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Simplifying Issuance of Passports : Lok Sabha QA

Simplifying Issuance of Passports : Lok Sabha QA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

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.

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Fixation of initial pay of Nursing Cadre in the revised pay structure

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

PC-VI No. 402
RBE No. 09/2020

No. PC-VI/2009/1/6/5

New Delhi, dated: 30.01.2020
11.02.2020

The General Manager (P),
All Indian Railways & Production Units
(as per mailing list)

Sub : Fixation of initial pay of Nursing Cadre in the revised pay structure — Circulation of Fixation Tables reg.

Ref: Board’s letters No. PC-V1/2008/I/RSRP/I dated 11.09.2008 & 22.09.2008.

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

Signed Copy

BSNL VRS-2019 – Acceptance of VR Options – Community Dispute cases

BHARAT SANCHAR NIGAM LIMITED
(A GOVT. OF INDIA ENTERPRISE)
O/O CHIEF GENERAL MANAGER, T.N.CIRCLE
NO.16, NEW ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING,
GREAMS ROAD, CHENNAI-600 006.

No.TSA/1-8/2019/VRS/PART-I/5 dated at Chennai the 29/01/2020

To
All BA Heads in TN Circle

Sub : BSNL VRS-2019 – Acceptance of VR Options – Community Dispute cases -reg.

*****

The Voluntary Retirement (VR) options in respect of the employees in whose cases Community Certificate verification is pending before the State Level Scrutiny Committee (SLSC) are yet to be accepted by the competent authority concerned.

In this connection, approval of competent authority is hereby conveyed for accepting the VR options of such employees provisionally with the following conditions:

1. A note regarding the pendency of community certificate verification before the SLSC shall be made by the competent authority in the VR Acceptance Order

2. The employee concerned shall be paid provisional pension. The other retirement benefits viz DCRG, Commuted Value of Pension and Ex-gratia and Leave Encashment shall be withheld till the outcome of community certificate verification by State Level Scrutiny Committee as per the existing procedure.

3. If any adverse verification report is received after retirement of such employees under BSNL VRS-2019, suitable action/ Disciplinary action shall be initiated according to the relevant rules/ regulations.

Further, in respect of the executives whose community status is under verification before SLSC and whose VR Options have already been accepted by BSNL Corporate Office/ Circle Office, the pendency of community verification may kindly be indicated in the VR Acceptance Order issued by BSNL Corporate Office/ Circle Office before serving those orders to the executives and acknowledgement taken from them.

In all the community dispute cases, separate letters may kindly be sent to Principal CCA DoT Cell regarding pendency of community verification status to withhold the retirement benefits as per the existing procedure.

Copy to: PGM (F) TN Circle Office

Assistant General Manager (Staff),
O/o CGM, BSNL, TN Circle Chennai

Suspension of continuous empanelment of HCOs under CGHS in Delhi/NCR – Clarification

Suspension of continuous empanelment of HCOs under CGHS in Delhi/NCR – Clarification

No: S.11011/04/2018-CGHS (HEC)
Government of India
Department of Health & Family Welfare
Directorate General of Central Government Health Scheme
Office of the Director, CGHS

***

Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi.
Dated the 10th February, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : Clarification on OM dated 7.2.2020 regarding suspension of Continuous Empanelment of Health Care Organizations (HCOs) under CGHS in Delhi/NCR

With reference to above mentioned subject the undersigned is directed to draw attention to the Office Memorandum vide F.No. S-11011/03/2018-CGHS (HEC) dated 7.2.2020 vide which continuous empanelment of Health Care Organizations had been suspended in CGHS in Delhi/NCR (Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Noida, Greater Noida etc.). In this regard it is to clarify that said OM pertained only to suspension of further empanelment of new Health Care Organizations in Delhi/NCR and already empaneled Health Care Organizations would continue to remain on CGHS panel in all CGHS cities including Delhi/ NCR. It is further clarified that applications received prior to issuance of said OM dated 7.2.2020 under Continuous empanelment scheme, 2017 would be considered for empanelment.

All other conditions in said OM dated 7.2.2020 would remain same.

[Dr. Sanjay Jain]
Director (CGHS)
Tel- 011-23062800

Also Read Eligibility of Permanently Disabled Son of a CGHS Beneficiary to avail CGHS facility

No: S.11011/03/2018-CGHS (HEC)
Government of India
Department of Health & Family Welfare
Directorate General of Central Government Health Scheme
Office of the Director, CGHS

***

Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi.
Dated the 7th February, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Suspension of continuous empanelment of Health Care Organizations (HCOs) under CGHS in Delhi/NCR.

With reference to above mentioned subject the undersigned is directed to draw attention to the Office Memorandum vide F.No. S-11045/36/2012-CGHS (HEC) dated 26.12.2017 vide which continuous empanelment of NABH/ NABL accredited/QCI recommended Health Care Organizations had been initiated in all CGHS cities including Delhi/NCR. The matter has now been reviewed by this ministry and it is now decided that Continuous Empanelment Scheme shall remain suspended in Delhi/NCR (Gurugrarn, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Noida, Greater Noida etc.) till further orders.

This OM becomes effective from the date of issue.

[Dr. Sanjay Jain]
Director (CGHS)

Signed Copy

Participation by Central Government Servants in All India Civil Services Competitions

Participation by Central Government Servants in All India Civil Services Competitions/events in Music, Dance and Drama

F. No. 6/2/2019-Estt.(Pay-I)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 11th February, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : Participation by Central Government Servants in All India Civil Services Competitions/events in Music, Dance and Drama -reg.

With a view to encourage participation of Central Government servants in All India Civil Services Competitions/events in Music, Dance and Drama, the President is pleased to decide that the participation of Central Government servants in the All India Civil Services Competitions/events in Music, Dance and Drama conducted by the Central Civil Services Cultural & Sports Board or under its aegis, may be treated as on duty, and such Central Government servants may also be considered for travel entitlements for Journey on Tour.

Also ReadLatest DOPT ORDERS 2020

2. Insofar as the employees belonging to the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders are issued in consultation with the Comptroller & Auditor General of India.

3. This OM will be effective from the date of its issuance.

4. Hindi Version will follow.

(Rajeev Bahree)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Signed Copy

Non-Functional upgradation for Officers of Organized Group ‘A’ Services in PB-3, PB-4 and HAG

Non-Functional upgradation for Officers of Organized Group ‘A’ Services in PB-3, PB-4 and HAG

No. AB. 14017/ 30/ 2011-Estt.(RR)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training

***

New Delhi, the 11th February, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject :- Non-Functional upgradation for Officers of Organized Group ‘A’ Services in PB-3, PB-4 and HAG.

A reference is invited to this Department OM No.AB.14017 / 64/ 2008- Estt.(RR) dated 24.04.09 on the above subject. The details of batch of the officers belonging to the Indian Administrative Service who have been posted at the Centre in various grades of PB-3, PB-4 and HAG was last circulated in this Department OM of even No. dated 10-1-2020.

2. The details of the IAS officers who have been posted in the Centre in the various grades as well as the date of posting of the first officer belonging to the hatch are annexed for necessary action.

3. Hindi version will follow.

Also Read Latest DOPT ORDERS 2020

(K. Prakasham)
Under Secretary

Department of Personnel & Training

No. AB-14017/30/2011-Estt. (RR)

Dated 11 February 2020

S. No Batch and Level Date of appointment Batch of Organized Group ‘A’ service to be considered for non- functional  up-gradation
1 2005 as Director 1-7-2019 2003 & earlier w.e.f. 1.7.2019
2 2010 as Deputy Secretary 1-7-2019 2008 & earlier w.e.f. 1.7.2019

Signed Copy

Concession in Home Loan Interest Rates : Loksabha QA

Concession in Home Loan Interest Rates : Loksabha QA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 919
TO BE ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 06, 2020

CONCESSION IN HOME LOAN INTEREST RATES

No. 919. DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR:
SHRI SADASHIV KISAN LOKHANDE:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether any concession in interest rates on home loans is being provided at Central level to purchase/construct houses in Maharashtra; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and the number of people benefited in this regard in Maharashtra during the last three years?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

(a) & (b)Yes, Sir. Government is implementing a Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) as one of the components of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) [PMAY(U)] to provide interest subsidy for housing loans to eligible beneficiaries. The main features of CLSS are at Annexure – I.During the last three years 1,46,638 households have availed benefits under CLSS in Maharashtra.

Annexure – I

Annexure for Lok SabhaUnstarred Question No 919 for 06.02.2020

S.No. Particulars EWS/LIG MIG-I MIG-II
1 Household Income (Rs. Per Annum) Up to.3,00,000/- for EWS and between 3,00,001 to 6,00,000 for LIG Between 600,001 upto 12,00,000 Between 12,00,001 upto 18,00,000
2 Interest Subsidy (% p.a) 6.50% 4% 3%
3 Maximum loan tenure (in years) 20 20 20
4 Eligible Housing Loan Amount for Interest Subsidy (Rs.) 6,00,000* 9,00,000* 12,00,000*
5 Dwelling Unit Carpet Area (Sq.mtr) 30#/60# Up to 160 Up to 200
6 Discount Rate for Net Present Value (NPV) calculation for 9% 9% 9%
interest subsidy
7 Upfront Amount for Subsidy (approximately in Rs.) 2,67,280 2,35,000 2,30,000

*Loans beyond this limit will be at non-subsidised rates.
#The beneficiary, at his/her his discretion can build a house of larger area but interest subsidy would be limited to first Rs. 6 lakh only.

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Payment of TRCA on Sunday Holidays to GDS

Payment of TRCA on Sunday Holidays to GDS

File No. 23-01/2019-GDS
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts
(GDS Section)

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg
New Delhi – 110001

Dated: 12.02.2020

Office Memorandum

Sub :- Payment of TRCA on Sundays / Holidays to the GDS working against Leave vacancies/Vacant posts in Postman/Mail Guard/MTS Cadre.

In the present set up, Gramin Dak Sevaks are working against the leave vacancy/vacant posts of Postman/Mail Guard/MTS Cadre in departmental Post Offices. As per Directorate order no. 47-19/90-SPB-II dated 23.04.1992 regarding grant of paid National Holidays to GDS employees when appointed against the Postman/Mail Guard/MTS Cadre against leave vacancy/vacant posts, these GDS are getting salary for Sunday if they continuously works for 6 days. Similarly, GDS are also getting 3 National Holidays if it falls on working day, provided he/she works on both the preceding/succeeding working days to the National Holidays. However, no extra payment on account of National Holidays will be made to persons working substitutes of GDS in view of fact that payment of remuneration to GDS is made on monthly basis.

2. Similarly, GDS substituting in leave vacancy/Vacant posts of Postman/Mail Guard/MTS Cadre are deprived of Productivity Linked Bonus for the period of officiating as Postman/MTS is on the pretext that they are on Leave Without Allowance.

3. For substitutes, as per As per Directorate orders vide no.17-07/2019-GDS dated 09.10.2019, substitutes of GDS who have worked in leave vacancies/Vacant Post in Postman/Mail Guard/MTS Cadre are also paid on the basis of minimum of revised TRCA level of that post of GDS.

4. In view of above, in supersession of this office memo of even no. dated 23.10.2019, following orders are issued with the approval of the Competent Authority:-

i) Gramin Dak Sevaks when appointed against the leave vacancy/vacant post of regular Postman/MTS, these GDS will get salary for all the Postal Holidays if the Postal Holidays falls on working day, provided he/she works on both the preceding/succeeding working days to the Postal Holidays. However, no extra payment on account of Postal Holidays will be made to persons working substitutes of GDS in view of fact that payment of remuneration to GDS is made on monthly basis.

ii) GDS are when appointed against the leave vacancy/vacant post of regular Postman/MTS, have to apply for leave without allowance as GDS. There is a difference in Leave Without Allowance for personal reasons and Leave Without Allowance for officiating as Postman/MTS. In this case, the GDS is on official duty and is contributing to the productivity. Hence GDS while on LWA for official duty, there is no question of deducting this period for PLB.

(S.B .Vyavahare)
Assistant Director General( GDS/PCC)

Signed Copy

Dispensation of conditions of applying for Govt Accommodation and furnishing of ‘No Accommodation Certificate’ for HRA

Dispensation of conditions of applying for Govt Accommodation and furnishing of ‘No Accommodation Certificate’ for HRA

IMMEDIATE
POLICY MATTER

रक्षा लेखा महानियंत्रक
उलान बटार मार्ग, पालम, दिल्ली छावनी – 110010
CONTROLLER GENERAL OF DEFENCE ACCOUNTS
Ulan Batar Road, Palam, Delhi Cantt.-110010

No. AN/XII/18007/1/Vol.54

Dated: 10.02.2020

KIND ATTENTION OF PCDA/CDA/ESTATE OFFICERS

To

All PCsDA/CsDA
PCA (Fys) Kolkata

(Through CGDA’s website)

Sub : Dispensation of conditions of applying for Government Accommodation and furnishing of ‘No Accommodation Certificate’ for admissibility of House Rent Allowance.

Reference is invited to Govt. of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure Office Memorandum No. 2/5/2017-E.IIB dated 05.03.2019 (copy attached) wherein the Ministry has dispensed with the condition of applying for Government Accommodation and furnishing of ‘No Accommodation Certificate’ by Central Government employees to become eligible for HRA, in respect of General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) controlled by Directorate of Estate, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. It has been further stipulated in the ibid Office Memorandum that Ministries/Departments having their separate pool of residential accommodation for their employees other than GPRA, have been suggested to adopt these provision, wherever feasible.

2. Accordingly, comments from PCDA/CDA/Estate Officers were called for and the matter was under consideration at this office. Now, in terms of rules contained in Allotment of DAD Pool Residential Accommodation Rules, 2019, it has been decided with the approval of Competent Authority that the provision of Govt. of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure Office Memorandum No. 2/5/2017-E.IIB dated 05.03.2019 shall be applied to DAD Pool Residential Accommodations except Reserved or Appointment accommodation at various stations pan India with retrospective effect ie. w.e.f. 05.03.2019, the date of issue of ibid orders.

3. PCDA/CDA/Estate Officers are therefore requested to apply the ibid Office Memorandum dated 05.03.2019 on DAD Pool Residential Accommodations except Reserved or Appointment accommodation and dispense with the conditions of applying for Government Accommodation and furnishing of ‘No Accommodation Certificate’ for admissibility of House Rent Allowance w.e.f. 05.03.2019.

Encl: As above

(Rajeev Ranjan Ktimar)
Deputy CGDA (Admin)

Signed Copy

 

Equal Pay for Equal Work : Lok Sabha QA

Equal Pay for Equal Work : Lok Sabha QA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
(DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 505
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2020)

EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK

505. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) whether all Government Departments/PSUs/ Corporations under the Central Government are complying with the Delhi High Court order regarding ‘Equal Pay for Equal Work’ for casual workers;

(b) if not, the details thereof; and

(c) the action taken by the Government to rectify the situation?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES
AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE

(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) to (c): In compliance of the order of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court in case of M/s Suman Forwarding Agency Pvt. Ltd, Department of Personnel & Training has issued O.M. dated 04.09.2019 reiterating the provisions of the earlier O.M. dated 07.06.1988, which are as follows:

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 eight hours a day.

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 & Employment or by the State Government/ Union Territory Administration, whichever is higher, as per the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.

The provisions are applicable to all Ministries/Departments.

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