Government will soon start the selection process for the new PFRDA chairman

Government will soon start the selection process for the new PFRDA chairman

"The Finance Ministry will soon come out with an advertisement to find a successor to head the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA),"

Contractor's term will be completed on April 30, 2019.

PFRDA was re-constituted into a statutory body after notification of PFRDA Act in 2014.

Contactor is the first Chairman to head the regulatory body. He had joined PFRDA on October 7, 2014.

As per the Act, the chairman will have a tenure of 5 years or till age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
Contractor was previously held the post of SBI managing director before being appointed as the PFRDA Chairman.

The pension fund regulator has reached a subscriber base of 2.65 crore in its flagship National Pension System (NPS) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) schemes and hopes to cover nearly 2.72 crore subscribers by the end of the current financial year.

The APY, mainly targeting the unorganised sector employees, offers five slabs of pension from Rs 1,000 - Rs.5,000 per month upon retirement. Employees in the age bracket of 18-40 years can sign up for an APY account.

NPS is a voluntary defined contribution retirement savings scheme for government employees as well as for those working in the organised and unorganised sectors.

PTI

Employees Union urges the Lavasa Committee report to be implemented by the central government

Employees Union urges the Lavasa Committee report to be implemented by the central government

A Jammu-based employees union on Sunday urged the Centre to implement the recommendations of the Ashok Lavasa Committee report ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls to benefit lakhs of lower class employees and pensioners.

A high-level committee headed by the former Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa submitted its report on allowances to 47 lakh government employees to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in April 2017.

"The delay in accepting the recommendations of the Ashok Lavasa Committee report by the central government has left the employees concerned," president National Mazdoor Conference Subash Shastri said here.

"We urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Finance minister to take a final decision in this regard before the announcement of the upcoming parliamentary elections," he said.

He said the Lavasa Committee had proposed a minimum scale pension of lower class employees and pensioners to Rs 21,000.

The committee was constituted in the wake of implementation of the seventh pay commission by the central government for removal of pay anomalies in the pay structure of lower class cadre of both the state and the central government, Shastri said, adding that it will be a major issue in the upcoming polls.

"The government employees and the pensioners constitute a sizeable voter constituency and this constituency can be a determining factor in the electoral considerations," he said.

PTI

CGHS - Reiteration of the guidelines issued regarding Credit facilities to serving employees

File No. Z15025/64/2018/DIR/CGHS

Z 15025/64/2018/DIR/CGHS
Government of India
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Department of Health & Family Welfare

545-A Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated the November, 2018

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Reiteration of the guidelines issued regarding Credit facilities to serving employees of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, CGHS and Dte. General of Health Services

With reference to the above mentioned subject the undersigned is directed to draw attention to the terms and conditions of empanelment under CGHS and to reiterate that the Hospitals and Diagnostic centres empanelled under CGHS shall provide treatment / Investigations to the serving employees of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, CGHS and Dte. General of Health Services and their family members covered under CGHS on credit basis on the basis of advice from CGHS Medical Officer/Govt Specialist in case of listed treatment procedures/investigations and with valid permission letter in case of unlisted treatment procedures/investigations as the case may be. In addition the HCOs shall continue to provide treatment on credit basis for treatment under emergency.

[Dr Atul Prakash]
Director,CGHS

Gratuity for Central Civil Services

Gratuity for Central Civil Services

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
(Central Civil Services)

10. GRATUITY

(10.1) When will the gratuity withheld at the time of retirement be released?
The withheld amount of gratuity under sub-rule (5) of CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972, the mretiring Government employees, shall be paid immediately on production of "No Demand Certificate" from the Directorate of Estates after actual vacation of the Government accommodation.

The Directorate of Estates shall ensure that "No Demand Certificate" shall be given to the Government employee within a period of fourteen days from the actual date of vacation of the Government accommodation and the allottee shall be entitled to payment of interest (at the rate applicable to General Provident Fund deposit determined from time to time by the Government of India) on the excess withheld amount of gratuity which is required to be refunded., after adjusting the arrears of licence fee and damages, if any, payable by the allottee and the interest shall be payable by the Directorate of Estates through the concerned Accounts Officer of the Government employee from the actual date of vacation of the Government accommodation up to the date of refund of excess withheld amount of gratuity.

(10.2) Whether retirement gratuity/death gratuity, commuted value of the pension is taxable?
No. Death gratuity/retirement gratuity and commuted value of the pension are fully exempted from Income tax.

(10.3) Is there any ceiling on gratuities and if so what is the maximum amount admissible?
Yes. Ceiling on all gratuities has been raised to Rs. 20 lakhs w.e.f 01.01.20016 (earlier the limit was Rs.10 lakhs). DA admissible on the date of retirement is also to be added with pay for calculation of gratuity.

(10.4) Whether retirement gratuity, death gratuity can be paid by PAO/CPAO?
No. The amount of retirement/death gratuity as determined by the PAO shall be intimated to the Head of Office who will draw and disburse the amount to the retired Government servant or to the nominee/family as the case may be.

(10.5) Whether 10% gratuity or whole of the Gratuity is to be withheld at the time of retirement of all Government Servants?
No. The Administrative Deptt/Accounts Officer shall not withhold any gratuity unless the Head of Office
a) Enclose instructions received from Directorate of Estate for withholding of 10% gratuity for outstanding license fee.
Or
b) Informs of ongoing disciplinary proceedings.

(10.6) What all are dues recoverable from retirement gratuity?
The Government dues as ascertained and assessed by the Head of Office which remain outstanding on the date of retirement shall be adjusted against the amount of retirement Gratuity. The term Government dues includes dues pertaining to Government accommodation including arrears of license fee as well as damages for occupation of the Government accommodation beyond the permissible period after the date of retirement, if any. Government dues also includes balance of house building advance, conveyance, or any other advance, overpayment of pay and allowance or leave salary and arrears of TDS etc.

(10.7) If the nominee for death gratuity is a minor, how will be the gratuity paid?
If death gratuity is granted to a minor member of the family, it shall be payable to the guardian on behalf of the minor. In the case of absence of a natural guardian, the death gratuity to the extent of 20% or Rs.1.50 lakhs shall be paid to the guardian, without production of a guardianship certificate, but subject to production of an indemnity bond with suitable sureties. The balance amount shall be paid to the guardian on production of a guardianship certificate.

(10.8) When the retirement gratuity be withheld by the Government?
The retirement gratuity can be withheld in the following circumstances. 1. 100% gratuity shall be withheld on retirement if any disciplinary/judicial proceedings are instituted against the Government servant before his retirement. The gratuity in such cases will be withheld till the conclusion of the departmental/judicial proceedings and issue of final orders thereon.

2. The Administrative Department/Accounts Officer receives instructions from Directorate of Estates to withhold 10% gratuity for outstanding license fee/damages in respect of the Government accommodation.

(10.9) What action is required to be taken when gratuity is withheld on account of continuing disciplinary proceedings/judicial proceedings and when these payments will be paid?
The President reserves to himself the right of withholding a pension or gratuity or both either in full or in part or withdrawing a pension in full or in part, whether permanently or for a specified period and of ordering recovery from a pension or gratuity of the whole or part of any pecuniary loss caused to the Government, if, in any departmental or judicial proceedings, the pensioner is found guilty or grave misconduct or negligence during he  period or service, including service rendered upon re-employment after retirement. When the Government servant is exonerated fully after the departmental/judicial proceedings,, gratuity shall be paid after issue of the final orders. When the Government servant/pensioner is found guilty, Government will issue orders for regulation of gratuity.

(10.10) Whether interest is payable for delayed payment of gratuity and what is the rate of interest applicable in these cases of delayed payment of gratuity?
If payment of gratuity is delayed beyond its permissible period, interest at the rate of interest rate applicable to GPF deposits from time to time is required to be paid along with gratuity. In every case of delayed payment of gratuity shall be considered by the Secretary of the Administrative Ministry/Department and if the delay is due to administrative delay, Secretary of the Administrative Ministry/Department will sanction payment of interest. In all case where interest has been sanctioned by the Secretary of the Administrative Ministry/Department, such Ministry/Department shall fix the responsibility and take disciplinary action against the Government servant or servants who are found responsible for the delay in the payment of gratuity.

Travel entitlements of Government employees for the purpose of LTC post Seventh Central Pay Commission

Travel entitlements of Government employees for the purpose of LTC post Seventh Central Pay Commission - clarification reg.

No. 31011/8/2017-Estt.A-IV
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment A-IV Desk

North Block New Delhi.
Dated October 18, 2018

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Travel entitlements of Government employees for the purpose of LTC post Seventh Central Pay Commission - clarification reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M.of even no. dated 19.09.2017 on the subject noted above, which inter-alia provides that the travel entitlements of  Government servants for the purpose of LTC shall be the same as TA entitlements as notified vide Ministry of Finance's O.M. No. 19030/1/2017-E.lV dated 13.07.2017, except the air travel  entitlement for Level 6 to Level 8 of the Pay Matrix, which is allowed in respect of TA only and not for LTC.

2. It is observed that many Government employees in Level 6 to Level 8 of the Pay Matrix had inadvertently travelled by air on LTC during the intervening period from 13.07.2017  to 19.09.2017 (i.e. post issue of MoF's O.M. dated 13.07.2017 and before the issue of DoPT's  O.M. dated 19.09.2017) under the impression that they were entitled for air travel as per the  revised TA rules. This Department is in receipt of references from the Government employees  and various Ministries/Departments seeking relaxation in respect of such Government  employees in view of the hardships faced by them in settlement of their LTC claims.

3. The matter has been examined in this Department in consultation with Department of Expenditure. In relaxation to this Department's O.M. of even no. dated 19.09.2017, it has been decided to allow the claims of the Government employees in Level 6 to Level 8 of the Pay Matrix, who had travelled by air as per the revised TA rules while availing LTC during 13.07.2017 to 19.09.2017. This shall be subject to the fulfillment of other conditions of air travel on LTC such as booking of air tickets through the authorised modes, fare limit of LTC-80, etc.

4. Hindi version will follow.

(Surya Narayan Jha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

To
The Secretaries
All Ministries/Departments of Government of India
(As per the standard list)

Source: 7cpc.in

Travel entitlements of Government employees for the purpose of LTC post Seventh Central Pay Commission

7th CPC: Travel entitlements of Government employees for the purpose of LTC post Seventh Central Pay Commission - clarification reg.

No.31011/8/2017-Estt.A-IV

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Department of Personnel & Training

Establishment A-IV Desk

North Block New Delhi,

Dated January 18, 2018

Office Memorandum

Subject: Travel entitlements of Government employees for the purpose of LTC post Seventh Central Pay Commission - clarification reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M.of even no. dated 19.09.2017 on the subject noted above, which inter-alia provides that the travel entitlements of Government servants for the purpose of LTC shall be the same as TA entitlements as notified vide Ministry of Finance’s O.M. dated 13.07.2017, except the air travel entitlement for Level 6 to Level 8 of the Pay Matrix, which is allowed in respect of TA only and not for LTC.

2. In this regard, this Department is in receipt of references from Government employees and various Departments seeking clarification as to whether travel by Business class for the purpose of LTC, shall be allowed to the Government employees as per their TA entitlements, or the earlier instructions regarding air travel by Economy class only as provided in Department of Expenditure's O.M. No. 19024/1/2009-E.IV dated 16.09.2010 shall continue to exist.

3. The matter has been examined in consultation with Department of Expenditure and it is hereby clarified that in line with DoPT's instructions dated 19.09.2017, the Government employees in the bracket of pay level 14 and above, shall be entitled for air travel in Business/Club class for the purpose of LTC. However, other conditions like rate ceiling of LTC-80 fare and booking of tickets through authorised modes, shall continue to exist.

4. Hindi version will follow.

sd/-

(Surya Narayan Jha)

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Authority: www.dopt.gov.in

Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana - Gramin Government on course to achieve targets under Rural Housing Programme (PMAY-G)

Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana - Gramin Government on course to achieve targets under Rural Housing Programme (PMAY-G)

A record of 10 lakh houses built in a year

Hon'ble Prime Minister launched Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) on 20th November, 2016 from Agra. A target of completing one crore new houses by 31st March, 2019 was set. Of these, 51 lakh houses are to be completed by 31st March, 2018.

To meet the challenge of assisting 51 lakh Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin) beneficiaries in construction of their homes by March, 2018, the Ministry of Rural Development, in partnership with the State Governments, has taken many steps, including setting month-wise target for completion of houses. The target for completion of 10 lakh houses by November, 2017 has been achieved on 29th November, 2017, i.e. before the appointed date for completion of 10 lakh houses. It is expected that 15 lakh houses will be completed by 31st December 2017; 25 lakh houses by 31st January, 2018; 35 lakh houses by 28th February, 2018 and 51 lakh houses by 31st March, 2018.

Towards meeting the target of construction of 51 lakh houses by March, 2018, while 56.90 lakh beneficiaries have been sanctioned houses, 51.39 lakh beneficiaries have received 1st instalment, 31.03 lakh beneficiaries have nearly reached roof-cast levels and for 16.05 lakh beneficiaries the house construction is nearing completion. States like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, who have highest number of PMAY-G beneficiaries, are on course for completion of PMAY-G houses within the prescribed time-frame.

The faster completion of quality houses has been assisted by payment of assistance directly into the beneficiary account through IT-DBT platform. To ensure good quality of house construction, Rural Mason Trainings have been organized to facilitate availability of trained masons in the rural areas. Space technology and IT platforms are being used to monitor complete cycle of house construction, right from identification of beneficiary to construction stages of houses to completion and each stage is being geo-tagged. States have taken adequate steps to ensure continuous availability of construction material at reasonable prices so that the pace and quality of construction is not adversely affected.

PMAY-G houses with facilities like toilet, LPG connection, electricity connection, drinking water etc., are changing the countryside at a faster pace. While in some states houses under PMAY-G are coming up in clusters / colonies (generally for landless beneficiaries), at other places they are being constructed on the beneficiary's land. House designs prepared by UNDP-IIT, Delhi or by the concerned states have been made available to beneficiaries to choose the house designs that they like. Bouquet of house designs has resulted in technically sound houses of different designs coming up in rural areas which are a treat to watch.

The progress of PMAY(G) is in public domain and can be seen by any one on awaassoft.nic.in with geo-tagged photographs and complete details of beneficiaries and payments made to them.

PIB

7th CPC : Travel entitlements of Government employees for the purpose of LTC

7th CPC : Travel entitlements of Government employees for the purpose of LTC

No.31011/8/2017-Estt.A-IV
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment A-IV Desk

North Block New Delhi.
Dated September 19, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : Travel entitlements of Government employees for the purpose of LTC post Seventh Central Pay Commission-clarification reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M. No. 31011/4/2008-Estt.A-IV dated 23.09.2008, which inter-alia provides that travel entitlements for the purpose of official tour/transfer or LTC, will be the same but no daily allowance shall be admissible for travel on LTC. Further, the facility shall be admissible only in respect of journeys performed in vehicles operated by the Government or any Corporation in the public sector run by the Central or State Government or a local body.

2. Consequent upon the decisions taken by Government on the recommendations of Seventh CPC relating to Travelling Allowance entitlements of Central Government employees, TA Rules have undergone changes vide Ministry of Finance's O.M. No. 19030/1/2017-E.IV dated 13.07.2017.

3. In this regard, it is clarified that the travel entitlements of Government servants for the purpose of LTC shall be the same as TA entitlements as notified vide Ministry of Finance's O.M. dated 13.07.2017, except the air travel entitlement for Level 6 to Level 8 of the Pay Matrix, which is allowed in respect of TA only and not for LTC.

4. Further, the following conditions may also be noted:

i. No daily allowance shall be admissible for travel on LTC.

ii. Any incidental expenses and the expenditure incurred on local journeys shall not be admissible.

iii. Reimbursement for the purpose of LTC shall be admissible in respect of journeys performed in vehicles operated by the Government or any Corporation in the public sector run by the Central or State Government or a local body.

iv. In case of journey between the places not connected by any public/Government means of transport, the Government servant shall be allowed reimbursement as per his entitlement for journey on transfer for a maximum limit of 100 Kms covered by the private/personal transport based on a self-certification from the Government servant. Beyond this, the expenditure shall be borne by the Government servant.

v. Travel by Premium trains/Premium Tatkal trains/Suvidha trains is now allowed on LTC. Further, reimbursement of tatkal charges or premium tatkal charges shall also be admissible for the purpose of LTC.

vi. Flexi fare (dynamic fare) applicable in Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto trains shall be admissible for the journey(s) performed by these trains on LTC. This dynamic fare component shall not be admissible in cases where a non-entitled Government servant travels by air and claims reimbursement for the entitled class of Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto trains.

5. This O.M. will take effect from July 1, 2017.

6. Hindi version will follow.

S/d,
(Surya Narayan Jha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Authority: www.dopt.gov.in

The Central Governments decision on recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) on Allowances published in Gazette of India yesterday i.e. 6th July, 2017; All allowances are given effect from 1st July 2017

The Central Governments decision on recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) on Allowances published in Gazette of India yesterday i.e. 6th July, 2017; All allowances are given effect from 1st July 2017; 

Concerned Ministries advised to issue their Orders on Allowances governed by them immediately so that the revised rates of allowances get reflected in the current month's Salary Bills of the Government employees 

Resolution conveying the Central Governments decision on recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) on Allowances has been published in Gazette of India yesterday i.e.6th July, 2017.

Based on the Report of Committee on Allowances (CoA) and the recommendation of E-CoS, the Cabinet had earlier approved the modifications in 34 Allowances in its Meeting held on 28th June 2017.
All allowances are given effect from 1st July 2017.

Concerned Ministries have now been advised to issue their Orders on Allowances governed by them immediately so that the revised rates of allowances get reflected in the current month's Salary Bills of the Government employees.

Major Highlights of the Allowances approved by the Union Cabinet are as follows: 

• Cabinet approved recommendations of 7th CPC on allowances with 34 modifications - revised rates effective from 01.07.2017
• It will benefit 34 lakh Civilian employees and 14 lakh Defence Forces personnel
• 7th CPC examined 197 allowances, recommending abolition of 53 allowances and subsuming 37 in others.
• 7th CPC recommended revised rates commensurate with Dearness Allowance
• Fully DA-indexed allowances - no raise, not DA indexed raised by 2.25, partially indexed raised by 1.5, % based rationalised by 0.8
• Risk & Hardship Matrix evolved for allowances linked to risk and hardship
• 7th CPC projected additional financial implication at Rs.29,300 cr per annum, modifications to have additional implication of Rs.1448.23 cr
• Combined additional financial implication estimated at Rs.30748.23 crore per annum.

1. Number of allowances recommended to be abolished and subsumed:

• Government decided not to abolish 12 allowances in view of specific functional requirements
• 3 of 37 subsumed allowances will continue as separate identities due to unique nature of these allowances.

2.House Rent Allowance (HRA)

• HRA will be paid @24%, 16% & 8% for X, Y & Z cities respectively
• HRA not to be less than Rs.5400, 3600 & 1800 for X,Y&Z cities, calculated @30,20,&10% of min pay of Rs.18000 - to benefit >7.5 lakh employee
• 7th CPC recommended revision of HRA when DA reaches 50% & 100%, Govt decided to revise rates when DA crosses 25% and 50% respectively.

3. Siachen Allowance:

• Rates of Siachen Allowance increased from Rs.14000 pm (Soldiers) to Rs.30000 & Rs.21000 pm (Officers) to Rs.42500 for extreme risk & hardship.

4. Dress Allowance:

• Government decided to pay Dress Allowance to Nurses on monthly basis due to high maintenance and hygiene requirements.
• Higher rate of Dress Allowance for Special Protection Group accepted by Govt.

5. Tough Location Allowance:

•  7th CPC recommended-TLA not to be granted with SDA-Govt decided to give option of SCLRA at pre-revised rates with SDA at revised rates

6. Recommendations in respect of some important allowances paid to all categories:

• Children Education Allowance increased from Rs.1500 pm/child (max.2) to Rs.2250/child and Hostel Subsidy increased from Rs.4500 pm to Rs.6750 pm.
• Special Allowance for Child Care for Women with Disabilities doubled from Rs.1500 pm to Rs.3000 pm
• Higher Qualification Incentive for Civilians increased from Rs.2000 - Rs.10000 (Grant) to Rs.10000 -  Rs.30000 (Grant)

7. Recommendations in respect of some important allowances paid to Uniformed Services: Defence, CAPFs, Police, Indian Coast Guard and Security Agencies

• Abolition of Ration Money Allowance and free ration to Defence officers in peace areas not accepted, RMA to be credited in bank account
• Technical Allowance (Tier-II) not to be merged, Govt. decided to continue Technical Allowance (Tier-II) @Rs.4500 pm-courses to be reviewed
• Aeronautical Allowance increased Rs.300 pm to Rs.450 pm and extended to Indian Coast Guard also
• Counter Insurgency Ops (CI Ops) Allowance for counter - insurgency ops increased from Rs.3000 - Rs.11700 pm to Rs.6000 - Rs.16900 pm
• MARCOS and Chariot Allowance paid to marine commandos increased from Rs.10500 - Rs.15750 pm to Rs.17300 - Rs.25000 pm
• Conditionality of 12 hrs reduced to 4 hrs for Sea Going Allowance and rates increased from Rs.3000 - Rs.7800 pm to Rs.6000 - Rs.10500 pm
• COBRA Allowance granted to CRPF personnel in Naxal hit areas increased from Rs.8400 - Rs.16800 pm to Rs.17300 - Rs.25000 pm
• Modified Field, Field & Highly Active Field Area Allowances increased from Rs.1200 - Rs.12600 pm to Rs.6000 - Rs.16900 pm.
• Flying Allowance increased from Rs.10500 - Rs.15750 pm to Rs.17300 - Rs.25000 pm and extended to BSF Air Wing also
• High Altitude Allowance increased from Rs.810 - Rs.16800 pm to Rs.2700 - Rs.25000 pm
• Higher Qualification Incentive for Defence Personnel increased from Rs.9000 - Rs.30000 (Grant) to Rs.10000 - Rs.30000 (Grant).
• Test Pilot and Flight Test Engineer Allowance increased from Rs.1500 / 3000 pm to Rs.4100 / 5300 pm
• Additional Free Railway Warrant (Leave Travel Concession) extended to CAPFs.
• Territorial Army Allowance increased from Rs.175 - Rs.450 pm to Rs.1000 -Rs. 2000 pm
• Ceilings of Deputation (Duty) Allowance for Defence Personnel increased from Rs.2000 - Rs.4500 pm to Rs.4500 - Rs.9000 pm
• Detachment Allowance increased Rs.165 - Rs.780 per day to Rs.405 - Rs.1170 per day
• Para Jump Instructor Allowance increased from Rs.2700/3600 pm to Rs.6000/10500 pm
• Govt. increased Special Security Allowance for Special Protection Group to 55% and 27.5% of BP for ops and non - ops duties
• Housing provisions for PBORs and their families residing at other stations significantly improved and linked to HRA, process simplified

8. Allowances paid to Indian Railways

• Additional Allowance increased from Rs.500 / 1000 pm to Rs.1125 / 2250 pm and extended to Loco Pilot Goods and Senior Passenger Guards @Rs.750 pm
• Special Train Controllers Allowance @5000 pm introduced for Train Controllers of Railways

9. Allowances paid to Nurses & Ministerial Staffs of Hospital

• Government increased rate of Nursing Allowance from Rs.4800 pm to Rs.7200 pm
• Operation Theatre Allowance not abolished and rates increased from Rs.360 pm to Rs.540 pm
• Hospital Patient Care Allowance/Patient Care Allowance increased from Rs.2070 - Rs.2100 pm to Rs.4100 - Rs.5300 pm
• 7th CPC recommendations modified and HPCA / PCA to continue for Ministerial staff

10. Allowances to Pensioners

• Fixed Medical Allowance for Pensioners increased from Rs.500 pm to Rs.1000 pm
• Constant Attendance Allowance on 100% disablement increased from Rs.4500 pm to Rs.6750 pm

11. Allowances to Scientific Departments

• 7th CPC recommendations to abolish Launch Campaign Allowance and Space Technology Allowance not accepted - rates revised from Rs.7500 pa to Rs.11250 pa
• Professional Update Allowance for non-gazetted staff of DAE will continue at enhanced rate of Rs.11250 pa
• Antarctica Allowance - Summer rates revised from Rs.1125 per day to Rs.1500 per day, Winter rates from Rs.1688 per day to Rs.2000 per day

12. Allowance paid to D/o Posts & Railways

• Cycle Allowance not abolished - rates doubled from Rs.90 to Rs.180 pm for functional requirements of Postmen in Posts and Trackmen in Railways.

PIB

Leave Travelling Concession (LTC) and Travelling Settlement

Leave Travelling Concession (LTC) and Travelling Settlement


Free Thinker:
My daughter asked me whether the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister can avail LTC (Leave Travelling Concession). I said, "most probably they can, they are also government employees". She further asked whether they actually claim. I told her, "not sure whether they claim or not, but years ago I read in the newspaper that one PM was in Kerala on a vacation". Again, not very sure whether he avail LTC or not.

The stories of travel settlements are available everywhere. Even a story of settlement claim by Hanumanji came up; the dealing assistant refused to clear Hanumanji's file and put many objections - he is not entitled to fly; he was not supposed to bring a mountain; he did not clear the mountain till date; moreover, no travel documents are submitted; his flying included foreign land; he flew without passport and visa etc. etc. Nobody could over-rule the objections put by the dealing assistant. Hanumanji went to Ramji for help. As usual Ramji told him, 'please don't drag me into this'; he asked Hanumanji to go to Laxmanji. Hanumanji went to Laxmanji for his indulgence. Laxmanji called the file and overruled all the objections with the following replies: though he is not entitled to fly, he flew on emergency; as he is not a medical practitioner he could not identify the plant (medicinal) , so he brought the mountain in good faith; for clearing the mountain a different Department will look into; as far as his foreign trips are concerned he got the oral order from the highest competent authority; the file is cleared and needful must be done immediately.

It must be a fact that 99 percent of the employees avail LTC. Leave Travelling Concession is given to all the State and Central government employees. Generally, they can avail it once in two years or in other words 2 times in 4 years (which is officially called a block year). Most of the government employees enjoy this facility. First because this is an opportunity for the whole family (dependent members) of the government employee to travel together and have fun together or go to their home-town or home-village. It is not mandatory to travel together, but in most of the cases they do travel together.Some may travel by Air or some may travel by Train or by Bus according to their position/level in the government hierarchy. Even within the Air category some are entitled for the Executive or 'J' class and some are for the 'Y' or Economy class. For the Railways, the categorization is made on the basis of entitlement - AC1, AC2, AC3, First class, Sleeper, etc. Even for the buses there are hierarchical categories - First class, Deluxe, Non-Deluxe, Ordinary etc.

One retired Babu who was dealing with the settlement of Travel expenses and LTC claims narrated a story of group LTC fabrication. Many families of government employees used to go to Vrindavan along with their family availing LTC. There were many tour operators for Vrindavan. Actually, they were the bus owners who conducted group trips to Vrindavan. One trip is for about 20 days. Many government employees went to Vrindavan on LTC through these tour operators. Objections were put; they must have traveled by government transport; it is a packaged trip (fare part unclear); no prior approval was taken to travel by private buses (tour operators) etc. These objections were cleared by the higher authority saying that the fare part of the claim may be segregated and settle the claims.( Travel by private buses allowed ).

Then a roaring business had started; for instance, "Trip to Vrindavan and nearby places on LTC" by such and such Tour Operator. Many did not go but started claiming LTC for their entire family, submitting bogus bus tickets from these private tours and travels. It became a rampant nuisance and almost had turned into a scandal. One internal enquiry was set up to look into such doubtful claims.

The proprietor of the concerned tour operator was summoned to examine the tickets allegedly issued by his firm; whether they actually issued those tickets. He saw the tickets and said "these are fake". Then the claimants were called to defend themselves. They went to the highest authority to save their jobs. Then the competent authority issued an order saying that for the unreliable tickets other credible evidences of their respective travels must be submitted. Consequently, the hell loose large; some brought Jamuna water in a bottle, some brought Bal Gopal figurines, Radha-Krishna pictures, some brought photographs (studio made) clicked in Vrindavan & Mathura; some brought Vrindavan chandan, Vrindavan stone, Vrindavan chaadar etc. After examining these credible evidences the settlements were allowed. These evidences are still kept for future reference and 'precedence'. These days LTC/travel claims are easily verified on the click of a mouse as a result of massive computerization and 24-hour internet. So be careful while settling your bogus claims and fake bills.

Source: LTC

Women to get 26 weeks maternity leave, President nod to new law

Women to get 26 weeks maternity leave, President nod to new law

New Delhi: Women employees will now be able to get paid maternity leave of 26 weeks, up from 12 weeks, as per a new law.

President Pranab Mukherjee has given assent to the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 that has made changes in some of the provisions of over 55-year-old law entitling certain benefit to women employees.

The new law makes it mandatory for every establishment with fifty or more employees to have the facility of creche within a prescribed distance.

The employer is also bound to allow four visits a day to the creche by a woman.

Every establishment shall intimate in writing and electronically to every woman at the time of her initial appointment regarding every benefit available under the new law, the statute says.

An employer can also permit a woman to work from home after she has availed maternity leave.
"In case where the nature of work assigned to a woman is of such nature that she may work from home, the employer may allow her to do so after availing of the maternity benefit for such period and on such conditions as the employer and the woman may mutually agree," it says.

The law also allows maternity leave of 12 weeks for a woman who adopts a child below the age of three months, and for commissioning mother (a biological mother who uses her egg to create an embryo implanted in any other woman).

The entitlement of 26 weeks paid leave under the law is only for first two children. A woman with two or more children will be entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave, says the law which will apply to all establishments employing 10 or more people.

The statute that will help approximate 1.8 million women workforce in organised sector, has amended Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 that regulates grant of maternity benefit to women employees in certain establishments.

The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill was passed by Lok Sabha on March 9 and Rajya Sabha on March 20.

India is at third position globally in terms of the number of weeks of maternity leave after Canada (50 weeks) and Norway (44 weeks).

The president gave his assent on Monday.

PTI

DOPT prohibit the Government Employees from participating in any form of strike

DOPT prohibit the Government Employees from participating in any form of strike

DOPT prohibit the Government servants from participating in any form of strike
Strike Notice for 16th March, 2017 - Instructions under CCS (Conduct Rules) 1964

MOST IMMEDIATE
OUT TODAY

No. 45018/I/2017-Vig
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel. P.G. & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

North Block. New Delhi.
Dated the 15th March 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject :  Strike Notice for 16th March, 2017 -  Instructions under CCS (Conduct Rules) 1964 - Regarding.

It has been brought to the notice of the Government that Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers. New Delhi has given a notice that the members of the affiliates of the Confederation will go on strike on 16th March, 2017 in pursuance of their 7th Central Pay Commission Demands

2. The instructions issued by the Department of Personnel and Training prohibit the Government servants from participating in any form of strike including mass casual leave, go slow etc, or any or any action that abet any form of strike in violation of Rule 7 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules. 1964. Besides, in accordance with the proviso to Rule 17(1) of the Fundamental Rules, pays and allowances is not admissible to an employee for his absence from duty without any authority. As to the concomitant rights of an Association after it is formed, they cannot be different from the rights which can be claimed by the individual members of which the Association is composed. It follows that the right to form an Association does not include any guaranteed right to strike. There is no statutory provision empowering the employees to go on strike. The Supreme Court has also ruled in several judgments that going on a strike is a gravy misconduct under the Conduct Rules and that misconduct by the government employees is required to be dealt with in accordance with the law. Any employee going on strike in any form would face the consequences which. besides deduction of wages. may also include appropriate disciplinary action. Attention of all employees of this Department is also drawn to this Department’s O.M. No. 33012/I/(s)/2008-Estt.(B) dated 12.9 2008. on the subject for strict compliance.

3. All officers are requested that the above instructions may be brought to the notice of the employees working under their control. All officers are also requested not to sanction Casual Leave or other kind of leave to the officers and employees if applied for, during the period of proposed strike. and ensure that the willing employees are allowed hindrance free entry into the office premises.

4. In case employees go on strike all divisional heads are requested to forward a report indicating the number and details of employees who are absent from duty on the day of strike i.e.16.03.2017

(Suresh Kumar)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India

DOPT Order 2017

NFIR: Agenda Points for Next NC JCM Standing Committee Meeting

NFIR: Agenda Points for Next NC JCM Standing Committee Meeting

No.IV/NFIR/SCM/Pt.VI

Dated: 05/03/2017

The Secretary,
JCM (Staff Side),
13-C, Ferozshah Road,
New Delhi

Dear Brother.
Sub: Agenda Items for next meeting of Standing Committee of NC (JCM)-reg.
Ref: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, DoP&T’s letter No.F.No.3/3/2016-JCA dated 1st March 2017.

Please find enclosed the items to be included in the agenda for meeting.

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Sub: Counting full service of Temporary causal labourers for pensionary and retirement benefits in Railways-reg.

The Staff Side had discussed its demand for counting fulI service of temporary status of casual labourers for pensionary and retirement benefits at the level of Railway Ministry. Consequently, the Railway Ministry had agreed and accordingly proposal was sent to the Ministry of Finance and DoP&T seeking clearance. Unfortunately, the MoF/DoP&T have not accorded approval:-

In this connection, the Staff Side brings following key points for consideration.

(a) The Casual Labourers in Railways had attained temporary status on completion of prescribed days of continuous working and got the benefits admissible to temporary Railway/Government employees such as regular Pay Scale, Medical facility etc.,
(b) The Railway Administrations have however taken abnormally long periods to absorb them as regular staff although regular posts were vacant.
(c) The status of casual labourers in railways after acquiring temporary status (termed as Temporary employee) is exactly similar to the substitutes in whose case, the total service from the date of attainment of temporary status is counted for reckoning qualifying service for pensionary benefits.
(d) Various CATs, High Courts and even the Apex Court have given decisions against the differential treatment between the casual labour and substitutes particularly when both attained temporary status and directed to treat them at par so far as reckoning the service from the date of temporary status till the date of regularization for pensionary benefits etc.,
(e) The SLPs filed by the Union of India before the Apex Court in a few cases of casual labourers were dismissed and the Hon'ble Supreme Court had directed the Union of India to calculate Pension and other retiral benefits payable to the retiring/retired employees, taking into account the 100% temporary status service.

The Staff Side, therefore, requests to consider the above valid points and accord approval for counting total temporary status service of Casual Labourers for pensionary benefits in Railways.

Sub: Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) for the Central Government Employees - Arbitrary revision of benchmark from Good to Very Good-reg.

The Staff Side brings to the notice of the Government that after introduction of the Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) w.e.f. 01st June 2009, the JCM (Staff Side) took up the issue relating to the benchmark laid down for granting financial upgradation under the schemd at the level of DoP&T and discussed in the Joint Committee Meetings and National Advisory Committee Meetings held on 17/0712012 ad 2710712012, urging to reconsider the benchmark concept taking into consideration the norms laid down for promotion of staff. After discussions, the DoP&T vide O.M. No. 35034/3/2008-Estt. (D) (Vol. II) dated 1st November 2010 & 4th October 2012 had issued instructions that the benchmark maintained for filling the vacancy through promotion by selection/non-selection/fitness be adopted for granting financial upgradation.

The Staff Side however, expresses its disappointment over the decision (Resolution No.1-2/2016-IC dated 25th July 2016) of the Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) introducing the benchmark "Very Good" for granting financial upgradation. The Government could have taken into consideration the bilateral agreement reached with the JCM (Staff Side) and the decision communicated vide DoP&T O.M. dated lst November 2010 and 4th October 2012 for continuance of the standard prescribed already for granting MACP. Ignoring the said decision and introducing the benchmark concept of "Very Good" is an unjustified action when bilateral agreement had already been reached with the JCM (Staff Side).

The Staff Side therefore urges to review for cancellation of upgraded bench mark decision.

Source: NFIR

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.

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

MoD once again issued a clarification orders with three illustrations of an employee shall be fixed who has been granted financial upgradation in MACP on 15.3.2016 in the grade pay of Rs.4200.

MoD once again issued a clarification orders with three illustrations of an employee shall be fixed who has been granted financial upgradation in MACP on 15.3.2016 in the grade pay of Rs.4200.

MoD action on BPMS's representation on Seeking of Clarification regarding Option & Pay Fixation in 7th CPC

Office of the Controller General of Defence Accounts
Ulan Batar Road, Palam, Delhi Cantt - 110010

No.AT/II/2701/Orders

Dated: 05 Jan 2017

To
All PCsDA/CsDA
PCA(Fys)/All CsFA(Fys)
(Through NIC mail server

Subject: Representation of Defence Civilian Employees Federations regarding misinterpretation of RPR 2016 leading to incorrect pay fixation of employees.

A copy of MoD/D (Civ-I) ID No 11 (6)/2016-D(Civ-I) dated 07.12.2016 along with all its enclosures on the above subject is forwarded herewith. It is seen that MoD/D(Civ-I) has requested that the clarification on the subject from MoF/MoD(Fin) may be awaited. Accordingly, the instructions issued by MoD in para 2 of the MoD ID dated 7.12.2016 may be adhered to avoid any inconsistencies in the matter of pay fixation.
Jt CGDA (P&W) has seen.

(Vinod Anand)
Sr ACGDA (P&W)

The employee has exercised option 2 to fix the pay in the Pay Matrix after availing the increment dated 1.7.2016, in the old pay structure scale.

Option 2 is exercised by the employee to fix the pay in the new pay matrix after availing promotional upgradation under MACP Scheme that look place on 1.1.2016.

Option 2 is exercised by the employee to fix the pay in the pay matrix after availing promotion/MACP upgradation as on 15.3.2016

Click to view the order
Authority: http://pcafys.nic.in/

LTC to J&K by Private Airlines travelled from 28.11.2015 to 31.05.2016 - Dopt Orders on 13.1.2017

LTC to J&K by Private Airlines travelled from 28.11.2015 to 31.05.2016 - Dopt Orders on 13.1.2017

"It has been decided to allow the claims of those Government employees who had travelled by private airlines to Jammu & Kashmir on LTC during the gap period of 28.11.2015 - 31.05.2016."

No.31011/7/2014-Estt.(A-IV)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-IV Desk

North Block, New Delhi-110 001
Dated: January 13, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 - Relaxation to travel by private airlines to visit Jammu & Kashmir.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s O.M. of even no. dated 28.11.2014 on the subject noted above and to say that vide aforesaid O.M., facility to travel on LTC by private airlines to Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) under the special dispensation scheme was allowed for a period of one year. This facility ended w.e.f. 28.11.2015 and was re-introduced on 01.06.2016.

2. Many references have been received about Govt. employees who had inadvertently travelled by private airlines to J&K during the gap period i.e. from 28.11.2015 to 31.05.2016, under the impression that the facility was still operational and were later facing difficulties in settlement of their LTC claims.
3. The issue has been examined in consultation with Department of Expenditure and Ministry of Civil Aviation. In relaxation to this Department’s O.M. of even no. dated 28.11.2014, it has been decided to allow the claims of those Government employees who had travelled by private airlines to Jammu & Kashmir on LTC during the gap period of 28.11.2015 - 31.05.2016. This shall be subject to the condition that tickets have been booked through the authorised modes and at LTC-80 fare or less and other conditions prescribed in DoPT’s O.M. No. 31011/7/2014-Estt.A-IV dated 28.11.2014.

(Surya Narayan Jha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

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

Government employees need not file asset details under Lokpal for now

Government employees need not file asset details under Lokpal for now

New Delhi: The Centre has extended indefinitely the deadline to file details of assets and liabilities by central government employees under a mandatory provision of Lokpal Act.

A new format and fresh set of rules are being finalised by the government in this regard.
The last date for filing such details was December 31.

"There is no requirement for filing of declarations of assets and liabilities by public servants now. The government is in the process of finalising a fresh set of rules. The said rules will be notified in due course to prescribe the form, manner and timelines for filing of declaration of assets and liabilities by the public servants under the revised provision of the said (Lokpal) Act.

"All public servants will henceforth be required to file the declarations as may be prescribed by the fresh set of rules," an order issued by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said.
There are about 50.68 lakh central government employees.

As per rules, notified under the Lokpal Act, every public servant shall file declaration annually pertaining to his assets and liabilities as on March 31 every year or on or before July 31 of that year.
For 2014, the last date for filing returns was September 15. It was first extended till December, then till April 30, 2015 and third extension was up to October 15. The date was again extended to April 15, 2016 and then July 31 for filing of the returns.

The last date was further extended till December 31 after Parliament had passed a bill to amend the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.

The declarations under the Lokpal law are in addition to similar ones filed by the employees under various services rules.

The DoPT had last year also issued an order bringing NGOs receiving more than Rs one crore in government grants and donations above Rs 10 lakh from abroad under the ambit of the Lokpal.
The order had mandated filing of returns of the assets and liabilities by such organisations and their executives - director, manager, secretary or any other officer.

PTI

Demonetization vs 7th Pay Commission: Tax-paying government servants among the worst hit!

Demonetization vs 7th Pay Commission: Tax-paying government servants among the worst hit!

"Government employees, who pay regular taxes for up to the last Rupee that they earn as salaries and bonuses, are the ones who were most affected – directly and indirectly - by demonetization."
As part of its proclaimed drive to eradicate black money, counterfeit notes, and terrorism, the Government, on November 8, announced the abolishing of Rs. 500 and 1000 notes. The acute shortage of cash, that began on November 9, continues until this day. The masses are faced with hardship in one form or the other - medical expenses, marriages, house construction, outstation and foreign travels, celebrations, last rites, school fees, and everyday expenses.

An advance of Rs. 10,000 as cash was given from the salary for the month of November only.
News sources claim that the Ministry of Finance and officials of all departments are working hard to streamline the announcement and handle its after effects.

The Central Government, which has implemented only the hike in the basic pay, as recommended by the Seventh Pay Commission and has been giving it with effect from January 1, 2016 onwards and has constituted a high-level special committee under the chairmanship of Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa, to look into the recommendations regarding various allowances.

The meeting of the high-level committee must be constituted in order to decide on important allowances being given to the Central Government employees, including House Rent Allowance. Although sources claim that seven such meetings had been held until now, no decision has been reached yet.

The Seventh Pay Commission had compiled its entire report within 18 months. Four months have passed, but the committee has not been able to make its mind up about one aspect of it, the allowances. This has caused tremendous irritation and frustration among Central Government employees.

Confusions and hurdles continue to plague in constituting the meeting of the high-level committee, which must decide on the issue of allowances to the Railways, Postal, defence, and armed forces. This can be deduced from the recent letter that the Secretary of National Council (JCM) had written to the Central Government. The most recent high-level committee meeting with the NC JCM Staff Side was held on September 1, last year.

The Seventh Pay Commission had listed 196 kinds of allowances (51 allowances have been recommended to delete from the list). It must be mentioned here that, of these, the committee was constituted to look into all the allowances, except the dearness allowance. No decisions have been made yet on any of the allowances. In fact, there is no official information on the next meeting date.

Central government starts paying salaries in cash to Group C employees

Central government starts paying salaries in cash to Group C employees

Group C employees of all government departments are given salaries - amounting to Rs. 10,000 for the month of November in advance

New Delhi: As rush in banks and ATMs due to demonetisation continues, Government employees belonging to Group C on Monday started receiving Rs. 10,000 in cash as advance of their salary for the month of November.

At least 1,000 Group-C employees working in the home ministry were also given Rs. 10,000 each as their salary advance.

Government employees of Group-C of all ministries, departments and associate organisations are given the salary advance in cash, a senior home ministry official said. In the home ministry, those who availed the facility got the cash in the denomination of Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 100. Four make-shift counters have been installed in the home ministry.

The facility is also offered in the adjoining finance ministry in the North Block. There has been heavy rush and long queues in banks and ATMs ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on 8 November that Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 500 notes would no longer be legal tender.

PTI