Thursday, 26 March 2020

Ordnance Factory Board earmarks 285 beds for COVID-19 isolation wards


Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Defence

25-March, 2020

Ordnance Factory Board earmarks 285 beds for COVID-19 isolation wards

Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) has designated 285 beds for isolation wards in handling Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases. Forty beds have been earmarked in hospitals at Vehicle Factory Jabalpur, thirty beds each at Metal and Steel Factory Ishapore, Gun and Shell Factory Cossipore, Ammunition Factory Khadki, Ordnance Factory Kanpur, Ordnance Factory Khamaria, Ordnance Factory Ambajhari, 25 beds at Ordnance Factory Ambernath and twenty beds each at Heavy Vehicle Factory Avadi and Ordnance Factory Medak.

Functioning of Central Govt Office – Operation to prevent the COVID-19

Setting up of Isolation ward and corresponding number of beds in OFB hospitals. This has been done by Chairman OFB as per Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) instructions in the Cabinet Secretary’s meeting yesterday. The OFB is also trying to produce personal protection equipment and face masks as per pilot order quantity placed by HLL Lifecare Limited (HLL), a PSU under MoHFW.

Source: PIB

Functioning of Government Expenditure System during the operation of preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19


Payment and Accounts Offices and other payment offices shall remain open throughout working hours. The absence of staff shall not be a cause for any delay or inability of the payment and accounting systems to work.


Functioning of Central Govt Office - Operation to prevent 

the COVID-19

F.No.23 (4)/E.Coord/2020
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi
Dated : 23.03.2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Functioning of Government Expenditure System during the operation of preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Attention is invited to DOPT OM No 11013/9/2014-Estt- (A-III) Dated 22.03.2020 regarding preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID- 19.

2. In the present situation, the smooth and normal functioning of the Government Expenditure System is critical to safeguard the public interest. Therefore, the expenditure functions of Government in general and the Integrated Finance Divisions (IFD) of Ministries /Departments and Office of Controller General of Accounts (CGA) in particular, are essential services. Indeed, in certain sectors, the expenditure system may have to function more quickly than normal to cope with the emerging needs.

Contractual staff of Ministries / Departments and other organizations of Government of India, treated as on duty COVID-19
3. Accordingly the following clarifications, with specific reference to IFDs & CGA, are issued.
  • Absence of staff shall not be a reason for any delay or non-functioning of the payment and accounting systems.
  • Pay and Accounts Offices and other offices dealing with payments shall remain open during working hours.
  • Financial Advisors and field offices of the CGA (Pr. CCA, CCA, CA, PAO etc) shall attend office as per normal schedule to ensure coordination and supervision and shall issue suitable instructions for the presence of others as necessary to achieve these objectives.
  • The above shall be kept in view by Financial Advisers and the Office of CGA when drawing up the roster, etc as prescribed in the OM referred to above
(Annie G. Mathew)
Additional Secretary to Government of India


DoE

Payment of wages to outsourced persons of Ministries / Departments and other organizations of Government of India during lockdown period due to COVID-19


Contractual staff of Ministries / Departments and other 

organizations of Government of India, treated as on duty - COVID-19
In view of the lockdown order relating to COVID-19 prevention, as stated by various States / UT Governments, contract workers are expected to remain at home, they shall be considered as "on duty" during such absence time and the requisite pay / wages shall be paid accordingly.
F.No.23(4)/E.Coord/ 2020/1
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 23.03.2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Payment of wages to outsourced persons of Ministries / Departments and other organizations of Government of India during lockdown period due to COVID-19

As part of social distancing and isolation measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country, various State / UT Governments have announced lockdown at different places. Instructions have been separately issued by DOP&T regarding maintenance of essential services in Ministries / Departments.

2. Due to these measures, there is a likelihood of a number of contractual, casual and outsourced staff such as house-keeping staff etc. being required to stay at home, which under normal circumstances would result in deduction in their pay /wages. In order to avoid any undue hardships under the prevailing extraordinary circumstances, it has been decided that wherever any such contractual, casual and outsourced staff of Ministries / Departments and other organizations of Government of India, is required to stay at home in view of lockdown order regarding COVID- 19 prevention, as announced by various States/ UT Governments, they shall be treated as “on duty” during such period of absence and necessary pay / wages would be paid accordingly.

Also check: Preventive measures to be taken to contain the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) DoPT Order

3. These instructions shall also apply to Attached/ Subordinate Offices, Autonomous /Statutory Bodies of Government of India.

4. These instructions shall apply till 30th April, 2020.

(Annie G. Mathew)
Additional Secretary to Government of India

Source: DoE

EPFO issues Directions for timely credit of monthly Pension to EPS Pensioners


The current condition does not cause the pensioners any inconvenience EPFO to generate and reconcile details of pensioners and statement of pension amounts by 25 March 2020 for the current month.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
EPFO issues Directions for timely credit of monthly Pension to EPS Pensioners

23 MAR 2020

EPFO is disbursing monthly pension to more than 65 Lakh pensioners every month under the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995.

Also check: Relaxation in CCS Leave rules 1972 for central government employees - COVID19 - Latest DoPT Orders 2020

Due to the corona virus pandemic, lock down has been declared in various parts of the country. In order to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to the pensioners on account of the prevalent situation, Central Provident Fund Commissioner has directed the field offices of EPFO to generate and reconcile pensioners’ details and pension amount statements for the current month by 25th March, 2020. He further directed that the same should be forwarded to the banks in advance so that the monthly pension is credited into the account of the pensioners in time i.e. during the month of March itself.

COVID 19
PIB

Monday, 23 March 2020

Preventive measures to be taken to contain the spread of COVID19 by the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)

Latest DoPT Orders 2020

DPE- No. 10037/2014-GM-FTS-1867
Government of India
Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises
Department of Public Enterprises
Public Enterprises Bhawan

Block no. 14, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003.
Dated 22nd March, 2020

Office Memorandum

Subject: Preventive measures to be taken to contain the spread of COVID19 by the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).

Read: Relaxation in CCS Leave rules 1972 for central government employees - COVID19 - Latest DoPT Orders 2020

In view of Department of Personnel & Training OM No. 11013/9/2014-Estt-(A-III) dated 22.03.2020, on the above-mentioned subject, the following further directions are issued:
2 All administrative Ministries /Departments concerned with the CPSEs are requested to advise their respective CPSEs suitably in this regard and obtain a compliance report from them.
  • Heads of CPSEs may draw up a Roster of Staff (all officers and employees, including executives, non- executives, consultants, contractual and outsourced employees) who are required to render essential services within each CPSE (Keeping in view the work /production exigencies). They alone may be asked to attend the Office/ Unit from 23rd March until 31st March, 2020.

    Also check: Preventive measures to be taken to contain the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – DoPT Order

    In other words, the CPSEs should function with skeletal staff. The officials who are working from home should be available on telephone and electronic means of communication at all times. They should attend office if called for, in case of any exigencies of work.
  • These instructions shall not apply to the Officers and employees engaged in essential/emergency services and those directly engaged in taking measures to control spread of COVID 19.
  • These instructions shall be applicable with immediate effect.
sd/-
(Pavanesh Kr Sharma)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Relaxation in CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 - Preventive measures to achieve ‘social distancing’ to contain the spread of COVID19

Latest central government employees news today

Relaxation of Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, it has now been decided with the approval of competent authority to grant Commuted Leave without production of medical certificate to those officials who are above 50 years of age and have underlying conditions

Latest DoPT Orders 2020

F.No.11013/9/2014 - Estt (A-III)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi-110001
Dated the 20th March, 2020

Office Memorandum

Sub: Preventive measures to achieve ‘social distancing’ to contain the spread of COVID19 - Relaxation in CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 regarding.

Read: Preventive measures to be taken to contain the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) - DoPT Order

The undersigned is directed to state that the leave sanctioning authorities were advised vide O.M. of even number dated 17th March, 2020 to sanction leave who wish to self-quarantine, as a preventive measure. In this regard, in relaxation of Central Civil Services CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972, it has now been decided with the approval of competent authority to grant Commuted Leave without production of medical certificate to those officials who are above 50 years of age and have underlying conditions i.e. Diabetes, Respiratory problems, Renal diseases and other life-threatening illness, for a period upto 4th April, 2020, so as to avoid unnecessary burden on the health care system.

Also check: Latest DoPT Order - Preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID19 for all Central Government Employees

These instructions shall be applicable to Ministries / Departments / attached and subordinate offices of Central Government. Similar instructions may be issued to Autonomous / Statutory Bodies.

sd/-
(Umesh Kumar Bhatia)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Thursday, 19 March 2020

Latest DoPT Order - Preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID19 for all Central Government Employees


Latest DoPT Order - Preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID19 for all Central Government Employees
Latest DoPT Order - Preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID19 for all Central Government Employees


Latest DoPT Orders 2020

No. 11013/9/2014-Estt (A-III)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi-110001
Dated the 19th March, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID19.

In continuation of this Department OM of even no. dated 17th March, 2020 (Copy Enclosed), the following further instructions are issued:

DoPT Preventive measures to be taken to contain the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

(i) Heads of Department (HoDs) may ensure that 50 per cent of Group B and C employees are required to attend office every day, and the remaining 50 per cent staff should be instructed to work from home. All HoDs are advised to draft a weekly roster of duty for Group B and C staff and ask them to attend office on alternate weeks. While deciding the roster for 'the first week, HoDs are advised to include officials who are residing in close proximity to their office or use their own transport to travel to the offices.

(ii) Further, the working hours for all employees who attend office on a particular day should be staggered. It is suggested that three groups of employees may be formed and asked to attend office as per the following timings:-

(a) 9 AM to 5.30 PM
(b) 9.30 AM to 6 PM
(c) 10 AM to 6.30 PM


(iii) The officials who are working from home on a particular day as per the roster drawn up should be available on telephone and electronic means of communication at all times. They should attend office, if called for any exigency of work.
(iv) Similar instructions may be issued to Attached/Subordinate Offices, Autonomous/Statutory Bodies.

Exemption to employees to mark biometric attendance in Aadhar Based Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) March 6, 2020

(v) The Department of Financial Services (DFS) and Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) may issue similar instructions regarding Financial Institutions and Public Sector Undertakings.

(vi) These instructions shall not apply to the offices and employees engaged in essential / emergency services and those directly engaged in taking measures to control spread of COVID-19.

(vii) These orders shall be applicable with immediate effect and will remain in force till 4th April, 2020.

(Sujata Chaturvedi)
Additional Secretary to the Government of India

To
  1. All the Ministries/Departments of the Government of India
  2. PMO / Cabinet Secretariat
  3. PS to MoS (PP)
  4. P50 to Secretary(Personnel)
  5. Sr. Technical Director, NIC, DoPT
Source: DoPT

Closing of Central Government offices across the country till 31.03.2020 to stop spreading COVID-19 virus

The Confederation of Gazetted Officers writes to PM Modi for the closure of central government offices to avoid spreading coronavirus

Closing of Central Government offices across the country till 31.03.2020 to stop spreading COVID-19 virus
Closing of Central Government offices across the country till 31.03.2020 to stop spreading COVID-19 virus


The Confederation of Central Government Gazetted Officers Organizations has sent a proposal to the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, to consider the possibility of closing Central Government offices in the country by 31.03.2020 or any other date as deemed appropriate to avoid spreading Coronavirus.

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
GAZETTED OFFICERS’ ORGANISATIONS

No. CCGGOO/2019-20/

Dated: 18-03-2020

To
The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India,
New Delhi.

Respected Sir,

Sub: Preventive measures for containment of the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) - matter regarding

Kindly refer to the above.

Since the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus in China and subsequently around the world including India, Government of India and the State Governments have issued several advisories, initiated many preventive measures and imposed restrictions, closures invoking certain acts to contain the spread of Novel Coronavirus in India. Personal hygiene including adoption of certain practices, social distancing and quarantine or isolation in suitable cases are appeared to be the key for containment of the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The entire country is fighting this battle unitedly under your able leadership and guidance, when, in your words, the way ahead lies in collaboration, not confusion, and in preparation, not panic, and we will definitely win this battle too.

DoPT Preventive measures to be taken to contain the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

As a guiding measure, DoPT has also issued a detailed advisory for the Central Government offices. In many Central Government Departments, administrations are definitely trying their best to extend all possible support to the employees as per Government guidelines, but several Central Government offices across the country are still lagging in this regard. However, such efforts will only partially address the huge risk posing to the employees.

Being the workers in public office, it is not possible for the Central Government employees to maintain social distancing while in office. Most importantly, more than 98% of the employees have to commute to office using public transport at a time when the Government advisories are suggesting to avoid public transport as far as possible.Despite certain measures being taken in office, our employees thus remain vulnerable to infection due to commuting in public transport to attend office and other unavoidable interaction in office.

Considering this aspect, educational institutions, theatres, malls and several other places have been directed for closure in most of the states till a certain period to minimize commutation in public transport and ensure social distancing. For the same reason, several organizations/ companies have directed their employees to work from home.

As we are probably entering into the most crucial phase (observing the pattern in other affected countries), when there is a chance of exponential increase of infected persons, it is requested to your good self to kindly consider the option of closing Central Government offices (excluding those providing essential services and/or engaged in the country’s present fight against the disease outbreak by any means) across the country till 31.03.2020 or any other date, as deem fit. We believe that it will be an appropriate step in the greater public interest including ensuring safety and well being of the Central Government employees.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,
Sd/-
(BHASKAR BHATTACHARYA)
Secretary General

Merger of DA with the Basic Pay w.e.f. 01/04/2004 - Computation of emoluments of Running Staff for granting retirement benefits

Merger of DA with the Basic Pay w.e.f. 01/04/2004
Merger of DA with the Basic Pay w.e.f. 01/04/2004

NFIR

Merger of Dearness Allowance with the Basic Pay w.e.f. April 1, 2004

No.IV/RSAC/2020

Dated: 11/03/2020

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Merger of Dearness Allowance with the Basic Pay w.e.f. 01/04/2004 - Computation of emoluments of Running Staff for granting retirement benefits -reg.

Ref: (i) NFIR’s PNM Item No. 23/2017.
(ii) GM/N. Rly’s letter No. 720/ EW/Misc/ Union-Items/2015/E.IV/ Loose dated 16/11/2015.
(iii) Railway Board’s letter No. E(P&A)II-2014/RS-24 dated 24/08/2016 addressed to General Manager (P), Northern Railway.
(iv) NFIR’s letter No. IV/RSAC/ Conf/Part VII dated 05/09/2016.
(v) Railway Board’s letters No. E(P&A)II-2014/ RS-24 dated 22/07/2016, 04/10/2016 & 17/10/2016.
(vi) NFIR’s letter No. IV/RSAC/ 2018 dated 16/08/2019.

Federation invites kind attention of the Railway Board to the minutes of special meeting held between NFIR representatives and EDPC-I, Railway Board on 04/06/2019 relating to PNM Agenda Item No. 23/2017. When Federation explained the case and urged that the instructions issued by Northern Railway vide letter dated 16/01/2015 to its Divisions be restored and accordingly conveyed to Zonal Railways, the Official Side agreed to consider and take action for issuing clarificatory instructions. But however, there has been no positive action despite several months.passed.

This subject has again been discussed by NFIR with EDPC-I on 27/01/2020 and with EDFE on 05/02/2020 who agreed to issue clarification to the General Manager, Northern Railway for restoration and implementation of earlier instructions dated 16/11/2015. Though more than a month has passed, the clarification has not been issued yet, while the PNM item is pending since over 2 and 1/2 years.

Also check: Merger of Dearness Allowance equal to 50% of basic pay w.e.f. 01/04/2004 - Reckoning as pay for running staff

NFIR, once again requests the Railway Board to kindly issue clarification to the General Manager, Northern Railway for restoration of his instructions dated 16/11/2015, duly endorsing copy to the Zonal Railways and to the Federation.

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

Source: NFIR

Online submission of APARs by officers of MoD for the Assessment Year 2019-20

Online submission of APARs in r/o all belonging to CSS / CSSS and other cadres is mandatory as per DoPT guidelines.
URGENT / TIME BOUND

Subject: Online submission of APARs by officers of MoD for the Assessment Year 2019-20
Online submission of APARs by officers of MoD for the Assessment Year 2019-20


Online submission of APARs in r/o all belonging to CSS / CSSS and other cadres is mandatory as per DoPT guidelines.

Also check: DoPT: Online generation and recording of Annual Performance Assessment Report (APAR)

2. The addressee officers are requested to furnish details of Reporting / Reviewing Officers for the year 2019-2020 for creation of their APAR workflow in SPARROW system. In case an officer is required to submit more than one APAR for the year 2019-20, the details of periods of annexed proforma.

3. The information sought above may please be forwarded within a week to enable this section to ensure timely generation of APARs in r/o the officers concerned and forwarding the same to them.

Also read: DoPT: Introduction of SPARROW across al the cadres of CSS/CSSS/CSCS for the reporting year 2018-19

4. This may please be accorded High Priority.

Encl: as above

(Ajay Kumar Gaur)
Under Secretary to the Government of India.

Source: MoD

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