GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 4011
ANSWERED ON: 10.08.2018
PFRDA Act
P. KARUNAKARAN
Will the Minister of
FINANCE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government received a large number of representations with regard to the dismissal of Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Act;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to change the Act as opposed by all the trade Unions; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance
(a) to (d) The Government of India has implemented the New Pension System, now called “National Pension System” (NPS), with effect from 1st January, 2004 through a notification dated the 22nd December, 2003 for new entrants to Central Government service, except the Armed Forces. The Government constituted an interim regulator, the Interim Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) through a Government Resolution dated the 10th October, 2003 as a precursor to a statutory regulator to regulate the NPS. NPS is now administered and regulated by the statutory regulator called PFRDA under the PFRDA Act, 2013, which came into effect from 1st February, 2014
Representations have been received which inter alia also include the demand that the PFRDA Act may be dismissed. However, there is no proposal to change the PFRDA Act, 2013.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 4138
ANSWERED ON: 10.08.2018
Flexible Pension Contribution
RAJESHBHAI NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA
Will the Minister of
FINANCE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government proposes for flexible pension contribution for the informal workers in the country and if so, the details of proposal therein;
(b) if not, the proposal of Government for the people with irregular incomes and particularly the women of the country who have no regular incomes; and
(c) the details of the report of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) and Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited (CRISIL) on the pension proposal towards elderly women empowerment?
ANSWER The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance
(a) &( b) The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) was launched in May, 2015 and is operational from 1st June, 2015. The APY is primarily focussed on all citizens in the unorganised sector, who are not covered by any pension scheme. All citizens of the country in the eligible category may join the scheme. As on 06.08.2018, the total number of subscribers under APY is 1,09,66,981, out of which, 43,87,993 subscribers are women. The salient features of the Atal Pension Yojana are as under:
Indian Citizens between the age group of 18 to 40 years eligible to join APY through their savings bank account or post office savings bank account.
APY is based on defined benefit for providing guaranteed minimum monthly pension of Rs. 1000 or Rs. 2000 or Rs. 3000 or Rs. 4000 or Rs. 5000 at the age of 60 years based on pension amount chosen.
The Central Government would also co-contribute 50% of the total contribution or Rs. 1000 per annum, whichever is lower, to each eligible subscriber, for a period of 5 years, i.e., from Financial Year 2015-16 to 2019-20, who have joined the APY before 31st March, 2016, and who are not members of any statutory social security scheme and who are not income tax payers.
In case of premature death of Subscriber (death before 60 years of age), spouse of the subscriber has been given an option to continue contributing to APY account of the subscriber, for the remaining vesting period, till the original subscriber would have attained the age 60 years.
In case of death of both subscriber and spouse, the entire pension corpus would be returned to the nominee.
If the accumulated corpus based on contributions earns a lower than estimated return on investment and is inadequate to provide the minimum guaranteed pension, the Central Government would fund such inadequacy. Alternatively, if the actual returns during the accumulation phase are higher than the assumed returns for minimum guaranteed pension, such excess will be passed on to the subscriber.
With a view to provide flexibility to the subscribers of APY with seasonal or irregular income, besides the monthly mode of payment, quarterly and half yearly mode of payment of contributions have been provided in the Scheme. Further in case of default in payment of contribution, a subscriber may regularize the account by paying the overdue amount along with a minimal charge to obtain the guaranteed pension.
(c) The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has informed that the report of PFRDA and CRISIL on ‘Financial security for India’s elderly’ has, inter-alia, mentioned designing of a pension policy exclusively for women where contributions could be from the women’s families. Some tax relief to the savings held in the form of pension has also been mentioned.
NCJCM letter to DoPT to implement the MACP Scheme from 2006
No.NC-JCM-2017/MACP
Dated: August 7, 2018
The Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training,
North Block, New Delhi
Sub:- Item No.2,10 and 48 of the Joint Committee of MACP — Agenda items of the Standing Committee
Ref:- 1. This office letter of even number dated 16/01/2018 and 27/03/2018
2. MOD letter No.14(1)/99-D(AG) dated 25th July 2018
Dear Sir,
This office vide Letters referred at 1 above dated 16/01/2018 and 27/03/2018 has represented to your good self to make the MACP scheme effective from 1/1/2006 since the Hon’ble Supreme Court in its order in WP 3744 of 2016 dated 08/12/2017 in the matter of UOI Vs Shri Balbir Singh Turn & Anr has directed the Govt. of India to implement the MACP Scheme retro spectively from 1/112006. Till date we have not received any positive response from the DOPT. However the MOD vide letter referred at 2 above (copy enclosed) have now issued instructions to implement the MACP Scheme w.e.f. 1/1/2006 to the Armed Force Personnel by implementing the Hon’ble Supreme Court judgment. Having implemented the judgment to one set of employees and denying the same to the similarly placed employees is discriminatory and unjustified.
The Hon’ble Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that judicial decisions in matter of a general nature should be extended to all similarly placed employees. In the case of Inderpal Yadav Vs Union of India (1985) SCC 648, the Apex court has held as Under:-
” Those who could not come to the court need not be at a comparative disadvantage position to those who rushed in here, ‘if they are otherwise similarly situated, they are entitled to similar treatment”
In view of the above to avoid multiplicity of litigations on the matter and since the item is also before the Joint Committee on MACP, it is requested that Govt. orders may please be issued for implementing the MACP Scheme w.e.f 1/1/2006. While issuing such an order, it may also be clarified that the employees who were granted the benefit of ACP between 1.1.2006 to 31.08.2008 are not adversely affected and no recovery is ordered from them in this connection.
Tamil Nadu Revised Pay Rules, 2017 – Constitution of One Man Committee for rectification of pay anomalies – Extension of tenure of the Committee – Orders – Issued.
In the Government Order first read above, orders have been issued constituting an One Man Committee duly headed by Thiru M.A.Siddique, I.A.S., Secretary to Government (Expenditure), Finance Department to rectify the anomalies consequent on the implementation of the Tamil Nadu Revised Pay Rules, 2017 and make specific recommendations to the Government on the anomalies considered by the Committee. The One Man Committee has been requested to submit its report to the Government by 31.07.2018. In the Government Order second read above, amendment to the Government Order first read above has been issued.
2. The conduct of personal hearing meetings with various Service Associations and individual petitioners is in process and as it will take some more time to finalise the report, the One Man Committee has sought extension of the tenure of the Committee for a further period of three months beyond 31.07.2018.
3. After careful consideration, Government direct that the tenure of the One Man Committee constituted in the Government Order first read above shall be extended for a further period of three months beyond 31.07.2018 i.e. upto 31.10.2018.
(BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR)
K.SHANMUGAM
ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT
Clarification regarding inclusion of dependent “Widowed daughters” and “Legally divorced daughters” (LDD) in ‘Post Retirement Complimentary Pass’ (PRCP) and Widow Pass
RBE. No.110/2018
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)
No.E(W)2018/PS5-1/2
New Delhi, dated 06.08.2018
The General Managers (P) All Zonal Railways &
Production Units.
Sub: Clarification regarding inclusion of dependent “Widowed daughters” and “Legally divorced daughters” (LDD) in ‘Post Retirement Complimentary Pass’ (PRCP) and Widow Pass.
Ref: Board’s letter No E(W)2002/PS5-1/8 dated 16.04.2003.
Clarification has been sought by two of the Zonal Railways, i.e. Eastern & South Central Railways regarding inclusion of (i) dependent widowed daughter and (ii) dependent LDD in Widow Pass with reference to the instructions contained in Board’s letter cited under reference.
2. It is observed that in the clarification issued vide Board’s letter cited under reference, it has been stated that “legally divorced daughter and widowed daughter may be included in the PRCP as dependent relative of the retired railway servants, provided they reside with retired railway employees and subject to fulfillment of the income criteria laid down for the purpose”. The phraseology (i.e. as dependent relative), has created a doubt with regard to inclusion of dependent LDD/widowed daughters in the Widow Pass as it gives an erroneous impression that they are to be treated as ‘dependent relative’. Moreover, no co-residency requirement has been stipulated in the pass rules but the same has also been incorporated in the said clarification
3. The matter has been examined in the light of statutory provisions contained in the Railway Servants (Pass) Rules, 1986 (Second Edition-1993), as under:-
(I) in terms of Rule 2(d) (v) & (vi) ‘family’ includes:-
– Widowed daughters provided they are ‘dependent’ on the railway servant.
– Legally divorced daughter who is ‘dependent’ on the railway servant.
(ii) As far as PRCP is concerned, in terms of provisions (Col.3(i) of Schedule-1V), PRCPs can be issued to railway servants for self, wife/husband and children only, subject to the same conditions as applicable to railway servants in service. Accordingly, the aforementioned members of family i.e. dependent widowed daughters and dependent LDD are to be included in PRCP as children in view of the fact that they fail within the definition of “Family” as defined under Rule 2(d) ibid.
(iii)As far as Widow Pass is concerned, in terms of provisions (Co1.3(ii) of Schedule-V), Widow Pass can be issued on the same terms and conditions as are applicable to Privilege Passes except that dependent relatives are not entitled to be included. Since, widowed daughters 8 LDD are, not part of “dependent relatives”, but rather part of “family”, they are entitled to be included in Widow Pass as family member as in the case of Privilege Pass.
(iv)The word “dependent” has been used in Rule 2(d)(v) & 2(d)(vi) of Railway Servants (Pass) Rules, 1986 (Second Edition-1993) w.r.t. widowed daughters and LDD. However, the dependency criteria has been provided below the definition of “dependent relative” under Rule 2(c)(vii). The same definition for `dependency’ shall be followed for widowed daughters & LOD.
4. Keeping in view the statutory provisions, as contained in the Railway Servants (Pass) Rules, 1986 (Second Edition-1993), it is now clarified that (i) dependent widowed daughters (ii) dependent LDD are eligible to be included in PRCP and the Widow Passes, provided they fulfil the income criteria of dependency stipulated in the proviso below Rule-2(c)(vii) of the aforesaid rules, as amended from time to time The latest amendment to the said proviso, as contained in Advance Correction Slip No.75, issued vide this office letter No.E(W)2016/PS5-1/7 dated 24.11.2016, may also be Moreover, it may be noted that there is no requirement of co-residency of dependent widowed daughter/LOD with the PRCP/ Widow Pass holders.
5. In view of foregoing, widowed daughters & LDD may be included in PRCPIWidow Pass as eligible member of “family”,
provided they are dependent on FRCP/Widow Pass holders, without insisting on co-residency criteria.
6. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority and the concurrence of Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways.
(V. Muralidharan)
Dy. Director Estt. (Welfare)-I
Railway Board
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 3948
ANSWERED ON: 10.08.2018
DA under 7th CPC
RAMESH BAIS
Will the Minister of
FINANCE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Dearness Relief of 119 per cent as effective from 1st July, 2015 was the last one taken into consideration by the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) while recommending the formulae for revision of pension for civilian personnel including Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) who retired before 01.01.2016 and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the retirees were in receipt of six per cent Dearness Allowance (DA) w.e.f. 01.01.2016 till the implementation of the Pay Commission Report and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether at the time of implementation of 7th CPC Report, the six per cent has been denied and if so, the reasons therefor; and
(d) the remedial measures taken/being taken by the Government to remove their hardship and to restore the DA denied to them?
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (SHRI P. RADHAKRISHNAN)
(a) to (c) : The pension of Central Government employees including personnel of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), who retired prior to 1.1.2016, has been revised w.e.f. 1.1.2016 based on the recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC), as accepted by the Government, taking into account Dearness Relief @ 125%.
No proposal to replace the NPS with old pension scheme in respect of Central Government employees recruited on or after 01.01.2004
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 4075
ANSWERED ON: 10.08.2018
Reintroduction of Old Pension Scheme
RAKESH SINGH
Will the Minister of
FINANCE be pleased to state:-
(a) the details of drawbacks of the New Pension Scheme (NPS) introduced for the Government officials;
(b) whether the NPS is not as beneficial monetarily as the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government employees are disgruntled with the NPS and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to reintroduce the OPS replacing the NPS, if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard?
ANSWER The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance
(a) & (b) National Pension System (NPS) has been designed giving utmost importance to the welfare of the subscribers. Government has made a conscious move to shift from the defined benefit pension scheme to defined contribution pension scheme i.e. NPS, due to rising and unsustainable pension bill. There are a number of benefits available to the employees under NPS. Some of the benefits are enlisted below:
• NPS is a well designed pension system managed through an unbundled architecture involving intermediaries appointed by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) viz. pension funds, custodian, central record keeping and accounting agency, National Pension System Trust, trustee bank, points of presence and Annuity service providers. It is prudently regulated by PFRDA which is a statutory regulatory body established to promote old age income security and to protect the interest of subscribers of NPS.
• The pension wealth which accumulates over a period of time till retirement grows with a compounding effect. The all-in-costs of the institutional architecture of NPS are among the lowest in the world.
• Contribution made to the NPS Tier-I account is eligible for tax deduction under the Income Tax Act, 1961. An additional tax rebate of Rs.50000 is also allowed for contributions made to NPS Tier-I under Section 80CCD (1B) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
• Subscribers can withdraw up to 25% of their own contributions before attaining age of superannuation, subject to certain conditions. Further, PFRDA vide “PFRDA (Exits and Withdrawals under the NPS) (First Amendment) Regulations, 2017” dated 10.08.2017 has liberalized norms for partial withdrawals which also include reduction of requirement of minimum years of being enrolled under NPS from 10 years to 3 years from the date of joining.
• PFRDA has increased the maximum age limit from 60 years to 65 years for joining NPS-All Citizen Model and Corporate Sector Model, vide “PFRDA (Exits and Withdrawals under the NPS) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2017” dated 06.10.2017.
• PFRDA vide “PFRDA (Exits and Withdrawals under the NPS) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2018” dated 02.02.2018 has facilitated easy exit & withdrawal in case of disability and incapacitation of the subscriber covered under NPS.
• Transparency and Portability is ensured through online access of the pension account by the NPS subscribers, across all geographical locations and portability of employments.
(c) & (d) Representations have been received which inter alia also include the demand that the Government may revert to old defined benefit pension system. However, due to rising and unsustainable pension bill and competing claims on the fiscal, there is no proposal to replace the NPS with old pension scheme in respect of Central Government employees recruited on or after 01.01.2004.
TNPSC invited applications only through online mode up to 09.09.2018for direct recruitment to the posts included in Combined Civil Services Examination–II (Interview Posts) (Group-II Services) [Service Code No.004
It is mandatory for the applicants to register their basic particulars through One Time Online Registration system on payment of Rs. 150/- (Rupees One Hundred and Fifty only) towards registration fee and then should apply online for this recruitment. [The One Time Registration will be valid for 5 years from the date of registration. Thereafter, the registration should be renewed by paying the prescribed fee.]
Sl.No
Name of the Posts and
Post Codes
Name of the Service
No. of
vacancies
1
Industrial Co-operative Officer in the Industries and
Commerce Department
(Post Code No. 2258)
Tamil Nadu Industries Subordinate Service
30
2
Probation Officer in Social Defence Department
(Post Code No.1011)
Tamil Nadu Social Defence Subordinate Service
12
3
Junior Employment Officer (Non- Differently Abled) in
Employment and Training (Employment Wing)
Department (Post Code No. 1017)
Tamil Nadu General Subordinate Service
16
4
Probation Officer in Prison Department
(Post Code No.1023 )
Tamil Nadu General Subordinate Service
18
5
Assistant Inspector of Labour in the Labour Department
(Post Code No. 1068)
Tamil Nadu General Subordinate Service
26
6
Sub Registrar, Grade-II
(Post Code No.1071)
Tamil Nadu Registration Subordinate Service
73
7
Special Assistant in the Vigilance and Anti corruption Department
(Post Code No. 2265)
Tamil Nadu
Ministerial Service
2
8
Municipal Commissioner, Grade-II
(Post Code No.1092 )
Tamil Nadu Municipal
Commissioner
Subordinate Service
6
9
Assistant Section Officer
in Law Department in
Secretariat
(Post Code No.1073)
Tamil Nadu Secretariat
Service
16
10
Assistant Section Officer
in Finance Department in
Secretariat
(Post Code.1074)
Tamil Nadu Secretariat
Service
16
11
Assistant Section Officer,
Tamil Nadu Legislative
Assembly Secretariat
(Post Code No.1083)
Tamil Nadu State Legislative Assembly Secretariat Service
1
12
Assistant Section Officer
in Tamil Nadu Public Service
Commission
(Post Code No. 2201)
Tamil Nadu Secretariat Service
4
13
Assistant Section Officer
Cum Programmer in
Tamil Nadu Public Service
Commission
(Post Code No. 2215)
Tamil Nadu Secretariat Service
2
14
Supervisor of Industrial
Co-operatives in the
Industries and Commerce
Department
(Post Code No. 1022)
Tamil Nadu Industries Subordinate Service
39
15
Audit Inspector in the
Audit Wing of Hindu
Religious and Charitable
Endowments Administration
Department
(Post Code No. 1029)
Tamil Nadu Ministerial Service
30 +
ST-1
(Shortfall
vacancy)
16
Assistant Inspector in Local
Fund Audit Department
(Post Code No.1069)
Tamil Nadu Local Fund Audit Subordinate Service
95+2*+
ST-1
(Shortfall
vacancy)
17
Handloom Inspector in
Handlooms and Textiles
Department
(Post Code No. 1868)
Tamil Nadu Handlooms and Textiles Subordinate Service
23
18
Senior Inspectors in Milk
Production and Dairy
Development Department
(Post Code No. 2268)
Tamil Nadu Co-operative Subordinate
Service
48
19
Senior Inspector of
Co-operative Societies in
Department of Registrar of
Co-operative Societies
(Post Code No.1014)
Tamil Nadu Co-operative Subordinate Service
596+3*
20
Supervisor / Junior Superintendent in Tamil Nadu Agricultural Marketing / Agricultural Business Department
(Post Code No.1087)
Tamil Nadu Agricultural Marketing Subordinate
Service
118
21
Audit Assistant in Accounts Branch of Highways and
Rural Works Department
(Post Code No.1018)
Tamil Nadu General
Subordinate Service
SC- 8 & ST-1
(Shortfall
vacancies)
22
Executive Officer, Grade-II in Town Panchayats Department, Tirunelveli
District ( Post Code No.1091)
Tamil Nadu Town
Panchayat Subordinate
Service
1 (SC – Shortfall
vacancy)
23
Revenue Assistant in Revenue Department
Tamil Nadu
Ministerial Service
11
Total Number of vacancies
1199
IMPORTANT DATES AND TIME
Date of Notification
10.08.2018
Last date for submission of online application
09.09.2018
Last date for payment of Examination Fee
through Bank (State Bank of India or Indian
Bank) or Post Office
The Manager (Instt)
State Bank of India
Main Branch (4th Floor)
Parliament Street,
New Delhi
Sub :- Revision of pension in respect of pensioners of KVS retired prior to 01.01.2016 in respect of 7th CPC.
Sir/Madam,
It is to inform that the Ministry of HRD has granted approval for adoption of 7th CPC to the pensioners of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan vide letter No. F.3-45/2017-UT-2 dated 13.06.2018 in terms of following OMs of Govt. of India (copy enclosed):
The following modus operandi has to be adopted by the Pension Disbursing Authority i.e. State Bank of India, Parliament Street, New Delhi, for revision of pension:
1. in case of pensioners retired prior to 01.01.2016, the revised pension/family pension with effect from 01.01.2016 shall be determined by multiplying the pension/family pension, as had been fixed at the time of implementation of 6th Central Pay Commission(CPC) (pension drawn on 31.12.2015) by 2.57 in terms of OM NO. 38/37/2016-P&PW(A)(ii) dated 04.08.2016. The amount of revised pension/family pension so arrived at shall be rounded off to next higher rupee.” The revised pension/family pension will be the basic pension/family pension only without the element of additional pension available to the old pensioners/family pensioners on attaining the specified age.
2. The revised pension in accordance with 7th CPC will be applicable with effect from August 2018. The arrears of pension (w.e.f. 01.01.2016) will not be paid to pensioners till further instructions from this office.
3. In case of pensioners retired between OL01.2016 to 31.05.2018, the revised order according to 7th CPC for individual case will be issued by the endriya Vidyalaya Sangathan. in such cases also existing pension is to be revised with effect from August 2018 and the arrears of pension for 7th CPC will not be paid till further instructions from this office. It is relevant to mention that with effect Oom June 2018, the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan is issuing the Pension Payment Orders as per recommendations of 7th CPC.
4. The Dearness rates for all the pensioners drawing pension according to 7th CPC will be paid as mentioned in this office letter of even number dated 05.07.2018 (copy attached).
5. The Govt. of India Ministry of Personnel„ PG & Pensions vide OM No. 4/34/2017- P&PW(D) dated 19.07.2017 has enhanced the amount of Fixed Medical Allowance from Rs.500/- to Rs.1000/- with effect from 01.07.2017. The Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) of R5.1000/- is to be paid to all the pensioners with effect from August, 2018. The arrears of FMA i.e. from 01.07.2017 to 31.07.2018 will only be paid at the time of payment of arrears of pension in accordance with 7th CPC for which the necessary instructions will be issued by this office.
You are requested to circulate the same among all your CPCC/Pension Payee branches for necessary implementation.
Special Allowance to the Graduate Teachers – Assam G.O
GOVERNMENT OF ASSAM
FINANCE (PAY RBSEARCH UNIT) DEPARTMENT
DISPUR GUWAHATI-6
ORDERS BY THE GOVERNOR
NOTIFICATION
Dated Dispur the 4th August, 2018.
No.FPC.4/2018/139: The Government of Assam had constituted the Anomaly Committee under the Chairmanship of Shri. P.K Datta IAS (Retd.) vide Notification No.FPC.11/20173/3 dated 18.05.2017.
The Anomaly Committee submitted its report to the Government on 31.12.2017.
After careful consideration of the report of the Anomaly Committee the Government is pleased to allow the Special Allowance of Rs. 300/- per month to the Graduate teachers of High Schools / Higher Secondary Schools against the Grade Pay of Rs. 8700/- with immediate effect.
(Sd/- D. Malakar,IAS)
Secretary to the Govt. of Assam.
Finance (PRU) Department
