The criteria fixed for setting up a Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) dispensary in a particular area are as under:
(i) In an existing CGHS city: For opening of a new Allopathic CGHS dispensary in an existing CGHS city, there has to be a minimum of 2,000 Card holders (serving employees of Central Government and Central Civil pensioners).
(ii) Extension of CGHS to a new City: For extension of CGHS to a new city there has to be a minimum of 6,000 Card holders.
However, due to financial and other resource constraints it is not always possible to adhere to the above criteria.
Keeping in view the financial and other resource constraints, a decision has been taken not to expand CGHS to cover new cities /areas. There are some States and UTs which do not have the presence of CGHS as yet. Accordingly, the Ministry has mooted a proposal to open at least one CGHS dispensary in the capital city of such States /UTs namely, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, Nagaland and Pudduchery. One dispensary is also proposed for the capital city of Gujarat. In addition, there is also a proposal to open one CGHS dispensary in Indore in compliance of the High Court’s directions.
This was stated by Sh Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare in a written reply to the Lok Sabha today.
CGHS is basically providing the dispensary services through its Wellness Centres manned by the General Duty Medical Officers. However, CGHS also provides the services of medical specialists through the Polyclinics and Central Government hospitals. In addition, the CGHS medical specialists also visit designated dispensaries on stipulated days in each week to provide medical consultation to the beneficiaries. Due to shortage of specialists in CGHS it is practically not feasible and financially viable to provide Specialist facilities in each CGHS Wellness Centre. Moreover, CGHS is also engaging contractual specialists against the vacant posts of specialists to provide the medical consultation services to its beneficiaries. CGHS has a dedicated wing of specialists at the Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi for its beneficiaries. The CGHS beneficiaries are also allowed to consult specialists at Dr. RML Hospital and other Government hospitals in NCR in respective specialties. In addition, CGHS has empanelled a large number of private hospitals to provide inpatient medical care to its beneficiaries on the advice of Government specialists.
Also, as per the Terms & Conditions for empanelment under CGHS, all empanelled private hospitals are required to provide credit facilities to the CGHS beneficiaries in case of emergency. Pensioners and other specified category of beneficiaries are entitled for credit facilities under normal circumstances also. Non-compliance of the said provision attracts penalty as per the Memorandum of Agreement signed by them.
This was stated by Sh Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare in a written reply to the Lok Sabha today.
F.No.6/2/2013-Estt. (Pay-I)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
New Delhi, the 10th December, 2013
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: Notification for amendment of clause (2) of FR 29
The undersigned is directed to say that the FR 29(2) provided that if a Government servant is reduced as a measure of penalty to a lower service, grade or post or to a lower time scale, the authority ordering the reduction may or may not specify, the period for which the reduction shall be effective. The Rule 11(vi) of the CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965 relating to this penalty was earlier amended vide the Notification No. F.11012/2/2005-Estt (A) dated the 2nd February, 2010. Vide the Notification No.G.S.R. 263 dated 27th October, 2013 published in the Gazette of India the FR 29(2) has now been amended, in line with the amended CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965, as follows:
“(2) If a Government servant is reduced as a measure of penalty to a lower service, grade or post or to a lower scale, the authority ordering the reduction shall specify —
(a) the period for which the reduction shall be effective; and
(b) whether, on restoration, the period of reduction shall operate to postpone future increments and, if so, to what extent.
(3) The Government servant shall regain his original seniority in the higher service, grade or post on his restoration to the service, grade or post from which he was reduced”.
2. All the Ministries / Departments are requested to bring the contents of the afore mentioned amendment to the notice of all concerned for information and compliance.
3. Any existing provisions in Disciplinary Rules not in consonance with the above may be amended so that they are not in conflict with the Fundamental Rules.
(Mukesh Chaturvedi)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
Process to Constitute the 7th Central Pay Commission Along with Finalization of Its Terms of Reference, The Composition and Timeframe Initiated
The Government has initiated the process to constitute the 7th Central Pay Commission along with finalization of its Terms of Reference, the composition and the possible timeframe for submission of its Report. The date of effect thereof will be known once the Report is available.
This was stated by Shri Namo Narain Meena, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha here today.
Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) October 2013
According to a press release issued by the Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour & Employment the All-India CPI-IW for October, 2013 rose by 3 points and pegged at 241(two hundred and forty one). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by 1.26 per cent between September and October compared with 0.93 per cent between the same two months a year ago.
The largest upward pressure to the change in current index came from Food group contributing 2.53 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Rice, Wheat Atta, Fish Fresh, Goat Meat, Milk (Cow & Buffalo), Pure Ghee, Onion, Vegetable items, Tea Readymade, Electricity Charges, etc.. are responsible for the rise in index. However, this was compensated to some extent by Groundnut Oil, Ginger, Petrol, putting downward pressure on the index.
The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 11.06 per cent for October, 2013 as compared to 10.70 per cent for the previous month and 9.60 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 15.02 per cent against 13.36 per cent of the previous month and 9.91 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.
At centre level, Bhavnagar recorded the highest increase of 9 points each followed by Ahmedabad, Labac Silchar and Kodarma (8 points each) and Vadodara and Surat (7 point each). Among others, 6 points rise was registered in 8 centres, 5 points in 10 centres, 4 points in 8 centres, 3 points in 9 centres, 2 points in 10 centres and 1 point in 11 centres. On the contrary, Belgaum and Chhindwada centres reported a decline of 3 points each followed by Mercara (2 points) and Salem, Hubli Dharwar and Puducherry (1 point each). Rest of the 15 centres’ indices remained stationary.
The indices of 39 centres are above All-India Index and other 38 centres’ indices are below national average.
The next index of CPI-IW for the month of November, 2013 will be released on Tuesday, 31 December, 2013. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureau.gov.in.
No16/15/2012-JCA
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
North Block, New Delhi
19th November, 2013
Sub: Record Note of the meeting held on 24.10.2013 at 3.00 PM to discuss the possible Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 7th CPC with the representatives of the Staff Side of JCM
The undersigned is directed to forward herewith a copy of the Record Note of the meeting held with Staff Side on 24.10.2013 to discuss the possible Terms of Reference of the Seventh Central Pay Commission.
(Ashok Kumar)
Deputy Secretary (JCA)
Record Note of the meeting held Qn 24.10.2013 at 3.00 PM to discuss the possible Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 7th CPC with the representatives of the Staff Side of JCM
A meeting was held on 24.10.2013 at 3.00 PM in Committee Room No 190, North Block under the chairmanship of Dr S.K.Sarkar, Secretary DOP&T to discuss the possible Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 7th Central Pay Commission, which is going to be set up by the Government, with the representatives of the Staff Side of JCM. List of Participants to this meeting is at Annexure I.
At the outset, Secretary (P) welcomed the Staff side representatives and thanked them for attending this meeting on a short notice. He indicated that since this meeting has been convened to discuss the possible Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 7th Central Pay Commission, he hoped that the discussions would remain so focused.
Sh Umraomal Purohit, Secretary, Staff Side, in his opening remarks stated that it would have been preferable that there was a proposal from the official side on this issue to the Staff Side and then the same could have been discussed further in a meeting where the Finance Secretary could also be invited. He then pointed out that the new concept of Pay Bands and Grade Pay structure as per the 6th CPC, which changed the pay structure in Government, had resulted in a new experience which was mixed. He stated that though the 6th CPC did not recommend merger of DA with Pay, they could not have anticipated such a high rate of inflation which resulted in such high rate of DA; the rate of Dearness Allowance presently was 90% and due to high inflation there was a need to consider merger of a part of DA with Pay. He also raised the question of Interim Relief pending finalisation of 7th CPC recommendations. Shri Purohit further mentioned that anomalies of 6th CPC should be resolved on priority before 7th CPC. He also suggested that there must be some machinery which should resolve anomalies within one year of implementation of CPC report.
M.Raghavaiah, while thanking the Chairman raised the issue of anomalous situations which had arisen due to the new concept of Pay Bands and Grade Pay structure as per the 6th CPC. He suggested that the Finance Ministry should look into this aspect as to how anomalies cropped up due to this and how these can be avoided in future. He was of the view that the anomalies cases which stand referred to the Ministry of Finance need to be cleared. He referred to anomalies relating to MACP scheme vis a vis ACP scheme and resolution pending thereon required to be resolved as already discussed in the Joint Committee meetings on MACPS. He also demanded that there should be merger of DA with Pay as was agreed to in 2004. He also pointed out that the Railway Ministry’s proposals on 6th CPC related matters presently pending with Ministry of Finance should be cleared.
The other representatives from Staff Side raised the following issues
1) Entry level pay to promotee employees at par with that admissible to Direct Recruits as was agreed in the National Anomaly Committee;
2) One of the ToR should be to set up a special bilateral mechanism to sort out anomalies arising out of Pay Commission recommendations;
3) Professional approach should be adopted in dealing with peculiarities concerning Railways and Defence civilian employees;
4) There should be parity between pre & Post CPC retirees for the purpose of pension etc.;
5) Cadre review/restructuring proposals should be delinked from the 7th CPC so that these are not delayed;
6) Wage Revision should be effective after every 5 years as in the case of PSUs;
7) If there is going to be separate CPC for the Armed Forces as had been reported in media, or if there is a representative of Armed Forces in the 7th CPC then there should be a representative of Labour in the CPC;
8) CPC should not go by “Central Secretariat” structure to make its recommendations which does not take into account specific complexities in large Government organisations like Railways, Postal Department and Defence establishments.
9) Allowances should be enhanced concurrently with the pay consequent upon Pay commission implementation.
10) Supreme Court has upheld that MACP should be in the hierarchy of the Post and also for grant of NDA in 7th CPC rates w.e.f. 1/4/2007. These judgments should be implemented to all similarly placed employees.
11) The Secretary Staff side in the end requested that a copy of Terms of Reference as proposed by the Ministry of Finance may be circulated and then another meeting with Secretary, Department of Expenditure and Department of Personnel & Training be arranged to discuss & finalise the Terms of Reference of 7th CPC.
In his concluding remarks, the Chairman thanked the participants for their views and requested the Staff Side that they may send their suggestions in writing also.
ANNEXURE I
List of Participants in the Meeting held on 24th October, 2013 at 3.00 PM in Room No. 190, North Block, New Delhi.
No.1/3/2008-Estt.(Pay-I)(Vol.II)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
North Block, New Delhi
dated the 22nd November 2013
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Grant of incentive for acquiring higher qualifications – Inclusion of additional qualifications / Review of the qualifications listed in the Annexure to this Department’s OM No 1/2/89-Estt.(Pay-I) dated 9/4/1999 -reg.
The undersigned is directed to refer this Department’s OM of even number dated 28.4.2009 and subsequent reminders of even number dated 17.6.2009, 20.8.2009, 30.10.2009, 7.1.2010 and 23.3.2010 calling for suggestions regarding addition / deletion of qualifications listed in the Annexure to this Department’s OM dated 9.4.1999.
2. Even after lapse of considerable time, no inputs in this regard have been received from Ministries / Departments, except Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
3. All the Ministries / Departments are, therefore, requested to furnish their suggestions in this regard to this Department within 30 days from the date of issuance of this OM, before a final decision is taken in the matter. This OM may please be given wide publicity.
(Mukesh Chaturvedi)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
Original Order :
http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/1_3_2008-Estt.Pay-I-Vol.II-22112013.pdf
F.No. 5(2)-B(PD)/2013
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Economic Affairs
New Delhi, the 12th November, 2013
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject : Advances to Government servants — Rate of interest for purchase of conveyances during 2013-2014.
The undersigned is directed to state that the rates of interest for advances sanctioned to the Government servants for purchase of conveyances during 2013-2014 i.e. from 1st April, 2013 to 31st March, 2014 are revised as under:
Rate of interest
per annum
(i) Advance for purchase of conveyance other than
motor car (viz. motor cycle, scooter etc.)
9%
(ii) Advance for purchase of motor car
11.5%
(A.K. Bhatnagar)
Under Secretary (Budget)
Original Order :
http://www.finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_eco_affairs/budget/RoIPurchConvey13.pdf
No. 12/11/2013-FA (UN)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
North Block, New Delhi, the 18th November, 2013
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:- Department of Personnel & Training’s “Handbook of Instructions on Foreign Assignments” – reg.
The undersigned is directed to refer to the above cited subject and to say that instructions relating to foreign assignments have been issued by the Government from time to time. Most of the instructions though available on the website, are spread over various links. An effort has been made to consolidate all the instructions in the form of a ‘Handbook of Instructions on Foreign Assignments’ to facilitate easy access and reference of all concerned. The ‘Handbook of Instructions on Foreign Assignments” has been uploaded on this Department’s website [persmin.nic.in] in public domain under the path “OMs & Orders=> Establishment Officer=> Handbook of Instructions on Foreign Assignments”. The same can be perused and downloaded from this Department’s website i.e. “persmin.nic.in ” under the path mentioned above.
2. This issues with the approval of the Establishment Officer & Additional Secretary.
(Chhatra Mani)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Original Order
http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02eod/12_11_2013-FAUN-18112013.pdf
Direct Link for Handbook
http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02eod/Handbook_ACC_ForeignAssignment.pdf
Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) September 2013
According to a press release issued by the Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour & Employment the All-India CPI-IW for September, 2013 rose by 1 points and pegged at 238 (two hundred and thirty eight). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by 0.42 per cent between August and September compared with 0.47 per cent between the same two months a year ago.
The largest upward pressure to the change in current index came from Miscellaneous group contributing 0.44 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Arhar Dal, Goat Meat, Dairy Milk, Milk (Cow & Buffalo), Pure Ghee, Snack Saltish, Tea Leaves, Onion, Electricity Charges, Firewood, College Fee, Secondary School Fee, Petrol, Bus Fare, Tailoring Charges etc. are responsible for the rise in index. However, this was compensated to some extent by Wheat, Groundnut Oil, Mustard Oil, Poultry, Ginger, Vegetables and Fruit items, putting downward pressure on the index.
The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 10.70 per cent for September, 2013 as compared to 10.75 per cent for the previous month and 9.14 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 13.36 per cent against 13.91 per cent of the previous month and 11.00 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.
At centre level, Labac Sichar recorded the highest increase of 9 points each followed by Varanasi and Vishakhapattnam (7 points each) and Bhilwara, Tripura and Darjeeling (6 points each). Among others, 5 points rise was registered in 3 centres, 4 points in 2 centres, 3 points in 7 centres, 2 points in 14 centres and 1 point in 15 centres. On the contrary, Goa reported a decline of 8 points followed by Godavarikhani (7 points), Bhavnagar (5 points) and Nagpur and Ahmedabad (4 points each). Among others 3 point decline was observed in 2 centres 1 point in 6 centres. Rest of the 15 centres’ indices remained stationary.
The indices of 39 centres are above All-India Index and other 38 centres’ indices are below national average. The index of Ajmer centre remained at par with all-India index.
The next index of CPI-IW for the month of October, 2013 will be released on Friday, 29 November, 2013. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureau.gov.in.
