Friday, September 25, 2015

Seventh Pay Commission Likely To Introduce Health Insurance


New Delhi: In a move that could benefit more than 50 lakh central government employees and 56 lakh pensioners, the Seventh Pay commission is planning to propose to introduce health insurance scheme to replace Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) at highly subsidized rates.


The pay panel has already held detailed discussions about this with various stakeholders, including organisations, federations, groups representing civil employees as well as Defence services.

The pay panel will ask the central government to urge the insurance industry to come up with feasible health insurance solution for the central government employees and pensioners. The IRDA, the insurance regulatory body of India, will be compelled to ask the health insurance companies to offer a basic insurance to every central government employee and pensioner, regardless of age or medical condition and are not allowed to make a profit off this basic insurance.

The serving central government employees in non-CGHS areas are provided healthcare facilities under the CS(MA) Rules, 1994, but pensioners are not covered under these rules.

The pensioners are, however, entitled to a fixed medical allowance of Rs 500 per month. The pensioners residing in non-CGHS areas have the option to become a CGHS member in any CGHS-covered city of their choice to avail the medical facilities under the CGHS Scheme.

Health insurance would be available for central government employees and pensioners till death, with the insured employees and pensioners will have to pay 50% of the premium from their salaries and pensions and the remaining 50% premium may be paid by the central government.

The health insurance would cover a family of six the employee and pensioner himself or herself, the spouse, two children and two parents. The maximum sum assured for family in a year could up to Rs 5 lakh.

Under the CGHS, the annual per capita expenditure is more than Rs 5,000. In contrast, the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), which caters to the rural masses, spends just Rs 180 per head.

The CGHS is financed mainly through the Centre’s tax revenues. Though beneficiaries do contribute a share of their wages towards premium, ranging from Rs 600 to Rs 6,000 a year depending on their pay scale, this accounts for just about 5 per cent of the total expenditure. The government shells out the remaining 95 per cent.

So, the central government also wanted for ending the CGHS in its current form and to move to an insurance-based health scheme to cut costs.

TSTNew Delhi: Seventh Pay Commission is ready with its recommendations on revising emoluments for nearly 48 lakh central government employees and 55 lakh pensioners, and will soon submit report to the Finance Ministry.

Earlier in August, the government had extended Commission's term by another four months till December 31 to give recommendations.

"The Commission is ready with recommendations and the report will be submitted soon," according to sources.

The Commission, whose recommendations may also have a bearing on the salaries of the state government staff, was given more time by the Union Cabinet just a day before its original 18-month term was coming to an end.

Headed by Justice A K Mathur, the Commission was appointed in February 2014 and its recommendations are scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2016.

The government constitutes the Pay Commission almost every 10 years to revise the pay scale of its employees and often states also implement the panel's recommendations after some modifications.

As part of the exercise, the Commission holds discussions with various stakeholders, including organisations, federations, groups representing civil employees as well as defence services.

Meena Agarwal is the secretary of the Commission. Other members are Vivek Rae, a retired IAS officer of 1978 batch and Rathin Roy, an economist.

Sixth Pay Commission was implemented with effect from January 1, 2006, the fifth from January 1, 1996 and the fourth from January 1, 1986.

7th Pay Commission likely to recommend up to 30% pay hike for Central government employees, say sources


New Delhi: In good news for the Central government employees, the Seventh Pay Commission is likely to recommend a substantial pay hike which could be up to 30% or even more, said sources on Thursday.

There will be 5 to 6% performance-based increment every year and those who are under-performing could retire by 55 years of age or after 30 years of service, added sources. House Rent Allowance could also be hiked by 10% to 30%.

The sources say that there will be a 5 to 6 per cent performance-based increment every year.

The Seventh Pay Commission's recommendations will be implemented from January 1, 2016. The Department of Personnel and Training will examine the recommendations and consult the Finance Ministry on them.

Its term was extended by four months till December 31 to give its recommendations on revising emoluments for nearly 48 lakh central government employees and 55 lakh pensioners.

Program for Swachh Bharat Mission

The Secretary (Posts) has instructed all Circle Heads to take immediate action under the Swachh Bharat Mission as per the following program detailed below:

25th to 27th Sept 2015 - Special cleanliness drive for all Departmental Post Office and administrative office buildings.

28th to 30th September 2015 - Special cleanliness drive for all Departmental Post Office and administrative office campuses.

1st to 5th October 2015 - Special cleanliness drive for all Branch Post Offices.

6th to 10th October 2015 - Weeding out of old record, unserviceable items as well as carrying out minor maintenance of departmental buildings.

11th October 2015 - Special cleanliness drive organized by all Postal employees and officers to clean public places in the immediate vicinity of Post Offices; attempt should be made to involve local self Government bodies and district administration


It has also been instructed to complete the programmes in true letter and spirit and to send high resolution photos in soft copy to the Directorate for each and every programme. 

Installation of high quality and visible sign boards on all BOs

During the review meeting of the Department of Posts chaired by the hon'ble MOC&IT on 14th Sept 2015, the hon'ble Minister has desired the status report on his earlier direction to install high quality and visible sign boards on all BOs across the country.

Now the Directorate has asked all Circle Heads to submit a compliance report as well as a certificate signed by CPMG that the sign boards have been installed in all the BOs of the Circle. 

Greeting ....


Thursday, September 24, 2015

Roles & Responsibilities of various officials & officers on implementation of 'Core Insurance Solution' and set-up of 'Central Processing Centre' for PLI & RPLI'

To view PLI Directorate memo No. 29-34/2012-LI (Vol-II) dated 24.9.2015, please CLICK HERE. 

Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees - Revised Rates effective from 01.07.2015


To view more clear copy, please CLICK HERE. 

Seventh Pay Commission To Submit Report Soon

The Pay Commission is ready with recommendations
and the report will be submitted soon.



NEW DELHI: Seventh Pay Commission is ready with its recommendations on revising emoluments for nearly 48 lakh central government employees and 55 lakh pensioners, and will soon submit report to the finance ministry. 
 

Earlier in August, the government had extended Commission's term by another four months till December 31 to give recommendations. 
"The Commission is ready with recommendations and the report will be submitted soon," according to sources. 
The Commission, whose recommendations may also have a bearing on the salaries of the state government staff, was given more time by the Union Cabinet just a day before its original 18-month term was coming to an end. 
Headed by Justice AK Mathur, the Commission was appointed in February 2014 and its recommendations are scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2016. 
The government constitutes the Pay Commission almost every 10 years to revise the pay scale of its employees and often states also implement the panel's recommendations after some modifications.
As part of the exercise, the Commission holds discussions with various stakeholders, including organisations, federations, groups representing civil employees as well as defence services. 
Meena Agarwal is the secretary of the Commission. Other members are Vivek Rae, a retired IAS officer of 1978 batch and Rathin Roy, an economist. 

The Sixth Pay Commission was implemented with effect from January 1, 2006, the fifth from January 1, 1996 and the fourth from January 1, 1986.
Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

DAKER SAAJ - STAMP EXHIBITION 2015, West Bengal State Level Philatelic Exhibition - 8th to 13th October 2015.

The 8th State Level Philatelic Exhibition of West Bengal Postal Circle “DAKER SAAJ - STAMP EXHIBITION - 2015” will be held at Kolkata from 8th to 13th October, 2015

Venue: Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata -700071.

Prospectus can be downloaded from:

4 ways to undo the ill effects of prolonged sitting

Modern lifestyles are becoming increasingly sedentary. We spend a great deal of our time sitting; be it sitting for long hours at work, sitting while traveling, sitting while watching TV or eating. But if you think that your hour long intensive workout at the gym or your morning jog will make up for your prolonged sitting, you are wrong! A recent study published in the journal Health Psychology Review has found that targeting physical activity and increasing the level of exercise doesn't make any great difference to reduce prolonged sitting. One should focus on decreasing their sitting time. Ask health experts and they will tell you how prolonged sitting kills like smoking. It has turned into a serious public health concern. According to WHO, low physical inactivity is the fourth-leading risk factor for death around the world. So what can be done?

Get up and move
If you are guilty of staying glued to your office seat for long hours, it's time you change your habit. Fitness guru Mickey Mehta shares, "It is extremely important to get up from your seat every two hours. Stand up, walk a little, take a deep breath and stretch backwards and touch your toes." Also stand up from your seat every 45 minutes and try working as you stand. Some of the Indian companies have sit-stand desks at work to facilitate that.

Stretch some more
Did you know you can stretch even while sitting on your desk? Try holding your stomach muscles for a few seconds when breathing in, then release when breathing out. Tilt your head left and right, front and back. Next sit erect in your chair and extend your left leg straight ahead of you. Hold the position for a few seconds and change the leg. If you don't feel too awkward, try front kicks and sidekicks too.

Eye relief
Working on a laptop or desktop for extended hours also impact your eyes adversely. So take a break every 45 minutes and look at an object in the distant for 10-15 seconds. This will relieve the stress in your eyes.

Work as a team
Encourage your team members to stretch with you or take a quick stroll with you. Turn by turn record sitting time and set goals for limiting sitting time. Sometimes these tricks fail when done in isolation but if followed at a team, they do wonders.

Source : The Times of India

Atal Pension Yojana





Advertisements issued by various Ministries/Departments/Organisations in regard to Special Recruitment Drive for filling up of vacancies for Persons with Disabilities - reg.

To view, please CLICK HERE. These advertisements should be forwarded to needy persons / students / colleagues by giving wide publicity. 

Circle Working Committee Meeting ........ Karnataka Circle

It has been reported by Shri Manjunatha Hubballi Circle Secretary Karnataka Branch that their Circle Working Committee Meeting will be held on 25/9/2015 at Hotel Ustav, K. S. Rao Road, Near Laxmi Gold Palace, Mangalore 575001. 

Posting of husband and wife at the same station – DoP&T

F.NO.28034/9/2009-Estt.(A)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training)
North Block, New Delhi,
Dated the 30th September, 2009.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Posting of husband and wife at the same station.

*******

In view of the utmost importance attached to the enhancement of women’s status in all walks of life and to enable them to lead a normal family life as also to ensure the education and welfare of the children, guidelines were issued by DOP&T in O.M No. 28034/7/86-Estt.(A) dated 3.4.86 and No.28034/2/97-Estt.(A) dated 12.6.97 for posting of husband and wife who are in Government service, at the same station. Department had on 23.8.2004 issued instructions to all Mins. / Deptts. to follow the above guidelines in letter and spirit.

2. In the context of the need to make concerted efforts to increase representation of women in Central Government jobs, these guidelines have been reviewed to see whether the instructions could be made mandatory. It has been decided that when both spouses are in same Central Service or working in same Deptt. and if posts are available, they may mandatorily be posted at the same station. It is also necessary to make the provisions at Paras 3(iv) and (vi) of the O.M. dated 3.4.86 stronger as it is not always necessary that the service to which the spouse with longer service belongs has adequate number of posts and posting to the nearest station by either of the Department may become necessary.

3. On the basis of the 6th CPC Report, Govt. servants have already been allowed the facility of Child Care Leave which is admissible till the children attain 18 years of age. On similar lines, provisions of O.M. dated 12.6.97 have been amended.

4. The onsolidated guidelines will now be as follows:

(i) Where the spouses belong to the same All India Service or two of the All India Services, namely lAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service (Group ‘A’);
     The spouse may be transferred to the same cadre by providing for a cadre transfer of one spouse to the Cadre of the other spouse, on the request of the member of service subject to the member of service not being posted under this process to his/her home cadre. Postings within the Cadre will, of course, fall within the purview of the State Govt.

(ii) Where one spouse belongs to one of the All India Services and the other spouse belongs’ to one of the Central Services:-
     The cadre controlling authority of the Central Service may post the officer to the station or if there is no post in that station, to the State where the other spouse belonging to the All India service is posted.

(iii) Where the spouses belong to the same Central Service:
     The Cadre controlling authority may post the spouses to the same station.

(iv) Where the spouse belongs to one Central Service and the other spouse belongs to another Central Service:-
     The spouse with the longer service at a station may apply to his/her appropriate cadre controlling authority and the said authority may post the said officer to the station or if there is no post in that station to the nearest station where the post exists. In case that authority, after consideration of the request, is not in a position to accede to the request, on the basis of non-availability of vacant post, the spouse with lesser service may apply to the appropriate cadre authority accordingly, and that authority will consider such requests for posting the said officer to the station or if there is no post in that station to the nearest station where the post exists.

(v) Where one spouse belongs to an All India Service and the other spouse belongs to a Public Sector Undertaking:
     The spouse employed under the Public Sector Undertaking may apply to the competent authority and said authority may post the said officer to the station, or if there is no post under the PSU in that station, to the State where the other spouse is posted.

(vi) Where one spouse belongs to a Central Service and the other spouse belongs to a PSU:-
     The spouse employed under the PSU ‘may apply to the competent authority and the said authority may post the officer to the station or if there is no post under the PSU in that station, to the station nearest to the station where the other spouse is posted. If, however, the request cannot be granted because the PSU has no post in the said station, then the spouse belonging to the Central Service may apply to the appropriate cadre controlling authority and the said authority may post the said officer to the station or if there is no post in that station, to the station nearest to the station where the spouse employed under PSU is posted.

(vii) Where one spouse is employed under the Central Govt. and the other spouse is employed under the state Govt.:-
     The spouse employed under the Central Govt. may apply to the competent authority and the competent authority may post the said officer to the station or if there is no post in that station to the State where the other spouse is posted.

(viii) “The husband & wife, if working in the same Department and if the required level of post is available, should invariably be posted together in order to enable them to lead a normal family life and look after the welfare of their children especially till the children attain 18 years of age. This will not apply on appointment under the central Staffing Scheme. Where only wife is a Govt. servant, the above concessions would be applicable to the Govt. servant.

5. Complaints are sometimes received that even if posts are available in the station of posting of the spouse, the administrative authorities do not accommodate the employees citing administrative reasons. In all such cases, the cadre controlling authority should strive to post the employee at the station of the spouse and in case of inability to do so, specific reasons, therefor, may be communicated to the employee.

6. Although, normal channels of representations/complaints redressal mechanism exist in the Min. / Deptts., added safeguards to prevent noncompliance may be provided by ensuring that the complaints against nonadherence to the instructions are be decided by the authorities at least one level above the authorities which took the original decision when they are below the level of secretary to the Govt. of India/Head of the PSU concerned and all such representations are considered and disposed off in time bound manner.

7. Hindi version will follow.

(C.B.Paliwal)
Joint Secretary to the Govt. of India

Govt mulls to execute compulsory retirement to Central Government employee for better administration

Compulsory Retirement to Central Government Employees on the Basis of their Efficiency may be a Difficult Task for the Government….

Recently, the Central Government had issued an order (No.25013/01/2013-Estt.A-IV) regarding strengthening of administration by executing compulsory retirement to the central government employees who are found to be inefficient, incapable or unable to fulfill the targets set by their higher authorities, after completing certain years of service.

The order brought panic among employees and questions arise how to identify those employees who are given compulsory retirement. The order was issued on the basis of CCS (Pension) Rule 56 (j) and Rule 48 which explains the above points. The government had clarified that if the order comes into effect, it won’t be treated as a punishment to the employees.

Article 311 of the Constitution of India says that the government should ensure security to an employee. As per the Rule, an employee should be well informed of any actions to be taken against him and be to given opportunity to explain on his part. But this rule is not applicable to criminal offences or against the security of the country.

The order which was released by DOPT, with some Supreme Court orders was a little bit strong than the previous ones. But it will not be an easy exercise for the government to implement the order as it has to face strong opposition from the employees, Trade Unions and Federations.

To analyze and determine employees’ efficiency was always a headache for the government. In the 6th CPC, the commission recommended special yearly increment to 20% of the central government employees in each department for outstanding performance on their field. But no such appreciations had happened so far in any of the departments.

Let us wait and see what will happen next….!

Supreme Court judgement on Aadhar card

To view, please CLICK HERE. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON NATIONAL PENSION SYSTEM – ALL CITIZENS MODEL

To view, please CLICK HERE. 
 

Misuse of IDs and Passwords in organizations - preventive vigilance measurers


Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Retirement in the month of September 2015

Following Member PSB /JTS Gr. A and PS Gr. B Officers are retiring from Govt. Service on superannuation on 30/9/2015

Sl. No.
Name of Officer
Designation
Circle
1
Shri A. B. Joshi
Member (Technology)
Directorate
2
Shri K. Harikrishna Holla
APMG (BD) o/o CPMG, Bangalore
Karnataka
3
Shri S. L. Patel
AD (Staff) o/o CPMG Raipur
Chhattisgarh
4
Shri Haradhan Nandy
SSP, South Kolkatta Division
West Bengal
5
Shri M. Nagesh
SSP, Dharwad Division, Dharward
Karnataka

CHQ wishes them a very happy, healthy and long retired life. In few circles, senior ASPs are working on adhoc basis in PS Gr. B cadre and retiring without getting regular PS Gr. B promotion, their names are not included in the list, the same may kindly be reported to GS by SMS.

An analysis of extending the term of 7th Pay Commission – GServants

An analysis of extending the term of 7th Pay Commission – GServants

Pros and Cons of extending the term of 7th Pay Commission

Recently the central government announced the extension of term of 7th pay commission by four months till 31st December 2015. By the time there were news started coming about seventh Pay Commission that it would ask one month extension to submit the report, Unexpectedly the central government itself granted four month extension to 7th central pay commission in its Cabinet Meeting held on 26th August 2015

One day before the announcement made by central government on granting extension to the pay commission, according to PTI news report, Justice A.K.Mathur, Chairman, 7th Pay Commission, said that by the end of September 2015 the Pay commission report would be submitted to the government.

Why the central government granted four month extension when the commission itself if asked one month time?
What will happen if the 7th pay commission submits its reports on 31st December 2015?

Before to answer that, It will be very useful to know that what happened in sixth pay commission, after submission of report and how much time it took to get announced the implementation of pay commission recommendation.
  • The Sixth Central Pay commission was set up by Union Cabinet of India on 5th October 2006. The Commission, headed by Justice B.N.Srikrishna.The Other members of the commission were Prof. Ravindra Dholakia, Mr. J.S.Mathur and Member-Secretary Ms Sushama Nath, IAS.
  • The Pay Commission submitted its report to Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on 24 March 2008.
  • The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government headed by Manmohan Singh, approved the Sixth Pay commission recommendations with some modifications. In the cabinet meeting held on 14th August 2008, the Union Cabinet headed by Manmohan Singh gave its approval for implementation of the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission.
  • It was announced that the revised pay scales will come into effect from 1/1/2006 and revised rates of allowances from 1/9/2008.
The Gazette Notification for implementation of sixth pay commission published on 29th August, 2008.

From the above reference it is known that after submission of report it will take six month time to get its approval from Central Government for implementation of pay commission recommendation.

The decision of extending the term of seventh pay commission could be a major blow to central government employees by the way as follows

1. The 7th pay commission has been made to submit its report on 31st December 2015. The stipulated time is extended as 22 Months instead of 18 months for 7th pay commission to submit its report

2. As the central government would like to ground upon the Precedents and it will take six month time from the date of submission of report to announce its approval for implementation of 7th pay commission recommendations

3. So the Cabinet approval for implementation of 7th pay commission recommendation will be granted by the Month of June 2016

4. Only the Revised Pay Scale will come into effect from 1.1.2016

5. The revised rate of allowances will come into effect from prospective date that is with effect from the day of Order is issued.

6. So the central Government employees will be losing the benefit of revised rate of allowances for the period of six months , which they supposed to get from 1.1.2016, provided the order for implementation of 7th pay commission will be issued on 1.7.2016.