Closure of offices / buildings surroundings R.P. Bhawan in connection with AT Home Function on the occasion of Independence Day Celebrations 2023 -reg.
MOST IMMEDIATE
F. No. 12/10/2016-JCA Government of India Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Personnel and Training JCA Section
North Block, New Delhi Dated 11th August, 2023
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Closure of Office/ Buildings surroundings R.P. Bhawan in connection with AT HOME FUNCTION on the occasion of Independence Day Celebrations 2023 – regarding.
The Anti-Sabotage Checks are required to be done in the buildings (as per list enclosed), before AT HOME FUNCTION at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 15.08.2023 evening. These buildings will have to be vacated by 0900 hours on 15.08.2023, so that rooms are sealed after regular Anti-Sabotage checks are completed. It has therefore been decided that the Government Offices located in the buildings in the Annexure to this OM would be closed by 0900 hours on 15.08.2023 (Tuesday).
Hindi version will follow.
(Parveen Jargar) Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
Modifications to the LTC Instructions: Reimbursement of Catering Charges Allowed in LTC
F.No. 31011/17/2023-Estt.A-IV Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions Department of Personnel & Training Pers. Policy (A-IV)
North Block, New Delhi. Dated: 10th August, 2023
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 – clarifications/modifications in the LTC instructions regarding.
2. Keeping in view the several references, grievances, etc. in respect of different issues flagged in these OMs, the matter has been considered in consultation with the Department of Expenditure and decided as below:
(i) Reimbursement of Catering charges in case of LTC – Keeping in view the fact that Indian Railways is now providing options to the traveller to avail catering facility or not, it has been decided that wherever employees opt for catering services while booking the tickets for the eligible trains for the purpose of LTC, the reimbursement of catering charges shall be allowed.
(ii) Reimbursement of Cancellation charges levied by the airlines/travel agents – It has been decided that both types of the cancellation charges, viz. (i) cancellation charges levied by the airlines & (ii) cancellation charges levied by the three authorized travel agents for utilization of their portals/platforms, if any, shall be reimbursed on the ground of official exigencies only.
(iii) Booking of Air tickets through three Authorized Travel Agents viz. IRCTC, BLCL & AT’F even in case of the employees not entitled for air travel under LTC – It has been decided that the Government employees not entitled for air travel but wish to travel by air, are no longer required to mandatorily book their air tickets through these three travel agencies viz. M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited (BLCL), M/s Ashok Travels & Tours (ATT), Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC) only as the reimbursement is restricted to the actual air fare or the entitled train/bus fare for the shortest route, whichever is less. In case of cancellation of tickets, cancellation charges shall be borne by the Government employees concerned. However, in case of Special Dispensation Scheme, the Government employees not entitled for air travel under LTC, but wish to travel by air to the intended place of visit in NE region, UTs of J&K, Ladakh, A & N, are required to book their air ticket through three ATAs only.
3. The claim of reimbursement in respect of LTC journey is to be settled as per the above instructions, however the cases which have already been settled, need not be reopened.
4. In so far as the persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these instructions are issued in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, as mandated under Article 148(5) of the Constitution of India.
5. Hindi version will follow.
(Satish Kumar) Under Secretary to the Government of India Tel: 2304 0341
Disbursement of Salary/Pension to CG Employees/Pensioner working in the State of Kerala before 29th August 2023 on account of “ONAM” Festival.
CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS North Avenue New Delhi-110001
Ref: Confd./Festival Onam/2023
Dated – 08.08.2023
To
The Controller General of Accounts, Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, Mahalekha Niyantrak Bhawan, E-Block, GPO Complex, INA New Delhi – 110 023.
Sub: Disbursement of Salary/Pension to Central Government employees/Pensioner working in the State of Kerala before 29th August 2023 on account of “ONAM” Festival.
Respected Sir,
I would like to submit the following for your kind Consideration and early favourable order’s.
The most important festival of Kerala *’Onam’* is on 29-8-2023* The entire Keralites participate in the festivities irrespective of their caste, creed or religion. Kerelites living across India and various parts of the globe usually visit their ancestral homes during Onam. The culture of Kerala is that majority of the people make their precious purchase of household articles and other items during this occassion. This season witnesses the highest economic activity.
As ‘Onam’ falls in the last week of August, employees and pensioners would be left with hardly any money to celebrate the festival after spending money for the usual household expenses. The usual practice is that if the festival falls in the middle of the month or later, salary and pension for the month are disbursed in advance.
Therefore, the Confederation requests that salary and pension relating personnel residing in Kerala for the month of *August 2023* may please be disbursed at the earliest in view of Onam Celebration.
Delays in the issue of PRAN and the first deduction of NPS: Lok Sabha QA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES *****
LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2869
TO BE ANSWERED ON 7th AUGUST, 2023 (MONDAY)/ /SRAVANA 16, 1945 (SAKA)
PERMANENT RETIREMENT ACCOUNT NUMBER
2869. Shrimati Goddeti Madhavi Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that there were significant delays in the issue of Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN) and the first deduction of NPS contributions;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) the steps taken or likely to be taken by the Government to redress this;
(d) the manner in which the Government is raising awareness of NPS;
(e) whether the Government is planning to ensure privacy and security in the Pension Adalat considering that some details may be sensitive; and
(f) 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 (c) Under National Pension System (NPS) for the Government sector subscribers, opening of Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN) is responsibility of nodal office and employee after an employee joins the service.
The nodal offices can generate PRAN digitally for any employee. Further, e-NPS facility is also available to employees joining Government services wherein they themselves can generate their PRAN through online module and submit it to their office for its mapping with respective nodal office. On generation of PRAN, nodal office can remit the NPS contribution deducted from the salary of the subscribers along with co-contribution of employer/Government to the PRAN of the subscribers.
The CCS (Implementation of NPS) Rules, 2021, notified on 30.03.2021, prescribe timelines for various NPS related activities in Government Departments and the penalties and compensation for delayed or non-adherence to the timelines therein. Accordingly, all Departments have to adhere to timelines specified by CCS (Implementation of NPS) Rules, 2021.
Oversight Committees of Financial Advisers have been formed in each Department for ensuring timely crediting of NPS contributions. Therefore, the activities related to NPS are also monitored in each Department by the respective Committees.
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) being regulator for NPS, regularly conducts review meetings with the Government nodal offices to sensitize them about the importance of timely opening of PRAN and regular and timely remittance of NPS contributions to the PRAN of the subscribers.
(d) Following initiatives are taken by PFRDA to raise awareness about NPS:
i. Subscribers Education and Empowerment Program (SEEP) is organised to educate subscribers about various benefits & features of NPS.
ii. Central Recordkeeping Agencies (CRAs) conduct Subscriber Awareness Programs (SAP) to make subscribers aware about NPS and to resolve their queries.
iii. Circulars are issued regularly regarding various features to make the subscribers aware about the benefits/features available to them.
iv. Annuity Literacy Programmes are organised regularly to address the queries of NPS subscribers who are retiring in next few years.
v. PFRDA maintains a dedicated financial literacy website called “Pension Sanchay,” featuring articles and blogs related to NPS and various financial topics.
vi. Podcasts about NPS, Videos on FAQs asked by Govt. employees, NPS ki Pathshala on YouTube are available.
vii. PFRDA is running Media campaign by engaging with electronic media, print media and social media.
(e) and (f) Pension Adalat is a concept to provide a single platform where the concerned stake holders, viz., ministry/department/organization/CPAO Bank are brought together for expeditious resolution of long pending grievances to the satisfaction of the petitioner, thereby obviating Court Cases from pensioners and giving them relief.
These Pension Adalats are meant for resolving the Pension/Family pension related grievances of the complainants expeditiously. Privacy and security of the Pensioner/Family pensioner is ensured while taking up the matter in Pension Adalats.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERS’ WELFARE)
LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2171 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023)
REVERTING TO OPS
2171. DR. A. CHELLAKUMAR: SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN: DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Department of Personnel and Training has completed the process of issuing general orders to exclude Central Government employees whose advertisements for recruitment were released on or before 31/12/2003 from the National Pension System (NPS) and bring them under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) in the light of the recent Supreme Court judgment; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
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): Yes Sir, The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare has issued instructions on 03.03.2023 in the light of Court judgments, giving one time option to the Central Government civil employee for inclusion under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021) who has been appointed against a post or vacancy which was advertised/ notified for recruitment/ appointment prior to notification for National Pension System i.e. 22.12.2003. Department of Personnel and Training has issued similar orders for AIS officers on 13.07.2023.
Dearness Relief to Pre 1986 Bank Pensioners from August 2023: IBA Order
Indian Banks’ Association HR & INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
No.CIR/HR&IR/D/G2/2023-24/ August 2, 2023
Designated Officers of all Nationalised Banks and State Bank of India
Dear Sir/Madam,
Dearness Relief payable for the period August 2023 to January 2024 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 August 2023 to January 2024 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
₹
%
₹
₹
8881
Pre 1.1.86 Retirees
350
1386.90
4854.15
5204
Surviving spouses of pre 1.1.86 retirees
175
1386.90
2427.08
2602
2. However, you may be guided by IBA circular HR&IR/MBR/743/2022-23/11722 dated February 7, 2023, wherein we have sent an advisory to Banks, to consider additional ex-gratia payment over and above the amount being paid as per DFS guidelines so as to ensure that the surviving pre 1986 retired employee / surviving Spouse of pre 1986 retired employees get a minimum of Rs.10000/- per month as Ex-gratia.
Dearness Relief to Bank Pensioners from August 2023 to January 2023 – IBA Order
Indian Banks’ Association
HR & INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
No.CIR/HR&IR/D/G2/2023-24/ August 2, 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 August 2023 to January 2024
The confirmed All India Average Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers (Base 1960=100) for the quarter ended June 2023 are as follows:-
April 2023 – 8822.12 May 2023 – 8854.99 June 2023 – 8966.74
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 August 2023 to January 2024 as per Annexure.
DA for Bank Employees from August 2023 to October 2023 – IBA ORDER
Indian Banks’ Association
HR & Industrial Relations
HR&IR/MBR/76/D/2023-24/ August 2, 2023
All Members of the Association (Designated Officers)
Dear Sir/ Madam,
Dearness Allowance for Workmen and Officer Employees in banks for the months of August, September, October 2023 under XI BPS/ 8th Joint Note dated 11.11.2020
The confirmed All India Average Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers (Base 1960=100) for the quarter ended June 2023 are as follows:-
April 2023 – 8822.12 May 2023 – 8854.99 June 2023 – 8966.74
The average CPI of the above is 8881 and accordingly the number of DA slabs are 632 (8881-6352= 2529/4= 632 Slabs). The last quarterly Payment of DA was at 596 Slabs. Hence, there is an increase in DA slabs of ‘36’ i.e. 632 Slabs for payment of DA for the months August, September and October, 2023.
In terms of clause 7 of the 11th Bipartite Settlement dated 11.11.2020 and clause 3 of the Joint Note dated 11.11.2020, the rate of Dearness Allowance payable to Workmen and Officer employees for the months of August, September and October, 2023 shall be 44.24% of ‘pay’. While arriving at dearness allowance payable, decimals from third place may please be ignored.
Option for Central Government Employees to avail CGHS benefits either for their Parents or Parents-in-law
H.11020/2/2023-EHS Government of India Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Directorate of CGHS
CGHS Bhawan, RK Puram Sector-13, New Delhi Dated July, 2023.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: Option for Central Government Employees to avail CGHS benefits either for their Parents or Parents-in-law – regarding.
***
The undersigned is directed to refer to the Office memorandum No. 4(1)-18/63-H, dated 03.03.1987, issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, whereby a female Central Government employee was given the choice to include either her parents or parents-in-law for the purpose of availing the benefits under Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) subject to the conditions of dependence and residence, etc., being satisfied.
2. The matter has been reviewed and the undersigned is directed to convey the approval of Competent Authority to say that hereinafter, both male and female Central Government employees will have the choice to include either their parents or parents-in-law for the purpose of availing the benefits under CGHS subject to the conditions of dependence and residence, etc., being satisfied.
3. The contents of Para 2 above shall be added to the definition of the term ‘Family’ for CGHS benefits.
4. This OM shall supersede all other OMs issued in relation to this subject.
[ Dr Manoj Jain ] Director, CGHS
To:
All Ministries / Departments, Government of India
Additional Director, CGHS(HQ) /Adl.DDG(HQ)
All Additional Directors /Joint Directors of CGHS cities outside Delhi
All Pay & Accounts Officers under CGHS
Additional Director (SZ)/ (CZ)/(EZ)/(NZ), CGHS, New Delhi
JD (Gr.)/JD(R&H), CGHS Delhi
CGHS Desk-I/Desk-II/CGHS-I/CGHS-II, Dte.GHS, Nirman Bhawan. New Delhi
Estt.I/ Estt.II/ Estt.III/ Estt.IV Sections, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Admn.I / Admn.II Sections of Dte.GHS
Rajya Sabha / Lok Sabha Secretariat
Registrar, Supreme Court of India /Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh
U.P.S.C.
Finance Division
Deputy Secretary (Civil Service News), Department of Personnel & Training, 5th Floor,
Sardar Patel Bhawan, New Delhi.
PPS to Secretary (H&FW)/ Secretary(HR)/ , Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
PPS to SS&DG /SS&MD, NRHM / AS (H) /DGHS
Secretary, Staff Side, 13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi
All Staff Side Members of the National Council (JCM) (as per list attached)
Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General of India, 10 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New
Delhi
All Offices / Sections / Desks in the Ministry
Nodal Officer, MCTC, CGHS with a request to upload a copy of OM on CGHS Web-site
Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (2016=100) – June, 2023
TheLabour 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, 2023is being released in this press release.
The All-India CPI-IW for June, 2023 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)
All-India Group-wise CPI-IW for May, 2023 and June, 2023
Sr. No.
Groups
May, 2023
June, 2023
I
Food & Beverages
133.7
137.8
II
Pan, Supari, Tobacco & Intoxicants
155.5
156.0
III
Clothing & Footwear
136.9
137.0
IV
Housing
123.4
123.4
V
Fuel & Light
181.7
181.5
VI
Miscellaneous
132.3
132.6
General Index
134.7
136.4
CPI-IW: Groups Indices
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.
