Shri Ajit Singh, the Minister of Civil Aviation informed Lok Sabha today in a written reply that Air India offers 50% discount on basic fare component of full normal economy class fare to Senior Citizens who have attained the age of 63 years and above on the date of commencement of travel and 50% discount on basic fare component of full normal economy class fare to students upto 26 years of age, applicable for travel between home town and place of study only.
The Minister further informed that Air India also offers concessions to other categories on domestic sectors to Senior Citizens, Students, Blind passengers, Cancer patient, Armed Forces, Armed Forces Bravery Awardees, Locomotor Disability, General Reserve Engineering Force, Sport Personnel –North East, Water Disabled Officers, Arjuna Awardees, War Widows, Para Military Force, Police Medal for Gallantry, Civilian Gallantry Awards and Youth passenger. Besides this, Air India also offers 100% discount on total fare to Bharat Ratna Awardees, Golden Tributes Card Holders (living members of Constituent Assembly of India) and Ex-Andaman Freedom Fighters or to Widows of Ex-Andaman Freedom Fighters.
Air India estimates that approximately 811 persons travelled during the period January to March 2012 which accounts for about 0.036% of its total carriage. It is not possible to estimate a loss as the carriage on account of these discounts would possibly be incremental and not termed as a loss, the Minister informed the Members.
F. No. 42/13/2012-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: 30th April. 2012
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject : Grant of Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners who are in receipt of provisional pension or pension in the pre-revised scale of 5th CPC w.e.f. 1.1.2012.
In continuation of this Department’s O.M No. 42/15/2011-P&PW(G) dated 21st October, 2011 sanctioning the Dearness Relief to those Central Government pensioners who are in receipt of provisional pension or pension in the pre-revised scales of 5th CPC, the President is pleased to grant the Dearness Relief to these Central Government pensioners as under :
(i) Those who are in receipt of provisional pension or pension in the pre revised scales of 5th CPC are entitled to Dearness Relief @ 139% w.e.f 1.1.2012.
(ii) The surviving CPF beneficiaries who have retired from service between the period 18.11.1960 to 31.12.1985 and are in receipt of ex-gratia a Rs. 600/p.m. w.e.f. 1.11.1997 under this Department’s 0M No. 45/52/97-P&PW(E) dated 16.12.1997 are entitled to Dearness Relief @ 139% w.e.f 1.1.2012.
2. The following categories of CPF beneficiaries who are in receipt of ex gratia payment an terms of this Department’s 0M No. 45/52/97-P&PW(E) dated 16.12.1997 are entitled to DR @ 131% w.e.f. 1.1.2012.
(i) The widows and dependent children of the deceased CPF beneficiary who had retired from service prior to 1.1.1986 or who had died while in service prior to 1,1.1986 and are in receipt of Ex gratia payment of Rs. 605/- p.m.
(ii) Central Government employees who had retired on CPF benefits tefore 18.11.1960 and are in receipt of Ex-gratia payment of Rs. 654/-, Rs. 659/-, Rs. 703/- and Rs. 965/-.
3. Payment of DR involving a fraction of a rupee shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee. In their application to the pensioners/family pensioners belonging to Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issue in consultation with the C&AG.
4, This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure vide their 0M No. 1(4)/EV/2004 dated 30th April, 2012.
5. Hindi version will follow
(S.P.Kakkar)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
The Union Labour & Employment Minister Shri Mallikarjun Kharge has informed the Lok Sabha that the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has proposed to set up more ESIC Hospitals in the country including in Odisha. Details are Annexed.
The land has been allotted by the State Government of Odisha for construction of ESI Hospitals at Angul&Duburi. At Angul, the process for possession of land is under way. At Duburi, Jajpur, land has been acquired by the ESI Corporation for setting up a hospital.
The hospitals at Angul and Duburi would be operationalzed after the infrastructure is in place.
The Minister was replying to a written whether the Government has decided to set up more ESI hospitals in the country including Bhubaneshwar
F.No. 31011/4/2007-Estt.(A)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
New Delhi, dated 30th April, 2012
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject- CCS (LTC) Rules, 1988 — Relaxation for travel by air to visit NER.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department O.Ms of even No. dated 02.05.2008 and 20.4.2010 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the relaxation for LTC travel to visit North Eastern Region under CCS (LTC) Rules, 1988 contained in the O.M. dated 02.5.2008 is extended further for two more years beyond 1st May, 2012.
2. Hindi version follows.
(B.Bandyopadhdyay)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Original Link
http://circulars.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/31011_4_2007-Estt.A-30042012.pdf
All-India Consumer Price Index Numbersfor Industrial Workers on Base 2001=100 for the Month of March 2012
All India Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) on base 2001=100 for the month of March, 2012 increased by 2 points and stood at 201 (two hundred one).
During March, 2012, the index recorded maximum increase of 7 points each in Bhilwara, Vijaywada and Salem centres, 6 points each in Belgaum, Ajmer, Ghaziabad and Mundakkayam centres, 5 points in 3 centres, 4 points in 6 centres, 3 points in 12 centres, 2 points in 19 centres and 1 point in 19 centres. The index decreased by 2 points in Tripura centre and 1 point each in Darjeeling, Sholapur and Puducherry centres, while in the remaining 8 centres the index remained stationary.
The maximum increase of 7 points each in Bhilwara, Vijaywada and Salem centres is mainly due to increase in the prices of Rice, Wheat, Groundnut Oil, Poultry (Chicken), Vegetable & Fruit items, Bidi, Cigarette, Dhoti (Cotton), Saree (Synthetic), Shirting Cloth (Synthetic), Trouser Cloth (Synthetic), Medicine (Allopathic), Toilet Soap, Tailoring Charges, etc. The increase of 6 points each in Belgaum, Ajmer, Ghaziabad and Mundakkayam centres is due to increase in the prices of Rice, Wheat, Jowar, Groundnut Oil, Milk (Buffalo), Vegetable & Fruit items, Tea (Readymade), Snack (Sweet), Snack (Saltish), Firewood, Saree (Synthetic), Toilet Soap, Tailoring Charges, etc. The decrease of 2 points in Tripura centre is due to decrease in the prices of Rice, Wheat Atta, Fish Fresh, Onion, Vegetable items, Sweater, etc.
The indices in respect of the six major centres are as follows :
The point to point rate of inflation based on CPI-IW(General) for the month of March, 2012 is 8.65% as compared to 7.57% in February, 2012. Inflation based on Food Index attained the level of 8.16% in March, 2012 as compared to 5.08% in February, 2012.
The CPI-IW for April, 2012 will be released on the last working day of the next month, i.e. 31st May, 2012.
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has taken following steps to check the migration of reputed doctors from Government hospitals:-
(i) the age of superannuation of Teaching Specialists has been enhanced from 62 to 65 years;
(ii) the age of superannuation of non-teaching and Public Health Specialists of CHS has been enhanced from 60 to 62 years;
(iii) The Dynamic Assured Career Progression Scheme (DACP) has been extended upto Senior Administrative Grade(SAG) posts. The CHS officer’s promotion upto Senior Administrative grade(SAG) level are made on a time bound basis without any linkage to vacancies;
(iv) The 6th Pay Commission has brought about an overall improvement in remuneration of doctors;
(v) the period of study leave for CHS doctors has been enhanced from 2 to 3 years for post graduation.
These measures have been taken during the last 3-4 years and are beginning to yield result towards retaining the doctors/specialists in Government hospitals/institutions.
The above information was laid in the Rajya Sabha today by the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad.
This Akshaya Tritya, invest in gold coins from India Post and get a flat 6% off on the price of Gold. This is a limited period offer so don’t wait so rush to your nearest designated post office and avail the benefit of a flat discount.
Chief Postmaster General, Delhi Postal Circle has announce special festive offer on the purchase of gold coins from 31 designated post offices across Delhi Postal Circle. You are entitled to a flat discount on the purchase of gold coins of any denomination.
Aksaya Tritya festival falling on 24th April this year. It is one of the most auspicious days of the year. It is often known as Akha Teej. Buying gold is an important aspect of the day and is a part of worshipping goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth in households. 6% discount on gold coins has been announced to mark this auspicious day. The gold coins are available in denominations of 0.5 g, 1 g, 5 g, 8 g, 10 g, 20 g and 50 g of 24 carat with 99.99 % purity.
India Post, in association with World Gold Council and Reliance Money Infrastructure Limited, commenced the sale of gold coins manufactured by Valcambi, Switzerland initially with few post offices across the country in October 2008. Today, the gold coins are available through more than 800 post offices across the country.
List of Post Offices designated to sale India post Gold coins in Delhi
Sl. No.
Nme of Post Office designated for sale of gold coins
The following is the text of the speech of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh on the occasion of the Civil Services Day:
“On this occasion of the seventh Civil Services Day I warmly greet all members of our civil services. This annual event provides our civil services an opportunity to reaffirm their collective commitment to serve our country and our people to the best of their ability. It is also an occasion for the civil servants to introspect and reflect on their role and performance, and how these can be made more effective, more meaningful.
I have seen the three themes for today’s deliberations. They all cover issues that are important for the country and of immediate relevance to the functioning of our civil servants. I am sure that you will have productive discussions during the course of the day. But I also believe that the significance of today’s event lies equally in sending out a message that we are all determined to make our civil services more competent, more professional, and alive to the requirements of the twenty first century and capable of facilitating rapid social and economic progress in our country.
I have always believed that there is no dearth of talent in our civil services. Many of our civil servants would rank among the best in the world. They have done excellent work. They have delivered results in the face of adversity. Several civil servants have been shining examples of probity and integrity, working selflessly for the public good. Indeed, we have just been introduced to the work of some outstanding civil servants. I congratulate today’s award winners and wish them even more success in the future.
As I said earlier, the Civil Services Day should also be an occasion for introspection. Even as we celebrate our successes, we should also be honest in admitting our failures and our deficiencies. I would like to take today’s opportunity to flag some issues about the civil services which I believe agitate the public mind.
There is a growing perception, right or wrong, that the moral fiber of our civil servants and public servants in general, is not as strong as it used to be some decades back and that our civil servants are now more likely to succumb to extraneous pressures in their work. These perceptions might be exaggerated but I do think that there is a grain of truth in them.
The decisions that the civil servants take must be fair and objective in nature, based on sound evidence and deep analysis and designed to serve the best interests of our country. Their judgment and advice should not be affected by the nature and color of the political leadership. If this does not happen, the impartiality and fairness of the decision making processes in public administration would get compromised and the quality of our output would be sub-optimal. I think, therefore, this is a vigil that the civil servants must maintain constantly. I also believe that there is a growing perception in the public that over the years the attributes of objectivity in work has been diluted. I leave it to the civil servants to ponder to what extent this perception is true and what they can collectively do to remove it from the public mind.
This brings me to yet another issue that I would like to flag today. We live in times of great change. Our society and our economy are undergoing rapid transformation. Every day we are exposed to new technology and to new ways of doing things. Not only this, technology has made the world smaller and best practices now get disseminated much faster than ever before. We should therefore ask ourselves the question whether, in our ways of doing things, we are keeping pace with the changes taking place all around us. I think it is generally felt that the civil services have somewhat lagged behind in this area. I am aware that it is not very easy to change systems, procedures and processes in the public sector. But this should be taken as a challenge and our civil servants should redouble their efforts to adopt more modern methods and practices.
In my last Civil Services Day address on April 21, 2011 I had outlined the measures that our government had taken or was contemplating to tackle the menace of corruption in public life. I believe that since then we have made substantial progress towards strengthening the legislative framework and revamping our administrative practices to enable us to fight corruption better. Even as our government moves forward in these efforts, which I don’t want to list in detail today, it should be our endeavor that there is no witch hunting in the name of fighting corruption. It is our government’s commitment to put in place a system and create an environment in which our civil servants are encouraged to be decisive, and no one is harassed for bonafide mistakes of errors of judgment. We stand committed to protecting honest and well meaning civil servants who might have made genuine errors in their work. And I sincerely hope that these intentions of our government are shared by the state governments too.
On their part, the civil servants in our country should fight the tendency of not taking decisions because of the fear that things might go wrong and they might be penalised for that. We cannot have a bureaucracy which is hundred percent risk averse. In fact we should encourage boldness in decision making, provided that the decisions are well considered and as per the law of the land. A civil servant who does not take decisions might always be safe, but at the end of the day he or she would have contributed nothing to our society and to our country.
Let me also very briefly comment on the topics that will be deliberated upon today. The first theme “Security for the Marginalized: Vision for a Caring India” particularly relevant to all of us in the context of our commitment and efforts towards inclusion towards the integration of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and religious minorities in the national mainstream. As we enter the Twelfth Plan period we should redouble our efforts for building a society and country in which the fruits of development are shared by each and every citizen. Our growth would not have much meaning if we fail in building a truly inclusive society and country. Indeed, without inclusion, social and economic, the very sustainability of our growth processes comes under question. The other two themes relate to making our civil services corruption free and more transparent and accountable, and also to enable them to improve service delivery to our citizens. These issues are of abiding relevance to all of us. I once again wish you very productive discussions on all these issues.
Let me end by stating that we have full faith in our civil services. They have served our country well. Our civil servants have made a very substantial contribution to our country’s progress. I congratulate them for their achievements. I wish them all the best for the future. But I also hope that they would constantly endeavor to improve, upgrade and modernize the systems and processes they adopt and operate in the best interests of our country.”
No. 1(3)/2008-E.II (B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
************
North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 20th April 2012
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:- Rates of Dearness Allowance applicable w.e.f. 01.01.2012 to the employees of the Central Government and the Central Autonomous Bodies continuing to draw their pay in the pre revised scale as per 5th cpc
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Departments O.M. of even No. dated 17th October, 2011 revising the Dearness Allowance w.e.f. 1.7.2011 in respect of the employees of the Central Government and the 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 the Central Government and the Central Autonomous Bodies shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 127% to 139% w.e.f. 01.01.2012. 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.
4. Hindi version is also attached.
(Subhash Chand)
Dy Secretary to Govt. of India.
Original GO Copy
http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_expenditure/notification/da/da_order_cab01012012.pdf
Ans. Domestic Funding of Foreign Training (DFFT) Scheme is a scheme introduced by the Government of India in 2001 with an objective to upgrade the knowledge & skills of the Government officers as well as to provide exposure to international best practices by deputing them to different long/short?term training programmes
Q.2 Who is eligible for training under the DFFT scheme?
Ans. The officers belonging to IAS, CSS and SCS are eligible to undergo foreign training under the Scheme. Officers of the other two All India Services, viz., IPS and IFoS and those of other organized Group `A’ Central Civil Services are eligible under the Scheme only when they are holding posts on deputation under the Central Staffing Scheme.
Q.3 Where can I find the Circular giving the terms and conditions along with the eligibility criteria for applying under the Scheme?
Ans. The circular is issued every year and hosted on the website of this Ministry (www.persmin.nic.in)
Q.4 How and when can I apply under the Scheme?
Ans. The circular for training programmes to be conducted in a financial year (April to March) is generally issued in the month of October of the preceding year, e.g., for training programmes to be offered in FY 2011?12, the circular was issued in October, 2010. The circular also contains an application form for filling up by interested officers.
Q.5 Is there a common Circular for the Long term as well as the Short term Programmes?
Ans. Yes
Q.6 Which are the areas for Long term and short term programmes sponsored under the DFFT Scheme?
Ans. The long?term programmes are mainly in the fields of public policy, public management, public administration, etc. while the themes for the short?term programmes are leadership, executive development, fiscal decentralization, tax analysis & revenue forecasting, project management, corruption & anti?corruption, health sector reforms, public administration, public finance management, infrastructure and PPP, training of trainers, advance competencies for trainers, environmental policy issues etc. The specific programmes both Long Term and short term are included in the Circular issued each year.
Q.7 How are the selections made?
Ans. It is mandatory to apply `online’ for the training programmes under the DFFT scheme. A software?based eligibility list is generated, followed by a merit list. Based on date available through these lists, a duly constituted Committee recommends officers for long?term and short?term training programmes taking into account the relevance and suitability factors and takes approval of the competent authority.
Q.8 Who bears the cost of the programme and what are the entitlements for living/daily allowances and accommodation allowance?
Ans. The entire cost on participation of officers in training programmes under the DFFT scheme is met by the Training Division, except certain pre?departure expenses.A detailed circular dated 19th January 2011 indicating various entitlements is available in the Ministry’s website (www.persmin.nic.in).
Q.9 Is the air travel also arranged by the DOPT? If so,how do we get the air tickets ?
Ans. Yes, the travel in the entitled class (on excursion fare basis) is arranged through Air India by the DOPT. For this purpose, vouchers are issued to the Air India office at Safdarjung Airport. The name and contact details of the concerned officers in Air India are intimated to the nominated officers who then get in touch with them and reserve tickets to their respective destinations.
Q.10 Does nomination by DoPT guarantee admission to the programmes?
Ans. Not necessarily. The concerned institutes also have their own selection procedures which may sometimes reject the nominations made by DOPT.
Q.11 How can I avail the Partial Funding under the DFFT Scheme and where do I get the terms and conditions of this component?
Ans. The officers can avail financial assistance under the Partial Funding component for pursuing higher studies in programmes which are relevant to their current and future assignments. The terms and conditions relating to the Partial Funding are contained in a circular dated 17th March 2008 and the same is available in our website (www.persmin.nic.in) which is likely to be revised soon.
Q.12 When I can apply for the support under the Partial Funding Scheme?
Ans. The applications can be made throughout the year but only after securing admission in the chosen programme/ University. However, the period from April to June is ideal as most of the programmes commence in August/September.
Q.13 If I fulfil all the eligibility criteria as per the Circular can I be sure to get the Partial Funding support from the DoPT?
Ans. DOPT administers the partial funding scheme. However, the Central Establishment Board is the final authority in the matter which may lay down its own criteria such as public interest, budget, etc. while deciding the cases of partial funding.
