Enhancement of ceiling of Payment of Gratuity to the NVS employees from Rs.10.00 lacs to Rs.20.00 lacs

Enhancement of ceiling of Payment of Gratuity to the NVS employees from Rs.10.00 lacs to Rs.20.00 lacs

Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti

Ministry of Human Resource Development

Government of India

(Department of School Education & Literacy)

B-15. Institutional Area. Sector-62 Noida

Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh -201209

Dated: 24.02.2020

NOTIFICATION

Sub:- Enhancement of ceiling of Payment of Gratuity to the employees of NVS from Rs.10.00 lacs to Rs.20.00 lacs.

It is hereby notified that the ceiling limit of Gratuity has been enhanced from Rs.10.00 lacs to Rs.20.00 lacs with effect from 29.03.2018 in respect of the employees who joined NVS prior to 01.01.2004.

Also read: Benefit of gratuity in respect of Central Government Employees counting of service on joining new service covered under National Pension System (NPS)

It is also notified that the NVS-Payment of Gratuity Rules, 2007 hither to in operation has been scrapped. Henceforth, the Payment of Gratuity, as amended from time to time under Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 ( amended in 2018) will be applicable for employees of NVS who joined NVS prior to 01.01.2004.

This has the approval of the Ministry as communicated vide letter No. F.No. 17-30/2018-UT-3 dated 11.02.2020.

Also check: NPS: Extension of benefits of Retirement Gratuity and Death Gratuity to the Central Government employees covered by New Defined Contribution Pension System (National Pension System)

(G. Arumugam)

Joint Commissioner (Admn.)

MoD – Defence Budget 2020 – 2021 – Defence Pension 2020

MoD – Defence Budget 2020 – 2021 – Defence Pension 2020

The Union budget for the 2020-21 financial year, presented to Parliament on February 01, 2020 by Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, envisaged a total outlay of Rs 30,42,230 crore. Rs 3,37,553 crore (excluding Defence Pension) has been allocated for Defence. A amount of Rs 1,33,825 crore was provided for Defence Pension in Budget Estimates 2020-21.

There is an increase in total Defence allocations (Rs 4,71,378 crore) of Rs 40,367.21 crore including Defence Pension over the 2019-20 fiscal year. Total defence budget accounts for 15.49 per cent of total central government spending for the 2020-21 fiscal year.

The allocation of Rs 4,71,378 crore reflects a 9.37 per cent increase over Budget Estimates (Rs 4,31,010,79 crore) for the 2019-20 financial year.

Of the Rs 3,37,553 crore allocated for the 2020-21 financial year, Rs 2,18,998 crore is for revenue (Net) expenditure and Rs 1,18,555 crore is for capital expenditure for Defence Services and Ministry of Defense organizations / departments. The total of Rs 1,18,555 crore allocated for capital spending includes expenditure related to modernisation.

Input from PIB

Budget 2020 – Personal Income Tax and tax simplification

Budget 2020 – Personal Income Tax and tax simplification

In order to provide significant relief to individual taxpayers and to simplify the Income-Tax law, the Finance Minister proposed to introduce a new and simpler personal income tax system in which income tax rates will be substantially reduced for individual taxpayers who forgo such deductions and exemptions.

The proposed tax-slab adjustments are listed in the table below:

Taxable Income Slab (Rs.)	Existing tax rates	New tax rates
0-2.5 Lakh	Exempt	Exempt
2.5-5 Lakh	5%	5%
5-7.5 Lakh	20%	10%
7.5-10 Lakh	20%	15%
10-12.5 Lakh	30%	20%
12.5-15 Lakh	30%	25%
Above 15 Lakh	30%	30%

Surcharge and cess shall be continued to be levied at the existing rates.

In the new tax system, a taxpayer will gain substantial tax benefit, depending on the exemptions and deductions that he seeks. Thus its tax burden in the new regime will be reduced by Rs. 78,000. He would still be the gainer in the new regime, even though under the old regime he took deduction from Rs. 1.5 Lakh under various sections of Chapter VI-A of the Income Tax Act.

To individuals the new tax system will be free. An person currently benefiting from more deductions and exemptions under the Income Tax Act may choose to take advantage of them and continue to pay tax in the old regime.

The new rates for personal income tax would require foregone revenue of Rs. 40,000 crore per year. Measures were implemented to pre-fill the income tax return so that a person who opts for the new regime would not need an expert’s assistance to file their report and pay income tax.

The Finance Minister said that over the past several decades she has reviewed all exemptions and deductions that have been incorporated into the income tax legislation. The Income Tax Act currently provides more than one hundred exemptions and deductions of different character. In the new simplified regime, she said she has removed about 70 of them. She said that in the coming years, the remaining exemptions and deductions would also be reviewed and rationalized to further simplify the tax system and lower the tax rate.

AICPIN for December 2019 - Press Release

AICPIN for December 2019 - Press Release

The All-India CPI-IW for December 2019 increased by 2 points and pegged at 330 (three hundred and thirty)

No. 5/1/2019-CPI
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT
LABOUR BUREAU

"CLEREMONT", SHIMLA - 171004
DATED: 31st January, 2020

Press Release

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) - December 2019 

The AICPIN All-India CPI-IW for December 2019 increased by 2 points and pegged at 330 (three hundred and thirty). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by (+) 0.61 per cent between November and December 2019 when compared with the increase of (-) 0.33 per cent for the corresponding months of last year.

The maximum upward pressure to the change in current index came from Food group contributing (+) 1.87 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Onion, Jowar, Rice, Wheat & Wheat Atta, Arhar Dal, Moong Dal, Urd Dal, Mustard Oil, Egg (Hen), Fish Fresh, Goat Meat, Fresh Milk, Chillies Dry, Drum Stick, Potato, Cooking Gas, Electricity Charges, Fire Wood, Employees State Insurance (ESI) Contribution, Petrol, Flowers / Flower Garland etc. are responsible for the increase in index. However, this increase was checked by Chillies Green, Ginger, Banana, Brinjal, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Green Coriander leaves, Guava, Lemon, Methi, Palak, Peas, Radish, Tomato, Toilet Soap, etc., putting downward pressure on the index.

Don't forget to read: Expected DA 2020 for Central Government Employees and Pensioners

Year-on-year inflation based on all-items stood at 9.63 per cent for December 2019 as compared to 8.61 per cent for the previous month and 5.24 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, Food inflation stood at 12.22 per cent against 9.87 per cent of the previous month and (-) 0.96 per cent during the corresponding month of an year ago.

At centre level, Tiruchirapally observed the maximum increase of 12 points followed by Goa (11 points), Giridih and Belgaum (9 points each) and Ludhiana and Puducherry (8 points each). Among others, 7 points increase was observed in 4 centres, 6 points in 5 centres, 5 points in another 5 centres, 4 points in next another 5 centres, 3 points in 11 centres, 2 points in 12 centres and 1 point in 13 centres. On the contrary, Sholapur and Surat recorded a maximum decrease of 3 points each. Among others, 4 centres observed a fall in index by 2 points and 6 centres recorded a decline of 1 point. 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 January 2020 will be released on Friday 28th February, 2020. The same will also be available on the office website labourbureaunew.gov.in.

(AMRIT LAL JANGID)
DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Date of eligibility for pension and Retirement benefits

DoPPW Corrigendum Office Order – Who is eligible for Pension?

An error found in a booklet of “Know Your Retirement Benefits” published by the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare about date of applicability for pension.

DoPPW Corrigendum Office Order – Error in Booklet of “Know Your Retirement Benefits” – Who is eligible for Pension?

The DoPPW has published a corrigendum office order on 16.12.2019 to rectify the error about date of applicability for pension.

Also check: Expected DA from January 2020

As per the content of order, the DoPPW had published a booklet entitled “Know Your Retirement Benefits” for general awareness of retiring Government Employees. It is noticed that a printing mistake has crept in on the first page wherein it is printed that “WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR PENSION“.

A Central Government employee who joined in pensionable service prior to 01-04-2014″. Whereas the date mentioned above should have been 01-01-2004.

It is accordingly requested that the words and figures “prior to 01-01-2004” in place of “prior to 01-04-2014” may be substituted in the first sentence at page 1 of the above publication. Similar correction may also be read in the Hindi version published at page 1 of Hindi part of the book.

Central Civil Services Pension Rules

Who is eligible for pension?

A Central Government servant appointed in a pensionable establishment on or before 31.12.2003 and retires from Government service with a qualifying service of 10 years or more is eligible for pension.

What is the amount of minimum and maximum pension after 7th Pay Commission?

The pension shall not be less than Rs. 9000 (excluding the element of additional pension to old pensioners) and shall not be more than 50% of the highest pay in Government i.e Rs. 1,25,000 w.e.f. 01.01.2016.

Grant of Dearness Relief to CPF beneficiaries in receipt of ex-gratia payment in the 5th CPC series effective from 01.07.2019

Grant of Dearness Relief to CPF beneficiaries in receipt of ex-gratia payment in the 5th CPC series effective from 01.07.2019

No.42/04/2019-P&PW(D)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare

3 rd Floor, Lek Nayak Bhavan,

Khan Market, New Delhi – 110003

Dated 3rd Dec,2019

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Grant of Dearness Relief in the 5th CPC series effective from 01.07.2019 to CPF beneficiaries in receipt of ex-gratia payment – reg

In continuation of this Department’s OM No.42/04/2019- P&PW(D) dated 27.03.2019, the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Relief w.e.f 01.07.2019 to the CPF beneficiaries in receipt of ex-gratia payment shall be paid in the following manner :-

(i) The surviving CPF beneficiaries who have retired from service between the period 18,11.1960 and 31.12.1985, and were sanctioned ex-gratia @, Rs, 600/ p.m. w.e.f. 1.11.1997 under this Department’s OM No. 45/52/97-P&PW(E) dated 16.12.1997 and revised to Rs.3000, Rs.1000, Rs.750 & Rs.650 for Group A, B, C & D respectively w.e.f 4th June,2013 vide GM No.1/10/2012-P&PW(E) dtd. 27th June, 2013 shall be entitled to enhanced Dearness Relief from 295% to 312% w.c.f 01.07.2019.

Also check: Grant of Dearness Relief in the 5th CPC series effective from 01.01.2019 to CPF beneficiaries in receipt of ex-gratia payment

(ii) The following categories of CPF beneficiaries who are in receipt of ex-gratia payment in terms of this Department’s OM No. 45/52/97-P&PW(E) dated 16.12.1997 shall be entitled to enhanced Dearness Relief from 287% to 304% w.e.f 01.07.2019.

    "(a) The widows and eligible children of the deceased CPF beneficiary who had retired from service prior to 1.1.1986 or who had died while in service prior to 1,1.1986 and were sanctioned ex-gratia payment of Rs. 605/- p.m. and revised to .Rs.645/-p.m w.e.f 04 June, 2013 vide OM No 1 /10/2012-P&PW(E) dated 27th June,2013.

    (b) Central Government employees who had retired on CPF benefits before 18.11.1960 and are in receipt of Ex-gratia payment of Rs. 654/-, Rs.659/-, Rs.703/- and Rs.965/-

2. Payment of DR involving a fraction of a rupee shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee.

3. It will be the responsibility of the pension disbursing authorities, including the nationalized banks, etc. to calculate the quantum of DR payable in each individual ease.

4. In their application to the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issue after the concurrence of 0/o Comptroller & Auditor General of India.

5. This issues in pursuance of Ministry of Finance. Department of Expenditure OM No.1/3(2)/2008- E.II(B) dated 25th October, 2019

6. Hindi version will follow.

(Charanjit Taneja)

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Grant of Cycle Maintenance Allowance to Gramin Dak Sevas (ABPM/Dak Sevaks)

Grant of Cycle Maintenance Allowance to Gramin Dak Sevas (ABPM/Dak Sevaks)

No.17-31/2016-GDS

Government of India

Ministry of Communications

Department of Posts

(GDS Section)

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg

New Delhi — 110001

Dated: 05.12.2019

To,
The Chief PMG Delhi Circle, New Delhi
Grant of Cycle Maintenance Allowance after rationalisation of categories of Gramin Dak Sevaks on implementation of GDS Committee Report.

Sir,

  I am directed to refer to DPS(O & HQ) DO letter no.Estt/R-275/Pt.II dtd 11.09.2019 on the above noted subject and to inform you that, the matter has been examined by this Directorate.

2. Further, I am therefore directed by the Competent Authority to inform you that, after rationalization of all categories of GDS on implementation of GDS Committee report, all the categories of GDS posts who erstwhile called as Mail Carrier/Mail Deliverer etc. have been brought under the category of ABPMIDak Sevaks. But nature of work/duties of these categories have not been changed. Hence, Cycle Maintenance Allowance may be granted to those ABPM/Dak Sevaks only, who use their own cycle for Out door duty, Mail Collection, Delivery, Conveyance etc.

(S.B.Vyavahare)

Assistant Director General (GDS/PCC)

Tel. No. 011-23096629

Email-adggds@indiaposkgov.in

Supreme Court Order - Benefit of pensioners who retired on 30th June

Supreme Court Order

Benefit of pensioners who retired on 30th June

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
(DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2027 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.12.2019)

IMPLEMENTATION OF SUPREME COURT ORDER BENEFITTING PENSIONERS

SHRI C.M. RAMESH:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government had filed a Review Petition in the Supreme Court of India against Court’s order dated the 23rd July, 2018 [RP (c) No. 1731/2019 in SLP (c) No. 22008/2018] and the Court had dismissed the SLP on 8th August, 2019, if so, the details thereof; and

(b) whether in the light of the said order of the Supreme Court. Government has issued any order to implement it for the benefit of pensioners who retired on 30th June, if not, whether any timeline has been fixed and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE

(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a): Yes, Sir. Union of India filed SLP (C) No. 22008/2018 in the Supreme Court of India against Order dated 15-09-2017 in WP No. 15732/2017 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Madras. The said SLP was dismissed by the Supreme Court of India by its Order dated 23-07- 2018. Against the said Order, Union of India filed Review Petition (C) No. 1731/2019 which was dismissed by the Supreme Court of India vide its Order dated 08-08-2019.

(b): As the judgment is in personnel and is contrary to the personnel policy of Government of India, no general order has been issued.

Relief of the railway employees in the event of a transfer request

Railway transfer request

Relief of the railway employees in the event of a transfer request

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(RAILWAY BOARD)

RB.No: 203/2019

No.E(NG)I/2019 /PM2/ 18CC

New Delhi, dated November 26-11-2019

The General Managers
All Zonal Railways & Production Units.
(as per srandard mailing list)

Sub: Relieving of Railway employees in time after order of transfer in cases of request transfer.

As the Railway administrations are aware, instructions already exist which provide that in cases of request transfer, the requests should be dealt with in an organized and expeditious manner so that there is no occasion for any grievance in the mind of the staff in regard to the handling of their request.

It has been observed that despite the existence of such instruction, due to administrative exigencies,it sometimes becomes difficult to relieve the transferred employee a within a reasonable time, which results in loss of seniority to the employee in his new place of posting. The loss is even greater when he goes to posts one grade below, and new recruits from subsequent batches join before him.

Also check: Comprehensive Transfer Policy – Exemption from 5 years service condition – Indian Railways – NFIR

The loss in seniority in such cases resulting from delayed relieving of the emproyee often leads to litigation, and structures passed by Hon’able Courts.

In one such case recently, the Hon’ble CAT/Chennai in OAs, No.751/2019 and other similar OAs, vide their common order dated 05.07.2019, inter-alia observed as under:

Since it is submitted by the applicants that IREC is silent on the above issue and accordingly there is a void in this regard in the policy, we deem it appropriate to direct the first respondent to consider the concerned raised in the OAs as a policy issue and take an appropriate decision on whether and if so, how the interests of such transferred employees should be protected in regard to their seniority at-least from the date from which they where approved for IRT, if they could not be relieved soon thereafter in public interest. Such policy decision may be taken and orders issued within a period of six month from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.”

The matter has accordingly been considered in the Board. while it may not be desirable / feasible to assign seniority to transferred employee of approval of in the new unit from the date of approval of the transfer, when the employees is still actually working in the parent unit, every effort should be made to relieve her/him at an early date. Where delay in relieving of the employees after orders are issued exceeds is likely to exceed 3 months, the case should be put up by Sr.DPO/ WPO to DRM/ CWM as the case may be giving specific reasons for the delay and likely date of relief.

Please acknowledge receipt.

(D.Joseph)

Railway Board

Source: NFIR

Grant of revised Training Allowance to Defence Personnels – 7th CPC MoD order

Training Allowance in 7th CPC – Revised rates admissible in Defence Training Establishment: MoD Order dt 28.11.2019

No. PC-1(16)/ 2017/ D(Pay/Services)/Pt. II

Government of India

Ministry of Defence

New Delhi, the 28th Nov 2019

To

The Chief of the Army Staff
The Chief of the Naval Staff
The Chief of the Air Staff

    Subject: Recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission – Implementation of decision relating to the grant of Training Allowance.

Sir,

I am directed to refer to MoD letter No. 1(26)/97/VI/ D(Pay/Services) dated 29.02.2000, Nos. 1/54/ 2008/ D(Pay/Services) and 1/55/ 2008/ D(Pay/Services) both dated 04.11.2008 and Department of Personnel and Training OM No. 13024/01/2016-Trg. Ref. dated 24.10.2017 and 12.11.2018 and to say that consequent upon the decision taken by the Government on the recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission vide Ministry of Finance Resolution No. 11-1/2016-IC dated 06th July 2017, Instructional Allowance has been abolished as a separate
allowance w.e.f. 01.07.2017 and Training Allowance shall now be admissible to the eligible personnel, at the following rates:

In National/Central Training Academies and Institutes for Group ‘A’ Officers mentioned under Appendix ‘A’	24% of Basic Pay
In other Training Establishments mentioned under Appendix ‘B’	12% of Basic Pay

2. Admissibility of this allowance will be regulated in the following manner:

(i) Training allowance will be admissible only to faculties who join the training academies/ institutes/ establishments for imparting training for a specified period of time and are then likely to go back.

(ii) Training allowance will be admissible to faculty members excluding those not covered by these guidelines as indicated in sub para (v) without any ceiling and will not form part of pay as defined in F.R. 9(21), but will count for purpose of leave salary.

(iii) Training allowance will continue to be drawn for the period the trainer is on study or tour related to training activities.

(iv) Such training allowance will also be admissible to personnel who goes on deputation as a faculty member to an autonomous training institutions aided by the Central Government which inter-alia trains Group ‘A’ Government officials.C Pay Matrix Level in the case of employees who are in 6th CPC – 1S Pay Band (Rs.4440-440) + GP 1300

(v) Training allowance will not be admissible to those permanent faculties of training academies/ institutes/ establishments who have been recruited directly by the training academies/ institutes/ establishments for imparting training.

(vi) Deputation (Duty) Allowance will not be payable during the period in which the trainers are in receipt of Training allowance.

(vii) Standard cooling off period between tenures will apply.

3. The term ‘Basic Pay’ for the purpose of these orders refers to basic pay as defined in relevant Army/ Air Force Pay Rules and Navy Pay Regulations.

4. Institutes either discontinued/ disbanded from the list of training establishments mentioned under MoD letter No. 1(26)/97/VI/ D(Pay/Services) dated 29.02.2000 are mentioned under Appendix ‘C’

5. Officers/JCOs/ORs deployed on administrative/logistic duties m these Training institutes will not be entitled for Training Allowance.

6. These orders shall be effective from 1st July, 2017.

7. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Defence (Finance) vide their ID No. 3(8)/ 2019/AG/PA/ 212-PA dated 26.11.2019.

Encl. As above

(Arun Kumar)

Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Source: MoD

Rules for Central Government Employees to Contests Elections

Rules for Central Government Employees to Contests Elections

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Rules for Government Employees to Contests Elections

04 DEC 2019

The Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, which are applicable to the Central Government civilian employees, prohibit the employees from contesting elections to any Legislative or Local Authority.

The conduct of employees of autonomous bodies, statutory organizations, public sector enterprises, trusts, banks etc. is governed by the respective set of rules/ regulations applicable to them.

Check: Central government employees news latest update

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

PIB

Indian Railways provides Divyangjans with various facilities to make their services more convenient and accessible for differently abled passengers

Indian Railways provides Divyangjans with various facilities to make their services more convenient and accessible for differently abled passengers

Ministry of Railways

Indian Railways offers various facilities for Divyangjans to make its services more convenient and accessible for differently-abled passengers

Specially designed coaches, concessional tickets and reservation quota are some of the facilities offered

Railway stations made more accessible by wheelchairs, battery operated vehicles and Yatri Mitra Sewa

03 DEC 2019

Encouraged by Accessible India Campaign launched in 2015 by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, Indian Railways have been providing facilities/services to Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) so as to enable them a barrier free transportation across the Railway network. To make its services more convenient and accessible to differently-abled passengers (Divyangjans) at railway stations, Indian Railways offers the following facilities for the Divyangjans.

Also check: Facility for Disabled and Senior Citizens on Trains and at Railway Stations

•     Specially designed coaches known as SLRD coaches with wider entrance doors to allow a wheel chair to enter, wider aisles, modified toilet and with 4 berths, the lower two for persons with disability and upper berths for attendants have been attached in almost all Mail/ express trains except Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Jan shatabdi Express trains and Duranto Express trains.
•     Instructions have been issued that in all mail/ express trains, the SLRD coaches should be treated as unreserved coaches earmarked for exclusive use of persons with disability. In case of Garib Rath express trains which are fully reserved trains, these coaches are treated as reserved for booking by persons with disability (Divyangjans) travelling on the prescribed certificate on payment of full fare of 3 AC class of Garib Rath Express on first come first served basis.
•     Separate counters are earmarked at various Passenger Reservation System (PRS) centres for dealing with the reservation requisitions received from Persons with Disability and Senior Citizens, if the average demand per shift is not less than 120 tickets wherever feasible. ln case there is no justification for earmarking of an exclusive counter for any of these categories of persons including handicapped persons, one or two counters depending upon the total demand are earmarked for dealing with the reservation requests for all these categories of persons.
•     A reservation quota of four sleeper class berths and two berths in 3 AC has been earmarked in all trains running on non-suburban sections for persons with disability performing their journey on concessional ticket. The person accompanying the person with disability as escort is also allotted the berth out of this quota.
•     Instructions have also been issued that in the tickets issued through PRS, to extent feasible, one lower berth should be allotted to person with disability and the person accompanying the person with disability as escort should be allotted middle/upper berth near the person with disability subject to availability of accommodation.
•     After departure of train, if there are vacant lower berths available in the train and if any person with disability booked on the authority of concessional ticket, who has been allotted upper/middle berth, approaches for allotment of vacant lower berths, the Conductor/Train Ticket Examiner (TTE) has been authorized to allot the vacant lower berth to them after making necessary entries in the chart.
•     The facility to book concessional e-tickets online using the photo-identity card issued by Railways has also been introduced to facilitate persons with disability.

As per Railway rules, concession in fares is admissible to four categories of Persons with Disability. The names of these four categories, and the element concession admissible, are as under :-

To make accessibility better, the following facilities are being served currently at stations:-

•     Wheel chair on platforms: Around 7000 wheelchairs have been provided at more than 5400 railway stations. The wheelchairs are provided by Railways and are given to attendant of the Divyangjan absolutely ‘free of cost’ to escort them from and to the trains. However, when attendants are not willing or available, Sahayaks can be hired on nominal rates to escort the Divyangjans.
•     In addition a scheme of Yatri Mitra sewa is also available, wherein a sahayak provided by IRCTC assists the person with disability by providing wheel chair cum porter services at major stations. The Yatri Mitra seva service can be booked on IRCTC e-ticketing website and 139 (IVRS and SMS) or through a mobile.
•     Battery operated Vehicle (BOV) vehicles are available at some stations and Powers have further been delegated to Zonal Railways for provision of BOV free of charge for person with disability through CSR route/commercial publicity route and through chargeable route.
•     In addition to above, it has been decided to provide following short term facilities for persons with disability at stations (Comprehensive instructions for passenger amenities and user facilities at stations dated 09.04.2018):

1.     Provision of standard ramp with railing for barrier free entry.
2.     Earmarking of at least two parking lots for vehicle used by disabled persons.
3.     Provision of non-slippery walkway from parking lot to building.
4.     Provision of signage of appropriate visibility.
5.     Provision of at least one drinking water tap suitable for use by a disabled person.
6.     Provision of at least one toilet on the ground floor.
7.     “May I help you” booth.

•     In the long term the following facilities are being planned for persons with disability at Non-suburban Grade (NSG)1 to NSG 4 category stations:

1.     Provision of facility for inter-platform transfer.
2.     Engraving on edges of platforms.

An Executive Director level committee is also formed to frame guidelines regarding Accessibility standards over Indian Railways. ED /Station development is the convenor of the committee.

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Indian Railways reaffirms its commitment to the cause of empowering of Divyangjans through the ‘Accessible India Campaign’.

PIB

Date of next increment under Rule 10 of the CCS RP Rules, 2016 – DoE

MACP

Date of next increment under Rule 10 of the CCS RP Rules, 2016 – DoE

The undersigned is directed to invite the attention to Rule 10 of the CCS (RP) Rules, 2016 which provides for the entitlement of employees for drawal of annual increment either on 1st January or 1st July depending on the date of appointment, promotion or grant of financial upgrdation. The Sub-Rule (2) thereof provides that increment in respect of an employee appointed or promoted or granted financial up-gradation including up-gradation under Modified Assured Carrier Progression Scheme (MACPS) during the period between the 2nd day of January and 1st day of July (both inclusive) shall be granted on 1st day of January and the increment in respect of an employee appointed or promoted or granted financial up-gradation under MACPS during the period between the 2nd day of July and 1st day of January (both inclusive) shall be granted on 1st day of July.

Also check:Pay Fixation on Promotion or MACP in 7th CPC – Option Calculation with illustrations

2. A number of references were received in the Ministry of Finance seeking clarifications regarding drawal of next increment by the employees promoted on 1st July, 2016. On consideration of the matter, Department of Expenditure vide it’s Office Memorandum of even number dated 31.07.2018 has clarified that in case an employee is promoted or granted financial up-gradation including up-gradation under the MACP scheme on 1st January or 1st July, where the pay is fixed in the Level applicable to the post on which promotion is made in accordance with the Rule 13 of the CCS (RP) Rules, 2016, the first increment in the Level applicable to the post on which promotion is made shall accrue on the following 1st July or 1st January, as the case may be, provided a period of 6 months qualifying service is strictly fulfilled. The next increment thereafter shall, however, accrue only after completion of one year.

3. Consequent upon issue of Office Memorandum dated 31.07.2018 different Ministries/ Departments have sought clarification on applicability of DOE’s O.M dated 31.07.2018 keeping in view the provisions of Rule 10 of CCS (RP) Rules 2016 , Rule 22(I)(a)(1) of Fundamental Rules & provisions of Stepping up of pay. The issues on which various Ministries/Departments have sought clarifications and decisions thereon are brought in the succeeding paragraphs.

    "Issue No. 1: Whether after promotion on 1st July and fixation of pay with two increments the date of next increment will be 1st January or 1st July"

4. During the regime of 6th CPC, when the annual increment was admissible uniformly on 1st July every year, employees completing 6 months and above in the revised pay structure as on 1st July were eligible for grant of increment. In the 7th CPC regime there are two dates of increments 1st January and 1st July. Keeping in view the spirit of 6th CPC, O.M dated 31.07.2018 was issued providing for accrual of next increment on 1st July/1st January in respect of employees getting promotion on 1st January/1st July provided 6 months qualifying service is strictly fulfilled.

5. The instructions contained in the O.M. dated 31.07.2018 are self-explanatory in respect of the cases of promotion/ financial up-gradation falling on 1st July or Pt January. These instructions provide that in case of promotion/financial up-gradation on 1st July and 1st January and getting fixation of pay in the Level applicable to the post in which promotion is made in accordance with Rule 13 of the CCS (RP) Rules 2016, the first increment in the level in which promotion is made shall accrue on the following 1st January or 1st July, as the case may be, provided a period of 6 months’ qualifying service is fulfilled.

    "Issue No.2: Accrual of next increment in case of regular promotion /financial up-gradation of an employee on any date other than the date of annual increment and option for pay fixation is exercised under FR 22(I)(a)(1)."

6. The opportunity to exercise of option for pay fixation under FR 22(I)(a)(1) is available to employees in case of promotion/financial up-gradation. Therefore, the Central Government Employee promoted on regular basis/granted financial up-gradation on any date other than the date of his/her annual increment in lower grade and exercises the option under FR 22(I)(a)(1) read with Department of Personnel & Training’s OM No.13/02/2017-Estt.(Pay-I) dated 27.07.2017 for fixation of pay from the date of accrual of next increment in the scale of pay in lower grade, he may be allowed the 1st increment in promotional grade on 1st January/ 1st July as the case may be after completion of 6 months’ qualifying service after such fixation on 1st July/1st January (i.e., the date of increment in lower grade) on the analogy of Department of Expenditure’s OM dated 31.07.2018. The next increment, thereafter, shall however, accrue only after completion of one year.

7. Since there is material change, it has also been approved that the employees who have been regularly promoted or granted financial up-gradation on or after 01.01.2016 and desire to exercise/re-exercise option for pay fixation under FR22(I)(a)(1) shall be given an opportunity to exercise or re-exercise of the option there under. Such an option shall be exercised within one month of issue of this O.M.

8. These instructions will be applicable with effect from 01.01.2016.

9. In so far as persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders issue after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

10. Hindi version of these orders is attached.

(B.K.Manthan)

Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

AICPIN for October 2019

AICPIN for October 2019

No. 5/1/2019-CPI

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT

LABOUR BUREAU

CLEREMONT’, SHIMLA-171004

DATED: 29th November, 2019

Press Release

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – October, 2019

The All-India CPI-IW for October, 2019 increased by 3 points and pegged at 325 (three hundred and twenty five). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by (+) 0.93 per cent between September, 2019 and October, 2019 when compared with the increase of (+) 0.33 per cent for the corresponding months of last year.

Also check: Expected DA January 2020

The maximum upward pressure to the change in current index came from Food group contributing (+) 2.85 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Wheat, Wheat Atta, Goat Meat, Milk Buffalo, Milk Cow, Garlic, Onion, Brinjal, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Gourd, Lady’s Finger, Potato, Tomato, Torai, Cooking Gas, Electricity Charges, Medicine (Homeopathic), College Fee, Petrol, etc. are responsible for the increase in index. However, this increase was checked by Ginger, French Bean, Radish, Apple, Lemon, Orange, Bus Fare, Hair Oil, etc., putting downward pressure on the index.

The year-on-year inflation based on CPI-IW stood’ at 7.62 per cent for October, 2019 as compared to 6.98 per cent for the previous month and 5.23 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 8.60 per cent against 7.05 per cent of the previous month and (-) 0.95 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.

At centre level Varanasi and Jamshedpur observed the maximum increase of 12 points each followed by Munger-Jamalpur and Chhindwara (11 points each) and Jabalpur (9 points). Among others, 8 points increase was observed in 2 centres, 7 points in 4 centres, 6 points in 4 centres, 5 points in 12 centres, 4 points in 6 centres, 3 points in 15 centres, 2 points in 11 centres and 1 point in 10 centres. On the contrary, Goa recorded a maximum decrease of 4 points followed by Tiruchirapally, Ajmer and Delhi (2 points each). Rest of the 5 centres’ indices remained stationary.

The indices of 32 centres are above All-India Index and 44 centres’ indices are below national average. The indices of Ernakulam and Warrangal centres remained at par with All-India Index.

The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of November, 2019 will be released on Tuesday, 31st December, 2019. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureaunew.gov.in.

Various Steps Taken to Safeguard Recruitment Examination

Various Steps Taken to Safeguard Recruitment Examination

Ministry of Labour & Employment

Various Steps Taken to Safeguard Recruitment Examinations

18 NOV 2019

The steps taken by the major recruitment agencies for the Central Government viz. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) and Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to safeguard the examination processes are enumerated below :

UPSC has started deploying low powered Jammers at the examination venues to prevent adoption of unfair means during the examinations by using mobiles phones, blue-tooth and other communicating devices.

Since, 2015, Computer Based Test (CBT) has been introduced in all Railway examinations. The internet domain, on which online CBTs are conducted, has the approval of Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In). After written examination, link of question paper and corresponding responses made by candidates with answer key is provided to their registered emails.

Staff Selection Commission(SSC) migrated from erstwhile Optical Mark Recognition(OMR(-) based examination to computer based examinations from June, 2016, and has taken comprehensive measures which, inter-alia, include audit of examination venues, conduct of mock-tests, deployment of its representatives as Inspecting Officers at the examination venues, comprehensive CCTV coverage of the examination venues, etc

Thorough checking & frisking of candidates with the help of Hand-Held Metal Detectors, registering of their bio-metric attendance, taking and matching of their photographs, etc., are also carried out at the examination centres.

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

PIB

UPSC Vacancy for the post of Level-6, Level-7 and Level 12

UPSC Vacancy for the post of Level-6, Level-7 and Level 12

LATEST DOPT ORDERS 2019

F.No.21/07/2019-CS-l(P)

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances Pension

Department of Personnel & Training

(C.S.l Division)

2nd Floor,’A’ wing,

Lok Nayak Bhawan,

Khan Market, New Delhi

Dated 7th November, 2019

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Filling up of the one post each in Level-6, Level-7 and Level 12 in UPSC.

The undersigned is directed to circulate the Vacancy Circulars No.A-35021/041201 9 Admn-ll dated 15th October, 20l9, A-35021/03/2019 dated 25th October, 2019 and A- 35021/07/2019 Admn-ll dated 25th October, 2019 (along-with enclosures) received from Union Public Service Commission for filling up the following posts as detailed below:-

Also check: Vacancy for officers in UPSC in Level 7 of the pay Matrix on Promotion / Deputation under Central Government, Deputation / Reemployment (For Armed Forces personnel)

S.No.	Name of the Post	Level
1	Library & Information Assistant (General Central Service, Group ‘B’ Gazetted, Non-Ministerial)	Level-6
2	Assistant Library & Information Officer ( General Central Service, Group ‘B’ Gazetted, Non-Ministerial)	Level-7
3	Officer on Special Duff. (Co-ordination General) (General Central Service, Group ‘A’, Gazetted, Non-Ministerial)	Level 12

2. It may be noted that cadre clearance from C.S.l Division will be required in case of Under Secretary and above level officers of CSS applying for deputation.

3. In case of any further clarification, applicants are requested to contact the concerned Ministries / Departments

(Sanjay Kumar Das Gupta)
Under Secretary to the Government of India 

To,
All Ministries/Departments (through DOPT’s website) 

Source: DoPT

Comprehensive Transfer Policy – Exemption from 5 years service condition – Indian Railways – NFIR

Comprehensive Transfer Policy – Exemption from 5 years service condition – Indian Railways – NFIR

NFIR

No.II/4/2018-I

Dated: 07/11/2019

The Chairman,
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir.

Sub: Comprehensive transfer policy – exemption from 5 years service condition-reg.

Ref: (i) NFIR’s PNM Item No. 18/2016.
(ii) Railway Board’s letter No. E(NG)I-2005/TR/20 dated 10/02/2017.
(iii) NFIR’s letter No. II/14/Part VII dated 21st Feb,2017, 23/02/2017 and 12/04/2017.
(iv) NFIR’s letter No. II/4/Part VII dated 15/05/2017 & 04/12/2017.
(v) Railway Board’s letter No. E(NG)I-2015/TR/20 dated 17/01/2018.
(vi) NFIR’s letter No. II/14/Part VII dated 30/01/2018,
(vii) NFIR’s letter No. II/14/2018 dated 23/07/2018.
(viii) NFIR’s letter No. II/14/2018-I dated 22/07/2019 & 25/03/2019.

Federation brings to the kind notice of the Railway Board (CRB) that NFIR’s PNM Agenda Item No. 18/2016 relating to relaxation of service condition of minimum five years service in the case of re-employed Defence Forces Personnel seeking inter Railway transfer on request has been pending since the last three years. During NFIR’s PNM meeting held with the Railway Board on 25/26-04-2019, the Official Side conveyed through Action Taken Statement as under:-

Also check: Comprehensive transfer policy – exemption from 5 years service condition

“The matter is presently under consideration. Feedback has been called for, from all the Zonal Railways. Responses from some of them are still awaited.”

Federation feels sad to state that though a period of over six months passed, progress made into the matter is yet to be conveyed.

In this connection, Federation also brings to the notice of the Board (CRB) that the NFIR General Secretary held discussions at the level of CRB more than once (last discussions held on 22/11/2018), when the CRB gave assurance that the relaxation has been processed and the final orders would be issued very shortly, but unfortunately relaxation decision has not been issued so far.

May I once again seek the intervention of CRB to kindly see that order issued granted relaxation to five years service condition in favour of former Defence Personnel re-employed in Railways, facilitating their inter Railway transfer requests soon.

Yours faithfully,

(Dr. M.Raghavaiah)

General Secretary

Source: NFIR

CPAO – Discontinuation of BSR code

CPAO – Discontinuation of BSR code

CAPO

Discontinuation of BSR code

CPAO/1T&Tech/e‐PPO/6(Vol‐ X) (D)/PF/2019-20/140

01.11.2019

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Discontinuation of BSR code-regarding

Kind attention is invited to this office OM No. CPAO/IT tech/e-PPO/6 (Vol-X)(D)/ 2019-20/81 dated 19.08.2019 (copy attached wherein all the Heads of CPPCs of Authorized Banks were requested to offer comments on shifting from BSR Code to IFSC for processing the pension cases of the pensioners concerned under “Scheme for payment of Pension to Central Government Civil Pensioners through Authorised Banks”.

Also check: CPAO – Applications for engagement of Three Consultants on Contract Basis

The matter was also taken up with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and it is intimated that RBI has conveyed their concurrence on the proposal from shifting from BSR Code to IFSC for processing the pension cases of the pensioners. Copy of comments received from RBI is attached.

No comments from the Banks side have been received in this office. Therefore, all the Heads of CPPCs of Authorized Banks & Govt. Business Deptt. are once again requested to offer their comments on the proposal from shifting from BSR Code to IFSC expeditiously, in any case not later than 15th December, 2019. If no reply / comments are received from the Banks, it will be assumed that they have nothing to say on the matter. Priority may be accordingly given to this issue.

This issues with the approval of the Chief Controller (Pensions).

Encl:- As above

(Md. Shahid Kamal Ansari)

(Dy. Controller of Accounts)

Source: CPAO

Demands of Defence Ex-servicemen on OROP requiring immediate action

One Rank One Pension and issues of concern of Defence Veterans needing urgent resolution: IESM writes to MPs

ONE RANK ONE PENSION (OROP) & ISSUES OF CONCERN OF DEFENCE VETERANS NEEDING URGENT RESOLUTION

Dear Veterans,

Letter to Members of Parliament on the above subject dated 02 Nov 2019 is enclosed herewith for your information widest circulation please.
.
With Regards,

Jai Hind,

Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd),
Advisor United Front of Ex Servicemen &
Chairman Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM)

Dated:  02 Nov 2019

"ONE RANK ONE PENSION (OROP) & ISSUES OF CONCERN OF DEFENCE VETERANS NEEDING URGENT RESOLUTION"

Dear Members of Parliament,

1.      We wish to bring to your notice that long pending demand of defence fraternity of OROP has not yet been implemented. Hon’ble Prime Minister and President of BJP Sh. JP Nadda have time and again stated at various forums that OROP has been implemented.  With grievously hurt feelings and anguish, we wish to inform you that such statements by our Hon’ble Prime Minister are of serious concern to us.  Had the OROP been implemented as per the definition stated by MoS Sh. Rao Inderjit Singh on 02 Dec 2014 in the parliament, the Ex Servicemen would not have been on the road across the country protesting for the non-implementation of OROP.  On 31 Oct 2019, Ex Servicemen have completed 1600 days of continuous Protest Movement executed peacefully with dignity, respect and in the best traditions of soldiering.

2.      There are serious anomalies in the Govt of India Min of Def Notification No 12 (I)/2014/D (Pen/Pol)-part –II dated 07 Nov 2015 wherein the Govt is purported to have implemented OROP.  The serious anomalies have been brought to the Notice of the Govt on numerous occasions, but these anomalies have not yet been rectified.  Ex-servicemen were forced to approach Hon’ble Supreme Court for grant of full OROP.  Hon’ble Supreme Court in its order dated 01 May 2019 (copy attached).  Asked the MoD to resolve the anomalies to the extent possible and the next date of hearing was to take place on 06 Aug 2019.  However, the Hon’ble judge hearing the case was busy in hearing Ram Mandir Case and our OROP case hearing was not listed.

3.      In the meantime we had a meeting with Hon’ble Raksha Mantri on 01 Jul 2019 and briefed him about Hon’ble Supreme Court order and requested for the rectification of the OROP anomalies. Hon’ble Raksha Mantri assured us for another meeting after a few days for the resolution of OROP anomalies; however, that meeting has not taken place even after writing to Hon’ble Raksha Mantri a number of times.

4.      During an Election Rally at Chandigarh President of BJP Sh. JP Nadda stated that his Govt had implemented OROP.  The same was denied by Ex-servicemen bodies. To add to our hurt feelings, Hon’ble Prime Minister on 19 Oct 2019 at Rewari in another Election Rally, again stated that his Govt had implemented OROP.  We wish to inform that this is far from truth.  OROP has not been implemented; what has been implement is One Time increase in Pension.  Unless the OROP anomalies are rectified, grant of Full OROP will remain unfulfilled.

5.       We also wish to inform you that equalization of pensions of defence personnel was due with effect from 01 Jul 2019 as per Govt Notification dated 07 Nov 2015, but the same has not yet been carried out. The Govt which had issued the notification has not honored its own order of equalization of Pensions after every five years which became due with effect from 01 Jul 2019. We had through a letter dated 03 Sep 2019 written to Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, copy to Hon’ble Prime Minister and three Chiefs and also forwarded the same letter to Secretary (ESW) requesting for immediate equalization of pensions as notified in Govt Notification dated 07 Nov 2015. MoD, instead of implementing equalization of pensions, ordered another committee whose recommendations have not been made public. The outcome of another, “One Man Judicial Committee (OMJC)” which submitted its report to the Govt on 26 Oct 2016 headed by Justice L. Narasimha Reddy, retired Chief Justice of Patna High Court has neither been made public nor implemented.

6.      We appeal to our elected representative, Hon’ble Members of Parliament to raise our issues of concern in the coming winter session and ask the Govt to grant Full OROP to the defence personnel, a demand which is long pending, though it had been accepted by both NDA and UPA Govts but not yet implemented. Our Hon’ble Member of Parliament, with anguish we wish to say that “any country which does not respect its soldiers is doomed to fail”.

Please grant Justice to Soldiers.

With Regards,

Jai Hind,

Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen Satbir Singh,

SM (Retd), Advisor United Front of Ex Servicemen &

Chairman Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM)

Mobile: 9312404269, 01244110570

Email:satbirsm[@]gmail.com

(Source Via e-mail)

http://ex-servicemenwelfare.blogspot.com

Grant of Dearness relief from 12% to 17% to Railway Pensioners/Family Pensioners effect from 01.07.2019

Grant of Dearness relief from 12% to 17% to Railway Pensioners/Family Pensioners effect from 01.07.2019

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)

Ministry of Railways (Rail Mantralaya)

(Railway Board)

PC-VII No: 146

RBE No: 187/2019

File No. PC-VII/2016/1/7/2/3

New Delhi, dated: 31.10.2019

The General Manager/CAOs(R),
All Zonal Railway & Production Units,
(As per mailing list)

Sub: – Grant of Dearness Relief to Railway Pensioners/family pensioners – Revised rate effective from 01.07.2019.

A copy of Office Memorandum No. 42/04/2019-P&PW(D) dated 21.10.2019 of Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions (Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare) on the above subject is enclosed herewith for information and compliance. This order shall apply  mutatis Mutandis on Railways also.

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

3. Hindi version is attached below.

Encl. As above.

(Jaya Kumar G)

Deputy Director, Pay Commission -VII