Pay Parity between Military and Civilian Personnel
The 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC), an expert body constituted by the Government, gave its recommendations on emolument structure of government employees, including personnel belonging to Defence Forces, after due consultation with various stakeholders and thorough examination of various aspects involved. The Commission recommended separate Pay Matrix for Defence Forces after considering: (i)principles and philosophy adopted in devising the Pay Matrix for civilian employees; and (ii)some of the aspects in the rank structure unique to Defence Forces. The Government accepted the Commission’s recommendations on Minimum Pay, Fitment Factor, Index of Rationalization, Pay Matrices and general recommendations on pay with certain exceptions in Defence Pay Matrix, namely, (i)revision of Index of Rationalization of Level 13A (Brigadier) from 2.57 to 2.67; and (ii)addition of three stages in Level 12A (Lt Colonel), three stages in Level 13 (Colonel), and two stages in Level 13A (Brigadier).
As and when issues regarding anomalies in the pay of defence personnel are brought to notice, the same are examined by the Government, on case to case basis.
This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri Sultan Ahmed and others in Lok Sabha today.
Beneficiaries of OROP benefits, as on 12 November 2016
The Ex-Servicemen are being paid enhanced pension after the implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme. Details of the beneficiaries of OROP benefits, as on 12 November 2016 are as under:
No. of cases paid
(1st installment and lump sum payments)
Amount disbursed
(Rs. in Crores)
No. of cases paid 2nd installment
Amount disbursed (Rs. in Crores)
19,43,606
3939.41
14,02,755
2081.56
Details of the allocation and utilization of funds under OROP are as under:
Financial Year
Allocation under OROP
Utilization on account of arrears of OROP
2015-16
No separate allocation made under OROP
Rs.3000 crores (approx.)
2016-17
Rs.12456 crores
Rs.3020.97 crores
(as on 12.11.2016)
Around 3200 representations for addressing the anomalies on OROP were received from individuals / Associations which were examined and issues referred to the Judicial Committee on OROP for its recommendations. The Committee has submitted its report on 26.10.2016.
Ex-Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal had committed suicide at Delhi on 01.11.2016. On enquiry regarding payment of the benefits of OROP to him, the pension disbursing bank has informed that he was drawing pension @ Rs.22,608/- p.m. He was entitled for revised pension under OROP @ Rs.25,634/- p.m. The total amount of arrears of Rs.53,978/- on account of implementation of OROP has been credited to Bank Account of Late Ex-Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal on 08.11.2016.
Public Grievance Cell in the Department is receiving grievances of the pensioners / family pensioners and taking up the matter with the concerned offices e.g. Controller General of Defence Accounts, Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pension), etc for redressal of their grievances. Disposal of grievances is monitored at the highest level in the Government.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar in a written reply to Dr. Satyapal Singh and others in Lok Sabha today.
No. 14-01/2011-PAP
Government of India
Ministry of Communication & IT
Department of Posts
(Establishment Division)/P.A.P. Section
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi – 110 001
*********
Dated 24 Nov,2016,
To
All Chief Postmaster General
All G.Ms. (PAF)/Directors or Accounts (Posts).
Subject: Payment of Dearness Allowance to Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) at revised rates w.e.f. 01.07.2016 onwards – reg.
Consequent upon grant of another installment of Dearness Allowance, with effect from 1st July. 2016 to the Central Government Employees vide Government of India. Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure’s O.M. No, 1/3/2008-E.II(B) dated 9th November 2016 duly endorsed by this Department vide letter No. 8-02/2011-PAP dated 18th November, 2016, the Gamin Dak Sevaks (GDS) have also become entitled to the payment of Dearness Allowances on basic TRCA at the revised rate with effect than 01.07.2016. It has. therefore, been decided that the Dearness Allowance payable to the Gramin Dak Sevaks shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 125% to 132% an the basic Time Related Continuity Allowance, with effect from the 1st July, 2016.
2. The additional installment of Dearness Allowance payable under this order shall he paid in cash to all Gramin Dak Sevaks.
3. The expenditure on this account shall be debited to the Bead “Salaries” under the relevant head of account and should be met from the sanctioned grant.
4. This issues with the concurrence of Integrated Finance Wing vide their Diary No 227/FA/2016/CS dated 24/11/2016.
(K. V. Vijayakumar)
Assistant Director , General (Estt.)
Some grievances have been received from CGHS beneficiaries through grievance portals and other channels regarding functioning of CGHS. These are mainly regarding non-issue of medicines, plastic cards, shortage of doctors/ specialists and long queue of patients in Wellness Centres.
Following action has been taken by the government in this regard:
(i) Appointment of retired doctors on contract basis as a stop gap arrangement to fill the vacant posts.
(ii) Medicines, which are not available at CGHS Wellness Centres are procured through Authorized Local Chemists.
(iii) A special drive was undertaken to clear the pendency of issue of CGHS Plastic cards
(iv) Option for self-printing of CGHS cards for existing CGHS beneficiaries.
(v) Introduction of on-line registration for consultation at selected Wellness Centres in Bengaluru and in one zone in Delhi.
(vi) Initiation of tele-consultation on trial basis in Delhi from two CGHS Wellness Centres with specialists of Dr. R.M.L Hospital.
Regular internal audits and also external audits/studies on the functioning of CGHS have been carried out.
Outcome of some of the important studies are as under:
(i) Staff Inspection Unit (SIU) was carried out by Ministry of finance for Staff Pattern Norms based on patient attendance. Recommendations of the SIU have been implemented.
(ii) Based on the study carried out by Kaul Committee, computerization of all the CGHS Wellness Centres has been done
(iii) On the basis of recommendations of the CAG Audit on procurement of medicines, Medical Stores Organization (MSO) has initiated e-tender for procurement of Anti Cancer and other Lifesaving medicines. It has also been decided to procure only L1 Rate medicines under formulary for Branded Medicines.
(iv) Committee of Secretaries (COS) has also been monitoring the functioning of CGHS since 2008 and various steps have been implemented to make CGHS beneficiary friendly. As per the recommendations of COS, UTI-ITSL has been appointed as Bill Clearing Agency for settlement of credit bills of empanelled hospitals and diagnostic centres pertaining to the treatment of CGHS pensioner beneficiaries.
(v) The functioning of CGHS is also monitored by the Hon’ble Prime Minister and as per the directions under ‘PRAGATI’, the process of linking of Aadhar Number with CGHS beneficiary Numbers has been started.
A special drive was undertaken to clear the pendency of issue of CGHS Plastic cards. Provision has been made for self-printing of CGHS cards by existing CGHS beneficiaries.
(vi) DAR&PG conducted a study through Quality Council of India (QCI) to identify areas of Grievances in Different Ministries and organizations including CGHS and suggested possible solutions.
Based on the inputs so received:
Financial Powers of Additional Directors of CGHS have been enhanced for early settlement of medical claims of Pensioners.
Introduction of on-line registration for consultation at selected Wellness Centres in Bengaluru and in one zone in Delhi.
Aadhar-based Bio-metric attendance for the staff at CGHS Wellness Centres has been implemented in Delhi and NCR.
The following steps have been taken for improvement in the functioning of CGHS in the country:-
1. Regular Inspection of Wellness Centres is carried out.
2. Monthly advisory committee meetings are held for each Wellness Centres with CMO (Incharge)
3. Regular monitoring of empanelled hospitals by a team constituted by Additional Directors, CGHS of cities for this purpose.
4. Regular meeting of Additional Directors, CGHS with pensioner associations.
SMS alert facility to CGHS beneficiaries.
The Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), Sh Faggan Singh Kulaste stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha here today.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
(DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 139
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.11.2016)
CREAMY LAYER
139. SHRI GANESH SINGH:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) whether the previous Government had set aside the report of first creamy layer expert committee and the Department of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions issued an official memorandum No. 36033/5/2004- Est. (SCT) dated 14 October, 2004 clarifying the creamy layer and which carries out two different meanings in its Hindi and English versions and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has accepted the mistakes of the said memorandum and if so, the action taken to cancel the said memorandum and the action taken against the officials found responsible therefor,
(c) if not, the reaction of the Government in this regard;
(d) whether the Government has disqualified many candidates of the OBC for IAS and other services despite qualifying the Civil Services Examination, 2015 as a result of the said memorandum and if so, the details in this regard; and
(e) the number of OBC candidates declared disqualified for IAS and other services on the basis of this memorandum from 2004 till date?
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) to (c): The DOPT Office Memorandum (O.M.) No. 36033/5/2004-Estt(SCT) dated 14 October, 2004 is only a clarification explaining the provisions of DOPT O.M. No. 36012/22/93-Estt.(SCT) dated 8.9.1993. The O.M. of 8.9.1993 was issued by the DOPT based on the recommendations of an Expert Committee constituted by the then Ministry of Welfare.
The earlier unsigned typed copy of the English version of the O.M. dated 14.10.2004, uploaded on the website of this Department, had certain discrepancies in respect of Paragraph 9 vis-a vis its Hindi version uploaded on the Department’s website. It was, therefore, felt necessary to rectify that discrepancy. Subsequently, the signed version of the O.M. was traced and uploaded on the Department’s website and now it is seen that there is no error in Paragraph 9 of the English version of the O.M. dated 14.10.2004 vis-a vis the Hindi version.
(d) & (e): In case of recommendation of name of a candidate by UPSC for service allocation, the candidate is considered for allocation to one of those services by the Government for which he has indicated his preference as per Civil Services Examination Rules and extant instruction on the subject.
BHARATIYA PRATIRAKSHA MAZDOOR SANGH (AN ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF DEFENCE WORKERS)
REF: BPMS/MOD/07th CPC/Allowances/251A(8/2/M)
Dated: 23.11.2016
To,
The Dy Secretary (CP),
Govt of India, Min of Defence,
Sena Bhawan, DHQ PO,
New Delhi 110011
Subject: Meeting on Allowances: View points of BPMS
Reference: This federation’s letter of even no. dated 15.11.2016
Respected Sir,
With due regards, your attention is invited to power point presentation in the meeting held on 18.11.2016 under the chairmanship of Defence Secretary on the allowances payable on the recommendations of 7th CPC.
Some of the following issues raised during the meeting, need to be considered by the committee in addition to the points mentioned by BPMS vide letter cited under reference:
1. Extra Work Allowance (Chapter No. 8.3) (Para 8.3.23):
(a) Caretaking Allowance (Para 8.3.20) at the rate of 10% of Basic Pay is being paid to Group ‘C’ Staff. Now 7th CPC has recommended for 2% of Basic Pay per month. It is demanded that this Caretaking Allowance should also be admissible to Defence Civilians performing the similar duties.
2. Allowances related to Knowledge Updates (Chapter 8.4)
(a) Professional Update Allowance (Para 8.4.7): This allowance should be extended to Group ‘A’, ‘B’ & ‘C’ incumbents engaged in Ordnance Development Centre (OFB), Group ‘B’ & ‘C’ of DRDO and Laboratory Technicians in Pathology of Govt Hospitals.
3. Allowances related to Working on Holidays (Chapter 8.6)
(a) Holiday Monetary Compensation (Para 8.6.6): Group ‘B’ Gazetted Supervisory Staff (Junior Works Manager) in Ord Fys have to work on Sunday and other holidays. This allowance should be extended to this Cadre also.
4. Qualification Allowance (Chapter 8.9)
(a) Air Worthiness Certificate Allowance (Para 8.9.5): At present this allowance is being paid to Technical Tradesman in Aircraft trade @ Rs. 225/- to 450/- per month. But their Civilian counterparts are not granted this allowance. This should be looked into.
5. Allowances related to Risk and Hardship (Chapter 8.10)
(a) Boiler Watch Keeping Allowance (Para 8.10.7): Presently it is admissible to Boiler Watch Keepers on Naval Ships @ Rs. 3000/- per month. Similar nature of work is performed by the Boiler Attendants of Ord Fys. Hence, this allowance should be admissible to Boiler Attendants of OFB.
(b) Field Area Allowance (Para 8.10.18):
This allowance is granted to Defence, CAPF and Indian Coast Guard. Civilian counterparts of Ministry of Defence should also be granted the Field Area Allowance.
(c) Operation Theatre Allowance (Para 8.10.35):
This allowance @ Rs. 240/ per month is granted to Staff Nurse in Central Government Hospitals, who work in ICU/Operation Theatre. This federation is not agree with the 7th CPC’s recommendation (Para 8.10.80) to abolish this allowance as the amount is meagre rate. Hence, this allowance should be continued and enhanced.
(d) Submarine Technical Allowance (Para 8.10.54):
It is granted to Naval Artificers and Mechanicians for the period they are deployed for submarine maintenance duties. The present rate is ?300 pm. Civilian counterparts of Navy should also be granted this allowance.
6. Allowance related to Travel (Chapter 8.15)
(a) Daily Allowance (Para 8.15.15): The 7th CPC has recommended for reimbursement of Travelling Charges for Level 5 and below at the rate of Rs. 113 per day. This is very meagre amount. Hence, it should be enhanced to Rs. 200 per day.
(b) TA on Transfer (Para 8.15.41): The 7th CPC has recommended for ‘reimbursement of charges on transportation of personal effects’ at the rate of Rs. 25 per km for Level 5 and Rs. 15 per km for Level 4 and below category. It is not understandable how a transporter will discriminate among the employees of different categories for rate for transportation by road. Hence, it is demanded that the rate for transportation by road should be equal for all categories of employees.
This is submitted for your kind consideration and necessary action.
Thanking you.
Sincerely yours
(MUKESH SINGH)
Secretary/BPMS &
Member, JCM-II Level Council (MOD)
Benefits to Workers in More Sectors under ESIC & EPF
So far as benefits under Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Scheme are concerned, the ESI Corporation has already launched/approved two separate schemes to provide medical facilities to selected category of self-employed workers like Auto-rickshaw drivers and domestic workers and their family members on pilot basis at Delhi/Hyderabad. Construction workers in offices of the construction agency situated in the implemented areas were already covered under ESI Scheme. Subsequently, w.e.f. 01.08.2015, ESI Scheme has also been extended to the construction site workers deployed in implemented areas.
With regard to Employees Provident Fund, the EPF & MP Act, 1952 is applicable to notified industry/establishment employing 20 or more persons. Auto-rickshaw drivers generally fall under unorganized sector and majority of them are self-employed persons. The said Act has been extended to establishments engaged in Building and Construction Industries w.e.f. 31.10.1980. The workers engaged by these establishments are extended EPF benefits subject to the provisions of EPF & MP Act, 1952.
Further, for extending the social security benefits to Scheme workers like Anganwadi, ASHA and Mid-day Meal workers, a Committee has been set up under the Chairpersonship of Secretary (Labour & Employment).
This information was given by Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, the Minister of State (IC) for Labour and Employment, in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
7th CPC Withholding Annual Increments of Non-performers after 20 Years
The 7th Central Pay Commission in its Report contained in Para 5.1.46 titled ‘Withholding Annual Increments of Non-performers after 20 Years’ has inter-alia recommended for withholding of annual increments in the case of those employees who are not able to meet the benchmark either for Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) or a regular promotion within the first 20 years of their service. The Government of India vide Resolution No.1-2/2016-IC dated 25.7.2016 has accepted this recommendation.
This was stated by the the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question by Shri Ram Charitra Nishad in the Lok Sabha today.
The 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) recommended the following on disability pension:-
The Commission is of the considered view that the regime implemented post VI CPC needs to be discontinued, and recommended a return to the slab based system. The slab rates for disability element for 100 percent disability would be as follows:
Rank
Levels
Rate per month (INR)
Service Officers
10 and above
27000
Honorary Commissioned Officers
Subedar Major / Equivalents
6 to 9
17000
Subedar / Equivalents
Naib Subedar / Equivalents
Havildar / Equivalents
5 and below
12000
Naik / Equivalents
Sepoy / Equivalents
The above recommendation has been accepted with the approval of the Cabinet and Resolution dated 30.09.2016 issued accordingly. The 6th CPC dispensation of the calculation of disability element on percentage basis, however, continues for civil side which has resulted in an anomalous situation. The issue has accordingly been referred to the Anomaly Committee.
This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri Neeraj Shekhar in Rajya Sabha today.
A Judicial Committee headed by Justice L. Narasimha Reddy, retired Chief Justice of Patna High Court was appointed to look into the anomalies of implementation of OROP. The Committee has submitted its report on 26.10.2016 which is under examination.
Out of 20,63,529 pensioner beneficiaries, 1429 complaints have been received from Ex-Servicemen and the Family Pensioners with regard to OROP benefits. Public Grievance Cell in the Department is receiving grievances of the pensioners / family pensioners and taking up the matters with the concerned Departments for redressal of their grievances. Disposal of grievances is monitored at the highest level in the Government.
This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri PL Punia and Shri Pramod Tiwari in Rajya Sabha today.
