The Cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to increase dearness allowance to 119 percent from 113 percent, which will potentially benefit over one crore government employees and pensioners.
Earlier in April, the government had hiked DA by 6 percent to 113 percent of their basic pay with effect from January. DA is paid as proportion of the basic pay.
The DA hike will take effect from July 1. As per the agreed formula, the DA rate increase is an average of 12-month consumer price index-industrial workers from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015.
The hike is in accordance with the accepted formula based on the recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission, which will benefit 48 lakh government employees and 55 lakh pensioners.
Last month, the Cabinet had given approval for the extension of the term of the 7th Central Pay Commission by four months up to December 31.
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 has said that the Union Government is in favour of doing away with the practice of holding interviews for appointment to junior level posts. Presiding over a meeting of Principal Secretaries of General Administration Department (GAD)/Personnel from different States and Union Territories here today, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) has initiated a serious exercise for identifying the posts for which interview for selection can be discontinued and a communique in this regard has been sent to various State Governments, State Public Service Commissions and Staff Selection Commission. He said that this follows the suggestion put forward by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his Independence Day address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that the government will soon identify all those posts, particularly at junior level like Group III & IV, where an interview is avoidable and will stop this practice. He said, for a post for which an interview is not necessary to determine the capability of a candidate, the provision of interview sometimes leads to scope for manipulation, manoeuvrability and corruption. Therefore, barring such posts where an interview would help in testing special capabilities for a particular assignment, abolition of the provision of interview will not only be in larger public interest but would also offer a level playing field for even those of the candidates who lack resources and come from lower socio-economic strata, he added.
Referring to some of the revolutionary decisions taken by the DoPT during the last 15 months of the present government, Dr Jitendra Singh made a special mention of the introduction of self-attestation of certificates. This, he said, not only eliminated inconvenience caused to the youth for going around to seek attestation of certificates from gazetted officers, etc., but also sent out a reassuring message that the present government has the capacity to trust the youth of this country. Similarly, he also referred to the Pension Department’s plans to finalise Pension Portal which would help in ending the practice of producing life certificates by a pensioner.
Dr Jitendra Singh also informed that a pilot exercise undertaken for three States of Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu had proved successful wherein, for the first time, an Induction training programme was introduced for the newly inducted State-level functionaries and the same practice is now being extended to other States as well. He also referred to a landmark decision by the DoPT to revise and revisit the pattern and syllabus of IAS and other Civil Services Exam to offer a level playing opportunity for aspirants from different streams.
The meeting was attended among others by Secretary, DoPT, Shri Sanjay Kothari, Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances, Shri Devendra Chaudhry and Establishment Officer, DoPT, Shri Rajiv Kumar.
F.No. 11019/05/2015-AIS-111
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
*****
New Delhi dated the 8th September, 2015
The Chief Secretaries of all the States/UTs
Subject:- Draft Instructions / guidelines under rule 7(2) of AIS(Leave) Rules 1955 to process deemed resignation for being unauthorisedly absent after expiry of Leave / Study Leave/ Foreign Assignment etc.
Sir/Madam,
The following procedure has been proposed to deal with the cases of unauthorized absence and to initiate proceedings of under the rule 7(2) of AIS(Leave) Rules 1955:-
“A Member of Service (MoS), if remains unauthorisedly absent after the sanctioned period of leave / study leave / tenure of Foreign Assignment, there shall be a one month waiting period after the end of leave period / tenure of foreign assignment etc. After that the State Government concerned, on whose cadre strength the MoS is borne, shall issue a show cause notice, thereby giving an opportunity to the MoS to explain his case. Thereafter, if the MoS does not return to duty, the State Government concerned shall initiate proceedings of deemed resignation under rule 7(2) of AIS(Leave) Rules 1955 and forward a complete proposal to the Central Government for effecting deemed resignation within next two months. If the State Government fails to comply with these instructions and adhere to the aforesaid timeline, the Central Government shall initiate proceedings of deemed resignation under rule 7(2) of AIS(Leave) Rules 1955 on its own. The term ‘Central Government’ means the concerned Cadre Controlling Authority, i.e. Department of Personnel & Training for IAS officers, Ministry of Home Affairs for IPS officer and Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change for IFS officers respectively.”
2. The State Governments & Cadre Controlling Authorities (MHA / MoEF) are requested to furnish their comments on the proposed draft instructions/guidelines by email at [email protected] or by fax at 011-23092344 positively by 07.10.2015, failing which it would be presumed that you have no comments to offer in the matter.
F. No. S-11045/36/2012 – CGHS (HEC)
Government of India
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Directorate General of CGHS
Maulana Azad Road, Nirman Bhawan
New Delhi 110 108
Dated: 7th September, 2015
OFFICE ORDER
Subject: CGHS Rates for Cancer Surgery for hospitals empanelled under CGHS – Revised w. e. f. date of issue of this order.
The undersigned is directed to draw attention to the Office Memorandum of even no. dated the 1st October, 2014 and to clarify that CGHS rates for Cancer surgery at Hospitals empanelled under CGHS shall be as per the details given below:
2.1 Rates of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai (2012), as mentioned below for Cancer surgical procedures are treated as CGHS rates for NABH accredited hospitals. For Non-NABH accredited hospitals the rates would be reduced by 15%. These rates are for treatment for Semi private ward entitled class with 10% decrease for Gl – Ward and 15 % enhancement for Private ward entitled beneficiaries.
2.2 The duration of treatment for different categories of Surgery will be as follows:
Category I ………………… 1-2 days Category II ………………… 3-5 days (7-10 days in respect of operations involving Abdominal / thoracic cavity) Category III,IV,V & VI …………… 12… 14 days
2.3. The surgical procedures are enlisted under Categories – I, II, III, IV,V & VI and the list is annexed to this office order (at Annexure – I).
2.4 Rates applicable for room rent (Accommodation Charges) for different categories of wards are given below:
General ward – Rs.1000/- per day
Semi – Private Ward – Rs.2000/- per day
Private ward – Rs.3000/- Per day
CGHS beneficiaries are entitled to facilities of private, semi-private or general ward depending on their basis pay/pension. The entitlement is as follows:
S.No
Basic Pay (without the inclusion of grade pay)
Entitlement
1
Upto Rs. 13,950
General Ward
2
Between Rs.13,951/- and Rs.19,530/-
Semi-Private Ward
3
Rs.19,540/- and above
Private Ward
For any day care procedure requiring short admission – a few hours to one day-accommodation charge for one day as per entitlement shall be applicable provided the rates prescribed are procedural charges only. Room rent, investigations and cost of medicines are reimbursable in addition to procedural charges.
2.5 Investigation rages and procedure cahrges for Chemotheraphy shall be as per CGHS prescribed rates of concerned city. In case of Chemotherapy the rates prescribed are procedural charges only. Room rent, investigations and cost of medicies are reimbursable in addition to precedural charges.
2.6 Consultation fee shall be as per CGHS rates applicable.
2.7 Investigations rates shall be as per CGHS prescribed rates of concerned city.
2.8 Cost of Implants/Stents/Grafts is reimbursable in addition to package rates as per CGHS ceiling rates for Implants/stents/grafts.
2.9 The rates applicable for Anesthesia, Operation Theatre and Surgery charges under Grades – I,II,III,IV,V & VI are given below.
Sr.No
DESCRIPTION
Rate in Rupees
ANAESTHESIOLOGY CHARGES
1
Anesthesia Fees – Grade I
2700
2
Anesthesia Fees – Grade II
5000
3
Anesthesia Fees – Grade III
8000
4
Anesthesia Fees – Grade IV
10000
5
Anesthesia Fees – Grade V
14000
6
Anesthesia Fees – Grade VI
18000
SURGICAL ONCOLOGY – Operation Theatre (Hospital Service Charges)
1
Minor OT – Service Charges
1000
2
Minor OT – Surgery Charges
870
3
Minor OT – Drugs/Consumables (Without GA)
500
4
Minor OT – Drugs/Consumables (with GA)
750
5
Major OT – Service Charges – Less than 2 Hrs
5000
6
Major OT- Service Charges – 2 to 4 Hrs
10000
7
Major OT – service Charges – More than 4 Hrs
20000
SURGERY CHARGES
1
Grade I Surgery
5000
2
Grade II Surgery
12500
3
Grade III Surgery
20000
4
Grade IV Surgery
25000
5
Grade V Surgery
35000
6
Grade VI Surgery
45000
2.10 The admissible amount for Cancer surgery shall be calculated as per the formula given below:
‘Room rent as applicable + Anesthesia charges (as per category) + OT charges ( as per category) + Surgery charges (as per category) + Investigations at CGHS rates + Cost of Medicines and Surgical Disposables.’
Anesthesia charges (as per category) + OT charges (as Per category)+ Surgery charges (as per category) prescribed above are applicable for semi-private ward. If the beneficiary is entitled for general ward there will be a decrease of 10% in these rates, for private ward entitlement there will be an increase of 15%.
Other conditions as prescribed in office Memorandum of even number dated 1st October, 2014 remain unchanged.
A copy of this Officer Order and rates Cancer Surgery are placed on the website http://msotransparent.nic.in/cghsnew/index.asp
F. No. 42/07/2015-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
Date: 07th Sept, 2015
To,
All the Pensioners Association included in SCOVA vide Resolution dated 25.08.2015
Subject:- 27th SCOVA meeting under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS(PP)- Rescheduling of date and time.
It is intimated that owing to some administrative reasons, the 27th meeting of the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) scheduled for 29th Sept,2015 has been postponed. The new date, time and venue of the SCOVA meeting will be notified in due course.
The inconvenience caused is regretted.
(Charanjit Taneja)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Telefax:- 24644637
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)
No.IV/NPS/PFRDA BILL
Dated: 06-09-2015
Shri Narendra Modi,
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India
South Block,
Raisina Hills,
New Delhi.
Respected Sir,
Sub: Uniform Pension Scheme to retiring Railways employees at par with ex-servicemen – reg.
At the outset, the National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR) thanks the Government for conceding to the demand of ex-Servicemen for introduction of “One Rank – One Pension” for them.
In this connection, I would invite your kind attention to the case of Railway employees numbering over 1.3 million as placed below:-
The Railway employees have been subjected to injustice as a result of introduction of New Pension Scheme (which is a contributory pension scheme) with effect from 01/01/2004. Consequently, those employees who joined railways on and after 01-01-2004 are governed by the contributory pension scheme with present nomenclature “New Pension System”(NPS).
Presently, there are two sections of Rail Workforce – One governed by the Liberalized pension Scheme (applicable to pre 01-01-2004 appointees) and the other one governed by the contributory pension scheme i.e. NPS applicable to post 01.01.2004 appointees. Since 2004, NFIR has been pressing the Government of India and the Ministry of Railways to withdraw New Pension Scheme as the duties and responsibilities of Railway employees are very complex, Complicated and their working conditions are arduous as they perform duties at remote places, extremist infested areas, jungle areas, without any supply chain. Vast percentage of Railway employees cannot afford to have timely medicines, social life, schooling facilities etc.,
Pursuant to the discussions held with the Railway Ministry on our pending demand seeking abolition of New pension-Scheme in Railways, the then Railway Minister Shri Mallikarjun Kharge had agreed with the demand and accordingly he had sent a communication to the Finance Ministry on 29-03-2014 duly explaining the nature of duties of the Railway employees and seeking Government’s approval for exempting the Railway employees from the NPS whereby they can be governed by the Liberalized pension scheme. This issue is continued to remain unresolved.
For your kind appreciation, I mention here that according to the report of the Dr.Anil Kakodkar committee, Submitted to the Railway Ministry in the year 2012. the death rate of Railway employees in the courses of performing duties was much larger than the public. I quote below the figures given by the High Level Safety Review committee headed by Dr.Kakodkar.
The above position reveals that the Railway employees killed during the period 2007-08 to 2011 were 1600 while those injured on duty were 8700. This figure would convince that the duties of Railway employee cannot be treated as less arduous in comparison with the defence and para-military forces. Like armed forces, Railway employees are expected to remain at their place of posting even during periodic rest and they cannot afford to leave the headquarters and they perform duties under open sky facing inclement weather conditions and ensure running of trains round the clock.
It would therefore, be necessary to exempt Railway employees from the New Pension System (NPS).
2. Need to provide Uniform pension Scheme or One Rank – One Pension to Rail Workforce:
The Railway employees discharges their duties round the clock by shifts and over 85% staff work in remote places where no human life exists. Their duties are safety- oriented. The are facing continuous stress and strain in the course of performing. Train passing duties causing health hazards leading to pre-mature death, medical invalidation at a scale larger than the armed/Par-Military forces. The demand for introduction of Uniform Pension Scheme to Railway employees of the same rank regardless of their date of retirement deserve consideration like that of retiring armed personnel.
I therefore, request you to kindly see that the Government accords approval, exempting Railway employees from the New Pension System for the purpose of covering them under the Liberalized Pension Scheme. I also request that “One Rank – One Pension” Scheme i.e. uniform pension for Railway employees retiring in the same rank regardless of their retirement may kindly be approved by the Government, considering the fact that Railway personnel are serving the nation, transporting military hardware and the army to the borders and ensuring uninterrupted movement of rail transport services at all times round the clock in all weather conditions.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE
CENTRAL PENSION ACCOUNTING OFFICE
TRIKOOT-II, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE,
NEW DELHI-110066
CPAO/Tech/Revision (Pre-2006) /2015-16/941-1011
4.9.2015
Office Memorandum
Subject:- Payment of arrears of pensions to Pre-2006 pensioners w.e.f. 01.01.2006.
In pursuance of DP&PW OM No. 38/37/08-P&PW (A) dated 28.01.2013, pension/family pension of some pensioners/family pensioners were revised w.e.f. 24.09.2012 through individual amendment authorities.
See: DP&PW OM No. 38/37/08-P&PW (A) dated 28.01.2013 – Revision of pension of pre-2006 pensioners – Revised concordance table (Annexure) of the pre-1996, pre-2006 and post 2006 pay scales/pay bands
Now, in pursuance of the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, DP&PW vide its OM No. 38/37/08-P&PW (A) dated 30.07.2015 has decided to grant the benefit of revision of pension/ family pension w.e.f. 01.01.2006 in such cases. Keeping in view the sensitivity and urgency of the matter it has been to issue CPCC-wise amendment authority for such cases which have already been revised w.e.f. 24.09.2012 whose requisite details are available with CPAO in batches having name of pensioner, PPO number, bank account number, No. & date of last SSA issued as per DP & PW OM dated-28.01.2013.
See: OM No. 38/37/08-P&PW (A) dated 30.07.2015 Revision of pension of pre-2006 pensioners- Payment of Arrears from 01.01.2006: DoPPW Order
While calculating the arrears following points require special attention:-
i) Change in the rate of pension/family pension during the period from 01.01.2006 to 23.09.2012 which may be due to death of the pensioner, completion of the period of enhanced family pension and grant of additional pension on attaining the age of 80 years. It may be ensured that the pensioner/family pensioner get the benefit of revised pension from the due date whether it may be 01.01.2006 or any later date with accurate rate of pension/ family pension.
ii) The cases of dual family pension should not be mixed with these revision cases as the same have also been effective from 24.09.2012.
Heads of all CPPCs are advised to give special attention to credit the respective pension accounts at the earliest.
Office of the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Central Command)
Cartappa Road, Cantt. Lucknow, Pin Code 226002
No.AN-1-B/CSD/Canteen
dated 28/08/2015
Important Notice
Sub: Grant of CSD Canteen facilities to Retired Defence Civilian Employees
Government of India, Ministry of defence has decided to extend of CSD facilities to the retired defence civilian employees vide their office order F.No. 8(14)/2015-D(mov) dated 31/07/2015 and same has been circulated vide No. ANN-II/7089/CSD/Corr dated 18/08/2015 of our HQrs office
The matter has been taken up with CSD card issuing authority ie Smart Chip Limited Lucknow, vide this office No. even dated 24/08/2015. On receipt of direction/ procedure/ requirement of evidences for the said card, then this office will collect the form from eligible retired persons for onward transmission to CSD card issuing authority. As per discussion it may take 4-5 weeks.
Further, up-dation on the matter will be uploaded on web site of this office.
GO (AN) has seen.
(Raj Kumar)
Senior Accounts officer (Admin)
Canteen in charge
Armed Forces Veterans welcomed and greeted Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi for yesterday’s announcement of OROP during the inauguration function of the Badarpur-Faridabad Metro Line at Faridabad today. They presented flowers to the Prime Minister and thanked him
The Government has announced the One Rank One Pension scheme for the Ex-Servicemen. This was announced by the Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar here today. The following is the statement of the Defence Minister:
“Government of India respects its Defence Forces and Ex-Servicemen for their valour, patriotism and sacrifices. The Government is proud of their devotion to duty and bravery. Our forces, besides vigilantly and gallantly defending the nation, have displayed exemplary standards of courage and bravery in natural calamities, law and order situations and other difficult circumstances.
The issue of “One Rank One Pension” (OROP) has been pending for nearly four decades. It is a matter of deep anguish that the various governments remained ambivalent on the issue of OROP. In February 2014, the then Government stated that OROP would be implemented in 2014-15, but did not specify what OROP would be, how it would be implemented or how much it would cost. An estimated Rs. 500 crore provided for OROP in the budget presented in February 2014 by the then government was not based on any thorough analysis. It is pertinent to mention that the then Minister of State for Defence in 2009 had, in reply to a question, informed Parliament that there are administrative, technical and financial difficulties in implementing OROP. It is for these reasons that the present government took some time to fulfil its promise.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has, on various occasions, reiterated the Government’s commitment to implement OROP for Ex-Servicemen under military pension. As stated above, the previous government has estimated that OROP would be implemented with a budget provision of a mere Rs. 500 crore. The reality, however, is that to implement OROP, the estimated cost to the exchequer would be Rs. 8,000 to 10,000 crore at present, and will increase further in future.
The Government held extensive consultations with experts and Ex-Servicemen. The main argument for OROP is that the Defence personnel retire early and thus are not able to get the benefits of serving till normal retirement age. Despite the huge fiscal burden, given its commitment to the welfare of Ex-Servicemen, the Government has taken a decision to implement the OROP.
In simple terms, OROP implies that uniform pension be paid to the Armed Forces personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, regardless of their date of retirement. Future enhancements in the rates of pension would be automatically passed on to the past pensioners. This implies bridging the gap between the rate of pension of current and past pensioners at periodic intervals.
Under this definition, it has been decided that the gap between rate of pension of current pensioners and past pensioners will be bridged every 5 years.
Under the OROP Scheme:
The benefit will be given with effect from 1st July, 2014. The present government assumed office on 26th May, 2014 and therefore, it has been decided to make the scheme effective from a date immediately after.
Arrears will be paid in four half-yearly instalments. All widows, including war widows, will be paid arrears in one instalment.
To begin with, OROP would be fixed on the basis of calendar year 2013.
Pension will be re-fixed for all pensioners retiring in the same rank and with the same length of service as the average of minimum and maximum pension in 2013. Those drawing pensions above the average will be protected.
Personnel who voluntarily retire will not be covered under the OROP scheme.
In future, the pension would be re-fixed every 5 years.
It is estimated that the expenditure on arrears alone would be ten to twelve thousand crores of rupees. Apart from the fact that the previous government had provided for only Rs. 500 crore in the budget, it is noteworthy that the Koshiyari Committee had accepted the estimate of Rs. 235 crore as additional financial burden to implement OROP. The present government has accepted OROP in true spirit without being constrained by these inaccurate estimates.
OROP is a complex issue. A thorough examination of interests of retirees of different periods and different ranks is needed. The inter-service issues of the three Forces also require consideration. This is not an administrative matter alone. Therefore, it has also been decided that a One Member Judicial Committee would be constituted which will give its report in six months.
Prime Minister Shri Modi has fulfilled his commitment and approved OROP for Armed Forces personnel. Ministry of Defence will soon issue detailed Government Order.”
