Implementation of pay fixation orders in terms of the Hon’ble CAT, Principal Bench, New Delhi’s order dated 6th March, 2017
No. A-60015/1/2017/MF.CGA(A)/NGE/647
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
Controller General of Accounts
Mahalekha Niyantrak Bhawan
E Block, GPO Complex, INA
New Delhi-110023
Dated: 13th February, 2018
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: Implementation of pay fixation orders in terms of the Hon’ble CAT, Principal Bench, New Delhi’s order dated 6th March, 2017.
Reference is invited to Department of Expenditure Office Memorandum No. F No.8-11/2017-E.III(A) dated 7th February, 2018 issued in compliance of CAT New Delhi’s Judgement dated 6.03.2017.
It has been decided that consequent to implementation of 6th CPC w.e.f. 1.1.2006, Assistant Accounts officers of Central Civil Accounts Service shall be allowed minimum entry pay as applicable for direct recruits in the G.P. of Rs.4800/- i.e. Rs.18150/- (B.P.13350 + G.P. Rs.4800) from the date of their appointment on promotion. The re-fixation of pay would be of course admissible from the date of promotion in each of the individual cases. Further, they shall also be entitled to arrears arising out of pay fixation. But, no interest on payment of arrears will be admissible.
However, AAOs on such fixation will not be treated as direct recruits to the post of Assistant Accounts Officer.
These issues with the approval of the competent authority.
NFIR : Denial of Leave Salary duly reckoning 30% of 7th CPC pay for Running Staff
No. IV/RSAC/Conf./Part IX
Dated: 13/02/2018
The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi
Dear Sir,
Sub: Denial of Leave Salary duly reckoning 30% of 7th CPC pay for Running Staff – reg.
The extant instructions provide that the Running Staff are entitled for payment of Leave Salary duly reckonng 30% of pay. It has, however, been represented by our affiliates as well staff that on many Zonal Railways 30% of 7th CPC pay is not being reckoned for the purpose of payment of Leave Salary to the Running Staff. When pointed out, the Zonal Railways stated that Board’s clarification is awaited.
In this connection, NFIR desires to state that Leave Salary is not part of Allowances, therefore, 30% of 7th CPC pay needs to be added to the Basic Pay ior the purpose of payment oi Leave Salary to the Running Staff. In view of confusion prevailing on certain Zonal Railways, the Railway Board may consider issuing suitable clarification for reckoning 30% of 7th CPC pay for the purpose of payment of Leave Salary.
NFIR, therefore, requests the Railway Board to issue clarificatory instructions as suggested above, duly endorsing copy thereof to the Federation, at the earliest.
(a)whether the Government has decided to raise the upper age limit for joining the National Pension Scheme (NPS) to 65 years from the current 60 by making changes in the said schemes; (b)if so, the number of persons likely to benefit thereby;
(c)the number of persons covered under the said scheme so far; and
(d)the amount of additional financial burden likely to be borne by the Government as a result thereof?
Will the Minister of FINANCEbe pleased to state:-
ANSWER
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance
(a) to (c) Yes. Vide PFRDA (Exits and Withdrawals from National Pension System) Second Amendment Regulations, 2017, dated 6th October, 2017, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has permitted any Indian citizen who is in the age group of 18-65 years to join the National Pension System (NPS) on voluntary basis. As informed by PFRDA, a total of 1056 persons between the ages of 60-65 years have joined up to 31st January, 2018.
(d) NPS is a contributory pension scheme available to the Indian citizens between the ages of 18- 65 years on voluntary basis. There will be no financial burden on Government due to increase in the eligibility age of joining NPS from 60 to 65 years because Government doesn’t pay any contribution for private employees and also Government employees who join the NPS after the age of retirement at 60 years.
PCDA Circular 596 : 7th CPC – Revision of Disability/ War Injury pension for Pre-01.01.2016 Defence Forces pensioners
Office of the Principal CDA(Pensions) Draupadi Ghat, Allahabad- 211014
Circular No. 596
Dated: 09th February, 2018
To,
1. 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
2. All CMDs, Public Sector Banks including IDBI Bank
3. Nodal Officers, ICICl/ HDFC/ AXIS/ IDBI Banks
4. Managers, All CPPCs
5. Military and Air Attache, Indian Embassy, Kathmandu, Nepal
6. The PCDA (WC), Chandigarh
7. The CDA (PD), Meerut
8. The CDA, Chennai
9. The Director of Treasuries, All States
10. The Pay and Accounts Officer, Delhi Administration, RK Puram and Tis Hazari, New Delhi
11. The Pay and Accounts Office, Govt of Maharashtra, Mumbai
12. The Post Master Kathua (J&K)
13. The Post Master Camp Bell Bay
14. The Pr. Pay and Accounts Officer, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Port Blair
Subject: Implementation of Government decision on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC)- Revision of Disability/ War Injury pension for Pre-01.01.2016 Defence Forces pensioners reg.
Copy of GOI, MOD letter No. 17(01)/2017(01)/D(Pen/Policy) dated 23rd January, 2018 on the above subject, which is self-explanatory, is forwarded herewith for further necessary action at your end.
2. In terms of Para-2 of GOI, MOD letter No. 17(01)/2017(01)/D(Pension/ Policy) dated 04th September,2017, Disability Element of Disability Pension to Armed Forces Pensioners has to be revised by multiplying the existing rate of Disability Element as had been drawn on 31.12.2015 by factor of 2.57 to arrive at revised rate of Disability Element as on 01.01.2016. Further, in terms of Para-5.2 & 5.3 of GOI, MOD letter No. 17(01)/2017(02)/D(Pension/Policy) dated 05th September’ 2017, Disability Pensionary awards has to be revised on notional pay fixation method and benefits of broad banding will be given to discharge cases also as in invalided out cases and these will be done by issuing Corrigendum Pension Payment Order (PPO).
3. Now, consequent upon the issue of GOI, MOD letter dated 23rd January, 2018, the cases where Armed Forces Pensioners who were retired/ discharged voluntary or otherwise with disability and they were in receipt of Disability/ War Injury Element as on 31.12.2015, their extent of disability/ War Injury Element shall be re-computed in the following manner given below, before applying the multiplication factor of 2.57 on existing disability/ war injury element as on 31.12.2015 for getting the revised disability/ war injury element as on 01.01.2016 in accordance to Para-2 of GOI, MOD letter No. 17(01)/2017(01)/D(Pension/ Policy) dated 04th September’ 2017.
Accepted percentage of disability
Percentage to be reckoned for computing of
Disability Element
20% or more but less than 50%
50%
Between 50% to 75%
75%
Between 76% to 100%
100%
4. The Note below Para-12 of GOI, MOD letter No. 17(01)/2016-D(Pen/Pol) dated 29th October, 2016 (circulated vide Circular No. 570 dated 31.10.2016) stands deleted. In other words, quantum of additional pension available to old age pensioners after attaining the age of 80 years and above shall also be admissible on revised disability/ war injury element.
5. It is also stated that PDAs may take utmost care during revision of Disability/War Injury Element as per this order in those cases where the pensioners who are in receipt of 50% of Disability/ War Injury Element of Disability/ War Injury Pension. If the individual has already been given rounding of benefit through PPO (in invalided out cases) then rounding of benefit in such cases should not be given. However, where his disability was assessed as 50% in discharge cases then it will be rounded to 75% as mentioned in Para-3 above. If the PDAs found any problem regarding identification of such cases the same may please be forwarded to Audit Section of this office.
6. All Pension Disbursing Agencies handling disbursement of pension to the Defence Pensioner are hereby authorized to pay benefit of rounding off disability/ war injury and additional pension as per Para 3 & 5 above without any further authorization from the concerned Pension Sanctioning Authorities.
7. Provisions of GOI, MOD letter No. 17(01)/2017(01)/D(Pen/Policy) dated 23rd January, 2018 shall take effect from 01.01.2016.
8. This circular has been uploaded on this office website www.pcdapension.nic.in for dissemination to all alongwith Defence pensioners and Pension Disbursing Agencies.
BPMS – Drastic reduction in Budgetary support to Ordnance Factories
REF: BPMS /MOD /Budget /186 (8/1/R)
Dated: 10.02.2018
To
Smt. Nirmala Sitharamari, Defence Minister,
Government of India,
South Block, New Delhi
Sub :- Drastic reduction in Budgetary support to Ordnance Factories
Hon’ble madam,
With due regards, I would like to bring the following for your kind personal intervention at the earliest please:-
We were not surprised on your statement speaking on the eve to mark 90 years of the setting up of leading industry body FICCI on 14.12.2017 when you said: “This may be a proper and suitable occasion to say that I am doing a major review of the ordnance factories, to make sure we understand where they are, what is it that they have to be given, are they going to be in a position to be joint venture partners for people trying to benefit from transfer of technology… so OFBs (ordnance factory boards) are also being looked into.”
But we are consternated to note that all of a sudden the government has drastically cut down the Budgetary support of the Ordnance Factories, both for the Revised Estimates for the year 2017-18 and the Budgetary Estimates for the year 2018-19. In the current year Value of Issue for Army was planned at Rs. 14496 crore which has been reduced to Rs. 11419 crore (reduction by 21.22%). Budget Estimate for the year 2018-19 indicates reduction from Rs. 14872 crore to Rs. 11743 crore for issues to Army. Due to this, spares of ‘A’ Vehicles and Artillery Guns, sighting Systems and Electronics, General Stores and Clothing, Small Arms cannot be supplied to Army. This will have a cascading adverse effect on the capacity utilization of concerned 12 Ordnance Factories, pay pocket of employees and society at large.
As a major stakeholder, this development is being view with great concern as it directly and brutally affects not only the Defence Production sector per se, but the war preparedness of the Nation too.
In this connection we seek to bring to your kind attention various correspondence of this Federation wherein we have reiterated the fact that depending on the Private Sector on critical supplies have been a failure till date and will continue to be so in the future too, after all, this sector cannot just perform on the single point agenda of “return on investment”, the mainstay of the private enterprises.
Suffice to mention once again that the private sector can only make sound & fury but cannot deliver due to the vagarity of the situation prevalent in defence purchases.
It is worth to mention here that erstwhile Defence Minister, Shri Manohar Parrikar had been encouraging the Ordnance Factories’ employees/organization as they ensured defence production upto Rs 14,000 crore in the financial year 2015-16. He noticed that the output of the ordnance factory had improved for the first time by 17 per cent. It was stagnant for four to five years and hovering around Rs 10,000 to Rs 11,000 crore. He used to say, “Ordnance Factories have achieved new milestones in production of ammunition and defence weapons. These defence establishments have a bright future for feeding defence products for security of the nation. Now, ordnance factories are eyeing production of Rs 20,000 crore in near future,”
The drastic reduction in Budgetary support, it is apprehended, will entail stoppage of supplies of various critical spares, general items, electronic items and even small arms and ammunitions, directly affecting the work load of more than a dozen factories and thousands of workmen.
In view of the above, we seek your kind personal intervention in the matter with an request to restore the budgetary support to its original state to avoid a major collapse of supplies which may eventually cause impediment to the war preparedness of the Nation.
An immediate action in the matter is therefore solicited.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Sincerely yours
S/d,
(MUKESH SINGH)
Secretary/BPMS &
Member, JCM-II Level Council (MOD)
PCDA Circular 592 : Restoration of full pension in respect of Defence Service Personnel who had drawn lump sum payment on absorption in Public Sector Undertakings / Autonomous Bodies
OFFICE OF THE PR. CONTROLLER OF DEFENCE ACCOUNTS (PENSIONS) DRAUPADI GHAT, ALLAHABAD- 211014
Circular No. 592
Dated: 05.12.2017
To,
1. 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
2. All CMDs, Public Sector Banks.
3. The Nodal Officers, ICICI/HDFC/AXIS/IDBI Banks
4. All Managers, CPPCs
5. Military and Air Attache, Indian Embassy, Kathmandu, Nepal
6. The PCDA (WC), Chandigarh
7. The CDA (PD), Meerut
8. The CDA Chennai
9. The Director of Treasuries, All States
10. The Pay and Accounts Officer, Delhi Administration, R K Puram and Tis Hazari, New Delhi.
11. The Pay and Accounts Office, Govt of Maharashtra, Mumbai
12. The Post Master Kathua (J&K) and Camp Bell Bay.
13. The Principal Pay and Accounts Officer Andaman and Nicobar Administration Port Blair.
Subject:- Restoration of full pension in respect of Defence Service Personnel who had drawn lump sum payment on absorption in Public Sector Undertakings/ Autonomous Bodies.
Reference:- Circular No. 532 dated 19.01.2015.
*********
Reference is invited to para-8 of DOP & PW O.M. F. No.4/34/2002 -P&PW(D)- Vol- II dated 23/06/2017 vide which it has been decided to extend the benefit of order dated 02-08-2007 of the Hon’ble Madras High Court and the Order dated 01-09-2016 of the Hon’ble Supreme Court to all similarly placed absorbee pensioners. Accordingly, all such absorbee pensioners who had taken 100% lump-sum amount in lieu of pension on absorption in PSUs/Autonomous Bodies and in whose case 1/3rd pension had been restored after 15 years, may be allowed restoration of full pension after expiry of commutation period of 15 years from the date of payment of 100% lump-sum amount.
2. It is, therefore, decided by the competent authority that provisions of GoI, Ministry of personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare OM F. No. 4/34/2002-P & PW (D)-Vol-II dated 23.06.2017, shall also apply mutatis mutandis to all Armed Forces pensioner absorbed in PSUs/Autonomous bodies vide GoI, MoD letter No. 1(04)/2007-D(Pen/Policy) dated 18.09.2017. Other terms and conditions prescribed vide GoI, MoD letters issued from time to time which are not affected by the provisions of GoI, MoD letter dated 18.09.2017 shall remain unchanged.
3. The Armed Forces PSU absorbees whose full pension is restored in terms of the above instructions would also be entitled for revision of their pension in accordance with the instructions issued from time to time in revision in implementation of the recommendations of the Pay Commissions including 7th Central Pay Commission.
4. The pension in terms of these orders will be revised by respective Pension Sanctioning Authorities suo-moto by issuing Corrigendum PPOs in all affected cases. Further, PDAs will also brought into notice these type of cases to concerned PSAs, if any left, for revision of pension.
Railway Order : Minimum educational qualification for recruitment to the posts of Technicians in S&T department in Level-2 of the pay matrix of 7th CPC
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)
****
No. E(NG)II/2007/RR1/34
RBE No.18/2018
New Delhi, dated 02.02.2018
The General Manager (P),
All Zonal Railways/Production Units,
Chaimran/RRBs.
(As per standard mailing list).
Sub: Minimum educational qualification for recruitment to the posts of Technicians in S&T department in Level-2 of the pay matrix of 7th CPC on the Railways.
Ref: Board’s letter No. E(NG)11/2007M-1/34 dated 24.06.2009 (RBE No. 117/2009).
****
Attention is invited to instructions issued vide this Ministry’s letter under reference, inter-alia laying down minimum educational qualification for recruitment of staff from open market to the post of Technician (Signal)-111 and Technician (Telecommunication)-III in Level-2 of the pay matrix of 7th CPC (earlier Grade Pay 1900/-), against direct recruitment quota in S&T departments.
The matter has been reviewed and after detailed deliberation with the concerned technical directorates, it has been decided by the Board that in supersession of the instructions under reference, concerning technicians of S&T departments, direct recruitment qualification for the aboye posts will be as under:-
“10th pass + ITI in Electronics Mechanic/Electrical fitter/Wireman trade; Or 12th (+2 stage) with Physics and Maths in Higher Secondary or equivalent.”
These instructions will be effective from the date of its issue and ongoing recruitment for the above said categories, where notification has been published will be governed by past instructions on the subject.
07-A/2016: Delay in granting of sanction of Honorarium to Accounts Staff over Northern Railway in the competency of Railway Board for the years 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14.
&
07-B/2016 : Sanction of Honorarium claim.
7-A/2016: Grant of Honorarium to the Accounts Staff of Northern Railway in the competency of Railway Board for the years 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 is considered and necessary communication has been issued to the Railways vide letter No.E(G)2014 HO1-2 dated 19.01.2018.
As regards the proposal of N. Rly for grant of honorarium to the Accounts staff for the year 2013-14, the observation of the Board has been communicated vide letter dated 06.12.2016. No revised proposal has yet been received from Northern Railway. Railway is being reminded.
7-B/2016: The proposal of N.W. Railway Cash & Pay staff for the financial year 2009- 10 was considered by Board and a reference to N.W. Railway made on 12.08.2016 for review/ re-examination of each and every case, of the proposal and FA&CAO (PHOD/CHOD) to personally certify that the claims are justified. GM should also comment on reasonableness of the claims.
No reply has been received from N.W. Railway as yet on the above. Railway has been last reminded on 19.01.2018. Copies of the reference to N.W. Railway given to Federation(AIRF).
Federation also mentioned that as has been done in the case of Cashiers, similar approach needs to be made for grant of honorarium to Accounts staff as well so that the matter is settled at the level of GM without referring to Board.
37/2016: Retention of accommodation on normal rent – Staff working in sensitive posts, transfer to other places.
Federation pointed out that there should be a separate proposal for those staff who are serving on sensitive posts as they have to undergo periodical transfer. They also referred to their letter of 27.11.2017 on this issue. Official side stated that matter will be put up to Board for consideration.
DE(W and D&A)
21/2010: Revision in the Dress Regulations – 2004.
Discussed.
(Finalised)
07/2014: Issue of Special Passes on medical ground in favour of two attendants in case of kid patient.
Official side stated that matter is under consideration.
21/2016: Change in the colour of dress of contractual labour engaged in AC Coaches.
It was agreed that colour of the uniform of a contractual staff and the regular Railway employee needs to be different so as to avoid any confusion in the mind of the public. For this, matter needs to be taken up with concerned Dtes. who engage contractual labour to incorporate this clause in tender itself.
38/2016: Post Retirement Complimentary Passes to Group ‘D’ staff retired prior to 01.01.2006 at par with Group ‘C’ Staff.
Official Side stated that matter is under consideration.
52/2016: Provision of industrial/safety shoes to the staff of Signal, Electrical and C&W Departments.
Federation pointed out that Signal and Telecom Staff are not getting industrial/Safety shoes. Official side stated that shoe do not form part of uniform. However, GMs are competent to sanction necessary footwear at locations where use of footwear is essential on account of occupational hazards.
(Finalised)
03/2016: Clarification in regard to para 4(C) of Railway Ministry’s decision in Rule 18 of the Railway Services(Conduct) Rules, 1966.
The case file has been referred to the Department of Personnel and Training on 21.11.2017 for their views regarding enhancement of the monetary limits laid down in para 4(c) of Railway Ministry’s decision in Rules 18 of Railway Services (Conduct) Rules, 1966 to the extent of 2 months’ basic salary.
25/2016: Misinterpretation of rules with regard to withholding of increments for a specified period as a measure of penalty and consequent financial loss to the employees.
Federation has been replied vide letter No.E(D&A) 2016/RG6-10 dated 06.11.2017.
(Finalised)
JDE(LL)
20/2009: Rest Rules for Running Staff.
PNM/AIRF Item No.30/2016 is a similar Item which is being dealt with by AM/Electrical. Minutes of the PNM/AIRF meeting held on 6th & 7th December, 2017 in respect of Item No.30/2016 is as under.
“16 hrs. Headquarter rest shall be ensured. The Running Staff should be available for duty after completing 16 hrs. rest at Headquarter and 8 hrs. at outstation. (Finalised)”
It was agreed to follow up the matter with Electrical(Engg.) Deptt. for issuance of necessary instructions as agreed to above. This item to be treated as ‘Finalised’ thereafter.
19/2014: Implementation of the Report of High Power Committee constituted to review duty hours of Running Staff and other Safety related Categories of Staff.
Federation agreed to review all the recommendations so as to pin-point the ones on which further discussion is required with Board.
36/2015: Payment of ex-gratia and Workmen Compensation in favour of railway employees who either sustained permanent injuries or die while on duty.
The matter was discussed in detail. It was agreed to re-examine the specific case referred to by the Federation in terms of provisions contained in Employee Compensation Act and Lump sum payment of Ex-gratia.
52/2015: Grievances of the Traffic Controllers – Early redressal thereof.
It is agreed that statutory relevant provisions contained in Railways Act, 1989 as well as ‘Railway Servants (Hours of Work and period of Rest) Rules, 2005’ will be reiterated for strict compliance.
