Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its order dated 16.03.2022 directed that in terms of the communication dated 7th November 2015, a re-fixation exercise shall be carried out from 1st July 2019, upon the expiry of five years. Revision of pension under OROP with effect from 01.07.2019 is under process.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Rajmohan Unnithan in Lok Sabha today.
DOPT requested to share ATR for Covid Vaccination Free Precaution Dose to Central Government Employees
F. No. 11013/9/2014-Estt.A-III Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and pensions (Department of Personnel and Training) ******
North Block, New Delhi Dated the 28 July, 2022
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Covid Vaccination Amrit Mahotsav — Free Precaution Dose to all Central Government Employees as a Preventive measure to contain the spread of Novel Coronavirus
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM of even number dated 20.07.2022 vide which the Ministries/Departments were advised to organize ‘Covid Vaccination Amrit Mahotsav Camps’ at the workplaces for providing Free Covid Precaution Doses to the eligible employees and their family members. They were further advised to direct attached & Subordinate Offices and Organizations under their control, including PSUs, to organize Vaccination Camps as well.
2. Ministries/Departments are requested to share the Action Taken Report (ATR), including the ATR in respect of attached/subordinate offices and PSUs under their administrative control, indicating the details of the camps organized/planned to be organized during the Covid Vaccination Amrit Mahotsav (15.07.2022 to 30.09.2022), number of Free precautionary doses administered in those camps and employees covered therein. The status of action taken may be regularly sent on weekly basis, starting from 1.8.2022, at [email protected].
(Umesh Kumar Bhatia) Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
To 1. All the Ministries/Departments of Government of India 2. PMO/Cabinet Secretariat 3. PS to Hon’ble MOS(PP) 4. PSO to Secretary (Personnel) 5. Senior Technical Director, NIC, DOPT — for uploading on website
Exclusion of Central Government Employees from NPS
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS ***
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1392 TO BE ANSWERED ON THURSDAY, THE 28th JULY, 2022
Exclusion of Central Government Employees from NPS
1392. Shri Javed Ali Khan:
Will the Minister of Law and Justice be pleased to state:
(a) whether Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare had sought comments of Department of Legal Affairs (DLA) again vide Note dated 24/03/2022, regarding issuing general orders for exclusion of central government employees from the purview of NPS and to cover them under OPS whose advertisements for recruitments were issued on or before 31/12/2003 in view of various judgments of Apex Court;
(b) If so, whether DLA has furnished its final comments in response to above in the month of May, 2022;
(c) If so, full details of comments furnished along with the date thereof; and
ANSWER MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI KIREN RIJTJU)
(a) &(d): Yes Sir, the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoP&PW) made a reference dated 24/03/2022 to the Department of Legal Affairs (DLA) seeking advice regarding the inclusion of central government employees under Old Pension Scheme on the basis of the date of advertisement being on or before 31/12/2003 of the posts against which they were appointed and whether it would be legally feasible for the DoP&PW to issue executive instructions in this regard.
The issue was examined in the Department of Legal Affairs in the light of the comments given by the Department of Financial Services in the matter and vide note dated 06/05/2022, it was opined that the proposal of the administrative Departments a matter of policy of the administrative Department/Ministry. Further, the notification dated 22/12/2003 is silent about the date which would determine the applicability of NPS – the date of joining or the date of Notification/Advertisement. Also, on the basis of judgments in various court cases, DoP&PW has allowed one-time option to opt for OPS/NPS for employees whose selection for appointment were finalized before 01/01/2004 but joined Government service on or after 01/01/2004 due to administrative lapse in their recruitment process. Therefore, an administrative decision to issue executive instructions providing for coverage of Government servants under OPS who were appointed to Central Government service on or after 01/01/2004 on the basis of advertisement/notification of vacancies issued prior to 01/01/2004 is in order.
Reservations in appointments on Compassionate Grounds – Rajya Sabha QA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
(DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1402
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2022)
APPOINTMENTS ON COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS
1402 # DR. KIRODI LAL MEENA:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government pays attention towards families of Central Government employees who die in harness and provides appointments on compassionate grounds to such families;
(b) if so, whether any time limit has been set for the same, if not, reasons therefor;
(c) whether there are any provisions for reservations in appointments on compassionate grounds;
(d) if so, number of compassionate appointments made by Government during last five years and number of SC/ST candidates appointed, Ministry-wise/Department-wise; and
(e) number of candidates whose applications for seeking appointment on compassionate grounds are pending so far and by when they are likely to be appointed, the Ministry-wise details thereof?
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) to (e): Instructions have been issued vide Department of Personnel & Training OM No. 14014/6/94-Estt.(D) dated 09.10.1998, as amended from time to time, for making appointment on compassionate grounds in Central Civil Posts. All instructions on compassionate appointment have been consolidated vide the Department of Personnel & Training OM No. 14014/2/2012- Estt.(D) dated 16.01.2013 and further elaborated vide O.M. No. 43019/9/2019-Estt.D dated 23.08.2021. As per these instructions, up to a maximum of 5% of direct recruitment vacancies arising in a year in Group ‘C’ posts can be filled up by compassionate appointment. Power to make appointment in Group ‘C’ posts is delegated to Ministries/Departments. Hence, administrative Ministries/Departments can make appointment on compassionate grounds, subject to availability of vacancies within the ceiling prescribed in these instructions. Such appointments do not necessarily have to follow a calendar or time line. A person selected for appointment on compassionate grounds is to be adjusted in the reservation roster against the appropriate category viz a candidate belonging to SC/ST/OBC/General category would occupy the position allocated for the respective category, in the roster. The details regarding cases under consideration in the respective Ministries/Departments for making compassionate appointments, the category of Applicants, appointments made on compassionate grounds, etc. are not maintained centrally.
Premature Retirement of Central Civil Service Officers
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING) RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1403 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2022)
PREMATURE RETIREMENT OF CENTRAL CIVIL SERVICE OFFICERS
1403 SHRI BINOY VISWAM:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) the number of Central Civil Service Officers who have taken premature retirement from service since the year 2017, State Cadre-wise data thereof;
(b) the number of Central Civil Service Officers who have either been removed or dismissed from service since 2017, State Cadre-wise data thereof; and
(c) the total number of vacancies currently existing in the Central Civil Service Officers, State cadre-wise thereof?
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a): Government employees may seek retirement from service by opting for voluntary retirement after completion of prescribed period of qualifying service under the respective applicable Rules viz. Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021, All India Services (Death Cum Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958 etc. Government is also vested with the absolute power to pre-maturely retire the Government servants in public interest by invoking the provisions of respective service Rules/Fundamental Rule – 56 (j). As per the data uploaded by the different Ministries/Departments/Cadre Controlling Authorities (CCAs) on the Probity Portal maintained by the Department of Personnel & Training, during the period from July 2014 to June 2022 (as on 19.07.2022), FR 56(j)/similar provisions have been invoked against a total number of 203 Group-A and 192 Group- B Officers.
(b): In the matter of proven cases of grave misconduct, any penalty including removal or dismissal from service, as specified in the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, may be imposed on the Central Government employees to whom these rules are applicable. Since the charged officers are removed or dismissed under these Rules by the respective Cadre Controlling Authorities, data of such employees is not centrally maintained. (c): As per the Annual Report of Pay Research Unit of the Department of Expenditure, the estimated total number of vacancies in Central Government Civilian Regular Employees as on 01.03.2021 is 9,79,327 against total sanctioned posts of 40,35,203.
Face Recognition Technology for Pensioners to submit Life Certificate – Rajya Sabha QA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PENSION AND PENSIONERS’ WELFARE) RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1400 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2022)
FACE RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY FOR PENSIONERS
1400 SHRI KANAKAMEDALA RAVINDRA KUMAR:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government with a view to provide ‘ease of living’ to pensioners across the country has introduced face recognition technology for them to give ‘Life Certificate’;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether Government has come across any instances of hardship faced by pensioners while availing this technology in submitting ‘Life Certificate’ for availing pension; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a): Yes Sir. The Government has introduced Face Authentication Technology to submit ‘Life Certificate’ by Pensioners through the Jeevan Pramaan App with a view to enhance ‘ease of living’ for pensioners.
(b): Face Authentication Technology was launched by the Government on 29th November 2021 with a view to enhance ease of submission of Digital Life Certificate by pensioners. Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare had collaborated with NIC, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) and UIDAI to utilize the ‘Face-Authentication Technology’ based on UIDAI Aadhaar software, for submission of digital life certificate by the Pensioners/Family Pensioners. As per this facility, the identity of a person is established through face authentication technique and it is now possible to submit Life Certificate using the Jeevan Pramaan App from any Android based smart phone and the Digital Life Certificate gets generated.
(c) & ( d ): The Government has not come across any instances of hardship faced by pensioners while availing this technology in submitting ‘Life Certificate’ for availing pension.
Income criteria set for Creamy Layer [LokSabha QA]
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 1786 ANSWERED ON: 27.07.2022
Creamy Layer
Gowdar Mallikarjunappa Siddeshwara Will the Minister of
PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government is considering to make provision of creamy layer in the general category for Government services on the lines of provision of creamy layer for the candidates in Other Backward Classes (OBCs) so that only weaker sections get benefits in Government services and if so, the details thereof?
(b) whether a dual policy is being implemented on the candidates belonging to OBCs by implementing the provision of a creamy layer only on Other Backward Classes;
(c) the details of income criteria set for creamy layer at present including the time of its increase; and
(d) whether it is being increased from time to time and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) & (b): The concept of exclusion of creamy layer from amongst Other Backward Classes (OBCs) has been introduced based on the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Indra Sawhnay Vs. UOI & Ors delivered in 1992.
(c) & (d): The Income criteria to exclude creamy layer has been revised from time to time as follows:
(i) Vide O.M. No. 36033/3/2004-Estt.(Res), dated 9th March, 2004, the income limit was revised from 1 lakh to Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum.
(ii) Vide O.M. No. 36033/3/2004-Estt.(Res), dated 14th October, 2008, the income limit was revised from 2.5 lakh to Rs. 4.5 lakh per annum.
(iii) Vide O.M. No. 36033/1/2013-Estt.(Res), dated 27th May, 2013, the income limit was revised from 4.5 lakh to Rs. 6 lakh per annum.
(iv) Vide O.M. No. 36033/1/1/2013-Estt.(Res), dated 13th September, 2017, the income limit was revised from 6 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh per annum.
More than seven lakh 22 thousand people got permanent jobs in different central Government department since 2014
Dr Jitendra Singh says, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes launched by Budget 2021-22 have potential for creating 60 lakh new jobs
More than seven lakh 22 thousand people got permanent jobs in different central Government department since 2014.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said, eemployment generation coupled with improving employability is the priority of the Government.
The number of candidates recommended by recruiting agencies for appointment in different Central Government departments since 2014 are as under:
YEAR
Total
2014-15
1,30,423
2015-16
1,11,807
2016-17
1,01,333
2017-18
76,147
2018-19
38,100
2019-20
1,47,096
2020-21
78,555
2021-22
38,850
TOTAL (2014-22)
7,22,311
Dr Jitendra Singh said, apart from this, the Government of India has taken various steps for generating employment in the country. Budget 2021-22 launched Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, with an outlay of Rs. 1.97 lakh crore, for a period of 5 years starting from 2021-22. The PLI Schemes being implemented by the Government have potential for creating 60 lakh new jobs. The PLI scheme is implemented by the concerned Ministries/Departments within the overall financial limits prescribed.
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) is being implemented by the Government for facilitating self-employment. Under PMMY, collateral free loans upto Rs. 10 lakh, are extended to micro/small business enterprises and to individuals to enable them to setup or expand their business activities.
Government is implementing Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi Scheme) since June 01, 2020 to facilitate collateral free working capital loan to street vendors to restart their businesses, which were adversely impacted during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY) has been launched with effect from 1st October, 2020 to incentivize employers for creation of new employment and restoration of loss of employment during Covid-19 pandemic. The terminal date for registration of beneficiaries was 31.03.2022. As on 13.07.2022 benefits have been provided to 59.54 lakh beneficiaries out of which 53.23 lakh beneficiaries have joined as new joinees.
Besides these initiatives, various flagship programmes of the Government such as Make in India, Start-up India, Digital India, Smart City Mission, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), Deen Dayal Antodaya Yojana National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) etc. are also oriented towards generating employment opportunities. Further, PM GatiShakti is a transformative approach of Government of India which is powered by Clean Energy and Sabka Prayas leading to huge job and entrepreneurial opportunities for all.
Night Duty Allowance to Railway Employees: Ceiling limit for entitlement of NDA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (Railway Board)
RBE No. 85/2022
No. E(P&A)II-2017/HW-1
New Delhi, dated 21.07.2022
The General Managers/CAOs, All Indian Railways & Production Units
Sub: Payment of Night Duty Allowance (NDA) to Railway employees – Clarifications reg.
Please refer to Board’s letter of even number dated 29.09.2020 (RBE No. 83/2020) whereby para 2 of Board’s letter of even number dated 08.03.2018 (RBE No. 36/2018) has been modified duly incorporating a clause of ceiling of basic pay of Rs. 43600/- for entitlement of Night Duty Allowance as per the instructions of DoP&T.
2. After issue of Board’s instructions dt. 29.09.2020, the demand of the Federations/Associations has been received to remove the basic pay ceiling limit for entitlement of Night Duty Allowance. The matter has been examined in consultation with DoP&T and MoF(DoE) and it has been decided as under:
NDA may be granted to all eligible non-gazetted employees of Ministry of Railways up to Pay Level-7 (including those who are granted the benefit of MACP in Pay Level – 8). However, maximum Basic Pay for working out hourly rate of NDA shall remain Rs. 43600/- i.e. the prescribed ceiling fixed vide Board’s letter of even number dt. 29.09.2020.
Other terms and conditions to grant NDA shall remain unchanged.
3. The above instructions would be effective provisionally w.e.f. 04.07.2022 i.e. from the date of issue of approval by Ministry of Finance on the subject.
4. Further, the matter is being referred separately to Ministry of Finance/Department of Expenditure for clarification reg. date of effect of the decision and reg. the issue of recovery of NDA.
5. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.
Accommodation for Defence Services Personnel – Rajya Sabha QA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 38 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18th JULY, 2022
ACCOMMODATION FOR DEFENCE SERVICES PERSONNEL
38. SHRI M. SHANMUGAM:
Will the Minister of Defence be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government has approved revised scales of accommodation in 2022, including offices and other structures for the defence services;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether it would take into account sustainable living with green building standards, energy efficiency, water conservation, and handling of waste;
(d) if so, whether it will enhance infrastructure development, giving more flexibility and cater to users’ aspirations and the details thereof;
(e) whether Government would ensure optimization of defence land usage by having multistoreyed construction and combining of common facilities; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI AJAY BHATT) IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The Government has approved the revised Scales of Accommodation (SoA) for Defence Services, which has been issued on 14.06.2022.
(c) & (d): Yes, Sir. The SoA, 2022, inter-alia, has provisions for sustainable infrastructure development and living, green building norms, energy efficiency, water conservation, solid waste management, waste water treatment and recycling, zero-liquid discharge, rain water harvesting, new and renewable energy generation and LED lighting etc., which will improve the living standards of the Armed Forces personnel. These provisions will enhance infrastructure development, enable usage of modern technology, give more flexibility to the executives and cater to users’ aspirations.
(e) & (f): The provisions have been made in SoA, 2022 for multistoried construction leading to optimization of Defence Land usage and also centralization of facilities and amenities. Para 1.15 of SoA, 2022 provides for optimal utilization of land by adopting multi-storied configuration in all new defence buildings as a practice rather than exception, wherever permissible and economical. Para 1.15(c) of SoA, 2022 provides for centralisation of facilities and amenities like conference halls, auditoriums, parking facilities, welfare centres, institutes, shopping centres, gymnasiums, combining of Officers Mess etc
