The Ministry of Railways has decided that the Complimentary Card Passes issued to sportspersons who are Arjuna Awardees shall now be valid for travel in 1st Class/2nd AC in Rajdhani trains and Chair Car (CC) in Shatabdi trains besides being valid for travel in 1st Class/2nd AC in other mail/express trains (except Duronto trains) over All Indian Railways (except Metro Railway/Kolkata) as per the existing provision. A circular dated 20th July 2012 of Railway Board has been sent to all the Zonal Railways for implementation.
The said Card Pass entitles them lifelong free travel for self only. In addition, the Arjuna Awardee sportsperson is entitled to facility of a companion in the same class along with the sportsperson on this complimentary card pass on attaining the age of 65 years. In case of Arjuna Awardee Sportsperson, the companion allowed at the age of 65 years shall also be entitled to travel in the same class along with the Arjuna Awardees in Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains.
As per extant policy, Ministry of Railways provides 1st Class/2nd AC Complimentary Card Passes to meritorious sportspersons who are Arjuna Awardees, Olympic Medalists, Gold Medalists in Asian or Commonwealth Games or Dronacharya Awardees. The said Card pass entitles them life long free rail travel for self only in 1st Class/2nd AC over all-Indian Railways (except Metro Railway/Kolkata) by any train other than Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains. The policy further prescribes that sports-person is entitled to facility of a companion in the same class on the aforesaid card pass on attaining the age of 65 years. From now on in case of Arjuna Awardees and their companions only the facility has been extended for travel in Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains.
The Ministry of Railways has decided that the civilian recipients of gallantry awards of Chakra series (namely Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra) will also be provided 1st /2nd Class AC Complimentary Card passes on the lines as admissible to Defence awardees. The procedure and other conditions for issue of such Card Passes to civilian Chakra awardees will remain the same as applicable to Defence awardees.
As per extant policy, Ministry of Railways provides 1st Class/2nd AC Complimentary Card passes to Defence personnel recipients of gallantry awards of Chakra series and to widows of posthumous gallantry awardees of Chakra series viz. Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra. The Card Pass entitles them life-long free rail travel in 1st Class/2nd AC Class along with one companion in same class over all India Railways except Metro Railway/Kolkata. From now on, this facility will now be available to both civilian and Defence personnel recipients of Chakra Awards.
In order to make the Income Tax Return filing experience even more convenient, the Income Tax Department has started two more taxpayer friendly initiatives ‘Register for Home Visit’ and ‘Online Tax Help’. To avail these facilities, a taxpayer must visit the website www.trpscheme.com and take help of trained professionals either online or at their homes. The taxpayer can choose between ‘online help’ or ‘home visit’.
On choosing the option of online tax help, the taxpayer can fill in his tax related query along with his contact details. The online query will be resolved by tax experts through Email or Phone within 24 hours.
The taxpayers who choose to register for home visit, will be asked to indicate in short the help required by them and a convenient date and time when the Tax Return Preparer (TRP) can visit them for assistance. The help desk will forward the query of the taxpayer to the nearest available TRP and fix the appointment telephonically. The TRP will then visit the taxpayer and render assistance. The facility is aimed to facilitate taxpayers in filing their return and thereby reducing their cost of compliance. The TRPs are allowed to collect fee from the taxpayers as per the TRP notification subject to a maximum of Rs. 250 per return preparation. The facility for home visit by TRPs has been presently made available in few cities such as Bangalore, Chennai, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Patna. The facility would be extended to more cities during the next phase.
The TRP scheme call center 1800-10-23738 may be called for further information regarding these initiatives.
The Tax Return Preparer Scheme is an initiative of the Income Tax Department to help small and marginal tax payers in filing of their Income Tax Returns. This Scheme is applicable to individual and HUF tax payers who can take assistance of TRPs in preparation and filing of their Income Tax Returns. The TRPs are self employed graduates who are trained by the Income Tax Department for filing of Income Tax Returns as well as quarterly TDS statements. The TRPs are authorized to collect nominal charges of Rs. 250 or less from the tax payers for preparing their Income Tax Returns. The Department also pays incentive to the TRPs for preparing of returns of tax payers which is a percentage of the total tax paid as per the returns prepared by the TRP subject to a maximum of Rs. 1000/-.
The Union Cabinet has approved a policy to promote sportspersons for excellence in international sports events. In its meeting held last evening, it approved giving upto three out of turn promotions in their service career for winning medals in Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and World Championships. The sportsperson winning a medal or more than one medal in a Game/Team Events/Championships in a particular year will be eligible for an out of turn promotion in that year. Further record-breaking medal winning performance in National Games will also be considered for one out of turn promotion during the service career. Two out of turn promotions will be given for performance as a Coach, if he/she has trained a sportsperson who wins a medal in international sports events.
This would be in addition to the monetary reward scheme of the Government already in existence for all medal winners in international sports events and their coaches where the quantum of monetary rewards for individuals is upto Rs. 50 lakh for medal winning performance in Olympic Games, Asian Games and World Championships.
The scheme for out-of-turn promotion to Sportspersons/Coaches will be framed by Department of Personnel and Training (DoP&T). The scheme will be helpful in improving the performance of individual sportsperson and will play a big role in promotion of sports among the masses. The out of turn promotion to a coach will encourage formation of pool of talent within government organizations which can be effectively utilized for training sportspersons. The proposed policy will cover all the sportspersons working with Central Government Ministries and Department.
Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) vide its Notification No. 9/2012 dated 17th February, 2012 has exempted salaried employees from the requirement of filing the returns for assessment year 2012-13. The exemption is applicable only if all the following conditions are fulfilled:-
• Employee has earned only salary income and income from savings bank account and the annual interest earned from savings bank account is less than Rs. 10 thousand.
• The total Income of the employee does not exceed Rs. 5 Lakh (Total Income means Gross Total Income Less deductions under Chapter VIA).
• The Employee has reported his PAN to the employer.
• Employee has reported his income from interest on savings bank account to employer.
• Employee has received Form 16 from his employer.
• Total Tax Liability of employee has been paid off by employer by way of TDS and employer has deposited TDS with central government.
• Employee has no refund claim.
• Employee has received salary only from one employer.
• Employee has not received any Notice from Income Tax Department for filing of Income Tax return.
F.No.1/3/2011-P&PW(E)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, P.G. & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare
3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market New Delhi
Dated: the 25th May, 2012
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Fixation of enhanced family pension – pre-2006 pensioners/family pensioners – clarification regarding.
The orders of the Government on implementation of the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission were issued by this Department in September, 2008. The family pension in respect of pre-2006 pensioners/ family pensioners was consolidated w.e.f. 01.01.06 as provided for in this Department’s O.M. No.38/37/08-P&PW(A), dated 01.9.08 and clarified vide O.M. No. 38/37/08-P&PW(A).Pt.I, dated 03.10.08 and 14.10.08.
2. The fixation of family pension at ordinary rates is subject to the provision that the revised family pension in no case shall be lower than 30% of the minimum of the Pay in the pay band plus the grade pay corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale from which the pensioner had retired. In case of HAG and above scales it is 30% of the minimum of the revised pay scale. In the cases of such employees who retired/died on or before 31.12.2005, the family pension at enhanced rates was also required to be revised.
3. It is clarified that the revised enhanced family pension, under sub-rule 3(a) of Rule 54 of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, during the applicable period, shall also be determined as per para 4.1 of O.M. No.38/37/08-P&PW(A), dated 01.9.08. Further, it shall not be less than 50% of the sum of minimum of the pay in the pay band plus the grade pay or 50% of minimum of pay scales in case of HAG and above, corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale in which the pensioner/deceased employee had last worked.
4. In cases where the pension authorized on retirement was less than 50% of the last pay drawn and amount of pension revised after 1.1.2006 is also less than 50% of the sum of minimum of the pay in the pay band plus grade pay or 50% of minimum of revised pay scales in case of HAG and above, the revised enhanced family pension may be less than 50% and shall be restricted to that amount.
5. In the case of a pensioner who died prior to 01.01.2006, the notional revised pension as on 01.01.2006 shall be taken into account for the purpose of calculation as above. In all cases, the amount of revised enhanced family pension shall not be less than 30% of the sum of minimum of the pay in the pay band plus the grade pay or 30% of minimum of pay scales in case of HAG and above.
6. As regards pensioners/family pensioners belonging to the Indian Audit and Accounts Departments, these Orders issue after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
7. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure vide their U.O. No.253/E.V/2012, dated 26.4.2012.
Relaxation of condition relating to enhancement of age of superannuation of teachers in state institutions consequent of the implementation of the revised pay scales on the basis of 6lh Pay Commission recommendations
The Cabinet today approved the proposal to relax the condition of enhancement of age of superannuation of teachers to 65 in state institutions for the implementation of the revised pay scales on the basis of 6lh Pay Commission recommendations and become eligible for receiving Central share of 80% of the arrear payment.
It also decided that reimbursement of 80% of the Central share of the arrears be paid in 2-3 instalments to those States who have already made the payment and submitted their proposals for reimbursements to the Central Government.
The decision of Cabinet is expected to provide relief to teachers in State institutions with the payment of arrears. It will also benefit State Governments, who will be able to make the arrear payment in instalments and also claim reimbursements simultaneously.
Background:
Following the revision of pay scales of Central Government employees on the recommendation of the 6ifl Pay Commission, the pay scales of teachers and other equivalent cadres was revised and age of superannuation was enhanced to 65 in December 2008. The scheme of revised pay scales was essentially for teachers in Central Educational Institutions. However, provisions of the Scheme could be made applicable by State Governments, to Universities and Colleges coming under the purview of the State Governments, provided the State Governments adopt and implement the scheme as a composite scheme, including the enhanced age of superannuation.
The Central Government decided to provide financial assistance to the extent of 80% as reimbursement to those State Governments, which may opt for these revised pay scales for the period 1.1 2006 to 31.3.2010 The remaining 20% was to be met by the State Government from its own resources. The Central assistance was subject to the condition relating to the enhancement of the age of superannuation of university and college teachers to 65 years.
Many State Governments had requested the Central Government to waive the condition relating to enhancement of age of superannuation of teachers to 65 years as they were finding it difficult to accept the condition relating to enhancement of age of superannuation and the condition that the State Governments should first disburse the arrears and then seek reimbursement from Central Government to the extent of 80% of these arrears.
No. 18016/3/2011-Estt.(L)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, P.G. & Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)
…
New Delhi, the 27th June, 2012.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:- Special concessions/facilities 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 OM. No. 18016/3/2010-Estt.(L) dated 27th January, 2011 on the subject mentioned above and to state that it has been decided to extend the package of concessions/incentives to Central Government employees working in Kashmir Valley for a further period of one year w:e.f. 01.01.2012 upto 31.12.2012. The revised package of incentives 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.
(Zoya C.B)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
ANNEXURE to DOPT’s O.M. No.18016/3/2011-Estt.(L) dt 27th June, 2012.
DETAILS OF PACKAGE OF CONCESSIONS/FACILITIES 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]
I. 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 place of 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 wish to move their families to a selected place of residence :
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)12008-E.II(B) dated 29.08.2008.
II. MESSING FACILITIES :
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 MinistrieslDepartments 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.
III. 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 Tensions outside the Valley where they have settled, in relaxation of relevant provisions.
NOTE :- 1. The package e 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.
As per AICPIN data, DA would be 7% from July 2012. Central Government increased 7% Dearness Allowance from January 2012, so we have 65% in total from Jan 2012 onwards, now it would be 65%+7%=72% from July 2012. So we can expect announcement from the Government to increase of 7% Dearness Allowance from July 2012 onwards. But this announcement will come only after August 2012. However we have to wait for Government order for final confirmation.
Railway Administration Making Local Arrangements to Implement New Tatkal Booking Timings
The Ministry of Railways has further streamlined the delivery of tickets under Tatkal Scheme and the new amendment in the scheme will come into effect from tomorrow i.e. 10th July 2012 (Tuesday). Under the new amendment the booking of Tatkal tickets will start at 10.00 hours on the previous day of journey from train originating station instead of 0800 hours at present. For example, if a train is to depart from the originating station on the 2nd of the month, the Tatkal quota booking both through Internet (IRCTC Website) and reservation counters for that particular train shall open at 1000 hours on the 1st of the month. In addition, it has also been decided that no authorised agents, including agents of IRCTC and RTSAs/RTAs will be allowed to book Tatkal tickets from 1000 hours to 1200 hours from counters as well as from Internet.
At the Zonal Railway and the Divisional Railway level, the local Railway administration is also making arrangements at the reservation counters for orderly implementation of the amendment in the scheme like segregation of Tatkal buyers through separate queues, separate counters etc. as per the local requirement and feasibility. The travelling public is being informed about the new arrangements through Press Releases, Press Advertisements, Announcements and Notice Boards. Moreover, installation of CCTVs in all major booking centres to monitor any unusual activities, inspection of the reservation centres by the senior officers, display of helpline numbers for complaints, raids by the vigilance squads are some of the measures being taken to prevent misuse of Tatkal facility. The requirement of indicating Mobile number of the passenger in the application form is also being insisted to cross verify the genuineness of the passenger.
These new measures are in addition to the previously taken measures to revamp Tatkal system from November 2011. In November 2011, the following measures were introduced to reduce/minimize the possibility of booking of tickets by touts/miscreants and which are still continuing:
1. Advance Reservation Period of Tatkal scheme was reduced from two days excluding the day of journey to one day excluding the day of journey.
2. Refunds are not granted on cancellation of confirmed Tatkal tickets except in case of special circumstances like late running of train by more than three hours, cancellation of trains etc.
3. Duplicate Tatkal tickets are not issued under normal circumstances. In exceptional cases Duplicate Tatkal tickets can be issued on payment of full fare including Tatkal charges.
4. Tatkal tickets are issued only on production of self attested photocopy of one of the 9 prescribed proofs of Identity mentioned in the scheme, at the computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counter. While booking e-ticket, the passenger has to indicate the number of identity card in the system. The passenger is required to carry the same proof of Identity during the journey.
5. A restriction of booking of a maximum of four passengers per PNR on Tatkal ticket has been imposed.
The Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a Public Sector Undertaking of Ministry of Railways which manages Railways e-ticketing website namely www.irctc.co.in has also implemented following additional steps to streamline Tatkal ticket bookings:
