There is no proposal under consideration of Government to reduce the retirement age from 60 to 58 years for its employees.
The retirement age for Central Government employees was revised from 58 to 60 years in 1997 on the basis of recommendations of the 5th Central Pay Commission.
The Centre’s total wages and salaries bill for its employees for the year 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 is Rs. 85,963.50 crore, Rs. 92,264.88 crore and Rs. 1,04,759.71 crore, respectively.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to Sardar Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Dr. T Subbarami Reddy and Smt. Ambika Soni in Rajya Sabha, today.
The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013, which was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 19.08.2013, contains provisions, inter alia, for omission of section 11 and for amending section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The said Bill provides that section 11 of the Act shall be omitted. This Bill further provides for substitution of the following sub-section in place of existing sub-section (1) of section 13, namely:-
(1) A public servant is said to commit the offence of criminal misconduct,—
(a) if he dishonestly or fraudulently misappropriates or otherwise converts for his own use any property entrusted to him or under his control as a public servant or allows any other person so to do; or
(b) if he intentionally enriches himself illicitly during the period of his office and, he or any person on his behalf, is in possession or has, at any time during the period of his office, been in possession for which the public servant cannot satisfactorily account, of pecuniary resources or property disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Explanation.—For the purpose of this section, “known sources of income” means income received from any lawful source.`.
The Bill was referred to the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice for examination and report. The Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee submitted its 69th Report on the said Bill to the Parliament on 6th February, 2014.
Having regard to the fact that the Bill contemplates an important paradigm shift in defining the offences relating to bribery, the Department of Legal Affairs of the Ministry of Law and Justice has been requested to seek the views of the Law Commission of India.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to Shri Bhagwant Mann in the Lok Sabha today.
The three Services, in the Joint Services Memorandum submitted by them to the Seventh Central Pay Commission have projected following major parity issues:
• Review and enhancement of Grade Pay of Service Officers and Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBORs);
• Initial Pay fixation of Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel and Brigadier equivalents;.
• Placing of all Lieutenant General / equivalent in Higher Administrative Grade + (HAG+) scale;
• Grant of Non-Functional upgradation to Defence Services Officers; and
• Common Pay Scales for Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) / Other Ranks (ORs).
The principle of One Rank One Pension has been accepted by the Government. The modalities for its implementation have been discussed with various stakeholders.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar in a written reply to Shri Ajay Sancheti in Rajya Sabha today.
The Commission, headed by its Chairman, Justice Shri A. K. Mathur, proposes to visit Kolkata from 04th to 06th January 2015 and Andaman & Nicobar from 08th to 10th January 2015. The Commission would like to invite various entities/associations/federations representing any/all categories of employees covered by the terms of reference of the Commission to present their views.
Your request for a meeting with the Commission may be sent through e-mail to the Secretary, 7th Central Pay Commission at [email protected]. The memorandum already submitted by the requesting entity may also be sent as an attachment with this e-mail.
The last date for receiving request for meeting is 31st December 2014 (1700 hours).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)
RBE No.140/2014
New Delhi, Dated.10.12.2014
No. E (NG)II/2013/RR-I/2
The General Manager (P),
All Zonal Railways/Production Units/Chairmen, RRBs.
Sub: Recognition of qualification for the purpose of employment on the railways – regarding.
****
A clarification has been sought by one of the Railway Recruitment Boards whether certificate of Diploma Course of four year part-time in Civil Engineering can be treated as equivalent to a regular Diploma course in Civil Engineering.
2. The matter has been examined in consultation with All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)lNew Delhi and Civil Engineering Directorate of this Ministry. Further to instructions contained in letter No. E(NG)II/2005/RR-1I8 dated 28/8/2014, it is clarified that qualification of four year part-time Diploma in Civil Engineering may be accepted wherever minimum prescribed qualification is three year Diploma in Civil Engineering subject to the condition that such Diploma certificate should not have been obtained through distance education mode.
Please acknowledge receipt.
(Hindi version will follow)
(Lily Pandeya)
Director Estt. (N)-II
Railway Board
It has been decided to use an AADHAR Enabled Bio-metric Attendance System (AEBAS) in all offices of the Central Government, including attached / sub-ordinate offices, in India. An Office Memorandum dated 21st November, 2014 regarding introduction of AEBAS by the Government has been issued in this regard.
The system will be installed in the offices located in Delhi / New Delhi by 31st December, 2014. In other places this will be installed by 26th January 2015. The manual system of marking of attendance will be phased out accordingly.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to Smt. Ambika Soni and Dr. T. Subbarami Reddy in the Rajya Sabha today.
F. No. 11013/6/2014-Estt.A
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment Division
North Block, New Delhi – 110001
Dated December 10th , 2014
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Amendment to Rule 3 of Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 – Need for code of Ethics and Values of Civil Services.
This undersigned is directed to say that Rule 3 of Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 has been amended vide G.S.R. No 845(E) dated 27 thNovember, 2014 to incorporate the expected standards of the civil services and provide for accountability of civil servants to ensure good governance and better delivery of services to citizen. The above said Notification is also available on the website of this Department at www.persminmov.in/DOPT.asp
2. Consequent to the above amendment, the sub-rule (1) of Rule 3 of Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 now reads as follows:
Every Government servant shall at all times-
(i) maintain absolute integrity;
(ii) maintain devotion to duty;
(iii) do nothing which is unbecoming of a Government servant;
(iv) commit himself to and uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and democratic values;
(v) defend and uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, public order, decency and morality;
(vi) maintain high ethical standards and honesty;
(vii) maintain political neutrality;
(viii) promote the principles of merit, fairness and impartiality in the discharge of duties;
(ix) maintain accountability and transparency;
(x) maintain responsiveness to the public, particularly to the weaker section;
(xi) maintain courtesy and good behaviour with the public;
(xii) take decisions solely in public interest and use or cause to use public resources efficiently, effectively and economically;
(xiii) declare any private interests relating to his public duties and take steps to resolve any conflicts in a way that protects the public interest;
(xiv) not place himself under any financial or other obligations to any individual or organisation which may influence him in the performance of his official duties;
(xv) not misuse his position as civil servant and not take decisions in order to derive financial or material benefits for himself, his family or his friends;
(xvi) make choices, take decisions and make recommendations on merit alone;
(xvii) act with fairness and impartiality and not discriminate against anyone, particularly the poor and the under-privileged sections of society;
(xviii) refrain from doing anything which is or may be contrary to any law, rules, regulations and established practices;
(xix) maintain discipline in the discharge of his duties and be liable to implement the lawful orders duly communicated to him;
(xx) maintain confidentiality in the performance of his official duties as required by any laws for the time being in force, particularly with regard to information, disclosure of which may prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, friendly relation with foreign countries or lead to incitement of an offence or illegal or unlawful gain to any person;
(xxi) perform and discharge his duties with the highest degree of professionalism and dedication to the best of his abilities.”.
3. All the Ministries/Departments are requested to bring the contents of this OM to the notice of all officers and staff working under them.
No.35034/3/2008-Estt(D) (Vol.II)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training)
New Delhi 110001
Dated the 10th December, 2014
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:- Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme for the Central Government Employee-Clarification regarding.
The undersigned is directed to invite reference to the Para 5 of the Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme issued vide the Department of Personnel and Training Office Memorandum No. 35034/3/2008-Estt.(D) dated May 19, 2009 providing that the recommendations of the Screening Committee shall be placed before the Secretary in cases where the Committee is constituted in the Ministry/Department or before the Head of the organisation/competent authority in other cases for approval.
2. References have been received from various Ministries/Departments with regard to delegation of powers of Secretary to a Joint Secretary level officer as a large number of files on various matters are referred to the Secretary for approval and it is an administrative matter of routine nature which can be disposed of at the level of Joint Secretary.
3. The matter has been considered in this Department and it has been decided that the recommendations of the Screening Committee henceforth be placed before the Appointing Authority of the post in both cases where the Committee is constituted in the Ministry/Department or in other cases for approval with regard to grant of financial upgradation under MACP Scheme.
4. Ministries/Departments are requested to bring these instructions to the notice of all concerned including their attached and subordinate offices.
No. 31011/7/2014-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: 28th November, 2014
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:- Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 — Relaxation to travel by private airlines to visit J&K.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s O.M. No. 31011/3/2014-Estt.(A-1V) dated 26th September, 2014. It has been decided that the Government servants while availing Leave Travel Concession (LTC) to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) under the special dispensation scheme allowed by the aforesaid O.M. may also travel by private airlines subject to the following conditions:-
(i) Officers entitled to travel by air may also travel by private airlines from their headquarters;
(ii) Officers not entitled to travel by air may be permitted to travel by private airlines between Delhi /Amritsar and any place in J&K.
2. Air travel by private airlines is to be performed in Economy Class only an at LTC- 80 fare of Air India or less.
3. 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.
4. All other conditions prescribed in this Ministry’s O.M. No. 31011/3/2014-Estt.(AIV) dated 26.09.2014 would continue to apply.
5. The order will remain in force for a period of one year from the date of issue of this order.
(B. Bandyopadhyay)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
No. 11013/2/2014 Estt (A.III)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training)
North Block, New Delhi,
Dated the 27th November 2014
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Alignment of Service Rules with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013.
The undersigned is directed to say that the ‘Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013’ { SHWW (PPR) Act } has been promulgated on 22nd April 2013. Further to the Act, the ‘Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Rules, 2013’ were notified on 9.12.2013. The Act and the Rules framed thereunder provide a redressal mechanism for handling cases of sexual harassment at workplace. The Act and Rules are available at the website of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (wcd.nic.in) under Legislation/Acts.
2. The CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 and CCS (CCA) Rules,1965 have been amended vide Notifications of even number published as G.S.R. 823(E) and G.S.R.822(E) in the Gazette of India — Extraordinary dated 19-11-2014. These are available on this Department’s website www.persmin.qov.in
3. So far as Central Government employees are concerned, provisions already exist in the CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964 defining sexual harassment. Further, the proviso to Rule 14(2) of the CCS (CCA) Rules 1965 provides that the complaints committee established in each Ministry or Department or office enquiring into such complaints shall be deemed to be the inquiring authority appointed by the disciplinary authority and the committee shall hold the inquiry so far as practicable in accordance with the procedure laid down in those rules. Similar provisions exist in the relevant service rules of the Central Govemment servants not, governed by CCS (Conduct) Rules / CCS (CCA) Rules.
4. Sexual harassment as defined rule 3-C of CCS (Conduct) Rules,1964 in has been amended vide Notification of even number dated 19-11-2014 (copy enclosed). The amended rule is as follows:
“Rule 3C – Prohibition of sexual harassment of working women
(1) No Government servant shall indulge in any act of sexual harassment of any woman at any work place.
(2) Every Government servant who is incharge of a work place shall take appropriate steps to prevent sexual harassment to any woman at such work place.
Explanation- 1 For the purpose of this rule,
(a) “sexual harassment” includes any one or more of the following acts or behaviour, (whether directly or by implication), namely:—
(i) physical contact and advances; or
(ii) demand or request for sexual favours; or
(iii)sexually coloured remarks; or
(iv)showing any pornography; or
(v) any other unwelcome physical, verbal, non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature.
(b) The following circumstances, among other circumstances, if it occurs or is present in relation to or connected with any act or behaviour of sexual harassment may amount to sexual harassment : –
(i) implied or explicit promise of preferential treatment in employment; or
(ii) implied or explicit threat of detrimental treatment in employment ; or
(iii) implied or explicit threat about her present or future employment status; or
(iv) interference with her work or creating an intimidating or offensive or hostile work environment for her; or
(v) humiliating treatment likely to affect her health or safety.
(c) “workplace” includes, –
(i) any department, organisation, undertaking, establishment, enterprise, institution, office, branch or unit which is established, owned, controlled or wholly or substantially financed by funds provided directly or indirectly by
the Central Government;
(ii) hospitals or nursing homes;
(iii) any sports institute, stadium, sports complex or competition or games venue, whether residential or not used for training, sports or other activities relating thereto;
(iv) any place visited by the employee arising out of or during the course of employment including transportation provided by the employer for undertaking such journey;
(v) a dwelling place or a house.”
5. All Ministries/Departments are advised that the following procedure may be adopted while dealing with complaints of sexual harassment:-
(i) Sexual harassment will include any one or more of the Acts or behaviour defined in Rule 3-C of the CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964 read with Sec 3(2) of SHWW (PPR) Act.
(ii) The Committee constituted in each Ministry/ Department/ office under the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 shall inquire into complaints of sexual harassment in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of the SHWW (PPR) Act.
(iii) The Committee will as far as practicable follow the procedures prescribed in CCS (CCA) Rules 1965 for conduct of the inquiry.
(iv) If any complaint is received directly by the committee, the same shall be referred to the appropriate disciplinary authority and the Committee shall inquire into the complaint on the complaint being referred to it by the disciplinary authority.
6. In addition, the Committee will have the powers to recommend to the employer:-
a) to transfer the aggrieved woman or the charged officer to any other workplace; or
b) to grant leave to the aggrieved woman up to a period of three months. (The leave granted to the aggrieved woman under this section shall be in addition to the leave she would be otherwise entitled to.)
c) to grant such other relief to the aggrieved woman as may be prescribed; or
d) to deduct from the salary or wages of the charged officer such sum as it may consider appropriate to be paid to the aggrieved woman or to her legal heirs. Any amount outstanding at the time of cessation of the services of the charged officer due to retirement, death or otherwise may be recovered from the terminal benefits payable to the officer or his heirs. Such compensation will not amount to penalty under Rule 11 of CCS (CCA) Rules in terms of the Explanation (ix) to Rule 11 inserted vide Notification of even Number dated 19-11-2014.
7. It may also be noted that the Committee may recommend action to be taken against the person who has made a complaint, if the Committee arrives at the conclusion that the allegation is malicious or the aggrieved woman or the person making the complaint has made the complaint knowing it to be false or has produced any forged or misleading document. The Committee may also recommend action against any witness if it comes to the conclusion that such witness has given false evidence or produced any forged or misleading document.
8. Attention is also invited to the following provisions of SHVV1N (PPR) Act:
• Sec 16 & 17: Prohibition of publication or making known contents of complaint , inquiry proceedings and recommendations of the Committee.
• Sec 19 : Duties of employer. This may be read with provisions of Rule 3(C) (2) of CCS (Conduct) Rules.
• Sec 21, 22 of SHWW(PPR) Act and Rule 14 of the SHWW (PPR) Rules Annual Reports
9. All the Ministries/Departments are requested to bring the contents of this OM to the notice of all officers and staff working under them. The Ministries/ Departments are also requested to advise the PSEs /Autonomous Bodies under their administrative control to align their service rules with the SHWW (PPR) Act/ Rules.
(Mamta Kundra)
Joint Secretary to the GOvernment of India
