Scheme for Promotion of Adventure Sports & Similar Activities amongst Central Government Employees
No.125/1/2015 – 16-CCSCSB
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)
Room No. 361, ‘B’ Wing, 3rd Floor,
Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi – 110 003
Dated: 08th December, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
The undersigned is directed to refer to the CCSCSB’s Office Memorandum of even number dated 26th April, 2016 regarding Scheme for Promotion of Adventure Sports & Similar Activities amongst Central Government Employees and to convey that the CCSCSB, DOPT has extended the duration of adventure sports & related activities up to 10 days from the earlier of 5-7 days, subject to the following conditions:
i. There would be no increase in the financial ceiling already approved for the scheme.
ii. No leave other than special Casual Leave of 10 days granted for this purpose would be given under this scheme.
Cabinet Approves Inclusion/Amendments in The Central List Of Other Backward Classes
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Cabinet
30th November 2016
Cabinet approves inclusion/Amendments in the Central List of Other Backward Classes notified in respect of States of Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval to notify inclusion/Amendments in the Central List of Other Backward Classes notified in respect of States of Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand.
On the recommendation of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), a total of 2479 Entries for inclusion, including its synonyms, sub-castes, etc. in the Central List of Other Backward Classes have been notified in 25 States and 6 Union Territories. The last such notification was issued till September, 2016. Meanwhile more advices for inclusion of castes/communities and corrections in the existing list of OBCs for the State of Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand have been received from NCBC. Accordingly, a total of 28 changes recommended by NCBC in respect of 8 states including Jammu and Kashmir (15 new entries, 09 synonyms/sub-castes and 04 corrections) have been notified.
The changes will enable the persons belonging to these castes/ communities to avail the benefits of reservation in Government services and posts as well as in Central Educational Institutions as per the existing policy. They will also become eligible for benefit under the various welfare schemes, scholarships etc. being administered by the Central Government, which are at present available to the persons belonging to the Other Backward Classes.
Background
The NCBC was set up in pursuance to the Supreme Court judgement in the Indra Sawhney case as per the NCBC Act 1993. Section 9 (“Functions of the Commission”) of the NCBC Act 1993 states as under:
(i) The Commission shall examine requests for inclusion of any class of citizens as a backward class in the lists and hear complaints of over-inclusion or under-inclusion of any backward class in such lists and tender such advice to the Central Government as it deems appropriate.
(ii) The advice of the Commission shall ordinarily be binding upon the Central Government.
CGHS Enhancement of ceiling rate from Rs. 2 Lakhs to Rs. 5 Lakhs
No.S.11011/20/2014-CGHS (P)/EHSS
Government of India
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Department of Health & Family Welfare
EHS Section
Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated: the 23November, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Delegation of powers to Heads of Departments in various Ministries/Departments for settling permission cases and post facto approval relating to referral system and medical reimbursement under CGHS — Enhancement of ceiling rate from Rs. 2 Lakhs to Rs. 5 Lakhs without consultation of IFD of concerned Ministry – Reg.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s OM No. S.12020/4/97-CGHS (P), dated 27.12.2006 and its clarification issued vide this Ministry’s OM No. S.11011/20/2014-CGHS (P), dated 20.06.2014, wherein financial powers were delegated to the Heads of Departments/Ministries to settle all such cases where there is no relaxation of rules involved and admissibility of claim was worked out with reference to the CGHS approved rate list and guidelines.
2. This Ministry has been receiving requests from different Ministries/Departments for enhancement of delegation of financial powers to Head of Departments to settle medical claims/medical advance cases involving financial implications upto Rs. 5 Lakhs without referring the case to Internal Finance Division (IFD).
3. The matter regarding enhancement of delegation of financial powers to the Heads of Departments/Ministries has been examined in this Ministry and it has been decided with the approval of the competent authority to enhance the existing limit of Rs. 2 Lakhs to Rs. 5 Lakhs to settle all cases where there is no relaxation of rules and the entitlement was worked out with reference to the rate list prescribed.
In respect of cases involving payment exceeding Rs. 5,00,000/- (Rupees 5 Lakhs only) but as per the prescribed rate list, the concerned Departments/Ministries may settle such cases in consultation with their respective Internal Finance Division. Only in those cases where the settled scheme/rules are required to be relaxed, should the case be referred to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
4. This issue with concurrence of Internal Finance Division vide FTS No. 91725, dated 01.11.2016.
(Sunil Kumar Gupta)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
F. No. 11012/12/2016-Estt.A-III
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment A-III Desk
********
North Block, New Delhi,
Dated: 6th December, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965 — Clarification regarding effect of warning, censure etc on promotion.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. No. 11012/6/2008- Estt.(A) dated 7th July, 2008 on the above mentioned subject and to say that vide para 2(iii) of the said OM, it was instructed that where a departmental proceeding has been instituted, and it is considered that a Government servant deserves to be penalized for the offence/misconduct, one of the prescribed penalties may only be awarded and no warning, recordable or otherwise, should be issued to the Government servant. However, while considering cases for empanelment, the ACC has observed that in many cases, rather than exonerating the officer or imposing a penalty on him, administrative warning is issued even when disciplinary proceeding were drawn against him. Administrative warning is not recognized as a penalty.
2. In view of the above, the following position as contained in various instructions issued so far on warning/Censure etc. are reiterated for strict compliance:-
(i) As clarified in the Ministry of Home Affairs O.M. No. 39/21/56-Estt.(A) dated 13th December, 1956, warning is administrated by any authority superior to a Government employee in the event of minor lapses like negligence, carelessness, lack of thoroughness, delay etc. It is an administrative device in the hands of superior authorities for cautioning the Government employees with a view to toning up efficiency and maintaining discipline. There is, therefore, no objection to the continuance of this system. However, where a copy of the warning is also kept in the Confidential Report dossier, it will be taken to constitute an adverse entry and the officer so warned will have the right to represent against the same in accordance with the existing instructions relating to communication of adverse remarks and consideration of representations against them.
(ii) Where a departmental proceeding has been instituted under the provisions of CCS(CC&A) Rules 1965, after the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings, the officer is either exonerated or where it is considered that some blame attaches to the officer, he should be awarded one of the recognized statutory penalties as given in Rule 11 of the CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965 i.e. at least ‘Censure’ should be imposed. In such a situation, a warning, recordable or otherwise, should not be issued.
(iii) Warning, letter of caution, reprimands or advisories administered to Government servants do not amount to a penalty and, therefore, will not constitute a bar for consideration of such Government servants for promotion.
3. All the disciplinary authorities in Ministries/Departments are, therefore, requested to keep in view the above guidelines while dealing with disciplinary case against the Government servants.
Milad-Un-Nabi holiday changed to 12th Dec 2016 in Delhi : DOPT
MOST IMMEDIATE
F.No.12/18/2016-JCA2
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
JCA Section
North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 7 December, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: Change of date of holiday on account of Milad-Un-Nabi or Id-E-Milad during 2016 for all Central Government administrative offices located at Delhi / New Delhi.
As per list of holidays circulated vide this Ministry’s O.M.No.12/7/2015-JCA-2 dated the 11th June, 2015, the holiday on account of Milad-Un-Nabi or Id-E-Milad falls on Tuesday the 13th December, 2016. It has been brought to notice of this Ministry that in Delhi Milad-Un-Nabi or Id-E-Milad will be celebrated on 12th December, 2016. Accordingly, it has been decided to shift the Milad-Un-Nabi or Id-E-Milad holiday to 12th December, 2016 in place of 13th December, 2016 as notified earlier, for all Central Government administrative offices at Delhi / New Delhi.
2. For Offices outside Delhi / New Delhi the Employees Coordination Committees or Head of Offices (where such Committees are not functioning) can decide the date depending upon the decision of the concerned State Government.
Here are given some of the major benefits of Debit Card activation in the form of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and their Answer format:
QUESTION 1: Why it is important to have active debit cards?
ANSWER: Debit Card makes your payments much more convenient and secure through an electronic payment facility directly from your bank account. Debit card can be used for purchases online or at shops by directly debiting your Bank account. Debit cards can also be used to withdraw cash from an ATM.
QUESTION 2: How is a customer benefited by debit cards?
ANSWER: Major benefits to customers are
It is more convenient to carry a small, plastic card instead of a bulky Cheque book or a large amount of cash.
Easy to obtain: Once you open an account most institutions will issue you a debit card upon request.
Convenience: Purchases can be made using a chip-enabled terminal or by swiping the card rather than filling out a paper cheque.
Safety: You don’t have to carry cash or a Cheque book. Debit cards are protected by a four digit pin number that you set yourself. This pin is needed to make any purchase with your debit card.
Readily accepted: When out of town (or out of the country), debit cards are usually widely accepted (make sure to tell your financial institution you’re leaving your city; to not have an interruption in service).
It’s a Cash Card Too: Debit cards still have the ability to give you cash, you can take them to an ATM and use them there to withdraw the cash.
Insurance: National Payment Corporation of India has introduced Insurance cover in case of accidental death or permanent disablement of Rs 1 Lac for Non-Premium cards (RuPay Classic) and Rs 2 Lac for Premium cards (RuPay Platinum) to eligible RuPay card holders. The RuPay Insurance programme will continue for financial year 2016-17, i.e. from April 01, 2016 to March 31, 2017.
QUESTION 3: Can I use my debit card if I have not used it for long?
ANSWER: Yes. It may however require activation. Please check the forwarding letter that came with your debit card. Please check your Bank website.
QUESTION 4: How do I generate a PIN ?
ANSWER: Banks provide PIN by mail, which is either dispatched by bank to the cardholder address. Some banks also offer Green Pin facility online. Banks also facilitate change of PIN to suit your requirements.
QUESTION 5: What are the recent steps taken for promoting debit card payments?
ANSWER: Some of the recent initiatives towards popularizing Debit card usage are:
Ø MDR (Merchant Discount Rate) which a merchant (Shopkeeper) pays the Bank for POS transaction are reduced to zero on debit cards till 31th, December 2016.
Ø Excise duty payable on acquisition of POS machine which was earlier 16.5% has been waived till 31st March 2017.
QUESTION 6: What should you do if a shop asks you for an additional amount for use of your debit card?
Answer: As per the norms prescribed by card networks, shops should not ask for any additional amount called surcharge or convenience fee. You can refuse to pay an additional amount for use of your card and register complaint to your bank on its website or otherwise.
QUESTION 7: Can one refuse to pay additional amount as banks have waived their charges on one of debit cards till 31st December 2016.
Answer: Although all banks have waived MDR up to Dec 31, 2016, customers are not required to pay additional amount even after that if demanded by the shopkeeper, as this is to be paid by the shopkeeper.
QUESTION 8: Why should Merchant encourage card use?
ANSWER: Merchant are benefitted to encourage debit card transaction as:
Ø Cost of Digital transaction is lower than handling Cash.
Ø Deposition of cash in bank is not required as the amount will be automatically credited to account.
Ø Credit History is created for the merchant which will help him in taking more support from banks and other financial initiatives of government time to time.
Ø Manual reconciliation is not required at merchant side. He can always refer to his account.
Ø Accepting payment cards can enable merchants to increase their revenues
Ø Increased sales: Cards enable consumers to make quicker and easier payments.
Ø Better customer service: Electronic payments offer customers more flexible payment options – faster checkout times for customers and a more efficient way of paying. Also, innovations such as Equated Monthly Instalment (EMI) payments, allow consumers the ability to purchase and take possession.
As per AICPIN release for October month we have computed expected DA from January 2017, this is only on assumption basis. AICPIN value may vary for November & December 2016.
Illustration 1:
In case AICPIN value more than 277 for Nov & Dec 2016, then Dearness Allowance from January 2017 will be 3%
Illustration 2:
In case AICPIN less than 277 for Nov & Dec 2016, then Dearness Allowance from January 2017 will be 2%
Due to Demonetisation, AICPIN Value may be volatile for coming months. However we have to wait & See
National Anomaly Committee for disability pension for Defence Forces Personnel
The 1st meeting of the National Anomaly Committee was held on 01.12.2016 on the anomaly of calculation of the disability pension for Defence Forces Personnel as per the recommendations of the 7th CPC. The representative of the Armed Forces made a presentation in the meeting demanding that the recommendations of the 7th CPC to grand disability pension on a slab system if implemented will lead to an anomaly between the civilian side and the Defence Forces Personnel because the civilian side will continue to be governed under a percentage based system. After studying the presentation, the Staff Side of NC-JCM has suggested that the slab system will be beneficial to the lower Rank personnel and hence both the slab system and percentage system may be accepted by the Govt. on an optional basis, alternatively the slab amount recommended by 7th CPC can be increased to avoid the anomalous situation. Secretary (P) informed that the issue would be further studied in consultation with CGDA.
Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – October, 2016
The All-India CPI-IW for October, 2016 increased by 1 point and stood at 278(two hundred and seventy eight). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by (+) 0.36 per cent between September and October, 2016 when compared with the increase of (+) 1.13 per cent between the same two months a year ago.
The maximum upward pressure to the change in- current index came from Food group contributing (+) 1.01 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Rice, Wheat, Wheat Ana, Besan, Black Gram, Gram Dal, Poultry (Chicken), Milk (Buffalo & Cow), Brinjal, Cauliflower, French Bean, Lady’s Finger, Methi, Peas, Tomato, Cooking Gas, Petrol, Toilet Soap, Tailoring Charges, etc. are responsible for the increase in index. However, this increase was checked by Moong Dal, Urd Dal, Groundnut Oil, Fish Fresh, Apple, Banana, Potato, Electricity Charges, Soft Coke, etc., putting downward pressure on the index.
The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 3.35 per cent for October, 2016 as compared to 4.14 per cent for the previous month and 6.32 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 2.99 per cent against 4.05 per cent of the previous month and 7.50 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.
At centre level, Mundakkyam and Darjeeling reported the maximum increase of 8 points each followed by Jamshedpur and Amritsar (5 points each). Among others, 4 points increase was observed in 4 centres, 3 points in 8 centres, 2 points in 13 centres and 1 point in 20 centres. On the contrary, Goa recorded a maximum decrease of 7 points followed by Bhavnagar (5 points). Among others, 2 points decrease was observed in 4 centres and 1 point in 8 centres. Rest of the 15 centres’ indices remained stationary.
The indices of 35 centres are above All-India Index and other 42 centres’ indices are below national average. The index of Vishakhapathnam centre remained at par with All-India Index.
The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of November, 2016 will be released on Friday, 30th December, 2016. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureaunew.gov.in.
