7th Pay Commission: Transport Allowance not to be hiked

7th Pay Commission: Transport Allowance not to be hiked

New Delhi: The Transport Allowance for central government employees will not be hiked and remain the same as 6th Pay Commission recommendations including Dearness Allowance(DA).

The Finance Ministry today informed about the report of the 'Committee on Allowances', headed by Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa and said no hike in Transport Allowance (TPTA) for central government employees in its report. The committee accepted the 7th Pay Commission recommendation in this regard, which was announced earlier.

The Pay Commission has revised the Transport allowance (TPTA), which is given below:

 The existing Transport allowance table for A1/A cities and other places is under:

The Pay Commission made report, assuming that the rate of Dearness Allowance 125 percent at the time of implementation of the pay commission recommendation, i.e. on January 1 next year.

Accordingly, the employees will not get any hike in Transport allowance on the time of implementation of the pay commission recommendation as the existing Transport allowance figure automatically reached the Pay Commission revised Transport allowance figure after adding 125 percent DA.

"In partial modification, the committee has further decided that the current HRA slab, which is 30 per cent of basic pay, for metros would continue," according to the sources.

However, the pay commission had recommended reducing the house rent allowance (HRA) to 24 per cent of basic pay as against the 30 per cent of basic pay employees were drawing under the Sixth Pay Commission.

The government has given higher basic pay with arrears, effective from January 1, 2016 in August 2016 to its employees on the recommendations of the 7th pay commission but referred hike in allowances to the Committee on Allowances.

Usually, once the recommendations of the pay commission are approved, the increase in basic pay is followed by an increase in allowances.

The hike in allowances, most probably to implement from the month of April and the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley may announce it after ending the model code of conduct on March 8.

DoPT Orders: Bunching of stages in the Revised pay structure in the grade of Assistant Section Officers

DoPT Orders: Bunching of stages in the Revised pay structure in the grade of Assistant Section Officers

F.No.7/1/2017-CS-1(A)(Pt.)
Government of India
Department of Personnel & Training

2nd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan
Khan Market, New Delhi-3
Dated 27.02.17

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Bunching of stages in the Revised pay structure in the grade of Assistant Section Officers - Reg.

DoP&T has been receiving many references from various Ministries/ Departments seeking clarification on the issue of grant of bunching to Assistant Section Officers of Central Secretariat Service in terms of Department of Expenditure's O.M. dated 07.09.16.

It has also been noticed that there have been divergent views on the matter that while some Ministries/ Departments have given the benefit on their own, some other Ministries/ Departments have sought clarifications on various issues they are facing while giving the benefit of bunching in terms of DoE's O.M. dated 07.09.16.

3. The matter has been taken up for further clarifications with Establishment Division/ Department of Expenditure briefly on the following issues:

i. While the Seventh Pay Commission had not prescribed different modes of pay fixation for Direct Recruit (DR) and Promotee ASOs, there have been two different modes of pay fixation for DR and Promotees prior to implementation of Seventh pay Commission. Due to differential methods of pay fixation, required differential of 3% is not calculable based on seniority alone as the other relevant facts of being DR/ Promotee comes into play here.

ii) The manner of different pay fixation for DR ASO and promotee Assistants has been challenged in various court cases (viz. OA No.2147/2015, OA No. 150/2016, OA No. 1015/2013 and OA No.476/2015 etc.)

4. It has already been decided to consult Department of Expenditure through Establishment (Pay) in the matter and same is under examination. Therefore, to ensure uniform implementation of Department of Expenditure's instruction, all the Ministries/ Departments are advised to wait for further instructions with regard to grant of bunching benefits to ASOs of CSS and also if orders have already been issued by any Ministry/Department, the same may not be given effect till further instructions.

5. This issues with the approval of competent authority.

sd/-
(K.Srimvasan)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Click to view the order

Authority: http://dopt.gov.in/

AICPIN for the month January 2017

AICPIN for the month January 2017

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) for the month of January 2017.

The Labour Bureau today published the statistical index of CPI-IW for the calculation purpose of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief for the existing and retired employees of Central Government. This Consumer Price Index also used for the calculation of Dearness Allowance for Workmen and Officers Employees in Banks.

The All-India CPI-IW for January 2017 decreased by one point and stood at 274.

For more details, Click the link to view the Press Release

UGC: Pay panel hike for 20%

UGC: Pay panel hike for 20%

New Delhi/ Hyderabad: The University Grants Commission (UGC) at a meeting held on February 22 reportedly cleared the recommendations of the 5-member committee that looked into the pay revision for university and college teachers across the country. The report is now with the Ministry of Human Resources Development for its approval. The ministry is yet to look into the report as the elections to several state assemblies are being held.

Sources from the UGC told The Hans India that the committee has reportedly recommended a 20 per cent hike in the basic pay of university and college teachers. As the existing Dearness Allowance will be merged in the basic pay, the hike is likely to be around 25 per cent to 30 per cent, including the HRA depending on the cadre and the seniority.

Monthly salary for university/college teachers (in Rs)

Post	Current starting pay	Proposed pay
Professor	1,23,000	1,44,000
Associate professor	1,07,000	1,26,000
Assistant professor	50,000	59,000

*Figures include basic salary, academic grade pay and DA

The pay commission has reportedly recommended a performance linked promotion system with an emphasis on research. There is no change in the retirement age. The present UGC panel has also recommended the retirement age of university and college teachers to be 65 years. But, several state governments have not implemented even the earlier panel's recommendation to this effect. The state governments took advantage of the fact that higher education is in the concurrent list.

The proposed hike will be applicable to around 30, 000 teachers in Central universities and over four lakh in State varsities and colleges across the country .The last pay revision took place in 2006. The panel has reportedly suggested implementation of new pay scales with retrospective effect from January 2016 as the Central pay revision takes place every ten years while the State government pay scales are revised every five years.

Similar to the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations for the Central government employees, the UGC panel has recommended that a teacher's starting package to be revised by a multiplier of 2.72, applied to the basic salary and academic grade pay (AGP). The Seventh Pay Commission, whose report was accepted last year for civil servants and other central staff, had used the 2.72 multiplier.

The 5-member UGC panel was headed by Prof V S Chauhan.Speaking to The Hans India from Patna, Prof Arun Kumar, general secretary of All India Federation of University and College Teachers Organisations (AIFUCTO), urged the UGC to make the report public immediately. The teachers of the universities and colleges across India are aghast that they have been deliberately kept in the dark about such a sensitive and important issue, the AIFUCTO leader said in a recent press release.

The UGC panel reportedly urged the Central government to meet the 100 per cent additional financial requirement for the implementation of new UGC scales for university and college teachers. However, though the last pay commission in 2006 made a similar recommendation, the Central government has given only 80 per cent and asked the State governments concerned to bear the remaining 20 per cent of additional financial requirements for implementing the new scales for teachers in State universities and colleges.

Speaking to The Hans India, Prof Battu Satyanarayana, chairman, Telangana Federation of University Teachers Associations, urged the UGC to release special grants to State universities to implement the revised UGC scales.

PFRDA eyes training 64,500 employees to create mass awareness on NPS, APY

PFRDA eyes training 64,500 employees to create mass awareness on NPS, APY

NEW DELHI: Pension regulator PFRDA has appointed IL&FS Skill Development Corporation to train 64,500 government employees and other stakeholders on various aspects of flagship schemes NPS and APY.

The training institute has been appointed to create mass awareness and impart training on National Pension System (NPS) and Atal Pension Yojna (APY) to the employees of Points of Presence, APY service providers, and corporates of North-West zone.

Nodal officers of central and state governments and those at state autonomous bodies too would be trained, said Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

"It is intended to have at least 50-60 participants in each session of 3-4 hours duration and conduct approximately 1,610 training sessions and train 64,500 participants in the NW zone over the next 12 months," PFRDA said while notifying the training institute.

Participants from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chandigarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli would be imparted training on various aspects of the two flagship social security programmes.

As on January 17, the overall number of NPS and APY subscribers stood at 1.42 crore, with Asset Under Management (AUM) of Rs 1.61 lakh crore. APY, which guarantees a monthly pension of Rs 1,000 - Rs 5,000, has about 43 lakh subscribers.

As on January 17, the overall number of NPS and APY subscribers stood at 1.42 crore, with Asset Under Management (AUM) of Rs 1.61 lakh crore. APY, which guarantees a monthly pension of Rs 1,000 - Rs 5,000, has about 43 lakh subscribers.

Gratuity payment ceiling to double to Rs 20 lakh; Unions support government decision

Gratuity payment ceiling to double to Rs 20 lakh; Unions support government decision

The employees of organised sector can now be allowed to withdraw up to Rs 20 lakh from their gratuity fund. In a meeting between the labour ministry and representatives from states, employees and employers on Thursday, the decision reached to the consensus.

The central trade unions have also agreed on doubling gratuity amount ceiling as an interim measure in a tripartite meeting on the proposed amendment to Payment of Gratuity Act conducted today by the Labour Ministry.

The unions demanded the removal of conditions asking to have at least 10 employees in an establishment and minimum five years of service for payment of gratuity.

"While accepting the maximum payment limit of Rs 20 lakh as an interim measure, the unions demanded that the ceilings/ limit with respect to number of employees and years of service should be removed," the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) said in a statement.

It said, "The central trade unions have been urging the government that the ceiling in the amount of gratuity should be removed."

At present, as per the Payment of Gratuity Act, an employee is required to do minimum service of five years to become eligible for gratuity amount. Moreover, the Act applies to those establishments where the number of employees is not less than 10.

The statement said the application of amended provision regarding maximum amount should be made effective from January 1, 2016 as done in the case of central government employees.
Besides that rate of 15 days wages for each completed year of service be raised to 30 days wages, the unions demanded.

The proposed amendment to the Payment of Gratuity Act as circulated by the government along with the letter dated February 15, 2017 only deals with enhancing the ceiling of maximum amount under Section 4(3) of the Act from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, the unions said.

They pointed out during the meeting that the proposed amendment is being brought to bring the maximum ceiling amount to Rs 20 lakh in line with recommendation of 7th Central Pay Commission as accepted by the government.

The relevant amendment for central government employees was notified on July 25, 2016 and the enhanced amount ceiling was made effective from January 1, 2016.

The unions are of the view that the delay of 8 months for employees covered under the Payment of Gratuity Act should not result in adversely affecting the interest of the concerned employees.

The employers as well as state representatives also agreed to the proposal of raising the amount of gratuity to Rs 20 lakh, it said.

(With inputs from PTI)

UGC Pay Review Committee Recommendations for University and College teachers - 20% Pay Hike, Performance linked Promotion etc

UGC Pay Review Committee Recommendations for University and College teachers - 20% Pay Hike, Performance linked Promotion etc.

New Delhi, Feb. 22: The UGC today recommended a 20 per cent pay hike for university and college teachers.

A performance-linked promotion system has been suggested with stress on research. The retirement age will remain unchanged at 65.

The recommendations, made by a five-member committee, have to be accepted by the HRD ministry. If approved, the hike will be the first such revision in more than a decade and cover nearly 30,000 teachers in central universities and over four lakh in state varsities and colleges.

The panel has suggested that the new salaries be paid with retrospective effect from January 2016. The UGC cleared the report without changes.

According to the recommendations, a teacher's starting package will be revised by a multiplier of 2.72, applied to the basic salary and another component called academic grade pay (AGP).

For instance, a directly recruited professor who gets around Rs 43,000 as basic salary, Rs 10,000 as AGP and dearness allowance now will be entitled to a basic salary of Rs 1.44 lakh which would subsume the present dearness allowance.

The Seventh Pay Commission, whose report was accepted last year for civil servants and other central staff, had used the 2.72 multiplier.

The last revision for teachers in 2006 had put their package higher than that of civil servants at the entry level. Teachers may continue to retain the edge even under the revised structure, sources said.

Furqan Qamar, the secretary-general of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), said university and college salaries had been kept higher to attract talent.

On promotions, the current determinants are indicators like teaching and research output. The UGC panel, headed by Prof. V.S. Chauhan, has suggested that more stress be laid on quality research, such as papers published in reputable journals, the sources said.

The UGC has forwarded to all central universities a finance ministry order suggesting the Centre will bear no more than 70 per cent of the additional expenses arising out of the revised pay. This order covers autonomous institutions, including central universities.

The higher education regulator has asked the 40-odd central universities to specify how much internal resources they can generate, indicating the possibility of a hike in tuition fees.

The new pay proposals are not binding on state universities, which have to fund the higher salaries from their own resources. But they have usually adopted such suggestions in the past.

The Union HRD ministry has set up a separate committee for salary revision of teachers in technical institutions like the IITs and the IIMs.

Read at: The Telegraph

To check overstay, Centre cuts deputation allowance of bureaucrats

To check overstay, Centre cuts deputation allowance of bureaucrats

Bureaucrats on central deputation abroad and within the country will not get deputation allowance beyond five years of such tenure

Norms allow a maximum of seven-year, in break-up of five plus two years in usual cases, central deputation term for officers to work outside their state cadre or abroad.

The admissibility of deputation (duty) allowance would be up to the fifth year, if the deputationist has opted to draw such monetary benefit, an order issued recently by the Personnel Ministry said.

The decision has been taken to check overstay of central deputation period by officers including those in Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others, officials said.
The move comes after the government noticed a few cases where officers central deputation tenure was being extended, mainly while they were working abroad, by ministries concerned beyond the maximum period of seven years citing "exigencies", they said.

The Personnel Ministry has already issued a directive to warn officers that they may lose their job for overstaying on foreign posting.

In case of deputation within the same station, the allowance will be paid at the rate of 5 per cent of basic pay subject to a maximum of Rs 2,000 per month; and in other cases, it will be payable at the rate of 10 per cent of the employee's basic pay subject to a maximum of Rs 4,000 per month.

PTI

Revised Subscription Rates of RELHS as per Pay Matrix of 7th CPC

Revised Subscription Rates of RELHS as per Pay Matrix of 7th CPC

The Railway Board has decided to revise the subscription raes of Railway Employees Liberalized Health Scheme (RELHS)as per the Pay Matrix Level recommended by the 7th Pay Commission.

Following the subscription calculation method of CGHS for Central Government Employees and Pensioners, the Railway Board has now decided and published the revised subscription rates for all the group of Railway employees through its official portal.

On 9th January, 2017 the Health Ministry published the new rates of monthly subscription for availing the CGHS facility. The Central Government Pensioners have an option to get their CGHS Pensioners Card by either making CGHS contribution on an annual basis (12 Months) or by making contribution for 10 years for life time validity.

The rate of contribution to join RELHS shall be last month's basic pay drawn or the subscription rate indicated in the above table at different levels as per the 7th Pay Commission whichever is lower.

Pay Matrix Level	Subscription Rate to Join RELHS (in Rs.)
Level 1 (Grade Pay 1800)	30,000
Level 2 (Grade Pay 1900)	30,000
Level 3 (Grade Pay 2000)	30,000
Level 4 (Grade Pay 2400)	30,000
Level 5 (Grade Pay 2800)	30,000
Level 6 (Grade Pay 4200)	54,000
Level 7 (Grade Pay 4600)	78,000
Level 8 (Grade Pay 4800)	78,000
Level 9 (Grade Pay 5400)	78,000
Level 10 (Grade Pay 5400)	78,000
Level 11 (Grade Pay 6600)	78,000
Level 12 and Above	1,20,000

The revised rate of subscription as above shall be applicable to those railway employees who shall be retiring and joining RELHS on or after the date of issue of this letter(23.2.2017). Those who have already retired and are not member of RELHS shall be governed by the rules which were prevalent at the time of their retirement

Government launches free anti-virus for PC, mobile phones

Government launches free anti-virus for PC, mobile phones

New Delhi: The IT Ministry today launched botnet cleaning and anti-malware analysis centre for Rs 90 crore to provide free anti-virus to computers and mobile phones for removing malicious softwares "I would like ISPs (Internet Service Provider) to encourage their consumers to come on board, there is a free service available. Come and use it in the event some malware has sneaked in to the system," IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said at the launch of Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre.

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (Cert-In) will collect data of infected systems and send it to ISPs and banks. These ISPs and banks will identify the user and provide them the link of the centre, launched in name of Cyber Swachhta Kendra.

The user will be able to download anti-virus or anti-malware tools to disinfect their devices.

"The project has budget outlay of Rs 90 crore spread over period of 5 years," CertIn Director General Sanjay Bahl said.

As of now 58 ISPs and 13 banks have come on board to use this system.

The ministry also launched M-Kavach for security and anti-theft solution for mobile phones, USB Pratirodh to ensure only authorised person is able to access pen drive and AppSamvid for identifying genuine applications at the time of installations on computers.

The minister directed Cert-In to also set up National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC) by June.
The government has approved Rs 900 crore for NCCC which will monitor and handle cyber attacks on Indian internet space in real time.

"Safety and security is integral. As the Prime Minister said cyber threat is akin to bloodless war. I don’t have slightest doubt cyber security is not only going to be big area of Digital Swachh Bharat but also going to be big area of digital growth, digital employment and digital commerce," Prasad said.

To encourage startups in the field of cyber security, the minister announced that government has reduced testing fee for their product by half.

At present Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC), a division under the Ministry of Electronics and IT, charges testing fee in the range of Rs 8-10 lakh per case but startups in the field of cyber security will need to pay only around 4-5 lakhs.

To strengthen cyber security ecosystem in the country, Prasad said that CERTs will be set up at state level as well and 10 more STQC testing facilities will set up.

PTI

Seventh Pay Commission: Talks On Allowance Today, Report Likely Soon

Seventh Pay Commission: Talks On Allowance Today, Report Likely Soon

The government had in June accepted the recommendation of Justice AK Mathur-headed Seventh Pay Commission in respect of the hike in basic pay and pension but its suggestions relating to allowances were referred to the committee.

The panel headed by Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa to review Seventh Pay Commission allowances is expected to soon submit its report to the government. Shiv Gopal Mishra, the convenor of National Joint Council of Action (NJCA), a joint body of unions representing central government employees, said talks in this matter are in the final leg. The employee union body will be meeting the panel members today on the issue of Housing Rent Allowance or HRA related to Seventh Pay Commission.

The government had in June accepted the recommendation of Justice AK Mathur-headed Seventh Pay Commission in respect of the hike in basic pay and pension but its suggestions relating to allowances were referred to the committee. The Seventh Pay Commission had examined a total of 196 existing allowances and, by way of rationalisation, recommended abolition of 51 allowances and subsuming of 37 allowances.
The committee on allowances was initially given a time of four months to submit its report to the finance minister. Till a final decision is taken, all existing allowances are being paid at the Sixth Pay Commission rates.
The Seventh Pay Commission had recommended that HRA be paid at the rate of 24 per cent, 16 per cent and 8 per cent of the new Basic Pay, depending on type of cities.

The Seventh Pay Commission had also recommended that the rate of HRA be revised to 27 per cent, 18 per cent and 9 per cent respectively when DA crosses 50 per cent, and further revised to 30 per cent, 20 per cent and 10 per cent when DA crosses 100 per cent.

Typically, in case of housing allowance, arrears are not paid.

Allowances form a significant chunk of government employees' salary. Some analysts had earlier said that implementation of the housing allowance portion of the Seventh Pay Commission as well as GST or Goods and Services Tax could push up average inflation.

"At worst, if the government is under pressure, this allowance can be pushed to the next year, as was done in the previous pay commissions. The housing allowance does not attract arrears," HSBC Securities had said in an earlier report.

The Cabinet had also decided to constitute two separate committees to suggest measures for streamlining the implementation of National Pension System (NPS) and to look into anomalies likely to arise out of implementation of the Commission's Report.

Source: NDTV

7th Pay Commission: Increased salaries attracting young India to apply for Government Jobs

7th Pay Commission: Increased salaries attracting young India to apply for Government Jobs
Increased salary prospects due to 7th Pay Commission is attracting young talent in India towards the Government Jobs

Government Jobs in India have long attracted people from every walk of life. While the basic call of a government job in India was the stability associated with it, many had chosen to walk the path of the treacherous private sector. The biggest call of the private sector was indeed the higher pay packages and the chances of a life style of many aspired for. That, however, is changing. All thanks to the 7th Pay Commission recommendations. The increased starting packages have over the past year increased the interest of young Indians towards Government Jobs. For the first time in India, Government Jobs mean more than just a stable job. It means increased salaries with benefits, suggests reports.

Numbers are evident. Only last year when Indian Railways released the notification for recruitment in the Non Technical Popular Category, a mind boggling 92 lakh people applied for 18000 jobs. Such was the increased numbers that Railway Recruitment Board had to introduce another level in the recruitment process to bring it down to considerate numbers. Around 3 lakh candidates had then appeared in the second stage of which results are expected anytime. Similar is the case in case of Banking. While Banking has always attracted a steady, it is thanks to the increased salaries for Clerks and Probationary Officers that more and more candidates are applying for the exam.

The trend continues. State Bank of India Probationary Exam was announced recently for 2,313 posts. Given the trend of last year, SBI is expecting applications from around 20 lakh candidates. With a starting salary that could go as high as 12 lakhs, the interests for the jobs are bound to be phenomenal.

The applications are still on and close on March 6, 2017. It is not just at the level of graduates though. For Staff Selection Commission, the number of candidates applying for CHSL or the Combined Higher Secondary Level has also seen a two fold increase.

The numbers are promising, if any. It can be simply argued that India constantly needs good talent and energetic work force to manage its increasing institutional pressure. A stable and high paying job is sure to retain the best of the country towards developing the national assets and human capital. Engineers, doctors and professionals from all spheres are required in the various governmental departments. The changing face of the work force, the stricter guidelines and the stronger applications all hint towards a better and reformed public sector. The 7th pay commission has seemed to help and provide an impetus towards the building of the nation.

Source: India

Implementation of 7th CPC Recommendations to TamilNadu State Government Employees

Implementation of 7th CPC Recommendations to TamilNadu State Government Employees

 Implementation of 7th CPC Recommendations to TN State Employees : The Tamil Nadu Government has decided to constitute a 5 Member Committee of Higher Officials to implement the recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission. The committee will submit the report within four months (30th June).

Following the implementation of 7th Central Pay Commission to the employees working under Central Government, the Tamilnadu Chief Minister has today decided to constitute a 5 Member Secretary level committee formed to implement the recommendations of 7th CPC to State Govt Employees, Teachers and employees of Localbodies.

Recognised State Government Employees Unions are requested to send the proposal of pay structure and all other demands to the committee.

The committee will examine, review and recommend changes that are desirable and feasible regarding the principles that should govern the emoluments structure including pay, allowances, pension and other facilities/benefits.

Click to view the Press Release

Introduction of SPARROW for CSS officers - completion of various tasks

Introduction of SPARROW for CSS officers - completion of various tasks

No. 22/10/2015/CS-I(APAR)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of personnel & Training
CS-I(APAR)

2nd Floor, Loknayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi
Dated the 22nd February, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Introduction of SPARROW for CSS officers - completion of various tasks- reg .

The undersigned is directed to say that 'SPARROW' has been introduced for recording on-line APARs for Deputy Secretary and above level officers in CSS and equivalent levels in CSSS from the financial year 2015-16.

2. The time-limits for performing various activities on the 'SPARROW' system were extended vide this Department's Office memorandum of even number dated 27th May, 2016. The window for 'SPARROW' CSS was closed on 31st December, 2016. A number of Ministries/Departments requested for reopening of this window for completion of various tasks in the system. Therefore, the window for 'SPARROW' (CSS) has been re-opened on the request of these departments to facilitate the nodal officers to take action in the 'SPARROW' system as per the extended date-line.

3. However, it is clarified that the dates extended beyond 1 sl January,2017 are for taking necessary action for dealing with representations, disposal of representations and similar actions on the part of the nodal officers. Dates for recording of APARs would be same as contained in the Office Memorandum dated 27th May, 2016.

4. It is also reiterated that as per instructions of this Department, APARs of CSS officers are required to be uploaded on CSCMS. Hard copy of the APARs generated on SPARROW will be kept in CS-I Division/CS-II Division. It would not be practicably possible for these Divisions to download all the APARs from 'SPARROW' and then keep them in the relevant APAR folders including their uploading in the CSCMS system.
5. It is, therefore, requested that Ministries/Departments may ensure following action at their end for efficient management of APARs generated in the 'SPARROW' system :

i) To complete the task required at their end in the SPARROW system before the aforesaid date.
ii) To download the APARs generated online on 'SPARROW' and to upload PDF files in CSCMS.
iii) The PDF files so downloaded from SPARROW may be sent to this Department for custody.

6. In addition the details of hard copies of APARs (other than on-line mode), giving justification for not recording the APAR through 'SPARROW' may be sent to this department.

(Chandra Shekhar)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

To
All Ministries/Departments for (CSS) & (CSSS)
Copy to DS (CS-II) for information.

Source: DoPT Order 2017

How to claim Family Pension with Form 14

How to claim Family Pension with Form 14

How to apply for granting family pension on the death of Government servant/ pensioner/ family pensioner.

What should a family member (eligible for the grant of family pension) do to get the family Pension?

Normally, family pension to spouse is sanctioned and authorized at the time pension is authorized in favour of retiring government servant and indicated in the pension payment order and is to be drawn after the death of the pensioner. However, in cases where Govt. servant expired while in service, the widow or widower has to apply in Form 14 (of CCS Pension Rules) to the Head of Office concerned who will sanction and authorize the family pension through its Pay & Accounts Officer. Where the deceased Govt. servant is survived only by a child or children, the guardian (in case of minor child/children) or such child or children may submit a claim in Form 14 to the Head of 0ffice for sanction and authorization of family pension. For getting family pension, the deceased pensioner’s family should apply in Form no.14 along with a copy of the death certificate of the deceased Pensioner to:

(1) The pension disbursing authority if, the amount of family pension is already indicated in the Pension Payment 0rder.

(II) The Head of Office for sanction of family pension in all other cases.

lf the pensioner has Joint Account with the spouse on either or survivor basis the spouse has to submit the death certificate of the pensioner along with simple application only to activate the family pension.

Authority: www.cpao.nic.in

Anomalies arising out of the implementation of the seventh Central Pay Commission's recommendations

Anomalies arising out of the implementation of the seventh Central Pay Commission's recommendations

Centre expands ambit of panel examining 7th Pay Commission-related anomalies

New Delhi: The Centre has expanded the ambit of a panel looking into anomalies arising out of the implementation of the seventh Central Pay Commission's recommendations.

The work of the anomaly committee, which has representatives from both official and staff sides, is to act on representations received from the employees against the pay panel's recommendations.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has modified the definition of anomaly to include "Where the official side and the staff side are of the opinion that the vertical and horizontal relativities have been disturbed as a result of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) to give rise to anomalous situation," as per the Office Memorandun No.11/2/2016-JCA dated 20th February, 2017.

The inclusion of term "disturbance of vertical and horizontal relativities" (referred to as gaps in pay among various group of employees/officer working at the same level) will help in expanding the approach of the anomaly committee, a senior DoPT official said.

Now the anomaly will include cases where the official side and the staff side are of the opinion that any recommendation is in contravention of the principle or the policy enunciated by the seventh CPC itself without the Commission assigning any reason.

"It will also include cases where the maximum of the level in the pay matrix corresponding to the applicable grade pay in the pay band under the pre-revised structure is less than the amount an employee is entitled to be fixed at," the order said.

The DoPT had in August last year asked all central government departments to set up committees to look into various pay-related anomalies arising out of the pay panel’s recommendations.

The Centre has accepted most of the recommendations of the seventh CPC being implemented from January 1, 2016.

PTI

Minutes of the meeting of the Sub - Committee-III to suggest measures for streamlining implementation of the National Pension System (NPS) held on 10.02.2017

Minutes of the meeting of the Sub - Committee-III to suggest measures for streamlining implementation of the National Pension System (NPS) held on 10.02.2017

Airfindia has published the Minutes of the meeting of the Sub - Committee-III

No. 57/1/2016-P&PW(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, P.G. and Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan
New Delhi, dated the 16th February, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Minutes of the meeting of the Sub - Committee-III to suggest measures for streamlining implementation of the National Pension System (NPS) held on 10.02.2017 -reg.

The minutes of the meeting of the Sub- Committee-III to suggest measures for streamlining implementation of the National Pension System (NPS) held under the Chairmanship of Additional Secretary (Pension) with Staff side of JCM on 10.02.2017 at Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi is hereby forwarded for information and further necessary action.

(S. Chakrabarti)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee-III to suggest measures for streamlining implementation of the National Pension System with employees

Associations held on 10.02.2017 at Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi

A meeting of the Sub-Committee-III to suggest measures for streamlining the implementation of the National Pension System (NPS) was held under the Chairmanship of Ms. Vandana Sharma, Additional Secretary (Pension) with Staff Side of JCM on 10.02.2017 at 3.00 p.m.,at Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi. The following were present:

Official Side

1. Shri Harjit Singh, Director, Deptt. Of Pension & Pensioners Welfare.

2. Shri Sanjiv Kumar, Deputy Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training,

3. Shri Vivek Ashish, Under Secretary, Department of Expenditure,JCM (Staff Side)

4. Shri Shiva Gopal Mishra, Secretary, Staff Side (JCM),

5. Shri M.S. Raja, Member, National Council (JCM), All India Audit & Accounts Association

6. Shri C. Srikumar, General Secretary/HIDEF, Member National Council, JCM

7. Shri Guinan Singh, President, NFIR

8. Shri M. Raghavaiah, Leader(JCM Staff Side) & General Secretary, NFIR

9. Shri K.K. N. Kutty, President, Confederation of CG employees & Workers.

2. Additional Secretary (Pension) welcomed all the participants and briefed the Staff Side of JCM about the various issues allocated to the Sub-Committee-III. She invited suggestions from the participants on these issues.

3. The Staff Side handed over a communication dated 10.2.2017 containing their views on the various issues allocated to the Sub Committees. The Staff Side agreed that there is an urgent need to frame rules on the service matters of the NPS employees. Additional Secretary (Pension) assured the staff side that their views would be duly considered while framing rules in this regard.

4. Staff Side of the JCM emphasized that the Government employees should be excluded from the purview of NPS. In case, it was not possible to exempt the Government employees from the NPS, a minimum pension @ 50% of the last pay drawn or average emoluments of the last 10 months, whichever is more beneficial to the employees (along with dearness relief) may be ensured to all NPS employees on their retirement.

5. The Staff side was informed that in the event of invalidation / disability or death of the NPS employee, Pension / Family Pension as per the rates applicable under CCS (Pension) Rules is available to the NPS employees / their families. As regards the minimum guaranteed pension on retirement of the NPS employees, the views of the Staff Side of JCM would be conveyed to the Committee set up for streamlining implementation of the National Pension System.

6. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the chair.

7th Pay Commission : Committee on Allowances likely to submit report today - HRA Revision expected

7th Pay Commission : Committee on Allowances likely to submit report today - HRA Revision expected

After much debate and protest by government employees on some of recommendations made by the 7th Pay Commission on allowances, the government had formed a committee to review the same.

Government employees have been waiting to hear from the central government on allowances since the cabinet cleared the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission in June last year.

The Committee on Allowances, headed by Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa, is expected to present its review report to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today.

The 7th pay commission had recommended reducing the house rent allowance (HRA) to 24 per cent of basic pay as against the 30 per cent of basic pay employees were drawing under the Sixth Pay Commission.
According to some reports, the Committee on Allowances has recommended the current HRA slab, which is 30 per cent of basic pay, for metros. An announcement on the same is expected soon.

Allowances form a significant chunk of government employees’ salary, and therefore when the pay commission recommended slashing some while merging others, protests erupted.

The 7th Pay Commission recommended abolishing 53 of the current 196 allowances meant for employees while merging a few others.

The pay commission’s recommendation of a 14.27 per cent hike in basic pay is the lowest in 70 years. A further reduction in allowances meant earning the ire of nearly 50 lakh Central government employees.
Though the report may be submitted today, “A decision is likely to be announced after the State assembly elections get over,” said a senior official. The entire exercise of State polls will get completed by March 11.
Sources indicated that the committee has recommended higher house rent allowance could be increased to offset the higher cost of living.

However, the revised structure for allowances is likely to be implemented from April 1, to ensure that it does not have any impact on the government's finances this fiscal.

An official said the impact of the higher allowances has already been factored in the Union Budget 2017-18, which has increased the allocation for allowances (other than travel expenses) by seven per cent.

Source: India Today

Modification in the definition of anomaly - DoPT Orders

Modification in the definition of anomaly - DoPT Orders 
Setting up of Anomaly Committee to settle the anomalies arising out of the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commissions recommendations.

No.11/2/2016-JCA
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment JCA Section

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 20th February, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Setting up of Anomaly Committee to settle the anomalies arising out of the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission's recommendations.

The undersigned is directed to refer to DoPT’s OM of even number dated 16/8/2016 and to incorporate the following modification in the definition of anomaly:

"Where the Official Side and the Staff Side are of the opinion that the vertical and horizontal relativities have been disturbed as a result of the 7th Central Pay Commission to give rise to anomalous situation."

2. With the incorporation of the above para in the O.M., the definition of anomaly will read as follows:
(1) Definition of Anomaly
Anomaly will include the following cases;

a) Where the Official Side and the Staff Side are of the opinion that any recommendation is in contravention of the principle or the policy enunciated by the Sixth Central Pay Commission itself without the Commission assigning any reason;

b) Where the maximum of the Level in the Pay Matrix corresponding to the applicable Grade Pay in the Pay Band under the pre-revised structure as notified vide CCS(RP Rules 2016, is less than the amount an employee is entitled to be fixed at, as per the formula for fixation of pay contained in the said Rules;

c) Where the Official side and the Staff Side are of the opinion that the vertical and horizontal relativities have been disturbed as a result of the 7th Central Pay Commission to give rise to anomalous situation.

3. The rest of the content of the O.M. dated 16.08.2016 shall remain unchanged.

sd/-
(D.K.Sengupta)
Deputy Secretary (JCA)

Click to view the order
Authority: http://dopt.gov.in/

7th Pay Commission: Government all set to clear revised allowances for central staff from April 1

7th Pay Commission: Government all set to clear revised allowances for central staff from April 1
The 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) recommended HRA of 24% of the basic pay for those cities with population over 5 million.

New Delhi, Feb 18: The Union Government is all set to clear revised allowances for the central government staff, precisely after a year of the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission. As per reports, one year after the implementation of the new pay and pension scheme, as recommended by the 7th central pay commission, the central government employees might have something to rejoice about after the assembly elections in 5 states are over. Reportedly, the revised allowances are likely to be effective from April 1. (ALSO READ: Committee on Allowances likely to raise HRA to 30 per cent)

House rent allowances (HRA) accounts for about 60% of the total allowances bill, as The Financial Express stated and according to the revised allowance scheme, the employees, mostly in the metropolitan cities are expected to receive greater HRA than the 7th Pay Commission actually recommended. The 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) recommended HRA of 24% of the basic pay for those cities with a population over 5 million. But the revised HRA which is being looked at by the Finance Secretary-led panel is 30%. Notably, in the 6th Pay Commission, the HRA was at 30% as well for the cities with more than 5 million people. A draft of the cabinet note for implementation of the revised allowance is expected to be circulated soon.
As per reports, the financial implication of these revised allowances will be in line with the Central Pay Commission’s estimate of around Rs. 29,300 crores, which shall also include the railways, in the first year. The panel led by the Finance secretary is also reviewing the CPC’s recommendation regarding allowances. The pay panel has also recommended scrapping of 52 benefits while merging 36 already existing benefits.
Notably, there has been only an additional allocation of Rs. 4,500 crore in the Budget for allowances and it has been assumed that the Railways will bear Rs 7,600 crore of expenditure. But as per sources stated by FE, still, the additional allocation which will be required from the General Budget could be somewhere around Rs. 17,000 crores.

The Government has, reportedly, enough leg space, thanks to the demonetisation move and the extra taxes the people had to pay under the income disclosure schemes. But according to experts, the Budget assumptions were based on optimistic estimates of nominal GDP growth for financial year 17 (FY17) and thus for FY18.

Many have been complaining about the delay in the decision of allowances to the government employees, with some claiming the formation of the panel led by the Finance Secretary as a delaying tactic itself. But this has helped to boost the spending of the government in various programmes by around Rs. 36,000 crores in FY17.

CGA Orders: One day Strike on 16th March 2017

CGA Orders: One day Strike on 16th March 2017

No.A-12017/1/2010/MF.CGA(A)/NGE/Assoc-Agi/1224
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
Controller General of Accounts

Mahalekha Niyantrak Bhawan
E Block, GPO complex, INA
New Delhi-110023

Dated: 13th February, 2017

Subject: One Day Strike on 16th March, 2017.

Reference is invited to this office 0M of even no.502 dated 18th January, 2017. All India Civil Accounts Employees Association has intimated that the proposed One Day Strike on 15th February, 2017 has been to 16th March, 2017.

2. Attention is invited to the provisions of Government of India (Ministry of Home Affairs) 0M No.25/23/66-Estt(A) dated 09.12.1966 (reproduced as G.l. decision No.2 below Rule 7 of CCS (Conduct) Rules, which inter-alia provides that under Rule 7 (ii) of rules ibid, a Government servant shall NOT resort to or in any way abet any form of strike in connection with any matter to his service or the service of any other Government employees. If any Government servant resorts to any action in violation of Rule 7 (ii) of CCS (Conduct) Rules, disciplinary action would have to be taken against him.

3. Attention is also invited to proviso to FR 17(I) according to which any employee(s) who is absent from duty without permission shall not be entitled to any pay and allowances during the period of absence. Further, unauthorized absence shall be deemed to cause an interruption or break in service Of the employee under FR 17(A).

4. In this regard, the following decisions of the Supreme Court may also be brought to the of the employees under your Ministry/Department. The Supreme Court has held in the Case Of T.K.Rangarajan Vs. Govt. of Tamil Nadu that no right exists with the Govt. employees to strike, whether fundamental, statutory or an equitable right. In All India Bank Employees Association Vs. National Industrial Tribunal & Ors„ (1962 (3) SCR 269) the Constitution Bench of the Suprerme Court specifically held that even very liberal interpretation of sub-clause (C) of Clause (1) of Article 19 of the Constitution cannot lead to the conclusion that the trade unions have a guaranteed right to strike, either as part of collective bargaing or otherwise. There is no statutory provision empowering the employees to go on strike. The Supreme Court also agreed that going on strike is a grave misconduct under the Conduct Rules and that misconduct by Government Employees is required to be dealt with in accordance with law. Hence, once it is proved that an employee has committed the of going on a strike in any form, the Supreme Court has held in Bank of India vs. TS Kelawala [1990 (4) SLR 249] that he will have to face the consequences which may include deduction of wages and even dismissal from service.

5. In this context, it is clarified that strike means refusal of work or stoppage or slowing down of work by a group of employees acting in combination and includes:-

vii) mass abstention from work without permission which is wrongly described mass Casual Leave.
viii) refusal to work on overtime where such overtime work is necessary in public interest.
ix) resort to practice or conduct which is likely to result in or results in the cessation or substantial retardation of work in any organization. Such practice include what are ‘go-slow’, ‘sit-down’, “pen-down’, ‘stay-in’. ‘token’, ‘sympathetic’ or any other similar strike as also absence from work for participation in a ‘Bandh’ or similar movements.

6. Accordingly, Casual Leave or any other kind of leave, if applied for, should not be sanctioned to the officers and employees during the period of proposed One Day Strike on 16th March, 2017 and it should be ensured that the striking activities are not allowed inside and around the office premises. It may also be ensured that the employees, who intend to attend their office work despite the call for the strike, are not prevented from attending the office by the striking employees. Suitable contingency plan may be worked out for carrying out the various functions in field offices and Principal Accounts Offices.

7. The above instructions may be brought to the notice of staff working under your control. All the Pr. CCAs/CCAs/CAs are requested to deal with the cases in respect of employees, Who resort to action as above, in the light of above referred instructions.

8. This issues with the approval of the competent authority.

sd/-
(Sandeep Malhotra)
Sr. Accounts Officer

Click to view the order
Authority: www.cga.nic.in

Pay element in the case of Loco Inspectors - 30% addition to 7th CPC pay matrix for retirement benefits

Pay element in the case of Loco Inspectors - 30% addition to 7th CPC pay matrix for retirement benefits

NFIR

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI - 110 055

Affiliated to:
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
International Transport Workers Federation (ITF)

No-IV/RSAC/Conf./Pt. VII

Dated: 08/02/2017

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,
Sub: Pay element in the case of Loco Inspectors - 30% addition to 7th CPC pay matrix for retirement benefits - reg.

Ref: (i) NFIR's demand in the Board PNM meeting held on 22nd & 23rd December, 2016 for continuance of 55% & 30% pay element on 7th CPC pay matrix levels.

(ii)Railway Board' s letter No.E(P&A)II-2015/RS-25 dated 24/01/2017.

Pursuant to NFIR's references and discussions held in the Railway Board PNM meeting on 22nd and 23rd December, 2016, the Railway Board vide letter dated 24/01/2017 has issued instructions to the GMs of Zonal Railways to reckon add-on pay element of 55% on 7th CPC pay matrix levels for calculation of emoluments for the purpose of retirement benefits and 30% for other purposes to the running staff as per IREM provisions and extant instructions.

In the above context, NFIR brings to the notice of the Railway Board that in terms of the extant instructions (Railway Board's letter No.E(P&A)II/83/RS-10(IV) dated 25/11/1992) contained in para 5.5 of Board's letter dated 25/11/1992, the running staff deployed as Loco Inspectors are entitled for 30% addition to their basic pay for the purpose of pensionary benefits. Those Loco Inspectors retired/retiring w.e.f. January 2016 are required to be granted retirement benefits with 30% add on to their pay in the 7th CPC pay matrix level, but, however in the absence of Railway Board's instructions, some Zonal Railways are entertaining doubts and denying benefit of 30%o on revised pay matrix.

NFIR, therefore, requests the Railway Board to issue suitable clarification to the Zonal Railways to ensure 30% addition to the 7th CPC pay matrix of Loco Inspectors for payment of retiral benefits similar to running staff for whom 55% addition is allowed. A copy of the instruction issued may be endorsed to the Federation.

Yours faithfully,
(Dr M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

Grant of one time relaxation to the Central Government Employees who have availed LTC-80 and travelled by air by purchasing Ticket from other than authorized agents

Grant of one time relaxation to the Central Government Employees who have availed LTC-80 and travelled by air by purchasing Ticket from other than authorized agents

Shiva Gopal Mishra
Secretary

Ph: 23382286
National Council (Staff Side)
Joint Consultations Mechinery
For Central Government Employees
13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi - 110001
E-mail :nc.jcm.np@gmail.com

No.NC-JCM-2017/
The Secretary,
Government of India,
Department of Personnel & Training,
North Block,
New Delhi

February 9, 2017

Sub: Grant of one time relaxation to the Central Government Employees who have availed LTC-80 and travelled by air by purchasing Ticket from other than authorized agents.

Ref:- Decision taken in the New Agenda No.III of the Standing Committee meeting of the National Council (JCM) held on 25.10.2016

Dear Sir,
In the Standing Committee meeting of the National Council (JCM) held under your chairmanship on 25.10.2016 the Staff Side informed that many non entitled Central government Employees had availed themselves the benefit of LTC-80 and purchased ticket from unauthorized agents, unaware of the rule position. Subsequently audit had returned the LTC final claims without sanctioning them and advised the administrative divisions of the Ministries concerned to recover the entire LTC advance from their salary. The staff Side also informed that Ministry of Defence, with the approval of Hon’ble Defence Minister had forwarded a proposal the DOPT seeking one time relaxation in such cases. The Secretary (P) informed in the meeting that the entire issue is under consideration of the DOPT.

To our shock and surprise the Ministry of Defence vide their ID Note dated 3.2.2017 has issue a letter to the lower formations (copy enclosed) stating that the DOPT has not agreed for granting bulk relaxation to thousands of Group B and Group C Defence Civilian Employees. Further DOPT has advised Ministry of Defence that the proposal for granting relaxation for booking of tickets through private travel agents may be scrutinized individually and has given certain guidelines which is practically difficult to adopt at this stage, since many such employees are due to retire from service shortly. It will be difficult for the administration to cross verify all those claims since the number of affected employees are more than 5000. In this situation we suggest the following for your kind consideration.

“In the case of those employees who have purchase air tickets from other than authorized agents and have actually travelled and submitted the tickets along with boarding pass, in such cases the administration may find out the actual LTC-80 fare from the concerned Airlines on that particular date when the concerned employee actually traveled and the claim may be restricted to the same and the balance amount if any calimed the same may be recovered from the concerned employee”.

The above proposal if accepted will reduce lot of administrative work and also will relieve the concerned employees from financial and mental hardship, thereby setting and outstanding issue once for all. In case of any further clarification required the Staff Side may please be invited for a discussion on the subject. Awaiting for your favorable response please.

Yours faithfully,

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary

Source: Confederation

Bureaucracy delaying higher allowances implementation

Bureaucracy delaying higher allowances implementation

New Delhi: Complicated bureaucracy is delaying the implementation of the higher allowances under 7th Pay Commission recommendations, and it is now expected to start in three to four months, one leader of an employees union was quoted as saying.

The government has given higher basic pay with arrears, effective from January 1, 2016 in August 2016 to its employees on the recommendations of the 7th pay commission but referred hike in allowances other than dearness allowance to the ‘Committee on Allowances’ headed by the Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa for examination in July, 2016 as the 7th pay commission had recommended for abolishing 51 allowances and subsuming 37 others out of 196 allowances.

The government has given the committee four months to submit the report but an extension was also given up to February 22, 2017 to submit its report on higher allowances. In October last year, Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa had said the committee was ready with its report.

Usually, once the recommendations of the pay commission are approved, the increase in basic pay is followed by an increase in allowances.

The government earlier said that the cash crunch was the reason behind the delay in announcing higher allowances.

The announcement of assembly elections in five states has also given an excuse for the government as it cannot announce allowances hikes till the model code of conduct is in place up to March 8.

The higher House Rent Allowance (HRA) segment is of great benefit to central government employees in the allowances.This segment will more than double, with the increases ranging between 106% and 122% as recommended the 7th Pay Commission. So, the central government employees have a keen interest in higher House Rent Allowance (HRA).

The pay commission has recommended the rates HRA for these cities to 24%, 16% and 8% respectively of new pay matrix.

The Commission also recommended, that the rate of HRA will be revised to 27 percent, 18 percent and 9 percent respectively when DA crosses 50 percent, and further revised to 30 percent, 20 percent and 10 percent when DA crosses 100 percent.

The existing rates of HRA for Class X, Y and Z cities and towns are 30%, 20% and 10% of Basic pay (old pay in the pay band plus grade pay) are now paid to the central government employees according to the 6th Pay Commission recommendations until issuing of higher allowances notification.

The top bureaucrats living government bungalows and plush flats in the posh East Moti Bagh area in New Delhi. So, they don’t take House Rent Allowance (HRA).

‘The top bureaucrats houses have modular kitchens, hot and cold water supply like in hotels, solar lighting, a club with a swimming pool and tennis courts, jogging tracks, terrace gardens, a shopping complex, a primary school and banking facilities,’ an official at the urban development ministry said. They are also taking benefit of yoga and health centre.

The luxury apartments becoming popular among the bureaucrats. The secretaries of the central departments have been allotted a plot size of 8,250 sq ft, a plint area of 1,970 sq ft, eight bedrooms, four servant quarters, two garages, front and rear lawns. Hence, they are not interested to hike allowances and the higher allowances announcement dips in face of bureaucratic apathy.

However, we hope, the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley may announce the higher allowances, most probably after ending the model code of conduct on March 8, which will cover 48 lakh central government employees and 52 lakh pensioners.

Cashless treatment of ESIC Employees and cash compensation for loss of wages: Loksabha Q&A

Cashless treatment of ESIC Employees and cash compensation for loss of wages: Loksabha Q&A

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 875
ANSWERED ON: 21.11.2016

ESIC Employees

YOGI ADITYANATH
Y. S. AVINASH REDDY
KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government has stopped/proposes to stop the cashless treatment of ESIC Employees;
(b)if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c)the steps being taken by the government to alleviate problems of ESIC employees in this regard;
(d)whether the Health Insurance Scheme run by the Government provides guarantee of income which is necessary for livelihood and if so, the details thereof; and
(e)if not, whether the Government proposes to implement such schemes in future?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a) & (c): No, Madam. The employees under ESI Scheme are eligible for cashless treatment in the ESI Hospitals and tie up hospitals. In case of emergency treatment outside the ESI network, the employees are reimbursed on CGHS rates or respective state rates.

(b): Not applicable in view of answer at (a) above.
(d): Yes, Madam. Under ESI Scheme, cash compensation for loss of wages is paid as under:

1. Sickness Leave - For 91 days @ 70% of wages
2. Temporary disablement - Till the spell of sickness lasts @ 90% of wages
3. Maternity leave - For 12 weeks (under revision to 26 weeks) @ 100% of wages
4. Unemployment allowance- @50% for first year and 25% for second year.

(e): Not applicable.

Source: Loksabha.nic.in

Reserve Bank: Limit on Cash Withdrawals from SB Accounts raised to Rs.50, 000 per week

Reserve Bank: Limit on Cash Withdrawals from SB Accounts raised to Rs.50, 000 per week
Reserve Bank today announced that the cash withdrawal limits on savings bank account to be raised to Rs 50,000 per week from the existing limit of Rs.24,000 from Feb 20.

And also the limits on cash withdrawals from savings bank account would be removed from March 13.

Removal of limits on withdrawal of cash from Saving Bank Accounts

RBI/2016-17/224
DCM (Plg) 3107/10.27.00/2016-17

February 08, 2017

All Banks
Dear Madam / Sir,

Removal of limits on withdrawal of cash from Saving Bank Accounts
Please refer to our circular DCM (Plg) 2905/10.27.00/2016-17 dated January 30, 2017 on the captioned subject.

2. In the wake of withdrawal of Specified Bank Notes (SBNs) since November 09, 2016 Reserve Bank had placed certain limits on cash withdrawals from Savings / Current / Cash credit /Overdraft accounts and withdrawals through ATMs. On a review of the pace of remonetisation, Reserve Bank partially restored status quo ante by removing the restrictions on cash withdrawals from Current / Cash credit / Overdraft accounts and ATMs effective January 31, 2017 and February 01, 2017 respectively. However, the limits on cash withdrawal from Savings Bank accounts continued to be in place.

3. In line with the pace of remonetisation, it has now been decided to remove the restrictions on cash withdrawals from Saving Bank accounts (including accounts opened under PMJDY) in a two step process as under:

Effective February 20, 2017, the limits on cash withdrawals from the Savings Bank accounts will be enhanced to ? 50,000 per week (from the current limit of ? 24,000 per week); and

Effective March 13, 2017, there will be no limits on cash withdrawals from Savings Bank accounts.

4. Please acknowledge receipt.

Yours faithfully,
(P Vijaya Kumar)
Chief General Manager

Authority: www.rbi.org.in

CBDT issues Certificates of appreciation to nearly 3.74 lakh tax payers for their contribution towards Nation building

CBDT issues Certificates of appreciation to nearly 3.74 lakh tax payers for their contribution towards Nation building

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Finance

07-February-2017 20:26 IST

CBDT issues Certificates of appreciation to nearly 3.74 lakh tax payers for their contribution towards Nation building

In continuation of the initiative of the Government to acknowledge the contribution of tax payers by paying taxes towards nation building and promptness in filing of Income Tax Returns, CBDT has issued the third round of Certificates to nearly 3.74 Lakh tax payers. With this, the total number of certificates issued by CBDT now stands at approximately 23 Lakh.

Individual tax payers may take note that such certificates of appreciation are only sent by e-mail in various categories on the basis of the taxes paid by them for the Assessment Year 2016-17, where taxes have been paid in full, tax payers have no outstanding tax liabilities, the return is e-filed within the prescribed due date and verified through Digital Signature or Electronic Verification Code (EVC) or submission of signed ITR-V to CPC Bangalore. The categories for individual taxpayers are:

i. Platinum - Taxpayers who have contributed Rs 1 Crore and above as tax
ii. Gold - Taxpayers who have contributed between Rs 50 Lakh and Rs 1 Crore as tax
iii. Silver - Taxpayers who have contributed between Rs 10Lakh and Rs 50 Lakh as tax
iv. Bronze - Taxpayers who have contributed between Rs 1Lakh and Rs 10 Lakh as tax

Taxpayers are advised to verify and update their email address and mobile number on the e-filing website to receive electronic communication. It may be noted that taxpayers can provide upto two email and two mobile numbers in their profile. Therefore, it is strongly advised that taxpayers should provide their personal and regularly used Email and Mobile number as their primary email.

The CBDT urges taxpayers to e-file their returns in time and verify their return by submitting the Electronic Verification Code online or sending their ITR-V within the 120 day period so that they can be also acknowledged for their contribution.

MODI GOVT'S SURGICAL STRIKE ON RAILWAYS AND DEFENCE EMPLOYEES

MODI GOVT'S SURGICAL STRIKE ON RAILWAYS AND DEFENCE EMPLOYEES

The BJP- led NDA Government has intensified it’s policy attack on Railways and Defence establishments and employees.

ATTACK ON RAILWAYS.

After the Narendra Modi Government coming to power 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is allowed in Railways. A committee headed by Sri Bibek Deb Roy , Member , NITI Ayog (National Institute for Transformation of India Ayog) was appointed for restructuring of Railways. The committee recommended complete privatisation of Railways. AIRF in its resolution adopted in the 92nd Annual Conference held at Allahabad from 8th to 10th December 2016, stated as follows:

NDA Government assumed power on 26th May 2016. The General Body meeting of AIRF held on 3rd and 4th July 2016 at Chennai, decided to defer the strike decision to provide time to the new Government to settle and resolve grievances. But the same Government by a notification dated 22nd August 2014, decided to induct 100% FDI in Indian Railways, Defence establishments etc. The Government appointed a high level Railway Restructuring Committee, on 22nd September 2014, headed by Sri Bibek Deb Roy, for restructuring Railways. The same committee had drawn a road map for privatisation and went ahead gradually, despite all out protest by AIRF.

The merger of the Railway Budget with the General Budget was one of the key recommendations on Bibek Deb Roy committee, as an important step towards privatisation of Railways. Government has implemented the decision from this year onwards, on top priority basis. It is also reported in the media that Government has decided to privatise heritage and tourist Railways like Kalka - Shimla, Siliguri - Darjeeling and Nilgiri (Ootty) railways. BIBEK DEB ROY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE THE BEGIN ING OF THE END OF THE GOVT OWNED INDIAN RAILWAYS.

To add insult to injury, the Railway Board has issued orders curtailing the basic trade union rights of Railway employees. AIRF circular issued on 2nd February 2017 reads as follows:

"In continuation of our earlier letter of even no. dated 1st February 2017, you are advised to observe "Black Day" on 6th February 2017 wearing black badges/ribbons, right from branch to zonal levels, at all important offices of your Railway administrations, DEMANDING WITHDRAWAL OF RAILWAY BOARD'S LETTER DATED 31.01.2017, WHEREIN THE BOARD HAVE DECIDED TO DEBAR SUPERVISORS (IN ERSTWHILE GRADE PAY OF 4200) WORKING IN SAFETY CATEGORIES FROM TRADE UNION".

AIRF statement also said that the order is in violation of 87th ILO Convention and Indian Trade Union Act.

Railway order says that those supervisors working in safety categories cannot become office bearers of unions/Associations/Federations, but can only remain as members with effect from 01.04.2017.

The above is the present situation in Indian Railways and all the Railway unions/Associations/Federations are conducting various protest programmes (other than strike as dominant organisations are yet to take such a decision) against the policy offensives of the NDA Govt. Recently on 1st & 2nd February 2017, Dakshin Railway Employees Union (DREU) , All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA), All India Station Masters Association (AISMA) , All India Guard Council , Indian Railway Technical Supervisors Association etc. (other than AIRF and NFIR) had organised a massive National Convention and also Parliament March at New Delhi , demanding no privatisation and modifications in the 7th CPC recommendations.


ATTACK ON DEFENCE SECTOR
The situation in Defence sector is also not different. All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF) in its circular dated 04.02.2017, has conveyed the following developments to its rank and file:

"The ordnance factories are under severe attack due to the policies being adopted by the BJP - led NDA Government. Instead of developing and strengthening the ordnance factories, the Govt. is disowning the same and is planning fully to proceed to weaken the ordnance factories. Licences are being given to private companies for defence manufacturing including for those products which are being manufactured in the ordnance factories."

In a meeting of Senior Officers held on 5th January 2017, the Secretary, Ministry of Defence made the following comments
"You have to reduce the cost, otherwise you will not get workload in future, you have to compete with the private sector for getting workload. Two years is the period for ordnance factories."

Recently Sri Manohar Parikar, Defence Minister , who visited AFK Pune , in the meeting held with unions has stated that " Factories which are manufacturing clothing and leather items are not required in the Government. These items can easily be procured from private sector."

The proposal of corporatisation (which is a step towards privatisation) is also under consideration with Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Govt has constituted another committee to identify low technology/noncore items. It is seen from the press reports that a committee constituted by Defence Minister under the chairmanship of one retired IIM Professor has recommended for creation of a new independent organisation outside the Ministry of Defence to undertake defence procurement. It is understood that a new organisation tentatively called the "DEFENCE ACQUISITION AUTHORITY" will be fully responsible for the entire process of acquisition.

All these policy decisions of the Government will have serious impact on the existence of ordnance factories and on the job security of defence civilian employees. AIDEF has decided to convene a meeting of ordnance factory unions to take a serious stock of the situation and formulate an action plan to fight back.

THIS GOVT WILL UNDERSTAND THE LANGUAGE OF STRIKE ONLY. CONFEDERATION IS ON THE RIGHT PATH.

Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers, representing about thirteen lakhs Central Government Employees, which always stood in the forefront of the struggle against neo-liberal reforms and anti-people, anti -worker policies of the Govt. and also which conducted series of agitational programmes including strikes against the policy offensives of the Government, extends full support and solidarity to the Railway and Defence employees in their struggle for existence.

Confederation calls upon the entire Central Govt. employees to make the 16th March 2016 one day strike a thundering success. Let us be ready for an indefinite strike, if situation warrants.

Source: http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/

NPS COMMITTEE - HOPES for younger generation of Central Government Employees Shattered

NPS COMMITTEE - HOPES for younger generation of Central Government Employees Shattered

NPS committee constituted by the Government to streamline the National Pension System has called the JCM Staff Side for second round of discussion on 10.02.2017. As per the notified agenda, the committee is proposing discussion on only cosmetic changes in NPS. Basic issues such as (1) scrapping of NPS (2) Guaranteed Minimum pension to NPS Pensioners ie; 50% of the last pay drawn should be guaranteed by Government as minimum pension even if the returns from annuity insurance scheme amount is less than the 50%. and (3) Exemption of Central Govt. Employees from the purview of NPS, are not included in the agenda of the meeting even though the Cabinet Secretary has assured JCM Staff Side Chairman and Secretary Shri. Raghavayya and Shri Shiv Gopal Misra on 19th January 2017 that  "so far as issue of NPS is concerned he has already directed the Committee to hold meeting with Staff Side". From reading the agenda it can be seen that main demands of the Staff Side are avoided, thus betraying the cause of thousands of younger generation Central Government Employees who joined service after 01.01.2004. Their hopes are shattered and belied. NJCA should revive the deferred strike to protect the interest of younger generations. Let us make the 16th March 2017 Confederation Strike a grand success.

M. Krishnan
Secretary General
Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers.
Mob & WhatApp: 09447068125.
Email: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com

Source: http://confederationhq.blogspot.in

7th CPC arrears for Defence Pensioners - Pension Disbursing Agencies have started releasing the 7th CPC arrears due to the pensioners

7th CPC arrears for Defence Pensioners - Pension Disbursing Agencies have started releasing the 7th CPC arrears due to the pensioners.

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Defence

03-February-2017 16:28 IST

Defence Pensioners

Details of State-wise assessed number of Defence Pensioners as on 01.04.2016 are enclosed as under: STATE WISE ASSESSED NUMBER OF DEFENCE PENSIONERS AS ON 01.04.2016

Sl. No.	State	No. of Pensioners
1	Andaman & Nicobar	1057
2	Andhra Pradesh	65047
3	Arunachal Pradesh	1851
4	Assam	62265
5	Bihar	112626
6	Chhattisgarh	5218
7	Chandigarh	23885
8	Goa	2715
9	Gujarat	18361
10	Haryana	271034
11	Himachal Pradesh	150306
12	Jammu & Kashmir	85059
13	Jharkhand	9890
14	Karnataka	109541
15	Kerala	169255
16	Madhya Pradesh	53504
17	Maharashtra	196559
18	Manipur	5947
19	Meghalaya	2809
20	Mizoram	2455
21	Nagaland	1125
22	New Delhi	98037
23	Odisha	21564
24	Pondicherry	1333
25	Punjab	277985
26	Rajasthan	140405
27	Sikkim	288
28	Tamilnadu	116981
29	Tripura	2852
30	Uttar Pradesh	224971
31	Uttarakhand	87576
32	West Bengal	70293
33	Indian Embassy Nepal	107837
	Total	2500631

Pension Disbursing Agencies have started releasing the 7th CPC arrears due to the pensioners. Details regarding amount released and number of pensioners benefitted are being collected. This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shrimati Vasanthi M. in Lok Sabha today.

Central government employees annoyed with Modi government about 7th Pay Commission pay hike

Central government employees annoyed with Modi government about 7th Pay Commission pay hike

New Delhi: With widespread resentment against the "meagre" pay hike implemented in the 7th Pay Commission and not get the the higher allowances, central government employees are annoyed with PM Modi government.

They are annoyed at little pay hike without allowances.

The Prime Minister Narendra modi government has fixed the minimum pay at a meagre Rs 18,000 in the 7th Pay Commission. In the last Pay Commission, the basic pay was Rs 7,000. The government multiplied it by 2.57 (fitment formula) and came to Rs 18,000. The employees unions are demanding 3.68 fitment formula.

The major contention is on the minimum pay, which unions are demanding to be Rs 26,000.

The employees unions had a meeting with a group of ministers, including the Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on the evening of June 30, 2016. The ministers said it will be considered and would be referred to High Level Committee.

The ministers assured the employees unions of hiking minimum pay but the government now decided not to appoint High Level Committee to examine the 7th Pay Commission recommendations in respect of minimum pay.

"The government will not clear any proposal on hike in minimum Pay including others pay related matter under the 7th Pay Commission recommendations because the cabinet had already passed it. Hence cabinet only will take higher allowances which was not given nod by it", the top Finance Ministry sources told The Sen Times.

The government had set up the committee on allowances headed by Finance Secretary to examine the recommendations of 7th Pay Commission on allowances other than dearness allowance for cabinet nod in July, 2016 as the pay commission had recommended abolition of 51 allowances and subsuming 37 others out of 196 allowances. The committee on allowances was given four months by the government to complete its task.

The government gave the extension of the term of the committee on allowances up to February 22, 2017 in November.

However, the committee on allowances head Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa said in October, 2016, "We are ready to submit our report, when the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley calls up."

The government gave the extension on the pretext of demonetisation for getting normalized the position of the cash crunch.

Now, the government said that the higher allowances may be announced in March after the completion of five states assemblies poll process as the model code of conduct has come into effect from January 4 and the implementation is to come in April after nine to ten months of getting basic pay hike of the central government employees.

The sources told us that the government had no plan to give allowances in arrears from August.

So, the 7th pay commission recommendations gave an agonizing pain for the central government employees.

TST

Budget 2017 - Central Government Employees disappointed - Confederation of Central Government Employees

Budget 2017 - Central Government Employees disappointed - Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers, Karnataka State reports

Not a single word about Central Government Employees uttered in Budget Speech of FM

Comrades ,

The budget for the year 2017-18 was presented by the Shri Arun Jaitleyji Hon’ble Minister of Finance on 1st Feb 2017 , the Central Government employees had lot of hopes of this budget especially on increasing the tax slabs and tax rates reduction , also on allowances and increasing our wages i.e. revision of the fitment formula . One more important issue of filling up of vacant post in the Central Government.

Shri Arun Jaitleyji Hon'ble Minister of Finance had not uttered a single word about Central Government employees in his budget speech of nearly two hours, even though the Central Government employees work with dedication and implement the programmes and policy of the Central Government either way of revenue collection, transportation, public service , working for the welfare of the people of the country etc . This has caused dissatisfaction amongst Central Government employees as many of the demands of the Central Government employees are not considered. The tax proposals provided only a small relief to the Central Government Employees, actually a big relief should have been provided. The Central Government employees are disappointed of the outcome of the budget.

Now let us focus main issues of the CG employees and the budget 2017-18 especially this budget is being presented after the demonetization. As stated earlier the financial position of the Central Government is very good even after demonetization. The budget 2017-18 has once again proved that the Central Government resources are very good the revenue expenditure has been pat 21.47 lakh crores. The fiscal deficit will be 3.2 % of GDP.

Now coming to the revenue growth of the Central Government in last four years we can observe from the financial year 2013-14 the Revenue Expenditure which was at is Rs 16.64 lakh crores the Revenue Expenditure the financial year 2017-18 which stands at 21.47 lakh crores . The fiscal deficit has also reduced from 4.8 % to 3.2 % of GDP in last four years . This shows that the financial status of the Central Government is very good. The growth rate of the revenue collection is about 15% annually. In fact the Shri Arun Jaitleyji Hon'ble Minister of Finance had stated the revenue collection is increasing to about 17 % annually. We should be proud that your country economy is in good shape. Indian economy is a stable economy can accommodate any additional financial expenditure to be made for the welfare of Central Government employees.

The revenue of the Central Government is increasing at about 15% annually, from last three years the revenue of the Central Government has increased by 45% the expenditure towards salary of Central Government employees including the defence employees has risen only by 14.5 % on wage hike due to 7th CPC and also Dearness Allowances expenditure. So total rise in pay hike is about 22% , even if allowances are released in next financial year additional expenditure is likely at just 3% as 70% of the employees don’t avail HRA which is the major allowances, . which is very much less than the 45% of the revenue collection of the Central Government. So the Central Government can afford to increase our wages considerably i.e revision of fitment formula and minimum wage . The allowances should be made effectively from 1st Jan 2016.

Next on the tax slabs the Shri Arun Jaitleyji Hon’ble Minister of Finance had made announcement of the tax proposals provided only a small relief to the Central Government Employees by reducing the taxes for the slab 2.5 lakhs to 5 lakhs from 10% to 5% . This is only a very small gestures on the part of Shri Arun Jaitleyji Hon’ble Minister of Finance , actually a big relief should have been provided by way of abolishing the taxes up to Rs 5 lakhs . The expenditure loss for reduction of taxes for the slab 2.5 lakhs to 5 lakhs(1.95 crore show income between Rs 2.5 to Rs 5 lakh) from 10% to 5% is just at Rs 15,500/- crores only , if the Hon’ble Minister of Finance had announced the abolishing the taxes up to Rs 5 lakhs it could have been additional expenditure of Rs 15,000 crores only which at just half percent of the total budget revenue collections , next Rs 5 to Rs10 lakhs slab (only 52 lakh show income between Rs 5 to Rs 10 lakhs ) here also there should have been reduction in taxes from 20% to 10% , the limit of Rs 1.5 lakh under Section 80C for investment should have been increased upto 2.5 lakh which would have encouraged savings , all these measures could have gone a long way benefiting the Central Government employees and the salaried class employees a lot.

Today hardly 3 % of the country population are paying the income tax, the rest 97% do not pay income tax .The Central Government Employees are honestly paying the taxes. A big tax relief is genuinely due for them.

One more important problem faced by the Central Government Employees is that the no filling up of the vacant post in the Central Government, nearly 4 lakhs post are vacant, even in Railway safety post of 1.41 lakh post are vacant and Income tax department post are vacant, more manpower is required for effectively collection of the taxes and implementation of the programmes and policy of the Central Government. This will also provide jobs for the youth of the country.

We sincerely hope the Hon’ble Minister of Finance would reconsider his decision and improve the taxation policy and consider the demands of the CG employees effectively in true spirit.

Comradely yours

(P.S.Prasad)
General Secretary

Source: Confederation Karnataka State