Decrease in number of Group "C" & "D" staff: Lok Sabha Q&A

Decrease in number of Group "C" & "D" staff: Lok Sabha Q&A

(a) As per extant guidelines/rules it is for the concerned Government

 Departments to take action regarding filling up vacancies arising within

 their departments. If a post is held in abeyance or remains unfilled for

 one year or more, it is deemed as abolished. Such vacancies are revived

 with the approval of the competent authority.

(b) & (c): As per the latest information available, the estimated number

 of Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D regular Central Government

 Civilian employees (including UTs) during the last three years is as follows;

As on	A	B	C	D
01.03.2011	87410	205523	2856347	-
01.03.2010	86534	184631	2860477	-
01.03.2009	82008	160126	2135283	786987

After implementation of the 6 CPC, erstwhile Group D posts have

 been categorised as Group C.

Above information was submitted by the Minister of State in 

the Ministry of Finance Shri Namo Narain Meena in reply of

 undermentioned Lok Sabha questions:-

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF  FINANCE

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO 1647

ANSWERED ON  22.08.2012

DECREASE IN NUMBER OF SUBORDINATE STAFF

1647 . Shri M. ANJAN KUMAR YADAV
YASHBANT NARAYAN SINGH LAGURI
Will the Minister of FINANCE  be pleased to state:-
(a) The details of extent guidelines and rules on the matter

 of filling up vacancies in Government Department;
(b) whether the number of subordinate staff is decreasing vis-a vis

 group `A` and `B` employees; and
(c) If so, the details thereof for the last three years and the current 

year and the reaction of the Government thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)
** see above **


AND
Same query was also raised last year in Lok Sabha and the 

Same Minister was replied as under:-


As per the information available, the estimated number of 

Group C and Group D regular Central Government Civilian employees

 during the last five years is as follows;

Year Group C Group D
2009-10 2860477# -
2008-09 2135283 786987
2007-08 2131284 823317
2006-07 2115048 831188
2005-06 2111024 833868

# After implementation of the 6th CPC, erstwhile Group `D`

 posts have been categorized as Group `C`.

All Ministries/ Departments are required to review their vacancies

 vis-a-vis the work load regularly and take necessary steps in the 

light of such reviews. There is provision for filling up vacancies by

 Government Departments as per their requirements subject to 

extant guidelines and rules on the matter.

The question details of above reply:-

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 703 ANSWERED ON  25.11.2011

DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CLASS III AND CLASS IV EMPLOYEES

703 . Shri YASHBANT NARAYAN SINGH LAGURI
GORAKH PRASAD JAISWAL

Will the Minister of FINANCE  be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the number of class III and class IV employees of the Central

 Government is gradually decreasing in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government

 thereto alongwith the reasons therefor;
(c) whether Governmental work is delayed inordinately due

 to decline in number of officials in these categories;
(d) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(e) the remedial measures taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (E&FS) SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA

(a) to (e) ** see above **


Source: Lok Sabha Q&A

Seventh Pay Commission for Central Government Employees

Seventh Pay Commission for Central Government Employees

The early constitution of Seventh Pay Commission is major demand of Confederation. 

 A massive rally organized by Confederation on 26th July, 2012 [click here to see

 full capture of rally] with a call of one day token strike on 12th December.

The similar matter is also pending in current 226th session of Rajya Sabha.

 The following questions  on setting up of Seventh Pay Commission from Shri Balwinder

 Singh, Member of Parliament was  scheduled to answer from Finance Ministry on

 9th August   is still pending:-

(a) whether Government intends to constitute the Seventh Pay Commission for the

       Central Government employees;

(b) if so, by when;

(c) whether the Thirteenth Finance Commission has also recommended for an increase

       in pay of Central Government employees from the future date; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

Expected DA upto 81% from January, 2013 on September, 2012 AICPI-IW index

Expected DA upto 81% from January, 2013 on September, 2012 AICPI-IW index

Expectation of future Dearness Allowance from January, 2013 on the basis of 2 points jump in CPI-IW for the month of August, 2012 and 1 point jump in September, 2012 giving expectation for DA  80% or more from January 2013.
All India Consumer Price Index Number [http://labourbureau.nic.in/indtab.html] for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) on base 2001=100 for September, 2012 showing increase in 1 point and stood at 215 (Two hundred and fifteen).

Expectation-1
 If we expect only 1 point increase in this index for every month the Dearness Allowance for Central Government Employee will touch 80% in January, 2013.  In view of increased LPG & Diesel price etc. we expect more monthly increase in Index and similarly in future DA.  Please go through the following calculation:-

Expected Dearness Allowance DA for Jan, 2013 calculated as under:

Dearness Allowance = (Avg of AICPI for the past 12 months - 115.76)*100/115.76

Month	Base Year 2001 = 100	Total of 12 Months	Twelve monthly Average	% increase over 115.76 for   DA	DA announced or will be announced
Dec-11	197	2298	191.50	65.43%	65%
Jan-12	198	2308	192.33	66.15%
Feb-12	199	2322	193.50	67.16%	72%
Mar-12	201	2338	194.83	68.31%
Apr-12	205	2357	196.42	69.68%
May-12	206	2376	198.00	71.04%
Jun-12	208	2395	199.58	72.41%
Jul-12	212	2414	201.17	73.78%
Aug-12	214	2434	202.83	75.22%	80%
Sep-12	215	2452	204.33	76.51%
Oct-12	216	2470	205.83	77.81%
Nov-12	217	2488	207.33	79.11%
Dec-12	218	2509	209.08	80.62%
Jan-13	Expected DA from January, 2013

Expectation-2

 If we expect 2 point increase in this index for every month the Dearness Allowance for Central Government Employee will exceed 80% in January, 2013.  In view of increased LPG & Diesel price etc. we expect more monthly increase in Index and similarly in future DA.  Please go through the following calculation:-

Expected Dearness Allowance DA for Jan, 2013 calculated as under:

Dearness Allowance = (Avg of AICPI for the past 12 months - 115.76)*100/115.76

Aug-12	214	2434	202.83	75.22%	81%
Sep-12	215	2452	204.33	76.51%
Oct-12	217	2471	205.92	77.88%
Nov-12	219	2491	207.58	79.32%
Dec-12	222	2516	209.67	81.12%
Jan-13	Expected DA from January, 2013

Hence, it is also clear that expectation of increase in DA from January, 2013 will not cross 9%.

Permission for treatment / investigations in respect of CGHS beneficiaries availing treatment for Diabetes, Hypertension & other Cardiac Diseases, Dialysis and Cancer.

Permission for treatment / investigations in respect of CGHS beneficiaries availing treatment for Diabetes, Hypertension & other Cardiac Diseases, Dialysis and Cancer.

                                                         Government of India
                                              Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
                                         Department of Health & Family Welfare
                                                   Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi
                                                                                                            Dated the 1st October, 2012
S-11045/40 12012/CGHS/HEC/CGHS(P)

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Permission for treatment / investigations in respect of CGHS beneficiaries availing treatment for Diabetes, Hypertension & other Cardiac Diseases, Dialysis and Cancer.

The undersigned is directed to refer to the subject mentioned above and to state that at present the CGHS beneficiaries undergoing treatment for Diabetes, Hypertension & other Cardiac Diseases, Dialysis and Cancer require repeated investigations / treatment procedures over a period of time and as per the existing guidelines they are required to procure permission every time to get the prescribed treatment / investigations done at CGHS empanelled hospitals / diagnostic centres.

2. With a view to alleviate the inconvenience to CGHS beneficiaries in obtaining the requisite permission(s) every time, this Ministry has decided to permit issue of permission (referral) letters by competent authorities with a validity of six months from the date of issue of the original prescription for undergoing the prescribed treatment /investigation procedures to be conducted at the prescribed intervals over a period of six months as advised by a Government Specialist. The same permission (referral) letter shall be valid for undergoing the prescribed treatment procedures / investigations on multiple times during the six months, at intervals as advised by the Government Specialist.

                                                                                                                                                     Sd/-
                                                                                                                                               [V.P.Singh]
          http://msotransparent.nic.in/writereaddata/cghsdata/mainlinkfile/File538.pdf                                                                                          Deputy Secretary to Government of India

CONFEDERATION ENDORSES MOVEMENT LAUNCHED BY THE WORLD FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS ON FIVE BASIC ISSUES FOR HUMAN EXISTENCE

   CONFEDERATION CIRCULAR NO. 15  DATED 03rd  SEPTEMBER,  

Conf/ 15/2012                                                                                Dated: 3^rd September, 2012

Dear Comrade,

                The Word Federation of Trade Unions was founded in a Conference held at Paris from 3^rd to 8^th October, 1945. It had its deepest crisis when the socialist system collapsed in the erstwhile USSR.  The 15^th Congress of WFTU was held at Havana in 2005.  The said Congress helped to revive the active functioning of the WFTU.  The 16^th Congress was held at Athens, Greece in April, 2011.  It was a grand success and paved way for the WFTU to become a potent organisation to lead the international working class to militant struggles against the Globalisation agenda of capitalist system.  One of the decisions taken at the Congress was to observe the international day of action every year to unite the working class throughout the world for action on certain important contemporary class issues.  Ist April, 2009 was thus observed as international day of action to raise the issue of workers right and against exploitation.  On 7^thSeptember, 2010, when the Indian Working Class organised the greatest ever strike action under the auspices of the united platform of all Central Trade Unions and Federations, the day was observed by WFTU with the slogan that "We will not pay for their crisis".  It was in the background when most of the capitalist countries decided to bail out the giant corporate houses from crisis by tax payers' money.  In 2011 the day was observed on 3^rd October  i.e. the foundation day of WFTU and the slogan raised was "Social Security for all, collective bargaining rights, trade union rights and democratic rights, 35 hours of work and 5 day week, better wages etc.

                The Confederation had been carrying out this directive of the WFTU being an affiliate of the TUI, public Services.  In the face of the pension fund privatisation and the PFRDA Bill, the slogan for social security for all raised by the WFTU received appreciation from the rank and file of our membership. The other issues raised by the WFTU were also equally relevant and important for the Government employees of India for they are still denied the right to collective bargaining and other trade union rights.  India, we should remember, is one of the countries of the world, which has still not ratified many of the ILO conventions. 

                This year, the WFTU has decided to raise the following five issues which are of utmost and essential pre requisite for human existence.   i.e. Food, Water, health, Education and Housing for all. Both the CITU and AITUC which are affiliated to the WFTU will be organising this programme throughout our country on 3^rd October, 2012.  As an affiliate of TUI Public Services, it is our bounden duty that we observe 3^rd October, 2012, with appropriate programmes so that the message reaches all our members.

                The State Committees may chalk out either independent programme of action or hold joint programmes in consultation and association with the State Units of the All India State Government employees Federations, CITU or AITUC.

Yours fraternally,

K.K.N. Kutty

Secretary General.

D A ORDERS RAISING DA FROM 65% TO 72% ISSUED

CLICK HERE FOR ORDERS

15 years after SC order, babus hold on to tribunals

  New Delhi, September 26, 2012(TNN): Over 15 years ago, the Supreme Court had said that tribunals should be free from direct administrative control of various ministries but the highest court’s advice has remained on paper as key ministries are reluctant to lose their tribunals to the supervision of an autonomous umbrella body.

“The department of justice prepared a proposal for creation of a Central Tribunal Division and sought comments of the 24 ministries/departments having administrative control of 62 tribunals/authorities. Of the 24 ministries/departments, 10 opposed it, four supported it and eight conveyed conditional concurrence,” the law ministry said in an affidavit.

Faced with persistent queries from a bench of Justices G S Singhvi and S J Mukhopadhaya on efforts made to make the tribunals functional in letter and spirit, the Centre said to overcome divergent views, it has set up an inter-ministerial group (IMG) “to discuss the feasibility of having central level agency for exercising administrative control over the quasi-judicial bodies (read tribunals)”.

The first meeting of the IMG was held on September 13 in which department of revenue did not favour setting up of Common Tribunal Division (CTD). Likewise, ministries of corporate affairs, power, petroleum & natural gas and commerce too said the tribunals under them functioned for a specific purpose and selection of the chairperson and members was a specialized task having no parallel to other tribunals.

The law ministry, in its affidavit, said, “It was impressed upon the participants in the September 13 meeting that there is urgency in the matter and the need for finding a common ground for way forward. The IMG members have been requested to consider four proposals – to devise uniformity for those tribunals performing quasi-judicial functions, possible uniformity in appointment of chairman/members of the tribunals, need for uniform terms and conditions of service and mechanism for monitoring the performance of the tribunals as well as to look into complaints of corruption and misconduct.”

The SC’s 1997 judgment in L Chandra Kumar case had unambiguously said, “We are of the view that, until a wholly independent agency for administration of all such tribunals can be set up, it is desirable that all such tribunals should be, as far as possible, under a single nodal ministry which will be in a position to oversee the working of these tribunals. For a number of reasons, that ministry should appropriately be the ministry of law.”

The law ministry said the court’s 15-year-old suggestion was considered by the government but “the concerned ministries where the tribunals are functional have been resisting the creation of a centralized agency in the law ministry on the ground that each tribunal is set up for certain specific objective pertaining to a subject matter dealt with by that ministry”.

It said the chairman and members of these tribunals — like Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, , Employees Provident Fund Appellate Tribunal, Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal, Film Certification Appellate Tribunal, Appellate Tribunal for Foreign Exchange, Appellate Tribunal For Prevention of Money Laundering Act, Securities Appellate Tribunal, Railways Claims Tribunal and Railways Rates Tribunal – were drawn from various sources with the specific background, knowledge and experience required for that tribunal.

“These tribunals do not have identical arrangements and have officers of different backgrounds with subject knowledge. Thus, there is no uniformity in manning of the tribunals at the chairman/member level,” it said.

However, the government’s effort had been to formulate a uniform policy for appointment of chairpersons and members of various tribunals covering age, tenure and other conditions of appointment, it said but lamented that there had been no consensus on it among the ministries.

CABINET APPROVES 7% HIKE IN DEARNESS ALLOWANCE FOR CENTRAL STAFF...

Monday, September 24, 2012

CABINET APPROVES 7% HIKE IN DEARNESS ALLOWANCE FOR CENTRAL STAFF...

CABINET APPROVES 7% HIKE IN DEARNESS ALLOWANCE FOR CENTRAL STAFF...

UNION CABINET APPROVED A PROPOSAL TO HIKE ADDITIONAL DEARNESS ALLOWANCE BY 7% FOR CENTRAL STAFF AND CENTRAL PENSIONERS...

THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TODAY APPROVED A SEVEN PER CENT HIKE IN DEARNESS ALLOWANCE TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONERS, THIS HIKE IS TO BE EFFECTIVE RETROSPECTIVELY FROM JULY 2012...

THE DEARNESS ALLOWANCE AND DEARNESS RELIEF FOR CENTRAL GOVERNMENT SERVING EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONERS WILL INCREASE FROM 65% PER CENT OF BASIC EMOLUMENTS TO 72% PER CENT WITH EFFECT FROM 1.7.2012.

Clarification on the admissibility of House Rent Allowance (HRA) during the Child Care Leave (CCL) - Reg.

Clarification on the admissibility of House Rent Allowance (HRA) during the Child Care Leave (CCL) - Reg.

No. 2(9)12012-E.II(B)

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Expenditure

New Delhi, 27th August 2012

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject- Clarification on the admissibility of House Rent Allowance (HRA) during the Child Care Leave (CCL) - Reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to Para 6(a)(i) of this Ministry’s O.M.No.2(37)-E.II(B)/64 dated 27.11.1965, as amended from time to time, on regulation of House Rent Allowance during Leave which stipulates that a Government servant is entitled to draw HRA.....during total leave of all kinds not exceeding 180 days and the first 180 days of the leave if the actual duration of leave exceeds that period, but does not

 include terminal leave, ..... It has also been stipulated, thereunder, that drawal of the allowance (HRA) during the period of leave in excess of first 180 day availed of on grounds other than medical grounds mentioned in sub-para (ii), shall be subject to furnishing of the certificate prescribed in Para 8(d) of the O.M. ibid.

2. This Ministry has been receiving representations from the female employees that certain Central Government Ministries / Department / Establishments are not allowing HRA during the Child Care Leave (CCL), especially when taken in continuation of Maternity Leave of 180 days. The reason for their reluctance may be the fact that CCL has been first introduced on the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission, though the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), vide their O.M .No 13018/1/2010-Estt.(Leave) dated 07.09.2010 inter-alia, reiterated that the leave (CCL) is to be treated like Earned Leave and sanctioned as such.

3. It is, therefore, clarified that the ‘total leave of all kinds’ as referred to in Para 6(a) of this Ministry’s OM dated 27.1.65 ibid, will include Child Care Leave for regulating grant of HRA during leave, subject to fulfiment of all other conditions stipulated thereuder, from time to time. It is also clarified that drawal of HRA during leave (including CCL) in excess of first 180 days, if otherwise admissible, shall be subject to furnishing of the certificate prescribed in Para 8(d).

4. These orders take effect from 01.09.2008. HRA during CCL, if not paid to women employees who are entitled to it as per this clarification, may be reconsidered, if so requested by the concerned employee.

5. Hindi version is also attached.

sd/-

(Anil Sharma)

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source: www.finmin.nic.in
[http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_expenditure/notification/hra_cca/HRA_Clarif_onCCL.pdf]

Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) for the Central Government Civilian Employees

A-11014/6/2012-EC.VI/832
Government of India
Directorate General
Central Public Works department

Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi,
Dated 21st August,2012

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) for the Central Government Civilian Employees.
Reference is invited to this Directorate Circular of even No dated 26th July, 2012 on the above mentioned subject. It has been further decided that MACPS scheme in the cadre of JEs of CPWD may please be kept in abeyance till further orders.

sd/-
(SURESH CHANDRA)
Dy. Director(Admn.)

Source: www.cpwd.gov.in

PERFORMANCE OF CGHS

August 26, 2012 By admin 

Health & Family Welfare Minister Shri.Ghulam Nabi Azad replied in Lok Sabha to the question of what action taken by the Government, whether complaints have been received about the dissatisfaction of a large number of Central Government Employees with the services provided by the Government under the Central Government Health Scheme.

PERFORMANCE OF CGHS

While CGHS endeavors to provide best possible health care facilities to the large number of beneficiaries consulting / visiting CGHS Wellness Centres (approx. 1.2 Crore during the last one year), some complaints are received about unsatisfactory services.

The dissatisfaction relates to shortage of doctors and other manpower resulting in waiting period before consulting doctors, issue of medicines, delay in settlement of medical claims of pensioners, issue of medicines of specific brand, reimbursement at CGHS rates for the treatment taken from unrecognized hospitals, overcharging by empanelled hospitals, opening of new dispensaries, etc.

Government has been receiving increased budgetary support over the last few years to take care of CGHS beneficiaries.

Government has undertaken several steps to improve the functioning of CGHS. These include:

• Computerization to improve better inventory management and availability of medicines at CGHS Wellness Centres. Based on computer data, 272 commonly indented medicines are procured from manufacturers at discounted rates and make them available at Wellness Centres.
• Portability of CGHS cards at any dispensary all over the country.
• Issue of medicines for three months in cases of chronic illnesses.
• Appointment of Medical officers on contract basis as an interim measure to tide over shortage of doctors.
• Receipt of medical claims of pensioners at Dispensary level and proper verification of documents by CMO i/c to ensure that all required documents are submitted.
• Enhancement of financial powers of Addl. Directors upto Rs.5 Lakhs for speedy settlement of medical claims of pensioners.
• Regular meetings undertaken by Addl. Directors with CMOs i/c to ensure smooth functioning of Wellness Centres for better delivery of services.
• Reimbursement from two sources – i.e., from CGHS as well as medical insurance in respect of beneficiaries holding mediclaim policies.
• Formation of Standing Technical Committees for examination of requests for full reimbursement.
• Settlement of hospital bills of empanelled hospitals and diagnostic centres through UTI-ITSL for early settlement of claims to ensure that the empanelled hospitals provide credit facility to pensioners , etc.,
• Pensioner CGHS beneficiaries residing in non-CGHS areas are permitted to avail IPD and follow up treatment from CS (MA)/ ECHS empanelled hospitals with prior permission from CGHS.

Babus retirement age set to go up

March 6: The top two officials in the state administration, chief secretary, Mr S.V. Prasad, and the director-general of police, Mr K. Aravinda Rao, will benefit from the Centre’s decision to set the retirement age for civil servants at 62 years from the present 60 years. Mr Aravinda Rao was due to retire in June and the chief secretary in September.
Sources told this newspaper that the Cabinet subcommittee of the Union government gave its nod for enhancing the retirement age, and orders amending the service rules are expected much before the retirement of the two officials. The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, was keen to enhance the retirement age of bureaucrats.
Sources said that though the proposal is ready for implementation, there will be a few months’ delay because the government wants to make Mr Pulok Chatterjee the new Cabinet secretary at the Centre and prefers to wait for bureaucrats senior to him to retire before it makes the announcement.
Mr Chatterjee had earlier worked with the UPA chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, and is considered a natural choice to take over from the incumbent Mr K.M. Chandrasekhar. “There are a few bureaucrats senior to Mr Chatterjee and the Centre will wait for their retirement in April,” explained a senior official.
Back here in the state, the government will be keen to retain the services of Mr Prasad and Mr Aravinda Rao who have proved to be assets when the state is passing through turbulent times. The former chief minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, appointed the two officials to the top posts and his successor Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy did not make any changes. Another senior bureaucrat, Ms Janaki Kondapi, will also benefit from the change in the new retirement age as she is due for retirement in the next few months.

Railway authorities allow change in the name of passenger holding confirmed reservation

Railway authorities allow change in the name of passenger holding confirmed reservation

The below information was given by the Minister of State for Railways, Shri Bharatsinh Solanki in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on 17.8.2012 regarding the subject of change in the name of passengers in reservation tickets…

Railway authorities allow change in the name of passenger holding confirmed reservation

Passengers (Change of Names) Rules, 1990 restrict the facility of change of name by any passenger having a berth/seat reserved in his/her name to five conditions i.e. Government servant proceeding on duty, family member, students of a recognized Government institution, cadet of National Cadet Corps(NCC) & marriage party.

With a view to prevent the misuse of this facility, detailed procedure has been advised to all Zonal Railways which, inter- alia, stipulates for granting of this permission generally by a gazetted officer on production of the specified supporting documents, maintaining of record of such permission and inspection of this record periodically.

Change of name facility is not permitted on Tatkal scheme.

No complaint regarding misuse of this facility has been reported in 2012-13.

There is no proposal at present to review this scheme.

 

Govt to introduce bill for quota to SC/STs in promotions on August 22

 Ministry for Labour  Add comments

Aug 09,2012

 NEW DELHI: After repeated adjournments in Rajya Sabha and turmoil in Lok Sabha, government on Thursday agreed to members’ demand for bringing a Constitution amendment bill for reservation in promotion of SCs and STs in state jobs.

Minister of state for PMO V Narayansamy informed the Upper House that a bill will be brought in this regard on August 22 after an all-party meeting, which will discuss the issue on August 21.

“The Prime Minister will call a meeting of leaders of all political parties on 21st of this month to discuss the issue of SC/ST reservation. This has been the demand of the honourbale members. On August 22, the government will be able to bring the bill in the House,” Narayanasamy said bringing the uproar over the issue to an end.

The announcement came after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh talked to the members including BSP chief Mayawati on the issue in the House when it was adjourned for 15 minutes.

In the Lok Sabha, SP and BSP members trooped to the Well as soon as the House met for the day demanding reservation for SC/STs in promotions in government jobs.

With members refusing to relent, Speaker Meira Kumar allowed some of them to speak.

TOI

Shailendra Kumar (SP) said there was fear in the minds of a number of SC/ST government employees on the lack of reservations in promotions.

Panna Lal Punia (Cong) said Parliament had given SC/ST persons the right to reservation in government jobs and five persons cannot take away this right.

Dara Singh Chauhan (BSP) demanded that the SC/ST employees should be granted reservation in promotion in government jobs immediately.

In the Rajya Sabha, BSP supremo Mayawati said government had promised during in the last session to call an all-party meeting to discuss quota in promotion for SC and ST persons, but the meeting did not take place.

New RTI appeal rules notified 

Aloke Tikku, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, August 08, 2012 

The government has notified a new set of rules for moving the Central Information Commission (CIC) against government departments, laying down the basic standards that the appeal will have to meet to be taken up. The new rules were notified by the Department of Personnel and Training 

(DoPT) at the request of the CIC that was grappling with incoherent and incomplete appeals.

Chief Information Commissioner Satyananda Mishra said the commission had not insisted on a format or content of an appeal in the initial phase since the implementation of the law was still in its infancy.

"But now that the number of RTI appeals has gone up, it has become extremely difficult for us to cope with incomplete, and sometimes illegible appeals," Mishra told Hindustan Times.

In the past, the CIC has accepted letters written to the commission as formal appeals and got around to putting together the necessary paperwork at its own initiative.

With nearly a million RTI applications filed annually, the proportion of appeals has also increased considerably. As the CIC, Mishra has about 1,233 pending appeals to deal with.

As a result of the backlog, a denial of information appeal would have to wait for about 8 to 12 months before the information commissioner can take up the case.

The new rules – notified on 31 July but yet not put in public domain by DoPT – not only lists the documents that would need to accompany an appeal but also lays down a format for the applications.

Deviation from the format would not be a ground for rejecting an appeal to ensure that the poor were not discriminated against.

But for the rest, "I think it is only fair to expect people to cooperate with us".