FinMin Order - Grant of Festival Advance to Central Government Employees

 FinMin Order

The amount of the package is Rs. 10,000/- to be paid as advance to Central Government servant. This amount is interest free.

FinMin Order – Grant of Festival Advance to Central Government Employees

Festival Advance to Central Government Employees

F.No.12(2)/2020-EII(A)
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
EII(A) Branch

North Block, New Delhi
12th October, 2020

Office Memorandum

Sub: Grant of Advance - Special Festival Package to Government Servants.

The undersigned is directed to say that with a view to enable Government servants to meet expenses relating to festivals and to encourage spending thereby giving a boost to economic activities, in pursuance of decision taken by the Government, it has been decided that a special festival package of advance will be accorded to all Government servants for any important festivals upto 31st March, 2021.

2. A Head of Office may sanction this special package on the eve of any important festival to any Central Government Servant under his administrative control. The term “important festival” is clarified as such festivals or one of such festivals as Head of Department may declare in respect of establishments under his/her administrative control.

3. The amount of the package is Rs. 10,000/- to be paid as advance to Government servant. This amount is interest free. The amount would be released through pre-loaded Rupay Card from SBI. DDOs, on receipt of application from Government servants for this package may process and acquire the prepaid cards from SBI for issue among the applicants. A detailed SOP for DDOs for obtaining these cards would be separately issued.

Also check: FinMin Order – Special cash package equivalent in lieu of Leave Travel Concession Fare for Central Government Employees during the Block 2018-21

4. The festival package may be granted to a Government servant if he/she is on Government duty or on leave excluding leave preparatory to retirement, on the date on which the advance is disbursed. The amount paid under this package is recoverable in not more than ten (10) instalments.

5. These orders will take effect from the date of issuance of this Office Memorandum and will be in force during the current financial year till 31 March, 2021.

6. All the Ministries/ Departments are requested to bring the contents of this OM to the notice of all its Attached and Subordinate offices for their information /necessary action.

Hindi version of this Office Memorandum will follow.

(B.K.Manthan)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India

To

All the Ministries/ Departments of the Government of India.

Source: DoE

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Special cash package equivalent in lieu of Leave Travel Concession Fare for Central Government Employees during the Block 2018-2021

FinMin Order

Special cash package equivalent in lieu of Leave Travel Concession Fare for Central Government Employees during the Block 2018-21

F.No.12(2) /2020-EII(A)
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
EN(A) Branch

North Block, New Delhi
12th October, 2020

Office Memorandum

Sub: Special cash package equivalent in lieu of Leave Travel Concession Fare for Central Government Employees during the Block 2018-21.

In view of Covid-19 pandemic and resultant nationwide lockdown as well as disruption of transport and hospitality sector, as also the need for observing social distancing, a number of Central Government employees are not in a position to avail themselves of LTC for travel to any place in India or their Hometowns in the current Block of 2018-21.

2. With a view to compensate and incentive consumption by Central Government employees thereby giving a boost to consumption expenditure, it has been decided that cash equivalent of LTC, comprising Leave Encashment and LTC fare of the entitled LTC may be paid by way of reimbursement, if an employee opts for this in lieu of one LTC in the Block of 2018-21 subject to the following conditions:-

a) The employee spends the money of a larger sum than the entitlement on account of LTC on actual expenditure.

b) Cash equivalent of full leave encashment will be allowed, provided the employee spends an equal sum. This will be counted towards the number of leave encashment on LTC available to an employee.

C) The deemed LTC fare for this purpose is given below :-

Category of employees	Deemed LTC fare per person (Round Trip)
Employees who are entitled to business class of airfare	Rs. 36,000
Employees who are entitled to economy class of airfare	Rs. 20,000
Employees who are entitled to Rail fare of any class	Rs. 6,000

Deemed LTC fare per person Central Government Employees

d) The cash equivalent may be allowed if the employee spends a sum 3 times of the value of the fare given above.

e) The amount both on account of leave encashment and fare shall be admissible if the employee spends (i) an amount equal to the value of leave encashment and; (ii) an amount 3 times of the cash equivalent of deemed fare, as given above on purchase of such items / availing of such services which carry a GST rate of not less than 12% from GST registered vendors / service providers through digital mode and obtains a voucher indicating the GST number and the amount of GST paid.

f) The admissible payment shall be restricted to the full value of the package [leave encashment as admissible for LTC and deemed fare] or depending upon the spending as per example given at Annexure-A.

g) While TDS is applicable in the case of leave encashment, since the cash reimbursement of LTC fare is in lieu of deemed actual travel, the same shall be allowed exemption on the lines of existing income-tax exemption available to LTC fare. The legislative amendment to the provisions of the Income-Tax Act, 1961 for this purpose shall be proposed in the due course. Hence, TDS shall not be required to be deducted on the reimbursement of deemed LTC fare.

Also check: LTC Fare list September 7, 2020 – Central Government Employees

3. Head of the Departments / DDOs may make reimbursement under this package as per the details given above on receipt of invoices of purchases made / services availed during the period post the issuance of this order from the employees who are desirous to avail this package. It may be noted that in order to avail this package an employee should opt for both leave encashment and LTC fare.

4. An amount upto 100% of leave encashment and 50% of the value of deemed fare may be paid as advance into the bank account of the employee which shall be settled based on production of receipts towards purchase and availing of goods and services as given in Para 2(e). The claims under this package (with or without advance) are to be made and settled within the current financial year. Non-utilization / under-utilization of advance is to be accounted for by the DDOs in accordance with the extant provisions relating to LTC advance i.e. immediate recovery of full advance in the case of non-utilisation and recovery of unutilized portion of the advance with penal interest.

5. These orders will take effect from the date of issuance of this Office Memorandum and will be in force during the current financial year till 31st March, 2021.

6. All the Ministries/ Departments are requested to bring the contents of this OM to the notice of all its Attached and Subordinate offices for their information.

Also check: Relaxation of purchase of air tickets from authorized Travel Agents for the purpose of LTC

Hindi version of this Office Memorandum will follow.

(B.K.Manthan)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India

To

 All the Ministries/ Departments of the Government of India.

Source: DoE

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Status of Cadre Review proposals processed in Cadre Review Division of DoPT from 1st January 2015 to 30th September, 2020

Latest DoPT Orders 2020

Status of Cadre Review proposals processed in Cadre Review Division of DoPT from 1st January 2015 to 30th September, 2020

A. Approved by Cabinet

S. No.	Name of the Service	CRC* Meeting	Cabinet Approval
1.	Indian Civil Accounts Service	17.07.2013	16.01.2015
2	Border Road Engineering Service	26.02.2015	07.04.2015
3	Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service	08.01.2015	06.05.2015
4	Indian Trade Service	06.05.2014	01.07.2015
5	Indian Statistical Service	24.06.2014	29.07.2015
6	Indian Skill Development Service	10.04.2015	07.10.2015
7	Indian Postal Service	28.12.2015	25.05.2016
8	Central Reserve Police Force	15.12.2015	29.06.2016
9	Indian Information Service	05.05.2016	24.08.2016
10	Border Security Force	29.06.2016	12.09.2016
11	Indian P & T Accounts and Finance Service	17.09.2015	27.10.2016
12	Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Indian Enterprise Development Service (IEDS)	28.12.2015	21.12.2016
13	Indian Telecom Service	06.10.2016	21.12.2016
14	Central Engineering Service (Roads)	25.04.2016	06.03.2017

15	Indian Naval Material Management Service	24.10.2013	22.06.2017
16	Indian Defence Accounts Service	09.09.2016	19.07.2017
17	Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) (Group ‘A’ Combatised)	19.7.2017	20.12.2017
18	Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)	15.05.2017	10.01.2018
19	Indian Petroleum and Explosive Safety Service (IPESS)	09.01.2017	02.05.2018
20	Indian Railways Personnel Service	19.04.2018	19.02.2019
21	Indian Railways Traffic Service	19.04.2018	19.02.2019
22	Indian Railways Stores Service	19.04.2018	19.02.2019
23	Indian Railways Accounts Service	19.04.2018	19.02.2019
24	Indian Railways Service of Mechanical Engineers	19.04.2018	19.02.2019
25	Indian Railways Service of Electrical Engineers	19.04.2018	19.02.2019
26	Indian Railways Service of Engineers	19.04.2018	19.02.2019
27	Indian Railways Service of Signal Engineers	19.04.2018	19.02.2019
28	Indo Tibetan Border Police	08.02.2019	23.10.2019
29	Indian P&T Building Works	02.08.2019	06.11.2019

* CRC – Cadre Review Committee

Also Check: Status of Cadre Review proposals processed in Cadre Review Division of DoPT from 1st January, 2014 to 31st August, 2020

Under Secretary (CRD)
1/10/ 2020

B. Status of Proposals under consideration

S.No.

Name of the Service

Status

(1) Meeting of Cadre Review Committee held (4)

1.	Indian Defence Estates Service	CCA* to take approval of the Cabinet.
2.	Indian Naval Armament Service	CCA* to take approval of the Cabinet.
3.	Survey of India Group ‘A’	As per direction of CRC and Cabinet Sectt., issues to be addressed and revised proposal to be sent for consideration of CRC. Deptt. of Science & Technology to provide input.
4.	Indian Cost Accounts Service	As per deliberations held in meeting of CRC, DoE/CAC to submit revised proposal. Revised proposal has been received from DoE and is under consideration.

(2) Pending with Cabinet Secretariat (1)

5.

Indian Radio Regulatory Service

Proposal to be considered by the Cadre Review Committee.

(3) Pending with Department of Expenditure (8)

6.	Indian Ordnance Factories Health Services (IOFHS)	Meeting of CRC held on 28/08/ 2019. Revised proposal of DoPT, as per directions of CRC, sent to DoE for obtaining approval of Secretary (Expenditure).
7.	Central Health Service (CHS)	Proposal and recommendations of DoPT sent to DoE for obtaining approval of Secretary (Expenditure).
8.	Central Geological Service Group ‘A’	Proposal and recommendations of DoPT sent to DoE for obtaining approval of Secretary (Expenditure)
9.	Geological Survey of India Chemical Service Group ‘A’	Proposal and recommendations of DoPT sent to DoE for obtaining approval of Secretary (Expenditure)
10.	Geological Survey of India Geophysical Service Group ‘A’	Proposal and recommendations of DoPT sent to DoE for obtaining approval of Secretary (Expenditure)
11.	Geological Survey of India Engineering Service Group ‘A’	Proposal and recommendations of DoPT sent to DoE for obtaining approval of Secretary (Expenditure)
12.	Indian Corporate Law Service	Proposal and recommendations of DoPT sent to DoE for obtaining approval of Secretary (Expenditure)
13.	Indian Railway Health Service	Proposal and recommendations of DoPT sent to DoE for obtaining approval of Secretary (Expenditure)

(4) Pending with DoPT (2)

14.	Military Engineering Service (IDSE, Surveyor, Architect)	Recommendations of DoE on the proposal of Deptt. of Defence and DoPT has been received. Note for consideration of Cadre Review Committee is under finalisation for sending to Cabinet Sectt. for consideration of CRC.
15.	Railway Protection Force	Ministry of Railways has submitted revised proposal which is under examination.

(5) Proposal pending with CCA for clarification/re-submission as per DoPT’s observations (3)

16.	Medical Cadres of CAPFs, NSG & AR	MHA to provide requisite information/clarification.
17.	Indian Economic Service	DEA to provide revised proposal
18.	Indian Skill Development Service	MSDE to provide revised proposal

*CCA – Cadre Controlling Authority

Note: (1) CCA for Services at SI. No. 16 to 18 may take necessary action at the earliest.

Also read: Calculation of monthly contribution towards cost of Pension payable during foreign service – Central Government Employees – DoPT

• All CCAs, where previous cadre review held prior to October 2015, is requested to prepare the proposal and submit the same to DoPT at the Status of the proposal in Administrative Ministry, as on date, may be sent immediately. (mail: harmit.pahuja@gov.in , randhir.kumar14@nic.in )
• All CCAs of Central Group ‘A’ Services to provide Statistical Profile (as on 1/7/ 2020) and Service Profile (wherever due) to (mail: harmit.pahuja@gov.in , randhir.kumar14@nic.in )

Randhir Kumar
Under Secretary (CRD)
1/10/ 2020

Source: DoPT

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7CPC - Reduction in the amount of NDA in 7th CPC as compared to 6th CPC and imposition of pay ceiling at Rs. 43,600/- p.m. for entitlement of NDA

 

Reduction in the amount of 7th CPC Night Duty Allowance as compared to 6th CPC and imposition of pay ceiling at Rs. 43,600/- for entitlement of NDA

Dated: 07/10/2020

No.I/5(E)

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Reduction in the amount of NDA in 7th CPC as compared to 6th CPC and imposition of pay ceiling at Rs. 43,600/- p.m. for entitlement of NDA -reg

Ref: (i) NFIR’s PNM item No.35/2018.
(ii) NFIR’s letters No.I/5(E) dated 30th July, 2018, 7th December, 2018 and 18th March,2019.
(iii) Railway Board’s reply vide No.E(P&A)II-2017/HW-1 dated June,2020 to NFIR.
(iv) NFIR’s letter No. I/5(E) dated 24/07/2020 addressed to Railway Board.
(v) Railway Board’s letter No. E(P&A)II-2017/HW-1 dated 29/09/2020 (RBE No.83/020).

Responding to Railway Board’s reply vide letter No. E(P&A)II-2017/HW-1 dated June 2020 to the GS/NFIR, Federation vide its letter dated 27/07/2020, requested the Railway Board to provide a copy of the proposal sent to Department of Expenditure (DoE) for taking further action at Government’s level. It is however observed that copy has not been made available till now, while the Railway Board vide RBE No. 83/2020 dated 29/09/2020 since issued instructions revising the rates of Night Duty Allowance (NDA), fixing unjustified pay ceiling at Rs. 43,600/-per month for entitlement of Night Duty Allowance to be applicable with effect from 01/07/2017. The said decision of the Railway Ministry prescribing pay ceiling of Rs. 43,600/- per month has resulted in deprival of Night Duty Allowance to large number of Railway employees, therefore unacceptable to the Federation in view of the following:-

Also check: 7th CPC Night Duty Allowance – Payment of (NDA) pursuant to the recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission

• All Group ‘C’ Railway employees (working in GP 1800 to 4600, PB-1 & 2) are eligible to receive Night Duty Allowance (NDA) as could be verified vide Board’s letters dated 09/06/2016, 14/12/2016, 17/11/2017 & 08/03/2018. These provisions are also applicable to the Group ‘C’ Railway employees in GP 4600 and also those who got financial upgradation under MACPS in GP 4800 & 5400 respectively.
• It is relevant to note that since 6th CPC pay of the Railway employees has been fixed in 7th CPC pay levels applying multiplication factor of 2.57, similar criteria should have been applied for fixing rates of Night Duty Allowance without imposing any ceiling limit.
• With the issuance of Railway Board’s instructions vide dated 29/09/2020, prescribing pay ceiling of Rs. 43,600/-, the Railway employees working even in GP 1900, 2000, 2400/Pay Level 2, 3, 4 and above have been deprived of Night Duty Allowance, although they ‘continued to perform night duty for smooth running of train services at all times.
• The decision of Railway Board vide letter dated 29-09-2020 prescribing pay ceiling of Rs.43,600/- p.m w.e.f. July 1, 2017 would also cause financial hardship to the staff who have already been paid Night Duty Allowance at the rates prevailed till date as it may lead to recovery of the NDA already paid. This situation may lead to resentment and agony among Group ‘C’ employees of all pay levels. The Railway Ministry should take initiative and place the case before DoP&T, highlighting the uniqueness and complex working to review and allow Railway to sort out the matter in consultation with the Federations.

2. Federation also desires to re-iterate again that the issue relating to grant of Night Duty Allowance to Railway Employees w.e.f. 01-07-2016 and 01-01-2017 consequent to increase in the Dearness Allowance rates from 125% to 132% raised vide NFIR’s PNM Agenda Item No.35/2018 and discussed already has not yet been resolved, therefore the same needs to be addressed now.

NFIR, therefore, once again requests to Railway Board to kindly review and see that all the points relating to grant of Night Duty Allowance to Railway employees mentioned above and also in PNM Agenda No.15/2018 are addressed and the correspondence exchanged with the DoE be also made available to the Federation. An early action in the matter is solicited.

Also check: Implementation of Government decision on 7th CPC’s recommendations on Night Duty Allowance (NDA)

Yours faithfully,

(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

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Calculation of monthly contribution towards cost of Pension payable during foreign service - DoPT

Calculation of monthly contribution towards cost of Pension payable during foreign service - DoPT

Latest Central Government Employees News

No. 2/9/2017- Estt.(Pay-II)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi
Dated, 9th October, 2020.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Latest DoPT Orders 2020

Sub: Calculation of monthly contribution towards cost of Pension payable during foreign service - Reg.

The undersigned is directed to invite reference to this Department’s OM No. 2/34/2008-Estt (Pay-II) dated 19th November, 2009 on the above subject and to say that according to this OM w.e.f. 01.01.2006, the pension contribution payable in respect of a Government employee during the active period of his foreign service shall be based on the existing basic pay (Pay in the Pay Band plus Grade Pay) of the post held by the Government servant at the time of proceeding on foreign service, and in case he receives Proforma promotion/ financial up-gradation while on foreign service, on the basic pay (Pay in the Pay Band plus Grade Pay) fixed on such promotion/ financial up-gradation.

Also check: 7TH PAY COMMISSION PENSION CALCULATION

2. Consequent upon implementation of the recommendations of the 7th CPC, the matter of issuing revised instructions on the above subject has been engaging the attention of the Government of India. The President is now pleased to decide that pension contribution payable in respect of a Government servant during the active period of his foreign service shall be based on the basic pay in the level (in Pay Matrix) of the post held by him/ her at the time of proceeding on foreign service; and in case of grant of Proforma promotion/financial up-gradation while on foreign service, the same shall be based on basic pay in the Level (in Pay Matrix) fixed on such Proforma promotion / financial up-gradation.

3. In respect of Government employees covered by the NPS, during the active period of foreign service w.e.f. 01.01.2016, it has been decided to fix the monthly Pension contribution @ 24% of basic pay in the level (in Pay Matrix) of the post held by him/her at the time of proceeding on foreign service plus DA admissible on such basic pay (i.e. employee’s contribution @ 10%, employer’s contribution @ 10% and contribution by employer for gratuity @ 4%). However, consequent to revision of Government’s contribution for NPS from 10 % to 14% w.e.f. 01.04.20 19 vide Department of Financial Services Notification dated 31.01.2019, the monthly Pension contribution for Government employees covered by the NPS w.e.f. 01.04.2019 will be 28% of basic pay in the level (in Pay Matrix) plus DA of the post held by him/her, which will include employee’s contribution @ 10%, employer’s contribution @ 14%, and contribution by employer for gratuity @ 4%. In case of grant of Proforma promotion/ financial up-gradation while on foreign service, the same shall be based on basic pay in the Level (in Pay Matrix) fixed on such Proforma promotion /financial up-gradation.

4. In respect of the employees covered under the Old Defined Benefit Pension Scheme, it has been decided to fix their rates of monthly contribution of pension during the active period of foreign service as 14% of basic pay in the level (in Pay Matrix) of the post held by him/her at the time of proceeding on foreign service plus DA admissible on such basic pay during foreign service w.e.f. 01.01.2016. The monthly contribution of pension during the active period of foreign service w.e.f. 01.04.2019 will be 18% of the basic pay in Pay Matrix of the post held by the officer at the time of proceeding on foreign service plus DA admissible on such basic pay.

In case of grant of Proforma promotion/ financial up-gradation while on foreign service, the same shall be based on basic pay in the Level (in Pay Matrix) fixed on such Proforma promotion/ financial up-gradation.

5. It has also been decided that these pension contributions would be in addition to the leave salary contributions for the period of foreign service, in respect of both NPS employees and the employees under Old Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.

6. In case of employees covered under NPS, during the period of active foreign service, the borrowing organisation shall make its part of contribution mandatorily to the NPS Account of the employee.

7. This OM will be effective from 01.01.2016. In respect of persons who are already on foreign service as on 01.01.2016, the pension contribution will be calculated at the above rates on the revised pay as per 7th CPC from the date which they opt to come over to the revised pay structure after implementation of 7th CPC recommendations, in their parent cadres. For the earlier period, the pension contributions will be as per extant orders i.e. the order in force during period prior to 01.01.20 16 from time to time.

8. The modalities! mechanism of payment of pension contribution during the active period of foreign service in respect of NPS subscribers will be issued separately.

Also check: Retirement of Government Employees on 31st March 2020 – DoPT Orders 2020

9. In their application to the persons belonging to Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders are issued under Article 148(5) of the Constitution and after consultation with the Comptroller & Auditor General of India.

10. Hindi version will follow.

(Rajeev Bahree)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

To
All Ministries/ Department (As per standard list)

Source: DoPT

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