Subscribers Withdrawals GPF Fund - Amendment Orders Issued On 7-3-2017

GPF Withdrawals – Amendment orders issued on 7.3.2017

Amendment to the provisions of General Provident Fund (Central Service )Rules 1960- liberalization of provisions for withdrawals from the Fund by the subscribers – regarding.

No.3/2/2017-P&PW(F)(ii)

Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions

Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare

Desk-F

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market, New Delhi-11 0003

Dated the 7th March, 2017.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Amendment to the provisions of General Provident Fund (Central Service )Rules 1960- liberalization of provisions for withdrawals from the Fund by the subscribers – regarding.

The General Provident Fund (Central Service )Rules came into force in 1960 and Rule 15 of the said rules provide for withdrawals by the subscribers. Some amendments have been made from time to time to address the concerns raised by the subscribers. However, the provisions, largely remain restrictive. There is a felt need to liberalize provisions, raise limits and simplify the procedure.

2. The provisions in the rules have been reviewed and it has now been decided to permit withdrawals from the fund by the subscriber for the following purposes:

(i) Education – This will include primary, secondary and higher education, covering all streams and institutions,

(ii) Obligatory Expenses viz. betrothal, marriage, funerals, or other ceremonies of self or family members and dependants,

(iii) Illness of self, family members or dependants,

(iv) Purchase of consumer durables.

3. It has been decided to permit withdrawal of upto twelve months payor three-fourth of the amount standing at credit, whichever is less. For illness, the withdrawal may be allowed upto 90% of the amount standing at credit of the subscriber. A subscriber may seek withdrawal after completion of ten years of service.

(v) Housing including building or acquiring a suitable-house or a ready-built flat for his-residence,

(vi) Repayment of outstanding housing loan,

(vii) Purchase of house site for building a house,

(viii) Constructing a house on a site acquired,

(ix) Reconstructing or making additions on a house already acquired,

(x) Renovating, additions or alterations of ancestral house.

4. A subscriber may be allowed to withdraw upto ninety percent of the amount standing at credit for the above purposes. It is also decided do away with the present instructions which lay down that subsequent to the sale of house for which GPF withdrawal has been availed, the amount. withdrawn has to be deposited back. GPF withdrawal for housing purpose will no longer be linked with the limits prescribed under HBA rules. A subscriber may be permitted to avail the facility at any time during his service.

(xi) Purchase of motor car/motor cycle/ scooter etc. or repayment of loan already taken for the purpose,

(xii) Extensive repairs /overhauling of motor car,

(xiii)Making deposit to book a motor car/motor cycle/scoter, moped etc.

5. A subscriber may be permitted to withdraw three- fourth of the amount standing at credit or cost of the vehicle, whichever is less for the above purposes. Withdrawal for the above purpose will be permitted after completion of 10 years of service.

6. Presently, withdrawal of upto 90% of balance without assigning reasons is allowed for Government servants who are due for retirement on superannuation within a year. It is proposed that this may be allowed for upto two years before superannuation.

7. In all cases of withdrawal from the fund by the subscriber, the declared Head of Department is competent to sanction withdrawal. No documentary proof will be required to be furnished by the subscriber. A simple declaration form by the subscriber explaining the reasons for withdrawal would be sufficient.

8. As per the GPF(CS) Rule 1960, no time limit has been prescribed for sanction and payment of withdrawal amount. Therefore, it has been decided to prescribe a maximum time limit of fifteen days for sanction and payment of withdrawal from the Fund. In case of emergencies like illness etc., the time limit maybe restricted to seven days.

9. Necessary amendment to the GPF(Central Service)Rules 1960, giving effect to the above provisions will be issued in due course.

10. In so far as persons serving in Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders issue in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

11. This issues with approval of Department of Expenditure, vide their ID No. 4(1 )/EV/2017 dated 28.02.2017.

12. Hindi version of this OM will follow

sd/-

(Sujasha Choudhu)

Director

Click Here To View The Order

Authority: http://www.pensionersportal.gov.in/

NFIR – Both Federations walked out from the DC/JCM Meeting

Railway Board’s order dated 30.01.2017 curbing workers’ rights – Walkout by Federations from DC/JCM meeting today i.e., 07.03.2017

No.IV/I/Pt.III

07.March, 2017

The General Secretaries of
Affiliated Unions of NFIR

Brother,

Subject: Railway Board’s order dated 30.1.2017 curbing workers’ rights.

In the DC/JCM meeting held on 7.3.2017, during Opening Address, both the Federations have taken a stand that the unconstitutional order dated 30.1.2017 preventing Safety (Supervisory) Staff

from becoming Office bearers should be withdrawn by the Railway Board immediately to facilitate negotiations to resume.

The President, General Secretary, Working President etc. have conveyed their strong protest against the Board’s letter dated 30.1.2017.

The General Secretary/NFlR had stated that the Railway Board has betrayed the Federations and the Railway Board has equally failed on several counts on written commitments. notably:

• a) Replacement of GP 4600 with 4800
• 
  
• b) Upgradation from Gr.C to Gr.B (Gaz.)
• 
  
• c) Allotment of GP 4600 to Loco (Mail)
• 
  
• d) Stepping up of pay of Loco Inspectors inducted prior to 1.1.2006
• 
  
• e) Arbitrary reversal of various decisions given in the past (as a result of agreements with the Federations) and without caring to consult federations.
• 
  
• f) Track Maintainers upgradation (written commitment of Board)

In light of Railway Board’s total failure, the Federation (NFIR) conveyed that it is not in a mood to participate in the negotiations of DC/JCM forum and at the same time demanded immediate

withdrawal of Board’s order dated 30.1.2017, if the Railway Board sincerely feels that industrial relations are required to be preserved.

With the above observations in the DC/JCM meeting, the leaders left the meeting place. Both the Federations have jointly walked away from the meeting.

Please convey to all employees the above development, as the Railway Board’s order is a direct attack on the rights of workers, whether they are Supervisors or Non-Supervisors and it is a gross violation of Trade Union Act, ID Act etc.

Also convey the “Walk Out” decision of Federations to GMs, CPOs etc.

Yours fraternally,

sd/-

(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)

General Secretary

Source: NFIR

Retirement Gratuity Ceiling hiked to Rs.20 lakh for bank employees and officers

Retirement Gratuity Ceiling hiked to Rs.20 lakh for bank employees and officers – AIBEA

Joint Ciruclar on Gratuity Ceiling

CIRCULAR TO ALL UNITS & MEMBERS

March, 2, 2017

Dear Comrades,

Improvements in Gratuity under Gratuity Act

Our units are aware that Gratuity is one of the important retirement benefits for the bank employees and officers. In all Banks ( except SBI ), Gratuity is paid as per formula under BPS/OSR or under the Gratuity Act whichever is higher. (In SBI, Gratuity is payable under the Act only).

While there is no ceiling for Gratuity under BPS/OSR, under the Act, there is a ceiling which is at present Rs. 10 lacs. (from 25-5-2010). When an employee or officer retires from the Bank, his/her Gratuity entitlement would be calculated both under the Act and under BPS/OSR and the higher of the two will be paid.

For example, a senior substaff/Daftary retiring after 40 years’ service would be eligible for ( approx.) Rs. 5 lacs under BPS and Rs. 8 lacs under the Act and hence would be paid Rs. 8 lacs as Gratuity.

A senior Clerk/Special Asst. would be eligible for Rs. 9.50 lacs under the BPS and Rs. 10 lacs under the Act and hence would be paid Rs. 10 lacs.

A senior General Manager of a Bank retiring after 40 years’ service would be eligible for Rs. 17 lacs under the OSR and Rs. 10 lacs under the Act and hence would be paid Rs. 17 lacs.

Due to continued inflationary trend and erosion in value of rupee, AITUC and all other Central Trade Unions have been demanding improvement/removal of ceiling under the Gratuity Act. Due to their effort, the ceiling was increased from Rs. 1 lac to Rs. 2.50 lacs, and then to Rs. 3.50 lacs and to Rs. 10 lacs in May, 2010. They have been demanding for removal of ceiling on Gratuity under the Act.

AITUC and Central Trade Unions have been pursuing this issue for the last more than 4 years through various programmes and struggles.

Thus AIBEA and AIBOA have been part and parcel of all these programmes and strikes on the 12 Points Charter of Demands of the Central Trade unions which includes the demand for improvement in Gratuity Act.

AITUC and Central Trade Unions have been following up these demands with the Government and as a result, recently on 23-2-2017, the Central Government called for a Tripartite meeting on the issue of revising the ceiling on Gratuity. From AITUC, its Secretary, Com D L Sachdev participated and put forth the following suggestions.

i) While there should be no ceiling for Gratuity, as an interim measure, Government’s proposal to increase in ceiling of Rs. 20 lacs can be accepted.

ii) The revised ceiling should be made effective from January, 2016.

iii) Minimum service of 5 years for eligibility for Gratuity to be removed.

iv) Gratuity to be paid at 30 days wage per year instead of 15 days wage as atpresent.

v) All factories/establishments to be covered by the Act irrespective of number of workers.

All these matters have to be finally cleared by the Labour Ministry and then by Finance Ministry and then to be brought to the Parliament for amendment to the Gratuity Act.

Units are aware that improvement in Gratuity Act has been one of the demands of our strike on 28-2-2017. We are in touch with the AITUC and will keep our units informed of any further development in this regard.

With greetings,

Yours comradely,

sd/-	sd/-
S. NAGARAJAN	C.H. VENKATACHALAM
GENERAL SECRETARY	GENERAL SECRETARY
AIBOA	AIBEA

Source: AIBEA

Simplification of Pension process for permanently disabled Children/siblings and dependent parents

Simplification of Pension process for permanently disabled Children/siblings and dependent parents

No.25014/05/2016.AIS-II

Government Of India

Ministry Of Personnel, Public Grievance and Pensions

Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi – 110 001

Dated 30th January, 2017

To

The chief Secretary of all the
State Government/UTs

Subject: Extension of scope of Department of Pension and Pensioner’s Welfare’s OM regarding ” Simplification of Pension process for permanently disabled Children/siblings and dependent parents” to All India Service officers/Pensioners-reg.

Sir/Madam,

I am directed to refer to this Department’s letter of even number dated 01.09.2016 whereby provisions of Department of pension and pensioner’s welfare’s OM 1/27/2011-P&PW(E) dated 01.07.2013 regarding “advance approval for grant of family pension to permanently disabled Children/siblings and dependent parents of the Central Government Pensioners” was extended mutatis-mutandis to permanently disabled children/siblings and dependent parents of all india service officers/pensioners.

2. Further, it is to state that in Department of pension and pensioner’s Welfare’s OM dated 01.07.2013 at para the word ” Appointing Authority” is used for central government pensioners where the “Appointing Authority” is the administrative Ministry which also issues the pension payment order unlike in the case of all India service officers/pensioners. Accordingly, it is hereby clarified that the word ” Appointing Authority” in respect of all india service officers/pensioners may be read as ” Competent Authority” for grant of advance approval in terms of provisions of Department of Pension and Pensioner’s Welfare’s OM dated 01.07.2013.

Yours faithfully,

(Rajesh Kumar Yadav)

Under Secretary to Government of India

Authority: www.dopt.gov.in

DOPT – Procedure for dealing with cases of disagreement between Disciplinary Authority and CVC

Procedure for dealing with cases of disagreement between Disciplinary Authority and CVC — instructions regarding consultation with UPSC thereof

No.372/3/2017-AVD.Ill

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Department of Personnel and Training

North Block, New Delhi

Dated 1.3.2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Procedure for dealing with cases of disagreement between Disciplinary Authority and CVC — instructions regarding consultation with UPSC thereof.

The undersigned is directed to refer to the OM No. 372/19/2011 — AVD—III (Pt. I) dated the 26th September, 2011 on the above subject which provided for dispensing with second stage consultation with the CVC in disciplinary matters. However, in those cases where consultation with UPSC is not required as per extant rules/instructions, the second stage consultation with CVC was to continue. Further, CVC issued a circular dated 7/12/2012 stipulating that wherein Disciplinary Authorities (DA) tentatively proposes not to impose any of the statutory penalties at the conclusion of the proceedings, the second stage consultation would continue to be made with the Central Vigilance Commission, involving Group `A’ officers of the Central Government, members of All India Services and such other categories of officers of the Central Government involved in composite cases.

2. Despite clear instructions on the subject some instances have come to the notice where Ministries and Departments are not following the above guidelines leading to delay in disposal of the disciplinary cases.

3. The matter has been considered in consultation with UPSC and CVC and following are being reiterated:

(i) All cases, where the Disciplinary Authority (DA) decides to impose a penalty after conclusion of the proceedings and where UPSC consultation is required as per existing rules/instructions, shall not be referred to the CVC for second stage consultation.

(ii) The CVC circular 8/12/14 of 3rd December, 2014 stipulates that all such cases where the DA proposes to take any action which is at variance with the Commission’s first stage advice would continue to be referred to the Commission for obtaining second stage advice. In this regard it has now been clarified by CVC that the aforementioned circular applies only to the disciplinary cases of non-Presidential appointees including officials of CPSEs, Public Sector Banks, and Autonomous Bodies etc. The above instructions, therefore, do not apply to the cases of the officers of Group A services of the Central government, All India Services (AIS) and such other categories of officers of the Central Government where consultation with UPSC is necessary before imposition of any of the prescribed penalties.

4. In a situation where on conclusion of the departmental proceedings, DA is of the tentative view that no formal penalty needs to be imposed in respect of officers of Group `A’ services of the Central Government, All India Services (AIS) & such other categories of officers of the Central Government and refers the case for second stage consultation with CVC and if CVC advises imposition of a penalty which the DA on consideration decides not to accept, then this becomes a case of disagreement between DA and CVC which as per standing instructions require resolution by DoPT.

5. All Ministries/Departments are, therefore, advised to strictly adhere to these instructions.

6. Hindi version will follow.

sd/-

(Devesh Chaturvedi)

Joint Secretary to the Govt of India

Click Here To View The Order

Authority: http://dopt.gov.in/

National Pension Scheme Allowes Multiple Choice To The Subscribers

NPS Subscribers are allowed multiple Choice to Change Investment Option

PENSION FUND REGULATORY

AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

g-14/A. Chhatrapati Shivaji Bhawan

Qutab Institutional Area.

Katwaria sarai. New Delhi-110016

01 March 2017

PFRDA/2017/8/PD/2

To

All Stakeholders in the National Pension System

Subiect: Allowing multiple choice to the subscribers/corporates to change Investment Option and Asset Allocation Ratio during the Financial Year

1. As per the extant guidelines, subscriber can change his/her existing Pension Fund the investment option(Active or Auto choice) as well as asset allocation ratio (allocation among asset class-Equity/Corporate Bonds/Government securities/ Alternative investment ) once in a financial year. This scheme preference is applicable to the existing pension corpus as well as to the prospective subscriptions. Similarly in the NPS-Corporate Model where the choice of Pension Fund and Investment Options is exercised at Corporate level. the Corporates also have the option to change the pension fund and investment option and also asset allocation ratio once in a financial year,

2.In order to provide more choices in terms of investment option and asset allocation, the following has been decided:

(i) The subscribers/corporates will have the choice for change of the investment option (Active or Auto choice) as well as asset allocation ratio (allocation among asset class-Equity/Corporate Bonds/Government Securities/ Alternative Investment) two times in a financial year.

This scheme preference will be applicable to the existing pension corpus as well as to the prospective subscriptions, The option will be available separately for Tier I and Tier accounts,

(ii) The choice Of change Of pension Fund shall remain once in a financial year.

4, The changes will come into effect from 01st April 2017.

Yours faithfully

(AkhleSh Kumar)

Deputy General Manager

Authority: http://www.pfrda.org.in/

Revision in the rate of Ration Money Allowance in respect of Non-gazetted RPF/RPSF personnel

Revision in the rate of Ration Money Allowance in respect of Non-gazetted RPF/RPSF personnel 28.02.2017

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(RAILWAY BOARD)

No.E(P&A)I-2005/All/RPF/2

RBE No.17/2017

New Delhi, dataed 28.02.2017

The General Managers
All Indian Railways and Production Units.

Sub: Revision in the rate of Ration Money Allowance in respect of Non-gazetted RPF/RPSF personnel.

In terms of Board’s letter of even number dated 19.06.2015, non-gazetted RPF/RPSF personnel were entitled for Ration Money Allowance at par with Central Para Military Force (CPMF)/Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) Personnel i.e. @ Rs.95.52/- per day/per head w.e.f. 01.04.2014.

2. It has now been decided to revise the rate of Ration Monely Allowance from existing rate of Rs.95.52 per head per day to Rs.97.85 per head per day from 01.04.2015 to 31.12.2015.

3. Accordingly, sanction of the Ministry of Railways is hereby accorded post-facto to revise the rate of Ration Money Allowance from Rs.95.52 per head per day to Rs.97.85 per head per day from 01.04.2015 to 31.12.2015.

4. The other terms and conditions as stipulated in para 4 of Board’s letter of even number dated 10.06.2009 remain unchanged.

5. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

6. Please acknowledge receipt.

(Anil Kumar)

Dy.Director Estt. (P&A)-I

Railway Board

Source: NFIR

NFIR Writes Notification To Railway Board About 7th CPC Pay Matrix

NFIR Writes Notification To Railway Board About 7th CPC Pay Matrix

No.IV/NFIR/7 CPC (Imp)/2016/R.B./part I

Dated: 06/03/2017

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Implementation of 7th CPC Pay Matrics – Pay fixation to staff – Anomaly resulting less pay to senior in comparison with junior – reg.

Ref: Notification issued by the Railway Ministry vide RBE No.90/2016 – Rule 10(2) therof.

NFIR desires to bring to the notice of the Railway Board, the anomalous situation arisen pursuant to sub-para (2) of Rule 10 of the Notification issued by the Railway Board vide RBE No.90/2016. A case on North Western Railway is cited below as example:-

• Mr.X and Y have been working as SSE in the Loco Workshop, Ajmer in GP 4600/- (Level 7). Mr. X is senior to Mr. Y.
• Both X & Y have been drawing pay equal to Rs.60,400/- on 1st July 2016. Both the employees are due for financial upgradation benefit under MACPS in the month of February 2017.
• Mr.X has been given financial upgradation under MACPS and his pay when fixed in Level 8 comes to Rs.62,200/-. His next increment is due on 1st January 2018 when his pay will raise to 64,100/-.
• Mr.Y has been denied financial upgradation due to ‘Good ACR’ for the year 2014. His pay on lst July 2017 will be Rs. 62,200/- in Level 7 which will be equal to Mr. Y’s pay as on 1st July 2017.
• When Mr.Y becomes fit for financial upgradation under MACPS sometime between July and December 2017, then his pay will be 64,100/- in Level 8 which will be equal to the pay of Mr.X in January 2018. Subsequently, when Mr.Y will be given next increment in January 2019 ultimately Mr. X will lag behind by six months despite being senior.
• The position mentioned above clearly reveals that senior has been put to loss by way of drop in emoluments. This needs to be remedied to do justice to senior employees.

NFIR, therefore, requests the Railway Board to examine the case in the light of above illustration and take necessary action for rendering justice to senior staff in whose case, the drop in emoluments has taken place. Federation may also be apprised of Board’s response early.

Yours faithfully,

sd/-

(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)

General Secretary

Source: NFIR