Union Government sensitive to employees’ concerns: Dr Jitendra Singh
The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy & Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that the Government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is sensitive to employees’ concerns and a number of decisions taken during the last four years, are aimed in the direction of addressing employees’ issues and providing them a motivating environment.
Dr Jitendra Singh was speaking to a delegation of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) led by Shri M. Sudhakar Rao, Secretary General of Geological Survey of India Employees Sangh affiliated to BMS.
The members of the delegation submitted two memoranda to the Minister. One of them related to the alleged discrepancy in Recruitment Rules (RRs) of the Non-Gazetted Group ‘B’ Assistants in the Ministry of Mines, Geological Survey of India. The other memorandum proposed the setting up of a Joint Consultative machinery for arbitration.
Dr Jitendra Singh held a detailed discussion on each of the issues raised. He said that he will get the issues examined.
Payment of Dearness Allowance to Armed Forces Officers and Personnel Below Officer Rank including NCs(E) – Revised rates effective from 1st January, 2018
F.No.1(2)/2004/D(Pay/Services)
Government of India
Ministry of Defence
New Delhi, the 28th March, 2018
To
The Chief of the Army Staff
The Chief of the Air Staff
The Chief of the Naval Staff
Subject: Payment of Dearness Allowance to Armed Forces Officers and Personnel Below Officer Rank including NCs(E) – Revised rates effective from 1st January, 2018.
Sir,
I am directed to refer to this Ministry’s letter No.1(2)/2004/D(Pay/Services) dated 3rd October 2017, 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 5% to 7% of the basic pay with effect from 1st January, 2018.
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 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 shall not be made before the date of disbursement of salary of March, 2018.
6. This letter issues with the concurrence of Finance Division of this Ministry vide their Dy. No.79-PA dated 26.03.18 based on Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) O.M. No.1/1/2018-E.II(B), dated 15th March, 2018.
Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(T.D.Prashanth Rao)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Declaration of Holiday on 14th April, 2018 – Birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
No.12/6/2016-JCA-2
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment (JCA-2) Section
North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 2nd April, 2018
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Declaration of Holiday on 14th April, 2018 – Birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
It has been decided to declare Saturday, the 14th April 2018, as a Closed Holiday on account of the birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, for all Central Government Offices including Industrial Establishments throughout India.
2. The above holiday is also being notified in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (26 of 1881)
3. All Ministries/Departments of Government of India may bring the above decision to the notice of all concerned.
(D.K.Sengupta)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India
Grant of vigilance clearance for obtaining passport – DoPT
F.No.11012/7/2017-Estt.A-III
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment A-III Desk
North Block, New Delhi – 110001
Dated 28th March, 2018
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Grant of vigilance clearance for obtaining passport.
The undersigned is directed to say that matter regarding guidelines for granting vigilance clearance to members of the Central Civil Service holding Central Civil Posts have been reviewed and it has been decided to lay down guidelines for grant of vigilance clearance to the Government servant for obtaining Indian Passport.
2. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued the guidelines for issuance of ordinary Passport to the Government servant vide O.M. No. VI/401/01/05/2014 dated 26.05.2015 in connection with procedures to be the followed in case of passport to be issued to Government servant.
3. In view of the above, it is mandatory for the administrative Department/Controlling Authority to check whether any provision of the Section 6(2) of the Passport Act, 1967 are attracted in the case of employee, who are working under them, while obtaining Indian Passport. As such, it is required to check the vigilance clearance of such Government servant.
4. Accordingly, it has been decided that vigilance clearance can be withheld only under the following circumstances:
(i) The officer is under suspension;
(ii) A charge sheet has been issued against the officer in a disciplinary proceeding and the proceeding is pending.
(iii) Charge sheet has been filed in a Court by the investigating Agency in a criminal case and the case is pending.
(iv) Sanction for investigation or prosecution has been granted by the Competent Authority in a case under the PC Act or any other criminal matter.
(v) An FIR has been filed or a case has been registered by any Government entity against the officer, after a preliminary fact finding inquiry.
(vi) The officer is involved in a trap/ raid case on charges of corruption and investigation is pending.
5. Vigilance clearance shall not be withheld due to an FIR filed on the basis of a private complaint unless a charge-sheet has been filed by the investigating agency provided that there are no directions to the contrary by a competent court of law. However, the information regarding FIR may be provided to the Passport Office. The final decision will be taken by the concerned Passport Issuing Authority.
6. There may be situations wherein wards and relatives of the civil servants residing abroad (for education and other purposes) could be having medical emergencies or family events. The officer himself/ herself may require to visit abroad for medical reasons. Therefore, as a policy, ordinarily, a passport will not be granted if a disciplinary proceeding is pending against the officer. However, the competent authority can take a view wherein a foreign travel is necessitated due to extreme urgent situation like medical emergencies etc. on case to case basis.
7. All Ministries/ Departments/Offices are requested to bring the above guidelines to the notice of all Disciplinary Authorities under their control.
8. Hindi version will follow.
(Sanjiv Kumar)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
KV Admission 2018-19, registration for admission to Class-1 (left out vacancies) and class-II to IX
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (HQ) New Delhi
Admission Notice 2018-19
In supersession of Admission Notice dated-27.02.2018 for session 2018-19, registration for admission to Class-1 (left out vacancies) and class-II to IX will commence from 02.04.2018 at 8:00 A.M. to 09.04.2018 up to 4:00 P.M. through offline mode in Kendriya Vidyalayas across the country subject to availability of vacancies.
Other contents of Admission Notice 2018- 19 dated- 27.02.2018 will remain same.
PCDA Circular 199 : Payment of enhanced Monetary Allowance attached to pre and post independence Gallantry Awards
O/o The Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions) Draupadighat, Allahabad 211014
Circular No. 199
No. AT/Tech/69-XIII
Dated: 27 /03/2018
To
01. The Chief Accountant, RBI Deptt. of Govt. Bank Accounts, Central office C-7, Second Floor, Bandre- Kurla Complex, P B No. 8143, Bandre East, Mumbai-400051
02. The Director of Treasuris of all state……………
03. The Manager CPPC of Public Sector Banks inclulding IDBI
04. The CDA (PD) Meerut
05. The CDA, Chennai
06. The Nodal Officers (ICICI/AXIS/HDFC Bank)….
07. The Pay & Accounts Officer……………
08. The Military. & Air Attache, Indian Embassy, Kathmandu, Nepal
09. The D.P.D.O…………………….
10. Post Master…………………
Sub: Payment of enhanced Monetary Allowance attached to pre and post independence Gallantry Awards.
Ref: This office Circular No. 9 dated 10/06/2011 and Circular No. 30 dated 22/12/2017.
*******
The rates of Monetary Allowance atttached to pre and post independence Gallantary Awards have been revised by the Govt w.e.f. 30/03/2011 and 01/08/2017 and the same have been issued to all the Pension Disbursing Agencies (PDAs) vide this office Circular No. 9 dated 10/06/2011 and Circular No. 30 dated 22/12/2017 respectively. These circulars are also available on this office web site www.pcdapension.nic.in.
However, complaints from various agencies as well as the pensioners/family pensioners & Pensioners’ Associations are being received at various levels including Ministry of Defence (MoD) stating that PDAs are not making payment of enhanced rate of Monetary Allowance attached to pre and post independence Gallantry Awards.
On examining the cases, it has been noticed that monetary allowance of Gallantry award has neither been revised as per this office Circular No. 9 dated 10/06/2011 nor Circular No. 30 dated 22/12/2017. Non-revision of monetary allowance of Gallantry Awards by the PDAs has resulted in huge arrears. Non-payment of dues to the pensioners/family pensioners as well as accumulation of such cases has been viewed seriously by the MoD. The MoD has further directed to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
Therfore, PDAs are requested to review all cases of monetary allowance attached to pre and post independence Gallantry Awards and ensure that revision as per circulars mentioned above has been carried out by them and payment is being made at correct rates. The Pension Disbursing Agencies are also requested to submit detailed status report on payment of correct rate of Monetary Allowance attached to pre and post independence Gallantry Awardees.
Details of Gallantry awardees extracted from pension payment scrolls for the month of January, 2018 received from the Banks in respect of whom monetary allowances are still awaiting for revision in terms of the above circulars is being forwarded separately to each CPPC for immediate revision of the same and to ensure credit the payments along with arrears in pensioners/family pensioners Bank Account. PDAs other than Banks are requested to review all cases of Gallantry awardees and confirm to this office that payment is being made as per the above quoted circulars.
Gratuity Gazette Notification : Amount, Date and Maternity Leave
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 29th March, 2018
S.O. 1419(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Act, 2018 (12 of 2018), the Central Government hereby appoints the 29th day of March, 2018 as the date on which the said Act shall come into force.
[No.S-42012/02/2016-SS-II]
MANISH GUPTA, Jt. Secy.
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 29th March, 2018
S.O. 1420 (E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 4 of the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 (39 of 1972), the Central Government hereby specifies that the amount of gratuity payable to an employee under the said Act shall not exceed twenty lakh rupees.
[No.S-42012/02/2016-SS-II]
MANISH GUPTA, Jt. Secy.
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 29th March, 2018
S.O. 1421 (E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (iv) of the Explanation to sub-section (2) of section 2A of the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 (39 of 1972), the Central Government hereby specifies for the purposes of the said clause that the total period of maternity leave in the case of a female employee shall not exceed twenty-six weeks.
[No.S-42012/02/2016-SS-II]
MANISH GUPTA, Jt. Secy.
LTC to Railway employees (and Government servants whose spouses are Railway servants)
No. 31011/15/2017 – Estt A-IV
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment A-IV Desk
***
North Block New Delhi
Dated March 27, 2018
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: LTC to Railway employees (and Government servants whose spouses are Railway servants).
The undersigned is directed to say that as per extant LTC instructions, Government servants and their spouses who are working in Indian Railways are not entitled for the facility of LTC as the facility of “Free Pass” is available to them. However, Seventh CPC in its report has recommended for bringing Railway employees (and employees whose spouses are Railway servants) into the fold of LTC
2 The matter has been considered in this Department in consultation With Ministry of Railways. It has been decided that Railway employees may be allowed to avail All lndia LTC once in a block of four years under CCS(LTC) Rules, 1988, subject to the following conditions·
(i) The railway employees shall continue to be governed fully by the Railway Servants (Pass) Rules only and availing of “All India LTC” under CCS (LTC) Rules by them will be facilitated through a Special Order under the relevant provision of the said Pass Rules.
(ii) “All India LTC” will be purely optional for the railway employees.
(iii) Even after availing “All India LTC” in a year, it will not be mandatory for the railway employee to opt for “All India LTC” 1n the next or subsequent block years
(iv) No “Home Town LTC” will be admissible to Railway employees and on the same analogy, no Home Town converted LTC shall be allowed to them.
(v) The railway employees will surrender the Privilege Passes admissible to them In the calendar year in which they intend to avail the LTC facility. However they would continue to be eligible for Privilege Ticket Orders and other kinds of Passes viz., Duty Pass. School Pass, Special Passes on Medical grounds. etc., as admissible under the Pass rules. Further, if the railway employee has already availed of a Privilege Pass, then LTC will not be allowed in that year.
(vi) The railway employees on deputation to any other organization, Including Railway PSUs, would also continue to be eligible for optional LTC in lieu of Privilege Pass entitlement.
(vii) The definition of beneficiaries e g members of family, dependents etc. and other conditions as laid down in the CCS(L TC) rules will be applicable for availing ‘All India LTC” facility by the railway employees even if such beneficiaries are not entitled for Privilege Pass under the Pass Rules.
(viii) If both spouses are Railway employees then both will surrender admissible in the calendar year, if they opt for All India LTC.
(ix) In case of the Government employees whose spouse is working In Railways, want to avail All India LTC, either Independently or with family members, then he/she they may be allowed subject to the condition of surrendering privilege passes admissible in that calendar year for him/her/them and an undertaking in this regard shall be given by the Government servant to his office
3. Hindi version will follow.
(Sanjiv Kumar)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of lnd1a
Background: The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 applies to establishments employing 10 or more persons. The main purpose for enacting this Act is to provide social security to workman after retirement, whether retirement is a result of superannuation, or physical disablement or impairment of vital part of the body. Therefore, the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 is an important social security legislation to wage earning population in industries, factories and establishments.
2. The present upper ceiling on gratuity amount under the Act is Rs. 10 Lakh. The provisions for Central Government employees under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 with regard to gratuity are also similar. Before implementation of 7th Central Pay Commission, the ceiling under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 was Rs. 10 Lakh. However, with implementation of 7th Central Pay Commission, in case of Government servants, the ceiling has been raised toRs. 20 Lakhs.
3. Therefore, considering the inflation and wage increase even in case of employees engaged in private sector, this Government decided that the entitlement of gratuity should also be revised in respect of employees who are covered under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972. Accordingly, the Government initiated the process for amendment to Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 to increase the maximum limit of gratuity to such amount as may be notified by the Central Government from time to time. Now, the Government has issued the notification specifying the maximum limit to Rs. 20 Lakh.
4. In addition, the Bill also envisages to amend the provisions relating to calculation of continuous service for the purpose of gratuity in case of female employees who are on maternity leave from ‘twelve weeks’ to ‘such period as may be notified by the Central Government from time to time’. This period has also been notified as twenty six weeks.
Major Impact: The Bill as passed by both the Houses of Parliament, andassented to by the Hon’ble President and notified by the Government. This will ensure harmony amongst employees in the private sector and in Public Sector Undertakings/ Autonomous Organizations under Government who are not covered under CCS (Pension) Rules. These employees will be entitled to receive higher amount of gratuity at par with their counterparts in Government sector.
Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) — February, 2018
The All-India CPI-IW for February, 2018 decreased by 1 point and pegged at 287 (two hundred and eighty seven). On 1-month percentage change, it decreased by (-) 0.35 per cent between January and February, 2018 which was static between the two months a year back.
The maximum downward pressure to the change in current index came from Food group contributing (-) 1.87 points to the total change. At item level, Wheat & Wheat Atta, Gram Dal, Groundnut Oil, Egg (hen), Poultry (Chicken), Pure Ghee, Garlic, Onion, Brinjal, Cabbage Carrot, Cauliflower, Palak, Peas, Tomato, Sugar, Flowers/Flower Garlands. etc. are responsible for the decrease in index. However, this decrease was checked by Rice, Goat Meat, Apple, Banana, Coconut, Tea Leaf, Bidi, Cigraette, Electricity Charges, Kerosene Oil, Medicine (Allopathic), Cinema Charges, Bus Fare, Petrol, Repair Charges, Hair Oil, Hand Bag/Brief Case, Tailoring Charges, etc., putting upward pressure on the index.
The year-on-year inflation uneasured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 4.74 per cent for February, 2018 as compared to 5.11 per cent for the previous month and 2.62 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the food inflation stood at 2.36 per cent against 3.36 per of the previous month and 1.71 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.
At centre level, Bokaro reported the maximum decrease of 5 points followed by Mumbai (4 points). Among others, 3 points decrease was observed in 16 centers, 2 points in 14 centres and 1 point in 16 centres. On the contrary, Coimbatore and Jamshedpur recorded a maximum increase of 4 points each followed by Lucknow, Goa and Chennai (3 points each). Among others, 2 points increase was observed in 3 centres and 1 point in 4 centres. Rest or the 18 centres indices remained stationary.
The indices of 38 centres are above All-India Index and 37 centers’ indices are below national average. The index of Varanasi, Bengaluru and Chandigarh centres remairæd at par with All-India Index.
The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of March, 2018 will released on Friday 27th April, 2018. The same will also be available the on the office website www.labourbureaunew.gov.in.
