Government to refund employers for seven weeks of maternity leave given to employees: WCD

National Minimum Guidelines for setting up and running creches under Maternity Benefit Act, 2017

Government to refund employers for seven weeks of maternity leave given to employees: WCD

The government will give employers the salaries for seven of the 26 weeks of maternity leave for women earning more than Rs 15,000 a month, the Women and Child Development ministry announced on Thursday.

The announcement, which covers the government as well as the private sector, comes in the wake of complaints that many companies were reluctant hire pregnant women after maternity leave was extended from 12 to 26 weeks and some were even firing women employees.

WCD Secretary Rakesh Srivastava said it has been decided to utilise the funds lying in the labour welfare cess to pay the employers.

"The utilisation of the labour welfare cess lying with the state governments has been very less. After talks with the Labour Ministry it has been decided that the seven of the 26 weeks of maternity leave for all women employees in the private and government sector getting more than Rs 15,000 a month would be paid from that fund," Srivastava told reporters here.

The labour welfare cess has been given to state governments to ensure the welfare of workers.

Maternity leave was extended from 12 weeks to 26 weeks last year.

According to Srivastava, there were complaints from women that they were getting fired from their jobs due to the increased duration of maternity leave.

“The government has now decided that out of the 14 extra weeks, half of the amount of salary paid to the pregnant woman would be refunded to the employer from the funds of the labour welfare cess,” he said.

Till March 2017, there was Rs 32,632 crore in the fund. Of this, just Rs 7,500 crore has been utilised, he said.

"We would be refunding the salary of seven weeks to the employer so women do not face problems upon returning to work," he said.

"The labour minister has agreed to the proposal and we are now carrying it forward. There will soon be a notification from the Labour Ministry with further details," he added.

Source: wcd.nic.in

Provision of GP 42001- in PB-2/Level 6 of 7th CPC to the Dressers/OT Assistants working in Railway Hospitals/Health Units

Provision of GP 42001- in PB-2/Level 6 of 7th CPC to the Dressers/OT Assistants working in Railway Hospitals/Health Units

NFIR

No. IV/NFIR/ 7th CPC(Imp)/2016/R.B/Part II

Dated: 24/10/2018

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Provision of GP 42001- in PB-2/Level 6 of 7th CPC to the Dressers/OT Assistants working in Railway Hospitals/Health Units - reg.

Ref: (i) NFIR's PNM IItem No. 11/2017.
(ii) NFIR's letter No.IV/NFIR/7th CPC (Imp)/2016/R.B./Part I dated 07108/2017.
(iii) NFIR's letter No. IVNFIR/7th CPC (Imp)/2016/R.B./Part II dated 12/03/20l8.
(iv) Railway Board's letter No. PC-VII/2016/R-U/35 dated 19/04/2018 addressed to GS/NFIR duly enclosing copy of Railway Board's O.M. No. PC-VII/2016/R-U/35 dated 12/04/2017sent to (Dep of Exp).

Kind attention of the Railway Board is invited to the minutes of NFIR's PNM meeting held with the Railway Board on l0th/1lth May,2018, pertaining to Agenda Item No. 1812018, wherein the Official Side conveyed that after finalization of revision of entry pay of Dressers (proposal presently being pursued with MoF), this demand can be looked into. Though five months passed, unfortunately no progress has been made relating to grant of entry pay of GP 2000/Level-3 in respect of Dressers/OT Assistants working in the Railway Hospitals/Health Units.

In this connection, Federation desires to bring to the notice of Railway Board that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, (the nodal Ministry), has since approved restructuring of the cadre of Operation Theatre in one of the Hospitals vide letter No. V-17020118912018-INI-II dated 7th September, 2018 as follows:-

(i) OT Technician: Entry Level Scale of Pay (PB-2+GP 4200/Pay Matrix Level-6).
(ii) Sr. Technician OT (on promotion from GP 4200) to be placed in PB-2+GP 4600.
(iii) Sr. Technician OT is eligible for promotion as Technical Officer (OT) in PB-2+GP 5400. (iv) The Technical Officer (OT) GP 5400 is eligible for promotion as Sr. Technical Officer (OT) in PB-3+GP 6600.

Federation suggests that the Railway Board may consult the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for formulating structure for allotment of GP 4200 in favour of Dressers/OT Assistants.
NFIR, therefore, requests the Railway Board to take necessary action at the level of Ministry of
Health & Family Welfare.

Yours faithfully,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

7th Pay Commission - Revision of rate of Training Allowance - DoPT Order

7th Pay Commission - Revision of rate of Training Allowance - DoPT Order

No. 13024/01/2016-Trg. Ref.
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
[Training Division (IST/IIPA)]

Block -4, Old JNU Campus,
New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi-67,
Date: November 12, 2018

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Implementation of Government's decision on the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission-Revision of rate of Training Allowance.

In continuation of this Departments O.M. No. 13024/01/2016-Trg. Ref. dated October 24, 2018 on the subject cited above, the undersigned is directed to state that the contents of para 1 (ii) and (iii) of the said O.M. may be read as follows:

Para 1 (ii): 'Training Allowance will be admissible only to faculties who join the training academies/institutes/establishments for imparting training for a specified period of time and are then likely to go back'
Para 1 (iii): 'Training Allowance will not be admissible to those permanent faculties of training academies/institutes/establishments who have been recruited directly by the training academies/institutes/establishments for imparting training'

2. The concurrence of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India has also been obtained vide their UO No. 124- /03-2017/Vol.II dated July 2, 2018.

3. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.

(Biswajit Banerjee)
Under Secretary to the Government of India.
Tel.: 011-26194167
Email ID: biswajitbanerjee.edu@nic.in

Source: DoPT

DoPT: All India Protest Day for 26th November, 2018 - Instructions under CCS (Conduct Rules), 1964

DoPT: All India Protest Day for 26th November, 2018 - Instructions under CCS (Conduct Rules), 1964

MOST IMMEDIATE
OUT TODAY

No C-.45018/1/2017-Vig.
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, P.G. & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi,
Dated the 12th November, 2018

Subject: All India Protest Day for 26th November, 2018 - Instructions under CCS (Conduct Rules), 1964 - Regarding

It has been brought to the notice of the Government that National Movement for Old Pension Scheme (NMOPS) has decided to observe 'Gherao of Parliament House' on 26th November, 2018 in order to demand withdrawal of New Pension Scheme (NPS).

2. The instructions issued by the Department of Personnel and Training prohibit the Government servants from participating in any form of strike including mass casual leave, go slow etc. or any action that abet any form of strike/protest in violation of Rule 7 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964. Besides, in accordance with the proviso to Rule 17(1) of the Fundamental Rules, pay and allowances is not admissible to an employee for his absence from duty without any authority. As to the concomitant rights of an Association after it is formed, they cannot be different from the rights which can be claimed by the individual members of which the Association is composed. It follows that the right to form an Association does not include any guaranteed right to strike/protest. There is no statutory provision empowering the employees to go on strike. The Supreme Court has also agreed in several judgments that going on a strike is a grave misconduct under the Conduct Rules and that misconduct by the Government employees is required to be dealt with in accordance with law. Any employee going on strike in any form would face the consequences which, besides deduction of wages, may also include appropriate disciplinary action. Kind attention of all employees of this Department is also drawn to this Department's O.M. No.33012/1 /(s)/2008- Estt.(B) dated 12.9.2008, on the subject for strict compliance (enclosed as Annexure-A).

3. All officers are requested that the above instructions may be brought to the notice of the employees working under their control. All officers are also requested not to sanction Casual Leave or any other kind of leave to the officers and employees, if applied for, during the period of proposed protestlGherao, and ensure that the willing employees are allowed hindrance free entry into the office premises.

4. In case employees go on protest/Gherao, all Divisional Heads are requested to forward a report indicating the number and details of employees, who are absent from duty in the day of protest/Gherao, i.e., 26.11.2018.

Source: DoPT

Athletic Competition for wards of Central Government Employees

Athletic Competition for wards of Central Government Employees

No. 1/1/2018-19-CCSCSB
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
CENTRAL CIVIL SERVICES CULTURAL & SPORTS BOARD

Room No. 361, 'B' Wing, 3'd Floor,
Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market, New Delhi-3
Dated : 12.11.2018

CIRCULAR

Subject: Athletic Competition for wards of Central Government Employees

Central Civil Services Cultural & Sports Board has been organizing the Athletic Meet for Central Government employees for the last many years. There were demands from a large number of participants and employees that a similar Athletic events may also be started to their wards to motivate and encourage them.
2. It is, therefore, proposed to organize Athletic Competition for wards of Central Government Employees at Vi nay Marg Sports Complex, Chankyapuri, New Delhi on 02 December 2018 (Sunday) at 9.00 AM. There is NO ENTRY FEE for this competition. The entry should be sent in the prescribed form to the Board's Office latest by 28th November 2018 at Room No. 361 , 'B', Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market, New Delhi - 110003 or by email at sportsdopt@gmail.com.
3. The competition will be held in the following categories:-

Age Category	Born between	Events
08-10 Yrs (Boys & Girls)	01 Dec 2008 to 30 Nov 2010	60M, Spoon Race
10-12 Yrs (Boys & Girls)	01 Dec 2006 to 30 Nov 2008	100M, 200M, Long Jump
12-14 Yrs (Boys & Girls)	01 Dec 2004 to 30 Nov 2006	100M, 200M, Long Jump
14-16 Yrs (Boys & Girls)	01 Dec 2002 to 30 Nov 2004	100M, 200M, 400M, Long Jump
Spouse (Men & Women)		100M

4. Wards of the following categories of employees are not eligible for participation in this competition:-

(a) Uniform personnel in Defence Services/Para Military Organisaions/Central Police Organisagion/Police/RPF/CISF/BSFIITBP/NSG etc.
(b) Employees of Autonomous bodies/undertaking/Public Sector Banks/ Corporations even though administratively controlled by the Central Ministries.
(c) Casual/ Daily wages workers.
(d) Employees attached to offices on temporary duty.

5. Decision of the Judges will be final and no appeal against their decision would be entertained.
6. For further queries, Sh. T.K. Rawat (9899232337), Athletic Convener CCSCSB may be contacted.
7. This circular may be given wide publicity.

(Kulbhushan Malhotra)
Secretary (CCSCSB)

Source: DoPT

Minimum rates of wages & variable dearness allowance - RBE No. 169/2018

Minimum rates of wages & variable dearness allowance - RBE No. 169/2018

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

RBE No. 169/2018

No. 2016/E (LL)/AT/MW/1

New Delhi dated: 05.11.2018

The General Managers, Zonal Railways, Production Units.
Metro Railway, Kolkata, CORE, Allahabad
The General Managers,(Construction), All Indian Railways
The Director General, RDSO, Lucknow
The DG/Railway Staff College, Vadodara
The Directors, IRICEN, IRIEEN, IRISET, IRIMEE, IRITM
The CAO, COFMOW, Tilak Bridge, New Delhi
The CAO, Rail Coach Factory / Raebareli, Kishan Ganj, Delhi-7
The CAO, Rail Wheel Plant, Bela

Sub: Minimum rates of wages and variable dearness allowance w.e. f 01.10.2018.

A copy each of Orders No. (1) 1/38(1)/2018-LS-II, (ii) 1/38/(2)2018, LS-II, (iii) No.1/38/(3)/2018- LS-lI, (iv) No.1/38/(4)2018 LS-II (v) No.1/38/(5)2018-LS.II (vi)1/38/(6)/2018-LS and (vii) 1/38(7)/2018- LS-II dated 28.09.2018 revising the rates of variable dearness allowance for contract workers engaged in (i) Agriculture (ii) Gypsum Mines, Barytes Mines, Bauxite Mines, Manganese Mines, China Clay Mines, Kyanite Mines, Copper Mines, ClayMines, Magnesite, Mines, White Clay Mines, Stone Mines, Steatite Mines (including the mines producing Soap Stones and Talc), Ochre Mines, Asbestos Mines, Fire Clay Mines, Chromite Mines, Quratzite Orarts Mines, Silica Mines, Graphite Mines, Felspar Mines, Laterite Mines, Dolomite Mines, Red Oxide Mines, Wolfram Mines Iron Mines Ore Mines, Granite Mines,Rock Phosphate Mines, Hematite Mines Marble and Calcite Mines, Uranium Mines, Mica Mines, Lignite Mines, Gracel Mines , Slate Mines and Magnetite Mines (iii) Construction or Maintenance of Roads or runways or Building Operations including Laying Down Underground electric, wireless, Radio, Television, Telephone, Telegraph and Overseas Communication Cables and Similar other Underground cabting work, Electric lines, Water supply lines and Sewerage Pipe Lines (iv) Stone mines (v) Employment of sweeping and cleaning excluding activities prohibited under the Employment of Manual Svavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993 (vi) Watch and Ward (With arms) and (vii) Loading and unloading in (i) Goods sheds, parcel offices of Railways, (ii) 0ther goods-sheds, godowns, warehouses and other similar employments; (iii) Docks and Ports; And (iv) passengers goods and Cargo Carried out at Airports ( Both International and Domestic). The rates are applicable w.e.f. 01.10.2018.

2. Railways, being Principal Employer are required to ensure that the contractors are complying with the provisions of the Contract Labour (R&A) Act, 1970 and Minimum wages Act, 1948 strictly and arranging prescribed minimum wages to the contract labourers.

3. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways. Please acknowledge receipt.

(Manju)
Jt. Director Establishment (L.L)
Railway Board

NFIR letter to Railway Board Regarding LARSGESS

NFIR letter to Railway Board Regarding LARSGESS

No. 11/34/2018-Part 1

The Chairman,
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dated: 09/11/2018

Dear Sir.
Sub: LARSGESS-reg.
Ref: (i) Railway Board's letter No. E(P&A)I-2015/RT-43 dated 26/09/2018 (RBE No.150/2018).

(ii) NFIR's letter No. II/34/2018-Part I dated 27/09/2018 addressed to Hon’ble MR, copy to CRB, MS etc.
(iii) Railway Board's letter No. E(P&A)I-2015./RT-43 dated 28/09/2018 (RBE No. 151/2018).
(iv) NFIRs letter No. II/34/2018-Part I dated 03/10/2018.
(v) GS/NFIR's personal discussion with CRB on 25/10/2018.

Kind attention is invited to GS/NFIR's letter of even number dated 03rd October, 2018 to CRB (copy enclosed).

The subject was also discussed with the Member (Staff) by NFIR on 25th October, 2018 and explained the need for issuing instructions to GMs to appoint the wards of safety category staff who have already been selected prior to 27/10/2017. The MS has assured to take appropriate initiative and reach CRB for decision.

NFIR, therefore, requests the CRB to kindly see that orders are issued by Railway Board for appointing those selected wards of safety category staff early. As already requested by the Federation, CRB and Railway Board may kindly take conscious decision with regard to continuance of LARSGESS keeping in mind the reality that the Indian Railways is unique, complex and un-comparable with any other system and at times, decisions are required to be taken by Railways in larger public interest and equally safety of staff belonging to critical safety categories.

Yours faithfully,

(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Improvement in Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula - NJCA

Improvement in Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula - NJCA

Meeting of the NJCA on 19-11-2018 - New Delhi

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

No.NJCA/2018

Dated: November 9, 2018

All Members of the NJCA

Sub: Meeting of the NJCA

It has been decided to hold meeting of the National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) on 19th November, 2018 from 16.00 Hrs. in JCM Officer, 13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi, to take stock of the current situation in regard to non-settlement of major pending issues, viz.

(i) Improvement in Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula

(ii) No Progress in respect of NPS Covered Central Government Employees

(iii) Other pending issues related to National and Departmental Anomalies.

All of you are requested to make it convenient to attend the aforementioned meeting of the NJCA, so as to take the consensus decision for future course of action in the prevalent scenairo.

With Fraternal Greetings,
sd/-
(Shiva Gopla Mishra)
Convener

Source: Confederation

Provisions for Transfer of pension account from one PDA to another PDA - Circular 206

Provisions for Transfer of pension account from one PDA to another PDA - Circular 206

O/o THE PR. CONTROLLER OF DEFENCE ACCOUNTS (PENSIONS)
DRAUPADI GHAT, ALLAHABAD- 211014

Circular No. 206

No. AT/Tech/30-XX

Dated: 02/11/2018

To

The Chief Accountant, RBI Deptt. of Govt. Bank Accounts, Central office C-7, Second Floor, Bandre- Kurla Complex, P B No. 8143, Bandre East, Mumbai-400051
    The Director of Treasuries of all State……..
    The Manager CPPC of Public Sector Banks including IDBI
    The CDA (PD) Meerut
    The CDA, Chennai
    The Nodal Officers (ICICl/AXIS/HDFC Bank)….
    The Pay & Accounts Officer……..
    The Military. & Air Attache, Indian Embassy, Kathmandu, Nepal
    The D.P.D.O…………….
    Post Master, Kathua (J &/ K) and Camp Bell Bay

Sub: Transfer of pension account from one Pension Disbursing Authority (PDA) to another PDA.

Provisions for Transfer of pension account from one Pension Disbursing Authority (PDA) to another PDA has been provided in the Defence Pension Payment Instructions (DPPI) as well as Scheme for Payment of Defence Pensions by Public Sector Banks. But, it has been observed that the PDAs are not following laid down procedure in the matter. Hence, the competent authority has decided that following procedure is required to be adopted in the matter.

(i) Pensioner shall submit a simple application (in Part-I of the enclosed formats) along with Pension Certificate (where issued to him) to the PDA from where he is drawing pension at present. A copy of application may be returned to the pensioner duly giving the receipt of the application by the PDA for the records of the pensioner.

(ii) The following documents are required to be forwarded by the existing PDA to the new PDA by registered post.

(a) PPO (including all Corrigendum PPOs) and Payment Authority (if any issued)

(b) Descriptive Roll/Identification Documents with Photographs.

(c) Extract of Payment Register with a certificate thereon indicating the rate of Pension and Dearness relief and date upto and for which last paid. Where the pensioner has been allowed commutation of pension, the PDA should also indicate prominently in the Last Pension Certificate, the date of payment of capitalized value of pension, the date of reduction of pension on account of commutation and the date on which he would complete 15 Years for restoration of his commuted portion of pension.

(d) Nomination to receive arrears of pension

(e) Option 85 undertaking furnished by the pensioner for Medical Allowance

(f) Pension Certificate (where issued)

(iii) In the current scenario, most of the PPOs are issued e-PPO form. Hence, it has been decided that transferor PDA will forward the documents mentioned above as well as copy of e-PPO received through SFTP from this office duly countersigned by him to the new PDA as per existing system.

(iv) Further payments in continuation of the date upto and for which the pensioner is shown as paid on the Extract of Payment Register, will be arranged by the new PDA.

(v) An intimation regarding the transfer of pension papers should invariably be sent both by the transferor/ transferee PDA to the Pr. CDA (Pensions) Allahabad through Form-I/IMP-5(A)/D-II by the transferor PDA (under Part-II of the enclosed format) and Form­II/IMP-5/D-I by the transferee PDA (under Part-III of the enclosed format) as per prevailing procedure by registered post as well as on e-mail ID: dad@hub.nic.in

(2) While forwarding Form-I/IMP-5(A)/D-II to this office by the transferor PDA, following documents are also required to be attached with Form­I/IMP-5(A)/D-II:

(i)  A consent (in Part-IV of the enclosed format) from the new PDA that after receipt of documents from the existing PDA, his/her pension will be paid after taking on the payment strength of the new PDA.

(ii) A leaf of cheque issued by the new PDA duly cancelled in the case of new PDA is Bank.

(3) In the case of change of PDA from Indian Embassy, Nepal to other PDA and vice-versa, existing system for pension file routed through this office and issuance of corrigendum PPO before change of PDA will follow.

(4) This circular has also been uploaded on this office website www.pcdapension.nic.in

(SANDEEP THAKUR)
Addl. CDA (Pensions)

Requirement of producing two pensioners drawing pension from same PDA to identify the pensioner - Circular 205

Requirement of producing two pensioners drawing pension from same PDA to identify the pensioner - Circular 205

O/o THE PR. CONTROLLER OF DEFENCE ACCOUNTS (PENSIONS)
DRAUPADI GHAT, ALLAHABAD - 211014

Circular 205

No. AT/Tech/30-XX

Dated: 02.11.2018.

To,
The Chief Accountant, RBI Deptt. of Govt. Bank Accounts, Central office C-7, Second Floor, Bandre- Kurla Complex, P B No. 8143, Bandre East Mumbai-400051

    The Director of Treasuries of all state ……
    The Manger CPPC of Public Sector Banks including IDBI
    The CDA (PD) Meerut..
    The CDA-Chennai……
    The Nodal Officers (ICICl/ AXIS/HDFC Bank)….
    The Pay & Accounts Officers……
    Military and Air Attache, Indian Embassy Kathmandu, Nepal.
    The DPDO…….
    The Post Master…………….

Sub: Waiver of requirement of producing two pensioners drawing pension from same PDA to identify the pensioner.

During various Defence Pension Adalats, representations are being received against the requirement of producing two pensioners drawing pension from same PDA to identify pensioner.

The issue has been examined and it is noticed that various checks to be observed by the Pension Disbursing Authorities (PDAs) before making payment for first time on new Pension Payment Orders (PPOs)/transferred PPOs are provided in para 584 of DPPI-2005 & 2013. Similarly, these checks were circulated to the PDAs as Annexure-A to important Circular No.113 dt 27/05/2005. Item No. 7 and No. 15 of DPPI and Annexure-A to above mentioned circular respectively states that two defence pensioners should identify a new pensioners (except officer).

Now a days, requirement of producing two pensioners drawing pension from same PDA to identify the pensioner which is applicable to the pensioners below officer ranks does not seem correct, as PDAs are required to identify the pensioner based on marks of identification furnished in Descriptive Rolls/Descriptive Particulars and photographs provided to them.

Accordingly PDAs are requested to refer this office circular No. 197 dt 10/01/2018, and follow the guidelines issued there under for identification by additional documents produced by defence pensioners in absence of Aadhaar Number as indicated in Notification No. S.0 747(E) dt 03/03/2017 issued by Ministry of Defence, Deptt. of ESW rather than insisting the pensioner to produce two pensioners drawing pension from same PDA to identify him/her.

(SANDEEP THAKUR)
Addl.CDA (P)