In view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the vulnerability of elderly population to Corona Virus, EPFO has extended the time limit up to 28th February 2021 for submission of Life Certificate (Jeevan Pramaan Patra-JPP) in respect of the Pensioners drawing pension under EPS 1995 and whose Life certificate is due in any month till February 28, 2021. Presently a Pensioner can submit JPP anytime during the year upto 30th November, which is valid for a period of one year from the date of issue.
All such pensioners can submit Life Certificate till February 28, 2021. Multiple modes for submission of JPPs including 3.65 lakh Common Service Centres (CSCs), Branches of Pension Disbursing Banks 1.36 lakh post offices, Postal Network of 1.90 lakh Postmen and Grameen Dak Sevaks under the Department of Post can be availed by pensioners.
Pensioners can use link for locating the nearest CSCs (https://locator.csccloud.in/) and link for placing online request to Post Offices for submission of JPPs from comfort of their Home or elsewhere (http://ccc.cept.gov.in/covid/request.aspx).
Santosh Gangwar, Union Minister of Labour & Employment while lauding the efforts of EPFO said that organisation has done a commendable work in helping pensioners by way of simplifying procedures and giving Big Push to Digital india drive and has also extended time limit upto 28th February 2021, for submission of Jeevan Pramaan Patra by EPFO to benefit 35 Lakh pensioners.
Shri Gangwar also said, during this extended period, pensions will not be stopped in respect of such 35 Lakh Pensioners who could not submit JPP during November, 2020.
Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (2016=100) – October, 2020
The All-India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) for October, 2020 increased by 1.4 points and stood at 119.5 (one hundred nineteen and point five). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by (+) 1.19 per cent between September and October, 2020 compared to (+) 0.93 per cent increase between corresponding months of previous year.
The maximum upward pressure in current index came from Food & Beverages group contributing (+) 1.29 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Arhar Dal, Poultry (Chicken), Eggs (Hen), Goat Meat, Mustard Oil, Sunflower Oil, Brinjal, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chillies Green, Gourd, Lady Finger, Onion, Peas, Potato, Electricity Domestic, Doctor’s Fee, Bus Fare, etc. are responsible for the increase in index. However, this increase was checked by Wheat, Fish Fresh, Tomato, Apple, etc., putting downward pressure on the index.
At centre level, Doom-Dooma Tinsukia, Patna and Ramgarh recorded the maximum increase of 4 points each. Among others, 3 points increase was observed in 9 centres, 2 points in 24 centres and 1 point in 33 centres. Rest of 19 centres’ indices remained stationary.
Year-on-year inflation based on all-items stood at 5.91 per cent for October, 2020 as compared to 5.62 per cent for the previous month and 7.62 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, Food inflation stood at 8.21 per cent against 7.51 per cent of the previous month and 8.60 per cent during the corresponding month a year ago.
All-India CPI for Industrial Workers (2016=100) for October, 2020 increased to 119.5 points compared to 118.1 points for September, 2020.
In percentage terms, it rose by 1.19% w.r.t. previous month mainly due to Food group items having a share of 39.17% in the total weight which recorded a rise of 76% between these two months. During the period, increase in prices of food items viz. Arhar Dal, Poultry Chicken, Goat Meat, Egg, Mustard Oil, Onion, Potato, Brinjal, Peas, Doctor’s Fee, Bus Fare, etc., had greater impact.
Year-on-year inflation based on all-items stood at 5.91 per cent for October, 2020 compared to 5.62 per cent for September, 2020 and 7.62 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, Food inflation stood at 8.21 per cent against 7.51 per cent of the previous month and 8.60 per cent during the corresponding month a year ago.
The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of November, 2020 will be released on Thursday 31st December, 2020. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureaunew.gov.in.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)
No. E(G) 2000 QR 1- 23
New Delhi, dated 24 .11. 2020
The General Manager/Director General
All Indian Railways/Production Units/ROSO-Lucknow
(As per Standard mailing list)
Sub : Retention of Railway quarter on transfer, deputation, retirement etc.
The instructions contained in Board’s letter of even number dated 01.06.2001 (RBE No. 100/2001) regarding retention of Railway quarter on transfer, deputation, retirement etc. have been reviewed in Ministry of Railways and full Board have decided to partially modify provisions mentioned in para (a) and para 5.1 of the above-mentioned instructions as under.
1. Permanent Transfer
(a) (i) A Railway employee on transfer from one station to another which necessitates change of residence, may be permitted to retain the railway accommodation at the former station of posting for a period of two months on payment of normal licence fee plus six months on payment of double licence fee.
(ii) Further extension beyond the aforesaid period may be granted on educational ground only as mentioned below:
To cover the current academic session (i.e. end of the academic/scholastic session) plus 15 days. The end of academic/scholastic session shall, in this case, mean “last paper of annual examination.
When the ward of the railway employee is studying in Class 9th or Class 11th, retention of railway accommodation may be allowed on educational ground to cover the current academic session and also the next academic session (examination) of the ward, till end of the academic/scholastic session of class 10th or h respectively plus 15 days.
(iii) Beyond the permitted/permissible limits, however, no further extension will be allowed on any ground whatsoever. Therefore, no request or representation on this score shall be entertained. For all occupations beyond the permitted period, immediate action should be taken to cancel the allotment, declare the occupation as unauthorised and initiate eviction proceedings, charging damage rent for the over-stay.
5. Retirement
5.1 Railway employees on retirement, including voluntary retirees and those retired compulsorily, may be permitted to retain non-earmarked Railway accommodation for a period of 4 months on payment of normal rent/flat rate of licence fee and the next 4 months on payment of special fee, i.e. double the normal rent or double the flat rate of licence fee. This is also applicable to audit staff doing Railway audit work . The cases of retirement on medical invalidation grounds are also to be treated at par with normal retirement .
2. Other provisions mentioned in Board’s letter No. E(G) 2000 QR 1-23 dated 01.06.2001 (RBE No. 100/2001) will remain unchanged.
3. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of railways.
4. Please acknowledge receipt.
(Anita Gautam)
Director Establishment (Genl.)
Railway Board
Nationwide Protest on Nov 26th, 2020 – DOPT Instruction – Pay and allowances is not admissible to an employee incase of absence
MOST IMMEDIATE
OUT TODAY
No.45018/1/2017-Vig.
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, P.G. & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
North Block, New Delhi,
Dated the 25th November, 2020
Subject : Proposed nationwide protest by Confederation of Central Government Employees a& Workers on November 26th, 2020 -Instructions under CCS (Conduct Rules), 1964 – Regarding.
It has been brought to the notice of the Government that Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers has decided to observe nationwide strike on 26th November, 2020 in order to demand related to pay, pension and service matters.
2. The instructions issued by the Department of Personnel and Training prohibit the Government servants from participating in any form of strike including mass casual leave, go slow etc. or any action that abet any form of strike/protest in violation of Rule 7 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964. Besides, in accordance with the proviso to Rule 17(I) of the Fundamental Rules, pay and allowances is not admissible to an employee for his absence from duty without any authority. As to the concomitant rights of an Association after it is formed, they cannot be different from the rights which can be claimed by the individual members of which the Association is composed. It follows that the right to form an Association does not include any guaranteed right to strike/protest. There is no statutory provision empowering the employees to go on strike. The Supreme Court has also agreed in several judgments that going on a strike is a grave misconduct under the Conduct Rules and that misconduct by the Government employees is required to be dealt with in accordance with law. Any employee going on strike in any form would face the consequences which, besides deduction of wages, may also include appropriate disciplinary action. Kind attention of all employees of this Department is also drawn to this Department’s 0.M. No.33012/1/(s)/2008-Estt.(B) dated 12.9.2008, on the subject for strict compliance (enclosed as Annexure-A).
3. All officers are requested that the above instructions may be brought to the notice of the employees working under their control. All officers are also requested not to sanction Casual Leave or any other kind of leave to the officers and employees, if applied for, during the period of proposed strike, and ensure that the willing employees are allowed hindrance free entry into the office premises.
4. In case employees go on strike, all Divisional Heads are requested to forward a report indicating the number and details of employees, who are absent from duty on the day of strike, i.e., 26.11.2020.
Indian Railway launches digitised online Human Resource Management System (HRMS)
HRMS will impact over 27 lakh families of serving as well as retired employees.
Move to improve efficiency and productivity of Railway system.
HRMS will increase accountability and transparency in the working of Railways
HRMS is a step towards realizing the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
HRMS will have a big impact on the functioning of all the employees and will make them more tech savvy.
Indian Railway has launched completely digitized online Human Resource Management System (HRMS). Human Resource Management System (HRMS) is a high thrust project for Indian Railways to leverage improved productivity & employee satisfaction. It is a move to improve efficiency and productivity of Railway system and a step towards realizing the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. HRMS is expected to create a big impact on the functioning of all the employees and will make them more tech savvy.
Shri Vinod Kumar Yadav, Chairman & CEO, Railway Board has launched following modules of HRMS & User depot useful for railway employees and pensioners today via video conferencing.
Employee Self Service (ESS) module enables railway employees to interact with various modules of HRMS including communication regarding change of data.
Provident Fund (PF) Advance module enables Railway employees to check their PF balance and apply for PF advance online. Advance processing will be online and employees will also be able to see the status of their PF application online.
Settlement module digitizes the entire settlement process of retiring employees. Employees can fill their settlement / pension booklet online. Service details are fetched online and pension is processed online completely. This will eliminate use of paper and it also facilitates monitoring for timely processing of settlement dues of retiring employees.
Prior to these modules, Indian Railways has already launched other modules of HRMS like Employee Master module which stores all basic information details of Railway employee, Electronic Service Record module replacing physical Service Records storing service records of employees in digital format, Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR) module digitizing the complete process of writing annual peeformance Appraisal of all 12 lakh non gazetted Railway employees, Electronic Pass module replacing the physical paper pass, Office Order Module meant both for the issue of office Orders and updation of data on joining of new employees, promotion, transfer of employees and retirement of employees in HRMS database.
Railway is not planning to reduce the overtime and travel allowance – PIB Fact Check
There are some unconfirmed news spreading in some of the news articles that Indian Railways is planning to cut overtime and travel allowances for 14 lakh Railway employees. As per the report allowances for overtime duty including Travel Allowance will be deducted 50 per cent.
Today, PIBFACTCHECK confirmed in the official twitter page that there is no plan to reduce the overtime and travel allowance to Railway Employees
Tweet from PIBFactCheck
It is being claimed in some news articles that #IndianRailways is planning to reduce the overtime and travel allowance of 13 lakh employees by 50 per cent.
#PIBFactCheck: This claim is #Fake. @RailMinIndia has not proposed to reduce the rates of overtime and travel allowance.
It is being claimed in some news articles that #IndianRailways is planning to reduce the overtime and travel allowance of 13 lakh employees by 50 per cent.#PIBFactCheck: This claim is #Fake. @RailMinIndia has not proposed to reduce the rates of overtime and travel allowance. pic.twitter.com/P4KybXEcJ0
No.12(2)/2020/E.II.A
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
North Block, New Delhi
Dated 25th November, 2020
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject :-Â Clarification regarding queries being received in respect of Special Cash Package equivalent in lieu of Leave Travel Concession Fare for Central Government Employees during the block 2018-21 (FAQ No.3)
The undersigned is directed to say that this Department has been receiving a number of queries relating to Special Package equivalent in lieu of Leave Travel Concession Fare for Central Government Employees during the block 2018-21 announced by the Government on 12th October, 2020. Two sets of frequently asked questions have already been clarified vide this Department’s OM of even no. dated 20th October, 2020 and 10th November, 2020 are available on this Department’s website viz. doe.gov.in.
2. A further set of frequently asked questions have been clarified and is attached herewith at Annexure below.
3. This issues with the approval of Secretary (Exp.).
All Ministries/Departments of the Government of India
An employee wishes to avail the special cash package without opting for leave encashment. As per records he has sufficient EL for encashment purpose. Whether an employee can only avail LTC fare without claiming Leave encashment even though he has not exhausted the prescribed limit for leave encashment for LTC.
An employee can avail this scheme utilizing the applicable LTC fare without opting for leave encashment. Leave encashment is optional.
2
If an employee opts for only deemed LTC fare without the leave  encashment and spends less than three times of the deemed fare as has been prescribed to claim reimbursement of the deemed LTC fare, how the reimbursement would be calculated.
The reimbursement in this case would be on pro-rata basis. Since in order to claim the applicable deemed  fare,  an employee is required to spend three times of the deemed LTC fare, the reimbursement in the case of expenditure less than the prescribed three times would be l/3rd of the actual expenditure. An illustration of calculation is given at annexure attached below.
3
Can an employee avail leave encashment for less than 10 days.
The number of days of Leave encashment for LTC (10 days or less than 10 days) is to be in accordance with the relevant provisions of LTC rules.
4
Will payment of premium of already existing insurance policies be covered under this scheme?
The special cash package envisages just of purchase of goods and services with GST of 12% and above made during the period between 12.10.2020 and 31.03.2021. Payment of premium of existing insurance policies does not fall under this category. However, payment of premium for insurance policies purchased during the period between 12.10.2020Â and 31.03.2021 is eligible for reimbursement under the scheme.
5
If an employee buys a car or any other items or services, whether it is mandatory to submit original bills to DDO as the same may be required for claim the warranty and ownership of the item/service.
No, self attested photocopy would suffice. However, the original bills may be produces on demand for information.
6
The vouchers/bills to be submitted  to avail this scheme on or before the 31st March 2021. Employees who are due to superannuate (say) on the 31st December 2020, be required to submit the vouchers/bills  before  his  superannuation i.e. before the 31st December 2020.
Vouchers/bills should be submitted and settled before the date of superannuation in this case.
Annexure
Example (1) (without Leave Encashment)
Claiming for family of 4 eligible for economy class air travel.
Fare Value : Rs.20,000 x 4 = Rs.80,000
Amount to be spent for full cash benefit = Rs.80,000 x 3* = Rs.2,40,000
* 3 times of notional airfare (80,000 x 3=2,40,000)
Cash benefit = Amount Spent X deemed LTC (80,000 in this case) / Amount to be spent for full cash benefit
Thus, if an employee spends say Rs.2,40,000 or above, he will be allowed cash amount of Rs.80,000. However, if the employee spends less than Rs.2,40,000, say 1,80,000 then he may be allowed cash amount in the same proportion as illustrated above which comes out Rs.60,000 in this case.
[1.80,000 x 80,000 / 2,40,000 = 60,000]
Example (2) (without Leave Encashment)
Claiming for family of 4 eligible for Train travel.
Fare Value : Rs.6,000 x 4 = Rs.24,000
Amount to be spent for full cash benefit = Rs.24,000 x 3* = Rs.72,000
Cash benefit = Amount Spent X deemed LTC Fare (24,000 in this case) /Amount to be spent for full cash benefit
* 3 times of notional train fare (24,000 x 3=72,000)
Thus, if an employee spends Rs.72,000 or above, he will be allowed cash amount of Rs.24,000. However, if the employee spends less than Rs.72,000 say 48,000 then he may be allowed cash amount in the same proportion as illustrated above which comes out Rs.16,000 in this case.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(Railway Board)
S.No. PC-VII/161
No. PC-V/2018/MACP/1(SM)
RBE No. 99/2020
New Delhi, dated: 24.11.2020
The General Manager (P)
All Indian Railways and PUs,
(As per mailing list)
Sub :– Grant of financial upgradation under MACPS to Station Masters.
Reference from Federation (NFIR and AIRF) and a few Railways have been received for ignoring the promotion/upgradation from ASM (GP 2800) to SM (GP 4200) for grant of financial upgradation under MACPS to those employees who have further been absorbed in other cadres by way of selection on lateral induction or due to medical de-categorisation. The matter has been examined in consultation with Finance Directorate and it has been decided that the benefit of Board’s letter dated 25.02.2020 (RBE No. 26/2020) would also be extended to such employees who have progressed to other cadres by way of lateral induction/selection or due to medical de-categorization and would be granted financial upgradation under MACPS by ignoring their promotion/financial upgradation from ASM (GP 2800) to SM (GP 4200) irrespective of their progression in other cadres.
2. The benefit of the financial upgradation in such cases would accrue from 16.02.2018 onwards, even if financial upgradation happens to become due before 16.02.2018 as a consequence of ignoring the promotion from ASM to SM.
3, This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways.
4. Hindi version is enclosed.
(Sudha A. Kujur)
Dy Director/Pay Commission
Railway Board
Record the PPO number in all the passbooks of the pensioners / family pensioners – CPAO
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE
CENTRAL PENSION ACCOUNTING OFFICE
TRIKOOT-II, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE
110066 / NEW DELHI – 110066
Subject:- Regarding marking of PPO number in the bank passbook of Pensioners/Family Pensioners.
Attention is invited to this office OM No. CPAO/Tech/Clarification /P&PW/2014-15/426-497 dated-17.09.2014, OM No. CPAO/IT&Tech /Bank Performance/37.Vol-III(A)/ 2019/18 dated 23.04.2019 and OM No. CPAO/IT&Tech/Bank Performance/37.Vol-III(A)/ 2019/144 dated- 13.11.2019 wherein all the Heads of CPPCs and Govt. Business Deptts. were requested to instruct all their bank branches dealing with pension payments to record the PPO number in the passbooks of the pensioners/family pensioners issued by them.
2. Despite clear instruction, this office has received representations from many pensioners’ and Pensioner’s Associations that the bank branches are not recording the PPO number in the passbook of the pensioners/family pensioners: which leads to problems for transfer of pension account from one bank to another bank or from one bank branch to another bank branch.
3. Therefore, Heads of all CPPCs and Govt. Business Departments are once again requested to instruct all their bank branches dealing with the pension payments to record the PPO number in all the passbooks of the pensioners/family pensioners issued by them.
This issues with the approval of Chief Controller (Pension).
(Md. Shahid Kamal Ansari)
(Dy. Controller of Accounts)
Revision of Flat Rate of License Fee for GPRA Effective from July 2020 – PCDA
Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Western Command), Chandigarh-160009 Tel. No.: 0172-22741611 Ext. (231) E-mail: [email protected]
No.E/II/161/R&A
Date: 18/11/2020
To,
All AO GEs /AAO BSOs
under PCDA(WC)
Sub: Revision of flat rate of license fee for General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) throughout the country.
One of the AOGEs has raised an issue regarding recovery of flat rate of license fee from Service officers/Defence civilians occupying the accommodation of MES/Defence pool accommodation. An examination of the issue has revealed that notifications for applicability of flat rates of license fee are being issued from time to time by GOI, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Directorate of Estates.
Recent revision of flat rate of license fee for General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) for all ministries/Departments has been notified by GOI, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Directorate of Estates vide letter No. 18011/2/2015-Pol. III dated 29.06.2020 (copy enclosed) and it is effective from 1 July, 2020.
In view of the above, it may be ensured at your end that the latest revision as well as previous revisions issued by GOI, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Directorate of Estates have been taken into account to recover the revised license fee from occupants for whom the residential accommodation available in General Pool and also in departmental pools of Ministries/Departments of the Government of India in respect of Defence Civilians.
A confirmation in this regard may be furnished by 30/11/2020.
