Withdrawal of Minimum Balance Penalty by Banks

Ministry of Finance

Withdrawal of Minimum Balance Penalty by Banks

16 JUL 2019

According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, banks do not have any Minimum Balance requirement for Basic Savings Bank Deposit accounts (BSBD), including accounts opened under Pradhan Mantri Jan DhanYojana (PMJDY). As on March 2019, there were 57.3 crore BSBD accounts across the country including 35.27 crore (61.6%) Jan-Dhan accounts. Hence, for these accounts there are no charges for not maintaining minimum balance. BSBD accounts are considered normal banking services available to all and it offers certain basic minimum facilities free of charge.

For accounts other than BSBD accounts, as per RBI’s Master Circular on “Customer Service in Banks” dated July 1, 2015, banks are permitted to fix service charges on various services rendered by them, as per their Board approved policy, while ensuring that the charges are reasonable and not out of line with the average cost of providing these services. Further, banks have been advised to identify basic services and the principles to be adopted/ followed by them for ensuring reasonableness in fixing such charges. Banks are also advised to take steps to ensure that customers are made aware of the service charges upfront and changes in the service charges are implemented only with the prior notice to the customers.

This was stated by Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

PIB

Scheme for providing immediate relief to the families of Railway Servants who die while in service

NFIR

Scheme for providing immediate relief to the families of Railway Servants who die while in service

Government of India

Ministry of Railways

Railway Board

No. E(W)2019/FU-1/6

New Delhi, dated 27.06.2019

The General Managers
All Indian Railways and
Production Units.

Sub: Scheme for providing immediate relief to the families of Railway Servants who die while in service

Ref: Board’s letter No.E(W) 1998/WE-6/6 dated 05.08.1999
Board’ s letter No. E(W) 2004/WE-6/9 dated 04.12.2009

Sanction of the President is hereby communicated to the following modification to the Ministry of Railways letter No.E(W)72/WE-6/15 dated. 21.04.1973 on the above subject as amended from time to time:-

“In Para-I (ii) of the letter ibid, substitute the figure of Rs.15,000/- by the figure Rs.25,000/-“.

2. This amendment takes effect from the date of issue of this letter.

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

4. Please acknowledge receipt.

(D.V Rao)

Director Estt. (Welfare)

Railway Board

Source: NFIR

Strengthening of administration Periodic review of Central Government Employees under Fundamental Rule (FR) 56(j)/(l) and Rule 48 of CCS (pension) Rules, 1972

Strengthening of administration Periodic review of Central Government Employees under Fundamental Rule (FR) 56(j)/(l) and Rule 48 of CCS (pension) Rules, 1972

NFIR

No.25013/3/2019-Estt.A-IV

Government of India

Ministry of personnel, public Grievances & Pensions

Department of Personnel & Training

Establishment A-IV Desk

North Block, New Delhi

New Delhi, 20th June, 2019

Office MEMORANDUM

Subject: Strengthening of administration Periodic review of Central Government Employees under Fundamental Rule (FR) 56(j)/(l) and Rule 48 of CCS (pension) Rules, 1972

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M No.25013/1/2013-Estt.A dated 21.3.2014, OM No.25013/1/2013-Estt.A-IV dated 11.9.2015, 11.03.2016 and 10.8.2017 for periodic review of Central Government Employees for strengthening of administration under Fundamental Rule (FR) 56(j)/(l) and Rule 48 of CCS (pension) Rules, 1972.

The detailed guidelines on the above sunjeci are already in public domain at http://dopt.gov.in under Notifications -> OM & Orders -> Establishment -> Premature Retirement.

All Ministries / Departments are requested to undertake the periodic reviews in letter and spirit, including in public sector undertakings (PSUs) / Banks and Autonomous institutions, under their administrative control. Department of Public Enterprises will also compile and countercheck with all concerned Ministries / Departments.

The Ministries / Departments should ensure that the prescribed procedure like forming of opinion to retire a Government employee prematurely in public interest is strictly adhered to, and that the decision is not an arbitrary one, and is not based on collateral grounds as per the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in case of UOI & Col, J.N.Sinha [1571 SCR (1) 791].

All the Ministries / Departments shall furnish a report to Dop&T in the format given below by 15th day of each month starting from 15th July, 2019. Department of Public Enterprises are requested to also compile and countercheck the data with all concerned administrative Ministries / Departments in respect of PSUs before furnishing the report to DoP&T.

Number of employees to be reviewed under FR 56 (j) group-wise (A/B/C) – 1

Number of employees reviewed under FR 56 (j) group-wise (A/B/C) – 2

Number of employees reviewed and against whom FR 56 (j) invoked/ recommended group-wise (A/B/C) – 3

Number of employees retired prematurely under FR 56 (j) group-wise (A/B/C) – 4

(Surya Narayan Jha)

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source: NFIR

General – Elections from 96 – Putkura Assembly Constituency in the State Legislative Assembly of Odisha and 8 – Vellore Parliamentary Constituency of Tamil Nadu

General – Elections from 96 – Putkura Assembly Constituency in the State Legislative Assembly of Odisha and 8 – Vellore Parliamentary Constituency of Tamil Nadu

DoPT Orders 2019

F. No. 12/3/2016-JCA-2

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

(Department of Personnel & Training)

Establishment (JCA-2) Section

North Block, New Delhi

Dated the July 16 2019

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: General – Elections from 96 – Putkura Assembly Constituency in the State Legislative Assembly of Odisha and 8 – Vellore Parliamentary Constituency of Tamil Nadu – regarding

The undersigned is directed to state that, as informed by the Election Commission of India vide their letter No. 437/ 6/ ECI/ INST/ FUNCT/ MCC/ 2019/ 515 dated 04.07.2019, General Election from 96 – Putkura Assembly Constituency in the State Legislative Assembly of Odisha will be held on 20.07.2019 (Saturday) and Election to 8- Vellore Parliamentary Constituency of Tamil Nadu will be held on 05.08.2019 (Monday).

In this regard, the guidelines already issued by this Department vide OM No. 12/ 14/99- JCA dated 10.10.2001 would have to be followed for the Central Government Offices, including industrial establishments, in the concerned State.

The above instructions may please be brought to the notice of all concer ed.

Hindi version will follow.

(Juglal Singh)

Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Tel. 2309 2338

Source: DoPT

DoPT Orders 2019 – Procedure to be followed in cases of disagreement on Recruitment Rules

DoPT Orders 2019 – Procedure to be followed in cases of disagreement on Recruitment Rules

DoPT Orders 2019

No.AB- 14017/11/2019-Estt.(RR)(3147397)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel. P.G. & Pensions

Department of Personnel and Training

Estt(RR) Section

North Block, New Delhi

Dated: July, 2019

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Procedure to be followed in cases of disagreement on Recruitment Rules – regarding.

The undersigned is directed to state that as per extant instructions, the process of framing / amending of Recruitment Rules for a post involves consultation with DoPT, UPSC and thereafter vetting by the Legislative Department. As per established procedure, the Administrative Ministries / Departments frame service rules/recruitment rules or propose amendments thereof, based mainly on the model RRs or instructions issued by DoPT from time to time and refer them to DoP&T for concurrence. After the receipt of concurrence from DoPT, the Ministries/Departments refer proposals to UPSC for advice. After receipt of concurrence of UPSC. with the approval of Competent Authority, RRs are finally notified, after vetting by the legislative Department.

UPSC brought certain instances to the notice of this Department, where post the advice of Commission, RRs have been notified incorporating substantial changes in the recruitment rules / service rules (RRs/SRs). without obtaining the concurrence of the Commission, which is not in order. On consideration of the matter, it has been decided that if substantial changes are effected in the RRs after the receipt of advice of UPSC. the same shall be brought to the notice of UPSC by the administrative Ministry for obtaining their advice / concurrence on the same. Non-adherence to this procedure may result in the case being treated as a case of disagreement with the Commission, and therefore administrative Ministries have to take a conscious decision in this regard. Substantial changes referred here are those changes having a bearing on the principles of recruitment, viz., change in the method of recruitment, eligibility criteria etc and does not include vetting changes made by the Legislative Department, spelling or grammatical corrections.

In light of the foregoing, all Ministries/ Departments are requested to refer the proposals back to UPSC for concurrence in cases where administrative Ministry / Department, after the receipt of advice of the Commission, want to carry out any change/s in the draft RRs/SRs, which is / are substantial in nature. All Ministries/Departments are requested to adhere to these instructions.

(K Prakasham)

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Tel: 23094254

To
All Ministries / Departments

Source: DoPT

Promotion of Sports among Female Students

Promotion of Sports among Female Students

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

Promotion of Sports among Female Students

Posted On: 15 JUL 2019

Khelo India Scheme inter-alia provides for bridging gaps in sports infrastructure. Sports Authority of India (SAI) also implements the Schemes of National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC) and Extension Centres of SAI Training Centres (STC)/Special Area Games (SAG) Centres with the aim of promoting sports. These schemes are applicable for all, including girls schools and colleges. In financial year 2018-19 this Ministry spent Rs. 1297.39 crore for sports development details of which are as below:-

1.     Scheme: Development in sports Institutions Expenditure (Rs. in crore): 483.83
2.     Scheme: Encouragement and Awards to Sportsperson Expenditure (Rs. in crore): 312.32
3.     Scheme: Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports Expenditure (Rs. in crore): 501.24

“Sports” being a State subject the responsibility of development Sports, including among girls in schools and colleges across the country rests with the State / Union Territory (UT) Governments. Government of India supplements the efforts of State / UT Governments by providing financial assistance through National Sports Federations, training in Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centres and support under Khelo India Scheme.

This information was given by the Minister of State (I/C) Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

PIB

30,85,205 Persons Enrolled in Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan PM-SYM as on July 10, 2019

30,85,205 Persons Enrolled in Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan PM-SYM as on July 10, 2019

Ministry of Labour & Employment

Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan

30,85,205 Persons Enrolled in PM-SYM as on July 10, 2019

15 JUL 2019

Government of India in February 2019 launched the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM), a voluntary and contributory pension Scheme, for the benefit of unorganised workers, as per the eligibility. The scheme assures minimum monthly pension of Rs. 3000/- to the beneficiaries after attaining the age of 60 years. Under the Scheme, the subscriber is required to pay the prescribed monthly contribution amount and the Central Government provides the equal matching contribution. This scheme is implemented through Life Insurance Corporation of India. Enrolment under the Scheme was started with effect from 15-02-2019. As on date 10.07.2019, the total person enrolled under PM-SYM are 30,85,205.

This information was given by Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar Union Minister of State (I/C) for Labour and Employment in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

PIB

KVS: Safety and Security of Children in Kendriya Vidyalaya Schools

KVS: Safety and Security of Children in Kendriya Vidyalaya Schools

KVS

Safety and Security of Children in Kendriya Vidyalaya Schools

MEASURES TO PREVENT CHILDREN FROM DANGERS OF WATER AND DROWNING

Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) and Kendriya Vidyalay Sanghatan (KVS) in their guidelines have explained steps to be taken to avoid danger of children from drowning.

WELLS AND PONDS

I. The wells and ponds if exist in the campus are to be provided with protective wall and iron grills covering the well and the movements of the students should be restricted towards it.

RIVER, CANALS, PONDS AND RAILWAY TRACKS

II. Children should not be allowed to go towards the nearby river, canals, ponds and railway tracks and to take bath using water from the overhead tanks by climbing on the terrace.

Fencing should be provided to the steps of overhead tank to avoid children climbing over head tank.

III. Movements of children are to be strictly watched through formation of groups by school authorities.

IV. Children should not be permitted to go outside the School premises during the school hours.

SCHOOL CAMPUS STRICTLY ENFORCED

V. The presence of the students in the School campus at all times should be strictly enforced. Strict discipline and to check the unauthorized absence of the students from the School is to be given paramount importance.

VI. The root cause for such behavior of the child must be ascertained, parents should be informed accordingly and corrective steps should be taken.

VII. For certain ritual and functions which are observed in the school, necessary precautions and arrangements to be made in advance.

Children should not be permitted to go on rallies for immersion of idols in tanks, ponds and wells etc.

VIII. No procession should be allowed to move from school out of the campus in the eve of any religious celebrations.

SWIMMING POOL

IX. No swimming pool will be constructed without prior permission of competent authority.

X. If swimming pool is constructed in school premises, it must be constructed as per the prescribed norms of competent authority and should also be maintained as prescribed.

Source: KVS

Retention of Government Accommodation after retirement till the lifetime in cases related to medical and education of children?

Retention of Government Accommodation after retirement till the lifetime in cases related to medical and education of children?

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 902

ANSWERED ON: 27.06.2019

Retention of Government Accommodation

Upendra Singh Rawat
Kaushal Kishore
Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) Whether the Government has any proposal for retention of the Government accommodation by the Central Government servants after retirement, on payment of suitable rent, at least till the lifetime of the Central Government servant, especially in cases related to medical and education of children;

(b) If so, the details thereof; and

(c) If not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHANRGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

(a) No, Sir.

(b) Does not arise in view of reply to (a) above.

(c) As per Rule 40(1)(ii) of Central Government General Pool Residential Accommodation (CGGPRA) Rules, 2017, on retirement, a central Government employee who is an allottee of General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA), can retain Government Accommodation for six months on payment of normal license fee.

Source: Lok Sabha

Backlog reserved vacancies for SCs, STs and OBCs with ten Ministries and Departments

Backlog reserved vacancies for SCs, STs and OBCs with ten Ministries and Departments

Reservation in Central Govt Services

“Backlog reserved vacancies for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) with ten Ministries/ Departments”

Vacant posts of reserved category candidates are not centrally maintained, as the recruitment process is carried out by the respective cadre controlling authorities through concerned recruitment agencies.

However, Department of Personnel and Training monitors the progress in respect of filling up of backlog reserved vacancies for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) with ten Ministries/ Departments, having more than 90% of the employees in Central Government.

As per information provided by the ten Ministries/Departments which includes their Public Sector Banks/Financial Institutions, Central Public Sector Undertakings etc., out of 92589 backlog reserved vacancies (29198 for SCs, 22829 for STs and 40562 for OBCs), 63876 backlog reserved vacancies (20975 for SCs, 15874 for STs and 27027 for OBCs) were filled up during the period from 01.04.2012 to 31.12.2016 and 28,713 backlog reserved vacancies (8223 for SCs, 6955 for STs and 13535 for OBCs) remained unfilled as on 01.01.2017.

Out of these ten Ministries/Departments, five Ministries/Departments have further informed that out of 21499 backlog reserved vacancies (7532 for SCs, 6887 for STs and 7080 for OBCs), 12334 backlog reserved vacancies (4514 for SCs, 3595 for STs and 4225 for OBCs) were filled up as on 31.12.2017 and 9165 backlog reserved vacancies (3018 for SCs, 3292 for STs and 2855 for OBCs) remained unfilled as on 01.01.2018.

Filling up of vacancies, including backlog reserved vacancies, is a continuous process.

However, Department of Personnel and Training has already issued instructions to all Ministries/Departments to constitute an in-house Committee to identify backlog reserved vacancies, study of the root cause of backlog reserved vacancies, initiation of measures to remove such factors and to fill up such vacancies through Special Recruitment Drive.

The persons belonging to Economically Weaker Sections (EWSs), who are not covered under the scheme of reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs have been given 10% reservation in direct recruitment in civil posts and services in the Government of India.

Every Government establishment shall recast group-wise posts-based reservation roster register for direct recruitment in accordance with the format given in Office Memorandum No. 36039/1/2019-Estt.(Res) dated 31.01.2019, issued by the Department of Personnel and Training for affecting 10% reservation for EWSs.

While fixing the roster points, if the EWS roster point coincides with the roster points of SCs/STs/OBCs, the next available UR (Unreserved) roster point has been allotted to the EWS.

The above information  given as a written reply to a question in parliament on 10.7.2019 by the Minister of State for Dopt Dr. Jitendra Singh.