dated 28.09.2017 on the subject mentioned above and to state that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Relief admissible to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 5% to 7% w.e.f 01.01.2018.

2. These rates of DR will be applicable to (i) Civilian Central Government Pensioners/Family Pensioners including Central Govt. absorbee pensioners in PSU/Autonomous Bodies in respect of whom orders have been issued vide this Department's OM No.4/34/2002-P&PW (D) Vol.II dated 23.06.2017 for restoration of full pension after expiry of commutation period of 15 years (ii) The Armed Forces Pensioners, Civilian Pensioners paid out of the Defence Service Estimates, (iii) All India Service Pensioners (iv) Railway Pensioners/family pensioners (v) Pensioners who are in receipt of provisional pension (vi) The Burma Civilian pensioners/family pensioners and pensioners/families of displaced Government Pensioners from Burma/ Pakistan, in respect of whom orders have been issued vide this Department's OM No.23/3/2008-P&PW(B) dated 11.09.2017.

3. These orders shall not be applicable on CPF beneficiaries, their widows and eligible children who are in receipt of ex-gratia payment in terms of this Department's OM No.45/52/97-P&PW(E) dated 16.12.1997 and revised vide this Department's OM 1/10/2012-P&PW(E) dtd 27.06.2013.
Separate orders will be issued in respect of above category.

4. The payment of Dearness Relief involving a fraction of a rupee shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee.

5. The payment of arrears of Dearness Relief shall not be made before the date of disbursement of pension/family pension of March, 2018.

6. Other provisions governing grant of DR in respect of employed family pensioners and re-employed Central Government Pensioners will be regulated in accordance with the provisions contained in this Department's OM No. 45173/97-P&PW (G) dated 2.7.1999 as amended vide this Department's OM No. F.No. 38/88/2008-P&PW(G) dated 9th July, 2009. The provisions relating to regulation of DR where a pensioner is in receipt of more than one pension will remain unchanged.

7. In the case of retired Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, necessary orders will be issued by the Department of Justice separately.

8. It will be the responsibility of the pension disbursing authorities, including the nationalized banks, etc. to calculate the quantum of DR payable in each individual case.

9. The offices of Accountant General and authorised Pension Disbursing Banks are requested to arrange payment of relief to pensioners etc. on the basis of these instructions without waiting for any further instructions from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the Reserve Bank of India in view of letter No. 528-TA, II/34-80-U dated 23/0411981 of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India addressed to all Accountant Generals and Reserve Bank of India Circular No. GANB No. 2958/GA-64 (ii) (CGL)/81 dated the 21st May, 1981 addressed to State Bank of India and its subsidiaries and all Nationalised Banks.

10. In their application to the pensioners/family pensioners belonging to Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issue after consultation with thc C&AG.
11. This issues in accordance with Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure's OM No.
11/2018-E.U(B) dated 15th March,2018.

12. Hindi version will follow.

sd/-

(Charanjit Taneja)

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source: http://www.pensionersportal.gov.in/

Cap On educational Concession to Children of Missing/Disabled/Killed Soldiers Removed - MoD Orders

Cap On educational Concession to Children of Missing/Disabled/Killed Soldiers Removed - MoD Orders

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Defence

22-March-2018 15:49 IST

Cap On educational Concession to Children of Missing/Disabled/Killed Soldiers Removed

Government has decided to continue educational concessions to the children of Armed Forces Officers/Personnel Below Officer Ranks (PBORs)/Missing/Disabled/ Killed in Action without the cap of Rs. 10,000 per month.

Ministry of Defence had persuaded the Finance Ministry twice in this regard, which is agreed upon by the latter.

The above educational concession will be admissible only for undertaking studies in a government/government aided schools/educational institutes, Military/Sainik Schools and other schools or colleges recognised by the Central or State Governments including the autonomous organisations financed entirely by the Central/State Governments.

Source: PIB

Retirement Age of CG Employees - Lok Sabha Q&A

Retirement Age of CG Employees - Lok Sabha Q&A

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 4181
ANSWERED ON: 21.03.2018

Retirement Age

BANSHILAL MAHTO
Will the Minister of
PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government proposes to change the retirement age of Central Government employees; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a): No Madam.
(b): Not applicable in view of (a) above.

Source: Lok Sabha

Simplification of Pension Procedure - Submission of Life Certificate

Pension Procedure

CPAO/IT&Tech/Bank Performance/37(Vol.III)/2017- 18/208

19.03.2018

Subject: Simplification of Pension Procedure - Submission of Life Certificate

Attention is invited to CPAO's 0M No. CPAo/Tech/Simplification/2012-13/325 dated-18.02.2013 on the above subject whereby it was decided to submit the life certificate to any branch of the authorized bank through which pension of pensioners/family pensioners is being disbursed. Format of acknowledgement to be given by the Life Certificates receiving branch to the pensioner/family pensioner was circulated vide this office OM No.CPAO/lT&Tech/Scheme Booklet/2015-16/1666 dated- 16.10.2015 which was reiterated vide OM No.CPA0/lT&Tech/Jeevan Pramaan/2015-16/ 1680 dated-09.11.2 015.

But, it is observed that bank branches are still not providing the acknowledgement of Life Certificate to the pensioners/family pensioners. Moreover, it has been observed that they do not forward the same to their CPPCs, resulting in stoppage of pension/ family pension which causes undue financial hardship to the pensioners/ family pensioners.

In view of the above, Heads of CPPCs and Heads of Government Business Divisions of all the authorized banks are requested to issue necessary instructions to all their branches to provide the acknowledgement of Life Certificate to the pensioner/family pensioner without fail and forward the same to the concerned CPPCs for necessary action.

sd/-

(Md.Shahid Kamal Ansari)

(Asstt. Controller of Accounts)

Source: www.cpao.nic.in

Grant of 10 days Casual Leave to those Civilian employees under Defence Establishments who are not entitled to 17 holidays per calendar year

Government of India
(Department of Defence)
Ministry of Defence
D(Civ-ll)

Subject: Grant of 10 days Casual Leave to those Civilian employees under Defence Establishments who are not entitled to 17 holidays per calendar year

The undersigned is directed to say that this division has been receiving proposals from Line Dtes and Defence Federations to grant 10 days Casual Leave to the Defence Civilian employees in such Defence units wherever the entitlement is less than 17 days Gazetted holidays.

2. In this connection, para 9 of the Appendix-III of the CCS(Leave) Rules, 1972 is reiterated as under:

"Entitlement (per calendar year) -

8 days - For those entitled to 17 holidays

10 days - For those not entitled to 17 holidays."

3. All concerned are therefore requested to ensure that the entitlement of Casual Leave to the Civilian employees in the Defence Establishments under MoD who are covered under CCS(Leave) Rules, 1972, is adhered strictly as per Para 9 of the Appendix-III of these Rules.

S/d,
(Dalpat Singh)
Under Secretary to the Govt of India

To

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 3884
ANSWERED ON: 19.03.2018

Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act

RAJENDRA AGRAWAL
MALLIKARJUN KHARGE
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:-

(a)whether majority of the women in the country are not able to avail maternity leave under the Maternity Benefits Act, 2017 due to their working in the unorganized sector and if so, the details thereof;
(b)whether the Government is considering any proposal to include women working in the unorganized sector to enable them to avail the benefits under the Act, and if so, the details thereof;
(c)whether the Government is anticipating decline in rate of labour force participation of female population due to discriminatory hiring practices by the employers in order to prevent maternity benefits available under the said Act; and
(d)if so, the details thereof along with the corrective steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) & (b): No, Madam. Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 is applicable to establishments employing 10 or more women irrespective of whether it is organised or unorganised sector.

(c) & (d): No, Madam. The Government is of the opinion that with enforcement of the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, more and more women workers would be inclined to seek employment which will lead to increase in women labour participation rate. There are stringent provisions under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 for prevention of discriminatory practices against women work force.

Source: Lok Sabha

Instructions for the purchase of laptops, notebooks and similar devices for eligible officers revised guideline

Instructions for the purchase of laptops, notebooks and similar devices for eligible officers revised guideline

F.No. 08(34)/201 7-E II(A)
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
E.II(A). Branch

New Delhi, the 20th February, 2018

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Instructions for the purchase of laptops/notebooks and similar devices for eligible officers - revised guidelines.

In supersession to this Ministry's Office Memorandum bearing No. 08(64)/2017-E.II(A) dated 27th September 2016, regarding purchase of Note Book/Lap-Top computers by Ministries/ Departments & delegation of powers thereof, it has been decided that laptop; tablet; notepad; ultra-book; notebook, net-book or devices of similar categories may be issued to officers of the rank of Deputy Secretary and above for discharge of official work. These powers shall continue to be exercised in consultation with the Financial Adviser by the Secretary of the Ministry/ Department or any other authority who are specifically delegated these powers by this Ministry from time to time, duly taking into consideration the functional requirements and budgetary provisions.

2. This would, however, be subject to the following conditions:

(i) Cost of device: The Cost of device including Standard software shall not exceed Rs. 80,000/-
Standard Software: Any software (Operating System, Antivirus software or MS-Office etc.) that is essential for the running of device towards discharge of official functions/duties.

(ii) Purchase Procedures: As prescribed under GFRS/CVC guidelines may be followed.

(iii) Safety, Security & Maintenance of Device: The officer, who is given the device, shall be personally responsible for its safety and security as well as security of data/information, though the device shall continue to remain Government property. The officer concerned will be at liberty to get the device insured at his personal cost.

(iv) Retention/Replacement of device:

a) No new device may be sanctioned to an officer, who has already been allotted a device, in a Ministry /Department, up to five years. Any further issue of laptop in case of loss/damage beyond repairs within the prescribed period, should be considered only after the cost is recovered from the officer based on the book value after deducting the depreciation.

b) For the purpose of calculation of the book value, a depreciation of 25% per year, on straight line method, be adopted.

c) Post the completion of five years of usage, the officer shall retain the issued device.

(v) Conditions at the time of transfer, Superannuation etc.:

a) ln case where, at the time of purchase of device if the residual service of the officer is less than 5 years or in case the officer is transferred/deputed to State Govt. but with residual service of less than 5 years or the officer leaves the Government Service within 5 years of purchase of such device, the officer concerned will have the option of retaining the device by paying the amounl after deducting the depreciation.

b) Upon transfer/deputation of the officer to other Ministry/ Department Attached/ Subordinate offices of the Government of India or to the State Government in case of Officers of the All India Services, the officer will have the option of retaining the existing device and in case of such retention, this fact should be specifically mentioned in the Last Pay Certificate (LPC).

3. Instructions for Ministries/Departments:

(i) For the officials who are currently holding laptops, notebooks or similar devices in accordance with the provisions of O.M. dt. 27/09/2016, the terms & conditions for retention/disposal of the device shall continue to be governed under the existing instructions of the said O.M.

(ii) The applicability of the provisions of this order to the officers of Armed Forces / Para-Military Forces, officers of MoD & other similar establishments would be subject to restrictions imposed by the concerned departments/organizations duly taking into consideration the security of information. In all such cases the security of the information shall be the responsibility of the concerned department.

4. This is issued with the approval of Secretary (Expenditure).

(Dr. Bhartendu Kumar Singh)

Director (E.IIA)

Source:DoE

Opening of Office on Holidays

Opening of Office on Holidays

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

As per Fundamental Rules (F.R.) No.11, the whole time of a Government servant is at the disposal of the Government which pays him, he may be employed in any manner required by proper authority without claim for additional remuneration.

Sometimes with a view to meeting the exigencies of work such as when a Government business has to be transacted immediately or a deadline is to be met, the Head of Office can, in the interests of public service, take a decision to keep the offices open fully or partially even on public holidays. The staff who are deployed on official duty on public holidays are, however, compensated by granting them compensatory leave.

Need for laying down procedure for registering complaints in case of any Government/private office remaining open on public holidays has not been felt.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Prime Minister's Office, Dr. Jitendra Singhin a written reply to question in the Lok Sabha today.

PIB

DoPT: Interaction with the Joint Secretary(BC), Commission for Sub-Categorization of OBCs

DoPT: Interaction with the Joint Secretary(BC), Commission for Sub-Categorization of OBCs

Reminder - II

No. 21/1/2016-CS.1 (PR/CMS)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

2nd Floor, Khan Market,
New Delhi-110003

Date: 21st March, 2018.

SUBJECT:- Interaction with the Joint Secretary (BC), Commission for SubCategorization of OBCs - regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Division's OM of even number dated 20.02.2018 and 27.02.2018 on the above cited subject matter and to state that on scrutiny of the data available on CSCMS portal, it is observed that many

Ministries/Departments have not yet updated the information with reference to Categorization/Sub- Categorization of aBC officers, along with the data relating to the "State" from which aBC candidates appeared/selected in respect of CSS cadre (ASO to JS- in-situ) in the CSCMS portal.
 
2. As the data is urgently required by the Commission for Sub-Categorization of a BC Officers, the concerned Ministries/Departments are once again requested to take up immediate necessary steps for updating the information in the CSCMS portal, by 28th of March, 2018. The concerned Officials may also be sensitized to get their data updated in the system, in a time bound manner.

To,
All Ministries/Departments
Director/Deputy Secretary (Admn.)
(Through website of this Department)

(Anil Tripathi)
Under Secretary to Government of India
Tele: 24629412

Source: DoPT

DA Order Jan 2018 - Department of Posts

DA Order Jan 2018 - Department of Posts

F.No.8-1/2016-PAP
Government of India
Ministry Of Communication
Department of Posts
(Establishment Division) /P.A.P.Section
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi - 110 001

Dated 19th March,2018

To
1. All Heads of circles
2. All heads of postal Accounts Offices
3. Deputy Director General (PAF)/CGM,PLI/CGM,BD
4. ADG (ADMN) Postal Directorate
5. All heads of postal staff college/P.T.Cs

Sub: Grant of Dearness Allowance to Central Government Employees - Revised Rates effective from 1.1.2018

I am directed to forward herewith a copy of the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure's Office Memorandum No.1/1/2018-E-II(B) dated 15th March, 2018 on the subject cited above for information, guidance and further necessary action.

This issue with the approval of the competent authority.

(K.V.Vijaykumar)