NC/JCM’s writes to Cabinet Secretary reg. revision of pension
National Council (Staff Side)
Joint Consultative Machinery
For Central Government Employees
No.NC/JCM/2016
Dated: July 16,2016
Hon’ble Finance Minister,
Ministry of Finance
(Govt of India )
North Block
New Delhi
Respected Sir,
Sub: Revision of Pension
The issue of acceptance of Option I (or) II was discussed with your good self at the residence of Hon’ble Home Minister (Government of India), Wherein Hon’ble Minister for Railways and Hon’ble MoSR were present, by the Staff Side National Council (JCM). You had categorically agreed on our demand that, no dilution would be made in the options given to the Pensioners by the VII CPC. It is unfortunate that, a rider, “subject to feasibility”, has been imposed in Option I.
Sir, this is very unfair and we will appreciate if you kindly get the sentence “subject to feasibility” removed from that para to keep your promise also. It should be left to the Pensioners that whatsoever option they want to choose, they should be allowed to Opt. The argument of non-availability of record is misleading and should not be given any cognizance because PPOs of the Pensioners are the base record and is available with the organizations concerned.
We earnestly seek your urgent intervention in this regard to avoid unnecessary hardship to millions of Pensioners.
Implementation of 7th CPC & Office Memorandum is likely to be issued during this week
Comrades,
There are lot of discussions about the date of Gazette Notification for implementation of 7th CPC & Office Memorandum, It usually takes about 15 to 20 days after cabinet approval of the pay commission report .Let us examine the 6th CPC dates.
The union cabinet gave its approval for implementation of the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission on 14th August 2008.
Gazette Notification for implementation of 6th CPC was issued on 29th August 2008 & Office Memorandum was issued on 30th August 2008, after 16 days after cabinet approval
The 7th CPC
The union cabinet gave its approval for implementation of the recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission on 29th June 2016.
Hence the Gazette Notification for implementation of 7th CPC & Office Memorandum is likely issued in next week.
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) takes various initiatives from time to time in order to simplify and improve the operational issues in National Pension System (NPS) like new functionality development under NPS architecture, simplification of account opening, withdrawal, grievance management etc. In this regard, recently many new functionalities have been released to provide the ease of operation for the benefit of subscribers and nodal offices. These are detailed below:
Functionality released recently for the benefit of NPS subscribers:
S.No
Functionalities
Benefits Description
1
Mobile Application
Mobile Application for NPS is now available to the Subscriber’s in ‘Google Play Store’ as ‘NPS by NSDL e-Gov’ for installation and use
In Mobile App, the Subscriber will be able to raise the request for Transaction Statement for a particular financial year which will be sent to his registered mail ID at end of the day, can view his/her NPS account, latest details of scheme wise units along with latest NAV and the total value of the schemes, details of the last five contributions credited, can change contact details (Telephone/Mobile no./Email ID), change password/security Question add/modify his/her password and set security question (for password reset) through Mobile App. Notifications, if any, from CRA will be available to the Subscriber. Short messages will be displayed here.
2
Change of address using Aadhaar authentication
The Subscribers can now update/modify their address on their own using Aadhaar based authentication. After logging in CRA, Subscriber will use the menu “Update Address” by providing the Aadhaar No and click on the ‘submit’ button. After which an OTP will be sent to Subscriber’s mobile. Once the Subscriber authenticates by submitting the OTP, address details from Aadhaar system will be fetched and updated in the CRA system. In this process, Subscriber will be able to update permanent as well as correspondence address.
3
Scheme Preference change facility
Once Subscriber opts to change his / her Scheme Preference after logging in, an OTP will be sent to the Subscriber (on their registered mobile number). After authentication is done with OTP, the Subscriber can change their PFM, Asset Class, Allocation Ratio, Scheme Options.
4
Tier II activation through eNPS
Any subscriber having Tier I account in NPS can now activate Tier II account online through eNPS by entering his / her PRAN, DOB and PAN. An OTP will be generated and will be sent to the registered mobile number. Subscriber has to enter the OTP and proceed for Tier II activation under NPS.
5
KYC re-verification using Aadhaar authentication
A Subscriber whose Bank has not confirmed (rejected) his / her KYC verification request can now update the address details and confirm KYC using Aadhaar based authentication. The Subscriber needs to simply go to eNPS site, click on Update details and proceed.
6
Facility to contribute Online
Subscribers are contributing through online mode using eNPS portal of NPS Trust. Now, a facility has been made available to contribute online by Subscribers using IPIN credentials in CRA system. Subscriber can login into the CRA system and click on “Contribution” menu. On submission, the Subscriber will be redirected to eNPS contribution page from where he / she can contribute as per existing process of eNPS.
7
Withdrawal from Tier II account
At present, for Withdrawal from Tier II account, the NPS subscribers are required to visit the branch of the associated Point of Presence (POPs) or Nodal Office. Now, the NPS Subscribers have a facility to initiate withdrawal request from Tier II account using their login credentials and OTP authentication on registered mobile number.
8
Online IPIN generation
The eNPS Subscribers can now access the CRA system immediately after registering without waiting for physical I-PIN to be despatched. Facility is now available where the Subscriber will generate I-PIN instantly and access his / her NPS account.
Currently, NPS and APY together have 1.29 crore subscribers with total Asset under Management (AUM) of 1.34 lakh crore.
Voluntary Exit in Atal Pension Yojana before 60 years
PENSION FUND REGULATORY AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
CIRCULAR
PFRDA/3/APY/109
May 02, 2016
To all Banks/DoP
Voluntary Exit in APY before 60 years
Under Atal Pension Yojana (APY) a guaranteed minimum pension of Rs.1,000/- to Rs.5,000/- per month will be given to a subscriber on attaining the age of 60 years depending on the contributions by the subscriber. Any citizens of India in the age group of 18 – 40 years can join the APY who has a savings bank account/ post office savings bank account.
Government of India would co-contribute 50% of the total subscription subject to a maximum of Rs.1000/- per annum for a period of 5 years, i.e., from the Financial Year 2015-16 to 2019-20 for the subscribers, who join the scheme during the period from 1st June, 2015 to 31st March, 2016 and who are not covered by any statutory social security scheme and are not income tax payers.
In case of death of subscriber during the pension phase, i.e. after 60 years of age, pension would be available to the spouse and on the death of both (the subscriber and spouse); the pension wealth accumulated till age 60 years of the subscriber would be returned to the nominee.
If the subscriber dies before the age of 60 years, his / her spouse would be given an option to continue contributing to APY account of the subscriber, which can be maintained in the spouse’s name, for the remaining vesting period, till the original subscriber would have attained the age of 60 years. The spouse of the subscriber shall be entitled to receive the same pension amount as that of the subscriber until the death of the spouse.
The guidelines for voluntary exit of subscribers before attaining the age of 60 are as under:
Exit before 60 years of age is generally not permitted. However, it may be permitted in exceptional circumstances such as due to terminal illness or death of the Subscriber.
If the APY account is closed due to terminal illness or death of the Subscriber, the accumulated corpus (subscriber contribution, Government co-contribution and the returns thereon) in the subscriber account will be returned to the subscriber or the nominee as the case may be.
In case a subscriber, who has availed of Government co-contribution under APY, chooses to voluntarily exit APY before attaining the age of 60 years, he/she shall be refunded the contributions made by him/her to APY along with the net accrued income earned on his/her contributions after deducting the account maintenance, investment management, etc. charges. The Government co-contribution and the accrued income earned on the Government co-contribution shall not be given to such subscribers.
Funds redeemed will be transferred to the subscriber’s Bank account registered in APY.
Following steps would be allowed for Voluntary Closure of APY accounts:
1. Subscriber will submit the Account Closure request in the specified format to the concerned bank. The subscriber has to fill up the Account Closure form completely including the reason for closure. The format of the Form for Voluntary Exit is enclosed as annexure.
2. Bank shall verify the Form and signature of the subscriber. On acceptance of request, bank shall provide an acknowledgement to the subscriber.
3. Bank will be required to initiate the account closure request in the bank APY module which is currently under development.
4. The Bank APY Module will generate a file in a specific format (prescribed by CRA) for all exit cases.
5. The file will be uploaded in the CRA system.
6. On upload of details in the CRA system, the account closure request will be executed in the CRA system.
7. The redeemed amount (based on tile units available in APY account) will be transferred to Subscriber’s Bank Account (registered in APY).
Interim process:
At present, the system to process the exit requests under APY as mentioned above is under development. Till such time the APY exit module is developed and made operational by the CRA and banks, an interim process would be followed as under:
The first two steps will be same as listed above. The banks/India Post will forward the details of all such requests (such as PRAN, Name of subscriber, and date of receipt of the request, reason for closure) to CRA. The letter should be signed by the Authorized signatory or the Compliance Officer. CRA will handle the request administratively. After the request is processed, the redeemed amount based on the units available in APY account will be transferred to Subscriber’s Bank account registered in APY.
PFRDA advises all banks/ Department of Post to explain the APY product features to the subscribers/ prospective subscribers thoroughly before enrolment into APY so as to prevent any unwarranted misunderstandings on this front. It is also clarified that the APY accounts which are closed within a period of 12 months from their opening or which have NIL balances, no incentive will be admissible to banks/ India Post for such accounts.
Yours Sincerely
Ananta Gopal Das
Chief General Manager
August month salary based on 7th CPC Recommendations – AIRF
AIRF
No.AIRF/405(VII CPC)
Dated: July 13, 2016
The General Secretaries,
All Affiliated Unions,
Dear Comrades!
In continuation of our earlier letter of even number dated 8th July, 2016, wherein clarification was issued, whether payment of salaries based on 7th CPC recommendations will be made from current month or otherwise, it is hereby clarified that;salary of August month will be based on 7th CPC recommendations.
DOPT implemented Special Leave connected with inquiry on sexual harassment
DOPT ORDERS 2016
No. 13026/2/2016-Estt(L)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
****
Old JNU Campus, New Delhi 110 067
Dated: 14.07.2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Implementation of leave provision under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal) Act, 2013 — Reg.
Consequent to the enactment of the ‘Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013’, this Department is considering issuing instructions for the grant of leave to the aggrieved woman during pendency of inquiry up to a period of three months in addition to the leave which she is otherwise entitled to.
2. In this regard, it is proposed to insert/incorporate a new Rule in the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972. The new rule may read as follows:
“Special Leave connected with inquiry on sexual harassment — Leave up to a maximum of 90 days may be granted to an aggrieved female Government Servant on the recommendation of the Internal Committee or the Local Committee, as the case may be, during the pendency of inquiry under Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
(2) The leave so granted to the aggrieved woman under this rule shall not be debited against the leave account.”
(Navneet Misra)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
NFIR letter to Railway Board – Fitment Factor and pay Fixation for Running Staff
7th Pay Commission – Federation is of the view that the Fitment Factor for Pay Fixation of Running Staff in the 7th CPC Pay Matrix shall be “3” instead of “2.57”
NFIR
National Federation ofIndian Railwaymen
No. IV/NFIR/7CPC(Imp)/2016/R.B
Dated : 13/07/2016
The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi
Dear Sir.
Sub: Implementation of the recommendations of 7th CPC – Fitment Factor and pay Fixation for Running Staff – reg.
*******
The Railway Board is aware that the Union Cabinet has decided on 29th June 2016 for implementation of revised Pay Matrices of the 7th Central Pay Commission w.e.f. 01/01/2016 duly applying 2.57 multiplier factor. The notification, in this regard, is expected from the Ministry of Finance in due course.
In this connection, the NFIR invites Railway Board’s attention to letter No. PC- VI/2008/1/RSRP/1 dated 12/09/2008 relating to Pay Fixation tables for Running Staff which were given effect from 01/01/2006 and wherein the Fitment Factor was 2.118 for Running Staff (in view of pay element) instead of 1.86. Considering the 30% pay element of Running Stuff which is needed to be taken for arriving at multiplier factor, the Federation is of the view that the Fitment Factor for Pay Fixation of Running Staff in the 7th CPC Pay Matrix shall be “3” instead of “2.57”.
NFIR, therefore, urges upon the Railway Board to take the above points into consideration for the purpose of determining the Fitment Factor as “3” in the case of Running Staff for granting 7th CPC Pay Fixation w.e.f. 01/01/2016.
Revision of interest rates for Small Savings Schemes – discontinuation of physical pre-printed NSC and KVP certificates – regarding
FINMIN ORDER 2016
F.No.1/04/2016-NS.II
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Economic Affairs
(Budget Division)
North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 13.05.2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Revision of interest rates for Small Savings Schemes – discontinuation of physical pre-printed NSC and KVP certificates – regarding.
1. The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM of even number dated 23rd March, 2016, vide which the modalities of discontinuing pre-printed KVP and NSC certificates from 01.04.2016 were stated. The current OM states the reconsidered decision in this regard, in supersession of the OM of even number dated 23rd March, 2016.
Date of implementation
2. In view of the difficulty expressed by the Department of Posts vide their D O letter No. 61-01/2016-SB dated 07.04.2016, the date for discontinuation of pre-printed KVP and NSC certificates in Post Offices and Banks, is being postponed by a quarter, to 01.07.2016. All banks and the Department of Posts are requested to return the remaining stock of physical pre-printed KVP/NSC certificates at the close of business on 30.6.2016 to the ISP, Nasik.
3. It may be noted that no physically pre-printed KVP and NSC certificates may be issued on or after 1.7.16 by banks or Post Offices.
Two modes of issue of NSC/KVP certificates on and after 1.07.2016
4. The NSC/KVP certificates shall be issued in the following 2 modes on and after 1.07.2011
a) Exclusive e-mode: The format for e-mode is given in Annex I for KVP and NSC. The Part A of the format is to be made accessible for viewing by a customer online in a non-printable form and Part B of the format needs to be maintained as part of the database only. Any customer can apply for viewing of NSC or KVP through online secure system for which he/she has to open savings account (if Savings Account is not already opened) and apply for Internet Banking before purchase of NSC or KVP. A customer shall have access of viewing only his/her own deposit under this mode at all times.
b) Passbook mode (e-mode format printed or recorded on a passbook): Under this mode, the format for e-mode as given in Part A of Annex I for KVP and NSC, shall be either printed or entered manually on a passbook and such Passbook should be issued with physical signature (in blue ink) of the authorized official. Manual entries should be made only if either printer is not supplied or it is not in a working condition. Efforts should be made to provide adequate Passbook printers to all Post Offices and bank branches authorized to handle Small Savings schemes.
5. The Government advises the use of “exclusive e-mode” over the “passbook mode”, wherever possible. The choice of the mode (one or multiple modes) may ideally be left to the customer unless the infrastructure of the issuing office/branch restricts the compliance with any particular mode. If any customer wants to replace Passbook mode with exclusive e-mode, the passbook may be collected back and destroyed after cancelling all the pages by the authorized official. So far as possible, customer should be convinced to opt for “exclusive e-mode”. This is to facilitate the transition to a paperless system.
6. In all cases, the system should be able to record with date the issue of NSC/KVP certificates under both the modes and keep track of the modes used by individual customers. The physical signature of the issuing officer at the time of issue of the certificate in passbook mode should have designation stamp as the same is of crucial importance for establishing the authenticity of the certificate issued. In case of the passbook mode, the Post Office or Bank Branch, shall take receipt of the passbook by the customer or agent (when duly authorized by the customer) in the Account Opening form in lieu of having received the same.
7. In case the Passbook certificate is lost, the customer can get this issued in duplicate by paying the required fee as prescribed for issue of duplicate passbook and by following the process laid down by DoP and the respective Banks, in this regard. In case already pre-printed NSC or KVP are lost or multilated, already laid down procedure for issue of duplicate NSC or KVP should be followed but instead of pre-printed duplicate NC or KVP, only Passbook should be given in lieu of pre-printed NSC or KVP. The old certificate number may be noted in this case, on the passbook issued.
Pledging
8. The passbook mode shall be eligible for pledging throughout the country from 1.7.2016. In case of pledging of NSC or KVP, the authorized Authority or bank shall send requisition to relevant CBS Post Office/ bank branch along with the passbook for vertification of data and freezing the amount through mutually agreed mode. Similarly, information regarding release of security or forfeiture of security may be exchanged between these authorities. DoP may work out the modalities with banks in this regard before 1.7.2016. Pledging of the KVP/NSC issued after 1.07.16 shall be done only at the office/branch where these are held in both banks/DoP. However transfer of KVP/NSC from one post office to another and from one bank branch to another shall continue according to existing rules. NSC or KVP once pledged should not be transferred unless security is released.
9. Transfer
10. In case of transfer of NSC or KVP from one person to another, both the persons shall apply for transfer of NSC or KVP in the prescribed format. The Post Office or Bank concerned shall allow transfer after applying due diligence and enable online viewing to the new owner if exclusive e-mode is applied and remove the NSC or KVP from the online view of old owner.
11. At the time of transfer of the KVP/NSC from one person to another, apart from the changes in the electronic database entries/physical office ledger entries as the case may be, Passbook if already issued should be obtained in original and re-issued in the name of new customer by cancelling the already printed or manual entries in the name of old owner. The cancellation should be by drawing cross lines with red ink followed by signatures and designation stamp of authorized officials.
12. Closure/Premature closure
At the time of closure or premature closure, Passbook issued should be collected back and receipt of the amount paid should be obtained in the Passbook. All the pages should be cancelled by drawing lines in red ink followed by dated signatures of authorized official with designation stamp. Passbook should be half torn and preserved as a closed voucher.
Serial numbers
13. The serial number system of KVP and NSC shall stand discontinued from 1.07.2016. There shall be only account/registration numbers thereafter which can uniquely identify one transaction. List of Banks operating the KVP scheme are given at Annex II.
Removal of Denomination restriction
14. From 1.7.2016, KVP Certificates and NSCs can be issued for any amount above Rs. 1000 for KVP and Rs. 100 for NSC in one transaction, provided the NSC is issued in multiple of Rs.100 and KVP in multiple of Rs. 1000. One transaction of one (set of) investor(s) should result in only one certificate in e-mode or one entry in the passbook on any one day.
Instructions for non-CBS offices
All non-CBS POs shall be given unique SOL ID by DOP by 30.6.2016 and from 1.7.2016, these offices shall issue NSC or KVP only in Passbook mode by assigning Account/Registration number from the block of accounts allotted by their HOs. As and when these offices are migrated to CBS, new account/registration number should be allotted by CBS system and same should be informed to the customer.
General instructions
15. The necessary software templates and arrangements may be put in place so as to implement these instructions and the contents of the annexes to this OM. The aim should be ‘bare essential data-entry requirement’ at the time of issue of the Certificates of KVP and NSC to the investor.
16. This system shall remain in place till the KVP/NSC system is completely dematted or brought on e-mode by other means by the Ministry of Finance.
17. The Bank Central offices and DoP shall monitor the number of KVPs/NSCs issued in this way w.e.f 1.7.2016 and report to [email protected] on a bi-monthly basis starting from 15.07.16 including Non CBS Offices.
18. Necessary amendments to the relevant rules of NSC-VIII Issue and KVP Rules 2014, shall be circulated in due course.
