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Grant of Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners w.e.f 1.7.2014

F. No.42/10/2014-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: 29th Sept, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Grant of Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners — Revised rate effective from 1.7.2014.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM No. 42/10/2014-P&PW(G) dated 9th April, 2014 on the subject mentioned above and to state that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Relief (DR) payable to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 100 % to 107% w.e.f. 1st July, 2014.

2. These orders apply to (i) All Civilian Central Government Pensioners/Family Pensioners (ii) The Armed Forces Pensioners, Civilian Pensioners paid out of the Defence Service Estimates, (iii) All India Service Pensioners (iv) Railway Pensioners and (v) The Burma Civilian pensioners/family pensioners and pensioners/families of displaced Government pensioners from Pakistan, who are Indian Nationals but receiving pension on behalf of Government of Pakistan and are in receipt of ad-hoc ex-gratia allowance of Rs.3500/- p.m. in terms of this Departments OM No. 23/1/97-P&PW(B) dated 23.2.1998 read with this Department’s OM No. 23/3/2008-P&PW(B) dated 15.9.2008.

3. Central Government Employees who had drawn lump sum amount on absorption in a PSU/Autonomous body and have become eligible to restoration of 1/3 commuted portion of pension as well as revision of the restored amount in terms of this Department’s OM No. 4/59/97-P&PW (D) dated 14.07.1998 will also be entitled to the payment of DR @ 107% w.e.f. 1.7.2014 on full pension i.e. the revised pension which the absorbed employee would have received on the date of restoration had he not drawn lump sum payment on absorption and Dearness Pension subject to fulfillment of the conditions laid down In para 5 of the 0.M. dated 14.07.98. In this connection, instructions contained in this Department’s OM No.4/29/99-P&PW(D) dated. 12.7.2000 refer.

4. Payment of DR involving a fraction of a rupee shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee.

5. Other provisions governing grant of DR in respect of employed family pensioners and re-employed Central Government Pensioners will be regulated in accordance with the provisions contained In this Department’s OM No. 45/73/97-P&PW (G) dated 2.7.1999 as amended vide this Department’s OM No. F.No. 38/88/2008-P&PW(G) dated 9th July, 2009. The provisions relating to regulation of DR where a pensioner is in receipt of more than one pension, will remain unchanged.

6. In the case of retired Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, necessary orders will be issued by the Department of Justice separately.

7. It will be the responsibility of the pension disbursing authorities, including the nationalized banks, etc. to calculate the quantum of DR payable in each individual case.

8. The offices of Accountant General and Authorised Public Sector Banks are requested to arrange payment of relief to pensioners etc. on the basis of these instructions without waiting for any further instructions from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the Reserve Bank of India in view of letter No. 528-TA, 11/34-80-II dated 23/04/1981 of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India addressed to all Accountant Generals and Reserve Bank of India Circular No. GANB No. 2958/GA-64 (ii) (CGL)/81 dated the 21st May, 1981 addressed to State Bank of India and its subsidiaries and all Nationalised Banks.

9. In their application to the pensioners/family pensioners belonging to Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issue after consultation with the C&AG.

10. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure conveyed vide their OM No. No 1(4)/EV/2004 dated 26th Sept.2014.

11. Hindi version will follow.

(Charanjlt Taneja)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Original Order : Click here

LTC entitlements of a Fresh Recruit – FAQ’s

No. 31011/7/2013-Estt.(A4V)
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment (A-IV)
***

Dated: 26thSeptember, 2014
North Block, New Delhi

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on LTC entitlements of a Fresh Recruit

The 6th CPC had recommended that “Fresh Recruits” to the Central Government may be allowed to travel to their Home Town along with their families on three occasions in a block of four years and to any place in India on the fourth occasion. This was accepted by the Government and orders were issued vide DoPT O.M. No. 31011/4/2008-Estt.(A) dated 23rd September, 2008.

2. This Department receives a number of references seeking clarifications from various Ministry/ Departments about the year wise LTC entitlements of Fresh Recruits. Based on the same, a set of frequently asked questions have been answered as under:

Question 1. What are the LTC entitlements of a Fresh Recruit?

Answer: Fresh recruits to the Central Government are allowed to travel to their home town along with their families on three occasions in a block of four years and to any place in India on the fourth occasion. This facility shall be available to the fresh recruits only for the first two blocks of four years applicable after joining the Government for the first time.

Question 2. How are the two blocks of four years applied to the Fresh Recruit?

Answer: The first two blocks of four years shall apply with reference to the initial date of joining the Government service even though the Govt. servant may change the job within the Government subsequently. However, as per Rule 7 of CCS (LTC)  Rules, 1988, the LTC entitlement of a fresh recruit will be calculated calendar year wise with effect from the date of completion of one year of regular service.

Question 3. Are the LTC blocks of four years in respect of Fresh Recruits same as the regular blocks like 2010-13, 2014-17?

Answer: No. The first two blocks of four years of fresh recruits will be personal to them. On completion of eight years of LTC, they will be treated at par with other regular LTC beneficiaries as per the prescribed blocks like 2014-17, 2018-21 etc.

Question 4. If a fresh recruit does not avail LTC facility in a particular year, can he/ she avail it in the next year?

No. Carryover of LTC to the next year is not allowed in case of a fresh recruit as he is already entitled to every year LTC. Hence, if a fresh recruit does not avail of the LTC facility in any year, his LTC will deem to have lapsed with the end of
that year.

Question 5. How will the LTC entitlements of a Fresh Recruit be exercised after the completion of eight years of service?

Answer: (a) After the completion of eight years of service, when the next LTC cycle of fresh recruit coincides with the beginning of the second two year block (eg. 2016-17) of the running four year block (2014-17), he will be eligible only for ‘Home Town’ LTC if he/she has availed ‘Any Place in India’ LTC in the eighth year. Cases, where the new LTC cycle of fresh recruit coincides with the second year of the running two year block (ex. 2017 of 2016-2017), he will not be eligible for LTC in that year. Refer illustrations 1 & 3 for further explanation.

(b) At the end of the eighth year of LTC, when the new LTC cycle of a fresh recruit coincides with the beginning of a regular four year block, his entitlement in the regular block will be exercised as per the usual LTC Rules. Refer illustration 2.

Question 6. How will the LTC entitlement computed in case of a fresh recruit joining the service on 30 December of any year?

Answer: A fresh recruit who joins the Government service on 31st December of any year, will be eligible for LTC w.e.f. 31st December of next year. Since, 31st December is the last date of a calendar year, his first occasion of LTC ends with that year. Hence, he may avail his first Home Town LTC on the last day of that year. From next year onwards he would be eligible for the remaining seven LTCs. Refer illustration 3.

Question 7. How will the entitlements of a fresh recruit be computed who has joined the Govt. service before 01.09.2008? ,

Answer: A fresh recruit who has joined Government service before 01.09.2008 (i.e before the introduction of this scheme) and has not completed his first eight years of service as on 01.09.2008 will be eligible for this concession for the remaining time-period till the completion of first eight years of his/ her service. Refer illustration 4.

Question 8. Can a fresh recruit whose Home Town and Headquarters are same, avail LTC to Home Town?

Answer: No. A fresh recruit whose Home Town and Headquarters are same, cannot avail LTC to Home Town. He may avail LTC to any place in India on the fourth and eighth occasion only. As per Rule 8 of CCS (LTC) Rules, 1988, LTC to Home Town shall be admissible irrespective of the distance between the Headquarters of the Govt. servant and his Home Town which implies that Headquarters and Home Town should be at different places.

(B. Bandyopadhyay)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Original Order : Click here for Illustrations

Re-institutionalizing the practice of leaving ‘note for the successor’ – DOPT Order

No. 13024/01/2014-Trg.( Trg. Ref.)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Training Division

Block-IV, Old JNU Campus,
New Mehrauli Road,New Delhi – 110067

Dated: 26th September 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Re-institutionalizing the practice of leaving ‘note for the successor’

Knowledge is a key driver of organizational efficiency and effectiveness, an intangible and one of the most valuable assets of an organization. Often, it is seen as the ‘hard’ information available in files, notesheets, correspondence, documents, SOPs, MOPs, and electronic databases. It is much more than that. All employees have invaluable knowledge of their areas of responsibility, which may be much more nuanced and integrated than those mentioned earlier.

2. Such innate knowledge is at a risk of getting lost when the incumbent leaves the seat- gets transferred or demits office. New employee will take time to understand issues of current importance, appreciate urgency of actionable points, recognize strengths and weakness of different subordinates for suitable work allocation, and comprehend critical issues by trial and error. This time spent in negotiating the way in new environment, spent in trial and error, may turn out to be the critical difference between success and failure of the unit, the department or even the organization.

3. Thus, knowledge continuity in wake of employee transition needs to be recognized as a key challenge: more so in the government where rule based Personnel polices mandate a fixed tenure. Problem of knowledge continuity can be significantly tackled if incumbent employee, with overall goal of success of the organization in mind, considers the successor as a part of same team and transfers the knowledge that he/she considers critical. Such knowledge transfer can be by personal interaction and briefing. However, written notes for the successor serve the purpose more effectively and also help build institutional memory. In government, though this practice used to be in vogue, of late it is
becoming rare.

4. A need for re-institutionalizing the practice of leaving ‘note for the successor’ was highlighted by Hon’ble Prime Minister during the presentation of the M/o Personnel, PG & Pensions on 12 June 2014.

5. . Accordingly, it has been decided that respective Competent Authorities may impress upon officers in their organizations to cultivate the habit of leaving behind “note for the successor” when they move out. It is also emphasized that all CTls/ATls should include inputs on “note for the successor” in their training programs so that officers are sensitized towards this important organizational responsibility.

6. This department may be informed of the steps taken in this regard.

(Rajesh Arya)
Director (Trg.)

Original Order : Click here

Grant of extension/re-employment to Central Government servants beyond the age of superannuation

Most Immediate

F.No.22/35/2011-EO (SM.II)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
(Office of the Establishment Officer)
*****

North Block, New Delhi
24/26 September, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Grant of extension/re-employment to Central Government servants beyond the age of superannuation.

Attention of all the Ministries/Departments is invited to the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules which prescribe that the ACC is the competent authority to decide the cases of extension in service beyond the age of superannuation. Attention is also invited to DoPT’s O.M. No. 26012/6/2002-Estt. (A) dated 09.12.2002 on the subject mentioned above laying down nstructions/criteria for grant of extension in service to the categories of personnel referred in proviso to F.R. 56(d). The ACC has observed that in some of the cases, the Departments are not taking timely action to reconstitute the Departmental Peer Review Committee (DPRC) and are unilaterally extending the service of the officers beyond the age of superannuation without first obtaining approval of the ACC.

2. It has also been observed that Ministries/Departments often submit proposals late to the E0 Division as a result of which submission of cases for consideration of the ACC also gets delayed.

3. In view of the above, all the Scientific Ministries/Departments are hereby advised to take timely action for constitution of the DPRC for considering the cases for extension of service of specialists in medical or scientific fields, beyond the normal date of superannuation and ensure that proposals seeking approval of the ACC be invariably submitted at least two months in advance of the date of superannuation.

4. It is also reiterated that in absence of specific approval of ACC towards extension of his services beyond the date of superannuation, an officer should stand retired on his date of superannuation and under no circumstances should the Ministry/Department concerned extend his services beyond superannuation unilaterally without the approval of ACC.

(Anand Madhukar)
Director (ACC)

Original Order : Click here

Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 — Relaxation to travel by air to visit NER and A&N

No. 31011/3/2014-Estt.(A-IV)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
*****

North Block, New Delhi-110 001
Dated: 26th September, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 — Relaxation to travel by air to visit NER and A&N.

The undersigned is directed to say that in relaxation to CCS (LTC) Rules, 1988, it has been decided by the Government to permit Government servants to travel by air to North East Region (NER) , Jammu and Kashmir and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (A&N) as per the following scheme

All eligible Government servants may avail LTC to visit any place in NER/ A&N against the conversion of one block of their Home Town LTC. Fresh Recruits are also eligible for this benefit against conversion of one of the three Home Towns in a block of four years applicable to them.

(ii) Government servants entitled to travel by air can avail this LTC from their Headquarters in Economy class.

(iii) Government servants not entitled to travel by air may be permitted to travel by air in Economy class in the following sectors:

a. Between Kolkata/ Guwahati and any place in NER
b. Between Kolkata/ Chennai/ Bhubaneswar and Port Blair.
c. Between Delhi / Amritsar and any place in J&K

Journey for these non-entitled employees from their Headquarters up to Kolkata/ Guwahati/ Chennai/ Bhubaneswar / Delhi / Amritsar will have to be undertaken as per their entitlement.

(iv) Air travel is to be performed by Air India in Economy Class only and at LTC-80 fare or less.

(v) Air travel by non-entitled officers on the sectors mentioned in item (iii) above may be permitted while availing LTC to any place in India (4 year Block) also.

(vi) Air Tickets to be purchased directly from the airlines (Booking counters, website of airlines) or by utilizing the service of Authorized Travel Agents viz. ‘M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company’, ‘M/s Ashok Travels & Tours’ and ‘IRCTC’ (to the extent IRCTC is authorized as per DoPT’s O.M. No. 31011/6/2002-Estt.(A) dated 02.12.2009) while undertaking LTC journey. Booking of tickets through other agencies is not permitted.

2. These orders shall be in operation for a period of two years from the date of issue of this O.M.

3. All the Ministries/ Departments are advised to bring it to the notice of all their employees that any misuse of LTC will be viewed seriously and the employees will be liable for appropriate action under the rules. In order to keep a check on any kind of misuse of LTC, Ministries/ Departments are advised to randomly get some of the air tickets submitted by the officials verified from the Airlines concerned with regard to the actual cost of air travel vis-a-vis the cost indicated on the air tickets submitted by the officials.

4. In their application to the staff serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issue after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

(B. Bandyopadhyay)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Original Order : Click here

5th CPC Dearnesss Allowance Enhancement from July 2014 – Finmin Order

F.No.1/3/2008-E.II(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
*****

North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 25th September, 2014.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Rates of Dearness Allowance applicable w.e.f. 1.7.2014 to employees of Central Government and Central Autonomous Bodies continuing to draw their pay in the pre-revised scale as per 5th Central Pay Commission.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s Office Memorandum of even No. dated 22nd April, 2014 revising the rates of Dearness Allowance in respect of employees of Central Government and Central Autonomous Bodies who continue to draw their pay and allowances in the pre-revised scales of pay as per 5th Central Pay Commission.

2. The rates of Dearness Allowance admissible to the above categories of employees of Central Government and Central Autonomous Bodies shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 200% to 212% w.e.f. 1.7.2014. All other conditions as laid down in the O.M. of even number dated 3rd October, 2008 will continue to apply.

3. The contents of this Office Memorandum may also be brought to the notice of the organizations under the administrative control of the Ministries/Departments which have adopted the Central Government scales of pay.

(A. Bhattacharya)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Original Order :Click here

No holiday on October 2; Government Employees to Take Cleanliness Pledge

All central government employees have been asked to be present in their offices on October 2 to take cleanliness pledge as part of the Narendra Modi government’s ‘Clean India’ campaign. October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, is otherwise a national holiday.

The employees will be administered ‘Swachhata Shapath’ (pledge of cleanliness) in government offices, public functions and events on October 2, said a directive issued by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth to all central government secretaries.

“Each ministry should participate in this national endeavour and undertake cleanliness and awareness campaign in a befitting manner,” Mr Seth said.

The cleanliness drives led by senior officials will be undertaken in all government and public offices, it said.

The Prime Minister will on October 2 launch ‘clean India’ campaign, a mass movement aimed at cleaning the country.

A week-long drive has also been started from today to get rid of clutter, garbage and weed out old and unwanted things from government office premises, the directive said.

“There is a need to create massive public awareness and to ensure participation and action for cleaning homes, government offices, schools, hospitals, work places, streets, roads and markets, railway station and bus terminals, statues, monuments, rivers, lakes, ponds and other public places,” it said.

Mr Modi had on August 15 announced the launch of the campaign.

“I come from a poor family, I have seen poverty. The poor need respect and it begins with cleanliness. I, therefore, have to launch a ‘clean India’ campaign from October 2 this
year and carry it forward in four years,” Mr Modi had said in his speech on Independence Day from the Red Fort.

The Cabinet Secretary had earlier also written to secretaries of central government departments pressing the need for clean working spaces.

“There are certain offices where construction material is lying for years. In some office premises, unused or junked vehicles are also parked. The departments have already been asked to make sure that no clutter, unused vehicles, rubbles or building material are lying in the office premises,” a Personnel Ministry official said.

There may be surprise inspections to ensure the effectiveness of cleanliness drive, he said. Senior officials have sprung into action and instructed their concerned supervisors to ensure that the office premises are clean.

Source : NDTV

Guaranteed minimum pension of Rs 1000 per month under Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995

Labour Minister Shri Tomar announces launch of Minimum Pension Scheme across 120 locations in India

37 Union Ministers to felicitate pensioners on September 30

The Union Minister of Labour & Employment, Steel and Mines, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar announced the launch of a guaranteed minimum pension of Rs 1000 per month under Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995. Speaking to journalists at a press conference in here today, he said, the Union Government has decided to organize functions in every office of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation spread across 120 locations in the country. It has also been decided that in 37 locations, Union Ministers will preside over the functions and felicitate the pensioners whose pension is getting increased.

Shri Tomar stated that this is being done to interact with the pensioners and to ensure that no eligible person is left out. He expressed confidence that this interaction will help the EPFO to design its pension re-engineering process in a better way. The Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Smt Gauri Kumar and Central PF Commissioner Shri K.K. Jalan were also present on the occasion.

The Minister said that the long-pending demand for increase in the pension will soon see the light of day. At present, a large number of pensioners are getting only paltry amounts as pension under the scheme. Nearly two-thirds of the pensioners are in receipt of pension of less than 1000 rupees. Thus, this move would benefit approximately 32 lakh out of a total of 49 lakh pensioners who are getting below Rs 1000 as pension, he added.

It is relevant to note that the wage ceiling for coverage under the three schemes of EPFO i.e. Employees Provident Fund Scheme, Employees’ Pension Scheme and Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme (EDLI) has also been increased from monthly Rs 6500 to Rs 15000. This increased wage ceiling is expected to bring in an additional 50 lakh employees under the ambit of these social security programmes. The increased wage ceiling will also result into higher benefit under the EDLI from a maximum of Rs.1,30,000 to a maximum of Rs 3,60,000.

In the recent past EPFO has taken a series of measures to bring in greater transparency and efficiency in its functioning. These include the facility for online registration of establishments (OLRE), Online Transfer Claim Portal (OTCP), e-passbook and electronic payment of PF and Pension benefits through NEFT (National Electronic Fund Transfer) and CBS (Core Banking Solution).

Source : PIB

Proposal for framing/amendment in the Service Rules of the Organized Services – DOPT Order

No.AB-14017/61/2008-Estt.(RR)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel P.G.& Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
***

North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 24.09.2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Attention is invited to this Department’s O.M. No. AB. 14017/48/2010-Estt (RR) dated 31St December, 2010 vide which Guidelines on framing / amendment/relaxation of Recruitment Rules and Service Rules were issued.

2. Department of Personnel & Training, with the approval of the competent authority, has decided that henceforth all the Cadre Controlling Authority of Organized Group ‘A’ Service, before referring any proposal for framing/amendment in the Service Rules of the Organized Services, are required to put the proposed amendments/revision in the Service Rules on their website for 30 days for inviting comments from the concerned officers.

3. Thereafter, taking into account the comments so received, the proposal would be sent to DoPT, UPSC and Ministry of Law for finalisation.

4. All the Cadre Controlling Authorities are, therefore, requested to adhere to these instructions scrupulously. Proposal referred to, this Department without following the aforesaid procedure, would not be entertained.

(Jitendra R.Gaikwad)
Under Secretary (RR)

Original Order : Click here

Productivity Linked Bonus for the Civilians Army Ordnance Corps (AOC) for the year 2013-2014

No. 20(2)/2014/D(JCM)
Government of India
Ministry of Defence

New Delhi, the 23rd September, 2014

To
The Chief of the Army Staff,
New Delhi.

Subject : Productivity Linked Bonus for the Civilians Army Ordnance Corps (AOC) for the year 2013-2014

Sir,

I am directed to refer to the Productivity Linked Bonus Scheme already circulated vide this Ministry’s letter No. F.24(6)/80/D(JCM) dated 28th September, 1983, as amended from time to time, and to convey the sanction of the President to the payment of 40 days (Forty days) wages in cash as PLB for the year 2013-2014 to the eligible civilian employees of the AOC.

2. The entitlement has been worked out on the basis of the working result for the year 2013-2014 in accordance with the agreed formula.

3. The PLB will be paid to all eligible Gp. ‘B’ (Non-Gazetted), Gp ‘C’ & Gp. ‘D’ civilian employees of AOC who are covered under PLB Scheme for the accounting year 2013-2014. The calculation ceiling of Rs.3500/-(3500x40x30.4) and other terms and conditions of the PLB Scheme will remain unchanged.

4. Productivity Linked Bonus to the casual labour will be paid at the assumed wages of Rs.1200/- p.m. (1200×40/30.4) for the accounting year 2013-2014. However in cases where the actual wages fall below Rs.1200/- the amount will be calculated on the actual monthly wages. The other condition remain unchanged.

5. The expenditure on this account will be debitable to Defence Services Estimates under respective Heads to which the pay and allowances of these employees are debited. The entire expenditure on the payment of PLB is to be met out of the sanctioned budget grant for the year 2014-15.

6. This issues with the concurrence of the Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) vide their I.D.No. 169984-E-III(A)/2014 dated 19.09.2014 and Integrated Finance Division vide their Dy.No. 165/AG/PB dated 23.09.2014.

Yours faithfully,

(Gurdeep Singh)
Under secretary to the Govt. of India

Original Order :
http://bpms.org.in/documents/plb-aoc-t1gi.pdf

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