Measures to be adopted for PLI and RPLI policyholders during COVID-19
F.No.25-01/2020-LI
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts
(Directorate of Postal Life Insurance).
Chanakyapuri PO Complex, New Delhi-110021
Dated: 21.05.2021
To
All Head of Circles
Sub : Measures to be adopted for PLI and RPLI policyholders during COVID-19.
In view of the threat posed by the outbreak of Corona Virus (COVID-19), and lockdown across several states in India, following instructions are being issued for wide publicity and further necessary action, for facilitating PLI/RPLI Customers, viz: –
1. Waiving off penalty for payment of premium beyond the grace period:
PLI / RPLI premium due for the month of May 2021, June 2021 and July 2021 may be paid up to August 2021 without paying any penalty / default fee.
2. Encourage online payment of premium:
Circles shall make special efforts to enable the policyholders to pay premium online by educating them through SMS, emails etc. Circles may also carry awareness campaign in local / regional language for the same.
3. Expeditious settlement of claim cases:
Claims arising on account of Covid-19 should be processed expeditiously. Claims (death / maturity and surrender) should be processed and settled within the prescribed period by making special efforts.
4. Online issuance of new policies:
Wherever email addresses of policyholders are available, policy documents in respect of new policies (acceptance letter / policy bond) may be issued through email within the prescribed period. SMS may also be used to confirm to the policyholders about issue of policy documents.
5. Capture of email and phone number of insurants / prospective customers:
CPCs / sales force of PLI / RPLI may capture the email and phone number of the insurants / prospective customers for intimation of the commencement of the policy and for further policy servicing.
This issues with the approval of competent authority.
2. Ministry of Finance/Department of Expenditure vide para 7 of their O.M. dated 28.11.2019 also approved that the employees who have been regularly promoted or granted financial upgradation on or after 01.01.2016 and desire to exercise/re-exercise option for pay fixation under FR22(I)(a)(1) shall be given an opportunity to exercise or re-exercise option there under and such an option shall be exercised within one month of issue of their O.M.
4. The aforesaid O.M. dated 15.04.2021 of Ministry of Finance/Department of Expenditure shall be applicable mutatis mutandis in Railways too with respect to Railway Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016.
5. The “three months’ period mentioned in para 2 of aforesaid O.M. dated 15.04.2021 of Ministry of Finance/Department of Expenditure shall be three months from the date of issue of these instructions.
Regularization of absence during COVID–19 – Dept of Posts Clarification
File No. X-20/42/2020-SPN-II
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts
(Personnel Division)
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg
New Delhi – 110 001
Dated : May 24, 2021
To
1. All Chief Postmaster General
2. Chief General Manager, Business Development/Parcel/PLI Directorate
3. Director RAKNPA/ CGM CEPT/ Director, All Postal Training Centres
Subject : Clarification on regularization of absence during COVID–19 pandemic period.
Madam/Sir,
This Department is in receipt of various references regarding regularization of absence of officers/officials of Department of Posts during lockdown / quarantine period, etc. The matter has been considered and with the approval of the competent authority, following clarification is issued for regularization of absence:
Sl. No.
Category
Clarification
(a)
Period of quarantine/isolation as prescribed by authority from time to time on coming into contact with a Covid positive person while in office or while carrying out official duty or while on official tour / transfer / deputation or while in his/her place of residence.
Period mentioned in (a), (b) and (c) shall be treated as duty for all
purposes.
(b)
Period of absence due to restrictions on movement and travel imposed by the Central Government, State/UT Govt/District authorities, local authorities, residential society etc. and due to residential area concerned notified as containment zone and due to suspension of public transport due to which the employee is not able to attend office or return to his/her headquarters after availing sanctioned leave/ sanctioned LTC, permitted to leave HQ/official tour/transfer/deputation.
(c)
All the period during which the employee worked from home as per the orders of controlling / competent authority
(d)
Period of quarantine/isolation as prescribed by authority on return to headquarters from leave, LTC, personal travel.
Period mentioned in (d), (e) and (f) shall be regularised by sanction of leave applied for.
(e)
Period of absence due to quarantine / isolation / restrictions on movement/travel etc. while away from HQ unauthorisedly
(f)
Period of absence due to the official / officer contracting covid-19.
2. The leave sanctioning authority accordingly, after satisfying himself/herself, shall issue appropriate orders in respect of the quarantine period/absence of official / officer . In case the official / officer is not satisfied with the decision of the leave sanctioning authority he/she may prefer a representation to next higher authority. The next higher authority will decide the case within 15 days of receipt of representation.
3. These orders shall cover all the period of absence of an official / officer since imposition of first lockdown i.e. 24.03.2020 and shall be in force till further orders.
Sub : BSNL Covid Fund (BCF) Policy — Policy & instructions regarding.
Formidable second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India has caused an unexpected and unprecedented surge in the number of Covid cases in a very short spell of time. BSNL employees are no exception. In the present scenario, a large number of employees of BSNL have been reported to be infected with Covid and some of them are meeting with tragic end. In view of the above circumstances and to support the families of deceased employees, BSNL Covid Fund (BCF) is being created.
2. For this purpose, BSNL Board has approved the BCF policy enclosed as Annexure-1. As per this policy, willing BSNL employees will make voluntary contribution of their 1 (One) day salary towards BCF and BSNL management shall contribute an equal amount. From BCF, one time financial assistance of Rs. 10 lakh to the bereaved families of BSNL employees (as per para 2.0 of the policy) who died because of Covid shall be provided. This will be in addition to all other prevailing death benefits.
3. As per para 3.2 of the policy, any employee not willing to contribute to BCF will submit in writing to respective AO (Pay g Accounts) within 10 days from the notification of BCF policy i.e. by 29th May,2021. However, since the contribution is for a very noble cause, all employees are encouraged to participate in the endeavor.
4. Operational guidelines for sending the case to Welfare Section, BSNL CO for granting Rs 10 Lakh to the family of deceased employee shall be as per Annexure-2.
5. Death cases due to Covid which have taken place before issue of this policy may also be Submitted within 30 days of the issue of this policy and fresh death cases as per the Para 5.0 of the Policy(Annexure-I).
This is issued with the approval of the competent authority.
Compassionate appointment – Circle Relaxation Committee (CRC) – Dept of Posts Relaxation Guidelines
No.17-4/2018-SPG II/PT-I
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg
New Delhi – 110 001
Dated: 24th May 2021
To
1. All Chief Postmasters General / Postmasters General
2. CGM, Parcel Directorate / PLI Directorate/CEPT.
3. Director, RAKNPA
4. Directors of all PTCs
5. Addl.DG, APS, New Delhi.
6. All GMs (Finance) / Directors Postal Accounts / DDAP.
Subject: Scheme for compassionate appointment — Relaxation of guidelines in the wake of COVID situation.
Madam / Sir,
Kindly refer to this office OM No.17-4/2018-SPG -II dated 28.9.2020 vide which instructions on revised “Relative Merit Points System” (RMPS) were circulated to all circles. In para 3 ofthe OM, it was mentioned that ‘in respect of all . applications for compassionate appointments received from January to December of a calendar year, the meeting of Circle Relaxation Committee (CRC) for considering such applications for compassionate appointment will be held by circles’once in a year between January to March of the next Calendar year ‘.
2. The Postal Directorate has received requests from various postal circles that in view of COVID-19 situation, the schedule prescribed for conducting the meeting of the CRC may be extended .
3. The matter has been examined and it has been decided with the approval of competent authority that wherever CRC meeting has not been held yet, will be concluded by 15 Jun 2021. Concerned circles will ensure that during the CRC meeting, no case of death which occurred by 31 Dec 2021 is left for consideration. It will also be ensured that that appointment orders to recommended applicants are issued by 18th June 2021 after CRC with instructions that selected candidate must join by 30 June 2021.
4. The time schedule will be followed by all the Circles without any exception. A report will be submitted to Directorate to be received by 5th of July 2021 in the proforma enclosed on the email id [email protected] for information of DG (Posts)
Admission in class VI in JNVs Dibang Valley, Tawang, Longleng and Dimapur from the bordering Districts
Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti
Ministry of Education
(Deptt. of School Education & Literacy)
Government of India
11-15, Institutional Area, Sector-62, NOIDA (U.P)- 201309
Website : www.navodaya.gov.in
F. No. 1-11/2017-NVS(Exam)/3609
Dated : 17.5.2021
NOTIFICATION
Shortage of students in JNVs – Dibang Valley and Tawang of Arunachal Pradesh, Longleng and Dimapur of Nagaland against the sanctioned strength has been under observation for a long time in the Samiti.
In order to utilize the available resources to the optimum level, the Executive Committee in its 40th Meeting held on 25th February 2021 has considered and approved the proposal for admission of students in Class VI in JNVs – Dibang Valley, Tawang, Longleng and Dimapur against the vacant seats, if any, after exhausting the select lists of their own districts, from the qualified candidates of districts – Lower Dibang Valley (AR), West Kameng (AR), Mon (NL) 8s Peren (NL) respectively subject to the following conditions:
a) Special admission may be done after releasing the main select lists of Class VI JNVST in the JNVs – Lower Dibang Valley, West Kameng, Mon & Peren.
b) The parents of districts – Lower Dibang Valley (AR), West Kameng (AR), Mon (NL) and Peren (NL) who will be willing for admission of their wards in JNVs Dibang Valley, Tawang, Longleng and Dimapur respectively shall give their consent to admit their wards in the concerned JNVs, if selected as per above conditions.
c) Once admitted in JNVs Dibang Valley, Tawang, Longleng and Dimapur no request of transfer of the students will be entertained.
This issues with the approval of Competent Authority.
Govt hikes Variable DA (VDA) for Central Sphere Employees
Rate of Minimum Wages Revised for Central sphere Employees
At a time when the country is struggling with the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, in a major relief to different category of workers engaged in various scheduled employments in the central sphere, the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India has notified and revised the rate of Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) with effect from 1.4.2021.
The VDA is revised on the basis of average Consumer Price Index for industrial workers (CPI-IW) a price index compiled by Labour Bureau. The average CPI-IW for the months of July to December 2020 was used for undertaking the latest VDA revision.
Shri Santosh Gangwar, Labour & Employment Minister said “this will benefit about 1.50 crore workers engaged in various scheduled employments in central sphere across the country. This hike in VDA will support these workers particularly in the current pandemic times”.
Shri Gangwar also mentioned that orders to this effect have been issued by the CLC(C) and it will be implemented with effect from 1st April, 2021.
Rates of wages for different categories of employees
Schedule employment
Category of employees
Rate of wages including Variable Dearness Allowance Area wise per day (in Rupees)
A
B
C
Construction or maintenance of roads or runways or building operations etc.
Unskilled
645
539
431
Semi-Skilled/Unskilled Supervisor
714
609
505
Skilled/Clerical
784
714
609
Highly Skilled
853
784
714
Sweeping and Cleaning
—
645
539
431
Loading and Unloading workers
—
645
539
431
Watch and Ward
Without Arms
784
714
609
With Arms
853
784
714
Agriculture
Unskilled
411
375
372
Semi-Skilled/Unskilled Supervisor
449
413
379
Skilled/Clerical
488
449
412
Highly Skilled
540
502
449
For Mines employees
Category
Above Ground
Below Ground
Unskilled
431
539
Semi-Skilled/Unskilled Supervisor
539
645
Skilled/Clerical
645
752
Highly Skilled
752
840
The rates fixed for scheduled employment in Central sphere are applicable to the establishments under the authority of Central Government, Railway Administration, Mines, Oil fields, major ports or any corporation established by the Central Government. These rates are equally applicable to contract and casual employees/workers.
The enforcement of Minimum Wages Act in the Central sphere is ensured through the Inspecting Officers of Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) across the country for employees engaged in the scheduled employment in the central sphere.
Simplification of procedure for investigations and treatment related to COVID-19 for CGHS Beneficiaries & Staff
Misc.1-55/2021/CGHS(HQ)/R&H/DIR/CGHS
Govt. of India
Min. of Health & Family Welfare
Department of Health & Family Welfare
Directorate General of CGHS
545-A Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi.
Dated the 20th May , 2021
OFFICE MEMORANDM
Subject : Simplification of procedure for investigations and treatment related to COVID-19-Infection
***
With reference to the above subject the undersigned is directed tostate that this Ministry is taking several measures to contain the resurgence of COVID-19 cases. In this regard this Ministry is in respect of the difficulties faced by CGHS beneficiaries in availing treatment / investigation facilities for COVID-19 patients under Homecare treatment. There is also need to minimize the exposure of normal CGHS beneficiaries / CGHS Staff to COVID-19 +ve / suspected COVID-19 cases . The matter has been reviewed in the Ministry and the undersigned is directed to state that it is now decided to take the following measures to simplify the procedures for investigations and treatment related to COVID-19:
i) The CGHS beneficiaries, both Primary Card Holders or their dependent family members, who are suffering from symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 illness shall not visit the CGHS Wellness Center for permission of RT-PCR/ RAT. They are advised to send the request by e-mail to CMO i/c of CGHS Wellness Centre, who shall recommend and refer the beneficiary to any empanelled HCO for the test by e-mail to beneficiary on the same day of receipt of request. All the diagnostic labs and other HCOs shall provide the facility of testing for RT-PCR/ RAT on credit basis to the pensioner beneficiaries and the other eligible category serving employees of the CGHS/ DGHS/ MoHFW. The other serving employees shall pay for the test as per the rates notified by the State Government and claim reimbursement from their respective offices subsequently.
The beneficiaries also have the option to undergo RT-PCR/ RAT test done directly at any of the Central Govt./state Government COVID Test Centres, where no prescription is required
ii) CGHS beneficiaries who are tested positive and have been permitted for Home Quarantine by local authorities / DISO have the option to avail Tele-medicine services with Government specialists under CGHS through the e-Sanjivani portal. They can also avail tele-consultation services with Govt. Specialists on e-Sanjeevani portal, run by different State Governments.
In case, any beneficiary further investigations for inflammatory markers like CRP, D-Dimer, IL-6, or any other routine or specialized investigation like HRCT etc, no permission is necessary for investigations having a CGHS rate. If there is no CGHS rate for any investigations, the beneficiary shall apply for approval from concerned Additional Director, enclosing a copy of advice on Tele-consultation and CGHS Card. Permission shall be granted by CGHS, preferably on the same day by e-mail to the beneficiary (in respect of all CGHS beneficiaries).
iv) Essential medicines advised for Home isolation treatment can be purchased from Market during the period of isolation and the bills may be preferred to the respective Ministry / Departments / concerned Autonomous body in case of serving employee and CGHS beneficiaries of Autonomous Bodies and to CGHS in case of Pensioners, ex-MPs, etc., as the case may be for reimbursement. Medicines like Remdesivir, Tocilizumab are reserved only for patients who are hospitalized and therefore, no reimbursement shall be permitted for such medicines which are not to be administered to patients in Home isolation. Food supplements and such other inadmissible items shall however, not be considered for reimbursement.
The contact numbers and e-mail of CGHS WCs and Additional Directors are available on CGHS Website at cghs.gov.in at the following link-
Reimburse the cost of vaccination to all CG Employees and Pensioners – Confederation writes to GoI
Ref: Confd/CGHS/Covid Vaccine
Dated 19.05.2021
To,
The Secretary (Health)
Government of India,
Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001
Dear Sir,
Sub :– Guidelines for administering covid vaccines – CGHS beneficiaries.
Kindly refer to the O.M. No. Misc/12/CGHS/Gr.Cell/2021-dir-cghs date 26.3.2021 issued by the Ministry Health wherein the guidelines for vaccination against Covid 19 in respect of CGHS beneficiaries have been enumerated. As per the said guidelines, payment of Rs. 250/- made by the beneficiaries to the private non empanelled hospitals would not be reimbursed. Ostensibly, the said decision appears to be in view of the fact that vaccination had been made free of cost by most of State run hospitals and local body controlled primary health centres The situation has undergone a change in as much as the State Governments are now to purchase the vaccine doses from the manufacturers by paying a price fixed by the Government of India which is Rs. 400 per doze. This might necessitate the State Government run hospitals and primary health centres to charge the beneficiaries. This apart, the private hospitals might receive the vaccine doves only at a much higher price and they might charge the beneficiaries much more. The deficiency in the supply position, the delay in the manufacturing process, the abnormal increase in the number of covid cases etc. have all made the situation worse and the people affected by the pandemic are in a frantic urge of getting vaccinated. This apart, the lock down that have been clamped in many parts of the country to combat the increasing spread of the pandemic has made it impossible for people to travel to take vaccine from the primary health centres or the State Government run hospitals. They are perforce to seek vaccination from the private hospitals where the dozes are available. In this connection, we may refer to our earlier communication requesting you to kindly ensure that the CGHS dispensaries/wellness centres are got declared as vaccination centres. Since the Government of India is able to access the vaccines comparatively at cheaper rate from the manufacturers, the CGHS beneficiaries might accrue the benefit thereof if our earlier request for getting the dispensaries and wellness centres get declared as vaccination centres
In the circumstances in which the Central Government employees and pensioners are placed presently, we request you to kindly issue necessary direction to reimburse the cost of vaccination to all CGEs and Central Govt. pensioners who are compelled to get vaccinated from the private hospitals.
One-time relaxation to the allottees of GPRA in view Coronavirus – Directorate of Estates
No.12035/2/2020-Pol. II
Government of India
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Directorate of Estates
Policy-II Section
Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi-110108
Dated, the 13th May, 2021
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: One-time relaxation to the allottees of General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) in view of second wave of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Ministry has been receiving various representations/requests from allottees of Government accommodations, who were/are due to vacate their flats / houses but unable to do so due to outbreak of second wave of COVID-19. In terms of the powers conferred by NDMA, various State Authorities have been issuing different lockdown/curfew orders in the cities separately to contain the fast spreading of the pandemic. With suspension of various services, It has become difficult and risky for allottees of GPRA to vacate/change their accommodation due to 2nd wave of COVID-19.
2. This extraordinary situation has been considered by the Ministry and it has been decided to allow suo-moto retention of GPRA for a period from 01.04.2021 to 30.06.2021 uniformly applicable for all GPRAs in the entire country, as a one time measure, for all such allottees under the Central Government General Pool Residential Accommodation (CGGPRA) Rules, 2017. This relaxation will be applicable to the following categories:
Rule 24(2) – where two allottees, who are in occupation of separate accommodation allotted under these rules marry each other, and are directed to surrender one of the accommodation within one month of their marriage;
Rule 40 – which provides for concessional period of retention of GPRA under different cases; and
Rule 44 (7 & 8) – which provides for change of accommodation
3. The suo-moto retention period will be on the payment of licence fees as applicable to the allottee under these rules. No damage will be charged for this period.
4. These relaxations will also be given to such allottees where she/he has become unauthorized occupant of government accommodation before 01.04.2021. However, in such cases, after the retention period i.e. upto 30.06.2021, the damage charges at telescopic rates, as Was continuing prior to this period, will be resumed.
5. This has the approval of Hon’ble Minister, HUA(I/C).
(Vijay Andley)
Deputy Director of Estates (Policy)
Phone: 011-2306 2505
