F.No. A-50024/01/2020-D[Estt.l/GpI]
Government of India
Ministry of Defence
Dated the 15th April 2020
OFFICE ORDER
As per the directions issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) vide their ORDER [NO.40.3/2020-DM-I(A)] dated 15th April 2020 (copy enclosed) for the Strict implementation of consolidated revised guidelines during the lockdown period, the Department of Defence (including Defence Finance) Will remain open Without any restriction during the lockdown period w.e.f. 20th April 2020, subject to compliance of all instructions contained therein in the said Order of MHA. Accordingly, all officers and staff of D/o Defence (including Defence Finance) are advised to follow these orders scrupulously.
2.Secretaries of Other Departments of Ministry of Defence viz., DESW, DDP, DDR&D and DMA are requested to issue orders accordingly in respect of their Officers & members of Staff.
3.This issues with the approval of the Defence Secretary.
Due to the outbreak of covid-19 pandemic the country is currently observing a lock down till 3rd May 2020, AICTE has issued instructions to colleges/institutions and has directed them that ensuring safety precautions during the threat posted by COVID-19 would be fundamental responsibility of all citizens of India, during this hour of crisis. Likewise, Heads of Institutions have the onerous responsibility of safeguarding the health and associated interest of all stakeholders of their respective colleges/ institutions. In view of the above, the following guidelines are issued for strict compliance by all colleges/institutions:
1) Payment of fees: It has come to knowledge of AICTE that certain stand-alone Institutions are insisting that students should pay the fees including admission fees, during the lockdown. It is clarified that colleges/ Institutions should not insist on payment of fees till the ongoing lockdown is lifted and normalcy is restored. Further , guidelines in this regard communicating the revised timelines will be issued by AICTE in due course. Accordingly, all colleges/ Institutions are directed to display the information on their websites and also communicate the same to the students through email.
2) Payment of salary to faculty members: It has been learnt that various institutions have not paid salary to their faculty and staff members for the duration of the lockdown. Also certain institutions have terminated the services of certain faculty/ staff members. It is clarified that salary and other dues to the faculty/staff members will be released for the duration of lockdown and also Terminations, if any, made during the lockdown will be withdrawn. Hence, the same may be strictly complied with. A letter in this regard has also been issued to the Respective Chief Secretaries of the States / UTs including reimbursement of fees to colleges/institutions.
3) Discouraging fake news: Various interest groups / individuals are circulating fake news on social media platforms thereby creating misinformation and rumours. Discouraging any such fake news and reporting the matter to concerned authorities would be prime responsibility of all stakeholders. It is also advised that any information published on the official website of MHRD/ UGC / AICTE only may be relied upon. Hence, these websites maybe regularly perused for any updates. Similarly for other government circular, official websites of the concerned Ministries / Departments may be referred to .
4) Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme: Due to ongoing lockdown and restricted access to internet , activities pertaining to PMSSS for the academic year 2020-2021 have been delayed. However, it is clarified that the scheme will be continued as in the past once the lockdown is lifted. A calendar of events, laying down fresh timelines will be published in AICTE website in due course.
5) Online classes and semester examination: It is clarified that online classes for the current semester will be continued during the extended lockdown. A revised academic calendar will be issued by UGC/ AICTE subsequently. Regarding the conduct of semester examinations, it is clarified that UGC has constituted a committee for recommending the modalities of conduct of examinations, award of marks and passing criteria in examinations. Directions in this regard will be issued separately. Websites of UGC/ AICTE may be perused regularly.
6) Internships: It is clarified that some students would not be able to pursue their Summer Internship due to the ongoing lockdown. Hence, they are advised to pursue internship from home. In case the same is not feasible, this requirement may be fulfilled in December 2020.
7) Sharing of internet bandwidth with other colleges/institutions: Due to inability of certain students to access internet services, college/Institutions are advised to allow students of other colleges/institutions in their vicinity to access the internet facility at their colleges/institutions and colleges/ Institutions may accordingly permit students of other colleges/ Institutions to share their campus internet facility. Attendance rule may be relaxed in the light of lockdown and unavailability of good bandwidth in certain rural areas.
All colleges/ institutions must strictly adhere to these instructions failing which action will be taken as for the prevailing rules
Union HRD Minister releases alternative Academic Calendar of NCERT for schools
All the classes from I-XII and subject areas will be covered under this calendar – Union HRD Minister
In order to engage students meaningfully during their stay at home due to COVID-19 through educational activities at home with the help of their parents and teachers,the alternative academic calendar has been developed by the NCERT under the guidance of the MHRD. This Alternative Academic Calendar was released by Union Human Resource Development Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ in New Delhi today.
Speaking on the occasion the Minister said that this Calendar provides guidelines to teachers on the use of various technological tools and social media tools available for imparting education in fun-filled, interesting ways, which can be used by learner to learn even while at home. However, it has taken into account, the varying levels of access to such tools-Mobile, Radio, Television, SMS and various social media. The fact that many of us may not have internet facility in the mobile, or may not be able to use different social media tools- such as whatsapp, facebook, twitter, google, etc., the calendar guides teachers to further guide parents and students through SMS on mobile phones or mobile call. Parents are expected to help elementary stage students to implement this Calendar.
This Minister said that all the classes from I-XII and subject areas will be covered under this calendar. This calendar will cater to the need of all children including Divyangchildren(Children with Special Need)- link for Audio books, Radio programmes, Video programme will be included.
Shri Pokhriyal further said that the calendar contains week-wise plan consisting of interesting and challenging activities, with reference to theme/chapter taken from syllabus or textbook. Most importantly, it maps the themes with the learning outcomes.The purpose of mapping of themes with learning outcomes is to facilitate teachers/parents to assess the progress in the learning of children and also to go beyond textbooks.
The Minister highlighted that the calendar also covers experiential learning activities such as Arts Education, Physical Exercises, yoga, pre-vocational skills, etc.This Calendar contains class-wise and subject-wise activities in tabular forms. This Calendar includes activities related to four languages as subject areas, i.e., Hindi English, Urdu and Sanskrit.This calendar also gives space to the strategies of reducing stress and anxiety among teachers, students and parents.Calendar includes link for Chapter wise e-content available on the e-pathshala, NROER and DIKSHA portal of GoI.
The Minister also said that all the given activities are suggestive in nature, not prescriptive, nor is the sequence mandatory. Teachers and parents may opt to contexualise the activities and do those activities that the student shows interest in, irrespective of the sequence.
This calendar would be disseminated through DTH Channels and also conducting video conferencing with SCERTs, Directorates of Education, SCERTs, KendriyaVidyalaySangathan, NavodayaVidyalayaSamiti, CBSE, State School Education Boards, etc.
This will empower our students, teachers, school principals and parents to find out positive ways to deal with Covid-19 using on-line teaching-learning resources and also improving their learning outcomes getting school education at home.
As Part of PMGKY Package EPFO Settles 3.31 Lakh COVID-19 Claims in 15 Days
About Rs 950 Crore Disbursed
The provision notified on 28th March 2020, for a special withdrawal from the EPF Scheme to tide over the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) package, has provided timely relief to the working class of the nation.
Since the introduction of this program, in just 15 days, Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has processed 3.31 lakh claims disbursing an amount of Rs. 946.49 crores. In addition, Rs. 284 crore have been distributed by the exempted PF Trusts under this scheme, notable among them being TCS.
Under this provision, non-refundable withdrawal to the extent of the basic wages and dearness allowances for three months or up to 75% of the amount standing to member’s credit in the EPF account, whichever is less, is admissible. The member can apply for lesser amount also. This being an advance, does not attract income tax deductions.
EPFO is committed to serve its members during this crisis, and EPFO offices are functional to maintain the continuity of essential services even in difficult situations. The availability of these facilities through online services has brought much relief to the needy subscribers during the lockdown period, coming to their rescue during these testing times.
BHARAT SARKAR/GOVERNMENT OF INDIA RAIL MANTRALYA/MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAILWAY BOARD)
CIRCULAR
Sub .:- Issue of authorizations/Passes to the Officers and Employees of Board’s Office to attend essential duties in the office.
Pursuant to the decision to impose a complete lockdown for a period of 21 days w.e.f. 25.03.2020 in view of the threat posed by Spread of COVID-19, this Ministry has been obtaining authorizations/Passes for its officials to attend essential official duties from the DCP/New Delhi District in view of DoPT’s OM No. 11013/9/2014-Estt. (A-III) dated 25.03.2020.
2. Subsequently, vide Home Secretary, Government of India’s D.O. letter 40-3/2020-DM-I(A), dated 03.04.2020 addressed to Chief Secretaries/Administrators of all States/UTs, it has been decided that designated authorities under Railways be allowed to issue authorizations/Passes for a critical mass of staff for its operations, as difficulties were being faced in obtaining passes from district authorities in some cases. Further, vide Home Secretary, Gor s D.O. Letter of even number dated 12.04.2020 addressed to Chief Secretaries/Administrators of all States/UTs, it has been again re-iterated that Railways have already been authorized to issue authorizations/Passes for their staff and contractual labour.
3. Further, Ministry of Home Affairs vide their order No. 40-3/2020-DM-I(A), dated 14.04.2020 and 15.04.2020, have issued orders that the consolidated guideline issued for containment of COVID-19 epidemic in the country, will continue to remain in force upto 3rd May 2020 to contain spread of COVID-19 in the country. Further, as per these orders, this Ministry has to function with 100% attendance of Deputy Secretary and level above that and remaining officers and staff to attend upto 33% as per requirement with effect from 20.04.2020.
4. In view of the above, all EDs/JSs and equivalent officers in Board’s office are hereby authorised to issue authorizations/Passes to the staff/contractual labour and for their vehicles, of their Directorates to attend the office as per requirement. The movement of persons and vehicles shall be subject to strict adherence to norms of hygiene and social distancing, as is required in the context of COVID-19. A proforma of the authorization/Pass to be issued is enclosed.
DA : As above
No .2020/G(Acc.)/Maint/Misc./COVID-19
New Delhi, dated 16.04.2020
2. In terms of para 18 of the consolidated revised guidelines on the measures to be taken by the Ministries, Office of the Ministry of Railways, Railway Board is to remain open/functional from Monday, 20th April 2020 onwards till the lockdown period with 100% attendance of Officers of the level of Deputy Secretary and above and by staff upto 33% as per requirement.
3, Accordingly, all Officers of the level of JD and above may attend Office regularly from 20th April onwards. As regards staff, HODs of the branches may prepare a roster of staff and Officers below JD level who may be called for attending duties so as to ensure smooth working of Office. While preparing roster, it may be ensured that staff upto 33% attends Office as per requirement. Those staff who are not called for duty would work from home and will be available at all times on mobile phone.
3.1. However, those residing in Hotspot areas/containment zones as demarcated by states/district administration will not attend office. They will work from home and will be available at all times on their Mobile phones.
4. Further, all Officers and Staff may travel in their own vehicles/staff cars/hired vehicles with their Official ID Cards which may be shown to the police personnel wherever required. The driver of the vehicles arranged by Railway Board are also allowed for pick up and drop facility for Officers from their residence to Office and back.
5. Other guidelines as contained in Annexure-I & II of MHA’s order dated 15.04.2020 are also to be adhered to by all Officers/Staff.
All Officers and Staff Members of the SSC to contribute one day’s salary to PM CARES Fund
A special meeting of the Staff Selection Commission was held to review the situation arising out of the Corona Virus pandemic.
In view of the prevailing lockdown restrictions, including social distancing norms, it was decided that dates for all examinations, where candidates are required to travel from all parts of the country, will be reviewed from time to time. A decision on fresh dates for the remaining days of Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination (Tier-I) 2019, Junior Engineer (Paper-I) Examination, 2019, Stenographer Grade ‘C’ & ‘D’ Examination, 2019 and Skill Test for Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination, 2018 will be taken after May 3, 2020 following the completion of second phase of the lockdown.
The rescheduled dates of these examinations will be notified on the websites of the Commission and its Regional / Sub-Regional Offices of the Commission. Annual Calendar of Examinations notified by the Commission will also be reviewed in respect of the schedules of other examinations.
Further, it was decided that all Officers and Staff Members of the SSC will contribute one day’s salary to the PM’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situation Fund (PM CARES Fund).
Central Government issues Notifications allowing Health and Motor (Third Party) insurance policyholders to make premium payments till May 15th which are due for renewal during COVID-19 lockdown
To ensure a continued cover and hassle-free claims payment during the grace period
With a view to mitigate hardship to the policyholders whose Health and Motor (Third Party) insurance policies are due for renewal during COVID-19 lockdown, the Central Government issued Notifications allowing such policyholders to make premium payments till May 15th. This will ensure a continued cover and hassle-free claims payment during the grace period. The notification says that the policy holders whose health or motor vehicle third party insurance policies fall due for renewal during the period on and from the 25th March, 2020 up to the 3rd May, 2020 and who are unable to make payment of their renewal premium on time in view of the prevailing situation in the country as a result of Corona Virus disease (COVID-19), are allowed to make such payment for renewal of policies to their insurers on or before the 15th May, 2020 to ensure continuity of the statutory motor vehicle third party insurance cover from the date on which the policy falls due for renewal, so that any valid claim triggered during the grace period can be paid.
F.No. C.50/30/2020.Ad.II
Government of india
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
North Block, New Delhi
Dated 15th April, 2020
ORDER
Kind attention is invited to the Order No. 40-3/2020-DM-I (A) dated 15th April, 2020 whereby the Ministry of Home Affairs have issued consolidated revised guidelines on the measures to be taken by the Ministries/Departments of Government of India, State/UT Governments and State/UT Authorities for containment of COVID-19 in the country.
2. Vide para 3 read of the said order, the Ministry of Home Affairs have, inter-alia, allowed select additional permitted activities as enumerated in para 5 to 20 of the said order. As per para 18 (ii), all Ministries/Departments under Government of India to function with effect from 20th April, 2020. The para 18 is reproduced below —
18. Offices of the Government of India, its Autonomous/ Subordinate offices will remain open, as mentioned below:
(i) Defence, Central Armed Police Forces, Health and Family Welfare, Disaster management and Early Warning Agencies (IMD, INCOIS, SASE and National Centre of Seismology, CWC), National Infomatics Centre (NIC), Food Corporation of India (FCI), NCC, Nehru Yuva Kendras (NYKs) and Customs to function without any restriction.
(ii) Other Ministries and Departments, and offices under their control, are to function with 100% attendance of Deputy Secretary and levels above that. Remaining officers and staff to attend upto 33% as per requirement.
3. The undersigned has been directed to convey that the above guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India be scrupulously followed.
F. No. 370142/13/2020-TPL
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Direct Taxes
*****
New Delhi, April 13, 2020
Clarification in respect of option under section 115BAC of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Section 115BAC of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (the Act), inserted by the Finance Act, 2020 wef the assessment year 2021-22, infer alia, provides that a person, being an individual or a Hindu undivided family having income other than income from business or profession”, may exercise option in respect of a previous year to be taxed under the said section 115BAC alongwith his return of income to be furnished under sub-section (I) of section 139 of the Act for each year. The concessional rate provided under section 115BAC of the Act is subject to the condition that the total income shall be computed without specified exemption or deduction, set off of loss and additional depreciation.
2. Representations expressing concern regarding tax to be deducted at source (TDS) has been received stating that as the option is required to be exercised at the time of filing of return, the deductor, being an employer, would not know if the person, being an employee, would opt for taxation under section 115BAC of the Act or not. Hence, there is lack of clarity regarding whether the provisions of section 115BAC of the Act are to be considered at the time of deducting tax.
3. In order to avoid the genuine hardship in such cases, the Board, in exercise of powers conferred under section 119 of the Act, hereby clarifies that an employee, having income other than the income under the head “profit and gains of business or profession” and intending to opt for the concessional rate under section 115BAC of the Act, may intimate the deductor, being his employer, of such intention for each previous year and upon such intimation, the deductor shall compute his total income, and make TDS thereon in accordance with the provisions of section 115BAC of the Act. If such intimation is not madc by the employee, the employer shall make TDS without considering the provision of section 115BAC of the Act.
4. It is also clarified that the intimation so made to the deductor shall be only for the purposes of TDS during the previous year and cannot be modified during that year. However, the intimation would not amount to exercising option in terms of sub-section (S) of section 115BAC of the Act and the person shall be required to do so alongwith the return to be furnished under sub-section (I) of section 139 of the Act for that previous year. Thus, option at the time of filing of return of income under sub-section (I) of section I 39 of the Act could be different from the intimation made by such employee to the employer for that previous year.
5. Further, in case of a person who has income under the head “profit and gains of business or profession” also, the option for taxation under section 115BAC of the Act once exercised for a previous year at the time of filing of return of income under sub-section (I) of section 139 of the Act cannot be changed for subsequent previous years except in certain circumstances.
Accordingly, the above clarification would apply to such person with a modification that the intimation to the employer in his case for subsequent previous years must not deviate from the option under section 115BAC of the Act once exercised in a previous year.
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