Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Income Tax Return to be exempted in June-2011

Income tax Department (CBDT) has announced that the Government’s Proposal to exempt salaried people in the income category of Rs.5 lakhs and below per annum will be issued as a notification in the first week of June. This information was shared with media by Mr.Sudir Chandra, the Chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) recently.

But, it’s not a happy news for those who would seek of income tax paid in exess as refund. Even if their annual income less than Rs. 5 lakhs, they have to file income tax returns. It is also estimated that the proposed exemption from filing income tax return would benefit around 70 to 80 lakhs.

The salaried tas is also going to have a portal in which they can check whether the income tax deducted from their salary was actually paid in the Government’s account. In the Union Budget 2011-12 Finance Minister Mr.Pranab Mukherjee announced the proprosal to exempt salaried class with annual income of Rs. 5 lakhs and below from filing any Income tax return such as ITR-1, ITR-2 etc.

Source: The Economic Times

Monday, April 25, 2011

Minutes of the Third Meeting of the National Anomaly Committee held on 15th February, 2011

F. No. 11/2/2008-JCA
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel , Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
(JCA Section)

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 21st April, 2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Minutes of the Third Meeting of the National Anomaly Committee held on 15th February, 2011.

The undersigned is directed to forward a copy of the minutes of the Third Meeting of the National Anomaly Committee held on I5th February 2011 in Room No. 119, North Block, New Delhi under the Chairpersonship of Secretary (Personnel) for information and necessary action.

(Dinesh Kabila)
Director (JCA)
Tel: 2309 2589

MINUTES OF THE THIRD MEETING OF NATIONAL ANOMALY COMMITTEE HELD ON l5 FEBRUARY 2011

*************

The third meeting of the National Anomaly Committee (NAG) was held on 27th March 2010 in Conference Room No.119, North Block, New Delhi under the Chairpersonship of Secretary (Personnel). A list of participants is annexed.

2. The Chairperson welcomed the representatives of the Staff Side and Official Side. Referring to the healthy and fruitful discussions held during the earlier meetings of the NAC, she expected similar cooperation and mutual understanding so that the anomalies could be resolved to the satisfaction of all She referred to the 46’ Meeting of the National Council (JCM) and two meetings of the Joint Committee on Modified Assured Carrier Progression Scheme (MACPS) held in 2010 and stated that she expected the Staff Side to finalize the agenda of the Standing Committee of the National Council (JCM) as well so that a meeting of the same could also be convened early.

3. Thereafter, the Chairperson suggested that those agenda items may be taken up for discussion which had not yet been discussed in the earlier two meetings. She also referred to the special agenda item included on the directions of the Hon’ble High Court of Madras viz., pay of the drivers of the Department of Posts. The Chairperson informed that suitable action had already been taken with respect to agenda item No.31 relating to Child Care Leave. Regarding the MACPS, the Chairperson stated that most of the issues have been discussed with the Staff Side and clarifications issued thereon thereby resolving the same. She stated that as MACPS is only a fall back option in case of delay in promotions, all the cadre controlling authorities have also been directed to review the structure of the cadre in order to ensure timely promotions. She requested the Staff Side to forward a list of Frequently Asked Questions to the DoPT so that the misgivings! misunderstandings regarding the recommendations of the 6th CPC could be further removed. She once again welcomed everyone and reiterated the resolve of the Government to remove all the anomalies in a fair and just manner.

4. Secretary of the Staff Side Shri Umraomal Purohit thanked the Chairperson and gave a brief background of the Scheme of Joint Consultative Machinery and Compulsory Arbitration. He referred to the delays in holding the meetings especially at the departmental level and requested the Official Side to monitor the same. Thereafter, he referred to the undue delays in issuing of important orders I instructions and requested that such delays should be minimized so that the concerned employees do not suffer. He agreed to the suggestion of the Chairperson, that agenda items which had not been discussed at all may be taken up first. He urged the Official Side to devote more time and efforts to ensure that meetings of the National Council I Standing Committee and Anomaly Committee are held more frequently. He once again thanked the Chairperson and assured of full cooperation of the Staff Side in all matters.

5. Responding to the opening remarks of the Secretary, Staff Side, the Chairperson stated that comprehensive instructions have already been issued to all Ministries! Departments to ensure meetings of the Departmental Council are held as per the mandate of the JCM Scheme. The Chairperson further assured the Staff Side that the matter would be looked into and requested the Staff Side to forward the names of the Departments where either the Councils were not functioning or timely meetings of the same are not being held. Regarding the meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Council, the Chairperson stated that the same would be convened as soon as the agenda gets finalised. She added that she would take up the issue of holding the next meeting of the
National Council with the Cabinet Secretary once the agenda is finalised.

6. The anomalies were subsequently taken up for discussion as per the agenda as follows:

Item No 11: Grant Revised Allowances with effect from 01.01.2006

The Staff Side stated that allowances formed part of wages. That being so allowances too should be revised with effect from the same date from which Revised Pay Scales have been implemented i.e. 01.01.2006. There seemed hardly any justification for granting revised allowances with effect from 1.9.2008 i.e. after a lapse of 32 months. The Official Side stated that the allowances, other than Dearness Allowance (DA), have been revised from 01.09.2008 on the basis of specific recommendation of the 61h CPC. It was reiterated that even after the 6th CPC similar practice was followed. Therefore, there was no anomaly as such. Staff Side contended that DA, also an allowance, has been implemented by the Government with effect from 1.1.2006 whereas the other allowances have been revised with effect from 1.9.2008 resulting in huge loss to the employees. The
Official Side maintained that in view of the specific recommendation of the 6thCPC, this could not be construed as an anomaly. The Staff Side stated there are certain statutory allowances which need to be revised w.e.f. 01.01.2006.

The Staff Side was asked to forward such a list of statutory allowances for further examination of the Department of Expenditure.

Items No 12 & 13: Transport Allowance

The Staff Side raised the following issues with respect to the revision of the Transport Allowance (TA):

(i) Employees with higher pay who live near to offices have been given higher rates of TA in comparison to low paid employees who live at distant places.

(ii) Multiplication factor used for revision of TA of employees in various pay bands has not been applied uniformly.

(iii) CCA has now been subsumed in TA. Therefore, a portion of TA should be used as a component for the purpose of computing Overtime Allowance.

(iv) There are employees who remain on long tour duties as in the Audit Department or field duties on survey sites during a prolonged field season of more than 4-5 months. Since the CCA, which was earlier admissible to them, has been subsumed in the Transport Allowance, they are not getting
any Transport Allowance while on tour for more than a month/ several months during which the field season lasts and they are, therefore, losing even that part of Transport Allowance which represents CCA. The Staff side therefore demanded that the condition that TA is not permissible to
those who are absent for more than a month, be dispensed with.

The Official Side stated that after the 6°’ CPC recommendations, the rate of TA for employees belonging to PB-I was further improved by the Government. The 6th CPC had recommended a uniform multiplication factor of 4 for revision of TA of all categories of employees. Thereafter, after consultation with the Staff Side, at the time of implementation of the recommendations of the 6th CPC, the Government increased the TA for employees in PB-I from Rs. 400 + DA to Rs 600 +DA for Al/A class cities and from Rs 300 + DA to Rs.400 +DA for other cities. Therefore, the multiplication factor used for revision of TA was actually skewed in favour of the low paid employees. Therefore, there was no justification for any further revision of the rates of TA and there was no anomaly in the matter. The Staff Side pointed out that in order to have a realistic picture, the multiplication factor in respect to the revised TA rates vis-a-vis the earlier TA rates plus CCA
should be examined.

The Staff Side was asked to forward the required calculations to the Department of Expenditure for examination.

Regarding reckoning a portion of the TA for computation of the Overtime Allowance (OTA), the Official Side stated that the .6°thCPC has in fact recommended for substitution of OTA with Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS). Therefore, the whole issue was not relevant now.

The Staff Side was asked to forward specific details of the matter to the Department of Expenditure for examination.

With respect to employees loosing the part of TA representing CCA while on tour for more than 15 days, the Official Side stated that 6th CPC has given a specific recommendation to merge the CCA with TA and therefore, this could not be construed as an anomaly.

Item No 14: Revision of Existing Allowances

The Staff Side stated that there are certain allowances which are to be withdrawn and replaced by new schemes like Risk Insurance for Risk Allowance & Hospital Patient Care Allowance. These schemes had so far not been formulated. When formulated, these will have to be discussed in the JCM before these are implemented. The Staff Side demanded that till such time the alternative schemes are operationalised, the existing rates of these allowances may be doubled.

The Official Side stated that Department of Personnel & Training has held a series of interdepartmental meetings with various Ministries / Departments and General Insurers’ (Public Sector) Association of India (GIPSA). As per the advice of GIPSA, it was decided to have consultations with the LIC of India for providing health based insurance package identifiable as an insurance product by IRDA. The LIC of India has been contacted through the Department of Financial Services and the response from them is awaited. Therefore, the process is likely to take some more time. In case, the Government was not able to come up with an insurance product as recommended by the 6th CPC, the issue regarding doubling the existing rates could be taken up for examination.

The Staff Side further contended that it would not be easy to design an insurance product on the lines of the recommendations of the 6th CPC because of the variable nature of jobs being entrusted to the employees. For example. it may be possible that an employee who is working in a risk prone area may get transferred to some other area not involving risk and vice versa. Furthermore, the Staff Side felt that the amount of financial outgo involved in paying the premium to the insurance company would be much more than the additional expenditure on account of doubling the existing rate of risk allowance.

The Chairperson, while acknowledging the useful insight into the ground realities as presented by the Staff Side, also directed that there should be a clear cut time frame to finalize the Risk Insurance Scheme.

After discussion, it was decided that if the Official Side is not able to finalize an insurance scheme in consultation with the Staff Side within the next six months, the question of doubling the rates of risk allowance would be examined.

Item No 20: Daily Allowance on Tour

The Staff Side stated that it is not practical to get bills/receipts for fares charged by the Autorikshaws or bills for tea/snacks/meals from dhabas/ small restaurants/ roadside eateries etc. The travelling employees (at least some of them) have arrangements to cook their meats etc while on tour and have the facility to stay in places other than hotels where obtaining receipts for stay, etc.is not called for. The Staff Side, therefore, demanded that a fixed Daily allowance rate for stay, local travel, food etc. may also be prescribed.

The Official Side stated that such a dispensation is already in place and the employees have the option to claim for the pre-revised rates of D.A. without submitting any bills I receipts. The Staff Side contended that the pre-revised rates of D.A. are too inadequate to take care of the boarding and lodging requirements. Therefore, they demanded that there was a need to double the pre-revised rates
for D.A. for claiming the same without production of any bills / receipts.

The Official Side agreed to examine the matter although this is not an anomaly.

Item No 28: Grant of grade pay of Rs.5400 in PB-2 for Asstt. Accounts/Audit Officers.

The Chairperson stated that as the matter pertains to Group B’ employees who are not covered under the JCM Scheme, this item does not fall within the purview of the NAC. She, however, directed Joint Secretary (Pers.), Department of Expenditure and Joint Secretary (Estt), Department of Personnel & Training to discuss this issue with the members of the Staff
Side.

ITEM FINALISED

Items No 29 & 30: Dearness Allowance

The Staff Side stated that at AICPI (IW) 1982= 100 base, the Government had sanctioned DA / DR at 74% of the 1.1.1996 level wages. (1.1.96 wages were on 306.33, average point). In the Government of India arrangement of DA / DR. decimal increases in percentage are not being considered. At 536 point the actual percentage is not 74% but more, namely 74.844 say 74.84 and at 74% the AICPI (IW) reaches 533.01 (306.33 X 0.74 = 533.01). Hence when 74% is included as salary on 31.12.2005, the start for the 1.1 .2006 salary structure should be only 533.01 and not 536. This when converted to 2001 = 100 base by the factor 4.63 we get 533.01 14.63=115 .1209 say 115.12. It was therefore.proposed that D.A increases be computed on the basis of AICP1 (IW) 115.12 and not 115.76.

The Official Side stated that as per the recommendations of the 6th CPC, the base should be 116 However, this was re-calculated by the Department of Expenditure and it was found that the base works out to be 115.76 on the basis of average index of 536. Therefore, there was no anomaly in the matter.

The Staff Side again stated that the average index of 536 corresponded to the 74.84 % of DA whereas the actual DA granted was only 74% as the decimal points are ignored. Therefore, if the base is taken as 536, then the decimal points ignored i.e. 0.84 % of DA is lost forever. However, the Official Side stated that the fraction which was ignored earlier was taken into account while calculating the next DA installment. Further fixation of the base has been done in the manner followed after previous Pay Commissions and there was no anomaly. Therefore, there was no question of any loss to the employees because of this. The Staff Side would give detailed calculations in the matter to the Department of Expenditure for examination.

item No 31: Child Care Leave

The Official Side stated that the matter had since been resolved. The condition regarding exhaustion of earned leaves before being. eligible for CCL had since been removed vide DOP&T’s OM dated 7th September 2010.

The Staff Side drew the attention of the Chairperson towards the fact that women industrial employees of the Ministry of Defence were still to be granted the benefit of CCL. Similarly, the benefit of half pay leave encashment was yet to be granted to the industrial employees of the Ministry of Defence. The Chairperson directed the representative of the Ministry of Defence to look into the matter urgently. The Staff Side further suggested that the discretionary powers given to the authorities to reject/ restrict the CCL may also be reviewed.

ITEM FINALISED

Item No 37: Waiver of recovery of higher DA / DR drawn during the period from 01 .01 .2006 to 31 .08.2008

The Official Side stated that the arrears of pay from 01.01.2006 to 31 08.2008, consequent to the recommendations of the 6th CPC, had since been disbursed. Therefore, the issue was no longer relevant. Accordingly, it was decided to treat this item as closed.

ITEM FINALISED

Item No 38: Anomaly in fixation of Grade Pay

The Staff Side stated that the general recommendation of the 6th CPC was that the grade pay wilt be 40% of the maximum of the pre-revised pay scales. However, at the time of implementation of the recommendations of the 6th CPC, Government has given more than 40°k as grade pay to certain categories of the employees in PB-3 and PB-4. Therefore, it was an anomaly and demanded that everyone should be given grade pay of at least 50% of the maximum of the pre revised pay scales.

The Official Side stated that the 61h CPC itself recommended grade ,pay in excess of 40% of the maximum of the pre-revised pay scales in respect of certain employees. Further, in Para 2.2.21 the report of the 6th CPC, it has been clearly stated that in some cases, the amount of the grade pay has been adjusted so as to maintain a clear differential between successive grades pay. Thereafter, the
government implemented the recommendations of the 6th CPC with certain conscious modifications in the Grade Pay in some cases. Moreover, the erstwhile Group D employees have also been granted grade pay exceeding 40% of the maximum of the pre-revised pay scales. Therefore, there is no anomaly in the matter.

It was decided that the Staff Side would revisit the issue and revert on whether they wish to pursue the matter.

Item No 39: Anomaly due to not applying uniformly the multiplication factor of 1.86 In fixing the minimum pay in all the revised pay bands applying different

It was noted that this item is similar to the agenda item number 38 i.e. anomaly in fixation of grade pay. It was decided that the Staff Side would revisit the issue and revert on the matter.

Special Agenda Item- Pay of the Drivers in the Department of Posts.

The backdrop of this agenda item was presented to the Committee. The associations representing drivers and artisans in the Department of Posts had approached the Hon’ble Central Administrative Tribunal at Madras contending that their cadre was placed at the minimum of the pay scale equivalent that of Postal Assistants in 1st CPC, 2nd CPC and 3rd CPC. Their argument was that in the 4th CPC they were given the minimum of Rs.950-1500 whereas the Postal Assistants cadre was
given Rs.975-1660. While implementing the 5’ Pay Commission recommendations, they were placed in the scale of Rs.3050-4590 whereas Postal Assistants were given the scale of Rs.4000-6000 and further stated that there was a genuine anomaly while fixing the scale of Drivers. They also represented that the Postman cadre, which was always kept below their pay scale, was given a jump and equated with their scale by the 5th Pay Commission recommendations. However, the Original Application was dismissed by Hon’ble CAT observing that no sufficient material has been placed before them to record a specific finding as to whether there had been arbitrary, discriminatory and hostile discrimination made to the applicants in granting the pay scale. In no circumstances, the
case of the Postal Assistants could be treated at par with Drivers.

Aggrieved by the CAT order, the Association further filed Writ Petition No.21367/2004 in the Hon’ble High Court at Madras Hon’ble High Court, Madras disposed of the petition stating that, “we consider it appropriate to set aside the order under challenge and dispose of the writ petition with a direction to the respondents to refer the matter to the Anomaly Committee for its consideration and passing appropriate orders within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and if necessary, to afford an opportunity of hearing to the petitioners

Accordingly, as per the directions of the Hon’ble High Court, this matter has been included as one of the agenda items of NAC and has therefore been taken up for discussion in this meeting.

The Staff Side felt the NAC was not the appropriate forum to discuss the issue since as per the negotiation mechanism under NAC, the Committee was not mandated to pass orders on judgments pronounced by the Courts. The Official Side stated that Drivers belong to a common category of employees to whom pay scales were granted as per the recommendations of the 6th CPC. Accordingly, the Department of Posts was called upon to present the facts on these lines before the Hon’ble Court.

Item No 40: Grant of Notional Increment

The Official Side stated that retirement on a date immediately prior to the date of next increment was taking place even before 01.01.2006. There was no provision to grant a notional increment in such cases. As there was no change from the earlier position, this item could not be construed as an anomaly.

ITEM FINALISED

Item No 41: Fixation of pay on promotion to a post carrying the same grade pay.

The Staff Side stated that there are certain feeder and promotion posts which carry the same grade pay and these have not been merged on functional considerations. The promotion of an employee from the feeder post to the promotion post is however not being treated as promotion and no pay fixation is being done. Therefore, the Staff Side proposed that in such cases also one increment in the feeder post may be allowed and the Grade pay of the next post may be granted.

The Official Side stated that as per the recommendations of the 6th CPC some of the re-revised pay scales have been merged in order to de-layer certain levels in the Govt. Thus, posts in the pay scales of Rs.5000-8000/- and Rs.5500- 9000/- have been merged and no promotions can take place between the pay scales of Rs .5000-8000/ and Rs. 5500-9000/- (pre-revised). Similarly, posts which were in the pay scales of Rs.6500-10,500/- (and have been given the grade pay of Rs.4600/) and Rs.7450-11500/- stand merged and no promotions are permissible between these merged grades. The Official Side further stated that the question of grant of one increment in the lower (feeder) post could be considered if the concerned Department justifies it on functional requirement
However, in that case, it will be treated as promotion for the purpose of MACP.

The Staff Side. also raised the issue of pay of the running staff in the Ministry of Railways and stated that a special allowance of Rs 500/- plus DA has been granted to the running staff. However, other benefits like TA, HRA, pensionary benefits etc., are not admissible on this special allowance. The Staff Side demanded that whenever a person is promoted in the same grade pay but with higher responsibilities, grant of Rs 500/- plus DA is not adequate to compensate him/her for the higher responsibilities. Therefore, there is a need to treat the special allowance as pay for all purposes. The representative of the Department of Expenditure stated that this issue will be re-examined on receipt of certain information as called for from Ministry of Railways.

Item No 43: Before the 6th pay commission1 there were 3 HAG scales of pay.

The Official Side informed that officers of the grade of Additional Secretary and equivalent (whether serving or retired) are not covered by JCM. Hence, the instant item was outside the ambit of the NAC and therefore not admitted for discussions. However, the Staff Side was informed that orders for replacing the pre-revised pay scale of Rs.22400-24500/- had already been issued.

ITEM NOT FOR NATIONAL ANOMALY COMMITTEE

Item No 44: Anomaly in the pay scale/ pay band and grade pay of Library Information Assistants.

The Official Side stated that through a specific and conscious recommendation of Sixth Pay Commission, the pay scales of Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs) have been upgraded and placed in PB-II with grade pay of Rs.4600/-, In this context, the Pay Commission has also clarified that on account of conscious up gradation, no other cadre can demand or can be granted higher pay scales. Therefore, Library Information Assistants cannot claim parity with TGTs.

The Staff Side stated that the School Librarians have also been placed in PB-li with the grade pay of Rs.4600/- at par with the TGTs although there is no specific recommendation of the 6th CPC in this regard. The Library Information Assistants, who have the same qualifications as that of school librarians, have however been placed in PB-Il with grade pay of Rs.4200/-. Thus, there is an
anomaly with respect to grade pay of the Library Information Assistants.

The Official Side stated that the factual position was not known to them and therefore the Staff Side was called upon to apprise the Official Side of such instances specifically.

Item No 45: Anomaly in pension of those in receipt of stagnation increments in pre-revised pay scale.

The Official Side stated that this issue is somewhat related to the issue of granting one time increment to employees having their date of next increment between February 2006 to June 2006 under agenda item 5 (V). Accordingly, it was decided that the matter may be clubbed with agenda item 5(V) and the Staff Side was asked to confirm that their request for grant of an increment in the pre revised scale would not have repercussions on any other category and not lead to any further demands.

Items No 46 & 49: Pay scales of Stenographers Cadre

The Official Side stated that in para 3.1.14 of the 6th CPC’s Report a specific recommendation for PS/Sr. PS in non-secretariat organizations has been made and the same has been accepted and notified by the Government. Further, posts that were existing in the pre-revised pay scale of Rs.6500-10500 before 1.1.2006, including that of PS in field offices, have been upgraded to the pre revised scale of Rs.7450-11500 w.e.f. 1.1.2006 vide Department of Expenditure’s O.M. No.1/1/2008-IC dated 13.11.2009. Therefore, suitable action has already been taken in the matter. The Staff Side while agreeing with the Official Side stated they would check the position and revert back to the Official Side in case they feel that there were still any problems / difficulties in the matter.

Item No 50: pay Scales of Official Language Staff.

The representative of the Department of Expenditure stated that orders were issued in November, 2008 regarding parity in the pay scales of OL posts in field offices and CSOLS and the matter has already been clarified by them on various references received in this regard from several administrative Ministries / Departments.

The Staff Side requested that the reference forwarded in this matter by the Ministry of Railways may be examined by the Department of Expenditure on a priority basis. This was agreed to by the Official Side.

The Staff Side also mentioned that the parity in the pay scales in field and HQ is still to be granted in many offices including Ministry of Railways. The Official Side requested the Staff Side to convey the names of such offices so that they could be called upon to take similar action in the matter.

Item No 51: Assigning higher grade pay of Rs.4600/- to Administrative Officer Gr.II and Private Secretary in subordinate offices.

The Official Side indicated that the matter has already been resolved as posts that were existing in the pre-revised pay scale of Rs.6500-10500 before 1.1.2006, including that of AOs and PSs in field offices, have been upgraded to the pre-revised scale of Rs.7450-11500 w.e.f. 1.1.2006 vide Department of expenditure’s O.M. No.1/1/2008-IC dated 13.11.2009.

ITEM FINALISED

7. In the end, the Chairperson thanked the members of the Staff Side for their cooperation and for a healthy and constructive discussion. The Staff Side requested for early action to resolve the anomaly in respect of the increment of employees falling between February 2006 and June 2006. The Staff Side also suggested that the next meeting of the Joint Committee on MACPS may be held
early which was agreed by the Official Side. The Chairperson requested the Staff Side to prioritise the issues to be discussed in the next meeting. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chair.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Amendment to Rules of CCS(Extraordinary Pension)(EOP) Rules,1939- Issue of Notification dated 15/02/2011

MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

(Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare)

NOTIFICATION

New Deihi, the 15th February, 2011

S.O. 41O(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to article 309 read with clause (5) of article I48 the Constitution and after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General inrelation to persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, the President hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Central Civil Services (Extraordinary Pension) Rules,1939, namely:-

(1) These rules may be called the Central Civil Services (Extraordinary Pension) Amendment Rules, 2011.

(2) These shall come into force on the publication of this notification in the Official Gazette.

2. In the Central Civil Services (Extraordinary Pension) Rules,

(I). for rule 2, the following shall be substituted, namely :-

“2. These rules shall apply to all persons paid from Civil Estimates, other than those to whom the Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923 (VIII of 1923) applies (subject to para 6 of Schedule II), whether their appointment is permanent or temporary on the scale of pay or fixed pay or piece-work rates who are under the rule making control of the President of India:

Provided that nothing contained in these rules shall apply to the Government servants appointed on or after the 1st day of January, 2004.

NOTE – No award shall be made under these rules in respect of a civilian officer who is deputed on foreign service under UN bodies on or after the 1st January, 1958 and who is allowed to join the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund as an ‘Associate Member’.”;

(ii). for rule 4, the following shall be substituted, namely :-

“4. The Ministries/Departments and offices shall have the powers to grant disability or family pension covered under these rules and they shall exercise these powers, wherever necessary’, in consultation with the Financial Advisers, but the cases which are not covered strictly in terms of the Government guidelines and instructions, reference shall be made to the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare.”;

(iii). rule 7 shall be omitted.

(iv). In rule 8, after sub-rule (2), the following shall be inserted namely : —

“(3) The extent of disability or functional incapacity shall be determined in the following manner for purposes of computing the disability element forming part of benefits:-

Percentage of disability assessed by Medical BoardPercentage to be reckoned for computation of disability element.
upto5050
More than 50 and upto 775
More than 75 and upto 100100

Provided that the above broadbanding shall not be applicable to Government servants who are retained in service.

Note 1: The findings of the Medical Board on the extent of disability may be treated as final and binding unless the employee himself seeks a review by preferring an appeal to an Authority immediately superior to the one who had constituted the Board. In case the appeal is accepted and a review Medical Board is constituted, the findings of the Board shall be binding on all parties.

The extent of disability as determined and accepted shall be treated as final and the employee shall not be required to appear befere Medical Board periodically for the purpose of obtaining a certificate that the disability continues to persist.

Note 2: A government servant may appeal against the decision of the Medical Board which examined him for the purpose of this rule:

(I) The findings of the examining Medical Board shall be made known to the Government servant concerned as soon as possible after the receipt of the medical report by the Head of the Office or Department. The Government servant concerned shall, if he desires to appeal against such decision, do so together with requisite evidence in support of his case within one month from the date on which the findings of the Medical Board were made known to him. Ordinarily there is no right of appeal from the findings of an examining medical authority; but if Government is satisfied on the evidence placed before them by the Government servant concerned, of the possibility of an error of judgment in the decision of the examining medical authority, it shall be open to them to allow re-examination by a second Medical Board.

(ii) If any medical certificate is produced. by the Government servant as a piece of evidence about the possibility of an error of judgment in the decision of an examining medical authority who had examined him in the first instance, the certificate shall not be taken into consideration unless it contains a note by the medical practitioner who gave the certificate to the effect that it has been given in full knowledge of the fact that the person concerned has already been examined by a Medical Board who have given their opinion as to the injury or disease in respect of which the Government servant had applied for benefits under extraordinary circumstances.

(iii) The expenditure incurred in assembling the Review Board shall be borne by the Government, provided that the Government servant shall be required to pay a prescribed fee which shall be refunded if his appeal is upheld by the Review Board.

(iv) To ensure uniformity of procedure, all appeals shall at first be referred to the Ministry of Health who shall advise on the evidence produced as to whether there is an error of judgment on the part of the examining Medical Board who first conducted the Medical examination and whether the appeal shall be accepted or not and if accepted, by whom such re-examination shall be conducted.”;

(v). for rule 9, the following shall be substituted, namely :-

“9.(1) when disablement of a Government service is conceded as due to Government service in terms of rule 3-A, he shall be awarded disability pension in terms of sub-rule (2) or lump sum compensation in terms of sub-rule (3) of this rule in accordance with the percentage of disability (suffered by him) as certified by the Medical Authority concerned.

(2) If the Government servant is boarded out of Government service on account of his disablement, the quantum of disability pension for cent per cent disability shall be as specified in SCHEDULE II hereto annexed and the quantum of disability pension for lower percentage of disability shall be, “proportionately lower” in accordance with the provision provided in rule 8.

(3) If the Government servant is retained in service in spite of such disablement, he shall be paid a compensation in lump sum (in lieu of the disability pension) on the basis of disability pension admissible to him in accordance with the provisions of sub-rule (2) of this rule, by arriving at the capitalized value of such disability pension with reference to the Commutation Table, in force from time to time: Provided that the broadbanding as provided in the sub-rule (3) of rule 8 shall not be applicable in such cases.”

(vi). after rule 9, the following shall be inserted namely :-

“9 A. the pensioners who are drawing disability pension under the provisions of rule 9 for 100% disability and are completely dependent on others for day to day activities, shall also be granted in addition to disability pension, the Constant Attendant Allowance in accordance with the instructions issued from time to time.;

(vii). In rule 10, for the words “Schedule III”, the words “Schedule II” shall be substituted;

(viii). for rule 11, the following shall be substituted, namely :-

14 THE GAZEUE OF INDIA: EXTRAORDINARY [Par Il—SEc. 3(li)]

“11 (1) If the deceased Government servant has left neither a widow nor a child, an award shall be made to parent or parents and in the absence of the parent or parents to minor brothers and sisters in accordance with SCHEDULE II hereto annexed if they were largely dependent on the Government servant for support and are in pecuniary need; Provided that the amount of the award to minor brothers and sisters shall not exceed one half of the pension that would have been admissible to the widow under rule 10.

(2) Any award made under sub-rule (1) of this rule shall, in the event of an improvement in the pecuniary circumstances of the pensioner, be subject to review in such manner as the President may by order prescnbe. Note.- If any of the widows, children, father or mother, minor brothers or sisters is denied any share in the property of the Government servant under a Will or Deed made by him, such person shall be ineligible to receive any award under these rules and the benefit will pass on to the next person eligible.”;

(ix). In rule 12, for sub-rule (2), the following shall be substituted, namely

“(2) A family pension shall ordinarily be tenable -

(i) in the case of a widow or mother until death or re-marriage, whichever occurs earlier;

(ii) in the case of minor son or minor brother until he attains the age of twenty- five;

(iii) in the case of daughter during the period she is eligible for family pension under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules 1972;

(iv) in the case of sister until marriage or until she attains the age of twenty-five years whichever occurs earlier;

(v) in the case of a father, life.”;

(x). in rule 13, -

(a) for sub-rule (1), the following shall be substituted, namely :-

“(1) In respect of matters of procedure, all awards under these rules are subject to any procedure rules relating to ordinary pensions for the time being in force, to the extent that such procedure rules are applicable and are not inconsistent with these rules and also, if eligibility concerning pension is not covered under these rules but covered under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 the Central Civil Services

(Pension) Rules,1972 shall be applicable, provided it is not repugnant to or inconsistent with the provisions of these rules.”;

(b) sub-rule (2) and (3) shall be omitted;

(C) in sub-rule (4), for the words “Government of India”, the words “sanctioning authority” shall be substituted;

(xi). for the existing Schedule H, the following shall be substituted namely :-

“Schedule II

For determining the compensation payable for death or disability under different circumstances, the cases are categorized in five distinct categories as under:

Category ‘A’ – Death or disability due to natural causes not attributable to Government service. Examples would be chronic ailments like heart and renal diseases, prolonged illness, accidents while not on duty, etc.

Category ‘B’ – Death or disability due to causes which are accepted as attributable to or aggravated by Government service. Diseases contracted because of continued exposure to a hostile work environment, subjected to extreme weather conditions or occupational hazards resulting in death or disability would be examples.

Category ‘C’ – Death or disability due to accident in the performance of duties. Some examples are accidents while traveling on duty in Governments vehicles or public transport, a journey on duty is performed by service aircraft, mishaps at sea, electrocution while on duty, etc.

Category ‘D’ – Death or disability, attributable to acts of violence by terrorists, anti-social elements, etc. whether in their performance of duties or otherwise. Apart from cases of death or injury sustained by personnel of the Central Police Organizations while employed in aid of the civil administration in quelling agitation, riots or revolt by demonstrators, other public servants including police personnel, etc., bomb blasts in public places or transport, indiscriminate shooting incidents in public, etc., would be covered under this category.

Category ‘E’ – Death or disability arising as a result of (a) attack by or during action against extremists, anti-social elements, etc… and (b) enemy action in international war or border skirmishes and warlike situations, including cases which are attributable to (I) extremists acts, exploding mines, etc…, while on way to an operational area (ii) kidnapping by extremists; and (iii) battle inoculation as part of training exercises with live ammunition. Cases covered under the Category (A) are covered under provisions of Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972. In cases covered under Categories (B), (C), (D) and (E), the scales of the family pension or disability pension shall be as under:-

1. Family Pension – for Categories ‘B’ and ‘C’

(1) Distinction between widows without children or those with children, for determination of the quantum of extraordinary family pension stand abolished. The quantum of monthly extraordinary family pension for all categories of widows shall be:(

a) where the deceased Government servant was not holding a pensionable post: 40% of basic pay subject to a minimum of Rs.4,550.

(b) where the deceased Government servant was holding a pensionable post: 60% of basic pay subject to a minimum of Rs. 7,000.

(2) In case where the widow dies or remarries, the children shall be paid family pension at the rates mentioned at (a) or (b) above, as applicable, and the same rate shall also apply to fatherless or motherless children and in the both cases, the family pension shall be paid to children for the period during which they would have been eligible for family pension under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 and the dependant parents shall be paid family pension at one-half the rate applicable to widows or fatherless or motherless children.

2. Family Pension for Categories ‘D’ and ‘E’

(1) If the Government servant is survived by the widow, she shall be entitled to family pension equal-to the pay last drawn by the deceased Government servant and the said family pension shall be admissible to her for life or until her re-marriage.

(2) In the event of remarriage of the widow, family pension shall be allowed at the rate of family pension and subject to the conditions laid down under the Central Civil Service (Pension) Rules, 1972 from the date following the date of her remarriage.

(3) In the event of remarriage of the widow and if the Government servant is not survived by widow but is survived by child or children only, all children together shall be eligible for family pension at the rate of 60% of basic pay, subject to a minimum of Rs. 7,000. The family pension shall be payable to the Children from the period during which they would have been eligible for family pension under the Centra Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972.

(4) When the Government servant dies a bachelor or as a widower without children, dependent pension shall be admissible to the parents without reference to pecuniary circumstances, at the rate of 75% of pay last drawn by the deceased Government servant for both parents and at the rate of 60% of pay last drawn by the deceased Government servant for a single parent and on the death of one parent dependent pension at the latter rate shall be admissible to the surviving parent.

(5) Where family pension or dependant pension is allowed under these rules, no other family pension or dependant pension shall be admissible under any other orders or rules in consideration of death of the same deceased government servant.

3. Disability Pension for Categories ‘B’ and ‘C’

(1) Normal pension @50% of the emoluments or average emoluments received during the last 10 months, whichever is beneficial to the Government servant and gratuity admissible under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, plus disability pension equal to 30% of basic pay, for 100% disability. There shall be no condition of minimum qualifying service having been actually rendered for earning pension, if otherwise due. No service gratuity shall be admissible.

(2) For lower percentage of disability, the monthly disability pension shall be proportionately lower subject to the provisions of rule 8 and subject to a minimum of Rs. 7,000.

4. Disability Pension for Category ‘D’

(1) Disability pension comprising a service element equal to the pension @5O% of the emoluments or average emoluments received during the last 10 months, whichever is beneficial to the Government servant and gratuity to which the employee would have been entitled to on the basis of his pay on the date of invalidation but counting service up to the date on which he would have retired in the normal course and disability element equal in amount to normal family pension and there shall be no condition of minimum qualifying service having been actually rendered for earning pension, if otherwise due.

(2) For lower percentage of disability, the disability element shall be proportionately lower subject to rule 8.

5. Disability Pension for Category ‘E’

(1) Disability pension comprising a service element equal to the pension @50% of the emoluments or average emoluments received during the last 10 months, whichever is beneficial to the Government servant and gratuity to which the employee would have been entitled to on the basis of his pay on the date of invalidation but counting service up to the date on which he would have retired in normal course and disability element equal in amount to the pay last drawn in case of 100% disability. There shall be no upper limit of the ‘pay last drawn’, i.e. the aggregate of the service and disability elements of pension may exceed the ‘pay last drawn’ and there shall be no condition of minimum qualifying service having been actually rendered for earning pension, if otherwise due.

(2) For lower percentage of disability, the disability element shall be proportionately lower subject to rule 8.

6. Additional benefits under the Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923 for Categories ‘D’ and ‘E’

The Government servants governed by the provisions of the Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923, (VIII of 1923) shall also be eligible for the awards under this rule. Where the benefit admissible under this rule is more than the benefits admissible under the Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923, (VIII of 1923) the compensation admissible under the said Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923, shall not be separately payable. However, if the sum admissible under this rule is less than the amount payable as compensation under

(i) the Personal Injuries (Emergency Provision) Act, 1962, (59 of 1962) as amended by the Personal Injuries (Emergency Provision) Amendment Act, 1971, (74 of 1971) and (ii) the Personal Injuries (Compensation Insurance) Act, 1963, (37 of 1963) as amended by the Personal Injuries (Compensation Insurance) Amendment Act, 1971, (75 of 1971) they shall have a right to receive an amount equal to the difference between the sum admissible under this rule and the amount of compensation payable under the said Acts. For the purpose of determining such difference, the latter amount shall be converted, if necessary, into a recurring monthly payment as in the following illustration, by applying the table given below. —

Illustration

Suppose the lump sum amount is Rs. 2,437 and the age last birthday of the beneficiary is 43 years. The factor given in Column (2) against age 43 of the table enclosed is 0.00652957. The equated monthly installment will be equal to 2,437 x 0.00652957, i.e., Rs. 15.91 (rounded to the nearest paisa).

Table showing the equated monthly installments payable for life in sum payment of Re. 1 (One rupee) due at ages shown in col. (1).

Age last birthday of the beneficiary on the date of death of the employee(x)(1)Equated monthly installment for a lump sum payment of one of rupee due at age (x) the last birthday of the beneficiary (Rupee)(2)Age last birthday of beneficiary on the date of death of the employee(x)(1)Equated monthly installment for a lump sum payment of one of rupee due at age (x) the last birthday of the beneficiary(Rupee)(2)
15.0047173246.00685763
16.0047524247.00697478
17.0047891148.00709629
18.0048260449.00722304
19.0048617050.00735539
20.00489705
21.0049342551.00749383
22.0049737052.00763891
23.0050155153.00779068
24.0050598654.00794944
25.0051071155.00811588
26.0051573556.00828975
27.0052104457.00847108
28.0052664858.00866105
29.0053258859.00885957
30.0053887960.00906678
31.0054553261.00928264
32.0055258662.00950790
33.0056006963.00974405
34.0056798264.00999134
35.0057631965.01024980
36.0058500866.01051930
37.0059398367.01080167
38.0060323968.01109777
39.0061273769.01140868
40.0062248370.01173582
41.0063246371.01207896
42.0064261572.01243851
43.0065295773.01281669
44.0066355874.01321462
45.0067446975.01363359”;

(xll). Schedule Ill shall be omitted.

[F. No. 33/2/2010-P & PW (F)]

TRIPTI P. GHOSH, Director

Note: The Central Civil Services (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 1939 and these rules are subsequently /amended vide:

1. S.O. No.3392 dated 13th December, 1974

2. S.O. No.1487(E) dated 30 December, 2003


NOTIFICATION ORIGINAL

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

MASSIVE DEMONSTRATION IN FRONT OF DAK BHAWAN, NEW DELHI

Wednesday 20 April 2011

MASSIVE DEMONSTRATION IN FRONT OF DAK BHAWAN, NEW DELHI

CHARTER OF DEMANDS SUBMITTED TO SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF POSTS INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 5TH JULY 2011

As per the call given by the Central JCA (NFPE, FNPO & GDS Unions) a massive demonstration took place in front of Postal Directorate (Dak Bhawan) New Delhi today (20.04.2011). About 1000 Postal & RMS Employees from Delhi Circle participated in the demonstration. After the demonstration a meeting was held in front of Dak Bhawan. Com. D. Kishan Rao, General Secretary, PIII FNPO welcomed the gathering. Com. K. V. Sridharan, General Secretary, P3, NFPE & Leader JCM (Staff Side) presided over the meeting. Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE, Com. D. Theagarajan, Secretary General, FNPO, Com. Giriraj Singh, General Secretary, R3 , NFPE, Com. Ishwar Singh Dabas, General Secretary, P4, NFPE, Com. Pranab Bhattacharjee, General Secretary, Admn. NFPE Com. P. Suresh, General Secretary, R4, NFPE, Com. A. H. Siddique, General Secretary, R4, FNPO Com. Chawan, Dy. General Secretary, Postal Accounts, Com. Rajender Diwakar, Treasurer CHQ GDS addressed the meeting. Com. R. N. Parashar, Asst. Secretary General, NFPE offered vote of thanks.

After the demonstration and meeting, the JCA leaders submitted the joint memorandum to the Secretary, Department of Posts.

CENTRAL JCA MEETING HELD ON 20.04.2011

INTENSIVE CAMPAIGN PROGRAMME PLANNED

JOINT ALL INDIA CONVENTION OF CIRCLE SECRETARIES (NFPE, FNPO, GDS UNIONS)

AT CHENNAI ON 19.06.2011

As decided in the last meeting, the Central JCA met today (20.04.2011) at New Delhi and reviewed the preparations so far made for making the agitational programmes a grand success. JCA leaders are very much impressed with the large scale participation of employees in the demonstration held in front of Dak Bhawan on 20.04.2011. The Central JCA congratulated the employees of Delhi Circle for making the programme a grand success. JCA also congratulated the Postal & RMS employees including GDS through out the country for effectively implementing the programme of demonstration and submission of memorandum programme in all circles and Divisions.

After detailed discussion the Central JCA decided to intensify the campaign programmes by reaching out to each and every employee. The following decisions are taken.

1. The strike from July 5th will be indefinite.

2. Under no circumstances the strike will be deferred or withdrawn, unless a favourable settlement on major demands takes place, especially on policy offensives.

3. Joint State/Circle level convention of Divisional secretaries of JCA (NFPE, FNPO, GDS Unions) will be held in the month of May 2011. Dates of the Circle level conventions finalized will be published in the websites within two days.

4. An All India Joint convention of all Circle Secretaries of NFPE, FNPO and GDS Unions of all Circles will be held at Chennai (Tamilnadu) on 19.06.2011 (19th June 2011) Sunday. All Circle Secretaries should attend the All India convention without fail. Up and down tickets should be booked immediately. Delegate fee is Rs.600/- (Rs. Six hundred only) per head. The Reception Committee will make all arrangements for one day stay (accommodation) and food. Com. D. Theagarajan, Secretary General FNPO and Com. K. V. Sridharan, General Secretary P3 NFPE and Leader JCM staff side will be in charge of the reception committee.

5. All out effort should be made by all Circle/Divisional Secretaries to make the 25th May 2011 mass Dharna a grand success. Similarly the joint Circle Conventions should also be made grand success by the JCA leaders.

REVISION OF STITCHING CHARGES

F.No. 141 1/2010-JCA2
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel 86 Training)

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 18th April, 2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Revision of Stitching Charges.

The undersigned is directed to say that based on a demand raised by the Staff Side, in National Council (JCM), the question of revising the Stitching Charges of Uniforms, supplied to Common Categories of employees (Multi-Tasking Staff – erstwhile Group ‘D’ posts of Peon, Daftry, Jamadar, Junior Gestetner Operator, Frash, Chowkidar, Safaiwala, Mali etc. and Staff Car Drivers, Dispatch Riders etc.) in the Central Secretariat and its Attached and Subordinate Offices, has been examined in consultation with the Ministry of Finance. Consequently, it has been decided to enhance the rates of stitching charges, with effect from 1st April, 2011 thereby modifying the earlier instructions issued vide this Ministry’s O.M. No. 14/3/2006-JCA dated 28th September, 2006.

2. The revised rates of stitching charges, with effect from 1st April, 2011, will be as under:-

Winter
(1)Buttoned-up-coat and pantRs.750 /-
(2)Over Coat for Staff Car DriversRs.600 /-
(3)Ladies half-coatRs.600 /-
Summer
(4)Pant (Terricot)Rs.135 /-
(5)Bush Shirt (Polyvastra)Rs. 60 /-
(6)BlouseRs.45 /-
(7)PetticoatRs.30 /-
(8)Salwar KameezRs.90 /-
Protective clothing [for Mails / Bhisties]
(9)PyjamaRs.24 /-
(10)Short (Half-Pant)Rs.60 /-
(11)Shirt (Cotton)Rs.45 /-

3. It may please be noted that the reimbursement of Stitching charges at the prescribed format should be done only after the stitched uniforms are produced and are duly stamped, with indelible ink, at an appropriate place on the wrong side of the stitched dress, for identification. A proper record and procedure should be evolved to ensure that the employees produce the stitched uniforms within a reasonable period (say one month) after the cloth is supplied to them.

4. This issues with the concurrence of Department of Expenditure vide ID No. 5(1)/E.I1(A)/2009 dated 08.04.201 1.

Hindi version will follow.

(DINESH KAPILA)

Director (JCA)

Original copy

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

DATE OF POLL DECLARED AS PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN WEST BENGAL

DATE OF POLL DECLARED AS PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN WEST BENGAL

Press-Release Published On: 11.04.2011

On account of the General Election to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2011 scheduled to be held in six phases in the State the following days [day of poll] shall be a public holiday under N.I.Act for the offices located in the districts / part of the districts and the Assembly Constituencies indicated against each.

PHASE
NO.

NAME OF DISTRICTS WHERE ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD

NO.OF ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCIES

DATE OF POLL

1.

Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur and
Malda.

1 to 54

18-04-2011 [Monday]

2.

Murshidabad, Nadia & Birbhum

55 to 93, 284 to 294

23-04-2011 [Saturday] (For those State Govt. Offices where Saturday is not a holiday).

3.

North 24-Parganas, South 24-Parganas, Kolkata South and Kolkata North.

94 to 168

27-04-2011 [Wednesday]

4.

Howrah, Hooghly, Purbo Medinipur and part of Burdwan.

169 to 218, 260, 262 to 273.

03-05-2011 [Tuesday]

5.

Part of Paschim Medinipur, Part of Purulia, part of Bankura and part of Burdwan.

219, 223 to 232, 235, 242 to 248, 252 to 259, 261, 274 to 283.

07-05-11 [Saturday] (For those State Govt. Offices where Saturday is not a holiday).

6.

Part of Paschim Medinipur, part of Purulia & part of Bankura.

220to222, 233,234, 236 to 241, 249 to 251

10-05-2011 [Tuesday]