Dearness Relief to Bank Pensioners from February 2022 to July 2022: IBA Circular
HR & Industrial Relations
HR&IR/MBR/76/D/2021-22/10869 February 1, 2022
Designated Officers of all Member Banks which are parties to the Bipartite Settlement on Pension
Dear Sir/ Madam,
Dearness Relief payable to Pensioners for the period February 2022 to July 2022
The confirmed All India Average Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers (Base 1960=100) for the quarter ended December 2021 are as follows:-
October 2021
8210.75
November 2021
8263.34
December 2021
8243.62
In terms of Regulation 37 of Bank Employees’ Pension Regulations, 1995 Dearness Relief is payable to pensioners at rates specified in Appendix II to the Regulations.
Pending amendments to Pension Regulations, Banks may pay on ad hoc basis, the Dearness Relief payable to pensioners for the period February 2022 to July 2022 as per Annexure.
Tax deduction limit increased to 14% on employers contribution to NPS account of State Govt Employees
Taxpayers can file updated Income Tax return within two years
TAX RELIEF TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITY
TAX DEDUCTION LIMIT ON EMPLOYER’S CONTRIBUTION TO NPS ACCOUNT OF STATE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES INCREASED TO 14% FROM 10%
INCOME FROM VIRTUAL DIGITAL ASSETS TRANSACTIONS TO BE TAXED AT 30%
NEW STEPS TO AVOID REPEAT LITIGATIONS WITH TAXPAYERS
The Government proposes to permit taxpayers to file an updated return on payment of additional tax within two years from the end of the relevant assessment year announced the Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the Union Budget 2022-23 in the Parliament today. She said this would give taxpayers an opportunity to correct any omissions or mistakes in correctly estimating their income for tax payment. She pointed out that currently, if the department finds out that some income has been missed out by the assessee, it goes through a lengthy process of adjudication, the new proposal would repose trust in the taxpayer. She said “It is an affirmative step in the direction of voluntary tax compliance”.
Tax Relief to Persons with Disability
The law currently provides for deduction to the parent or guardian when they take an insurance scheme for the differently abled person only if the lump sum payment or annuity is available to the differently abled person on the death of the subscriber. Pointing out that there could be situations where differently abled dependants may need payment of annuity or lump sum amount even during the lifetime of their parents/guardians, Smt. Sitharaman announced that the Government proposes to allow the payment of annuity and lump sum amount to the differently abled dependent during the lifetime of parents/guardians, on subscribers attaining the age of sixty years.
Parity between Employees of State and Central Government
The minister said that to enhance the social security benefits of the State government employees and bring them at par with the central government employees, the Government proposes to increase the tax deduction limit to 14 per cent from 10 per cent on employer’s contribution to the NPS account of State Government employees.
Stating that the magnitude and frequency of transactions in virtual digital assets have increased phenomenally, Smt. Sitharaman announced that “any income from transfer of any virtual digital asset shall be taxed at the rate of 30 per cent”. She said that the scheme would not allow any deduction in respect of any expenditure or allowance while computing such income except cost of acquisition. Further she said, loss from transfer of virtual digital asset cannot be set off against any other income. The minister also added that in order to capture the transaction details, the Government would also make a provision to provide for TDS on payment made in relation to transfer of virtual digital asset at the rate of 1 per cent of such consideration above a monetary threshold. Gift of virtual digital asset is also proposed to be taxed in the hands of the recipient, she said.
Litigation Management
Smt. Sitharaman stated that “a lot of time and resources are consumed in filing of appeals which involve identical issues”. In order to take forward the Government’s policy of sound litigation management and reduce repeated litigation between taxpayers and the department, the Government would make a provision that if a question of law in the case of an assessee is identical to a question of law which is pending in appeal before the jurisdictional High Court or the Supreme Court in any case, the filing of further appeal in the case of this assessee by the department shall be deferred till such question of law is decided by the jurisdictional High Court or the Supreme Court.
The minister also thanked the taxpayers of the country who have contributed immensely and strengthened the hands of the Government in helping their fellow citizens in the hour of need.
The Union Budget seeks to complement macro-economic level growth with a focus on micro-economic level all inclusive welfare. The Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Union Budget 2022-23 in Parliament today.
The key highlights of the budget are as follows:
PART A
India’s economic growth estimated at 9.2% to be the highest among all large economies.
60 lakh new jobs to be created under the productivity linked incentive scheme in 14 sectors.
PLI Schemes have the potential to create an additional production of Rs 30 lakh crore.
Entering Amrit Kaal, the 25 year long lead up to India @100, the budget provides impetus for growth along four priorities:
PM GatiShakti
Inclusive Development
Productivity Enhancement & Investment, Sunrise opportunities, Energy Transition, and Climate Action.
Financing of investments
PM GatiShakti
The seven engines that drive PM GatiShakti are Roads, Railways, Airports, Ports, Mass Transport, Waterways and Logistics Infrastructure.
PM GatiShkati National Master Plan
The scope of PM GatiShakti National Master Plan will encompass the seven engines for economic transformation, seamless multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency.
The projects pertaining to these 7 engines in the National Infrastructure Pipeline will be aligned with PM GatiShakti framework.
Road Transport
National Highways Network to be expanded by 25000 Km in 2022-23.
Rs 20000 Crore to be mobilized for National Highways Network expansion.
Multimodal Logistics Parks
Contracts to be awarded through PPP mode in 2022-23 for implementation of Multimodal Logistics Parks at four locations.
Railways
One Station One Product concept to help local businesses & supply chains.
2000 Km of railway network to be brought under Kavach, the indigenous world class technology and capacity augmentation in 2022-23.
400 new generation Vande Bharat Trains to be manufactured during the next three years.
100 PM GatiShakti Cargo terminals for multimodal logistics to be developed during the next three years.
Parvatmala
National Ropeways Development Program, Parvatmala to be taken up on PPP mode.
Contracts to be awarded in 2022-23 for 8 ropeway projects of 60 Km length.
Inclusive Development
Agriculture
Rs. 2.37 lakh crore direct payment to 1.63 crore farmers for procurement of wheat and paddy.
Chemical free Natural farming to be promoted throughout the county. Initial focus is on farmer’s lands in 5 Km wide corridors along river Ganga.
NABARD to facilitate fund with blended capital to finance startups for agriculture & rural enterprise.
‘Kisan Drones’ for crop assessment, digitization of land records, spraying of insecticides and nutrients.
Ken Betwa project
1400 crore outlay for implementation of the Ken – Betwa link project.
9.08 lakh hectares of farmers’ lands to receive irrigation benefits by Ken-Betwa link project.
MSME
Udyam, e-shram, NCS and ASEEM portals to be interlinked.
Guarantee cover under ECLGS to be expanded by Rs 50000 Crore to total cover of Rs 5 Lakh Crore.
Rs 2 lakh Crore additional credit for Micro and Small Enterprises to be facilitated under the Credit Guarantee Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE).
Raising and Accelerating MSME performance (RAMP) programme with outlay of Rs 6000 Crore to be rolled out.
Digital Ecosystem for Skilling and Livelihood (DESH-Stack e-portal) will be launched to empower citizens to skill, reskill or upskill through on-line training.
· Startups will be promoted to facilitate ‘Drone Shakti’ and for Drone-As-A-Service (DrAAS).
Education
‘One class-One TV channel’ programme of PM eVIDYA to be expanded to 200 TV channels.
· Virtual labs and skilling e-labs to be set up to promote critical thinking skills and simulated learning environment.
· High-quality e-content will be developed for delivery through Digital Teachers.
· Digital University for world-class quality universal education with personalised learning experience to be established.
Health
An open platform for National Digital Health Ecosystem to be rolled out.
· ‘National Tele Mental Health Programme’ for quality mental health counselling and care services to be launched.
A network of 23 tele-mental health centres of excellence will be set up, with NIMHANS being the nodal centre and International Institute of Information Technology-Bangalore (IIITB) providing technology support.
Saksham Anganwadi
Integrated benefits to women and children through Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.
Two lakh anganwadis to be upgraded to Saksham Anganwadis.
Har Ghar, Nal Se Jal
Rs. 60,000 crore allocated to cover 3.8 crore households in 2022-23 under Har Ghar, Nal se Jal.
Housing for All
Rs. 48,000 crore allocated for completion of 80 lakh houses in 2022-23 under PM Awas Yojana.
Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North-East Region (PM-DevINE)
New scheme PM-DevINE launched to fund infrastructure and social development projects in the North-East.
An initial allocation of Rs. 1,500 crore made to enable livelihood activities for youth and women under the scheme.
Vibrant Villages Programme
Vibrant Villages Programme for development of Border villages with sparse population, limited connectivity and infrastructure on the northern border.
Banking
100 per cent of 1.5 lakh post offices to come on the core banking system.
Scheduled Commercial Banks to set up 75 Digital Banking Units (DBUs) in 75 districts.
e-Passport
e-Passports with embedded chip and futuristic technology to be rolled out.
Urban Planning
Modernization of building byelaws, Town Planning Schemes (TPS), and Transit Oriented Development (TOD) will be implemented.
Battery swapping policy to be brought out for setting up charging stations at scale in urban areas.
Land Records Management
Unique Land Parcel Identification Number for IT-based management of land records.
Accelerated Corporate Exit
Centre for Processing Accelerated Corporate Exit (C-PACE) to be established for speedy winding-up of companies.
AVGC Promotion Task Force
An animation, visual effects, gaming, and comic (AVGC) promotion task force to be set-up to realize the potential of this sector.
Telecom Sector
Scheme for design-led manufacturing to be launched to build a strong ecosystem for 5G as part of the Production Linked Incentive Scheme.
Export Promotion
Special Economic Zones Act to be replaced with a new legislation to enable States to become partners in ‘Development of Enterprise and Service Hubs’.
AtmaNirbharta in Defence:
68% of capital procurement budget earmarked for domestic industry in 2022-23, up from 58% in 2021-22.
· Defence R&D to be opened up for industry, startups and academia with 25% of defence R&D budget earmarked.
· Independent nodal umbrella body to be set up for meeting testing and certification requirements.
Sunrise Opportunities
Government contribution to be provided for R&D in Sunrise Opportunities like Artificial Intelligence, Geospatial Systems and Drones, Semiconductor and its eco-system, Space Economy, Genomics and Pharmaceuticals, Green Energy, and Clean Mobility Systems.
Energy Transition and Climate Action:
Additional allocation of Rs.19,500 crore for Production Linked Incentive for manufacture of high efficiency solar modules to meet the goal of 280 GW of installed solar power by 2030.
· Five to seven per cent biomass pellets to be co-fired in thermal power plants:
CO2 savings of 38 MMT annually,
Extra income to farmers and job opportunities to locals,
Help avoid stubble burning in agriculture fields.
· Four pilot projects to be set up for coal gasification and conversion of coal into chemicals for the industry
· Financial support to farmers belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who want to take up agro-forestry.
Public Capital Investment:
Public investment to continue to pump-prime private investment and demand in 2022-23.
· Outlay for capital expenditure stepped up sharply by 35.4% to Rs. 7.50 lakh crore in 2022-23 from Rs. 5.54 lakh crore in the current year.
· Outlay in 2022-23 to be 2.9% of GDP.
‘Effective Capital Expenditure’ of Central Government estimated at Rs. 10.68 lakh crore in 2022-23, which is about 4.1% of GDP.
GIFT-IFSC
World-class foreign universities and institutions to be allowed in the GIFT City.
An International Arbitration Centre to be set up for timely settlement of disputes under international jurisprudence.
Mobilising Resources
Data Centres and Energy Storage Systems to be given infrastructure status.
· Venture Capital and Private Equity invested more than Rs. 5.5 lakh crore last year facilitating one of the largest start-up and growth ecosystem. Measures to be taken to help scale up this investment.
· Blended funds to be promoted for sunrise sectors.
· Sovereign Green Bonds to be issued for mobilizing resources for green infrastructure.
Digital Rupee
Introduction of Digital Rupee by the Reserve Bank of India starting 2022-23.
Providing Greater Fiscal Space to States
Enhanced outlay for ‘Scheme for Financial Assistance to States for Capital Investment’:
From Rs. 10,000 crore in Budget Estimates to Rs.15,000 crore in Revised Estimates for current year
· Allocation of Rs.1 lakh crorein 2022-23 to assist the states incatalysing overall investments in the economy: fifty-year interest free loans, over and above normal borrowings
In 2022-23, States will be allowed a fiscal deficit of 4% of GSDP, of which 0.5% will be tied to power sector reforms
Fiscal Management
Budget Estimates 2021-22: Rs. 34.83 lakh crore
· Revised Estimates 2021-22: Rs. 37.70 lakh crore
· Total expenditure in 2022-23 estimated at Rs. 39.45 lakh crore
· Total receipts other than borrowings in 2022-23 estimated at Rs. 22.84 lakh crore
· Fiscal deficit in current year: 6.9% of GDP (against 6.8% in Budget Estimates)
Fiscal deficit in 2022-23 estimated at 6.4% of GDP
PART B
DIRECT TAXES
To take forward the policy of stable and predictable tax regime:
Vision to establish a trustworthy tax regime.
To further simplify tax system and reduce litigation.
Introducing new ‘Updated return’
Provision to file an Updated Return on payment of additional tax.
Will enable the assessee to declare income missed out earlier.
Can be filed within two years from the end of the relevant assessment year.
Cooperative societies
Alternate Minimum Tax paid by cooperatives brought down from 18.5 per cent to 15 per cent.
To provide a level playing field between cooperative societies and companies.
Surcharge on cooperative societies reduced from 12 per cent to 7 per cent for those having total income of more than Rs 1 crore and up to Rs 10 crores.
Tax relief to persons with disability
Payment of annuity and lump sum amount from insurance scheme to be allowed to differently abled dependent during the lifetime of parents/guardians, i.e., on parents/ guardian attaining the age of 60 years.
Parity in National Pension Scheme Contribution
Tax deduction limit increased from 10 per cent to 14 per cent on employer’s contribution to the NPS account of State Government employees.
Brings them at par with central government employees.
Would help in enhancing social security benefits.
Incentives for Start-ups
Period of incorporation extended by one year, up to 31.03.2023 for eligible start-ups to avail tax benefit.
Previously the period of incorporation valid up to 31.03.2022.
Incentives under concessional tax regime
Last date for commencement of manufacturing or production under section 115BAB extended by one year i.e. from 31st March, 2023 to 31st March, 2024.
Scheme for taxation of virtual digital assets
Specific tax regime for virtual digital assets introduced.
Any income from transfer of any virtual digital asset to be taxed at the rate of 30 per cent.
No deduction in respect of any expenditure or allowance to be allowed while computing such income except cost of acquisition.
Loss from transfer of virtual digital asset cannot be set off against any other income.
To capture the transaction details, TDS to be provided on payment made in relation to transfer of virtual digital asset at the rate of 1 per cent of such consideration above a monetary threshold.
Gift of virtual digital asset also to be taxed in the hands of the recipient.
Litigation Management
In cases where question of law is identical to the one pending in High Court or Supreme Court, the filing of appeal by the department shall be deferred till such question of law is decided by the court.
To greatly help in reducing repeated litigation between taxpayers and the department.
Tax incentives to IFSC
Subject to specified conditions, the following to be exempt from tax
Income of a non-resident from offshore derivative instruments.
Income from over the counter derivatives issued by an offshore banking unit.
Income from royalty and interest on account of lease of ship.
Income received from portfolio management services in IFSC.
Rationalization of Surcharge
Surcharge on AOPs (consortium formed to execute a contract) capped at 15 per cent.
Done to reduce the disparity in surcharge between individual companies and AOPs.
Surcharge on long term capital gains arising on transfer of any type of assets capped at 15 per cent.
To give a boost to the start up community.
Health and Education Cess
Any surcharge or cess on income and profits not allowable as business expenditure.
Deterrence against tax-evasion
No set off, of any loss to be allowed against undisclosed income detected during search and survey operations.
Rationalizing TDS Provisions
Benefits passed on to agents as business promotion strategy taxable in hands of agents.
Tax deduction provided to person giving benefits, if the aggregate value of such benefits exceeds Rs 20,000 during the financial year.
INDIRECT TAXES
Remarkable progress in GST
GST revenues are buoyant despite the pandemic – Taxpayers deserve applause for this growth.
Special Economic Zones
Customs Administration of SEZs to be fully IT driven and function on the Customs National Portal – shall be implemented by 30th September 2022.
Customs Reforms and duty rate changes
Faceless Customs has been fully established. During Covid-19 pandemic, Customs formations have done exceptional frontline work against all odds displaying agility and purpose.
Project imports and capital goods
Gradually phasing out of the concessional rates in capital goods and project imports; and applying a moderate tariff of 7.5 percent – conducive to the growth of domestic sector and ‘Make in India’.
Certain exemptions for advanced machineries that are not manufactured within the country shall continue.
A few exemptions introduced on inputs, like specialised castings, ball screw and linear motion guide – to encourage domestic manufacturing of capital goods.
Review of customs exemptions and tariff simplification
More than 350 exemption entries proposed to be gradually phased out, like exemption on certain agricultural produce, chemicals, fabrics, medical devices, & drugs and medicines for which sufficient domestic capacity exists.
Simplifying the Customs rate and tariff structure particularly for sectors like chemicals, textiles and metals and minimise disputes; Removal of exemption on items which are or can be manufactured in India and providing concessional duties on raw material that go into manufacturing of intermediate products – in line with the objective of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
Sector specific proposals
Electronics
Customs duty rates to be calibrated to provide a graded rate structure – to facilitate domestic manufacturing of wearable devices, hearable devices and electronic smart meters.
Duty concessions to parts of transformer of mobile phone chargers and camera lens of mobile camera module and certain other items – To enable domestic manufacturing of high growth electronic items.
Gems and Jewellery
Customs duty on cut and polished diamonds and gemstones being reduced to 5 per cent; Nil customs duty to simply sawn diamond – To give a boost to the Gems and Jewellery sector
.
A simplified regulatory framework to be implemented by June this year – To facilitate export of jewellery through e-commerce.
Customs duty of at least Rs 400 per Kg to be paid on imitation jewellery import – To disincentivise import of undervalued imitation jewellery.
Chemicals
Customs duty on certain critical chemicals namely methanol, acetic acid and heavy feed stocks for petroleum refining being reduced; Duty is being raised on sodium cyanide for which adequate domestic capacity exists – This will help in enhancing domestic value addition.
MSME
Customs duty on umbrellas being raised to 20 per cent. Exemption to parts of umbrellas being withdrawn.
Exemption being rationalised on implements and tools for agri-sector which are manufactured in India
Customs duty exemption given to steel scrap last year extended for another year to provide relief to MSME secondary steel producers
Certain Anti- dumping and CVD on stainless steel and coated steel flat products, bars of alloy steel and high-speed steel are being revoked – to tackle prevailing high prices of metal in larger public interest.
Exports
To incentivise exports, exemptions being provided on items such as embellishment, trimming, fasteners, buttons, zipper, lining material, specified leather, furniture fittings and packaging boxes.
Duty being reduced on certain inputs required for shrimp aquaculture – to promote its exports.
Tariff measure to encourage blending of fuel
Unblended fuel to attract an additional differential excise duty of Rs 2/ litre from the 1st of October 2022 – to encourage blending of fuel.
Grant of paid holiday to the employees on the day of poll: General Election to the Legislative Assemblies of states of Goa, Punjab, Manipur, Uttarakhand & Uttar Pradesh, 2022
F. No.12/1/2022-JCA Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel & Training) Establishment (JCA) Section
North Block, New Delhi Dated: 31st January, 2022
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: General Election to the Legislative Assemblies of states of Goa, Punjab, Manipur, Uttarakhand & Uttar Pradesh, 2022 – Grant of paid holiday to the employees on the day of poll – regarding
The undersigned is directed to state that, as informed by the Election Commission of India, vide their Letter No. 78/ EPS/ 2022, dated 19/01/ 2022, General Election to the Legislative Assemblies of the states of Goa, Punjab, Manipur, Uttarakhand & Uttar Pradesh, 2022, are scheduled to be held as under:
Schedule for General Election to the Legislative Assemblies as follows
S.No.
Name of State
Phase
Date of Poll
Day
1.
Goa, Uttarakhand
Single Phase
14.02.2022
Monday
2.
Manipur
Two Phases
27.02.2022
Sunday
03.03.2022
Thursday
3.
Uttar Pradesh,
Seven Phases
10.02.2022
Thursday
14.02.2022
Monday
20.02.2022
Sunday
23.02.2022
Wednesday
27.02.2022
Sunday
03.03.2022
Thursday
07.03.2022
Monday
4.
Punjab
Single Phase
20.02.2022
Sunday
2. In this regard, it is stated that guidelines have been Issued by this Department, vide OM No. 12/14/99-JCA, dated 10.10.2001, regarding closure of Central Government Offices and grant of paid holiday to all concerned, including the daily wage/ casual workers, on the date of election. It is reiterated that all the Central government Offices and the Central Industrial Establishments, shall remain closed in the notified areas, where general election to the State Legislative Assemblies are to be conducted, on the date of Poll. The employees concern shall be granted paid holiday on the date of Poll to enable them to exercise their right to Vote
DA for Bank Employees from Feb 2022 to Apr 2022, IBA Order
HR & Industrial Relations
HR&IR/MBR/76/D/2021-22/10866 February 1, 2022
All Members of the Association (Designated Officers)
Dear Sir/ Madam,
Dearness Allowance for Workmen and Officer Employees in banks for the months of February, March and April 2022 under XI BPS/ Joint Note dated 11.11.2020
The confirmed All India Average Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers (Base 1960=100) for the quarter ended December 2021 are as follows:-
October 2021
8210.75
November 2021
8263.34
December 2021
8243.62
The average CPI of the above is 8239.24 and accordingly the number of DA slabs are 471 (8239 – 6352= 1887/4= 471 Slabs). The last quarterly Payment of DA was at 434 Slabs. Hence, there is an increase in DA slabs of 37 i.e. 471 Slabs for payment of DA for the quarter February, March and April 2022.
In terms of clause 7 of the 11th Bipartite Settlement dated 11.11.2020 and clause 3 of the Joint Note dated 11.11.2020, the rate of Dearness Allowance payable to Workmen and Officer employees for the months of February, March and April 2022 shall be 32.97 % of `pay’. While arriving at dearness allowance payable, decimals from third place may please be ignored.
Physical Attendance of CG Employees for 50% has been extended till 15th Feb 2022
F.No.11013/9/2014-Estt.A-III Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Personnel & Training
North Block, New Delhi Dated the 31st January, 2022
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Preventive measures to contain the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) —Attendance of Central Government officials regarding.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM of even number dated the 3.1.2022 (copy enclosed) on the above-mentioned subject and to state that the instructions issued vide the said OM will remain in force upto 15th February, 2022 or till further orders, whichever is earlier.
Biometric attendance remain suspended till 15th Feb 2022 – DOPT
F.No.11013/9/2014-Estt,A-III Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Personnel & Training
North Block, New Delhi Dated the 31st January, 2022
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Preventive measures to contain the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) –Biometric attendance regarding.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM of even number dated the 3.1.2022 on the above-mentioned subject and to state that the biometric attendance shall remain suspended till 15th February. 2022 or till further orders. whichever is earlier. It is reiterated that the employees shall mark their attendance in the Attendance Registers to be maintained manually. All the Heads of Departments shall also ensure that all employees wear masks, at all times, and continue to follow COVID-appropriate behavior strictly.
PCDA Circular 658: Allowing family pension to other eligible family member in the event of family pensioner is charged with the offence of murdering the Government servant or for abetting in the commission of such an offence
O/O THE PRINCIPAL CONTROLLER OF DEFENCE ACCOUNTS(PENSION) DRAUPADI GHAT, ALLAHABAD – 211014
Circular No. 658
Dated:-24.01.2022
To, The OI/C Records/PAOs (ORs)
Sub : Allowing family pension to other eligible family member in the event of family pensioner is charged with the offence of murdering the Government servant or for abetting in the commission of such an offence.
*******
A copy of Govt. of India. Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare letter No. F.No. 2(3)/2021/D(Pen/Pol) dated 5th January, 2022 on the above subject is forwarded herewith for information, guidance and necessary action.
2) The provisions contained in regulation No. 75 of Pension Regulations for the Army. Part-1. 2008 on the above subject matter have been reviewed by competent authority and now it has been decided that the provisions contained in GoI, DoP&PW O.M. No.1/24/2019-P&PW(E) dated 16th June, 2021 shall mutatis-mutandis apply to Armed Forces Pensioners also. These provisions shall he applicable with effect from 16 June 2021.
3) A copy of this circular along with Government of India. Ministry of Defence letter F.No. 2{3)/2021/D(Pen/Pol) dated 5th January. 2022 as well as Gol, DoP&PW OM No. 1/24/2019-P&PW(E) dated 16th June. 2021 is also available on the website of this office
F.No. 2(3)/2021/D(Pen/Poli Government of India . Ministry of Defence Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare D(Pension/Policy)
Room No. 222, ‘B’ Wing, Sena Bhawan, New Delhi-110011. Dated: 05th January, 2022
To The Chief of the DefenceStaff The Chief of the Army Staff The Chief of the Naval Staff The Chief of the Air Staff
Subject: Allowing family pension to other eligible family member in the event of family pensioner is charged with the offence of murdering the Government servant or for abetting in the commission of such an offence.
Sir,
The undersigned is directed to refer to the provisions contained in DoP&PW D.M. No. 1/24/2019-P&PW(E) dated 16.06.2021 allowing family pension to other eligible family member in the event of family pensioner is charged with the offence of murdering the Government servant or for abetting in the commission of such an offence,
2. In terms of Regulation No. 75 of Pension Regulations for the Army, Part- 1, 2008 in the event of an eligible member to receive ordinary family pension under these Regulations is charged with the offence of murdering the service personnel or for abetting in the commission of such an offence, the claim of such a person including other eligible member or members of the family to receive ordinary family pension, shall remain .suspended till the conclusidn of the criminal proceedings instituted against him.
3. The above provisions have been reviewed and it has been decided that the provisions contained in above mentioned DoP&PW D.M. dated 16th June, 2021 shall mutatis-mutandis apply to Armed Forces Pensioners also. These Provisions shall be applicable with effect from 16 June 2021.
4. The relevant provisions of Pension Regulations of the three Services shall stand modified to the extent mentioned in DoP&PW OM dated 16th June, 2021.
5. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Division of this Ministry vide their U0 Note No. 10 (06)/2021/Fin/Pen dated 08.12.2021.
6. Hindi version will follow. Yours faithfully,
(Ashok Kumar) Under Secretary to the Government of India
F. No. 1/24/2019-P&PW (E) Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (Desk-E)
3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi Dated 16th June, 2021
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Suspension of family pension to a person charged with the offence of murdering or abetting in the murder of the Government servant— Allowing family pension to other eligible family member.
In accordance with sub-rule (11-C) of rule 54 of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, if a person, who is eligible to receive family pension on death of a Government servant or a pensioner, is charged with the offence of murdering the Government servant/pensioner or for abetting in the commission of such an offence, the payment of family pension remains suspended till the conclusion of the criminal proceedings instituted in this regard. In that case, family pension is neither paid to the person who is charged with the offence nor to any other eligible member of the family till the conclusion of the said criminal proceedings. If on conclusion of the criminal proceedings, the person concerned is convicted for the murder or abetting in the murder of the Government servant, he/she is debarred from receiving the family pension. In that case, the family pension becomes payable to other eligible member of the family, from the date of death of the Government servant. If, however, the person concerned is subsequently acquitted of the charge, the family pension becomes payable to that person from the date of death of the Government servant.
2. The above provisions have. been reviewed in consultation with Department of Legal Affairs, Denying the payment of family pension to any other member of the family (e,g. dependent children, parents, etc,), who is not charged with the offence, till the conclusion of criminal proceedings is not considered justified, as finalisation of the criminal, proceeding may take a long time and the eligible children/parents of the deceased may suffer for want of financial support by way of family pension.
3. It has, accordingly, been decided that in cases where a person eligible to receive family pension is charged with the offence of murdering the Government servant or for abetting in the commission of such an offence and the payment of family pension to him/her remains suspended under Rule 54(11-C) of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, family pension may be allowed to other eligible member of the family till the conclusion of the criminal proceedings in this. regard. If the spouse of the Government servant is charged with the offence of murdering the Government servant or for abetting in the commission of such an offence and the other eligible family member is a minor child of the deceased Government servant, the family pension to such minor child .shall be payable through a duly appointed guardian, and the mother or father of the minor child (who is charged with the offence) shall not act as guardian for the purpose of drawal of family pension.
4. if the concerned person is subsequently acquitted of the charge, the family pension shall become payable to that person from the date of such acquittal and the family pension to other member of the family shall be discontinued from that date.
5. This will take effect from the date of issue of this Office Memorandum. In the cases where the payment of family pension has been suspended as per the provisions of Rule 54 (11-C) of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, before the issue of this Office Memorandum, the arrears of family pension accruing from the date following the date of death Govt. Servant/Pensioner, shall also be paid to the other eligible family member of the Govt. Servant/Pensioner.
6. The provisions of Rule 54(11-C) of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, shall stand amended to the extent mentioned above. Formal amendment to the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 shall-be notified separately.
(Sanjay Shankar) Deputy Secretary to the Government of India Ph. 24644632
Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (2016=100) — December, 2021
The Labour Bureau, an attached office of the M/o Labour & Employment, has been compiling Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers every month on the basis of retail prices collected from 317 markets spread over 88 industrially important centres in the country. The index is compiled for 88 centres and All-India and is released on the last working day of succeeding month. The index for the month of December, 2021 is being released in this press release.
The All-India CPI-IW for December, 2021 decreased by 0.3 points and stood at 125.4 (one hundred twenty five and point four). On 1-month percentage change, it decreased by 0.24 per cent with respect to previous month compared to decrease of 0.92 per cent recorded between corresponding months a year ago.
The maximum downward pressure in current index came from Food & Beverages group contributing 0.39 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Fish fresh, Poultry chicken, Sunflower oil, Banana, Cauliflower, Onion, Peas, Potato, Tomato, ESI contribution, Petrol etc. are responsible for the fall in index. However, this decrease was largely checked by Buffalo-Milk, Grapes, Pomegranate, Lady Finger, Fire wood, Medicine Allopathic, Auto rickshaw fare, Telephone Charges etc. putting upward pressure on the index.
At centre level, Udham Singh Nagar recorded a maximum decrease of 4.2 points. Among others, 5 centres observed a decrease between 3 to 3.9 points, 6 centres between 2 to 2.9 points, 19 centres between 1 to 1.9 points and 27 centres between 0.1 to 0.9 points. On the contrary, Virudhu Nagar recorded a maximum increase of 3.6 points. Among others, 5 centres observed an increase between 2 to 2.9 points, 9 centres between 1 to 1.9 points and 12 centres between 0.1 to 0.9 points. Rest of 3 centres’ indices remained stationary.
Year-on-year inflation for the month stood at 5.56 per cent compared to 4.84 per cent for the previous month and 3.67 per cent during the corresponding month a year before. Similarly, Food inflation stood at 5.93 per cent against 3.40 per cent of the previous month and 2.89 per cent during the corresponding month a year ago.
The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of January, 2022 will be released on Monday, 28th February, 2022. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureaunew.gov.in.
Mentally retarded child entitled to Family Pension: Dr Jitendra Singh
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that mentally retarded child of a deceased Government employee/Pensioner is entitled to Family Pension and the spirit of this provision needs to be understood and respected.
Giving details, the Minister said, this reiteration in public was necessitated by the fact that it has come to the notice of the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare that in some cases the Banks are not allowing Family Pension in respect of a mentally retarded child through the person nominated by the Pensioner or his/her spouse and they insist for a Guardianship Certificate issued by a Court of Law.
Dr Jitendra Singh emphasised that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government follows the Mantra of Good Governance for bringing “Ease of Living” to the common man. In that spirit, the provision for nomination for Family Pension is intended to avoid any hassle to the child suffering from a mental disability in obtaining Guardianship Certificate from the Court or in claiming Family Pension after the death of his/her parents. Therefore, he said, insisting for a Guardianship Certificate by a Bank in such cases defeats the very purpose of such nomination and also amounts to violation of the statutory provisions of Central Civil Service (Pension) Rules, 2021.
The Department has, therefore, reiterated the provisions of the above rules. CMDs of all Pension Disbursing Banks have been advised to issue suitable instructions to their CPPCs/Pension Paying Branches for payment of Family Pension in respect of a mentally retarded child through the person nominated by the Government servant/Pensioner/ Family Pensioner in accordance with the statutory provisions of the Rules and not to insist for a Guardianship Certificate issued by Court of Law in such cases.
Pertinent to mention that in recent months, the Department of Pensions has introduced a number of path breaking reforms including relaxation in the provision of Family Pension for divorced daughters, introduction of Face Recognition Technology through mobile app for ease in submitting Life Certificate by elderly pensioners, Electronic Pension Pay Order, assistance from Postal Department to facilitate pension process etc.
