80 years and above, eligible for a higher income tax exemption limit of Rs. 5,00,000

Exemption Limit for Individual Tax Payers Raised to Rs.1,80,000

Qualifying age for Senior Citizens Lowered to 60 Years

Senior Citizens above 80 Years to Get Exemption upto Rs. 5,00,000

The exemption limit for the general category of individual tax payers has been enhanced to Rs. 1,80,000 from Rs. 1,60,000 in the General Budget 2011-12, presented by the Union Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee in the Lok Sabha today. The measure will provide a uniform tax relief of Rs. 2,000 to every tax payer of this category, besides moving closer to Direct Tax Code (DTC) rates.

Qualifying age for Senior Citizens has been reduced from 65 years to 60 years and exemption limit for Senior Citizens has been enhanced from Rs. 2,40,000 to Rs. 2,50,000. A new category of Very Senior Citizens, 80 years and above, has been created who will be eligible for a higher exemption limit of Rs. 5,00,000.

Exit Norms of the Pension Scheme “Swavalamban” Will be Relaxed

The exit norms of the co-contributory pension scheme “Swavalamban” have been relaxed. Announcing this in his Budget speech in the Lok Sabha today, the Union Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that a subscriber under Swavalamban Scheme will now be allowed to exit at the age of 50 years instead of 60 years, or a minimum tenure of 20 years, whichever is later.

The Finance Minister also proposed to extend the benefit of Government contribution from three to five years for all subscribers of Swavalamban who enroll during this year and in the year 2011-12. An estimated 20 lakh beneficiaries will join the scheme by March 2012, the Minister informed.

Shri Mukherjee said that this scheme has been welcomed by the workers in the unorganized sector. Over four lakh applications have already been received and the relaxation in exit norms is being made on the basis of the feedback received during the year.

 

Eligibility for Pension Under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme to be Reduced to 60 Years

Hike in Pension for Those Who are 80 Years Old

Under the on-going Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme for Below Poverty Line (BPL) beneficiaries, the eligibility for pension will now be reduced to 60 years from 65 years at present.

This was announced by the the Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee while presenting the Union Budget 2011-12 in the Lok Sabha today.

He also announced that the pension amount is being raised from Rs. 200 at present to Rs. 500 per month for those who are 80 years and above.

Source: PIB

Clarification on regular TA/DA on Permanent Transfer

Office fo The Controller General of Defence Accounts
Ulan Batar Road, Palam, Delhi Cantt - 110010 CIRCULAR

No.AT/IV/4462/PC-XX

Dated 01st Feb' 11

All PCsDA/CsDA
PC of A (Fys) Kolkata
Sub:- Clarification on regular TA/DA on Permanent Transfer 

Consequent upon implementation of VI CPC all the travel entitlements of the service personnel are being admitted as per the GOI No. 12630/MoV C/3737/D (MoV)/08 dated:-29th Dec’2008. 

The doubt raised by service pers/service HQrs has been clarified as under:

Sl.No	Point raised	Clarification
1	If service personnel were transferred and joined the duty station prior to the implementation of VIth CPC (i.e before 01.09.2008) but their personal effects were transported after 01.09.2008, whether the luggage claim would be admitted as per the revised rates of VIth CPC?	The revised traveling allowances entitlements shall also be applicable in the case of those service personnel who had been transferred before1/9/2008 but had relocated their family/transported their luggage after 1/09/2008  (ie.  The date of implementation of order on TA entitlements by the Govt. consequent upon implementation of the VIth CPC)

All the sub offices under your command may be instructed to strictly adhere to these instructions.

This issues with the approval of Jt. CGDA (AT).

Please acknowledge receipt.

(SANJAY VARMA) 
Sr. Dy.CGDA (AT-III)

Source: www.cgda.nic.in 

All india Consumer Price index Numbers for industrial workers on base 2001=100 for the month of January, 2011

All India Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) on base 2001=100 for the month of January, 2011 increased by 3 points and stood at 188 (one hundred and eighty eight). 

During January, 2011, the index recorded an increase of 11 points each in Bhopal and Jamshedpur centres, 10 points each in Amritsar, Bangalore and Chandigarh centres, 8 points in Haldia centre, 7 points each in Nasik, Kodarma and Ghaziabad centres, 6 points in 2 centres, 5 points in 4 centres, 4 points in 12 centres, 3 points in 15 centres, 2 points in 8 centres and 1 point in 7 centres. The index decreased by 4 points in Godavarikhani centre, 1 point in 9 centres, while in the remaining 11 centres the index remained stationary. 

The maximum increase of 11 points each in Bhopal and Jamshedpur centres is mainly on account of Housing Index and increase in the prices of Rice, Wheat Atta, Milk, Goat Meat, Onion, Vegetable & Fruit items, Petrol, etc. The increase of 10 points in Amritsar, Banglore and Chandigarh centres is due to Housing Index and increase in the prices of Rice, Wheat, Wheat Atta, Onion, Vegetable & Fruit items, Electricity Charges, Petrol, etc. The increase of 8 points in Haldia centre is due to Housing Index and increase in the prices of Eggs, Onion, etc. However, the decrease of 4 points in Godavarikhani centre is the outcome of decrease in the prices of Rice, Vegetable & Fruit items, etc. 

The indices in respect of the six major centres are as follows :

 

1	Ahmedabad	183
2	Bangalore	196
3	Chennai	172
4	Delhi	173
5	Kolkata	180
6	Mumbai	187

The All-India (General) point to point rate of inflation for the month of January, 2011 is 9.30% as compared to 9.47% in December, 2010. Inflation based on Food Index is 10.22% in January, 2011 as compared to 7.98% in December, 2010. 

Cadre Review of Central Secretariat Stenographers' Service allocation of revised cadre strength - reg.

No.0/51/2009-CS.II(A) (Vol.II)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

Lok Nayak Bhawan,New Delhi-110 003
Dated the 25^th February, 2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:     Cadre Review of Central Secretariat Stenographers' Service allocation of revised cadre strength - reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's Order of even number dated 27.01.2011 communicating the decisions taken by the Government on Cadre review of Central Secretariat Stenographers' Service. Consequently, the cadre strength of various grades of CSSS stands revised w.e.f.20.01.2011 as under:-

Sl.No.	Grades	Revised Sanctioned Strength
1	Principal Staff Officer	140
2	Senior Principal Private Secretary	140
3	Principal Private Secretary	773
4	Private Secretary	2041
5	Personal Assistant	2524
6	Stenographer Grade 'D'	1282*
-	TOTAL	6760

*A number of Ministries/Departments have not undertaken the exercise for optimization of direct recruitment to civilian posts during 2001-2009. Therefore, filling up of these posts in these Ministries/Departments would be subject to clarification of adherence to optimization exercise. 

2. The above-mentioned revised Cadre strength has been allocated amongst the participating Cadre Units as indicated in the Annexure to this OM. The allocation has been made in accordance with the following principles:- 

(i) The total sanctioned strength of CSSS personnel in each Cadre Unit has been kept unchanged, while the sanctioned strength in various grades of CSSS has been revised. 

(ii) 25 newly created posts of Sr. PPS have been allocated to Secretary and equivalent level officer in Ministries/Departments participating in CSSS. 

(iii) 625 newly created posts of PPS have been allocated against Joint Secretaries and equivalent level officers working in different Ministries/Departments participating in CSSS, as far as possible, of functional justification basis. 

(iv) The 400 upgraded posts of PAs to PS grade have been distributed among the Cadre Units by taking into account the percentage of increase of the upgraded posts with reference to the total sanctioned strength of PS grade. Consequently, the number of posts in PA grade has also been reduced. 

(v) The sanction strength in the Stenographer Grade 'D' has been reduced of the extent the number of posts allocated in the grades of Sr. PPS and PPS (i.e.650). Accordingly the sanctioned strength of Steno. Grade 'D' had been reduced. Some minor adjustment have also been made in cases where sufficient Stenographer Grade 'D' were not available. 

(vi) Since a number of Ministries/Departments have not undertaken the exercise for optimization of direct recruitment to civilian posts during 2001-2009, filling up of posts of Stenographer Grade 'D' in these Ministries/Departments would be subject to clarification of adherence to optimization exercise. 

3. The Cadre Units are requested to further distribute the allocated posts amongst their sub-Cadres, wherever applicable, by following the above-mentioned principles. 

4. Necessary amendment in the Central Secretariat Stenographers' Service Rules 2010 would be made separately. 



Encl: As above

(Rajiv Manjhi)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India

Annexure to OM No.20/51/2009-CS.II(A) (Vol.II)dt. 25/02/2011

Pranab may dole out tax sops to salaried class, farmers

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is likely to give tax concessions to the salaried class and offer incentives to farmers in his Budget 2011-12 Monday to give relief from high prices and keeping an eye on elections in five states.

It is widely expected that the Budget will raise the income tax exemption limit to Rs 1.80 lakh from the current Rs 1.60 lakh per annum.

The Finance Ministry is already committed to raising the exemption limit to Rs 2 lakh per annum in the Direct Taxes Code (DTC) which is to be implemented from April 2012.

Mukherjee may also consider raising the limit for investment in tax-free infrastructure bonds to give a boost to the fund-starved sector. Investments up to Rs 20,000 in infrastructure bonds enjoy tax exemption now.

Experts said with fiscal deficit projected to come down sharply to 4.8 per cent, the Finance Minister would have some leeway to provide these tax concessions.

The Economic Survey 2010-11 presented in Parliament projected fiscal deficit at 4.8 per cent, down from the budget estimate of 5.5 per cent for the current fiscal.

With five states -- Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal-- heading for polls, it is unlikely that Mukherjee would completely roll back the stimulus and come out with harsh measures to increase government revenues and bring down fiscal deficit, experts said.

Mukherjee's third consecutive budget is also expected to increase the credit flow to the farm sector.

On tax rationalisation, Mukherjee had said, "The sustained growth has been possible due to rationalisation of tax structure, improvement in tax administration and persistent efforts of the employees of Income Tax department."

Inflation has remained above the comfort level for most part of the current fiscal and will be another focus area for Mukherjee.

The overall inflation at 8.23 per cent is higher than the comfort level of the Reserve Bank at 5-6 per cent. Food inflation had also touched at a high of 18.23 per cent in December, but moderated to 11.49 per cent in mid-February.

Industry fears that Mukherjee may roll back some of the stimulus to fight inflation. Moreover, the Survey had also projected the economy is recovering fast and is expected to return to the pre-crisis growth rate of 9 per cent in 2011-12.

Stimulus package provided by the government at the time financial meltdown helped India grew by 6.8 per cent in 200809, and by 8 per cent in 2009-10.

The economy grew by 8.9 per cent in the first half of 2010-11.

But the tax incentives and higher public expenditure also pushed up the fiscal deficit to 6.3 per cent in 2009-10.
 
In the Budget 2010-11, Mukherjee had estimated fiscal deficit to be Rs 3,81,408 crore.

Even as there could be some decline in government revenue due to higher exemption limits, Mukherjee would pin hopes on increased economic activity with a high growth rate of 9 per cent to bring in money to Centre's kitty.

source-ddnews

National Anomaly Committee meeting discussion points...

As indicated in our circular letter No.3, we give hereunder the decisions taken on each of the items discussed at the National Anomaly Committee meeting held on 15th Feb. 2011.

With greetings,
Yours fraternally,
K.K.N. Kutty
Secretary General.

Item No.11.
The Staff side has agreed to specify the items of allowance which requires to be given effect to from 1.1.2006.

Item No.12. & 13.
Revision of Transport allowance:
The Staff side is to give a comparative statement indicating the rate of Transport allowance given to various categories to substantiate their demand for having a uniform rate for all Govt. officials.

Item No.14.
Risk and Patient Care allowance to be doubled.
The Government will bring about the Insurance scheme in consultation with the Staff Side within six months. If the scheme is not implemented by that time, these allowances will be doubled.

Item No. 20.
Quantification of daily allowance in case not able to present the bill The Department of Expenditure will examine the issue further in the light of the discussion and will convey their final decision in the next neeting.

Item No. 28.
Assigning grade pay in PB 3 for Accounts officers.
This will be discussed with the Staff Side separately.

Item No. 31.
Child Care leave:
Revised orders have been issued. The demand of the Staff Side that the discretionary powers to grant or otherwise or restrict the number of days presently given to the authorities must be dispensed with will be discussed at the next meeting of the Committee.

Item No. 37.
Waiver of recovery of higher DA drawing between 1.1.2006 and 1.08.2008.
Not agreed to.

Item No. 38 and 39.
Anomaly in fixation of Grade Pay and Pay Bands: will be further discussed at the next meeting.

Item No. 40.
Grant of Notional increment for those who retire in June. Not accepted.

Item No.41.
Grant of promotional increment for those promoted in the same PB and Grade Pay.
The Official side stated that to decide whether the two grades have distinct functions is the prerogative of the concerned Ministry/Department. If they so decide, the promotional increment would be granted. But in that case, the same will be treated as a promotion and will count as such for the purpose of MACP.

Item No. 42.
MACP issue.
The same will be discussed in the sub committee once again.

Item No.43.
Anomaly in HAG scale of pay:
Not discussed being a Group A issue. But the issue has been reported to have been settled and orders issued.

Item No. 44.
Anomaly in Library Information Assistant:
Will be further discussed at the next meeting.

Item No. 45.
Anomaly in fixation of pension for those in receipt of stagnation increment/ In the light of the court judgment, the item will be discussed further in the next meeting.

Item No. 46.& 49 & 51
Parity for Stenographers in the filed and Central Sectt.
The demand for grant of grade pay of Rs. 4600 for those in the pay scale of 6500-10,500 has already been settled and orders issues. The question of Grant of Grade pay of Rs. 5400 after completion of three years for those in the pay scale of 7500-12000 will be examined if not already extended.

Item No. 48.
Restoration of commutation value of pension after 12 years.
Not agreed upon. The Staff side has asked for the basis on which the demand has been rejected.

Item No. 50/
Disparity in the pay scale of official language staff.
The Staff side has agreed to provide a copy of the Court order in the matter.

Item No. 52 and 53.
Andaman Nicobar Items:
The Official side will report in the next meeting of the development on these issues.

source-http://confederationhq.blogspot.com/

Issue of pensioner CGHS Cards to Central Government servants before retirement

Government of India
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Department of Health & Family Welfare
Nirman Bhawan, Maulana Azad Road
New Delhi 110 108

No: 37-1/2009-C & P/CGHS (P)                                                                                         Date: February 23, 2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Issue of pensioner CGHS Cards to Central Government servants before retirement.

Central Government servants on their retirement from service are entitled to CGHS facility, if they retire from office Ministries I Departments I Offices covered by CGHS. For availing CGHS facility, if eligible, after retirement from service, pensioners are required to fill up the requisite form and deposit the appropriate amount [lump sum amount equivalent to one year’s contribution for availing CGHS facility for one year (which can be extended on an annual basis on payment of the appropriate contribution as applicable at the time of renewal) or pay in lump sum equivalent to ten years’ contribution for availing CGHS facility with life-time validity). The process of issuing of pensioner CGHS cards starts only after the Government servant retires from service and only after the Pension Pay Order (PPO) and Last Pay Certificate (LPC) are issued by the Ministry / Department I Office. The completion of the formalities takes two to three months, which puts pensioners in a problematic condition for getting treatment from the date on which they retire
from service and the time when a pensioner CGHS card is issued to them.

2. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has received representations from retired Central Government servants and from officials due for retirement within the next few months with the request that the policy regarding issue of pensioner CGHS cards be simplified so that they are in a position to get the pensioner CGHS card a day after their retirement from service.

3. The matter has been examined by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in consultation with CGHS and it has been decided that the following course of action will be taken in respect of officials who are entitled to avail CGHS facility after his I her retirement from Government service:

(i) All Ministries I Departments will, alongwith pension papers, give the application for issue of pensioner CGHS cards to the official three months before the due date for retirement of the official;

(ii) The official, if he / she is interested in availing CGHS facility after his I her retirement, will:

a. Fill up the form for issue of pensioner’s card;

b. affix stamp sized photographs of the family members entitled to avail CGHS facility in the proforma for issue of pensioner’s card;

c. enclose Demand Draft I Pay Order for the appropriate amount with reference to his I her decision to get CGHS card with life-time validity (the amount will be equal to ten years’ contribution) or with validity for one year (the amount will be equal to one year’s contribution). For obtaining the card in Delhi, the Demand Draft I Pay Order will have to be made payable to “Pay & Accounts Officer (CGHS), payable at Delhi” and for obtaining card in a CGHS city outside Delhi, the Demand Draft I Pay Order will have to be made payable to “Additional Director or Joint Director (as the
case may be) of the CGHS city, payable in that city”;

(iii) The Ministry I Department will add a certificate of pay, grade pay, etc., drawn by the applicant to the application form and also mention the entitlement of ward (Private ward I Semi-Private Ward / General Ward) at the time of retirement of the official;

(iv) The Ministry I Department will forward the application complete in all respects to the Additional Director in the concerned CGHS city after verifying the particulars furnished by the applicant six weeks before the date of retirement of the official;

(v) CGHS pensioner cell in the concerned CGHS city will initiate action to get the pensioner card prepared;

(vi) The validity of the pensioner card will start from a date after the last day of service of the official;

(vii) If the beneficiary, while in service, has been issued plastic card, then the beneficiary identification number (Ben ID No.) will not be changed at the time of preparation of pensioner card and the same Ben ID number will be carried forward
in the pensioner card;

(viii) The pensioner card will be handed over to the retired official only after the date of superannuation I retirement from service; and

(ix) Before the pensioner CGHS card is issued to the beneficiary, the plastic CGHS cards issued to all the members of the family will be surrendered

4. AIr Ministries / Departments are requested to give wide publicity to the contents of these instructions.

Director
[R Ravi]
[Tel: 2306 3483]

APPLICATION& INSTRUCTION-CLICK HERE

Highlights of the Railway Budget for 2011-12

* No hike in passenger fare and freight rates.

* Earnings for 2010-11 set to exceed Rs.1 lakh crore.

* A separate sports cadre to be created.

* Highest ever Plan outlay of Rs. 57, 630 crore proposed for Railways.

* Rs.10,000 crore to be raised through railway bonds.

* Scholarship for Girl child of Group-D railway employees increased to Rs.1200 per month.

* Recruitment for 1.75 lakh vacancies of Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ including to fill up backlog of SC/ST initiated, 16,000 ex-servicemen to be inducted by March 2011.

* Medical facilities extended to dependent parents of the Railway employees.

* Decided to set-up rail-based industries.

* Passing through a difficult phase; 97 percent increase in expenditure in 2010-11 due to implementation of Sixth Pay Commission report.

* Loss of Rs.3,500 crore in 2010-11.

* Ten-year backlog of 1.75 lakh jobs being addressed; 16,000 ex-servicemen to be given jobs in railways.

* Safety first priority; accident rate has come down.

* Anti-collision device, successful in North West Frontier Railway, to be extended to three more zonal railways.

* Railways always been a soft target but law and order a state subject. If railways are blocked in one region, this has a snowballing effect in other parts of the country.

* Will add 180 km of rail lines in 2011-12.

* All-India security helpline set up.* New Durantos to be run on Allahabad-Mumbai, Pune-Ahmedabad, Sealdah-Puri, Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam, Madurai-Chennai routes, among others.

* Rail linkage to Gujarat from Delhi-Mumbai freight corridor.

* Integrated suburban network to be set up in Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad and other cities; suburban system of Hyderabad to be strengthened.

* Mumbai suburban system's EMU coaches to be increased from nine to 12.

* Pradhan Mantri Rail Vikas Yojna to be launched.

* Industrial park to be set up in Nandigram, West Bengal.

* Railways to set up factory in Jammu and Kashmir.

* To set up Metro coach factory at Singur, West Bengal.

* First coach from Rae Bareli factory to roll out in next three months.

* Work on wagon factory in Orissa to begin after land is acquired.

* Manipur capital Imphal to be soon connected to railway network.

* Centre for excellence in software to be set up at Darjeeling.

* Fund to be created for socially desirable projects.

* Central Organistaion for Project Implemtaiton created; will create accountability for nonperformance.

* 20 additional hostels for children of railway employees to be set up.

* Work on upgrading 442 stations to be completed by March 31.

* Decision to start pilot projects to give shelter to homeless people living along the tracks in Mumbai.

* Multi-purpose smart card to be introduced for all-India travel.* Airport-like trolleys to be provided at more stations.

* 56 new Express Trains, 3 new Shatabdis and 9 Duronto trains to be introduced.

* Upgraded class of air conditioned travel to be introduced shortly.

* To adopt modern technology through centres of academic excellence.

* 2011-12 declared ‘Year of Green Energy’ for Railways.

* Age for senior citizen's concession reduced to 58 from 60.

* Concession for physically handicapped and gallantry award winners for travel in Rajdhani and Shatabdi expresses.

* 50 percent concession for mediapersons with families to be increased from once to twice a year.

* AC Double Decker services on Jaipur-Delhi and Ahmedabad-Mumbai routes.

* New Super AC Class to be introduced.

Performance-based incentive for Central Govt staff from next FY

Employees belonging to 62 of central government departments could may receive performance-based incentive, over and above their existing salaries, from as early as the next financial year. The incentive will be based on the department’s scorecard in meeting yearly targets committed by their respective secretaries and ministers as part of the results-framework documents (RFD) system.

The committee of secretaries looking into performance-based incentive for government employees is said to have already zeroed in on a formula that offers a secretary-level officer an incentive up to 40% of the basic salary, provided his department has met 100% RFD targets. A scorecard of 70% and less in meeting RFD targets would however attract zero incentive. However, no penalty will be imposed on the non-performing officers.

The secretaries’ panel, headed by the Cabinet secretary, has already completed three crucial meetings and is looking to finalise its recommendations in time to enable performance-linked salaries in the coming financial year.For a secretary-level officer, the incentive is proposed to be 15% of cost savings (budgeted expenditure minus actual expenditure) by the department multiplied by its composite score less 70, divided by 30.

The incentive will be higher with each passing year. In other words, secretary of a department that meets 100% RFD targets for a year would get 20% performance-based incentive in the first three years, 30% in the next three years and 40% between the sixth and ninth year. A 70% scorecard would however attract no incentive.

For a joint secretary, the incentive will be sum of 30% of departmental composite score and 70% of divisional composite score. Since the incentive will be paid from cost savings of the department resulting from improved performance, there will be no extra burden on the exchequer. The government, incidentally, is not in favour of penalising the non-performing officers.

The reasoning being that not getting any incentive, or absence of recognition, would be punishment enough for the under-performers. With the committee of secretaries also planning to lay down the condition that performance-linked incentive will accrue to only those departments that have submitted RFDs for two consecutive years, the key five departments of PMO , home, finance, defence, external affairs who are still not covered by the RFD system will not qualify for the incentive.

READ MORE NEWS--http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/performance-based-incentive-for-central-govt-staff-from-next-fy/articleshow/7536963.cms

Will the Retirement age of central government employees go up from 60 to 62?

 

As we heard every time before the budget session of parliament, this time also a rumor about raising the retirement age of central government employees from 60 to 62  is spreading here and there among the central government employees. May be the officers at the verge of retirement be happy about this rumor. Otherwise there is no reason to be happy about this rumor.. As India is having 51% of people below the age of 25 years , it is not a good news to millions of jobless people. Sources close to the trade union movements and Federations told that there is no such proposal with the government since none of the workers federations have demanded it.

In 2009, The Manmohan Singh government was serious in weighing the pros and cons of increasing the retirement age for government employees from 60 to 62 years.That time it was believed that the finance ministry had prepared a detailed note on the issue and sent it to the prime minister's office (PMO)  But the government shelved the idea, largely because of fears that a higher retirement age would adversely impact employment generation and create resentment in the bureaucracy because of blocked promotional avenues. At that time, it was the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) that was asked by the PMO to study the issue and prepare a report.

The BJP led National Democratic Alliance government had raised the retirement age from 58 to 60, in 1998, a move that benefitted 90,000 government servants and 50,000 defence personnel. At the time, the logic was: the retirement of 140,000 employees would have cost Rs 5,200 crore whereas paying salaries cost only Rs 1,493 crore.

Incase if the decision is finally taken, it will only be the third time the government will have raised the retirement age. Jawaharlal Nehru was the first prime minister to have increased the age of superannuation from 55 to 58 following the 1962 war with China. The Atal Bihari Vajpayee government did it a second time in 1998.

source -http://www.vinmoney.com/

Third meeting of the National Anomaly Committee-highlights of meeting

The third meeting of the National Anomaly Committee was  held on 15/02/2011. The following items were taken up for discussion.  No final decision on any item could be arrived at.  It was more or less an exercise to understand the points of view of both sides on these items. We shall in our next communication indicate the outcome of discussion on each item.

 

                Item Nos. 11, 12&13, 14, 20, 28,29&30, 31,37, 38,39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 49, 50 and 51.

              

                During the discussion the Staff brought to the notice of the official side that the issues pertaining to the employees of Andaman  and Nicobar islands, which were taken out of the agenda on the plea that the same would be discussed separately by a Committee to be set up by the Andaman Administration have not been settled.  The NGO Association of A & N Islands have brought to the notice of the staff side that the A & N Administration has not taken any steps to resolve the problems even though similar issues pertaining  to the employees of Pondicherry and Delhi were settled.  The Official side has promised to take up the issue with the concerned in the Home Ministry to ensure that the issues are addressed expeditiously.

 

                The official side has in the Action Taken State has indicated their inability to concede the demand raised by the Staff Side on the following two issues.

 

(a)    Grant of increment in the case of employees whose increment falls between Feb and June. 2006.

(b)   Fixing the pay of the promotees on par with the Direct recruits.

 

Though these issues were not discussed, the Staff Side has said that a resolution to them are urgently needed .

 

The official side has requested the Staff Side to indicate the items on which further discussions are needed; further details are required; and alternative suggestions could be made  within 10 days so that the next and final meeting of the Committee could be convened before 31st March, 2011.  It was also decided that the sub-committee of the MACP related issued will meet once again and their report submitted to the NAC .

source-http://confederationhq.blogspot.com/

New Agenda item for discussion in the Meeting of the National Anomaly Committee

No.18/7/2010-JCA
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
(JCA Section)

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 17th January, 2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:    New Agenda item for discussion in the Meeting of the National Anomaly Committee.

 

      The Hon'ble High Court of Madras in its order dated 10.9.2009 in Writ Petition No.21367/2004 (grievances of Drivers and Artisans in the Postal Department with regard to anomaly in fixing pay since 4th Central Pay Commission followed by directorate dated15.12.2010 in Contempt Petition No.1371/2010 has directed that the matter may be referred to the National Anomaly Committee for its consideration and passing appropriate orders. Accordingly, Department of Posts has forwarded detailed Agenda Note on examination of the Claim of the cadre of Drivers deployed in Department of Posts for grant of pay scale equal to that of Postal Assistants working in the same Department in pursuance to direction of Hon'ble High Court of Madras.

      'In view of the position mentioned above, Secretary (P) in her capacity as the Chairperson of the Anomaly Committee has approved inclusion of the matter in the Agenda of the National Anomaly Committee. It is likely that this issue will be discussed in the next meeting of the National Anomaly Committee to be held in near future. A copy of the Agenda Note forwarded by the Department of Posts is enclosed for information and perusal please.

 

(Dinesh Kapita)
Director (JCA)

 

 

AGENDA NOTE

 

ISSUE :

EXAMINATIN OF THE CLAIM OF THE CADRE OF DRIVERS DEPLOYED IN DEPARTMENT OF POSTS FOR PAY SCALE EQUAL TO THAT OF POSTAL ASSISTANTS WORKING IN THE SAME DEPARTMENT IN PURSUANCE TO DIRECTIONS OF HON'BLE HIGH COURT OF MADRAS IN JUDGEMENT DATED 10.09.2009 IN WP NO.21367/2004 FOLLOWED BY DIRECTIONS DATED 15.12.2010 IN CONTEMPT PETITION NO.1371/2010

GROUNDS :

1.      Consequent upon implementation of 5th CPC recommendations, the cadre of Drivers deployed in Department of Posts in Mail Motor Services and other subordinate offices was placed in the scale of Rs.3050-4590. Their earlier scale as per 4th CPC recommendation was Rs.950-1500. 2.      The Association representing the Drivers and Artisans submitted representation dated 20.08.2001 and 12.12.2001 to the Department of Posts that their cadre placed at the minimum of the pay scale equivalent to Postal Assistants in 1st CPC, 2nd CPC and 3rd CPC. Their argument was that in the 4th CPC they were given the minimum of Rs.950-1500 whereas the Postal Assistants cadre was given Rs.975-1660. While implementing the 5th Pay Commission recommendations, they were placed in the scale of Rs.3050-4590 whereas Postal Assistants were given the scale of Rs.4000-6000 and further stated that there is a genuine anomaly while fixing the scale of Drivers. They also represented that the Postman cadre, which was always kept below their pay scale; was given a jump and equated with their scale of pay the 5th Pay Commission recommendations. The other argument was that they have to possess Heavy Vehicle License and to do exchange of bags containing valuables, cash, etc. and represented to the Hon'ble Minister for Communications for bringing the parity with Postal Assistants. All these submissions were examined and the Association was informed that the Central Pay Commission submitted the recommendations on pay scale after taking into account the specific requirements for each category of posts in terms of educational qualification, skill required, arduous nature of work undertaken and based on the composite view of the matter & also that the Drivers are part of common cadres in Central Government the question of any isolated examination of their pay scale confining to Department of Posts alone did not arise. This communication was sent to the Association on 07.02.2002. 3.      The Association filed an OA No.148/2003 before the Hon'ble Central Administrative Tribunal at Madras, which was dismissed observing that no sufficient material has been placed before them to record a specific finding as to whether there had been arbitrary, discriminatory and hostile discrimination made to the applicants in granting the pay scale. In no circumstances, the case of the Postal Assistants could be treated at par with Drivers.

4.      Aggreved by the CAT order, the Association further filed Writ Petition No.21367/2004 in the Hon'ble High Court at Madrs. The Court after examining the affidavit filed by the Department observed in Para No.8 of their judgement that "it is an admitted case that upto the Third Pay Commission, the pay of Drivers was equal to that of Postal Assistants. In the Fifth Pay Commission, the difference in the pay scale of Postal Assistants and Drivers was Rs.950/-. The case of the petitioners is that, their duties are more arduous; they have to carry insured bags registered post, parcel, speed posts and letters bags from various post offices situated in remote villages and drive through ruddy roads to catch the trains. The only reason given for fixing a higher pay to Postal Assistants is that they possess 10th standard qualification and having knowledge in computer. Though learned counsel appearing for the respondents submitted that common categories are common to all Central Government Departments and their recruitment rules and pay scales are also similar, yet the pay scale of postal Assistants and Drivers are different. The Drivers working in the Delhi Judicial service are getting a higher scale of pay. When the Central Government has prescribed 10th Standard as the qualification for Postal Assistants, the same qualification should have been fixed for the Drivers also, especially when the Drivers were getting an equal pay till the Fourth Pay Commission. This shows that definitely there is discrimination in pay scales among Postal Assistants and Drivers, ............In this case admittedly the scale of pay of Postal Assistants and Drivers was the same till the Fourth Pay Commission and thereafter parity in pay had arisen. This shows that the decision of the Government in fixing the pay scales of Postal Assistants and Drivers are patently irrational, unjust and prejudicial to a section of employees. Therefore we consider it appropriate to set aside the order under challenge and dispose of the writ petition with a direction to the respondents to refer the matter to the Anomaly Committee for its consideration and passing appropriate orders within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and if necessary, to afford an opportunity of hearing to the petitioners. ........."

5.      On receipt of this judgement, the Department sought extension of time for its examination till 30.06.2010. The Hon'ble High Court at Madras did not specifically direct for placing the matter before National Anomaly Committee. By the time of receipt of the Judgement, the Department had already constituted its Anomaly Committee for sorting out the anomalies that arose due to implementation of 6th Pay Commission recommendations pertaining to the Department. Since the parity had been sought with a cadre of Postal Assistants, which is exclusively specific to the Department, the Departmental Anomaly Committee (DAC) chose to examine this in its meetings held on 05.02.2010 and also on 16.04.2010 after giving an opportunity to the Association for presenting their case. The DAC observed that the parity sought is not falling under the ambit of definition of the term 'anomaly' defined by DOPT but recommended for taking u the case with Nodal Ministry for placing the Drivers on par with Postman Grade by giving Grade Pay of Rs.2000 outside the purview of Anomaly Committee.

6.      The proposal sent by Department of Posts to Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance through Department of Personnel & Training for placing the Drivers on par with Postman Grade by giving Grade pay of Rs.2000 did not find favour with by Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure. This was also conveyed to the Association. The Association filed a Contempt Petition in the Hon'ble High Court of Chennai alleging that there was a wanton disobedience in implementation of the order of the Hon'ble High Court. The Department filed a detailed affidavit rebutting their contentions raised in the Contempt directing the Additional Solicitor General in High Court for writing to the concerned Ministry for convening the meeting National Anomaly Committee for examination of the issue raised by the Association for bringing parity with the cadre of Postal Assistants in the Department of Posts.

7.      Therefore, the agenda before the National Anomaly Committee is for examination of the issue of providing Grade Pay of Rs.2400 to the Drivers deployed in Department of Posts at the initial entry on par with Postal Assistants.

Finmin likely to ok 9.5% interest on PF deposits: Official

Finmin likely to ok 9.5% interest on PF deposits: Official

New Delhi, Feb 15 (PTI) Finance Ministry is likely to give green signal to payment of 9.5 per cent interest rate on provident fund deposits during 2010-11, a senior government official said today.

"..We can get ratification on 9.5 per cent for the fiscal from Finance Ministry any moment before March 31, 2011", Labour Secretary P C Chaturvedi said.

He was speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), the highest policy making body of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

Although CBT, which is headed by labour minister, had decided to give a higher return of 9.5 per cent on provident fund deposits for 2010-11, the Finance Ministry had expressed its reservation on the move.

source-PTI

EPFO resumes investment in scam-hit LIC Housing Finance

 

Retirement fund manager EPFO's trustees today approved a proposal to resume investment in the scam-hit LIC Housing Finance, a subsidiary of the country's largest insurance company Life Insurance Corporation.

The decision to resume investment in the LIC Housing Finance was taken at the meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), the apex decision-making body of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

The CBT had suspended investment in housing finance company following disclosure of the bribe-for-loans scam in November 2010 in which top officials of the LIC Housing Finance were allegedly involved.

"Amount invested in LIC Housing Finance is not much...approved investment is only about Rs 800 crore," CBT member and Secretary All India Trade Union Congress D L Sachdev told reporters after the CBT meeting.

The EPFO had invested Rs 454 crore in the bonds of LIC Housing Finance Company.

source-pti

Initiatives to improve service delivery to GPF subscribers

 

To improve the service delivery to GPF subscribers Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) and Website were launched in January 2009. Through IVRS subscribers can access information such as Opening Balance, Closing Balance, Current Balance, Advance details etc. over phone.

On website apart from all the information available over IVRS, GPF Status for last 3 years, Missing Credit/Debit details, last year GPF statement, is also available.

For Retired employees ,status of their Final Payment cases has been made available on website to avoid any inconvenience.

To further improve the service delivery, SMS to GPF subscribers was inaugurated by Hon'ble Chief Minister on 27-01-2011.

http://informatics.nic.in/onlinenews.php?newsid=1270

Non-relieving of CSS officers under transfer on Rotational Transfer or on Promotion — reg

No.21/1/2011-CS. I (P)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated the 14TH February, 2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Non-relieving of CSS officers under transfer on Rotational Transfer or on Promotion — reg.

This has reference to the notification NO.1/8/09-CS.I (P) dated 17.9.2010 amending Rule 19 of CSS Rules 2009 prescribing the time limit of 45 days within which CSS officers under transfer, either on Rotational Transfer or on promotion, must be relieved of their duties in their present Ministries/Departments. It was also laid down in the CSS (Amendment) Rules 2010 that if an officer is not relieved within forty-five days or such further period as referred to in sub-rule (1). the officer shall be deemed’ to have been relieved by the cadre-unit in which he is working and thereafter the officer shall not be entitled to draw any salary and allowances for the period of such overstay from the cadre unit from where the cadre officer was transferred.

2. It is noticed that some of the Ministries/Departments are not complying with the provision of the amended Rule 19 of CSS of 2010 on the pretext that references have been made by them to this Department against the transfer orders.

3. While every effort is made to immediately reply to the aforesaid references against transfers, it is sometimes not possible to do so due to a large number of such references being received in DOP&T.

4 Mere references being made to DOP&T against such transfer/promotion orders by some cadre units cannot be taken as a plea for non-implementation of DOP&T’s orders within the prescribed time limit. It is, therefore, once again reiterated that in case a reply from this Department. extending the time limit for relieving of the officer is not received, the Ministries/Departments must relieve the concerned officers within the original time limit.

5 This may please be noted for strict compliance by all Ministries/Departments.

6.This issues with the approval of secretary(p)

(M.C. Luther)
Director (CS.I )
Tel.No.24629411

Get original copy-http://persmin.gov.in

Tax exemption on gratuity

 

The government has hiked the limits of gratuity payment from Rs 3.5 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs. This enhanced limit is applicable to employees who retire, become incapacitated before retirement, expire or whose services were terminated on or after May 24, 2010.

As per Section 10(10) of Income Tax Act, gratuity is paid when an employee completes five or more years of full-time service with the employer. In respect of government employees, any death-cum-retirement gratuity received under the pension rules or scheme of the central or state government, or regulations applicable to the members of defence services, is not taxable.

In case of gratuity received under the Gratuity Act, 1972, any gratuity received to the extent that it does not exceed an amount calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Gratuity Act is not taxable. For employees receiving gratuity other than under the government pension or gratuity scheme and also other than under the Payment of Gratuity Act, the computation mechanism in respect of exemption limits has been specified in the IT Act. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued a notification increasing the overall tax exemption to Rs 10 lakhs.

The gratuity received by an employee is not taxable if it is received on his retirement, his becoming incapacitated prior to such retirement, termination of employment or if such gratuity is received by his widow, children or dependants on his death. Further, such gratuity does not exceed one-half month's salary for each year of completed service, calculated on the basis of the average salary for 10 months immediately preceding the month in which such retirement or death takes place, subject to the limits prescribed by the central government.

Salary for this purpose includes dearness allowance, but excludes all other allowances and perquisites. Also, as per some judicial precedents, completed service would mean a total period of service whether under one employer or more.

In case any such gratuities are received by an employee from more than one employer in the same financial year, the aggregate amount so exempt should not exceed the overall exemption limit. Similarly, if gratuities were received in one or more financial years, the exempt amount claimed earlier has to be taken into account while computing the exemption at present.

READ MORE-Economictimes

Rates of Dearness Allowance applicable w.e.f. 1.1.2010 and 1.7.2010 to the Railway employees continuing to draw their pay in the pre-revised scale.

 

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

S.No.PC-VI/247
No.PC-V/2009/A/DA/1

RBE No.17/2011
New Delhi, dated 13-02-2011

The General Managers/CAO(R),
All Zonal Railways & PUs
(As per standard mailing list)

 

      Sub: -Rates of Dearness Allowance applicable w.e.f. 1.1.2010 and 1.7.2010 to the Railway employees continuing to draw their pay in the pre-revised scale.

      In continuation of Ministry of Railway's letter of even Number dated 30.10.2009, (PC-VI/156, RBE No.195/2009) revising rates of Dearness Allowance w.e.f. 01.07.2009 in respect of Railway Servants who continue to draw their pay and emoluments in the pre-revised scale of pay (5th CPC Scale), the rates of Dearness Allowance admissible to these category of employees shall be enhanced from the existing 73% to 87% w.e.f. 1.1.2010 and 87% to 103% w.e.f. 1.7.2010. All other conditions as laid down in the Board's letter dated 17.11.2008 (RBE No.179/2008) will continue to apply.

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

3.       Hindi version is enclosed.

[Authority: MoF's OM No.(s).1(3)/2008-EII(B), dated 31.03.2010 & 29.09.2010]

s/d
( N.P.Singh)
Dy.Director, Pay Commission - V
Railway Board.

source-www.airfindia.com

Grant of Non-Productivity Linked Bonus (ad-hoc bonus) to non-teaching employees-employees-clarification

F.No.125-8/2003-04/KVS (Budget)

Dated: 27.01.2011

The Asstt.Commissioner/Director
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan
All Regional Offices.ZIETs,

Subject: Grant of Non-Productivity Linked Bonus (ad-hoc bonus) to non-teaching employees-clarification thereof:

Sir/Madam,

I am directed to refer to this office letter of even no. dated 30.9.2010 regarding payment of Bonus to Group `C’ & `D’ and `B’ employees for the year 2009-10 and to state that all non-teaching employees with Grade Pay of less than Rs.4800/- in KVS may be allowed to draw bonus for the year 2009-10. This issue with the approval of Commissioner, KVS

You are directed to take necessary action accordingly and to communicate these instructions to all the Kendriya Vidyalaya’s under your jurisdictions.

http://kvsangathan.nic.in/(S(rsh1shndkpkymxrk0ssimu55))/cir-actt-28-01-11.PDF

Yours faithfully,

(K.Arumugam)
Dy. Commissioner (Fin)

Removal of income ceiling limit of Rs. 3500/-per month-KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN

KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN
18, INSTITUTIONAL AREA,
SHAHEED JEET SINGH MARG
NEW DELHI 110 602

No. F. 110240/(6)/2009-KVS(HQ)(Budget)

Dated: 21.01.2011

The Assistant Commissioners,
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan,
All Regional Offices.

Subject: Removal of income ceiling limit of Rs. 3500/-per month

Sir/Madam,

The matter regarding removal of income ceiling limit of Rs.3500/-per month for granting exemption of Tuition Fees and Vidyalaya Vikas Nidhi to the wards of parents holding current BPL Card was placed before the BOG which approved the removal of the income ceiling limit of Rs. 3500/- per month for granting exemption of Tuition Fees and VVN in its meeting held on 3rd Nov.,2010 with the condition that the claimant should produce the valid BPL card issued by the Competent Authority of the State Government.

You are requested to circulate these instructions to all Kendriya Vidyalayas functioning under your jurisdiction to implement the decision w.e.f 1.1.2011.

Yours faithfully,

(K.Arumugam)
Dy. Commissioner (Fin)

original copy-http://kvsangathan.nic.in/(S(rsh1shndkpkymxrk0ssimu55))/cir-actt-21-01-11(1).PDF

Adoption of Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) for the employees of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan at par with Central Government Civilian Employees.

KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN
18 INSTITUTIONAL AREA
SHAHEED JEET SINGH MARG
NEW DELHI-110 016

F.11029-16/2009-KVSHQ (Admn.I)-168

Date: 09.02.2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

 

Subject: – Adoption of Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) for the employees of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan at par with Central Government Civilian Employees.

The matter pertaining to adoption of Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) for the teaching and non-teaching employees of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, at par with Central Government Civilian Employees, was under examination with the Ministry of HRD.

2. The approval of the Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India, as conveyed vide their letter No.F.3-18/2010 UT-2 dated 20th January, 2011, is communicated for adoption subject to the following conditions:

*MACP Scheme is extended to the Non-academic (non-teaching) Group ‘B’ &’C’ employees of KVS.

*The guidelines issued by the Department of Personnel & Training vide O.M. No.35034/3/2008-Estt (D) dated the 19th May, 2009, shall apply mutatis mutandis. (Annexure I).

*This scheme is in supersession of the previous ACP Scheme and clarifications issued thereunder and will be applicable w.e.f. 01.09.2008.

*The MACPS envisages merely placement in the immediate next higher grade pay in the hierarchy of the recommended revised pav bands and grade pay as given in Section I, part A of the first schedule of the CCS (Revised Pay ) Rules,2008. Thus the pay band and grade pay at the time of financial up-gradation under the MACPS to the Non-academic (non-teaching) Group ‘B’ &’C’. employees of KVS will be given as per Annexure II.

*To make the MACP Scheme operational, the competent authorities shall ensure the conduct of first screening committee within one month from the date of issue of the OM and all eligible cases should be cleared within two months.

*The screening committee shall be headed by a Chairman and will consist of at least three members who shall be not below the rank of Under Secretary (i.e. pay band 3 with grade pay of Rs.6600/-), of which one member shall be belonging to SC/ST/Minority community. The recommendations of the screening committee shall be placed before the appointing authority for approval.

This issues with the approval of the commissioner, KVS.

 

(DR.E.PRABHAKAR)
DY.COMMISSIONER (PERS)

http://kvsangathan.nic.in/(S(rsh1shndkpkymxrk0ssimu55))/cir-admn-macp.PDF

Rate of calculating entitlement to Earned Leave (E.L) and Half Pay Leave (HPL)

No.13026 /1/2010-Estt. ( Leave)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, P.G. and Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)

New Delhi, the 7^th February, 2011

Office Memorandum

Sub: Rate of calculating entitlement to Earned Leave (E.L) and Half Pay Leave (HPL).

The undersigned is directed to say that matter regarding entitlement of a Government servant, who dies while in service, to Earned Leave under Rule 27(2)(b) and Half Pay Leave Rule 29 (2) (c) of  the CCS (Leave) Rules 1972 has been under consideration of this Department.

2. At present rule 27 (2) (b) says ‘when a Government servant is removed or dismissed from service or dies while in service, credit is allowed at the rate of 2 1/2 days per completed calendar month up to the end of the calendar month preceding the calendar month in which he is  removed or dismissed from service or dies in service.’

Similarly Rule 29 (c) says ‘When a Government servant is removed or dismissed from service or dies while in service, credit of half pay leave shall be allowed at the rate of 5/3 days per completed calendar month up to the end of the calendar month preceding the calendar month in which he is removed or dismissed from service  or dies in service.’

3. These rules adversely affect cases where the death of a serving Government Servant occurs on the last day of the month as the day of death is treated as his last working day. Clause (b) of sub rule (2) of rule 27 and clause (c) of sub-rule (2) of rule 29 of the CCS Leave Rules is modified as under :-

Rule 27 (2) (b) ‘When a Government servant is removed or dismissed from service, credit is allowed at the rate of 2 1 /2 days per completed calendar month up to the end of the calendar month  preceding the calendar month in which he is removed or dismissed from service. When a Government Servant dies, while in service, credit of Earned Leave shall be allowed at time rate    of 2 1/2 days per completed month of service up to the date of death of the Government Servant.’

Rule 29 (2) (c) ‘When a Government servant is removed or dismissed from service, credit of Hall Pay Leave shall be allowed at the rate of 5/3 days per completed calendar month up to the end of the  calendar month preceding the calendar month in which he is removed or dismissed from service. When a Government Servant dies while in service, credit of Half Pay Leave shall be allowed at the rate of 5/3 days per completed month of service up to the date of death of the Government Servant.’

4. These orders take effect from the date of issue.

5. So far as persons serving in the Indian Audit & Accounts Departments are concerned, these orders are being issued after consultation with the C&AG of India.

(Zoya C. B.)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

www.persmin.nic.in