Status of Cadre Review proposals processed in DoPT from 1st January, 2011 to 30th November 2015

Status of Cadre Review proposals processed in DoPT from 1st January, 2011 to 30th November 2015

A. Approved by Cabinet

* CRC – Cadre ReView Committee **GoM – Group of Ministers

B. Pending Proposals

Note: 1. In all the remaining cadres. letters have been written to the Cadre Controlling Authorities to send the cadre review proposals for the serviceslcadres pertaining to their departments.

2. By letter dated 20104/2015 suggestions have been invited from the cadre Controlling Authorities on Cadre
Review on email id singh.mona@nic.in

3. A presentation dated 19/12/2014 on “Reforming Personnel management in Gujarat “has been uploaded on the site for information as it contains many new initiatives of the Government of Gujarat. Slide number 16-47 has the details of restructuring and the recruitment calendar. The link is persmin.gov.in

Upper Division Clerk Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2015-intimation of vacancies for SLY-2015 -regarding.

Upper Division Clerk Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2015-intimation of vacancies for SLY-2015 -regarding.

LAST & FINAL REMINDER
TIME BOUND

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan
Khan Market, New Delhi-11 0003
Dated: 15t December, 2015

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Upper Division Clerk Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2015-intimation of vacancies for SLY-2015 -regarding.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. of even number dated 13.08.2015 and 28.08.2015 followed by reminders dated 23.10.2015 and 16.11.2015 on the subject mentioned above and to say that out of 41 cadre units, 19 cadre units (As per Annexure) have not yet intimated the requisite vacancy position for UD Grade Limited Departmental Competitive
Examination -2015.
2. The Staff Selection Commission is to be provided with the information immediately in the light of the examination calendar of that commission. The concerned cadre units are, therefore, once again requested to intimate the vacancies for UD Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination to this Department in the newly prescribed proforma, latest by 10.12.2015 failing which vacancies for SL·2015 from the defaulting cadre units will be treated as ‘NIL’ and consolidated information on vacancies based on reports received till that date will be furnished to SSC. This may be accorded “TOP PRIORITY”.

(A.K.Saha)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India

To
Dir/DS (Admn.)
Participating cadre units of CSCS
(As per Annexure)

ANNEXURE

S. No.  Cadre Units

1.  Civil Aviation

2.  Culture

3.  Defence

4.  Expenditure

5.  Fertilizers

6.  Home Affairs

7.  Labour

8.  Legal Affairs

9.  Niti Aayog

10.  MSME

11.  Minority Affairs

12.  Science 8, Technology

13.  Shipping

14.  Social Justice 8, Empowerment

15.  Steel

16.  Telecom

17.  UPSC

18. Water Resources

19. Women &: Child Development

New Functionalities released under National Pension System (NPS)

One Rank One Pension – Payments Expected to Start in January

One Rank One Pension – Payments Expected to Start in January

The Ministry of Defence, meanwhile, is rethinking whether it should debar officers and men who go home before completing their tenure from the benefits of OROP.

About 25 lakh armed forces veterans get their first enhanced pension under the One Rank One Pension Scheme, or OROP,  in January, top Ministry of Defence officials said. The enhanced pensions will cost the exchequer around Rs. 7,000 crore.

The Ministry of Defence, meanwhile, is rethinking whether it should debar officers and men who go home before completing their tenure from the benefits of OROP.

About 80% officers and men leave the forces when they fail to make it to the next rank. The benefits of the current scheme are denied to them. For example, a Colonel who leaves the army before completing his tenure as he didn’t make it to the next rung – Brigadier – will not be entitled to OROP.

But sources said Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has ordered a rethink on this and is inclined to strike this provision off.

If done, it would address one of the major concerns of the armed forces.

“If officers who leave their tenure incomplete and quit for not being making it to the next rung are denied OROP, the forces will be saddled with passed over officers. Worse, they will have to work under the command of junior officers,” a source in the ministry said.

Veterans will also get their OROP arrears – the scheme has been brought into effect from July 2014 – before the end of this financial year. It will cost the government Rs. 11,000 crore.

War widows and Gallantry award winners will their arrears in one go – the rest will get it in four equal installments.

The implementation of OROP – a pre-election promise by the BJP – was announced this September after prolonged negotiations.

The scheme could, however, not be implemented immediately because of the Bihar elections and the model Code of Conduct that came into play during elections.

Source: NDTV

7th Pay Commission Recommendations on PRIS

7th Pay Commission Recommendations on Non-Practising Allowance (NPA)

7th Pay Commission Recommendations on Non-Practising Allowance (NPA) – 7th CPC proposes for reduced NPA at the rate of 20% of Basic Pay as against NPA of 25% paid presently

Rate of NPA:

Non Practicing Allowance (NPA), at the rate of 25 percent of Basic Pay, is paid to medical doctors occupying posts for which minimum qualification of a medical degree is prescribed. There are demands to raise this allowance to 40 percent of Basic Pay.

Analysis and Recommendations

The VI CPC had included a detailed rationale for the grant of NPA in its recommendations. Most of the reasons are still valid and there is no need to reiterate them here. However, in line with our general approach of rationalizing the percentage based allowances by a factor of 0.8, we recommend that NPA should be paid at the rate of 20 percent of Basic Pay, subject to the condition that Basic Pay + NPA should not exceed the average of Apex Level and the level of Cabinet Secretary.

7th CPC’s remarks on taking NPA for the purpose of calculating HRA

Currently, in the case of those drawing either NPA or MSP or both, HRA is being paid as a percentage of Basic Pay+NPA or Basic Pay+MSP or Basic Pay+NPA+MSP respectively. HRA is a compensation for expenses in connection with the rent of the residential accommodation to be hired/leased by the employee and is graded based on the level of the employee, and therefore should be calculated as a percentage of Basic Pay only. Add-ons like NPA, MSP, etc. should not be included while working out HRA.

Whether NPA can be taken in to account while calculating Transfer Grant

Presently NPA and MSP are included as a part of Basic Pay while determining entitlement for grant of CTG. The Commission finds no justification for doing so, as the expenditure and inconvenience involved in relocation on transfer/retirement is similar for all employees. Hence, no other add-ons should be allowed in Basic Pay while calculating CTG.

Source: gconnect.in

Expected DA Jan 2016 : AICPIN for the month of October 2015

Expected DA Jan 2016 : AICPIN for the month of October 2015

No. 5/1/2015- CPI
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT
LABOUR BUREAU

`CLEREMONV, SHIMLA-171004
DATED : 30th October, 2015

Press Release

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – September, 2015

The All-India CPI-IW for September, 2015 increased by 2 points and pegged at 266 (two hundred and sixty six). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by (+) 0.76 per cent between August and September, 2015 which was static between the same two months a year ago.

The maximum upward pressure to the change in current index came from Food group contributing (+) 1.78 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Arhar Dal, Masur Dal, Moong Dal, Urd Dal, Mustard Oil, Onion, Cauliflower, Green Coriander Leaves, Potato, Tea (Readymade), Sugar, Electricity Charges, Private Tuition Fee, Flower/Flower Garlands, etc. are responsible for the increase in index. However, this increase was restricted by Wheat, Fish Fresh, Poultry (Chicken), Eggs (Hen), Apple, Coconut, Tomato, Petrol, Washing Soap, etc., putting downward pressure on the index.

The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 5.14 per cent for September, 2015 as compared to 4.35 per cent for the previous month and 6.30 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 5.71 per cent against 3.55 per cent of the previous month and 6.46 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.

At centre level, Chhindwara reported the highest increase of 10 points followed by Varanasi (9 points), Pune, Tripura, Jalpaiguri and Bhilwara (6 points each). Among others, 5 points rise was observed in 5 centres, 4 points in 7 centres, 3 points in 8 centres, 2 points in 16 centres and 1.point in 19 centres. On the contrary, Goa recorded a maximum decrease of 4 points followed by Ernakulam 3 points. Among others, 2 points decrease was observed in 4 centres and 1 point in 2 centres. Rest of the 9 centres’ indices remained stationary.

The indices of 36 centres are above All India Index and other 42 centres’ indices are below national average.

The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of October, 2015 will be released on Monday, 30th November, 2015. The same will also be available on the office website www. labourbureau.gov. in.

(S. S. NEGI)
DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL

Source : labour Bureau

Check out top 10 points to clear all doubts in mind regarding the 7th Pay Commission pension, pay scales, MSP, MACP and more

Check out top 10 points to clear all doubts in mind regarding the 7th Pay Commission pension, pay scales, MSP, MACP and more:

7th Pay Commission pension, pay scales – highlights, more:

The 7th Pay Commission report has recommended an average 23.55% hike in salaries and allowances of Central government staff and the same is likely to be replicated in all the states too, except Puducherry where the same system as in Centre is already applicable – minimum pay set at Rs 18,000 per month and maximum pay at Rs 2,50,000 per month – recommended date of implementation: 01, January, 2016.

Here we provide all you ever wanted to know in 10 points on most crucial aspects of the 7th Pay Commission report:

1. 7th Pay Commission pension, pay scales, allowances – Minimum Pay:

Based on the Dr Wallace Aykroyd formula (nutrition) , the minimum pay (salary) in government is recommended to be set at Rs 18,000 per month; Maximum Pay: Rs 2,25,000 per month for Apex Scale and Rs 2,50,000 per month for Cabinet Secretary and others presently at the same pay level. If passed, the salary hikes this report is recommending are likely to boost demand for consumer goods across the spectrum, even though it could also be inflationary. (Reuters)
2. 7th Pay Commission pension, pay scales, allowances – Advances:

a. All non-interest bearing Advances have been abolished; b. Regarding interest-bearing Advances, only Personal Computer Advance and House Building Advance (HBA) have been retained. HBA ceiling has been increased to Rs 25 lakhs from the present Rs 7.5 lakhs. (PTI)

3. 7th Pay Commission pension, pay scales, allowances – Pension:

The Commission recommends a revised pension formulation for civil employees including CAPF personnel as well as for Defence personnel, who have retired before 01.01.2016. This formulation will bring about parity between past pensioners and current retirees for the same length of service in the pay scale at the time of retirement. The 7th Pay Commission received many grievances relating to New Pension System (NPS). It has recommended a number of steps to improve the functioning of NPS. It has also recommended establishment of a strong grievance redressal mechanism. (PTI)
4. 7th Pay Commission pension, pay scales, allowances – Performance Related Pay:

The Commission has recommended introduction of the Performance Related Pay (PRP) for all categories of Central Government employees, based on quality Results Framework Documents, reformed Annual Performance Appraisal Reports and some other broad Guidelines. The Commission has also recommended that the PRP should subsume the existing Bonus schemes. (PTI)
5. 7th Pay Commission pension, pay scales, allowances – New Pay Structure:

Considering the issues raised regarding the Grade Pay structure and with a view to bring in greater transparency, the present system of pay bands and grade pay has been dispensed with and a new pay matrix has been designed. Grade Pay has been subsumed in the pay matrix. The status of the employee, hitherto determined by grade pay, will now be determined by the level in the pay matrix. The rate of Annual Increment is being retained at 3 percent. (PTI)
6. 7th Pay Commission pension, pay scales, allowances – Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP):

a. Performance benchmarks for MACP have been made more stringent from “Good” to “Very Good”; b. The Commission has also proposed that annual increments not be granted in the case of those employees who are not able to meet the benchmark either for MACP or for a regular promotion in the first 20 years of their service; c. No other changes in MACP recommended. (Thinkstock)

7. 7th Pay Commission pension, pay scales, allowances – Military Service Pay (MSP):

The Military Service Pay, which is a compensation for the various aspects of military service, will be admissible to the Defence forces personnel only. As before, Military Service Pay will be payable to all ranks up to and inclusive of Brigadiers and their equivalents. The current MSP per month and the revised rates recommended are as follows: (Reuters)
8. 7th Pay Commission pension, pay scales, allowances – Short Service Commissioned Officers:

Short Service Commissioned Officers will be allowed to exit the Armed Forces at any point in time between 7 and 10 years of service, with a terminal gratuity equivalent of 10.5 months of reckonable emoluments. The Seventh Pay Commission also says they will further be entitled to a fully funded one year Executive Programme or a M.Tech. programme at a premier Institute to better their prospects in later life. (PTI)
9. 7th Pay Commission pension, pay scales, allowances – Allowances:

The Commission has recommended abolishing 52 allowances altogether. Another 36 allowances have been abolished as separate identities, but subsumed either in an existing allowance or in newly proposed allowances. Allowances relating to Risk and Hardship will be governed by the proposed Risk and Hardship Matrix. a. Risk and Hardship Allowance: Allowances relating to Risk and Hardship will be governed by the newly proposed nine-cell Risk and Hardship Matrix, with one extra cell at the top, viz., RH-Max to include Siachen Allowance. (PTI)
10. 7th Pay Commission pension, pay scales, allowances – Financial Implications:

The total financial impact in the FY 2016-17 is likely to be Rs 1,02,100 crore, over the expenditure as per the “Business As Usual” scenario. Of this, the increase in pay would be Rs 39,100 crore, increase in allowances would be Rs 29,300 crore and increase in pension would be Rs 33,700 crore. In percentage terms the overall increase in pay & allowances and pensions over the “Business As Usual” scenario will be 23.55 percent. Within this, the increase in pay will be 16 percent, increase in allowances will be 63 percent, and increase in pension would be 24 percent. (Image by PTI)

Source:  financialexpress.com

LIC India: BONUS Info: Reversionary Bonus Rates declared as a result of valuation as at 31st March 2015

LIC India: BONUS Info: Reversionary Bonus Rates declared as a result of valuation as at 31st March 2015

L – 42 (Annexure)

IRDA Public Disclosure

Source: http://www.licindia.in/publicdiscloser/2014-15/032015/L_42_Valuation_Basis_Individual_Annexure.pdf

7th Pay Commission’s Recommendations on Gratuity

7th CPC recommends for raising Gratuity from the existing Rs.10 lakh to Rs.20 lakh from 01.01.2016. 7th Pay Commission further proposes for DA indexed Gratuity viz., increase by 25 percent whenever DA rises by 50 percent.

Enhancement in the Gratuity Ceiling and its Indexation

A number of representations have been received by the Commission stating that there is a need to revise the existing ceiling of Rs.10.00 lakh with regard to payment of service gratuity.

Analysis and Recommendations

Rule 49 and 50 of the CCS (Pension) Rules provides that a government servant is entitled to get retirement gratuity equal to one-fourth of his emoluments for each completed six monthly period of qualifying service subject to a maximum of 16.5 times of the last emoluments subject to a maximum of Rs.10 lakh.

The Commission sought the views of the government in this regard. The Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare stated that the VI CPC has increased the amount of gratuity from Rs.3.5 lakh to Rs.10 lakh w.e.f. 01.01.2006. This amount, in the view of the department, is not commensurate with emoluments that are available to senior officers at the time of retirement. The department has suggested to the Commission that a view could be taken to index gratuity with amount of DA admissible at the time of retirement.

The Commission notes that there is merit in the argument advanced to index the ceiling on gratuity so that the benefits of the enhanced ceiling are available to personnel in a manner which is more even over a time frame. The Commission recommends enhancement in the ceiling of gratuity from the existing Rs.10 lakh to Rs.20 lakh from 01.01.2016. The Commission further recommends, as has been done in the case of allowances that are partially indexed to Dearness Allowance, the ceiling on gratuity may increase by 25 percent whenever DA rises by 50 percent.

Rationalisation of Death Gratuity

The Commission has received representations pointing to a need for rationalization of current slabs for death gratuity, especially for the slab of 5 to 20 years of qualifying service in which family pensioners are stated to be placed at a disadvantageous position.

Analysis and Recommendations

As per Rule 50 of Pension Rules, the death gratuity admissible will be as follows, subject to the maximum limit prescribed for the gratuity:

The Commission sought the views of the government in this regard. Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare stated that it had received similar demands from pensioners’ association and it feels a need for a review of the existing slabs for death gratuity.

The Commission, after examination of the matter, recommends the following revised rates for payment of death gratuity:

Reduction in the time period for Restoration of Basic Pension

The Commission has received a number of representations requesting reduction of restoration period of commuted portion of pension from the existing 15 years.

Source: gconnect.in

7th Pay Commission – Recommends Abolition of 52 Allowances

7th Pay Commission – Recommends Abolition of 52 Allowances – The list of outdated government perks is pretty long. Sample this: select postal department employees are entitled to a Rs 90-per month cycle allowance.

The 7th Pay Commission, headed by Justice Ashok Kumar Mathur submitted its report to the finance ministry about 10 days back. It has made many recommendations to the Government pertaining to salary, pension etc., etc. It has also recommended abolition of 52 allowances that the 7th Pay Commission found obsolete.

The list of outdated government perks is pretty long. Sample this: select postal department employees are entitled to a Rs 90-per month cycle allowance, if the employee fulfills a number of conditions including the submission of proof that there has been an “extensive use” of the bicycle. Indian Foreign Service officers are given a monetary incentive that’s ridiculously low for learning an optional foreign language — Rs 100 per month if the officer turns “proficient” in that language and Rs 200 per month if the officer becomes “above proficient”.

Sounds odd, but Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel receive a haircutting allowance at the rate of Rs 5 per month, the lowest among 196 government allowances that prevail today. This allowance should have been discarded long ago, as haircutting is very much a part of the CISF cadres’ composite personal maintenance allowance. But no one probably had spotted this till the 7th Central Pay Commission found it “outdated” and recommended its abolition.

So, when the 7th Central Pay Commission chairman Justice AK Mathur along with two members of the Commission had to evaluate the demands of IAS, IFS, IPS, Central government services and defence personnel in several rounds of meetings spanning nearly two years, they encountered a humongous task of rationalising as many as 196 allowances in addition to weighing in on the core issues of pay hike and pay parity. The list of allowances includes the well-known ones like DA and HRA.

And the Central Pay Commission, which submitted its report 10 days ago to the finance ministry, clearly recommended abolition of 52 allowances that they found obsolete. We give below a selected list of a few allowances which have been recommended for abolition:

1. Hair cutting Allowance
2. Cash Handling Allowance
3. Hutting Allowance
4. Secret Allowance
5. Cycle Allowance
6. Diet Allowance
7. Soap Toilet Allowance
8. Funeral Allowance

Source: The Economic Times

LDC-UDC Matter & MACP on Promotional Hierarchy in 7th CPC Recommendation: AIAAS(NG) writes to Confederation

LDC-UDC Matter & MACP on Promotional Hierarchy in 7th CPC Recommendation: AIAAS(NG) writes to Confederation

Message from Secretary AIAAS(NG) :-

To

Com. M Krishnan,
Secretary General,
Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers,
New Delhi

NJCA – Detailed deliberations on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission

NJCA – Detailed deliberations on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS
1st Floor,North Avenue PO Building, New Delhi – 110001 Website:www.confederationonhq.blogspot.com
Email:confederationhq@gmail.com

Date : 27-11-2015

Dear Comrades,

National Secretariat of the Confederation of Central Govt Employees & Workers held on 27-11-15 at New Delhi after detailed deliberations on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) has decided as follows :

1.The National Secretariat has come to the unanimous conclusion that many of the recommendations of the 7th CPC are most retrograde and require to be modified before implementation by the Government, especially the faulty and depressed minimum wage arrived at by the 7th CPC and the fitment formula. Some of the recommendations such as abolition of certain allowances etc., are to be rejected.

2. The National Secretariat is of the firm opinion that a united struggle of entire Central Govt Employees including Railways, Defence and Confederation under the banner of National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) can only compel the Government to modify or reject the retrograde recommendations of the 7th CPC and hence it is decided to further strengthen the unity.

3. The National Secretariat further resolved that the form of the united struggle of NJCA should be an indefinite strike, within a time frame, as Govt is moving fast to implement the recommendations. Negotiation with the Government should precede declaration of indefinite strike and intensive campaign among the employees and mobilization, to create sanction behind the demands.

4. In case the requisite movement is not coming about for any reason, Confederation National Secretariat will meet and chalk out its own independent action.

5. Regarding the sector-wise issues relating to the employees of each department, the affiliated organizations of the Confederation in those departments shall take initiative for uniting all like-minded Federations/Associations/Unions in their department and shall organize agitational programmes on departmental specific demands.

6. The National Secretariat decided to insist that the charter of demands of the NJCA and Confederation should include the demands of Gramin Dak Sevaks, Casual/Contract labourers, filling up of vacancies and scraping the New Contributory Pension Scheme.

7. All affiliated organizations of Confederation are requested to intimate by e-mail to the Confederation CHQ (confederationhq@gmail.com or mkrishnan6854@gmail.com) on the required modifications or additions / deletions in the common recommendations (not department-specific) of the 7th Pay Commission on or before 05-12-2015.

8. Available Secretariat members of the Confederation will meet on 07-12-2015 at New Delhi and finalize the common demands to be included in the charter of demands of NJCA. (NJCA meeting is being held at JCM National Council, Staff-side office on 08-12-2015 to finalize the charter of demands and the further course of action).

9. The National Secretariat congratulated all the Central Govt Employees who made the 27th November 2015 ‘All India Protest Day’ at the call of NJCA, a grand success all over the country by wearing ‘black badges’ and participating in protest demonstrations.

Other Decisions:

1. Next All India Workshop-cum-Trade Union Camp of Confederation will be held at Dehradun (Uttarakhand) before March 2016.

2. The National Secretariat extended full support and solidarity to the proposed agitational programmes of Passport Employees Association including ‘Indefinite hungerfast’.

M.Krishnan
Secretary General

Source: http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/

Bill on Bonus Act to be brought to Parliament – Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Bill on Bonus Act to be brought to Parliament – Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the government will bring to Parliament a bill to amend the Bonus Act with a view to enhance the benefits for the working class.

“We are going to bring an important (bill) in this House (to amend) Bonus Act.The Cabinet has already approved it. This is a very important bill for our workers. We are taking decisions and working for welfare of the labour class,” Modi said while replying to a two-day long debate in the Lok Sabha to commemorate the Constitution Day and the 125th birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar.

The Cabinet had earlier decided to double the wage ceiling for calculating bonus to Rs 7,000 per month for factory workers and establishments with 20 or more workers.

The bill also seeks to enhance the eligibility limit for payment of bonus from the salary or wage of an employee from Rs 10,000 per month to Rs 21,000.

Modi also said that the government has fixed the minimum pension under the EPF scheme at Rs 1,000 per month.
He said earlier people were getting pensions as low as Rs 7 and Rs 20 per month which was even insufficient to cover the transport cost.

While talking about these issues, Modi hailed Baba Saheb Ambedkar for providing in the Constitution a cap of eight hours a day on working hours for labourers.

The Payment of Bonus Act 1965 is applicable to every factory and other establishment in which 20 or more persons are employed on any day during an accounting year, he said.

As per the Cabinet decision, the new norms would come into force from April 1, 2015. The bill also provides for a new proviso in Section 12 which empowers the central government to vary the basis of computing bonus.

At present, under Section 12, where the salary or wage of an employee exceeds Rs 3,500 per month, the minimum or maximum bonus payable to employees are calculated as if his salary or wage were Rs 3,500 per month.

Source: http://www.deccanherald.com/

Strengthening of Administration – Premature retirement of Railway servants – Periodical review

Railway Board has issued a communication to all the General Managers of Indian Railways regarding the guidelines to be followed on premature retirement of Railway employees.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

RBE No.143/2015

No. E(P&A)I-2015/RT-38

New Delhi dated 10/12-11-2015.

The General Managers,
All Indian Railways.

Sub:- Strengthening of Administration – Premature retirement of Railway servants – Periodical review under rule 1802 (a)/ 1803 (a)/ 1804 (a) – R- II, 1987 edition – Regarding.

DOP&T vide their OM No. 25013/1/2013-Estt (A) dated 21.03.2014 and 25013/01/2013-Estt.A-IV dated 11.09.2015 have reiterated the instructions on Compulsory Retirement under FR 56(1), 560) or Rule 48(1) (b) of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 with a view to improve efficiency and strengthening of the administrative machinery at all levels. They have asked to follow these instructions strictly and to review the performance of Govt. servants periodically with a view to ascertain whether the Government servant should be retained in service or retired from service in the public interest. Provisions in this regard are contained in FR 56(j), 56(I) or Rule 48(1) (b) of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972. The corresponding rules in railways are Rule 1802 (a)/1803 (a)/1804 (a) of IREC, Vol-II, 1987 edition.

2. DOP&T has also drawn attention to the observation made by Hon’ble Supreme Court in State of Gujarat Vs Umedbhai M. Patel, 2001 (3) SCC 314, which are as follows:

(i) Whenever the services of a public servant are no longer useful to the general administration, the officer can be compulsorily retired for the sake of public interest.

(ii) Ordinarily, the order of compulsory retirement is not to be treated as a punishment coming under Article 311 of the Constitution.

(iii) “For better administration, it is necessary to chop off dead wood, but the order of compulsorily retirement can be passed after having due regard to the entire service record of the officers.”

(iv) Any adverse entries made in the confidential record shall be taken note of and be given due weightage in passing such order.

(v) Even un-communicated entries in the confidential record can also be taken into consideration.

(vi) The order of compulsory retirement shall not be passed as a short cut to avoid Departmental enquiry when such course is more desirable.

(vii) If the officer was given a promotion despite adverse entries made in the confidential record, that is a fact in favour of the officer,

(viii) Compulsory retirement shall not be imposed as a punitive measure.

3. In order to ensure that the power, conferred on the authorities empowered to retire a railway employee prematurely is exercised fairly and impartially and not arbitrarily, consolidated instructions relating to premature retirement of railway servants with a view to strengthening of administration were issued under the Board’s letter No. E(P&A)I-77/RT-53 dated 15.11.1979. These guidelines have, however, not been adequately followed by the Appointing Authorities. With the Government’s commitment to provide clean administration, it is essential that the power for premature retirement in public interest is availed of to weed out all those employees whose integrity is doubtful, with due regard to the appropriate procedure laid down for action for premature retirement.

4. The entire service records should be considered in every review. Here Service record will take in all relevant records viz. ACR/APAR dossier along with personal file of the officer containing valuable material. Similarly, the work and performance of the officer could also be assessed by looking into files dealt with by him or in any papers or reports prepared and submitted by him. All these data along with a comprehensive brief should be prepared for consideration by the Review Committee. Even un-communicated remarks in the ACRs/APARs may be taken into consideration also. In case of those officers who have been promoted during the last five years, the previous entries in the ACRs may be taken into account if the officer was promoted on the basis of seniority cum fitness, and not on the basis of merit.

5. As far as integrity is considered, the following observations of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, while upholding compulsory retirement in the case of S. Ramachandra Raju Vs State of Orissa, may be kept in view:-

“The officer would live by reputation built around him. In an appropriate case, there may not be sufficient evidence to take punitive disciplinary action of removal from service. But his conduct and reputation is such that his continuance in services would be a menace to public service and injurious to public interest.”

Thus while considering integrity of an employee, actions or decisions taken by the employee which do not appear to be above board, complaints received against him, or suspicious property transactions, for which there may not be sufficient evidence to initiate departmental proceedings, may be taken into account. Judgment of the Apex Court in the case of Shri K. Kandaswamy, I.P.S (TN:1966) in K. Kandaswamy vs Union Of India & Anr, 1996 AIR 277, 1995 SCC (6) 162 is relevant here. There were persistent reports of Shri Kandaswamy acquiring large assets and of his getting money from his subordinates. He also indulged in property transactions which gave rise to suspicion about his bonafides. The Hon’ble Supreme Court upheld his compulsory retirement under provisions of the relevant Rules.

6. Similarly, reports of conduct unbecoming of a Government servant may also form basis for compulsory retirement. As per the Hon’ble Supreme Court in State of UP And Others vs Vijay Kumar Jain, Appeal (Civil) 2083 of 2002:-

“If conduct of a government employee becomes unbecoming to the public interest or obstructs the efficiency in public services, the government has an absolute right to compulsorily retire such an employee in public interest.”

7. Further, CVO in the case of gazetted officers, or his representative in the case of non-gazetted officers, will be associated in case of record reflecting adversely on the integrity of any employee.

8. In addition to above, internal committees may be constituted to assist the Review Committees in reviewing the cases. These Committees will ensure that the service record of the employees being reviewed, along with a summary bringing out all relevant information, is submitted to the Cadre Authorities at least three months before the due date of review.

9. In view of DOP&T’s present guidelines, the Board’s letters No. E(P&A)I-77/RT-53 dated 15.11.1979 and E(P&A)I-87/RT-4 dated 17.10.89 containing the provisions on Premature Retirement under Rule 1802 (a)/1803(a)/1804(a) – IREC, Vol-II, 1987 edition are enclosed for guidance. In addition to this, instructions issued by Board from time to time on the subject may also be linked while deciding such matters. Further, all Zonal railways are requested to follow the above instructions and periodically review the cases of railway servants as required under Rule 1802 (a)/1803(a)/1804(a) – IREC, Vol. II, 1987 edition. The quarterly data in enclosed proforma in respect of reviewing the cases of retirement under the aforesaid provisions during the period from 01.04.2014 to 31.03.2015 may be furnished immediately.

10. As per the latest guidelines of DOPcSiT’s OM dated 21.03.2014, para II 3 (c) (d) of the Board’s enclosed letter dated 15.11.1979 should be read as under:

“(c) While the entire service record of an officer should be considered at the time of review, no employee should ordinarily be retired on grounds of ineffectiveness if his/ her service during the preceding 5 years or where he/she has been promoted to a higher post during that 5 year period, his/her service in the highest post, has been found satisfactory.

Consideration is ordinarily to be confined to the preceding 5 years or to the period in the higher post in case of promotion within the period of 5 years, if compulsory retirement is sought to be made on grounds of ineffectiveness. There is no such stipulation, however where the employees is to be retired on grounds of doubtful integrity.”

“(d) No employee should ordinarily be retired on ground of ineffectiveness, if, in any event, he/she would be retiring on superannuation within a period of one year from the date of consideration of his/ her case.

Ordinarily no employee should be retired on grounds of ineffectiveness if he is retiring on superannuation within a period of One year from the date of consideration of the case. It is clarified that in a case where there is a sudden and steep fall in the competence, efficiency or effectiveness of an officer, it would be open to review his case for premature retirement.

The above instruction is relevant only when an employee is proposed to be retired on the ground of ineffectiveness, but not on the ground of doubtful integrity. The damage to public interest could be marginal if an old employee, in the last year of service, is found ineffective; but the damage may be incalculable if he is found to be corrupt and demands or obtains illegal gratification during the said period for the tasks he is duty bound to perform.”

11. The first sentence of para 4 of Boards letter dated 15.11.1979 should be added as under:

“The Supreme Court had not only upheld the validity of FR 56(3) but also held that no show-cause notice need be issued to any Government servant before a notice of retirement is issued to him under the aforesaid provisions.”

12. Kindly acknowledge the receipt.

(Anil Kumar)
Deputy Director E(P&A)I, Railway Board.

Download Railway Board letter RBE No.143/2015 No. E(P&A)I-2015/RT-38 dated 12.11.2015.

Retired Employee’s Liberalized Health Scheme (RELHS)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. 2013/H/PNM/NFIR

New Delhi, Dated: 17.11.2015

General Managers,
All Indian Railways/PUS
(Including RDSO).

Subj- Retired Employee’s Liberalized Health Scheme (RELHS).
Ref:- This office letter of even No. dated 08.09.2015.

The decision of competent authority in the Ministry of Railways to extend the facility of joining RELHS-97 to those Railway employees who retired at the normal age of ‘superannuation irrespective of number of years of their service before superannuation, was conveyed to the Zonal Railways Vide Board’s letter cited under reference. However, one of the Zonal Railways has raised the issue of cut-off date of implementation of the order. The issue has been examined in consultation with Finance Directorate in the Board’s office.

In this context it is clarified that the instruction issued vide Board’s letter cited under reference is applicable to all Railway employees who have retired or retiring from-Railway service on attaining age of superannuation without any Cut-Off date.

This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate in the Board’s office.

(R.S. Shukla)
Joint Director/Health
Railway Board

Download NFIR letter No.2013/H/PNM/NFIR dated 17.11.2015 (Retired-Employees-Liberalized-Health-Scheme)

West Bengal Government Sets Up Pay Commission

West Bengal Government Sets Up Pay Commission

Kolkata: The West Bengal Government has constituted the 6th Pay Commission for its own staff members and certain other categories of employees in the state to revise their salaries.

Economist Abhirup Sarkar, who is a professor of the Indian Statistical Institute, has been appointed chairman of the eight-member Pay Commission, which is scheduled to submit its report within six months.

The state Assembly elections are slated for next year and the setting up of the pay panel was made eight days after the Central Pay Commission submitted its report.

A Finance Department resolution yesterday said the decision was taken considering changes taken place in the structure of emoluments of state government employees in several respects since the 5th Pay Commission submitted its report.

The Commission will also cover employees of local bodies, panchayats, public undertakings, teaching and non-teaching staff of government aided and sponsored educational institutions.

As per its Terms and Reference, the Pay Commission would examine the present structure of pay and conditions of service, among other things.

It would examine the existing promotion policies and related issues and suggest suitable changes.

It would also examine various allowances, besides issues relating to retirement benefits.

To make recommendations on each of the above, the factors which will be considered included the prevailing pay structure under Central government, PSUs and other state governments, the economic condition of the country and the resources of the state government.

The Pay Commission will devise its own procedures and may take help of other departments and make estimate of the cost involved in implementing their recommendations.

“The Commission will submit their recommendations as expeditiously as practicable but preferably within a period of six months from the date of order notifying the constitution of the Commission,” the resolution said.

The Pay Commission may submit interim recommendations if found necessary or if so desired by the state government, it added.

PTI

Double benefit in reducing government departments, says Jharkhand CM

Double benefit in reducing government departments, says Jharkhand CM

Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das today said bringing down government departments to 31 from 43 would not only save administrative expenditure but also make running the administration easier.

“Bringing down the departments to 31 will save expenditure and that could be spent on common people,” Das told reporters here.

Downsizing and reorganisation of Jharkhand government departments from 43 to 31 is one of the two key initiatives that attracted the attention of the Prime Minister s Office, an official statement had said yesterday.

The restructuring would also help investors, Das said.

On the PMO asking the NITI Ayog to circulate “best practice” of Jharkhand so that it could be replicated in other states, the Chief Minister attributed it to teamwork.

Das said he had a desire to make Jharkhand a role model and “now we can say Jharkhand has become a role model in the country”.

“I have been repeatedly saying that Jharkhand has an important role in making India economic super power and the state is discharging its role,” he said.

Another key initiative Jharkhand has taken is lateral entry of technocrats and advisors as special secretaries and state PSUs MDs.

PTI

Inviting suggestions for improving the format of e-service book

Subject: Inviting suggestions for improving the format of e-service book

Revision of rates of stipend to apprentices and trainees on Railways.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY oF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

S.No. Pc-VI/ 358
No, PC-V,/ 2008/Ps/1(Stipend)

RBE No:144/2015
New Delhi, dated 16-11-2015

The General Managers
All Indian Railways and pUs
(As per mailing list)
Sub: Revision of rates of stipend to apprentices and trainees on Railways.

Ref: Railway Board’s letter of even number dated 15.12.2008 (s.No. PC-VI/61, RBE No.198/2008 and Railway Board’s letter No. PC-III/93/Stand/Pt.II dated 01-12-1998.
Consequent upon the revision in training period of JE (Drawing/Design), item Nos. 34 & 35 under Drawing Office of the Schedule in Board’s letter of even number dated 15-12-2008 stand modified as under:-

2. The above revised rate of stipend are applicable to those batches that undergo the modified training modutes as indicated against the category.

3. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways.

(N.P.Singh)
Dy. Director/ pay Commission-V
Railway Board

Source: NFIR