Features of MACPS (Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme)

Features of MACPS (Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme)

REFERENCE: 1. DOPT OM No: 35034/3/2008- Estt(d) dated 19/05/09.

2. RBE No: 101/2009 (no.pc-v/2009/acp/2) dated 10/06/09.

3. PBC No: 112/2009 (no. p(pc)524-pc/voliv) dated 18/06/09.

(Railway Board has sought for clarifications to DOPT – elucidation awaited)

The scheme would be operational from 01.09.08. In other words, financial upgradations as per old ACP of October 1999 would be granted till 31.08.08. (Para 8) A Screening Committee would be constituted and follow a time schedule to meet twice in a financial year preferably in the month of January (April to September) and of July (October to March).( (Para 6).

 

Financial upgradation under MACPS is purely personal to the employee and staff shall have no relevance to his seniority position. As such no stepping up of pay in the PB & GP would be admissible with regard to junior getting more pay than the senior on account of pay fixation under MACPS.(Para 9 & 20).

 

No past cases would be reopened. The differences in pay scales on account of grant of financial upgradations under old ACP and new MACP within the same cadre shall not be construed as anomaly (Para 10).

There shall be three financial upgradations under MACPS counted from the direct entry grade on completion of 10, 20 and 30 years. (Para 1 of Annexure). All cadres including Group A (excluding organized Gr.A services) are eligible for grant of MACP. (Para 3).

The financial upgradation under the MACPS would be admissible up to the highest grade pay of 12,000 in PB-4. (Para 3 of Annexure).

The pay shall be raised by 3% of the total pay in the pay band and the grade pay drawn before such upgradation. There shall be no further fixation at the time of regular promotion if it is the same grade pay as granted under MACPS. Financial up gradation will be in next higher grade pay in the hierarchy of Grade Pay and not in the promotional hierarchy (as it was earlier). (Para 4).

An employee who completes 10 years of service in a particular grade will qualify for grant of MACP. Service rendered in a lower grade will not be counted for grant of MACP after completion of total qualifying service of 10 years. For example if an employee gets regular promotion to the next grade after completion of 5 years of service in a particular grade, he will have to wait till the completion of 15 years of regular service for 2nd MACP. Likewise 3rd MACP for him will be given after completion of 25 years of regular service (Illustration 1 Para 28 (i) and (ii)). However, after 1st regular promotion or 1st MACP, completion of 10 years of regular service in a grade or total qualifying service of 20 years or 30 years whichever falls earlier will be the milestone for grant of next MACP (Illustration 3 Para 28 B).

 

The service rendered by the existing employees prior to implementation of the MACPS viz., prior to 1.9.2008, will also be taken in to account for calculating the 10, 20 and 30 year milestones for granting MACP.(Para 9 of Annexure).

 

Similarly, employees who were granted financial upgradation under previous ACP scheme i.e., prior to the introduction of MACPS with effect from 1.9.2008, will be eligible for financial upgradation under MACPS after completion of 20 years and 30 years of service, irrespective of regular promotion given to them if any, between their 10 to 20 years of service or between 20 years and 30 years of service. For example if an employee was given 1st ACP under old ACP Scheme after completion of 12 years of service and a regular promotion after completion of 18 years of service, he will be eligible for 2nd MACP after completion of 20 years of service. (Para 9 of Annexure and Illustrations in Para 5 and Para 28).

Promotions earned /upgrading granted under the ACP scheme in the past to those grades which now carry the same grade pay due to merger of pay scales /upgradations of posts recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission shall be ignored for the purpose of granting upgradation under MACPS.(Para 5 of Annexure).

Financial benefit an employee gets as a result of pay fixation during MACP will be 3% of basic pay (pay in pay band plus the grade pay before MACP) and the difference in Grade pay before MACP and grade pay after MACP.Option for fixation of pay is also available. (Para 4 and 7 of Annexure).

If an employee gets a regular promotion to a grade which carries same grade pay which he is receiving now after grant of MACP, no further pay fixation will be allowed at the time of said regular promotion. If an employee gets a regular promotion to a grade which carries higher grade pay than the grade pay he is receiving now after grant of MACP, no further pay fixation will be allowed on account of the fact that his pay would have been fixed at the time of grant of MACP itself. However, difference in the grade pay he is getting now and the next grade pay in the hierarchy will be allowed as monetary benefit at the time of promotion. (Para 4 of Annexure).

In the case of employees who have been either promoted or given ACP prior to 6CPC implementation from a grade to another grade, pay scales of which have been merged now after 6CPC implementation, the said promotion or ACP shall be ignored and those emplyees are to be considered for financial upgradations equivalent to the number of milestones they have completed viz., 10 years , 20 years and 30 years milestones as the case may be prescribed in the MACPS for financial upgradations. (Para 5 and illustration thereof).

In cases where ACP was granted as per previous ACP scheme, but whereas after 6CPC implementation the next higher post which the employee got through ACP has been upgraded with higher grade pay, the pay of such employees in the revised pay structure will be fixed with reference to the higher grade pay granted to the post. To illustrate, in the case of an employee, who was granted 1st ACP in old ACP scheme to the grade which carried the pre-revised scale of Rs.6500-10500 corresponding to the revised grade pay of Rs.4200 in the pay band PB-2, he would now be granted grade pay of Rs.4600 in the pay band PB-2 consequent upon upgradation of the post to the grade pay of Rs.4600 in PB-2. However, from the date of implementation of the MACPS viz., from 1.9.2008, all the financial upgradations under the Scheme should be done strictly in accordance with the hierarchy of grade pays in pay bands as notified. (Para 6.2 of Annexure).

Grade Pay of Rs.5400 in PB-2 and Grade pay of Rs.5400 in PB-3 are two different Grade Pay for the purpose of MACP (Para 8.1 of Annexure1 to MACP Order dated 19.05.09.)

Bench Mark (CCR/ACR Gradings) is “Good” up to GP 6600 thereafter is should be “Very Good”. (Para 17 of Annexure1 to MACP Order dated 19.05.09). ‘Regular Service’ for the purpose of MACPS shall commence from the date of joining of a post in regular basis either on direct recruitment or on absorption / reemployment basis. (Para 9 of Annexure1 to MACP Order dated 19.05.09). If financial upgradations will not be allowed under MACPS after 10years due to DAR proceedings, this would have consequential effect on the subsequent financial upgradations. (Para 15 of Annexure1 to MACP Order dated 19.05.09). On grant of financial upgradations under MACPS, there shall be no change in designation, classification or higher status. (Para 16 of Annexure1 to MACP Order dated 19.05.09).

If a regular promotion has been denied by the employee before becoming entitlement of financial upgradation, no financial upgradation shall be allowed. However financial upgradation will be allowed due to stagnation and subsequently refuses the promotion. (Para 25 of Annexure1 to MACP Order dated 19.05.09).

About the Author

R.BALASUBRAMANAIN,
COS

Read More »

DEFENCE CIVILIANS MEDICAL AID FUND MINISTRY OF DEFENCE - SALIET FEATURES

DEFENCE CIVILIANS MEDICAL AID FUND MINISTRY OF DEFENCE - SALIENT FEATURES

Important Circular

No.AN/VII/7089/DCMF Office of the CGDA, 

Ulan Batar Road, Palam, 

Delhi Cantt – 110 010

To 

The PCDA The PCA (Fys), Kolkata 

IFA Wing (For circulating to IFAs) 

The CDA The CFA (Fys)

Sub:- Defence Civilian Medical Aid Fund (DCMAF) Ref:- In continuation of this HQ office letter of even No. dated 26.10.2009

DefenceCivilian Medical Aid Fund (DCMAF) was established in 1953 as Defence Civilians Welfare (TB, Cancer and Leprosy) Fund to provide financial assistance to its members in case they or dependents suffer from specified ailments. The membership of the fund is on voluntary basis and is open to all civilians employees, whether industrial or non-industrail. Though, it was established since long and has been providing relief to its members in Defence establishments in their hour of distress and the fund considerably expended during these years among Defence Civilians, it is still not much popular in Defence Accounts Department. This came into question by some of the members while attending the 54th Annual Meeting. 2. Therefore, the steps need to be taken to popularize the fund among the DAD personnel. In this regard a copy of Salient Features / Benefits provided by the fund is enclosed herewith for necessary action at your end so that the membership percentage is enhanced in the ensuing years.

(Satish Kumar) 

For CGDA

DEFENCE CIVILIANS MEDICAL AID FUND MINISTRY OF DEFENCE SALIENT FEATURES

1. CONSTITUTION : The fund was established in 1953 as Defence Civilians Welfare (TB, Cancer and Leprosy) Fund, Presently it is known as Defence Civilians Medical Aid Fund (DCMAF). It is Society registered w.e.f. 31.01.1977 under Societies Registration Act 1860. 

2. OBJECTS : The Fund provides financial assistance to members in case they or their dependents suffer from specified ailments. 

3. MEMBERSHIP : The membership of the Fund is open on voluntary basis to all civilian employees whether industrial or non-industrial paid from Civil Estimates or Defence Services Estimates. The present membership of the Fund is about 2,06,512.

4. RATES OF SUBSCRIPTION : 

The existing rates are as under:

Grade Pay Annual Membership Full Service Membership

1S to PB-1 Rs. 60/- Rs. 400/-

PB-2 Rs. 100/- Rs. 600/-

PB-3 Rs. 200/- Rs. 800/-

PB-4 Rs. 400/- Rs. 1000/-

5. GOVERNING BODY :

The Fund is managed by a Managing Committee constituted as under:-

Defence Secretary : Chairman

Additional Secretary (A) : Sr. Vice-Chairman

Joint Secretary (Training) & CAO : Vice-Chairman

Deputy Chief Adminstrative Officer : Hony – Secretary

(Training, Coord & Welfare)CGDA, AG, Air Officer-in-Charge, Personnel, Air HQ, SPD (Civ), Naval HQ, Director of Personnel, DRDO, DGOS, DGEME, DG(Pers) E-in-C’s Branch, DGQA, DGOF, DGAFMS, DGMS (Army, Navy, Air), Addl. DGAFMS (MR), Joint Secretary (E), MOD, Director-in-Charge of Welfare in CAO’s Office, A Civilian Rep from AFHQ/ISOs, Indian National Defence Workers Federation, Kanpur, All India Employees Defence Federation, Kirkee, Pune, Bhartiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh, Kanpur and Labour Welfare Commissioner from Ord Fys.

6. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE : Executive Committee consists of undermentioned officers:-

Joint Secretary (Training) & CAO – Chairman

Addl. DGAFMS (MR) – Member

Dy. CAO (TCW) – Hony. Secretary

7. FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE FUND AS ON 28TH FEB 2010 (APPROX)

In Fixed Deposits – Rs.8,20,00,000/-

In Saving Banks – Rs.8,58,192/-

8. EXISTING BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THE FUND

(A) NUTRITIOUS DIET ALLOWANCE

TB & Leprosy – Rs.1000/- per month Cancer – Rs. 1500/- per month

Anaemia During Pregnancy & Lactating Mother – Rs. 800/- per month

Burn Injuries – Rs. 150/- per month

(B) AFTER CARE ALLOWANCE

TB & Leprosy – Rs. 800/- per month Cancer – Rs. 1500/- per month

(C) DIALYSIS ALLOWANCE

Dialysis Allowance – Rs. 1000/- per month

(D) SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE

For TB, Caner and Leprosy, Paralytic Stroke, Accidental Injury – Rs. 100/- per day

(E) RE-IMBURSEMENT OF COST FOR MAJOR OPERATIONS

For Coronary By-Pass Surgery, Valve Replacement,Renal Transplantation, Joint Replacement with Surgery,Implantation of Pace-Makers, Implantation of Stents – upto Rs. 15000/- of disallowed amount

(F) ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

For Procuring Blood for Transfusions – Rs.600/- per month For Cataract Operations with Implantation of Intra-Ocular Lens,Purchase of Wheel Chairs, Tricycles for Physically Handicapped,Prosthesis for Burn Injuries – Rs. 5000/-

For Purchase of Artificial Limbs – Rs.3000/-

For Purchase of Support Shoes (Calipers) – Rs. 2000/-

For Hearing Aid – Rs.1500/-

For Purchase of Crutches, Neck Band for Cervical Spondilitis = Rs. 1000/-

(G) EX-GRATIA GRANTS

(I) To the members

In case of loss of one limb/eyes – Rs.15000/-

In case of loss of one limb/eye – Rs.10000/-

(II) To the family of members

If member dies due to TB, Cancer and Leprosy, Heart ailments for which Member availed assistance from the Fund earlier – Rs.20000/-

If member dies due to an Accident – Rs.50000/-

Read More »

Govt to hire retired PSE staff to educate adults

The scheme aims to educate 70 million illiterate adults, including 60 million women, by 2012

New Delhi: Retired government employees may soon start teaching millions of illiterate adults, after public sector enterprises (PSEs) accepted a proposal by the human resource development (HRD) ministry to join a drive to improve India’s literacy rate.

HRD minister Kapil Sibal met representatives of more than 40 PSEs, including banks, on Wednesday to garner their support for the Saakshar Bharat (Literate India) programme. The scheme aims to educate 70 million illiterate adults, including 60 million women, by 2012. If successful, it will raise the country’s literacy rate to 80% from 64.5%.

“Your retired staff can be volunteer teachers for Saakshar Bharat and you can build adult education centres in rural areas,” Sibal told the PSE representatives.

PSEs such as Oil and Natural Gas Corp. Ltd, GAIL (India) Ltd, Steel Authority of India Ltd, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Punjab National Bank, National Bicycle Corp. of India and Shipping Corp. of India Ltd said they are open to the idea.

“There are 242 PSEs under (the) Central government and at least 16 lakh (1.6 million) employees are working in these institutions. Nearly 10% of them retire every year,” said U.D. Choubey, director general of the standing conference of public enterprises (SCOPE), the apex body of PSEs.

Choubey said SCOPE will soon present a road map to the ministry on how to execute the scheme.

India faces a shortage of 1.2 million teachers to implement the Right to Education Act, which promises compulsory education to all children of 6-14 years. The government also needs 400,000 teachers to educate illiterate adults.

The shortage is acute in rural areas. Choubey said PSEs, which are present in many remote villages, are ideal for teaching adults in those areas.

S.L. Raina, senior manager at GAIL, said spouses of current employees of the firm could also join the mission.

Saakshar Bharat was launched in September, but became operational only two months ago in 167 districts across 19 states. It aims to cover 365 districts.

The programme needs Rs6,000 crore, but ministry officials said it faces a crunch. At the meeting with PSEs, school education secretary Anshu Vaish asked them to also consider “direct financial support” for Saakshar Bharat.

Bhaskar Chatterjee, secretary at the department of public sector enterprises, said he would put forward an action plan within two weeks on how PSEs could help the scheme as part of their corporate social responsibility plan

source:www.livemint.com

Read More »

Central government staff can travel on private airlines

New Delhi, May 26  In view of a strike called by a section of Air India employees, the government Wednesday allowed its employees to fly on any carrier till such time the state-run airline does not resume normal service.

An official order issued in the morning said entitled government employees can travel any carrier, both for their official duties and for availing leave travel concession.

Air India had to cancel 76 domestic and international flights Wednesday after around 15,000 crew members and maintenance engineers went on a flash strike all over India Tuesday protesting a gag order and delay in the payment of salaries.

SOURCE:(IANS)

Read More »

Government Approves Massive Expansion of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme

To provide equitable treatment to all eligible Ex-Servicemen and their dependents under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and to enhance the scheme’s coverage, the Union Cabinet today approved Establishment of 199 new polyclinics including 17 mobile medical facilities and 15 new regional centres at a cost of Rs. 141 crores. With this, the ECHS facility will now be extended to those areas, where Ex-Servicemen population is below 2,500 by setting up polyclinics which are within reasonable distance from Ex-Servicemen concentrations.

The Cabinet also approved reorganization and strengthening the Central Organisation ECHS by suitably increasing the manpower. It has authorized additional manpower – 2263 in number on contractual basis, to man the additional 199 polyclinics. It has also authorized 315 serving personnel – 60 officers and 255 PBORs, for proposed regional centres and seven officers and 15 PBORs for Central Organisation ECHS.

Financial implications towards creation of infrastructure will be about Rs.141 crore. This will entail a capital expenditure of Rs. 118.52 crore towards cost of land, construction and medical equipment. An amount of Rs. 22.25 crore of expenditure will cover purchase of furniture etc, and IT hardware. On the recurring side, an expenditure of Rs.43 crore per annum is envisaged.

It may be recalled that the ECHS was introduced on April 01, 2003 to provide comprehensive medical coverage to Ex-Servicemen pensioners, war widows and dependents by establishing 227 polyclinics at stations with Ex-Servicemen population above 2500 throughout the country. 106 polyclinics are at military stations and 121 polyclinics are at non-military stations. Where the Ex-Servicemen population is less than 2,500, the Ex-Servicemen face hardships in reaching polyclinics because of the distance. There are over 30 lakh ECHS beneficiaries now. On an average 60,000 Servicemen retire every year and this results in a further addition of 60,000 Ex-Servicemen and 1,44,000 dependents to the list of beneficiaries each year. Over 7 lakh Ex-Servicemen, who retired prior to April 01, 2003 have not opted for the scheme primarily due to non-availability of polyclinics near their places of residence. There are also insufficient number of regional centres to monitor the polyclinics.

Following is the list of additional polyclinics planned to be established:-

Jammu & Kashmir

Baramulla, Doda, Poonch, Baribrahmna (Jammu), Kargil, Nagrota (Kathua)

Himachal Pradesh

Rampur (Shimla), Nahan (Sirmaur), Shahpur (Kangra), Palampur (Kangra), Kullu, Dera Goppipur (Kangra), Jogindernagar (Mandi), Chamba, Ghumarwin (Bilaspur), Sarakaghat (Mandi), Barsar (Hamirpur),

Punjab

Mohali, Ajnala (Amritsar), Tarantaran (Amritsar), Beas (Amritsar), Nawansahar, Suranassi (Jalandhar), Uchi Bassi (Hoshiarpur), Abohar (Ferozpur), Jagraon (Ludhiana), Batala (Gurdaspur), Srigovindpur (Gurdaspur), Sultanpur Lodhi (Kapurthala), Phagwara (Kapurthala), Samana (Patiala), Barnala (Sangrur), Nabha (Patiala), Doraha (Ludhiana), Samarala (Ludhiana), Mahalpur (Hoshiarpur), Talwara (Hoshiarpur)

Haryana

Gohana (Sonepat), Mehan (Rohtak), Sampla (Rohtak), Loharu (Bhiwani), Kosli (Jhajjar), Bahadurgarh (Jhajjar), Gurgaon, Nuh (Gurgaon), Charki Dadri (Bhiwani), Mahendragarh, Narwana (Jind), Palwal (Faridabad), Hansi (Hissar), Dharuhera (Rewari), Narayangarh (Ambala), Kharkhauda (Sonepat)

National Capital Territory of Delhi

Shakurbasti, Timarpur, Khanpur, Preetvihar

Rajasthan

Neem Ka Thana (Sikar), Shergarh (Jodhpur), Dausa, Sanganer (Jaipur), Bhuwana (Jhunjhunu), Bhilwara, Suratgarh (Hanumangarh), Dungarpur, Rajsamand, Rajgarh (Churu), Chirawa (Jhunjhunu), Behror (Alwar)

Uttar Pradesh

Bagpat, Gonda, Basti, Jaunpur, Greater Noida (GB Nagar), Lakhimpur, Moradabad, Bijnaur, Rampur, Hardoi, Banda, Roberts Ganj (Mirzapur), Barabanki, Unnao, Hathras

Uttarakhand

Joshimath (Chamoli), Dehradun, Vikas Nagar (Dehradun), Tehri, Rudraprayag, Ranikhet, Almora, Bageshwar, Banbasa (Champavat), Rudrapur (Udham Singh nagar), Dharchula (Pithoragarh), Lansdowne (Paurigarhwal), Uttarkashi, Ramnagar (Nainital)

Bihar

Bhagalpur, Kathiar, Motihari, Siwan, Samastipur, Madhubani, Buxar, Vaishali, Sasaram (Rohtas) Khagaria, Munger, Sitamarhi

Jharkhand

Deoghar, Gumla, Chaibasa (West Singhbhoom), Daltonganj (Palamu), Dhanbad

Madhya Pradesh

Satna, Ujjain, Amla (East Nimar), Pachmarhi (Hoshangabad)

Chhattisgarh

Jagdalpur (Bastar), Bilaspur, Raigarh

West Bengal

Berhampore (Murshidabad), Baruipur (South 24 Pargana), Bankura, Howrah, Raiganj (North Dinajpur), Cooch Behar, Kalimpong (Darjeeling), Binaguri (Jalpaiguri)

Assam

Lanka (Naugaon), Bongaigaon, Tinsukia, Tezpur (Sonitpur), Misamari (Darrang), Dibrugarh, Goalpara, Dhubri, Lakhimpur

Manipur

Chura Chandpur

Nagaland

Mokokchung

Mizoram

Lunglei

Arunachal Pradesh

Tezu (Lohit), Along (West Siang)

Orissa

Puri, Sambalpur, Koraput, Angul, Bhawanipatna (Kalahandi), Dhenkanal

Andhra Pradesh

Srikakulam, Anantapur, Karnool, Cuddapah, Nellore, Karimnagar, Eluru (West Godavari), Secunderabad (Rangareddy), Khammam, Mehbubnagar

Tamil Nadu

Erode, Sivagangai (Sivaganga), Kumbhkonum (Tiruvallur), Chennai, Ramanathapuram, Tambram (Kanchipuram)

Kerala

Mavelikara (Alleppey), Kanhangad (Kasargode), Kalpetta (Wayanad), Thodupuzha (Idukki), Thiruvananthapuram, Changanacherry (Kottayam), Moovattupuzha (Ernakulum), Iritti (Kannur), Kunnamkulum (Trichur), Kottarakara (Kollam), Ranni (Pathanamthitta), Killimanur (Thiruvananthapuram)

Karnataka

Kolar, Tumkur, Hassan, Shimoga, Bangalore, Gulbarga, Bidar, Virarajendrapet (Kodagu)

Maharastra

Beed, Nanded, Karad (Satara), Wardha, Navi Mumbai (Mumbai), Pune, Khadki (Pune), Yavatmal, Dhule.

Goa

Vasco – Da – Gama

Gujarat

Gandhidham, Surat, Rajkot

Pudduchery

Pudduchery

In addition to these polyclinics 15 regional centres will also be set up at Shimla, Jalandhar, Dehradun, Ambala, Hissar, Meerut, Allahabad, Ranchi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Nagpur, Vizag, Bangalore, Coimbatore & Trivandrum.

Read More »

Extension of Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) facilities to Nepal Domiciled Gorkhas (NDGs) Ex-servicemen

The Union Cabinet today approved the extension of Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) facilities to Nepal Domiciled Gorkhas (NDGs). The scheme will be optional for retired ex-servicemen NDG Pensioners. Only NDG ex-servicemen pensioner (paid from Defence Estimates) are eligible for ECHS membership. 

The cost of providing health care at the existing rates to 1,00,000 NDG along with their dependents will be about Rs.85 crore per year. The scheme will cover all the ex-servicemen of Indian Armed Forces/Dependents domiciled in Nepal. 

The present ECHS scheme provides comprehensive and quality health care benefits to ex-servicemen. Extending it to NDGs ex-servicemen will meet a long outstanding need of their health care. 

All other policies and procedures of ECHS, which are applicable in India, will also apply to Nepal Domiciled Gorkhas ex-servicemen in Nepal. 

There are about 1,00,000 ex-servicemen and their dependents domiciled in Nepal who will benefit from the ex-servicemen contributory Health Scheme (ECHS). They will be entitled for medical treatment under ECHS Scheme at Polyclinics, military hospitals and the ECHS empanelled civil hospitals in India. Emergency treatment in India under existing provisions would be available. 

Application forms can be collected from the nearest Station HQ of Army/Navy/Air Force in India or from Defence Attaché at Kathmandu. Forms can also be downloaded from internet website www.indianarmy.nic.in/arechs.htm. War widows battle causalities and Pre-1996 retirees are exempted from payment of one time ECHS contribution. For others contribution will be as applicable in India in Indian Rupees.

Read More »

MACP JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING ON ANOMALIES

While discussions during the second meeting of the National Anomaly Committee held on 27th March 2010 and decided to constitute a Joint Committee to examine the anomalies pertaining to the Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS). The Joint Committee yesterday met the Chairmanship of Joint Secretary Establishment of DOPT. General Secretary of Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers Mr.K.K.N.Kutty has written in his blog regarding the discussions points with DOPT Chairman. We reproduce the full text of content under here...

MACP JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING ON ANOMALIES

Joint Committee on MACP met today under the chairmanship of Joint Secretary Establishment of DOPT. Following issues were discussed:

1. Item No:1:Provide Grade Pay of the next promotional post under MACP.

Staff Side pressed for placement in the Grade Pay of the Promotional Post instead of next higher Grade Pay in the hierarchy of revised Pay Band and Grade Pay. It was insisted because the career progression only means the promotion in the hierarchy and not to a Grade Pay which is not present in the hierarchy of the respective department.

The Staff Side also gave an alternative that first two MACPs after 10 and 20 years should be to the next promotional post as per the hierarchy of respective department as under the erstwhile ACP scheme and thereafter the third MACP in the next Grade Pay of the Revised Pay Band and Grade Pay.

2. Item No:2:Date of Effect.

It was demanded that MACP scheme may be introduced with effect from 1.1.2006. A scheme which has been recommended by the 6th CPC will be not available to those employees who have opted for revised pay scales w.e.f. 1.1.2006 but had retired or died before 1.9.2008, which is very anomalous.

3. Item No:3:Option for earlier ACP Scheme.

Staff Side pointed out that the benefit which employees were getting through two ACPs after 12 and 24 years of service is much higher than the benefit that they will get under MACP after three financial upgradations. It was therefore urged that the service conditions which were available to the existing employees cannot be adversely revised and if that happens then an option to retain the old scheme is inherent. And if the present MACP is not converted to hierarchical pattern, then at least an option may be given to retain the erstwhile scheme of ACP.

4. Item No:7:Grant of financial upgradation between 1.1.2006 and 31.8.2008.

In Para 9 of the DOPT OM dated 19.5.2009, it had been provided that earlier ACP scheme will continue to operate for the period from 1.1.2006 to 31.8.2008. However, this is not being allowed to officials who have opted for revised Pay Band and Grade Pay with effect from 1.1.2006. In some offices, it is being insisted that financial upgradation under the earlier ACP would be granted only in the pre-revised pay scales and they will have to opt for the revised pay scales only from the date they are granted the financial upgradation under earlier ACP. It was demanded that earlier ACP benefit may be given also to those officials who have come over to the Revised Pay Band and Grade Pay with effect from 1.1.2006.

5. Item No:8:Anomaly on introduction of MACP Scheme.

By an illustration in respect of Junior Engineer of CPWD, it has been pointed out that under earlier ACP they will go up to the revised Pay Band 3 with Grade Pay of 6600/- on completion of 24 years of service, whereas under the MACP Scheme, even after 30 years of service and getting third MACP they will get the Grade Pay of 5400/- only in PB-2. This is obviously less advantageous and therefore the demand for option to retain the old ACP scheme has been insisted.

The Official Side indicated that they will consider all these demands and in the next meeting they will indicate how far they can go.

6. Item No:4: Applicability of MACP Scheme to Group D employees who have been placed in the Grade Pay of 1800/-.

The DOPT had already stated that all promotions and upgradations granted under ACP Scheme of 1999 in the post of four pay scales S-1, S-2, S-3 and S-4 shall be ignored for the purpose of MACP. In other words all the three MACP will be available to all the Group D employees who have since been placed in the grade pay of 1800/-. If an employee has completed 10 years of service he should be granted the GP of 1900/-; if completed 20 years of service he should be granted the GP of 2000/-; and if he has completed 30 years of service he should be placed in the GP of 2400/-. In some departments these MACP has not been granted to the Group D employees. The staff side therefore insisted an enabling clarificatory instructions may be issued. The Official Side agreed to issue such clarificatory instructions.

7. Item No:5: Counting 50% of service rendered by Temporary Status CLs for reckoning 10,20, and 30 years of service under MACP scheme.

It was pointed out that the Railways have already issued orders for counting 50% of service rendered by Temporary Status Casual labourers for reckoning 12 and 24 years of service under the old ACP scheme. It was also pointed out that Courts have also ordered that total service rendered as TS CLs may be counted for the purpose of ACP. The Official Side were of the opinion that 50% of service rendered by TS CLs has been counted only for the purpose of pension. The Staff Side pointed out that the TS CLs have been granted all the facilities admissible to a Temporary Employee in respect of leave, increment, pay scale etc and therefore this may be deemed as a regular service for the purpose of MACP also as has been done by the Railways. The Official Side wanted the order of the Railway Department regarding ACP and the Orders of the Courts for their examination.

8. Item No:6: Supervised staff placed in higher Grade Pay than that of the supervisor.

The Staff Side suggested that this item may be transferred to National Anomaly Committee item and discussed there. This has been agreed to. There are 23 more items which have been suggested by the Staff Side leaders of Railways. It was pointed out that leaders of other departments may also suggest many other anomalies related to MACP. The Staff Side stated that as and when these additional items are received they may be included in the Agenda for discussion in the subsequent meetings. The Official Side agreed to.

Read More »

Government servants allowed to travel by Private Carriers till resumption of normal services by Air India

In view of the flight disruptions caused by a strike by a few sections of employees of Air India, entitled government servants are permitted to fly any other carrier, both on duty and on LTC, until resumption of normal services by Air India or further orders, whichever is earlier.

Read More »

199 additional polyclinics for ex-servicemen

Expanding health benefits for former defence personnel, the government on Wednesday approved a proposal for setting up of 199 additional polyclinics in areas having minimum ex-servicemen population of 1,500.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, also gave the go ahead for re-organisation of the Central Organisation Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and extension of ECHS facilities to Nepal Domiciled Gorkhas (NDGs), an official spokesperson said.

Government will spent Rs. 141 crore towards creation of infrastructure. This will include a capital expenditure of Rs. 118.52 crore and recurring expenditure of Rs. 43 crore per annum, the spokesperson said.

With the new facilities, the expanded network envisages 426 polyclinics in 343 districts of the country which will benefit about 33 lakh ex-servicemen residing in remote and far-flung areas.

The ECHS was introduced with effect from April one, 2003, to provide comprehensive medical coverage to ex-servicemen pensioners, war window and dependents by establishing 227 polyclinics.

Such polyclinics have been set up at stations with ex-servicemen population above 2500. However, a large segment of ex-servicemen are staying at locations where there is no ECHS Polyclinic within a radius of 200 to 300 km causing great inconvenience in accessing medical facilities for them.

To address this problem, 199 polyclinics will be established in those places with minimum ex-servicemen population of 1500, the spokesperson said.

The expansion of ECHS will provide easy access to health facilities for such ex-servicemen and their dependents.

The Cabinet also approved extension of ECHS facilities to NDGs. There are about 1,00,000 ex-servicemen and their dependents domiciled in Nepal who will benefit from the ECHS.

The cost of providing health care at the existing rates to 1,00,000 NDGs along with their dependents will be about Rs. 85 crore per year. The scheme will cover all the ex-servicemen of Indian Armed Forces and dependents domiciled in Nepal.

They will be entitled for medical treatment under ECHS Scheme at Polyclinics, military hospitals and ECHS-empanelled civil hospitals in India. Emergency treatment in India under existing provisions will also be available.

SOURCE: THE HINDU

Read More »

Payment of fee under the Right to lnformation Act. 2005

OFFICE-MEMORANDUM

Subject : Payment of fee under the Right to lnformation Act. 2005 – scope of subsection (3) of Section 7 of the Act

         The Undersigned is directed to say that a question is raised from time to time whether a Public lnformation Ofticer (PIO) has power to charge fee under Section 7(3) of the RTI Act. 2005 in addition to fee prescribed under Sections 6(1), 7(1) and 7(5) of the Act.

2.        Section 6(1) of the Act enables the Government to prescribe application fee and sub-sections (1) and (5) of Section 7 to prescribe fee in addition to application fee for supply of information. On the other hand sub-section (3) of Section 7 provides the procedure which a PI0 has to follow for realizing the fee prescribed under sub-sections (1) and (5) of the Section. Details of fees that can be charged by a public authority under the Central Government are contained in the Right to lnformation (Regulation of Fee & Cost) Rules, 2005. The Rules or the Act do not give power to the PI0 to charge any fee other than prescribed in the Fee and Cost Rules. Attention in this regard is invited to following extracts from the common order passed by the Central lnformation Commission in Appeal No. CICIMAIAI 2008/0185 (Shri K.K. Kishore Vs. Institute of Company Secretaries of lndia) and Complaint No.CICMIBIC12007/00943 (Shri Subodh Jain Vs. Dy. Commissioner of Police)

MORE DETAILS

http://persmin.gov.in/WriteData/CircularNotification/ScanDocument/RTI/12_9_2009-IR.pdf

Read More »