The Central Government is working on a pilot programme to involve retired government teachers and others to conduct co-scholastic activities in schools.
The Central Government is in the process of developing guidelines in collaboration with State Governments. In a meeting of State Education Ministers on ‘Teacher Education’ held in New Delhi on 8th February 2016, representatives of 19 States, namely, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Telangana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura, Goa, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi have expressed their willingness to participate in the first phase.
In the same meeting of Education Ministers on Teacher Education, several steps for improvement of the quality of education were discussed. These include: internship for Teacher Education Programmes in Government Schools; conduct of Regional workshop for Education Administrators by UGC with modules developed by IIMs; and to constitute a committee to develop an accreditation framework for Teacher Education Institutions.
This information was given by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani today in a written reply to a Lok Sabha question.
OROP Arrears – Centre released Revised Pensionary benefits under OROP
The Defence Pension Disbursing Offices (DPDOs) functioning under Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) in the Ministry of Defence have released revised pensionary benefits to 2,21,224 Defence pensioners drawing service/disability pension. The amount along with first instalment of arrears had been released and credited by the Defence Ministry to the accounts of these pensioners on 01.03.2016.
In the case of remaining 1,46,335 family pensioners drawing pension from DPDOs, payment along with arrears is expected to be released by March end. Banks are under process of revision work.
These steps are a follow-up to Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW) of the Ministry of Defence’s notification on 07.11.2015 ordering implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme for Defence pensioners.
The total additional annual financial increase for grant of One Rank One Pension (OROP) is Rs. 7488.70 crores. The total amount on account of arrears to be paid for the period 1.7.2014 to 31.12.2015 is Rs. 10925.11 crores.
Out of total annual liability of Rs. 7488.70 crores, PBOR family pensioners shall get Rs. 6,405.59 crores, which works out to 85.5% of total expenditure of OROP.
Due to increase in defence pension budget, the additional liability for current financial year 2015-16 shall be Rs. 4,721.34 crores which will increase the current defence pension liability of Rs. 60,238 crores to Rs. 64,959.34 crores for the year 2015-16.
Detailed implementation orders of OROP with 101 tables containing revised pensions of different ranks and categories were issued by the Department of ESW on 03.02.2016 through their website www.desw.gov.in. According to the orders, the Pension Disbursing Agencies have been authorized to make payments with arrears as scheduled.
To facilitate the pension disbursing agencies, the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (P) have also issued implementation instructions through a circular on 04.02.2016. The implementation instructions along with Government orders are available on the website www.pcdapension.nic.in.
Strengthening of Administration by periodical review under FR 56(j) – Autonomous Institutions reg
No.25013/1/2016-Estt.A-IV
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
North Block, New Delhi
Dated 11th March, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject :- Strengthening of Administration by periodical review under FR 56(j) : Autonomous Institutions reg.
The undersigned is directed to refer to DoP&T’s OM No.25013/01/2013-Estt.A-IV dated 11.9.2015 and 01.03.2016 and to say that in so far as Autonomous Institutions are concerned, the following have been decided :-
(i) Where the Autonomous Institutions have adopted the provisions of FR 56 (j), Administrative Ministry may ensure that they are strictly followed ;
(ii) Where the Autonomous Institutions have similar provisions in their rule books, the Administrative Ministry may ensure that they are followed in letter and spirit ; and
(iii) Where no such provisions exist, the Administrative Ministry may ensure that the action is taken to put in place such rules as may be necessary.
(Surya Ntrkar Jha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
The CGHS does not have regional offices. CGHS Wellness Centres function under the administrative control of the Additional Director, CGHS of the city. Details of the office of Additional Director, CGHS city wise is given below:
CGHS beneficiaries including senior citizens can avail of specialist consultation from any government institution of the Central Government, State Government or local bodies. However, to avail of a procedure/investigation from a private empanelled hospital, a referral from the concerned CGHS Wellness Centre is necessary.
Following efforts have been made to provide better services to the senior citizens/pensioners:
1.There is a separate queue for senior citizens/ pensioners at registration counter and pharmacy counter in the CGHS Wellness Centres.
2.Senior citizens / pensioners can consult CMO i/c without standing in queue.
3.In case of emergency, CGHS beneficiaries including Senior citizens / pensioners can visit any hospital, empanelled or non-empanelled and avail medical treatment without any referral.
The Health Minister, Shri J P Nadda stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha here today.
Payment of Leave encashment on Superannuation: DAD Estt.
No. AN/III/337/Gen Corr
Date: -04/03/2016
IMPORTANT- CIRCULAR
Sub: – Payment of Leave encashment on Superannuation: DAD Estt.
******
It has come to the notice of higher authorities that individuals retiring from Sub offices are not getting their Leave encashment on the day of their retirement due to non-receipt/delay in receipt of MLS from respective sub offices.
In view of the above it is impressed upon all Officer- in-charge of all Sub Offices that leave account in respect of officers/Staff retiring or death in service cases, from their offices may invariably be sent to AN-III Section/AN-1A (in case of AO & above) of Main Office by 15th of the month of retirement of the individual along with an undertaking from the individual that he will not avail any EL/ PL till his date of retirement.
Further, to reconcile the leave record of the retiring individual, a separate leave account for the past 06 months may also be forwarded with the MLS.
Strict compliance of the above instructions may be ensured.
In respect of employees at the Nuclear Power Plant sites, healthcare facilities are provided to all the employees and their family members through Contributory Health Service Scheme (CHSS) of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) through hospitals established by NPCIL/DAE at the Nuclear Power Plant sites and/or hospitals empanelled for the purpose. The wards of employees are provided education facility upto 12th standard through Atomic Energy Central Schools (AECS) managed by Atomic Energy Education Society (AEES), an autonomous grant-in-aid institution of DAE.
With regard to people living in the vicinity of Nuclear Power Plants, NPCIL has been contributing in the areas of education, healthcare and infrastructure & skill development through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Neighborhood Development Programme (NDP). NPCIL is running primary health centers through NGOs and providing Out Patient (OPD) services. It also runs Mobile Medical Vans and conducts free medical camps. It has also upgraded several primary health centers and provided medical equipment, ambulances, prosthetic aids etc. A multi-specialty hospital is being set up at Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu under the Neighborhood Development Programme. In respect of education, school buildings have been constructed, improvements made in existing buildings, provisions for drinking water and toilet blocks made, educational aids including books, computers, bags & uniforms distributed and scholarships provided for meritorious students in neighborhoods of nuclear power plants.
NPCIL extends support for infrastructure around nuclear power plants like construction of roads, bridges, school buildings, drinking water schemes, water tanks, bore wells, community centres, crematoria, multi-purpose halls solar street lights etc. In the last two years and the current year, infrastructure projects totaling to about Rs. 67 crore have been planned.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in a reply to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha today.
Important Circular from Confederation for NJCA Strike Notice
IMPORTANT CIRCULAR
Dated – 08.03.2016
1. NJCA INDEFINITE STRIKE DATE AND STRIKE NOTICE SERVING DATE POSTPONED TO 11TH JULY 2016 & 09TH JUNE 2016
NJCA meeting held at JCM (NC) staffside office on 07th March 2016, after detailed deliberations has decided to postpone the indefinite strike date of 11th April 2016 and strike notice serving date of 11th March 2016 to 11th July 2016 and 09th June 2016 respectively. The following are the reasons which necessitated the change in dates.
a) While summing up the discussion on Charter of demands held on 1st March 2016 by Empowered Committee of Secretaries (ECoS) with JCM National Council Standing Committee members, Cabinet Secretary has stated that reasonable time should be given to the Government for a fair consideration of all the demands raised in the Charter of demands, since the issues concern inter-departmental consultations.
b) After declaration of the Election schedule in five State Assemblies, the Election Code of Conduct has come into effect. Further there will be polling on 11th April 2016 (strike commencement date) in West Bengal and Assam.
c) As per Section 22 of Industrial Disputes Act 1947 with regard to the validity of strike notice is not more than six weeks from the date of serving the strike notice. Even if we give strike notice on 11th March 2016, for commencement of indefinite strike after the election dates (ie 20th May 2016), the six weeks period will be over by that time and we have to serve fresh strike notice again.
Considering all the above aspects, the meeting took the following decisions:-
1.The indefinite strike shall commence from 6am on 11th July 2016.
2.Strike notice would be served on 09th June 2016.
3.Massive demonstration shall be held in all workplace on 11th March 2016 in support of the charter of demands and strike decision.
4.The decision of the NJCA would be communicated to the Cabinet Secretary.
5.Detailed mobilization programmes would be given later on.
Copy of the NJCA Circular dated 07th March 2016 and letter addressed to Cabinet Secretary dated 07-03-2016 are enclosed herewith.
In view of the above decisions, the state C-O-C level joint meeting of office bearers / committee members of C-O-Cs and affiliated organizations of Confederation scheduled earlier will be rescheduled after NJCA mobilisation programme is finalised. Department-wise campaign and mobilisation on charter of demands (Common demands plus Department specific demands) shall continue.
2. CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS DECIDES TO HOLD NATIONAL CONVENTION OF WORKERS IN NEW DELHI ON 30TH MARCH 2016
The Central Trade Unions in their meeting held on 27th January 2016, besides deciding to stage All India Protest Day on 10th March 2016, also decided to hold National Convention of Workers towards the end of March in New Delhi to discuss and decide on next courseof action programme against the anti-people and anti-labour policies by the Govt. The convention will now be held on 30th March 2016 at Mavalankar Hall, New Delhi. The convention will commence at 10.30 am on 30th March 2016.
All C-O-Cs and affiliated organisations of Confederation are requested to make the 10th March 2016 All India Protest Day a grand success jointly with other Central Trade Unions. Regarding National Convention on 30th Marfch 2016 the C-O-Cs in and around Delhi are requested to ensure maximum participation of Central Govt Employees in the Convention. National Secretariat members of Confederation, who are available in Delhi shall also attend the Convention.
Copy of the joint statement issued by Central Trade Unions is enclosed herewith.
3. WFTU- TRADE UNION INTERNATIONAL – PUBLIC AND ALLIED SERVICES – WORLD DAY OF STRUGGLE AGAINST PRIVATISATION ON 4TH APRIL 2016
The Trade Union International Public and Allied Services – World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) has given a call to observe 4th April 2016 as “World Day of Struggle against Privatisation”, focusing mainly on the following issues:-
1.To demand modern, efficient, quality, universal and free public services, to answer the real needs of the workers and people, against their outsourcing or privatization, refusing its use for the accumulation of profits by the oligarchy.
2.To demand the repeal of all rules affecting the rights of Public Administration workers in the countries where they are imposed.
3.To demand improvements in the working and living conditions of the Public Administration workers, namely better wages and work times compatible with their personal and family life.
4. The end precariousness of employment contracts and have guarantees of stability in public employment to ensure the independence from Capitalist Governments, either in the central, regional and local administrations and in the State – owned business sectors
5. To exercise the right of Trade Union freedom (association, meetings, demonstration, participation etc) in all workplaces and the right to negotiation and collective bargaining.
6. To implement social policies that answers the interest of the people and workers for a fairer distribution of wealth, with the rejection of charitable social policies.
7. For the rejection of all neo-liberal policies and austerity that in various parts of the world seek to destroy the labour and social rights of workers and people.
8. To struggle for peace and internationalist solidarity against war, militarism, aggression, interference and blockades that undermine the interests of the wokers and people – in defence of national sovereignty, for the people to freely decide their destiny.
Confederation National Secretariat call upon all C-O-Cs and Affiliated organizations to observe 4th April 2016 as “World Day of Struggle against Privatisation” along with All India State Government Employees Federation (AISGEF) and Bank / Insurance Associations and Federations.
Fraternally yours
M. Krishnan
Secretary General
Confederation of Central Govt
Employees & Workers
Suspension of Group ‘A’ Officers of CSS/CSSS – DOPT ORDER
F.No.136/1/2016-AVD.I/D
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, P.G. & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
North Block, New Delhi
Dated 8th March, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Suspension of Group ‘A’ Officers of CSS/CSSS – reg.
The undersigned is directed to say that recently it has come to the notice of this Department that Ministries / Departments have placed Group ‘A’ Officers of Central Secretariat Service and Central Secretariat Stenographer Service under suspension without referring the matter to D/o Personnel & Training.
The powers of Appointing Authority in respect of Group ’A’ CSS/ CSSS Officers are exercised by Minister-in-charge of Department of Personnel & Training being the Cadre Controlling Authority. Further, for a cadre post of CSS, the power to take disciplinary action including suspension lies with the Cadre Controlling Authority i.e. D/o Personnel & Training. Accordingly attention is drawn to entry no. 41 ( e) of Govt. of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 read with Rule 12 of CCS(CCA) Rules, 1965 whereby the DoP&T was made Disciplinary Authority in respect of the officers belonging to centralised cadres of CSS (Grade ’A’ and above). Therefore, any Group ‘A’ CSS/ CSSS Officer may be placed under suspension with the approval of the Minister-in-charge of Department of Personnel & Training.
All the Ministries/ Departments are, therefore, requested to forward the proposals, if any, for placing Group ’A’ Officers of CSS/CSSS under suspension with the approval of their concerned Minister-in-charge to this Department in conformity to the guidelines mentioned in this Department’s OM No. 134/9/93 -AVD.I dated 15/11/1993.
Reviewing Pay and Allowances of Armed Forces Personnel
The Government entrusted the task to a Pay Commission in 1973, at the time of setting up of 3rd Central Pay Commission. The Government had set up a Post War Pay Committee in 1947, a departmental pay committee (Raghuramiah Committee) during 1959-60 and another Departmental Committee in 1967 for review of pay and allowances of Defence Forces Personnel. There was general discontentment amongst the Services with respect to the recommendations of these Committees. Thereafter, the Government decided to entrust the examination of structure of emoluments, including benefits in cash and kind and death cum retirement benefits of the Armed Forces to the 3rd Central Pay Commission.
The terms of reference with respect to the Armed Forces personnel were different to the extent that the 3rd Central Pay Commission was not required to make recommendations on the conditions of service of the Armed Forces personnel. Though, the matters related to pension of Defence Service personnel was referred to 3rd Pay Commission, there has been no clubbing with civilians. The Commission felt that by and large, the principles followed by Armed Forces Pension Revision Committee (AFPRC) continue to be valid. The 3rd Pay Commission had considered the peculiar conditions of service and hierarchical set up of the Services, age of retirement, period of qualifying service pension etc. in respect of Armed Forces personnel. As such there has been no mistake in entrusting the matter to 3rd Central Pay Commission.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar in a written reply to Shri Mahendra Singh Mahra in Rajya Sabha today.
