GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)
No. E(G) 2009 QR1 -2
New Delhi, dated 14. 02. 2020
The General Manager/Director General
All Indian Railways/Production Units/RDSO-Lucknow
(As per Standard mailing list)
Sub: Extension of the period of retention of Railway accommodation at the previous place of posting in favour of officers posted to East Central Railway.
Ref: Board’s letter No. E(G) 2009 QR 1-2 dated 14.01.2019
The issue of permitting the Railway officers/staff posted on East Central Railway to retain Railway quarters at their previous place of posting beyond 31.12.2019 has been considered by the Board.
2. In exercise of the powers vested with the full Board to make reasonable relaxations in public interest for a class/group of employees in all or any of the provisions regarding house allotment / retention, the full Board, in its meeting held on 28.01.2020 have decided that permission for retention of Railway accommodation at the place of previous posting for officers and staff posted to East Central Railway may be further extended up to December, 2020.
3, Board have also approved retention of Railway accommodation at the place of previous posting for SAG and above officers posted to North Eastern Railway, South Western Railway, West Central Railway and East Coast Railway for a period of two years. Similar facility shall also be extended to AM level officers posted outside Delhi who are not already covered under the house retention policy for CTls.
4. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.
5. Please acknowledge receipt.
(R. Kunchappan)
Deputy Director Establishment (Genl.)
Railway Board
DoPT released consolidated instruction on Casual Labour
No.49014/5/2019-Estt.(C)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
*****
North Block, New Delhi
Dated : 13th February, 2020
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject : Consolidated instruction on Casual Labour -reg.
The undersigned is directed to refer to the subject mentioned above and to say that various instructions have been issued by the Government from time to time regarding casual labourers. All such instructions issued till date and still in vogue have been consolidated under easily comprehensible headings for the facility of reference and placed at Annexure to this O.M. All Ministries/ Departments are requested to bring the above guidelines to the notice of all concerned.
Sd/-
(Umesh Kumar Bhatiya)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
ANNEXURE
A. CASUAL LABOURER
1. Appointment:
1.1. Persons on daily wages (casual workers) should not be recruited for work of regular nature.
1.2. Recruitment of daily wagers may be made only for work which is casual or seasonal or intermittent nature or for work which is not of full time nature, for which regular posts cannot be created.
1.3. The work presently being done by regular staff should be reassessed by the administrative Departments concerned for output and productivity so that the work being done by the casual workers could be entrusted to the regular employees. The Departments may also review the norms of staff for regular work and take steps to get them revised.
1.4. It has been observed that in spite of strict guidelines on engagement of Casual Labourer vide the above referred O.M, various Ministries/ Departments continue to engage casual workers for attending work of regular nature against the Government’ s policies. It is, therefore, reiterated that all Ministries/ Departments may ensure strict compliance of the guidelines on engagement of Casual Labourers. Negligence in the matter of implementing these guidelines should be viewed seriously and brought to the notice of the appropriate authorities for taking prompt and suitable action against the defaulters.
2.1 Where the nature of work entrusted to the casual workers and regular employees is the same, the casual workers may be paid at the rate of 1/30th of the pay at the minimum of the relevant pay scale plus dearness allowance for work of 8 hours a day.
2.2. In cases where the work done by a casual worker is different from the work done by a regular employee, the casual worker may be paid only the minimum wages notified by the Ministry of Labour and Employment or the State Government/ Union Territory Administration, whichever is higher, as per the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. However, if a Department is already paying daily wages at a higher rate, the practice could be continued with the approval of its Financial Adviser.
3.1. The casual workers may be given one paid weekly off after six days of continuous work.
3.2. The payment to the casual workers may be restricted only to the days on which they actually perform duty under the Government with a paid weekly off as mentioned above. In addition, they will also be paid for a National Holiday, if it falls on a working day for the casual workers.
[O.M. No.49014/2/86-Estt(C) dated 07.06.1988]
3.3 It has further been decided that casual workers working in offices having a five day week may be allowed one day paid weekly off provided they have worked for a minimum of 40 hours during the said week.
[O.M. No.49019/ 1/95-Estt(C) dated 14.06.2016]
B. SCHEME OF 1993 (Grant of Temporary Status and Regularistion of Casual Labourer)
1.Eligibility:
1.1. This scheme was applicable to casual labourers in employment of the Ministries/ Departments of Government of India and their attached and subordinate offices, on the date of issue of these orders. But it shall not be applicable to casual workers in Railways, Department of Telecommunication and Department of Posts who are already governed by their own separate schemes.
1.2. Temporary status was to be conferred on all casual labourers who are in employment on the date of issue of this OM and who have rendered a continuous service of at least one year, which means that they must have been engaged for a period of at least 240 days (206 days in the case of offices observing 5 days week).
1.3 . Such conferment of temporary status was to be without reference to the creation / availability of regular (erstwhile) Group “D’ posts.
1.4. Conferment of temporary status on a casual labourer did not involve any change in his duties and responsibilities. The engagement was on daily rates of pay on need basis. He might be deployed anywhere within the recruitment unit/ territorial circle on the basis of availability of work.
1.5. Such casual labourers who acquire temporary status will, however, not be brought on to the permanent establishment unless they are selected through regular selection process for (erstwhile) Group “D’ posts.
[O.M. No.51016/2/ 90-Estt(C) dated 10.09.1993]
2.Benefits:
2.1 Wages at daily rates with reference to the minimum of the pay scale for a corresponding regular (erstwhile) Group ·D’ official including DA and HRA.
2.2. Benefits of increments at the same rate as applicable to a (erstwhile) Group ‘D’ employee would be taken into account for calculating pro-rata wages for every one year of service subject to performance of duty for at least 240 days (206 days in administrative offices observing 5 days week) in the year from the date of conferment of temporary status.
2.3. Leave entitlement would be on a pro-rata basis at the rate of one day for every 10 days of work. Casual or any other kind of leave, except maternity leave, will not be admissible. They will also be allowed to carry forward the leave at their credit on their regularisation. They will not be entitled to the benefits of encashment of leave on termination of service for any reason or on their quitting service.
2.4. Maternity leave to lady casual labourers as admissible to regular Group ‘D’ (erstwhile) employees was to be allowed.
2.5. 50% of the service rendered under temporary status would be counted for the purpose of retirement benefits after their regularisation.
2.6. After rendering three years’ continuous service after conferment of temporary status, the casual labourers would be treated on par with temporary (erstwhile) Group ‘D’ employees for the purpose of contribution to the General Provident Fund, and would also further be eligible for the grant of Festival Advance/ Flood Advance on the same conditions as are applicable to temporary erstwhile Group ‘D’ employees, provided they furnish two sureties from permanent Government servants of their Department.
2.7. Until they are regularized, they would be entitled to Productivity Linked Bonus/ Adhoc bonus only at the rates as applicable to casual labourers.
2.8. No benefits other than those specified above was to be admissible to casual labourers with temporary status.
[O.M. No.51016/ 2/90-Estt(C) dated 10.09.1993]
3. Conditions for regularisation:
3.1 Two out of every three vacancies in Group ‘D’ (erstwhile) (and now Group ‘C) cadres in respective offices where the casual labourers have been working was to be filled up as per extant recruitment rules and in accordance with the instructions issued by Department of Personnel and Training from amongst casual workers with temporary status. However, regular Group ‘D'(erstwhile) staff rendered surplus for any reason will have prior claim for absorption against existing/future vacancies. They would be allowed age relaxation equivalent to the period for which they have worked continuously as casual labourer.
(O.M. No.51016/2/90-Estt(C) dated 10.09.1993)
3.2 Following the acceptance of the recommendation of the 6th CPC, all Group D posts had been upgraded to Group C posts. Recruitment to erstwhile Group ‘D’ posts placed in Group ‘C’, PB-1, Grade Pay ‘1800/ – (non technical as MT Staff) is now made only through Staff Selection Commission and minimum educational qualification for appointment is Matriculation or IT! pass. Regularisation of CL-TS therefore, could not be done by the Ministries/ Departments on their own and requires relaxation of para- 8 of the Appendix to the O.M. dated 10.09.1993 by D/ o Personnel & Training with the concurrence of Department of Expenditure.
[O.M. No.49014/3/ 2014-Estt(C) dated 16.10.2014]
4. Clarifications regarding the Scheme of 1993:
4.1.
Sl.No.
Points raised
Clarifications
1.
Whether the casual employees who were not initially engaged through employment exchange are entitled to the benefit of temporary status.
Since it is mandatory to engage casual employees through employment exchange, the appointment of casual employees without employment exchange is irregular. Hence such casual employees cannot be bestowed with temporarv status.
2.
Whether temporary status could be granted to the part-time casual employees.
No
3.
Will the casual labourers initially engaged after crossing the upper age limit prescribed for recruitment to Group ‘D’ posts be eligible for grant of temporary status?
No age limit has been prescribed for grant of temporary status. However, for the purpose of subsequent regularisation, the conditions regarding age and educational qualifications prescribed in the relevant recruitment rules will apply.
4.
Will the wages of casual employees be debited to the salaries sub-head of the establishment or to the contingent sub-head?
Since the casual employees on grant of temporary status would be entitled for wages on actual basis, their wages will have to be debited to the sub-head ·wages’.
5.
For the purpose of assessing leave entitlement how should qualifying period be reckoned?
Qualifying period should be reckoned with reference to actual number of days duty performed ignoring days of weekly off, leave and absence etc. All days of duty will be counted irrespective of intervening spells of absence, which do not constitute break in service.
6.
Frequency at which leave will be credited. Twice a year.
On the 1st of January and 1st of July credit will be afforded for the preceding half year or fraction thereof, on a pro- rata basis at the rate of one day for every 10 days of work.
[O.M. No.49014/2/93-Estt(C) dated 12.07.1994]
4.2. The hon’ble Supreme Court while hearing SLP (Civil) No. 2224/ 2000) in the case of Union of India & Anr. Vs. Mohan Pal etc. had directed that:- “The Scheme of 10-993 is not an ongoing Scheme and the temporary status can be conferred on the casual labourers under that Scheme only on fulfilling the conditions incorporated in clause 4 of the scheme, namely, they should have been casual labourers in employment on the date of the commencement of the scheme and they should have rendered continuous service of at least one year i.e. at least 240 days in a year or 206 days (in case of offices having 5 days a week). We also make it clear that those who have already been given ‘temporary’ status on the assumption that it is an ongoing Scheme shall not be stripped of the ‘temporary’ status pursuant to our decision”. The Supreme Court in the above case had also considered the question as to whether the services of casual labourers who had been given ‘temporary status could be dispensed with as per clause 7 as if they were regular casual labourers and observed that- “The casual labourers who acquire ‘temporary’ status cannot be removed merely on the whims and fancies of the employer. If there is sufficient work and other casual labourers are still to be employed by the employer for carrying out the work, the casual labourers who have acquired ‘temporary’ status shall not be removed from service as per clause 7 of the Scheme. If there is serious misconduct or violation of service rules, it would be open to the employer to dispense with the services of a casual labourer who had acquired the ‘temporary’ status.
[O.M. No.40011/6/ 2002-Estt(C) dated 06.06.2002)
C.REGULARISATION OF IRREGULARLY APPOINTED WORKERS in light of Uma Devi Judgement)
1. A Constitution bench of the Supreme Court in civil appeal No.3595- 3612 /1999 etc. in the case of Secretary State of Karnataka and Ors. Vs. Uma Devi and others has reiterated that any public appointment has to be in terms of the Constitutional scheme. However, the Supreme Court in para 44 of the aforesaid judgement dated 10.4.2006 had directed that the Union of India, the State Governments and their instrumentalities should take steps to regularize as a one time measure the services of such irregularly appointed, who are duly qualified persons in terms of the statutory recruitment rules for the post and who have worked for ten years or more in duly sanctioned posts but not under cover of orders of courts or tribunals. The Apex Court has clarified that if such appointment itself is in infraction of the rules or if it is in violation of the provisions of the Constitution, illegality cannot be regularized.
[O.M. No.49019/ 1/2006-Estt(C) dated 11.12.2006)
NOTE: Both the scheme of 1993 and Regularisation in light of Uma Devi judgement were one time measure and no other scheme/ instructions have been issued by DoPT other than the above (Paras. B & C) for the regularisation of Casual labourers.
D: ADDITIONAL BENEFITS TO THE CASUAL LABOURERS WITH TEMPORARY STATUS (CL-TS) IN CONTINUATION OF SCHEME OF 1993.
1. Allowance/ Leave Benefits:
1.1 The benefit of Transport allowance was extended to casual labourers having temporary status vide DoPT’s O.M. No. 49014/3/97-Estt(C) dated 01.08.1998. Physically handicapped casual labourers having temporary status were entitled to transport allowance at double the normal rate subject to terms and conditions in M/o Finance, D/o Expenditure’s O.M. No. 19029/ 1/78-E-IV dated 31.08.78.
[O.M. No.49014/ 2/ 2008-Estt(C) dated 04.08.2008]
1.2 It was clarified that the limit on accumulation of total number of days of leave will be 300 days as in the case of regular Government employees. In other words CL TS can accumulate leave upto a maximum of 300 days only.
[O.M. No.49014/ 3/ 2007-Estt(C) dated 18.10.2007]
1.3 Paternity leave as admissible to regular Government employees was also extended to the casual labourers with temporary status and who has less than two surviving children may be granted Paternity leave for a period of 15 days during the confinement of his wife. During the period of such leave he shall be paid wages drawn immediately before proceeding on leave.
1.4. Paternity leave was not to be debited against the leave account and could be combined with pro-rata earned leave admissible to casual employees under “Casual Labourers (Grant of Temporary Status and regularisation) Scheme of Government of India, 1993.”
[O.M. No.49014/ 1/98-Estt(C) dated 01.04.1998]
1.5. Casual employees who have been granted temporary status were entitled to Transport Allowance for computation of their daily rates of wages.
[O.M. No.49014/ 3/97-Estt(C) dated 01.04.1998]
2. GPF and pensionary benefits:
2.1 The casual labourers who had been granted temporary status under the scheme, and had completed 3 years of continuous service after that, were entitled to contribute to the General Provident Fund. It was also decided that 50% of the service rendered under temporary status would be counted for the purpose of retirement benefits in respect of those casual labourers who have been regularised in terms of para 8 of the OM dated 10.09. 1993. This was applicable to all casual labourers covered under the scheme of 1993 whether they were regularised before or after 31.12.2003.
2.2 Regarding the modalities of transfer of the amount lying in the NPS account to the GPF account of these casual labourers, Controller General of Accounts (CGA) have furnished following clarifications:
(i) Adjustment of Employees contribution in Accounts:- Amount may be credited to individual’s GPF Account and the account may be recasted permitting up-to-date interest {Authority-FR-16 & Rule 11 of GPF Rules)
(ii) Adjustment of Government contribution under NPS in Accounts:- To be accounted for as (-) Dr. to object heads 70-Deduct Recoveries under major Head 2071- Pension and other Retirement benefit-Minor Head 911- Deduct Recoveries of overpayment (GAR 35 and para 3.10 of List of Major and Minor Head s of Accounts)
(iii) Adjustment of increased value of subscription on account of appreciation of investment- may be accounted for by crediting the amount to Govt. account under M.H.0071- Contribution towards Pensions and other Retirement Benefits 800- Other Receipts (Note under the above Head in LMMHA).
2.3 If the benefits under old pension scheme are to be allowed to a retired employee, who had contributed towards NPS at any stage, the entire NPS accumulations i.e. employee’s contribution + Government’s matching contribution + appreciation thereon should be remitted into the accredited bank of the PAO concerned.
On the implementation of the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission as per Government of India Notification dated 25th July, 2016, the Casual Labourers with Temporary Status will continue to receive their wages with effect from 01.01.2016 as per provisions of the Casual Labours (Grant of Temporary Status & Regularisation) Scheme, worked out on the basis of the pay scales of Group ‘C’ as per Level 1 of the Pay Matrix recommended by the 7th Central Pay Commission and approved by the Government provided they are matriculate. In case of the similarly placed non- matriculate Casual Labourers with Temporary Status the above benefit of wages w.e.f. 01.01.2016 may he extended only after imparting the requisite training, by the respective administrative Ministries/ Departments on the lines indicated in the MOF O.M. No. 1/1/2008-IC dated 24.12.2008.
Norms/procedure for promotion in the unified cadre of Track Maintainer
RBE No. 17/2020
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)
No.E(NG)I/2019/PM 5/10
New Delhi, dated February 04, 2020
The General Managers
All Zonal Railways & PUs.
(as per standard mailing list)
Sub : Norms/procedure for promotion in the unified cadre of Track Maintainer – Clarification.
Consequent to instructions issued vide Board’s letter No.2010/CE-1/Spl)/GNS/15 Pt.1 dated 17.08.2012 for restructuring/reorganization of the staffing pattern of Trackmen on the Indian Railways. further instructions were issued vide letter No. E(NG)I/2012/PM 5/1 dated 13.08.2013 and letter of same number dated 14.10.2014 laying down the norms/procedures for future promotion in the unified cadre of Track Maintainers.
Subsequently, instructions were issued vide letter No. 2010/CE-1/Spl)/GNS/15 Pt.1 dated 22.09.2014. stipulating the assignment of duties to the various Grades of Track Maintainers, wherein inter-alia, the erstwhile categories of Mate and Keyman have been shown designated as Track Maintainer Grade-I in GP Rs.2800 (Level-5) whereas in the earlier letter dated 17.08.2012 ibid, these categories are shown in GP 1800 (Level-1) and GP Rs.1900 (Level-2) respectively.
The aforesaid anomaly in the instructions dated 22.09.2014 ibid has lead to a number of court cases in the matter of promotions in the category of Track Maintainers.
In view of the above, to obviate arising of such ambiguity in the matter, it is clarified that instructions contained in letter No. 2010/CE-1/Spl)/ GNS/15Pt.1 dated 22.09.2014 is meant to show only the standard/usual assignment of duties in the various grades of Track Maintainers category and it may be distinguished from the AVC and normal residency period for promotion in this category, which is laid down in Board’s letter No. E(NG)I/2012/PM5/1 dated 13.08.2013 and letter of same number dated 14.10.2014.
In case of similar issue arising in future Court cases, the aforesaid clarification may be brought to notice while defending the matter.
This issues in consultation with the Civil Engineering Directorate of Railway Board.
Pay fixation method for regular promotion and MACP – Lok Sabha QA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 1227
ANSWERED ON: 10.02.2020
Pay Fixation Method
Kaushal Kishore
Will the Minister of
FINANCE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the pay-fixation method for regular promotion and MACP from 4200 Grade Pay to 4600 Pay are done in same manner for the Central Government employees in departments following 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC) and if not, the comments of the Ministry thereon;
(b) the details of the Rule 11 of the Central Civil Service (Revised Pay) Rule, 2008;
(c ) whether the Hon’ble Supreme Court has ordered for pay-fixation in MACP case from 4200 Grade Pay to 4600 Grade Pay to a minimum of Rs.18460/- under Rule 11 of the Central Civil Service (Revised Pay) Rule, 2008 in Appeal No 3052/2019 in case of Union of India and others in their judgment dated 14.03.2019 and if so, the details thereof and the Government reaction thereto;
(d) whether the employees with similar/identical cases could use/rely on the said order for applying for their pay- fixation or they have to separately undergo the same strenuous and unnecessary lengthy litigation process and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether a general order is necessary or the copy of the above order after will be sufficient enough for seeking pay-fixation for employee having similar/identical cases and if not, the time by which the general orders will be brought by the Ministry for guiding the concerned Departments in this regard?
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE ( SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR )
(a) As per Rule 13 of Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules 2008[CCS (RP) Rules 2008], the fixation of pay in the case of promotion from one Grade Pay to another Grade Pay is required to be done by granting one increment equal to 3% of the sum of the Pay in the Pay Band and the existing Grade Pay of the particular post will be computed and rounded off to next multiple of 10. This will be added to the existing Pay in the Pay Band. The Grade Pay corresponding to the promotion post will thereafter be granted in addition to this Pay in the Pay Band.
No separate method of fixation has been prescribed under MACP scheme. The benefit of pay fixation available at the time of regular promotion shall also be allowed at the time of financial upgradation under MACP scheme. Therefore, the pay shall be raised by 3% of total Pay in the Pay Band and Grade Pay drawn before such upgradation. There shall, however, be no further fixation of pay at the time of regular promotion if it is in the same Grade Pay as granted under MACP scheme. However, at the time of actual promotion if it happens to be in a post carrying higher Grade Pay than what is available under MACP scheme, no pay fixation would be available and only difference of Grade Pay would be made available. Further, in case of promotion to a higher Grade Pay other than what has been given under MACP, the employee shall have the option to draw the difference of Grade Pays from the date of such regular promotion/grant of Non-Functional Scale or the date of accrual of next increment in the pay allowed under MACP.
(b) The Rule 11 of CCS (RP) Rules, 2008 provides that where a Government servant continues to draw his pay in the existing scale and is brought over to the revised pay structure from a date later than 1st day of January, 2006, his Pay from the later date in the revised pay structure shall be fixed in the following manner:-
Pay in the Pay Band will be fixed by adding the Basic Pay applicable on the later date, the Dearness Pay applicable on that date and the pre-revised Dearness Allowance based on rates applicable as on 01.01.2006. This figure will be rounded off to the next multiple of 10 and will then become the Pay in the applicable Pay Band. In addition to this, the Grade Pay corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale will be payable. Where the Government servant is in receipt of special pay or non-practicing allowance, the methodology followed will be as prescribed in Rule 7(i),(B),(C) or (D) as applicable, except that the basic pay and dearness pay to be taken in to account will be the basic pay and dearness pay applicable as on that date but dearness allowance will be calculated as per rates applicable on 1.1.2006.
(c ) No, sir. Hon’ble Supreme Court has directed to fix the pay in terms of Rule 11 of CCS (RP) Rules 2008.
(d) The claims of the employees for fixation of pay in revised pay structure are to be addressed by the concerned Ministries/ Departments strictly in terms of CCS (RP) Rules 2008 in consultation with Ministry of Finance/Department of Expenditure wherever required;
(e) Hon’ble Supreme Court judgment dated 14.03.2019 in Civil Appeal No. 3052/2019 in the case of Union of India and others vs Raj Kumar Anand and others is specific to pay fixation matter of Shri Raj Kumar Anand and others and is in consonance with CCS(RP) Rules, 2008. Therefore, no general order / Office Memorandum is required to be issued by this Ministry/Department.
Railway clarification of grant of Advance incentive – increments to sportsperson
RBE No. 15/2020
Clarification/Corrigendum No.109
Government of India
Ministry of Railways
(Railway Board)
No. 2018/E (Sports) /4(1)/7/INC
dated 31.01.2020
The General Manager (P)
All Zonal Railways, Production Units and other units.
Sub: Clarification of grant of Advance incentive — increments to sportspersons.
Attention is invited to Board’s letter no E(Sports/2000/ Policy/INC/4 dated 24.07.2000 wherein it was clarified that advance increments granted to sportspersons and coaches will be treated as pay for all purposes and these increments will not be absurd in further increment. All benefits such as calculation of DA/HRA, CCA fixation of pay on promotion, retirement benefit etc. will be admissible on such increments.
1.1 In a further letter No. E(Sports)/2003/Policy/INC/1 dated 09.07.2009, it was advised that “the incentive increments granted to sportspersons would continue to be drawn at the same rate till retirement and these increments will not be counted for any service matters like pay fixation on promotion, retirements or DA/CCA etc. These increments will be in the form of Personal Pay, equal to the amount of the next increment due at the time of grant of the concession and will remain fixed during the entire service”.
2. The matter has been reviewed and the following are clarified:-
(i) Prior to 09.07.2009: advance increments granted to sportspersons/coaches are treated as pay for all purpose and count for all benefits of pay on promotion, retirement benefits etc. are admissible.
(ii) On or after 09.07.2009: Advance increments granted to sportspersons are to be drawn at the same rate till retirement and these increments are not counted for any service benefits like pay fixation on promotion retirement benefits etc.
This is issued in consultation with Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways (Railway Board).
(Bhaskar Roy Choudhury)
Dy. Director Estt.(Sports)
Railway Board
State Railway Provident Fund interest rate from Jan to March 2020
RBE No. 21/2020
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)
No.F(E)III/2003/PF1/1
New Delhi, Dated: 12.02.2020
The GMs/Principal Financial Advisers,
All Zonal Railways/Production Units etc.,
(As per mailing list)
Subject : State Railway Provident Fund — Rate of interest during the year 2019-20 (January, 2020 — March, 2020).
*****
A copy of Government of India’s Resolution No. 5(2)-8(PD)/2019 dated 15th January, 2020 issued by the Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) prescribing interest at the rate of 7.9% (Seven point nine percent) w.e-f. 1st January, 2020 to 31st March, 2020 on accumulations at the credit of the subscribers to State Railway Provident Fund, is enclosed, for information and necessary action.
(G. Priya Sudarsani)
Director, Finance (Estt.),
Railway Board.
Please refer to Director/IRIEEN’s letter mentioned above seeking clarification whether an officer with less than One year service is entitled for a new laptop as per existing Laptop Policy referred (2) above.
2. in this context, it is pointed out that as per Para 1.1.6 of the Laptop Policy referred (2) above, all Gazetted officers of Railway Units, Railway Board and officers of the other departments posted on deputation to Railway Board or various Railway Units are eligible for Laptops in lieu of Desktops. Hence, a serving officer is entitled to purchase a laptop irrespective of his/her remaining service.
3. The residual value is calculated as per Para 5 of the Laptop policy. However, a chart for calculation of the residual value of laptop for completed month-wise is attached herewith for reference purpose.
Encl. As Above.
(Rajnesh Singh)
Director Mech (C&IS)
Railway Board
Counting of service on joining new service in State Government/ Central Government/ autonomous body for the benefit of gratuity in respect of Central Govt. Employees covered under National Pension System (NPS)
No.7/5/2012-P&PW(F)/B
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Pension and Pensioners ‘ Welfare
Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market,
New Delhi, Dated the 12th February, 2020.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject : Counting of service on joining new service in State Government/ Central Government/ autonomous body for the benefit of gratuity in respect of Central Govt. Employees covered under National Pension System (NPS).
The undersigned is directed to say that vide this Department’s O.M.No.38/41/06-PW(A) dated 05.05.2009, in the event of death / disability during service, the benefits of Invalid / Disability pension, Family pension and retirement / death gratuity were provisionally extended to NPS employees at par with the employees appointed before 01.01.2004. Subsequently, the benefit of retirement gratuity and death gratuity has been extended to all Central Government employees covered under National Pension System (NPS) vide this Department’s OM No.7/5/2012-P&PW(F)/B dated 26.08.2016 on the same terms and conditions, as are applicable to employees covered by CCS (Pension)Rules, 1972.
2. References have been received in the Department seeking clarification with regard to the benefit of retirement gratuity on mobility from one organization to another organization. This matter has been considered in consultation with Department of Expenditure. It has been decided that the grant of retirement gratuity and counting of service for gratuity on mobility of an NPS Government employee may be regulated in the following manner:
(i) On mobility from a Central Government service to another Central Government service, the service rendered in the previous Department in the Central Government shall be counted for the purpose of grant of gratuity. There shall be no sharing of gratuity liability between the two Departments of Central Government.
(ii) On mobility from a Central Government service to a State Government service having National Pension system with provision for Retirement / Death Gratuity for its employees similar to those in Central Government, the service rendered in the Central Government shall be counted for the purpose of grant of gratuity. Same provisions shall apply on mobility of an NPS employee of the State Government to Central Government Department. There shall be no sharing of gratuity liability between the Central and State Governments.
(iii) On mobility from Central Government service to a Central or State Autonomous Body service having National Pension System with provision of retirement / death gratuity for its employees similar to that in the Central Government, the service rendered in the Central Government would be counted for grant of gratuity. The Government will discharge its gratuity liability by paying the amount of retirement gratuity for the service rendered in the Government to the Central or State Autonomous body. This procedure shall be followed mutatis mutandis in respect of NPS employees going over from one autonomous body to another autonomous body or from an autonomous body to Central Government / Department / organisation both having National Pension System with provision of retirement / death gratuity for its employees similar to that in the Central Government.
(iv) On mobility from Central Government ·service to a Central or State Autonomous Body or to a State Government where the provision for grant of gratuity similar to that in Central Government does not exist or to a Public Sector Undertaking, the NPS Government employees shall be granted retirement gratuity as per rule for the service rendered in the Central Government subject to the – condition that the total gratuity admissible in respect of the service rendered under the Government of India and that under the later organization, shall not exceed the amount that would have been admissible, had Government servant continued in Government service and retired on the same pay which he/ she drew on retirement from the later Organization.
The above provisions would be applicable to Government employees covered under NPS who resign to take up with proper permission, another appointment in the Central / State Government or Central / State Autonomous body or a PSU.
3. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure vide their U.O. Not No. 1(4)/EV/2006-II Dated 30.10.2019.
4. In their application to the employees of Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issued after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, as mandated under Article 148(5) of the Constitution. ·
5. All the Ministries / Departments are requested to bring the above instruction to the notice of all offices / field formation working under their administrative control
(Ruchir Mittal)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.472 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2020
SIMPLIFYING ISSUANCE OF PASSPORTS
472. SHRI ARUN SAO:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has formulated any plan to simplify the procedure of issuing passports and establishing new passport offices;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Ministry has given any directive to open ‘Passport Seva Kendras’ in head post office of the districts;
(d) if so, the State-wise and district-wise details of ‘Passport Seva Kendras’ established in the country including Chhattisgarh so far; and
(e) the other steps being taken by the Government to improve existing procedure of issuing passports which is time consuming and complicated?
ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]
(a) & (b) Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK) are being set up in association with the Department of Posts in order to bring passport services closer to people residing in villages/remote/rural areas of the country. The POPSK are functioning like the other existing 93 Passport Seva Kendras (PSK). The process of is¬suing passports has not changed after the opening of the POPSK. Applicants, who apply for their passports online through the passport portal, can schedule an appointment and then visit the designated POPSK to complete the formalities, similar to those at the PSK, prior to the issue of the passport. The photographs, bio¬metrics and the supporting documents would be electronically captured at the POPSK prior to the issue of the Passport.
(c) Before 2014, 77 Passport Seva Kendras were operational in the country. Af¬ter 2014, 16 new Passport Seva Kendras were established by this Government. Thereafter, in the year 2017, a decision was taken in co-operation with the Department of Posts to open ‘Post Office Passport Seva Kendras’ (POPSK), under which as on 30 January, 2020, 424 POPSK have been established.
(d) The details of the 517 Passport Seva Kendras established in the country, including in Chhattisgarh, is enclosed at Annexure I.
(e) The Ministry has eased the passport issuing process and has made it an online procedure including getting appointments for submission of documents for passports. Effective technical infrastructure is in place to ensure that the Passport Seva system is available for access at all times from any location. The Passport Portal (www.passportindia.gov.in) is accessible to anyone, anywhere and anytime. With a view to address the challenge of digital divide, especially in the rural hinterland, the Ministry in association with CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd. (which is promoted by the Department of Electronics and IT), has facilitated online filing of passport applications, through the vast network of Common Service Centres (CSCs) across rural hinterland.
An applicant can now apply for a passport from anywhere in India. But Police verification would be conducted by the Police Station in whose jurisdiction the address mentioned in the form falls and the passport will also be dispatched at the same address.
The mPassport Seva mobile app enables to apply, pay and schedule appointments for passport services. It also provides passport related information including location of Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs), applicable fees, mode of submission, and tracking of passport application status on smart phones. Citizens would not require access to a computer and printer to apply for passport services.
Securing online appointment for submission of passport applications at PSK/ POPSK has been simplified. The current provision is allowing applicants to choose any appointment date from the earliest five available dates (working days) for scheduling/ rescheduling an appointment for passport related services. Earlier, the System used to offer only one available date to the applicant for seeking appointment for passport related services.
In order to streamline, liberalize and ease the process of issue of passport, the Ministry has taken a number of steps to simplify passport policy which is expected to benefit the citizens of India in applying for and getting a passport. This is at Annexure-II.
Consequent upon implementation of recommendations of 6th CPC as accepted by Govt. of India, posts of Chief Matron & Matron in the pre-revised scale of Rs. 7450-11500 & Rs. 6500-10500 were granted a revised pay structure of PB-3 (Rs. 15600-39100) + GP Rs. 5400.
2. Fixation tables were issued as Annexure ‘E’ to Board’s letter No. PC-VI/2008/I/RSRP/1 dated 11.09.2008 for fixation of initial pay in 6th CPC pay structure in respect of existing employees (already in service as on 1.1.2006) in cases where normal replacement pay structure were prescribed. Further clarifications were issued vide letter No. PC-VI/2008/I/RSRP/1 dated 11.11.2008 regarding methodology for fixation of pay where upgraded pay structure were given.
3. References were received from various Zonal Railways seeking necessary clarification/fixation tables regarding correct methodology for fixation of pay (indicating benefit of bunching) for the posts of Chief Matron/ Matron (pre-revised scale of Rs. 7450-11500 & 6500-10500) where various stages in pre-revised scales are getting bunched at minimum of PB-3 (Rs. 15600).
4. The matter has been examined in consultation with Finance Dte of this Ministry and accordingly, provisional fixation tables in respect of Chief Matron/ Matron in the pre-revised scale of 6500-10500 & 7450-11500 (placed in revised pay scale of 15600-39100 + GP 5400) are annexed herewith for utilizing the same for initial pay fixation in 6th CPC pay structure for the above posts.
5. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of this Ministry.
(U. K. Tiwari)
Jt. Director, Pay Commission
Railway Board
