AICPIN for the month of February 2020

AICPIN February 2020 = 328

According to the Labor Bureau's press release, the All India Consumer Price Index (AICPIN) for the month of February 2020 has been reduced by two points and stood at 328

Expected DA 2020

No.5/1/2020-CPI
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT
LABOUR BUREAU

'CLEREMONT', SHIMLA - 171004
DATED: 31st March, 2020

Press Release

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) - February, 2020

The All–India CPI-IW for February, 2020 decreased by two points and stood at 328 (three hundred and twenty eight). On 1-month percentage change, it went down by (-) 0.61 per cent between January,2020 and February, 2020 whereas no change was observed between corresponding months of previous year.

The maximum downward pressure to the change in current index came from Food group contributing (-) 2.67 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Arhar Dal, Eggs-Hen, Fish Fresh, Poultry Chicken, Onion, Brinjal, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Cucumber, French Bean, Gourd, Palak, Peas, Potato, Radish, Tomato, Petrol, Toilet Soap, etc. are responsible for the decrease in index. However, this decrease was checked by Rice, Wheat Atta, Goundnut Oil, Goat Meat, Milk-Buffalo, Cooking Gas, etc., putting upward pressure on the index.

Year-on-year inflation based on all-items stood at 6.84 per cent for February, 2020 as compared to 7.49 per cent for the previous month and 6.97 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, Food inflation stood at 8.33 per cent against 10.61 per cent of the previous month and 2.63 per cent during the corresponding month an year ago.

At centre level, Munger-Jamalpur recorded the maximum decrease of 8 points followed by Giridih (7 points) and Tiruchirapally, Tripura and Surat (6 points each). Among others, 5 points decrease was observed in 11 centres, 4 points in 5 centres, 3 points in 18 centres, 2 points in 21 centres and 1 point in 12 centres. On the contrary, Bhavnagar recorded a maximum increase of 4 points. Rest of 5 centres indices remained stationary.

The indices of 34 centres are above All-India Index and 44 centres’ indices are below national average.

The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of March, 2020 will be released on Thursday 30th April, 2020. The same will also be available on the office website www. labourbureaunew.gov. in.

(Amirtlal Jangid)
Deputy Director

Complete Table of AICPIN 2019

Year / Month	AICPIN
January 2019	307
February 2019	307
March 2019	309
April 2019	312
May 2019	314
June 2019	316
July 2019	319
August 2019	320
September 19	322
October 2019	325
November 2019	328
December 2019	330

Retirement of Government Servants on 31st March, 2020

Latest DoPT Orders 2020

 Central government employees who reach the age of retirement on 31 March 2020 under or under Fundamental Rule 56 and who are due to retirement. On 31 March 2020, they shall retire from the Central Government workforce, regardless of whether they working from home or working from office.

F No.33/12/73 Estt-A
Government of India
Department of Personnel and Training
(Establishment A-Ill Desk)

North Block. New Delhi
Dated the 31st March. 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Retirement of Government Servants on 31st March, 2020 - clarification

In view of the unprecedented situation arising out of country-wide lock down declared by the Government consequent to we outbreak COVID-19, it is clarified that the central Government employees who are attaining the age of superannuation on 31st March, 2020 in terms or Fundamental Rule 56 and due to retire. shall retire from Central Government service on 31st March, 2020, irrespective of whether they are working from home or working from office.

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

Source: DoPT

Counting of the limitation period for the diverse purposes under CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965, CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972

Latest DoPT Orders 2020

Nevertheless, after the Lockdown has been removed, if the time left to complete the assignment is less than 15 days, the processes should be completed within 15 days

F.No.11012/09/2016 – Estt.A-III
Government of India
Department of Personnel and Training
(Establishment A-III Desk)

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 30th March, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject - Counting of the limitation period for the diverse purposes under CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965, CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972- reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to Central Civil Services (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 1965 [CCS(CCA) Rules, 1965] and Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 [CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972] and the instructions issued under these Rules wherein certain time-limes have been prescribed for various activities/ events/ procedures relating to procedures under the said Rules. For instance, in the said Rules/instructions, time limits have been prescribed for the following : –

• Review of order of suspension before its expiry date [Rule 10(6) of CCS(CCA) Rules,1965]
• Submission of written statement of defence on the charge-sheet by the charged officer [Sub Rule 4 in Rule 14 of CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965]
• issuance of charge-sheet once a decision is taken by the Disciplinary Authority to initiate Disciplinary proceedings. [DoP&T’s O.M. No. 425/04/2012-AVD-N(A) dated 29.11.2012],
• completion of Inquiry and submission of report by the Inquiring Authority [Sub rule (24) in Rule 14 of CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965]
• disciplinary proceedings initiated against a Pensioner shall not be in respect of an event which took place four years before such initiation.[Rule 9 of CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972]
• Acceptance of notice of VRS under Rule 48A of CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972 (The list is only illustrative and not exhaustive)

2. Consequent upon the outbreak of COVID-19, and considering the unprecedented situation of the Lockdown w.e.f. 24th March 2020, it may not be feasible to adhere to the timelines prescribed in the said Rules and to the instructions issued under the Rules. It has accordingly been decided not to count the period of the Lockdown for the purposes of adherence to the prescribed timelines, including those listed above. For example, if the due date for completing a process/ work/ event at the start of the Lockdown falls after 20 days, then the due date will get postponed by the number of Lockdown days and the same number (20) of days will be available to complete the work after the Lockdown is lifted.
3. However, after the Lockdown is lifted, if the time left to complete the task is less than 15 days, then the processes may be allowed to be completed within 15 days.

In addition, timelines may have been prescribed for receipt of applications for direct recruitment, deputation, etc. Where the last date of receipt of application for direct recruitment, deputation etc. falls within the period of the Lockdown, the last date shall be extended by the number of days of the Lockdown. Similarly, the time limits prescribed in the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964, for various purposes shall also be extended by the number of days of the Lockdown.

These instructions are applicable only in such cases where there is an intervening Lockdown period and it will not be applicable otherwise.

(Sujata Chaturvedi)
Additional Secretary to the Government of India

Source: DoPT

Indian Railways getting ready to provide medical support to National efforts in fighting COVID 19 in a big way

Ministry of Railways

• Indian Railways getting ready to provide medical support to National efforts in fighting COVID 19 in a big way

• Coaches being modified as Isolation coaches to be available for contingency; 5000 coaches being planned initially

• More than 6500 hospital beds of Railways to be made available as prescribed medical specifications

• Railways to supplement the efforts of Government in tackling COVID-19

MAR 2020

In In order to prevent the spread of COVID 19, Indian Railways is making an all out effort to supplement the health care efforts of Government of India. The spectrum of steps include modification of passenger coaches as isolation coaches, equipping the existing Railway Hospitals to meet the COVID needs, earmarking of hospital beds to meet the contingencies, recruitment of additional doctors & paramedics etc.

All these facilities will be made available as mandated by the Government of India to those in need.The preparations are being done across all the zones under the supervision GMs and Medical professionals of Indian Railways.

Indian Railways is planning to initially modify 5000 passenger coaches to meet the requirement of any possible exigency of keeping some corona patients in isolation as and when required by Government. These coaches would be equipped with basic facilities needed for isolation as per medical guidelines. In case need be, more coaches can be modified. Coaches are also going to be equipped with mosquito nets,charging points for mobiles & laptop, space for paramedics etc. These coaches would be prepared zone wise.

Railways has 125 hospitals in India and of that more than 70 are being planned to be kept ready to be for any contingency as and when required. Efforts are being made to designate dedicated COVID wards or floors in these hospitals. Approximately 6500 hospital beds are being made ready to meet the possible needs of patients.

Indian Railways has already given a go ahead to Zonal heads to explore the possibility of hiring doctors and paramedics from the market and also to re-employ retired railway doctors as a temporary measure to meet the increased requirement of medical supervision and assist the authorities in charge of COVID 19 control management in the region.

It may be noted that these efforts of Indian Railways have been mounted not only to supplement the efforts of the Government of India but also to contribute to the national efforts to fight the Corana Virus.

PIB

Reimbursement of OPD Medicines Special Sanction in view of COVID-19

Reimbursement of OPD Medicines Special Sanction in view of COVID-19

Z 15025/12/2020/ DIR/CGHS
Government of India
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Directorate General of CGHS

Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated the 27th March, 2020.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Reimbursement of OPD Medicines Special Sanction in view of COVID-19

In view of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) , all out efforts are made by the Government to contain its impact by instituting measures at community as well as at individual level.

Guidelines for maintaining social distancing between individuals have already been issued by the Government. In the spirit of above guidelines the undersigned is directed to state that CGHS beneficiaries getting medicines for chronic diseases may purchase medicines based on the prescription held (prescribed by CGHS Medical Officers / CGHS Specialists /other Govt. Specialists/ Specialist of empanelled hospital) till 30th April 2020 irrespective of Non-Availability certificate from CGHS or otherwise . The idea behind the measures is that CGHS beneficiaries need not visit CGHS Wellness Centres to collect medicines till 30th April 2020.

The medical claim shall be submitted to CGHS by pensioners, ex-MPs etc., through CGHS Wellness Centre , where the card is registered , to concerned Ministry /Department in case of serving employees , to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat / Lok Sabha Secretariat ,as the case may be in respect of Hon’ble Members of Parliament and to the concerned Autonomous Body in case beneficiaries of Autonomous Bodies.

These orders shall come into force with immediate effect.

(Dr. Sanjay Jain)
Director, CGHS

DR to Rajasthan Government Pensioners with effect from July 1,2019

DR to Rajasthan Government Pensioners with effect from July 1,2019

GOVERNMENT OF RAJASTHAN
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
(RULES DIVISION)

No.F.12(8)FD(Rules)/2017

Jaipur, dated : 27th Mar,2020

ORDER

Subject: Grant of Dearness Relief to State Government Pensioners.

The Governor is pleased to order that the existing rate of Dearness Relief sanctioned vide Finance Department Order of even number dated 22-02-2019 to the State Government Pensioners who are in receipt of superannuation, retiring, invalid, compensation, family and extraordinary pension etc. shall be revised from 12% to 17% with effect from 01-07-2019.

For the purpose of this order -

(i) Pension / Family Pension in the case of pre-01-01-2016 retirees and where Family Pension was sanctioned prior to 01-01-2016, means the Revised Pension or Revised Family Pension, as the case may be, effective from 01-01-2016 in terms of Finance Department Memorandum No.F.12(6)FD(Rules)/ 2017 dated 30-10-2017 as amended vide Order No.F.12(6)FD(Rules)/ 2017 dated 09-12-2017 and F.12(6)FD(Rules) 2017 Pt.-I dated 06-06-2018.

(ii) In the case of pensioners who retire from service on or after 01-01-2017 or where family pension is sanctioned for the first time on or after 01-01-2017, Pension/Family Pension means the Basic Pension / Basic Family Pension, as the case may be, in terms of Finance Department Notification No.F.12(6)FD (Rules)1 2017 dated 30-10-2017 as amended vide Order No.F.12(6)FD (Rules)1 2017 dated 09-12-2017.

(iii) Dearness Relief will also be admissible on the additional quantum of pension / family pension allowed to the pensioners who have attained the age of 80 years and above.
(iv) Payment of Dearness Relief involving a fraction of a rupee shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee.

(v) Other provisions governing grant of dearness relief to pensioners’ such as regulation of dearness relief during employment/ re-employment, regulation of dearness relief where more than one pension is drawn etc., will remain unchanged.

(vi) This order shall also be applicable in case of Pensioners/Family Pensioners who are in receipt of provisional pension.

(vii) This order shall not be applicable in case of Old Age Pensions, Political Pensions or any other kind of similar pensions, which are not related to the service rendered under Government.

(viii) Dearness Relief at revised rates as above would also be admissible to pensioners who retired/retire from service of Panchayat Samiti or Zila Parishad and whose Pension Payment Orders have been issued by the Director, Local Fund Audit Department or director, Pension and Pensioners Welfare Department, Rajasthan, Jaipur.

(ix) The payment of arrears of Dearness Relief from 1-7-2019 to 29-02-2020 shall be paid in April,2020 and cash payment shall be admissible from 1-3-2020 i.e. pension for the month of March,2020 payable on 01-04- 2020.

By order of the Governor,

(Hemant Kumar Gera)
Secretary, Finance (Budget)

DA to Rajasthan State Government employees with effect from July 1,2019

DA to Rajasthan State Government employees with effect from July 1,2019

GOVERNMENT OF RAJASTHAN
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
(RULES DIVISION)

No.F.6(3) FD (Rules)/2017

Jaipur, dated: 27 Mar,2020

 

ORDER

Sub: Grant of Dearness Allowance to State Government employees.

The Governor is pleased to order that the existing rate of Dearness Allowance payable to the State Government employees, drawing pay in the Rajasthan Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2017, under Finance Department Order of even number dated 22-02-2019 shall be revised from 12% to 17% with effect from 01-07- 2019.

Also check: Cabinet approves release of an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief due from Jan 2020 for Central Government Employees

2. The term 'Pay' for the purpose of calculation of Dearness Allowance shall be the Basic Pay i.e. pay drawn in the Pay Matrix of the prescribed Levels and shall not include any other type(s) of pay like Special Pay or Personal Pay etc.

3. The payment on account of Dearness Allowance involving fraction of 50 paisa and above may be rounded off to the next higher rupee and the fraction of less than 50 paisa may be ignored.

4. The amount of increase in Dearness Allowance for the period from 01-07-2019 to 29-02-2020 shall be credited to the General Provident Fund Account of the respective employees in April, 2020 and cash payment shall be admissible from 1-3-2020 i.e. salary for the month of March, 2020 payable on 1-4-2020.

5. The arrear of DA from 01-07-2019 to 29-02-2020 to the employees recruited to the Civil Services on or after 01-01-2004 and who are governed by Contributory Pension Scheme, shall be paid in April 2020 and cash payment shall be admissible from 1-3-2020 i.e. salary for the month of March, 2020 payable on 1-4-2020.

By order of the Governor,

(Hemant Kumar Gera)
Secretary, Finance (Budget)

CPFC Directs to Ensure Credit of Pension to EPS Pensioners by 30th March

Ministry of Labour & Employment
CPFC Directs to Ensure Credit of Pension to EPS Pensioners by 30th March

26 MAR 2020

EPFO makes payment of pension to 65 lakh pensioners every month under the Employees pension Scheme, 1995.

Central Provident Fund Commissioner (CPFC) had directed to process pension payments in all 135 offices of EPFO in advance so that no inconvenience is caused to pensioners on account of nationwide lock down for containing Covid-19 outbreak.

EPFO officers and staff worked with dedication under most difficult circumstances but completed the processing of pension payments in all 135 offices and provided pensioner wise pension payment details for 65 lakh pensioners alongwith requisite cheques to all pension disbursing banks. Link nodal branches of all pension disbursing banks throughout India have been directed to ensure credit of pension in the accounts of pensioners by 30th March, 2020. Thus timely credit of pension at this hour of need has been ensured by all 135 field offices. EPFO is committed to serve its pensioners at all times.

PIB

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.

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