Clarification regarding eligibility of the family pensioners who are beneficiaries of BSNLMRS to migrate to CGHS and reimbursement of one time CGHS subscription fee paid by the BSNL employee to the CGHS authority
To
All Head of Circles,
All Head of BSNI. Units,
BSNL.
Sub : Clarification regarding eligibility of the family pensioners who are beneficiaries of BSNLMRS to migrate to CGHS and reimbursement of one time CGHS subscription fee paid by the BSNL employee to the CGHS authority.
In reference to the above captioned subject representations are being received from various employees Unions/ Associations, BSNL circles, retired employees regarding clarification on migration to CGHS by BSNL family pensioners (Dependents of the deceased retired BSNL employee) who are availing BSNLMRS facility and reimbursement of the life time subscription to CGHS as one-time payment.
2. Vide BSNLCO letter NO: BSNL/Admn.1/14-15/09 (Pt) dated 02.04.2014 (Copy enclosed), the decision of extension of CGHS facilities to retired BSNL employees who are in receipts of Central Civil Pension/Pro-rata Pension was conveyed.
3. Vide BSNLCO letter No: BSNL/Admn.I/14-15/09 (Pt) dated 29.07.2016 (Copy enclosed) , Approval of the Management Committee of BSNL was conveyed for reimbursement of one time CGHS subscription fee, paid by the BSNL employee to the CGHS authority. This was applicable to only those BSNL employees who surrender BSNLMRS facility and opt for CGHS facility.
Further, it was also decided by the MC that the retired BSNL employees and their dependents are not eligible to opt BSNLMRS facility in future, once they migrate to CGHS facility.
4. Vide BSNL CO letter No: BSNL/Admn.I/14-15/09 (Pt) dated:22.11.2018 (Copy enclosed) it has been clarified that the order dated 29.07.2016 regarding reimbursement of one time CGHS subscription fees are effective only from the prospective date.
5. Vide BSNL CO letter No: dated: 24.09.2004 & 15.01.2021 (Copy enclosed), Clarification on eligibility of Spouse and dependents of deceased BSNL employees were issued.
6. In continuation and context of above subject, the matter is examined and following is clarified:-
The family pensioners (Dependents of the deceased retired BSNL employees) who get the CGHS facility by surrendering BSNLMRS card/facility are also allowed for one time reimbursement of CGHS subscription fee paid to CGHS authority for migrating to the CGHS facility.
One Time Option to change from NPS to OPS – Extension of cut-off dates – DOPPW ORDER No. 57/04/2019-P&PW(B) – Dated 31.03.2021
No. 57/04/2019-P&PW(B)
Government of India
Department of Pension and PW
Lok Nayak Bhawan,
Khan Market, New Delhi,
the 31st March, 2021
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Coverage under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 of those Central Government employees whose selection for appointment were finalized before 01.01.2004 but joined Government service on or after 01.01.2004.
In continuation to this Department’s O.M of even number dated 17.02.2020 providing one-time option to Government servants for coverage under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 in place of National Pension System who were declared successful for recruitment in the results declared on or before 31.12.2003 against vacancies occurring before 01.01.2004 and are covered under the National Pension System on joining service on or after 01.01.2004.
2. The said Office Memorandum provides for cut off dates for various activities involved in the process of exercising of option, deciding representations by appointing authorities and closure of NPS accounts of the concerned Government servants.
3. In view of the country-wide lockdown in the country due to outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic and references received from some Ministries / Departments for extension of time schedule prescribed in the said OM, in partial modification of this Department’s OM of even number dated 17.02.2020, it has been decided to extend the above cut-off dates as under:
S. No.
Activity
Last date mentioned m OM dated 17.02.2020
Revised last date
1
Exercise of option by Government servant for coverage under old pension scheme
31.05.2020
31.05.2021
2
Examination and decision on the representation by the appointing authority
30.09.2020
30.09.2021
3
Closure of NPS accounts of Government servants on acceptance of their option
01.11.2020
01.11.2021
4. There would be no change in the other terms and conditions mentioned m this Department’s O.M. dated 17.02.2020.
5. Hindi version will follow.
(S. Chakrabarti)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
(Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare)
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 30th March, 2021
G.S.R. 227(E). – In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to article 309 and clause (5) of article 148 of the Constitution and after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India in relation to persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, the President hereby makes the following rules regulating the methods of implementation of National Pension System, namely:-
1. Short title and commencement. – (1) These rules may be called the Central Civil Services (Implementation of National Pension System) Rules, 2021.
(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
2. Application. – Save as otherwise provided in these rules, these rules shall apply to the Government servants, including civilian Government servants in the Defence Services, appointed substantively to civil services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union on or after 1st day of January, 2004, but shall not apply to,-
(a) Railway servants;
(b) persons in casual and daily rated employment;
(c) persons paid from contingencies;
(d) members of the All India Services;
(e) persons locally recruited for services in diplomatic, consular or other Indian establishments in foreign countries;
(f) persons employed on contract;
(g) persons whose terms and conditions of service are regulated by or under the provisions of the Constitution or any other law for the time being in force; and
(h) persons to whom the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 apply in accordance with any special or general order issued by the Government.
3. Definitions. – In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,-
(1) (a)“Accredited Bank” in relation to a Ministry or Department or Union territory means the Reserve Bank or any bank which is appointed to transact business of the Government pertaining to that Ministry or Department or Union territory and is officially recognised for transfer of funds to the Trustee Bank;
(b) “Accumulated Pension Corpus” means the monetary value of the pension investments accumulated in the Individual Pension Account of a subscriber under the National Pension System;
(c) “Annuity” means periodic payment by the Annuity Service Provider to the subscriber on purchase of annuity plan out of the Accumulated Pension Corpus;
(d) “Annuity Service Provider” means a life insurance company registered and regulated by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority and empanelled by the Authority for providing Annuity services to the subscribers of the National Pension System;
(e) “Authority” means the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority established under sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 2013 (23 of 2013) and include interim Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority set up by the Central Government through Resolutions;
(f) “Central Recordkeeping Agency” means an agency registered under section 27 of Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 2013 to perform the functions of recordkeeping, accounting, administration and customer service for subscribers to schemes;
(g) “Drawing and Disbursing Officer” means a Head of Office and also any other Gazetted Officer so designated by a Department of the Central Government, a Head of Department or an Administrator, to draw bills and make payments on behalf of the Central Government. The term shall also include a Head of Department or an Administrator where he himself discharges such function;
(h) “Cheque Drawing and Disbursing Officer” means a drawing and disbursing officer functioning under a Ministry or Department (including Central Public Works Department, Forest Department and Departments in which the provisions of Central Public Works Account Code are authorised to be followed) or a Union territory, who is authorised to withdraw money for specified types of payments against an assignment account opened in his favour in a specified branch of an accredited bank;
(i) “Defence Services” means services under the Government of India in the Ministry of Defence and in the Defence Accounts Department under the control of the Ministry of Defence paid out of the Defence Services Estimates and not permanently subject to the Air Force Act, 1950 (45 of 1950) or the Army Act, 1950 (46 of 1950) or the Navy Act, 1957 (62 of 1957);
(j) “Emoluments” means emoluments as specified in rule 5;
(k) “Foreign Service” means service in which a Government servant receives his pay with the sanction of the Government from any source other than the Consolidated Fund of India or the Consolidated Fund of a State or the Consolidated Fund of a Union territory;
(l) “Government” means the Central Government;
(m) “Head of Department” means an authority specified in Schedule 1 to the Delegation of Financial Powers Rules, 1978, and includes such other authority or person whom the President may, by order, specify as Head of a Department;
(n) “Head of Office” means a Gazetted Officer declared as such under rule 14 of Delegation of Financial Powers Rules,1978, and includes such other authority or person whom the Competent Authority may, by order, specify as Head of Office;
(o) “Individual Pension Account” means an account of a subscriber, executed by a contract setting out the terms and conditions under the National Pension System;
(p) “Local Fund administered by Government” means the fund administered by a body which, by law or rule having the force of law, comes under the control of the Government and over whose expenditure the Government retains complete and direct control;
(q) “National Pension System” means the contributory pension system referred to in section 20 of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 2013 whereby contributions from a subscriber are collected and accumulated in an individual pension account using a system of points of presence, a Central Recordkeeping Agency and pension funds as may be specified by regulations by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority;
(r) “Pay and Accounts Officer” means an officer, whatever his official designation, who maintains the accounts of a Ministry, Department or Office of the Central Government or Union territory and includes an Accountant-General, who is entrusted with the functions of maintaining the accounts or part of accounts of the Central Government or Union territory;
(s) “Pension fund” means an intermediary which has been granted a certificate of registration under sub-section (3) of section 27 of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 2013 by the Authority as a pension fund for receiving contributions, accumulating them and making payments to the subscriber in the manner as may be specified by regulations;
(t) “Permanent Retirement Account Number” means a unique identification number allotted to each subscriber by the Central Recordkeeping Agency;
(u) “Subscriber” means a Government servant who subscribes to a scheme of a Pension fund;
(v) “Trustee Bank” means a banking company as defined in the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of 1949).
(2) Words and expressions used herein and not defined but defined in the Fundamental Rules,1922, the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 2013 or Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority regulations have the same meanings respectively assigned to them in those Act or Rules or Regulations.
F.No.1/4/2019-NS
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Economic Affairs
(Budget Division)
North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 31.03.2021
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Revision of interest rates for Small Savings Schemes – reg.
In exercise of the powers conferred by Rule 9(1) of the Government Savings Promotion General Rules, 2018, the rates of interest on various Small Savings Schemes for the first quarter of financial year 2021-22 starting from 1st April, 2021 and ending on 30th June, 2021 have been revised as indicated below:
Declaration of Holiday on 14th April 2021 – Birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar – DOPT ORDER – F. No. 12/4/2020-JCA – Dated 31.03.2021
F. No. 12/4/2020-JCA
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)
Establishment (JCA) Section
*****
North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 31st March, 2021
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Declaration of Holiday on 14th April, 2021 – Birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
It has been decided to declare Wednesday, the 14th April 2021, as a public holiday on account of the birthday of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, for all Central Government Offices including Industrial Establishments throughout India by invoking the powers under Section 25 of Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (2016=100) – February, 2021
The All-India CPI-IW for February, 2021 increased by 0.8 points and stood at 119.0 (one hundred nineteen and point zero). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by 0.68 per cent with respect to previous month as against a decline of 0.61 per cent between corresponding months a year ago.
The maximum upward pressure in current index came from Fuel & Light group contributing 0.31 percentage points to the total change. It was further supplemented by Miscellaneous and Food & Beverages groups contributing 0.23 and 0.21 percentage points respectively to total rise. At item level, Milk, Mustard Oil, Soyabean Oil, Sunflower Oil, Apple, Mango, Orange, Lady Finger, Onion, Parval, Served & Processed Packaged Food, Cooking Gas, Barber Charges, Petrol, etc. are responsible for the rise in index. However, this increase was checked by items like Rice, Potato, Tomato, Eggs-Hen, Cabbage, Ginger, etc. putting downward pressure on the index.
At centre level, Madurai recorded the maximum increase of 4.0 points. Among others, 3 centres observed an increase between 3 to 3.9 points, 7 centres between 2 to 2.9 points, 22 centres between 1 to 1.9 points and 34 centres between 0 to 0.9 points. On the contrary, Labac-Silchar and Kolkata recorded a decrease of 2.4 and 2.0 points respectively. Among others, 5 centres observed a decline between 1 to 1.9 points and 14 centres between 0 to 0.9 points.
Year-on-year inflation for the month stood at 4.48 per cent compared to 3.15 per cent for the previous month and 6.84 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, Food inflation stood at 4.64 per cent against 2.38 per cent of the previous month and 8.33 per cent during the corresponding month a year ago.
Y-o-Y Inflation based on CPI-IW (Food and General)
All-India Group-wise CPI-IW for January and February, 2021
Sr. No.
Groups
Jan., 2021
Feb., 2021
I
Food & Beverages
117.4
117.9
II
Pan, Supari, Tobacco & Intoxicants
134.4
135.8
III
Clothing & Footwear
117.8
118.4
IV
Housing
115.2
115.2
V
Fuel & Light
136.4
142
VI
Miscellaneous
116.9
117.6
General Index
118.2
119
CPI-IW: Groups Indices
Union Minister of State (I/c) for Labour and Employment Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar has welcomed the increase in the Index saying, the rise in index will result into increase wages of working class population by way of increase in dearness allowance payable to them. He said, the rise in inflation reported during February, 2021 is mainly due to rise in prices of items like Milk, Mustard Oil, Soyabean Oil, Sunflower Oil, Apple, Mango, Orange, Lady Finger, Onion, Parval, Served & Processed Packaged Food, Barber Charges, Cooking Gas, Petrol, etc.
Director General of Labour Bureau Shri PD P S Negi said, the rise in inflation during February, 2021 has been observed across the board in respect of various price indices released by other Government agencies.
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 February, 2021 is being released in this press release.
The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of March, 2021 will be released on Friday 30th April, 2021. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureaunew.gov.in.
FinMin clarification for full and final settlement of bills / claims pertaining to LTC Special Cash Package Scheme – Purchases made upto 31st March, 2021 (including on-line purchases) – Finmin Order No. 12(2)/2020-E.II(A) – Dated 31.03.2021
No. 12(2)/2020-E.II(A)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
North Block, New Delhi
Dated 31st March, 2021
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Clarification regarding full and final settlement of bills/claims pertaining to LTC Special Cash Package Scheme.
2. In this regard, it stated that queries are being received in this Department with respect to purchases made upto 31st March, 2021 (including on-line purchases) and submissions of bills/claims and settlement beyond 31st March, 2021. Keeping in view of practical difficulties in submission of bills/claims for purchases made particularly in late hours of 31st March, 2021(including on-line purchases), it is clarified that submission of bills/claims may be entertained and settled by Ministries/Departments not later than 30th April 2021. However, it is reiterated that the payment for the purchases should be made not later than the due date i.e. 31st March, 2021.
3. This issues with the approval of competent authority.
(Prateek Tamar Singh)
Dy. Secretary to the Government of India
Grant of Paid holiday to employees on 17.04.2021 – Bye–elections in Parliamentary / Assembly Constituencies of various States – DOPT ORDER F. No. 12/3/2016-JCA-2 – Dated 30.03.2021
F. No. 12/3/2016-JCA-2
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)
Establishment (JCA-2) Section
North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 30th March, 2021
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject : Schedule for Bye–elections in Parliamentary / Assembly Constituencies of various States – Grant of Paid holiday to employees on the day of poll- regarding
The undersigned is directed to state that the Election Commission of India, vide their letter No. 78/EPS/2021, dated 18.03.2021. have announced schedule for the Bye-elections to fill casual vacancy in the Parliamentary Constituency of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and Fourteen (14) vacancies in Assembly Constituencies of various States, as under:
Schedule for Bye- elections to fill vacancies in Two(2) Parliamentary Constituency of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
Schedule for 14 (Fourteen) vacancies in Assembly Constituencies of various States
S.No.
State
Number & Name of Parliamentary Constituency (PC)
Date of Poll
Day
1
Gujarat
125-MorvaHadaf (ST
17.04.2021
Saturday
2
Jharkhand
13 – Madhupur
17.04.2021
Saturday
3
Karnataka
47 – Basavakalyan
17.04.2021
Saturday
4
Karnataka
59- Maski (ST)
17.04.2021
Saturday
5
Madhya Pradesh
55 – Damoh
17.04.2021
Saturday
6
Maharashtra
252-Pandharpur
17.04.2021
Saturday
7
Mizoram
26 – Serchhip (ST)
17.04.2021
Saturday
8
Nagaland
51-Noksen (ST)
17.04.2021
Saturday
9
Odisha
110-Pipli
17.04.2021
Saturday
10
Rajasthan
179-Sahara
17.04.2021
Saturday
11
Rajasthan
24- Sujangarh (SC)
17.04.2021
Saturday
12
Rajasthan
175- Rajsamand
17.04.2021
Saturday
13
Telangana
87- Nagarjuna Sagar
17.04.2021
Saturday
14
Uttarakhand
49- Salt
17.04.2021
Saturday
2. In this regard, it is stated that the guidelines 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, may be followed by all the Central Government Offices, and the central industrial establishments, located in the concerned States.
3. The above instructions may please be brought to the notice of all concerned.
4. Hindi version will follow.
(S.P. Pant)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
COVID vaccine to the CGHS beneficiaries – Step-by-step guide for registration and booking a vaccination appointment on CoWin – CGHS Order Dated 26.03.2021
Misc-12/CGHS/Gr. Cell/2021/DIR/CGHS
Government of India
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Directorate General of CGHS
Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated the 26 March 2021
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub : Guidelines regarding administration of COVID vaccine to the CGHS beneficiaries
The Department has been receiving various representations and grievances regarding administration of COVID vaccine to the CGHS beneficiaries. The matter has been examined and it has now been decided that:
1. As per the Government of India policy, the vaccination against COVID illness is being provided free of cost to the beneficiaries at the designated government facilities. The beneficiaries are required to pay Rs. 250/- per dose in the private hospitals only. As per the policy no reimbursement has been provisioned if a beneficiary decides to get vaccinated at private empanelled hospitals, therefore the referral for the same by the CGHS Wellness Centers to the private hospitals is not required.
2. The planning and operational aspects for COVID-19 vaccination are in the domain of the State Governments. The District Health authorities of the State Governments are making arrangements for listing of the health facilities. for providing training, logistics, vaccinators and the vaccine to the identified facilities where COVID-19 vaccination centers are being planned and started. The CGHS does not have any role in this. A request has been made to all States to consider utilising CGHS Wellness Centres as CVC (Covid Vaccination Centre), if feasible.
3. All the beneficiaries are required to register themselves on the CoWin app and to indicate the name of the CVC where they would like to avail the vaccination and also the convenience of time at which to avail the same.
Here’s a step-by-step guide for registration and booking a vaccination appointment on CoWin:
People can register and book an appointment for vaccination either directly through the CoWin portal or through the Arogya Setu app which js integrated with CoWin portal.
On CoWin portal, enter your mobile number and click on the OTP (One Time Password). Enter the OTP received on your mobile and click on the verify button.
If registering through Aarogya Setu app, go to the CoWin tab, tap on the Vaccination tab and the click on Proceed.
A registration page will appear where you will need to fill in the beneficiary’s details, such as name, year of birth and gender. You will also need to enter the photo id type.
If the registration is meant for a senior citizen, click on Register. If it’s for a person with co- morbidities, click on YES where the form asks, “Do you have any co-morbidities (pre- existing medical conditions)”. The beneficiaries in this category need to carry a medical certificate when they go for their vaccine appointment.
Once registered, a confirmation message will be sent to your registered mobile number.
After registration, the system will show the “Account Details”. On this page, you can add three more beneficiaries by clicking on Add More button.
One person can add up to four people linked with one mobile number.
You can schedule an appointment by clicking on a calendar icon, below a column named Action.
You will then be taken to “Book Appointment for Vaccination” page where you will need to fill in the beneficiaries’ address details – State/UT, District, Block and Pincode. Click on the Search button once done.
A list of vaccination centres will appear based on the search criteria.
Upon choosing a centre, the available slots (date and capacity) will be displayed.
After selection the dates, click on “Book”.
A confirmation page with “Appointment Successful” message will be displayed.
If you want to reschedule, you can again log in with your mobile number, enter OTP and make the changes by clicking on the edit icon below the ‘Action’ column against registered individuals. In case you have to move to another city, you can make changes to find the nearest vaccination centre as well.
4. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.
Auto-forwarding of PARs from the assessment year 2020-21 – DOPT ORDER – No. 3/4/2019–EO(PR) – Dated 25.03.2021
No. 3/4/2019–EO(PR)
Government of India
M/o Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
D/o Personnel & Training
***
North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 25th March, 2021
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub : Auto-forwarding of PARs from the assessment year 2020-21 -reg.
The undersigned is directed to the Gazette Notification No. G.S.R No. 519 (E) dated 23.07.2019 already communicated vide DoPT letter no. 11059/01/2016 – AIS-III dated 27.09.2019 vide which AIS(PAR) Amendment Rules, 2019 were notified. It may kindly be recalled that electronic recording of PAR was made mandatory from the year 2014-15 and later the provision for same was made in the AIS(PAR) Amendment Rules, 2017.
2. Though the outer limit for recording of PAR i.e. 31st December of the assessment year in which the assessment year ends, was being followed sacrosanctly, the timelines laid down in General Guidelines for recording of PARs by the Reporting, Reviewing and Accepting authorities were still not being adhered to. In order to give effect to the time-bound recording of PARs, provision for auto-forwarding of PARs from one stage to the next stage after the specified due date has been introduced from the assessment year 2019-20 in SPARROW. Under the newly provided schedule for completion of PAR in respect of all levels of IAS officers, PARs will automatically move forward from the account of ORU to the Reporting authority and thereafter to the next authority on the specified due date even if the PAR is not recorded by the concerned authority.
3. It may be pertinent to mention that due to COVID-19 pandemic, auto-forwarding provision in respect of PARs for the assessment year 2019-20 was not implemented, as a one time measure only. However, from the year 2020-21, PARs will automatically move from one level to the other after the due date, in SPARROW.
4. In view of the above, it is requested to kindly bring to the notice of all the concerned regarding auto-forwarding of PARs from this assessment year i.e. 2020-21 onwards.
(Varsha Sinha)
Director(PR)
To all the Secretaries of the Ministries/Department (As per Standard List)
