Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (2016=100) – February, March & April, 2024
The 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 indices for the months of February, 2024, March, 2024 and April, 2024 are being released in this press release.
The All-India CPI-IW for February, 2024 increased by 0.3 point and stood at 139.2 (one hundred thirty nine point two). The All-India CPI-IW for March, 2024 decreased by 0.3 point and stood at 138.9 (one hundred thirty eight point nine).  The All-India CPI-IW for April, 2024 increased by 0.5 point and stood at 139.4 (one hundred thirty nine point four).Â
Year-on-year inflation for the month of February, 2024 stood at 4.90% as compared to 6.16% in February, 2023. Year-on-year inflation for the month of March, 2024 stood at 4.20% as compared to 5.79% in March, 2023. Year-on-year inflation for the month of April, 2024 stood at 3.87% as compared to 5.09% in April, 2023.
Y-o-Y Inflation based on CPI-IW (General)
All-India Group-wise CPI-IW for February, 2024, March, 2024 and April, 2024:
EPFO Launches New Software Facility for PF Members to update their details online
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization is one of the World’s largest Social Security Organizations in terms of the clientele and the volume of financial transactions undertaken. Presently, around 7.5 Crore members are actively contributing to the Provident Fund, Pension & Insurance Schemes each month.
In the first 2 months of this Financial Year alone around 87 lakh claims had been settled in the form of social security benefits like advances for housing, post matriculate education of children, marriage, illness, final Provident Fund settlements, pension, insurance etc.
The member claim these benefits online which has been made possible through a robust computer software application, which validates the data of the member in the Universal Account Number (UAN).
Therefore, the consistency of the data of the member in the records of the EPFO is of paramount importance to ensure that the services are provided online seamlessly and to the correct member duly avoiding any risk of erroneous payments or frauds.
The integrity of the data in the Member Profile is thus being ensured by a Standard Operating Process (SOP) issued by the EPFO on 22nd August, 2023. It has now been operationalized by EPFO in a digital online mode. The members may request for change/rectification in the Member Data like Name, Gender, Date of Birth, Parent Name, Marital Status, Nationality, Aadhaar, etc online and upload the relevant prescribed documents.
All such requests get routed to the PF offices across the country through the respective employers. Members have started filing their requests using this new facility out of which around 40,000 are already approved by the field offices of EPFO. The requests land at the employers’ end, who after verification recommend it for approval. They have received around 2.75 lakh such requests till now.
A proper KYC and matching member profile facilitates EPFO in providing instant services like auto settlement of advances, auto transfer of PF account, e-nomination etc. to the member without the need for any physical visits to any office.
Setting up of Online NPS Oversight Mechanism Portal – Following DoE OM dated 02.07.2019: DOPPW O.M
No.- 57/02/2021-P&PW(B) Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare
Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi, Dated: 04.06.2024
Office Memorandum
Subject: Setting up of NPS oversight mechanism online portal in pursuance to Department of Expenditure OM dated 02.07.2019- reg.
Undersigned is directed to refer to the meeting held on 21.02.2024 and 17.05.2024 to review the implementation of instructions of Department of Expenditure issued vide their OM No. 1(24)/EV/2016, dated 02.07.2019 regarding setting up of NPS oversight mechanism in each Ministry/Department to ensure proper monitoring of NPS contributions and ensuring that the same are regularly getting credited into the individual accounts of the employees covered under the National Pension System.
2. It has also been directed in the aforesaid instructions that a status report may he sent to the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare every six months intimating the result of the monitoring carried out through the above oversight mechanism. Accordingly, a proforma was also circulated by this Department vide D.O. letter dated 07.06.2021 for submission of six monthly reports.
3. In view of the decision taken during the review meeting, in order to facilitate the submission of six monthly reports and its proper monitoring, Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare has developed a portal with URL, https://pensionersportal.gov.in/NPS. This portal is now ready for use.
4. Ministries/Departments arc to furnish details of Nodal officers who would be handling the portal viz. Name, Mobile no., Email id and Designation so that the login credentials may be sent to them. Further, it is informed that in case of transfer/retirement of the Nodal officer, the details of new Nodal officer may be sent to the Department promptly for necessary updation.
5. An user manual for handling the portal has been prepared wherein the mode of log in the portal and subsequent uploading of the report have been explained. Hence, User manual is also enclosed.
6. All Ministries/Departments are to submit their six monthly reports fr m the period October, 2023 to March, 2024 through the said portal.
Encl. as above.
(Dhrubajyoti Sengupta) Joint Secretary to the Government of India
Financial Advisors All Central Government Ministries / Departments
6th CPC DA Order from Jan 2024 for CG Employees and Autonomous Bodies: FINMIN Released O.M
No. 1/3(1)/2008-E.II(B) Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure
North Block, New Delhi Dated the 3rd June, 2024
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Revision of Dearness Allowance to the employees of Central Government and Central Autonomous Bodies continuing to draw their pay in the pay scale/Grade Pay as per 6th Central Pay Commission
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. No. 1/3(1)/2008- E.11(B) dated 6th November, 2023 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the rate of Dearness Allowance (DA) in respect of employees of Central Government and Central Autonomous Bodies, who are continuing to draw their pay in the pre-revised pay scale/Grade Pay as per 6th Central Pay Commission, shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 230% to 239% of Basic Pay w.e.f. 01.01.2024.
2. The provisions contained in paras 3, 4 and 5 of this Ministry’s O.M.No.1(3)/2008- E.II(B) dated 29th August, 2008 shall continue to be applicable while regulating Dearness Allowance under these orders.
3. The contents of this Office Memorandum may also be brought to the notice of all organisations under the administrative control of the Ministries/Departments which have adopted the Central Government scales of pay.
(Dr. Vivek Dwivedi) Under Secretary to the Government of India
To All Ministries/Departments of the Govt. of India (as per standard distribution list) Copy to: C&AG, UPSC, etc.(as per standard endorsement list).
5th CPC DA Order from Jan 2024 for CG Employees and Autonomous Bodies: FINMIN Released O.M
No. 1/3(2)/2008-E.II(B) Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure
North Block, New Delhi Dated the 3rd June, 2024
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Revision of rates of Dearness Allowance to the employees of Central Government and Central Autonomous Bodies continuing to draw their pay in the pay scale as per 5th Central Pay Commission
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s C.M. No. 1/3(2)12008- E.II(B) dated 6th November, 2023 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the rate of Dearness Allowance (DA) in respect of employees of Central Government and Central Autonomous Bodies, who are continuing to draw their pay in the pre-revised pay scale as per 5th Central Pay Commission, shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 427% to 443% of Basic Pay w.e.f. 01.01.2024.
2. The provisions contained in paras 3, 4 and 5 of this Ministry’s O.M.No.1(13)/97- E.II(B) dated 3rd October, 1997 shall continue to be applicable while regulating Dearness Allowance under these orders.
3. The contents of this Office Memorandum may also be brought to the notice of all organisations under the administrative control of the Ministries/Departments which have adopted the Central Government scales of pay.
(Dr. Vivek Dwivedi) Under Secretary to the Government of India
7th CPC Recommendation: Gratuity Limit for Central Government Employees increased to Rs. 25 Lakh as Dearness Allowance reaches 50%
No. 28/03/2024-P&PW (B)/Gratuity/9559 Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare
Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi-110003, Dated 30.05.2024
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Enhancement of maximum limit of Gratuity to Central Government employees on reaching the Dearness Allowance rates to 50% – Implementation of recommendations of the Seventh CPC – reg.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM No. 38137/2016-P&PW (A) (i) dated 04.08.2016 regarding revision of provisions regulating pension/gratuity/commutation of pension/family pension/disability pension/ex-gratia lump-sum compensation, etc. in implementation of the Government’s decision on the recommendation of the Seventh Central Pay Commission.
2. Department of Expenditure vide their OM No. 1/1/2024-E-II(B) dated 12.03.2024 has issued instructions regarding enhancement of Dearness Allowance Rates from 46% to 50% of the Basic Pay with effect from 1st January 2024.
3. Accordingly, as per the Government’s decisions in implementation of the recommendations of the Seventh CPC, the maximum limit of Retirement Gratuity and Death Gratuity under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021 or the Central Civil Services (Payment of Gratuity under National Pension System) Rules, 2021, would be increased by 25% i.e. from Rs 20.00 Lakh to Rs 25.00 Lakh, with effect from 1st January 2024.
4. All Ministries/Departments are requested to bring the contents of this order to the notice of Controller of Accounts/Pay and Accounts Offices and attached or subordinate offices under them.
5. This issues in consultation with Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure vide ID Note No. 1(8)/EV/2024 dated 27.05.2024
6. In so far as the persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, this order is issued in consultation with Comptroller and Auditor General of India, as mandated under Article 148(5) of the Constitution of India.
7. Formal Amendment to the CCS (Pension) Rules. 2021 and the CCS (Payment of Gratuity under NPS) Rules, 2021 will be notified separately.
(Dr. Pramod Kumar) Director to the Government of India
To,
1. All Ministries/Departments of Government of India 2. Principal Director, Office of Comptroller & Auditor General of India, New Delhi 3. Controller General of Accounts, New Delhi 4. CCA, Central Pension Accounting Office, New Delhi.
Extended Timelines for AIS Officer PARs (2023-24): Reporting, Reviewing & Accepting – DOPT O.M dt 27.05.2024
F. No.11059/03/2024-AIS-III Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Personnel & Training ****
North Block, New Delhi Dated: 27th May,2024
To,
The Chief Secretaries of States / UTs
Subject:- Extension of timelines for recording of PARs for the year 2023-24 in respect of AIS officers by the Reporting / Reviewing / Accepting Authorities only – reg.
Sir / Madam,
I am directed to refer to the relevant provisions for recording of PAR under AIS (PAR) Rules, 2007 as amended from time to time. In this regard, reference is invited to the difficulties being faced by the AIS officers in submitting self-appraisal/ recording of PAR for year 2023-24, due to their engagement in ongoing Lok Sabha Election 2024.
2. Accordingly, the matter has been duly considered in this Department and it has been decided with the approval of the Competent Authority to extend the existing timelines for recording PAR for the year 2023-24 by 01 month, in relaxation of Rule 5(1) read with Schedule 2 of AIS (PAR) Rules so as to give sufficient time to each authority, as indicated below: –
Activity
Cut off dates
Â
Existing
Revised
Self Appraisal for current year
31st May, 2024
30th June, 2024
Appraisal by Reporting Authority
31st July, 2024
31st August, 2024
Appraisal by Reviewing Authority
30th September, 2024
31st October, 2024
Appraisal by Accepting Authority
31st December, 2024
31st December, 2024
3. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, no remarks may be recorded after 31st December, 2024 in the PAR of AIS officers for the PAR year 2023-24, in accordance with the 2nd proviso of Rule 5(1) of AIS (PAR) Rules, 2007, as amended.
4. The aforesaid relaxation is accorded as a one-time measure only.
Yours faithfully, Sd/- (Kavita Chauhan) Under Secretary to the Government of India Tel: 011-23093479
Extension of facilities of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to Gramin Dak Sevaks and dependent family members
No. 17-31/2016-GDS-ESIC Government of India Ministry of Communications Department of Posts (GDS Section)
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi-110001 Dated: 16.05.2024
To
1. General Secretary, All India Gramin Dak Sevak Union (AIGDSU) 2. General Secretary, All India Postal Employees Union-GDS 3. General Secretary, Bhartiya Gramin Dak Sevak Karamchari Sangh (BGDKS) 4. General Secretary, National Union of Gramin Dak Sevaks (NUGDS)
Subject: Extension of facilities of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) to Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) and dependent family members – regarding.
This is regarding the proposal of extension of medical facilities of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) to Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) of this Department.
2. There has been demand from the GDS union representatives to consider providing medical facilities to the GDS and their family members. The Department also felt that necessity of medical facilities to GDS and explored different options in the past including medical facilities under the Employees State Insurance or any other Insurance Service Providers. But none of the option could finally materialized.
3. The Department, therefore, took the matter with National Health Authority for including the GDS and their dependent family members in the flagship scheme of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY- Ayushman Bharat Scheme). It is pertinent to mention here that the proposal to include the GDSs in PMJAY was also apprised to the Union representatives during the formal and informal Union meetings.
4. Now, after several rounds of discussion, the NHA and Department have in principle agreed on an understanding and MoU has been drafted. The salient features of the the scheme are as under:
(i) The scheme is a family floater medical facilities scheme with a upper limit of Rs. 5 lakh per family enrolled at present. Which means that GDSs and their dependent family members would be entitled to a treatment of overall limit of Rs. 5 lakh per year. If the NHA revises the limit in future, the same would also be applicable to the GDSs enrolled as well.
(ii) The scheme facilitates cashless healthcare services to its beneficiaries in any of the public sector hospitals and private network hospital empaneled under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). The Scheme offers a wide range of medical and surgical packages, such as neurosurgery, cardiology etc. The scheme also covers the treatment cost of oncology with chemotherapy for 50 different types of cancer. The Scheme also covers pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization expenses (upto 15 days), medicines, medical consumables, diagnostic procedures, medical implantation, food services during hospitalization etc.
(iii) The Scheme is proposed to be run on ‘self-support and self-sustaining basis’ and would be mandatory for all the GDSs. The contribution to the scheme would be between Rs.250/- to 300/- per month to be deducted from TRCA of the GDS. The scheme would, however, be reviewed periodically to see its self- sustainability and the contribution to the same may be revised in future, if considered necessary.
(iv) The scheme is presently not in operations in three UTs/States, i.e., Delhi, Odisha and West Bengal. The subscribers of these States/UTs are proposed to be covered under the Central Govt. hospitals (including CGHS empaneled hospitals) in those places for treatment under the scheme.
(v) All the IT Support and operational aspects of the the scheme would be handled by the National health Authority.
3. To avail the medical facilities under the Scheme, the subscribers and their family members should have ADHAAR updated in the portal. The Department has already started compiling data of GDS and their dependent family members and working on the finalizing the SoP as intimated vide letter dated 16th February 2024 written to all HoCs.
4. Keeping in view the benefits and feasibility of the scheme and the fact that it is the only viable option available, all the GDS union representatives are requested to furnish their consent latest by 22.05.2024 on the email address given below. In case of non- receipt of comments by the stipulated date, it would be presumed that the concerned union has no objection to the proposed scheme and the Department would proceed further to finalize other formalities so that the scheme can be launched at the earliest.
5. You are also requested to give vide publicity to the features of the scheme among your members. They may also be advised to go through the detailed features of the scheme from the website of National Health Authority.
Signed by Ravi Pahwa Assistant Director General (GDS/PCC/PAP)
CPSE Women Employees Benefits: Aligning with Central Govt – DPE O.M 29.04.2024
File No. 6(1)2014-DPE (GM)-FTS-1505 Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Public Enterprises
Public Enterprises Bhawan Block No.14, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road New Delhi, the 29th April, 2024
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:- Uniformity in facilities available to women employees of CPSEs in line with similar facilities available to women employees of the Central Government.
Reference is invited to this Department’s OM of even number dated the 18th June, 2014 requesting all the administrative Ministries/ Departments to advise the CPSEs under their administrative control to bring some uniformity in their rules in line with similar facilities available to women employees of the Central Government with the approval of the respective boards, which inter alia outlines following:
(a) Maternity Leave up to maximum period of 180 days (0.M. No.13018/ 2/ 2008-Estt.(L) dated 11th September 2008 of DOPT).
(b) Child Care Leave up to maximum period of 2 years i.e.730 days (O.M.N0.13018/2/2008-Estt.(L) dated 11th September 2008 and 29th September 2008 of DOPT)
(c) Child Adoption Leave up to a maximum of 180 days (O.M. NO. 13018/1/2009-EstL(L) dated 22rl1 July 2009 of DOPT).
(d) In addition, for the benefit of the family there is a provision of paternity leave up to a period of 15 days (O.M. NO. 13018/ 2/98-Est-t. (L) dated 16th July 1999 of DOPT), and
(e) Protection as granted vide Sexual Harassment of Women at workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal Act, 2013 dated 9th December, 2013).
2. The Department of Personal and Training in its O.M. No. 11020/01/ 2017- Estt. (L) dated 30.8.2019 (copy enclosed) made the following changes, after amendment of Rule 43 C relating to Child Care Leave (CCL):
(a) CCL may be granted at 100% of the leave salary for the first 365 days and 80% of the leave salary for the next 365 days.
(b) CCL may be extended to single male parents who may include unmarried or widower or divorcee employees.
(c) For single female Government servants, the CCL may be granted for six spells in a calendar year. However, for other eligible government servants, it will continue to be granted for a maximum of three spells of a calendar year.
3. CPSEs formulate their own H.R. rules with the approval of their respective boards, in consultation, if required, with the concerned Ministries/ Departments. To protect the interest of women employees these H.R. rules shall invariably incorporate all statutory provisions. Regarding other welfare measures, all the administrative Ministries/ Departments are requested to advise the CPSEs under their administrative control to bring uniformity in their rules in line with similar facilities available to women employees of the Central Government with approval of the respective boards. In any case, there should be no variation in such measures between different grades of employees within a single CPSE.
4. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.
(Dr. P.K.Sinha) Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
To All administrative Ministries/ Departments of the Government of India.
3/6/2021-P&PW(F) Government of India Ministry of Personnel, P.G. and Pensions Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare ********
3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi Dated: 02.05.2024
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Clarification regarding admissibility of interest over and above the threshold limit of Rupees Five lakhs deducted towards GPF.
The undersigned is directed to say that in accordance with the General Provident Fund (Central Services), Rules, 1960, the amount of subscription to the GPF in respect of a subscriber, shall not be less than 6% of the emoluments and not more than total emoluments of the subscriber.
Subsequently, Rules 7, 8 & 10 of the General Provident Fund (Central Services) Rules, 1960 were amended vide Notification No. G.S.R. 96 dated 15.06.2022. As per the said Notification dated 15.06.2022, the sum of the monthly subscription by a subscriber under the GPF during a financial year together with the amount of arrear subscriptions deposited in that financial year shall not exceed the threshold limit (at present Rupees Five Lakh) referred to in sub clause (i) of clause (c) of the Explanation below sub rule (2) of the rule 9D of the Income Tax Rules, 1962 [as inserted vide Notification No. G.S.R. 604 (E) dated 31.08.2021 of Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue (Central Board of Direct Taxes)].
2. Further, instructions were issued vide this Department’s OM No 3/6/2021- P&PVV (F) dated 11.10.2022 and OM No. 3/13/2022-P&PW(F) dated 02.11.2022 for strict implementation of the above amended provisions of the General Provident Fund (Central Services), Rules, 1960.
3. References have been received in this department for payment of interest on the amount exceeding Rs.5.00 lakhs deducted towards GPF subject to deduction of Income tax for the year 2022-23. The matter for payment of interest on excess amount of Rs. 5.00 lakh towards GPF subscription has been reviewed again in consultation with Ministry of Finance and it has been decided that where the amount of total subscription towards GPF in the year 2022-23 in respect of a Government servant exceeds Rs. 5.00, the interest on the excess subscription may be paid, subject to applicable income tax.
4. All Ministries/Departments are requested that this revised provision may be brought to the notice of the personnel dealing with the GPF matters in the Ministry/Department and attached/subordinate offices there-under for clarification and implementation.
5. This issues with the approval of competent authority.
(Dhrubajyoti Sengupta) Joint Secretary
To All Ministries/Departments of Government of India (as per standard list)
