CBDT notifies new IT Return Forms for AY 2017-18

CBDT notifies new IT Return Forms for AY 2017-18

CBDT notifies new Income Tax Return Forms for AY 2017-18: Introduces one page simplified ITR Form-1(Sahaj) 

The Central Board of Direct Taxes has notified Income-tax Return Forms (ITR Forms) for the Assessment Year 2017-18. One of the major reforms made in the notified ITR Forms is the designing of a one page simplified ITR Form-1(Sahaj).  This ITR Form-1(Sahaj) can be filed by an individual having income upto Rs.50 lakh and who is receiving income from salary  one house property / other income (interest etc.) . Various parts of ITR Form-1 (Sahaj) viz. parts relating to tax computation and deductions have been rationalised and simplified for easy compliance. This will reduce the compliance burden to a significant extent on the individual tax payer. This initiative will benefit more than two crore tax-payers who will be eligible to file their return of income in this simplified Form.  

Simultaneously, the number of ITR Forms have been reduced from the existing nine  to seven forms. The existing ITR Forms ITR-2, ITR-2A and ITR-3 have been rationalized and a single ITR-2 has been notified in place of these three forms. Consequently, ITR-4 and ITR-4S (Sugam) have been renumbered as ITR-3 and ITR-4 (Sugam) respectively.

 There is no change in the manner of filing of ITR Forms as compared to last year. All these ITR Forms are to be filed electronically. However, where return is furnished in ITR-1 (Sahaj) or ITR-4 (Sugam), the following persons have an option to file return in paper form:-

(i) an individual of the age of 80 years or more at any time during the previous year;   or

(ii)  an individual or HUF whose income does not exceed five lakh rupees and who has not claimed any refund in the return of income,

The notified ITR Forms are available on the department’s official website www.incometaxindia.gov.in

Source: PIB

Revised rates of interest on Small Savings Schemes

Revised rates of interest on Small Savings Schemes

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

31-March-2017 15:39 IST

The Union Government has announced revised rates of interest on Small Savings Schemes for the First Quarter of 2017-18 to bring them somewhat closer to market rates 

Small Savings schemes will continue to be attractive as some of them enjoy income tax benefits and additional interest rate spreads 

Revision of rates is a reflection of calibrated reform of the Union Government in the financial sector to ensure better interest rate transmission 

The Union Government has announced revised rates of interest on various small savings schemes for the first quarter of the financial year 2017-18.  To bring such rates somewhat closer to market rates, the Government has decided to effect a reduction of 0.1 percentage points (10 basis points) in interest rates across the board in all the schemes except the Post Office Savings Account, which has been left untouched.

Government continues to accord highest priority to the interest of small savers, especially savings for the benefit of girl child, the senior citizens and the regular savers who form the backbone of our savings architecture. The current revision of rates is reflective of the Government’s commitment to calibrated reform in the financial sector to ensure better interest rate transmission.

Various small savings schemes will continue to be very attractive compared to bank deposits of similar maturities and tenor even after this marginal reduction in interest rates by 0.1 percentage points.  Apart from offering higher interest rates compared to bank deposits, some of the small savings schemes also enjoy income tax benefits.  Further, small savings schemes like Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS), Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA), PPF, 5 year National Savings Certificate (NSC), 5 year Monthly Income Scheme (MIS) and 5 year Time Deposits (TD) enjoy additional interest rate spreads.  This additional interest rate spread is 100 basis points in the case of Senior Citizen Savings Scheme, 75 basis points in Sukanya Samriddhi Account and 25 basis points spread in PPF, 5 year NSC, 5 year MIS and 5 year TD.

Source: PIB

Announcement of 7th CPC Allowances only after MCD Elections

Announcement of 7th CPC Allowances only after MCD Elections

Brief of the meeting held with the Cabinet Secretary on 28.03.2017

Shiva Gopal Mishra
Secretary

Ph: 23382286

National Council (Staff Side)

Joint Consultative Machinery

for Central Government Employees

13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi – 110001

E-Mail : nc.jcm.np@gmail.com

No.NC/JCM/2017

Dated: March 30, 2017

All Constituents of the
NC/JCM(Staff Side)

Dear Comrades!

Sub: Brief of the meeting held with the Cabinet Secretary

I met the Cabinet Secretary on 28th March, 2017 and shown anguish about the inordinate delay in resolution of long pending demands of the Central Government Employees, and subsequently handed him over a letter on the subject matter on the next day.

The Cabinet Secretary given us assurance that, he is already pursuing these issues, and though there had been some delay in finalization of the allowances, report of the Committee on Pension has already been submitted to the Cabinet, NPS Committee is already on its job and we would try to resolve the pending issues within a short period.

He also expressed his apprehension that, MCD elections may result in some delay, but at the same time, he assured that, as soon as he gets report of the Committee on Allowances, that will immediately be forwarded to the Cabinet, and after approval of the Cabinet, if need be, we would take necessary permission from the Election Commission.

This is for your information.

Comradely yours,

sd/-

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)

Source: http://ncjcmstaffside.com/

Fixation of pay in case of employees who seek transfer to a lower post under FR 15(a)

Fixation of pay under FR 15(a) as per 7th CPC Matrix Table

Fixation of pay in case of employees who seek transfer to a lower post under FR 15(a)

No.12/1/2016-Estt(Pay-I)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Department of Personnel and Training

North Block, New Delhi

Dated the 31st March, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : Fixation of pay in case of employees who seek transfer to a lower post under FR 15(a)- clarification regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM No.16/4/2012-Pay-I dated 5th November, 2012 read with OM No.13/9/2009-Estt.(Pay-I) dated 21st October, 2009, whereby clarification was issued by this Department for fixation of pay in case of employees seeking transfer to lower posts under FR 15(a) subsequent to the implementation of the recommendations of 6th CPC and CCS(RP) Rules, 2008. It was clarified therein that in case of transfer of a Government servant to a lower Grade Pay under FR 15(a) on his/her own request w.e.f. 1.1.2006, the pay in the Pay Band will be fixed at the stage equal to the pay in Pay Band drawn by him/her prior to his/her appointment against the lower post. However, he/she will be granted the Grade Pay of lower post. Further, in all cases, he/she will continue to draw his/her increment(s) based on his pay in the Pay Band + Grade Pay (lower).

2. Consequent upon the implementation of 7th CPC Report and CCS(RP)Rules, 2016, the concept of new Pay Matrix has replaced the existing Pay Bands and Grade Pays system. Accordingly, in partial modification of this Department’s OMs dated 5th November, 2012 and 21st October, 2009 ibid: the method of pay fixation in respect of a Government Servant transferred to a lower post under FR 15(a) on his/her own request w.e.f 1.1.2016 will be as under:

‘In case of transfer to a lower Level of post in the Pay Matrix under FR 15(a) on his/her own request w.e.f. 1.1.2016, the pay of the Government Servant holding a post on regular basis will be fixed in the revised pay structure at the stage equal to the pay drawn by him/her in the higher Level of post held regularly. If no such stage is available, the pay will be fixed at the stage next below in the lower Level with respect to the pay drawn by him/her in the higher Level of post held regularly and the difference in the pay may be granted as personal pay to be absorbed in future Increment(s). If maximum of the vertical range of pay progression at the lower Level in which he/she is appointed, happens to be less than the pay drawn by him/her in the higher Level, his/her pay may be restricted to that maximum under FR 22(I)(a)(3).

3. All Ministries/Departments are requested to revise the Terms/Conditions of such transfer, if any, in line with para 2 above.

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

5. This order takes effect from 1.1.2016.

6. Hindi version will follow.

sd/-

(Pushpender Kumar)

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Authority: www.dopt.gov.in

Click Here to view the order

Expected DA July 2017 – AICPIN for February 2017

Expected DA July 2017 – AICPIN for February 2017

All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (BY 2001=100) for the month of February 2017 released by the Labour Bureau today.

The All-India CPI-IW for January 2017 remained stationary at 274 (Two hundred and Seventy four).

The Labour Bureau today published the magix number of AICPIN for the calculation purpose of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief for the existing and retired employees of Central Government.

For more details, Click the link to view the Press Release

One Hundred And Thirty Two Armed Forces Hospitals In India

List of 132 Armed Forces Hospitals in the country

Army Hospitals

There are 132 Armed Forces Hospitals in the country. The State / UT-wise number of such hospitals is as under:

There are 98 Field Hospitals, which are located in different parts of the country based on operational requirement. In addition, one Military Hospital is being raised at Likabali, Assam and approval has been granted for raising a Military Hospital at Panagarh, West Bengal.
This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri Sunil Kumar Singh in Lok Sabha today.

Source: PIB News

7th CPC Observation On Linkage Between RFD And APAR

7th CPC Observation on linkage between RFD and APAR

Govt clarified today in Parliament regarding the annual increment for CG Employees and the modification of APAR system for determining Performance Related Pay.

The 7th Central Pay Commission has retained rate of annual increment at 3 percent. The 7th CPC has also recommended withholding of annual increments in the case of those employees who are not able to meet the benchmark either for MACP or a regular promotion within the first 20 years of their service. These recommendations have been accepted by the Government.

The 7th CPC has observed that it is essential to have a linkage between Departmental Results Framework Documents (RFD) and Annual Appraisal Performance Report (APAR) and has suggested the following modification in the existing APAR system for determining Performance Related Pay:

(i) Alignment of Objectives: The Ministry’s Vision/Mission needs to be translated into a set of strategic objectives for each department and these objectives need to be cascaded by the Department Head to his subordinates and subsequently down the chain.

(ii) Prioritizing Objectives, Assigning Success Indicators and their Weights: Objectives reflected in the APAR should be prioritized and assigned weights along with success indictors or Key Performance Indicators. The Commission recommended 60 percent weight on work output and 40 percent weight on personal attributes, instead of existing 60 percent weight on personal attributes and only 40 percent weight to work output.

(iii) No Ex-ante Agreement: The indicators in the APAR of an officer/staff will need to be discussed and set with the supervisor at the beginning of the year.

(iv) Timelines: The timelines for RFD may be synchronized with the preparation of the APAR so that the targets set under RFD get reflected in individual APARs in a seamless manner.

(v) Online APAR System: The Commission recommended introduction of online APARs system for all Central Government officers/employees.

Source: 90Paisa

Implementation of 7th CPC Recommendation - Fixation of pay

Implementation of 7th CPC Recommendation: Fixation of pay on promotion/upgradation after 01.01.2016: Clarification regarding.

Office of the Controller General of Defence Accounts

Ulan Batar Road, Palam, Delhi Cantt – 110 010

No.AT/II/2702/Clar

Dated: 08 March 2017

To
The PCA (Fys)
Kolkata

Subject: Implementation of 7th CPC Recommendation: Fixation of pay on promotion/upgradation after 01.01.2016: Clarification regarding.
Reference: Your office letter No Pay/O/I/7th CPC/Pay fixation dated 16-08-2016 and 06-01-2017.

The issues raised in your office above mentioned letter have been examined and the following is stated:

Sl.No / Point of Doubt / Remarks

Point of Doubt : 1 . Whether FR 22(I) (a) (1) still holds good in its present form with all the attendant conditions or the same has got modified on introduction of 7th CPC pay structure and if yes what is the extent of modification of above FR.

Remarks: In this regard para 15 of CCS (RP) Rules 2016 may be referred to, which states that the provisions of Fundamental Rules shall not save as otherwise provided in ibid CCS (RP) Rules, apply to cases where pay is regulated under CCS (RP), Rules 2016 to the extent they are inconsistent with these rules.

Point of Doubt : 2. Whether in case a Govt servant promoted between the period of 2nd January and 1sst July opts to get his pay fixed from the date of next increment under FR 22 (I) (a) (1), his pay in the revised pay structure will be re-fixed by giving two increments in the lower level, i.e., one annual increment and second on account of promotion, and then placed at a cell in the level of the post to which promoted with DNI on 1st July of next year OR only one increment on date of promotion is to be allowed in the lower level and placed at a cell in the level of promoted post with DNI on 1st January of next year.

Remarks: The issue whether a Govt servant promoted/upgraded between the period of 2nd January and 1st July can opt to get his pay fixed from the date of next increment under FR 22 (I) (a) (1), has been taken up with MoD. Further correspondence in this regard may be awaited.

Point of Doubt : 3. Mr X and Mr Y both were drawing basic pay Rs.10160/- in PB-1 with Grade Pay Rs.2400/- as on 01-01-2016. Their revised pay under 7th CPC becomes Rs.32300/- in Level 4. Mr X was granted MACP in level 5 on 03-06-2016, accordingly his pay has been fixed at Rs.33900/- in level 5. Whereas Mr Y was granted MACP on 02-07-2016 in level 5 entitling him for an annual increment on 01-07-2016 to reach Rs.33300/- and then his pay on account of MACP fixed on 02-07-2016 to reach Rs.34900/-

As such though Mr X is senior to Mr Y and both officials are getting equal pay upto 02-06-2016, after revision of pay under 7th CPC the pay of Mr X becomes less than the pay of Mr Y, thus creating an anomaly.

Remarks: It is viewed that the anomaly has been arisen due to the fact that both the officials have opted to enter the 7th CPC on 01-01-2016. If Mr X opts to enter 7th CPC on the date of his increment. i.e., 01-07-2016, he would get two increments in the lower level of pre-revised structure and then his pay will be revised under 7th CPC to reach at Rs.35900/- as under and the anomaly would not arise. However, as the issue as to whether a Govt servant promoted/upgraded between the period of 2nd January and 1st July can opt to get his pay fixed from the date of next increment under FR 22 (I) (a) (1), has been taken up with MoD, the clarification/guidance from MoD may be awaited.

sd/-

(Vinod Anand)

Sr ACGDA (P&W)

Authority: http://pcafys.nic.in/

Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme

Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme

Some empanelled hospitals have stopped providing services in the recent past citing reasons of delayed payments, excessive deductions and low CGHS rates. 384 empanelled facilities have not renewed Memorandum of Agreement with ECHS till date. 69 empanelled facilities have rejoined after establishment of online billing system by ECHS.

Actions like issuance of show cause notice, issuance of ‘stop referral’ pending investigations have been carried out against such defaulting hospitals. The hospitals have refunded the amount in most of the cases. Details of action taken against the hospitals are as under:

(i)	Disempanelled	–	01
(ii)	Stop Referral	–	25
(iii)	Panel Deductions	–	02
(iv)	Warnings	–	04

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri Rajeshbhai Chudasama in Lok Sabha today.

Source: PIB News

Re-Employment Of Ex-Servicemen

Re-Employment of Ex-Servicemen

As per Department of Personnel & Training’s OM No. 36034/27/84-Estt(SCT), dated 2.5.1985, on an Ex-servicemen joining the Government job on civil side after availing of the benefits given to him as an Ex-servicemen for his re-employment, his Ex-servicemen status for the purpose of re-employment in Government would cease. As per DOP&T OM No. 36034/6/90-Estt(SCT), dated 10.10.1994, an ex-servicemen already secured regular employment under the Central Government in a civil post would be permitted the benefits of age relaxation as admissible for ex-servicemen for securing another appointment in any higher post or service under the Central Government. However, such candidates will not be eligible for benefits of reservation, if any, for ex-servicemen in Central Government jobs.

As per DOP&T’s OM No. 36034/1/2014-Estt(Res), dated 14.8.2014 if an ex-serviceman applies for various vacancies before joining any civil employment, he / she can avail of the benefit of reservation as ex-servicemen for any subsequent employment. However, to avail of this benefit, an ex-serviceman as soon as he / she joins any civil employment, should give self-declaration / undertaking to the concerned employer about the date-wise details of application for various vacancies for which he / she had applied for before joining the initial civil employment. This benefit would be available only in respect of vacancies which are filled on direct recruitment and wherever reservation is applicable to the ex-servicemen.

In addition to above, a proposal has been referred to DOP&T to the effect that an Ex-servicemen be allowed the benefit of reservation for second time and even thereafter in subsequent recruitments for civil employment, if the vacancies, which are to be filled on the basis of direct recruitment and where reservation is applicable to Ex-servicemen, has not been filled up with by those Ex-servicemen, who are getting / claiming benefit of reservation for the first time.

The details of reservation available to Ex-servicemen is as under:

(I) In Central Government Ministries / Departments:

(i) 10% Direct recruitment posts upto the level of Assistant Commandant in Central Para Military Forces.
(ii) 10% Direct recruitment posts in Group ‘C’.
(iii) 20% Direct recruitment posts in Group ‘D’.

(II) In Central Public Sector Enterprise:

(i) 14.5% in Group ‘C’ Posts.
(ii) 24.5% in Group ‘D’ Posts.

(III) Nationalised Bank:

(i) 14.5% in Group ‘C’ Posts.
(ii) 24.5% in Group ‘D’ Posts.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri PC Mohan in Lok Sabha today.

Source: PIB News