Monday, November 14, 2022
JOINT NATIONAL CONVENTION AT TALKATORA STADIUM: NEW DELHI ON 08 DECEMBER 2022
JOINT NATIONAL CONVENTION
AT TALKATORA STADIUM: NEW DELHI
ON 08 DECEMBER 2022
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PREVENTION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT WORKPLACE
(CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW)
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SUSPENSION
(CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW)
https://dopt.gov.in/sites/default/files/Information%20Document%20on%20Suspension.pdf
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GENERAL ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, 2022 - GRANT OF PAID HOLIDAY TO EMPLOYEES ON THE DAY OF POLL- REGARDING
(CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW)
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PAYMENT OF LEAVE ENCASHMENT IN RESPECT OF AIS OFFICERS WHO WERE UNDER SUSPENSION OR DISCIPLINARY / CRIMINAL PROCEEDING (S) PENDING AGAINST THEM AT THE TIME OF RETIREMENT / SUPERANNUATION
(CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW)
https://dopt.gov.in/sites/default/files/Clarification%20on%20leave%20encashment.pdf
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NATION-WIDE CAMPAIGN FOR SUBMISSION OF DIGITAL LIFE CERTIFICATE.
(CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW)
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GRANT OF DEARNESS RELIEF IN THE 5TH CPC SERIES EFFECTIVE FROM 01.07.2022 TO CPF BENEFICIARIES IN RECEIPT OF BASIC EX-GRATIA PAYMENT-REG (CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW)
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ADMISSIBILITY OF DEARNESS RELIEF ON ADDITIONAL PENSION/ADDITIONAL COMPASSIONATE ALLOWANCE AND ADDITIONAL FAMILY PENSION-CLARIFICATION REGARDING
(CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW)
https://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D3/D03ppw/Circular%2086zWeM.pdf
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INTEREST ON DELAYED PAYMENT OF COMMUTED VALUE OF PENSION-CLARIFICATION REGARDING
(CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW)
https://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D3/D03ppw/Circular%207ygpqK.pdf
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COMMUTATION OF PENSION ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION-CLARIFICATION REGARDING
(CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW)
https://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D3/D03ppw/Circular%206kDpQg.pdf
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ENTITLEMENT ON DISCHARGE FROM SERVICE ON ACCOUNT OF INVALIDATION OR DISABLEMENT TO A CENTRAL GOVERNMENT SERVANT COVERED UNDER NATIONAL PENSION SYSTEM -REG.
(CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW)
https://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D3/D03ppw/NPS%20OM%2028102022%20_2crTsY.PDF
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ENTITLEMENT FOR FAMILY ON DEATH OF A CENTRAL GOVERNMENT SERVANT COVERED UNDER NATIONAL PENSION SYSTEM -REG.
(CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW)
https://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D3/D03ppw/NPS%20OM%20281022_1fdapg.PDF
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PROVISIONS RELATING TO EFFECT OF DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS ON THE BENEFITS FROM ACCUMULATED PENSION CORPUS UNDER NATIONAL PENSION SYSTEM AND GRATUITY IN RESPECT TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES COVERED UNDER NPS.
(CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW)
https://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D3/D03ppw/NPS%20OM%20dated%20271020228U3rP.PDF
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OPTIONS UNDER CENTRAL CIVIL SERVICES (IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL PENSION SYSTEM ) RULES, 2021 TO AVAIL BENEFITS UNDER OLD PENSION SCHEME ON DEATH OF GOVERNMENT SERVANT COVERED UNDER NATIONAL PENSION SYSTEM DURING SERVICE OR HIS DISCHARGE FROM SERVICE ON ACCOUNT OF INVALIDATION OR DISABLEMENT -REG.
(CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW)
https://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D3/D03ppw/OM%20dated%20261022PtOq9.PDF
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CLARIFICATION REGARDING WHETHER DEDUCTIONS TOWARDS COMMUTATION ARE REQUIRED TO BE MADE FROM FAMILY PENSION FOR THE REMAINING PERIOD IN CASES WHERE THE PENSIONER DIES BEFORE THE RESTORATION OF COMMUTED PENSION-REG
(CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW)
https://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D3/D03ppw/Circular%205B2o9G.pdf
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DEDUCTION OF COMMUTED PENSION FROM THE PENSION REVISED IN IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF PAY COMMISSION ETC.
(CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW)
https://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D3/D03ppw/Circular%204cQnP9.pdf
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CLARIFICATION REGARDING PENSION TO BE TAKEN FOR COMMUTATION AFTER RETIREMENT-REG (CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW)
https://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D3/D03ppw/Circular%203qbj5H.pdf
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CLARIFICATION REGARDING DEARNESS RELIEF PAYABLE ON ORIGINAL BASIC PENSION-REG
(CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW)
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EMOLUMENTS FOR DETERMINING MANDATORY CONTRIBUTIONS UNDER NATIONAL PENSION SYSTEM IN RESPECT TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES COVERED UNDER NPS
(CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW)
https://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D3/D03ppw/NPS%20emolumentswanSa.PDF
Monday, October 17, 2022
"Need for revising norms including old parents to raise the wage"
My article "Need for revising norms including old parents to raise the wage" published in today's (18.10.2022) editorial of Kalinga Chronicle, the popular English Daily from Odisha. Thanks to the entire editorial team of #KalingaChronicle.
Since the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 was not complete in all aspects to provide the exact norms for fixing or quantifying minimum wages statutorily, the 15th session of the Indian Labour Conference (ILC) held in July 1957 constituted the basis for fixing minimum wages in India stating that the minimum wage should be need-based and ensure the minimum human needs of the industrial worker. Accordingly, it formulated five norms to serve as a guide for all wage-fixing authorities; (i) three Consumption Units (CU) for one wage earner without incorporating the earnings of women, children and adolescents; (ii) a minimum food requirement of 2,700 calories per adult person per day ; (iii) clothing requirements at 72 yards per annum for an average working family of four; (iv) a house rent corresponding to the minimum area provided for under the Government's Industrial Housing Scheme; and (v) 20% of total minimum wage for fuel, lighting and other miscellaneous items.
But, considering these norms inadequate taking into account the socio-economic aspect of the wage structure, in 1992, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India (SC), in the historic Workmen v Reptakos Brett & Co. judgment (1992) instructed to add few additional components, namely: children’s education, medical requirements, minimum recreation including festivals / ceremonies, and contingencies such as old age and marriage. The SC also directed that these consumption items should constitute 25% of the total minimum wage. In line with the norms set by the 15th ILC (1957) and the SC judgment (1992), the wage-fixing authorities at central and state level have been setting minimum wages for their respective “scheduled” employments under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. As aware, the Government of India has regularly set up Central Pay Commissions (CPC) to review and make recommendations on the work and wage structure of public employees. Six of the seven Pay Commissions so far have used the 15th ILC norms to calculate the minimum pay. In fact, the Seventh CPC, in its 2015 report confirmed that the use of the ILC 1957 norms constitute “the best approach to estimating the minimum pay as it is a need-based wage calculation that directly costs the requirements, normatively prescribed to ensure a healthy and a dignified standard of living”.
Thus, the above 3 CUs of the wage earner devised by 15th ILC (1957) and subsequently accepted by the SC in 1992 considered the male as 1, female as 0.8 and the two children each as 0.6 CU respectively. It doesn’t include the parents of the wage earner. At the time of entry to the job, the wage earner may not have his/her spouse and children but must have the parents. But most surprisingly, while the ILC ignored the parents of the wage earner from the definition of a typical Indian family for computing the minimum need-based wage, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India unfortunately also restricted the additional components like medical requirements and contingencies for old age etc. to the wage earner only.
The people of India belong to different religions and faiths. They are governed by different sets of personal laws in respect of matters relating to family affairs, i.e., marriage, divorce, succession, etc. Historically, irrespective of religion and faith, the traditional, perfect and beloved family in India is the joint family which, in addition to the wage earner, his spouse and children consists of three to four living generations, including uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and grandparents living together in the same home. The maintenance of all such family members on the part of the wage earner is not only ethical, but logical and legal also. But while attempting to increase the minimum wages through the above legislative changes, neither the ILC nor the SC did consider the potential consequences on these demographic groups.
It is needless to state that in the present day society, the old parents are frequently witnessed to be seriously ignored and abused by the wage-earners who prefer to live in a nuclear family with his wife and children only. Hardly any wage-earner is shouldering the burden of the parents during their old age. One of the main reasons for such estrangement and abandoning the old parents by Indian youths is money or finances. A study conducted in June 2020, by the NGO Agewell Foundation, 71 per cent of India’s elderly reported an increase in maltreatment during the first Covid-19 induced lockdown. As a result, now the concept of old-age home is mushrooming in Indian society where the neglected parents are being sheltered which is too piteous. According to the Report of the Technical Group on Population Projections for India and States 2011-2036, there are nearly 138 million elderly persons in India in 2021 and it is further expected to increase by around 56 million elderly persons in 2031. There are 18 million homeless elderly persons in India based on the Longitudinal Ageing Survey of India 2020. Currently, there are 728 old age homes, both private and public in India providing different geriatric services.
In this context, it is worth mentioning here that Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 casts obligations on children to maintain their parents/grandparents and also the relative of the senior citizens. Here, children include son, daughter, grandson, grand daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and maintenance includes provision for food, clothing, residence, medical attendance and treatment. Similarly, as per the Act, parent means father or mother whether biological, adoptive or step father or step mother. In addition, Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 which is secular in nature and applicable to all individuals equally irrespective of their religion, provides maintenance for the wife, children and parents. Above all, the Central Civil Services (Conduct), Rules, 1964 include the dependent parents of the Government employee in the definition of family for the purpose of availing Leave Travel Concession (LTC), Medical Treatment etc. As such, the old dependent parents should not be ignored from the purview of the family while computing the minimum need-based wage and a family for the purpose should be considered for 5 CUs including the parents of the wage-earner as 2 CUs (Father 1CU and Mother 1CU) instead of existing 3 for fair play of justice. The increase in minimum wage determined as such will certainly change the behaviour of the wage-earner towards his/her old dependent parents in a positive way and thereby increase the ability to spend more quality time with them reducing the estrangements.
Now, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India may take a sou motu cognizance of the issue and give a direction to all the wage-fixing authorities to consider the family as 5 CUs instead of the existing 3 for computation of minimum need-based wage which will be another landmark for protection of the senior citizens of this public welfare country in addition to reducing the frequent agitations made throughout the year by different Trade Unions across the nation in this regard.
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Wednesday, October 12, 2022
"Stop dillydally; 8th CPC already delayed by 5 years"
My article "Stop dillydally; 8th CPC already delayed by 5 years" published in popular national English Daily 'The Pioneer' (Bhubaneswar Edition) on 13 October 2022
In reply to a Rajya Sabha un-starred question “Whether it is a fact that the Government is considering not to constitute 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), to revise salary, allowances and pension of the Central Government employees and pensioners”, the Minister of State of Finance said ‘No’ on August 2, 2022 which means that there is possibility of constitution of 8th CPC whose recommendations will be due with effect from 01.01.2026, i.e. after 10 years of implementation of the recommendations of 7th CPC on 01.01.2016.
But, in the meantime, the Confederation of the Central Government Employees and Workers has started agitating demanding wage revision in every 5 years with implementation from 01.01.2021 (i.e. after 5 years of implementation of the recommendations of 7th CPC on 01.01.2016) instead of ten years since many State Governments and public sector undertakings are revising the salary, allowances and pension in favour of their employees in every 5 years.
While demanding for constitution of 6th CPC for which 3 nationwide general strikes were conducted by the Central Government employees and pensioners in a series in 2012, 2013 and 2014, a demand was also placed for 5 years wage revision. Similar was the demand during constitution of 7th CPC which was not paid due attention by the Government. Contradictorily, the Chairman 7th CPC, in Para 1.22 of his forwarding report recommended that the matrix may be reviewed periodically without waiting for long period of 10 years. It can be reviewed and revised on the basis of Aykroyd formula which takes into consideration the changes in prices of the commodities that constitute a common man’s basket which the Labour Bureau at Shimla reviews periodically. It is suggested that this should be made the basis for revision of that matrix periodically without waiting for another Pay Commission.
While the periodical review recommended as above has no sense at all without specifying a particular period, i.e. annually, biennially, triennially etc., there has been no review till date though 7th year is running in 2022 since implementation of the recommendations of the 7th CPC on 01.01.2016. Further, as replied by the concerned Minister of State to the above Unstarred Question, since the issue has not been considered by the Union Cabinet while according the approval for revision of pay and allowances based on 7th CPC, the above recommendations on review have not been implemented so far. Thus, the Union Government is playing dilly dally with more than one crore Central Government employees and pensioners for last 7 years.
A technical analysis will reveal the serious lapses in timely constitution of the CPCs and implementation of the so called recommendations in time. When the 1st CPC was appointed in May 1946, its report was submitted in May 1947. The 2nd CPC was constituted just after 10 years in August 1957 which submitted its report in August 1959. But unfortunately, the 3rd CPC was appointed in April, 1970 which submitted the report in March 1973. Subsequently, the recommendations of 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th CPCs were implemented with effect from 01.01.1986, 01.01.1996, 01.01.2006 and 01.01.2016 respectively. Had the CPCs been constituted in a time gap of 10 years after implementation of the recommendations of the 1st CPC in 1947, the recommendations of the 2nd CPC to 7th CPC would have been implemented on 01.01.1957 (2nd), 01.01.1967 (3rd), 01.01.1977 (4th), 01.01.1987 (5th), 01.01.1997 (6th) and 01.01.2007 (7th) and by this time 8th CPC’s recommendations might have been over since 01.01.2017. Thus, when observed practically, the constitution of 8th CPC and implementation of its recommendations are already delayed by 5 years.
Even if the Union Government considers 5 years wage revision for Central Government employees as demanded by the Confederation of the Central Government Employees and Workers, it is already overdue since 01.01.2021. Further, the recommendations of the 7th CPC are crystal clear for periodical review for revision of pay, allowances and pension without waiting for another Pay Commission.
Thus, now, it is the moral responsibility of the Union Government to come forward for immediate revision of pay, allowances and pension of the Central Government employees without further plea in any manner failing which, more than one crore employees and pensioners will take to streets to achieve their genuine demands. The trade union activities are going to get a greater momentum this time in association with many independent federations including the State Government employees.
(The writer is general secretary, Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers, Odisha State Coordination Committee, Mob No. 9437022669)
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
No change in the rule related to booking of tickets for Children travelling in train
Ministry of Railways
No change in the rule related to booking of tickets for Children travelling in train
It is optional for passengers to buy ticket & book berth for children below 5 years
Free travel is allowed for children below 5 years, if no berth is booked
Posted On: 17 AUG 2022 2:02PM by PIB Delhi
There have been some recent media reports that claim that Indian Railways has changed the rule with regards to booking of tickets for Children travelling in the train. These reports claim that now children between the age of one to four years will have to get a ticket for traveling in the train.
These news items and media reports are misleading. It is informed that Indian Railways has not introduced any changes with regards to booking of tickets for children travelling in the train. On the demand of the passengers, an option has been given to them to buy a ticket and book a berth for their under 5 year old child if they want. And if they don’t want a separate berth, then it is free, same like it used to be earlier.
A Circular dated 06.03.2020 of Ministry of Railways states that Children under five years of age shall be carried free. However, separate berth or seat(in chair car) shall not be given. Therefore purchase of any ticket is not required provided separate berth is not claimed. However, if berth/seat shall be sought on voluntary basis for children of age below 5 years then full adult fare shall be charged.
Government institutionalised Capacity Building of its officials for getting maximum output
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh says, Government has institutionalised Capacity Building of its officials for getting maximum output
Addressing the Assistant Section Officers (Probationers) of 2019 Batch at ISTM in New Delhi, Dr Jitendra Singh calls upon civil servants to work towards fulfilling the expectations of a citizen in a diligent and result-oriented manner
The Minister lauds the role of training division of DOPT and ISTM in their efforts to fulfil the vision of the Prime Minister in this massive and historic effort of Capacity Building for all categories of Civil Servants
Dr Jitendra Singh releases a book “Transforming India- Governance for Atmanirbhar Bharat” & “Adhigam”, ISTM’s Journal on ‘Research on Training and Governance’ on the occasion
Posted On: 17 AUG 2022 4:07PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said, Government has institutionalised Capacity Building of its officials for getting maximum output.
Addressing the Assistant Section Officers (Probationers) of 2019 Batch at ISTM here, Dr Jitendra Singh said, welfare of every citizen is at the heart of national planning and programmes in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for building a New India. He said, citizen welfare is not only the prime constitutional mandate for the government, but it is also important for ensuring a participative form of the Government.
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Dwelling on the training aspects of civil servants, Dr Jitendra Singh underlined that Government of India attaches high priority to training needs of every official and it is now implementing the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building or Mission Karmayogi aimed at creating an opportunity of world class capacity building to all Government officials based on the key principle of “role-based” learning” than the earlier practice of training in Rule based programs. He also expressed satisfaction that that the ASO Foundation Training Programme is one of the first to have been redesigned incorporating important principles of Mission Karmayogi.
This is the second batch to undergo the revamped “role based” and “competency-based” training, where there will be a mix of online, on the job and class room training as well. The Ministries and Departments where they will be posted now will also be planning for their capacity building in the domain specific competencies, so that they can deliver the best in their allocated job.
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Dr Jitendra Singh told the officers that after qualifying the difficult exam, they are part of the government machinery, and the entire nation looks towards them for playing their role efficiently, smartly and effectively. He said, it is time for them to work towards fulfilling the expectations of a citizen in a diligent and result-oriented manner by cutting down delays, ensuring timely disposal of business and strengthening the system of monitoring of outputs and outcomes. The Minister said, the ASOs have the advantage of bringing in the fresh perspective and views on existing problems and they can use new thinking and ingenuity in their work processes, wherever posted.
Dr Jitendra Singh felt happy for being informed that more than half of this batch are Science Graduates and added that this will help in adapting to the changing roles of CSS – being tech savvy for citizen centric feedback, real time monitoring of schemes/programmes etc. He also pointed out that Prime Minister Modi’s many new schemes have strong scientific basis and orientation, be it Gatishakti, Digital India, Start-up India, Jan Dhan-Aadhar-Mobile trinity, Direct Benefit Transfer and dashboards and platforms for monitoring of all major programmes. He said, the background of probationers and skill set will greatly help them to quickly understand the job requirements and help in making important contribution.
Dr Jitendra Singh reminded the probationers that Prime Minister always emphasised to treat “Government Service as your “Seva” and not “Naukri”. Referring to his personal experience, the Minister told them that no other job will provide them an opportunity to work in several Ministries and Departments and connect with so many colleagues in other organisations and to directly serve the society than the one they are now part of.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, Central Secretariat, as the entire universe of Central Ministries and Departments is commonly referred to, is the nerve centre of functioning of the Government of India as the Secretariat is essentially meant for policy formulation, implementation, coordination with State Governments and field agencies and monitoring organisation of the government. He said, the Secretariat’s primary responsibility is to assist and advise the political executive in policy formulation, implementation, review and modification of such policies from time to time. Besides, the Secretariat also looks after several other important functions such as drafting legislations, rules and regulations, Sectoral planning and programme formulation, and exercises budgetary control, the Minister added.
Referring to Prime Minister’s speech, Dr Jitendra Singh said, “In this period of “Amrit Kaal”, we have to take Reform, Perform, Transform to the next level. That is why today's India is moving ahead with the spirit of Sabka Prayas”. He also recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s mantra that every decision should be evaluated on the touchstone of the welfare of the last person in the last line. The Minister reminded the officers that they have a long way to go and serve the Secretariat for the next 30-35 years or so and they will be part of the great process of social and economic transformation being carried forward in terms of the vision of the Prime Minister to take the country to the Golden era in its 100th year of Independence in 2047.
Dr Jitendra Singh also released a book “Transforming India- Governance for Atmanirbhar Bharat” & “Adhigam”, ISTM’s Journal on ‘Research on Training and Governance’ on the occasion.
Dr Jitendra Singh congratulated the officers for joining the central secretariat service, which serves as an institutional memory and provides continuity in Administration. He also wished success to the training division of DOPT and ISTM in their efforts to fulfil the vision of the Prime Minister in this massive and historic effort of Capacity Building for all categories of Civil Servants.
Smt. S. Radha Chauhan, Secretary (Personnel), Smt. Deepti Umashankar, EO & Additional Secretary, DoPT, Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, Member (HR), CBC, Shri S.D. Sharma, Director, ISTM & Joint Secretary (Trg.) and other senior officers joined the event.
Sunday, August 14, 2022
Friday, August 12, 2022
Stop merger of POSB with IPPB, Stop Privatization / Corporatization of India Post
Dear Comrades,
Here is my interview with Kalinga Bhaskar on merger of POSB with IPPB. If you oppose this merger leading to corporatization of India Post, then it is my sincere appeal to share please so that it can reach to common citizen of India for greater awareness. Stop merger of POSB with IPPB and stop Corporatization / Privatization of India Post. Link -
https://fb.watch/eRRjCfp1DD/
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
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