Retention of Railway accommodation on educational grounds - definition of “end of academic/scholastic session”.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)

(RAILWAY BOARD)

RBE NO:43/11
NO:E(G) 2006 QR 1-14           New Delhi, Dated: 5 .04.2011

The General Managers,
All Indian Railways &
Production Units.(As per standard list)

Sub: Retention of Railway accommodation on educational grounds - definition of “end of academic/scholastic session”.

Ref: Board’s letter No.E(G) 2006 QR1-14(C) dated 20-11-2006,

E(G) 85 QRl-9 dated 15-01-90 and E(G) 2006 QR1-14 dated

12-11-2007.

   Attention is invited to the contents of Railway Board’s letter No:E(G) 2006 QR 1-14 dated 12-11-2007 where the matter regarding retention of accommodation on educational grounds was reiterated as under;

          ‘Retention of Railway accommodation in the event of permanent transfer is permitted on educational grounds to cover the current academic session. The academic/scholastic session has been defined as the academic course ending with annual examination. This aspect has been reviewed and in partial modification of instructions contained in letter No:E(G)85 QR 1-9 dated 15.01.90, it has been dccided that for the purpose of retention of Railway accommodation, the end of academic/scholastic session shall mean last paper of annual examination plus fifteen days time.”

   The matter regarding rt-iteration of the existing instructions was discussed in the DC/JCM vide item No.2/2009 and as decided the instructions are re-iterated as under:

          ‘in the event of permanent transfer retention of Railway accommodation is allowed on educational ground to cover the current academic session only (i.e. end of the academic/scholastic Session) plus 15 days. The end of academic/scholastic session shall, in this case, mean last paper of annual examination”.

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

   Please acknowledge receipt.

-sd-

(MADAN LAL)

JT. DIR. ESTT. (GENL.)

To view the Order click here

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CLOSURE OF POST OFFICES

CLOSURE OF POST OFFICES 9,797 Post Offices Facing Closure?

   Kasargod, Apr 23: It is gathered, that the central government has given initiation to a scheme of pruning down the number of post offices in the country. As per the new policy of the government, it believes that a post office every five kms will be sufficient to serve the people. If this policy is implemented, 9,797 post offices will face imminent closure, it is learnt.

   Some post office employees' organizations have alleged that the government is planning to privatize post offices in rural places, by entrusting their operation to private parties on commission basis. Political parties claim that the 'Postal and Courier Service Bill-2010' proposed to be moved in the next session of the parliament, is an effort to privatize postal services in the country.

   Left parties have charged the central government of aiming at providing help to capitalists and mega courier companies through the said measures. They fear that once the above procedures are through, postal services will hit a new low, and thousands of employees of postal department will lose their jobs.

Source;www.daijiworld.com

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First Meeting of Justice Dharmadhikari Committee on Air India Wage issues held in Delhi

   The Issues of integration of staff of erstwhile Indian Airlines and Air India into Air India Limited will be comprehensively gone into by the committee set up for the purpose. In the first meeting of the committee chaired by Justice (Rtd) D M Dharmadhikari on 27th April, 2011, it has been decided to invite written submission/suggestions from all Union, Associations, individuals and group of employees within the erstwhile companies. The Committee has been given five months period and it hopes to amicably address and resolve all the issues assigned to it. The committee will submit its report to the government within stipulated time. It is further decided to hold next meeting in the second week of May, 2011.

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Government employees cant act in films: HC

   BANGALORE: The High Court on Tuesday dismissed the writ petition filed by K Shivaram, an IAS Officer, challenging the State government order prohibiting the State government employees including the bureaucrats from acting in movies and TV serials.

   While dismissing the petition Justice Anand Byra Reddy observed that rule 16 of Karnataka Civil Services clearly prohibits a government servant in engaging in activities that generate profit without prior sanction. The order states: "It is inexplicable that the government could ever have permitted the petitioner to act in films, especially commercial cinema, at all. The obvious has been overlooked. The films he was acting were being produced as business ventures of the producers. He could not directly or indirectly involve in such ventures even if it is to be accepted that the petitioner derived no monitory benefit out of it. By acting in films he is alternatively employed and that is impermissible.

   "The involvement is complete and total in commercial films and the actors are paid for that. The contention that his official work has not suffered because of his preoccupation and he has shown superior management and administrative skills in his day to day work is besides the point for it can also be said that he could have done even better if not for his affair with films. When the films are commercial in nature it requires much imagination and naivety."

   In his petition Shivaram contended that he acted in the films to promote art and culture.

Courtesy;ibnlive

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Combined Section Officers’/Stenographers’ (Gr.’B’/Gr. I) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

MOST IMMEDIATE

No. 6/3/2010-CS-I(S)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Department of Personnel & Training

Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market,

New Delhi, dated the 26th April, 2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Combined Section Officers’/Stenographers’ (Gr.’B’/Gr. I) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

   The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM of even number dated 29th October, 2010 and subsequent reminders dated l4th January, 2011 and l4th February, 2011 on the subject mentioned above.

   2. All the cadre units were requested to keep in readiness complete ACRS/APARs in respect of officials who applied for the Combined Limited Departmental Examination, 2006, 2007 and 2008 so that the result of the said Examination could be declared in a compressed time schedule and in a time bound manner. It was also requested to furnish the status confirming that the ACRs/APARs are in readiness in respect of candidates who appeared in the LDCE by 25.2.2011.

   3. However, the status report has been received only from a few cadre units so far. All the cadre units of CSS and CSSS are requested to initiate action for completion of ACRs/APARs in respect of candidates who appeared in the Combined LDCE and furnish the status report in the enclosed proforma to this Department latest by 2.5.2011.

-sd-

( Monica Bhatia)

Director(CS-I)

More Details Click Here

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Fourth review meeting with cadre authorities in respect of issues pertaining to CSS/CSSS/CSCS.

No.21/14/2010-CS.l (P)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Department of Personnel & Training

Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi.

Dated the 26th, April 2011.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject :- Fourth review meeting with cadre authorities in respect of issues pertaining to CSS/CSSS/CSCS.

   The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. of even number dated l9 April, 2011 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the following Item will also be considered in the meeting with the Cadre Units to be held at 3.00 p.m on 28.4.2011 as Supplementary Agenda item:

          Collection of data/information for Review DPC of the Select Lists 2003 to 2008 of Under Secretary grade of the CSS.

   2. This Department’s O.M. No.5/6/2011-CS.l (U) dated l5th April, 2011 (already uploaded in DOP&T website) refers in this regard.

   3. All the Ministries/Departments are requested to bring information/data in the format prescribed in the above mentioned Office Memorandum.

-sd-

(Monica Bhatia)

Director

Source;www.persmin.gov.in

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MACPS Anomalies Summary record note of discussions held during the 3rd meeting of Joint Committee held on 15-03-2011 under the Chairpersonship of Joint Secretary

NFIR

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen

3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110055

No. IV/MACPS/09/Pt.4

Dated — 21-04-2011

Secretary (E),
Railway Board.
New Delhi.

Dear Sir,

Sub: MACPS Anomalies Summary record note of discussions held during the 3rd meeting of Joint Committee held on 15-03-2011 under the Chairpersonship of Joint Secretary (Estt., DoP&T)

************

   NFIR invites Railway Board’s attention to its letter of even No. dated 08-11-2010 highlighting the anomalies of MACPS raised by Federation through various letters from October, 2009 onwards seeking quick redressal.

   In the 3rd meeting of the Joint Committee on MACPS held on 15-03-2011 under the Chairpersonship of the Joint Secretary (Estt. DoP&T) the agenda items were discussed in detail. In this connection, summary record of discussions since circulated by Director (JCA) vide reference No.11/1/2010-JCA dated 20-04-2011 may be referred to. Relevant portions of the record note is reproduced below for proper appreciation and action:-

     Item numbers — 1, 3, 8, 9 & 29 — Grant of financial upgradation in the promotional hierarchy instead of Grade Pay hierarchy under the MACPS.

   “Referring to earlier discussions held in the matter the Official Side stated that the Government was willing to consider revision in Para-13 of the MACP Scheme to the effect that organizations/cadres shall have the option to choose either the ACP Scheme or the MACP Scheme. However, the Staff Side pointed out that such a dispensation will not be practical and hence there is a need to explore other alternatives to solve the issue. After discussion, it was agreed that there is no need to change the basic structure of MACP Scheme. However, there is a need to separately examine those cases where MACP Scheme is less advantageous than the ACP Scheme. Accordingly, it was decided that the Official Side will write to the Ministry of Railways, Defence, Urban Development, Home and the Department of Posts to forward information in respect of the specific categories of employees where the MACPS is less advantageous than the erstwhile ACP Scheme. The Official Side also requested the Staff Side to collect and forward such information to the Department of Personnel & Training for further necessary action. In this connection, the Staff Side specifically pointed out the case of Technician category wherein under ACP (w.e.f 01-10-l999) the staff got upgradation to Rs.4500-7000(Vth CPC) on completion of 24 years whereas under MACPS they get the same benefit, i.e., Grade Pay of Rs.2800/- after 30 years.”

     Item numbers — 12, 30 & 49 — Treatment of employees selected under LDCF Scheme/GDCE Scheme.

   “The Staff Side demanded that employees selected under the LDCE Scheme/GDCE Scheme should be treated as a direct recruit and their earlier promotions and services rendered should be ignored for the purpose of MACP as was being done in the ACP Scheme. The Official Side informed that treatment of such cases would generally be same in MACPS as was in the ACP Scheme. Ministry of Railways would be advised to examine the matter accordingly.”

     Item numbers — 11, 15, 22, 39, 47 & 51 — Promotion in the identical Grade Pay

   “The Staff Side raised the issue of promotions in the identical grade pay and demanded that in such cases the benefit of one increment should be granted at the time of promotion. The Official Side stated that if regular promotion is to the same grade pay, then MACP would also be granted to the same grade pay. On the issue of whether one increment is to be allowed in such cases a reference has been received in the Department of Expenditure from Ministry of Railways. Further action in the matter would be taken consequent upon receipt of certain information from Ministry of Railways as called for by the Department of Expenditure.

   “After discussion on the agenda items, the Staff Side stated that in many instances the provisions of the MACP Scheme were being misinterpreted by various Ministries/Departments thereby causing financial loss to the employees. The Official Side stated that many Ministries/Departments had sought various clarifications regarding the provisions of the MACP Scheme which has been given. In addition, many clarificatory Office Memoranda have also been issued by the Department of Personnel & Training to allay the misgivings/misunderstandings regarding the Scheme. However, if certain misgivings/misunderstandings were still continuing, the respective Ministries/Departments may be advised to refer the matter to the Department of Personnel & Training for resolution of the same.”

   In the light of the above position, the Federation urges upon the Railway Board to take initiative for processing the issues for rectification of various aberrations / anomalies. As already suggested in our previous letters, a separate meeting may be convened for meaningful discussion and to redress the problems.

Yours faithfully,

-sd-

(M.Raghavaiah)

General Secretary

Source;www.nfirindia.com

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Promotion of Private Secretary (PS) of CSSS to Principal Private Secretary (PPS) of CSSS on ad-hoc basis - renomination.

MOST IMMEDIATE

No.3/1/2011-CS-Il(A)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

(Department of Personnel and Training)

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market,

New Delhi—110003.

Dated the 25th April 2011

ORDER

Subject: - Promotion of Private Secretary (PS) of CSSS to Principal Private Secretary (PPS) of CSSS on ad-hoc basis - renomination.

   In partial modification to this Department’s Order of even number dt.29.03.2011, the undersigned is directed to re-nominate the PSs of CSSS whose names are given in the annexure to this O.M. on their appointment as PPS of CSSS in their present cadre units, as they are working in the offices of Secretaries to the Government of India and equivalent officers. The retention of these officers in their present cadre units is provisional subject to finalization of Rotation Transfer Policy for CSSS personnel.

   3. Other terms and conditions laid down in the above referred order shall remain unchanged.

-sd-

(Rajiv Manjhi)

Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India

Click Here To View The ORDER and Annexure O M

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New Pension Scheme for railway employees challenged

   The new pension scheme introduced by the Union Government for railway employees has been challenged in the Madras Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal.

   An employee of the southern railway and Dakshin Railway Employees Union (DREU) have challenged the scheme terming it unconstitutional and invalid.

   According to the new scheme, employees appointed on or after 01.01.1994 in the Railways would be governed by the new pension scheme which would be governed by ‘Pension Fund Regulatory Development Authority’ which would function under the overall control of Ministry of Finance. According to the new scheme, 10% of Pay and DA of an employee would be deducted and an equal amount would be contributed by the central government.

   The entire pension scheme is being authorized through various executive orders, which cannot be done to govern the retirement benefits of government employees which has to be in tune with Articles 41 to 43 of the Constitution, alleges the application. The notifications issued by the government constituting PFRDA dated 10.10.2003 and 14.11.2008 are unconstitutional, as they have not been issued by the President of India and authenticated as required under Article 77 of the Constitution and the ordnance sanctioning this also lapsed in 2005, which renders the entire process without authority of law alleges DREU in its application.

   The new pension scheme, which is mandatory to government employees curtails them from exercising any option said V. Daniel, a Helper in Southern Railway. According to the New Pension Scheme, any citizen of India can join the Scheme and they can choose their Fund Managers or opt for different schemes whereas no such option is available to government servants.

   The application also raised serious apprehension over the way in which their funds are being exposed to market risk and they cite the risk clause in the offer document of the NPS which says that “there are no guarantee on investments and investments involve risks such as trading volumes, settlement risk, liquidity risk, default risk, including possible loss of principal’. The application also cited the statement of PFRDA Chairman that pension fund managers regulated by PFRDA are not giving minimum guarantee on returns in their products.

   Besides seeking quashing of the notification and grant retiral benefits to all employees on par with those who joined prior to January 1994, the application sought an interim injunction against the notification and also to release family pension and gratuity to certain employees who died after the introduction of the new scheme.

   The matter came up before the Madras Bench of the CAT comprising Members K. Elango and R. Satapathy. Counsel R. Vaigai advanced arguments on behalf of the DREU and highlighted how the funds of the employees are being entrusted with private players and are subjected to undue risks. She also apprised the Bench that the government as an employer cannot transfer its funds to a private player and expect him to discharge government’s obligation.

   After hearing the arguments on behalf of the applicant and of the central government, the Bench ordered interim relief directing the railway authorities to offer gratuity and family pension to all employees who joined after January 2004 within four weeks from the date of application and posted the matter for June 1.

Source;www.lawetalnews.com

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Fatter pay cheques for state employees

   MUMBAI: The state government has decided to enhance the dearness allowances for employees of the state government with effect from May 1 onwards.

   The dearness allowance has been increased from 45% to 51% at par with central government employees.

   Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan approved the decision on Monday. While there was a demand to apply it from January onwards, the government has rejected the demand.

   The move is likely to cost the government Rs150 crore monthly, i.e. Rs1800 crore in a month. Some other states have applied the hike from January onwards, the state government however felt that an additional burden of Rs 600 crore would be too much to handle.

Source;timesofindia

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