Age relaxation for widows for employment in Government and Central PSUs
The Ministry of Women and Child Development is considering taking up a proposal for age relaxation for widows for employment in Government and Central PSUs. The Ministry is also considering moving a proposal for tax rebates for single women who are having children. These are at a preliminary stage and formal proposals have not yet been prepared.
This information was given by the Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
Guidelines for Nomination of Representatives in SCOVA
The Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) is a forum for holding consultation with the stakeholders, i.e., the pensioners through their Associations and various Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, to get feedback on implementation of pension related policies, to discuss and critically examine the policy initiatives and to mobilise voluntary efforts to supplement Government action.
A mechanism has been put in place for nomination of a Standing Group comprising of 5 Associations and a Rotating Group comprising of 10 Associations through a Resolution issued from time to time. As per the existing mechanism the Standing Group serves for 3 terms of 2 years each or till the pleasure of the Chairman of SCOVA whichever is earlier and Rotating Group serves for 1 term of 2 years and is eligible for re-nomination for one more term. These Associations represent various categories of Central Government pensioners from various Regions/States.
The last reconstitution of SCOVA was done vide Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare’s Resolution No. 42/08/2013-P&PW(G) dtd.25.08.2015.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in Prime Minister’s office Dr. Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question by Shri Mahendra Singh Mahra in the Rajya Sabha today.
Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) were established to cater to the educational needs of the children of transferable Central Government employees including Defence and Para-military personnel by providing a common programme of education. As per the admission guidelines duly approved by the Board of Governors of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), following priorities are followed in granting admission to the KVs in Defence / Civil Sector:-
1.Children of transferable and non-transferable Central government employees and children of ex-servicemen. This will also include children of Foreign National officials, who come on deputation or transfer to India on invitation by Government of India.
2.Children of transferable and non-transferable employees of Autonomous Bodies / Public Sector Undertaking / Institute of Higher Learning of the Government of India.
3.Children of transferable and non-transferable State Government employees.
4.Children of transferable and non-transferable employees of Autonomous Bodies / Public Sector Undertakings / Institute of Higher Learning of the State Governments.
5.Children from any other category including the children of Foreign Nationals who are located in India due to their work or for any personal reasons. The children of Foreign Nationals would be considered only in case there are no children of Indian Nationals waitlisted for admission.
The Children of Defence personnel are considered as first priority category for admission in KVs. The Children admitted in a KV can automatically claim admission in another KV, if their parent is transferred from one station to another.
This information was given by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani today in a written reply to a Rajya Sabha question.
Recovery of wrongful / excess payments made to Government servants
F.No. 18/03/2015-Estt. (Pay-I)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
New Delhi, the 2nd March, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: Recovery of wrongful / excess payments made to Government servants.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM No.18/26/2011-Estt (Pay-I) dated 6th February, 2014 wherein certain instructions have been issued to deal with the issue of recovery of wrongful / excess payments made to Government servants in view of the law declared by Courts, particularly, in the case of Chandi Prasad Uniyal And Ors. vs. State of Uttarakhand And Ors., 2012 AIR SCW 4742, (2012) 8 SCC 417. Para 3(iv) of the OM inter-alia provides that recovery should be made in all cases of overpayment barring few exceptions of extreme hardships.
2. The issue has subsequently come up for consideration before the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of State of Punjab & Ors vs Rafiq Masih (White Washer) etc in CA No.11527 of 2014 (Arising out of SLP(C) No.11684 of 2012) wherein Hon’ble Court on 18.12.2014 decided a bunch of cases in which monetary benefits were given to employees in excess of their entitlement due to unintentional mistakes committed by the concerned competent authorities, in determining the emoluments payable to them, and the employees were not guilty of furnishing any incorrect information / misrepresentation / fraud, which had led the concerned competent authorities to commit the mistake of making the higher payment to the employees. The employees were as innocent as their employers in the wrongful determination of their inflated emoluments. The Hon’ble Supreme Court in its judgment dated 18 th December, 2014 ibid has, inter-alia, observed as under:
“7. Having examined a number of judgments rendered by this Court, we are of the view, that orders passed by the employer seeking recovery of monetary benefits wrongly extended to employees, can only be interfered with, in cases where such recovery would result in a hardship of a nature, which would far outweigh, the equitable balance of the employer’s right to recover. In other words, interference would be called for, only in such cases where, it would be iniquitous to recover the payment made. In order to ascertain the parameters of the above consideration, and the test to be applied, reference needs to be made to situations when this Court exempted employees from such recovery, even in exercise of its jurisdiction under Article 142 of the Constitution of India. Repeated exercise of such power, “for doing complete justice in any cause” would establish that the recovery being effected was iniquitous, and therefore, arbitrary. And accordingly, the interference at the hands of this Court.”
“10. In view of the afore-stated constitutional mandate, equity and good conscience, in the matter of livelihood of the people of this country, has to be the basis of all governmental actions. An action of the State, ordering a recovery from an employee, would be in order, so long as it is not rendered iniquitous to the extent, that the action of recovery would be more unfair, more wrongful, more improper, and more unwarranted, than the corresponding right of the employer, to recover the amount. Or in other words, till such time as the recovery would have a harsh and arbitrary effect on the employee, it would be permissible in law. Orders passed in given situations repeatedly, even in exercise of the power vested in this Court under Article 142 of the Constitution of India, will disclose the parameters of the realm of an action of recovery (of an excess amount paid to an employee) which would breach the obligations of the State, to citizens of this country, and render the action arbitrary, and therefore, violative of the mandate contained in Article 14 of the Constitution of India.”
3. The issue that was required to be adjudicated by the Hon’ble Supreme Court was whether all the private respondents, against whom an order-of recovery (of the excess amount) has been made, should be exempted in law, from the reimbursement of the same to the employer. For the applicability of the instant order, and the conclusions recorded by them thereinafter, the ingredients depicted in paras 2&3 of the judgment are essentially indispensable.
4. The Hon’ble Supreme Court while observing that it is not possible to postulate all situations of hardship which would govern employees on the issue of recovery, where payments have mistakenly been made by the employer, in excess of their entitlement has summarized the following few situations, wherein recoveries by the employers would be impermissible in law:-
(i) Recovery from employees belonging to Class-III and Class-IV service (or Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ service).
(ii) Recovery from retired employees, or employees who are due to retire within one year, of the order of recovery.
(iii) Recovery from employees, when the excess payment has been made for a period in excess of five years, before the order of recovery is issued.
(iv) Recovery in cases where an employee has wrongfully been required to discharge duties of a higher post, and has been paid accordingly, even though he should have rightfully been required to work against an inferior post.
(v) In any other case, where the Court arrives at the conclusion, that recovery if made from the employee, would be iniquitous or harsh or arbitrary to such an extent, as would far outweigh the equitable balance of the employer’s right to recover.
5. The matter has, consequently, been examined in consultation with the Department of Expenditure and the Department of Legal Affairs. The Ministries / Departments are advised to deal with the issue of wrongful / excess payments made to Government servants in accordance with above decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in CA
No.11527 of 2014 (arising out of SLP (C) No.11684 of 2012) in State of Punjab and others etc vs Rafiq Masih (White Washer) etc. However, wherever the waiver of recovery in the above-mentioned situations is considered, the same may be allowed with the express approval of Department of Expenditure in terms of this Department’s OM No.18/26/2011-Estt (Pay-I) dated 6th February, 2014.
6. In so far as persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders are issued with the concurrence of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
7. Hindi version will follow.
(A.K.Jain)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
NJCA has decided to continue with the preparation of the Strike
NJCA
National Joint Council of Action
4, State Entry Road, New Delhi – 110055
No.NJC/201517th CPC March 2, 2016
To
All Constituents of NJCA,
Dear Comrade,
The NJCA met today – reviewed the discussions at the Standing Committee meeting with the Cabinet Secretary held on 1.3.2016 – (6.45 to 8.45 PM). The NJCA has decided to continue with the preparation of the Strike. The NJCA will meet again on 7th March evening
Grant of MACPS benefits in the promotional hierarchy – DOPT
No. 22034/04/2013-Estt.(D)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel Public Grievance & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 01.03.2016
Office Memorandum
Subject:- References / Representations / Court Cases in various Ministries / Departments / Organisations for grant of MACPS benefits in the promotional hierarchy – reg.
In continuation of DOPT’s earlier O.M. of even no. dated 20.01.2016 on the above mentioned subject, the undersigned is directed to forward a copy of the decision of Hon’ble CAT, Ahmedabad bench in OA No. 120/000018/2015 filed by Shri Manubhai B. Rathore Vs. UOI &Ors whereby the demand of the applicant for MACP in promotional Hierarchy has been dismissed.
CGEGIS Table 2016 – Tables of Benefits for the savings fund for the period from 01.01.2016 to 31.12.2016
No.7(1)/EV/2014
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
New Delhi, Dated the 26th February, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme-1980 – Tables of Benefits for the savings fund for the period from 01.01.2016 to 31.12.2016,
Every year two Table of Benefits are issued by the Ministry of Finance on calendar year basis for the savings fund to the beneficiaries under Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS)-1980. while one Table of Benefits for the savings fund of the scheme is based on a subscription of Rs.10 per month per unit from 1.1.1982 to 31.12.1989 and Rs.15 per month per unit w.e.f. 1.1.1990 onwards, the other Table of Benefits for the savings fund is based on a subscription of Rs.10 per month in respect of the employess who had opted out of the revised rates of subscription w.e.f. 1.1.1990.
2. The two Table of Benefits under CGEGIS-80 for the calendar year 2016, prepared by IRDS, are enclosed. The benefits in the Tables have been worked out on the basis of interest @8.7% per annum (compounded quarterly), as notified by Department of Economic Affairs.
3. While calculating the amount it has been assumed that the subscription has been recovered or will be recovered from the salary of the month in which a member ceases to be in service failing which it should be deducted from accumulated amounts payable.
4. In its application to the employees of Indian Audit and Accounts Department this Office Memorandum issues in consultation with the Comprtroller and Auditor General of India.
(Amar Nath Singh)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
NFIR
National Federation Of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110 055
Affiliated to:
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
International Transport Workers Federation (ITF)
Dated: 29-02-2016
Press Statement of M.Raghavaiah, General Secretary
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s Budget (2016-17) failed to address the genuine aspirations of working class.
The Income Tax Exemption Limit for serving and retired Central Government Employees has not been revised.
The Fixed Medical Allowance for Retired Central Government Employees has not been raised to Rs.2000/- p.m. from the existing Rs.500/- p.m., resulting continued hardship to Retired Central Government Employees who live in remote places and small towns where medical facilities not provided.
The Finance Minister has not spoken on the employees demand for abolition of New Pension Scheme.
It is Sad to note that the Finance Minister has not given assurance for reviewing the retrograde recommendations of 7th CPC although he said that a Committee has been constituted.
The Workers of Government Sector, Private as well Unorganized Sectors are disappointed over the Budget announcements.
M.Raghavaiah, General Secretary, NFIR has urged upon the Prime Minister to accept Railway Minister’s proposal sent in November, 2015 and see that Railway Employees are exempted from New Pension System.
No. 5/1/2016- CPI
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT
LABOUR BUREAU
`CLEREMONT’, SHIMLA-171004
DATED: 29th February, 2016
Press Release
Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – January, 2016
The All-India CPI-IW for January, 2016 remained stationary at 269 (two hundred and sixty nine). On 1-month percentage change, it remained static between December, 2015 and January, 2016 when compared with the rise of 0.40 per cent between the same two months a year ago.
The largest upward pressure to the change in current index came from Housing group contributing (+) 1.11 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Wheat, Wheat Atta, Groundnut Oil, Fish Fresh, Eggs (Hen), Goat Meat, Poultry (Chicken), Milk (Buffalo & Cow), Garlic, Sugar, Bidi, Firewood, Medicine (Allopathic), Barber Charges, Flower/Flower Garlands, Tailoring Charges, etc. are responsible for the increase in index. However, this increase was checked by Rice, Arhar Dal, Gram Dal, Masur Dal, Moong Dal, Urd Dal, Mustard Oil, Coconut Oil, Onion, Vegetable and Fruit items, Petrol, etc., putting downward pressure on the index.
The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 5.91 per cent for January, 2016 as compared to 6.32 per cent for the previous month and 7.17 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 7.61 per cent against 7.94 per cent of the previous month and 7.81 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.
At centre level, Haldia reported the maximum increase of 8 points followed by Jamshedpur (7 points) and Labac-Silchar (5 points). Among others, 4 points increase was observed in 6 centres, 3 points in another 6 centres, 2 points in 9 centres and 1 point in 14 centres. On the contrary, Bhilai recorded a maximum decrease of 9 points followed by Bokaro (6 points) and Ranchi-Hatia and Varanasi (4 points each). Among others, 3 points decrease was observed in 2 centres, 2 points in 11 centres and 1 point in 10 centres. Rest of the 13 centres’ indices remained stationary.
The indices of 34 centres are above All-India Index and other 40 centres’ indices are below national average. The indices of Salem, Varanasi, Jabalpur and Vishakhapathnam centres remained at par with All-India Index.
The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of February, 2016 will be released on Thursday, 31st March, 2016. The same will also be available on the office website WWW. labourbureaunew.gov.in.
