Gramin Dak Sevaks are not regular Govt. Employees not eligible for PF, Pension Gratuity

Gramin Dak Sevaks are not regular Govt. Employees not eligible for PF, Pension Gratuity: Govt said in Lok Sabha in reply of undermentioned Lok Unstarred Question:-

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 490

ANSWERED ON 14.07.2014

GRAMIN DAK SEWAKS

490 . Shri RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Gramin Dak Sewaks are not eligible for normal facilities like Provident Fund, Pension, Gratuity etc. like the other postmen in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and

(c) the corrective steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) No, Madam, They are not eligible.

(b) Gramin Dak Sevaks are not regular govt. employees. They are part time workers and are governed by a separate set of Conduct and Engagement Rules. They do not form part of the regular civil service. They are engaged for only 3-5 hours daily work. It is mandatory for them to have an independent source of livelihood before being engaged as Gramin Dak Sewak. Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Union of India and Others vs. Kameshwar Prasad 1998 SCC (L&S) page 447 held that P&T Extra Departmental Agent (C&S) Rules, 1964 are a complete code governing service, conduct and disciplinary proceedings against Extra Departmental Agents [now called Gramin Dak Sevaks]. On discharge from service on attaining the age of 65 years or on death, Gramin Dak Sevaks [GDS] are paid Ex-Gratia Gratuity and Severance Amount as approved for them by the Cabinet.

The Ex-gratia Gratuity is paid at the rate of half months basic Time Related Continuity Allowance [TRCA] drawn immediately before discharge of service for each completed year of service subject to a maximum of Rs. 60000 or 16.5 months basic TRCA last drawn whichever is less. The minimum service prescribed for this is 10 years. In addition, Severance Amount is paid at the rate of Rs. 1500 for every completed year of service subject to a maximum of Rs. 60000. The Government has already introduced Service Discharge Benefit Scheme in lieu of severance amount scheme effective from 01.04.2011 for the benefit of Gramin Dak Sevaks on the basis of the New Pension Scheme (NPS), specifically NPS Lite Scheme launched by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). Under this scheme, the Government as well as Gramin Dak Sevaks concerned now contributes @ Rs. 200/- per month.

(c) Does not arise in view of reply to (b) above.

Merger of DA & Interim Relief: Strong Argument before 7th CPC by Karnataka CG Pensioners Association

Merger of DA & Interim Relief: Strong Argument before 7th CPC by Karnataka CG Pensioners Association

The Karnataka Central Government Pensioners’ Association writes to 7th CPC on Merger of DA, Interim Relief, Re-employment as Consultant, Pensioner Grievances, Court cases pertaining to Pensionary benefits etc.:-

THE
KARNATAKA
CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PENSIONERS’ ASSOCIATION (REGD.)

( Estd: 1974; Regn. S.No.143/1983-84 d/ 9th August 1983 ) “Swarna”, 120/1,
2nd Main, Gayatri Devi Park Extension, Vyalikaval, Bangalore 56000
(Affliated to BPS New Delhi, AIFPA Chennai & KCCCGPAs Bangalore)
Email ID: cgpakarn@gmail.com Tel: 23468438

Respected Chairman and Members of the 7th CPC –

At the outset, I wish the Commission easy going in its work and hope the Commission comes out with useful recommendations. Presumably, the recommendations apply to the members or some of the members of the Commission too. Wherever we go and whenever we approach officers for certain help or concessions, as pensioners’ associations; in majority of the cases, the reply has been that they (the presently serving officers) too retire at some time, and that they would like to help out. But help does remain afar. The Ministry of Personnel & Pensions has been doing a great deal to liberalise the situation; but they have their handicaps, as the duty-departments remain lethargic. Not much can be done in this domain, perhaps.

The Point

Several pensioners’ associations/pensioners have written to the Commission on the pensioners’ interests and requirements – I refrain from calling them as ‘demands’ as this is the lot of the beggars. The two imminent issues for favourable consideration by the Commission, nay, the Government are: the Grant of Interim Relief, and the Merger of 50% of DA/DR with pay/pension, both retrospectively.

Both these requirements in principle have been acceded to in the past by the past Pay Commissions as well as the Government; and hence there should be no qualms at all in recommending/granting the two Requirements, in the interest of social justice, whether the Government has specifically made provision for this or not in the Terms of Reference. (To recall, the Terms of Reference to the Commission by the Government stated clearly “(Item) (h) To recommend the date of effect of its recommendations on all the above. The Commission will make its recommendations within 18 months of the date of its constitution. It may consider, if necessary, sending interim reports on any of the matters as and when the recommendations are finalised. The decision will result in the benefit of improved pay and allowances as well as rationalization of the pay structure in case of Central Government employees and other employees included in the scope of the 7th Central Pay Commission.”
About a year back, the Tamil Nadu Government, while constituting its Pay Commission, granted two months’ pay as Interim Relief. One of the Central Pay Commissions in the past announced two instalments of Interim Relief. This explains the need for Interim Relief. As such, the two Appeals should be sanctioned without much time being wasted, as there are many pensioners in advanced age-rangewho desire to have this benefit.

The other point

I write this from experience. Over the last 50 (fifty) years,there has been a high and steady rise in the number of posts created in several departments of the Government, particularly so in the Class I senior-cadre, who belong to the All-India Services, in contrast to the number of creation of posts in the junior cadres. There is rise in the volume of work admittedly; but not as much as to have a high number of senior officers. Earlier, the Departments functioned with Section Officer (who managed office), Deputy Secretary (who initiated notings), Joint Secretary(who gave opinions) and Secretary (who took decisions), in the higher rank; and they did well in dealing with papers and in deciding the issues. The file-notings used to be clear, committed, fast and final.

In the past few decades, the ranks of Additional Secretary, Special Secretary and Consultants have crept into the Govt service, with more number of Joint Secretaries. It is my contention that these posts are superfluous and their salary/allowance bills are a dent on the Exchequer. More routine tasks are done after consultations over phone. Too many officers and too much time in dealing with disposal of papers – has been the practice in the Government. I therefore strongly opine that the number of such Class I officers in all the Departments of the Government, including the Ministries, must be drastically brought down. The work will be faster, and the responsibility for decisions is fixed on limited number of officers. The Hon’ble Prime Minister has shown the way. He has cut down on the number of Ministries.

There is a whisper that thirty percent of the retired officers are re-employed in their respective departments/offices after retirement, as Consultants or other-wise, continuing to do the same job! This is something difficult to be gulped. Perhaps, this should be examined and checked. The Dept of Personnel & Training in the Ministry of Personnel may help to know the facts. The Commission may kindly take a decision.

The third

Heading the Karnataka Central Government Pensioners’Association, Bangalore, during the last 12-15 years, the Assn has recently projected many Grievances of the pensioners/members with us; and none of them has been conclusively solved. Various Ministries have come up with Grievances cells; and these have become show-cases or postoffices, with just forwarding the complaints to some nodal officers, who remain unhelpful. The Ministry of Personnel and Pensions contemplated on time-frame for redressal of such grievances; but this has been a far cry. The mechanism to get Redressal to the home of the aggrieved pensioners must therefore be fast and satisfactory. It must be remembered that the pensioners are aged, and they need results quick. A good debate on this is required within the Government, and a result-orientation infused into these Grievances cells/portals.

The fourth point

In the last few years, it is experienced that the pensioners have been forced to go to different Courts in respect of their dues and needs. These mainly refer to fixation of pension, fixation of cut-off dates and implementation of Court verdicts by the Governments. This is a situation that the pensioners cannot happily face. A good lot of time and money is wasted. The Government must rationalise and liberalise its attitude, when the learned Judges of the Court have given their verdicts after due hearings from both the parties involved. Can the Commission say something on this point, please?

Grateful Regards to a Great Commission. n S SRamanathaRao, n President, n Karnataka CGPA. Bangalore, D/ July 18, 2014.

Source: http://scm-bps.blogspot.in/2014/07/presiden-karnataka-central-government.html

Acceptance of certificates/ qualifications awarded by various Boards of School Education in India for the purpose of employment on the railways

Acceptance of certificates/ qualifications awarded by various Boards of School Education in India for the purpose of employment on the railways

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)

RBE No. 75/2014.

No. E (NG)-H/2007/RR-1/38. -

New Delhi, dated: /5/07/2014

The General Manager (P),
All Zonal Railways / Production Units
(As per standard mailing list)
Sub: Acceptance of certificates/ qualifications awarded by various Boards of School Education in India for the purpose of employment on the railways.

Ref: Letter No. E(NG)II/89/RR-1/17 dated 25/2/1991 (RBE No. 38/1991), E(NG)1′I/2001/RR-1/48 dated 23/5/2002 (RBE No. 71/2002), E(NG)II/2001/RR-1/52 dated 21/6/2002 (RBE No. 89/2002), E(NG)II/2003/RR-1/36 dated 03/12/2003 (RBE No. 205/2003) & 09/9/2010 (RBE No. 128/2010), E(NG)II/2008/RR-1/35 dated 30/4/2009 (RBE No.76/2009), 10/6/2009 (RBE No.102/2009) & 04/11/2013 (RBE No.118/2013), E(NG)II/2008/RR-1/40 dated 14/5/2009 (RBE No. 81/2009), E(NG)II/2004/RR-1/14 dated 04/4/2013 (RBE No. 31/2013), E(NG)II/2005/RR-1/6 dated 30/4/2013 (RBE No. 40/2013) and No. E(NG)II/2005/RR-1/14 dated 08/10/2013 (RBE No.104/2013),

References from various field units as well as federations seeking clarification regarding acceptance or otherwise of certificates/ qualifications obtained from various Boards of School Education in India for the purpose of employment in railways have been under consideration of this Ministry.

Clarification has been received from nodal Ministry/Department of Government of India, viz, Department of Personnel & Training (DOP&T) and M/o Human Resource Development (MHRD) stating that COBSE (Council of Board of School Education in India), an Association of National State School Boards, is responsible for verifying genuineness/ recognition of School Education Boards in India. It grants membership to Boards/ Institutes that are set up by an Act of Parliament or State Legislature or an executive order of the Central/ State Governments and follow National Curriculum Framework. The certificates issued by its member Boards are equivalent to any other board across the country. Accordingly, the matter has been examined and it has been decided by the Board that zonal railways need not approach this Ministry seeking such clarification regarding acceptance or otherwise of certificates/ qualification obtained from various Boards of School Education in India and instead, refer to official website of COBSE i.e. www.cgbse.org which contain list of Boards of School Education which are Member Boards of COBSE. Thus certificates/ qualification obtained from all such institutions borne on the aforesaid list will be acceptable for the purpose of employment on the railways, from the date on which the said institution has been accorded membership by COBSE, if they were not recognized earlier by any competent authority. This date of acceptability of certificate may be obtained by approaching COBSE directly and a copy of clarification thus obtained may also be endorsed to this Ministry for information & record.

Instructions contained in letters under reference will continue to be valid.

Please acknowledge receipt.
(Hindi version will follow)

(Harsha Dass)
Director Estt. (N)-II
Railway Board

Source: AIRF [http://www.airfindia.com/Orders%202014/RBE_No_75_2014.pdf]

Will Air Travel Concession for Central Government Employees be Extended?

Will Air Travel Concession for Central Government Employees be Extended?

Will Air Travel Concession for all categories of Central Government Employees (not entitiled to travel by Air on LTC) be Extended for further two years..?

Will the air travel concession given to Central Government employees to travel to tourism spots in Jammu and NER areas be extended?

Will the concession, which was being granted upto April 30(for NER) and June 16, 2014(J&K), be extended by another two years?

Will the new BJP Government continue to implement the concession which was offered by the previous Congress Government?

Will this scheme be available at least for those employees who didn’t avail of this concession before?

Will this air travel concession be given to travel to either Jammu or NER region?

Will this concession, being given in order to develop areas that have been identified as most backward, continue?

Questions like these continue to buzz in the midst of Central Government employees. As of now there are no indications that the concession would be extended. There are also no reports of any ministerial debates or discussions over this issue.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to claim that the scheme, which offered air travel concession to all the Central Government employees, with exception to higher officials, gave social status to many.

Irrespective of these, the families of employees who had availed of this facility are bound to thank the Government for this opportunity!

[A Jammu-based newspaper reported that on June 18, the Union Ministry of Tourism extended the concession for further two years. It is totally unconfirmed till now. As and when orders regarding the extension are published by Dopt, the orders will be published in our website immediately.]

Source: CGEN.in

CS(MA) Rules 1944 are not applicable to pensioners – Health Ministry

CS(MA) Rules 1944 are not applicable to pensioners – Health Ministry

Medical Facilities to Government employees

Central Government Health Scheme provides medical care to its beneficiaries which include serving as well as retired Central Government employees. The CGHS provides its services through a network of CGHS Wellness Centers which are in operation presently in 25 major cities of the country. Expenditure on medical reimbursement in respect of pensioners is borne by CGHS and in respect of serving employees it is borne by concerned Ministry/ department/office. The pensioner beneficiaries are eligible for credit facility for treatment in CGHS empanelled hospitals.

Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules, 1944 are applicable to serving Central Government employees only who are residing in non-CGHS covered areas. Medical attendance is provided by the Authorized Medical Attendant appointed by concerned department. The CS(MA) Rules 1944 are not applicable to pensioners. As per these Rules, there is no provision for issue of medicines and medical reimbursement claims are to be settled by the concerned department/ Ministry.

The Health Minister stated this in a written reply in the LokSabha here today.

Source: PIB