Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana – New 8% Pension scheme
FM to formally launch Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) today; PMVVY is a Pension Scheme announced by the Government of India exclusively for the senior citizens available from 4th May, 2017 to 3rd May, 2018; The Scheme can be purchased offline as well as online through Life Insurance Corporation of India
The Union Minister for Finance, Defence and Corporate Affairs will formally launch the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) today in the national capital. PMVVY is a Pension Scheme announced by the Government of India exclusivelyfor the senior citizens aged 60 years and above which is available from 4th May, 2017 to 3rd May, 2018. The Scheme can be purchased offline as well as online through Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India which has been given the sole privilege to operate this Scheme.
Following are the major benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY):
Scheme provides an assured return of 8% p.a. payable monthly (equivalent to 8.30% p.a. effective) for 10 years.
Pension is payable at the end of each period, during the policy term of 10 years, as per the frequency of monthly/ quarterly/ half-yearly/ yearly as chosen by the pensioner at the time of purchase.
The scheme is exempted from Service Tax/ GST.
On survival of the pensioner to the end of the policy term of 10 years, Purchase price along with final pension installment shall be payable.
Loan upto 75% of Purchase Price shall be allowed after 3 policy years (to meet the liquidity needs). Loan interest shall be recovered from the pension installments and loan to be recovered from claim proceeds.
The scheme also allows for premature exit for the treatment of any critical/ terminal illness of self or spouse. On such premature exit, 98% of the Purchase Price shall be refunded.
On death of the pensioner during the policy term of 10 years, the Purchase Price shall be paid to the beneficiary.
Minimum / Maximum Purchase Price and Pension Amount:
Mode of Pension
Minimum Purchase Price
Maximum
Purchase Price
Minimum Pension amount
Maximum Pension amount
Yearly
Rs. 1,44,578/-
Rs. 7,22,892/-
Rs. 12,000/-
Rs. 60,000/-
Half-yearly
Rs. 1,47,601/-
Rs. 7,38,007/-
Rs. 6,000/-
Rs. 30,000/-
Quarterly
Rs. 1,49,068/-
Rs. 7,45,342/-
Rs. 3,000/-
Rs. 15,000/-
Monthly
Rs. 1,50,000/-
Rs. 7,50,000/-
Rs. 1,000/-
Rs. 5,000/-
The ceiling of maximum pension is for a family as a whole, the family will comprise of pensioner, his/her spouse and dependants.
The shortfall owing to the difference between the interest guaranteed and the actual interest earned and the expenses relating to administration shall be subsidized by the Government of India and reimbursed to the Corporation.
Tough Location Allowance – 7th CPC Finmin Order 2017
No.3/1/2017-E.II(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
*****
New Delhi, the 19th July, 2017.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:-Implementation of the recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission – Grant of Special Compensatory Allowances subsumed under Tough Location Allowance.
Consequent upon the acceptance of the recommendations of Seventh Central Pay Commission, in supersession of the existing orders for grant of Special Compensatory Allowances viz. Special Compensatory (Remote Locality) Allowance, Bad Climate Allowance, Special Compensatory Scheduled/Tribal Area. Allowance and Sunderban Allowance which have been subsumed in Tough Location Allowance, the President is pleased to decide the rates of these Special Compensatory Allowances (subsumed in Tough Location Allowance) to Central Government employees as under:-
SI.No.
Name of the Allowance
Category
Cell Name
Pay Level in Pay Matrix
Rate per month (in Rs.)
1
Special Compensatory (Remote Locality) Allowance:
(i)Special Compensatory
(Remote Locality) Allowance Places covered under Part-A & B (Annexure 1 & II)
Tough Location Allowance-1
R3H1
Level 9 and above
Level 8 and below
5,300
4,100
(ii)Special Compensatory
(Remote Locality) Allowance Places covered under Part-
C (Annexure Ill)
Tough Location Allowance-II
R3H2
Level 9 and above
Level 8 and below
3400
2700
(iii) Special Compensatory
(Remote Locality) Allowance Places covered under Part-
D (Annexure IV)
Tough Location Allowance-Ill
R3H3
Level 9 and above
Level 8 and below
1200
1000
2
Bad Climate Allowance
Tough Location Allowance-Ill
R3H3
Level 9 and above
Level 8 and below
1200
1000
3.
Tribal Area Allowance
Tough Location Allowance-Ill
R3H3
Level 9 and above
Level 8 and below
1200
1000
4.
Sunderban Allowance
Tough Location Allowance-Ill
R3H3
Level 9 and above
Level 8 and below
1200
1000
2.These rates shall increase by 25 per cent whenever the Dearness Allowance payable on the revised pay structure goes up by 50 per cent.
3.The term ‘Pay Level’ in the revised pay structure means the ‘Level in the Pay Matrix.
4.In respect of those employees who opt to continue in their pre-revised pay structure/Pay scales, the corresponding Level in the Pay Matrix of the post occupied on 01.01.2016 as indicated in CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2015 would determine the allowance under these orders.
5.Sunderban Allowance categorised ‘as Tough Location Allowance-Ill shall be admissible to the Central Government civilian employees working in Sunderban areas South of Dampier Hodge’s line, namely, Bhagatush Khali (Rampura), Kumirmari (Bagna), Jhinga Khali, Sajnakhali, Gosaba, Amlamathi (Bidya), Canning, Ku!tali, Plyali, Nalgaraha, Raidighi, Bhanchi, Pathar Paratima, Bhagabatpur, Saptamukhl, Namkhana, Sikarpur, Kakdwip, Sagar, Mousini, Kalinagar, Haroa, Hingalganj, Basanti, Kuemari, Kultola, Ghusighata (Kulti) area. The allowance shall be admissible only upto the period for which the. Government of West Bengal continues to pay this allowance to its employees.
6. Scheduled/Tribal Area Allowance and Bad Climate Allowance categorized as Tough Location Allowance-III shall be admissible only in those States where Scheduled/Tribal Area Allowance and Bad Climate Allowance are admissible and shall be discontinued in those States where it has been discontinued for the State Government employees with effect from the date(s) of such discontinuance.
7.In the event of a place falling In more than one category, the higher rate of Tough Location Allowance will be applicable.
8.Tough Location Allowances shall not be admissible along with Special Duty Allowance. However, employees have the option for continuing Special Compensatory (Remote Locality) Allowance at old rates of 6th CPC, where it was admissible, along with Special Duty Allowance at revised rate of 10% of Basic Pay,
9.Employees may exercise their option to choose either Hard Area Allowance which is admissible alongwith Island Special Duty Allowance or one of the Special Compensatory Allowance, subsumed under Tough Location Allowance as mentioned in Para 1 above.
10.These orders take effect from 1st July, 2017.
11. These orders shall also apply to the civilian employees paid from the Defence Services Estimates and the expenditure will be chargeable to the relevant head of. the Defence Services Estimates. In regard to Armed Forces personnel and Railway employees, separate orders will be issued by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways, respectively.
12. In so far as the employees working in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders are issued with the concurrence of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
(Annie George Mathew)
Secretary to the Government of India
(d) Following Panchayats of Karsog Tehsli: Balidhar, Bagra, Gopalpur, Khajol, Mahog, Mehudi, Manj, Pekhi, Sainj, Sarahan and Teban.
(e) Following Panchayats of Sundernagar Tehsil;
Bohi, Batwara, Dhanyara, Paura-Kothi, Seri and Shoja.
4. Kangra District
(I) Dharamsala Town and the following offices located outside its Municipal limits but included in Dharamsala Town for purposes of eligibility to Special Compensatory [Remote Locality]
Allowance:
(a) Women’s ITI, Dad.
(b) Mechanical Workshop, Ramnagar.
(c) Child Welfare and Town and Country Planning Offices, Sakoh.
(d) CRSF Office at lower Sakoh.
(e) Kangra Milk Supply Scheme, Dugiar.
(f) H.R.T.C. Workshop, Sudher.
(g) Zonal Malaria Office, Dad.
(h) Forest Corporation Office, Shamnagar.
(I) Tea Factory, Dad.
(j) I.P.H. Sub-Division, Dad.
(k) Settlement Office, Shamnagar,
(I) Binwa Project, Shamnagar.
(II) Palampur Town, including HPKVV Campus at Palampur and the following offices located outside its Municipal limits but included in Palampur Town for this purpose:
(a) H.P. Krishi Vishwavidhyalaya campus.
(b) Cattle Development Office/Jersey Farm, Banuri.
(a) Areas in Poonch and Rajouri Districts excluding the towns of Poonch and Rajouri and Sunderbani and other Urban areas in the two Districts.
(b) Areas not included in Parts ‘A’, ‘B’ and (a) of Part ‘C’ above, but which are within a distance of 8 km from’the line of actual control or at places which may be declared as qualifying for Border Allowance from time to time by the State Government for their own staff.
3.
MANIPUR
Entire State.
4.
MIZORAM
Entire Aizwal District.
5.
TRIPURA
Entire State other than areas declared as Difficult ones and Included in Part ‘B’
ANNEXURE-IV
AREAS ELIGIBLE FOR GRANT OF SPECIAL COMPENSATORY (REMOTE LOCALITY) ALLOWANCE
SUBSUMED IN TOUGH LOCATION ALLOWANCE -III
AREAS INCLUDED IN PART
1.
ASSAM
Entire State.
2.
HIMACHAL PRADESH
The remaining Areas of Himachal Pradesh not included in any of the Parts ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’.
Additional HRA in the States of NER, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and Ladakh – 7th CPC FINMIN Order 2017
No. 28/1/2017-E.II(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
***
New Delhi, the 19th July, 2017.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:- Implementation of the recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission – Additional HRA for civilian employees of the Central Government serving in the States of North Eastern Region, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands and Ladakh.
Consequent upon revision of the rates of HRA granted to the Central Government employees on implementation of the recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission vide O.M. No. 2/5/2017-E.II(B) dated 07.07.2017, in modification of this Ministry’s O.M. No.11016/1/E.II(B)/84 dated 29.03.1984 and O.M. No. 2(19)/E.II(B)/2008 dated 02.01.2009 on the subject mentioned above, additional HRA shall be granted to the civilian employees of the Central Government posted to States of North Eastern Region, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands and Ladakh, who leave their families behind at their old duty station at revised rates as per O.M. No. 2/5/2017-E.l1(B) dated 07.07.2017,
2.These orders, will not be applicable to such employees who were transferred out of North Eastern Region, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands and Ladakh before 1.7.2017.
3.These orders shall take effect from 1st July, 2017,
4.These orders shall also apply to the civilian employees paid from the Defence Services Estimates and the expenditure will be chargeable to the relevant head of the Defence Services Estimates. In regard to Armed Forces personnel and Railway employees, separate orders will be issued by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways, respectively.
5. In so far as the employees working in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders are issued with the concurrence of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
Hindi version is attached.
(Annie George Mathew)
Joint Secretary to the Government of India
Extension of CGHS facilities to the pensioners of Post and Telegraph Department
No. S-11016/2/2015-CGHS(P)/EHS
Government of India
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Department of Health & Family Welfare
CGHS(P)/EHS
Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi 110 011
Dated the 19th July ,2017
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:- Extension of CGHS facilities to the pensioners of Post and Telegraph Department
With reference to the above mentioned subject the undersigned is directed to draw attention to the Office Memorandum No. S-11011 / 46 /95 —CGHS D-II/CGHS(P) dated 151 August 1996 and to state that it has now been decided to revoke the OM dated 1.8.1996, in compliance of the Orders of Hon’ble Central Administrative Tribunal, Ernakulum Bench dated 12th July 2005 in 0.A.No. 563/2004 and 590/2004 and Order dated 01.06.2017 in C.P./ 180/21/2017 arising out of OA No. 180/563/2004 between Central Government Pensioners’ Association (Kerala) and Ors. Vs UOI & Others.
2. The retired employees of Post and Telegraph Department shall hereinafter, be entitled to the CGHS facility, irrespective of whether they were members of CGHS prior to retirement or not, subject to the payment of prevalent subscription for availing themselves of this facility as per rules as in the case of other Central Government pensioners.
3. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority,
(Sunil Kumar Gupta)
Under Secretary to Government of India
Project Allowance – 7th Pay Commission Finmin Order 2017
No.6/1/2017-E.II((B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
***
New Delhi, the 19th July2017.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Implementation of the recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission – Construction Projects – Grant of Project Allowance.
****
Consequent upon the acceptance of the recommendations of Seventh Central Pay Commission by the Government, the President, is pleased to decide that, in modification of this Ministry’s O.M. No. 20011/5/73-E.II(B) dated 17.01.1975 as amended from time to time and 0.M. No. 6(3)/2008-E.II(B) dated 29.08.2008 on the subject mentioned above, the Central Government employees shall be paid Project Allowance, which has been covered in the Risk/Hardship Matrix, at the following revised rates:-
Level in Pay Matrix
Cell Name
Rate per month (Rs.)
Level 9 and above
R3H2
3,400
Level 8 and below
R3H2
2,700
3.The term ‘Pay Level’ in the revised pay structure means the ‘Level in the Pay Matrix
4.In respect of those employees who opt to continue in their pre-revised pay structure, corresponding Grade Pay in the prescribed pay band as indicated in CCS(Revised) Pay) Rules, 2016 would determine the allowance under these orders.
5.These rates shall increase by 25 per cent whenever the Dearness Allowance payable on the revised pay structure goes up by 50 per cent.
6.All other terms and conditions governing the grant of this allowance shall remain unchanged.
7. These orders shall take effect from 1st July, 2017.
8. These orders shall also apply to the civilian employees paid from the Defence Services Estimates and the expenditure will be chargeable to the relevant head of the Defence Services Estimates, In regard to Armed Forces personnel and Railway employees, separate orders will be issued by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways, respectively.
9.In so far as the employees working in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders are issued with the concurrence of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
Hindi version is attached.
(Annie George Mathew)
Joint Secretary to the Government of India
Conveyance Allowance – 7th Pay Commission Finmin Order 2017
F.No.19039/03/2017-E.IV
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
***
New Delhi, the 19th July, 2017
OFFICE MEMEORANDUM
Subject :Implementation of the recommendation of the Seventh Central Pay Commission – Conveyance Allowance.
Consequent upon the acceptance of the recommendation of the Seventh Central Pay Commission and in supersession of this Department OM No. 19039/2/2008-E.IV, dated 23rd September, 2008 the President is pleased to revise the rates of Fixed Conveyance Allowance admissible under SR-25 to Central Government employees as indicated below:
2.These rates shall automatically increase by 25% whenever the Dearness Allowance payable on the revised pay structure goes up by 50%.
3.Conditions and provisions mentioned in SR 25 shall continue to apply
4.These orders will be effective from 1st July, 2017.
5.In so far as the staff serving in the. Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders issue in consultation with the Comptroller & Auditor General of India.
Hindi version is attached.
(Annie George Mathew)
Joint Secretary to the Government of India
DOPPW ORDER : Revised entries in 7th CPC Concordance Table 43 & Table 44
F.No.38/37/2016-P&PW(A)
Government of India
Ministry of India
Ministry of Personnel, P.G.and Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare
3rd floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan
Khan Market New Delhi
Dated 18th July, 2017
Office Memorandum
Subject: Revision of pension of Pre-2016 pensioners/family pensioners in implementation of Government’s decision on the recommendations of the 7th Central pay Commission-Concordance tables- regarding.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s 0M. of even number dated 06.07.2017 on the above subject and to say that there is some error in the entries relating to the pre-revised pay of Rs. 52090/- (6th CPC Grade pay Rs.8700, 7th CPC Level 13)) in Table 43 and Table 44 enclosed therewith.
2. It is requested that the existing Table 43 and Table 44 may be substituted by the enclosed Table 43 and Table 44, respectively. The revised entries have been shown in bold letters.
Guidelines on Air Travel on Official Tours – Purchase of air ticket from authorized agent
No. 19024/22/2017 – E.IV
Government of lndia
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 19th July,2017
Office Memorandum
Subjec :- Guidelines on Air Travel on Official Tours – Purchase of air ticket from authorized agent.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Departments’ O.M. No. 19024/1/2005-E.IV dated 24.03.2006, O.M.No. 19024/1/2009-E.IV dated 16.09.2010 and O.M No. 19024/1/2012-E.IV dated 09.07.2013 regarding guidelines on Air travel. As per these guidelines, in all cases of Air Travel where the Government of India bears the cost of air passage, Air Tickets may be purchased directly from Airlines (at Booking counter/office/Website of Airlines) and if needed, by utilizing the services of three Authorized Travel Agents viz, M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited (BLCL), M/s Ashok Travels & Tours (ATT) and Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC).
2. This Department is receiving a large number of proposals from various Ministries/Departments seeking ex-post-facto relaxation of the prescribed procedure for purchase of air tickets from authorized travel agents only.
3. The matter has been reconsidered in this Department. All Ministries/Departments are again directed to:
(i) Ensure strict compliance of extant guidelines for purchase of air ticket directly from Airlines (at Booking counters/office/Website of Airlines) or from three authorized Travel Agents viz. M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited, M/s Ashok Travels & Tours and IRCTC only by all officials/offices under their control. Henceforth relaxation on account of ignorance/unawareness of these guidelines will not be considered by this Department.
ii) In case of non-availability of authorized agent at a particular place, ticket may be booked from website of Airlines or web portal of Balmer Lawrie & Company Ltd., M/s Ashok Travels & Tours and IRCTC.
iii) In respect of Non-officials of Committees/Boards/Panels, the concerned Ministry/Department have to mention in the meeting notice that the Non-official Member has to purchase the ticket from authorized travel agent only otherwise his claim will not be settled by that Ministry/Department.
iv) All Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, etc. have to widely circulate this O.M in all offices including attached/subordinate offices / autonomous bodies under their control with specific instructions to Heads of Departments concerned for strict compliance of these guidelines. Non-compliance of these guidelines by Ministries/Departments will be treated as lapse on the part of the concerned Ministry/Department.
(Nirmala Dev)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
No proposal for revision of the date of implementation of 7th CPC Allowances : Rajyasabha Q&A
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department Of Expenditure
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.257
TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, THE 18TH JULY, 2017
ASHADHA 27, 1939 (SAKA)
IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF SEVENTH CPC QUESTION
257 SHRI NEERAJ SHEKHAR:
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to satate:
(a) whether Government has implemented the recommendations of Seventh CPC regarding allowances w.e.f. 1 July, 2017 instead of 1 January, 2016;
(b) if so, the reasons and rationale therefor;
(c) the reasons for denying allowances from 1st January 2016 or from the date of announcement for implementation of enhanced basic pay under 7th CPC and arrears thereof;
(d) whether Government will review it and implement enhanced allowances w.e.f. 1 January, 2016;
(e) if so, the details thereof; and
(f) if not, the reasons therefor along with the reasons for lowest hike in Pay Commission since last 70 years?
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)
(a) to (c): As per the established practice relating to implementation of earlier Central Pay Commission’s recommendations on allowances, the recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission (7th CPC) on allowances have been implemented prospectively with effect from 01.07.2017.
In view of significant departure from the existing provisions relating to allowances as recommended by the 7th CPC and representations received in this regard, recommendations of the 7th CPC on allowances were referred to a Committee by the Government. After taking into account the recommendations of the Committee on Allowances which submitted its Report on 27.04.2017, the recommendations were approved by the Government on 28.06.2017.
(d) to (f): There is no proposal for revision of the date of implementation of recommendation on allowances. The hike is based on the recommendation of the 7th CPC on allowances, which is commensurate with the rise in Dearness Allowance as has been mentioned by the 7th CPC at Para 8.2.5 (4) of its Report.
Sub: Accumulation of Earned Leave/Leave on Average Pay (LAP) beyond the ceiling of 300 days – reg.
Ref: (i) NFIR’s PNM Item No. 5/2010.
(ii) Railway Ministry’s OM No. E(P&A)I-2010/FE-4/2 dated 10/09/2012 to DoP&T.
(iii) DoP&T’s reply vide OM No. 13012/1/2010-Estt (L) dated 24th September 2012.
Federation invites kind attention of the Railway Board to PNM agenda Item No. 5/2010 wherein Federation had requested the Railway Board to make necessary amendment in the rules circulated vide ACS No. 78 of IREC Vol. I i.e. to remove ceiling of accumulation of 300 days LAP in the leave account of the Railway employee, of course, without changing the ceiling for making payment of leave encashment at the time of retirement/death of the employee. Pursuant to PNM meeting discussions, the Railway Board had referred the matter to DoP&T to consider permitting accumulation of leave beyond 300 days.
The DoP&T had however not agreed to the proposal and replied to Ministry of Railways that the employees should be encouraged to avail leave to break the monotony of routine work and they should be allowed for periodic time off.
NFIR however re-iterates that DoP&T’s advice is impractical in railways due to operational and complex nature of duties performed by the Rail Workforce mandated to keep the rail wheel moving 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days in a year uninterruptedly. The DoP&T has unfortunately unaware of railways working and compulsion on staff to forego leave and perform duties. The in-charge officers refuse to grant leave freely to the staff mainly in safety and technical categories where their services are indispensable while there is no replacement vice them. It seems, the Railway Ministry had not adequately impressed upon DoP&T with factual position in Railways’ wherein certain safety and essential services staff are denied leave i.e. casual leave as well earned leave/LAP.
Apart from the position explained above, the Federation brings to the notice of the Railway Ministry, that the Hon’ble High Court (Punjab & Haryana) at Chandigarh under CWP No. 13702 of 2014 on 05/10/2016 held as under:-
“I am of the view that if an employee is entitled to leave encashment for maximum limit of 300 days, that does not mean that the accumulated un-utilized leave is to be reduced to 300 days, if it exceeds the said maximum limit of 300 days. The earned leave will continue to accumulate till the retirement of the petitioners and the petitioners are to be granted the maximum benefit of 300 days, as stated in the rules”.
In the light of Hon’ble High court’s decision as above, the Federation’s demand gained further strength, therefore the Ministry of Railways is required to reach DoP&T again for review.
NFIR, therefore, once again urges upon the Railway Board to make out proper case and send proposal to the DoP&T for fresh look for allowing accumulation of leave in railways. Federation may please be replied of action taken on the subject.
