Admissibility to travel by Tejas Express, Vande Bharat Express & Humsafar Express trains under LTC: DOPT
F.No. 31011/3/2022 โ PP. A-IV Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions Department of Personnel & Training (Pers. Policy Division)
North Block, New Delhi. Dated: 14th January, 2025
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject :- Admissibility to travel by Tejas Express, Vande Bharat Express & Humsafar Express trains under Leave Travel Concession (LTC)-reg.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Departmentโs O.M. No. 31011/8/2017-Estt.A-IV dated 19.09.2017 regarding admissibility to travel by premium /specific trains under CCS(LTC) Rules, 1988.
2. This department has been receiving a number of references from different offices/individuals about the admissibility of various premium trains like Tejas, Express, Vande Bharat Express & Humsafar Express trains under Leave Travel Concession.
3. The matter has been examined by this Department in consultation with Department of Expenditure and it has been decided that apart from existing Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains, travel by Tejas Express, Vande Bharat Express & Humsafar Express trains under LTC as per the entitlement of the Government employees, has now been allowed, as under:-
Pay Level in Pay Matrix (as per 7th Central Pay Commission) of the Central Government employees
Travel Entitlement for LTC in Premium Trains (i.e. Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat Express, Tejas Express, Humsafar Express trains)
Shatabdi or Similar type trains
Rajdhani Type or Similar type trains
Level 12 and above
Executive Class
AC 1st Class
Level 6 to 11
Chair Car
AC 2nd Class
Level 5 and below
Chair Car
AC 3rd Class
4. The other terms and conditions of O.M. No. 31011/8/2017-Estt.A-IV dated 19.09.2017 shall remain the same.
5. This issues with the approval of Competent Authority.
(G.K. Rajtish) Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
Approval of the Competent Authority for the schedule of Summer, Autumn and Winter Vacation and Breaks for Academic Session 2025-26 is notified as tabulated: below: โ
Principals of K.V. Kathmandu/ Moscow and/ Tehran will issue Vacation and Break schedule at local level under rule after consultation with Indian Embassy in respective Country under intimation to KVS (HQ), New Delhi.
Both the dates (days) of Vacation & Breaks are inclusive.
If the day before closing or day of opening of Vidyalaya is a holiday or a holiday declared by government the same will be clubbed with Vacation & Break as a prefix/ suffix accordingly.
Sd/- (เคกเฅ เคชเฅ. เคฆเฅเคตเคเฅเคฎเคพเคฐ Dr. P. Devakumar) เคธเคเคฏเฅเคเฅโเคค เคเคฏเฅเคเฅโเคค (เคถเฅเคเฅเคทเคฟเค) Joint Commissioner (Acad.)
Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (2016=100) โ November, 2024
1. Labour Bureau, an attached office of the M/o Labour & Employment, has been compiling Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers every month on the basis of retail prices collected from 317 markets spread over 88 industrially important centres in the country. The index for the month of November, 2024 is being released in this press release.
2. The All-India CPI-IW for November, 2024 remained stationary at 144.5 points (one hundred forty four point five).
National Executive Committee Meeting of the Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers Scheduled for February 8, 2025
The Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers has officially announced the upcoming meeting of its National Executive Committee. This crucial gathering is scheduled to take place on February 8, 2025, at 10:30 AM at A-2/95 Manisnath Bhavan, ITEF HQ, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi.
Key Agenda Items:
The meeting will address several significant topics aimed at strengthening the organization and advancing its goals. The agenda includes:
Homage to Martyrs
Organizational Review
Review of Agitational Programs observed after last National Executive Committee meeting, and to chalk out charter of demands and future course of action programs on it.
Review of financial status of Confederation and remittance of quota to CHQ
A/C of affliates and conferences of State COCs
Any other items with the permission of the chair
The meeting is expected to play a vital role in strategizing the Confederation’s future actions, addressing grievances, and enhancing the overall welfare of central government employees.
Note: All the National Executive Committee members are requested to ensure their presence in the National Executive Committee Meeting
(TO BE PUBLISHED IN PART I SECTION 1 OF GAZETTE OF INDIA) INO. 5(3)-B(PD) 2023 Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Economic Affairs (Budget Division)
New Delhi, the 03 January, 2025
RESOLUTION
It is announced for general information that during the year 2024-25, 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) w.e.f. 1st January, 2025 to 31st March, 2025. This rate will be in force w.e.f. 1st January, 2025. The funds concerned are:
Centralized Pension Payments System fully rolled out in all Regional Offices of EPFO
In a landmark move towards enhancing pension services, EPFO completed full scale rollout of the new Centralized Pension Payments System (CPPS) under Employeesโ Pension Scheme 1995 in December 2024. About Rs. 1570 Crore pension was disbursed to more than 68 Lakh pensioners pertaining to all 122 pension disbursing Regional offices of EPFO for December 2024.
The first pilot of Centralized Pension Payment System (CPPS) was successfully completed in October, 2024 in Karnal, Jammu and Srinagar Regional Offices with the pension disbursement of about Rs 11 Crore to more than 49,000 EPS Pensioners. The second pilot was taken up in November, 2024 in 24 Regional Offices in which around Rs. 213 crores pension was disbursed to more than 9.3 lakh pensioners.
Announcing the successful rollout, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said, “The full-scale implementation of the Centralized Pension Payments System (CPPS) across all Regional Offices of EPFO is a historic milestone. This transformative initiative empowers pensioners to access their pension seamlessly from any bank, any branch, anywhere in the country. It eliminates the need for physical verification visits and simplifies the pension disbursement process. CPPS is a testament to our commitment to modernizing EPFO services and ensuring convenience, transparency, and efficiency for our pensioners. With this rollout, we are setting a new benchmark in pension service delivery, aligning with the vision of a tech-enabled and member-centric EPFO.โ
The CPPS is a paradigm shift from the existing pension disbursement system that is decentralized, with each Zonal/Regional Office of EPFO maintaining separate agreements with only 3-4 banks. In CPPS, not only the pensioner will be able to take pension from any bank, but also, there will be no need for pensioners to visit the bank for any verification at the time of commencement of pension and the pension shall be immediately credited upon release.
The CPPS system from January 2025 onwards would also ensure disbursement of pension throughout India without any need for transfer of Pension Payment Orders (PPO) from one office to another even when the Pensioner moves from one location to another or changes his bank or branch. This would be a great relief to pensioners who move to their hometown after retirement.
EPFO is continuously working towards improving services for EPS pensioners and new CPPS system is a major reform in this direction.
India Post Introduces Paperless e-KYC for Seamless Post Office Savings Bank Services
The Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, has recently introduced a significant advancement in customer verification and account management processes. As per the order numbered 25-01/2018-FS-CBS dated January 1, 2025, the department has implemented a paperless Know Your Customer (e-KYC) process for Post Office Savings Bank (POSB) account opening and transactions through Aadhaar biometric authentication.
Phased Implementation of e-KYC
The e-KYC-based account opening process will be rolled out in phases. In Phase I, the onboarding of new customers and the creation of Customer Information Files (CIFs) will be conducted through Aadhaar authentication. Additionally, single and individual-type Post Office Savings Accounts (POSAs) will be opened via e-KYC in departmental post offices. Necessary changes have already been implemented in the Finacle Core Banking Solution (CBS) to support this transition.
New Finacle Menus for e-KYC
The Department has introduced the following new Finacle menus to streamline e-KYC processes:
S.No.
Menu
Purpose
1
ECCRC
Creation of CIF through Aadhaar Authentication (e-KYC CIF creation) and updating existing CIFs to e-KYC through the Re-KYC process.
2
ECMRC
Modification of CIF through Aadhaar Authentication (e-KYC CIF modification).
Updates to Existing Menus
Several existing Finacle menus have been enhanced to accommodate e-KYC functionalities:
S.No.
Menu
Change in Brief
1
CASBAO
Enables opening of Single โ Individual (Adult) type POSA through Aadhaar authentication using e-KYC CIF.
2
CASBAM
Allows modification of e-KYC-based POSA using Aadhaar authentication.
3
CTM / CXFER
Provides an option for transactions in POSA through Aadhaar authentication and via Pay-in-Slip or Withdrawal Form (paper-based).
4
CICD
Displays the masked Aadhaar number and reference number for e-KYC CIFs.
This initiative aims to streamline and expedite the account opening process, enhancing customer convenience by reducing the reliance on physical documentation. By leveraging Aadhaar-based biometric authentication, the department ensures a secure and efficient method for verifying customer identities, thereby minimizing the risk of fraud and errors associated with manual processes.
The e-KYC process is expected to significantly reduce the time required for account opening and transaction approvals, providing customers with quicker access to banking services. Additionally, this move aligns with the government’s Digital India initiative, promoting the adoption of digital technologies in public services to improve accessibility and efficiency.
Customers interested in opening a POSB account or conducting transactions can now utilize the e-KYC facility by providing their Aadhaar number and undergoing biometric authentication at designated post offices. This development marks a substantial step towards modernizing postal banking services in India, offering a seamless and user-friendly experience for account holders.
Small Savings Schemes interest rates from Jan 2025 to March 2025
F.No.1/4/2019-NS Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Economic Affairs (Budget Division)
North Block, New Delhi Dated: 31.12.2024
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Revision of interest rates for Small Savings Schemes โ reg.
The rates of interest on various Small Savings Schemes for the fourth quarter of FY 2024-25 starting from 1st January, 2025 and ending on 31st March, 2025 shall remain unchanged from those notified for the third quarter (1st October, 2024 to 31st December, 2024) of FY 2024-25.
2. This has the approval of the competent authority.
Submission of Annual Immovable Property Returns by Government Servants – Deadline: 31st January 2025
Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, lAS Additional Secretary
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS NORTH BLOCK NEW DELHI-110001
D.O. No. 11013/17/2023 – PP.A-III
Dated 30th December, 2024
Dear Sir / Madam,
As you are aware, in terms of Rule 18 of the CCS(Conduct) Rules, 1964 and executive instructions issued under this rule, from time to time, members of Central Civil Services/Posts are required to file Annual Immovable Property Return (IPR) of the previous year latest by 31st January of the following year, invariably, to their cadre controlling authority, in the prescribed form and mode of submission. The need for obtaining these returns regularly and making careful scrutiny of the same was reiterated from time to time, the last such instruction being issued vide OM No. 11013/17/2023-PP.A-III dated 14 July, 2023. Failure on the part of the Government servants to comply with the requirements of these provisions/instructions constitutes good and sufficient reason for, inter alia, institution of disciplinary proceedings against them.
2. Further, vide OM No. 104/33/2024-AVD-IA dated 09.10.2024, vigilance clearance for the purpose of (a) inclusion in the offer list, (b) empanelment, (c) ex-India study leave, (d) any deputation for which clearance is necessary and extension thereof; (e) appointments to sensitive posts, (1) assignments to training programmes except mandatory training, (g) confirmation in service, (h) retirement on VRS, (1) post-retirement commercial employment, and 0) pre-mature repatriation (voluntary) from any deputation, may be denied to an officer who fails to submit IPR within the stipulated time-frame.
3. Despite issuance of instructions regularly, it has been noticed that some officers, due to undue delay in submission of Annual IPR within the stipulated date, remain unable to obtain the vigilance clearance for the purposes mentioned in Para 2. The officers/officials are, therefore, need to be suitably sensitized to timely submission of their IPR.
4. In view of the foregoing, I shall be grateful if you would issue necessary directions to the concerned officers to ensure that all the officers/officials working in your Ministry/Department and organizations under it, submit their IPR, in the prescribed mode of submission, within the stipulated date e.g. latest by 31.01.2025 in respect of the year 2024.
With warm regards
Yours Sincerely
(Manoj Kumar Dwivedi)
Secretaries to the Government of India (As per standard list)
Entitlement on resignation from railway service in respect of railway servant covered under the National Pension System: RBE O.M
RBE No.113/2024
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR) MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAY) (RAILWAY BOARD)
No. 2024/F(E)IINM/NPS1/10
New Delhi, dated:24.12.2024.
The General Managers/Principal Financial Advisers, All Zonal Railways/Production Units etc., DGs of RDSO and NAIR.
Subject: Entitlement on resignation from railway service in respect of railway servant covered under the National Pension System -reg.
The New Pension Scheme (now called as National Pension System(NPS)) was introduced vide Ministry of Finance. Department of Economic Affairsโ notification No. 5/7/2003-ECB & PR dated 22.12.2003. It was provided that the NPS would be mandatory for all new recruits to the Central Government service from 1st of January, 2004 except Armed Forces. The same was adopted on Railways vide Boardโs letter No. F(E)III/2003/PN1/24 dated 31.12.2003.
2 On resignation from a service or a post, unless it is allowed to be withdrawn in the public interest by the appointing authority, the lump sum and the annuity out of the Subscriberโs accumulated pension corpus shall be paid to him in accordance with the regulations notified by the Authority as admissible in the case of exit of a Subscriber from the National Pension System before superannuation.
3. Such payment of lump sum withdrawal and annuity shall not be made before the expiry of a period of ninety days from the date on which the resignation becomes effective and the Subscriber is relieved of his duty
4 However. if the Subscriber dies before the expiry of a period of ninety days from the date on which the resignation becomes effective, the payment shall be made to the person eligible to receive such payment immediately in accordance with the regulations notified by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) as admissible in the case of exit of a Subscriber from the National Pension System before superannuation.
5 The railway servant on his resignation from service, at his option, may continue to subscribe to the National Pension System with the same Permanent Retirement Account Number. as a non-Government subscriber in accordance with the regulations notified by PFRDA.
(G. Priya Sudarsani) Director, Finance (Estt.) Railway Board
