Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (2016=100) โ June, 2023
Theย Labour Bureau, an attached office of the M/o Labour & Employment, has been compiling Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers every month on the basis of retail prices collected from 317 markets spread over 88 industrially important centres in the country. The index is compiled for 88 centres and All-India and is released on the last working day of succeeding month. The index for the month of June, 2023ย is being released in this press release.
The All-India CPI-IW for June, 2023ย increased by 1.7 points and stood at 136.4 (one hundred thirty six point four). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by 1.26 per cent with respect to previous month compared to increase of 0.16 per cent recorded between corresponding months a year ago.
The maximum upward pressure in current index came from Food & Beverages group contributing 1.62 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Rice, Wheat, Wheat Atta, Arhar Dal, Moong Dal, Fish Fresh, Poultry Chicken, Egg-Hen, Apple, Banana, Brinjal, Carrot, Ginger, Cauliflower, Chili Green, Potato, Onion, Tomato, Cumin seed/Jira, Supari, Casual Wear, Canvas Shoes, Utensil, Medicine ayurvedic, etc. are responsible for the rise in index. However, this increase was largely checked by Mustard Oil, Palm Oil, Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil, Lemon, Mango, Kerosene Oil, etc. putting downward pressure on the index.
At centre level, Angul-Talchar recorded a maximum increase of 8.5 points followed by Raipur and Labac-Silchar with 6.8 and 6.3 points respectively. Among others, 3 centres recorded increase between 5 to 5.9 points, 2 centres between 4 to 4.9 points, 10 centres between 3 to 3.9 points, 11 centres between 2 to 2.9 points, 28 centres between 1 to 1.9 points and 26 centres between 0.1 to 0.9 points. On the contrary, Mungel-Jamalpur recorded a maximum decrease of 1.1 point. Among others, 4 centers recorded decrease between 0.1 to 0.9 points.
Year-on-year inflation for the month stood at 5.57 per cent compared to 4.42 per cent for the previous month and 6.16 per cent during the corresponding month a year before. Similarly, Food inflation stood at 6.00 per cent against 3.24 per cent of the previous month and 6.73 per cent during the corresponding month a year ago.
Y-o-Y Inflation based on CPI-IW (Food and General)
The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of July, 2023 will be released on Thursday, 31st August, 2023. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureau.gov.in.
Bank Pension Scheme has not been revised for 28 Years: Lok Sabha QA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1621 ANSWERED ON 31st JULY, 2023 / SRAVANA 9, 1945 (SAKA)
Pension Scheme for Retirees
1621. SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that even after twenty eight years since introduction of pension scheme in Banks, it has not been revised and the retirees, especially those retired long back are living with great difficulty with a meagre amount of pension if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Bank Retirees are not given revision in pension along with the wage revision of serving employees on similar lines like the pension, scheme of Central and State Government retirees;
(c) whether the Government proposes to raise/revise the pension scheme of the bank retirees to ensure the quantum of pension payable to pensioner is adequate to meet his/her basic needs and lifestyle to which he/she is accustomed to live to achieve the objective of social welfare;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (DR. BHAGWAT KARAD)
(a) to (e): Pension, a funded scheme, was introduced in nationalised banks through Bipartite Settlement signed on 29.10.1993 (covering employees retired on or after 1.1.1986), between unions/associations of bank employees and the Indian Banksโ Association (IBA), which negotiated on behalf of participating banks. The Boards of the respective nationalised banks accordingly made Employeesโ Pension Regulations, 1995, in exercise of their powers under section 19 of the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970/1980. These regulations do not have provision for revision of pension. However, pensioners/retirees of banks are being granted Dearness Relief on pension and the same is being increased from time to time i.e. on half yearly basis.
IBA has further informed that the matter of pension updation of Banks is sub-judice in Honโble Supreme Court of India.
Karmayogi Guidelines 2023: Guidelines for Civil Servants
IMMEDIATE
No.T-16017/6/2023-TFA Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Personnel & Training (Training Division)
Old JNU Campus, New Delhi Dated the 28th July, 2023
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: Karmayogi Guidelines, 2023.
The undersigned is directed to say that this Department is the nodal agency of Government of India for matters related to training of Civil Servants.
2. The Civil Services play a central role in governance and its delivery of public services. To equip the civil services with the right attitudes, skills, knowledge and competencies aligned to the demands and expectations of a rapidly growing economy and its aspirational citizens, Government of India launched the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB) – Mission Karmayogi. The Mission Karmayogi aims at developing a citizen-centric and future-ready civil service and through democratized and competency-led capacity building, which encompasses in its scope a mandate that unifies the efforts of structured, formal and service-based training through Civil Service Training Institutions (CSTIs) with the on-demand digital training through iGOT- Karmayogi platform.
3. To deliver on the vision of capacity building of Civil Servants, two key institutions viz. Capacity Building Commission (CBC) and the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) – Karmayogi Bharat were designated. The CBC has become fully functional since June, 2021, while the SPV – Karmayogi Bharat has become operational since August, 2022 and has been managing and maintaining the iGOT platform. Further, the e-HRMS has been revamped and integrated with iGOT platform.
4. It is envisaged that the institutional training interventions in complementarity with online capacity building interventions on iGOT would facilitate the overall objective of shift from rule-based system to a role-based Human Resource Management in Government. The National. Training approach, therefore, has to harmoniously blend and realign the role of various CSTIs so as to fully complement the efforts of other pillars of Mission Karmayogi.
5. Therefore, these “Karmayogi Guidelines” (as per the Annexure) are being issued to bring more clarity to the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in the training and capacity building landscape, including that of the institutions established under the Mission Karmayogi.
6. All the Ministries / Departments, including CSTIs and other organizations functioning under their administrative control, are requested to comply with these guidelines.
7. In so far as the State Governments are concerned, it is recommended that they may formulate comprehensive guidelines for training and capacity building of their employees, in consonance with these guidelines, to enable achievement of citizen-centricity and effective public service delivery.
Encl.: As above.
(B. Ginkhan Mang) Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
All Ministries/ Departments (As per the list enclosed)
Copy to
1. Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. 2. Institute of Secretariat Training and Management (ISTM), New Delhi. 3. Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi. 4. Capacity Building Commission, Jawahar Vyapar Bhavan, Tolstoy Road, New Delhi. 5. SPV – Karmayogi Bharat, II Floor, NDCC-II Building, Jai Singh Marg, New Delhi 6. NIC, Training Division, DoPT – for uploading the OM on the Department’s website.
Copy also to
All State / UT Governments (As per the standard list).
Withdrawal of money from New Pension Scheme: Rajya Sabha QA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERSโ WELFARE)
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 854 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2023)
NEW PENSION SCHEME
854 SHRI HARBHAJAN SINGH:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) whether there is any proposal to allow advance or withdrawal of money by beneficiaries of New Pension Schemeอพ
(b) if so, the details thereofอพ
(c) proposed modifications in New Pension Scheme, if anyอพ and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTERโS OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) to (d): The National Pension System (NPS) was introduced for Central Government employees vide Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) Notification No. 5/7/2003-ECB & PR dated 22.12.2003 for all new recruits to the Central Government service (except armed forces) from 01.01.2004. NPS is regulated under the PFRDA Act, 2013 and regulations made there under by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
Regulation 8(1) of Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Exits and Withdrawals under the National Pension System) Regulations, 2015, and amendment thereof, inter-alia states that a partial withdrawal of accumulated pension wealth of the subscriber, not exceeding twenty-five per cent of the contributions made by the subscriber and excluding contributions made by employer, if any, at any time before exit from National Pension System subject to the terms and conditions, purpose, frequency and limits specified as mentioned in the aforesaid Regulations, is allowed.
Cooling off period under the law which prohibits a retired Government official from joining any political party
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)
LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1039 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2023)
COOLING OFF PERIOD
1039. MS. CHANDRANI MURMU:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) whether there is any cooling off period under the law which prohibits a retired Government official from joining any political party and if so, the duration of such cooling off period; and
(b) whether the Government is considering to introduce a cooling off period of two to three years for retired Government officials?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTERโS OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a): Rule 5 (1) of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 provides that no Government servant shall be a member of, or be otherwise associated with, any political party or any organisation which takes part in politics nor shall he take part in, subscribe in aid of, or assist in any other manner, any political movement or activity. However, these Rules are applicable only to the serving Government Officials.
(b): Insofar as Ministry Of Personnel, Public Grievances And Pensions is concerned, no such proposal is under consideration.
(a) whether the Government has extant rules/ regulations for maintenance of personal records of the Central Government Pensioners (CGPs) in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the CGPs are allowed to get their name changed or surname added in their service book after the retirement from the service and if so, the details thereof including Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the same;
(c) whether the Pensioners are allowed to change his/her dependent nominee to receive the family pension after his/her retirement and if so, the details thereof including the SOP in this regard;
(d) whether the Government has appointed any nodal officer for the grievances of pensioners in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the other steps being taken by the Government for the welfare of pensioners in the country?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTERโS OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a): Government has introduced online system of pension processing and sanctioning of pensionary benefits to Central Government employees and relevant personal information is captured in the system.
(b): Central Government Pensioners are allowed to change their name/surname in the Services Book in accordance with the instructions applicable to Government servant for change of these details in service book records during service.
(c): Family Pension is given to family of deceased Government servant in accordance with the provisions of CCS (Pension) Rules. However a pensioner can update his family details after retirement.
(d): Government has an online pension grievance redressal mechanism namely โCPENGRAMโ and the Nodal Officers have been appointed in each Ministry/Department for handling of grievances of Pensioners.
(e): Government has taken following steps for the welfare of Central Government Pensioners:-
i. Simplification of rules and procedures for pensioners and family pensioners
ii. Implementation of online pension processing and sanctioning system namely โBhavishyaโ
iii. Implementation of online Pension grievance redressal mechanism namely โCPENGRAMโ
iv. Implementation of a Digital system for submission of life certificate โJeevan Pramaanโ
v. Conducting of Pensioners Awareness Programmes and Pre-Retirement Counselling Workshops
Constitution of 8th Pay Commission for the Central Government employees: No such proposal is under consideration
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 532
TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2023 SRAVANA 3, 1945 (SAKA)
“Constitution of Eighth Central Pay Commission”
532: SHRI JAVED ALI KHAN
Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government has not considered para 1.22 contained in 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) report which recommended that pay matrix of Central Government employees may be reviewed periodically without waiting for long period of 10 years on the basis of Aykroyd formula;
(b) if so, whether Government would constitute Eighth CPC in view of the highest inflation in last 30 years and constitution of Seventh CPC in the year 2013;
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)
(a): The Government has not considered this issue while according the approval of the revision of pay and allowances based on Seventh Central Pay Commission.
(b) to (d): No such proposal is under consideration with the Government for constitution of Eighth Central Pay Commission for the Central Government employees.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 550 TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2023/ SRAVANA 3, 1945 (SAKA)
SETTING UP OF EIGHTH CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION
550: SHRI RAM NATH THAKUR
Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:
(a) whether between January 2016 and January 2023, the pay and pension of Central employees increased by just 42 per cent, whereas, over this same period, the per capita income of country had climbed by 111 per cent;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether as recommended by last three Central Pay Commissions, future pay revision should be done when DA/DR reaches 50 per cent or more than basic pay to neutralize the impact of inflation; and
(d) as the rate of DA/DR is projected to cross 50 per cent or even more from January 2024, whether the Central Government proposed to set up Eighth Central Pay Commission, if so, details thereof?
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)
(a) & (b): Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) is paid to Central Government employees and pensioners to compensate them for erosion in the real value of their pay and pension on account of inflation. These rates were increased to 42% of the pay and pension in January, 2023. The rates of DA/DR are revised periodically at every six months on the basis of All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW).
(c) & (d): No such proposal is under consideration of the Government.
Purchase of laptops/notebooks and similar devices for eligible officers – revised guidelines: FINMIN
F.No. 03(20)/2022-E.II(A) Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure E.II(A) Branch
New Delhi, the 21 July, 2023
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Instructions for the purchase of laptops/notebooks and similar devices for eligible officersโrevised guidelines.
In supersession to this Ministryโs Office Memorandum bearing No. 08(34)/2017-E.II(A) dated 20.02.2018 and OM No. 3(6)/2020-E.II(A) dated 27.03.2020, regarding purchase of Note Book/Laptop by Ministries/ Departments & delegation of powers thereof, it has been decided that laptop; tablet; phablet; notepad; ultra-book; notebook; net-book; mobile or devices of similar categories (referred to as โDeviceโ in this OM) may be issued to eligible officers for discharge of official work. These powers shall be exercised in consultation with the Financial Adviser by the Secretary of Ministry/Department, duly taking into consideration the functional requirements and budgetary provisions. However, the Secretary, for justifiable reasons, may delegate these powers to any other authority (not below the level of Joint Secretary). This would, however, be subject to the following conditions:
2. Eligibility:
Section Officer and Equivalent
Under Secretary and Equivalent
Deputy Secretary or equivalent and above
Upto 50% of sanctioned strength of the Department
Upto 50% of sanctioned strength of the Department
100 % of sanctioned strength of the Department
3. Cost of Device: The cost of device shall be Rs. 1,00,000/- + taxes. However, for devices with Make-in-India (MII) component of more than 40%, the price ceiling shall be Rs.1,30,000/- + taxes. The above price ceiling is inclusive of cost of standard software*.
*Standard Software: Any software (Operating System, Antivirus software or MS-Office etc.) that is essential for the running of device towards discharge of official functions/duties.
4. Purchase Procedures: As prescribed under GFRs read with procurement guidelines issued by this department.
5. Safety, Security & Maintenance of Device: The device shall be property of Government upto 4 years from date of purchase. The expenditure to be incurred for the maintenance and upkeep of the device post warranty period is to be borne by the department concerned. However, the officer, who is given the device, shall be personally responsible for safety and security of data/information. The officer concerned will be at liberty to get the device insured at his/her personal cost.
6. Book value of the device: For the purpose of calculation of the book value, a depreciation of 25% per year (pro-rata basis), on straight line method, be adopted. Illustration to determine the book value of the device is given at Annexure-A.
7. Retention of device:
(a) Post completion of four years of usage, the officer shall retain the issued device. Concerned Ministry/Department shall ensure that the data in the device is completely wiped out (data sanitized) before the device is handed over to the officer for retention.
(b) No new device may be sanctioned to an officer who has already been allotted a device, in a Ministry /Department, up to four years except in case of repair which is declared as โbeyond economical repairsโ. In such case, the device shall be retained by the employee without paying any amount and he/she will be eligible for a new device (based on the functional necessity). A BER certificate to this effect shall be obtained from the OEM or its authorized service center or agency/company providing AMC services to the department.
8. Beyond Economical Repair (BER): When repair cost is considered too high (exceeding 50% of book value of equipment taking depreciation into account). Such cases should be dealt on case-to-case basis and should have concurrence of Financial Advisor of the Department.
9. Conditions at the time of transfer, Superannuation etc.:
(a) In case where, at the time of purchase of device if the residual service of the officer is less than 4 years [or in case the officer is transferred/deputed to State Govt. and with residual service of less than 4 years] or the officer leaves the Government Service within 4 years of purchase of such device, the officer concerned will have the option of retaining the device by paying the amount equal to book value of the device on such date of relief from Government of India.
(b) Upon transfer/deputation of the officer to other Ministry/Department/Attached/Sub-ordinate offices of the Government of India or to the State Government in case of Officers of the All-India Services, the officer shall carry the device to his/her new place of posting, this fact should be specifically mentioned in the Last Pay Certificate (LPC) along with copy of the bill.
10. Instructions for Ministries/Departments:
(a) For the officials who are currently holding laptops, notebooks or similar devices in accordance with the provisions of O.M. dt. 27.09.2016, O.M. dt. 20.02.2018 & O.M. dated 27.03.2020, the terms & conditions for retention of the device shall now be governed as per Para 7 of this OM and in case of transfer/deputation/superannuation of the officer provisions of Para 9 above shall be applicable.
(b) The applicability of the provisions of this order to the officers of Armed Forces/Para-Military Forces, officers of MoD & other similar establishments dealing with sensitive data would be subject to restrictions imposed by the concerned departments/organizations duly taking into consideration the security of information. In all such cases the security of the information shall be the responsibility of the concerned department.
11. This OM is applicable to all officers of Ministries /Departments of Government of India (including attached and subordinate offices). However, the following categories are outside the purview of these instructions:
(a) Minister and their personal staff (outsiders whose appointment is co-terminus to the term of Minister). (b) Public Sector Undertaking & Government Companies (c) State Governments (d) Autonomous Bodies (e) Consultants engaged by Ministries/Departments
12. This is issued with the approval of Finance Secretary & Secretary (Expenditure).
(Avinash K. Nilankar) Deputy Secretary (E.IIA)
ANNEXURE-A
Example
An eligible officer is issued a device (including standard software) costing Rs. 1,00,000/- plus applicable taxes and levies. Calculation of Depreciation, book value of the device (including software) is as below:
Formula:
Percentage of depreciation = (100/48) X No. of months elapsed or completed from the date of purchase of the device.
Illustration:
Date of purchase of device
Date of retirement/leaving the service
Completed months
Depreciation
Book value of the device/amount to be recovered from the employee
20.04.2023
30.04.2024
12 months
25%
75% of the original amount*
20.04.2023
20.10.2024
18 months
(100/48)X18 = 37.5%
62.9% of the original amount
20.04.2023
30.04.2025
24 months
50%
90% of the original amount
20.04.2023
19.03.2026
34 months
(100/48)X34 = 70.83%
29.17% of the original amount
*Original amount in this case is 1,00,000/- plus applicable taxes and levies.
Instructions on Timely submission of Annual Immovable Property Return by the members of Central Civil Service/Posts
eF.No. 11013/17/2023-PP-A.III Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Personnel and Training (Personnel Policy Division) ****
North Block, New Delhi Dated 14 July, 2023
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Instructions on Timely submission of Annual Immovable Property Return by the members of Central Civil Service/Posts
Department of Personnel and Training has been issuing instructions on filing of Annual Immovable Property Return of the previous year latest by 31st January of the following year, by the members of Central Civil Services/Posts, as required under under Rule 18 of CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964. Sub-rule 1(ii) of Rule 18 of the CCS(Conduct) Rules, 1964 stipulates that โEvery Government servant belonging to any service or holding any post included in Group โAโ and Group โBโ shall submit an annual return in such form as may be prescribed by the Government in this regard giving full particulars regarding the immovable property inherited by him or owned or acquired by him or held by him on lease or mortgage either in his own name or in the name of any member of his family or in the name of any other personโ.
2. Accordingly, all Group โAโ and Group โBโ Government servants are required to file Annual Immovable Property Return of the previous year latest by 31% January of the following year invariably. The need for obtaining these returns regularly and making careful scrutiny of the same was reiterated from time to time.
3. Attention, in this regard, is invited to DOPT OM No. 11012/11/2007 dated 14.12.2007 and 27.09.2011 as per which, vigilance clearance, for the purpose of (a) empanelment (b) any deputation for which clearance is necessary, (c) appointments to sensitive posts and assignments to training programmes (except mandatory training), shall be denied to an officer, if he fails to submit his annual immovable property return of the previous year by 31st January of the following year.
4. Attention is also invited to DOPT OM No. 11013/3/2011-Estt.(A) dated 23.09.2013 requesting all Cadre Controlling authorities that the IPRs (to be submitted by 31St January each year) may be placed in public domain by 31% March of that year.
5. Ministries/Departments are, therefore, requested to ensure that these returns are submitted by all Group A and B Officers under their control in respect of every calendar year by 31st January of the next year. It may be impressed upon them that failure on the part of a Government servant to comply with the requirement of the aforesaid rule can form good and sufficient reasons for instituting disciplinary proceedings against him.
6. Further, Ministries/Departments may also ensure that these returns are placed in public domain within the prescribed period of time. Internal Audit may also be conducted by the Ministries/Departments to ensure that these instructions are being followed in letter and spirit.
(Umesh Kumar Bhatia Director (Pers. Policy)
To All Ministries/Departments (as per standard list)
