Corruption is rampant in many of the central government’s offices, despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warning on August 15, that corruption was eating away at India “like a termite”.
Accordingly, the Seventh Pay Commission should consider to root out corruption in the Indian bureaucracy and the government official system.
50 lakh central government employees and 56 lakh pensioners including dependents will receive increases in basic salaries and pensions of between 30% to 40% in the next fiscal.
It is agreed with the Seventh Pay Commission that a salary and pension increase are warranted, but think it is long overdue to start taking a more systematic approach to revising pay and pension rates for central government employees and pensioners.
The central government constitutes the Pay Commission almost every 10 years to revise the pay scale and pension of its employees and often states also implement the Pay Commission’s recommendations after some modifications.
Hence, 10 years Pay Commission awards create uncertainty and bring inflation risks, it only belatedly acknowledges large rises in the cost of living and the benefits to staff of this increase, will soon start eroding.
It is in the interests of both the tax-payer and government employees, for the central government to take a more systematic approach to revision of the pay of central government employees in periodical intervals.
A better policy would be for the commission to review salary rates at least every two years and to adopt a formula linking salary increases to changes in inflation and to improvements in productivity and revenue gains.
A rational evidence-based approach would also bring the benefit of providing certainty and improving planning for future budgets.
In the longer term, it will also make it easier for the government to move towards a system that enables government officials to be paid wages which are at least comparable to, if not competitive with, the top private sectors.
Such a move would help to start countering the criminally extortionate mind-set which embeds corruption in many government posts as a way of mitigating low wages. Better-paid staff are more motivated in performing their jobs well and in working to root out corruption.
Implementing such an approach to government employees salaries has been shown to work very well in countries such as Singapore. If we are to emulate this here, the government also needs to take a more rational approach to managing is resources.
This would allow the government to pay, recruit, and retain higher quality government officials and begin to root out corruption and poor quality in public services, once and for all.
Re-classification of cities/towns on the basis of 2011 Census grant of House Rent Allowance to Railway Employees
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)
RBE No.116/2015
No. E(P&A) II-2015/HRA-7
New Delhi, dated 24-09-2015
The General Managers/CAOs,
All Indian Railways & Prod. Units etc.
Sub: Re-classification of cities/towns on the basis of 2011 Census grant of House Rent Allowance to Railway Employees.
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Attention is invited to Board’s letter No. E(P&A)II-2008/HRA-10 dated 12-09-2008 relating to grant of House Rent Allowance (HRA) to Railway employees on the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission whereby a list of cities/towns classified as ‘X’, ‘Y’ and ‘Z’ for the purpose of grant of HRA was enclosed as Annexure. The matter relating to re-classification of cities/towns on the basis of Census-2011 for the purpose of grant of HRA to Central Government employees has been considered by the Government.
2. The President is pleased to decide that in supersession of all the existing orders relating to classification of cities/towns for the purposes of grant of HRA to Railway employees, cities/towns shall now be re-classified as ‘X’, ‘Y’ and ‘Z’ for the purpose of HRA as enumerated in the Annexure to these orders
3. Consequent upon implementation of the recommendations of the 5th Central Pay Commission, certain cities/towns were placed in a lower classification as compared to their existing classification for CCA/HRA purpose, vide Board’s letter No.PC-V/97/I/7/13 dated 16.10.1997. However, these cities/towns were allowed to retain their existing higher classification, vide para 3 thereof; and further extended vide Board’s letter No.E(P&A)II-2004/HRA-16 dated 17.05.2005 & Board’s letter No. E(P&A)II-2008/HRA-10 dated 20.03.2009. As other cities/towns to which protection of retaining earlier higher classification was allowed, got upgraded during the intervening period, as on date only two cities i.e. Ajmer in Rajasthan and Durgapur in West Bengal were retaining such protection. Consequent upon upgradation of these two cities also on the basis of their population as per Census-2011, provisions contained in Para 3, of vide Board’s letter No. PC-V/97/I/7/13 dated 16.10.1997 which were allowed to further continue vide Board’s letter No. E(P&A)II-2004/HRA-16 dated 17.05.2005 & Board’s letter No. E(P&A)II-2008/HRA-10 dated 20.03.2009 stand withdrawn/ discontinued
4. Special orders allowing continuance of HRA (a) at Delhi (“X” class city) rates to Railway employees posted at Faridabad, Ghaziabad, NOIDA, Gurgaon and (b) at Jalandhar (“Y” class city) rates to Jalandhar Cantt. and (c) at “Y” class city rates to Shillong, Goa, Port Blair vide Board’s letter No.E(P&A)Il-2008/HRA-10 dated 12.09.2008 and (d) continuance of HRA at par with Chandigarh (“Y” class city) to Panchkula vide Board’s letter No.E(P&A)II-2008/HRA-10 dated 16.05.2011, shall continue to be applicable till the recommendations of 7th CPC are considered by the Government
5. These orders shall be effective from 01.04.2015
6. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.
( Salim Md. Ahmad )
Deputy Director/E(P&A)II,
Railway Board.
ANNEXURE
To Board’s letter no.E(P&A)II-2015/HRA-7 dt.24.09.2015
No.145/ 1/2015-16/CCSCSB
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
*******
Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated:- 30th September, 2015
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub:-Scheme for setting up of Gymnasium and augmentation/replacement of equipment of existing Gymnasium in the Ministries/Departments.
The undersigned is directed to say that the Department of Personnel & Training has prepared a Scheme for setting up of Gymnasium and augmentation/replacement of equipment of existing Gymnasium in the Ministries/Departments (Copy enclosed).
2. It is requested that comments/suggestions if any, may kindly be forwarded to the Department of Personnel & Training by 20th October, 2015.
(Abhay Jain)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
No.125/1/2015-16/CCSCSB
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
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Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated:- 30th September, 2015
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub:-Scheme for promotion of Adventure Sports and similar activities amongst Central Government Employees.
The undersigned is directed to say that the Department of Personnel & Training has prepared a Scheme for promotion of adventure sports and similar activities amongst Central Government Employees (Copy enclosed).
2. It is requested that comments/suggestions if any, may kindly be forwarded to the Department of Personnel & Training by 20th October, 2015.
(Abhay Jain)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
SCHEME FOR PROMOTION OF ADVENTURE SPORTS & SIMILAR ACTIVITIES AMONGST CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
1. Background: The Department of Personnel and Training recognizes that welfare of employees is one of the prime tasks of personnel management and sports activities play an important role in improving their efficiency and morale. Participation by Central Government Employees in adventure sports and similar activities will give them a platform where they would learn lessons from nature and use the knowledge acquired for welfare of the society.
2. Vision: To foster spirit of risk-taking, cooperative team work, capacity of readiness, vital response to challenging situations, endurance and environmental awareness.
3.Mission: The Mission of the Scheme for promotion of adventure sports and similar activities is to encourage Central Government Employees working in the Ministries/Department of the Government of India to take part in these activities by giving financial assistance and other incentives. The Central Civil Services Cultural & Sports Board, a Society registered under the Society Registration Act, 1860, which is under the aegis and control of the Department of Personnel & Training will be the nodal agency for the Scheme.
4.Objectives:
(i) The Scheme would tackle the alarming situation of stress and impact of sedentary life on Government servants as highlighted in several studies conducted so far;
(ii) It would provide a creative outlet to Central Government Employees;
(iii) It would create and foster spirit of risk – taking, cooperative team work, capacity of readiness and vital response to challenging situations and of endurance;
(iv) Central Government Employees would be prepared for better Disaster Management; and
(v) Environmental awareness would be inculcated amongst the Central Government Employees.
5. Scope of the Scheme: The scope of the Scheme is limited to Central Government Employees working in the Ministries/Departments of Government of India. It will also be limited to the programme run by Institutes/Organizations approved by the Department of Personnel & Training.
6. Activities to be sponsored and Institutes: The Department of Personnel & Training will sponsor programmes of 5-7 days duration to be organized by the Institutes/Organizations listed at Annex-I. The programme will have components of environmental awareness, disaster management, team spirit, capacity building, and Swachchh Bharat Campaign. The activities under the programme will be Trekking, Mountaineering, Rock-Climbing, Cycling in a difficult terrain, Skiing, Surfing, Boat Sailing, Snorkeling, Rafting, Para Sailing Ballooning, Para Gliding, Jungle Safari/Trekking, Desert Safari/Trekking, Beach Trekking and Environmental Awareness Camps etc. A Calendar of the programmes admissible under the Scheme will be circulated by the Department of Personnel & Training from time to time.
7. Financial Assistance and other incentives:
7.1 The Department of Personnel & Training will provide financial assistance to the eligible Central Government Employees for the programme of approved activities and conducted by the Institutes listed in Annex I.
7.2 Financial assistance will be in the form of reimbursement of Travel Expenses, programme fee and Hiring Charges of the equipments as per the terms and conditions specified in paragraph 7.3 and with a maximum ceiling of Rs.20,000/- (Rs. Twenty thousand only) per person per camp. The assistance will be limited to one activity in a block period of two year. Financial Assistance of 100% of programme fee would be provided in a calendar year to two officials of each Ministries/Departments who have been awarded by the Ministry/Department for excellence in service and nominated for the programme.
7.3 The following Heads are admissible for financial assistance under the Scheme:
i) To and fro travel expenses as per the entitlements under Leave Travel Concessions Rules with a maximum ceiling of Rs. 4,000/-;
ii) Re-imbursement of Programme fee:
(a) 90% for Group ‘C’ Central Government Employee;
(b) 80% for Group ‘ B’ Central Government Employee; and
(c) 75% for Group ‘ A’ Central Government Employee.
iii) Actual hiring charges if the necessary equipment are hired from any Government agency with adequate proof. Otherwise, financial assistance for hiring/purchase of equipment up to Rs. 2000/-.
7.4 Special Casual Leave will be granted to eligible participants in accordance with Department of Personnel & Training Office Memorandum No. 6/1/1985-Estt.(Pay-I) dated 16th July, 1985 and No. 6/1/85-Estt(Pay-I) dated 7th November, 1988.
8. Procedure for availing benefits of the Scheme:
8.1 The Central Government Employee will register himself with the Institute/Organization for the approved programme and make payment for it. He/she will simultaneously also submit his/her application to Central Civil Services Cultural & Sports Board duly forwarded by the Welfare Officer of their respective Ministry/Department.
8.2 The Ministry/Department will forward nominations of officials who have been awarded by the Ministry/Department for excellence in service and eligible for Financial Assistance of 100% of programme fee.
8.3 The Welfare Officer of the Ministry/Department in each case will certify that the recommended official is a Central Government
9. Flexibility to expand the scope: The Department of Personnel& Training will reserve the rights to modify the scheme, addition or deletion of activities, Institutes/Organization, change in pattern of financial assistance and other conditions of the Scheme without any prior notice.
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ANNEX I
LIST OF APPROVED INSTITUTES/ORGANISATIONS FOR SCHEME FOR PROMOTION OF ADVENTURE SPORTS AND SIMILAR ACTIVITIES AMONGST GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
1. Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. (Recognized by Ministry of Defence and Government of Uttarakhand)
2. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali, Himachal Pradesh. (Government of Himachal Pradesh)
3. Indian Institute of Skiing & Mountaineering, Department of Tourism, Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir. (Ministry of Tourism)
4.National Institute of Water Sports, Vasco da Gama, Goa. (Ministry of Tourism)
5.Swami Vivekanand Institute of Mountaineering, Mount Abu, Rajasthan. (Government of Gujarat)
6.Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. (Government of Uttarakhand)
No.11012/2/2014-Welfare
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market
New Delhi, Dated 28.09.2015
CIRCULAR
Subject: Yoga Training Sessions in association with Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhi for the benefit of Central Government employees and their dependents at Jalebi Chowk Lawn, North Block, New Delhi.
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Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India is organizing Yoga Training Sessions in association with Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhi for the benefit of Central Government employees and their dependents at Jalebi Chowk Lawn, North Block, New Delhi.
2.The Yoga Training Sessions will be held in the evening in two batches, one is from 5:30 PM to 6:15 PM and another is from 6:15 PM to 7:00 PM at the above said venue on all working days.
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) has released admit cards for PGT, TGT, PRT, LDC exam 2015. The exam for PGT is scheduled to be held on October 31, 2015.
It is mandatory for the candidates to carry the admit card to the examination centre.
As per reliable sources, Election Commission has given it’s nod for issuing ordinance on “Payment of Bonus Act”
Now the matter will go to cabinet and after it’s approval, necessary ordinance will be notified soon.
Earlier Govt. decided to raise the ceiling of Rs 3500/- per month to Rs 10,000/- per month.
Central employees may cheer for higher bonus this year
After long times Central Govt. employees are going to get higher amount of bonus this year. Earlier, the ceiling for bonus was Rs 3500 per month. From this year, the ceiling is going to be increased to as high as Rs 10,000 per month. In a letter from Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr S. Agarwal conveyed this good news to Sri Vijesh Upadhyay, Genl. Secy., Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangha.
No. 55/6/2015-P&PW(C)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, P.G. & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare
3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi,
the 29th September, 2015
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Streamlining Action on Pension grievances-uploading of replies given by the Ministries/Departments to the petitioner on CPENGRAMS.
It has been observed that in most of the cases of pension related grievance, the Ministries/Departments/Organizations do not upload the replies to the petitioner on the portal and close the cases. It is therefore requested that in case, any letter or orders etc, are issued by the concerned Ministry/Department/Organization for redress of the grievance or for not acceding the request of the petitioner for valid reasons, the same may also be uploaded on the portal CPENGRAMS.
It is again reiterated that since effective grievance redress mechanism is a priority of the Government, the quality of disposal is important and a well reasoned speaking reply should be furnished to the petitioner before closure of grievance an a copy of the same be uploaded on CPENGRAMS,
(Seema Gupta)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
The Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions is implementing a web based mission mode project on pensions namely Pensioner’s Portal under the National e-Governance Plan. The Department has also started initiative called SANKALP for channelizing the experience and skill of Pensioners towards meaningful social activities.
The Department is proposing to conduct the next such Awareness Programme for Pensioners on October 08,2015 at Ahmedabad Medical Association, AMA House, Opp H.K.Arts College. The meeting will be chaired by Shri Devendra Chaudhry, Secretary (P,AR&PG).
The basic objective of the project is to facilitate redressal of Pensioners’ Grievances as also to provide information and guidance to pensioners on various pension and retirement related matters. User Ministries/Departments, Pensioners, Banks, Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO), Post Offices etc. are the stakeholders in this venture aimed at welfare of the Pensioners.
With a view to providing know how about the operational aspects of this Portal and the Grievances Redressal Mechanism in particular, the Department of Pensions is conducting Awareness Programmes at different locations in the country. So far such programmes have been conducted at Chandigarh, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Pune, Lucknow, Thiruvanthapuram, Kolkata, Jallandhar Vadora, Shillong , Agartala and Kohima for Pensioners/Pensioners’ Association who are major stakeholders.
Controller General of Defence Accounts
Ulan Batar Road, Palam, Delhi Cantt 110010
No.AN/XIII/13006/Vol-XXII
Dated 22.09.2015
To
The PCsDA/CsDA
PCA(Fys)/CFAs(Fys)PIFAs/IFAs
(Through Website)
Subject : Suspension of Government Servant-Review of Suspension
As per provisions contained in Rule 10 of CCS(CC&A) Rules, 1965 suspension of a Government servant is valid only for 90 days unless it is extended after review before expiry of 90 days. It has been observed by the MoD D(Vigilance) that the suspension order has been struck down on the ground that the same had not been reviewed by the reviewing authority before expiry of 90 days.
2. Therefore the Ministry has directed that the provisions of Rule 10(6) and 10(7) of CCS (CC&A) Rules, 1965 which provide for review, modify and extension of the suspension should strictly be observed in all such cases to avoid quashing of orders on technical grounds rather than on merits (copy attached)
3. In this context attention is also invited to DOPT OM No. 11012/4/2003-Estt. (A) dated 07.01.2014 containing review instruction and HQrs letter no. AN/XIII/13007/2A/Vol-IX dated 09.07.2014 regarding constitution of review committee.
4. It is requested that all such cases of suspension/review of suspension of Govt. servant may be reviewed on monthly basis in the light of above provisions/guidelines.
Please acknowledge receipt.
(V.K. Vijay) C V O / Jt. CGDA
Most Immediate
Ministry of Defence
D(vigilance) *******
Subject : Suspension of Government Servants – Review of Suspension order –
Attention is invited to Rule 10 of CCS(CCA) Rules, 1965 relating to Suspension of Govt. Servant by the competent authority on account of disciplinary proceedings pending or contemplated against him, or his engagement in activities prejudicial to the interest of the security of the State, or case pending against him in any criminal offence, or his detention or conviction in a criminal case. The suspension is valid only for 90 days unless it is extended after review for a further period before the expiry of 90 days. Of late the suspension order has been struck down on the ground that the same had not been reviewed by the competent reviewing authority before the expiry of 90 days while it remained in force.
2. It is hereby urged that the provisions of Rule 10(6) and Rule 10(7) of CCS(CCA) Rules, 1965 which provide for review, modify and extension of the suspension of the accused should be strictly observed in all such cases to avoid quashing of orders on technical grounds rather than on merits. Such cases may be reviewed on monthly basis by administrative sections of various civilians cadres of Ministry of Defence.
