Good grading of APARs considered for financial upgradation under MACPS – Dept of Posts
No.7-8/2016-PCC (Pt.)
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg
New Delhi – 110001
Dated: 13.03.2019
To
All Chief Postmasters General/Postmasters General.
Sub : Clarification on applicability of “Very Good” benchmark for financial upgradation under MACPS and consideration of “Good” benchmark for the previous years before 25.07.2016.
This office is in receipt of large number of references consequent upon the clarification issued vide DG Posts’ letter of even number dated 02.07.2018 on the above mentioned subject, regarding allowing opportunity of making representation against ‘good’ benchmark and relaxation of benchmark for MACPS.
2. In this context, it is reiterated that opportunity of making representation against the APAR which are post 2009 cannot be given as it is already disclosed to the employees in APAR process.
3. Further, the benchmark for the purpose of financial upgradation under MACP was enhanced from ‘good’ to ‘very good’ w.e.f. 25.07.2016 i.e prior to 25.07.2016 the benchmark was ‘good’ for MACPS. As such, the ‘good’ grading of APAPRs for the period prior to 25.07.2016 may be considered for financial upgradation under MACPS. However, the “very good” benchmark applicable w.e.f. 25.07.2016 cannot be relaxed for MACPS.
4. All concerned may be informed accordingly.
(S.B.Vyavahare)
Assistant Director General (GDS/PCC)
Revision of percentage distribution of posts of Track Maintainers
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD
No. 2015/CE-1/GNS/2
RBE No 44 /2019
New Delhi, dated 08 -03-2019
The General Managers and CAOs
All Indian Railways / PUS etc.
(As per mailing list)
Sub: Revision of percentage distribution of posts of Track Maintainers.
The issue of revision of existing percentage distribution of posts of Track Maintainers has been raised at various fora by both the recognised Federations (AIRF/NFIR). According’, the matter has been examined and keeping in view the functional, operational and administrative requirements and career progression and working conditions of Track Maintainers, it has been decided by Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) with the approval of the President that percentage distribution of pos. of Track Maintainers shall be revised as indicated in the table given below :-
SN
DESIGNATION
PAY STRUCTURE AS PER
EXISTING PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF POSTS
REVISED %AGE DISTRIBUTION OF POSTS
6TH CPC
7TH CPC
1
Track Maintainer – I
GP Rs. 2800
Level – 5
6
10
2
Track Maintainer – II
GP Rs. 2400
Level – 4
12
20
3
Track Maintainer – III
GP Rs. 1900
Level – 2
22
20
4
Track Maintainer – IV
GP Rs. 1800
Level – 1
60
50
2.The revision of percentage distribution of posts of Track Maintainers as highlighted in Table above, would be self-financing and an expenditure neutral proposition.
2.1 After working out the financial implications, the matching savings should be effected from the category itself. Wherever It is not possible to do so from the category itself, the matching savings should generally be arranged from the Civil Engineering department at the Divisional/Zonal level. However, there would be no revision of percentage distribution of posts of Track Maintainers without matching savings.
3. All promotions should be made as per norms/ procedure laid down in Board’s letter no.E(NG)I-2012/PMS/1 dated 13.08-2013 (RBE No.81/2013) for the unified cadre of Track Maintainers. Instructions regarding minimum residency period for promotion issued by Board from time to time should be followed strictly.
4. The revision of percentage distribution of pos. of Track Maintainers will be with reference to the sanctioned cadre strength as on date of issue of this letter. Accordingly, the staff who will be placed in higher grade pay as a result of implementation of these orders will draw pay in higher grades w.e.f this date. The benefit of revision of percentage will be restricted to the Track Maintainers who are working in the cadre on this cut off date.
5. These orders will be applicable to the permanent regular cadres (excluding surplus & supernumerary posts) of the Open Line establishments and Workshops, Production Units 8, Metro Railway/Kolkata. Those temporary posts which are in continuous operation for at least three years may also be taken into account for the purpose of applying revised percentage. This will be subject to certification that these posts are meant for regular activities which will continue and not for any sporadic requirements. These revision orders will not be applicable to ex-cadre & work-charged posts which will continue to be based on worth of charge.
6. The pay of staff promoted against the additional higher grade posts as a result of revision of percentage distribution of posts (including chain/resultant vacancies) will be fixed as per Rule 13 of RS(RP) Rules,2016 with the benefit of promotional increment, with the usual option for pay fixation as per extant rules.
7. Track Maintainers who retire, resign, expire or are medically de-categorized in between the period from the date of effect of these orders to the date of actual implementation of these orders, will be eligible for the fixation benefits and arrears under these orders w.e.f date of issue of these orders, if they are otherwise eligible for the said benefit.
8. Track Maintainers who had earlier refused promotion before issue of these orders and consequently stood debarred for promotion may now be considered for promotion, in relaxation of the extant provisions as a one time exception. This is subject to their indicating in writing that they are willing to be considered for such promotion against the vacancies existing on the date of issue of these orders and arising due to revision of percentage distribution of posts on that date. This relaxation will not be applicable to vacancies arising after the date of effect.
9. This issues in consultation with the Civil Engineering and Finance Directorates of this Ministry.
The receipt of this letter may please be acknowledged.
Master Circular on Probation/Confirmation in Central Services- reg.
No.28020/3/2018-Estt.(C)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 11th March, 2019
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject : Master Circular on Probation/Confirmation in Central Services- reg.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M.No.28020/1/2010-Estt.(C) dated 21.07.2014 wherein consolidated instructions on Probation/Confirmation were issued.
It has been decided to further consolidate/ modify the instructions/ guidelines in relation to probation and confirmation as a Master Circular to provide clarity and ease of reference. The Master Circular issued vide O.M. dated 21.07.2014 has been suitably updated as on date and the same is enclosed. The list of O.M.s which have been referred for consolidation of instructions for this Master Circular is at Appendix.
(Umesh Kumar Bhatia)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
MASTER CIRCULAR ON PROBATION AND CONFIRMATION IN CENTRAL SERVICES
PROBATION
1. A person is appointed on probation in order to assess his suitability for absorption in the service to which he has been appointed. Probation should not, therefore, be treated as a mere formality. No formal declaration shall be necessary in respect of appointment on probation. The appointing authority may declare successful completion, extend the period of probation or terminate the services of a temporary employee on probation, on the basis of evaluation of performance.
2. Probation is prescribed when there is direct recruitment, promotion from one Group to another or for officers re-employed before the age of superannuation. The probation shall stand successfully completed on issue of orders in writing. It is, however, not desirable that a Government servant should be kept on probation for long periods.
3. Instead of treating probation as a formality, the existing powers to discharge probationers should be systematically and vigorously used so that the necessity of dispensing with the services of employees at later stages may arise only rarely.
4. Concentration of attention on the probationer’s ability to pass the probationary or the departmental examination, if applicable, is essential part of the qualification for confirmation but not the most important part. There should be a very careful assessment of the outlook, character and aptitude for the kind of work that has to be done in the service before a probationer is confirmed.
5. A probationer should be given an opportunity to work under more than one officer during this period and reports of his work obtained from each one of those officers. The probation reports for the whole period may then be considered is fit to be confirmed in service. For this purpose, separate forms of report on the probationers should be used, which are distinct from the usual Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR) forms. The probation reports, unlike APAR, are written to help the supervising officer to concentrate on the special needs of probation and to decide whether the work and conduct of the officer during the period of probation or the extend period of probation are satisfactory enough to warrant his further retention in service or post. The probation reports thus do not serve the purpose for which the APARs are written and vice versa. Therefore, in the case of all probationers or officers on probation, separate probation reports should be written in addition to the usual APARs for the period of probation.
6. Save for exceptional reasons, probation should not be extended for more than a year and in no circumstance an employee should be kept on probation for more than double the normal period.
7. A probationer, who is not making satisfactory progress, should be informed of his shortcomings well before the expiry of the original probationary period so that he can make special efforts at self-improvement. This can be done by giving him a written warning to the effect that his general performance has not been such as to justify his confirmation and that, unless he showed substantial improvement within a specified period, the question of discharging him would have to be considered. Even though this is not required by the rules, discharge from the service being a server, final and irrevocable step, the probationer should be given an opportunity before taking the drastic step of discharge.
8. During the period of probation, or any extension thereof, candidates may be required by Government to undergo such courses of training and instructions and to pass examinations, and tests (including examination In Hindi) as Government may deem fit, as a condition to satisfactory completion of the probation.
MANDATORY INDUCTION TRAINING
9. In all cases of direct recruitment there should be a mandatory induction training of at lest two weeks duration. Successful completion of the training may be made a pre-requisite for completion of probation. The syllabus for the training may be prescribed by the Cadre authorities and the Training Division of DOPT can be consulted, if required. The recruitment rules for all posts, wherever such a provision does not already exist, may be amended to provide for such mandatory training. Till such time as the Recruitment Rules are amended, a clause on the above lines may be included in the offer of appointment.
PERIOD OF PROBATION
10. The period of probation is prescribed for different posts/services in Central Government on the following lines:
S.NO
METHOD OF APPOINTMENT
PERIOD OF PROBATION
PROMOTION
1
Promotion from one grade to another but within the same group of posts e.g. from Group ‘C’ to Group ‘C’.
No probation.
2
Promotion from one Group to another e.g. Group ‘B’ to Group ‘A’
2 years or the period of probation prescribed for the direct recruitment to the post, if any.
DIRECT RECRUITMENT
3
(I) For direct
recruitment to posts except clause (ii) below
(ii) For direct
recruitment to posts *carrying a Grade Pay of Rs. 7600 or above or to the posts to which the maximum age limit is 35 years or above and where no training is involved, Note: Training includes on the job or ‘Institution training”
2 years
1 year
4
Officers re-employedbefore the age of superannuation
2 years
5
Appointment on contract basis, tenure basis, re-employment after superannuation and absorption
DA to Jammu and Kashmi Government Employees from Jan 2019
GOVERNMENT OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
Civil Secretariat, Srinagar/Jammu
Subject: Payment of Dearness Allowance to State Government employees – revised rate effective from 01.01.2019.
Reference : State Administrative Council decision No 66/7/2019 dated 28.02.2019.
Government Order No: 184-F of 2018
Dated: 07.03.2019.
In continuation to Government Order No. 389-F of 2018 dated 13.09.2018, it is hereby ordered that the State Government employees working in regular Pay Levels under 7th Pay Commission recommendations, shall be paid Dearness Allowance as under:-
EXISTING RATE OF DA
REVISED RATE OF DA PER MONTH
W.e.f
9% of Basic Pay
12% of Basic Pay
01.01.2019
(i) The term ‘basic pay’ in the revised pay structure means the pay drawn in the prescribed Level in the Pay Matrix as per 7th Pay Commission recommendations, but does not include any other type of pay like Special Pay etc.
(ii) The arrears on account of the additional installment @3% w.e.f 1st January, 2019, shall be paid to State Government employees in cash in the month of April, 2019 and shall form part of the monthly salary from April, 2019 onwards.
(iii) In respect of employees on NPS, Employer’s share of 10% of DA arrears too shall be drawn with equivalent amount as employees share and shall be deducted at source for crediting of same to the respective PRAN numbers.
(iv) Consequent upon implementation of 7th CPC recommendations in favour of All India Service Officers, serving in connection with the affairs of the State, the rates of Dearness Allowance as applicable to Central Government employees shall be applicable to such Officers.
(v) The payment of Dearness Allowance involving a fraction of 50 paisa and above shall be rounded to the next higher rupee and the fraction of less than 50 paisa shall be ignored.
By Order of the Government Of Jammy & Kashmir.
Sd/-
(A.K.Mehta) IAS
Principal Secretary to Government
Finance Department
Gramin Dak Sevaks, Odisha Circle invited application from the eligible candidates for the selection and engagement to the following posts of Gramin Dak Sevaks vide the Notification EST/1-151/2019(B3)
SI No
Name of Post
1
Branch Postmaster (BPM)
2
Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)
3
Dak Sevak
Time Related Continuity Allowance(TRCA)
The following Minimum TRCA shall be payable to the categories of GDS as mentioned in Directorate Order No.17-31/2016-GDS dated 25.06.2018.
Category
Minimum TRCA for 4 Houyrs/Level 1 in TRCA Slab
Minimuym TRCA for 5 hours/Level 2 in TRCA slab
BPM
Rs.12,000/- (Rs.12000-Rs.29,380/-)
Rs.14,500/- (Rs.14,500-Rs.35,480/-)
ABPM/Dak Sevak
Rs.10,000/- (Rs.10,000-Rs.24,470/-)
Rs.12,000/- (Rs.12,000- Rs.29380/-)
Educational Qualification
(i) Secondary School Examination pass certificate of 10th standard with passing marks in Mathematics and English (having been studied as compulsory or elective subjects) conducted by any recognized Board of School Education by the Government of India/State Governments/ Union Territories in India shall be a mandatory educational qualification for all approved categories of Gramin Dak Sevaks.(Referred to in Directorate Order No 17-31/2016-GDS dated 25.06.2018).
(ii)Compulsory knowledge of Local Language The candidate should have studied the local languageat least up to 10th standard [as compulsory or elective subjects] as declared by the State Government or as per constitutional provisions relating to the 8th schedule of Constitution of India.
Gramin Dak Sevaks, Tamilnadu Circle invited application from the eligible candidates for the selection and engagement to the following posts of Gramin Dak Sevaks vide the Notification STC/12-GDSONLINE/2019
SI No
Name of Post
1
Branch Postmaster (BPM)
2
Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)
3
Dak Sevak
Time Related Continuity Allowance(TRCA)
The following Minimum TRCA shall be payable to the categories of GDS as mentioned in Directorate Order No.17-31/2016-GDS dated 25.06.2018.
Category
Minimum TRCA for 4 Houyrs/Level 1 in TRCA Slab
Minimuym TRCA for 5 hours/Level 2 in TRCA slab
BPM
Rs.12,000/- (Rs.12000-Rs.29,380/-)
Rs.14,500/- (Rs.14,500-Rs.35,480/-)
ABPM/Dak Sevak
Rs.10,000/- (Rs.10,000-Rs.24,470/-)
Rs.12,000/- (Rs.12,000- Rs.29380/-)
Educational Qualification
(i) Secondary School Examination pass certificate of 10th standard with passing marks in Mathematics and English (having been studied as compulsory or elective subjects) conducted by any recognized Board of School Education by the Government of India/State Governments/ Union Territories in India shall be a mandatory educational qualification for all approved categories of Gramin Dak Sevaks.(Referred to in Directorate Order No 17-31/2016-GDS dated 25.06.2018).
(ii)Compulsory knowledge of Local Language The candidate should have studied the local languageat least up to 10th standard [as compulsory or elective subjects] as declared by the State Government or as per constitutional provisions relating to the 8th schedule of Constitution of India.
DA to Armed Forces Officers and PBOR from Jan 2019
No. 1(2)/2004/D(Pay/Services)
Government of India
Ministry of Defence
New Delhi, the 11th March, 2019
To
The Chief of the Army Staff
The Chief of the Air Staff
The Chief of Naval Staff
Subject : Payment of Dearness Allowance to Armed Forces Officers and Personnel Below Officer Rank including NCs(E) — Revised rates effective from 01.01.2019.
Sir,
I am directed to refer to this Ministry’s letter No. 1(2)/2004-D(Pay/Services) dated 18th September 2018, on the subject cited above and to say that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Allowance payable to Armed Forces Officers and Personnel Below Officer Rank, including Non-Combatants (Enrolled), shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 9% to 12% with effect from 01.01.2019.
2. The term ‘basic pay’ in the revised pay structure means the pay drawn in the prescribed Level in the Pay Matrix as per 7th CPC recommendations accepted by the Government, but does not include any other type of pay like special pay, etc.
3. The Dearness Allowance will continue to be a distinct element of remuneration and will not be treated as pay within the ambit of Pay rules of Defence Force Personnel.
4. The payment on account of Dearness Allowance involving fractions of 5o paise and above may be rounded to the next higher rupee and the fractions of less than 5o paise may be ignored.
5. The payment of arrears of Dearness Allowance shall not be made before the date of disbursement of salary of March, 2019.
6. This letter issues with the concurrence of Finance Division of this Ministry vide their Dy. No. 63-PA dated 07.03.2019 based on Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) O.M. No. 1/1/2019-E-II(B), dated 27th February 2019.
Your faithfully,
(Arun Kumar)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Exemption u/s 10 of Income Tax – Rs. 20 Lakh for Gratuity w.e.f. 29.03.2018
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(Department of Revenue)
(CENTRAL BOARD OF DIRECT TAXES)
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 8th March, 2019
(Income-tax)
S.O. 1213(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-clause (iii) of clause (10) of section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961), and in supersession of Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, notification number S.O. 141(E), dated the 11th June, 2010, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central Government, having regard to the maximum amount of any gratuity payable to employees, hereby specifies twenty lakh rupees as the limit for the purposes of the said sub-clause in relation to the employees who retire or become incapacitated prior to such retirement or die on or after the 29th day of March, 2018 or whose
employment is terminated on or after the said date.
[Notification No. 16 /2019/F. No. 200/8/2018-ITA-I]
RAJARAJESWARI R., Under Secy.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)
***
No. 2019/E(LR)II/1/2
New Delhi, dated: 08.03.2019
The General Managers,
All Indian Railways including
Production Units, etc.
(As per mailing list attached)
Sub: Proposed protests by Government employees against ‘National Pension System’ (NPS)
****
The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions (Deptt. of Personnel & Training) has advised vide their O.M. No. 33011/1(s)/2019-Estt.(B-II) dated 22.02.2019 (copy enclosed) that “National Joint Council of Action” (NJCA) has decided to organise dharna/ demonstration in front of Central Govt. offices across the country and at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on March, 13, 2019 to press for restoration of Old Pension Scheme (OPS). NJCA is a conglomerate of pro-Left, INTUC and HMS-affiliated Associations amongst Group ‘C’ Central Government servants including those in Railways.
2. As both recognised Federations (AIRF and NFIR) are part of NJCA, Railway servants may organise dharna/ demonstration in front of Railway Offices across the country and at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on 13.03.2019.
3. In view of aforesaid, there should not be any room for complacency and laxity on the part of the Railway administrations and all necessary stringent steps must be taken to ensure discipline and smooth functioning of Railways. It must be ensured that Railway servants need to seek necessary permissions from their Competent Authority to leave their headquarters.
4. Their particular attention should be drawn to relevant penal provisions i.e. Section 173, 174 and 175 of the Railways Act, 1989 which are attracted in cases of abandoning train without authority, obstructing running of train and endangering the safety of persons by disobeying rules etc. Their attention should also be drawn to paras No. 3 and 5 of the DOP&T’s O.M. dated 22.02.2019.
5. In case Railway Servants go on dharna/ demonstration/ protest/ strike/ rally etc., a report indicating the number of such Railway servants who take part in such activities may be conveyed to Board’s office on Fax Nos. 011-23383086 or 011-23382377.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
Ministry of Railways (Rail Mantralaya)
(Railway Board)
PC-VII No.- 131
File No. PC-VII/2016/I/7/2/1
RBE No : 37/2019
New Delhi, dated: 06.03.2019
The General Manager/CAOs(R),
All India Railways & Production Units,
(As per mailing list)
Sub :- Grant of Dearness Allowance to Railway employees — Revised Rates effective from 01.01.2019.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s letter RBE No. 132/2018 dated 10.09.2018 (F. No. PC-VII/2016/1/7/2/1) on the subject mentioned above and to say that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Allowance payable to Railway employees shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 9% to 12% of the basic pay with effect from 1st January, 2019.
2. The term ‘basic pay’ in the revised pay structure means the pay drawn in the prescribed Level in the Pay Matrix as per 7th CPC recommendations accepted by the Government, but does not include any other type of pay like special pay, etc.
3. The Dearness Allowance will continue to be distinct element of remuneration and will not be treated as pay within the ambit of Rule 1303 (FR 9(21)), Indian Railway Establishment Code, Volume —II (Sixth Edition — 1987) — Second Reprint 2005.
4. The payment on account of Dearness Allowance involving fractions of 50 paise and above may be rounded to the next higher rupee and the fractions of less than 50 paise may be ignored.
5. The payment of arrears of Dearness Allowance (from January to March) shall not be made before the date of disbursement of salary of March, 2019.
6. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways.
