BANK EMPLOYEE & CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEE - A COMPARISON IN WAGES

A SIMPLE COMPARISON BETWEEN
BANK EMPLOYEE & CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEE
– A REFERENCE .

Prior to 1979, Group ‘A’ Officers of Central Government were earning less than bank officers. In 1979, the Pillai Committee was constituted to study the salary structures of bank officers and Group ‘A’ Officers of the Central Government and bring equity among various banks.
The Committee observed that the functions and responsibilities of bank officers in the new set-up were comparable to those of Group ‘A’ Officers in the Central Government and suggested pay parity between them.
The Pillai Committee recommendations were implemented in banks with effect from July 1, 1979, and the pay scale of the lowest rung of officers in banks were equated with pay scales of the lowest rung of Group ‘A’ Officers of Central Government at Rs 700.
The parity which was established by implementing the Pillai Committee Recommendations was distorted by subsequent Pay Commission revisions. In the Sixth Pay Commission, the wages of Group ‘A’ Officers zoomed past the bank officers’ wages. External relativity was given a quiet burial.
It is quite appropriate to compare the salary of bank officers with Group ‘A’ Officers of the Central Government to ascertain whether bank officers constitute a high-wage island.
The basic pay according to the Fifth Pay Commission for Group ‘A’ Officers was Rs 8,000 and the corresponding pay for bank officers was Rs 7,100. But in the Sixth Pay Commission the basic pay for Group ‘A’ Officers of the Central Government went up to Rs 21,000 (basic pay Rs 15,600 + grade pay Rs 5,400) whereas the pre-revised basic pay of bank officers was only Rs 10,000.
Between the Fifth and the Sixth Pay Commissions, the basic pay of Group ‘A’ Government officers went up by 162.5 per cent.
The gross salary of government officers was Rs 31,312, whereas the bank officer’s salary was only Rs 16,110. It can be seen that a bank officer draws a gross salary which is just 51.45 per cent of the gross salary of Group ‘A’ officers at the lowest rung.
Even house rent allowance was paid at 30 per cent of basic pay for government officers, whereas bank officers were getting a maximum of 8.5 per cent in metros. The pre-revised salary of the bank clerk was Rs 6,600 as compared with the Central Government clerk’s salary of Rs 11,000.
Many State Governments have adopted the Sixth Pay Commission Recommendations. A number of public sector undertakings have implemented the Pay Commission recommendations as a benchmark for their salary revision.

RPLI -- SOME INFORMATION

UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICES - PRESENT SITUATION -- A NEWS ITEM

United States Postal Service proposing cutting 120,000 jobs
updated 8/12/2011
The financially strapped U.S. Postal Service is considering cutting as many as 120,000 jobs.
Facing a second year of losses totaling $8 billion or more, the agency also wants to pull its workers out of the retirement and health benefits plans covering federal workers and set up its own benefit systems.
Congressional approval would be needed for either step, and both could be expected to face severe opposition from postal unions which have contracts that ban layoffs.
The post office has cut 110,000 jobs over the last four years and is currently engaged in eliminating 7,500 administrative staff. In its 2010 annual report, the agency said it had 583,908 career employees.
The loss of mail to the Internet and the decline in advertising caused by the recession have rocked the agency.
Postal officials have said they will be unable to make a $5.5 billion payment to cover future employee health care costs due Sept. 30. It is the only federal agency required to make such a payment but, because of the complex way government finances are counted, eliminating it would make the federal budget deficit appear $5.5 billion larger.
If Congress doesn't act and current losses continue, the post office will be unable to make that payment at the end of September because it will have reached its borrowing limit and simply won't have the cash to do so, the agency said earlier.
In that event, Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said, "Our intent is to continue to deliver the mail, pay our employees and pay our suppliers."
Postal officials have sought congressional assistance repeatedly over the last few years, including requests to be allowed to end Saturday mail delivery, and several bills have been proposed, but none has been acted on.
In addition the post office recently said it is considering closing 3,653 post offices, stations and other facilities, about one-10th of its offices around the country, in an effort to save money. Offices under consideration for closing are largely rural with little traffic.
And in June the post office suspended contributions to its employees' pension fund, which it said was overfunded.
In its 2010 annual report the post office reported a loss of more than $8 billion on revenues of $67 billion and expenses of $75 billion.
And even while total mail volume fell from 202 billion items to 170 billion from 2008 to 2010 the number of places the agency has to deliver mail increased by 1.7 million as Americans built new homes, offices and businesses.
The latest cutback plans were first reported by The Washington Post, which said a notice to employees informing them of its proposals stated: "Financial crisis calls for significant actions, we will be insolvent next month due to significant declines in mail volume and retiree health benefit prefunding costs imposed by Congress."

65TH INDEPENDENCE DAY GREETINGS

OPPORTUNITY TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITY FOR PROMOTION - DOPT ORDERS

DOPT HAS ORDERED THAT PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES SHOULD NOT BE EXCLUDED FROM COMPETITION WITH OTHERS FOR PROMOTION TO GROUP 'A' & 'B' POSTS
Dear Comrades! The orders of the DOPT is furnished below that stipulates that the Government Employees with disabilities shall also be allowed to compete with others for promotion against unreserved vacancies, if the posts are identifid suitable to persons with disability. This clarification is issued in the background of complaints from different departments that persons with physical disability are not allowed to compete for Group A and B unreserved Posts. The full text of the orders are as follows:
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS DEPARTMENT

OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING,
NORTH BLOCK, NEW DELHI,
O.M. NO.36035/4/2010-ESTT. (RES)DATED 1ST AUGUST 2011
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Consideration of persons with disabilities for promotion against unreserved vacancies-reg.
The undersigned is directed to say that representations have been received stating that some Ministries/Departments etc. do not consider the persons with disabilities for promotion to Group 'A' and Group 'B' posts, even if such posts are identified suitable for them, on the ground that there is no reservation for persons with disabilities in the matter of promotion to such posts. In this regard, attention is invited to para 6 of this Department's OM No. 36035/3/2004-Estt.(Res) dated 29th December, 2005, which provides that a person with disability cannot be denied the right to compete for appointment against an unreserved vacancy in a post identified suitable for persons with disability of the relevant category. It is hereby clarified that if promotions are made to a Group 'A' or Group 'B' post, which is identified suitable for persons with disability of a specific category, the persons with disability of relevant category in feeder grade, if any, shall be considered for promotion to the post by applying the same criterion as applicable to other persons.

“Education Allowance Scheme”.

Central Government has come up with a new scheme called “Education Allowance Scheme”. The Sixth Pay Commission recommendation for enhancing the Children Education Allowances and merger of the same with Reimbursement of Tuition Fees has been accepted by the Central Government as such.
As a result, all Central Government Employees are to be given a reasonable reimbursement of Educational Expenses unlike earlier restriction like reimbursement of only tuition fees of up to Rs. 40 per month.
Main Features of this Education Allowance Scheme:
Children Education Allowance and Reimbursement of Tuition fees have been merged and the new scheme is known as Children Education Allowance Scheme.
This scheme can be availed by Central Government employees up to a maximum of Two Children
This is applicable for School going children only (nursery to 12th Std including 11th and 12th std conducted by Junior colleges)
The Scheme has no nexus with the performance of the children in the class.
The reimbursement is applicable for admission fees, laboratory fees, special fee charged for agriculture, music, electronics or any subject, fee charged for practical work, fees for use of any aid or appliance by the child, library fees, games/sports fees, fees for extra curricular activities, purchase of one set of text books and notebooks, two sets of uniforms and one set of school shoes.
The annual ceiling for reimbursement of children education allowance is fixed at Rs.15,000/-.
Hostel subsidy will be reimbursed up to maximum limit of Rs.3750/- per month per child. However, both hostel subsidy, and children education allowance can not be availed concurrently.
The maximum limits in Children Education allowance and Hostel subsidy would be automatically raised by 25% every time the dearness allowance on the revise pay structure goes up by 50%.
Reimbursement of the children education allowance and Hostel subsidy would be made on production of original receipts self certified by the employee.
The annual ceiling for reimbursement of education allowance for disabled children of Government employees to Rs.30, 000 per annum per child and the rates of Hostel Subsidy for disabled children of Government employees to Rs.7500- per child per month
Reimbursement of the children Education Allowance is admissible only for the first child born after failure of sterilization operation
Government servant can get 50% of the total amount subject to the overall annual ceiling in the first quarter and the remaining amount in third and or fourth quarter. Frontloading of the entire amount in the first and second quarters is not allowed.
A Government servant can claim full amount subject to the annual ceiling of Rs.15000/- in the last quarter.
This scheme is effective from 01-09-08 but New rate is applicable with effect from 1' January, 2011

SMALL SAVINGS SCHEME ACCOUNTS IN POST OFFICES

The number of operational small savings accounts in the Department of Post as on 30/6/2011 are 264585266 and the amount deposited therein by the common man as on June 2011 is 3728154388 (Rs in thousands)
The number of accounts closed by customers during the last one year is 40950379.
The collections under all small savings schemes are credited to National Small Savings Fund (NSSF) and the opening balance as per Budget Estimates 2011-12 is Rs. 7,99,386.51 crore.
The small savings schemes continue to enjoy investor confidence as the risk-return equation of these schemes is favourable with the benefits of liquidity, accessibility, tax incentives and implicit sovereign guarantee. The Government has taken the following steps to make the small savings schemes more attractive and investor friendly:-
The restriction on opening of more than one account during a calendar month under the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme has been removed with effect from 24th May, 2007.
All categories of pensioners have been allowed to open and maintain ‘Pension Account’ under Post Office Savings Account Rules, with effect from 11th July, 2007.
The penalty on pre-mature withdrawal of deposits under the Post Office Monthly Income Account (POMIA) scheme has been rationalised from 3.5% to 2% on withdrawal on or before expiry of three years and 1% on withdrawal after expiry of three years.
The maximum deposit ceilings of Rs. 3.00 lakh and Rs. 6.00 lakh under the Post Office Monthly Income Account (POMIA) scheme has been raised to Rs. 4.5 lakh and Rs. 9.00 lakh in respect of single and joint accounts respectively.
Bonus at the rate of 5 per cent on the deposits made under Post Office Monthly Income Account (POMIA) Scheme on or after 8th December, 2007 upon the maturity of the deposit had been reintroduced. The benefit of Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 has been extended to the investments made under 5-Year Post Office Time Deposits Account and Senior Citizens Savings Scheme, with effect from 1.4.2007.
A website of the National Savings Institute under Government of India, Ministry of Finance has also been launched to facilitate interface with the public through wider dissemination of information on small savings and on-line registration and settlement of investors grievances. The website address is nsiindia.gov.in.
This statement was given by Shri Sachin Pilot, the Minister of State Communication and Information Technology in response to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

NFPE GUDUR WISHES U AND FAMILY MEMBERS HAPPY RAKSHBANDHAN.

. Can the ACP/MACP denied to those who had refused regular promotion ?

1For ACP : (from clarification issued for ACP) “The ACP Scheme has been introduced to provide relief in cases of acute stagnation where the employees, despite being eligible for promotion in all respects, are deprived of regular promotion for long periods due to non-availability of vacancies in the higher grade. Cases of holders of isolated posts have also been covered under ACPS, as they do not have any promotional avenues. However, where a promotion has been offered before the employee could be considered for grant of benefit under ACPS but he refuses to accept such promotion, then he cannot be said to be stagnating as he has opted to remain in the existing grade on his own volition. As such, there is no case for grant of ACPS in such cases. The official can be considered for regular promotion again after the necessary debarment period”.

For MACP (from MACP Order) “ lf a regular promotion has been offered but was refused by the employee before becoming entitled to a financial up-gradation, no financial up-gradation shall be allowed as such an employee has not been stagnated due to lack of opportunities. If, however, financial up-gradation has been allowed due to stagnation and the employees subsequently refuse the promotion, it shall not be a ground to withdraw the financial up-gradation. He shall, however, not be eligible to be considered for further financial up-gradation till he agrees to be considered for promotion again and the second the next financial up-gradation shall also be deferred to the extent of period of debarment due to the refusal”.
2. Disclosure of APAR
As per DOPT instruction, grading of APAR should be disclosed to the official concerned. does it mean that photocopy of the APAR should be given to the individual. Is there any format prescribed (covering letter) for disclosure of APAR ?
"Full APAR" is to be communicated. Hence it should be a Photostat copy.
3. Can Govt dues be adjusted against final payment of GPF with the consent of a Govt servant ?
Never come across any such restriction. Moreover, when GPF become due as final payment it is employees booty which he may consensually get adjusted in regard to outstanding govt. dues.


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MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS

The Government has issued instructions that with effect from the reporting period 2008-09, the full Annual Performance Assessment Report (APAR) (earlier known as ACR) after completion shall be communicated by the Section entrusted with the maintenance of APAR to the concerned officer. No instructions have been issued to merely show the APAR and obtain any certificate to this effect.
This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Shri V.Narayanasamy in written reply to question in the Lok Sabha today.

INtroduction RSBY for GDS employees

A reference is invited to the proposal of introduction RSBY for GDS employees as intimated vide your letter under reference. We had proposed certain improvements in the proposed scheme keeping in view the ground realities prevailing in the rural area where the GDS employees work vide our letter no dated 24.02.2010. Since then nothing has been heard and we donot know the fate of the proposal.

You will kindly agree that the low paid GDS employees urgently deserve some scheme for provision of health services. The proposed scheme of RSBY, in its present form with certain improvements as suggested by us is a right step in providing health services to the GDS employees, though a small step. We strongly hold the view that every big journey starts with a proposed RSBY was a step in the right direction and should have been brought in place small step taken is the right adirection. The with the improvement suggested by us. We are of strong view that this scheme should not be allowed to die a natural death.

We, therefore, request you kindly to vitalize the proposal in the interest of the employees. We shall always be available to offer further inputs as and when required.

An expeditious action is requested.

Yours faithfully,

-- S.S.MahadevaiahGeneral SecretaryAll India Postal Extra Departmental Employees Union

No proposal to increase the Retirement Age of Central Government Employees from 60 to 62

The Central Government clarified that there is no proposal to extend the retirement age of Central Government Employees.In Rajya Sabha, the Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena told that the total number of Central Government Employees as on March, 2010 was 32.24 Lakh and “at present we have no idea to increase the retirement age of Central Government Employees from 60 to 62”.

Thursday, August 11, 2011Clarificatory order on opening of more than one account in the same scheme in the name of same depositor

ALL INDIA CONVENTION -Contingent Employees

ALL INDIA CONVENTION OF CASUAL PART-TIME & CONTINGENT EMPLOYEES
FIRST ALL INDIA CONVENTION OF CASUAL , PART-TIME ,CONTINGENT EMPLOYEES WILL BE HELD AT TIRUPATI (ANDHRA PRADESH) ON 13th & 14th NOVEMBER, 2011.FURTHER DETAILS WILL FOLLOW.

Employment Growth

Employment Growth
The Union Labour & Employment Minister Shri Mallikarjun Kharge has informed the Rajya Sabha that reliable estimates of employment and unemployment are obtained through quinquennial labour force surveys conducted by National Sample Survey Office. As per the two most recent surveys, employment estimated on usual status basis has increased from 459.10 million in 2004-05 to 465.48 million in 2009-10 which shows that about 6.4 million persons were able to find employment during the period 2004-05 to 2009-10. The number of youth job seekers in the age group of 15-29 year, all of whom may not necessarily be unemployed, registered with employment exchanges as on 31-12-2008 was 270 million.
In order to bridge the employment gap and to harness the benefit of demographic dividend, Government of India has undertaken skill development in a big way.
The coordinated Action Plan for Skill Development has set a target of 500 million skilled persons by the year 2022, and all concerned Ministries and Departments have been mandated to undertake skill development programmes accordingly. All the Government (ITIs) Industrial Training Institutes are being modernized. New Govt. and Private ITIs and ITCs are being setup to augment training capacity. A new scheme, titled Skill Development Initiatives has been started to train one million persons in five years and then one million every year in short term modular employable skills. In addition, Government has also been implementing Employment generation Programme some of which are Swarnjayanti Shahari Rojgar Yojna, Swarnjayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojna, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Guarantee Act and Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme.
The Minister was replying to a written question in the Rajya Sabha today.

Declining Promotion to Postmaster Grade-1-- Dte. order

INDIA POST WINS TODAY'S TRAVELLER AWARD FOR BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE ORGANIZATION 2011

Circle allotments to PS group B Exam candidates

Directorate has issued circle allotments vide memo no.9-34/2011-SPG dated 05.08.2011to the successful candidates of the limited Departmental Competitive Examination for promotion to the cadre of Postal Service Group 'B' - 2011 held on 29th May 2011, result of which was declared vide Directorate letter No.A-34012/01/2011-DE dated 23-06-2011. From AP Circle, One from IP line and Seven from General line came out successful . All the eight candidates got allotment to Andhra pradesh circle.
Sl.No. Name of the official Alloted to which circle
1 A Subrahmanyam, ASP (Hq) Medak A.P.
2 K Siva Venkateswara Rao, SPM Guntur Bazar SO A.P.
3 Gollamudi Hymavathi Khammam Dn A.P.
4 Malladi Hari Prasad Sarma, SPM SN Puram SO A.P.
5 Gumpu Satya Harischandrudu A.P.
6 Janapala Prasada Babu A.P.
7 D Narasappa (SC) A.P.
8 Ponnuru Viswanadham (ST) Nellore Division A.P.

DEAR SIR ALLOTED TO ANDHRA CIRCLE IN GROUP B SERVICES

Sri p.Viswanadham Grade III POSTMASTER GUDUR H.P.O ALLOTED TO ANDHRA CIRCLE

GRANT OF OFFICIATING PAY AND ALLOWANCES TO SELECTION GRADE OFFICIALS - REG.

D.G. Posts No. 137-64/2010-SPB.II Dated 28th July, 2011
I am directed to say that the matter regarding grant of officiating pay to Selection Grade officials who held the Selection Grade posts on officiating basis has been under consideration in consultation with Estt. Branch of the Department.
2. As regards filling up the posts of short term vacancies, it has been laid down in Department of Personnel & Training vide their OM No. 28036/8/87-Estt (D) dated 30.3.1988 and Om No. AB.14017/54/2003-Estt (RR) dated 4.12.2003 circulated vide this Department letter No. 137-2/2004-SPB.II dated 13/13th January, 2004 and No. 137-99/2009-SPB.II dated 32.12.2009 that hose employees in the feeder grade who fulfill the eligibility conditions prescribed in the Recruitment Rules should be considered for ad-hoc promotion.
3. Rule 27 of Postal Manual Volume IV provides that for officiating appointments once the list of approved officers are prepared by Department Promotion Committee and finally approved by Government or the appointing authority, no departur4e from the order in the list should ordinarily be made provided that when administrative exigencies require it, a person not in the list or not the first in order in the list , may be appointed for a period not exceeding three months.
4. Rule 50 of Postal Manual Vol. IV provides for officiating arrangement for filling up of vacancies of short duration i.e. not more than one month`s duration and more that four month`s duration in the cadres in which promotion is made from officials working in different stations, sub –divisions or divisions in a circle and in the cadres in which promotion is made from officials in the same office of station. In the case of vacancies of not more than one month`s duration in a Division , officiating arrangement may be confined to the officials at the station where the vacancy occurs even if this involves the supersession of a senior qualified official by a junior official who is actually appointed to act. In the case of a station where there are more offices than one each independent of the others, the officiating promotion may, at the discretion of the sanctioning authority , be confined to the office where the vacancy occurs. In the case of vacancies of more than one month but not exceeding four month`s duration , officiating arrangement may be confined to the officials in the office, sub-division or Division where the vacancy occurs on the same conditions as in the case of preceding clause.
5. Rule 50 also states that in special circumstances in which strict adherence to the above procedure may not be practicable or desirable from the administrative point of view, the sanctioning authority may at his discretion make acting arrangement as per administrative requirements.
6. In view of the above position, officiating arrangements may be made in accordance with Rule 27 or 50 0of Postal Manual Vol. IV or as per the instructions of DOP&T and Ministry of Finance, as the case may be. Such an official who fulfills the criteria laid down in the Recruitment Rules prescribed for such post and is thus eligible to be appointed to higher post is posted to officiate against the norm based supervisory post in LSG, HSG-II and HSG-I cadre on a whole time basis should be remunerated by allowing the pay and allowances in the pay scale/pay band + Grade pay attached to the higher posts, for the period the official continues to officiate in it, provided the provisions of FR-35 are not invoked by the appointing authority, which is normally done in case of ineligible officials appointed to the higher posts in exigency of service.
7. Fundamental Rule (FR-) 49 provides for appointment of a Government servant already holding a post in a substantive or officiating capacity to officiate as temporary measure in one or more of their independent posts at one time and admissibility of pay for holding such post. Appointment under FR 49 normally does not arise in case of operative offices in the Department of Posts such as Post Offices and Mail Offices in respect of Gr. C posts. However, if there are any isolated case and /or exception is there, the provisions contained in FR-49 may be invoked. In such cases, when a Postal Assistant (not granted financial upgradation under TBOP) being eligible is appointed to officiate for whole time in a norms based LSG (SPM/.APM) etc. post which is in the line of promotion, in addition to his duties in PA/SA posts, he may be allowed the pay attached to the norm based LSG post without any additional pay/allowance for performing the duties of lower posts of PA/SA. If the government servant is directed to hold the dual charge of two posts in the same cadre carrying identical scales of pay, no additional pay is admissible except special pay, if any attached to the additional post.
8. No additional pay and /or special pay/allowance are admissible for holding current charge of the routine duties of another post.
9. Keeping in view the above , it has been decided with the approval of competent authority that in case a Postal Assistant (PA) or sorting Assistant (SA) as the case may be (who was not granted financial upgradation under TBOP or BCR Scheme) was appointed to officiate/hold full charge of a norm based supervisory Lower grade Selection Grade (LSG) post in accordance with the Rule 27 or 50, he /she maybe allowed the pay and allowances attached to the higher post subject to the satisfaction of all other relevant conditions. Similarly, in case of an official holding LSG or HSG-II norm based post on regular basis was appointed to officiate /hold full charge of a norm based higher/supervisory Higher Selection Grade –II (HSG-II) or Higher Selection Grade-I (HSG-I) post, respectively, in accordance with Rule 27 or 50 , he /she may also be allowed the pay and allowances attached to higher post.
10. Further as regards past cases of PA/SA granted financial upgradation under TBOP scheme appointed to officiate /hold full charge of a supervisory norm based LSG as per Rule 27 or 50, he/she was entitled to draw pay and allowances permissible under TBOP scheme which happened to be in the pay scale of LSG post. Similarly, if an regular LSG official granted financial upgradation under BCR scheme was appointed to officiate /hold full charge of supervisory norm based HSG-II post, as per Rule 27 or 50, he/she was entitled to draw pay and allowance permissible under BCR scheme which happened to be in the pay scale of HSG-II. In case, a regularly appointed HSG-II official was appointed to officiate /hold full charge of supervisory norm based HSG-I post, as per Rule 27 or 50, he/she was entitled to draw pay and allowances attached to the post of HSG-I.
11. The TBOP/BCR schemes have since been abolished w.e.f. 1.9.2008 on introduction of MACP scheme. The scheme envisaged merely placement in immediate next higher grade pay in the hierarchy of the recommended revised pay bands and grade pay as given in the CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008, counted from the direct entry grade on completion of 10,20 and 30 years service respectively and is admissible wherever a person has spent 10 years continuously in the same grade pay. Thus, the grade pay at the time of financial upgradation under MACP scheme, in certain cases differ than what is available at the time of regular promotion. In such cases, the higher grade pay attached to the next promotion post in the hierarchy of the concerned cadre will be given only at the time of regular promotion.
12. In view of the position mentioned in the above paragraph, in case, a regular appointed PA/SA granted financial upgradation under MACP-I is appointed as per Rule 27 or 50 to officiate/hold full charge of norm based LSG post, he/she will be entitled to draw pay and allowances attached to the post of LSG as both MACP-1 and LSG carry the same grade pay of Rs.2800/-. However, if such PA/SA granted MACP-II or MACP-III is appointed to norm based LSG post, he/she will be entitled to draw pay and grade pay attached to MACP-II or MACP-III as the case may be subject to the satisfaction of all other/relevant terms and conditions.
13. Similarly, in case an officials holding the norm based LSG post on regular basis who is in receipt of MACP-II or MACP-III, as the case may be , is appointed to officiate/hold full charge of supervisory HSG-II post, in accordance with Rule 27 or 50 , he /she would be entitled to continue to draw the pay and grade pay etc. attached to MACP-II or MACP-III as the case may be subject to the satisfaction of all other/relevant terms and conditions.
14. In case, an official holding the norm based HSG-II post on regular basis was already in receipt of MACP-II is appointed to official/hold full charge of a norm based supervisory HSG-I post, in accordance with Rule 27 or 50, he /she would be entitled to continue to draw the pay and grade, etc. pay attached to HSG-I post subject to the satisfaction of all other/relevant terms and conditions. If such HSG-II official who in receipt of MACP-III is appointed to officiate/hold full charge of norm based HSG-I post in accordance with Rule 27 or 50, he or she would be entitled to continue to draw the pay and grade pay , etc. attached to HSG-I post subject to the satisfaction of all other/relevant terms and conditions.
15. The above illustration is given in cases of PA/SA who are appointed recruit as Direct Recruits. There could be cases where Multitasking Staff (MTS) or Postman/Mailguard who have reached the level of PA/SA by promotion are detailed to officiate on higher post as mentioned above. In such cases also, care may be taken to fix their officiating pay under rule 27 o9r 50 after taking into account the upgradation under MACP and / or promotion granted to them.
16. The past cases, if any may also be regulated accordingly.-- M.KrishnanSecretary General NFPE

Ministry of Labour & Employment -- Closing EPF Accounts

There is no such proposal to close the inoperative Employees Provident Fund accounts. However, from 1st April, 2011, interest is not being credited to the account of a member from the date on which it has become inoperative account.As per un-audited Annual Accounts of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, an amount of Rs. 14,914.81 Crore is lying in Inoperative Accounts of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation as on 31.03.2011.Regarding returning the money in Inoperative accounts to their account holder, publicity through print media and electronic media is made to educate the members to file their claims for settlement or transfer to their existing account. Similarly, the employers’ and employees’ unions have also been requested to advise the members to file their claims for settlement.This information was given by the Minister of Labour and Employment Shri Mallikarjun Kharge in reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha today.

SAVE TAX THROUGH NPS

The New Pension Scheme (NPS) has so far not seen too many takers after the government opened the scheme to the public in 2009. However, the investment scenario will most likely change in favour of NPS once the proposals under thelatest Direct Taxes Code (DTC) are implemented.
This is because the DTC has proposed to include NPS in the list of investments that are eligible for tax deduction under Section 80C. These developments make NPS an interesting investment avenue. This week, ET Intelligence Group brings you all that you would want to know about NPS. We will also discuss in length about the various schemes available under NPS and their performance.
NPS is a defined contribution scheme wherein an individual can open a tier I account and invest a regular sum of money till retirement. Professional fund managers manage funds invested under the scheme. At the time of retirement, investors can avail as a lump-sum a maximum of 60% of the total pension wealth generated by NPS over the years.
NPS now open to all citizens between 18-55 years

nistry of Personnel, P.G. and PensionsDepartment of Pensions and Pensioners WelfareStrategic Plan for 2010-15BackgroundThe issue of efficient delivery of pension services has been the focus of public policy inIndia for many years. This was mainstreamed through the report of the Project Oasis in theyear 2000. This report brought to the forefront the complex issues relating to increasinglongevity, reducing /absence of reducing social safety nets and the need for improvedpension systems focusing on improved service delivery.As per the data of Census 2001, 64%of pensioners are 65 and above .Though the focus of this report was not the existing systemof pension for government servants, many of the issues covered therein are relevant even inthe context of the existing pension scheme of the Government of India.For instance the Oasis report talked about the increasing dependency ratio. As on 31stMarch 1998, with 5.2 million central government employees and 3.54 million pensioners thedependency ratio was 66%. For the defence segment alone this was much higher at 110%.Similarly a simulation exercise got carried out by the Oasis report, estimated that theexpenditure of the Central Government on account of pension payment would increase fromRs3569 crore in 1995 to Rs 27183 crore in 2015. This “conservative” estimate is alreadyhugely off-mark as expenses have already reached over Rs 50000 crore. .Many pensioners reside with their children and their pension is critical for sustaining theirbasic needs, including nutritional and medical expenses, with dignity. The quantum andregularity directly impacts their mental well-being and therefore their health. Others, whostay alone, have a greater exposure to inclement conditions and are even more dependent onthis steady income to nourish their body and spirit. Given the huge amount and the largenumber of people involved, it is imperative that a people-friendly, efficient and easy toadminister pension system for the retiring and retired civil servants matching the aspirationsof a modern civil society is implemented at the earliestThe Department of Pensions and Pensioners Welfare has initiated efforts to bring hasslefree retirement benefits to the pensioners. The Government of India extends measures toimprove the condition of pensioners from time to time. For instance, the decision on therecommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission to award an additional quantum topensioners aged 80 or above is recognition of the increase in medical and other expenseswith age. Full delivery of the programme on pensions needs to be assured for thebeneficiaries to avail of the enhanced measures.These on-going activities and the new initiatives proposed to be undertaken by theDepartment through efficient implementation, is likely to make improvements in the life of apensioner. The core of this Strategic Plan is based on this premise.security, dignity and respect for Central Government Employees.

Circle reallotments in PS Group B cadre

Friday, August 5, 2011

The following PS group B officers working in AP circle have been realloted to their home circle Vide Directorate memo no 9-3/2011-SPG dated 03-8-2011.
Sl no Name Present place of Working Realloted to
1 P.Selva Raj SPOs Proddutur Dn Tamilnadu Circle
2 R.Thiravai Raj SPOs Machilipatnam Dn Tamilnadu Circle
3 S.Gururajan SPOs Srikakulam Dn Tamilnadu Circle
4 V.BalaRam AD(Operations) SPC Hyderabad Tamilnadu Circle

Transfers & Postings in SAG & JAG of IPo,S Group A

Directorate vide memo no No. 1-2/ 2009-SPG dated 05-08-2011 has modified the transfer of Sri B.V.Sudhakur appointed PMG South Bengal region as PMG (BD, Mktg & Tech) West Bengal Circle simultaneously transferring Sri M.Sampath PMG (BD, Mktg & Tech) West Bengal Circle as PMG South Bengal region Kolkata.
In another memo no1-2/2009-SPG dated 05-08-2011, Directorate has modified the transfer of Smt Sumitha Ayodhya appointed DPS(BD& Mktg) Orissa circle as DPS Chennai city region (adhoc) TN Circle. Sri M.Venkateswarlu DPS Allahabad UP is posted as AGM PLI Postal Directorate.

ADMISSIBILITY OF SEVERANCE AMOUNT OT GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS ON RETIREMENT/DEATH AND ON ABSORPTION ON REGULA POSTS.

Sub: ADMISSIBILITY OF SEVERANCE AMOUNT OT GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS ON RETIREMENT/DEATH AND ON ABSORPTION ON REGULA POSTS-CLARIFICATION REGARDING.
Attention of all concerned is invited to Annexure-III of this Directorate order No. 6-1/2009-PE.II dated 08.10.2009 containing details of existing and revised benefits under nature of benefit named 'Severance Amount'.

2. In this context, it is to clarify that the present benefit shown against Severance Amount also includes Severance Amount on absorption on regular posts payable @ Rs. 20000/- (Rs. Twenty thousand only) to an EDA (now called GDS) absorbed on regular basis against a departmental post after 15 years of continuous service as ED Agent (now called GDS) in the light of the common recommendation made by the GDS Committee in Para 14.14.1. Therefore, the revised benefit indicated against nature of benefit 'Severance Amount' is applicable not only on retirement/death but also on absorption against departmental posts @ Rs. 1500 for every completed year of service subject to maximum of Rs. 60000 with reduction in minimum eligibility to 10 years.

3. Therefore, the words "Severance Amount on retirement/death" may be taken as inserted on the top as headline above the existing para under present benefits against 'Severance Amount' starting with "A lump sum severance amount and ending with amount paid is Rs. 20000." Below this para, a new headline as "Severance Amount on absorption on regular posts" & a para beneath it starting as "Severance amount of Rs. 20000 (Rs. Twenty thousand only) is paid on absorption on regular basis against a departmental post after 15 years of continuous service" may also be taken as inserted & accordingly the Annexure III to this Directorate Order No. 6-1/2009-PE II dated 09 Oct 2009 may be taken as amended. Revised Annexure III to this Directorate Order ibid is appended below:-

Nature of Benefit
Present Benefits
Revised Benefits
Es-gratia Gratuity
Granted at the rate of half months basis TRCA drown immediately before discharge of service for each completed year of service subject to maximum of Rs. 18000 or 16.5 months basic TRCA last drawn whichever is less. Minimum service prescribed is 10 years
Continuance of the existing formula for grant Ex-gratis Gratuity subject to a maximum of Rs. 60000.
Severance Amount
Severance Amount on retirement/death
A lump sum severance amount of Rs. 30000/- is paid on discharge provided a GDS has completed 20 years of continuous service. In case of a GDS completing 15 years of service but less than 20 years of continuous service the severance amount paid is Rs. 20000
Severance Amount on absorption on regular post
Severance amount of Rs. 20000 (Rs. Twenty thousand only) is paid on absorption on regular basis against a departmental post after 15 years of continuous service
Severance amount shall be paid at the rate of Rs. 1500 for every completed year of service subject to a maximum of Rs. 60000 with reduction in minimum eligibility period to 10 years.


3. This may be brought to the notice of all concerned. This has the approval of the competent authority.

TYPES OF PENSIONS

Superannuation
A superannuation pension shall be granted to a Government servant who is retired on his attaining the age of 60 years.
Retiring Pension:
A retiring pension shall be granted to a Government servant who retires, or is retired before attaining the age of Superannuation or to a Government servant who, on being declared surplus opts, for voluntary retirement.
Voluntary Retirement:
Any Government servant can apply for voluntary retirement, three months in advance, only after the completion of twenty years of his qualifying service, provided there is no vigilance or Departmental Enquiry pending /initiated against him/her.
Invalid Pension:
Invalid Pension may be granted if a Government servant applies for retirement from the service on account of any bodily or mental infirmity which permanently incapacitates him/her for the service. The request for invalid pension has to be supported by medical report from the competent medical board.
Compensation Pension:
If a Government servant is selected for discharge owing to the abolition of a permanent post, he shall, unless he is appointed to another post the conditions of which are deemed by the authority competent to discharge him/her to be at least equal to those of his own, have the option –
(a) of taking compensation pension to which he may be entitled for the service he had rendered, or
(b) of accepting another appointment on such pay as may be offered and continuing to count his previous service for pension.
Compulsory Retirement Pension:
A Government servant compulsorily retired from service as a penalty may be granted, by the authority competent to impose such penalty, pension or gratuity, or both at a rate not less than two-thirds and not more than full compensation pension or gratuity, or both admissible to him on the date of his compulsory retirement. The pension granted or allowed shall not be less than Rs. 3500/- p.m.
Compassionate Allowance:
(i) A Government servant who is dismissed or removed from service shall forfeit his pension and gratuity:
Provided that the authority competent to dismiss or remove him from service may, if the case is deserving of special consideration, sanction a compassionate allowance not exceeding two-thirds of pension or gratuity or both which would have been admissible to him if he had retired on compensation pension.
(ii) A compassionate allowance sanctioned under the proviso to sub-rule (i) shall not be less than the amount of Rupees one thousand nine hundred and thirteen per mensem.
Extraordinary Pension:
Extraordinary Pension in the form of Disability pension/extraordinary family pension may be paid to the Government servant/his family if disablement/death (or the aggravation of disablement/death)of the Government servant, during his service, are attributed to the Government service. For the award of extraordinary pension, there should thus be a casual connection between disablement and Government service; and death and Government service, for attributability or aggravation to be conceded. The quantum of the pension, however, depends upon the category of the disablement/death.
Government servants appointed on or after 1.1.2004 are not covered by the CCS(Extraordinary Pension) Rules.
Family Pension:
Family pension is granted to the widow / widower and where there is no widow / widower to the children of a Government servant who entered in service in a pensionable establishment on or after 01/01/1964 but on or before 31.12.2003 or having entered service prior to that date came to be governed by the provisions of the Family Pension Scheme for Central Government Employees, 1964 if such a Government servant-
(i) dies while in service on or after 01/01/1964 or
(ii) retired/died before 31.12.1963 or
(iii) retires on or after 01/01/1964
and at the time of his death was in receipt of pension.
Family pension is payable to the children up to 25 years of their age, or marriage or till they start earning a monthly income exceeding Rs.3,500/- + DA admissible from time to time p.m. whichever is earlier.
Widow daughter / divorced daughter/ unmarried daughter of deceased Government servant is also entitled for the family pension till her remarriage or up to life time or starts earning a monthly income exceeding Rs.3,500/- + DA admissible from time to time p.m. whichever is earlier.
Family pension is also payable to the dependent parents of deceased Government servants w.e.f. 01/01/98, where there is no claimant i.e. spouse or child for family pension, alive.
If the son or daughter, of a Government servant is suffering from any disorder or disability of mind or is physically crippled or disabled so as to render him or her unable to earn a living even after attaining the age of 25 years, the family pension can continue to be paid for life time subject to conditions.

SCHEME FOR ENGAGEENT OF GDS ON COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS- MERIT POINTS AND PROCEDURE FOR SELECTION – REVISED PROVISIONS THEREOF.

No. 17-17/2010-GDS Dated: 01 Aug 2011
Attention of all concerned is invited to this Directorate letter of even number dated 14 Dec 2010 under which the scheme for engagement of GDS on compassionate grounds with merit points & procedure for selection was circulated and made effective for all the compassionate engagement cases to be considered on or after 01.01.2011
2. The Scheme has recently been reviewed in this Directorate and in partial modification to the existing provisions contained in Para 7 of the Scheme, the following revised provisions may be substituted:-
(a) The existing ceiling of 10% is removed. All requests for compassionate engagement would be considered by the Circle Relaxation Committee on application of the relative merit points prescribed in this Directorate letter dated 14.12. 2010 in hard and deserving cases only subject to availability of the vacancy for the purpose & fulfillment of the terms and conditions of the GDS post. The term "hard and deserving cases" would mean cases over and above 50 merit points.
(b) All cases that are more than 5 years old or in which there is/are earning members(s) in the joint families hithertofare considered initially by the Circle Relaxation Committee and prescribed to be referred to this Directorate for approval would also be decided by the Circle Relaxation Committee concerned without further reference to this Directorate.
(c) All other provisions contained in the Scheme dated 14.12. 2010 shall continue to apply as already prescribed and all compassionate engagement shall be approved within the ambit of the prescribed Scheme only.
3. The revised provisions shall take effect from the date of application of the original Scheme. However, no past case decided in accordance with the original scheme prior to issue of this order shall be reopened. All cases lying undecided for whatever reasons may be decided only by the Circle Relaxation Committee without any further reference to this Directorate.

POSTMAN RELATED ISSUED - INFORMATION SOUGHT FROM CIRCLES

The Directorate is seeking information from all the circles on postmen related issues. We request our circle secretaries to assist the P4 circle secretaries at their levels to ensure sending reports by the circle heads before the cut off date ie. 19.8.2011.

TOP PRIORITY

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts, (Establishment Division.

Dated Bhawan, Sansad Marg

New Delhi-110 001

No 25-20/2008-PE-I (Pt.) Dated 22^nd July, 2011

To

All Heads of Circles

Subject:-Study to be carried out on Postmen related issues.

Sir / Madam,

The Joint Council of Action of Staff Federations including Postmen Staff submitted their Agenda of demands to the Department for their resolution. As ordered by the Competent Authority, a separate Committee has been formed to look into the issues flagged by the Postmen Unions. A meeting of the said Committee held on 01.07.2011, wherein during the course of discussion, Staff side put forward certain issues on which they are facing difficulties while discharging their duties.

2. In this connection, therefore, the Competent Authority has decided that each Circle should carry out detailed study on following issues:-

(i) Extraction of Data Entry Work from Postmen.

(ii) Irregular computation of working hours for Postmen in the field units- assess all areas of work being handled by Postmen.

(iii) Assess the average Beat Length of Postmen for deciding the maximum Beat length as in some Circles it stretched upto 40 Kms or more.

(iv) Postmen to carry all articles (first class, second class, Speed Post, Registered Post, Money Orders, EPP, etc.) in each Beat.

3. It is requested to complete the Study on above points and send the report along with the comments of CIFA to this office by 19^th August, 2011 positively so that further suitable action could be taken.

4. It may please be accorded Top Priority.

This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.

Yours Sincerely

(Prabhu Das Xalxo)

Asstt. Director General (Estt.I)

//copy//

CONGRATULATIONS TO AIPSBCOEA

AI SBCO EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION WINS COURT CASE FOR RESTORATION OF RECOGNITION

HONOURABLE FULL BENCH OF HIGH COURT OF MADRAS STAYED THE DEPARTMENT'S ORDER OF WITHDRAWAL OF RECOGNITION TO AI SBCO EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION

HONOURABLE HIGH COURT OF MADRAS HAS GRANTED STAY ORDERS AGAINST THE ORDERS OF THE DEPARTMENT WITHDRAWING THE RECOGNITION GRANTED TO ALL INDIA POSTAL SBCO EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION [NFPE] ON 26TH JULY, 2011.

EARLIER, THE DEPARTMENT HAD ISSUED A SHOW-CAUSE TO AI SBCO EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION FOR WITHDRAWING RECOGNITION AND DESPITE REPLYING TO THE SHOW-CAUSE, THE DOP HAD WITHDRAWN THE RECOGNITION GRANTED UNDER THE RECENT VERIFICATION PROCESS.

NFPE CONGRATULATES THE AI SBCO EA FOR TAKING EFFECTIVE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD THE RECOGNITION OF THE ASSOCIATION.

POSTMASTER GRADE - I POSTINGS IN KURNOOL REGION

TARGET ON OPENING OF FRANCHAIZEE POSTAL OUTLETS - PIB NEWS

Franchise Postal Outlets

During current financial year 2011-12, targets for opening of 125 Franchise Outlets have been issued to the Circles including Madhya Pradesh. Details of physical targets allotted to the Circles as under. Madhya Pradesh Circle has been allotted the target of 8 franchise outlets. These outlets are opened in areas where opening of post office is justified but it cannot be opened for some reasons. This is also subject to receipt of applications from suitable candidates.

The targets for opening of new franchise outlets have been given to Circles for the current financial year.

ANNEXURE

Circle-wise physical targets for opening of Franchise Outlets for the financial year 2011-12

Sl.No.	Name of the Circles	Physical Targets [in number]
1	Andhra Pradesh	8
2	Assam	4
3	Bihar	6
4	Chhattisgarh	3
5	Delhi	8
6	Gujarat	7
7	Haryana	7
8	Himachal Pradesh	5
9	Jammu & Kashmir	2
10	Jharkhand	4
11	Karnataka	7
12	Kerala	0
13	Madhya Pradesh	8
14	Maharashtra	8
15	North East	4
16	Orissa	6
17	Punjab	6
18	Rajasthan	7
19	Tamil Nadu	7
20	Uttarakhand	3
21	Uttar Pradesh	8
22	West Bengal	7
	Total	125