GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAY)
(RAILWAY BOARD)
No.20161F (E)III/1 (1)/3
New Delhi, Dated: 23.04.2020.
The GMs/Principal Financial Advisers,
All Zonal Railways/Production Units etc.,
(As per mailing list).
Subject: Exits and Withdrawals under the National Pension System – reg.
A copy each of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA)’s Gazette Notification No.PFRDA/12/RGL/139/8 dated 10.08.2017. 06.10.2017, 02.02.2018, 18.05.2018, 19.02.2019 & 20.09.2019 issued in amendment of the various provisions of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Exits and Withdrawals under the National Pension System) Regulations, 2015 are enclosed herewith for information and compliance. The portion of the Notifications concerning `Government Sector Subscribers’ shall apply mutatis mutandis on Railways also.
2. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Exits and Withdrawals under the National Pension System) Regulations, 2015 mentioned in the Gazette Notifications enclosed herewith were adopted on Railways vide letter of even number dated 27.05.2016.
(G. Priya Sudarsani)
Director, Finance (Estt.)
Railway Board
No deduction in allowances of Central Government employees, PIB Fact Check busts fake news
Fact Check Unit of Press Information Bureau has today clarified in a tweet that Central Government is not going to deduct allowances of Central Government Employees. The tweet was a fact check on a media report speculating that Government was planning such a move in response to the coronavirus crisis.
दावा : हिन्दुस्तान अखबार ने रिपोर्ट किया है कि #Covid_19 के मद्देनज़र केंद्र सरकार के कर्मचारियों को एलटीसी/लीव एनकैशमेंट/ ओटीए/ मेडिकल जैसी सुविधाओं में कटौती का सामना करना पड़ेगा#PIBFactCheck:सरकार द्वारा ऐसा कोई प्रस्ताव नहीं है। मीडिया रिपोर्ट गलत और निराधार है। (1/2) pic.twitter.com/cEhM59Javq
FINANCE [Allowances] DEPARTMENT G.O.Ms.No.231, Dated 23rd April 2020 (Sarvari, Chithirai-10, Thiruvalluvar Aandu 2051)
ABSTRACT
Provident Fund – General Provident Fund (Tamil Nadu) – Rate of interest for the financial year 2020-2021 – With effect from 1-4-2020 to 30-6-2020 – Orders – Issued.
In the Government Order first read above, orders were issued regarding fixation of the rate of interest on the accumulations at the credit of subscribers of G.P.F. [TN] at 7.9% (Seven point nine percent) for the period from 1st January, 2020 to 31st March, 2020.
2. The Government of India, in its resolution second read above, announced that during the year 2020-2021, accumulations at the credit of subscribers to the General Provident Fund and other similar funds shall carry interest at the rate of 7.1% (Seven point one percent) with effect from 1st April, 2020 to 30th June, 2020.
3. The Government now direct that the rate of interest on the accumulation at the credit of the subscribers to General Provident Fund [Tamil Nadu] shall carry interest at the rate of 7.1% (Seven point one percent) with effect from 1st April, 2020 to 30th June, 2020.
4. The rate of interest on belated final payment of Provident Fund accumulations remaining unpaid for more than three months of its becoming payable shall be at the same rate as ordered in para-3 above.
(BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR)
S. KRISHNAN
ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT
FINANCE [Allowances] DEPARTMENT
G.O.Ms.No.232, Dated 27th April 2020
(Sarvari, Chithirai-14, Thiruvalluvar Aandu 2051)
ABSTRACT
Economy in Expenditure – Measures to tide over the financial constraints in view of the severe fiscal crisis arising out of COVID-19 pandemic – Freezing of Dearness Allowance to State Government employees and Government pensioners/family pensioners at current rates till July 2021 – Orders – Issued.
Read the following:-
1. G.O.Ms.No.323, Finance [Allowances] Department, dated 17-10-2019.
2. G.O.Ms.No.324, Finance [Allowances] Department, dated 17-10-2019.
3. G.O.Ms.No.327, Finance [Pension] Department, dated 21-10-2019.
4. From the Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, New Delhi Office Memorandum No.1/1/2020-E-II(B), dated 23-04-2020.
-oOo-
ORDER:
In the Government Order first read above, orders were issued sanctioning revised rate of Dearness Allowance to State Government employees at the rate of 17 percent with effect from 1st July 2019 following the orders issued by the Government of India and in the Government Order second read above, orders were issued for another ad-hoc increase to employees drawing consolidated pay / fixed pay / Honorarium. In the Government Order third read above, orders were also issued sanctioning revised rate of Dearness Allowance to State Government pensioners/family pensioners at the rate of 17 percent with effect from 1st July 2019 following the orders issued by the Government of India.
2. The Government of India, in its Office Memorandum fourth read above, has directed that in view of the crisis arising out of COVID-19, the additional installment of Dearness Allowance payable to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners, due from 1st January 2020 shall not be paid. The additional installments of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief due from 1st July 2020 and 1st January 2021 shall also not be paid. However, Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief at current rates will continue to be paid. As and when the decision to release the future installment of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief due from 1st July 2021 is taken by the Government, the rates of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief as effective from 1st January 2020, 1st July 2020 and 1st January 2021 will be restored prospectively and will be subsumed in the cumulative revised rate effective from 1st July 2021. No arrears for the period from 1st January 2020 till 30th June 2021 shall be paid.
3. The Government of Tamil Nadu has adopted the rate of Dearness Allowance to the State Government employees and Pensioners/Family Pensioners as and when announced by the Government of India to its employees and pensioners/family pensioners.
4. Following the orders issued by the Government of India and in view of the severe fiscal crisis arising out of COVID-19 pandemic, the Government has decided to adopt the decision of the Government of India for State Government employees, teachers and Pensioners/Family Pensioners for freezing the Dearness Allowance at current rates till July 2021. The additional installment of Dearness Allowance payable to State Government employees, teachers and Government Pensioners/Family Pensioners, due from 1st January 2020 shall not be paid. The additional installments of Dearness Allowance due from 1st July 2020 and 1st January 2021 shall also not be paid. However, Dearness Allowance at current rates will continue to be paid. As and when the decision to release the future installment of Dearness Allowance due from 1st July 2021 is taken by the Government, the rates of Dearness Allowance as effective from 1st January 2020, 1st July 2020 and 1st January 2021 will be restored prospectively and will be subsumed in the cumulative revised rate effective from 1st July 2021. No arrears for the period from 1st January 2020 till 30th June 2021 shall be paid.
5. This order shall also apply to the teaching and non-teaching staff working in aided educational institutions, employees under local bodies, employees governed by the University Grants Commission/All India Council for Technical Education scales of pay, the Teachers/Physical Education Directors/Librarians in Government and Aided Polytechnics and Special Diploma Institutions, Village Assistants in Revenue Department, Noon Meal Organisers, Child Welfare Organisers, Anganwadi Workers, Cooks, Helpers, Panchayat Secretaries/Clerks in Village Panchayat under Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department and other employees drawing pay in the prescribed Level of Pay in the Special Pay Matrix.
(BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR)
S. KRISHNAN
ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT
Fundamental Rules – Tamil Nadu Leave Rules, 1933 – Periodical surrender of Earned Leave and payment of leave salary – Suspended for a year – Orders -Issued
Personnel and Administrative Reforms (FR-Ill) Department
G.O (Ms) No.48
Dated: 27.04.2020
சர்வாரி வருடம், சித்திரை – 14
திருவள்ளுவர் ஆண்டு – 2051
In view of the fiscal stress arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the periodical surrender of Earned Leave for encashment for 15 days every year / 30 days every two years, as provided under Rule 7A of the Tamil Nadu Leave Rules, 1933 is suspended initially for a period of one year to all the Government Employees and Teachers, from the date of issue of this order. All surrender requests and bills pending as on date irrespective of their stage of Sanction and Disbursement shall not be processed. In cases where sanction orders have been issued, they are to be cancelled and Earned Leave re-credited to the leave account of the respective employees.
2. The order shall also be applicable to all Constitutional / Statutory bodies including all State Corporations, Local Bodies, Boards, Universities, Commissions, Companies, Institutions, Societies, etc.,
No move to reduce the retirement age of government employees, nor such a proposal discussed or contemplated at any level in the government: Dr Jitendra Singh
Strongly refuting the reports in a section of media that Government has moved a proposal for reducing the age of retirement of government employees to 50 years, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh categorically stated here today that there is no such move to reduce the retirement age nor has been such a proposal discussed or contemplated at any level in the government.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, there are certain motivated elements which have been over the last few days, time and again planting such disinformation in a section of media and attributing it to the government sources or DoP&T. He said, each time a prompt rebuttal is sought to be made in order to clear the confusion in the minds of stakeholders. He said, it was unfortunate that at a time when the country is going through Corona crises and the entire world is praising Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi for his proactive handling of the pandemic, there are certain elements and vested interests which try to underplay all the good work done by the Government by planting such media stories.
On the contrary, right from the beginning of the emergence of the Corona challenge, Government and the DoP&T have, from time to time taken prompt decisions to safeguard the interests of the employees. For example, he said, even before the lockdown was officially announced, DOPT had issued an advisory for the offices to work with “absolutely necessary or minimum staff”. Even though the essential services were exempted from this guideline, DOPT had issued directions to exempt the “Divyang employees even from the essential services”.
Considering the constraints of the lockdown, he recalled that DOPT had postponed the last date for filling of the Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR) by the government officials.
At the same time, he referred to the UPSC’s decision to reschedule the dates of IAS/Civil Services interview/personality test and also announced that the Civil Services Preliminary Test will be done after May 3rd. Similarly, on the same line, SSC has also postponed its process of recruitment.
As for the Department of Personnel in the Ministry of Personnel, Dr Jitendra Singh said that last week there was fake news that the government had decided to impose a 30% reduction in the pension and discontinue pensions for those who are above the age of 80. However, contrary to this, the truth is that on the 31st of March there was not a single pensioner whose pension did not deposit in his account. Not only this, services of the Postal Department were sought to deliver the pension amount at the residence of the pensioners, whenever required.
As for the Department of Personnel, in the last four weeks, the Ministry of Personnel has had Video Conference consultations for Pensioners and Senior Citizens across 20 cities where pulmonary advice was given by experts like Dr Randeep Guleria, Director (AIIMS). Similarly, Yoga Sessions on Webinar are also being organised.
सरकारी कर्मचारियों की सेवानिवृत्ति की उम्र घटाने की दिशा में न तो कोई कदम उठाया गया और न ही सरकार में किसी स्तर पर ऐसे किसी प्रस्ताव पर विचार-विमर्श किया गया : डॉ. जितेंद्र सिंह
सरकार ने मीडिया के एक हिस्से में चल रही उन खबरों को सिरे से खारिज किया है, जिनमें सरकारी कर्मचारियों की सेवानिवृत्ति की उम्र घटाकर 50 वर्ष करने का प्रस्ताव रखे जाने की बात कही गई है। केन्द्रीय पूर्वोत्तर क्षेत्र विकास (स्वतंत्र प्रभार), प्रधानमंत्री कार्यालय, कार्मिक, लोक शिकायत एवं पेंशन, परमाणु ऊर्जा और अंतरिक्ष राज्य मंत्री डॉ. जितेंद्र सिंह ने आज यहां स्पष्ट रूप से कहा कि न तो सेवानिवृत्ति की उम्र घटाने की कोई पहल की गई है और न ही सरकार के स्तर पर ऐसे किसी प्रस्ताव पर चर्चा की गई है।
डॉ. जितेंद्र सिंह ने कहा कि पिछले कुछ दिनों से कुछ तत्व बार-बार सोशल मीडिया पर गलत जानकारियां फैला रहे हैं और इनके पीछे सरकारी स्रोतों या डीओपीएंडटी का हवाला दिया जा रहा है। उन्होंने कहा कि हर बार हितधारकों के बीच भ्रम की स्थिति को दूर करने के लिए त्वरित खंडन जारी किया जाता है। उन्होंने इसे दुखद बताते हुए कहा कि ऐसे समय में जब देश कोरोना संकट से जूझ रहा है और पूरी दुनिया महामारी से निपटने के लिए प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी की सक्रिय रणनीति की प्रशंसा कर रहा है, कुछ तत्व क्षुद्र स्वार्थवश सरकार द्वारा किए जा रहे प्रयासों को कमतर करने के लिए योजनाबद्ध तरीके से मीडिया में ऐसी खबरें चलवा रहे हैं।
इसके विपरीत कोरोना की चुनौती सामने आने के बाद से सरकार और डीओपीएंडटी द्वारा समय-समय पर कर्मचारियों के हितों की रक्षा में त्वरित फैसले लिए जा रहे हैं। उदाहरण सामने रखते हुए उन्होंने कहा कि लॉकडाउन से पहले ही डीओपीटी ने आधिकारिक रूप से कार्यालयों में “बेहद आवश्यक या न्यूनतम कर्मचारियों के साथ” काम करने का परामर्श जारी किया था। हालांकि आवश्यक सेवाओं को इन दिशानिर्देशों से छूट देते हए डीओपीटी ने “दिव्यांग कर्मचारियों को आवश्यक सेवाओं से भी” छूट देने का आदेश जारी किया था।
लॉकडाउन की बाधाओं पर विचार करते हुए उन्होंने याद दिलाया कि डीओपीटी ने सरकारी अधिकारियों द्वारा वार्षिक प्रदर्शन मूल्यांकन रिपोर्ट (एपीएआर) को भरने की अंतिम तारीख टाल दी थी।
इसके अलावा उन्होंने यूपीएससी के आईएएस/ सिविल सेवाओं के साक्षात्कार/ व्यक्तित्व परीक्षण की तारीखों में बदलाव करने के फैसले का उल्लेख किया। साथ ही यह भी घोषणा की जा चुकी है कि सिविल सेवा की प्रारंभिक परीक्षा 3 मई के बाद की जाएगी। इसी प्रकार एसएससी ने भी अपनी भर्ती प्रक्रिया को टाल दिया है।
कार्मिक मंत्रालय के कार्मिक विभाग के संबंध में डॉ. जितेंद्र सिंह ने कहा कि पिछले सप्ताह ही ऐसा फर्जी समाचार था कि सरकार ने पेंशन में 30 प्रतिशत कटौती और 80 वर्ष से ज्यादा उम्र वालों की पेंशन बंद करने का फैसला किया है। हालांकि, इसके विपरीत हकीकत यह थी कि 31 मार्च को ऐसा कोई पेंशनर नहीं था जिसकी पेंशन उनके खाते में जमा नहीं की गई हो। इसके साथ ही डाक विभाग की सेवाओं के माध्यम से जरूरत पड़ने पर पेंशनरों के घर पर पेंशन की धनराशि पहुंचाई गई।
इसके अलावा कार्मिक मंत्रालय के कार्मिक विभाग ने पिछले चार सप्ताह के दौरान 20 शहरों में पेंशनरों और वरिष्ठ नागरिकों के लिए वीडियो कॉन्फ्रेंस परामर्श का आयोजन किया था, जहां डॉ. रणदीप गुलेरिया, निदेशक (एम्स) जैसे विशेषज्ञों द्वारा स्वास्थ्य संबंधी सलाह दी गई। इसी प्रकार वेबिनार पर योग सत्रों के आयोजन भी कराए जा रहे हैं।
File No.11011/20/2020/Addl.DDG(HQ)
F No S-11011/20/CGHS/ADDG/2020
Govt. of India
Min. of Health & Family Welfare
Directorate General of CGHS
545-A Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi.
Dated the 21st
April, 2020
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Advisory to empaneled Health Care Organizations (HCOs) and COVID-19 test rates under CGHS
***
In view of the Corona Virus Disease(COVID-19), all out efforts are being made by the Government of India (GoI) to contain its impact by instituting measures at community as well as at individual level. Guidelines for maintaining social distancing between individuals have already been issued by the Government.
In the spirit of above guidelines, the undersigned is directed to state that Health Care Organizations (HCOs) empanelled under CGHS shall treat CGHS beneficiaries at CGHS rates of conservative management for CORONA-19 and raise the bill on item wise calculation of expenditure. They shall follow the guidelines / protocols issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on the subject. These guidelines are available on the website of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare at http//mohfw.gov.in.
It is also clarified that CGHS rate for COVID-19 infection test shall be as per the rate prescribed by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare which shall be treated as CGHS rate. The referral guidelines for COVID-19 test would be same as for other listed investigations.
The HCOs shall also inform the Additional Director, concerned of the provision made by the hospital for the treatment of COVID-19.
No.17-09/COVID-2020-GDS
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts
(GDS Section)
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi-110 001
Dated: 24.04.2020
To
All Chief Postmasters General/All Postmasters Generals
Chief General Manager, BD Directorate/ Parcel Directorate/ PLI Directorate Director, RAKNPA/ GM, CEPT/ Directors of All PTCs
Addl. Director General, Army Postal Services, New Delhi.
All General Managers(Finances)/ Directors Postal Accounts/ DDAP
Subject : Uploading videos/audios/texts on social Media platforms against the interests of Department of Posts by Union representative/members during COVID-19 – reg.
Madam/Sir,
It is observed that some Union representatives/staff are uploading videos/audios/text comments requesting for improvement in service conditions in the Department on YouTube/Twitter and other social Media accounts. Moreover, some GDS have demanded to give them status of departmental employees through social media.
2. As you are aware, all the service Unions/staff/GDS have ample opportunities to represent their grievances/ suggestions to the concerned authority through proper channel.
3. Therefore, you are requested to bring it to the notice of all the employees/ GDS that uploading of such videos/audios/text comments on any social media platform may invite action under Departmental rules. All concerned may be advised that cases of personal grievance may be raised through the official channel as per Rules.
To
Point of Presence (PoPs) / Non-Individual Retirement Advisers (RAs)
Subject: Compliance of Cyber Security Policy by Point of Presence (PoPs) and Non-Individual Retirement Advisers (RAs)
PFRDA (Authority) has received in past, various queries from the stakeholders regarding scope and applicability of Circular no. PFRDA/2017/31/CRA/5 dated 04.10.2017 and Circular no. PFRDA/2019/2/REG dated 07.01.2019.
2. In this regard, it is clarified that: –
(i) All PoPs and Non-Individual RAs are required to adhere to the cyber security measures and compliances as mentioned in the Cyber Security Policy of the Authority, as detailed in Circular PFRDA/2017/31/CRA/5 dated 04.10.2017 and also as mandated by their principal regulator (as applicable).
(ii) In compliance to (i) above, the PoPs and Non-Individual RAs are hereby advised to submit the Compliance certificate with respect to cyber security for respective Financial Year (FY) as per Annexure I (enclosed) within 30 days from the end of the said FY. They are also advised to submit the report on cyber-attacks incident pertaining to NPS activities, if any, as per Annexure II (enclosed) immediately on occurrence of such incident.
(iii) Accordingly, the PoPs may submit Certificate as per Annexure I for FY 2018-19 and FY 2019-20 instead of quarter-basis Certificate as per Annexure A of Circular no. PFRDA/2019/2/REG dated 07.01.2019.
(iv) Circular no. PFRDA/2019/2/REG dated 07.01.2019 therefore stands superseded with respect to PoPs.
3. This circular is issued under Section 14 of PFRDA Act, 2013 and is available in Circulars section of Regulatory Framework at PFRDA’s website.
CITU DENOUNCES CENTRAL GOVT DECISION TO FREEZE AND CONFISCATE INCREASE IN DEARNESS ALLOWANCE FOR CENTRAL GOVT EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONERS
The Centre of Indian Trade Unions denounces the Central Govt’s decision to freeze, rather confiscate the increase in Dearness Allowance payable to Central Govt employees and pensioners falling due from January 2020 and also future dues, falling due on July 2020 and January 2021 on the plea of financial crisis arising out of COVID 19 vide Finance Ministry Order no 1/1/2020-E-II(B) dated 23rd April 2020.
No doubt, the country has been passing through a financial crisis but why should the workers and employees be made the sacrificial item for the same who themselves suffer most owing to Covid-19 followed by lockdown. Quite a number of employees are deployed and consequently are involved in various governmental activities and services meant to combat the spread of the pandemic Covid-19 especially of those departments declared as emergency services viz, health, postal, defence, railways etc. While taking such decision Govt did not bother to consult the unions and federations of the central govt employees, displaying rabid authoritarianism.
CITU strongly urges that response to financial crisis by the central govt must start with measures to garner resources where it is there aplenty at the disposal of handful of ultra rich class. As Per OXFAM Report, combined wealth amassed by only 63 billionaires in India is more that the total Union Budget in 2018-19 which was at Rs 24, 42, 200 crore. Top 10% of population cornered 77% of national wealth. Wealth of India’s richest 1 per cent is 4 times more than the bottom 70%. Govt must tap this huge accumulation of wealth with barely 5% of ultra-rich, amassed mostly through undue and illegitimate patronization of the economic policy regime, through appropriate direct taxation/wealth tax measures instead of brutally pouncing on the working peoples’ earnings and livelihood. And this right is vested with the Central Govt only
CITU strongly condemns this retrograde decision of the Central Govt to confiscate outright the legitimate dues of the employees and pensioners on account of increase in DA till January 2021, although prices of all essentials will continue to increase to further increase the profit of the big-business/corporate.
CITU demands withdrawal of this DA Confiscation order by the central government also demands that the state governments be extended financial help to enable continuity of variable DA payment to their employees. CITU calls upon the Govt employees’ movement in particular and the trade union movement in general to unitedly oppose this retrograde anti-worker measures.
