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Bank employees to go for strike today

Bank employees are planning to go on strike on December 16 during the Parliament Session against banking sector reforms such as privatisation of public sector banks (PSBs) and closure and merger of associate banks/other PSBs with State Bank of India. It is not for the first time that bank employees are going for such a move in the country, they have always opposed privatization and the government has heeded their demands and has always gone slow in the privatization efforts. All India Bank Employees Association and the All India Bank Officers Association, which called for the strike, said bank employees and officers in public sector banks, private banks and foreign banks will observe an all-India strike on December 16

Return of Medals by Ex-servicemen and officers

Retired soldiers and officers have returned their medals during last few years. Nine cardboard boxes full of medals have been received. In protest against non-acceptance of their demands of ‘One Rank, One Pension’. Although the ‘One Rank One Pension’ demand has not been accepted, keeping in view the spirit of the matter, the committee constituted has recommended substantial improvement in pension of pre Jan 01, 2006 PBOR pensioners and bring pre October 10, 1997 pensioners on par with post October 10, 1997 pensioners This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri MM Pallam Raju in written reply to Shri Shivanand Tiwari and Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad in Rajya Sabha today.

8% DA Hike from January 2010

The information given below is only openion. Please dont take it for authenticated one. As per the figures available from Labour Bureau, Government of India ( http://labourbureau.nic.in/indtab.html ) it can be assumed that minimum of 8% DA hike can be assumed from January 2010, totaling 35% from current 27%. This is calculated assuming that the All India Consumer Price Index (AICPI) remains unchanged for November and December, which are yet to be announced. These figures for November and December 2009 will be announced on 31 Dec 2009 and 29 Jan 2010 respectively. Month Year Base Year 2001=100 Total Average App. DA DA May 2008 139 1613 – –

Bank wage arrears to be paid by Feb. 2010

The bank employees and officers will get a bonanza from the wage settlement arrived at on Friday between the bank unions and Indian Banks' Association (IBA). The Income Tax Department will also collect some amount as tax deducted at source (TDS) from the near Rs. 10,000 crore of wage arrears that are likely to be distributed in cash sometime in February next year, sources said. "It will take three months for us to finalize the settlement and implement it. The arrears for two years and three months (since November 2007) are likely to be disbursed in cash at one go," C.H.Venkatachalam, Convenor, United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), told Business Line. He also said that the annual average per capita increase for public sector bank officers would be Rs. 91,800 and in the case of workmen employees it would be Rs. 56,200. Just as the Sixth Pay Commission award for government employees had a positive impact on the economy and increased demand, the payment of arrears in cash t

SBI union rejects new wage pact, demand separate revision

The All-India State Bank Officers Federation (AISBOF) today rejected the proposed 17.5 per cent wage hike and pension benefits and demanded a separate wage revision for them. "We do not agree with the proposed salary hike for bank employees. The SBI employees demand that the increase should be at par with the salary of the Central government employees," AISBOF vice-president SK Haldar said here. The Indian Banks Association (IBA) and United Federation of Banking Unions (UFBU) representing nine bank employee associations had agreed to the wage hike and pension benefits after a prolonged discussion in Mumbai yesterday. Haldar, who was here to attend the zonal conference of the SBI Officers Association, said AISBOF will decide its future course of action on Tuesday. The three lakh SBI employees are ready for an indefinite strike to demand a separate wage revision at par with Central government employees, he added.

Encashment of earned leave alongwith LTC -Clarification

  NO. 1402812/2009-Estt.(L) GOVERNMENT OF INDIA Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions Department of Personnel & Training 2nd Floor, Loknayak Bhavan, Khan Market New Delhi, the 24th November, 2009 OFFICE MEMORANDUM Subject:- Encashment of earned leave alongwith LTC -Clarification The undersigned is directed to refer to DOP&T 0.M.No.310111412008-Estt.(A), dated 23rd September, 2008 allowing encashment of earned leave alongwith LTC and to say that various references are being received from MinistriesIDepartments with regard to the applicability of Rule 38-A of the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 to the Central Govt. employees. In this regard it is clarified that (1) Central Govt. employees governed by CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 who are entitled to LTC but opt for the facility of LTC provided to their spouses employed in PSUslCorporationlAutonomous Bodies etc. and (2) Central Govt. employees governed by CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 who are otherwise not en

Pre-97 RBI staffers may get less pension from next yr

For the 4,000-odd people who retired from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) before 1997 and are now in their 70s, the new year will not start on a happy note as they will see their pensions reduced from January. This is because of a government order that RBI has no power to update pension of its employees. This has been a bone of contention between the government and the central bank for the past one year. In 2003, RBI increased the pension of those who retired before 1997 by an administrative circular. The revision was based on pay drawn in 10 months prior to the retirement on a notional basis. However, in October last year, in an internal circular, the central bank said, “as advised by government of India,” the updated pension scheme is withdrawn with immediate effect. Protesting the move, the pensioners moved the Bombay High Court, which said they could represent to the government, which could dispose of the representation by a speaking order. The court said if the government or

Pay fixation on grant of non-functional scale to section officers of CSS

Regarding introuduction of Non Functional scale of RS 8000-275-13500 to section officers of central Secratariate Service (CSS) and to say that the matter relating to pay fixation on grant of non-functional scale to Section Officers of CSS subsequent to implementation of CCS (Revised Pay) Ruls, 2008 has been considered in the Departmental of Personnel and Training in consultation with the Department of Expenditure. It has been clarified by Estt.(Pay) Division vide their U.O. No. 5/2/09- Estt.( Pay-I) dated 17/09/09 that at the time of grant of non-functional upgradation to Section Officers belonging to CSS, their pay fixation may be done under Rule 13 of CCs (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 ie, they should be granted one increment @ 3% of their basic pay and to the figure so arrived at, the difference in grade pay [Rs. 5400 - Rs 4800 = Rs. 600] should be added. Further this dispensation may be implemented w.e.f 1-1-2006. http://persmin.nic.in/writedata/CircularNotification/ScanDocument/CSW

Pay scale of Pharmacists - Recommendation of the Fast Track Committee

While approving the Report of the Sixth Central Pay Commission, the Government referred the matter related to the demandsmade in regard to pay scales of certain common category posts of Pharmacists was one of the items referred to the Committee. The recommendation of the Fast Track Committee regarding the pay scales of the common category posts of Pharmacists has sincebeen reveived. The Committee has recommended that the entry grade of Pharmacists in Central Government should remain at grade pay of Rs.2800 in the pay band PB-1. However, on completion of 2 years service in the entry grade, all the incumbents should be granted non-functional upgradation to the next higher grade having grade pay of Rs.4200 in the pay band PB-1 The recommendation of the Fast Track Committee regarding the pay scale of Pharmacists has been considered by the Government and it has benn decided to accept the same. Accordingly, the following pay structure is approved for the common category posts of Pharma

Token strike by Navodaya Vidyalaya staff

For the first time in the 23- year history of Navodaya Vidyalayas, over 20,000 employees of 576 Vidyalayas spread across the country resorted to a nation-wide token strike on Monday in protest against the Central Government’s alleged reluctance in implementing pension scheme. All the employees, including the principals of the Vidyalayas, particiapted in the day-long strike. Raising the demand for a pension scheme, they launched an agitation on November 2. Over 6,000 employees took part in a Parliament march taken out on November 9. But following the government’s alleged neglect of their demand, the employees under the banner of the Joint Action Committee of Navodaya Vidyalaya Samithi Employees Association has decided to resort to a token strike. Central steering committee member T.P.Mani and other office-bearers of the action committee, Mary P.Mani, Muralidharan Nair and K.N.Shaji, said that they had intimated the government of their decision to launch an indefinite strike from Dec

GOWO (Government Officials’ Welfare Organisation) to provide affordable housing.

GOWO (Government Officials’ Welfare Organisation) is to provide low cost, mass & affordable housing measures to serving and retired government employees. Affordable Housing are available at :- Gurgaon - 29.9 Lakhs All inclusive Manali - 15 Lakhs Ranikhet - Plots 5 Lakhs, bungalows - 9.9 lakhs onwards Greater Noida - No Vacancy More at http://www.gowo.co.in/projects.html

New PSU bank staff to get NPS (New Pension Scheme)

All persons who join public sector banks on or after April 1, 2010 would come under the government’s new pension system (NPS). Public sector banks are set to hire 30,000-40,000 employees in the next two years, with about 35 per cent of the total staff set to retire by 2011. “All new recruits would come under the NPS, the move would also give a push to the new system,” a senior finance ministry official said on the condition of anonymity. Despite several incentives that were announced by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in the Union Budget, there have been few takers for the NPS. Trade unions have opposed the move to bring new employees under the NPS. “We are trying to find a solution,” CH Venkatachalam, general secretary, All India Bank Employees’ Association, told Hindustan Times. “We are holding talks with the government and the bank managements… to ensure that their rights are fully protected.” The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill needs to be reintro

No voluntary retirement can be allowed in absence of VRS: CAT

The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has held that a government employee cannot be granted voluntary retirement unless a scheme exists for the purpose. "In the absence of any VRS, neither any request for voluntary retirement can be made by an employee nor any such request can be given effect to by any employer," the tribunal said. The CAT, comprising members D P Sharma and N D Dayal, passed the order on the plea of M L Jain, Vice-President of Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) here, challenging the government's order to relieve him from service. In its ruling, the tribunal ordered reinstatement of the officer and directed the government to give all his benefits, including arrears and salary. Earlier, the government had transferred Jain to another city but he requested deferment of the order till the time of his daughter's marriage, a request which was pending. Jain then opted for voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) but later withdrew t

Employee Provident Fund Organisation proposes salary cap rise to Rs 10,000

The Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has sent a proposal to the labour ministry to increase the salary limit for paying employee provident fund (EPF) to Rs 10,000 from the current Rs 6,500. It has also proposed covering companies with a minimum of 10 employees under the Employee Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act (EPF & MP Act), 1952, against the present norm of a minimum of 20 employees. A source close to the development said: “The current norms in EPF & MP Act, 1952, results in millions of workers being left out of the EPFO regulations. Therefore, we have proposed to the government to raise the salary cap and to lower the limit on the worker count in an establishment to be covered by EPFO.” WIDER UMBRELLA * Current norms in EPF & MP Act, 1952, results in millions of workers being left out of the EPFO regulations * The organised labour sector comprises 300 million workers, of which only 40 million are covered under EPFO regulations

14 tax-free incomes for FY 2009-10

In a few months' time the taxman will coming knocking on your door. However, he cannot tax you on the following 14 important items of income and receipts, as they are fully exempt from income tax and which a resident individual Indian assessee can use with profit for the purpose of tax planning. 1. Agricultural income Under the provisions of Section 10(1) of the Income Tax Act, agricultural income is fully exempt from income tax. However, for individuals or HUFs when agricultural income is in excess of Rs 5,000, it is aggregated with the total income for the purposes of computing tax on the total income in a manner which results into "no" tax on agricultural income but an increased income tax on the other income. 2. Receipts from Hindu undivided family (HUF) Any sum received by an individual as a member of a Hindu undivided family, where the said sum has been paid out of the income of the family, or, in the case of an impartible estate, where such sum has been p

Govt staff to shed grey, tired look for chic

There is a silent transformation in government offices these days. The faded and often wrinkled work uniforms worn by some government employees are now being replaced by classier corporate workwear, thanks to new cloth sourcing norms by the government’s purchase departments. The Central Vigilance Commission office, a central regulatory authority, which decides on the rules and regulations for the government’s tendering process, has asked all public sector units, armed forces and state-governed bodies to insist on “composite mills” in their tenders for procuring any kind of textiles. Simply put, only composite mills — a textile facility where weaving, spinning and processing is integrated and done under a single roof — can bid for textile-related tenders. The advantage of such mills is that since the three crucial stages of making textiles happens under single roof, quality is consistent even in large-scale production. Whereas, in the case of power looms the production capacities

No Leave Travel Allowance For Employees Using Car For Transportation

Government has disclosed that it will not be sanctioning the Leave Travel Allowance for employees using cars, personal or taxi for transportation purposes. But there is an exemption for disabled employees or if any of the family members is disabled, who is the dependent of the employee. The central government employees can now avail LTA only by using Indian Railways or Air India and state transport corporation buses. According to the order from Department of Personnel, LTA will be sanctioned only for those journeys made in vehicles "operated by the government or any corporation in the public sector run by the Central government, state government or a local body". Even though the disabled have been exempted, medical certificate from the an experienced authority should be produced, along with the proof that the concerned person cannot use the mode specified by the government for travelling and the same can be only covered in car. Besides, such claim should not be more t

AI to pay salaries by Oct 31 after pilots warn of stir

With an impending stir threat by its pilots, Air India is likely to pay the September salaries of its employees in two days and incentives and allowances by November 10, airline sources said today. Talks were held with banks and financial institutions for working capital loans to arrange the amount for payment of salaries, productivity-linked incentives (PLIs) and flying allowances to the employees including pilots, they said. Sources also said the management of the cash-strapped airline was making all efforts to pay the dues of the employees very soon, including the salaries by October 31 and PLI and allowances by November 10. Talks with the banks were initiated after negotiations between executive pilots and their other colleagues in Mumbai over the past few days.

Questions & Answers: Related to the New Pension Scheme (NPS)

1. Whether a retiring Government servant is entitled for leave encashment after retirement under the NPS? The benefit of encashment of leave salary is not a part of the retirement benefits admissible under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972. It is payable in terms of CCS (Leave) Rules which will continue to be applicable to the government servants who join the government service on after 1-1-2004. Therefore, the benefit of encashment of leave salary payable to the governments/to their families on account of retirement/death will be admissible. 2. Why is it mandatory to use 40% of pension wealth to purchase the annuity at the time of the exit (i.e. after the age of 60 years) from NPS? This provision has been made in the New Pension Scheme with an intention that the retired government servants should get regular monthly income during their retired life. 3. Whether any minimum age or minimum service is required to quit from Tier-I? Exit from Tier-I can only tak

Government to release pay commission arrears

The government has decided to pay the second instalment of the Sixth Pay Commission arrears. "As in the case of the first instalment of the arrears, government servants would be permitted to deposit their arrears in their GPF (general provident fund) accounts," an internal finance ministry memorandum said. The first instalment of 40 percent was paid last fiscal. The finance ministry has not given any deadline for the payment of the second tranche, but sources said it would probably be paid around Diwali. According to official estimates, the arrears will cost the government Rs.29,373 crore. There are about 3.8 million central government pensioners (excluding armed forces) as estimated by the All India Central Government Pensioners Association (AICGPA). The revised pension scheme was implemented with retrospective effect from Jan 1, 2006.

Govt to review IIT faculty pay

With faculty from across the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) calling off lectures and threatening dire consequences like mass resignation, the Centre has sat up and promised to revisit the pay structure it formulated for IIT teachers. On Friday, HRD minister Kapil Sibal said his officials would take a look at the salary offered to faculty and rework the pay structure if need be. Sibal said the problem was that though at the entry level, IIT teachers get more salary, selection for the next promotion, unlike the UGC system where it is automatic, results in disparity. “We will look into it,” he said. On their part, IIT professors continued their protest. At IITMadras, faculty stayed away from classes on Friday and IIT-Bombay teachers refused to conduct lectures on Monday. The Union government recently announced pay scales for faculty at centrally-funded technical institutes but declared a salary structure lower than what was recommended by the Govardhan Mehta Committee, s

ORDNANCE MCM WILL GET RS.4200 GRADE PAY AT PAR WITH RAILWAYS MCM

The problem which started with 5 th CPC has been settled with the emergence of 6 th CPC. Ordnance-MCM who had been availing payment equivalent to Railway-MCM till 4 th CPC, after the establishment of 5 th CPC ceased to receive so. After 5 th CPC, Ordnance-MCM received pay range as Rs.4500-7000 , whereas Railways received pay range of Rs.5000-8000. The demand which started at that time has been rendered to action by the government at last. A Fast Track Committee was put into formation to solve the problem that arose for Railways MCM. Ordnance and Postal departments too joined the committee. The committee disscussed various issues at various time period. A condition was put forth that for the implementation of Rs.5000-8000 to Ordnance-MCM they have to accept the proposal of dividing Highly Skilled Grade into two segments. Having accepted the proposal the Ordnance MCM was granted their plea by the Government. As a goodwill of this, 50 percent of the Highly Skilled Grade (Rs.24

Railways to pay 75 days Productivity-linked bonus

Railways to pay 75 days Productivity-linked bonus The Railways have decided to pay its employees 75 days productivity-linked bonus for this year, according to railway ministry sources. The bonus has been cleared by Railway minister Mamata Banerjee, the sources told newspersons in Kolkata today. The Railways had paid 73 days productivity-linked bonus last year.

Big tax cut coming your way

Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee unveiled a roadmap for reforms in direct taxes that promises to drastically cut the tax liability of most individuals by considerably raising tax slabs. The new direct taxes code, proposed to be implemented from April 2011, aims to moderate effective tax rates in the hope that this will encourage more people to pay up. Proposed Income Tax Rates for Individuals Up to Rs.1,60,000 Nil From Rs.1,61,000 to Rs.10,00,000 10 Per cent (Income exceeds Rs.1,60,000) From Rs.10,01,000 to 25,00,000 20 Per cent (Rs.84,000 + Income exceeds Rs.10,00,000) Above Rs.25,00,000 30 Per cent (Rs.3,84,000 + Income exceeds Rs.25,00,000) Proposed Income Tax Rates for Women-b

Govt. considering raising retirement age to 62

The government is actively considering raising the retirement age of all central government employees, including those in the armed forces, from the present 60 to 62 years. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has submitted a report to the prime minister outlining all the pros and cons of the move, including the “cascading effects” on government employment and the huge savings, at least for two years, on account of retirement payouts. If the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and the prime minister find the arguments forwarded by the finance ministry credible and convincing, the announcement may come as early as August 15, as part of Manmohan Singh’s Independence Day speech. The Cabinet may discuss the matter tomorrow. Although the finance ministry is making a strong case for the move, the DoPT is taking time to make up its mind, possibly out of consideration for the 1979 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and other central services. Officers of the 1979 bat

Govt can terminate temporary staff without assigning reason: CAT

The central government can terminate the services of its temporary employee without assigning any reason, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) said. The tribunal passed the order on a petition filed by an ex-technician Avinash challenging his termination by the Safdarjung Hospital after his services were not found satisfactory during the probation period. "Offer of appointment specifically provide that the services of an applicant can be terminated at any time without assigning any reason. There is no mandatory provision to assign any reason thereof," the CAT, comprising members Dharam Paul Sharma and N D Dayal, said. Rejecting the contentions of Avinash, the Tribunal said it is a case of "termination simpliciter in legitimate exercise of power under the Central Civil Services (Temporary Services) rules." Avinash cited a number of cases which had been decided on similar lines in the apex court and said his termination was an example of violation of &

Staff Corner discussion forum is back.

Our discussion forum is back. We had been receiving lot of requests to enable the discussion board and lot of queries on why we have closed the board. Well, we have not closed the forum, we have been clearing the irrelevant posts from the board.  Those who had visited recently must have seen that the board was full of spam. We are trying to clean all of them. We have also taken stricter measures to fight spam. From now, the registrations will be manually approved by the moderator. Also the initial postings by a members will have to be manually approved by the administrator. This may take some time for your postings to get displayed for others. We regret any inconvenience caused due to this measures, but this is required to keep the board clean and useful. We request you to use this forum to discuss all your issues, make announcements, clarify the queries raised by other members etc. Visit @ http://staffcorner.com/talk/

Admissibllity / entitlement for traveling by Shatabadl Express

An office memorandum has been issued by Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance regarding admissibllity / entitlement for traveling by Shatabadl Express. The OM clarifies that for the purpose of journeys on tour, officers drawing Grade Pay of Rs.7600 and above are entitled to travel by Executive Class in Shatabadi trains and AC First Class In Rajdhani trains.

Strike ends, banks to resume work from today

The two-day strike by the bank employees ended on Friday with the Indian Bank Association (IBA) reportedly agreeing to the demand of the agitating bank employees for 17.5% hike in their salaries. Convener of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) AK Srivastava said that since the IBA has agreed to the demand of the bank employees they would resume work from Saturday. He informed that the agreement was reached at a meeting held between the UFBU and IBA in New Delhi. Bank officials said they would ensure that customers get the best of the services. But since banks function for half-day only on Saturday, customers may have some problems when banks resume work. Officials said they had no intention to hit the customers but then it was the decision of the IBA to roll back the earlier agreed hike of 17.5% which forced them to go on a two-day strike. But, the issue has now been resolved, they added. Bank sources said that transactions to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore to Rs 25,000 crore w

Revision of pay scales of Faculty and Scientific/Design Staff as per 6th CPC

Revision of pay scales of Faculty and Scientific/Design Staff and other academic staff of Centrally funded technical institutions following pay revision of the Central Government employees on the recommendation of the sixth Pay Commission. The Union Cabinet today approved the revision of pay scales of Faculty, Design & Scientific Staff and other academic staff of the Centrally funded institutions. The Cabinet also approved giving financial assistance to States for implementing the above revised scales. This will enable the Institutes to recruit and retain talented and well qualified faculty and to provide them an environment and working conditions that encourage them to enhance their performance and capacity

Employee to be heard in case of adverse ACR: CAT

The government has to give an opportunity to its employee to present his case if there is an adverse remark in the Annual Confidential Report(ACR) which could hamper his promotion, the Central Administrative Tribunal(CAT)has said. The tribunal passed the order on a petition of a senior scientist, J P Sharma, working with Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR),alleging that he was deprived of promotion on the basis of an adverse ACR without giving him an opportunity to challenge the report. The government contended that overall grading in his ACR for last two years was 'average' but denied him the right to representation on the ground that it was 'not adverse'per se. But, the tribunal did not agree with the government's view and said the employee has the right to be heard in all cases where his prospect of promotion gets adversely affected due to the 'average' grading as he would get promoted only after getting 'very good' grading.

LIC staff to go on 2-hour strike on Aug 4 to protest LIC Bill

The LIC employees will observe a nationwide two-hour walk out strike on August 4, 2009 in protest against the introduction of LIC (Amendment) Bill 2009 in the Lok Sabha. The strike call was given by All India Insurance Emoloyees' Association (AIIEA). The Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha was a step further in implementing the recommendations of the Malhotra Committee which recommended opening up of insurance sector to private capital, General Secretary of the association K Venu Gopal said in a statement here today. The move is to meet the demands of the foreign capital to further liberalise the insurance sector and the bill is detrimental to the interests of the policyholders and the national economy, he said.

No data on Muslim employees in Central govt jobs: Khurshid

The government today said it does not maintain statistics of Muslim employees in Central government services but it has data for the five minority communities as a whole. In reply to a written question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State (Independent charge) of the ministry of Minority Affairs, Salman Khurshid said, "government does not maintain statistics of employment of Muslims in the Central government services". Khurshid said the data is not collected minority community wise or service wise by the DOPT but for the five minority communities as a whole. Giving these statistics, the minister said that while 12,182 minorities were recruited in ministries and departments in 2006-07, this figure stood at 12,195 in 2007-08 and 4,479 in the year 2008-09. He however, said the guidelines issued by Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) on January 8, 2007, include instructions for monitoring the progress in recruitment of minorities in all ministries, departments, pu

INS Arihant – NDTV Video

India, on Sunday, became only the sixth nation to produce a nuclear-powered submarine. India's own nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arihant, was launched by the Prime Minister.

Enhancement of Child Adoption Leave from 135 days to 180 days and extension of the facility of Paternity Leave to adoptive fathers

No. 13018/1/2009-Estt.(L) GOVERNMENT OF INDIA Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions (Department of Pension & Pensioners'Welfare) Lok Nayak Bhawan,New Delhi-110003 dated the 22nd July, 2009 OFFICE MEMORANDUM Sub: Enhancement of Child Adoption Leave from 135 days to 180 days and extension of the facility of Paternity Leave to adoptive fathers. The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M. No.13018/4/2004-Estt.(L) dated 31st March, 2006 regarding grant of Child Adoption Leave for 135 days to female Government servant on adoption of a child upto the age of one year, on the lines of maternity leave admissible to natural mothers. After implementation of the Sixth Central Pay Commission recommendations, the period of maternity leave was enhanced from 135 days to 180 days. Subsequently, this Department has received representations requesting for enhancement of the period of Child Adoption Leave from 135 days to 180 days i

LIFE COVER OF Rs 1 CRORE FOR JUST Rs. 15000

There is a quiet rate war raging among insurers that has brought down the cost of Rs 1 crore cover to Rs 15,000 from over Rs 50,000 per annum a decade ago. A big chunk of the reduction has happened in recent months. Without much publicity life insurance companies have drastically reduced premium rates on high-value term insurance policies of Rs 1cr and above. As against a premium of over Rs 50,000 for a Rs 1 cr cover for a 30-year old woman charged by Life Insurance Corporation a decade ago, private life insurer Birla Sun Life are offering a similar cover for an annual premium of around Rs 15,000. Other private life insurers, such as ICICI Prudential life and HDFC Standard Life, have also reduced their term insurance rates. The term rates for LIC policies, too, have come down drastically as compared to 10 years ago. Today, one can avail of a LIC term policy with a sum assured of Rs 1cr for an annual premium of nearly Rs 25,700-32 ,000. But unlike LIC whose rates are available t

‘One rank, one pension’ for officers, too

Defence Minister A K Antony today clarified in the Lok Sabha that "one rank, one pension" recommendation of the Cabinet Secretary-led panel had been accepted by the government for jawans as well as officers. The government has accepted recommendations of the panel on "one rank, one pension" and other related matters concerning the armed forces, the Lok Sabha was informed today. The decision is now nearer to the goal of “one rank, one pension” demand of nearly 1.5 million personnel, Antony said during question hour. The total financial implications on account of benefits to the personnel would be Rs 2,144 crore, the minister said. The committee has recommended inclusion of Classification Allowance for the Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) from January 1, 2006, and removal of linkage of full pensions with 33 years from the same date, he said. The committee also recommended revision of pension of Lt Generals after carrying out a separate pay scale for them,

Payment of Dearness Relief to re-employed pensioners and employed family pensioners. OM

F.No.38/88/2008-P&PW(G) GOVERNMENT OF INDIA Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions (Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare) 3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan Khan Market,New Delhi,  dated: 9th July, 2009 OFFICE MEMORANDUM Sub: Payment of Dearness Relief to re-employed pensioners and employed family pensioners. The undersigned is directed to say that the grant of DR to re-employed pensioners and employed family pensionersis presently regulated in accordance with the instructions contained in this Department's OM No.45/73/97 P&PW(G) dated 2.7.1999. Consequent upon the revision in ignorable amount of pension from Rs.1500/- to Rs.4000/- in terms of DOPT OM no. 3/13/2008-Esst,(PAY-I) dated 11.11.2008, the amount of Rs.1500/- appeared in OM dated 2.7.1999 is revised as Rs.4000/-. The other conditions for grant of DR to re-employed pensioners and employed family pensioners remain the same: : 2. In so far as persons serving in the Indian Audit Accounts Depar

5% Dearness Allowance is expected for Central Govt. Employees w.e.f. 1st July 2009

Central Govt. employees and pensioners may expect a hefty rise of 5% in D.A. with effect from today, the 1st July 2009. According to the statistics of Labour Bureau, Govt. of India, All India Consumer Price Index No. has climbed up to 151 points in May 2009 in comparison to 147 in December 2008. [See the chart below.]  With this expected rise, the total Dearness Allowance will be 27% w.e.f. 01.07.2009. It may be mentioned that the rise in Dearness Allowance effects Transport Allowance also as per the Sixth Pay Commission for the Central Govt. Employees.  Calculation is based on All India Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Worker based on [Base Year 2001 = 100]  Month Year Base Year  2001=100 Total Average App. DA DA May 2008

Govt proposes New Health Insurance Scheme in lieu of CGHS

With an effort to introduce Central Government Employees & Pensioners Health InsuranceScheme (CGEPHIS) recommended by Sixth Central Pay Commission, Ministry of Health & FamilyWelfare, invites Expressions of Interest from Insurers and Health Insurance consultants for the proposed scheme. As per the document known as Expression of Interest published the CGHS website in this regard,Government of India proposes to provide inpatient health care services to the following personnel of the Central Government . Beneficiaries All personnel of the Central Government including All India Service officers, serving, newly recruited, retired and retiring and others who are covered under the existing CGHS(Central Government Health Services)  and under CS (MA) [Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules] Rules shall be offered Health Insurance Scheme  on voluntary or on compulsorily basis . This could be: CGEPHIS shall be compulsory to new Central Government Employees who would b

Standard deduction for salaried employees may return

Ahead of the annual budget, here’s some cheer for salaried employees and pensioners. The finance ministry is considering bringing back standard deduction of up to Rs 20,000 in individual taxable incomes. According to revenue department officials, the government may be willing to take a small hit in return for a spike in spending that it hopes will result from a bigger disposable income with the salaried classes. Till the budget for 2005-06, a standard deduction of Rs 30,000 or 40 per cent of income, whichever was lower, was allowed to salaried employees with an annual income between Rs 75,000 and Rs 5 lakh. For those earning more, the standard deduction was fixed at Rs 20,000. The standard deduction was meant to compensate salaried people for the fact that self-employed small business persons or entrepreneurs paid tax only on their net income after deducting business expenditure. Industry has been demanding the re-introduction of standard deduction so that individual tax