Long term and short term training programs under DFFT scheme 2019-20

Seeking option from promoted Under Secretaries (adhoc) under Rotational Transfer Policy

DOPT – Scheme for Promotion of Adventure Sports and Similar Activities amongst Central Government Employees

PM greets the people on the occasion of various festivals across India

Prime Minister’s Office
PM greets the people on the occasion of various festivals across India

14 JAN 2019

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people on the occasion of various festivals across India.

“Happy Makar Sankranti to everyone!

Best wishes on Pongal!

Greetings on the special occasion of Magh Bihu.

Happy Uttarayan.

May you all scale new heights of progress in the times to come”, the Prime Minister said.

PIB

Reduction in the residency period for promotion from Grade Pay Rs.1800/- (level-1) to Grade Pay Rs.1900/- (Level-2)

Reduction in the residency period for promotion from Grade Pay Rs.1800/- (level-1) to Grade Pay Rs.1900/- (Level-2)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD

New Delhi, dated January 8, 2019

The General Manager,
All Indian Railways/PUs,

Sub:- Reduction in the residency period for promotion from Grade Pay Rs.1800/- (level-1) to Grade Pay Rs.1900/- (Level-2)

In terms of Para 189 (ii) of IREM Vol. I, employees in Level-1, to be eligible for promotion to Level-2, should have put a minimum of 3 years of continuous service except in the case of promotion of Scheduled Caste and Schedule Tribe.

The matter regarding reduction in the residency period for promotion from Level-1 to Level-2 in respect of all departments, has been under consideration of the Board, consequent to a demand to this effect having been raised by both the Federations i.e. AIRF and NFIR.

Keeping in view, the fact that younger and better qualified and talented employees are now available in Level-1 of all the departments, it has been decided that the residency period for promotion from Level-1 to Level-2 in all departments may be reduced from the existing 3 years where ever prescribed, to 2 years. However, in cases where higher incumbency is prescribed, the same shall continue.

SC/ST employees possessing requisite educational qualification can be considered for promotion to the posts of Skilled Artisan against the 25% qualified staff quota on completion of one year regular service.

Para 189 (ii) of IREM, Vol.I 2009, Reprint Edition is accordingly amended as per ACS No. 260 enclosed herewith.

The issue with concurrence of the Accounts Dte. Railway Board.

(P.M. Meena)
Dy. Director-II/Estt.(NG)-I
Railway Board

Central Government Employees Holiday List 2019

Holiday List 2019 for Central Govt Employees

Central Government Holidays List 2019 – DoPT Orders dated 11.7.2018

Holidays to be observed in Central Government Offices during the 2019

Compulsory and Restricted Holidays for CG Employees 2019

THE YEAR 2019 FOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT LOCATED AT DELHI/NEW DELHI

*Milad-un-Nabi or Id-e-Milad (Birthday of Prophet Mohammad)

LIST OF RESTRICTED HOLIDAYS DURING THE YEAR 2019

*Chaitra Sukladi/Gudi Padava/Ugadi/Cheti Chand

DoPT – Furnishing of OBC data of recruitment to Commission for SubCategorization of OBC

DoPT – Furnishing of OBC data of recruitment to Commission for SubCategorization of OBC

Reminder-IV

No. 21/1/2016-CS.1 (PR/CMS)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

2nd Floor, Khan Market,
New Delhi-110003
Date: 11th January, 2019.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

SUBJECT: Furnishing of OBC data of recruitment to Commission for SubCategorization of OBC – regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Division’s OM of even number dated 20.02.2018, 27.02.2018, 21.03.2018 and 31.12.2018 on the above mentioned above subject matter and to state that on scrutiny of the data available on CSCMS portal, it is observed that many Ministries/Departments have not yet updated the information with reference to Categorization/SubCategorization of aBC officers, along with the data relating to the “State” from which OBC candidates appeared/selected in respect of CSS cadre (ASO to JS-insitu) in the CSCMS portal.

2. As the data is urgently required by the Commission for Sub-Categorization of aBC Officers, the concerned Ministries/Departments are once again requested to take up immediate necessary steps for updating the information, in the CSCMS portal compulsorily, by 18th of January, 2019 (Friday). The Nodal Officers of concerned Ministry/Department are authorized to update the data in CSCMS portal. The concerned Officers may also be sensitized to get their data updated in the system, in a time bound manner.
3. In case of any doubt/difficulty about the functioning of the CSCMS portal/Correctness of data in the CSCMS, Shri Krishnandan Kumar, ASO (PR/CMS)/Shri Anuj Pratap Singh (Engineer/CMS)/ may be contacted at Telephone 24629890/24629414.

4. This may be accorded, “TOP MOST PRIORITY”.

(SanjayKumar Das Gupta)
Under Secretary to Government of India
Tele: 24629412

To,
All Ministries/Departments
Director/Deputy Secretary (Admn.)
(Through website of this Department)

Source: DoPT

Income Tax Rates AY 2019-2020 – Income Tax Circular 2019

Income Tax Rates AY 2019-2020 – Income Tax Circular 2019

Income Tax Circular 2019 – Income Tax Rates AY 2019-20

Income Tax Rates as per the Income Tax Circular No.01/2019 published by the Central Board of Direct Taxes on 1.1.2019 for the Financial Year 2018-19 (Assessment Year 2019-20)

RATES OF INCOME-TAX AS PER FINANCE ACT, 2018:

As per the Finance Act, 2018, income-tax is required to be deducted under Section 192 of the Act from income chargeable under the head “Salaries” for the financial year 2018-19 (i.e. Assessment Year 2019-20) at the following rates:

Rates of tax

A. Normal Rates of tax

B. Rates of tax for every individual, resident in India, who is of the age of sixty years or more but less than eighty years at any time during the financial year:

C. In case of every individual being a resident in India, who is of the age of eighty years or more at any time during the financial year:

The amount of income-tax computed in accordance with the preceding provisions of this Paragraph, or the provisions of section 111A or section 112 or section 112A of the Act, shall be increased by a surcharge for the purpose of the Union, calculated, in the case of every individual or Hindu undivided family or association of persons or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or every artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2 of the Act,-

(a) having a total income exceeding fifty lakh rupees but not exceeding one crore rupees, at the rate of ten percent of such income-tax and

(b) having a total income exceeding one crore rupees, at the rate of fifteen percent of such income-tax:

Provided that in the case of persons mentioned above having total income exceeding;-

(a) Fifty lakh rupees but not exceeding one crore rupees, the total amount payable as income-tax and surcharge on such income shall not exceed the total amount payable as income-tax on a total income of fifty lakh rupees by more than the amount of income that exceeds fifty lakh rupees;

(b) one crore rupees, the total amount payable as income-tax and surcharge on such income shall not exceed the total amount payable as income-tax on a total income of one crore rupees by more than the amount of income that exceeds one crore rupees.

Education Cess on income-tax and Secondary and Higher Education Cess on income-tax shall be discontinued. However, a new cess, by the name “Health and Education Cess” shall be levied at the rate of four percent of income tax including surcharge wherever applicable, No marginal relief shall be available in respect of such cess.

Not feasible to extend the Benefits of MACP during Jan to Aug 2008

Not feasible to extend the benefits of MACP during Jan to Aug 2008

“Not feasible to extend the benefits of MACP during 01.01.2006 to 31.08.2008, as more than nine years of time has passed since the implementation of MACP”

To

All Cadre Controlling Authorities under CBIC

Subject: Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) for the Central Government Civilian Employees -regarding

Madam / Sir,

The Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACP) for the Central Government Civilian Employees was introduced on the recommendation of the 6th Central Pay Commission vide Department of Personnel and Training (DoP&T) OM No.35034/3/2008-Estt(D) dated 19.05.2009 w.e.f. 01.09.2008.

2.The Board has been receiving a number of references from individuals/ Commissionerates /CBN, CBIC, seeking clarification on the applicability of the judgement dated 08.12.2017 of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Civil Appeal Diary No. 3744 of 2016, in case of UOI and Ors. Vs. Balbir Singh Turn & Anr. on grant of MACP from 01.01.2006 instead of 01.09.2008.

3.DoP&T is the nodal Department for regulation of MACP Scheme. The matter has been examined in the Board in consultation with DoP&T. DoP&T has, inter alia, observed that: –

The Order dated 08.12.2017 of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Civil Appeal Diary No. 3744 of 2016, in case of UOI and Ors. Vs. Balbir Singh Turn & Anr is in the context of MACP Scheme issued by Ministry of Defence (MoD) with regard to Personnel below Officer Rank (PBOR) and hence the order of Hon’ble Apex Court is directly not applicable to the MACP Scheme issued by DoP&T for civilian employees. Therefore, request for grant of MACP benefits w.e.f. 01.01.2006 may not be agreed to on the following grounds: –

(i) The VI Pay Commission recommended separate Schemes for civilian and the Defence Personnel. After the recommendations were considered and approved by the Cabinet, D/o Expenditure issued Resolution dated 29.08.2008 in respect of civilian employees. M/o Defence issued resolution dated 30.08.2008 regarding extension of VI CPC benefits to Armed Forces Personnel. Thus, the Civilian and the PBOR personnel are governed by two different Resolutions.

(ii) The recommendations of the 6th CPC were accepted by the Government only on 29.08.2008 (30.08.2008 in case of PBOR). The recommendations of the 66 CPC were required to be examined and a scheme was to be formulated in consultation with Department of Expenditure and the same took considerable time for its implementation. Before implementation of the Scheme, a cut off date had to be decided/fixed. Accordingly, the Government has taken a conscious decision for implementing the MACPS w.e.f. 01.09.2008. Though the MACPS came into existence only w.e.f. 01.09.2008, the benefits of the existing ACP Scheme of August, 1999, was allowed to the Government servants upto 31.08.2008.

(iii) Changing the effective date of implementation of MACP from 01.09.2008 to 01.01.2006 may be beneficial to certain employees, but this would also place certain other employees at a disadvantage thereby entailing huge recoveries from them. It may be difficult to make recoveries from the employees who have availed higher financial benefit under ACP during 01.01.2006 to 31.08.2008 and retired from service.

(iv) The MACP is a condition of service and, hence, cannot be given retrospective effect. It is upto Government to take a conscious decision to implement it uniformly from a certain date.

(v) It is not feasible to extend the benefits of MACP during 01.01.2006 to 31.08.2008, as more than nine years of time has passed since the implementation of MACP and the issues have been settled as per extant instructions. The change of effective date will lead to surge of litigation particularly from employees who availed the benefits of ACP scheme during 01.01.2006 to 31.08.2008.

(vi) Vide Order dated 14.02.2017, Hon’ble High Court of Judicature at Madras in Writ petition Nos. 33946, 34602 and 27798 of 2014 has held that the benefit of erstwhile ACP Scheme cannot be negated by bringing a new Scheme i.e. MACP Scheme with retrospective effect.

4.Based on the above, you are requested to take appropriate action on the references received on this issue.

5.This issues with the approval of Competent Authority.

2 Days Countrywide General Strike Working Class of India

2 Days Countrywide General Strike Working Class of India

The magnificent country wide general strike on 8-9 January 2019 reflected the tide of people’s anger against the anti worker, anti people and anti national neoliberal policies pursued by the BJP led government at the centre. It surpassed, in its sweep and depth, even the earlier two massive general strikes, on 2nd September 2015 and 2016 held during this Modi government’ regime.

The participation of workers in the general strike across sectors and the massive support and solidarity it received from all cross sections of people across the country indicate the growing resentment of people against the government. The national organisations of the peasants and agricultural workers, dalits, adivasis etc,. extended active support and called for a ‘grameen bandh’ bringing rural India to a standstill. The retired employees’ organisations also have actively campaigned for and supported the strike.

Full reports of the strike have not been received. Below is the information as up to the afternoon of 9th January.

The strike in Assam was unprecedented. All the tea gardens were closed. Refineries were closed. Workers, both permanent and contract workers picketed and demonstrated outside several refineries. Workers along with fraternal mass organisations of peasants, agricultural workers, students, women etc held rail roko all over the state. Police arrested hundreds of activists including Tapan Sharma, general secretary of the state committee of CITU.

The strike received massive response from the working class in Bihar. Road transport was totally paralyzed. Scheme workers, construction workers, beedi workers participated in the strike and held huge rallies in Samastipur, Khagaria, Darbhanga, Jamui, Begusarai and other districts. Roads were blocked in Samastipur, Katihar etc. The state bandh called by the Left parties in support of the strike, on the issues of peasants and agricultural workers and against the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, on 9th January was total.

The industrial workers and employees in NCR Delhi joined the strike in a big way. Only 5 workers joined duty in the public sector CEL. The industrial areas of Okhla 3 phases, Naraina, Mayapuri, Mongolpuri 2 phases, Udyognagar, Nangloi, Wazirpur, GT Karnal Road, Badlhi, Rajasthanpuri, Bhorgarh etc, were totally closed. Workers struck work and marched in processions which culminated in rallies in different industrial areas. Around 2000 to 3000 workers participated in each rally. Teachers and students of Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University joined the strike en masse. Universities were closed.

Gujarat, home state of Prime Minister Modi, witnessed such a joint strike of workers for the first time in many decades. The trade unions took up extensive joint campaign. Engineering workers in Baroda, Surat, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh, Ahmedabad, most of them not organised under any trade union joined the strike in large numbers. Despite the threats of victimisation from the BJP government in the state, anganwadi employees and ASHAs joined the strike and held massive demonstrations in most of the districts in the state. For the first time midday meal workers joined the strike. BMS campaigned extensively against the strike calling it a ‘political strike’. Despite this, anganwadi employees affiliated to the BMS union in 3 ICDS projects in the state joined the strike and also the demonstrations held on the occasion. Big rallies were held in 8 cities – Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Junagarh, Baroda, Anand and Palanpur. Around 3000 to 8000 workers participated in each.

The modern industrial area of Gurgaon in Haryana witnessed good response of the workers to the strike. Hero Honda declared 3 days’ holiday. Except Maruti, most of the big industries including Honda remained closed. Workers in all the smaller industries in the area struck work and joined rallies. A huge joint rally of industrial workers was held on 8th January. Workers in govt sector, roadways and unorganised sector like brick-kiln, forest, village chowkidar, construction etc joined the strike in a big way.

Strike in Rajasthan in different industries, both in organised and unorganised sector has been quite noticeable despite severe police repression on the striking workers in the MNC dominated industrial area in Neemrana. There have been numerous demonstrations and procession by the striking workers along with others throughout the state.

The scheme workers, MGNREGA workers, Hydel project workers as well as industrial workers in Himachal Pradesh participated in the strike. Huge rallies with mostly women workers were held in several district headquarters.

Despite the difficult political situation in the state, unorganized sector workers and scheme workers participated in the strike in thousands in Jammu and Kashmir. Interstate bus services were off the road. A procession with the participation of scheme workers, railway contract workers, construction workers, coal mine workers, hydro project workers, vendors, middle class employees etc was held in Jammu. Protest demonstrations were held in almost all the districts in the Kashmir valley.

The industrial areas of Bokaro, Ranchi, Adityapur, Gamharia in Jarkhand were almost closed due to the strike. Pharmaceutical industry was closed. Beedi workers and stone quarry workers in Pakur, Sahebganj and Chatra and Bauxite workers in Lohardaga were in total strike as were the workers in the copper mines and industry.
.
Over 30 lakh workers, including industrial workers, public sector, government, bank, insurance, BSNL etc employees, scheme workers and unorganized sector workers, participated in the strike in Karnataka. There was total strike in public road transport; autos were off the road in Bengaluru. All the permanent workers in multinational corporations Toyota Kirloskar, Volvo buses and trucks, Coca Cola etc participated in the strike. Strike was total in the industrial areas of Bengaluru, Mysuru etc.

Despite the large scale disturbances sought to be created by the BJP against entry of women of all ages to the temple in Sabarimala, joint campaign was extensively conducted all over Kerala with an effort to reach every nook and corner of the state. Strike was total. Workers and members of other mass organisations picketed trains at 32 points. Train traffic was disrupted and several trains had to be cancelled. Trivandrum, Cochin and Kozhikode airport ground handling staff were on strike causing disruption of flights. Because of the campaign, people extended support to the strike. There were very few passengers in the buses and trains. Thousands of workers have gathered at the 483 strike centres which have been opened across the state. These centres were active for entire 48 hours duration of strike throughout day and night.

In addition to the total participation of Anganwadi employees, ASHAs and midday meal workers in the strike in Madhya Pradesh, thousands of workers in private industries, particularly cement industry participate in the strike. Strike was total in all the cement units where CITU had affiliated unions. In addition it was near total in Hitech and 75% in Heavy Engineering Workers. Workers in the industrial clusters in Indore, Neemuch etc,. and the contract workers in NFIL joined the strike. Though most of the road transport workers are not organised under any trade union, the extensive campaign by the CITU state committee resulted in massive participation of road transport workers with transport being seriously affected in 22 districts in the state, where no passenger buses could run. In Bhopal, 70% of the buses could not operate and 80% of city buses were stopped in depots. Even under government pressure, only 15% – 20% buses were operated. Strike in the coal mines in the state was also massive.

With the total participation of the transport workers in BEST (Bombay Electricity Supply and Transport) in the strike, bus services were off the road in Mumbai. There was total strike by workers in multinational companies like BOSCH, CEAT, Crompton, Samsonite etc. Thousands of permanent and contract workers of Reliance Industries also joined the strike. The industrial areas in Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Kolhapur, Icchalkaranji were seriously affected due to the strike. Highways were blocked in many places. A massive rally planned jointly in Solapur could not be held as police denied permission because of Prime Minister’s visit to the city on that day.

Manipur bore a deserted look due to the massive strike. Vehicular traffic was totally stopped; educational institutions shut down and examinations were postponed. All the major markets were closed. Road blocks and demonstrations were held in many places.

There was a bandh like situation in Odisha. Road transport was totally off. Strike was 80% in cement and engineering industries. The strike in the public sector units like NALCO, Port and Dock and Indian Oil was over 80%. Scheme workers totally participated in the strike. Unorganised sector workers held rasta roko and rail roko in several places. All political parties including the ruling BJD, except BJP supported the strike.

Strike was total among the PUNBUS employees and electricity employees in Punjab and Chandigarh. Workers in the industrial areas of Ludhiana including Hero cycles, the cement factories in Bathinda, industries in Amritsar went on strike. Contract employees in private hospitals were on strike throughout the state. Scheme workers joined the strike en masse and participated in thousands in the demonstrations, rallies and rasta roko across the state.

Strike in Tamil Nadu was immense. Pondicherry witnessed a total bandh like situation with all sectors being paralysed. Over 85% of the public sector Salem steel plant employees, 70% of the BHEL employees were on strike. Workers in Neyveli Lignite, Tuticorin port and Salem Chemplast also joined the strike. The textile industry including the cooperative spinning mills, power looms, NTC mills were affected. 50% of the workers in the engineering industry were on strike. Workers in Madras Export Processing Zone also went on strike. Manufacturing units in north and south Chennai were closed. Loading and unloading were stopped. Workers in several railway goods sheds were on strike. Majority of the total markets in the state witnessed total strike. 80% electricity employees were on strike. Bill collection was closed in 90% centres. There was total strike in Thiruvallur thermal plant. 85% autos were off the road. Tea, rubber and coffee plantation workers including those in big estates went on strike. Street vendors also joined. Many other industries including the famous knitwear industry in Tiruppur, chemical industry, Salt Corporation, Ashok Leyland, tanneries, Tasmac, sugar, etc witnessed massive strike. Scheme workers joined. Beedi factories in 67 villages and towns were closed. Crackers and construction workers were on strike. 80% of autos were off the road.
​
Over 21 lakh workers and employees in Telangana participated in the strike. Strike was total in the automobile manufacturing units and breweries and distilleries and 80% in the engineering units in the industrial areas in Hyderabad and surrounding districts. 90% of the contract workers in NTPC joined the strike. Over 65% scheme workers joined the strike despite the threats and intimidation by the TRS government and its administration. ​

In Agartala in Tripura, despite the use of force, BJP government could manage to get only 30% of the shops opened and around 30% of buses to operate. Almost same has been the situation in many other districts of the state. Teachers attended schools but there were no students.

The main participants in the strike in Uttarakhand were the anganwadi employees and midday meal workers in addition to the government employees. In some places hotel workers, contract and outsourcing workers, work charged employees also participated. However, rallies were held in all the districts.

East India Pharmaceuticals, Britannia and other big industries in Kolkata were closed due to the strike in West Bengal. There was total strike in the jute mills with all except one being closed as well as in the engineering industry despite the terror by the Trinamool goons. There was no loading in trucks. Passenger and goods transport by in the state were practically out off roads. There was total strike in the industrial areas in 24 Paraganas, Hooghly, and Howrah. In tea garden workers in Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Dinajpur were on strike and participated in Rasta roko demonstrations. There was good strike in coal and steel in the state. 60% of the permanent workers in Calcutta port were on strike. 70% of street vendors in Kolkata joined the strike. Universities and colleges remained closed with the lecturers and students joining the strike. Despite attck unleashed by Police and Trinamool Congress goons on the striking workers in the state, it was resisted by the workers along with democratic people from all walks of lives throughout the state heroically. Police arrested hundreds of activists and leaders including Anadi Sahu, general secretary of the CITU state committee.

Participation of workers in the major industries in this strike all over the country was quite high compared to the earlier strikes.

The overall participation of strike in the coal industry was around 70%- 75%. Production and dispatch almost collapsed. Both permanent and contract workers joined the strike in almost all the big projects including the outsourced projects.

Thirty lakh electricity workers, employees and engineers in the power sector joined the strike across the country at the call of the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers.

The strike in the oil sector was unprecedented, particularly in Assam. Employees in various refineries in Assam joined the strike and picketed offices. Oil workers of 3 out of the 4 unions in Kochi refinery joined the strike despite the management getting a court order banning the strike. Contract workers participated along with the permanent employees. Overall, strike in the petroleum sector has been substantive in the eastern, north-eastern and southern India while it was partial in western and northern part.

There was good strike in the steel industry with near total strike in Vizag steel, Salem steel and Bhadravati. In Rourkela steel permanent workers joined the strike and picketed the plant and strike was around 50% on the whole. Contract workers joined the strike en masse. The strike in other steel plants viz., Bokaro, Bhilai and Durgapur was partial.

Strike was partial in the ports as some of the major unions did not join the strike in some of the major ports. But cargo handling was affected in Paradip, Tuticorin, Kolkata, Haldia, Visakhapatnam and Cochin ports.

Road transport was highly affected creating a bandh like situation in many states in the country. An estimated 3.5 crore transport workers and small owners participated in the strike. The strike in the road transport sector was total with the participation of workers in public and private passenger and goods transport including autos in Kerala, Bihar, Odisha, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Strike was over 80% in West Bengal. Strike had serious impact in Punjab, several districts of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand.

Construction workers participated in the strike in a big way as well as in the demonstrations in the entire country. Plantation workers, tea, coffee, rubber, joined the strike en masse in Assam, West Bengal, Kerala and in large numbers in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

In addition to the industrial workers, the strike saw massive participation of employees in the service sectors also.

Women scheme workers in all states including where the trade union movement was weak, participated not only in the strike but in the demonstrations all over the country. They lent visibility to the strike even in places where no other trade union existed.

Strike among insurance employees was near total all over the country. Lakhs of bank employees including the officers in the Regional Rural Banks, Cooperative Banks, Reserve Bank and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) participated in the strike at the call of All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) and Bank Employees’ Federation of India (BEFI).

Around 13 lakh central government employees joined the strike across the country as per the call given by the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers. The strike was total in the postal and income tax departments. In addition employees of Audit and Accounts, Civil Accounts, Atomic Energy, Geological Survey of India, Customs and Central Excise, Survey of India, Botanical Survey of India, Central Ground Water Board, Postal Accounts, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Printing and Stationery, Indian Bureau of Mines, AGMARK, Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Medical Stores Depots, Film Division of India, Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Central Food Processing Laboratory, Census Department, National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO), Defence Accounts, Rehabilitation Department, Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Institute of Physics, LNCPE, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences, Canteen Employees, Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Passport Department, and various other autonomous and scientific research institutes participated in the two days’ strike. The strike among central government employees was total in Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Haryana, Assam and other North Eastern states including Tripura. In all other states 60%-80% employees participated in the strike.

State government employees in many states joined the strike in a big way. While the strike was 90% in Kerala, around 80% of state government employees in Haryana and several other states joined the strike. In Uttar Pradesh over 60% employees were on strike while it was 40% in Himachal Pradesh.

Strike in BSNL was total in Kerala, West Bengal and the north eastern states and partial in other states.

In many states retired employees, including EPS 95 pensioners extended solidarity and support to the strike by joining the demonstrations and rallies.

Huge demonstrations and rallies were held in all the states in the industrial centres and district headquarters with the participation of thousands of workers in each. Industrial workers, middle class employees, scheme workers and unorganised workers participated in these in large numbers. Thousands of workers were arrested across the country including in Assam, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal etc.

Particularly significant in the strike was the enormous solidarity and support extended by the various sections of people – the peasants, agricultural workers, women, youth and students etc. In addition, the organisations of tribals, dalits etc also supported the strike. Thousands of members of these organisations and their national and state leaders directly participated in the demonstrations, rallies, rasta roko and rail roko all over the country.

True to its commitment to the divisive ideology as a member of the sangh parivar, and ever loyal to its fraternal political wing the BJP, the BMS tried to confuse and divide the workers nursing illusions to weaken the strike. The BMS, which was involved in preparing the joint charter of demands of the central trade unions when it was part of the joint trade union movement, now finds the demands to be ‘political’. It had no problem in participating in struggles including strikes when the Congress led UPA government was in power. But, with the BJP in power, even when the government is fast carrying forward the anti worker amendment to the labour laws to trample labour rights underfoot, totally ignoring the suggestions of the central trade unions, neglecting the tripartite bodies, BMS strangely finds the government to be ‘positive’ to workers’ demands. It gathered a few breakaway groups of central trade unions and created a platform, opposed the strike and actively campaigned against the strike. But the working class of the country totally rejected its hypocritical manoeuvres. These attempts in fact boomeranged as the magnificent two days’ strike clearly showed the participation of their own ranks in the strike in several states.

What is required now is to take the struggle against the neoliberal policies forward and heighten and intensify it by strengthening the unity of the entire working class and the unity of the working class with the all the other sections of toiling masses.

Source: Confederation

Admissible Allowances under the Scheme of DFFT of DOPT

Questions on New System for Promotion – Loksabha Q & A

3529. DR. BOORA NARSAIAH GOUD:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is proposing to have a new system introduced to assess the integrity and reputation of bureaucrats on the basis of which promotion is given;
(b) if so, the services that are going to be considered and from when this is likely to be introduced;
(c) whether there is a proposal to send these guidelines to the States; 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) to (d): Promotions are given in accordance with the provisions in the Recruitment Rules / Service Rules for the respective posts. The consolidated guidelines on Departmental Promotion Committees (DPC) for making recommendations in regard to fitness of officials for promotion have been issued vide Department of Personnel & Training’s OM No. 22011/5/1986-Estt.(D) dated 10.04.1989. The policy contained in this OM with regard to Benchmark, assessment of fitness, sealed cover procedure in respect of officers under cloud, zone of consideration for promotion, and other related matters has been reviewed and amended from time to time. The important amendments made in the promotion guidelines during past three years are as under:

i. OM No. 22011/3/2013-Estt. (D) dated 25/01/2016 regarding promotion of Government Servants exonerated after retirement-procedure and Guidelines to be followed.

ii. OM No. 22011/4/2007-Estt. (D) dated 21/11/2016 regarding Guidelines on treatment of effect of penalties on promotion – role of Departmental Promotion Committee.

iii. OM No. 22011/4/2013-Estt.(D) dated 08/05/2017 regarding procedure to be observed by the Departmental Promotion Committees(DPCs) – Model Calendar for DPCs -relevant year up to which APARs are to be considered and Model Calendar for conducting DPCs and crucial date for eligibility.

iv. OM No. 22011/3/2013-Estt. (D) dated 15/11/2018 regarding promotion of Government servants found fit by review DPC after retirement – procedure and guidelines to be followed.

These instructions are applicable to all Central Government Civilian Employees and Central Services except Railways Services and services under the control of the Department of Atomic Energy, the erstwhile Department of Electronics, the Department of Space and the Scientific and Technical Services under the Department of Defence Research and Development.

The state services are under Schedule VII of Constitution and States are empowered to make rules under Article 309 in respect of services and posts under them.

Queries in Amendment of LTC Scheme

3491. SHRI P. NAGARAJAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Union Government has any proposal to amend/revise the existing rules and regulations to visit tourist destinations under LTC scheme for the Central Government employees;

(b) if so, the details thereof ;

(c) whether the Union Government has also any proposal to grant at least 15% of the total LTC fare amount to partly defray the expenses spent for accommodation and local transport arrangements while availing ‘All India Tour’ to the eligible Central Government employees;

(d) if so, the details thereof ; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefor?

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) No Madam.

(b) Not applicable in view of (a) above.

(c) to (e): No Madam. There is no such proposal at present.

Armed Forces Veterans Day

Armed Forces Veterans Day

The Armed Force are celebrating the Veterans Day on 14 Jan to honour the veterans of the Army, Navy and Air Force.  To mark the occasion, veteran rallies will be held country wide at Armed Forces stations.  The main celebration in Delhi will take place at the Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantt.  Raksha Mantri and Raksha Rajya Mantri will grace the occasion amongst many other eminent officials associated with the Veterans affairs.

PIB

Rules of training programme on Pension & Bhavishya

Rules of training programme on Pension & Bhavishya

The Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Dr Jitendra Singh addressed the training programme on Pension Rules & Bhavishya, organised by the Department of Pensions and Pensioners’ Welfare, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, here today. The programme was organised for the officials of various Ministries/departments dealing with pension related matters.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh said that organising these kinds of workshops provides knowledge to these officials while dealing with the pension-related issues. He said that the number of pensioners has increased significantly during the last few years because increase in the life span of individuals post independence. He added that, on the one hand, India has a huge population below the age of 40 years, and on the other hand, the ratio of elder population is also rising, due to which we have to deal with the both situations simultaneously. The Minister said that the Government led by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has taken various steps for the pensioners, including increase in minimum pension, issue of Digital life certificates, Anubhav and Bhavishya initiatives, among others. Modern technology has been put to the maximum use by the Ministry of Personnel, he added. He also appreciated the Department’s initiative for pre-retirement counselling. The Minister emphasised that the retired employees have vast experience and should be treated as resources. Their services should be utilised they can be put to productive use in the Government, he added.

The Minister also interacted with the participants during the programme and received their inputs. He asked the officers from Department of Pensions to make note of all suggestions and difficulties faced by the participant ministries during dealing with pension related issues and take appropriate action in this regard.

The Secretary, DARPG & Pensions, Shri K.V. Eapen said that the Department has done a root cause analysis for the pension-related issues, which will be helpful in the grievance disposal of pensioners. He said that some changes have been introduced in the NPS recently which were discussed during the workshop.

The sessions included many topics such as Pension policy & gratuity, Pension procedure and Bhavishya, qualifying service, modules under Pensioners’ Portal – Bhavishya, Anubhav and Sankalp, National Pension System, submission of Life Certificate, commutation of Pension, procedure on medical facilities for retirees and family pension etc.

PIB

Kashmir Valley Special Concession – Additional HRA, Messing Facilites, Incentive (as per 7th CPC) to CGE and Monthly Pension to Pensioners: DoPT Order

10% reservation bill for general category poor – Government introduces Constitution Amendment Bill in Rajya Sabha

Reservation bill

10% reservation bill for general category poor is a historic step and a reflection of Government’s commitment for the poor, says PM

PM assures people of Assam and North East that their rights will be protected

Government’s drive against corruption and middlemen will continue: PM

PM dedicates Four lane Section of Solapur-Tuljapur-Osmanabad Highway- New NH-52: to the nation

Solapur-Osmanabad via Tuljapur rail line approved: PM

30,000 houses for poor to be built under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in Solapur

The Prime Minister has said that the constitutional amendment bill providing 10% reservation for general category poor is a historic step for the uplift of the poor and a reflection of the Government’s commitment to Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. Addressing a public rally in Solapur, Maharashtra today, he said that the passage of the bill by Loksabha is a strong answer to those who were spreading falsehood in this regard and expressed hope that the bill will be passed by Rajya Sabha. The Prime Minster said, “We have passed a historic bill to provide 10% reservation to Economically Weaker Sections of the General Category in Lok Sabha yesterday. This has strengthened our resolve of Sab Ka Saath Sabka Vikas”

On the Citizenship Amendment Bill, the Prime Minister assured the people of Assam and North East that their rights and opportunities will be protected. He said, “the bill has cleared the decks for grant of Indian citizenship to the sons and daughters of Mother India residing in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. After seeing the ups and downs of history, these brothers and sisters of ours want to be a part and parcel of India.”

The Prime Minister said that his Government’s drive against corruption and middlemen will continue unabated despite the diatribes against him. He said that he was performing his duty courageously in the fight against corruption and middlemen backed by the support and the blessings of the people..
The Prime Minister was addressing a public rally at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Solapur after launching and laying down foundation stones of several development projects for the region.Prime Minister laid the foundation Stone of 30,000 houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. These will primarily benefit poor homeless people like rag pickers, rickshaw drivers, textile workers, beedi workers, etc at a total cost of Rs.1811.33 crores. He said,” Today, we have inaugurated a project of 30000 homes meant for the family of poor, labourers. The beneficiaries of this project are those who work in factories, pull rickshaws, drive auto, etc. I ensure you that very soon you will have the keys of your home in your hands.” The Prime Minister added that efforts have been made to make housing affordable for the middle class families. Now they can save up to Rs. 6 lakhs on home loans over a period of 20 years which is a reflection of the measures undertaken by the Government for Ease of Living.

In keeping with his commitment that he inaugurates the projects for which foundation stone is laid by him, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation, 98.717 kms long stretch of the New NH-52 which will help improve the connectivity of Solapur, with the important Marathwada region of Maharashtra.NH-52 is now a four laned section of Solapur – Tuljapur – OsmanabadHighway at an estimated cost of Rs.972.50 crores.PM had laid the foundation for this project in 2014. NH-52 has road safety features like 2 major and 17 minor bridges, 4 vehicular and 10 pedestrian underpasses, besides one 3.4 km bypass at Tuljapur that will help decongest the city.

Highlighting the Government’s vision for expansion of highways for better connectivity and ease of living, the Prime Minister said, “Over the past 4 years, nearly 40 thousand kilometers of national highways have been added; at a cost of around 5.5 lakh crore around 52 thousand kilometers of national highways are under construction.”:

Announcing a boost to rail connectivity for the region, the Prime Minister said, the government has approved Solapur-Osmanabad via Tuljapur rail line, at an estimated cost of Rs. 1000 crores. He added that efforts are on to start flights from Solapur under the Regional Air connectivity scheme- Udan Yojana.

As a part of his vision of Swachh Bharat and Swastha Bharat, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation Underground Sewerage System, and three Sewage Treatment Plants in Solapur. This will increase the sewer coverage of the town and improve sanitation in the city.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the Combined Project of Improvement in Water Supply and Sewerage System, as part of Area Based Development in Solapur Smart City, Augmentation of Drinking Water Supply from Ujani Dam to Solapur City and Underground Sewerage System under AMRUT Mission. It will bring significant improvement in service delivery and improve public health enabled by technology as a means to create smart outcomes for citizens.
It is expected that these measures will go a long way towards giving a major push to road and transport connectivity, water supply, sanitation, employment generation etc. for the people in Solapur and the adjoining areas.

PIB

Year End Review 2018: Ministry of Telecommunications – DoT

Withdrawal from New Pension Scheme – Ministry of Finance

Withdrawal from New Pension Scheme – Ministry of Finance

Government has allowed premature withdrawal from New Pension Scheme Fund. A subscriber is eligible for three partial withdrawals during the period of subscription under National Pension System (NPS), each withdrawal not exceeding twenty-five percent of the contributions made by the subscriber and excluding contributions made by the employer. There is, however, no restriction on withdrawals from the Tier-II account of the subscriber. Further, keeping in view the possibility of sudden financial needs of the subscribers, the requirement of minimum period under National Pension System (NPS) for availing the facility of partial withdrawal from the mandatory Tier-I account of the subscriber has been reduced from 10 years to 3 years from the date of joining w.e.f. 10th August, 2017. The minimum gap of 5 years between two partial withdrawals has also been removed w.e.f. 10th August, 2017.

On 06.12.2018, Government has approved the following proposals pertaining to choice of Pension Fund and investment pattern for Central Government subscribers under NPS:

Choice of Pension Fund: Central Government subscribers will be allowed to choose any one of the pension funds including Private sector pension funds.  They could change their option once in a year. However, the current provision of combination of the Public-Sector Pension Funds will be available as the default option for both existing as well as new Government subscribers.

Choice of Investment Pattern: The following options for investment choices will be offered to Central Government employees:

Government employees who prefer a fixed return with minimum amount of risk may be given an option to invest 100% of the funds in Government securities (Scheme G).

Government employees who prefer higher returns may be given the options of the following two Life Cycle based schemes.

Conservative Life Cycle Fund with maximum exposure to equity capped at 25% at the age of 35 years and tapering off thereafter (LC-25).

Moderate Life Cycle Fund with maximum exposure to equity capped at 50% at the age of 35 years and tapering off thereafter (LC-50).

In case an employee does not submit any choice, the existing allocation of funds shall continue as the default option.

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

PIB

33.66 crore Accounts Opened under Pradhan Mantri Jan DhanYojana (PMJDY) as on 26.12.2018