Pension Disbursing Agencies (PDAS) are aware that as per this Office Circular NO. 555 dt. 04.02.2016, pension of Armed Forces Personnel is to be revised w.e.f. 01.07.2014 by the PDAS as per tables attached with this Circular. PDAS have reported some difficulties on certain points while implementing the scheme Of ‘OROP’. Clarification in the matter is as under:-
(i) Revision of pension in respect of Post-2006 Havildars granted ACP-I who later on promoted to the Rank of Hony Nb Sub :- It is Clarified that pension of Post-2006 Havildars granted ACP-I, who got pensionary benefits of Nb-Sub rank but later on promoted to the rank of Hony. Nb-Sub for which Corr. PPOS were issued revising the rank as Hony. Nb-Sub. Pension in such cases Shall be revised to the rank of Nb-Sub.
(ii) Revision of pension under OROP in r/o Fly. Sergeant: – The rank of Fly. Sergeant has not been mentioned in the equivalence of ranks in Appendix – ‘Y’ of this Office above mentioned Circulars. It iS hereby Clarified that rank of Fly. Sergeant iS equivalent to JWO of the Air Force and Naib Subedar of the Army. Hence, pension of Fly. Sergeant Shall be revised from the Tables of Naib Subedar
2. All other terms and conditions in the matter shall remain unchanged.
3. This circular has been uploaded on this office website www.pcdapension.nic.in for dissemination
across the all concerned.
Cabinet approves merger of rail budget with general budget; advancement of budget presentation and merger of plan and non-plan classification in budget and accounts
The Union Cabinet has approved the proposals of Ministry of Finance on certain landmark budgetary reforms relating to (i) the merger of Railway budget with the General budget, (ii) the advancement of the date of Budget presentation from the last day of February to the 1st of February and (iii) the merger of the Plan and the Non-Plan classification in the Budget and Accounts. All these changes will be put into effect simultaneously from the Budget 2017-18.
Merger of Railway Budget with the General Budget:
The arrangements for merger of Railway budget with the General budget have been approved by the Cabinet with the following administrative and financial arrangements-
(i) The Railways will continue to maintain its distinct entity -as a departmentally run commercial undertaking as at present;
(ii) Railways will retain their functional autonomy and delegation of financial powers etc. as per the existing guidelines;
(iii)The existing financial arrangements will continue wherein Railways will meet all their revenue expenditure, including ordinary working expenses, pay and allowances and pensions etc. from their revenue receipts;
(iv)The Capital at charge of the Railways estimated at Rs.2.27 lakh crore on which annual dividend is paid by the Railways will be wiped off. Consequently, there will be no dividend liability for Railways from 2017-18 and Ministry of Railways will get Gross Budgetary support. This will also save Railways from the liability of payment of approximately Rs.9,700 crore annual dividend to the Government of India;
The presentation of separate Railway budget started in the year 1924, and has continued after independence as a convention rather than under Constitutional provisions.
The merger would help in the following ways:
· The presentation of a unified budget will bring the affairs of the Railways to centre stage and present a holistic picture of the financial position of the Government.
· The merger is also expected to reduce the procedural requirements and instead bring into focus, the aspects of delivery and good governance.
· Consequent to the merger, the appropriations for Railways will form part of the main Appropriation Bill.
Advancement of the Budget presentation:
The Cabinet has also approved, in principle, another reform relating to budgetary process, for advancement of the date of Budget presentation from the last day of February to a suitable date. The exact date of presentation of Budget for 2017-18 would be decided keeping in view the date of assembly elections to be held in States.
This would help in following ways:
· The advancement of budget presentation by a month and completion of Budget related legislative business before 31st March would pave the way for early completion of Budget cycle and enable Ministries and Departments to ensure better planning and execution of schemes from the beginning of the financial year and utilization of the full working seasons including the first quarter.
· This will also preclude the need for seeking appropriation through ‘Vote on Account’ and enable implementation of the legislative changes in tax; laws for new taxation measures from the beginning of the financial year.
Merger of Plan and Non Plan classification in Budget and Accounts:
The third proposal approved by the Cabinet relates to the merger of Plan and Non Plan classification in Budget and Accounts from 2017-18, with continuance of earmarking of funds for Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan/Tribal Sub-Plan. Similarly, the allocations for North Eastern States will also continue.
This would help in resolving the following issues:
· The Plan/Non-Plan bifurcation of expenditure has led to a fragmented view of resource allocation to various schemes, making it difficult not only to ascertain cost of delivering a service but also to link outlays to outcomes.
· The bias in favour of Plan expenditure by Centre as well as the State Governments has led to a neglect of essential expenditures on maintenance of assets and other establishment related expenditures for providing essential social services.
· The merger of plan and non-plan in the budget is expected
to provide appropriate budgetary framework having focus on the revenue, and capital expenditure.
Non-Functional upgradation for Officers of Organized Group ‘A’ Services in PB-3, PB-4 and HAG
No. AB.14017/30/2011-Estt.(RR)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
New Delhi, the 20th Sep , 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:- Non-Functional upgradation for Officers of Organized Group ‘A’ Services in PB-3, PB-4 and HAG.
A reference is invited to this Department OM No._AB.14017/64/2008-Estt.(RR) dated 24.04.09 on the above subject. The details of batch of the officers belonging to the Indian Administrative Service who have been posted at the Centre in various grades of PB-3, PB-4 and HAG was last circulated in this Depai intent OM of even No. dated 11 th August,2016.
2. The details of the IAS officers who have been subsequently posted in the Centre in the various grades as well as the date of posting of the first officer belonging to the batch is annexed. Necessary action may be taken for grant of higher scale for the Officers belonging to batches of Organized Group A Services that are senior by two year or more and have not so far been promoted to that particular grade in accordance with the provisions of this Department’s OM No. AB.14017/64/2008-Estt.(RR) dated 24.4.2009.
7th CPC Fixation of Pay and Payment of arrears – Confederation
CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS
Ref: Confdn/7th CPC/Autonomous/2016-19
Dated – 20.09.2016
To,
The Secretary (Expenditure)
Ministry of Finance (Govt. of India)
Department of Expenditure
North Block, New Delhi – 110001
Sir,
Sub :- Implementation of recommendation of 7th CPC – Fixation of Pay and Payment of arrears in respect of – (a) Autonomous organisations (b)Central Government Employees who are working in Autonomous bodies on deemed deputation.
1. Please refer to the Government of India, Department of Finance & Department of Expenditure Resolution No. 1-2/2016-IC dated 25.07.2016 bringing out the decisions of the Government on the recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission as well as consequent promulgation of the Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules 2016, notified vide G. S. R. No. 721(E) dated 25th July 2016 regarding fixation of pay in the revised pay structure effective from 01.01.2016.
2. Every time, when Revise Pay Rules in respect of Central Government Employees are used, the Government used to issue separate orders regarding the extension of those benefits to the employees of Autonomous Organisations etc. whose pattern of emolument structure are identical to those of the Central government employees. Last time the
Revised Pay Rules was issued on 30.08.2008 and orders extending the benefit to similarly placed employees of Autonomous bodies was issued on 30.09.2008. This time eventhough the Revised Pay Rules are issued on 25.07.2016, till this day i.e. even after a lapse of more than one month orders regarding Autonomous bodies is not issued.
3. Further it is reported that the employees of working at Central Food Laboratory, Kolkata (Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of India) who are on deemed deputation has not been paid the Revised salary for the month of August 2016 in terms of CCS (RP) Rules 2016 by the Director, Central Food Laboratory. Director, CFL has issued orders to draw the pay on the basis of pre-revised pay even in respect of those Central Government employees working at CFL who are on deemed deputation. He has equated employees of the Autonomous organizations with the employees on deemed deputation. Above action of the Director, CFL, Kolkata appears to be not in conformity with the Para-7 of OM No. 1-5/2016-IC dated 28.07.2016 in letter and spirit.
4. In view of the above, it is requested that clear instructions may be issued to all Ministries regarding applicability of CCS (RP) Rules 2016 in respect of (a) Employees of Autonomous Bodies (b) Central Government employees who are on deemed deputation to Autonomous bodies.
A line in reply from your end will be highly appreciated.
Cabinet gives ex-post facto approval to enhancement of Pension for Freedom Fighters
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to enhancement of Pension for Freedom Fighters and for the spouses (widows/widowers), eligible daughters and dependent parents of deceased Freedom Fighters, under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme (SSSPS), 1980.
The existing pension scheme for Central freedom fighter pensioners and their eligible dependents has been restructured as follows:-
Sl.
No.
Category of Freedom Fighters
Present amount of pension (per month)
Enhanced amount of pension (per month)
1.
Ex-Andaman Political Prisoners/ spouses
Rs. 24,775
Rs. 30,000/-
2.
Freedom fighters who suffered outside British India/spouses
Rs. 23,085/-
Rs. 28,000/-
3.
Other Freedom Fighters / spouses including INA
Rs. 21,395/-
Rs. 26,000/-
4.
Dependent parents/eligible daughters (maximum 3 daughters at any point of time)
Rs. 3,380/-
50% of the sum that would have been admissible to the Freedom Fighter i.e. in the range of Rs. 13,000/- to Rs. 15,000/-
(i) The revised scale of pension has taken effect from 15.O8.2016. Further, the revised total amount of pension will be taken as basic pension for the respective categories of Freedom Fighter pensioners for calculating Dearness Relief.
(ii) The existing Dearness Relief system based on All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial workers, which was so far applicable to freedom fighter pensioners on annual basis, is being discontinued and replaced by the Dearness Allowance system applicable to Central Government employees twice a year. This will be termed as “Dearness Relief”, the appropriate term in case of pensioners.
All freedom fighters and spouses and dependent parents/eligible daughter pensioners of deceased freedom fighters drawing pension under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme, 1980 would be benefitted by the decision.
Background
Government of India introduced in 1969, the ‘Ex-Andaman Political Prisoners Pension Scheme’ to honour the freedom fighters who had been incarcerated in the Cellular Jail at Port Blair. In order to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Independence in 1972, a regular scheme for grant of freedom fighters’ pension was introduced. Thereafter, with effect from 1.8.1980, a liberalized scheme, the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme’ is being implemented. Besides the freedom fighters, spouses (widows.widowers), unmarried and unemployed daughters (up to maximum three at any point of time) and parents of deceased freedom fighters are eligible for pension under the Scheme. Till 2016, a total of 1,71,605 freedom fighters and their eligible dependents have been sanctioned pension under the scheme. At present, 37,981 freedom fighters and their eligible dependent pensioners are covered under the scheme. Out of these, 11,690 are freedom fighters themselves, 24,792 are spouses (widows/ widowers) and 1,490 are daughter pensioners. Instructions have been issued to all the authorized banks for ensuring Aadhar linked disbursement of Freedom Fighter pension as early as possible.
7th Pay Commission Allowances Committee to submit its report soon
A panel set up by the Central government to look into proposals pertaining to allowances of government employees, including defence personnel, made by the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) is likely to submit its report shortly, raising expectations for about 1 crore individuals.
The announcement of the panel to be headed by Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa was made on June 29, 2016 when the government accepted the salary hike rates as proposed by the pay commission.
An online platform called The Sen Times claimed that the committee has finalised its report and is likely to submit the same “this week”, citing government sources. It also said that the quantum of allowances may not vary from those proposed by the CPC.
“The committee on allowances is likely to stick with the 7th Pay Commission’s recommendations on allowances,” The Sen Times quoted the sources as saying.
The 7th CPC had recommended scrapping 51 allowances and subsuming another 37 after examining the existing 196 allowances that are currently paid.
Given the significant changes in the existing provisions for allowances which may have wide ranging implications, the Cabinet had decided to constitute a committee headed by Finance Secretary for further examination of the recommendations of 7th CPC on Allowances.
“The Committee will complete its work in a time bound manner and submit its reports within a period of 4 months. Till a final decision, all existing Allowances will continue to be paid at the existing rates,” an official statement issued by the finance ministry said.
The government has already released the salary and pension arrears for the period January to July 2016 and started paying salaries after factoring in the hike from August onwards. A decision on payments to the armed forces was taken recently.
The recommendations of the 7th CPC are applicable to 47 lakh central government employees and 53 lakh pensioners, of which 14 lakh employees and 18 lakh retirees are from the defence forces.
The acceptance of the salary hike proposals by the Narendra Modi government had triggered similar pay hike by Central public sector undertakings (CPSUs) who joined the nationwide strike on 2 September, 2016.
Besides, employees of state governments have also started similar pay revision. The Karnataka government have almost accepted the demand made by the 6.40 lakh state government employees for appointing a panel to consider salary hike.
Holidays to be observed in Central Government offices during year 2017
12/8/2016-JCA-2
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training
JCA-2 section
North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 24th June. 2016
Subject: Holidays to be observed in Central Government offices during year 2017- reg.
It has been decided that the holidays as specified in the Annexure —I to this O.M. will be observed in the Administrative Offices of the Central Government located at Delhi/New Delhi during the year 2017. 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 or Restricted Holidays in Annexure — II.
2.Central Government Administrative Offices located outside Delhi / New Delhi shall observe the following holidays compulsorily in addition to three holidays as per para 3. below:
1. REPUBLIC DAY
2. INDEPENDENCE DAY
3. MAHATMA GANDHI’S BIRTHDAY
4. BUDDHA PURNIMA
5. CHRISTMAS DAY
6. DUSSEHRA (VIJAY DASHMI)
7. DIWALI IDEEPAVALI)
8. GOOD FRIDAY
9. GURU NANAK’S BIRTHDAY
10. IDU’L FITR
11. IDU’L ZUHA
12. MAHAVIR JAYANTI
13. MUHARRAM
14. PROPHET MOHAMMAD’S BIRTHDAY (ID-E-MILAD)
3.1. In addition to the above 14 Compulsory holidays mentioned in para 2 , three holidays shall be decided from the list indicated below 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. The final list applicable uniformly to Central Government offices within the concerned State shan be notified accordingly and no change can be carried out thereafter. It is also clarified that no change is permissible in regard to festivals and dates as indicate.
1. AN ADDITIONAL DAY FOR DUSSEHRA
2. HOLI
3. JANAMASHTAMI IVAISHNAVI)
4. RAM NAVAMI
5. MAHA SHIVRATRI
6. GANESH CHATURTHI VINAYAK CHATURTEA
7. MAKAR SAKARANTI
8. RATH YATRA
9. ONAN
10. PONGAL
11. SRI PANCHAML / BASANT PANCH.AMI
12. VISHU/ VAISAKHI / VAISAKHADI / BHAG BKHU / MASHADI UGADI / CENTRA SUKLADI / CHETI CHAND / GUDL PADAVA 1st NAVRATRA /NAURAJ/CHHATH POOJA/KARVA CHAVTH.
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 festivals falling on the same day.
4. The list of Restricted Holidays appended 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 but the 9 occasions left over, after choosing the 3 variable holidays in para 3.1 above, are 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 of the above occasions has to be declared at a very short notice. In such a situation, announcement could be made through P.I .B /T.V. /A.I.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 2017, Diwali (Deepavali) falls on Thursday , October 19, 2017 (Ashvina 28). In certain States, the practice is to celebrate the occasion a day in advance, i.e., on “Narakachaturdasi 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) for 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 2017, 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 in 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 11(Eleven) holidays of their own only after including in the list, three National Holidays and Mahavir Jayanti, Id-ulZuha (Bakrid), Vijay Dashmi, Muharram, Guru Nanak Birthday and Miladun-Nabi(Id-e-Milad (Birthday of Prophet Mohammad) included in the list of compulsory holidays and falling on day 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.
Grant of Non Functional Scale (NFS) to Section Officers of CSS
F.No. 6/4/2014-CS-I(S)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel PG & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
********
2nd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market
New Delhi, the 16th September, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Grant of Non Functional Scale (NFS) to Section Officers of CSS – regarding.
The undersigned is directed to say that pursuant to issue of OM No. 5/4/2005-CS-I(S) dated 21.04.2014 by this Department on the subject mentioned above, doubts have been raised by some Ministries/Departments regarding procedure to be followed for grant of NFS to Section Officers of CSS.
2. In this connection, it is reiterated that regular Section Officers of CSS with 4 years of approved service would be considered for grant of NFS subject to vigilance clearance only in terms of this Department’s OM No. 21/36/03-CS I dated 13.11.2003 and 5/4/2005-CS.I dated 25.01.2006. The word ‘DPC’ wherever appearing in OM dated 21.04.2014 may be ignored.
3. This issues with the approval of Secretary (P)
(Chandra Shekhar)
Under Secretary to the Govt of India
