Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasises need to utilise pensioners’ capabilities
The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasised the need to utilise the pensioners’ capabilities. He was addressing the one-day Training Programme on pension related matters for officials from different Ministries and Departments at the Institute of Secretariat Training and Management, here today.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said, with an increase in lifespan and the status of health in the elderly also having improved over the last few years, most of the pensioners who retire around the age of 58 or 60 years, are still in the prime of their health, physical as well as mental performance. They are, in other words “retired but not tired”, he quipped and said that the challenge for the society is how best to utilise the services of this experienced and qualified lot so that their talent and capabilities do not go waste and are not lost to the nation. In this regard, he suggested that the Department of Pensions in the Government of India will do an in-depth exercise and find out various workable options.
Expressing personal gratification at the government decision to introduce a “Pension Portal” which would eliminate the need for an elderly pensioner to produce a Life Certificate every year, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, the Department of Pensions is further working on a more organised single window pension system and to ensure that a pensioner during the last year of his service does not have to run around to collect “No Due Certificates” and thus waste his time and energy which he can otherwise devote to the service of the government and the nation. He also referred to a number of other pending issues requiring attention including disparity in implementation of pension benefits of 6th Pay Commission and disparity in medical expenses reimbursement from one section of employees to the other and from one State to the other, he added.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said, the Department of Pensions, Government of India will devise a mechanism whereby the pensioners will find representation in the government’s decision making with regard to their matters. He also stressed regular interaction of pensioners’ representatives with the officials.
On the one hand while India is having more than 65% of its population under the age of 35 years, said Dr. Jitendra Singh, on the other hand the number of elderly population is also on the increase. A “Samanvay” between these two groups is essential to achieve the goal of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”.
The Secretary, ARPG & Pensions, Shri Devendra Chaudhry and Joint Secretary, Smt. Vandana Sharma also spoke on the occasion.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)
No. E(NG)-II/2000/RR-1/47
New Delhi, Dated: 9.9.2015.
The Chairman,
Railway Recruitment Board,
Opposite North Central Railway Headquarters,
Near Railway Hospital, Subedarganj,
ALLAHABAD – 211 011.
Sub: Clarification regarding educational qualification for direct recruitment to the post of Assistant Loco Pilot (Diesel/Electric).
Ref: RRB/ALD’s letter No. RRB/ALD/Con/ALP/CENO1/2010 dated 21.4.2009.
***
Clarification was sought for vide letter under reference whether National Trade Certificate (NTC) obtained from I.T.I. in Machinist Grinder Trade can be accepted in lieu of NTC from I.T.I. in Machinist Trade for the post of Assistant Loco Pilot (Diesel/Electric) on the railways.
2. The issue has been examined in consultation with Directorate General of Training (DGT), M/o Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and it is clarified that trade “Machinist” and trade “Machinist Grinder” are two different trades and content of curricula of both the trades are different, as such, ITI (Machinist Grinder) cannot be accepted in lieu of qualification of ITI (Machinist) trade.
Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh
(An All India Federation of Defence Workers)
(An Industrial Unit of B.M.S.)
(Recognised by Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India)
REF: BPMS / OFB / NDA / 200 (8/2/L)
Dated: 14/09/2015
To,
The DDG (IR),
Ordnance Factory Board,
10 A, S.K.Bose Road,
Kolkata – 700001
Subject: Grant of Night Duty Allowance on the basis of Actual Salary
Reference: PC of A (Fys) Kolkata letter No. Pay/Tech-II/1206/2015/13, dated 09.09.2015
Respected Sir,
With due regards, it is submitted that the issue of payment of Night Duty Allowance based on actual salary, instead of notional pay of Rs.2200/- was resolved vide MOD ID No. 17(4)/2012/D(Civ-II), Dated 08.05.2015 in compliance of Contempt Petition (CP No. 200/2014 Shri Arvind Girija Singh & Ors versus UOI & Ors.) based on the CAT Jodhpur directions in CA No 34/2008 dated 5.11.2009 and subsequent ratifications by Hon’ble High Court and Supreme Court of India.
We are surprised to see the PC of A (Fys) letter cited under reference whereby ceiling for entitlement of Night Duty Allowance has been revised to Rs. 12380/- pay in Pay Band. We have strong objection on the issuance of this letter because PC of A (Fys) is not the competent authority to revise the ceiling of entitlement for NDA unilaterally as the original order has been issued by Ministry of Defence in consultation with Min of Finance, DoP&T, Def (Finance) and if there was any doubt regarding eligibility, PC of A (Fys) should have asked for clarification from the competent authorities through prescribed channels.
Further, all the court cases regarding revision of night duty allowance was related to the notional ceiling of Rs. 2200/- per month and this issue was resolved by ordering the NDA on the actual salary and nowhere court further fixed any real or notional ceiling. Even it has been already clarified in the earlier order which states that entitlement ceiling of Rs. 2200/- is not applicable to existing categories who are getting NDA. Prior to implementation of recommendations of 6th CPC, IEs / NIEs / NGOs upto Assistant Foreman (Technical) was entitled for Night Duty Allowance being a non-gazetted supervisory staff but now the post of Assistant Foreman is merged with JWM which is a gazetted supervisory post in OFB. Hence, all the Industrial / Non-Industrial & Non – Gazetted Supervisory staff are entitled for NDA on the basis of actual salary.
Therefore, you are requested to intervene into the matter so that all IEs/NIEs/NGOs may get the NDA as per actual salary in compliance with the court pronouncements in letter and spirit.
Thanking you.
Sincerely yours
sd/-
(M P SINGH)
General Secretary
F. NO.41-1/2011-PAP
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND I.T.
DEPARTMENT OF POSTS
[ESTABLISHMENT DIVISION]
DAK BHAWAN, SANSAD MARL,
NEW DELHI-1 10001
The 15th September, 2015
To,
All Heads of Circles
All G.M. (Finance & Accounts)
All Directors of Postal Accounts
Directors RAKNPA Ghaziabad
All Directors, PTCs
Sub:-Revision of Cycle Maintenance Allowance of GDS Mail Carrier/Mail Deliverer—Reg.
Ref: Annexure II to this Directorate 0. M .No. 6-1/2009-PE-II dated October 9, 2009.
I am directed to convey approval of the competent authority for revision of Cycle maintenance Allowance payable to GDS Mail carrier/Mail Deliverer who use their own cycle for discharge of duty.
2. Rate of Cycle maintenance Allowance are revised @ Rs.90/-(ninety only) per month with immediate effect. All Other terms & conditions for sanctioning of Cycle maintenance Allowance will be unchanged.
3 The cycle maintenance allowance of GDS Staff will be increased by 25% as & when the D.A. payable on revised pay Scales goes up by 50% in future.
4. It is requested to kindly circulate these orders to all subordinate offices for information and further necessary action please.
5. This issues with the concurrence of Integrated Finance Wing vide their Advice in Dy. No.144/FA/2015/CS Dated 15-09-2015.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)
No. E(P&A)II-2012/HRA-1
New Delhi, dated 18.9.2015
The General Manager (P),
South-Central Railway,
Secunderabad.
Sub:- Grant of 30% HRA to staff working Umdanagar, Medchal and Gundlapochampally on par with the staff working in GHMC limits.
Please refer to your office letter No. SCR/P-HQ/Ruling/O/81 l/HRA dated 29.06.15 on the above noted subject.
As per the dependency certificates dated 23.6.2015 issued by the District Collector of Ranga Reddy District, Umdanagar, Medchal & Gundlapochampally in Andhra Pradesh fulfill all the conditions prescribed in Para 2 of Board’s letter No.PC-65/HRA-1/3 dated 22-7-1965, as amended from time to time. The President is, therefore, pleased to decide that Railway employees posted at Umdanagar, Medchal and gundlapochampally, in Andhra Pradesh may be paid House Rent Allowance at the rates applicable to those posted with the classified city of Hyderabad (UA) [‘X’ class city] subject to fulfillment of the conditions laid down for grant of House Rent Allowance.
2. These orders will be valid from 01.06.2015 (a) for a period of 3 yrs i.e. upto 31.05.2018 or, (b) till the conditions prescribed in Para 2 of Board’s letter 22-7-1965, referred to above continue to be fulfilled in respect of Umdangar (ii) Medchal & (iii) Gundlapochampally or (c) until issue of any further orders in this regard by the Ministry of Railways, whichever is earliest.
3. The period at (a) of Para 2 above may, however, be extended after obtaining a fresh Dependency Certificate as prescribed in clause (ii) of Para 2 of Board’s letter dated 22-07-1965, as amended from time to time and in accordance with the provisions of Board’s letter No. E(P&A)II-85/HRA-12 dated 11-3-1986.
4. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.
No.1/19/2013-P&PW(E)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare
Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market,
New Delhi-110003
Dated the 16.9.2015
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: Verification of qualifying service after 18 years service and 5 years before retirement.
It has been observed by this Department that processing of pension cases of the employees retiring from the government service quite often get delayed on account of the issues relating to verification of service from time to time by the concerned authorities during the service of the concerned employee. Although detailed instructions regarding verification of service have been issued by Department of Personnel & Training and by this Department, these instructions are not meticulously adhered to resulting in delay in sanctioning of retirement benefit of the employees.
2. Rule 32 of the CCS (Pension) rules, which existed prior to December, 2012 provided for issuing of a certificate in Form 24 by the Head of Office in consultation with by the Account Officer regarding completion of qualifying service of 25 years. These rules have been amended subsequently and as per the existing provisions, a certificate regarding qualifying service is required to be issued by the HOO after completion of 18 years of service and again 5 years before the date of retirement of an employee. Rule further provide that verification done under that rule shall be treated as final and shall not be reopened except when necessitated by a subsequent -change in the rules and orders governing the conditions under which the service qualifies for pension.
3. It has been noticed that the certificates regarding qualifying service are not invariably issued to the government servant as required under the rules. All Ministries! Departments etc. are therefore requested to bring these provisions to the notice of Heads of Offices and PAOs for strict compliance. Non-compliance of this statutory requirements may be viewed seriously.
4. In order to review status regarding compliance of these rules, all Ministries! Departments are requested that the information may be collected from all establishments loffice under them and the same may be compiled and sent to this Department by 15th October, 2015 in the enclosed proforma.
(Sujasha Choudhury)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
No. 12015/1/2015-Welfare
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Departmen t of Personnel & Training
(Welfare Section)
Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market
New Delhi, Dated 18.09.2015
CIRCULAR
Subject: Free Health Check-up Camp for the benefit of Central Government Employees and their dependents at Samaj Sadan, Grih Kalyan Kendra, Sadiq Nagar, New Delhi on 19th September, 2015 (Saturday) from 10.30 AM to 2.30 PM.
*********
A free Health Check-up Camp will be organised at Samaj Sadan, Grih Kalyan Kendra, Sadiq Nagar, New Delhi on 19th September 2015 (Saturday) from 10.30 AM to 2.30 PM, for the benefit of Central Government Employees and their dependents. Details of the Camp are as follows:-
S. No.
Types of Check-Ups
In Association with
1
Health Check-Up
(This includes free OPD consultation by renowned Doctors on Cardiac, Orthopedics and Gynecology/Free tests of Sugar (Randum) , BP, Height, Weight, BMD, PAP Smear & ECG)
Rockland Hospital, New Delhi
2
Eye Check-Up
Sharp Sights Centre, New Delhi
2. All are requested to avail the facility of free Health Check-up and Eye Check-up Camps.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)
No.2013/H/PNM/NFIR
New Delhi, dated 08.09.2015.
The General Managers,
All Indian Railways,
(Including Production Units & RDSO).
Sub:- Retired Employees Liberalized Health Scheme (RELHS-97).
Ref :- (i) Board’s letters No.2003/H/28/l/RELHS dated 28.01.2005, 21.10.2005, 30.12.2005, 10.05.2006, 10.01.2007 & 16.03.2009.
(ii) Board’s letter No. 2011/H/28/1/RELHS/Court case dated 31.05.2012.
******
The question of extending RELHS 97 facility to those retired railway employees also who joined Railways late but retired at the normal age of superannuation before completing 20 years of service i.e. the minimum qualifying service required for joining RELHS, has been engaging attention of Ministry of Railways for some time. The issue was also been raised by both the recognized employee Federations (AIRF & NFIR).
After careful consideration in the matter, the Competent Authority in the Ministry of Railways has decided to extend facility of joining RELHS 97 to all those railway employees who retired at the normal age of superannuation irrespective of number of number of years of their service before superannuation. If such employees have any previous service from an other Government Department which makes them eligible for medical facility of that Department also, they should opt for one of the two facilities viz. medical facility of the Department of previous service or RELHS-97.
Other terms and condition of joining RELHS-97, mentioned in Board’s letters cited under reference, will remain unaltered.
This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways.
Wide publicity should be given to the above position.
No.25013/01/2013-Estt.A-IV
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-1V Desk
*****
North Block, New Delhi
Dated 11th September, 2015
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Strengthening of administration-Periodical review under FR 56(j) and Rule 48 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM No. 25013/1/2013-Estt(A) dated 21/03/2014 on the periodical review under Fundamental Rule 56 or Rule 48 of CCS (Pension) Rules.
2. Various instructions issued on the subject deal with compulsory retirement under the above mentioned provisions. The Supreme Court has observed in State of Gtyaral Vs. Umedbhai M. Patel, 2001 (3) SCC 314 as follows:
(i) Whenever the services of a public servant are no longer useful to the general administration, the officer can be compulsorily retired for the sake of public interest.
(ii) Ordinarily, the order of compulsory retirement is not to be treated as a punishment coming under Article 311 of the Constitution.
(iii) “For better administration, it is necessary to chop off dead wood, but the order of compulsory retirement can be passed after having due regard to the entire service record of the officer.”
(iv) Any adverse entries made in the confidential record shall be taken note of and be given due weightage in passing such order.
(v) Even un-communicated entries in the confidential record can also be taken into consideration.
(vi) The order of compulsory retirement shall not be passed as a short cut to avoid Departmental enquiry when such course is more desirable.
(vii) If the officer was given a promotion despite adverse entries made in the confidential record, that is a fact in favour of the officer.
(viii) Compulsory retirement shall not be imposed as a punitive measure.
3. In every review, the entire service records should be considered. The expression ‘service record’ will take in all relevant records and hence the review should not be confined to the consideration of the ACR / APAR dossier. The personal file of the officer may contain valuable material. Similarly, the work and performance of the officer could also be assessed by looking into files dealt with by him or in any papers or reports prepared and submitted by him. It would be useful if the Ministry/Department puts together all the data available about the officers and prepares a comprehensive brief for consideration by the Review Committee. Even uncommunicated remarks in the ACRs/APARs may be taken into onsideration.
4. In the case of those officers who have been promoted during the last five years, the previous entries in the ACRs may be taken into account if the officer was promoted on the basis of seniority cum fitness, and not on the basis of merit.
5. As far as integrity is considered, the following observations of the Hon’ble Supreme Court may, while upholding compulsory retirement in a case, may be kept in view:
The officer would live by reputation built around him. In an ppropriate case, there may not be sufficient evidence to take punitive disciplinary action of removal from service. But his conduct and reputation is such that his continuance in service would be a menace to public service and•iniurious to public interest.
S. Ramachandra Raju vs. State of Orissa
[(1994) 3 SCC 424]
Thus while considering integrity of an employee, actions or decisions taken by the employee which do not appear to be above board, complaints received against him, or suspicious property transactions, for which there may not be sufficient evidence to initiate departmental proceedings, may be taken into account. Judgement of the Apex Court in the case of Shri K. Kandaswamy, L.P.S. (TN:1966) in K. Kandaswamy vs Union Of India & Anr, 1996 AIR 277, 1995 SCC (6) 162 is relevant here. There were persistent reports of Shri Kandaswamy acquiring large assets and of his getting money from his subordinates. He also indulged in property transactions which gave rise to suspicion about his bonafides. The Hon’ble Supreme Court upheld his compulsory retirement under provisions of the relevant Rules.
6. Similarly, reports of conduct unbecoming of a Government servant may also form basis for compulsory retirement. As per the Hon’ble Supreme Court in State Of U.P.And Others vs Vijay Kumar Jain, Appeal (civil) 2083 of 2002:
If conduct of a government employee becomes unbecoming to the public interest or obstructs the efficiency in public services, the government has an absolute right to compulsorily retire such an employee in public interest.
7. Many changes in the nomenclature and in the areas of responsibility of various departments/Ministries have taken place. In order to simplify and speed up the procedure of review, a need is felt to reconstitute the Review Committees. In partial modification of the OM 25013/15/86-Estt (A) dated 27/06/1986, it has been decided that the Secretaries of the Cadre Controlling Authorities will constitute Review Committees consisting of two Members at appropriate level. The Review Committees in the case of various levels of employees will be as under:
(A) In case of officers holding Group A posts:
(a) In r/o ACC appointees:
Review Committee may be headed by the Secretary of the concerned Ministry/Department as Cadre Controlling Authority.
(b) In r/o Non-ACC appointees:
(i) Where there are Boards viz CBDT, CBEC, Railway Board, Postal Board, Telecom Commission, etc. the Review Committee may be headed by the Chairman of such Board.
(ii) Where no such Boards/Comrnissions exist, the Review Committee may be headed by Secretary of the. Ministry/Department.
(B) In case of Group B (Gazetted) officers:
Additional Secretary/Joint Secretary level officer will head the Review Committee.
(C) In the case of Non-Gazetted employees:
(i) An officer of the level of Joint Secretary will head the Committee. However in case the Appointing Authority is lower in rank than a Joint Secretary, then an officer of the level of Director/Deputy Secretary will be the head.
(ii) In the case of Non-Gazetted employees in other than centralised cadres, Head of Department/Head of the Organisation shall decide the composition of the Review Committee.
8. CVO in the case of gazetted officers, or his representative in the case of non-gazetted officers, will be associated in case of record reflecting adversely on the integrity of any employee.
9. In addition to the above, the Secretary of the Ministry/Department is also empowered to constitute internal committees to assist the Review Committees in reviewing the cases. These Committees will ensure that the service record of the employees being reviewed, alongwith a summary bringing out all relevant information, is submitted to the Cadre Authorities at least three months before the due date of review.
10. The procedure as prescribed from time to time has been consolidated and enclosed as Appendix to the OM issued by this Department on 21/03/2014. As per these instructions the cases of Government servant covered by FR 56(j), FR 560), or Rule 48(1) (b) of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 should be reviewed six months before he/she attains the age of 50/55 years, in cases covered by FR 56(j) and on completion of 30 years of qualifying service under FR 56(I)/Rule 48 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 as per the following calendar:
Sl.
No.
Quarter in which review is to be made
Cases of employee who will be attaining the age of 50/55
years or will be completing 30 years of service or 30 years of service qualifying for pension, as the case may be, in the quarter indicated below to be reviewed
1
January to March
July to September of the same year
2
April to June
October to December of the same year
3
July to September
January to March of the next year
4
October to December
April to June of the next year
11. All Ministries/Departments are requested to follow the above instructions and periodically review the cases of Government servants as required under FR 56(j)/FR56(I)/Rule 48(1)(6) of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972.
12. instructions on composition of the Representation Committees will be communicated separately.
Shri Bandaru Dattatraya Launches Mobile Based Services for EPF Members in Hyderabad
EPFO Moves to M-Governance- EPFO Services on Mobile Application
Send an SMS to 7738299899 to Activate UAN Account: Give Miss Call at 01122901406 to Know Details of Contribution and PF Balance
Shri Bandaru Dattatraya, Hon’ble Minister of State for Labour & Employment (Independent Charge) launched three new mobile based services for EPF members namely Mobile Application, SMS based UAN Activation and Missed Call service on the eve of the 208th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (EPF) on September 15, 2015 in Hyderabad.
By downloading the new mobile application from the EPFO website, www.epfindia.gov.in the members would be able to activate their UAN accounts from the comfort of their mobile phones and can also access their accounts for viewing their monthly credits through the passbook as well view their details available with EPFO. Similarly the EPF pensioners have been given the facility to access their pension disbursement details through this mobile app. likewise the employer can also view their remittance details.
On this occasion, the Minister also launched a new SMS based UAN activation service which enables members to activate their accounts by sending an SMS to 7738299899 thus further making the activation process easy. Once activated, the member becomes eligible to all services envisaged in UAN programme such as credit alerts, passbook etc. This new service is especially helpful to such members who may not have easy access to computers or smart phones.
EPFO has already in place a Short Code SMS service which has enabled the members in knowing their details along with contribution and PF Balance through an SMS at 7738299899. As an extension to this service, the Missed Call service is intended to further ease the process since only a missed call at 01122901406, at no cost to the member, would provide him all the envisaged details. As this facility is available only to the UAN activated members, such facility will speed up the UAN activation process by the members.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Shankar Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Govt of India and Vice Chairman of CBT congratulated the team of officers of EPFO for bringing this Mobile Application in such a short time. He stated that EPFO has in the recent past provided better services to its stakeholders be it EPF members, employers or pensioners. These services include online services such as Universal Account Number (UAN), Helpdesk System, establishment registration, transfer claim, payments of contributions by employers, Jeevan Praman Patra (e-Life Certificate) for pensioners etc.
The function was also attended by members of the Central Board, EPF and other dignitaries. Shri K.K. Jalan, Central PF Commissioner thanked all the guests and assured that EPFO will continue its initiative of providing better services to its stakeholder by re-engineering its processes through online and centralised services such as in the area of revised ECR, online claim etc in the near future. He said that Bank Account and AADHAAR seeding with the UAN will ultimately reduce the burden of the employers.
Shri Bandaru Dattatraya informed that these services will facilitate nearly 3.54 crores contributing members, 49.22 lakh pensioners and 6.1 lakh employers. A total number of nearly 1.80 crore UAN are activated, 58.72 lakh UAN are seeded with AADHAAR and 1.82 crore UAN are seeded with Bank Account. In Hyderabad region, nearly 16.46 lakh contributing members, 1.26 lakh pensioners and 21,817 employers can avail these facilities. He also informed that the government has in perpetuity made Rs. 1000 as minimum pension and also informed that EPFO with the use of the technology is disbursing pension on the first day of the month. He also informed that Government has already decided to bring all construction workers who are more than 4 crore in numbers, all rickshaw pullers and all auto rickshaw drivers under the fold of EPFO & ESIC.
Shri Dattatreya also stated that Government is committed to create an environment which is conducive for creation of jobs at every level. In view of this the new Government under Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modiji has taken three big initiatives – Make in India, Skill India and Digital India. However, to make these initiatives to bear fruits it would be necessary to simplify and rationalise labour laws. The Government is taking all initiatives in this direction so that the workers can be assured of job security, wage security and social security while ensuring ease of doing business.
