Scheme for compassionate appointment – Modification of Relative Merit Points and Procedure for selection
No.17-12/2022-SPG-II Government of India Ministry of Communications Department of Posts
Dak Bhavan, Parliament Street New Delhi-110001 Dated the 24th February, 2023
To
All Chief Postmasters General
Subject : Scheme for compassionate appointment – Modification of Relative Merit Points and Procedure for selection.
Madam/Sir,
Please refer to this office letter No. 17-1/2022-SPG-II dated 23.03.2022 providing for Revised Relative Merit Points. System (RMPS) and procedure for compassionate appointments in the Department of Posts. It is observed that main delay in processing the case of compassionate appointment is in getting immovable property valuation report/income certificate from Revenue authority as prescribed in Variables No. (iii) & (iv) of RMPS issued on 23.03.2022. The matter has been reviewed and.in order to avoid delay and simplify the process, Notes under the Variables No. (iii) & (iv) of RMPS issued on 23.03.2022 have been modified as under:
Variable No. mentioned in Annexure to RMPS issued on 23.03.2022
Name of Variable
Existing Note under the Variable
Modified Note under the Variable
A(iii)
Monthly income of earning member(s) of family and income from property
To be verified from the documents (like bank statement, ITR, certified from Revenue Authorities, statement of employer etc.) and affidavit produced by the applicant and verified by the Divisional/Regional/ Circle Authorities.
Affidavit from the applicant duly verified by SDI
A(iv)
Immovable/Movable Property including fixed deposits/investments etc. but excluding the Lump sum amount as mentioned in (ii) above
To be verified from the documents/affidavit/certificate from Revenue/Municipal Authorities/concerned departments etc. produced by the applicant and verified by the Divisional/Regional/Circle Authorities.
2. Circles will circulate this to all offices under their administrative control for dealing with requests/applications seeking appointment on compassionate grounds.
3. It will be applicable for cases considered by CRC for the vacancy year 2022 and onwards.
4. This issues with the approval of DGPS.
(Hemant Kumar) Assistant Director General (SPG)
Copy to: The GM, CEPT- for uploading this letter on India Post website.
Reimbursement of Children Education Allowance (CEA) to Central Government servants having Divyang Children
No. A-27012/01/2022-Estt.(AL) Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Personnel & Training
Block-IV, Old JNU Campus, New Delhi Dated : 17.02.2023
Office Memorandum
Subject: Reimbursement of Children Education Allowance (CEA) to Central Government servants having Divyang Children.
In continuation of this Department’s O.M. No. A-27012/02/2017-Estt.(AL) dated 17.07.2018 for payment of Children Education Allowance to Central Government servants, it has been decided to expand the scope of Children Education Allowance for the educational need of Divyang children who are unable to attend school, physically under the following conditions:
i) In a case where Divyang Child is not able to attend school, the reimbursement of CEA for availing education / special education at residence, shall be made at double the normal rates of CEA as prescribed under para 2(d) of O.M. No. A-27012/02/2017-Estt.(AL) dated 17.07.2018.
li) The reimbursement of Children Education Allowance in such cases shall be subject to production of payment receipted by teacher/instructor etc. and self-certification by the Central Government servant for availing education of their child at his/her residence.
ii) All other terms and conditions of the OM No. A-27012/02/2017-Estt.(AL) dated 17.07.2018 shall remain same.
The above instructions shall come into effect from 17.02.2023.
(Sunil Kumar) Under Secretary to the Government of India
CGEGIS Tables of Benefits from Jan 2023 to March 2023
No. 7(1)/ EV/2023 Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure E-V Branch
New Delhi, the 09 February, 2023
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme-1980 – Tables of Benefits for the savings fund for the period from 01.01.2023 to 31.03.2023.
The Tables of Benefits for Savings Fund to the beneficiaries under the Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme-1980, which are being issued on a quarterly basis from 01.01.2017 onwards, as brought out in this Ministry’s OM of even number dated 17.03.2017, for the quarter from 01.01.2023 to 31.03.2023, as worked out by IRDA based on the interest rate of 7.1% per annum (compounded quarterly) as notified by the Department of Economic Affairs as per their Resolution No. 5(4)-B(PD)/ 2021 dated 03.01.2023, are enclosed.
2. The Tables enclosed are of two categories as per the existing practice. As hitherto, the first Table of Benefits for the savings fund of the scheme is based on the subscription of Rs.10 p.m. from 1.1.1982 to 31.12.1989 and Rs.15 p.m. w.e.f. 1.1.1990 onwards. The second Table of Benefits for savings fund is based on a subscription of Rs.10 p.m. for those employees who had opted out of the revised rate of subscription w.e.f. 1.1.1990.
3. In so far as the persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these Orders are issued in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, as mandated under Article 148(5) of the Constitution of India.
4.Hindi version of these orders is attached
(Gulveena Badhan) Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
Compassionate Ground Appointment to spouse/ward/dependent of Railway employees: RBE ORDER
RBE No.21/2023
भारत सरकार Government of India रेल मंत्रालय Ministry of Railways रेलवे बोर्ड (Railway Board)
No. E(NG)II/2017/RC-1/23
New Delhi, Dated 01.02.2023
All Zonal Railways/PUs, (As per standard mailing list).
Sub: Clarification regarding Compassionate Ground Appointment(CGA) to spouse/ward/dependent of Railway employees.
Ref: SWR letter No. SWR/P.268/269/CGA/Policy Correspondence/Vol-IV dated 30.03.2022.
Appointment on compassionate grounds relates to the appointments made of dependents of Railway servants who lose their lives in the course of duty or die in harness otherwise while in service or are medically incapacitated/decategorised. Instructions regarding appointments on compassionate grounds have been issued from time to time.
2. Multiple instructions on the same subject have been issued, thus creating some doubts in the wake of their implementation.
3. To avoid ambiguity in instructions issued w.r.t. CGA, it has now been decided to clarify and also reiterate some of the existing instructions, by clearly providing for the time limit within which requests for CGA must be received and disposed of by the Railway Administration, as below:-
I) Responsibility of Railway Administration in the case of CGA:-
i. The Railway Administration/Production Units etc. should ensure that proper guidance is given to the families/applicants regarding the formalities to be completed for compassionate appointment.
ii
a. For the above, among other things, a brochure giving an outline of the procedure including a checklist of all the documents to be attached to the application for compassionate appointment should be prepared by each Railway /Production Unit etc.
b. A register should be maintained by the Welfare Wing in each Division/Unit etc., containing detailed particulars of the deceased employees including the date on which the children of the deceased would attain the age of majority, etc. One column in the register should invariably indicate the file number opened for the case.
c. The Welfare Wing should intimate the widow/the family enclosing a copy of the brochure as at (ii) (a) above and bringing out among other things that in case the appointment is sought for the son/daughter who is minor at the time of death of the employee, application for appointment must be submitted immediately after the candidate attains the age of majority and, in any case, well within the prescribed time limit for submitting such application. Further, in case, the widow of deceased employee whose dependent ward is minor at the time of death is not sufficiently educated to grasp the import of contents of brochure, Welfare Section should take up the responsibility of getting the form filled along with entire documentation, so that spirit of compassionate appointment is not lost.
II) Prescribed time for submission of application for CGA:-
CGA application received in favour of any eligible defined dependent as proposed by the widow, may be considered in the ordinary course by the authority to whom powers stand delegated at present, provided it is:
i. within 5 years of the date of death/medical invalidation and/or;
ii. within 2 years of attaining majority, where the case was earlier registered as minor. (As the case may be.)
III) Time limit for consideration on CGA by Railway :-
i. All requests for CGA submitted within the prescribed period of 5 years from the date of death/medical invalidation /2 years of attaining majority for ward registered earlier as minor, shall be finalized/decided by DRMs/CWMs/HODs/ Competent Authority. Such cases not received within this period of 5 years will be considered as per the following schedule by the authority indicated against each:-
(a)
Beyond 5 years and upto 20 years
DRMs/CWMs/HODs
(b)
Beyond 20 years upto 25 years
To be decided by GMs at their Personal level only (are not to be delegated further).
(c)
Beyond 25 years
With prior approval of Ministry of Railways on personal recommendations of GMs
ii. It is also clarified that irrespective of any time limit, only GM is empowered to consider and decide CGA in posts of Level — 7 (having 4600/- GP). Similarly, CGA to Level-6 (having 4200/- GP) where DR Quota is up to 25% or less, is also decided by GM only and not by any other lower authority.
iii. As regards cases where the request for CGA has not been received by the Railway Administration within 05 years of the event warranting CGA, such cases shall be decided by the authorities as indicated in para 3 III (i) above.
iv. Railways should ensure that all possible efforts are made to give CGA to the eligible dependent of the Railway employee concerned without undue delay within the time frame specified in Para X (d) of Railway Board’s Master Circular No. 16. Further, responsibility may be fixed on the concerned officials/officers for delay/inaction.
v. While considering belated requests i.e. those received by Railway Administration after 5 years, it should, however, be kept in view that the concept of CGA is largely related to the need for immediate assistance to the family of the Railway servant in order to relieve it from economic distress. The very fact that the family has been able to manage somehow all these years should normally be taken as adequate proof that the family had some dependable means of subsistence. Therefore, examination of such cases would call for a great deal of circumspection as per extant norms.
IV) Educational Qualification:-
Educational qualification possessed by the ward/spouse of the ex-employee at the time of submission of initial application for a compassionate ground appointment may be considered provided it is within normal time limits i.e 5 years from the date of death/medical invalidation or within 2 years of attaining majority if registered as minor.
As regards acquiring the higher qualification, provisions of the Board’s letter No. E(NG)II/2003/RC-1/Genl. /4 dated 19.06.2019 are reiterated:-
If the candidate is a major at the time of death/medical invalidation of the ex-employee and is already admitted to a course, then he/she shall be allowed to complete that course (subject to a maximum limit of 5 years for completion of the course) provided he/she takes due permission of the Railway Administration. His/her candidature for compassionate appointment would be considered according to the qualification so acquired.Pursuing a course other than that to which the candidate had already been admitted at the time of death/medical invalidation of the late/ex-employee will not be allowed/counted for this purpose.
If the candidate is minor at the time of death/medical invalidation of the late/ex-employee but at the time of his/her attaining majority, he/she is already admitted to/pursuing a course, he/she be allowed to complete that course (subject to a maximum limit of 5 years for completion of the course) on taking due permission from the administration. His/her candidature for CG appointment would be considered according to the qualification so acquired.
Provided that in situations covered under both (a) and (b) above, where the course of study spills over beyond the academic year in which the date of death/medical invalidation occurred, the eligibility for CG appointment consideration would be limited to posts below Level-7 (GP Rs. 4600). The above provisions are in the context of the acquisition of higher qualifications beyond the minimum qualification required for Level 1. Extant provisions will hold good as regards minimum qualifications for considering CG appointment for Level-1 posts.
4. Zonal Railways/PUs are advised to follow the guidelines mentioned in para 3 above.
5. Please acknowledge receipt.
(A. Narayana Rao) Dy. Director Estt.(NG)II Railway Board
Exclusion of Central Government employees from NPS: Rajya Sabha QA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERS’ WELFARE) RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 126 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2023)
EXCLUSION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES FROM NPS
126 SHRI NEERAJ SHEKHAR: SHRI JAVED ALI KHAN:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) whether Department of Expenditure (DoE) vide its ID note dated 05/12/2022 has accorded its concurrence for issuing general orders for exclusion of Central Government employees from the purview of NPS and to cover them under OPS whose advertisements for recruitments were issued on or before 22/12/2003;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken thereon;
(c) whether OM to be issued in this regard has also been vetted by DoE and returned back to DoP&PW;
(d) if so, the reasons for delay in issuing orders; and
(e) by when DoP&PW would issue general orders for similarly placed officials?
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) to (e): After dismissal of some of SLPs / Review Petitions by Hon’ble Supreme Court filed by Union of India against the orders of Hon’ble High Court of Delhi allowing benefit of old pension scheme to those Government servants whose selection process was completed after 01.01.2004, a reference along with draft OM was made to Department of Expenditure on the question of issue of general order in this regard. Department of Expenditure furnished their comments vide note dated 05/12/2022.
There is no decision to issue general instructions in this regard.
National Pension System (NPS) was introduced for Central Government employees by a Notification of Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) dated 22nd December, 2003. NPS is mandatory for all new recruits to the Central Government service from 1st January, 2004 (except the armed forces).
In view of the specific provisions of the Notification dated 22.12.2003, the date of advertisement for the vacancies is not considered relevant for determining the eligibility for coverage under the Old Pension Scheme or the National Pension System.
Implementation of Whistle Blowers Protection Act: Rajya Sabha QA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING) RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 918 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2023)
IMPLEMENTATION OF WHISTLE BLOWERS PROTECTION ACT
918 SMT. JEBI MATHER HISHAM:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) the number of cases registered under the Whistle Blowers Protection Act, the State/Union Territory-wise details thereof during the last five years;
(b) the conviction rate, out of the cases registered under this Act, State/Union Territorywise details thereof during the last five years; and
(c) the status of the Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015?
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) & (b): The provisions of Sub-Section (3) of Section 1 of the Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2014 provide that provisions of the Act shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.
No such notification has been made by the Government for the reason that certain amendments aimed at safeguarding against disclosures affecting sovereignty and integrity of India, Security of the State, etc., are required before it can be brought into force.
(c): To make required amendments to the Act, the Government introduced the Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015 in the Lok Sabha on 11thMay, 2015 which was passed by the Lok Sabha on 13th May, 2015 and transmitted to the Rajya Sabha. The Bill has since lapsed upon the dissolution of the Sixteenth Lok Sabha.
Pension for Paramilitary Forces: Exception to New Pension Scheme?
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 470
TO BE ANSWERED ON 6th FEBRUARY, 2023 (MONDAY)/ 17 MAGHA, 1944 (SAKA)
PENSION FOR PARAMILITARY FORCES
Shri Asaduddin Owaisi Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:
(a) whether armed forces were marked as exception to New Pension Scheme (NPS) and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether Article 246 of the Schedule VII of the Constitution says armed forces of the Union of India include Naval, Military and Air Force and any other armed forces of the Union;
(c) if so, whether Hon. High Court of Delhi has asked the Union Government to issue orders for Old Pension Scheme to Central Armed Police Forces like CRPF, ITBP, CISF etc.;
(d) if so, whether the Government has since issued orders in this regard; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (DR. BHAGWAT KARAD)
(a) to (e) As per Gazette Notification No. 5/7/2003-ECB & PR dated 22.12.2003 issued by Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, the Government introduced a new restructured defined contribution pension scheme for new entrants to Central Government service, except the armed forces, in the first stage, replacing the existing system of defined benefit pension system. The system is mandatory for all new recruits to the Central Government service from 01.01.2004.
The Hon’ble High Court of Delhi vide order dated 11.01.2023 in WP (C) No. 12712/2021 titled Pawan Kumar & Ors of CRPF Vs Uol & Ors and other connected matters, has directed for grant of Old Pension Scheme to the personnel of para-military forces. This is a policy matter under the domain of Ministry of Home Affairs.
General Election 2023 in Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura: Grant of Paid Holiday to employees on the day of poll
F. No. 12/1/2022-JCA-Part1 Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Personnel & Training Establishment (JCA) Section
North Block, New Delhi Dated: 03rd February, 2023
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: General Election to the Legislative Assemblies of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura, 2023 – Grant of Paid Holiday to employees on the day of poll- regarding
The undersigned is directed to state that, as informed by the Election Commission of India, vide their Press Note No. 78/EPS/2023 dated 18.01.2023, General Election for Legislative Assemblies of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura, scheduled to be held as under : –
Schedule for General Election to the Legislative Assemblies of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura: –
S. No.
Name of State
Date of Poll
Day
1
Tripura (all 60 ACs)
16th February, 2023
Thursday
2
Meghalaya and Nagaland (all 60 ACs of both the States)
27th February, 2023
Monday
2. In this regard, it is stated that the guidelines have been issued by this Department, vide OM No. 12/14/99-JCA, dated 10.10.2001, regarding closure of Central Government Offices and grant of paid holiday to all concerned, including the daily wage/casual workers, on the date of general-election. It is reiterated that all the Central Government Offices and the Central Industrial Establishments, shall remain closed in the notified areas, where general election to the State Legislative Assembly Constituencies are to be conducted, on the date of Poll. The employees concern shall be granted paid holiday on the date of Poll to enable them to exercise their right to vote.
3. The above instructions may please be brought to the notice of all concerned.
4. Hindi version will follow.
(Sitansu Mohan Routray) Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
To
1. All Ministries / Departments of Government of India
2. UPSC/CVC/C&AG/Lok Sabha SecretariatlRajya Sabha Secretariat/ President’s Secretariat /Vice President’s Secretariat/PM’s Office/Supreme Court/High Court of Meghalaya/ High Court of Nagaland / High Court of Tripura
Dearness Relief from Feb 2023 to July 2023 to Pre 1986 Bank Pensioners, IBA Circular
Indian Banks’ Association
HR & INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
No.CIR/HR&IR/D/G2/2023-24/
February 1, 2023
Designated Officers of all Nationalised Banks and State Bank of India
Dear Sir/Madam,
Dearness Relief payable for the period February 2023 to July 2023 to surviving pre 1.1.1986 retirees of banks (b) surviving spouses of pre 1.1.86 Retirees who are in receipt of Ex-gratia
As per the directive contained in the Government of India, Ministry of Finance Department of Economic Affairs (Banking Division) letter F.No.11/2/2012-IR dated 17.12.2013, the Dearness Relief payable to surviving pre 1.1.1986 retirees of banks for the period February 2023 to July 2023 on Ex-gratia will be as under
Applicable CPI Average
Amount of Ex-gratia per month
Rate of Dearness Relief
Amount of Dearness Relief per month
Total Ex-gratia amount including Dearness Relief per month
Dearness Relief from Feb 2023 to July 2023 to Bank Pensioners
Indian Banks’ Association
HR & INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
No.CIR/HR&IR/D/G2/2023-24/11710 February 1, 2023
Designated Officers of all Member Banks which are parties to the Bipartite Settlement on Pension
Dear Sir/Madam,
Dearness Relief payable to Pensioners for the period February 2023 to July 2023
The confirmed All India Average Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers (Base 1960=100) for the quarter ended December 2022 are as follows:-
October 2022 – 8710.36 November 2022- 8710.36 December 2022 – 8697.22
In terms of Regulation 37 of Bank Employees’ Pension Regulations, 1995 Dearness Relief is payable to pensioners at rates specified in Appendix II to the Regulations.
Pending amendments to Pension Regulations, Banks may pay on ad hoc basis, the Dearness Relief payable to pensioners for the period February 2023 to July 2023 as per Annexure.
