Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has relaxed Visa and Travel restrictions imposed in response to COVID -19, permitting certain categories of Overseas Citizen Of India (OCI) cardholders, who are stranded abroad, to come to India.
Following categories of OCI Cardholders stranded abroad, have been permitted to come to India:-
Minor children born to Indian nationals abroad and holding OCI cards.
OCI cardholders who wish to come to India on account of family emergencies like death in family.
Couples where one spouse is an OCI cardholder and the other is an Indian national and they have a permanent residence in India.
University students who are OCI cardholders (not legally minors) but whose parents are Indian citizens living in India.
The travel restrictions, imposed earlier by MHA on 07.05.2020, would not apply to any aircraft, ship, train or any other vehicle deployed for bringing back the above mentioned categories of OCI cardholders who are stranded abroad. All other terms and conditions laid down by MHA on 07.05.2020 would continue to remain in effect.
F.No. 23(4)/E.Coord/2020/1
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
***
North Block, New Delhi
Dated 20th May, 2020
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Payment of Wages to Outsourced Persons of Ministries/Departments and other organizations of Government of India during lockdown period due to COVID-19.
As a measure to avoid undue hardship during lockdown period to the contractual, casual and outsource staff of Ministries/ Departments and other organizations of Government of India, instructions were issued by Department of Expenditure [DoE] vide OM of even no. dated 23/03/2020 that any contractual, casual and outsource staff, who are required to stay at home in view of the lockdown order regarding COVID-19 prevention, shall be treated as “on duty’ during such period of absence and necessary pay/wages would be paid accordingly.
2. These instructions also applies to all the Attached/Subordinate Office, Autonomous/ Statutory Bodies of Government of India and was valid upto 30th April, 2020.
3. The lockdown period has since been extended from time to time and as per MHA’s order dated 17/05/2020 the lockdown measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 have been extended upto 31.05.2020. Accordingly, the validity of DoE’s instructions issued vide OM dated 23/03/2020 is hereby extended till 31st May, 2020.
(Annie G. Mathew)
Additional Secretary to Government of India
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)
No. E(G) 2020 RN 2-COVID-19
New Delhi, dated 19.05.2020
The General Manager/Director General
All Indian Railways/Production Units/ROSO-Lucknow
(As per Standard mailing list)
Sub: One time relaxation for retention of railway accommodation in view of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, vide their OM No.12035/2/2020-Pol-II dated 31.05.2020 has allowed suo-motu retention for the period from 17.03.2020 to for the allottees under the Central Government General Pool Residential Accommodation (CGGPRA) Rules 2017. This suo-moto retention has been further extended up to 30.06.2020 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs vide their OM dated 05.05 2020
2. Keeping in view the above, Board have decided to allow suo-motu retention of railway accommodation by officers/staff for the period from 17.03.2020 to 30.06.2020. The suo-motu retention period will be on payment of licence fees as applicable to the allottees under these rules. No damage rent will be charged for this period. These relaxations will be given to such allottees also where she/he has become unauthorized occupant of government accommodation before 17.03.2020. However, in such cases, after the retention period up to 30.06.2020, the damage charges at telescopic rates, as was continuing prior to this period, will be resumed.
3. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.
4. Please acknowledge receipt.
Sd/-
(Anita Gautam)
Director Establishment (Genl.)
Railway Board
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR) Ministry of Railways (Rail Mantralaya) (Railway Board)
File No. PC-VII/2019/1/7/5/5
New Delhi, dated: 20.05.2020
The General Manager,
All India Railways & Production Units,
(As per mailing list)
Sub : – Dress Allowance to Nursing Personnel – clarification regarding.
The recommendations of 7th CPC on Dress Allowance, as accepted by Government of India, were adopted in Ministry of Railways vide RBE No. 141/2017 dated 03.10.2017, followed by a clarification issued vide Letter No. PC-VII/2018/I/7/5/1 dated 20.06.2019. Vide the said order dated 03.10.2017, Nurses were granted Dress Allowance @ & Rs. 1800 per month w.e.f. 01.07.2017.
2. Consequent to implementation of RBE 141/2017, clarifications have been sought by Railways on whether Assistant Nursing Officers are eligible for grant of Dress Allowance of Rs. 1800 per month.
3. In this context, it is stated that as per the Office Memorandum No. Z.28015/50/2017-N dated 31.08.2017 issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Finance (Nursing section), Dress Allowance at the rate of Rs. 1800 per month shall be paid to the Nursing Personnel of all categories at all levels working in Central Government/UT Hospitals/ Institutions and Centrally funded autonomous bodies. In view of the same, it is clarified that Nursing Personnel of all categories at all levels working in Railway Hospitals are eligible for grant of Dress Allowance @ Rs, 1800 per month. Accordingly, Assistant Nursing Officers are eligible for grant of Dress Allowance of Rs. 1800 per month if they had been receiving uniform material and associated allowances like Uniform Allowance, Washing Allowance etc. prior to 1st July, 2017 i.e. date of admissibility of Dress Allowance.
4. The other terms and conditions stipulated in RBE 141/2017 and clarification dated 20.06.2019 shall remain unchanged.
5. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways.
Guidelines for Train Services beginning on 1st June 2020
Graded Restoration of Train services
Move to help migrants as well who wish to travel other than Shramik Trains.
These rules are for trains other than Shramik trains, which will continue to run in bigger numbers.
100 pairs of Trains listed.
Norms made for Booking of Tickets & Charting, Quota, Concessions, Cancellation & Refunds, Health Screening, Catering, Linen etc
Booking of all these trains will commence from 10 am on 21/05/20.
Other regular Passenger services including all mail/express, passenger and suburban services shall remain cancelled until further advice.
There will be no unreserved coach in the train.
Fare shall be as normal and for General (GS) coaches, being reserved, second seating(2S) fare shall be charged and seat will be provided to all the passengers.
Only online E-Ticketing will be done through IRCTC website or through Mobile App. No tickets will be booked across the reservation counter on any Railway Station.
The ARP (advance reservation period) shall be maximum 30 days.
Only passengers with Confirmed tickets shall be allowed to enter the Railway station.
Screening to be done before boarding and only asymptomatic passengers are allowed to enter /board the train.
Concessions for four categories of Divyangjan concession and 11 categories of patient concessions are permitted in these special trains.
On arrival at their destination, the travelling passengers will have to adhere to such health protocols as are prescribed by the destination state/UT
No Linen, blankets and curtains shall be provided inside the train.
Ministry of Railways (MoR) in consultation with Ministry of Health & Family welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) has decided that train services on Indian Railways shall be further partially restored w.e.f. from 01st June 2020.
Indian Railways will start operations of 200 passenger services as listed in the annexure (attached below). These trains shall run from 1/6/2020 and booking of all these trains will commence from 10 am on 21/05/20.
These special services shall be in addition to the existing Shramik special trains being run since 01st May and Special AC trains (30 trains) being run since 12th May 2020.
Other regular Passenger services including all mail/express, passenger and suburban services shall remain cancelled until further advice.
Train Type: Special trains on the pattern of Regular Trains
These will be fully reserved trains having both AC & Non AC classes. General (GS) coaches shall also have reserved seat for sitting. There will be no unreserved coach in the train.
Fare shall be as normal and for General (GS) coaches, being reserved, second seating(2S) fare shall be charged and seat will be provided to all the passengers.
Booking of Tickets & Charting:
i. Only online E-Ticketing will be done through IRCTC website or through Mobile App. No tickets will be booked across the reservation counter on any Railway Station. Booking of tickets through ‘agents’, (both IRCTC Agents and Railway Agents) shall not be permitted.
ii. The ARP (advance reservation period) shall be maximum 30 days.
iii. RAC and Wait list will be generated as per extant rules however waiting list ticket holders shall not be permitted to board the train.
iv. No unreserved (UTS) tickets will be issued and no tickets will be issued onboard to any passenger during the journey.
v. No tatkal and premium tatkal booking shall be permitted in these trains.
vi. First chart shall be prepared at least 4 hours before scheduled departure and second chart shall be prepared at least 2 hours((unlike present practice of 30 minutes) before scheduled departure. Only online current booking shall be permitted in between first and second chart preparation.
vii. All passengers shall be compulsorily screened and only asymptomatic passengers are allowed to enter /board the train.
viii. Passengers travelling by these special services will observe the following precautions :
1. Only passengers with Confirmed tickets shall be allowed to enter the Railway station.
2. All passengers must wear face covers/masks at the entry and during travel.
3. The passengers shall reach the station at-least 90 minutes in advance to facilitate thermal screening at the station. Only passengers who are found asymptomatic will be permitted to travel.
4. Passengers shall observe social distancing both at the station and on trains.
5. On arrival at their destination, the travelling passengers will have to adhere to such health protocols as are prescribed by the destination state/UT
Quota Permitted:
All quotas shall be permitted in these special trains as has been permitted in Regular trains. Limited number of reservation (PRS) counters shall be operated for this purpose. However, normal ticket booking cannot be done through these counters.
Concessions: Only four categories of Divyangjan concession and 11 categories of patient concessions are permitted in these special trains..
Cancellation and Refund rule: Railway Passengers (Cancellation of Ticket and Refund of Fare) Rules, 2015 shall be applicable.
In addition following instructions already issued regarding Refund of fare in case passenger is not found fit for travelling due to symptoms of Corona shall remain applicable.
As per MHA guidelines all passengers shall be compulsorily screened and only asymptomatic passengers shall be allowed to enter/board the train.
If during screening a passenger has very high temperature/symptoms of Covid-19 etc., he shall not be allowed to travel despite having confirmed tickets. In such case full refund shall be provided to passenger as under:-
(i) On PNR having single passenger.
(ii) On a party ticket if one passenger is found unfit to travel and also all other passengers on the same PNR do not want to travel in that case full refund shall be granted for all passengers.
(iii) On a party ticket if one passenger is found unfit to travel however other passengers on the PNR want to travel in that case full refund of fare shall be granted to passenger who was not allowed to travel.
For all the above cases, TTE certificates as per extant practice shall be issued to the passenger at the entry/checking/screening point itself mentioning “Number of passengers not travelled due to symptoms of Covid 19 in one or more passengers”
After getting TTE certificates, online TDR shall be filed for refund of not travelled passengers, within 10 days from the date of journey and the original
TTE certificate issued shall be sent by the passenger to IRCTC as per extant provision and full fare for the part passenger/full who have not travelled shall be refunded by IRCTC in the customer’s account.
For the above purpose, CRIS and IRCTC shall make necessary changes for filing of TDR for non-travelling passengers due to covid-19 symptoms. One option ‘part/full passenger not allowed to travel by Railways due to very high temperature/covid-19 symptoms’ will be available.
Catering:
No catering charges shall be included in the fare. Provision for pre paid meal booking, e-catering shall be disabled. However, IRCTC shall make provision for limited eatables and packaged drinking water on payment basis only in limited trains, having Pantry car attached. Information to this effect shall be made available to passengers during time of booking ticket.
Passengers are encouraged to carry their own food and drinking water.
All static catering and vending units (Multi Purpose stalls, Bookstalls, Misc./Chemist stalls etc) at Railway stations will remain open. In case of Food Plaza and Refreshments rooms etc, cooked items may be served as take away only with no sit-down eating arrangements in place.
Linen and Blanket:
No Linen, blankets and curtains shall be provided inside the train. Passengers are advised to carry their own linen for the travel. The temperature inside AC coaches shall be suitably regulated for this purpose.
Zonal Railways have been instructed to ensure that there are separate entry and exit gates at Railway stations to the extent feasible so that there is no face to face movement of passengers. Zonal railways will be guided by standard social distancing guidelines on stations and trains and observe the safety, security and hygiene protocols.
All passengers must download and use the Aarogya Setu application. Passengers are advised to travel light.
As per MHA guidelines the movement of the passenger(s) as well as the driver of the vehicle transporting the passenger(s) to and fro the Railway Station shall be allowed on the basis of the confirmed e-ticket.
Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) has exempted pregnant women officials and staff members from attending office. This was disclosed here today by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh. He said, a circular to this effect has been issued and is expected to be followed by different Ministries/Departments as well as State/Union Territory governments.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, pregnant women employees who are not already on maternity leave will also be exempted from attending office. Persons with disabilities are also to be given similar exemption from attending office.
The latest circular issued by the DoPT also states that Government servants who have underlying Co-morbidities and were undergoing treatment for these ailments before the lockdown, may, as far as possible, be exempted upon production of medical prescription from treating physician as per the CGHS/CS (MA) Rules, as applicable.
What is important, is to strictly observe staggered timings for the arrival and departure of the officers and the staff. In order to avoid unnecessary crowding, all the Heads of Departments have been advised to ensure three sets of timings. These would be 9 AM to 5 PM, 9:30 AM to 6 PM and 10 AM to 6:30 PM respectively.
While officers of the level of Deputy Secretary and above are expected to attend office on all working days, the officers and staff below the level of Deputy Secretary will attend office with 50% attendance every alternative day and those not attending the office should work from home and remain available on telephone and electronically.
Dr.Jitendra Singh appreciated the staff in the Ministry of Personnel for having continued to work with full commitment during the entire phase of lockdown. In fact, he said, some of the staff members were working from home even during the weekends which normally does not happen when the offices are closed.
Every care has been taken to ensure that while offices continue to function, at the same time, the welfare and safety of officials is not overlooked, said Dr Jitendra Singh.
No. 12-1/2019-SBP-II (Part-1)
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts
(Personnel Division)
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi 110001
Dated: 19.05.2020
To
1. All Chief Postmasters General
2. Chief General Manager Business Development/Parcel/PLl Directorate
3. Director, RAKNPA/GM CEPT/Directors Postal Training Centers
4. Additional Director General, Army Postal Service, New Delhi
Subject: – Guidelines for Tenure Transfer for the year 2020-21 to ensure economy in expenditure under TA/TP.
Sir,
As you are aware that, Government of India has decided to impose cut on various heads of account to tackle situations arising out of pandemic of COVID¬19. The budget cut is equally applicable to budget heads related to TA/TP related to transfer/posting. In order to review the tenure transfer guidelines for ensuring economy in respective heads, the tenure transfer were kept in hold vide this office letter of even no dated 17.4.2020 and 06.05.2020. The guidelines have been reviewed in consultation with Vigilance Branch of Postal Directorate and it has been decided that circles may issue tenure transfer for the year 2020-21 following the under mentioned guidelines:-
a) With a view to keep the expenditure at the barest minimum, economy on TA/TP should be a major consideration in the decision making.
b) Tenure transfer may be made in such a manner that it does not involve expenditure on TA/TP except in exceptional cases.
c) Where ever transfer liability lies within the same station / office premises involving no TA/TP, tenure transfer order can be issued.
d) Officials in C-class post offices / of doubtful integrity completing tenure / planned to be transferred will be transferred in such a manner that transfer does not attract expenditure on TA/TP as far as possible. Where it is not possible to avoid TA/TP expenditure, the transfer orders be issued with TA/TP.
e) If the official is already on extension, no further extension will be given based on these instructions. Such cases will be handled as per existing instructions on the issue.
f) In all other cases, where it is not possible to transfer the officials following above guidelines, their tenure shall be extended till 31.03.2021 or until further orders whichever is earlier. However due care should be taken about the past work of the official, integrity and sensitivity of work allotted.
2. Where tenure transfer are already issued and implemented, such cases will not be opened. Where tenure transfer have been issued but not implemented, the cases will be reviewed based on these instructions.
3. These additional guidelines shall be in force till 31.3.2021 or until further orders whichever is earlier.
O/o The Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pension), Draupadighat, Allahabad — 211014
Circular No.C-208
No.G1/C/MISC/Vol-X/Tech
O/o the PCDA (P), Allahabad
Dated: 18/05/2020
To,
— — — — — —
— — — — — —
(All Head of Department under Min. of Defence)
Sub:- Submission of pension claim during lock-down in respect of Defence civilian.
Ref:- This office circular No. C-207 dated 03/04/2020.
*****
Relaxation given under above referred circular no. C-207 is further extended till 31/05/2020. Accordingly, superannuation/retiring pension claim where date of retirement is on or before 31.05.2020 and all death cases pension claim may also be forwarded as a soft copy i.e. scanned copy to PCDA (Pension) Allahabad email address cda-albd[at]nic.in. While forwarding scanned copy of pension claims following points may be kept in view:-
a. Duly completed scan copy of LPC-cum-Datasheet should be supported with scan copies of supporting documents.
b. Scan copy of claim should be in PDF format.
c. Claims where date of retirement is after 31.05.2020 will not be entertained.
d. Claims should be forwarded only through official email id which is registered for HOO CODE.
e. Subject of email will be “ Pension claim- G1/Civil/ Pensioner name/Date of Retirement”
f. This arrangement is optional for those Head of Offices, who are not in position to forward pension claim in hard copy during lockdown.
2. In view of the above, you are requested to issue suitable instructions (along with copy of this circular) to all the Head of the Offices under your administrative control to ensure the submission of pension claim as stated above.
No.7(2)/EV/2016
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
****
New Delhi, the 20th May, 2020
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub : Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme-1980 – Tables of Benefits for the savings fund for the period from 01.04.2020 to 30.06.2020.
*****
The Tables of Benefits for Savings Fund to the beneficiaries under the Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS-1980), which are being issued on a quarterly basis from 01.01.2017 onwards, as brought out in this Ministry’s OM of even number dated 17.03.2017, for the quarter from 01.04.2020 to 30.06.2020, as worked out by the Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority (IRDA) based on the interest rate of 7.1% per annum (compounded quarterly) as notified by the Department of Economic Affairs as per their Resolution No.5(2)-B(PD)/ 2020, dated 07.04.2020, are enclosed.
2. The Tables enclosed are of two categories as per the existing practice. As hitherto, the first Table of Benefits for the savings fund of the scheme is based on the subscription of Rs.10 p.m. from 01.01.1982 to 31.12.1989 and Rs.15 p.m. w.e.f. 01.01.1990 onwards. The second Table of Benefits for savings fund is based on a subscription of Rs.10 p.m. for those employees who had opted out of the revised rate of subscription w.e.f. 01.01.1990.
3. While these orders are in respect of Table of Benefits for the period from 01.04.2020 to 30.06.2020, the Table already issued for the first quarter i.e from 01.01.2020 to 31.03.2020 are also reproduced for the sake of convenience and consolidation.
4. In their application to the employees of the Indian Audit & Accounts Department, these orders are issues after consultation with the Comptroller & Auditor General of India, as mandated under Article 148(5) of the Constitution.
F.No.11013/9/2014-Estt.A.III
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training)
North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 19th May, 2020
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject : Preventive measures to be taken to contain the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) — Attendance regarding.
In continuation of this Ministry’s O.M. of even number dated the 18th May, 2020, it has been decided that the Government servants who have underlying conditions (co-morbidities) and were undergoing treatment for these ailments before lockdown, may, as far as possible, be exempted from roster duty upon production of medical prescription from treating physician under CGHS/CS(MA) Rules, as applicable. Similarly, Persons with Disabilities and Pregnant Women may also not be included in the roster to be prepared.
(Umesh Kumar Bhatia)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India
