Major Changes in NPS including Withdrwal Norms

Major Changes in NPS including Withdrwal Norms

Three major changes in the National Pension Scheme (NPS) including withdrawal norms

Relaxation of Norms for NPS

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

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

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

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

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

Source: PIB

Upper Ceiling on Gratuity 20 Lakhs – Gratuity Bill Passed by Parliament

Upper Ceiling on Gratuity 20 Lakhs – Gratuity Bill Passed by Parliament

Ministry of Labour & Employment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: PIB

Aadhaar is not compulsory to get Pension

Aadhaar is not compulsory to get Pension

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

Adhaar is not mandatory to get pension: Dr Jitendra Singh

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: PIB

List of Central Government Compulsory and Restricted Holidays 2018

List of Holidays for Central Government Offices 2018

List of Central Government Compulsory and Restricted Holidays 2018

Central Government Administrative Offices located outside Delhi / New Delhi shall observe the following holidays compulsorily in addition to three holidays as per para 3.1 below:

LIST OF HOLIDAYS DURING THE YEAR 2018 FOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT LOCATED AT DELHI / NEW DELHI

LIST OF RESTRICTED HOLIDAYS DURING THE YEAR 2018 FOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT LOCATED AT DELHI / NEW DELHI

CLICK TO VIEW THE DOPT ORDER ISSUED ON 14.06.2017

DoPT Orders on Holidays for CG Employees

Holding of DPC for promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B for the year 2017 and 2018 & declaration of result of LDCE PS Gr B held on 18.12.2016.

No. CHQ/AIAIPASP/Pending/2017                                                    16/3/2018

To,

MS. Meera Handa

Director General(Posts)

Department of Posts,

Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi 110 001.

Subject : Informal meeting with Hon’ble Director General  (Posts) with the representatives of IP/ASP Association.  

Respected Madam,  

At the outset, I express my sincere gratitude for giving me an opportunity to brief about the burning issues of IPs/ASPs cadre in front of you and for the patient hearing.     I would like to list out the following long issues of the members of the Association, which are pending for quite some time.  This association will feel obliged for your kind intervention on how best to get these long pending issues settled at the earliest:

S. No.	Pending issues
1	Issue of final combined seniority list of Inspector Posts cadre for the year 2001 and 2002. Also from the year 2003 onwards.
2	Holding of DPC for promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B for the year 2017-18
3	Declaration of result of LDCE of PS Gr. B cadre held in 2016
4	Cadre restructuring of Inspector Posts cadre, which is pending for more than 39 years
5	Non implementation of orders of Directorate issued under No. 2-12/2013-PCC dated 24.10.2017 by which the Grade Pay of Inspector of Posts has been upgraded to Rs. 4600/- (PB-2) w.e.f. 01.01.2006
6	Conduct of training for IPs/ASPs on various technology projects
7	Issue of revised questionnaire for Inspection of HO/SO/BOs

         

I request you to kindly intervene and help the Cadre in resolving these issues.

             With profound regards,

Yours sincerely,

(Rajiv Kumar)

General Secretary

Regarding non-granting MACP to IPs/ASPs Cadre officials since 01.01.2016 by various circles

To

                The Secretary (Post)

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg

New Delhi-110001.

Subject: Regarding non-granting  MACP to IPs/ASPs Cadre officials since 01.01.2016 by various circles

Sir,

                Various circles are not conducting DSC for MACP to IPs/ASPs Cadre since 01.01.2016 quoting the Directorate letter No.7-8/2016-PCC dated 30.05.2017 under which the by DoPT has directed to maintain “status quo” in the case of fixation of the pay of IPs/ASPs, who had already been granted financial up-gradation under MACPS, in the event of up-gradation of Grade Pay of these cadres by the Seventh Central Pay Commission w.e.f. 01.01.2016:-

                In this regard, I would like to point out following lines for your consideration issue of suitable direction to the circles: -

1. Now, IPs have already been granted GP Rs.4600/- since 01.01.2006. There should not be any issue in fixation of Grade Pay of IPs cadre and granting MACP.
2. Regarding the Pay fixation of ASPs, again clarification should be asked from the DoPT for early settlement of the issue.
3. This is the case of fixation of pay of ASPs who had already been granted financial up-gradation under MACP. Only on the DOPT’s plea of the MACP of IPs/ASPs should not be kept held up.

In view of the above, it is requested to instruct all circles for grant of  the benefit of financial up-gradation under MACP to IPs/ASPs Cadre immediately.

                                                                                                                                                         Yours Sincerely

                                                                                                                                  (Rajiv Kumar)

                                                                                                                                  General Secretary.

Latest News on Gramin Dak Sevaks Pay Revision

Latest News on Gramin Dak Sevaks Pay Revision

"In Parliament today, the Minister of State for Communications and State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha said in the written reply that the recommendations of the one man Committee are presently under active considerations of the Government, and action will be taken after following due procedure."

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS

DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3216

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14th MARCH, 2018

GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS

3216. SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI A. ANWHAR RAAJHAA:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) the number of Grameen Dak Sevaks working in the country at present, State/UT-wise;

(b) whether pay/remuneration of Grameen Dak Sevaks has not been increased as per 7th Pay Commission recommendation and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has received any representation’s from people representatives to increase their pay/ remuneration as per 7th Pay Commission recommendations;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto; and

(e) the time by which their pay/ remuneration is likely to be increased?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS &

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) The number of Grameen Dak Sevaks working in the country at present, State/UT-wise is given in Annexure – I.

(b) Grameen Dak Sevaks are not covered under the purview of the 7th Pay Commission. Therefore a separate one man Committee was constituted to examine the wage structure and service conditions of the Grameen Dak Sevaks. The Committee has submitted its report and the recommendations are presently under consideration of the Government. The details of the recommendations are given in Annexure – II.

(c) Yes, Madam. Government has received several representations from people’s representatives to implement the recommendations of the GDS Committee Report.

(d) & (e) 34 such representations were received between January 2017 to February 2018. The recommendations of the one man Committee are presently under active considerations of the Government, and action will be taken after following due procedure.

Source: www.loksabha.nic.in

Holding of DPC for promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B for the year 2017 and 2018 & declaration of result of LDCE PS Gr B held on 18.12.2016.

 No. CHQ/AIAIASP/2018-2020/03       Dated 15.03.2018.

To,

MS. Meera Handa

Director General (Posts)

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg

New Delhi-110001.

Subject: Holding of DPC for promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B for the year 2017 and 2018 & declaration of result of LDCE PS Gr B held on 18.12.2016.

Respected Madam,

                This association is highly obliged for declaring supplementary result of LDCE PS Group ”B”  result for the year 2012.This association also urges for early declaration of result  of LDCE held on 18.12.2016 for promotion to PS Group ”B” as well as for early convening of DPC for  promotion to PS Group- B cadre on seniority basis. The PS Group “B” exam was held on 18.12.2016, almost 15 months ago, but result is not declared yet . Many candidates are eagerly waiting for results so that they may plan accordingly as this month is most crucial being the end/beginning of academic year of children.

                                The process of convening DPC for year 2017 and 2018 is yet not started by the Directorate which is adversely effecting due and deserving promotion of the officers. It is painful to point out that every year there is delay in processing and holding of DPC for the promotion to the cadre of PS GR B for one or other reason. Para- 3 of  the the Department of Posts (Personnel Division) letter no. 25-10/2014-SPG dated 09.07.2014 coupled  with para-7 of DoP&T OM No.  22011/998- EStt (D) dated 08.09.1998 may kindly be revisited which provides that a DPC may take into account all clear expected vacancies by retirement in the concerned grade as well as chain vacancies on account of retirement etc. In the grades, like PS Group B, future vacancies can easily be forecasted in the same vacancy year and action to fill up such posts should be initiated in time. The following table may kindly be seen which contains information regarding the vacancy position in IP/ASP/PS Gr-B/JTS/STS in some circles.

Circle Name	STS	JTS	Group B	ASP	IP	Gr B officiating by the IP of Batch
Himachal Pradesh	0	0	02	0	0	1994
Odisha	02	03	05	02	17	2002
Chhatisgarh	0	01	01	02	16	1997
Karnataka	0	02	12	02	35	2003
Madhya Pradesh	04	04	07	0	29	1996
W. Bengal	0	07	15	20	33	2000
Bihar	01	03	15	16	25	2002

                From the above table, it can be seen that huge number of posts in IP/ASP/PS Group ‘B’ cadre are lying vacant in all the Circles and IPs/ASPs are forced to hold additional charge of these posts. It is quite fair to conclude that such IPs/ASPs cannot perform reasonably well in respect of all units entrusted to them and cannot keep watch over the subjects of additional units which may lead to occurrence of fraud. And if any fraud occurs, none hears the voice of such IPs/ASPs and fixes them as offenders.

Non declaration/delay in declaration of LDCE result and non convening of DPC are not less than denial of legitimate and due right of IPs/ ASPS. Even after serving the department for more than 25 years in IP/ASP cadre, officers are not getting timely promotion and they are forced to work on ad-hoc basis for years together.   In every circle,  senior  ASPs are officiating against vacant post of PS Group B from years together but service rendered by them will not earn benefit being ad hoc arrangement is only for 11 months. The officers officiating on ad-hoc basis are not sure of their tenure & place of posting and an element of uncertainty is always around.  It is also painful to mention seniority of such officiating IPs/ASPs vary from Circle to Circle i.e. in some of the circles IPs of 1999 batch are officiating in the  vacant post of PSS Group B cadre and some of the circle IPs 2007 batch, which is causing dissatisfaction among the IPs/ASPs. Had the DPC and LDCE covering DoP&T instructions convened/conducted, such anomaly would have been averted. 

                                Therefore, kindly look into the matter and cause to declare result of LDCE held on 18.12.2016 as well as convening DPC for promotion PS Group ”B” and Circles may also be directed to fill all post of ASPs by convening immediate DPCs so that all get their due promotion in time. Action for filling up of vacant posts of Inspector should also be taken.

                                With profound regards. 

                                                                                                                                   Yours Sincerely

                                                                                                                                    (Rajiv Kumar)

                                                                                                                                    General Secretary.

Copy to : The DDG(P), Department Of Posts,  Dak Bhawan, New Delhi-110001.

Grant of Dearness Allowance to Central Government Employees - w.e.f 01.01.18 - FinMin Order

India Post Payment Bank (IPPB) - FAQ

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Compensation in case of damage of outbound International EMIS article

Appointment in promoted post straightway without waiting for completion of training

How to Change Passenger name in IRCTC Reserved Ticket?

How to Change Passenger name in IRCTC Reserved Ticket?

CHANGE OF NAME OF A PASSENGER ON CONFIRMED RESERVATION TICKET

A change of name in reservation is permitted only by Sr.Divisonal Commercial Manager of concerned division. Where there is no post of Sr. Divisonal Commercial Manager, the change of name in reservation is permitted by Divisional Commercial Manager of concerned division on written requisition tendered by party along with documents as required under the rules 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure of train in following circumstances.

(i) Government servant proceeding on duty on production of a letter from the appropriate authority.

(ii) Between family members due to unavoidable circumstances, viz. father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, husband and wife. No cancellation and reservation charges are recovered in this case. 

The station Manager will be competent to permit alteration of reservation under the condition mentioned above.

(iii) However, in case of group travelling together, party’s written request should be tendered in writing 48 hours before scheduled departure of train and change of name is not permitted in excess of 10% of total strength of the group/party.

Change in the Name of Passenger Holding Confirmed Reservation

1. Save as otherwise, a berth or a seat reserved in the name of a person shall be used only by the person and shall not be transferable to any other person.

2. Chief Reservation Supervisor of important stations are authorized by Railway Administration to permit the change of name of a passenger having a seat or berth reserved in his name in the following circumstances namely :

(a) Where the passenger is a Government Servant, proceeding on duty and appropriate authority, makes a request in writing 24 hours before the scheduled departure of trains

(b) Where the passenger makes a request in writing 24 hours before the scheduled departure of the train that the reservation made in his name may be transferred to another member of his family, meaning, Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, Son, Daughter, Husband and Wife.

(c) Where the passengers are students of a recognized educational institution and the Head of the institution makes a request in writing 48 hours before the scheduled departure of the train, that the reservation made in the name of any student be transferred to any other student of the same institute.

(d) Where the passengers are members of a marriage party and any person deemed to be Head of such party makes a request in writing 48 hours before the scheduled departure of the train that the reservation made in the name of any member of the marriage party be transferred to any other person.

(e) Where the passengers are a group of cadets of National Cadet Corps and any officer who is the head of the group, makes a request in writing at least 24 hours before the departure of the train that the reservation made in the name of any cadet be transferred to any other cadet.

Such request will be granted only once. Regarding item no. (c), (d) and (e), such request for change in excess of 10% of the total strength of group shall not be granted.

Source: www.indianrailways.gov.in

RBI Guideline regarding Reconciliation of failed translation at ATM

Source:  https://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=6437&Mode=0

2% Dearness Allowance Hike Likely For Central Government Employees From January 1

NEW DELHI: Dearness allowance for lakhs of central government employees and pensioners is likely to be hiked by 2 per cent, government sources told NDTV.

The proposed hike is expected to come up for the approval of the Union Cabinet soon.

It will benefit 50 lakh government employees and 61 lakh pensioners of the central government and will come into effect from 1 January 2018.

Dearness allowance and dearness relief are provided to employees and pensioners to neutralise the impact of inflation on their earnings.

The existing dearness allowance - paid as proportion of the basic pay of central government employees or pension - is 5%.

According to the government, the increase in dearness allowance is made in accordance with the formula based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.