Committee on Rank and Pay Parity

Committee on Rank and Pay Parity

The Government has set up a three member Committee of Officers to look into Equivalence between Service Officers and Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service (AFHQ CS) officers.

The Committee is likely to submit its findings by 31st March 2017.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri Rajeev Chandra Sekhar in Rajya Sabha today.

Source: PIB News

Resolution of Anomalies in the 6th CPC Report

Resolution of Anomalies in the 6th CPC Report

Recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission (CPC) and several improvements made thereon by the Government have been largely well received by the armed forces personnel including ex-servicemen. Some issues regarding service conditions, pay, pension and allowances, including demand for non-functional upgradation, were subsequently received, which were examined by the Government on case to case basis.

Some of the pay concerns of armed forces personnel were also examined by a committee constituted under the chairmanship of Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the then Minister of External Affairs. The committee’s recommendation on placement of Lt Cols / equiv in Pay Band IV was accepted and implemented by the Government.

Thereafter, a committee was constituted under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary in 2012, to examine certain pay and pension issues of armed forces personnel. All the recommendations of Cabinet Secretary Committee related to ex-servicemen were implemented. The Committee’s recommendations on pay related issues were referred to the 7th CPC.

The improvement of service conditions, pay, allowances and retirement benefits of armed forces personnel is a continuous process, which is examined in consultation with various stakeholders, and on case to case basis.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri Rajeev Chandra Sekhar in Rajya Sabha today.

 Source: PIB News

Audit of food served at Defence Canteens

Audit of food served at Defence Canteens

Defence Canteen, commonly referred as CSD Canteen are entrusted with providing consumer goods and other household articles to the personnel of Defence Services and other entitled categories. However, food served to defence personnel is not through these Defence Canteens. Ration for the food to defence personnel is provided by Supply and Transport Directorate of Army.

A study on quality of ration in Armed Forces was carried out during 2014-15 by Defence Institute of Psysiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS). The study report has brought out that out of the 53203 number of troops examined, most have found quality of rations to be good and above. Multilevel routine feedback mechanism exists at stations and formation level in respect of ration quality to ensure troops satisfaction. The feedback on quality of ration and suggestions thereon is analysed and perused at the level of Chief of Army Staff. The feedback in last three years has been excellent with no complaints on quality of rations.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri Tiruchi Siva in Rajya Sabha today.

Source: PIB News

Disability Pension for Soldiers

Disability Pension for Soldiers

The 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) recommended the following on disability pension:-

The Commission is of the considered view that the regime implemented post 6th CPC needs to be discontinued, and recommended return to the slab based system. The slab rates for disability element for 100 percent disability would be as follows:

Ranks	Levels	Rate per month (INR)
Service Officers	10  and  above	27000
Honorary Commissioned Officers
Subedar Majors / Equivalents	6 to 9	17000
Subedar / Equivalents
Naib Subedar / Equivalents
Havildar / Equivalents	5 and below	12000

The above recommendation has been accepted and Resolution dated 30.09.2016 issued accordingly.

The 6th CPC dispensation of the calculation of disability element on percentage basis, however, continues for civil side which has resulted in an anomalous situation. The issue has accordingly been referred to the Anomaly Committee. The disability element which was being paid as on 31.12.2015 will, however continue to be paid till decision on the recommendations of Anomaly Committee is taken by the Government.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri Husain Dalwai in Rajya Sabha today.

Source: PIB News

‘Sexual Harassment at workplace in PSUs’

‘Sexual Harassment at workplace in PSUs’

Based on the norms and guidelines laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Vishakha and Others vs State of Rajasthan & Others (JT 1997 (7) SC 384) to prevent sexual harassment of working women, DPE has issued guidelines vide OM No. DPE/15(4) /98(GL-004)/GM dated 29-05-1998 to all Ministries/Departments to direct the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) under their administrative control to make necessary amendment in their CDA (Conduct, Discipline & Appeal) Rules on the lines of the guidelines laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Further, as per the 62nd Report of the “Status of Women Government Employees, Service Conditions, Protection against exploitation, Incentives and other related issues” by the Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law & Justice, DPE vide it’s OM No. 6(1)/2014-DPE(GM) dated 19-08-2014 has requested Ministries/ Departments to advise CPSEs under their control to constitute WIPS (Women in Public Sector) Cell to facilitate experience sharing, helping in confidence building and to ensure speedy redressal of their grievances including sexual harassment at workplace.

CPSEs are under the administrative control of their respective Ministries/ Departments. The complaints of individual harassment cases are dealt in accordance with CPSE’s CDA Rules and extant guidelines issued by Government from time to time. The implementation of Government instructions in CPSEs vests with the respective Board of Directors of CPSEs and its concerned Ministry / Department and as such the data on number of incidents of sexual harassment at workplace or about gender sensitization units in CPSEs is not maintained centrally in Department of Public Enterprises.

This information was given by Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Shri Babul Supriyo in reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha today.

Source: PIB News

Scrapping the Post of Orderlies in the Army

Indian Navy and Air Force do not have the system of Orderlies.

Sahayaks (Orderlies) are combatant soldiers and provide support to officers and JCOs in the Army when serving with units or HQ functioning on War Establishments. Thus there is no separate category of Sahayaks. A Sahayak has clearly defined military duties and forms an integral part of the organisation structure of a unit and has specific functions during war and peace. In addition to their duties as soldier, they provide the essential support to authorized officers and JCOs, both in peace and war to enable them to fully attend to their assigned duty. During operations in the field areas, Officer / JCO and the Sahayak act as buddies in arms. One covers the movement of the other buddy and protects him in operation where support has to be total i.e. mental, physical and moral.

The nomenclature was changed from ‘Orderly’ to ‘Sahayak’ in 1983 based on the directions of COAS, when combatants were entrusted the responsibility of supporting the officers.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shrimati Wansuk Syiem in Rajya Sabha today.

Source: PIB News

Special Leave granted to female government servant of inquiry under sexual harassment

Special Leave granted to female government servant of inquiry under sexual harassment: CCS (Leave) Amendment Rules, 2017

THE GAZETTE OF INDIA: EXTRAORDINARY [PART II-SEC. 3(i)]

MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

(Department of Personnel and Training)

NOTIFICATION

New Delhi, the 15th March, 2017

G.S.R. 251(E).-In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to article 309 read with clause (5) of article 148 of the Constitution and after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in relation to the persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, the President hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, namely:-

1. (1) These rules may be called the Central Civil Services (Leave) Amendment Rules, 2017.

    (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2. In the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, for rule 48, the following rule shall be substituted, namely:

48, Special Leave connected to inquiry of sexual harassment - Leave upto a period of 90 days may be granted to an aggrieved female Government Servant on the recommendation of the Internal Committee or the Local Committee, as the case may be, during the pendency of inquiry under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and the leave granted to the aggrieved female Government Servant under this rule shall not be debited against the leave account.

[F. No. 13026/2/2016-Estt. (L)]

GYANENDRA DEV TRIPATHI, Jt. Secy.

Footnote : The principal rules were published vide Notification Number 80. 940, dated the 8th April, 1972 f and were last amended vide Notification number G.S.R. 711(E) dated the 8th October, 2014.

Note : The principal rules were published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number S.O. 940 dated the 8th April, 1972 and have been subsequently amended.

view the original copy dopt.gov.in

Most of the Central Government employees feel that the enhancement of DA/DR is meager

Most of the Central Government employees feel that the enhancement of DA/DR is meager

Calculation of DA/DR based on AICPIN only

"Calculation of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief for Central Government Employees and Pensioners based on the methodology prescribed by the recommendations of Central Pay Commission"

Dearness Allowance is issued twice a year and the Seventh Pay Commission has adopted the same calculation methods that were prescribed by the Sixth Pay Commission.

The same series of the All-India Average Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers (Base 2001=100) are used for the calculation of DA/DR to be continued. The 7th CPC recommendations are implemented from 1.1.2017 and no DA from 1.1.2017 to 1.7.2017. And from 1.7.2017, 2% DA calculated as per the same formula recommended by 6th CPC. And then now, same calculation with the Consumer Price Index, the figure of two percent was arrived.

Most of the Central Government employees feel that the enhancement of DA/DR is meager.

The Central Government had nothing to do with the Dearness Allowance issued to the Central Government employees in the past, which were as high as 10 percent. Similarly, the government is in no way connected with the current announcement of two percent DA/DR.

The same AICPIN (CPI IW BY2001=100) adopted for the calculation of Dearness Allowance to draw their pay in the pre-revised pay scale of 5th and 6th CPC. For 6th CPC, 4% Dearness Allowance was calculated on the basis of the same method. In other words, it will be expected to increase from 132 percent to 136.

The Dearness Allowance is calculated based on the changes in the prices of essential commodities in 75 cities and towns in India, over a period of six months. The monthly data, called the AICPIN, are released each month, by the Labour Bureau under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Central Government employees and Pensioners are not only getting the DA and DR, also employees working under Bank, CPSE etc,. The CPI(I-W) series are used for the calculation of DA for Bank Staff and IDA for CPSE employees. Almost the same enhancement of DA will adopt for the employees working in State Governments. Consumer Price Index will impact on the salaries and pension of more than 2 crore employees and pensioners directly.

Just watch the difference of DA amount between 6th and 7th CPC:

	As on 1.1.2016	As on 1.7.2016	DA from 1.1.2017
6th CPC Basic Pay	10,000 (2400GP)	10,300	412 (4%)
7th CPC Matrix Pay	26,300	27,100	542 (2%)

Source: www.govtenews.com

GPF- The Limit Of Withdrawal has Been Increased

GPF- The Limit Of Withdrawal has Been Increased

Several relaxations brought in GP Fund rules

In a major relief for government employees, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions has announced several relaxations in General Provident Fund Rules, with liberalization and simplification, particularly relating to advances and withdrawals by the subscriber/ employee.

According to the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, the existing GP Fund (Central Service) Rules came into force way back in 1960 and even though certain amendments have been made from time to time to address the concerns raised, it was felt to be the need of the hour to bring in some more changes for the convenience of the Government employees. The liberalization in the provisions was essentially meant to bring in ease of procedures, especially for activities like house building, education of children etc., thus making the rules more employee-friendly.

Elaborating further, Dr Jitendra Singh stated that the requirement of documentary proof for withdrawing GP Fund has been done away with. As a result, a simple declaration by the subscriber / employee would suffice henceforth, he added. Similarly, the minimum time limit for sanction and payment of GP Fund withdrawal would not be more than 15 days and in case of an emergency like illness, etc., it could only be 7 days. At the same time, the limit of withdrawal also has been increased following which, now the withdrawal for housing can be up to 90% of the balance at credit and withdrawal for purchase of vehicle / car can be up to 3/4th of the balance at credit.

Considering the importance of education, the definition of education for the purpose of withdrawal of GP Fund has now been widened to include primary, secondary and higher education covering all streams and institutions. Not only this, GP Fund advance can now also be applied for travel and tourism related activities, he said.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Government expects its employees to work with full dedication, sincerity and diligence, but at the same time, it is also always seriously considering various means and provisions to provide them with a work-friendly environment and socio-economic stability, so that they may put in their best without any unnecessary distraction.

Source: PIB News