Crediting of enhanced Medical Allowance to the pensioners account by Banks: CPAO Order4

Date : 31.10.2016

Crediting of enhanced Medical Allowance to the pensioners account by Banks: CPAO Order

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

CENTRAL PENSION ACCOUNTING OFFICE

NEW DELHI-110066

CPAO/IT&Tech/Clarification/2016-17/ 13,Vol -VI /160

26.10.2016

Subject: Crediting of enhanced Medical Allowance to the pensioners account by Banks.

During the workshop for banks on monitoring the pensioners grievances through “Web Responsive Pensioners' Service" organised on 03.10.2016 a query was made on requirement of Special Seal Authority for crediting Medical Allowance at the enhanced rate based on orders issued by DP&PW from time to time. In this context, attention is invited to para 4.5.2 (copy of the extract attached) of Accounting and Operating Procedure for Central Pension Processing Centre of Authorised Banks for Pension Disbursement to Central Government (Civil) Pensioners issued in Feb, 2012 wherein it has been provided that CPPC should have direct access to the website of the Department of Pensions & Pensioners Welfare and Ministry of Home Affair, so that these are regularly browsed and orders on Dearness Relief issued by various Departments are acted upon immediately.

CPPCs of all the banks are advised to follow the same instructions for revising the Medical Allowance of the pensioners already drawing the same as and when the rate of Medical Allowance is enhanced by DP&PW without requiring for any Special Seal Authority from CPAO.

Encl: As above.

(Vijay Singh)

Sr. Accounts Officer (IT & Tech)

4.5. Roles and Responsibilities of CPPC as oversight agency

4.5.1. CPPC will receive Government orders and disseminate the same to all concerned agencies for necessary action.

4.5.2. The CPPC should have direct access to the websites of the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, M/o Home Affairs and M/o Consumer Affairs so that these are regularly browsed and orders on Dearness Relief issued by various Departments are acted upon immediately.

4.5.3. The dues of the pensioner accruing with time, based on age must be automatically paid to the pensioner by the CPPC on provisional basis for a period of six months. This should be fully automated and exceptions watched for correction.

4.5.4. At the time of credit afforded at CPPC, a confirmation report must be generated and monitored to ensure that the pension/family pension etc. in respect of all pensioners of the CPPC have been credited. A monthly discrepancy report with respect to the total number of pensioners and those paid in the previous month may be reviewed regularly. Exceptions should be reviewed by the senior management of the bank to enable immediate rectification of any omissions.

4.5.5. CPPC software is required to have a grievance redressal module as detailed in Section 9.2 below.

4.5.6. CPPC may exercise oversight on quality of service to pensioners including services to the handicapped pensioners.

4.5.7. CPPCs may ensure that the responsibilities assigned to Home Branches are enforced so that the pensioners are not redirected to CPPC for redressal of grievances and information needs. Necessary performance measures and monitoring mechanisms, in co-ordination with the respective administrative structures to achieve the desired level of service delivery in Home Branches as well as CPPCs may be instituted by the bank.

4.6. Roles and Responsibilities of Home branches (pension account service branch)

Source: www.cpao.nic.in [Click to view/download]

NUGDS AP CIRCLE UNION CIRCULAR NO.8

Date : 30.10.2016

NUGDS AP CIRCLE UNION CIRCULAR NO.8

There Will Be Internal Deputations from India Post to IPPB Says Secretary, India Post. Good For Us, Isn't it?

Date : 30.10.2016

There Will Be Internal Deputations from India Post to IPPB Says Secretary, India Post. Good For Us, Isn't it?

Shri B V Sudhakar Says There Will Be Internal Deputations from India Post to IPPB

IPPB is taking rapid steps towards operations. IPPB will become largest bank in the world says Shri B V Sudhakar, Secretary India Post. He also says that IPPB is planning to roll out 650 branches by next year and all these branches will work in connection with existing India Post offices thus making IPPB the largest bank in the world.

He also says that the bank is envisioned towards the financial inclusion of the country. He says that the bank is recruiting heavily and also said that there will be internal deputations from the officials of Post officess, RMS offices and DAP etc.

Watch the video below for full information. 

We think that this is a good move by IPPB by deputing officials from india post to IPPB. What do you think about this?. Comment your views below.

Post offices to go paperless in six months

Date : 30.10.2016

Post offices to go paperless in six months

ONGOLE, October 29, 2016

In a customer-centric initiative, India Post will go paperless shortly implementing Core System Integrator (CSI) Project across different channels, levels and locations, according to its Vijayawada Region Postal Services Director E. Veerabhadra Rao.

Addressing the media here on Friday night, he said, “A pilot project is being implemented in Machilipatnam in this region to lay down a robust IT infrastructure, implement software applications. All services of the Postal Department will go online in six months time.” Customer Interaction Channels would provide services through call centre, web portal and mobile devices.

The CSI also provided for IT-based mail operations with improved article tracking and technology-driven logistics network. Finance & Accounts as also Human Resources Management would be done online under CSI, he added.

“India Post is fully geared up to offer banking services from new fiscal,” he said, adding that the Reserve Bank of India had in principle agreed to inter-portability of its Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) with those of PSU banks. “Some ticklish issues like addressing the complaints of the customers of each other are being looked into,” he added.

CGHS introduces new facility to check the status of medicines issued to beneficiaries..!

Date : 30.10.2016

CGHS introduces new facility to check the status of medicines issued to beneficiaries..!

To view history of Medicines issued to you follow the steps given below:

1. open url cghs.nic.in

2. In the window opened click on button 'Beneficiary Details'

3. Click on button 'Login with Beneficiary ID'

4. In the window opened click on button 'Register Here'

5. In the window opened enter the details and click on button 'Register'

a) In case the details entered are matching with data in CGHS Data base a system generated one time 'pass word' will be sent to the registered mobile phone by SMS

b) If , there is a message “details for selected beneficiary not found”

Please check the details entered or contact CMO i/c of CGHS Wellness Centre  for correction of Data Mobile Phone number in the Data base

6. Once the pass word is received, go back to Beneficiary sign in page and 
login using password

7.Click on button 'Beneficiary Medical History' and view details

What is Voice Banking Service in India Post Payment Bank (IPPB)

Date : 30.10.2016

What is Voice Banking Service in India Post Payment Bank (IPPB)

Voice Banking Service is a mobile based banking service in which person can do banking operation with the help automated voice system. A person can transfer money between IPPB accounts through this system. The following video will show you clearly What is Voice Banking Service in India Post Payment Bank (IPPB) and how it works.

7th Pay Commission: Disability Pension being paid to Pre-2016 Defence Forces Pensioners will continue

Date : 30.10.2016

Disability Pension being paid to Pre-2016 Defence Forces Pensioners as on 31.12.2015 will continue to be paid Pending Decision of Anomoly Committee

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of Defence

29-October-2016 18:58 IST

Disability Pension being paid to Pre-2016 Defence Forces Pensioners as on 31.12.2015 Will Continue to be paid Pending Decision of Anomoly Committee 

The Government Order for implementation of decision of the Government on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) for revision of pension of pre-2016 Defence Forces Pensioners has been issued on 29.10.2016. As per the order, for the pre 1.1.2016 pensioners, the revised pension w.e.f. 1.1.2016 shall be determined by multiplying the basic pension/basic family pension as had been drawn as on 31.12.2015 by 2.57 to arrive at revised pension under 7th CPC.

The implementation of 7th CPC recommendation relating to methodology for calculation of disability element has been referred to the Anomaly Committee. The disability element which was being paid to pre-2016 Defence Forces Pensioners as on 31.12.2015 will continue to be paid pending decision on the recommendations of the Anomaly Committee.

HAPPY DIWALI TO ALL

Date : 30.10.2016

HAPPY DIWALI TO ALL

How does NREGA Payment work in IPPB using Biometric Device

Date : 29.10.2016

How does NREGA Payment work in IPPB using Biometric Device

The workers’ remuneration will be credited to their respective Aadhaar lined IPPB accounts. The beneficiary can withdraw the money using biometric device even without filling a withdrawal form. Following video will give you clear picture about NREGA wage disbursement through IPPB account.

LANDMARK JUDGMENT BY SUPREME COURT FOR PAYMENT OF “EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK”

Date : 29.10.2016

LANDMARK JUDGMENT BY SUPREME COURT FOR PAYMENT OF “EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK”

LANDMARK JUDGMENT BY SUPREME COURT FOR PAYMENT OF “EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK” TO THE DAILY WAGE EMPLOYEES, ADHOC APPOINTEES, EMPLOYEES APPOINTED ON CASUAL BASIS, CONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEES AND THE LIKE.

The Hon’ble Supreme Court in its Historical 102 pages Judgment in Civil Appeal No. 2013 of 2013 dated 26.10.2016 has directed that Temporary Employees, Adhoc Appointees, employees appointed on Casual basis, contractual employees and the like, if the concerned employees are rendering similar duties and responsibilities as were being discharged by regular employees holding the same/corresponding posts are entitled “for equal pay for equal work” such employees are entitled for draw wages at the minimum of the payscale extended to regular employees holding the same posts. We will be representing to the Govt. To implement this Judgment and issue a common order in this regard. Full judgement is reproduced below:

CLICK HERE TO VIEW – SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT ON EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK

Allotments/re-allotments transfers/postings in the cadre of ASPs

Date : 29.10.2016

Allotments/re-allotments transfers/postings in the cadre of ASPs

Date : 28.10.2016

BSNL plans to cut thousands of jobs next year

BCCL

NEW DELHI: State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd will reduce its workforce by nearly 7% in 2017-18, from the employee-base of 2,09,996 in 2016-17.

BSNL expects total employees as on April 30, 2017, to be 1,96,162, the state-driven telco said in response to an application filed under the Right to Information Act, 2005.

The workforce phase out is part of employees attaining retirement age, which according to the service provider would eventually help in bringing it back into the black in the following year.

"Nearly 10% staff goes off the rolls every year as they achieve retirement. We are not filling up new positions and it could eventually help us in increasing operational profit," BSNL chairman Anupam Shrivastava had earlier told ET. Backed by steady reduction in staff costs, land monetization scheme, tower and spectrum assets sharing, the PSU aims to turn into a profit-making business by 2018-19, according to the top executive.

The VRS (voluntary retirement scheme) proposal aimed at bringing down headcount is however on hold, according to Shrivastava.

Of the 22 telecom circles, Andhra Pradesh has the highest number of 22,000 PSU employees.

BSNL, when compared to private sector competitors, has a mammoth outgo of more than 50% of its annual revenue towards meeting salary expenses of its staff. In 2015-16, the telecom company spent nearly Rs 15,000 crore in salary disbursements.

Rival companies including Sunil Mittal'sBharti Airtel, Aditya Birla group's Idea Cellular and UK-based Vodafone India unit spend a mere 5% to 6% on staff salaries.

Market leader Bharti Airtel has around 20,000 employees across India while the country's second-largest telco Vodafone India has an employee base of little over 13,000.

BSNL posted an Rs 8,234 crore loss in 2014-15, highest among all public-sector companies for that year, followed by Air India's Rs 5,860 crore loss.

KYC Norms - PLI/RPLI policies

Date : 28.10.2016

KYC Norms to be followed in respect of PLI/RPLI policies

"Committee on allowance ready with report"

Media Report : "Committee on allowance ready with report"

Government employees might have an exciting new year as the Committee on Allowances under the chairmanship Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa is ready with its reports.

Media reports said that the committee is likely to submit the reports on revised allowance to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley very soon.

Quoting sources in the Finance Ministry, media reports said that the committee is waiting to be called by Jaitley for submission of its reports.

Honour the decision or we shall go on path of struggle – Secy/Staff side to Government of India

Date : 28.10.2016

Honour the decision or we shall go on path of struggle – Secy/Staff side to Government of India

No.NC/JCM/2016

Dated: October 26, 2016

Hon’ble Minister for Finance,
Ministry of Finance,
(Government of India),
New Delhi

Respected Sir,

We solicit your kind reference to the discussions; the representatives of the Staff Side JCM had with you on 30th June 2016 in the wake of impending strike action that was to commence from 11th July 2016. Hon’ble Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, your goodself, Hon’ble Minister for Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu and Hon’ble MoSR, Shri Manoj Sinha, on having detailed deliberations with the Staff Side, had appreciated that, the Central Government employees were not generally happy with the decision taken by the Union Cabinet on 29th June 2016, while accepting the recommendations of the 7th CPC, particularly in the matter of Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula. After detailed discussions it was agreed by your goodself and other Hon’ble Ministers present in the meeting that, the government would address the grievances of the employees, whereupon the NJCA had decided to defer the “Indefinite Strike”. Accordingly, a committee was set-up to consider the demand of Revision of Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula with a mandate to finalize its report within four months.

We (Staff Side) interacted with the said committee, headed by Shri P.K. Das, Addl. Secretary(Expenditure), on 24.10.2016. It would be quite appropriate to bring to your kind notice that, we have felt, during the course of meeting, that, the proceedings of the committee are extremely disappointing and are left with the impression that, the committee is dilly-dallying the issue.

We are, therefore, left with no option, but to address this communication with the fervent hope that, your goodself will direct the said committee to interact with the Staff Side in a fruitful manner and arrive at a mutually agreeable proposal on the issues of Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula.

We have full trust and believe that, the government would honour the decision taken in the meeting held on 30.06.2016 in your benign presence, and suitable direction will be given to the committee to complete the assigned task within the stipulated time frame in a satisfactory manner.

It would be the most unfortunate development, we regret to state, if we are constrained to tread the path of struggle once again in the event of the committee not coming up with a satisfactory settlement.

With Kind Regards!

Yours faithfully,

sd/-

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)

Secretary

Source: http://ncjcmstaffside.com/

Cabinet approves Cadre Review of Indian Posts & Telecommunications Accounts and Finance Service Group “A”

Date : 27.10.2016

Cabinet approves Cadre Review of Indian Posts & Telecommunications Accounts and Finance Service Group “A”

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Cabinet

27-October-2016 15:47 IST

Cabinet approves Cadre Review of Indian Posts & Telecommunications Accounts and Finance Service Group “A” 

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the first Cadre Review of Indian Posts & Telecommunications Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS) with the following salient features:

(a) Reduction of the total strength of the cadre from 420 to 376.

(b) Creation of one Apex level post of Controller General of Communication Accounts (CGCA).

(c) Creation of one additional HAG+ level post taking the grade strength to 2.

(d) Creation of two additional HAG level posts taking the grade strength from 6 to 8.

(e) Creation of 18 additional SAG level posts taking the grade strength from 37 to 55.

(f) Reduction in JAG level posts from 111 to 90.

(g) Reduction in STS level posts from 198 to 86.

(h) Creation of 21 JTS level posts taking the grade strength from 67 to 88.

(i) Creation of 46 Posts to be operated as Reserves

Background:

Indian Posts & Telecommunications Accounts and Finance Service Group ‘A” was constituted in 1972 and caters to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Department of Posts (DoP).

In Department of Telecommunications, the IP&TAFS performs the functions of assessment and collection of license fee/ spectrum usage charges, spectrum auction, USO scheme monitoring and subsidy management, exchequer control, budgeting, accounting, pension disbursement, internal audit and finance advice. In the Department of Posts, the IP&TAFS is entrusted with the functions of finance advice, budgeting, tariff and costing, accounting and internal audit.

There has been a paradigm shift in the role of Department of Telecommunications as well as the Department of Posts in recent years. In the Telecom sector, the role of the Department of Telecommunications has transformed from primarily being a Service provider, Regulator and Policy maker into the present structure whereby the Department is primarily responsible for Policy making, Licensing and Universal Service Obligation. Receipts from Department of Telecommunications, primarily License Fee, Spectrum Usage Charges and Spectrum Auction Value constitute one of the largest source of non-tax revenue for the Government of India.

Similarly, the bundle of services offered by Department of Posts has undergone a quantitative and qualitative change and the Department has ventured into areas of retailing, banking, insurance, digitizing operations etc. Further, the audit mechanism in both the Departments needs to be strengthened.

These facts coupled with the stagnation in various grades of the service necessitated a review of the structure of IP&TAFS.

Enhancement of GDS Bonus to 7000

Date : 27.10.2016

Enhancement of ceiling of calculation of ex - gratia Bonus payble to Grameen Dak Sevaks from 3500 to 7000 - Reg

Date : 27.10.2016

GDS Bonus ceiling revised to 7000

 from 3500 from 2014.

Arrears will be paid for the year 2014-2015. Orders already sent to all Heads of Circles.

Order copy will be available our India Post Website shortly.

Union Cabinet approves 2% DA

Date : 27.10.2016

7th Pay Commission: Union Cabinet approves 2% DA hike for Central Govt employees, pensioners

Dearness Allowance hiked by 2 percent forcentral

governmentemployees, pensioners

The Cabinet on Thursday approved the 2 per cent hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central Government employees and pensioners, effective from July 1, 2016. The proposal to hike the DA was granted during the Cabinet meeting today afternoon at the Prime Minister’s Office. 

Dearness allowance is provided to employees and pensioners to minimise the impact of price rise on their earnings. Earlier this year, the government hiked dearness allowance by 6% to 125 % of the basic pay. It was later merged into the basic pay, based on the recommendation of the 7th Pay Commission Panel.

Date : 27.10.2016

Temporary employee to be paid at par with Regular Workes :Supreme Court - Video.


CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO

Temporary employee to be paid at par with Regular Workes :Supreme Court

Date : 27.10.2016

Temporary employee to be paid at par with Regular Workes :Supreme Court

The court passed the verdict on a bunch of petition filed by temporary employee working for state of Punjab seeking wage parity with regular employee.

NEW DELHI: In a big relief to lakhs oftemporary employee who have been hired by government departments and agencies across the country on contractual basis, theSupreme Court on Wednesday held that they are entitled to wages at par with permanent employees and principle of 'equal pay for equal work' must be followed. 

A bench of Justices JS Khehar and SA Bobde said the principle of 'equal pay for equal work' constitutes a clear and unambiguous right vested in every employee whether engaged on regular or temporary basis. 

"In our considered view, it is fallacious to determine artificial parameters to deny fruits of labour. An employee engaged for the same work, cannot be paid less than another, who performs the same duties and responsibilities. Certainly not, in a welfare state. Such an action besides being demeaning, strikes at the very foundation of human dignity," the bench said. 

The bench said the principle had been expounded through a large number of judgments rendered by the apex court and and constitutes law declared by the Supreme Court. 

"Any one, who is compelled to work at a lesser wage, does not do so voluntarily. He does so, to provide food and shelter to his family, at the cost of his self respect and dignity, at the cost of his self worth, and at the cost of his integrity. For he knows, that his dependents would suffer immensely, if he does not accept the lesser wage," Justice Khehar, who wrote the judgement, said. 

"Any act, of paying less wages, as compared to others similarly situate, constitutes an act of exploitative enslavement, emerging out of a domineering position. Undoubtedly, the action is oppressive, suppressive and coercive, as it compels involuntary subjugation," he said. 

The court passed the verdict on a bunch of petition filed by temporary employee working for state of Punjab seeking wage parity with regular employee. They approached the apex court after Punjab and Haryana High Court held that temporary employees were not entitled to the minimum of the regular pay-scale, merely for reason, that the activities carried on by them and the regular employees were similar. 

Setting aside the HC order, the apex court held that the principle of equal pay for equal work must be followed in the country as India was a signatory of International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 

"There can be no doubt, that the principle of equal pay for equal work would be applicable to all the concerned temporary employees, so as to vest in them the right to claim wages, at par with the minimum of the pay-scale of regularly engaged government employees, holding the same post,"it said. 

"India is a signatory to the covenant, having ratified the same on April 10, 1979. There is no escape from the above obligation, in view of different provisions of the Constitution and in view of the law declared by this court under Article 141 of the Constitution of India, the principle of 'equal pay for equal work' constitutes a clear and unambiguous right and is vested in every employee - whether engaged on regular or temporary basis,"it said.

The Economic Times

Deputation of officers of DoP to APPC, BANGKOK

Date : 27.10.2016

Deputation of officers of DoP to APPC, BANGKOK

The following officers are deputed to Asian Pacific Postal College(APPSC), Bangkok Thailand from Dept of Posts to participate in training programme on "Express Mail Service' from 14.11.2016 to 02.12.2016.

1. Sri K.Ramesh, Asst Director o/o PMG, Vijayawada Region, AP Circle.

2. Sri Ajith Kurian, Manager, SPCC, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Circle

Inadequate implementation of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013

Date : 26.10.2016

Inadequate implementation of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Women and Child Development

26-October-2016 18:15 IST

Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi expresses concern at the inadequate implementation of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 

WCD Ministry to set up Inter-Ministerial Committee and an e-platform for effective redressal of complaints of sexual harassment at workplace 

The Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi held a review meeting on implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 in New Delhi today. Officials from the WCD Ministry, DoPT, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Railways and Department of Financial Services were present. Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi expressed her concern that the complaints of sexual harassment are not being handled in a timely as well as sensitive manner. She also expressed her concern that harassment often continues over a period of time and it is only after it becomes unbearable that a woman comes out to complain. In such situations, it is the duty of Internal Complaints Committee to decide on the complaint in the shortest possible time. The Minister also pointed out that the transfer of the aggressor can never be a solution to such a complaint and there should be harsher punishments when the complaint is found to be true.

2. After extensive deliberations, the following decisions were taken:

(i) The Ministry of WCD will set up an inter-ministerial committee headed by a senior official of the WCD Ministry. This committee will review the progress of disposal of complaints of sexual harassment, get a standardized training module prepared in collaboration with ISTM, ensure that heads of Internal Complaints Committee of all ministries/departments are given training on how to handle the complaints.

(ii) The ministry will be establishing a secure electronic platform for any woman employee of the government to file a complaint under the Act directly to the Ministry of WCD. These complaints will be then taken up with the respective ministries/ departments. This will enable a monitorable and transparent system of grievance redressal under the Act.

(iii) All ministries/ departments will furnish a monthly report to WCD ministry on the number of complaints received, disposed, pending and action taken etc.

(iv) All ministries/ departments and attached offices will furnish the annual statistics of complaints received and disposed under the Act in their Annual Reports. It was also decided that the inter ministerial committee will create a panel of resource persons from which ICCs can take the external members. In another important decision taken at the meeting today, all the training programmes of all services will have a module on the Act and DoPT will issue necessary instructions for this.

(v) It was also decided that the respective cadre controlling authority will keep every complainant under observation for a period of five years so that she is not subjected to any further administrative harassment as a result of her having complained against a male superior.

(vi) It was agreed that the Act, the rights of a woman official and the responsibility of the ICC must be given adequate publicity through different methods including the websites of the ministries/ departments/ attached offices.