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Option for Govt Employees to on-board NPS through eNPS – PFRDA

PENSION FUND REGULATORY
AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
B-14/A. Chhatrapati Shivaji Bhawan,
Qutub Institutional Area.
Katwaria Sarai, New Delhi-110016
Ph : 011-26517501, 26517503, 26133730
Fax 011-26517507
Website wvw.pfrda.org.in

CIR No.: PFRDA/2020/49/SUP-CRA/20

Date: November 12, 2020

To
AD Stake Holders under Govt. Sector NPS
(Central Govt. /State Govt. /Central Autonomous Bodies/State Autonomous Bodies)

Subject: Option for Govt. employees to on-board NPS through eNPS (Stake Holder Feedback)

e-NPS is the online NPS on boarding portal hosted by the Central Record Keeping Agency (CRA) wherein a Subscriber can register and contribute online into NPS. Through eNPS, a Subscriber can register under NPS, generate a Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN) under All Citizens of India and Corporate Sectors_ Further, the Subscribers who have already been registered under NPS across sectors with active PRAN can make contributions through eNPS as well as activate their Tier II account. The prospective NPS Subscribers under private sector can register in e-NPS either through ‘Aadhaar Offline e-KYC’ or through ‘PAN & Bank Account’.

2. At present, the Government sector Subscribers are registered under NPS either through submission of physical form to CRAs or through online processes viz. OPGIVI (Online PRAN Generation Module ) adopted by the Nodal Offices of Govt. Now, PFRDA is exploring the possibility to enable e-NPS platform as an additional option to Government Sector employees to facilitate their online onboarding under NPS. Accordingly, the employees of Government Sector will have option to register under NPS through e-NPS. Further, an existing Subscriber of other sectors. on entering into the Government sector, shall have an option to shift to Government sector through e-NPS.

3. The proposed methodology is placed at Annexure I.

4. The proposed mode of e-NPS based registration of Govt Sector employees bring the following benefits to the stakeholders:

i. Ease of on boarding for employees and online verification/authorization of employee NPS information by nodal officers.

ii. Paperless process of enrollment with e-Sign/OTP.

iii. Easing the work of Nodal officers from manual process of Acct opening and freeing them from handling papers and associated challenges of dispatching the physical forms to CRA.

iv. Optimizing the cost of Acct opening by end to end digitization.

v. Expediting the account opening process compared to existing modes of account opening methods made available to the Government sector.

vi. Timely PRAN generation and hence timely deposit of NPS contribution which would lead to higher investment benefits.

vii. Since the employees fill the data in e-NPS portal themselves while on-boarding, data entry error may come down and consequently the decline in rejection of forms.

viii. Currently, CRA-FC services are also utilized by SG/CG for data entry /digitization which may be prone to data entry error which results in return/re-submission of forms.

ix. The logistical cost associated with submitting physical forms by subscribers to nodal officers, by nodal officers to CRA-FC and resubmitting the return forms will be avoided.

x. Covid pandemic induced immobility leading to piling up of CSRF at Govt. offices can be overcome.

xi. Few State Govt. depts. are advising their new employees to open acct under UoS and carry out Inter Sector Shifting (ISS) thereafter which increases the cost of account opening and turn around time.

xii. By enabling eNPS onboarding for Govt employees, ISS can also be carried out seamlessly.

5. In view of the above, PFRDA invites comments/suggestions/feedback from all the Government nodal offices on this proposal (Option for Govt employees to join NPS through e NPS). as per the format attached as Annexure II.

6. The comments can be e-mailed to [email protected] or through a letter before 15th December 2020.

K Mohan Gandhi
(General Manager)

Revision of Pension of Pre-2016 Pensioners/Family Pensioners etc. for faculty and other staff in Railway Degree College, Secunderabad South Central Railway

भारत सरकार /GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
रेल मंत्रालय /MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(रेलवे बोर्ड/RAILWAY BOARD)

RBE No. 90/2020

No. E(P&A)I-2019/PS-5/PE-2

Dated 21.10.2020

The General Manager/PFA & CAO,
South Central Railway,
Secunderabad.

Sub:- Revision of Pension of Pre-2016 Pensioners/Family Pensioners etc. for faculty and other staff in Railway Degree College, Secunderabad South Central Railway.

In pursuance of Government’s decision on the recommendation of 7th Central Pay Commission, the pension of pre-2016 pensioners/family pensioners etc. for the faculty and other staff in Railway Degree College/Secunderabad/South Central Railway, may be revised as contained in the Ministry of HRD (Department of Higher Education)’s letters No. 1-1/2017-U.II dated 11.06.2018 and 09.06.2020, copies of which alongwith the concordance tables for fixation of pension/ family pension of retired faculty and other staff is enclosed herewith for information and compliance.

M/o HRD (DoHE)’s aforementioned letter dated 09.06.2020 also refers to Department of Pension and Pensioner’s Welfare’s OMs No. 38/37/2016-P&PW(A) dated 12.05.2017, 06.07.2017, 18.07.2017 & 13.09.2017, vide which instructions were issued for revision of pension of pre-2016 pensioners/ family pensioners other than the retired faculty and staff in Central Universities, colleges thereunder etc. These earlier instructions of DoP&PW have already been circulated to the Railways in terms of Board’s letters No. 2016/F(E)INI/1(1)/7 dated 22.05.2017, 11.07.2017, 03.08.2017 & 24.10.2017, respectively. These instructions are available on Ministry of Railways’ website “www. indianrailways.gov.in Ministry of Railways -> Railway Board -> About Indian Railways -> Railway Board Directorates -> Finance -> F(E) III Circulars”.

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

4. Kindly acknowledge receipt.

DA: As above.

(N.P.Singh)
Joint Director, Estt. (P& A)
Railway Board

No. E(P&A)I-2019/PS-5/PE-2 Dated 21.10.2020

New Kendriya Vidyalaya in Chatrapur District, Ganjam, Odisha

KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN
Under Ministry of Education, Govt. of India
Website : www.kvsangathan.nic.in

18, Institutional Area, Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg, New Delhi-110016

F.11029-3/2018-KVS(Admn.-I)/Vol-II/685

Date: 12.11.2020

OFFICE-ORDER

Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan vide office-order of even number dated 08.03.2019, conveyed the approval of Government of India, for establishing 50 new Kendriya Vidyalayas under Civil Sector with the stipulation that the sponsoring authority concerned is required to transfer the identified and demarcated land and also to give possession of the same to KVS prior to opening of the new Kendriya Vidyalaya. Kendriya Vidyalaya Chatrapur, Distt. Ganjam (Odisha) in (Parliamentary Constituency- Berhampur) is one of the 50 new Kendriya Vidyalayas sanctioned.

Since the land in the matter of this Kendriya Vidyalaya has been transferred by the Sponsoring Authority in favour of Kendriya Vidyalaya concerned, sanction of the Commissioner, KVS is hereby conveyed to start a new Kendriya Vidyalaya under Civil Sector with immediate effect, at the following location:-

S.No. Name of Kendriya Vidyalaya Kendriya Vidyalaya will be made functional at: 
1Kendriya Vidyalaya Chatrapur Distt. Ganjam (Odisha) Kendriya Vidyalaya Chatrapur, Onslow Institution, Infront of Parade Ground Chatrapur, Distt. Ganjam (Odisha)-761020 

The above Vidyalaya will start functioning from class I to V (single section in each class) during the academic year 2020-21 and thereafter will grow consequently based on feasibility.

The admission process may be completed within 30 days from the date of issue of this order.

(Dr. E. Prabhakar)
Joint Commissioner (Trg./ Pers.)

DoP Clarification for extension of guidelines dated 01.06.2018 : Provision of Rs.10 lakh to GDS and Postal Employees to cover death due to Covid-19

No.100-4/2020-Pen(pt)
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts
(Pension Section)

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg
New Delhi – 110 001
17th November , 2020

To

1.CPMG of all Postal Circles
2.Chief General Manager (BD&M). Dak Bhawan
3.Chief General Manager (PLI), Chanakya Puri, New Delhi
4.Secretary(PSB), Dak Bhawan
5.Director, Rail Ahmad kidwai National Postal Academy, Ghaziabad
6.All Directors/Dy. Directors of Accounts (Postal)
7.Principal Director of Audit (Postal), Delhi-54
8.Addl. Director General, Army Postal Service Corps, APS Bhawan, Rao Tula Ram Marg, Delhi Cantt.-10
9.Chief Engineer (HQ), Dak Bhawan

Subject : Provision of Rs.10 lakh to GDS and Departmental employees of Department of Posts to cover death due to Covid-19 while discharging official duties – clarification regarding extension of guidelines dated 01.06.2018 – reg.

Madam/ Sir,

I am directed to refer to this Directorate’s letter of even number dated 17.04.2020 whereby original guidelines for payment of compensation of Rs.10 lakh were extended to Departmental employees and GDS to cover death due to Covid-19 while discharging official duties. We have been receiving representations seeking clarification on the applicability of para 6 of the said Guidelines which bar claimant from claiming additional compensation’ from the Department.

Also Read : Payment of compensation of Rs.10 lakh to cover death due to COVID-19 – Dept of Posts

2.The matter has been examined in detail and it is stated that guidelines dated 01.06.2018 were meant for individuals other than the government employees and GDS i.e. persons engaged on contract or the private individuals whose death can be attributed to accidents related to works of the Department of Posts. However, in the exceptional circumstances, these guidelines were extended vide letter dated 17.04.2020 to the Departmental employees and GDS who succumb to Covid-19 in performance of their duties. Thus, para 6 of the Guidelines dated 01.06.2018 is not applicable in case of Departmental employees and GDS. Therefore, their wards/next of kin will continue to be eligible for all such benefits, as per the Rules, what would have been available to them otherwise.

Yours faithfully
( Tarun Mittal )
Asstt. Director General (Pension)
Tel.No.011-2304 4768

CGA ORDER : Strengthening of Administration – Periodic review of Central Government Employees under FR 56(j)

No.A-19015/Misc/2019/MF.CGA/Gr B/FR 56/105
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
Controller General of Accounts

E-mail: [email protected]

Mahalekha Niyantrak Bhawan
E-Block, GPO Complex,
INA, New Delhi-110023
Dated : 17th November,2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Strengthening of Administration – Periodic review of Central Government Employees under FR 56(j) and Rule 48 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972

The undersigned is directed to refer to DoP&T’s O.M No.25013/03/2019-Estt.A-IV dated 28.08.2020 and this office O.M.of even No.50 dated 05.08.2019 (copy enclosed) on the above mentioned subject.

All Pr. CCAs/CCAs/CAs are requested to undertake the periodic reviews in respect of CCAS (Group’B’& ‘C’ officials) working under their jurisdiction in terms of DoP&T’s O.M. No.25013/03/2019-Estt.A-IV dated 28.08.2020. Further,it should also be ensured that the prescribed procedure like forming of opinion to retire a Government employee prematurely in public interest is strictly adhered to, and that the decision is not an arbitrary one, and is not based on collateral grounds as per the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in case of UOI & Col.J.N. Sinha (1571 SCR (1)791).

All Pr. CCAs/CCAs/CAs are requested to furnish a report to this office in the format given below by 2nd day of each month :-

Group wiseNumber   of mployees to he reviewed under FR 56(j)Number of employees reviewed under FR 56(j)Number of employees reviewed and against whom FR 56(j) invoked/recommendedNumber of employees retired prematurely under FR 56(j)
12345
‘B’
‘C’

Note: Column 2 should not be kept as Nil.

(Madhukar Sharma)
Sr. Accounts Officer(HR-3&4)

11th Bipartite Settlement – Leave Fare Concession

(i) In partial modification of Paragraph 19 of Bipartite Settlement dated 25th May, 2015, with effect from the date of this Settlement, leave fare concession payable will be the actual return railway fare or steamer fare incurred by the workman and members of his family subject to the following:

a) For availment of leave fare concession under a 2 year block for visit to any place within India, the maximum permissible distance shall be 2600 kms. (one way) for the subordinate staff and 2200 kms. (one way) for non-subordinate staff.

b) For availment of leave fare concession under a 4 year block for visit to any place in India, the maximum permissible distance shall be 5200 kms. (one way) for subordinate staff and 4400 kms. (one way) for non-subordinate staff.

(ii) In partial modification of clause 19 of the Bipartite settlement dated 25th May, 2015, the class of fare to which the workman and the members of his family would be entitled, shall be as follows:

Subordinate Staff:

AC III Tier for the journey by mail/express train.
By Steamer – II Class Cabin

Non-subordinate Staff:

AC II Tier for the journey by mail/express train.
By Steamer – I Class Cabin

Note: The above entitlement shall also be applicable for travel on duty.

Provided however, in the case of non-subordinate staff, they will be reimbursed the fare for travel by Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains if the travel has been actually undertaken by such trains.

Provided further that where the non-subordinate employee and / or dependent members of his family undertake travel by air either to his place of domicile or to any other place for rest and recuperation within India, he shall be entitled to be reimbursed the actual air fare so incurred or the II AC class fare by train by a direct route in case of travel to place of domicile or to the extent of the maximum admissible distance in case of travel to any other place for rest and recuperation, during the two year/four year block respectively, whichever is less.

Provided further that in addition to train fare, charges incurred on account of local sight-seeing during availment of LFC may also be reimbursed subject to total claim not exceeding the amount equivalent to eligible train fare as per respective entitlement.

Note: GST Charges levied on Train Fare shall be over and above the entitlement. In view of prevailing dynamic fare system, the cost of train tickets charged on the date of booking will be reimbursed.

For employees working in North East States, LFC will begin from Guwahati and the eligible train fare from their place of work to Guwahati will be additionally paid. Similarly, eligible fare for Andaman & Nicobar islands to Chennai/Kolkata, Lakshadweep to Kochi, far-flung area branches in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir or any other areas which are not directly connected by train shall be additionally reimbursed under LFC in addition to normal entitlement for the employees working in these areas to the nearest major Railway Station.

An employee and/or members of his family, when availing leave fare concession may undertake travel by any mode of surface transport between places and the employee will be eligible to claim in respect of such journey his actual expenditure or the notional train fare by the entitled class for the admissible and entitled distance, whichever is less, within his overall entitlement.

Also Read : 11th Bipartite Settlement – Fixed Personal Pay (other than State Bank of India)

For the purpose of this sub-clause, travel by any approved mode of surface transport would mean such travel undertaken through any public transport or transport (including taxi) operated by agencies / tour operators approved by appropriate Government authorities or motorcar owned by the employee/spouse.

(iii)By exercising an option anytime during a block of 2 years or 4 years, as the case may be, an employee can either undertake travel availing of leave fare concession and claim reimbursement upto his entitlement or to encash the facility for the concerned block. The option so exercised shall be irrevocable for the block concerned. On opting to encash the facility, he will be entitled to receive a lump sum equivalent to notional train fare for the admissible distance (depending on a 2 year or 4 year block) by the entitled class, subject to deduction of admissible tax at source. Leave Fare Concession for travel to place of domicile is not encashable. The facility of encashing of Leave Fare Concession may be allowed to employees without the requirement of availing leave for this purpose. An employee opting to encash his LFC shall prefer the claim for himself and his family members only once during the block / term in which such encashment is availed of. The facility of encashment of privilege leave while availing of Leave Fare Concession is also available while encashing the facility of LFC.

(iv) Provisions under Clause 10.13 (iii) of Bipartite Settlement dated 19th October, 1966 regarding restrictions on entitlement to LFC where both husband and wife are working in the same Bank shall stand deleted. Accordingly, henceforth LFC can be availed independently where both husband and wife are working in the same bank.

(v) All employees will be given an opportunity to exercise an option within 90 days from the date of this Settlement to avail LFC under two years/four years block as the case may be. If no option is exercised within the stipulated period, the earlier option will continue to be operative.

(vi) Dolly/Pony charges as per Government Rates shall be reimbursed within the overall entitlement.

11th Bipartite Settlement – Calculation of Pension for employees

Pension (including State Bank of India)

With effect from 1st November 2017, the Pay as defined under Clause 6 of this Settlement and drawn by the employees who are members of the Pension Fund shall be taken into consideration for the purpose of calculation of pension as per the Pension Fund Rules/ Regulations in force.

Note:

(1) Option not to claim incremental commutation on revised basic pension

Employees in service of the Banks as on 1st November 2017 and who have retired thereafter but before the date of this Settlement and who had opted for commutation of pension will have an option not to claim incremental commutation on revised basic pension.

(2) Calculation of Pension for employees retired between 1-11-2017 and 31-8-2018.

The pension payable to employees is based on the average of the emoluments drawn in the last ten months preceding the retirement of the employee in terms of Regulations 2 and 38 of the Pension Regulations. For the purpose of payment of pension, the Pay of the employees retiring on or after 1st November, 2017 will be taken on the basis of the Pay as is provided under this Settlement. However, in the case of employees who have retired from the services of the Banks, on or after 1st November, 2017 but before 31st August, 2018, since the period of preceding ten months will constitute Pay both under this Settlement as well as pertaining to Settlement dated 25th May, 2015, in such cases, the following procedure will be adopted for determining Pension payable to them.

(i) For the period of ten months falling on and from 1st November, 2017, the actual Pay drawn by the employee under this Settlement; and

(ii) For the period falling prior to 1st November, 2017, the actual Pay drawn by the employee plus Dearness Allowance at the rate of 47.8 percent thereon will be notionally reckoned as Pay for the purpose.

Also Read : 11th Bipartite Settlement – Dearness Allowance for Clerical and Subordinate Staff

Dearness Relief on Pension

With effect from 1st November, 2017, in respect of employees who retired or died while in service on or after 1st November, 2017, Dearness Relief shall be payable at 0.07 % per slab on the Basic Pension or Family Pension or Invalid Pension or compassionate allowance as the case may be. Dearness Relief in the above manner shall be paid half yearly for every rise or fall of 4 points over 6352 points in the quarterly average of the All India Consumer Price Index for industrial workers in the series 1960=100.

11th Bipartite Settlement – Fixed Personal Pay (other than State Bank of India)

In partial modification of Clause XIV of Bipartite Settlement dated 29th October 1993, Clause 13 of Bipartite Settlement dated 27th March 2000, Clause 13 of the Bipartite Settlement dated 2nd June 2005, Clause 13 of Bipartite Settlement dated 27th April 2010, and Clause 13 of Bipartite Settlement dated 25h May, 2015, the Fixed Personal Pay shall be revised with effect from 1st November 2017 as per Schedule III.

Note: Only employees who were in the service of the bank on or before 1st November 1993 will be eligible for FPP, one year after reaching the maximum scale of pay, they are placed in. Those who joined the Banks on or after 2nd November, 1993 are not eligible for FPP.

Also Read : 11th Bipartite Settlement – Transport Allowance for Clerical and Subordinate Staff

11th Bipartite Settlement – Hill and Fuel Allowance for Bank Employees

In partial modification of Clause 12 of the Bipartite Settlement dated 25th May 2015, the Hill and Fuel Allowance shall be payable at the following rates with effect from 1st November 2017:

aAt places situated at a height of 3000 meters and above8% of pay
(Max. Rs.2250/-p.m.)
bAt places situated at a height of and over 1500 meters but below 3000 meters4% of pay
(Max. Rs.900/-p.m.)
cAt places situated at a height of over 1000 meters but less than 1500 meters and Mercara Town3 % of pay
(Max. Rs. 750/-p.m.)

Note: All other existing provisions shall remain unchanged. SBI may revise the ceiling amounts.

Also Read : 11th Bipartite Settlement – HRA for Subordinate and Clerical Staff

Clarification on ECHS membership/refund of contribution deducted / recovered for ECHS membership

No. 22D(11)/2015/US(WE)/D(Res-1)
Government of India
Ministry of Defence
Department of Ex-Serviceman Welfare
Room No. 221, B Wing
Sena Bhawan New Delhi – 110 011

Dated 9th November, 2020

To,
The Chief of Army Staff
The Chief of Naval Staff
The Chief of Air Staff

Subject : Clarification on ECHS membership/refund of contribution deducted/ recovered for ECHS membership.

Sir,

In supervision of this ministry letter no. 22(20)05/US(WE)/D(Res) dated 10th February, 2006 and 22D(11)/2015/US(WE)/D(Res) dated 23rd May 2017, with the approval of competent authority clarifications regarding ECHS membership/refund of contribution are as under:-

S. No.Points of doubtClarification
1.    When both husband and wife are defence Pensioners, who is to pay the contribution?Only one contribution has to be   taken on the pattern of CGHS.
2.    In case one of the spouse   happens to be a defence personnel and the other is a Central Govt employee or   an employee of any other Organization, where medical facilities are provided,   will it be compulsory for the defence employee to become member at the time   of retirement?No, It will be optional for defence personal to opt out of ECHS, at the time of retirement after furnishing proof of spouse’s membership of CGHS/any other health scheme. Existing defence personnel are also allowed to opt out of ECHS, before availing any benefits under ECHS, to avail the medical facilities provided by CGHS/any other health scheme of the organization of his/her spouse.

MD, ECHS will refund subscription already deducted, after verifying concerned records towards deduction of ECHS subscription and non-availing of ECHS benefits. Alternatively the civilian spouse would have the option to withdraw from CGHS or any other health scheme of his/her organization to avail ECHS facilities of his/her spouse who is a defence personnel
3In case, the spouse retiring earlier wishes to cover his/her dependent parents under ECHS can he/she do so?Yes, He/she can do by paying laid down contribution at the time of retirement. The second spouse also while retiring can opt to cover his/her dependent parents by making another contribution as applicable.
4In case Next of Kin (NoK) of ECHS beneficiary happens to be a Central Govt. Employee or an employee of any other organization, where medical facilities are provided, will it be compulsory for the NoK to join ECHS?i) No

ii) In case where subscription has been deducted for ECHS membership from the NoK of ECHS beneficiary refund of this amount will be claimed separately by the NoK.

MD, ECHS will sanction refund of such claims to NoK, after verifying concerned records towards deduction of ECHS subscription and non-availing of ECHS benefits.
  1. This issue with the concurrence of Ministry of Defence (Finance/Pension) vide their ID No. 32(14)/2015. FIN/PEN dated. 21/10/2020.

Yours faithfully

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

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