The Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval for the Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana (VPBY) 2003 launched on 14th July, 2003 and Varistha Pension Bima Yojana (VPBY) 2014 launched on 14th August, 2014. The Cabinet also granted approval for expenditure incurred on subsidy amount released to LIC during the period of 2003-04 to 2014-15 for VPBY, 2003 and approval to incur expenditure on VPBY, 2003 and 2014 from the financial year 2015-16 onwards.
The Schemes are implemented through Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India, and the difference between the actual yield earned by LIC on the funds invested under the Scheme and the assured return committed by the Government is paid as subsidy to LIC.
Both are pension schemes intended to give an assured minimum pension to the Senior Citizens based on an assured minimum return on the subscription amount. The pension is envisaged until death from the date of subscription, with payback of the subscription amount on death of the subscriber to the nominee.
Both the schemes VPBY – 2003 and VPBY – 2014 are closed for future subscriptions. However, policies sold during the currency of policy are being serviced as per the commitment of guaranteed 9% return assured by the Government under the schemes. VPBY-2014 was open from 14th August, 2014 to 14th August, 2015. As on 31st March, 2016, a total number of 3,17,991 annuitants are being benefited under VPBY 2014. Similarly, a total number of 2,84,699 annuitants are being benefited under VPBY- 2003 as on 31st March, 2016.
Cabinet approves Productivity Linked Bonus to railway employees
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval to pay Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equivalent to 78 days wages to eligible non-gazetted railway employees (excluding RPF/RPSF personnel) for the financial year 2015-16. The approval entails a financial implication of approximately Rs.2090.96 crore.
Payment of PLB would result in motivating a large number of railway employees to improve the performance of the Railways and enhance the productivity levels further besides maintaining industrial peace.
The payment of this Bonus to eligible Railway Employees will be made before Dussehra/Puja holidays.
7th CPC Revision of pay of employees stagnating at the maximum of the Pay Band/Scale
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR) Ministry of Railways (Rail Mantralaya) (Railway Board)
S. No. 7/PC-VII
RBE No.: 112/2016
File No. PC-VII/2016/RSRP/4
New Delhi, dated: 22.09.2016
The General Manager/CAOs(R),
All lndia Railways & Production Units,
(As per mailing list)
Sub:- Adoption of revision of pay of employees stagnating at the maximum of the Pay Band/Scale in pre-revised structure under 7th CPC pay structure.
Consequent upon notification of Railway Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016, the issue of provision of additional increment in the revised pay structure on 01.01.2016 in the case of employees who had been stagnating at the maximum of the Pay Band and Grade Pay or scale in the pre-revised pay structure of 6th CPC has been examined by Ministry of Finance.
2. It is clarified that in case of persons who had been drawing maximum of the applicable Pay Band and Grade Pay or Scale in 6th CPC, as the case may be, for more than two years as on 01.01.2016; one increment in the applicable Level in the Pay Matrix in 7th CPC shall be granted on 01.01.2016 for every two completed years of stagnation at the maximum of the said Pay Band and Grade Pay or Scale. Grant of additional increment (S) shall be subject to condition that the pay arrived at after grant of such increment does not exceed the maximum of the applicable Level in the Pay Matrix of 7th CPC. Illustrations:
(Amount in Rs.)
Pay Band and Grade Pay or Scale
PB-4 (37400-67000), GP 10000
HAG (67000-79000)
Maximum of the applicable Pay Band and Grade Pay or Scale
77000
79000
Date on which pay was fixed at maximum of the applicable Pay Band and Grade Pay or Scale
01.07.2014
01.07.2013
Revised Pay in the applicable Level in the new Pay Matrix
199600
205100
No. of years completed at maximum of the applicable Pay Band and Grade Pay or Scale as on 01.01.2016
1 year and 6 months
2 years and 6 months
No. of increment(s) to be granted on 01.01.2016
Nil
1
Revised Pay after grant of increment on 01.01.2016
199600
211300
4. After fixation of pay on 01.01.2016 as indicated above, the date of increment shall be regulated as per the provisions of Rule 10 of Railway Services ( Revised Pay) Rules, 2016.
DPE issues guidelines to expedite the process for clousure of CPSEs
Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprise has recently issued guidelines to expedite the process for closure of CPSEs so that all administrative Ministries would follow uniform procedure for closure of the CPSEs. Earlier, DPE had issued guidelines for “streamlining the mechanism for revival and restructuring of sick/ incipient sick and weak Central Public Sector Enterprises: General principles and mechanism of restricting”. As per these guidelines, the CPSEs were to be categorized into strategic and non-strategic and revival/restructuring strategy was prescribed. However, there are certain CPSEs in non-strategic sector which have no scope for revival and are to be closed in a time bound manner. Since there are employees working in these CPSEs, Government decided that closure should not cause hardship to them and has now laid down a uniform policy to give workers VRS at 2007 notional pay scale irrespective of the pay scale in which they are working.
The guidelines also prescribe the modalities for disposal of movable assets and immovable assets. The guidelines prescribe that leasehold land would be dealt as per the terms of the lease and freehold land would be offered in following order of priority:-
(i) Central Government Departments.
(ii) Central Government bodies/CPSEs.
(iii) State Government Departments.
(iv) State Government bodies/State PSEs/State authorities.
In case the above categories are not interested in taking the land for six months, then the land would be auctioned through MSTC to any entity so that it can be put to productive use.
Bunching of stages in the revised pay structure under RS(RP) Rules, 2016
Railway Order
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
Ministry of Railways (Rail Mantralaya)
(Railway Board)
S. No. 6/PC-VII
RBE No.: 113/2016
File No. PC-VII/2016/RSRP/3
New Delhi, dated: 26.09.2016
The General Manager/CAOs(R),
All India Railways & Production Units,
(As per mailing list)
Sub: – Clarification regarding bunching of stages in the revised pay structure under RS(RP) Rules, 2016.
The recommendations of 7th CPC w.r.t. bunching of stages has been examined by Ministry of Finance and it has been decided that in. cases where in revision of pay, the pay of Government servants drawing pay at two or more stages in pre-revised Pay Band and Grade Pay or scale, as the case may be, get fixed at same Cell in the applicable Level in the new Pay Matrix, one additional increment shall be given for every two stages bunched and the pay of Government servant drawing higher pay in pre-revised structure shall be fixed in the next vertical Cell in the applicable Level.
2. For this purpose, pay drawn by two Government servants in a given Pay Band and Grade pay or Scale where the higher pay is at least 3% more than the lower pay shall constitute two stages. Officers drawing pay where the difference is less than 3% shall not be entitled for this benefit.
3. As per illustration given in para 5.1.37 of the Report of the 7th Central Pay Commission, if two persons drawing pay of Rs. 53,000 and Rs. 54,590 in the GP Rs. 10,000 are to be fitted in the new Pay Matrix, the person drawing pay of Rs. 53,000 on multiplication by a factor of 2.57 will expect a pay corresponding to Rs.1,36,210 and the person drawing pay of Rs. 54,590 on multiplication by a factor of 2.57. will expect a pay corresponding to Rs. 1,40,296. Revised pay of both should ideally by fixed in the first cell of Level 14 in the pay of Rs. 1,44,200 but to avoid bunching the person drawing pay of Rs. 54,590 will get fixed in second cell of Level 14 in the pay of Rs. 1,48,500.
Promotion to the post of Supervisor (NT) from Leading Fireman: Norms Relaxation in OFB
Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh (AN ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF DEFENCE WORKERS)
REF: BPMS / MoD / 90th SCM (4/1/M)
Dated: 26.09.2016
To,
The Under Secretary D (Estt./NG)
Govt of India, Min of Defence,
‘B’ Wing, Sena Bhawan,
New Delhi – 110011
Subject: Promotion to the post of Supervisor (NT) from Leading Fireman: Norms Relaxation in OFB.
Respected Sir,
With due regards, your attention is invited to the Agenda Point No. 63 raised by this federation BPMS in the Steering Committee meeting for the 90th Departmental Council (JCM) (MoD) held on 27.09.2013 {Refer MoD F.No. 5(2)/2013/D(JCM), Dated 24.09.2013}. This federation submitted that Hon’ble CAT/Principal Bench, New Delhi in OA No. 1396 of 2008 – Shri M.R.Meena Vs Union of India has ordered that parity should be maintained between Leading Hand Fire with other feeder grades (viz. LDC, Photographer, Telephone Operator-II & Subedar Durwan) for the promotion to the post of Supervisor (NonTechnical).
According to existing SRO 30, dated 14.07.2010, Ministry of Defence, Ordnance Factories, Supervisor (Non-Technical) and Telephone Operator Grade-II Group ‘C’ Posts Recruitment Rules, 2010, 50% vacant posts of Supervisor (Non-Tech) will be filled up by promotion from Photographer, Telephone Operator Grade-II, Subedar Durwan and Leading Hand Fire. This fifty per cent post of Supervisor (NT) may be filled up by 64% from the Leading Hand Fires in the Pay Band – I Rs. (5200 – 20200) plus Grade Pay of Rs. 2000/- with five years of regular service in the grade and possessing any of the following qualification:-
(a) having passed the Senior Fire Supervisory Course from Defence Institute of Fire Research, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi; or
(b) having passed the Sub Officer’s Course from National Fire Service College, Nagpur or any other recognized institute; or
(c) having passed Station Officer’s Course or Assistant Divisional Officer’s or Divisional Officer’s Course from National Fire Service College, Nagpur or any other recognized institute;
or
(d) Degree in Fire Engineering from Nagpur University or any other recognized institute; or
(e) having passed Graduateship from Institute of Fire Engineers United Kingdom or Graduateship from Institute of Fire Engineers India
It is to be noted that this fifty per cent post will be be filled up by 17% from amongst Telephone Operators in the Pay Band-I Rs. (5200 – 20200) plus GP Rs. 1900/- with 08 years regular service; 12% from Subedar Durwan in the Pay band of Rs. (4400 – 7440) plus GP Rs. 1600/- with 14 years regular service in the grade; 7% from Photographer in the Pay band –I Rs. (5200 – 20200) plus GP Rs. 1900/- with 08 years regular service. From above it is seen that Leading Hand Fire should have more qualification in comparison to the other feeder categories for Supervisor (NT) whereas all the incumbents have to perform the same responsibility with the same Grade Pay, i.e. Rs. 2400/- (Pre Revised Rs. 4000 – 6000).
It is to be kept in the mind that Vide Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) Notification G.S.R. 622(E), dated 29.08.2008 CCS (RP) Rules, 2008 has been introduced and the First Schedule Part-B, Section-II states that Station Officer’s pay scale Rs. (4000 – 6000) (Fire Fighting Staff) has been upgraded to Rs. (4500 – 7000) and revised to GP Rs. 2800/-, whereas Supervisor (NT) is being granted the GP Rs. 2400/- on promotion from the post of Leading Hand Fire. Thus, the provisions of SRO 30 have not been framed considering the CCS (RP) Rules, 2008 as the qualification of only one of the feeder posts Leading Hand Fire has been enhanced but the Grade Pay of promotional post Supervisor (NT) for Fire Fighting Staff has not been enhanced to Rs. 2800/-.
In this regards, comments offered by D(Estt./NG) is enclosed for your ready reference. Therefore, your attention is invited to Rule 6 of SRO 30 which empowers the Central Government to relax the provisions of these rules to any class or category of persons and you are requested to take appropriate action so that existing Leading Hand Fire incumbents who are not fulfilling the requisite qualification may also be promoted to the post of Supervisor (NT) by granting relaxation in qualification as mentioned hereinabove.
Thanking you.
Sincerely yours
(MUKESH SINGH)
Secretary/BPMS &
Member, JCM-II Level Council (MOD)
Road Toll Tax Exemption to Defence Civilians – BPMS
Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh
(AN ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF DEFENCE WORKERS)
REF: BPMS / MoD / 90th SCM (4/1/M)
Dated: 26.09.2016
To,
The Dy Secretary (CP)
Govt of India, Min of Defence,
‘B’ Wing, Sena Bhawan,
New Delhi – 110011
Subject: Exemption of Road Toll Tax to Defence Civilians
Respected Sir,
With due regards, your attention is invited to the Agenda Point No. 65 raised by this federation BPMS in the Steering Committee meeting for the 90th Departmental Council (JCM) (MoD) held on 27.09.2013 {Refer MoD F.No. 5(2)/2013/D(JCM), Dated 24.09.2013}. This federation BPMS submitted that Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways have issued a notification vide Notice No. NH-11065/12/2003-P&M, dated 15.09.2004 to Secretary, PWD of all States/Union Territories and National Highways Authority of India clarifying that the provisions of Indian Tolls (Army and Air Force) Act, 1901 is applicable to all States and National Highways whereby Army personnel are exempted from paying tolls on roads and highways in the States/Union Territories for their private vehicles irrespective of whether they are on duty or not.
This Federation has firm belief that the defence civilians are also integral part of Defence Forces and they perform their duties in almost similar conditions of uniform personnel without any extra financial benefits. Hence, they (Defence civilians) also deserve to be granted the benefits to some extent on par with uniform personnel.
In this regard, D(Mov) offered its comments (copy enclosed for ready reference) that the subject matter was not being dealt with by D(Mov).
Therefore, you are requested to take appropriate action so that Defence Civilians may also be exempted from paying tolls on roads and highways in the States/Union Territories for their private vehicles.
Thanking you.
Sincerely yours
(MUKESH SINGH)
Secretary/BPMS &
Member, JCM-II Level Council (MOD)
Granting of financial upgradation under ACP / MACP Scheme to Durwan of Ord & Ord Equipment Fys
Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh (AN ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF DEFENCE WORKERS)
REF: BPMS / MoD / MACP / 64 (7/3/M)
Dated: 26.09.2016
To,
The Under Secretary D (Estt./NG)
Govt of India, Min of Defence,
‘B’ Wing, Sena Bhawan,
New Delhi – 110011
Subject: Granting of financial upgradation under ACP / MACP Scheme to Durwan of Ord & Ord Equipment Fys.
Sir,
With due regards, it is submitted that this federation has raised an issue in JCM-III Level Council (OFB) for grant of financial upgradation in promotional hierarchy under ACP Scheme to those Durwan, Jamadar Durwan, Subedar Durwan who have completed 12 yrs or 24 yrs of regular service upto 31.08.2008.
In turn OFB is communicating that a proposal has been forwarded to MoD with necessary recommendations of OFB but the matter is pending with MoD till date. Therefore, you are requested to expedite the matter so that Durwan, Jamadar Durwan & Subedar Durwan may be granted financial upgradations in promotional hierarchy without further delay.
Thanking you.
Sincerely yours
(MUKESH SINGH)
Secretary/BPMS &
Member, JCM-II Level Council (MOD)
Minimum wage and fitment formula for Central Government Employees
Comrade,
The 7th CPC while calculating the minimum wage of Central Government Employees has arrived at Rs 18,000/- the 7th CPC has erred in prescribing provision to cover education, recreation, ceremonies, festivals and medical expenses has been moderated to 15 percent against the provision of 25% . Supreme Court’s ruling in the Raptakos Brett Vs Workmen case of 1991 , the Hon’ble Supreme Court delivered a historic judgement and directed that children’s education, medical requirement, minimum recreation including festivals/ceremonies, provision for old age, marriage etc. should further constitute 25% of the minimum wage and be used as a guide in fixation of minimum wage.
The Hon’ble Minister of Labour & Employment Shri Bandaru Dattatreyaji in his press statement on 24-September-2016 has stated in Understanding Minimum Wages and Bonus articleas follows.
“The norms recommended by the Indian Labour Conference, in 1957, fox fixing the minimum wages are: (a) consumption units for one wage earner; (b) minimum food requirements of 2700 calories per average Indian adult; (c) clothing requirements of 72 yards per annum per family; (d) rent corresponding to the minimum area provided for under Government’s Industrial Housing Scheme; and (e) fuel, lighting and other miscellaneous items of expenditure to constitute 20% of the total minimum wage.
In 1991, the Hon’ble Supreme Court delivered a historic judgement and directed that children’s education, medical requirement, minimum recreation including festivals/ceremonies, provision for old age, marriage etc. should further constitute 25% of the minimum wage and be used as a guide in fixation of minimum wage.”
If this provision is alone adopted should have been adopted by the 7th CPC, the minimum wage would have increased by more than 10% and worked out to Rs 20,000/-. The fitment formula will work out to 2.86. If the entire minimum wage is recalculated based on actual retail prices as on July 2015 without applying average of 12 months and correct methodology the minimum wage would be Rs 26,000/ and fitment formula would be around 3.5 . The minister statement should be applied by the Government in true spirits and the minimum wage and fitment formula should be enhanced accordingly.
Applicability of Railway services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 to persons re-employed in Railway Service after retirement from Defence forces
Government of India(Bharat Sarkar)
Ministry Of Railways (Rail Mantralaya)
(Railway Board)
No.2015/E(LR)I/NM 1-20
New Delhi, dt. 20-09-2016
The General Managers,
South Central Railway, Secunderabad
Western Railway, Mumbai
Sub: Applicability of Railway services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 to persons re-employed in Railway Service after retirement from Defence forces
A Meeting to discuss the above mentioned subject with the Federation (NFIR) has been fixed for the afternoon of 27.09.2016 in Board’s office.
General Secretary/NFIR vide his letter dated 09.09.2016 has advised that the following representatives will be participating in the discussions and has requested to grant Special CL and Passes to them.
1. Shri B.Chandra Sekhar Reddy, (IG 110207) working under SSE/ER/LGD Carriage workshop lalaguda, south central railway, secunderabed.
2. Shri Yesbir singh (PF No.13844803) working under SSE/T/D Net?BCT, Sr.DSTE/HQ, Divisional Office, Mumbai, Western Railway.
It is requested that above representatives may be advised to attend the meeting and facilities of Special Casual Leave & Pass be extended to S/Shri B.Chandra Sekhar Reddy and Yesbir Singh as requested by General Secretary/NFIR as a Special case.
