Government Decides to Fix Interest Rates at 8.7% for General Provident Fund(GPF) and other Similar Funds Including Special Deposit Scheme, 1975(SDS,1975) for Non-Government Provident, Superannuation and Gratuity Funds for the Financial Year 2015-16
It was decided by the Government to link the interest rates of State PFs (General Provident Fund and other similar funds) including Special Deposit Scheme, 1975 (SDS, 1975) for Non-Government Provident, Superannuation and Gratuity Funds for the FY 2015-16 to Public Provident Fund (PPF) rates. In pursuance of that decision, the Government has decided to fix the rates 8.7% per annum applicable to the following:-
· The General Provident Fund (Central Services).
· The Contributory Provident Fund (India).
· The All India Service Provident Fund.
· The State Railway Provident Fund.
· The General Provident Fund (Defence Services).
· The Indian Ordnance Provident Fund.
· The Indian Ordnance Factories Workmen’s Provident Fund.
· The Indian Naval Dockyard Workmen’s Provident Fund.
· The Defence Services Officers Provident Fund.
· The Armed Forces Personnel Provident Fund.
The rate of interest is applicable to the above funds w.e.f. 1st April, 2015 and until further orders.
Recently, the Government had kept the interest rates for PPF and other Small Savings Schemes intact. However, interest rates for 5 year Senior citizen Saving Scheme and Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme have been increased from 9.2 to 9.3% and 9.1 to 9.2% respectively, keeping in view the commitment of the Government towards the welfare of the girl child and the senior citizens.
No. 18016/3/2011-Estt.(L)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)
***
New Delhi, the 20th April, 2015.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:- Special concessions to Central Government Employees working in Kashmir Valley in attached/subordinate offices or PSUs falling under the control of Central Government.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. No.18016/3/2011-Estt.(L) dated 27th February, 2014 on the subject mentioned above and to state that it has been decided by the competent authority to extend the package of concessions/incentives to Central Government employees working in Kashmir Valley for a further period of two years w.e.f. 01.01.2014. The package of special incentives for the year 2014 will continue to be the same as in 2013 and the package from 01.01.2015 to 31.12.2015 has been revised. The package for two years is as per Annexure.
2. The package of incentives is uniformly applicable to all Ministries/ Departments and PSUs under the Government of India and they should ensure strict adherence to the rates prescribed in the package. The concerned Ministry/Department may ensure implementation and monitoring of the package in conformity with the approved package, and therefore, all Court cases in which verdicts are given contrary to the package would have to be contested by the Ministries/Departments concerned.
Ends: As above.
(Mukul Ratra)
Director
ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE to DOPT’ s O.M. No.18016/3/2011-Estt.(L) dated the 20th April,2015
DETAILS OF PACKAGE OF CONCESSIONS TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES WORKING IN KASHMIR VALLEY IN ATTACHED/SUBORDINATE OFFICES OR PSUs FALLING UNDER THE CONTROL OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.
[Kashmir Valley comprises of ten districts namely, Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Kupwara, Pulwama, Srinagar, Kulgam, Shopian, Ganderbal and Bandipora]
1. ADDITIONAL H.R.A. AND OTHER CONCESSIONS :
(A) Employees posted to Kashmir Valley:
(i) These employees have an option to move their families to a selected placeof their choice in India at Government expense. T.A. for the families allowed as admissible in permanent transfer inclusive of transportation of personal effects, lump-sum payment for packing etc.
(ii) Departmental arrangements for stay, security and transportation to the place of work for employees.
(iii)HRA as for Class ‘Y’ city applicable for employees exercising option at (i). Such employees will be eligible for drawing the normal HRA as well at their place of posting provided Departmental arrangement is not made for his/her stay.
(iv)The period of temporary duty extended to six months. For period of temporary duty daily allowance at full rate is admissible, apart from departmental arrangements for stay, security and transportation.
(B) Employees posted to Kashmir Valley who do not with to move their families to a selected place of residence :
II PER DIEM ALLOWANCE FOR THE YEAR 2014:
A per diem allowance of Rs.10/- is paid for each day of attendance to compensate for any additional expense in transportation to and from office etc. This will be in addition to the transport allowance, which the employee is otherwise eligible for under Ministry of Finance order No. 21(2)/2008- E0B) dated 29.08.2008.
III. MESSING FACILITIES FOR THE YEAR 2014 :
Messing Allowance to be paid to the employees at a uniform rate of Rs.15/- per day by all Departments, or in lieu messing arrangements to be made by the Departments themselves. This rate of allowance will have to be adhered to uniformly by all the Ministries/Departments with effect from 01.07.1999. The slightly higher rate of Rs.25.50/- adopted by the Department of Telecom and Posts and allowed to be continued as a special case by the Department of Personnel in consultation with the Ministry of Finance, would, however, continue to be paid at the said rate.
IV PER DIEM ALLOWANCE FOR THE YEAR 2015:
The per diem allowance of Rs. 10/- paid for each day of attendance to compensate for any additional expense in transportation to and from office etc. is raised to Rs.50/- per day at par with the above reimbursement of travel charges for travel within city.
V MESSING FACILITIES FOR THE YEAR 2015 :
Messing allowance of Rs. 15/- & 25.50 is revised at par with rates of ration money given to CAPFs personnel i.e. Rs. 85.96.
VI. PAYMENT OF MONTHLY PENSION TO PENSIONERS OF KASHMIR VALLEY:
Pensioners of Kashmir Valley who are unable to draw their monthly pensions through either Public Sector Banks or PAO treasuries from which they were receiving their pensions, would be given pensions outside the Valley where they have settled, in relaxation of relevant provisions.
NOTE :- 1. The package of concession/facilities shall be admissible in Kashmir Valley comprising of ten districts namely, Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Kupwara, Pulwama, Srinagar, Kulgam, Shopian, Ganderbal and Bandipora.
2. The package of concessions/facilities shall be admissible to Temporary Status Casual laborers working in Kashmir Valley in terms of Para 5(i) of the Causal Laborers (Grant of Temporary Status and Regularization) Scheme of Government of India, 1993.
3 The benefit of additional HRA admissible under the Kashmir Valley package shall be admissible to all Central Government employees posted to Kashmir Valley irrespective of whether they are natives of Kashmir Valley, if they choose to move their families
anywhere in India subject to the conditions governing the grant of these allowances.
4. The facilities of Messing Allowance and Per Diem Allowance shall also be allowed to natives of Kashmir Valley in terms of the Kashmir Valley package.
Minutes of the meeting held by ED(T&MPP) with Federation (AIRF) on 12.03.2015
Minutes of the meeting held by ED(T&MPP) with Federation (AIRF) on 12.03.2015 on PNM/AIRF Item Nos.17/2009, 23/2010, 11/2011, 23/2011, 1/2012, 52/2012 and 12/2013.
The following officers and representatives of Federation(AIRF) attended the meeting:
Official Side : Shri R.R. Prasad, ED(T&MPP) AIRF : Shri Rakhal Das Gupta, President, Shri Shiva Gopal Mishra, Genl. Secretary
PNM/AIRF Item No.17/2009-Upgradation of the facilities in the Zonal Railway Training Schools/Centres.
The Federation was apprised of the budgetary allocation made in Budget 2015-16. They were also informed that a separate Plan Head for HRD has been created and now it would be possible to care for Training Centres in a better way. AIRF pointed out that there was a need to improve the living condition, quality of food etc. in the Training Centres. It was also agreed to visit ZRTI, Bhuli on or before 20th April 2015.
PNM/AIRF Item No.23/2010-Revision of the rates of Training Allowance and Sumptuary Allowance to the Faculty Members of different Training Centers.
AIRF was advised that the matter was pending for Board’s approval. It was decided to get this item finalised within one month.
PNM/AIRF Item No.11/2011-Provision for training institutes for various disciplines in East Central Railway.
AIRF after discussion suggested setting up of a new multi-disciplinary Training Centre in and around Danapur. It was agreed to examine the proposal.
PNM/AIRF Item No.23/2011-Creation of posts for additional workload provided to Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala by the Railway Board.
AIRF was advised that a proposal of creation of 1089 posts has been received from RCF, Kapurthala. It was agreed to hold a further meeting on 25th March 2015 at 10:30 AM.
PNM/AIRF Item No.1/2012-Revised Training Modules for Supervisors of Mechanical Engineering Department.
Instructions have been issued vide Board’s letter No.E(MPP)2013/22 dated 26.09.2014. Item may be treated as closed.
PNM/AIRF Item No.52/2012-Sanction of additional staff for manning newly constructed railway lines opened for traffic.
AIRF was advised that in financial year 2012-13 and 2013-14 respectively total of 35000 posts have been created. AIRF pointed out that this is a fraction of total requirement on new assets. They insisted for a meeting with the full Board.
PNM/AIRF Item No.12/2013-Action Plan Targets for the year 2012-13 in respect of Manpower Planning.
Vision 2020 envisages 1% reduction to be achieved in the sanction strength every year as a corporate objective. Indian Railways has been under taking 1% reduction of sanctioned strength as it action plan since 2007-08, whereas this was 2.5% and likewise since 2001-02. It may be mentioned that despite the above in the last few years’ creation have outpaced surrenders as a result of which sanctioned strength has actually increased. AIRF wanted position at a glance of surrender viz-a-viz creation on each Zone and PUs.
[TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA, EXTRAORDNIARY, PART I, SECTION1]
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (Department of Personnel and Training)
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 10th April, 2015
F. No. 13018/01/2014-AIS(I).— In the notification of the Government of India, in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training No. 13018/1/2014-AIS(I), published the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, dated 31 5tMay, 2014, at pages 120-133, the Central Government hereby makes the following amendments namely:—
In the said notification for Rule 2, the following rule shall be substituted, namely:—
“2. (1) A Candidate who qualifies in the Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2014 shall be required to mandatorily indicate revised order of preferences only for those services participating in the said Examination for which he is interested to be allocated to and such revised order of preferences shall be in supersession of the earlier order of preferences filled by the candidate in his Detailed Application Form.
(2) In case of recommendation of his name by UPSC for service allocation, the candidate shall be considered for allocation to one of those services by the Government for which he shall indicate revised order of preference subject to fulfilment of other conditions.
(3) A candidate who wishes to be considered for Indian Administrative Service or Indian Police Service shall be required to indicate in his application form for the Main Examination his order of preferences for various State cadres for which he would like to be considered for allotment in case he is appointed to the Indian Administrative Service or Indian Police Service and no change in preferehce of cadre once indicated by a candidate would be permitted.
Note 1: The candidate is advised to be very careful while indicating preferences for various services or posts. In this connection, attention is also invited to clause (i) of rule 19.
Note 2: The candidates are advised to visit Department of Personnel and Training website www.persmin.nic.in for information or details about service allocation/cadre allotment, service profile.
Note 3: A candidate who wishes to be considered for Indian Administrative Service or Indian Police Service shall be very careful while indicating preferences for various cadres. The candidate is advised to indicate all the cadres in the order of preference in his/her Detailed Application form which is to be filled in case of his selection for the Civil Services (Main) Examination. In case he does not give any preference for any cadre it will be assumed that he does not have a specific preference for any cadre.
Note 4: If he is not allotted to any one of the cadres for which he has indicated preference, he shall be allotted to any of the remaining cadres in which there are vacancies after allocation of all the candidates who can be allocated to those cadres in accordance with their preferences.
F.No. 44011/4(s)12007-Estt.(B)
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
(Estt. (B) Section)
* * * *
North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 16th April, 2015
Office Memorandum
Subject: Utilisation of the facilities of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)- Instructions regarding.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM of even number dated 22nd February, 2010 (copy enclosed) wherein Ministries/Departments were instructed to discontinue the utilization of the infrastructure of any Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) by the officers/staff in the Government Departments. The Ministries/Departments are directed to issue instructions to all concerned for not utilizing the infrastructure of any CPSEs by the officers/staff in the Government Departments and that any such use shall attract suitable action against them. If, for any exceptional circumstances, any officer, for a bonafide purpose related with official duties connected with the CPSE entrusted to him, is required to utilize the facility from a CPSE, the Secretary in the Ministry/Department will authorize such usage for specific period after careful assessment of the situation. The above guidelines shall also to be applicable to use of facilities from autonomous organizations under the Government.
2. These instruction may be strictly complied by all the Ministries/Departments.
End:- As above
(Prem Chand)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
F.No.4/2/2014-Estt.(Pay-II)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
North Block, New Delhi
dated 16th April, 2015
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:Clarification regarding application of FR 49 – regarding
This Department undertook a review of FR 49 with a view to ensure that the provisions of the FR are applied in public interest and the spirit of the FR is maintained. It has been decided that the following points may be kept in view by Ministries/Departments while processing cases for giving additional charge –
(i) The provisions of FR 49 apply only to Government servants. Appointments of an employee of an autonomous body/PSU etc to another such body would be governed by the Rules of the individual’s employer;
(ii) The provisions of FR 49 are applicable to cases where the post held by the Government servant and the post to which he is appointed are under the Government.
(iii) Additional pay for holding additional charge of the posts in PSUs, autonomous bodies etc. is not permissible under FR-49.
(iv) Appointments made under FR 49 should follow the spirit of the FR to meet short term requirements only and it may be ensured that the provisions are not used to indirectly confer promotional benefits in lieu of promotion.
(v) Instructions of Ministry of Finance issued vide OM No. 7(7)/E.Coord/93 dated 3rd May 1993 read with OM No. 7/E.Coord(I)/2001 dated 27th March 2001 regarding ‘economy in administrative expenditures – guidelines for abolition of posts’ may be kept in view in this regard so that approval of Ministry of Finance for revival of post(s) is obtained wherever necessary before assigning the additional charge of posts.
(vi) While, the language of the FR 49 provides for appointment to a higher post, no occasion for appointing a Government servant to a post next above or even higher than the post next in hierarchy should arise. Such appointments may not be made without the approval of Department of Personnel and Training.
(vii) Though appointments covered under FR 49(i) are not promotion, the Government Servant so appointed gets the pay of the higher post. While it may not be necessary to go strictly by seniority in making such stop gap arrangements, as far as possible the senior most officer holding the lower post in the Department may be so appointed. The suitability of the officer for discharging the functions of the post should also be assessed. If the post requires any specialized skill/experience/training, the person most suited for the task may be appointed.
(viii) No person who is facing a disciplinary proceeding or is otherwise not suitable (for example who has an adverse entry in a recent APAR) should be given the additional charge.
(ix) The orders for appointments may be issued only after obtaining the approval of the authority competent to make appointments to the post.
2.It is requested that the above information may be brought to the notice of all concerned.
(A.K. Jain)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India
F.No. 1/1/2014-Welfare
Government of India
M/o Personnel & Public Grievances & Pensions
D/o Personnel & Training
New Delhi, Dated 10 April, 2015
Office Memorandum
Subject: Grant-in-aid for the provision of amenities or recreational or welfare facilities to the staff of the Central Government- regarding.
The undersigned is directed to refer this Department’s O.M. No. 1/38/98-Welfare dated 14th October, 1999 (Copy enclosed) regarding grants-in-aid for the provision of amenities for recreation/ welfare activities to the staff of the Central Government Offices in as well as outside Delhi/ New Delhi.
2. The position has been reviewed and it has been decided that the grants-in-aid to the Recreation Clubs shall be admissible at the following rates from the current financial year 2015-2016.
(i) Grants-in-aid at the rate of Rs. 25/- per head per annum as against existing rate of Rs. 10/- per head per annum .
(ii) An additional grant-in-aid subject to a maximum of Rs. 25/- per head per annum, may be given as matching grant as against the existing rate of Rs. 15/- per head per annum.
(iii) A maximum grant of Rs. 25,000/- instead of Rs. 10,000/- may be sanctioned (after considering requirement on merits) for setting up of a recreation club.
3. Instructions issued from time to time on the subject may be adhered to.
4. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure’s I.D. No. 8(41)/2014-E-II (A), 13th February, 2015 and SS&FA (Home) Dy No. 3111501, dated 04.03.2015.
No.21/2/2014-CS.I(PR/CMS)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
CS.I Division
2nd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan,
Khan Market, New Delhi-110003
Dated the 9th April, 2015
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013- Submission of declaration of assets and liabilities by CSS officers for each year – regarding.
Ministries/Departments may refer to CS.I Division, DoP&T’s O.M. of even number dated 7.1.2015 on the subject mentioned above.
2. As Ministries/Departments are aware that all Government servants are now required to file information and returns regarding movable and immovable property under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. In this regard, all Government Servants have been advised that:
(i) The first return under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 (as on 01.08.2014) should be filed on or before 30.04.2015; and
(ii) The next annual return under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, for the year ending 31.03.2015, should be filed on or before 31.07.2015.
3. For filing annual return under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, new forms have been developed in the Web Based Cadre Management System which is hosted at cscms.nic.in Returns under Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act should be submitted by all CSS officers through Web Based Cadre Management System. Print out of the returns submitted online in respect of Under Secretary and above level officers of CSS should also be submitted to CS.I Division as it being the custodian of returns of these officers. The procedure for filing return is as under:
(i) Login to the system at cscms.nic.in by using the userid and password. In case of any difficulty in login please contact the nodal officer of the Ministry/Department for assistance. The generic Userid is eight digit date of birth followed by first four letters of name. Userid is also the employee code assigned to individual officers in the web based system. If the password is blocked, nodal officers can reset the password of individual employees by using the ‘reset password’ facility in the Tools Menu on the top of the screen. They can also provide ‘Employee Code’ from the system to individual officers to enable them to login to the system.
(ii) Verify whether personal details are reflected in the system correctly. To verify the details click on the ‘Employee Details’ button. If the details are not correct, first have them rectified through Admin. Division of concerned Department before proceeding further.
(iii) Click ‘IPR’ button on the top and then click on ‘Lokpal Returns’ icon.
(iv) Click ‘create new PR’ button and select property return year then click on create PR.
(v) Read declaration page carefully and click on ‘next’ button.
(vi) Form-I: Add one by one details of Public Servant, his/her spouse and dependent children and save details every time. After adding of details click on ‘next’ button.
(vii) Form-II: Add Movable Properties Owned By Self/ Spouse/ Dependent one by one by clicking ADD Button and save then click on ‘next’ button.
(viii) Form-Ill: Statement of Immovable Property: Add->Select ->IPR year-> Add new property details one by one by clicking ADD Button -> click on ‘next’ button.
(ix) Form-IV: Add Statement of Debts and Other Liabilities one by one by clicking ADD button then click on ‘FINISH’ button.
(x) Click ‘finish’ button. Property Return Details page automatically opens. Users may select the year by click on the particular year and then click on ‘Final submission of IPR’ button.
4. Ministries/Departments are requested that the contents of this O.M. may be widely circulated to the notice of all CSS officers working under their control. They should also ensure that the information and returns regarding movable and immovable property under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act is submitted by all officers within the stipulated period cited above without fail.
5. In case of any difficulty, nodal officers may contact CMC officials who have developed Web Based Cadre Management System at Telephone No. 24629890.
No, 1/2/2015-E-II (B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
*****
North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 10th April, 2015.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees Revised Rates effective from 1.1.2015.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s Office Memorandum No, 1/2/2014-E-II (B) dated 18th September, 2014 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Allowance payable to Central Government employees shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 107% to 113% with effect from 1st January, 2015.
2. The provisions contained in paras 3, 4 and 5 of this Ministry’s O.M. No. 1(3)/2008-E-II(B) dated 29’h August, 2008 shall continue to be applicable while regulating Dearness Allowance under these orders.
3. The additional installment of Dearness Allowance payable under these orders shall be paid in cash to all Central Government employees.
4. These orders shall also apply to the civilian employees paid from the Defence Services Estimates and the expenditure will be chargeable to the relevant head of the Defence Services Estimates. In regard to Armed Forces personnel and Railway employees, separate orders will be issued by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways, respectively.
5, In so far as the employees working in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders are issued with the concurrence of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
(A.Bhattacharya)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
DoPT revises Model Recruitment Rules for the post of Staff Car Driver
Dispatch Rider/MTS Group C staff to now get reimbursement for acquiring Driving Licence for Motor Cars
In a bid to encourage filling up of the post of Staff Car Driver (Ordinary Grade) through the method of Deputation/Absorption, the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) has issued orders to allow the Dispatch Riders and Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) Group C employees, provided they fulfil the criteria laid down in the Recruitment Rules of the post of Staff Car Driver, avail reimbursement for acquiring Driving Licence for Motor Cars.
The DoPT has also advised various Ministries/Departments to review the existing Recruitment Rules for the post of Staff Car Driver and bring them in conformity with the Model Recruitment Rules issued by the DoPT on July 7, 2014. Accordingly, the post of Staff Car Driver (Ordinary Grade) is to be filled by Deputation/Absorption failing which by Direct Recruitment.
Vacancies of Staff Car Driver will thus be filled first by Deputation / Absorption from amongst the regular Dispatch Rider (Group C) and Group C employees in Pay Band-I: Rs. 5200-20200 Grade Pay Rs. 1800 in the same Ministry / Department who possess valid Driving License for Motor Cars failing which from employees of equivalent posts in other Ministries / Department of the Central Government who fulfil the necessary qualifications.
