LTC Travel by Air India

LTC Travel by Air India

As per instant instructions, the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) is applicable for travel by Air India and in Economy class only. However, relaxation has been given to travel by private airlines to visit Jammu & Kashmir with certain conditions.

This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to question by Shri Sharad Tripathi in the Lok Sabha today.

Source: PIB News

Equal Pay for Equal Work in CPSUs

Equal Pay for Equal Work in CPSUs

As per information received from Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), the instructions regarding equal pay admissible to casual workers already exists in terms of DoPT O.M. No. 49014/2/86 Estt. (c) dated 07.06.1988. Further, Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) are under the administrative control of their respective Ministries / Departments and CPSEs are required to follow the various statutory provisions / Court orders / Government instructions including instructions on wage related issues of various categories of employees, wherever applicable.

However, as the responsibility to monitor the implementation of above said statutory provisions / court orders / Government instructions vests with the Board of CPSEs and the concerned administrative Ministry / Department, as such no centralized information in this regard is maintained by Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) and accordingly complaints, if any, received against any CPSE on this issue are also forwarded to the concerned administrative Ministry / Department of CPSE for appropriate action.

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 Rajya Sabha today.

Source: PIB

Cabinet Approves Listing Of 11 CPSEs On Stock Exchanges

Cabinet approves listing of 11 CPSEs on stock exchanges

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for listing of the following 11 CPSEs (Central Public Sector Enterprises) on stock exchanges:

Sl. No.	CPSEs
1.	Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL)
2.	IRCON International Limited
3	Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) Ltd.
4.	Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) Ltd.
5.	RITES Ltd.
6	Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
7.	Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Ltd.
8.	Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL)
9.	North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) Ltd.
10.	MSTC Ltd.
11.	Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd. (MIDHANI)

As approved, listing of CPSEs will be through public offer of shares upto 25 per cent of Government of India’s shareholding, which may include offer of fresh shares for raising of resources from market. However, actual disinvestment in respect of each CPSE alongwith the mode of raising resources has been delegated for decision on a case to case basis to the Alternative Mechanism, headed by the Hon’ble Finance Minister.

The CCEA has also approved reservation of shares for the eligible employees of 11 CPSEs in accordance with the extant provisions of SEBI Regulations.

With a view to ensure wider participation by small investors in the CPSEs’ disinvestment program, a price discount upto 5 per cent on the issue price has also been approved for the retail investors and eligible employees of 11 CPSEs participating in this offer.

From the economic and sectoral perspective, the decision to list 11 CPSEs on stock exchanges through public offer will have the following advantages for to the stakeholders:

i. Post-listing, value of a CPSE has the potential to be unlocked in multiples of book value of its equity with respective increase in their market capitalization. Once the book value of 11 CPSEs is discovered through the listing process, it will facilitate raising of resources by these companies at comparable cost and hence, achieve higher growth through their expansion/diversification. This will also be reflected in the performance at the sectoral level and overall economic growth.

ii. Listing of CPSEs will also promote ‘people’s ownership’ by encouraging public participation in CPSEs. Reservation of shares not exceeding 5 per cent of the post-issue capital for the eligible employees of 11 CPSEs, with the further decision to allocate shares to retail investors and employees of CPSEs at a price discount will ensure wider participation of small investors in the CPSEs’ disinvestment program.

iii. Listing of profitable CPSEs on the stock exchanges also triggers multilayered oversight mechanism, which not only enhances shareholders’ value but also promotes corporate governance norms in such companies. As per the listing requirements of SEBI/ Company Law/Stock Exchanges, CPSEs are required to comply with a number of mandatory disclosure requirements.

iv. With general public becoming the shareholder in the company through the listing route, the management is open to public scrutiny and thus become more accountable to its shareholders, as per the extant disclosure norms and compliance for listed CPSEs.

Background:

The Government has made the following announcement in Budget 2017-18:

“Listing of Public Sector enterprises will foster public accountability and unlock the true value of these companies. The Government will put in place a revised mechanism and procedure to ensure time-bound listing of identified CPSEs on stock exchanges…………..”

Source: PIB News

KV School At Air Force Station Kanpur

KV School at Air Force Station Kanpur

Cabinet approves transfer on lease of 6.5628 acres of Defence land to Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan at Air Force Station Kanpur for construction of school building

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the transfer on lease of 6.5628 acres of Defence land to Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan(KVS) at Air Force Station Kanpur (AFS Kanpur). It will be used for construction of school building and other associated infrastructure in partial modification of its earlier decision on 16.06.2011 wherein it had approved transfer 8.90 acres of defence land to KVS at AFS, Kanpur.

The defence land is being transferred on lease basis at a nominal rent of Rs. 1/- per annum without any premium in terms of existing Government policy on the subject. The infrastructure for the school will be built by the KVS as per their norms and with their own funds.

Kendriya Vidyalaya at AFS Kanpur is functioning since August 1985 from a temporary barrack-type accommodation which does not fully meet the requirements of a school as per laid down specifications. The existing accommodation has become inadequate to accommodate the increased number of students and required facilities. The transfer of land would enable KVS to construct its own school building with all the required facilities and amenities for both students and teachers.

The formalities relating to transfer of land to KVS would be within a period of two months. KVS will thereupon construct school buildings etc. on the leased land as per their own specifications and at their own cost.

Source: PIB News

Simple Declaration Is Enough For Withdrawal - GPF

GPF interest rate is presently fixed at par with that of PPF interest rate

GPF Rules

With effect from 7th March 2017, Government has simplified and liberalised the conditions for taking advance from the fund by the subscribers for education, illness, purchase of consumer durables. Conditions and procedures for withdrawal from the fund for the purpose of education, illness, housing, purchase of motor vehicles etc. have also been liberalised. No documentary proof is required to be submitted now for advance and withdrawal applications. A simple declaration by the subscriber is sufficient. A time limit for sanction and payment of advance/withdrawal has also been fixed.

There is no proposal under consideration of Government to increase/link the rate of interest on GPF at parity with that of EPF. The interest rates on EPF are decided on the recommendations of the Central Board of Trustee (EPF) taking into account the yearly income from the investment made by EPFO. The GPF interest rate is presently fixed at par with that of PPF interest rate.

This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to question by Dr. Sunil Baliram Gaikwad, Kunwar Haribansh Singh, Shri T. Radhakrishnan, Shri Gajanan Kirtikar and Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato in the Lok Sabha today.

Source: PIB News

146th Defence Pension Adalatm at Bareilly on 24th and 25th April, 2017

Defence Pension Adalat at Bareilly on 24th and 25th April, 2017

146th Defence Pension Adalatm at Bareilly on 24th and 25th April, 2017

Any Defence Pensioners including Family Pensioners / Defence Civilian Pensioners and their families having any specific grievances relating to sanction or disbursement of Defence pension are requested to submit their representation, in writing, in duplicate to :

Sri S K Sharma,

Pension Adalat Officer

O/o Principal CDA (Pensions),

Draupadi Ghat,

Allahabad-211014.

A format of the representation is given on this website. Applicants are advised to apply as per the format, for easy processing of their applications.

Kindly Note, Applications can either be sent by post or by E-Mail

Photocopies of Pension payment order, Corr PPO, discharge certificate (wherever required) and other documents must be enclosed

Each application will be allotted a unique Adalat Registration Number. The same should be quoted in all future correspondence.

Incomplete and unsigned representations will be rejected. The Date of the Pension Adalat on 24 th and 25 th April, 2017 Kargil hall, JLA Bareilly Cantt.

TA/DA expenditure will not be reimbursed to the pensioners/individuals attending the Adalat for redressal of their pension related problems.

Authority: http://cgda.nic.in/

7th CPC Recommend On Disability Pension

7th Pay Commission – Resolving Anomalies in Disability Pension

Press Information Bureau

Government Of India

Ministry Of Defence

Dated: 11-04-2017

Resolving Anomalies in Disability Pension

The concerns raised by the Armed Forces with regard to disability pension in the 7th Pay Commission are being addressed. The 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) recommended the following on disability pension:-

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

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

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 Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Rajya Sabha today.

Source: PIB

Withdrawal From National Pension Scheme Is Taxed

Centre introduces provision of taxation on NPS in Income Tax Act

Press Information Bureau

Government Of India

Ministry Of Defence

Dated: 11-04-2017

Tax on NPS

The provision that the withdrawal from National Pension Scheme is taxed to the extent of 60 per cent has been introduced into the Income Tax Act, 1961 (‘Act’) vide Finance Act, 2016 by inserting clause (12A) in Section 10 of the Act.

Prior to Finance Act, 2016, National Pension Scheme (NPS), referred to in section 80CCD, was under Exempt, Exempt and Tax (EET) regime i.e., the monthly/periodic contributions during the pension accumulation phase were allowed as deduction from income for tax purposes; the returns generated on these contributions during the accumulation phase were also exempt from tax but the terminal benefits on exit or superannuation, in the form of lump sum withdrawals, were taxable in the hands of the individual subscribed or his nominee in the year of receipt of such amounts unlike PPF and EPF which have been enjoying EEE regime i.e. Exempt, Exempt, Exempt.

In order to rationalize the taxability of receipts from pension plans, vide Finance Act, 2016, section 10 of the Act was amended to provide that any payment from National Pension Scheme to an employee on account of closure or his opting out of the NPS shall also be exempt from tax, to the extent it does not exceed forty percent of the total amount payable to him at the time of closure or his opting out of the scheme. Further, Finance Act, 2017 has amended section 10 of the Income-tax Act to exempt partial withdrawals by employees (to the extent of 25% of the employee’s contribution) from their NPS accounts in accordance with the guidelines prescribed under Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 2013.

This was stated by Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

Source: PIB

Redressing Grievances Of Ex-Servicemen Over OROP

Redressing Grievances of Ex-Servicemen over OROP

Salient features of the Government order dated 07.11.2015 on OROP are as under:-

· Pension of the past pensioners would be re-fixed on the basis of pension of retirees of calendar year 2013 and the benefit will be effective with effect from 01.07.2014.

· Pension will be re-fixed for all pensioners on the basis of the average of minimum and maximum pension of personnel retired in 2013 in the same rank and with same length of service.

· Pension for those drawing above the averages shall be protected.

· Arrears will be paid in four equal half yearly instalments. However, all the family pensioners including those in receipt of Special / Liberalized family pension and Gallantry award winners shall be paid arrears in one instalment.

· In future, the pension would be re-fixed every 5 years.

Personnel who opt to get discharged henceforth on their own request under Rule 13(3)1(i)(b), 13(3)1(iv) or Rule 16B of the Army Rule 1954 or equivalent Navy or Air Force Rules will not entitled to the benefits of OROP. It will be effective prospectively.

Around 3200 representations for addressing the anomalies on OROP were received from individuals / Associations which were examined and issues referred to the Judicial Committee on OROP for its recommendations. The Committee has submitted its report on 26.10.2016.

Public Grievance Cell in the Department is receiving grievances of the pensioners / family pensioners and taking up the matter with the concerned offices e.g. Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA), Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pension), etc for redressal of their grievances. Disposal of grievances is monitored at the highest level in the Government.

Out of 20,81,072 OROP beneficiaries, 20,07,090 Pensioners have already received the first instalment and lumpsum payment on account of OROP. Further, in 15,66,486 cases, 2nd instalment have also been paid.

A total of 73,982 Pensioners are yet to be benefited under OROP. Out of these 73,982 cases, details of approximately 30,000 missing information cases have been provided by Pension Sanctioning Authorities (PSAs) to various Pension Disbursing Agencies (PDAs) for making payment and in 29,612 cases payments have been discontinued due to non-identification of the pensioners.

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

Deficiency In Armed Forces

Deficiency in Armed Forces

The shortage of soldiers in the three Armed Forces is given as under:

Officers:

Army	Navy	Air Force
(as on 1.1.2017)	(as on January, 2017)	(as on 1.3.2017)
25472*	12785	13614

JCOs/Other Rank &Equivalent:

Army	Navy	Air Force
(as on 1.1.2017)	(as on January, 2017)	(as on 1.3.2017)
25472*	12785	13614

* Against this deficiency, 78205 recruits are under training. As such there is no significant problem of shortage in other ranks in Army.

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

Source: PIB News