Discontinuation of physical pre-printed NSC and KVP certificates
F.No. 1/04/2016-NSJI
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Economic Affairs
(Budget Division)
North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 1st April, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Discontinuation of physical pre-printed NSC and KVP certificates- reg.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM of even number dated 23rd March, 2016, through which guidelines regarding discontinuation of physical mode of National Savings Certificate and Kisan Vikas Patra certificate and introduction of e-mode were communicated. It was decided that the currently existing system of physical pre-printed certificates for KVP and NSC shall stand discontinued w.e.f. 1.4.2016 and shall be replaced by ‘National Savings Certificate/Kisan Vikas Patra Certificate on electronic – mode (e-mode). Till the CBS system transits to that e-mode, banks and post offices may choose to issue a physical certificate recorded on a passbook.
2. The serial numbers based on the new pattern allotted to the banks and the Department of Posts (DoP) with respect to KVP and NSC were detailed in the said OM. It is intimated that while issuing the certificate from 01.04.2016, Banks and Post Offices may use notification having G.S.R. No. 353 (E) dated 29.3.2016 for Kisan Vikas Patra and notification having G.S. R. No. 354 (E) dated 29.3.2016 for National Savings Certificate. It is intimated that these notifications are available on egazette.nic.in.
AIRF 4th ECoS Meeting with Cabinet Secreaty to discuss 7th CPC Recommendations
A.I.R.F
All India Railwaymen’s federation
No.AIRF/405(VII CPC)
Dated: March 30, 2016
The General Secretaries,
All Affiliated Unions,
Dear Comrades,
Sub: Brief of the 4th meeting of the Empowered Committee of Secretaries(ECoS) held on 30.03.2016 to discuss the recommendations of the VII CPC
The 4th meeting of the Empowered Committee of the Secretaries(ECoS) was held today under the Chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary, Government of India, to discuss the recommendations of the VII CPC.
The meeting was held in a cordial manner on the general issues related to VII CPC, viz. Minimum Wage, Multiplying Factor, NPS, Minimum three cadre promotions, Allowances & Advances, Child Care Leave to Women Employees, MACPS, etc. etc.
Apart from this, we represented the arduous conditions under which railway employees are working and how many railwaymen are sacrificing their lives for smooth running of the Indian Railways and tried to prove that we are more important even to the Defence of the country.
We also discussed various issues where justified approach has not been done, particularly reg. Running Staff(one additional pay scale), Technicians(merger of Technician Gr. II with G. I in GP Rs.2800) and Technical Supervisors, Group `B’ status to Supervisory Staff, parity field staff with the Ministry Staff and other categorical problems.
Member Staff, Railway Board, was also present during the presentation made by the federations. Chairman, Railway Board, is also a member of the Empowered Committee along with other Secretaries of the Government of India.
This is for your information.
Yours Faithfully
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
General secretary
Attestation form for verification of character and antecedents prior to appointment in Government service
F.N.18011/2(s)/2016-Estt(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel,Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
****
North Block, New Delhi-110001
Dated: March, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: – Attestation form for verification of character and antecedents prior to appointment in Government service — regarding.
The undersigned is directed to state that the proposal for making attestation process citizen friendly, the matter has been examined in this Department. In this regard, it has been decided to place a note on the proposed reforms on this Department’s website for comments, which is annexed herewith.
2. It is requested to offer the comments, if any, within 15 days.
Encl:- As above
(Devesh Chaturvedi)
Joint Secretary to the Government of India.
A Policy note on the proposed reforms in the policy of verification and character done prior to appointment in Government service
A large numbers of Group ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and `D’ officials are appointed in Government of India through transparent selection process conducted by recruiting agencies like UPSC or SSC. Once, the list of successful candidates are recommended by these agencies as per existing provisions, the appointing authorities undertake an exercise of verification—of the character and antecedents of the candidates before formal appointment orders are issued. The recommended candidate has to fill up a Form on which the verification is carried out. The format is at Annexure I.
2. This verification is generally carried out by seeking details of the candidates through the police stations related to the addresses which are mentioned in the attestation form of the candidates. Such requests are sent through the State Governments to the local police authorities who ascertain the antecedents of candidates and give the verification report through the same channel. After receiving the verification report, the competent authority formally issue the appointment orders.
3. It has been observed in the past that this process has following shortcomings:
(i) The process of police verification often takes two to six months’ time. This results in undue delay in issue of appointment orders and consequent filling up of the post. As a result several Departments are seeking exemption from prior police verification while issue of appointment letters. In such cases exemption are being granted by DoPT to issue provisional appointment letters subject to the confirmation, once the police verification is formally received by them.
(ii) In the attestation form, the recommended the candidate has to fill all those addresses where he/she lived for more than one year, in the past five years. The appointing authority has to obtain verification of antecedents from all those respective addresses. This is time consuming and leads to delay in issue of appointment letters.
(iii) There have been informal feedbacks about undue gratification being demanded at the lower bureaucratic level to obtain this police verification. This contributes towards fresh incumbents entering Government services with cynical attitudes towards the system.
4. Government of India is committed to give good governance which is citizen centric. The overall vision of the Government of India is minimum governance and maximum Government. To achieve with this vision, it is proposed to have a reform in the policy of prior character verification.
5. It is proposed that as a general policy, the police verification will be carried out, but the issue of appointment letters need not be withheld pending such police verification. The appointing authorities will issue provisional appointment letters after obtaining a self-declaration from the candidate.
6. The candidate along with the details of attestation form will also submit the self-declaration certifying that no criminal cases are pending against him or her, no penal action has been taken in any court of law etc. In case a criminal case is pending against him or her or some punishment has been given, then the details will be provided. The competent authority will take a view about issuing appointment letter on receipt of police verification report. The revised attestation form is at Annexure II.
(i) In the appointment letter, it may be clearly mentioned that in case the character of the candidate is found not verified or any false information is given in his self-declaration, the appointment letter will be cancelled forthwith and other criminal/legal action will also be taken.
(ii) This commitment will also be given by the candidate in his self-declaration.
(iii) If the above steps are undertaken then the competent authority will issue the provisional appointment letter which shall be confirmed once the police verification is finally obtained.
7. The appointing authority will seek verification of antecedents of the candidates from the concerned authorities relating to all those addresses where the person has lived for more than a year in the last 5 years. This exercise of the application should be carried out in 6 months’ time.
(i) Once the verification repdif is received and there are no objections on the facts given by the candidate, the provisional appointment letter will be confirmed.
(ii) If the verification confirms that facts given by the candidate were not correct, then the appointing authority shall cancel the appointment letter and shall undertake other criminal/civil action as deemed fit.
(iii) If the verification report is not received within six months then following course of action is proposed:
(a) The competent authority/appointing authority will refer the matter to DG Police of the concerned State asking to provide the verification report in three months.
(b) If the report is still not received, then the Union Home Secretary will be requested to get the verification report obtained from the concerned authorities so that the decision of confirmation of the provisional appointment letter is taken.
9. The candidate will also submit the self-certification that if the information is incorrect, he will be rendered unfit for employment and will be liable for action as per provisions of Section of IPC in addition to warning or in lieu of warning.
10. In the states where Public Service Delivery Act has been implemented it can be added in the services after six months.
11. Based on the above process, the prior need of police verification will be done away with and it will help the competent authorities to issue appointment letters and fill up the vacancies faster. Since the pressure to send police verification in time will also be removed, the chances of official demanding illegal gratification will also be reduced.
Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 – Last date for submission of the returns is 15.04.2016
No. 25/1/2014-CS.II(A),
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension
Department of Personnel and Training,
3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan,
Khan Market, New Delhi-110003
Dated: 29th March, 2016.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013- Submission of declaration of assets and liabilities by the public servants belonging to CSSS & CSCS.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Division’s OM of even number dated 15.04.2015 followed by reminders 11.09.2015 and 12.10.2015 on the subject mentioned above. All CSSS and CSCS officers were requested to file the returns as required under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 as on 01.08.2014 and for the year 2015 (as on 31.03.2015) online at cscms.nic.in. The last date for submission of the returns is 15.04.2016. CSSS and CSCS officers who have not yet submitted the returns are requested to submit the same immediately without waiting for the last date. The returns are to be filed as per the following time line:
(i) The first return as on 01.08.2014 under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 should be filed on or before the 15.04.2016.
(ii) The next return as on 31.03.2015 under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act,. 2013 should be filed on or before the 15.04.2016.
(iii) The annual return as on 31.03.2016 under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 should be filed on or before the 31.07.2016.
(iv) The annual return for subsequent years as on 31St March every year should be filed on or before the 31st July of that year.
2. The officers in the grade of PPS and above levels of CSSS should also take a print out of the return filed online and submit the same to this Department duly signed.
3. Ministries/Departments are requested to circulate this OM to all CSSS and CSCS officers. They should also monitor to ensure that returns are submitted by all officers within the stipulated period through the web based cadre management system. In case of any technical assistance nodal officers helpline-at-Telephone No.24629890
(Kameshwar Mishra)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – February, 2016
The All-India CPI-IW for February, 2016 decreased by 2 points and pegged at 267 (two hundred and sixty seven). On 1-month percentage change, it decreased by (-) 0.74 per cent between January, 2016 and February, 2016 when compared with the decrease of (-) 0.39 per cent between the same two months a year ago.
The maximum downward pressure to the change in current index came from Food group contributing (-) 2.21 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Rice. Arhar Dal. Masur Dal, Moong Dal, Urd Dal, Groundnut Oil, Mustard Oil, Poultry (Chicken), Eggs (Hen), Garlic, Onion, Vegetable and Fruit items, Flower-Flower Garlands, etc. are responsible for the decrease in index. However, this decrease was checked by Wheat and Wheat Atta, Fish Fresh, Goat Meat, Milk, Tea (Readymade), Sugar, Cigarette, Tailoring Charges, etc, putting upward pressure on the index.
The year-on-near inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 5.53 per cent for February, 2016 as compared to 5.91 per cent for the previous month and 6.30 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 6.18 per cent against 7.61 per cent of the previous month and 7.42 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.
At centre level, Giridih reported the maximum decrease of 8 points followed by Madurai. Tiruchirapally, Munger-Jamalpur and Bengaluru (7 points each) and Sholapur. Mundakkayam and Belgaum (6 points each). Among others, 5 points decrease was observed in 3 centres, 4 points in 8 centres, 3 points in another 8 centres. 2 points in 14 centres and 1 point in 10 centres. On the contrary, Quilon recorded a maximum increase of 5 points followed by Mysore and Rajkot (3 points each) and Kodarma (2 points). Among others, 1 point increase was observed in 9 centres. Rest oldie 14 centres’ indices remained stationary.
The indices of 34 centres are above All-India Index and other 44 centres’ indices are below national average.
The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of March. 2016 will be released on Friday. 29th April. 2016. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureaunew.gov.in
Validity period of OBC Certificate in respect of ‘creamy layer’ status of the candidates
F. No. 36036/2/2013- Estt.(Res-I)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment Reservation — I Section
North Block, New Delhi
Dated 31st March 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Validity period of OBC Certificate in respect of ‘creamy layer’ status of the candidates
This Departm’ent has received various references on the issue of problems being faced by the candidates on the requirement to obtain multiple non-creamy layer OBC certificates for appearing in various examinations. With a view to address this issue, the following revised procedure is proposed:-
(a) Every candidate seeking reservation in central government posts and services as OBC candidate is required to submit a certificate confirming his/her status as OBC and also produce Non-creamy layer status issued by an authority mentioned in DOPT Office Memorandum No.36012/22/93-Est(SCT) dated 15.11.1993.
(b) The Non-creamy Layer Certificate would be applicable to OBC candidates who are covered under Income/Wealth Test criterion. The income limit is decided on the basis of income earned during three previous financial years preceding the year of appointment. To illustrate, the validity of non-creamy layer certificate issued during any month of the financial year 2016-17 covering 3 preceding financial years viz. 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 be accepted by the concerned authorities for any appointments or recruitments which would be valid during the period April 2016 to March 2017. The appointing authorities would accept production of self-attested photo copy of the Non-creamy layer certificate, subject to verification of the original Non-creamy layer certificate, as is the practice being followed for verification of other original documents.
2. On this issue, the National Commission of Backward Classes has suggested a new format for issue of Non-creamy layer certificate, which is enclosed.
3. It is requested that comments on the suggestions made in para 1 of this OM and any other suggestion(s) to streamline the system of issue of Non creamy layer certificate (NCL) may please be furnished.
4. It is also requested that comments on the Non-creamy layer certificate format proposed by NCBC, may also be furnished.
Adalat Pune – Satara from 7th – 8th April, 2016 – CGDAÂ
Notice
A Defence Pension Adalat, 139th in the series of Adalats held by the Defence Accounts Department, is being held at Pune from 7th – 8th April, 2016, followed by a mobile pension camp at Satara on 9th April, 2016. The Defence Pension Adalat at Pune – Satara is being organized by the PCDA (P) Allahabad.
The Nodal Officer details for the Defence Pension Adalat Pune-Satara are as follows:
Nodal Officer : Shri Ashish Sen, Sr.A.O.
O/o PCDA (P) Allahabad
Tel/Fax No : 0532 – 2421873; 2420330
Mob. No : 09415145879
Email ID : [email protected]
All concerned are requested to take a note of the Adalat schedule and forward their pension related application/queries to the nodal officer under PCDA (Pension). The venue of the Adalat is ‘Dhanvantri’ Auditorium, AFMC, Pune.
The Defence Pension Adalat at Pune is likely to be inaugurated by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri on 7th April 2016.
LTC Reimbursement for Government servant travels on LTC upto the nearest airport / railway station/ bus terminal
No. 3101 l/3/2015-Estt (A.IV)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel. Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-IV Desk
North Block, New Delhi-110 001
Dated: March 23 , 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:- Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 — Fulfillment of procedural requirements-reg.
The undersigned is directed to enclose a copy of draft O.M. on the subject noted above for comments within 15 days to the undersigned (email address:[email protected]).
(Surya Narayan Jha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
No.31011/3/2015-Estt.(A.IV)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-IV Desk
The undersigned is directed to refer to para 8 and 9 of the Guidelines enclosed in this Department’s O.M. of even number dated 18.2.2016 on the above noted subject and to say that the issues have been revisited in consultation with the Department of Expenditure. It has been decided that the cases where a Government servant travels on LTC upto the nearest airport/railway station/ bus terminal by authorised mode of transport and undertakes rest of the journey to the declared place of visit by private transport/own arrangement, may be dealt with as follows:-
(i) When public transport is available between the nearest airport/railway station/ bus terminal and the declared place of visit:-
The Government servant may also be reimbursed the fare incurred for completion of journey to the declared place of visit by own arrangement. This will be restricted to the fare admissible for journey by otherwise entitled mode of public transport from the nearest airport/railway station/ bus terminal to the declared place of visit. The Government servant shall be required to submit an undertaking that he has actually visited the declared place of visit.
(ii) Where no public transport is available between the nearest airport/railway station/bus terminal and the declared place of visit:-
(a) In case he does not wish to claim reimbursement for the part of the journey which he has undertaken by his own arrangement, he may be reimbursed for the part of the journey which he has undertaken by public transport. The Government servant shall be required to submit an undertaking that he has actually visited the declared place of visit.
(b) Where the Government servant claims assistance for the entire journey, the part of the journey where he has used his own arrangement would also be reimbursed as per his entitlement for journey on transfer. The Government servant shall be required to submit an undertaking that he has actually visited the declared place of visit.
2. In case of (b) above, the Government servant shall be required to submit a certificate that the mode of transport used by him operates from point to point on regular basis with the approval of the State Government/Transport authorities, and is authorised to ply as public carrier.
3. Above certificate need not be insisted upon in case information to the effect that (i) no public transport is available in a particular area, (ii) list of transport operators who operate on regular basis from point to point on regular basis with the specific approval of the State Government/Transport authorities, is available on the website of a State/Central Government or a State or Central PSU or in a current publication brought out by these authorities.
(Surya Narayan Jha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Minutes of the meeting held on 10.03.2016 with the representatives of JCM (Staff Side) on pensionary matters under the Chairmanship of Secretary(P&PW).
JCM Meeting
F. No. 42/01/2015-P&PW(G)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare
3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market, New Delhi – 110003
Subject : Minutes of the meeting held on 10.03.2016 with the representatives of JCM (Staff Side) on pensionary matters under the Chairmanship of Secretary(P&PW).
Sir,ds
Kindly find enclosed herewith the minutes of the meeting held on 10.03.2016 with representatives of JCM(Staff Side) on pensionary matters under the Chairmanship of Secretary (P&PW) for kind perusal.
Encl : As above.
Yours faithfully
(Charanjit Taneja)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERS’ WELFARE
Minutes of the JCM meeting on the pensionary matters under the Chairmanship of Secretary(P&PW) held on 10.03.2016 at Sardar Patel Bhawan, New Delhi.
The list of the participants is at Annexure-I
Secretary (P&PW) welcomed the participants and appreciated the contributions of the pensioners and the JCM towards welfare of the pensioners. Secretary(P&PW) informed he has been taking regular review meetings to expedite issues which are long pending in SCOVA. He urged JCM members to encourage pensioners to get their Aadhaar number embedded with their Bank Accounts.
2. The meeting started with a discussion on the Action Taken Report on the minutes of the last JCM meeting held on 26.02.2015.
(i) Abnormal delay in the issue of revised PPO to Pre – 2006 retirees, pensioners / family pensioners.
(a) CPAO informed that as on date 5520 cases of pre-2006 are to be revised, out of which 4027 cases belong to pre-1990 and details of these cases are not available with the administrative Ministry/Department. It was decided that the CPAO will contact all Banks to obtain phone numbers/addresses of such pensioners. Secretary(P&PW) directed CPAO to contact all concerned Ministries/Departments/Banks to sort out issues and prepare a Bank-wise and Branch-wise details of such pensioners in Excel software and upload it on pensioners portal for general information. Secretary (P&PW) may also take up matter with the CMDs of all Banks in next video conferencing. After a month, a review meeting of CPAO, DFS and concerned Ministries/Departments be called by the CPAO under the chairpersonship of Jt. Secretary(Pension) to assess the pendency.
(b) Ministry of Railways reported `Nil’ Pendency. However, JCM members contested that there are some cases especially in Ajmer and Kota Division where PPOs have not been revised. Further, JCM members requested Ministry of Railways to provide Zone-wise figures of revised PPOs. Ministry of Railways agreed to provide the Zone-wise figures within 15 days to the JCM members and DoPPW.
(c) Department of Posts reported ‘Nil’ Pendency.
(d) Department of Telecom intimated that 159 cases are pending for revision, details of which will be given to DoPPW for providing the same to the JCM members.
(Action:- CPAO, M/o Railways and D/o Telecom)
(ii) Cashless Treatment to CGHS beneficiaries by empanelled private hospitals to serving employees.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed that provision of benefits of Cashless Treatment to the Central Govt. pensioners availing CGHS facilities is already in place. Secretary(P&PW) stated that the matter pertains to serving employees and is out of the ambit of JCM meeting, hence the matter may be closed.
(iii) Finalisation of family pension cases within a specified period in respect of MP Postal Circle.
Department of Posts informed that the instructions in this regard have been issued by the MP Postal Circle to its subordinate authorities. JCM members were requested to inform the Department of Posts regarding specific pendency, if any.
(Action:- Department of Posts)
3. Discussion on Fresh Agenda Items.
(i). Grant of Gratuity on retirement/death of a Central Govt. NPS Subscriber.
Jt. Secretary (P) informed that Department of Expenditure has concurred the proposal in principle and as per advise of Department of Expenditure, the proposal was circulated to concerned Departments i.e Department of Financial Services, DoPT and Department of Legal Affairs for their comments. Comments from Department of Legal Affairs have been obtained and the file will be processed after receiving the comments from other Departments.
(Action:- DoPPW)
(ii) Extension of the benefits of DoPPW OM No 38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 28.01.2013 read with OM dated 30.07.2015 to pre-2006 pensioners with less than 33 years of service and more than 20 years service for full pension.
Jt. Secretary(P) informed that the DoPPW is consulting with the Department of Expenditure so that finality on the issue would be reached at the earliest.
(Action: DoPPW and Department of Expenditure)
(iii). Delay in finalizing the Family Pension case of Widow/Unmarried daughters and Physically Handicapped candidates by PCDA(Pension) Allahabad in respect of civilian defence employees specially from ordnance factories.
Ministry of Defense informed that only 27 cases are pending and these have all been received after 08.02.2016. In this regard, PCDA(P), Allahabad, have already issued Circular No. 131 & 143 highlighting the correct procedure. Secretary (P&PW) directed that these circulars which are available on PCDA Portal be uploaded on Pensioners Portal website. Further he directed to check the grievances received by PG Portal in this regard.
(Action: Ministry of Defence/CGDA)
(iv). Grant of modified parity to all those who retired prior to 01.01.2006 with refrence to the upgraded post.
It was informed to the JCM members, that the benefit of upgraded post cannot be extended to pensioners after retirement as per instructions of DoPPW. It is clearly mentioned in the order that the pension can be calculated with reference to corresponding pay of pre-revised scale. Hon’ble Court has also upheld the order. However, on the request of JCM members, Secretary (P&PW) assured to look at the issue separately.
(Action: DoPPW)
4. JCM members informed that Pension Adalats are not conducted as per laid down policy. Further, they informed that the Pensioners Associations may be allowed to represent the cases of the individual pensioners. The concerned Ministries/Departments clarified that the members of Pensioners’ Associations could accompany and represent the case of the pensioner in individual capacity and not as representatives of Pensioners’ Associations. Further, Secretary (P&PW) directed that the instructions in this regard may be reiterated.
(Action: All Ministries/Departments) The meeting ended with the vote of thanks to the Chair.
Extended Bank hours for conducting Govt. Business on 31st March, 2016
In view of closing of the current financial year and to facilitate the tax-payers in payment of taxes, the Reserve Bank of India has issued instructions vide notification RBI/2015-16/342 dated March 17, 2016 directing all agency banks to keep the counters of their designated branches conducting government business open till 8.00 p.m. on March 31, 2016. All electronic transactions would however, continue till midnight of March 31, 2016.
