GPF Interest Rate from July 2023 to September 2023
(TO BE PUBLISHED IN PART I SECTION 1 OF GAZETTE OF INDIA) F.NO. 5(3)-B(PD)/2023 Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Economic Affairs (Budget Division)
New Delhi, the 04 July, 2023
RESOLUTION
It is announced for general information that during the year 2023-2024, accumulations at the credit of subscribers to the General Provident Fund and other similar funds shall carry interest at the rate of 7.1% (Seven point one percent) w.e.f. 1st July, 2023 to 30th September, 2023. This rate will be in force w.e.f. 1st July, 2023. The funds concerned are:
Central Government Offices Holiday List 2024: DOPT ORDER
F.No.12/2/2023-JCA Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training) Establishment (JCA) Section
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
North Block, New Delhi Dated the 3rd July, 2023
Subject: Holidays to be observed in Central Government Offices during the year 2024- reg.
It has been decided that the holidays, as specified in Annexure -I to this O.M., will be observed in all the Administrative Offices of the Central Government located at Delhi/ New Delhi during the year 2024. In addition, each employee will also be allowed to avail himself / herself of any two holidays to be chosen by him / her out of the list of Restricted Holidays specified at Annexure – II.
2. Central Government Administrative Offices located outside Delhi / New Delhi shall observe the following holidays compulsorily in addition to three holidays, to be chosen out of the 12 optional holidays indicated below at para 3.1:
REPUBLIC DAY
INDEPENDENCE DAY
MAHATMA GANDHI’S BIRTHDAY
BUDDHA PURNIMA
CHRISTMAS DAY
DUSSEHRA (VIJAY DASHMI)
DIWALI (DEEPAVALI)
GOOD FRIDAY
GURU NANAK’S BIRTHDAY
IDU’L FITR
IDU’L ZUHA
MAHAVIR JAYANTI
MUHARRAM
PROPHET MOHAMMAD’S BIRTHDAY (ID-E-MILAD)
3.1. For offices located in New Delhi/ Delhi, three holidays are selected by the D/o Personnel & Training and for the offices located outside Delhi / New Delhi three holidays are to be chosen by the Central Government Employees Welfare Coordination Committee in the State Capitals, if necessary, in consultation with Coordination Committees at other places in the State, from the list indicated below. The final list, applicable uniformly to all Central Government offices within the concerned State, shall be notified accordingly and no change can be carried out thereafter. It is also clarified that no change is permissible in the festivals and dates, as indicated at Annexure -I and Annexure-Il baring a few exceptions indicated at para 5.1 and 5.2 hereinafter. The 12 optional holidays are as follows:
3.2 No substitute holiday should be allowed if any of the festival holidays, initially declared, subsequently happens to fall on a weekly off or any other non-working day or in the event of more than one festival falling on the same day.
4. The list of Restricted Holidays appended as Annexure-II to this O.M. is meant for Central Government Offices located in Delhi / New Delhi. The Coordination Committees at the State Capitals may draw up separate list of Restricted Holidays keeping in view the occasions of local importance. However, the 9 occasions left over, after choosing the 3 variable holidays in para 3.1 above, are also to be included in the list of restricted holidays.
5.1 For offices in Delhi / New Delhi, any change in the date of holidays in respect of Idu’l Fitr, Idu’l Zuha, Muharram and Id-e-Milad, if necessary, depending upon sighting of the Moon, would be declared by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, after ascertaining the position from the Govt. of NCT of Delhi (DCP, Special Branch, Delhi Police) .
5.2 For offices outside Delhi / New Delhi, the Central Government Employees Welfare Coordination Committees at the State Capitals are authorised to change the date of holiday, if necessary, based on the decision of the concerned State Governments / Union Territories, in respect of Idu’l Fitr, Idu’l Zuha, Muharram and Id-e-Milad.
5.3 It may happen that the change of date in respect of the above occasions has to be declared at a very short notice. In such a situation, announcement could be made through P.1.B/T.V./ A.l.R. / Newspapers and the Heads of Department / Offices of the Central Government may take action according to such an announcement, without waiting for a formal order, about the change of date.
6. During 2024, Diwali ( Deepavali) falls on Thursday, October 31, 2024 (Kartika 09) . In certain States, the practice is to celebrate the occasion a day in advance, i.e., on “Naraka Chaturdasi Day”. In view of this, there is no objection if holiday on account of Deepavali is observed on “Naraka Chaturdasi Day (in place of Deepavali Day) in the Central Government Offices in a State if in that State that day alone is declared as a compulsory holiday for Diwali for the offices of the State Government.
7. Central Government Organisations which include industrial, commercial and trading establishments would observe upto 16 holidays in a year including three national holidays viz. Republic Day, Independence Day and Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, as compulsory holidays. The remaining holidays / occasions may be determined by such establishments/ organisations themselves for the year 2024, subject to para 3.2 above.
8. Union Territory Administrations shall decide the list of holidays in terms of Instructions issued in this regard by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
9. In respect of Indian Missions abroad, the number of holidays may be notified m accordance with the instructions contained in this Department’s O.M. No.12/5/2002-JCA dated 17th December, 2002. In other words, they will have the option to select 14 (Fourteen) holidays of their own only after including in the list, three National Holidays and Mahavir Jayanti and Dussehra included in the list of compulsory holidays and falling on days of weekly off.
10. In respect of Banks, the holidays shall be regulated in terms of the extant instructions issued by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance.
11. Hindi version will follow.
(Parven Jargar) Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India
Date of next Increment Important FinMin Order to re-exercise option for pay fixation in 3 months: No further request for extension of date or relaxation
No. 04-21/2017-IC/E.III.A Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure (E.III.A Branch)
New Delhi, Date: 04.07.2023
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:- Date of next increment under Rule 10 of Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016 – Clarification – regarding.
The undersigned is directed to invite attention to this Department’s O.M. of even No. dated 28.11.2019 on the subject noted above. In Para ‘7’ of the said O.M. dated 28.11.2019, the employees who have been regularly promoted or granted financial up-gradation on or after 01.01.2016 and desire to exercise/re-exercise option for pay fixation under FR 22(I)(a)(1), were given an opportunity to exercise or re-exercise of their option for pay fixation within one month of the date of issue of the said O.M. dated 28.11.2019.
2. Thereafter, another opportunity to exercise/re-exercise the option for pay fixation, as allowed under O.M. dated 28.11.2019, was provided for a period of 3 months vide O.M. of even No. dated 15.04.2021.
3. However, a number of proposals are still being received from various Ministries/Departments for allowing another opportunity to exercise/re-exercise the option for fixation of pay as allowed under O.M. dated 28.11.2019.
4. Therefore, the Competent Authority in partial modification of the conditions enumerated in para ‘7’ of the said O.M. dated 28.11.2019, has further approved for allowing another opportunity to Government employees to exercise/re-exercise option for pay fixation as allowed under O.M. dated 28.11.2019 within a period of three months from the date of issue of this Office Memorandum. No further request for extension of date or relaxation of condition in exercising of option will be entertained under any circumstances. Ministries/Departments are advised to give wide publicity of this O.M.
5. All other conditions of O.M. dated 28.11.2019 remain unchanged.
6. In their application to the persons belonging to Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders are issued under Article 148(5) of the Constitution and after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India”.
7. Hindi Version of these orders is attached.
(Umesh Kumar Agarwal) Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
Revised Small Savings Schemes Interest Rates from July 2023
F.No.1/4/2019-NS Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Economic Affairs (Budget Division)
North Block, New Delhi Dated: 30.06.2023
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Revision of interest rates for Small Savings Schemes – reg.
The rates of interest on various Small Savings Schemes for the second quarter of financial year 2023-24 starting from 1st July, 2023 and ending on 30th September, 2023 have been revised as detailed below:
Central Government Employees likely to get 4% DA hike from July 2023
The All India CPI-IW for May 2023 increased by 0.5 points and stood at 134.7, based on the igecorner DA Calculation Sheet the DA as of May 2022 is 45.58
The DA is revised based on the changes in the All India Consumer Price Index (AICPIN). The June 2023 AICPIN value is needed to finalize the DA for July 2023. The value of June 2023 will be released only at the end of July 2023 by the Labour Bureau. However, as per the DA Calculator, the DA will be 46%, which means a 4% increase from the existing 42% DA is almost confirmed.
The government may consider a DA hike of 4 percent in July 2023. This means central government employees will get a DA of 46 percent. Currently, government employees get a DA of 42 percent on their basic salary. If the DA hike of 4 percent is implemented, employees are going to get a 46 percent dearness allowance on top of their basic pay. Dearness allowance (DA) is given to government employees, while dearness relief (DR) is for pensioners.
This calculation is based on the defined formula for DA calculation, we have to wait until the end of July 2023 to find the exact increase and the official confirmation from the central government. In the meantime check the DA Calculator to find the value
consumer Price Index for Industrial workers (2016=100) – May, 2023
The 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 all india consumer price index for the month of May, 2023 is being released in this press release.
The All India CPI-IW for May 2023 increased by 0.5 points and stood at 134.7 (one hundred thirty four point seven). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by 0.37 per cent with respect to previous month compared to increase of 1.02 per cent recorded between corresponding months a year ago
The maximum upward pressure in current index came from Food & Beverages group contributing 0.37 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Rice, Arhar Dal, Buffalo milk, Dairy Milk, poultry chicken, Egg-Hen, Apple, Grapes, Brinjal, Garlic, Ginger, Potato, Onion, Tomato, Sugar white, Cumin seed/Jira, Supari, Saree Cotton, Shirt Cloth Cotton, Medicine Allopathic, Private tuition/Coaching Center Fees, etc. are responsible for the rise in index. However, this increase was largely checked by Wheat Atta, Lady’s Finger, Lemon, Mango, Soyabean Oil, Sunflower Oil, Mustard Oil, Electricity Domestic, Kerosene oil, etc. putting downward pressure on the index.
At centre level, Jabalpur recorded a maximum increase of 5.2 points followed by Salem with 3.8 points. Among others, 2 centres recorded increase between 2 to 2.6 points, 14 centres between I to 1.9 points and34 centres between 0.1 to 0.9 points. On the contrary, Ludhiana recorded a maximum decrease of I point. Among others, 26 centers recorded decrease between 0.1 to 0.9 points. Rest of nine centers index remained stationary.
Year-on-year inflation for the month stood at 4.42 per cent compared to 5.09 per cent for the previous month and 6.97 per cent during the corresponding month a year before. Similarly, Food inflation stood at 3.24 per cent against 4.16 per cent of the previous month and7.92 per cent during the corresponding month a year ago.
The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of June, 2023 will be released on Monday, 31st July, 2023. The same will also be available on the office website www. labourbureau.gov.in
Director, RAKNPA / CGM, CEPT/Directors of all PTCs
Addl. Director General, Army Postal Service, New Delhi
All General Managers (Finance) / Directors Postal Accounts / DDAP
Subject: Gramin Dak Sevaks (Compassionate Engagement) Scheme, 2023.
I am directed to refer to this office letters No. 17-1/2017-GDS dated 30.05.2017 whereas the instructions regarding engagement of dependents of deceased Gramin Dak Sevaks on compassionate grounds (the Scheme) were issued.
2. Based on the references received, a need was felt to further review the scheme to expedite the processing of the compassionate engagement cases. With this view the scheme has been reviewed and it has been decided to introduce revised scheme for compassionate engagement of eligible dependents of deceased Gramin Dak Sevaks to be known as GDS (Compassionate engagement) Scheme, 2023.
3. The scheme will come into effect from the date of issue of this Scheme and will be applicable in all cases yet to be put up before Compassionate Committee on Engagements (CCE). The cases which have already been settled will not be reopened. A copy of the scheme is attached.
4. Circles are requested to circulate the revised Scheme to all concerned and ensure its implementation.
Cashless Treatment Facilities now available to CGHS Beneficiaries at AIIMS New Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, and JIPMER Puducherry
Memorandum of Agreement signed between Central Government Health Scheme(CGHS) and Three Institutes of National Importance (INI)
CGHS beneficiaries will have direct access to state-of-the-art treatment facilities available in these medical institutions, without the hassle of making upfront payments and seeking reimbursements from CGHS
The government aims to expand the number of hospitals empaneled under CGHS to provide excellent tertiary care facilities aligned with the rising requirements of the patients: Shri Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary
Through a significant and people centric move, cashless treatment facilities will now be available to CGHS beneficiaries (both serving and pensioners) at AIIMS New Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, and JIPMER Puducherry. The Memorandum of Agreement to this effect was signed between the three medical institutions- AIIMS, New Delhi, PGIMER, Chandigarh, and JIPMER, Puducherry, and CGHS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in the presence of Shri Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary, here today.
This initiative builds upon the six previously signed MoAs on May 20, 2023, between CGHS and various All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) located in Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Jodhpur, Raipur, and Rishikesh (https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1925806).
“The extension of patient care facilities at AIIMS New Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, and JIPMER Puducherry to CGHS beneficiaries on a cashless basis will be particularly beneficial for pensioner beneficiaries of CGHS. It eliminates the need for them to submit individual reimbursement claims and follow up for approvals. With this new initiative, CGHS beneficiaries will have direct access to state-of-the-art treatment facilities available in these medical institutions, without the hassle of making upfront payments and seeking reimbursements from CGHS. This streamlined process will save time, reduce paperwork, and expedite the settlement of individual claims. Previously, CGHS pensioner beneficiaries availing treatment at these institutions were required to make payments upfront and claim reimbursement later from CGHS.” This was stated by Shri Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at the signing of the MoA today.
The Union Health Secretary appreciated this development highlighting that CGHS is a significant service-oriented vertical of the Health Ministry through which existing and retired employees can avail medical services. He further stated, “The government aims to expand the number of hospitals empaneled under CGHS to provide excellent tertiary care facilities aligned with the rising requirements of the patients.”
Shri Bhushan further emphasized that this agreement will benefit a large segment of the population by simplifying lengthy formalities and expediting access to medical care. He also noted that this agreement will help expand the reach of CGHS services across the nation, allowing beneficiaries to avail CGHS facilities at the INIs institutions in their respective states. Additionally, CGHS has revised certain rates of treatment and medical care, further facilitating access to treatment facilities for patients.
The sailent features of this initiative are as under:
1. Cashless treatment will be available in outpatient departments (OPD), investigations, and indoor treatment for CGHS pensioners and other eligible categories of beneficiaries.
2. The three institutions will raise credit bills for CGHS pensioners and other eligible beneficiaries, and CGHS will preferably make payment within 30 days of receiving the bills.
3. CGHS beneficiaries will be admitted only upon the production of a valid CGHS Beneficiary ID Card for treatment at these institutions.
4. Separate Help Desks and accounting systems will be created for CGHS beneficiaries at AIIMS New Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, and JIPMER Puducherry.
5. Medicines prescribed by the doctors at these institutions, whether for OPD treatment or at the time of discharge, will be collected by beneficiaries through CGHS.
6. CGHS beneficiaries will no longer require referrals to access healthcare facilities at these institutions.
The MoA signing ceremony was attended by Officer on Special Duty, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Sudhansh Pant, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Smt. V. Hekali Zhimoni, among other senior government officials. Directors of AIIMS New Delhi, Dr. M Srinivas, Medical superintendent, PGIMER Chandigarh, Dr. Vipin Kaushal, and Director, JIPMER Puducherry, Dr. Rakesh Agrawal were also present at the MOA signing event.
Govt Employees must mark attendance using AEBAS: DOPT O.M
Instructions regarding implementation of Aadhar Enable Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) for attendance of all Government employees, by various Ministries/Departments/Organizations
F. No.11013/13/2023-Pers. Policy-A.III Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Personnel and Training
North Block, New Delhi Dated 23rd June, 2023
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Instructions regarding implementation of Aadhar Enable Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) for attendance of all Government employees, by various Ministries/Departments/Organizations
—–
During a recent review of the implementation of AEBAS, it has been observed that a large number’ of Government employees posted across Ministries/ Departments/ Organizations of Government of India, despite being registered and active over AEBAS, are not marking their attendance using the System and as such, are not adhering to the instructions contained in DOPT’s OM No. 11013/9/2014-Estt(A-III) dated 21.11.2014 and 28.01.2015.
2. Marking of attendance over AEBAS had remained suspended for a large period of time, during the spread of COVID19. Vide its OM dated 31.01.2022, this Department instructed that biometric attendance shall remain suspended till 15th February, 2022 or till further orders, whichever is earlier, and consequently, marking of attendance through AEBAS automatically resumed since 16.02.2022. However, it has been observed that many Ministries/Departments/Organizations have not yet resumed the use of AEBAS for marking of attendance of their employees.
3. Taking a serious note of the inattentiveness/laxity on the part of Ministries/Departments/Organizations and the employees (who are not marking attendance despite being registered and active), it has been decided that:
i. Ministries/Departments/Organizations (MDOs) shall ensure that the employees posted there mark their attendance using AEBAS without fail;
ii. Immediate steps would be initiated by the Ministries/Departments/ Organizations for registration of biometric data in AEBAS in respect of their employees;
iii. In respect of Divyang employees, Ministries/Departments/Organizations will make appropriate arrangements for providing easily accessible machines at lower heights or at their desks and for capturing biometrics through Face Recognition Machines;
iv. MDOs shall also verify the information provided by the employees for AEBAS to ensure that the same is correct and updated;
v. The concerned NIC Wings/Units shall provide information/attendance data including any discrepancy in Registered and Active Users to their Ministries/Departments concerned to ensure that employees mark their attendance on AEBAS.
vi. Ministries/Departments shall ensure that the biometric machines remain functional at all times; and
vii. HODs of the Ministries/Departments/Organizations shall periodically monitor the marking of attendance to ensure punctuality and sensitize their employees to adhere to the instructions relating to office hours, late attendance etc. Habitual late attendance and early leaving of office should be viewed seriously and essentially discouraged and action against the same may be initiated under the extant GOI rules.
4. All the Ministries/Department/Organizations are, therefore, directed to adhere to the instructions contained in Para 3 of this OM and also to bring this to the notice of all the concerned for proper implementation of AEBAS.
Grant of notional increment to Govt servants superannuated on 30th June or 31st December
19/1/2023PersPolicy[Pay(Promotion)]
1/3026765/2023
19/1/2023 Pers Policy [Pay (Promotion)] Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Personnel & Training
North Block, New Delhi Dated June, 2023
To Shri Ramsahay Vijay Email: rsvijayvargia[at]gmail.com
Subject: Grant of notional increment to Govt servants superannuated on 30th June or 31st December-reg
Sir,
I am directed to refer to your email dated 06.06.2023 in the matter involving grant of notional increment to the Central Government employees who superannuated on 30th June or 31st December in light of the Order of Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 11.04.2023 in the case of KPTCL v/s C.P. Mundinmanian and dismissal of SLP No.4722/2021 filed by UOI in order dated 19.05.2023.
2. In this regard it is informed that action in light of the Order dated 11.04.2023 of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in CA No. 2471 of 2023 (@SLP(C) No. 6185/2020) – Director (Admn and HR) KPTCL & Ors. Vs C.P. Mundinamani & Ors. and dismissal of SLP No. 4722/2021 filed by Union of India vide order dated 19.05.2023 in the matter relating to grant of notional increment to the Government Servants who superannuated on 30th June or 31st December is presently under examination in consultation with D/o Expenditure. Further action, as may be required in this regard, will be taken on completion of the consultation process.
3. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.
Yours faithfully
(Shukdeo Sah) Under Secretary to the Govt. of India @ 011-23040 489
