Proposal to grant Paramilitary Allowance/Special Pay to the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel at par with the Army: Lok Sabha Q&A

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO 15

 ANSWERED ON 24.02.2015

PARAMILITARY ALLOWANCE SPECIAL PAY FOR CAPF

15 . Nishank Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal

Kishore Shri Kaushal

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether suggestions have been received from various quarters to grant Paramilitary Allowance/Special Pay to the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel at par with the Army, if so, the details and the present status thereof;

(b) the financial benefits envisaged for such personnel;

(c) whether the Government is also considering other benefits/facilities for the CAPF personnel on the lines of Defence Forces; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No.15 FOR 24.02.2015

(a) : A proposal has been received from BSF for sanction of Para Military Service Pay (PMSP) to BSF personnel at par with Army personnel. This proposal has been referred to the 7th Central Pay Commission vide MHA OM dated 05.11.2014.

(b) : The rate of Para Military Service Pay requested is @ Rs.2,000/- pm to Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) and Rs.6,000/- pm to officers up to DIG rank, based on the rates of Military Service Pay.

(c) & (d) : Besides PMSP, another proposal for 20 days’ Casual Leave to Officers and 30 days for Other Ranks in CAPFs, in a calendar year, at par with Army has also been referred to the 7th Central Pay Commission vide MHA OM dated 17.10.2014.

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No hike in Railway Passenger Fares - Railway Budget 2015 - 2016

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of Railways 

No hike in Railway Passenger Fares 

Plan Outlay proposed Rs. 1,00,011 crore, increased by 52% 

Allocation for passenger amenities up by 67% 

Railways to become prime mover of Indian Economy, Five years action plan proposed

Rail Budget seeks resource mobilization for higher investment

Thrust on measurable and sustainable improvement in passenger experience and to make Rail a safer means of travel

Hot buttons, coin vending machines for railway tickets within 5 minutes, e-catering to select meals from an array of choices

200 more stations to come under Adarsh Station scheme; Wi - Fi to be provided at B category stations

24X7 helplines for attending passenger problems and security related complaints

For the safety of women passengers surveillance cameras in suburban coaches

More General class coaches will be added in identified trains.

The speed of nine railway corridors will be increased to 160 and 200 kmph

Train Protection Warning System and Train Collision Avoidance System to be installed on select routes

77 new projects covering 9,400 km of doubling/tripling/quadrupling works proposed

A new department for keeping stations and trains clean under Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

  

Railway Budget presented today in Parliament proposed measures to make Indian Railways prime mover of Indian Economy once again. It seeks resource mobilization for higher investment, decongestion of heavy haul routes and speeding of trains and project delivery, better passenger amenities and safety, and to make railways a preferred mode of transport for masses. Presenting the Budget in Parliament, Railway Minister, Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu said that all critical initiatives proposed will be pursued in mission mode.

  

The Budget proposals have set four goals to transform Indian Railways over next five years which are- a sustainable and measurable improvement in customer experience,  make rail a safer means of travel, expansion of capacity substantially , modernization of infrastructure and finally to make railways financially self-sustainable. To achieve these goals the budget proposes five drivers which include adopting a medium-term perspective plan consisting of White Paper, a Vision-2030 document and a five year action plan. Building Partnerships with key stakeholders for long term financing and overseas technology, improving last mile connectivity, expanding fleet of rolling stock and modernization of station infrastructure are included in these drivers. Railways will also leverage additional resources; envisages investment of Rs. 8.5 lakh crore in next five years.

Revamping management practices, systems, processes, and re-tooling of human resources will be taken up by the Railways to achieve targeted operating ratio for 2015-16 at 88.5%. Fast decision making, tight accountability, improved management information systems and better training and development of human resource will also be part of the action plan to achieve the goals.

In order to make travel on Indian Railways a happy experience, the Budget has given thrust on Cleanliness and proposes a new department for keeping stations and trains clean under Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. New toilets will be built at 650 additional stations; online booking of disposable bed rolls will be made available. 24X7 helpline number 138;toll-free number 182 for security related complaints have also been proposed in the budget.

In order to make ticketing more passenger friendly the Budget proposes “operation five minutes” for issuing unreserved tickets, hot buttons, coin vending machines, concessional e-tickets for differently abled travelers, for booking tickets a multi-lingual e-portal  will be developed. Crediting of refunds through banks and unreserved tickets on Smart phones will be available. Proliferation of automatic ticket vending machines with smart cards and currency options, integrated ticketing system on the lines of rail-cum-road tickets, Defence Travel System developed for elimination of Warrants have also been proposed in the Budget.

The Budget has proposed e-catering to select meals from an array of choices. Ordering food through IRCTC website at the time of booking of tickets; integrating best food chains into this project; setting up of Base Kitchens in specified divisions to be run by reputed agencies for serving quality food and expansion of water vending machines will be taken up.

Hand-held terminals to Travelling Ticket Examiners (TTEs) for verification of passengers will now be provided for verification of passengers, possibility of extending facility of SMS on mobiles as a valid proof of travel for PRS tickets will be explored. A centrally managed Railway Display Network in over 2000 stations in next two years will be included besides  “SMS Alert” service to inform passengers in advance of the updated arrival/departure time of trains at starting or destination stations.

For the safety of women passengers surveillance cameras will be provided on a pilot basis in selected mainline coaches and ladies’ compartments of suburban coaches.

The Railways will also take up a project for introducing on-board entertainment on select Shatabdi trains; Mobile phone charging facilities will be provided in general class coaches & will be increased in sleeper class coaches.

Now, 200 more stations to come under Adarsh Station scheme; Wi - Fi to be provided at B category stations; facility of self-operated lockers will be available at stations. Passenger capacity in identified trains will be augmented; more General class coaches will be added in identified trains. The Railways has also approached NID to design user friendly ladders for climbing upper berths. It has also proposed more quota of lower berths for senior citizens. TTEs will now be instructed to help senior citizens, pregnant women and differently-abled persons in obtaining lower berths; middle bay of coaches to be reserved for women and senior citizen.  Provision of Rs. 120 crore has been made for Lifts and escalator; newly manufactured coaches will now be Braille enabled; building wider entrances for the ease of differently-abled passengers; allocation for passenger amenities up by 67%.

The Railways has proposed to revamp its station development policy completely and simplifies process for faster development by inviting open bids. It has proposed to develop 10 Satellite Railway terminals in major cities with twin purpose of decongesting the city and providing services to suburban passengers.

  

Seventy seven projects covering 9,400 km of doubling/tripling/quadrupling works along with electrification, covering almost all States, at a cost of Rs. 96,182 crore will be taken up. Traffic facility works a top priority with outlay of Rs. 2374 crore have been proposed. In order to accelerate the pace of Railway electrification, 6,608 route kilometres will be sanctioned for 2015-16, an increase of 1330% over the previous year.

As per the Budget proposal, the speed of 9 railway corridors will  be increased from existing 110 and 130 kmph to 160 and 200 kmph respectively so that inter-metro journeys like Delhi-Kolkata and Delhi-Mumbai can be completed overnight. Average speed of freight trains in empty and loaded conditions, will be enhanced to 100 kmph for empty freight trains and 75 kmph for loaded trains. 

Declaring safety of paramount importance for Railways, an action plan has been proposed for accident prone areas. The Budget also proposes 970 ROB/RUBs and other safety-related works to eliminate 3438 level crossings at a total expense of Rs. 6,581 crore, 2600% higher than the previous year. Train Protection Warning System and Train Collision Avoidance System will be installed on select routes at the earliest.

  

The Budget proposes constituting an innovation council called “Kayakalp” for business re-engineering and introducing a spirit of innovation in Railways besides setting up of Technology portal to invite innovative technological solutions. Four Railway Research Centers in select universities for fundamental research have also been proposed besides ‘Malaviya Chair’ for Railway Technology at IIT (BHU), Varanasi.

PPP cell of Railways will be revamped to make it result oriented, “Foreign Rail Technology Cooperation scheme” will be launched. Joint ventures will be set up with States for focused project development, resource mobilization, land acquisition, project implementation and monitoring of critical rail projects. In order to meet the requirements of new lines JVs will also be set up with major public sector customers.

Rail Budget has also proposed Coastal Connectivity Program in partnership with ports for Nargol, Chharra, Dighi, Rewas and Tuna. Besides this, projects worth Rs 2500 crore will be taken up through BOT/ Annuity route. These include Wardha- Nagpur 3rd line, Kazipet-Vijaywada 3rd line, Bhadrak –Nargundi 3rd line and Bhuj- Nalia Gauge Conversion.

In order to make Indian Railways more environment friendly, 100 DEMUs will be enabled for dual fuel – CNG and diesel. Locomotives running on LNG are also currently under development. Noise levels of locos to be at par with international norms; concerns related to wildlife to be addressed.

As a part of its social initiatives, now Rail stations and training centers will be made available for skill development. Incredible Rail for Incredible India will be launched and training of auto-rickshaw and taxi-operators as tourist-guides on the model of Konkan Railway will be taken up for tourism promotion. IRCTC will work on promoting the Gandhi circuit to attract tourists to mark the occasion of 100 years of the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa. Kisan Yatra, a special travel scheme for farmers for farming & marketing technique centres has also been proposed.

According to Budget Estimates, Plan Outlay for 2015-16 has been proposed to Rs 1,00,011 crore, an increase of 52% over RE 2014-15 plan size. Out of this 41.6% resources will come from Central Government support while 17.8 % will be generated from internal resources.  

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Amendment in CCS Leave Rules for Disabled Persons – Dopt Orders

No.18017/1/2014-Estt(L)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Department of Personnel & Training

New Delhi, the 25th February, 2015

Subject: Amendment to Central Civil Service (Leave) Rules, 1972 – Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of justifys and Full Participation) Act, 1995 (PWD Act 1995)-regarding

The Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972 were amended vide the Department of Personnel and Training Notification No.13026/1/2002-Estt(L) dated the 15/16th January, 2004 consequent to the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of justifys and Full Participation) Act, 1995 (PWD Act 1995) which came into force from 7th February, 1996.

2. Section 47 of the PWD Act, 1995 provides that services of no employee can be terminated nor can he be reduced in rank in case the employee has acquired a disability during his service. The first proviso to the Section 47 lays down that if such an employee is not suitable for the post he was holding, he could be shifted to some other post. However, his pay and service benefits would be protected. The second proviso provides that if it is not possible to adjust such an employee against any post, he would be kept on a supernumerary post until a suitable post is available or he attains the age of superannuation, whichever is earlier. Further, the Clause (2) of Section 47 provides that no promotion shall be denied to a person merely on ground of his disability. In Kunal Singh v. Union of India, [2003] 4 SCC 524, Hon’ble Supreme Court has observed that the very frame and contents of Section 47 of the PWD Act, 1995 clearly indicate its mandatory nature.

3. The issues relating to leave or absence of Government servants who have acquired a disability while in service are required to be dealt with in the light of the provisions of the Section 47 of Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of justifys and Full Participation) Act, 1995. The case of a disabled government servant who is declared fit to resume duty but who may not able to perform the duties of the post he was holding earlier may be dealt with as per the first proviso to Section 47 of the PWD Act, 1995. The second proviso shall apply if it is not possible to adjust him against any existing post. In all such cases, the Government servant so adjusted shall be entitled to the pay scale and other service benefits attached to the post he was holding.

4. A disabled Government servant who is not fit to return to duty shall be adjusted as per second proviso to the Section 47 mentioned above, until he is declared fit to resume duty or attains the age of superannuation whichever is earlier, with the same pay scale and service benefits. On being declared fit for resuming duty, the Government servant who is not fit for the post he is holding, may be adjusted as per the first proviso to Section 47.

5. Leave applied on medical certificate in connection with disability should not be refused or revoked without reference to a Medical Authority, whose advice shall be binding. The ceiling on maximum permissible leave laid down in Rule 12 may not be applied to leave on medical certificate applied in connection with the disability. Any leave debited for the period after a Government servant is declared incapacitated shall be remitted back into his/her leave account.

6. For a government servant who is unable to submit an application or medical certificate on account of disability, an application/medical certificate submitted by a family member may be accepted. The provisions relating to examination of disabled Government servants and the Medical Authorities competent to issue such certificates are also being amended.

7. Necessary amendments to the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972 are being notified separately.

Sd/-

(Mukesh Chaturvedi)

Director

Source:http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/18017_1_2014-Estt.L-25022015.pdf

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JCM Staff Side Meeting with 7th Pay Commission – Discussion about DA Merger and Interim Relief

The JCM Staff Side delegation met the Chairman, Seventh Central Pay Commission, 25/02/2015 at 11:00 hrs. The detailed report as follows…

NFIR

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen

3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI . 110055

No.IV/NFIR/7th CPC/Corres/Pt.V

Dated 25/02/2015

Sub: JCM Staff Side Meeting with the Chairman, 7th CPC.

The JCM Staff Side delegation met the Chairman, Seventh Central Pay Commission, 25/02/2015 at 11:00 hrs. The following issues were raised :-

i. Merger of DA with Pay and grant of Interim Relief :-

The JCM Staff Side insisted that the Pay Commission should consider Staff Side memorandum submitted in the month of June 2014 and recommend DA merger. The Chairman, 7th CPC replied that there is no communication from the Government of India to give interim report on DA merger demand. After discussion, the Chairman 7th CPC has decided to send D.O. letter to the Government today conveying the strong protest of Staff Side/JCM.

With regard to grant of Interim Relief, the Chairman heard the point of view of the Staff Side JCM that it is only “provisional payment in view of market situation and urged upon the Commission to send suo-moto recommendation to the Government.

ii. Allotment of time slots for explaining the case of Central Government Employees as well ‘ Departments like Railways, Postal, Defence (Civil side) etc.,

The Chairman suggested that small committees may be constituted by the Staff Side for meeting the Pay Commission for deliberations and enough time will be given. He also said that the Memorandums given by JCM, Federations/Unions/Associations have been gone into by the Pay Commission fully. He further said that VII CPC will meet the teams from each department and hear their proposals.

Responding to this, the JCM Staff Side has agreed to make out the proposal for the purpose of facilitating the Pay Commission to hear the views/submissions of the Federations/Unior/Associations. The deliberations may commence somewhere after 15th March, 2015. Staff Side JCM will prepare time schedule proposal and send to Pay Commission accordingly.

iii. Gramin Dak Sewaks – The case was explained. The Pay Commission was suggested that the copy of Supreme Court Judgment may be made available for examination.

On behalf of NFIR S/Shri M.Raghavaiah (JCM Staff Side/Leader), Guman Singh, R.P.Bhatnagar and B.C. Sharma have participated in the meeting.

Sd/-

(Dr M.Raghavaiah)

General Secretary

Source: NFIR

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AIBOA published discussion and decision taken in the meeting with IBA on 23.2.2015

ALL INDIA BANK OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION

Circular No.6/VI/2015

February 23, 2015

Camp: MUMBAI

To:

ALL UNITS / STATE COMMITTEES

Dear Comrades,

WAGE REVISION – 18TH ROUND.

TOTAL QUANTUM CLINCHED.

A NEW SERVICE CONDITION INTRODUCED.

4 DAYS STRIKE CALLED OFF.

In the background of C.L.C.(Central) Delhi, counseling IBA and also representatives of the unions to get back to the negotiation on 20.02.2015, in which Com.Alok Khare, Vice Chairmen, Com.S.S.Shishodia, President and Com.Sanjay Khan Joint Secretary AIBOA participated and at the CLC’s advice IBA invited the unions for discussions on 23.02.2015.

To-day, a meeting was held at IBA office at 11.30 am. Representatives of all the eleven unions participated in the discussions.

2. IBA team was led by Shri.T.M.Bhasin, Chairman IBA, Smt.Arundhati Bhattacharya Chairman SBI, Smt.V.R.Iyer, Chairperson and Managing Director BOI, Shri.Rajeev Rishi,CMD,CBI,Shri.Ashwini Kumar,CMD DB, Shri.Arun Tiwari CMD UBI, Shri.Rakesh Sethi CMD All Bank, Shri.Animesh Chauhan MD&CEO OBC,Shri.Ashwini Mehra DMD SBI Shri.Shyam Srinivasan CEO Federal Bank, Shri.M.V.Tanksale CEO IBA, Shri.K.Unnikrishnan Dy CEO,IBA, Shri.K.S.Chauhan besides officials of HR department of IBA.

3. While initiating the dialogue Shri.M.V.Tanksale CEO IBA expressed the progress made in the last 18 rounds and also the meetings held with the subgroups with workmen and officers during this period. Shri.Rajeev Rishi Chairman Negotiating Committee IBA, picked up the thread from the last discussion held on 3.02.2015 and reiterated that unions should come forward with the revised demand. Com.M.V.Murali, Convenor UFBU presented in a pointed way the chronological progress of the conduct of the negotiations and also the ‘U’ turn of IBA on 03.02.2015 vis a vis the assurance made on 19.01.2015 precipitating the crisis.

4. Shri.T.M.Bhasin, Chairman IBA quoting the details of the earlier bipartite benefits, ultimately indicated the paying capacity of the individual banks is the deciding factor, indicated failure at Industry level to force a situation of individual bankwise settlement. He also appealed to appreciate the present situation in Q3 performance of various banks and realize the need to fold up the negotiation with the offer of further 0.5% increase from 13% made on 03.02.2015 by Shri,Rajeev Rishi, Chairman Negotiating Team IBA.

5. Smt.A.Bhattacharya Chairman SBI in her pointed presentation dealt the present position of Public Sector Banks vis a vis Private Sector Banks, present capital infusion announcement of Rs 6990 crores by Government of India and also to realize the need to finalise the agreement keeping in mind the various serious developments having global compulsions and also stipulations. To get the priority reallocation of PSB employees at par with Central government employees for the purpose of admission of the wards in Kendriya Vidyalayas by her efforts was also shared in the meeting. Smt.V.R.Iyer, too supported the view points expressed by Chairman SBI and explained the need to function as a team to keep PSBs in tact and not to allow the Private sector banks to sneak in to capture the business from us..

6. After protracted negotiations, ultimately the understandings have been clinched which are as follows;

a. Date of Effect 1.11.2012.

b. Total Increase of 15% in Payslip components- amounting of Rs 4725 crores.

c. Construction of new Basic Pay by merging 60.15% of D.A impact where of not to exceed 2% of BP plus DA amounting Rs 597 cr.

d. 2nd and 4th Saturdays will be holidays and other Saturdays will be full working Days.

7. Thus the exercise to construct new Basic Pay effective from 1.11.2012 has been initiated by sealing the agreement, with the first step to clinch a new working condition in the era of Information and Communication Technology explosion, quite nearer to our most important demand of 5 day working.

8. AIBOA place on record the role played by Com.D.Raja CPI MP leading AIBEA –AIBOA delegation to meet FM on 19/02/2015 and making sincere efforts to break the deadlock in the Banking Industry avoiding paralysis of the nerve centre of the economy in the last week of this month., due to the proposed 4 days strike which now stands called off consequent to signing of MOU as above. Detailed Pay structures may now be worked out with IBA in subsequent meetings besides discussions other left out issues including of those pertaining to retirees.

9. Comrades, while rejoicing this success of wage increase, let us not be complacent in our efforts to protect our Public Sector character of our Industry and also preserve the jobs and jobs security secured by the founding fathers of our movement.

CONGRATS !!! YOU ALL HAVE MADE IT TO HAPPEN.

Yours comradely,

Sd/-

S.NAGARAJAN.

GENERAL SECRETARY

Source: www.aiboa.org

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Whether ‘married son’ can be considered for compassionate appointment? - DoPT Clarification

Department of Personnel & Training

Establishment ‘D’ Section

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Compassionate Appointment

Definition of a Dependent Family Member

S.No. Question and Answer

60. Whether ‘married son’ can be considered for compassionate appointment?

Yes, if he otherwise fulfils all the other requirements of the Scheme i.e. he is otherwise eligible and fulfils the criteria laid down in this Department’s O.M. dated 16th January, 2013. This would be effective from the date of issue of this FAQ viz. 25th February, 2015 and the cases of compassionate appointment already settled w.r.t. the FAQs dated 30th May, 2013, may not be reopened.

Sr.No.13 of the FAQs dated 30th May, 2013 may be deemed to have been modified to this extent.

Sd/-

(Rakesh Moza)

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source:http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/FAQ-25022015.pdf

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National Overseas Scholarship Scheme

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment 

National Overseas Scholarship Scheme 

The Scheme of ‘National Overseas Scholarship Scheme for OBC candidates’ has been renamed as ‘Dr Ambedkar Central Sector Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loan for Overseas Studies for OBC’ wherein the interest subsidy will be provided to the OBC students on the interest payable for the period of moratorium for the educational loans availed by them from the Banks to pursue approved courses of studies abroad at Masters and Ph.D level.

The Scheme is:

Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies for the Students belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs)

1.         Background

The scheme of Interest Subsidy on educational loans for overseas studies will promote educational advancement of student from Other Backward Classes.

2.         Objective

The objective of the scheme is to award interest subsidy to meritorious students belonging to Other weaker sections of the society so as to provide them better opportunities for higher education abroad and enhance their employability.

3.         Scope

The is a Central Sector Scheme to provide interest subsidy to the student belonging to the OBCs on the interest payable for the period of moratorium for the Education Loans under the Scheme of Interest subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies to pursue approved courses of studies abroad at Masters and Ph.D level.

4.         Conditions for Interest Subsidy

i.                    The Scheme is applicable for higher studies abroad. The interest Subsidy shall be linked with the existing Educational Loan Scheme of Indian Banks Association (IBA) and restricted to students enrolled for course at Masters, M.Phil and Ph.D level.

ii.                  The interest subsidy under the scheme shall be available to the eligible students only once, either for Masters or Ph.D levels. Interest subsidy shall not be available to those students who either discontinued the course mid-stream due to any reason, or those who are expelled from the institutions on disciplinary or academic grounds.

iii.                If a student violates any condition of the scheme, the subsidy will be discontinued forthwith.

iv.                If a student is found to have obtained the subsidy by false statement/certificates, the subsidy will be withdrawn/ cancelled forthwith and amount of the subsidy paid shall be recovered with penal interest, apart from taking criminal action as per law.

v.                  The students obtaining benefits under this Scheme shall not be given the interest subsidy if he gives up Indian citizenship during the tenure of the loan.

vi.                The designated bank will maintain a separate account and records relating to the funds received from the Ministry and these will be subject to inspection/audit by the officers of the Ministry, or any other agency designated by the Ministry and C&AG.

vii.              The designated Banks shall place all relevant details of financial and physical achievements on its website and implement the scheme as per the Memorandum of understanding to be signed between the designated Banks and NBCFDC on behalf of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

viii.            The designated Banks will lay down the detailed procedure for processing and sanctioning of interest subsidy to eligible students in consultation with NBCFDC.

ix.                The Scheme will be evaluated at regular intervals by the Ministry or any other agency designated by the Ministry and the cost of the evaluation study will be borne by the Ministry.

x.                  The term and conditions of the Scheme can be changed at any time at the discretion of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to improve procedure and achieve more effective implementation. However, there should not be financial implications.

5.         Eligibility

i.                    The students should have secured admission in the approved courses at Masters, M.Phil or Ph.D levels abroad for the courses listed at Para14.

ii.                  He/She should have availed loan from a scheduled bank under the Education Loan Scheme of the Indian Banks Association (IBA) for the purpose.

6.         Income Ceiling

i.                    Total income from all sources of the employed candidate or his/her parents/guardians in case of unemployed candidate shall not exceed Rs.3.00 lakh per annum.

ii.                  Under this Scheme, Income certificate produced by the student for availing Educational Loan viz. ITR/Form 16/Audited Accounts/Income certificate issued by the authority of State Government/UT Administration is acceptable to determining Income ceiling.

iii.                The OBC Caste certificate in the prescribed Performa (as per Annexure) issued by the competent authority must be taken by the Banks.

7.         Recommendatory Committee

i.                    Recommendatory Committee headed by Joint Secretary in-charge of Backward Classes Division with representatives of Finance Division, representative of Nodal Bank and concerned Director/Deputy Secretary as convener will examine and recommend the applications for award of interest subsidy on quarterly basis.

ii.                  50% Interest Subsidy will be given to the girl candidates.

8.         Rate of Interest Subsidy

i.                    Under the scheme, interest payable by the students availing the education loans of the IBA for the period of moratorium (i.e. course period, plus one year or six months after getting job, whichever is earlier) as prescribed under the Education Loan Scheme of the IBA, shall be borne by the Government of India.

ii.                  After the period of moratorium is over, the interest on the outstanding loan amount shall be paid by the student, in accordance with the existing Educational Loan Scheme as may be amended from time to time.

iii.                The candidate will bear the Principal installments and interest beyond moratorium period.

9.         Implementing Agencies

The Scheme will be implemented by the designated Banks as per MoU between the Banks and the NBCFDC on behalf of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.

10.       Administrative Expenses

i.                    A provision not exceeding 2% of the annual budget allocation for the scheme will be made to meet the administrative and allied costs viz. expenditure for office equipments, including computers and accessories, advertisements, engagement of personnel, third party evaluation etc.

ii.                  This provision will also be used for evaluation and monitoring of the scheme, through outside reputed institutions/agencies engaged by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Administrative cost of the Banks will be shared as per provision in the MoU.

11.       Monitoring and Transparency

i.                    The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment shall monitor the performance of the scheme.

ii.                  For this purpose, a web enabled monitoring mechanism shall be put in place by designated Banks.

iii.                The designated Banks will be required to furnish quarterly financial and physical progress reports to the Ministry.

iv.                The designated Banks will maintain year-wise details of the students receiving scholarship, indicating institute, location of the institute, course, gender, new or renewal, permanent address and parents address.

v.                  Designated Banks will place relevant physical and financial details on their official website.

12.       Minor Modifications/Changes

Minor Modifications/Changes in the Scheme with no financial implications may be made by the Competent Authority.

13.       Evaluation

The monitoring of the financial and physical performance of the scheme will be periodically evaluated by the assigning evaluation/impact studies to reputed institutions/agencies by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.

14.       * Indicative Subjects/Disciplines covered under the Scheme (for Masters, M.Phil and Ph.D)

The subjects/disciplines in which courses may be undertaken for the grant of interest subsidy are listed below:-

i.                    Arts/Humanities/Social Sciences

ii.                  Commerce

iii.                Pure Sciences

iv.                Engineering

v.                  Bio-Technology/Genetic Engineering

vi.                Industrial Environmental Engineering

vii.              Nano-Technology

viii.            Marine Engineering

ix.                Petro-chemical Engineering

x.                  Plastic Technology

xi.                Cryogenic Engineering

xii.              Mechatronics

xiii.            Automation Robotics including artificial intelligence

xiv.            Laser Technology

xv.              Low Temperature Thermal Dynamics

xvi.            Optometry

xvii.          Art Restoration Technology

xviii.        Dock and Harbour Engineering

xix.            Imaging System Technology

xx.              Composite Materials Engineering including Decentralized power Distribution (for Solar Heat) system, Energy Storage Engineering, Energy Conservation, Energy Efficient Habitat.

xxi.            Packaging Engineering/Technology

xxii.          Nuclear Engineering

xxiii.        Information Technology including Computer Engineering, Software, Software Quality Assurance, Networking/Connectivity Engineering, Communication system under Hazardous or Post-Disaster conditions, Multi-media Communication.

xxiv.        Industrial Safety Engineering

xxv.          Agriculture & Agro Technology

xxvi.        Agronomy

xxvii.      Medical

xxviii.    Floriculture & Landscaping

xxix.        Food Sciences & Technology

xxx.          Forestry & Natural Resources

xxxi.        Horticulture

xxxii.      Plant Pathology

xxxiii.    Energy Studies

xxxiv.    Farm Power & Machinery

xxxv.      Veterinary Sciences

xxxvi.    Soils & Water Management

xxxvii.  Plant Breeding & Genetics

xxxviii.Small-scale Rural Technology

xxxix.    Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences

xl.                MBA

xli.              MCA

xlii.            Any other Subject----*

* Subject may be deleted or added by the Ministry from time to time as situation demands.

Under this revised Scheme, the number of courses covered has been increased from 4 to 42 subjects.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha here today.

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FDI in Defence Sector

                                                     Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of Defence 

The Government vide Press Note 7 of 2014 Series dated 26.08.2014 has notified revised FDI Policy in defence Sector, according to which FDI upto 49% is allowed in the sector through Government route and above 49% through approval of Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on case-to-case basis, wherever it is likely to result in access to modern and state-of-the-art technology in the country. Further, FDI in Defence Sector is subject to obtaining Industrial Licence under the IDR Act, 1951. 

The introduction of FDI in the defence sector will not pose any threat as some of the major conditions governing Licensing in Defence Sector are as follows: 

(a) The management of the company / partnership firm owning the Industrial Licence should be in Indian hands with majority representation on the Board as well as the Chief Executive of the Company / partnership firm being Resident Indians. This condition is, however, not applicable to cases of foreign investment above 49%.

(b) Adequate safety and security procedures would need to be put in place by the licensee. The Indian Licensed Defence Companies (ILDC) shall comply with the security guidelines applicable to them as per security instructions / architectures prescribed in “Security Manual for Licence Defence Industries” available at www.ddpmod.gov.in based on their categorization. Some of the important guidelines of the Security Manual includes External Security Audit of the ILDCs by Intelligence Agencies once in two years and Cyber Security Audit by CERT-IN empanelled Auditors once every year. 

(c) The licensable defence items as mentioned in the license, produced by the private manufacturers will be primarily sold to the Ministry of Defence. These items may also be sold to other Government entities under the control of the Ministry of Home Affairs, State Governments, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and other valid Defence Licensed Companies without prior approval of Department of Defence Production (DDP). However, for sale of the items to any other entity, the licensee shall take prior permission from DDP, Ministry of Defence. 

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply to Shri Naresh Agrawal in Rajya Sabha today. 

Source: PIB

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Implementation of One Rank One Pension Scheme

Implementation of One Rank One Pension Scheme

The principle of One Rank One Pension for the Armed Forces has been accepted by the Government. The modalities for implementation have been discussed with various stakeholders and are presently under consideration of the Government. It will be implemented once the modalities are approved by the Government. 

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply to Shri Avinash Rai Khannain Rajya Sabha today. 

Source: PIB

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Income Tax exemption limit may go up to Rs 5 lakh: Budget Expectation

The Budget FY16 may carry an assurance, possibly fortified by a new insertion into the Income Tax Act, that the 2012 retrospective amendments to tax laws won’t be invoked afresh for transactions that were consummated prior to the changes.

According to sources who were privy to the Budget discussions, finance minister Arun Jaitley may also raise the overall personal income tax exemption level by R1 lakh to R5 lakh.

While the basic exemption limit for individuals (other than senior citizens) could go up from R2.5 lakh to R3 lakh, the investment limit for claiming deduction under Section 80C will increase to R2 lakh from R1.5 lakh at present. The present higher limits for senior citizens would be correspondingly raised.

Sources said that the two measures, together, could result in an annual revenue loss of around R30,000 crore to the government and a corresponding boost to household savings, but added that the revenue loss could be stemmed with the current focus on compliance.

The immunity to past cases from the much-decried retrospective amendments implies the following: Besides Vodafone and over a dozen other similar high-profile cases in the courts/under arbitration already and the Cairn India’s case, tax liabilities from these amendments could arise only for indirect transfer of Indian assets after March 2012, when the amendments were introduced in the I-T Act.

In his first Budget presented in July last, Jaitley said the government would avoid retrospective amendments to the extent possible, and added that all new cases (except those with courts) that arose from the 2012 changes in the I-T Act that overrode a Supreme Court ruling, would be referred to a high-level committee at the Central Board of Direct Taxes for sort of a third party overview. This hasn’t made the foreign investors any happier who wanted these retroactive changes to be withdrawn.

In fact, not many cases came up before the CBDT committee as the field officers have turned cautious.

The new proposal to shield past cases from any adverse effect from the controversial tax proposals will make the panel’s role more redundant, even as the government hopes that it would soothe investor sentiments. In parallel, the cases which are pending with courts, involving tax demands of tens of thousands of crores, will be pursued and taken to their logical (judicial) conclusion.

Meanwhile, sources added, the CBDT has identified 35 lakh people who have made substantial transactions but have not filed income tax returns and is slated to send letters and notices to them in the coming months seeking explanations. This is part of a process to bring more people into the tax net and could give a fillip to revenue mop-up.

Jaitley, however, is unlikely to alter the income tax rates in the Budget; while some new tax exemptions are on the anvil, several existing ones are set to be scrapped.

Winds of change

 Retrospective amendments of 2012 won’t be invoked afresh for transactions prior to the changes

Besides some high-profile court cases, tax liabilities from these amendments could arise only for indirect transfer of Indian assets after March 2012

  Basic I-T exemption limit for individuals may go up to R3 lakh and the investment limit for deduction under Section 80C may rise to R2 lakh

Source : Financial Express

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Reckoning of 30% pay element for the purpose of payment towards leave encashment upto 10 days to running staff.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(RAILWAY BOARD)

RBE No.10 /2015

No.E(P&A)II-2011/RS-20

New Delhi, dated 12/02/2015

The General Managers,

All Indian Railways & Prod. Units etc.

(As per mailing lists No.I&II).

Sub: Reckoning of 30% pay element for the purpose of payment towards leave encashment upto 10 days to running staff.

Board have issued instructions vide letter No. F(E)III/2008/LE-I/I dated 29-10-2008 on encashment of leave while in service.

2. Some of the Zonal Railways had sought clarification whether 30% pay element is to be reckoned for the purpose of leave encashment upto 10 days of LAP to the running staff.

3. The matter has been considered by the Board and it is clarified that in the case of Running Staff, the calculation of leave encashment upto 10 days wil be done in the same manner as in the case of leave salary in terms of Rule 25(i)(k) of “The Rules for the payment of Running and other Allowances to the Running staff on Railways, 1981?

4. An illustration of the above is shown below:

(i) Basic Pay in general = Basic in Pay Band + Grade Pay = BP

(ii) Basic Pay of running staff = 130% of BP = (A)

(iii) DA rate in general = DA%

(iv) DA for running staff = DA% of (A) =(B)

(v) Leave encashment for 1 day = (A + B)/30

5. Other terms and conditions on encashment of leave will remain the same.

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

7. Please acknowledge receipt.

Sd/-

(K.Shankar)

Director/E(P&A)

Railway Board

Source: AIRF

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Promotion of Grade-I (Under Secretary) officers of CSS to the Selection Grade (Deputy Secretary) on ad-hoc basis

No.4/2/2015-CS-I(D)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

(Department of Personnel & Training)

Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi -110003

Dated the 23rd February, 2015.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Promotion of Grade-I (Under Secretary) officers of CSS to the Selection Grade (Deputy Secretary) on ad-hoc basis – Furnishing of personal information thereof.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM of even number dated 13.02.2015 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the revised vacancy position in the grades of DS/Director of CSS as on 01.03.2015 is given in Annex. I.

2. It has since been decided that the officers presently posted in Group ‘A’ Ministries/Departments may opt for posting in the same Group. However, on posting to a Ministry/Department in Group ‘A’ the tenure will be counted afresh for five/four years as the case may be. However, this option will not be available to officers currently posted in Group ‘B’ to remain in Group ‘B’.

3. The officers concerned are requested to furnish their fresh options as per revised vacancy position/policy by 24.02.2015 through fax number given below or personally. If any officer is not exercising option he/she may submit an undertaking by 24.02.2015 for posting in any Ministry/Department as may be decided by the competent authority.

4. Ministries/Departments concerned are also requested to ascertain the vigilance status of the officers afresh to enable relieving of the officers to avail promotion immediately on issue of orders by this Department

Sd/-

(Biswajit Banerjee)

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source:http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02csd/changechoice.pdf#sthash.Pyd7lrqi.dpuf

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Revision of Income limit for dependency for the purpose of providing CGHS coverage to family members of the CGHS covered employees subsequent to implementation of recommendations of the VI CPC-Clarification

No. 9(6)12014/D(Civ-lI)

Government of India.

Ministry of Defence

Sena Bhavan, New Delhi

Dated, 30th December, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Revision of Income limit for dependency for the purpose of providing CGHS coverage to family members of the CGHS covered employees subsequent to implementation of recommendations of the VI CPC-Clarification regarding

The undersigned is directed to refer to the above mentioned subject and to state as follow:

As per MoH&FW OM No S-11012/1/98-CGHS(P) dated 10.12.2008 issued with the concurrence of Dept of Expenditure vide ID No_ 566/EY/2008 dated 4.11.2008- “It has been decided , in consultation with the Department of Expenditure, to revise the income limit for the purpose of providing CGHS coverage to the family members of the CGHS covered Central Government employees to “Rs. 3500/- Plus at the amount of dearness relief on bask pension of Rs_ 3500/- as on the date of consideration.

The income limit for dependency of Rs. 3500/- plus amount of the dearness relief on the basic pension of Rs, 3500/- as- on the date of consideration”. Shall also be applicable for the eases covered under CS(MA)1944 Rules, 1944 for the purpose of examining divisibility of family members of the Central Government employees for medical facilities under the Rules.”

2. However, the Note 1 below sub-section 1(1) of Section 4 of Swamy’s Compilation of the Medical Attendance Rule,s as amended vide Deptt of Expenditure ID No. 566/E.V/2008 dated 4.11.2008 states that “A member of the family is treated as dependent only if his/her incomes from all sources including pension/family pension is less than Rs. 3500- (excluding dearness relief on the basis pension of Rs. 3500/-)”.

3. Since, the Note. I below sub-section 1(I) of Section 4 of Swamy’s Compilation of the MA Rules is contradictory to the MOH&FW OM dated 10.12.2008, it is requested that the necessary clarification on the dependency of family members may be furnished to this Ministry immediately.

Sd/-

(Gurdeep Singh)

Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Source:http://bpms.org.in/documents/dependent-gapb.pdf

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Revision of rates for various treatment procedures under CGHS.

F. No.S-11011/48/2014 – CGHS (HEC)

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

Directorate General Central Govt. Health Scheme

(Hospital Empanelment Cell)

Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi,

Dated the February 18, 2015

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Revision of rates for various treatment procedures under CGHS.

With reference to the above mentioned subject the undersigned is directed to draw attention to O.M. No. S.11045/36/2012-CGHS (HEC) dated 1.10.2014 whereby CGHS package rates for various treatment procedures were notified by the Government empanelled hospitals under CGHS Delhi and NCR. This Directorate has been receiving representations from different stake holders regarding discrepancies in these notified rates. The matter was examined in this Directorate and now it has been decided with the approval of competent authority to revise the rates of following treatment procedures under CGHS.

Sr. No.	TREATMENT PROCEDURE	Revised Rates Non-NABH	Revised Rates NABH
Gynae & Obst
1	RVF Repair	18975	21821
2	USG for Obstetrics –Anomalies scan	770	887
Nephrology & Urology
1	Epididymectomy	15938	18750
2	Lithotripsy Extra corporeal shock wave	19550	22483
3	Ureteric Catheterization	8278	10950
4	Kidney transplant (Related)	200000	230000
5	Kidney transplant (Unrelated including immunosuppressant therapy)	300000	345000
General Surgery
1	Secondary suture of wounds	3400	4000
2	Haemorrhoidectomy	20720	24375
3	Stappler Haemorrhoidectomy	38000	43700
4	Varicose vein surgery; Trendelenburg operation with suturing or ligation.	10000	11500
5	Catheterization	425	500
6	Fissure in Ano-Fissurectomy	13800	15870
7	Laparoscopic Paraumbilical Hernia Repair	17500	20125
Ophthalmology
1	Pterygium Surgery	5500	6325
2	Conjunctival wound repair or exploration following blunt trauma	3300	3795
Imaging Investigations
1	CT-orbit and brain	1600	1840
2	Foramen magnum decompression for Chari Malformation	93750	107813
Cardiology
1	DVR	155422	178735

 Reimbursement to beneficiaries/empanelled hospitals shall be limited to ceiling rate or as per actual, whichever is lower. The other terms and conditions as regards to CGHS package rates remain unchanged.

2. The revised rates shall come into force from the date of issue and shall be in force till further orders and are applicable in all CGHS cities.

3. This issues with concurrence of Integrated Finance Division of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare vide diary no.C-2289 dated 13/02/2015.

Sd/-

(Dr. (Mrs. Sharda Verma)

Director CGHS

Source: http://msotransparent.nic.in/writereaddata/cghsdata/mainlinkfile/File924.pdf

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