(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 Employees’ 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.”
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 — 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 – 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 Affairs’ 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 Board’s 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 Subscriber’s 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
Download Admit Card for TNPSC Combined Civil Services Examination (Group VA Services)
The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) has released the admit cards (Memorandum of Admission) for the Combined Civil Services Examination (Group VA Services) scheduled for January 4, 2025 (Forenoon & Afternoon).
The exam is intended for recruitment by transfer from among holders of Junior Assistant or Assistant posts in the Tamil Nadu Ministerial Service/Tamil Nadu Judicial Ministerial Service (Notification No. 16/2024 dated October 17, 2024). The written test will be conducted in descriptive mode.
TNPSC Press Release
Commission had invited online applications for recruitment by transfer from among the holders of the posts of Junior Assistant or Assistant in the Tamil Nadu Ministerial Service / Tamil Nadu Judicial Ministerial Service to the post in Combined Civil Services Examination – Group VA Services (Notification No. 16/2024 dated 17.10.2024), for which the Examination is scheduled to be held on 04.01.2025 F.N & A.N by Descriptive Mode.
The Memorandum of Admission (Hall Ticket) for the admitted candidates for the said examination have been hosted in the Commission’s website www.tnpsc.gov.in and www.tnpscexams.in. The Memorandum of Admission (Hall Ticket) can be downloaded through One Time Registration (OTR DASHBOARD) of the candidates by entering his/her Application Number and Date of Birth.
Periodic revisions and arrears payment for One Rank One Pension: Lok Sabha QA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1881 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06th December, 2024
ONE RANK ONE PENSION
1881. SHRI CHAMALA KIRAN KUMAR REDDY: Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has addressed all demands from veterans’ organizations regarding periodic revisions and arrears payment under the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, if so, the details thereof;
(b) the details of the financial implications of the latest OROP revision including the number of beneficiaries and total expenditure, year-wise;
(c) whether any challenges have been faced in the disbursement of arrears and pension under the scheme and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has assessed the sustainability of the increasing fiscal burden due to OROP and the measures taken to ensure long-term viability; and
(e) if so, the details thereof along with the details of consultations held with stakeholders to address pending issues under the OROP scheme and the timeline likely to be taken for resolution?
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI SANJAY SETH) IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
(a): Government has made provisions for revision of One Rank One Pension (OROP) vide their letter dated 07.11.2015. Accordingly, third revision of OROP has been carried out with effect from 01.07.2024 vide Ministry’s letter dated 10.07.2024. Arrears on account of these revisions have been paid.
(b): Financial implication of Rs. 6703.24 Cr. per annum has been assessed for OROP revision w.e.f 01.07.2024 and number of beneficiaries are 19,64,973.
(c): No Challenges have been faced in the disbursement of arrears and pension under the scheme.
(d) & (e): The Government has made sufficient budget provision for making the payment under OROP.
Confederation Urges PM to Constitute 8th Pay Commission: Letter Highlights Key Demands
CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS 1st Floor, North Avenue PO Building, New Delhi — 110001
Ref: Confed./2024/8th CPC/
Dated — 11.12.2024
To,
The Hon’ble Prime Minister, Office of Prime Minister, South Block Raisina Hill, New Delhi-110011
Sub: Request for Constitution of 8th Central Pay commission for Central Government employees and pensioners – regarding.
Respected Sir,
The Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers, represents about 7 lakhs Central Government employees working in various Central Government Departments like Postal, Income tax, AG’s, Audit Departments, Survey Departments, Census, GSI, CPWD, CGHS etc. numbering about 130 Associations & Federations which are affiliates of Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers.
The Central Government employees’ wages were last revised w.e.f. 01.01.2016, as on 01.07.2024, the percentage of DA entitlement crossed over 53%. During the past nine years the erosion of the real value of wages has become enormous especially after the Pandemic COVID-19. The depreciation of money value has come down very much.
The pay structure of the Central Government employees should be sound enough to attract the best talent of our Country, it should be revised every five years. The best talented employees would be instrumental in providing good leadership and good governance.
The Government of India is a model employer and it should take care of its employees to provide a comfortable living so that they work more effectively for implementation of the programmes and policies of the Central Government. The wage revision of Central Government employees is due from 01.01.2026, as it is in practice after every ten years.
The earlier Central Pay Commissions have all along been taking about 2 years for submitting their reports and another six months or more Government to consider it and to implement the same. A detailed note is enclosed along with the letter for perusal and necessary positive actions.
Hence, the Confederation requests that it is high time that the 8th Central Pay Commission is constituted without any further delay, necessitated due to higher inflation levels and depreciation in money value, so that the Central Government employees and pensioners could lead a decent life and work more effectively to implement the programmes and policies of the Central Government, so that its benefits reaches the common man.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Sd/- (S. B. Yadav) Secretary General
CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS 1st Floor, North Avenue PO Building, New Delhi — 110001
Detailed Note:
The Central Government employees are the backbone of the Government, as they implement the programmes and policies of the Central Government and ensure that the benefits of it reaches the common man at the last mile of the country.
The Government of India is a model employer and it should take care of its employees to provide a comfortable living so that they work more effectively to implement the programmes and policies of the Central Government.
The Central Government wages were last revised as on 1/1/2016. After the pandemic situation (COVID) the prices of essential commodities and also the non-essential commodities have increased manifold including manufacturing industries, construction, health, service sector etc. The higher interest rates are also adversely affecting employees/Pensioners, the inflation is in the range of 4 % to 7% on an average is about 5.5 %. Due to higher inflation rates the real money value has gone down considerably in the past 9 years especially after the covid situation.
The Central Government employees should have a decent standard of living for which a decent living wage should be provided. As on 1.7.2024, the percentage of DA entitlement crossed over 53%. During the past 9 years the erosion of the value of wages has become enormous.
The residency period of any wage structure must not exceed 5 years, especially in the background that the pay revision in most of the PSUs takes place at the interval of 5 years. Similarly, the Bank employees wage revision takes place every 5 years.
Per capita Monthly Household Consumption Expenditure has more than doubled during 2011-12 to 2022-23, the data was published by NSSO, a government Department. This shows our expenditure has also doubled due to high inflation, but our wages have not increased accordingly, since last decade.
The Indian economy is steadily improving. The Indian economy, according to IMF estimates, will emerge as the world’s third largest economy by 2027, hopping over Japan and Germany, as its GDP crosses USSS trillion dollars. Hence the Central Government has good paying capacity.
The profit and loss of the Central Government departments should not be taken into account as the social responsibility of the Union Government is to provide social services like defence, posts, roads, railways, water, food, health, survey departments etc.
7th Central Pay commission recommendations:
To keep the salary structure of the employees viable, it has become necessary to improve the pay structure of their employees so that better, more competent and talented people could be attracted to governance.
The framework should be linked with the need to attract the most suitable talented candidate to the government service and promote efficiency, accountability and responsibility in the work culture.
The key expectation of employees at all levels is that there should be a significant increase in their pay and improvement in other facilities.
The pay structure should also need to address any significant deterioration in real value of emoluments as a consequence of inflation. One should get proper and adequate compensation for his merit. The increase in pay structure cannot keep pace with the market forces, at the same time it should not be so unattractive that talent is not attracted to government service.
7th CPC para number 1.29: As we have mentioned above, government service is not a contract. It is a status. The employees expect fair treatment from the government. The States should play a role model for the services. In this connection, it will be useful to quote the observations in the case of Bhupendra Nath Hazarika and another vs. State of Assam and others (reported in 2013(2) Sec 516) wherein the Apex Court has observed as follows: “……… It should always be borne in mind that legitimate aspirations of the employees are not guillotined and a situation is not created where hopes end in despair. Hope for everyone is gloriously precious and that a model employer should not convert it to be deceitful and treacherous by playing a game of chess with their seniority.
A sense of calm sensibility and concerned sincerity should be reflected in every step. An atmosphere of trust has to prevail and when the employees are absolutely sure that their trust shall not be betrayed and they shall be treated with dignified fairness then only the concept of good governance can be concretized. We say no more. The pay scales of Central Government employees should be revised every five years as done in banking services, the inflation levels are rising and the ten years present revision is not favourable for employees and pensioners.
Government proposes to revise the variable dearness allowance for unorganised sector workers? Rajya Sabha QA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2017 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2024
REVISION OF VARIABLE DEARNESS ALLOWANCE
2017. SHRI JAGGESH:
Will the Minister of Labour and Employment be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that there is a need to help unorganised sector workers to cope with the rising cost of living;
(b) whether Government proposes to revise the variable dearness allowance for unorganised sector workers, effectively increasing monthly wages;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the details of measures taken by Government for effective implementation of revised wages in the unorganised sector?
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)
(a) to (d): Under the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act 1948, the Central Government and the State Governments, are appropriate Governments, to fix, review and revise the minimum wages of the workers employed in the Scheduled employments under their respective jurisdiction.
Further, in order to take care of the rising prices, the Central Government revises the Variable Dearness Allowance (V.D.A) on basic rates of minimum wages every six months, effective from 1st April and 1st October of every year on the basis of Consumer Price Index for Industrial workers.
The provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, have been rationalized and subsumed under the Code on Wages, 2019. The components of minimum wages stipulated therein also provide for cost of living allowance. The Code makes minimum wages universally applicable across employments and thus moves ahead from restrictive applicability of minimum wages limited to scheduled employments as provided for under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.
