Dearness Allowance to the employees of Central Government & Central Autonomous Bodies drawing pay as per 6th CPC w.e.f 01.01.2018 (Click the link below to view)

https://doe.gov.in/sites/default/files/DA%206th%20CPC%20eng_0.pdf

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Dearness Allowance to the employees of Central Government & Central Autonomous Bodies drawing pay as per 5th CPC - Revised Rates effective from 01.01.2018     (Click the link below to view)

https://doe.gov.in/sites/default/files/DA%205th%20CPC%20eng_0.pdf

PROVISION OF TELEPHONE FACILITIES AND REIMBURSEMENTS TO OFFICERS OF GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (Click the link below to view)

https://doe.gov.in/sites/default/files/Amended%20Telephone%20OM%20%2827.3.2018%29_0.pdf

PIB NEWS ON GRATUITY CEILING INCREASE UP TO RS. 20 LAKH

Ministry of Labour & Employment

Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2018 passed by Parliament

            The Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2018 has been passed by parliament today. The bill ensures harmony amongst employees in the private sector and Public Sector Undertakings/Autonomous Organizations under Government who are not covered under CCS (Pension) Rules. These employees will be entitled to receive higher amount of gratuity at par with their counterparts in Government sector. The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha today and the Lok Sabha on 15 March, 2018.

The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 applies to establishments employing 10 or more persons. The main purpose for enacting this Act is to provide social security to workman after retirement, whether retirement is a result of superannuation, or physical disablement or impairment of vital part of the body. Therefore, the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 is an important social security legislation to wage earning population in industries, factories and establishments.

            The present upper ceiling on gratuity amount under the Act is Rs. 10 Lakh. The provisions for Central Government employees under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 with regard to gratuity are also similar. Before implementation of 7th Central Pay Commission, the ceiling under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 was Rs. 10 Lakh. However, with implementation of 7th Central Pay Commission, in case of Government servants, the ceiling has been raised to Rs. 20 Lakhs.

            Therefore, considering the inflation and wage increase even in case of employees engaged in private sector, this Government decided that the entitlement of gratuity should also be revised in respect of employees who are covered under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972. Accordingly, the Government initiated the process for amendment to Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 to increase the maximum limit of gratuity to such amount as may be notified by the Central Government from time to time.

            In addition, the Bill also envisages to amend the provisions relating to calculation of continuous service for the purpose of gratuity in case of female employees who are on maternity leave from ‘twelve weeks’ to such period as may be notified by the Central Government from time to time.

            After enactment of the Act, the power to notify the ceiling of the amount of gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 shall stand delegated to the Central Government so that the limit can be revised from time to time keeping in view the increase in wage and inflation and future pay commissions.

Source: PIB

MAJOR CHANGES IN NPS – RELAXATION NORMS

Relaxation of Norms for NPS

            The Government of India has recently made three changes in the National Pension Scheme (NPS) including withdrawal norms. The details are as under:

            Partial withdrawal during the service: The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), with an objective to meet the subscriber’s sudden financial requirement enrolled under NPS, has liberalized norms for partial withdrawals which also include reduction of requirement of minimum years of being enrolled under NPS from 10 years to 3 years from the date of joining. Suitable amendments were made through “Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Exits and Withdrawals under the National Pension System) (First Amendment) Regulations, 2017 and the same has been notified on 10.08.2017.

            Increase in the joining age under NPS: With an objective to allow individuals (under NPS-All Citizen Model and Corporate Sector Model) who are in the age bracket between 60 years and 65 years to join NPS system. Suitable amendments were made through “Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Exits and Withdrawals under the National Pension System) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2017 and the same has been notified on 06.10.2017.

Exit in case of disability and incapacitation of the subscriber: With an objective of facilitating easy exit & withdrawal in case of disability and incapacitation of the subscriber covered under NPS, PFRDA has made suitable amendments through “Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Exits and Withdrawals under the National Pension System) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2018 and the same has been notified on 02.02.2018.

            This was stated by Shri Ship Pratap Shukla, Minister of State for Finance in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

Source: PIB

AADHAAR IS NOT COMPULSORY TO GET PENSION

Dr. Jitendra Singh chairs 30th meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies

Adhaar is not mandatory to get pension: Dr Jitendra Singh

            The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh chaired the 30th meeting of the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) here today. The SCOVA meeting is organised by the Department of Pensions & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoP&PW), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and the last such meeting was held on January 12, 2017.

            During the meeting, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the SCOVA which was first constituted in July, 1986 would be completing 32 years this year. He said this platform has gone a long way in addressing in a focused manner issues related to Pensioners. He said that today’s interaction was very meaningful and stimulating, thus reflecting on the working of DoP&PW. The Minister while assuring the representatives of pensioners’ Associations said that it was no more mandatory to have one’s Adhaar Card to get his/her pension.

            The Minister said that the Department of Pensions has brought out a series of OMs to benefit the Pensioners/Family Pensioners in the last 12 months including enhancing of minimum pension from Rs.3500/- to Rs.9000/- per month; the ceiling of gratuity has been increased from the existing Rs.10 lakhs to Rs.20 lakhs; the rates of ex-gratia lump sum compensation being paid to the families of employees who die in performance of duty has been increased from existing Rs. 10-15 lakhs to Rs.25-45 lakhs. He also said that divorced daughter will be eligible for family pension if divorce case has been filed before the death of pensioner/family pensioner, even though the judgment has been passed after the death of the pensioner /family pensioner.

            Dr. Jitendra Singh said that this Government has given relief to the senior citizens and Pensioners in the Budget 2018-19 by allowing Standard Deduction of Rs. 40,000/- per year to the Pensioners and given exemption on tax on account of interest income from bank savings accounts has been increased to Rs. 50,000/ from Rs. 10,000/- per year. Deduction on account of health insurance premium which was earlier allowed at maximum of Rs.30,000/- has now been increased to Rs. 50,000/- in the case of Senior Citizens/Pensioners.

            While addressing the meeting he said that we need to put in place an institutionalized mechanism to make good use of the knowledge, experience and efforts of the retired employees which can help in the value addition to the current scenario. Dr. Jitendra Singh said the retired employees are a healthy and productive workforce for India and we need to streamline and channelize their energies in a productive direction. We should learn from the pensioners’ experience, he added. The Minister also said that the DoP&PW should be reoriented in such a way that pensioners become a part of nation building process.

            In the meeting, discussions were held on the action taken report of the 29th SCOVA meeting. Further many issues related to pensioners were discussed threadbare, such as revision of PPOs of pre-2006 pensioners, Health Insurance Scheme for pensioners including those residing in non-CGHS area, Special “Higher” Family Pension for widows of the war disabled invalidated out of service, Extension of CGHS facilities to P&T pensioners, issue relating to CGHS Wellness Centre, Dehradun etc. The Minister directed for the prompt and time bound redressal of the grievances of the pensioners and said that we should have sympathetic attitude towards them.

            The Secretary, DoP&PW, Shri K.V. Eapen and other senior officers of the department were also present on the occasion. The meeting was also attended by the member Pensioners Associations and senior officers of the important Ministries/Departments of Government of India.

Source: PIB

Ref: Confdn/Genl/2016-19                                                                                       Dated – 20.03.2018

To

Shri Narendra Modi Ji

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India

South Block,

New Delhi – 110001

Sir,

Sub: -  Abolition of Posts lying vacant for more than five years – reg.

Ref: -   (1)        Govt. of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure OM No. 7 (1)/E. Cord-1/2017 dated 16^thJanuary 2018.

            (2)        Govt. of India, Ministry of Home Affairs OM No. 19011/01/2015-Fin.II (Pt.) dated 19^th January 2018.

This representation is submitted with the most fervent hope that the Hon’ble Prime Minister will be condescend to intercede on behalf of the 32 lakhs of Central Govt. Employees who are very much aggrieved by the above mentioned orders of the Finance Ministry and Home Ministry.

Sir, It is with much shock and dismay the Central Govt. Employees came to know about the above mentioned orders of the Finance Ministry, Department of Expenditure to abolish all posts lying vacant for more than five years in all departments of Govt. of India. In this regard we would like to submit the following facts for your benign consideration and favourable orders.

(i)        Post are lying vacant for more than five years, not because that there is no work load justified for retention of such posts. It is because of the dismal failure of the authorities to take timely and prompt action to complete the recruitment process to fill up those posts in a time bound manner. Due to this inordinate delay in filling up of those vacant posts, the remaining staff are compelled to do the work of those posts also. The abnormal delay in completing the recruitment process by staff Selection Commission is also a main reason for posts remaining unfilled for years together. In some cases, outsourced contract and casual employees are working for years  together against those vacant posts. Thus it can be seen that a blanket order to abolish all posts lying vacant for more than five years is unrealistic and not rational.

(ii)      Posts are created after assessing the workload based on time-tested parameters and time tests. Abolishing such posts, in a most mechanical manner, even without re-assessing whether present workload justified retention of such posts by carrying out establishment review, will lead to imposing of heavy workload on the existing staff on a permanent measure which may create a chaotic situation in Govt. offices as the efficiency of offices may be adversely affected due to unbearable workload.

(iii)    It may be pointed out that it is during the last NDA Govt’s time in May 2001 executive orders were issued to abolish 2/3^rd (two-third) of all direct recruitment vacancies based on annual Direct Recruitment Plan in all departments without assessing whether the posts are justified or not. Lakhs of posts are abolished during the period from 2001 to 2008. Finally Sixth Central pay Commissions severely criticized the Govt’s policy of abolishing direct recruitment vacancies and opined that this has led to an “ageing bureaucracy” and strongly recommended to withdraw the abolition orders. Accordingly Govt. has withdrawn that orders and DOP&T has issued orders for filling up of all vacant posts.

(iv)     It is most unfortunate that again the present NDA Govt. has issued another orders in 2018 to abolish all posts lying vacant for more than five years without giving any consideration to the facts as to what is the reason for posts remaining vacant for such a long period, whether there is justification for retention of those posts as per establishment review etc.

In view of the above facts, I, on behalf of the Central Govt. employees, most humbly request the Hon’ble Prime Minister to intervene immediately so that the orders issued by Finance Ministry will be reviewed in an objective, dispassionate and rational manner and be either withdrawn or kept in abeyance.

Yours faithfully,

(M. Krishnan)

General Secretary

& Member, Standing Committee

National Council, JCM

Mob: 09447068125

Email: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com

Click here to view - Letter to Shri Arun Jaitley, Hon'ble Finance Minister

Click here to view - Letter to Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon'ble Home Minister 

LTC FACILITY TO VISIT SAARC COUNTRIES

OPENING OF OFFICE ON HOLIDAYS

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Maternity Leave and Pension

Hon’ble Delhi High Court vide its judgement dated 17.07.2015 in the Writ Petition (C) No. 844/2014 – Rama Pandey vs. Union of India &Ors., has laid down that a female employee, who is the commissioning mother, would be entitled to apply for maternity leave. Department of Personnel and Training, after examination of the judgement, has circulated it to all Ministries/Departments for wide publicity vide Office Memorandum dated 29.01.2018.

In accordance with the Office Memorandum No. 1/13/09- P&PW (E) dated 19th July, 2017, family pension would also be granted to a divorced daughter from the date of divorce in cases where the divorce proceedings had been filed in a competent court during the life-time of the employee/pensioner or his/her spouse but divorce took place after their death, subject to fulfilment of all other conditions for grant of family pension.

No centralized data regarding grant of pension/family pension by the various Pension Disbursing authorities is maintained.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Jitendra Singhin a written reply to question in the Lok Sabha today.

Source: PIB (23.03.2018)

GRANT OF DEARNESS ALLOWANCE FROM 01/01/2018

DEFINITION OF ANOMALY - DOPT

Setting up of Anomaly Committee to settle the anomalies arising out of the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commissions recommendations - extending the scope of definition regarding.

No.11/ 2/ 2016-JCA

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Department of Personnel & Training

Establishment (JCA) Section

North Block New Delhi

Dated the 19 March, 2018

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Setting up of Anomaly Committee to settle the anomalies arising out of the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission's recommendations — extending the scope of definition regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to DoPT's Office Memorandum of even number dated 20/02/2017 on the subject as cited above, and to incorporate the following further modification in the definition of what would constitute an anomaly:

"where the amount of revised allowance is less than the existing rate or any other anomaly observed while implementing the revised allowance"

2. With the incorporation of the above para in the OM, the definition of anomaly will read as follows:-

(1) Definition of Anomaly

Anomaly will include the following cases

a) Where the Official Side and the Staff Side are of the opinion that any recommendation is in contravention of the principle or the policy enunciated by the Seventh Central Pay Commission itself without the Commission assigning any reason;

b) Where the maximum of the Level in the Pay Matrix corresponding to the applicable Grade Pay in the Pay Band under the pre-revised structure as notified vide CCS(RP) Rules 2016, is less than the amount an employee is entitled to be fixed at, as per the formula for fixation of pay contained in the said Rules;

c) Where the Official side and the Staff Side are of the opinion that the vertical and horizontal relativities have been disturbed as a result of the 7th Central Pay Commission to give rise to anomalous situation.

d) Where the amount of revised allowance is less than the existing rate or any other anomaly observed while implementing the revised allowance

3. The rest of the contents of the OM issued by DoPT under reference no. No.11/2/2016-JCA dated 16.08.2016 shall remain unchanged.

sd/-

(D.K.Sengupta)

Deputy Secretary (JCA)

NCOME TAX ON CENTRAL GOVT PENSION TO BE DEDUCTED EACH MONTH – CPAO OM DATED 9TH MARCH 2018.

All Heads of CPPCs are advised to deduct the income tax at the time of each payment itself and issue Form-16 by 31st of May every year

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

CENTRAL PENSION ACCOUNTING OFFICE

TRIKOOT-II BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE,

NEW DELHI – 110066

CPAO/IT&Tech/Bank Performance/37 (Vol II)/2017-18/204                             09.03.2018

Office Memorandum

Subject:- Deduction of Income Tax at the time of making payment

            It is observed that some of the banks are not following the guidelines of the Income Tax Act regarding tax deduction on pension payments. Pensioners have raised grievances relating to the deduction of income tax at the fag end of the year causing undue financial hardship to the pensioners. Moreover there is considerable delay in the issuance of Form-16 to the pensioners and in some cases Form-16 are not being issued to the pensioners.

            In view of the above, all Heads of CPPCs are advised to deduct the income tax at the time of each payment itself and issue Form-16 by 31st of May every year and follow the Income tax guidelines issued from time to time

(Md. Shahid Kamal Ansari)

(Asstt. Controller of Accounts)

Ref: Confdn/Genl/2016-19                                                                                       Dated – 14.03.2018

“DEFEAT THE DISASTROUS NEO-LIBERAL POLICIES

DEFEAT THE ANTI-LABOUR RULING CLASS POLITICS BEHIND IT”

10^th JUNE 2018-HYDERABAD

STRIKE DECLARATION NATIONAL CONVENTION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

Venue             :           SUNDARAIYYA VIGNANA KENDRAM, BAGALINGAMPALLY, HYDERABAD

Time                :           10 AM to 5 PM

Dear Comrades,

Attack on the working class and peasants as a whole and Central Government Employees in particular are mounting day by day. The entire working class and peasantry are on struggle path. The farmers long march in Maharashtra is the latest mass struggle. None of the 7^th CPC related demands of Central Government Employees are settled. The assurance given by the Group of Ministers to the NJCA leaders regarding increase in Minimum Pay and Fitment formula is in paper even after a lapse of 20 months. Now the Finance Minister has replied in Parliament that “no change in Minimum Pay and Fitment formula is at present under consideration”. Employees who joined service after 01.01.2004 are retiring with a megre pension of 1000 to 2000 rupees only under the NPS Scheme. In effect, New Pension System has become No Pension System. Six lakhs posts are lying vacant for the last many years and now Govt. has issued orders to abolish all posts lying vacant for more than five years. HRA arrears, MACP Bench mark, Option-I for pensioners – Govt. is not ready to reconsider their stand. Three lakhs Gramin Dak Sevaks of the Postal department are waiting for two years for their legitimate wage revision. Exploitation of Casual and contract workers continue and equal pay for equal work is denied to them. Large scale outsourcing and privatization has become the order of the day. Privatisation of Railways and outsourcing of the work done by Defence employees are in full swing. 12 out of 17 Govt. of India Printing Presses are ordered to be closed. Same is the fate with other departmental printing presses including Railway printing presses. Autonomous body employees and pensioners are denied their rightful wage revision and pension revision due to the stringent conditions imposed by the Finance Ministry. Compassionate appointments have become a mirage.

Trade Union rights are denied. Orders banning dharna and demonstrations are issued. The draconian FR 56 (j) and Pension Rules 48 are misused as a short-cut to punish and victimize employees. JCM forums have become mere talking shops without any positive results. Recognition under CCS (RSA) Rules are delayed and Departmental Councils have become dead in many departments. Govt. sponsored unions are given undue patronage. Recognition of fighting organisations are withdrawn on flimsy grounds and trade union facilities are denied to the Chief Executives of recognised Associations.

It is in this background the National Secretariat of Confederation of Central Government employees & Workers has decided to fight back these retrograde policies by mobilizing the entire Central Government employees by unleashing intensive campaign throughout the country culminating in strike. To declare the compaign programme and the strike, a “National Convention of Central Government Employees” will be held at Hyderabad on 10^th June 2018 Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Eminent trade Union leaders will attend the Convention. Venue of the National Convention is Sundaraiyya Vigmana Kendra, Bagalingampally, Hyderabad. About 1000 delegates from all states will attend the Convention.

The following quota is fixed for affiliates and COCs outside Andhra and Telangana. C-O-C Andhra & Telangana shall mobilise 500 delegate.

Sl.	Name of affiliate/COC	No. of delegates – quota fixed
1.	National Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE)	150
2.	Income Tax Employees Federation (ITEF)	50
3.	All India Audit & Accounts Association	20
4.	All India Civil Accounts Employees Association	30
5.	National Federation of Atomic Energy Employees	10
6.	All India Ground Water Board Employees Association	10
7.	Geological Survey of India Employees Association	10
8.	All other affiliated organisations	5  each
9.	C-O-C Delhi	5
10.	C-O-C Utter Pradesh	5
11.	C-O-C West Bengal	10
12.	C-O-C Kerala	10
13.	C-O-C Tamilnadu	10
14.	All other C-O-Cs	5 each
15.	Andhra & Telangana C-O-C	500

All affiliates and COCs are requested to issue separate circulars fixing quota to each organisation/units.

All delegates may be instructed to book their up and down travel tickets immediately as train tickets reservation commences four months before. Food and Accommodation to delegates will be arranged by the C-O-C Andhra & Telangana, Hyderabad. Delegate fee is fixed as Rs.500/- (Rs. Five hundred only) per head. For other details C-O-Cs and affiliates are requested to contact the following.

1.      Com. Azeez, GS, C-O-C                                         -           09848082697

2.      Com. V. Nageswara Rao, Presidnet, COC              -           09912348233

3.      Com. Usha Boneppalli, ITEF                                  -           08985971009

4.      Com. Balakrishna, ITEF                                         -           08985970999 

As Hyderabad is a Famous tourist centre, those delegates who want to go for sightseeing should arrange it on 9^th or 11^th June. Everybody should attend the convention on 10.06.2018 from 10 AM to 5 PM without fail.

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

1.      Settle 7^th CPC related issues including increase in Minimum Pay and Fitment Formula, HRA arrears, MACP Bench Mark, Option-I for pensioners etc.

2.      Withdraw contributory Pension Scheme (NPS). Ensure defined pension under CCS (Pension) Rules 1972 to all employees appointed on or after 01.01.2004.

3.      Fill up all vacant posts. Withdraw the orders to abolish all vacant posts lying vacant for five eyars. Create justified posts for excess work. Evolve proper mechanism for Regional recruitment. Stop engagement of retired persons.

4.      (a) Regularise Gramin Dak Sevaks and grant Civil Servant status. Implement positive recommendations of Kamalesh Chandra Committee report.

(b) Regularise all casual and contract workers. Evolve a new scheme for regularization of Casual and Contract Workers.

5.   Ensure equal pay for equal work as per Supreme Court judgment and grant parity in wages and pay scales.

6.   Stop closure of Govt. establishments. Withdraw closure orders of Govt. of India Presses. Stop outsourcing and privatization of Government functions.

7.   Avoid abnormal delay in extending benefits of 7^th CPC to Autonomous body employees and pensioners.

8.   Remove 5% condition imposed on compassionate appointments. Grant appointment in all deserving cases.

9.   Grant five time-bound promotions to all employees on completion of 8, 7, 6, 5 & 4 years of service.

10. (a) stop attack on Trade Union rights. Avoid delay in conducting verification of Membership under CCS (RSA) Rules 1993. Declare results and grant recognition in a time-bound manner. Ensure prompt functioning of various negotiating forums under JCM scheme at all levels.

      (b) Withdraw the draconian FR 56(j) and Rule 48 of CCS (Pension) Rules 1972 which is misused as a short-cut to punish and victimize employees.

NATIONAL SECRETARIAT MEETING ON 9^TH JUNE 2018-3 PM

National Secretariat meeting of the Confederation will be held on 09.06.2018 at Hyderabad at 3 PM to finalise the campaign programme and strike. All National Secretariat members are requested to attend the meeting WITHOUT FAIL. Please book your travel tickets accordingly.

STOP CLOSURE OF GOVT. OF INDIA PRINTING PRESSES

MASS PROTEST DHARNA

NEW DELHI – 27.04.2018 – 10 AM

National Federation of Printing, Stationery & Publications Employees (NFPSPE) and Confederation Delhi State Committee will jointly organize a mass protest Dharna at New Delhi (Venue will be decided later) on 27^th April 2018 at 10 AM. Available National Secretariat Members at New Delhi shall also attend the Dharna programme. It is also decided to have another round of discussion with authorities through JCM (NC) staff side at the earliest.

ALL INDIA WOMEN’S TRADE UNION WORKSHOP

C-O-C Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow) will decide the Venue and dates of the workshop in consultation with CHQ. Details will be informed later.

Fraternally your’s

(M. Krishnan)

Secretary General

Mob: 09447068125