Union Budget 2016-17: I-T slabs remain unchanged

Union Budget 2016-17: I-T slabs remain unchanged

HRA deduction increased to Rs. 60,000 per annum; 40% of withdrawal under NPS to be tax exempt; additional exemption for housing loans.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presents his third Union Budget. With an eye on supporting the small tax-payer and the small investor, the Minister announced a slew of schemes, and income tax exemptions.

As it happened:

12.41 p.m.: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley tables the Union Budget 2016 and the Finance Bill.
12.40 p.m.: Rs. 1,060 crore revenue loss through direct tax proposals, and Rs. 20,670 crore revenue gain through indirect tax proposals. Revenue gain of Rs 19,600 crore in Union Budget 2016 proposals.
12.39 p.m.: 13 different cesses levied by various ministries with collections less than Rs.50 crore a year to be done away with.
12.38 p.m.: No Service Tax for houses built under 60 square metres.
12.35 p.m.: Excise duty on tobacco increased by 10-15 per cent.
12.34 p.m.: Committed to stable taxation regime. No more retrospective amendments.
12.29 p.m.: 4% high capacity tax for SUVs.
12.28 p.m.: Limited period compliance window for domestic taxpayers to declare undisclosed income. Declarations to have immunity from prosecutions.
12.26 p.m.: No changes have been made to existing income tax slabs.
12.25 p.m.: Infrastructure and agriculture cess to be levied.
12.23 p.m.: 1 per cent service charge on purchase of luxury cars over Rs. 10 lakh and in-cash purchase of goods and services over Rs. 2 lakh.
12.22 p.m.: Additional exemption of Rs. 50,000 for housing loans up to Rs. 35 lakh, provided cost of house is not above Rs. 50 lakh.
12.20 p.m.: 40% of withdrawal at the time of retirement under National Pension Scheme to be tax exempt.
12.19 p.m.: Tax holiday for startups for three of five years of setting up the company
12.13 p.m.: Lowering of Corporate IT rate for companies not exceeding Rs. 5 crore turnover to 25% plus surcharge.
12.09 p.m.: People with income less than Rs 5 lakh to get deduction of Rs 5,000, up from Rs 2,000 last year. HRA deduction up from Rs. 24,000 to Rs. 60,000 p.a.
12.08 p.m.: Rs. 100 crore for Deendayal Upadhyay’s birthday celebrations and Guru Gobind Singh 300th birth anniversary.
12.07 p.m.: Classification of expenditure as plan and non-plan to be done away with.
12.06 p.m.: Govt plans to spend Rs 19.78 lakh crore in 2016-17 — Rs 5.5 lakh crore under plan head, Rs 14.28 lakh crore under non-plan head.
12.06 p.m.: Fiscal deficit at 3.5% of GDP in 2016-17.
12.04 p.m.: A bill on targeted delivery of financial services using Aadhar to be introduced.
12.03 p.m.: Amendment to the Companies Act to ensure speedy registration and boost start-ups.
12.02 p.m.: Rs. 900 crore for buffer stock of pulses.
12.01 p.m.: Dept of Disinvestment renamed as Dept of Investment and Public Asset Management.
12 noon: Direct Benefit Transfer for fertiliser subsidy.
11.59 a.m.: EPF at 8.33 per cent for new employees joining the scheme.
11.58 a.m.: Rs. 25,000 crore for recapitalisation of public sector banks. General insurance companies owned by the govt to be listed in stock exchanges.
11.56 a.m.: Amendmends to boost Asset Reconstruction Companies to manage NPAs of public sector banks.
11.55 a.m.: RBI Act to be amended to set up monetary policy committee.
11:53 a.m.: 100% FDI through FAPB route in marketing of food products produced and manufactured in India.
11.49 a.m.: Total outlay on infrastructure in 2016-17 is Rs. 2,21,246 crore
11.47 a.m.: In the power sector, the govt is drawing up a plan for 15-20 years to augment investment in nuclear power. Rs. 3,000 crore per annum for this.
11.45 a.m.: There are 160 airports and airstrips which can be revived.
11.44 a.m.: Motor Vehicles Act to be amended to enable entrepreneurship in the road transport sector.
11.43 a.m.: Total outlay for infrastructure is at Rs. 2.31 lakh crore.
11.42 a.m.: Rs. 97,000 crore for all roads. Total outlay on roads and rails will be Rs. 2.80 lakh crore. 10,000 km of national highways in 2016-17 and 50,000 km state highways to be converted to NH roads.
11.41 a.m.: More than 70,000 road projects were languishing at the beginning of the year. Nearly 85% of these projects have been put back on track.
11.39 a.m.: Small shops should be given the choice to remain open on all 7 days a week.
11.37 a.m.: Rs. 1,700 crore for 1500 multi-skill development centres.
11.35 a.m.: 10 public and 10 private educational institutions to be made world-class. Digital repository for all school leaving certificates and diplomas. Rs. 1,000 crore for higher education financing.
11.34 a.m.: Hub to support SC/ST entrpreneurs.
11.33 a.m.: National dialysis service programme under PPP model. LPG connection for women members of rural homes.
11.30 a.m.: Government to provide health insurance of upto Rs. 1 lakh per family; top up of Rs. 35,000 for people above 60 years. 3,000 stores to be opened for generic drugs.
11.30 a.m.: Total rural sector allocation Rs. 87,769 crore.
11.27 a.m.: Two schemes for digital literacy for rural India to cover 6 crore households in the next three years.
11.26 a.m.: Rs. 9,000 crore for Swachch Bharat Abhiyan.
11.25 a.m.: 5,542 villages have been electrified, more than the last three years combined.
11.24 a.m.: Rs. 38,500 crore for MNREGA. Highest ever for the rural employment scheme.
11.23 a.m.: Rs. 2.87 lakh crore for gram panchayats as per recommendation of 14th finance commission.
11.22 a.m.: Four schemes for animal welfare.
11.19 a.m.: Agricultural credit target of Rs. 9 lakh crore. Govt to allocate Rs 5,500 crore for crop insurance scheme.
11.19 a.m.: Unified e-platform for farmers to be inaugurated on Ambedkar’s birthday.
11.17 a.m.: Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana to bring 5 lakh acres under organic farming.
11.14 a.m.: 28.5 lakh hectares to be brought under irrigation.
11.13 a.m.: Govt will reorganise agricultural policy to double farmer income in five years.
11.11 a.m.: Jaitley announces the nine pillars of his Budget — Agriculture and farmers’ welfare, rural sector, social sector including healthcare, education, skills and job creation, infrastructure, financial sector reforms, ease of doing business, fiscal discipline, tax reforms to reduce compliance burden.
11.11 a.m.: New scheme for BPL families for gas connections. Staturtory backing for Aadhaar platform to ensure delivery of benefits.
11.10 a.m.: CAD is 1.4% of GDP.
11.10 a.m.: FY 16-17 will have the additional burden of implementing the VII pay commission and the defence OROP.
11.08 a.m.: FY 15-16 and 16-17 will be challenging for the government.
11.07 a.m.: Forex reserves are at the highest ever levels — $350 billion.
11.05 a.m.: GDP growth has accelerated to 7.6%. CPI inflation has come down to 5.4%.
11.05 a.m.: Mr. Jaitley says the Indian economy has held strong despite a global slowdown.
11 a.m.: Arun Jaitley rises to present the Budget.
10:46 am: Mr. Jaitley’s Budget speech to begin in 15 minutes.
10:43 am: Union Cabinet clears General Budget for 2016-17.
10:29 am: Cabinet meeting in Parliament ends.
10:05 am: The Sensex falls 59 points in early trade on reduced bets by cautious retail investors amid continued capital outflows by foreign funds ahead of the Budget. More…
9:53 am: Pre-Budget Cabinet meet to begin shortly.
9:40 am: Mr. Jaitley, MoS Jayant Sinha arrive in Parliament.
9:19 am: The stock markets don’t seem very enthused ahead of the Budget — Sensex opens 38.86 points lower, currently at 23,115.44.
9:10 am: The Budget may be given a dash of green with many environment-friendly measures to reduce the carbon footprint, official sources tell The Hindu. The budget is likely to provide incentives to encourage local manufacture and Research & Development (R&D) of electric vehicle components, including lithium-iron batteries.
9:00 am: About 8.5 crore employees whose retirement savings are managed by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) could get an option to transfer over a third of their EPF contributions to the National Pension System, regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority or PFRDA. Read more…
8:54 am: How well do you know your budget history? Here are 11 landmark Union Budgets that you should know about.
8:45 am: Here’s a ready reckoner for some of the terms that will be a part of Mr. Jaitley’s long speech, that some of us may not be familiar with.
8:30 am: How long will this year’s Budget speech be? Which Finance Minister holds the dubious honour of presenting the longest budget speech, in terms of word count? Here’s a clue: it was an 18,650-word speech given 25 years ago!
8:00 am: Budgets are about numbers and best understood using charts and graphics. In case you missed it, here are the highlights of the previous Budget, captured in eight interactive charts.
7:30 am: The event provides us an opportunity to reflect on the proposals and promises that were made during last year’s Budget. We looked at some of them and checked the status of their implementation. Here’s what we found.
7:00 am: Here’s some interesting information. For Budget 2016-17, the government invited suggestions from citizens through Twitter for the first time, even conducting a series of polls to gauge public priorities and expectations from the Budget.

Source: The Hindu

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Reducing black money through a Scheme to declare undisclosed income by paying 45% tax in a given compliance window.

Reducing black money through a Scheme to declare undisclosed income by paying 45% tax in a given compliance window.

While presenting the General Budget 2016-17 in Lok Sabha here today, the Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley proposed a Scheme to declare undisclosed income by paying 45% tax in a given compliance window.

Shri Jaitley proposed a limited period Compliance window for domestic taxpayers to declare undisclosed income or income represented in the form of any asset and clear up their past tax transgressions. This will include paying tax at 30% and surcharge at 7.5% and penalty at 7.5%, which is a total of 45% of the undisclosed income. Regarding income declared in these declarations, there will be no scrutiny or enquiry under the Income Tax Act or the Wealth Tax Act and the declarants will have immunity from prosecution. Immunity from Benami Transaction (Prohibition) Act, 1988 is also proposed subject to certain conditions.
The surcharge levied at 7.5% of undisclosed income will be called ‘Krishi Kalyan surcharge’ which will be used for agriculture and rural economy. Government of India plan to open the window under this Income Disclosure Scheme from 1st June to 30th September, 2016 with an option to pay amount due within two months of declaration.

Shri Jaitley today reiterated Government of India’s commitment to remove black money from the economy. He also suggested that as this one opportunity for evaded income to be declared once is given, government will be further focusing on bringing people with black money to books.

PIB

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Limit of Deduction of Rent Increased from Rs.24,000 to Rs.60,000

Limit of Deduction of Rent Increased from Rs.24,000 to Rs.60,000

100% Deduction of Profits for 3 out of 5 Years for Start-Ups

Withdrawal upto 40% of the Corpus to be Tax-Free at the time of Retirement

Deduction of Additional Interest of Rs.50,000 Per Annum for First-Time Home buyers
New Dispute Resolution Scheme to be Introduced

Thirteen Cesses Levied by Various Ministries having Revenue Collection less than Rs.50 Crore to be Abolished

‘E-Sahyog’ and ‘E-Assessment’ to be Expanded Further

100% Deductions for Profits to an undertaking in Housing Project for Flats up to 30 Sq. Mtrs.

The Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley said that taxation is a major tool available to government for removing poverty and inequality from the society. He enlisted 09 categories of thrust in his text proposals which include (1) Relief to small tax payers (2) Measures to boost growth and employment generation (3) Incentivizing domestic value addition to help Make in India (4) Measures for moving towards a pensioned society (5) Measures for promoting affordable housing (6) Additional resource mobilization for agriculture, rural economy and clean environment (7) Reducing litigation and providing certainty in taxation (8) Simplification and rationalization of taxation (9) Use of technology for creating accountability.

Announcing relief to small tax payers Shri Jaitley proposed to raise the ceiling of tax rebate U/s. 87A from Rs.2000 to Rs.5000. With this, individuals having income up to Rs.5 lakh will get a relief of Rs.3000 in their tax liability. He also proposed to increase the limit of deduction of rent paid U/s.80 GG from Rs.24,000 per annum to Rs.60,000 to provide relief to those who live in rented houses. Shri Jaitley proposed to increase the turnover limit under presumptive taxation scheme U/s.44 AD of the Income Tax Act to Rs.2 Crores from existing limit of Rs.1 Crore which will benefit more than 30 lakh small business people. He also proposed to extend the presumptive taxation scheme with profit deemed to be 50%, to professionals with gross receipts up to Rs.50 lakh.

PIB

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Measures for moving towards a pensioned society

Measures for moving towards a pensioned society

While presenting the General Budget 2016-17 in Lok Sabha today, the Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley said that pension schemes offer financial protection to senior citizens. He proposed to make withdrawal up to 40% of the corpus at the time of retirement tax exempt in the case of National Pension Scheme(NPS). In case of superannuation funds and recognized provident funds, including EPF, the same norm of 40% of corpus to be tax free will apply in respect of corpus created out of contributions made after 1.4.2016. Further, the annuity fund which goes to the legal heir after the death of pensioner will not be taxable in all three cases.

He also proposed a monetary limit for contribution of employer in recognized Provident and Superannuation Fund of Rs. 1.5 lakh per annum for taking tax benefit.

He proposed to exempt from service tax the Annuity services provided by the National Pension Scheme (NPS) and Services provided by EPFO to employees. Also, he proposed to reduce service tax on Single premium Annuity (Insurance) Policies from 3.5% to 1.4% of the premium paid in certain cases.

PIB

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Seeking information about the actual data of perks/allowances given to the CVOs for the financial year 2013-14 & 2014-15

F.No.325/10/2015-AVD-III
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
*****

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 26th February, 2016

OFFICE MEMORANDAM

Subject: Seeking information about the actual data of perks/allowances given to the CVOs for the financial year 2013-14 & 2014-15.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. of even number dated 1 st July, 2015 wherein a committee was constituted to decide reassessment of CVO positions in CPSEs and other organizations under different Ministries/Departments and rationalization of pay, incentive, allowances etc. of CVOs, under the chairmanship of Additional Secretary(S&V), DoPT.

2. The Committee in its meeting held on rt February, 2016, has decided to seek information about the actual data of perks/allowances given to the CVOs for the financial year 2013-14 & 2014-15 including all other expenses borne by the organization in respect of CVOs from the concerned administrative Ministries/Departments before taking a final decision for rationalization of pay, incentive, allowances of CVOs.

3. Ministries/Departments are therefore, requested to furnish information about the actual data of perks/allowances given to the CVOs for the financial year 2013-14 & 2014-15 (including all other expenses borne by the organization’in respect of CVOs) in the enclosed proforma at the earliest.

(Gracy Varghese)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Tel. No. 23094541

Proforma for furnishing details about the pay, incentives, allowances etc. paid to the CVOs for the financial year 2013-14 & 2014-15

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Highlights of General Budget 2016: Indian Government News

Highlights of General Budget 2016: Indian Government News

Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley spoke on the Key Reform Measures in his Budget speech 2016-17

1. The Government is firm on its course towards fiscal consolidation without compromising on its development agenda. 3.5% fiscal deficit is targeted for FY 2017.

2. Total allocation for Agriculture, Farmers’ welfare and Irrigation set at Rs. 47,912 cr, which is nearly twice the allocation of the previous year.

3. New Health Protection scheme will provide health cover up to Rs. 1 lakh per family and additional Rs. 30,000 for senior citizens.

4. Free LPG connections will be provided in the name of woman member of a family to 1.5 cr BPL households in 2016-17 and to continue for two more years to cover 5 cr households in total.

5. Massive increase in public spending on infrastructure to Rs. 2.21 lakh cr, an increase of 22.5% over the previous year.

6. Higher Education Financing Authority set up, with an initial capital base of Rs. 1,000 cr to promote higher education. In addition, 10 public and 10 private institutions to emerge as world-class Teaching and Research Institutions.

7. Promoting a tax-friendly regime and minimizing hassles due to litigation through a New Dispute Resolution Scheme with low or zero penalties. Ongoing tax cases can be settled with ease.

8. Increased relief for middle-class tax-payers by raising the ceiling of tax rebate under Section 87A to Rs. 5,000 for individuals with income less than Rs. 5 lakhs and by raising the limit of deduction of rent paid under section 80GG to Rs. 60,000.

9. Directly providing financial and other subsidies benefits to people who deserve them by enacting a new law and developing a social security platform using Aadhar.

10. Boosting formal sector employment by provisioning Rs. 1,000 cr towards contributing 8.33% on behalf of all new employees enrolling in EPFO for the first three years of their employment.

11. Simplified and pro-market tax measures such as laying out the roadmap of phasing out of exemptions under Corporate Taxes, abolishing small cesses, providing complete pass through of income-tax to securitization trusts and reducing period of obtaining long-term capital gains treatment for unlisted companies to three years.

12. Promoting entrepreneurship by increasing the turnover limit under Presumptive taxation scheme to Rs. 2 cr, targeting to disburse loans worth Rs. 1.8 lakh cr under PM Mudra Yojana and providing 100% deduction of profits for 3 out of 5 years for start-ups.

13. Facilitating Affordable Housing by 100% tax exemption for profits from small projects, not subjecting distribution REITs and INVITs to Dividend Distribution Tax and encouraging small first-time home buyers by deducting ¬additional interest of Rs. 50,000.

14. Reducing black money through a scheme to declare undisclosed income by paying 45% tax in a given compliance window.

15. Strengthening the financial sector by allocating Rs. 25,000 cr towards recapitalising Public Sector Banks (PSBs), listing Government-owned General Insurance companies, and spelling out a roadmap for consolidating PSBs.

Source: PIB News

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EXPECTED DA FROM JULY 2016 BEGINS..! AICPIN FOR JANUARY 2016

EXPECTED DA FROM JULY 2016 BEGINS..! AICPIN FOR JANUARY 2016

All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers on Base 2001=100

The Labour Bureau, under the Ministry of Labour and Employment has now released the AICPIN points for the month of January 2016, the index stands at 269.

The first index point for the year 2016 has been released by the Central Government and the 7th Pay Commission DA Calculation also starts with this first index.

The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of February, 2016 will be released on Thursday, 31st March, 2016

No.5/1/2016- CPI
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT
LABOUR BUREAU

CLEREMONT, SHIMLA-171004
DATED: 29th February, 2016

Press Release

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – January, 2016

The All-India CPI-IW for January, 2016 remained stationary at 269 (two hundred and sixty nine). On 1-month percentage change, it remained static between December, 2015 and January, 2016 when compared with the rise of 0.40 per cent between the same two months a year ago.

The largest upward pressure to the change in current index came from Housing group contributing (+) 1.11 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Wheat, Wheat Atta, Groundnut Oil, Fish Fresh, Eggs (Hen), Goat Meat, Poultry (Chicken), Milk (Buffalo & Cow), Garlic, Sugar, Bidi, Firewood, Medicine (Allopathic), Barber Charges, Flower/Flower Garlands, Tailoring Charges, etc. are responsible for the increase in index. However, this increase was checked by Rice, Arhar Dal, Gram Dal, Masur Dal, Moong Dal, Urd Dal, Mustard Oil, Coconut Oil, Onion, Vegetable and Fruit items, Petrol, etc., putting downward pressure on the index.

The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 5.91 per cent for January, 2016 as compared to 6.32 per cent for the previous month and 7.17 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 7.61 per cent against 7.94 per cent of the previous month and 7.81 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.

At centre level, Haldia reported the maximum increase of 8 points followed by Jamshedpur (7 points) and Labac-Silchar (5 points). Among others, 4 points increase was observed in 6 centres, 3 points in another 6 centres, 2 points in 9 centres and 1 point in 14 centres. On the contrary, Bhilai recorded a maximum decrease of 9 points followed by Bokaro (6 points) and Ranchi-Hatia and Varanasi (4 points each). Among others, 3 points decrease was observed in 2 centres, 2 points in 11 centres and 1 point in 10 centres. Rest of the 13 centres’ indices remained stationary.

The indices of 34 centres are above All-India Index and other 40 centres’ indices are below national average. The indices of Salem, Varanasi, Jabalpur and Vishakhapathnam centres remained at par with All-India Index.

The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of February, 2016 will be released on Thursday, 31st March, 2016. The same will also be available on the office website WWW. labourbureaunew.gov.in.

(SHYAM SINGH NEGI)
DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL

Source: www.labourbureau.nic.in

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7th Pay Commission issue in Parliament – Strike by Railway Employees

7th Pay Commission issue in Parliament – Strike by Railway Employees

7th Pay Commission Latest News – Minister’s reply on Strike by Railway Employees demanding 35 per cent hike on implementation of 7th CPC recommendations

Mr Kotha Prabhakar Reddy, Railway Minister for State has replied to a query regarding proposed Railway Employees Strike for increasing the hike in salary recommended by 7th Pay Commission.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 57

ANSWERED ON: 24.02.2016

Strike by Railway Employees

KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether railway employees association is planning to go on strike in the first week of March demanding 35 per cent hike in their salaries as against 14.29 per cent offered by the 7th Pay Commission and not to accept the recommendation of Debroy Committee report to privatize the Railways, scrapping of new pension scheme, etc;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the measures being taken by the Railways to alleviate the problems of railway employees?

 ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) & (b): The two recognized Railway staff Federations have not given any notice so far, for going on strike. However they have informed that Strike Notice may be served on 11th March, 2016 for ‘Indefinite Strike’ from 11th April, 2016 in case there is no negotiated settlement on the Charter of Demands by that time. The Charter of Demands, amongst various issues, include the items mentioned in the question.

(c): On the Railways, there is well established system of Permanent Negotiating Machinery (PNM) and Departmental Council under the Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) with the recognized Unions/ Federations. Regular dialogue with the organized labour is maintained through these fora to sort out staff grievances. The Permanent Negotiating Machinery functions at three tiers – Divisional level, Zonal Headquarter level and Apex level at Railway Board. Departmental Council under JCM functions at the Apex level at Railway Board. Further, recognized Unions/Federations are also members of the Group on Participation of Railway Employees in Management (PREM).

Source : loksabha.nic.in

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7th CPC DA Calculation: What are the 7th CPC’s Recommendations Regarding Dearness Allowance?

7th CPC DA Calculation: What are the 7th CPC’s Recommendations Regarding Dearness Allowance?

Dearness Allowance is one of the important issues that the Pay Commission deals with.

The calculation method that was recommended by the 6th Pay Commission was radically different from the ones suggested by all the previous Pay Commissions.

Dearness Allowance, which was increasing by 1 or 2% until the 5th Pay Commission suddenly shot up to double-digit numbers. Until the 5th CPC, the All India Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Workers 1982 = 100 was used for calculating dearness allowance. From the 6th Pay Commission onwards, CPI (IW) 2001 = 100 was used for calculating the DA.

There was another crucial change that the 6th CPC made. it recommended that the Reference Base Index be changed from 306.33. As a result, 115.76 became the new Reference Base Index from 01.01.2006 onwards.

The report says…

The Commission assuming that the rate of Dearness Allowance would be 125 percent at the time of implementation of the new pay.

The Dearness Allowance (DA) is paid to Central Government employees to adjust the cost of living and to protect their Basic Pay from erosion in the real value on account of inflation. Presently, DA is based on the All India Consumer Price Index (Industrial Workers).

The JCM-Staff Side has suggested that the existing formula for the calculation of DA may continue.


Analysis and Recommendations

The VI CPC had recommended that the National Statistical Commission may be asked to explore the possibility of a specific survey covering government employees exclusively, so as to construct a consumption basked representative of government employees and formulate a separate index. This has, however, not been done.

Keeping in mind that the present formulation of DA has worked well over the years, and there are no demands for its alteration, the Commission recommends continuance of the existing formula and methodology for calculating the Dearness Allowance.

The prices of all items have been sourced from Labor Bureau, Shimla. These prices are used in the calculation of the CPI (IW) and subsequently the calculation of Dearness Allowance. In the current exercise the prices of all items are for the period July 2014-June 2015 and have been used in the calculation of DA at 119 percent operative from 01.07.2015.

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7th Pay Commission DA Calculation – Jan 2016 AICPIN starts with new episode of Expected DA July 2016

7th Pay Commission DA Calculation – Jan 2016 AICPIN starts with new episode of ‘Expected DA July 2016’

“The first AICPIN points of 2016 will be released tomorrow”

The Dearness Allowance given to Central Government employees and Pensioners will henceforth be calculated on the basis of the 7th Pay Commission recommendations from 1.1.2016.(Expects its recommendations to be implemented by the Government)

The first All India Consumer Price Index – CPI (IW) Base Year 2001=100, used for calculating the Dearness Allowance will be announced tomorrow by the Central Government.

The current DA, according to the 6th Pay Commission, began at zero on 01.01.2006, and ended at 125%. It will restart again at zero from 01.01.2016 onwards.

There is no Dearness Allowance for the six months from January to June 2016. 

From July 2016 onwards, the new and first Dearness Allowance will be announced based on the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission. In other words, the Dearness Allowance for the six months between July and December 2016 will be based on the fluctuations in the prices of essential commodities, called the AICPIN points, between January and June 2016.

The 7th Pay Commission has not prescribed any dramatic changes in the method of calculation of the Dearness Allowance. Instead, the previous method is all set to continue.

But, final announcements will be made in this regard only after the Central Government makes its decisions clear.

6TH CPC DA TABLE

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7th CPC Latest News : BPMS Protest for Minimum Pay 24000 and Fitment formula 3.42

7th CPC Latest News : BPMS Protest for Minimum Pay 24000 and Fitment formula 3.42

BPMS circular for agitation programme from 01.03.2016 to 05.03.2016

BHARATIYA PRATIRAKSHA MAZDOOR SANGH
(AN ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF DEFENCE WORKERS)
(AN INDUSTRIAL UNIT OF B.M.S.)
(RECOGNISED BY MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, GOVT. OF INDIA)
CENTRAL OFFICE: 2-A, NAVEEN MARKET, KANPUR – 208001, PH & FAX : (0512) 2332222
MOBILE: 09415733686, 09235729390, 09335621629, WEB : www.bpms.org.in

REF: BPMS/20/CIR/2015

Dated: 19.02.2016

To,
The President/ General Secretary
Unions Affiliated to Federation

Subject: Agitation Programme from 01 March, 2016 to 05 March, 2016.

Sadar Namaskar
I hope this letter will find to all of you in good health and high spirit and busy in accelerating trade union activities. The meeting of office bearers of BPMS was conducted on dated: 11th and 12th February, 2016. In this meeting the recommendations of 7th CPC was discussed specially. As all of you know that 7th CPC submitted its recommendations to Honorable Finance Minister of Govt. of India on 19.11.2015. After analyzing the recommendations of 7th CPC, BPMS wrote a letter to Govt of India addressing anomalies in recommendations along with conducting a National level protest day on the call of GENC. We met Dr Jitendra Singh/Minister of DoP&T and Prime Minister Office at his office situated in Parliament and discussed the issues and submitted a memorandum. Honorable Minister assured the representatives of GENC and BPMS that all necessary action would be taken at the earliest and a meeting would be fixed with Honorable Finance Minister. But it is matter of concern that the federation has not been apprised about the action taken till date.

Therefore, it was decided in the meeting of office bearers to conduct agitation programmes of gate meetings, sit in, wearing black badges in their respective establishments from 01 March 2016 to 05 March 2016. On 04 March 2016 ‘Dharna’ will be performed and on the last day a memorandum will be presented to the Head of Establishment addressing Honorable Prime Minister and its photocopy should be sent to BMS office and BPMS office.

The demands are as follows-

1. Minimum Pay should be fixed 24000/- rupees in place of 18000/-.
2. The fitment formula should be 3.42 in place of 2.57
3. The ratio of minimum Pay and maximum Pay should be 1:10.
4. Annual increment should be 5% in place of 3%.
5. Five financial upgradations should be granted within the period of 30 years of Service under MACP scheme.
6. Pay Scales of Group ‘C’ employees should be merged and upgraded. Grade Pay 1900 and Grade Pay 2000 should be merged and upgraded to 2400 and Grade Pay 2400 and Grade Pay 2800 should be merged and upgraded to Grade Pay 2800.
7. Risk Allowance, Washing Allowance, Family Planning Allowance should be continued.
8. HRA should be granted at the rate of 15%, 25% and 35%.
9. Minimum two increments should be granted at Promotion.
10.Interest free Advances should be continued.
11.OTA is being granted to the employees posted in offices, directorates etc at the rate of 12 rupees per hour (on the pay scales of 4th CPC). OTA should be granted on the Pay Scales of 7th CPC.
12.Old Pension Scheme should be restored in place of NPS.
13.The employees covered under NPS scheme should be benefited with gratuity.
14.Commuted Pension should be restored on 12th year in place of 15th year.
15.CCL related to women employees should not be reduced.
16.There should not be any educational criteria (High School passed) for grant of compassionate ground appointment.
17.Benefits of 7th CPC should be granted to Centre, State and autonomous body employees equally.
18.Since amendment in Bonus Act has retrospective effect and implemented since 2014, the arrear of 2014-2015 should be granted without any delay.
19.All the employees should be granted Night Duty Allowance without any ceiling.
20.In Ordnance Factories all Piece work employees should be paid OTA (Between 44¾ and 48 hours) on their actual Pay instead of minimum Pay.
21.The employees having equal qualification and same nature of work should be granted equal pay in all ministries.
22.Examiners working in Quality control department in OFB should be granted Incentive Bonus.
23.According to 7th CPC recommendations, civilian employees retiring on same Post or same pay scale should be granted equal Pension.
24.Wards of employees died in harness are unable to find a Job due to 5% ceiling in compassionate appointment. Therefore, waiting dependants should be granted one time relaxation in compassionate appointment.
25.The employees of DRDO should be granted the benefit of PRIS.

Thanking you.

Brotherly yours
(M P Singh)
General Secretary

Copy to:
1. The General Secretary
BMS, New Delhi
2. The Secretary General
GENC, Naveen Market, Kanpur

Source: BPMS

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MACPS on Promotional Hierarchy – NFIR

MACPS on Promotional Hierarchy – NFIR

Grant of Financial up-gradation under MACPS in the promotional hierarchy – (instead of Grade Pay hierarchy) – Item No.3 of Record note of discussion held between the Federation and EDs, Railway Board on 12/10/2015 on MACPS anomalies.

NFIR
National Federation Of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110 055

No.IV/MACPS/09/Part 9

Dated: 26-02-2016

The secretary (E)
Railway Board
New Delhi

Dear Sir,
Sub: Grant of financial up-gradation under MACPS in the promotional hierarchy – (instead of Grade Pay hierarchy) – Item No.3 of Record Note of discussion held between the Federation and ED’s Railway Board on 12-10-2015 on MACPS Anomalies – reg.

Ref: (i) Railway Board’s Letter No.PC-V/M/4/NFIR/Pt dated 04-01-2016

(ii) NFIR’s Letter No.IV/MACPS/09/Part 9 dated 05-01-2016 & 18-01-2016
Further to above, Federation furnishes below yet another category viz., Shorff cadre (Cash & Pay Department – Receipt side) in which case the ACP Scheme was more advantageous than the MACP Scheme introduced by the Railway Board vide Board’s letter No.PC-V/2009/ACP/2 dated 10-06-2009, w.e.f. 01-09-2008.

Note: * The above comparison clearly establishes the fact that under ACP Scheme the staff got financial up-gradation in Pay Scale Rs.5000-8000/GP 4200/- on completion of 24 years of service whereas under MACP Scheme, the staff gets GP 2800/- (replacement Grade Pay) on completion of three decades and they cannot dream of reaching GP 4200 (PB-2) under MACPS.
 
NFIR, therefore, requests the Railway Board to include the above category of staff in the reference agreed to be made to the DoP&T for seeking guidelines.

Yours faithfully
sd/-
(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

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7th Pay Commission is unlikely to destabilise prices: Survey

7th Pay Commission is unlikely to destabilise prices: Survey

The hike in wages under the 7th Pay Commission is unlikely to destabilise prices and will have little impact on inflation, the Economic Survey said today.

“For most of the current fiscal year, inflation has remained quiescent, hovering within the RBI’s target range of 4-6 per cent. But looming on the horizon is the increase in wages and benefits recommended for government workers by the Seventh Pay Commission (7th PC).

“If the government accepts this recommendation, would it destabilise prices and inflation expectations? Most likely, it will not,” the survey, tabled in Parliament, said.

Citing example of implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission, the pre-Budget document said the Commission award barely registered on inflation despite the lumpiness of the award, owing to the grant of arrears.

“If the 6th Pay Commission award barely registered, the 7th Pay Commission is unlikely to either, given the relative magnitudes, even if fully implemented,” it said.

The Survey noted expected wage bill (including railways) will go up by around 52 per cent under the 7th Pay Commission vis-a-vis 70 per cent under the 6th pay commission.

Elaborating further on impact of implementation of pay commission on inflation, the Survey said in principle, inflation reflects the degree to which aggregate demand exceeds aggregate supply and pay awards determine only one small part of aggregate demand.

“Since the government remains committed to reducing the fiscal deficit, the pressure on prices will diminish, notwithstanding the wage increase,” it added.

Besides, pre-Budget Survey said theory does suggest that a sharp increase in public sector wages could affect inflation if it spilt over into private sector wages and hence private sector demand.

“But currently this channel is muted, since there is considerable slack in the private sector labour market, as evident in the softness of rural wages,” it said.

The 7th Pay Commission has recommended a 23.55 per cent hike in salary, allowances and pension, involving an additional burden of Rs 1.02 lakh crore, to central government employees and pensioners.

The Pay Commission recommendations, when implemented, would have bearing on remuneration of 47 lakh central government employees and 52 lakh pensioners. Subject to acceptance by the government, the recommendations will take effect from January 1, 2016.

PTI

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Health Ministry Announced 'Birth Companions’ Presence During Child Delivery

Health Ministry Announced 'Birth Companions’ Presence During Child Delivery

The Union Health Ministry has allowed ‘birth companions’ during delivery in public health facilities, a unique step to reduce maternal mortality rate (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR) in the country.

The World Health Organization (WHO), which promotes labour companionship, says it is a core element of care for improving maternal and infant health.

India needs to follow the World Health Organisation, accordingly, Union Health Ministry says, husbands can now be by the side of their wives when their children are born, even in government hospitals.

With private hospitals allowing husbands to be with their wives during delivery, government hospitals have not lagged behind.

So, the Health and Family Welfare Ministry has decided to allow birth companions during deliveries in government hospitals.

Other than the husband, a female relative can be with the pregnant woman at the time of delivery.

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OROP Anomalies – One member Judicial Committee will submit its report in six months

OROP Anomalies – One member Judicial Committee will submit its report in six months

One member Judicial Committee has been appointed on 14.12.2015 to look into the anomalies arising out of implementation of OROP. The Judicial Committee will submit its report in six months – Defence Minister

Detailed instructions along with OROP tables on implementation of OROP have been issued on 3.2.2016. Considering the requirement for implementation of “One Rank One Pension”, the expenditure ceiling for Defence Pensions in BE 2016-2017 has been increased from Rs.69,876 crores to Rs.82,332.66 crores. Government has received representations from various Ex-Servicemen Associations and beneficiaries regarding anomalies and their dissatisfaction with the order of OROP scheme.

One member Judicial Committee has been appointed on 14.12.2015 to look into the anomalies arising out of implementation of OROP. The Judicial Committee will submit its report in six months.


The following instructions have been issued to Pension Disbursing Agencies(PDAs) for effective implementation of OROP:

• The arrears on account of revision of pension from 01.07.2014 be paid in four equal half yearly instalments. However, family pensioners including those in receipt of Special/Liberalized family pension and all Gallantry award winners shall be paid arrears in one instalment.
• Any required information, if not available in record may be referred to Pension Sanctioning Authority(PSA) concerned who will provide the requisite information from the available records within 15 days to the PDAs.
• In case of any doubt, PDA may immediately take up the matter with nodal officers of respective PSAs, the details of which shall be notified by Pr. CDA(P) Allahabad in their implementation instructions.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar in a written reply to Shri Devajibhai G Fatepara and others in Lok Sabha today.

PIB

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Performance of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSES) during 2014-15.

Performance of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSES) during 2014-15.

Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises
Press Information Bureau,
Government of India

26-February, 2016

The Public Enterprises Survey (2014-15), brought out by the Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Government of India on the performance of Central Public Sector Enterprises was placed in both the Houses of Parliament today. There were 298 CPSEs in 2014-15, out of which 235 were in operation. Rest (63) of the CPSEs were under construction. The major Highlights of the performance of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE), during 2014-15 is mentioned below.

2014-15	2013-14
Overall net profit of 235 CPSEs is Rs.1,03,003 crore in 2014-15	Overall net profit of 234 CPSEs is Rs.1,28,295 crore in 2013-14
157 CPSEs posted net profit of Rs.1,30,363 crore in 2014-15	164 CPSEs posted net profit of Rs.1,49,636 crore in 2013-14
77 CPSEs incurred net loss of Rs.27,360 crore in 2014-15	70 CPSEs incurred net loss of Rs.21,341 crore in 2013-14
Total investment in 298 CPSEs stood at Rs. 10,96,057 crore in 2014-15	Total investment in 290 CPSEs stood at Rs. 9,92,096 crore in 2013-14
Dividend paid by CPSEs during 2014-15 is Rs. 56,527 crore	Dividend paid by CPSEs during 2013-14 is Rs. 65,115 crore

Highlights

• Total paid up capital in 298 CPSEs as on 31.3.2015 stood at Rs. 2,13,020 crore compared to Rs. 1,98,722 crore as on 31.3. 2014 (290 CPSEs), showing a growth of 7.19%.
• Total investment (equity plus long term loans) in all CPSEs stood at Rs. 10,96,057 crore as on 31.3.2015 compared to Rs. 9,92,096 crore as on 31.3.2014, recording a growth of 10.48%.
• Capital Employed (Paid up capital plus reserve & surplus and long term loans) in all CPSEs stood at Rs. 18,67,730 crore on 31.3.2015 compared to Rs. 17, 39,090 crore as on 31.3.2014 showing a growth of 7.40 %.
• Total turnover/gross revenue from operation of all CPSEs during 2014-15 stood at Rs 19, 95,902 crore compared to Rs. 20, 66,057 crore in the previous year showing a reduction in turnover of 3.40 %.
• Total income of all CPSEs during 2014-15 stood at Rs. 19, 65,254 crore compared to Rs. 20, 56,336 crore in 2013-14, showing a reduction in income of 4.43%.
• Profit of profit making CPSEs stood at Rs. 1, 30,363 crore during 2014-15 compared to Rs 1,49,636 crore in 2013-14 showing a decline in profit of 12.88%.
• Loss of loss incurring CPSEs stood at Rs.27, 360 crore in 2014-15 compared to Rs 21, 341 crore in 2013-14 showing a increase in loss by 28.20 %.
• Overall net profit of all 235 CPSEs during 2014-15 stood at Rs 1,03,003 crore compared to Rs 1,28,295 crore during 2013-14 showing a decrease in overall profit of 19.71%.
• Reserves & Surplus of all CPSEs went up from Rs. 7, 46,994 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 7, 71,672 cores in 2014-15, showing an increase by 3.30 %.
• Net worth of all CPSEs went up from Rs 9,45,717 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 9,84,692 crore in 2014-15 registering a growth of 4.12 %.
• Contribution of CPSEs to Central Exchequer by way of excise duty, customs duty, corporate tax, interest on Central Government loans, dividend and other duties and taxes increased from Rs 2,20,982 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 2,00,585 crore in 2014-15, showing a decline of 9.23%.
• Foreign exchange earnings through exports of goods and services decreased from Rs 1,45,196 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 1,03,071 crore in 2014-15, showing a reduction of 29.01%.
• Foreign exchange outgo on imports and royalty, know-how, consultancy, interest and other expenditure decreased from Rs.6,76,870 crore in 2013-14 to Rs.5,44,560 crore in 2014-15 showing a reduction of 19.55%.
• CPSEs employed 12.91 lakh people (excluding contractual workers) in 2014-15 compared to 13.49 lakh in 2013-14, showing a reduction in employees by 4.30%.
• Salary and wages went up in all CPSEs from Rs.1,22,322 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 1,27,387 crore in 2014-15 showing a growth of 4.14 %.
• Total Market Capitalization 45 CPSEs traded on stock exchanges of India as on 31.03.2015. Based on stock prices on Mumbai Stock Exchange, as on 31.03.2015, the market capitalization of 45 CPSEs stood at Rs. 13,27,127 crore as against Rs. 11,02,730 crore stood as on 31.03.2014. Thus, there was increase in market capitalization of CPSEs by 20.35% (Rs.2,24,397 crore) as on 31.03.2015 over market capitalization as on 31.03.2014.
• M_Cap of CPSEs as per cent of BSE M_Cap decreased from 14.87% as on 31.3.2014 to 13.08% as on 31.3.2015.

PIB

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Incomplete Data in Web Based Cadre Management System for CSS Officers of Under Secretary

No.21/1/2016-CS.I(U)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pension
Department of Personnel & Training

2nd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan
Khan Market, New Delhi.
Dated 26th February, 2016.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Incomplete Data in Web Based Cadre Management System for CSS Officers of Under Secretary

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. No.21.1.2014-CS.I (PR/CMS) dated 31st December, 2015 (copy enclosed) requesting the nodal officers in the Ministries/ Department for updation of data in the web based cadre management system hosted at cscms.nic.in in respect of all the CSS/CSSS/CSCS officers working under them. Data in respect of two modules viz. experience and promotion details can only be modified by CS.I / CS.II Divisions.

2. It is imperative that data in the web based system is maintained up to date always to facilitate carrying out of various cadre management activities. However, it has been seen that the experience details of Under Secretaries whose names are given in the Annexure to this OM are not complete in the web based cadre management system. In order to complete the data in the system by CS Division, it is requested to fill up the particulars of such Under Secretaries in the attached format duly certified by the Admn. Division latest by 10.3.2016.

3. The Nodal Officers should update the remaining data of officers in other modules viz. Employee Details, Basic Details, Address Details, Training and Qualification. For any technical assistance they may contact CMC Official at Telephone No.24629890.

(V Srinivasaragavan)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Tele: 24629412
Telefax:24629414

To
Ministries / Departments
Under Secretary (Admn.)
(As per list attached).

21/1/2014-CS.l (PR/CMS)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

2nd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan, New Delhi-110003
Dated the 31st December, 2015

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Web Based Cadre Management System – updation of data of CSS/CSSS/CSCS officers

As Ministries/Departments are aware, the Web Based Cadre Management System for CSS, CSSS and CSCS has been operational since January, 2013. The system is hosted at cscms.nic.in. Despite lapse of more than two years, complete and up to date data is still not available in the system in respect of several officers. The prime objective of the web based system is to ensure accurate real time data of all the officers to enable quicker decisions relating to cadre management functions. Unless the data is maintained upto date, the purpose of the web based system will be defeated.

2. Nodal Officers in all the Ministries/Departments are, therefore, requested as under:

(a) Employee module: Nodal officers should ensure that correct and up to date personal information in respect of all personnel posted there is available. Nodal officers have been empowered to modify/correct (i) Employee details (ii) Basis Details (iii) Address details (iv) Training details and (v) qualification details. All the officers belonging to CSS/CSSS/CSCS may also be advised to verify their data in the system and bring discrepancies to the notice of the nodal officers for correction. If there is any difficulty in this regard, nodal officers should call CMC Ltd. Engineers at Tele: 24629890.

(b) Experience and Promotion data: CS.I Division will modify data in these two fields. If any modification is required duly certified information may be sent to CS Division for correction.

(c) Pay: Please ensure that pay of the officer is correctly indicated in the system. After drawl of increment on 1st July every year the data should be corrected.

(d) APAR: Ensure that APAR grading is entered in the system and the APAR is scanned and uploaded in the system. If there is any difficulty in this regard, please call the CMC Ltd. Engineers at Tele: 24629890.

(e) IPR and Lokpal return:All the officers of CSS/CSSS/CSCS are requested to file their returns online. It may be noted that defaulting officers will not be granted cadre clearance for deputation, foreign training, empanelment etc.

(f) Deputation : Ensure that all Officers apply for cadre clearance through the system. If any application is received in CS.I Division without online application it will not be entertained. Prior to forwarding application online, nodal officers should also ensure that correct and up to date information or the officer concerned is available in the system.

(g) Foreign Training: All nominations for foreign training should be processed through the web based cadre management system in respect of all Officers. Their reliving for the training will also be updated in the system to capture the details of foreign trainings attended. If the training period is more than three months, the nodal officers will forward the online request to CS.I Division for cadre clearance in respect of US and above level officers.

(h) Domestic Training: All nominations for domestic training should be processed through the web based cadre management system in respect of’ all officers. If the training period is exceeding one year, the nodal officers will forward the online request to CS.I Division for further processing in respect of’ US and above level officers.

(i) Permission to vis it abroad: All requests for private foreign visits should be processed through the web based cadre management system to capture such information.

(j) Furnishing of in formation of death of an employee: In case of death of an employee, the nodal officer of the Ministry/Department concerned will henceforth immediately update the information in the web based system to enable capture of the vacancy to facilitate provision of a substitute.

(k) Furnishing of information of long leave of an employee: If any employee proceeds on leave for six months or more, the nodal officer concerned should update the information in the web based system immediately to capture the vacancy to facilitate provision of a substitute.

(l) Voluntary Retirement: CS.l Division conveys approval of MoS (PP) for voluntary retirement or us and above level officers of CSS. Henceforth, i I’ the request for voluntary retirement is not received through the system, the same will not be entertained.

(m) Resignation: Resignation requests from employees should be obtained and processed in the web based system so that such vacancies are brought to the notice of the cadre controlling authority immediately.

(n) Technical resignation: Requests for technical resignation to Join another employment under the Government should also be obtained and processed in the web based cadre management system.

(o) Vigilance status: Vigilance clearance whenever required in connection with cadre management activities will be sought and obtained through the system. In respect of US and above level officer it will be updated both by the Ministries/Department and by AVD.I of DoP&T. Upto SO level, Ministries/ Departments will update the system.

3. This circular may be brought to the notice of all CSS Officers for their information and active cooperation to ensure correctness of data.

4. Nodal officers may also depute their subordinates to CS.I Division to clear doubts if any about the functioning of the system.

( V.Srin ivasaragavan)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of lndia
Tele.: 24629412

To
Ministries/ Departments
Director/Deputy Secretary (Administration)
Official Circular

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Preliminary Staff Side meeting of the Standing Committee members will be held on 1.3.2016

Preliminary Staff Side meeting of the Standing Committee members will be held on 1.3.2016

NATIONAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION

NOTICE FOR MEETING OF THE JCM (NC) STAFF SIDE

STANDING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

The meeting of Empowered Committee of Secretaries (E-CoS) under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary with Standing Committee members of JCM (NC) staff side is scheduled to be held on 1st March 2016 at 06:45 PM in the Committee Room, Cabinet Secretariat, Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi vide Under Secretary (IC) letter F. No. 1-2/2016-IC dated 24.02.2016.

It has therefore been decided that the preliminary Staff Side meeting of the Standing Committee members will be held on 1st march 2016 at 11.00 AM in the office of National Council (JCM), 13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi – 110001 for internal discussion.

You are requested to make it convenient to attend the said meeting on the date and time referred to above.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully

(Shiv Gopal Mishra)
Convenor, NJCA

Source: Confederation

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Casual Labourers with temporary status-clarification regarding contribution to GPF and Pension under the old pension scheme

Casual Labourers with temporary status-clarification regarding contribution to GPF and Pension under the old pension scheme

No.49014/2/2014-Estt (C)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and PG
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment Division

New Delhi, North Block,
February 26th , 2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Casual Labourers with temporary status-clarification regarding contribution to GPF and Pension under the old pension scheme

Undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM No. 51016/2/90-Estt (C) dated the 10th September, 1993 vide which a scheme for grant of temporary status to the casual employees was framed. The scheme applied to those casual labourers who were in employment on the date of the issue of the OM and had rendered one year of continued service in Central Government offices, which meant that they must have been engaged for a period of at least 240 days (206 days in the case of offices observing 5 days week). The scheme did not apply to Departments of Telecom & Posts and Ministry of Railways.

2. As per the scheme, after rendering three years’ continuous service after conferment of temporary status, the casual labourers were to be treated at par with temporary Group ‘D’ employees for the purpose of contribution to the General Provident Fund. Further, after their regularisation, 50% of the service rendered under temporary status would be counted for the purpose of retirement benefits.

3. As per para 8 of the scheme, two out of every three vacancies in Group ‘D’ cadres in respective offices where the casual labourers have been working would be filled up as per extant recruitment rules and in accordance with the instructions issued by Department of Personnel and Training from amongst casual workers with temporary status. However, regular Group ‘D’ staff rendered surplus for any reason will have prior claim for absorption against existing/future vacancies. In case of illiterate casual labourers or those who fail to fulfill the minimum qualification prescribed for post, regularisation will be considered only against those posts in respect of which literacy or lack of minimum qualification will not be a requisite qualification. They would be allowed age relaxation equivalent to the period for which they have worked continuously as casual labourer.

4. Vide the O.M. No.49014/1/2004 -Estt (C) dated the 26 thApril, 2004, the above scheme was reviewed in the light of introduction of New Pension Scheme in respect of persons appointed to the Central • Government service on or after 1.1.2004 as under:

(i) As the new pension scheme is based on defined contributions, the length of qualifying service for the purpose of retirement benefits has lost its relevance, no credit of casual service, as specified in para 5 (v), shall be available to the casual labourers on their regularisation against Group ‘D’ posts on or after 1.1.2004.

(ii) As there is no provision of General Provident Fund in the new pension scheme, it will not serve any useful purpose to continue deductions towards GPF from the existing casual employees, in terms of para 5 (vi) of the scheme for grant of temporary status. It is, therefore, requested that no further deduction towards General Provident Fund shall be effected from the casual labourers w. e. f. 1.1.2004 onwards and the amount lying in their General Provident Fund accounts, including deductions made after 1.1.2004, shall be paid to them.

2. The existing guidelines contained in this Department’s OM No. 49014/2/86-Estt.(C) dated 7.6.88 may continue to be followed in the matter of engagement of casual workers in the Central Government Offices.

5. The OM dated 26th April, 2004 has been quashed by various benches of CAT/High Courts who have decided that the scheme could not be modified retrospectively. The SLPs filed in the Hon’ble Supreme Court have been dismissed by the Apex Court in UOI & Ors v Rameshwar Singh, CC 1829/2014, UOI & Ors v Ramsaran & Ors, SLP (C) No. 25360-25362 of 2008, SLP 17358/2008, SLP 25360-62/09, Union of India etc v Ajay Kumar & Ors, SLP No.19673-19678/2009.

6. The position has been reviewed in the light of the Court judgements in consultation with the Department of Expenditure. It has now been decided that the casual labourers who had been granted temporary status under the scheme, and have completed 3 years of continuous service after that, are entitled to contribute to the General Provident Fund.

7. 50% of the service rendered under temporary status would be counted for the purpose of retirement benefits in respect of those casual labourers who have been regularised in terms of para 8 of the OM dated 10.09. 1993.

8. It is emphasised that the benefit of temporary status is available only to those casual labourers who were in employment on the date of the issue of the OM dated 10th September, 1993 and were otherwise eligible for it. No grant of temporary status is permissible after that date. The employees erroneously granted temporary status between 10.09.1993 and the date of Hon’ble Supreme Court judgement in Union Of India And Anr vs Mohan Pal, 2002 (3) SCR 613, delivered on 29 April, 2002, will however be deemed to have been covered under the scheme of 10.09.93.

9. Ministries/Departments are also requested to identify cases where temporary status has been granted wrongly to those not covered under the OM dated 10.09.1993 and fix responsibility for the same.

sd-
(Mukesh Chaturvedi)
Director (E)

Authority: www.persmin.gov.in
Click to view the order

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Travel Insurance For Rail Passengers Soon

Travel Insurance For Rail Passengers Soon

In order to minimise financial loss to passengers from untoward incidents, Railways will launch a travel insurance scheme.

“Currently there are railways claims tribunals which provide compensation in case of mishaps. One can claim compensation in case of accidents. Now we are offering additional service of insurance,” Railway Board Chairman A K Mittal said.

However, he said the insurance scheme is optional and passengers will be given the option at the time of booking tickets.

PTI

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Meeting of Empowered Committee with NC JCM on 1.3.2016

An another important meeting of Empowered Committee with NC JCM will be held on 1.3.2016. Official letter published by Confederation and the same given below for your information…

Meeting of Empowered Committee of Secretaries (E-CoS) with Office bearers of Staff Side of Standing Committee of National Council (JCM) on recommendations of the 7th Central Pay – Postponement

F.No.1-2/2016-IC
Government of India
Ministry Of Finance
Department of Expenditure
Implementation Cell

Dated: 25th February 2016

To
Shri Shiva Gopal Mishra
Secretary
National council (Staff Side)
13-C, Ferozshah Road
New Delhi – 110 001
Fax- 23363167)

Subject: Meeting of Empowered Committee of Secretaries (E-CoS) with Office bearers of Staff Side of Standing Committee of National Council (JCM) on recommendations of the 7th Central Pay – Postponement – reg.

Sir,

In partial Supersession of this office letter of even number dated 24.02.2016 it is intimated the meeting of the office bearers of the staff side of Standing Committee of National Council (JCM) with the Empowered Committee of Secretaries (E-CoS) will now be held on 01.03.2016 at 6.45 PM in the Committee Room, Cabinet Secretariat,Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi.

2. The above change in the date and time of the meeting may please be noted.

3. Inconvenience caused is regretted.

Thanking you

Yours faithfully

sd/-
(Ram Gopal)
Under Secretary (IC-I)
Tel: 26116647

Source: www.confederationhq.blogspot.in

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Highly disappointing Rail Budget - NFIR

Railway Minster did not make any announcement for making payment of PL Bonus at revised rate of 7000

 NFIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110 055

Press Statement

Highly disappointing Rail Budget

 

The National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR) expresses its serious disappointment over the Rail Budget (2016-17) presented by Shri Suresh Prabhu, Railway Minister in the Parliament on 25th February 2016. According to the President and General Secretary NFIR Shri Guman Singh and Raghavaiah, the Rail Budget document is “towards journey for privatization of Indian Railways in the name of transformation”. It is sad to note that the Railway Minister has not given due recognition to the dedicated services being rendered by various categories of Railway employees who toil hard day and night.

NFIR leaders said that the Rail Budget is totally uninspiring and on the contrary generating resentment among Railway employees as the aim of the Budget is to “aggressively implement privatization, outsourcing” of regular Railway activities.

NFIR expressed its unhappiness as the commitments given by the previous Railway Ministers thro’ Budget announcements have not been fulfilled notably: Free Medical treatment to the dependant parents of Railway employees and construction of New Railway quarters under the corporate welfare plan drawn up years back by the Railway Ministry. The announcement of previous Railway Ministers on the floor of the Parliament that “House for all” has unfortunately been forgotten.

It is quite disappointing that although the Bonus Act has been amended w.e.f. 01.10.4.2014 for calculation of Bonus rates to Rs. 7000/- p.m., the Railway Minster did not make any announcement for making payment of PL Bonus to Railway employees at revised rate of Rs. 7000/- p.m. for the year 2014-15.

NFIR said that the condition of Railway colonies and Railway quarters are totally deteriorated. The Rail Budget has not addressed this welfare aspect adequately.

The Federation expresses its anguish over the failure of Railway Ministry in filling up vacancies of 2.5 lakh vacancies in Railways, out of which over 1.5 lakh vacancies belong to safety categories.

The Federation also expresses its unhappiness over the non-allocation of adequate resources for improving the Railway Hospitals, Health Units and creating Super Specialty facilities atleast in the Zonal Railway Hospitals. The long pending demand of NFIR for making provision of Road Mobile Medical Vans for ensuring Medical treatment to the Railway employees working at remote places, jungle areas, has not been given due priority in the Rail Budget.

NFIR is also of the view that the Rail Budget has not satisfied any section of people.

sd/-
(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

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Government servant getting retirement benefit from deputation office

Government servant getting retirement benefit from deputation office

Appointment to a post on deputation basis is made for a period normally specified in the Recruitment Rules of the deputation post, unless the period of deputation is extended by the Government in terms of prevailing instructions. After expiry of such deputation period, the Government servant is required to revert back to the parent organization/ office. The Guidelines regulating premature repatriation from Central Deputation also provide for repatriation to parent cadre in certain cases such as to avail benefit of promotion. However, there are no specific instructions which require a Government servant on deputation to be reverted back to the parent organization/ office before retirement only to facilitate fixation of pensionary benefits.

Rule 33 of Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules prescribes the emoluments to be taken into account for calculating pension.

This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question by Shri Motilal Vora in the Rajya Sabha today.

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RAILWAY BUDGET 2016-2017 : Ministry of Railways: Indian Railway

RAILWAY BUDGET 2016-2017 : Ministry of Railways

• No Hike in Passenger Fare
• 65,000 Additional Berths and 17,000 Bio Toilets to be Installed
• Operations Audit to Improve Punctuality of trains Proposed
• Wi Fi Facilities in 400 more Stations
• Stations to be Developed Under PPP Mode
• Award of Civil Contracts for Dedicated Freight Corridor to be Over by the end of this Financial Year
• Capacity of E-Ticketing System to be Enhanced
• Increased Quota of Lower Berth for Senior Citizens and Women
• 820 Robs / Rubs constructed
• Operating Ratio to Increase from 90% to 92% Proposed
• Nargol- Hazira Port Connectivity to be taken up under PPP Mode

There is no hike in passenger fare in this year’s Railway Budget. Presenting the Railway Budget 2016-17 in the Parliament today Railway Minister Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu said the budget seeks to fulfil the long-felt desires of the common man such as reserved accommodation on trains available on demand, time tabled freight trains, high end technology to improve safety record, elimination of all unmanned level crossings, improved punctuality, higher average speed of freight trains, semi high speed trains running along the golden quadrilateral, zero direct discharge of human waste by the year 2020. He said Cabinet approval has been received for re-development of stations under PPP mode.

Shri Suresh Prabhu said the Indian Railways budget proposes to overcome challenges by Reorganizing Restructuring and Rejuvenating Indian Railways with the Slogan “Chalo, Milkar Kuch Naya Karen’”. The strategy for this will have three pillars i.e. Nav Arjan – New revenues, Nav Manak – New norms, and Nav Sanrachna – New Structures.

In order to make travel on Indian Railways more comfortable, the Indian Railways proposes to give more facilities to the passengers . 65,000 additional berths will be provided in the trains and 2500 water vending machines will be installed . The railways have developed world’s first Bio-Vaccum toilet and 17,000 Bio-toilets will be provided in the trains. With the purpose of improving punctuality of trains operations audit from Ghaziabad to Mughalsarai section will be introduced. The Indian Railways proposes to introduce 1,780 Automatic Ticket Vending Machines all over the country with mobile apps and GoIndia smartcard for cashless purchase of UTS and PRS tickets. The capacity of e-ticketing system will be enhanced from 2,000 tickets per minute to 7,200 tickets per minute to support 1,20,000 concurrent users as against 40,000 earlier. 400 more stations will be provided with Wi Fi facilities.

As a part of social initiatives, online booking of wheelchairs and Braille enabled new coaches will be introduced for the Divyang. Increased quota of lower berths for senior citizens and women and reserving middle bays for women in reserved coaches has been proposed. Passengers security will be enhanced through more helplines and CCTVs.

To reduce accidents at level crossings, the budget proposes to eliminate 1000 unmanned level crossings and closures of 350 manned level crossings. 820 Rail Over Bridges (ROB)/ Rail Under Bridges (RUB) will be completed during the current financial year and work is going on in additional 1350 of them.

Referring to the progress of Dedicated Freight Corridor Project the Railway Minister said that almost all contracts for civil engineering works will be awarded by the end of this financial year. He said Rs.24,000 crore worth contracts were awarded since November 2014 as against Rs. 13,000 crore contracts awarded during the last six years. Shri Prabhu said Railways proposes to take up North-South, East-West and East Coast freight corridors through innovative financing including PPP.

Underlining the importance of Jammu and Kashmir and North East the Minister said work on Katra-Banihal section of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project is progressing satisfactorily and 35 kms of tunnelling out of total of 95 kms has been completed. He said decongestion work on Jalandhar – Jammu section is in full swing and doubling of two bridges will be over by next month, while the other two bridges will be completed by 2016-17. In North East , Mizoram and Manipur will shortly come on BG map of the country with commissioning of the Kathakal-Bhairabi and Arunachal-Jiribam Gauge conversion projects.
Giving the progress card of port connectivity projects the Minister informed that Tuna Port connectivity project has been commissioned and rail connectivity projects to ports of Jaigarh, Dighi, Rewas and Paradip are under implementation. He said implementation of rail connectivity for the ports of Nargol and Hazira will be taken up under PPP in 2016-17.

Referring to the financial performance the Minister said during 2015-16 a saving of Rs.8720 crore could be achieved neutralizing the most of the revenue shortfall with operating ratio of 90%. He said the budget proposes operating ratio of 92%, restricting growth of ordinary working expenses by 11.6% after building in immediate impact of 7th PC, reduction in diesel and electricity consumption and Revenue generation of Rs. 1,84,820 crore for 2016-17. He said during 2015-16 investment would be close to double of average of previous five years.

Shri Suresh Prabhu said Railways would be able to achieve annualized savings of Rs.3000 crore in the energy sector during the next financial year itself, a year earlier than announced. He said this could be achieved by procuring power directly at competitive rates.

The Railway Minister said social media will be used as a tool to bring in transparency. All procurement including procurement of works will be moved to e-platform. He said the trial of awarding tender electronically was successful and it will be rolled out on Pan India basis in 2016-17.

Giving an outline of the way ahead, the Minister informed Parliament that his Ministry proposes to take various measures to improve quality of travel which will include introduction of unreserved superfast Antyodaya Express Trains, introduction of Tezas train with the speed of 130 Km. and above with onboard entertainment and Wi Fi etc., unreserved Deen Dayalu coaches with portable water and higher number of mobile charging points and introduction of AC and non AC double decker trains on busy routes with the potential to increase carrying capacity by almost 40%. Sale of tickets through hand held terminals; e- ticketing facility to foreign debit/credit cards; bar coded tickets, expansion of Vikalp – train on demand to provide choice of accommodation in specific trains to wait-listed passengers. E-booking of tickets facility on the concessional passes available to journalists; facility of cancellation through the 139 helpline post verification using ‘One Time Password’ sent on registered phone number, CCTV cameras on tatkal windows and periodic audit of PRS website will also be introduced.

Shri Suresh Prabhu said it is proposed to convert all operational halts into commercial halts for the benefit of common man. The Minister said Sarathi Seva in Konkan Railway will be expanding to help the old and disabled passenger. The existing services for enabling passengers to book battery operated cars, porter services, etc. on a paid basis in addition to the existing pick up and drop, and wheel chair services will be strengthened. All stations under redevelopment will be accessible for Divyang. There will be at least one Divyang friendly toilet at each platform in A1 class stations during the next financial year and availability of wheelchairs in sufficient numbers at these stations will be ensured. Children’s menu items, baby foods, hot milk and hot water would be made available under Janani Sewa.

SMART (Specially Modified Aesthetic Refreshing Travel) Coaches will be introduced to ensure higher carrying capacity and provision of new amenities including automatic doors, bar-code readers, bio-vacuum toilets, water-level indicators, accessible dustbins, ergonomic seating, improved aesthetics, vending machines, entertainment screens, LED lit boards for advertising, PA system. It is also proposed to integrate all facilities into two mobile apps dealing with ticketing issues and for receipt and redressal of complaints and suggestions. With a view to improve customer interface information boards in trains enumerating the on-board services and GPS based digital displays will be installed inside coaches to provide real time information regarding upcoming halts. Work is underway for the installation of a high-tech centralized network of 20,000 screens across 2000 stations for enabling real time flow of information to passengers and also to unlock huge advertising potential. All A1 class stations will be manned with duly empowered Station Directors supported by cross functional teams, to make one person accountable for all facilities on trains.
Shri Suresh Prabhu said it is proposed to take up on priority the provision of passenger amenities and beautification on stations at pilgrimage centres including Ajmer, Amritsar, Bihar Sharif, Chengannur, Dwarka, Gaya, Haridwar, Mathura, Nagapattinam, Nanded, Nasik, Pali, Parasnath, Puri, Tirupati, Vailankanni, Varanasi and Vasco. Aastha circuit trains will be introduced to connect important pilgrim centres.

He said optional travel insurance for rail journeys at the time of booking and clean my coach through sms will also be introduced in due course. High speed passenger corridor from Ahmedabad to Mumbai will be developed with the financial assistance from Government of Japan. FM Radio Stations will be invited to provide train borne entertainment, Rail Bandhu Mazagine will be provided in all reserved coaches in all regional languages.

Referring to the financial performance of 2015-16 the Railway Minister said Stringent economy and austerity measures adopted to contain the Ordinary Working Expenses (O.W.E.) due to which budgeted OWE of Rs 1,19,410 crore decreased in the Revised Estimates 2015-16 to Rs. 1,10,690 crore i.e. by Rs 8,720 crore. BE provided for an appropriation of Rs. 34,900 crore to the Pension Fund. However, based on trend, the pension outgo moderately decreased to Rs. 34,500 crore in RE. Internal resource generation diminished and appropriation to DRF moderated to Rs. 5,500 crore in RE from the BE 2015-16 provisioning of Rs. 7,900 crore. Excess of receipts over expenditure in RE 2015-16 stands at Rs. 11,402.40 crore. Plan size for 2015-16 is currently estimated at 1,00,000 crore i.e. the BE level.

Regarding Budget Estimates 2016-17 the Minister informed that the Gross Traffic Receipts are kept at Rs 1,84,820 crore . Passenger earnings growth has been pegged at 12.4 % and earnings target budgeted at Rs. 51,012 crore. The freight traffic is pegged at incremental traffic of 50 million tonnes, anticipating a healthier growth in the core sector of economy. Goods earnings is accordingly proposed at Rs. 1, 17,933 crore.

Other coaching and sundries projected at Rs. 6,185 crore and Rs. 9,590.3 crore respectively. OWE provides for the implementation of the 7th CPC.Pension outgo budgeted at Rs 45,500 crore in 2016-17. Higher staff cost and pension liability impacts the internal resource position of the Railways. Accordingly, appropriation to DRF from revenue placed at Rs 3,200 crore and that from Production Units at Rs 200 crore. A withdrawal of Rs 3,160 crore from DRF on net basis proposed though the gross expenditure to be met from DRF in the Annual Plan estimated at Rs 7,160 crore. Rs 5,750 crore proposed to be appropriated to the Capital fund. With a draw-down of Rs 1,250 crore from previous balances in the fund, plan requirement of Rs 7,000 crore for repayment of principal component of lease charges to IRFC have been met. Railways are preparing a Plan size of Rs. 1,21,000 crore in 2016-17, the Minister added.

PIB

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Central Government Employees Demand Minimum Salary of Rs 26,000

Central Government Employees Demand Minimum Salary of Rs 26,000

Government employees have demanded a minimum salary of Rs 26,000 as against Rs 18,000 recommended by the 7th Central Pay Commission while threatening to go on strike if demands not met.

“Minimum Pay needs to be revised to Rs 26,000 per month and the minimum pay of Rs 18,000 as recommended by 7th CPC is not acceptable,” said Minutes of the meeting of Joint Secretary (IC) with the members of the Staff-side of the Standing Committee (National Council-JCM).

Secretary, Staff-side, Standing Committee (National Council-Joint Consultative Machinery) said Staff-side is “not at all happy” with the recommendations of the CPC and, in fact, “no section of the employees is satisfied”, as the Commission has recommended a minimal pay increase as compared to the previous Pay Commissions.

The Secretary further stated that an amicable and mutually negotiated settlement of these demands is necessary as “non-acceptance would further cause resentment in the employees”.

The Secretary “informed that Staff-Side has already made their stand clear to go on strike from April 11, 2016 if their demands are not considered and no amicable settlement happens”, the Minutes said.

The meeting was held to discuss the issues raised by the National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) in their letter addressed to the Cabinet Secretary, regarding their Charter of Demands on the recommendations of the Pay Commission.

The Staff-side also said the central government employees need to be excluded from the National Pension Scheme (NPS), a long pending demand

The fixed monthly medical allowance for pensioners who are not covered by CGHS and REHS needs to be increased from Rs 500 to Rs 2,000 is another major demand.

The Joint Secretary (Implementation Cell) assured the Staff-Side that the concerns and demands made by them would be placed before the Empowered Committee of Secretaries for consideration after examining the same in the light of the recommendations of the Commission.

The scheme of Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) is a platform for constructive dialogue between the representatives of the staff side and the official side for peaceful resolution of all disputes between the Government as employer and the employees.

Demands are submitted to the Implementation Cell, created in the Finance Ministry, to work as Secretariat for the Empowered Committee of Secretaries headed by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha.

The Pay Commission recommendations when implemented would have bearing on remuneration of 47 lakh central government employees and 52 lakh pensioners. Subject to acceptance by the government, the recommendations will take effect from January 1, 2016.

Source: The Economic Times

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Highlights of the Railway Budget 2016-17 – An Official Report

Highlights of the Railway Budget 2016-17 – An Official Report

Highlights of the Railway Budget 2016-17

Theme of the Budget : Overcoming challenges – Reorganize, Restructure Rejuvenate Indian Railways: ‘Chalo, Milkar Kuch Naya Karen’

Three pillars of the strategy i.e. Nav Arjan – New revenues, Nav Manak – New norms, Nav Sanrachna – New Structures.

Financial Performance : 2015-16- Savings of Rs. 8,720 crore neutralizing most of the revenue shortfall, expected OR 90%;

2016-17- Targeted Operating Ratio (OR) – 92%, restrict growth of Ordinary Working Expenses by 11.6% after building in immediate impact of 7th PC, reductions planned in diesel and electricity consumption, Revenue generation targeted at Rs. 1,84,820crore.

Investments and Resources : Process bottlenecks overhauled including delegation of powers to functional levels; average capital expenditure over 2009-14 is Rs. 48,100 crore, average growth of 8% per annum.

2015-16 investment would be close to double of the average of previous 5 years.

2016-17 CAPEX pegged at Rs. 1.21 lakh crore; implementation through joint ventures with states, developing new frameworks for PPP, etc.

Vision : By 2020, long-felt desires of the common man to be fulfilled i.e, reserved accommodation on trains available on demand, time tabled freight trains, high end technology to improve safety record, elimination of all unmanned level crossings, improved punctuality, higher average speed of freight trains, semi high speed trains running along the golden quadrilateral, zero direct discharge of human waste. 

2015-16-Achievements : Action initiated on 139 budget announcements of 2015-16. 

Project execution : 2015-16 – assured funding through LIC; commissioning of 2,500 kms Broad Gauge lines; commissioning of 1,600 kms of electrification, highest ever. In 2016-17 – targeted commissioning 2,800 kms of track; commissioning Broad Gauge lines @ over 7 kms per day against an average of about 4.3 kms per day in the last 6 years. Would increase to about 13 kms per day in 2017-18 and 19 kms per day in 2018-19; will generate employment of about 9 crore man days in 2017-18 and 14 crore man days in 2018-19. Outlay for railway electrification increased in 2016-17 by almost 50%; target to electrify 2,000 kms.

Dedicated Freight Corridor : Almost all contracts for civil engineering works to be awarded by March 31st 2016; Rs. 24,000 crore contracts awarded since November 2014 as against Rs. 13,000 crore contracts awarded in last 6 years; propose to take up North-South, East-West & East Coast freight corridors through innovative financing including PPP.

Port connectivity : Tuna Port commissioned and rail connectivity projects to ports of Jaigarh, Dighi, Rewas and Paradip under implementation; implementation of rail connectivity for the ports of Nargol and Hazira under PPP in 2016-17.

North East : BG Lumding-Silchar section in Assam opened thus connecting Barak Valley with rest of the country; Agartala brought on to the BG network. States of Mizoram and Manipur shortly to come on BG map of the country with commissioning of the Kathakal-Bhairabi and Arunachal-Jiribam Gauge Conversion projects.

Jammu and Kashmir : Work on Katra-Banihal section of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project progressing satisfactorily- 35 kms of tunnelling out of total of 95 kms completed; Decongestion work on Jalandhar – Jammu line in full swing and doubling of two bridges to be commissioned by March 2016, while the other two bridges will be completed by 2016-17.

Make in India: Finalised bids for two loco factories; proposed to increase the current procurement of train sets by 30%.

Capacity Building for the future through: Transparency – initiated recruitments online in 2015-16, process now being replicated for all positions, social media being used as a tool to bring in transparency, all procurement including procurement of works moved to the e-platform, completed trial of process leading to award of tender electronically and to be rolled out on a PanIndia basis in 2016-17.

Governance – delegation led to compression of project sanction time to 6-8 months from 2 years earlier, key result areas identified to judge performance of GMs and DRMs, performance related MOUs signed with few Zones, to be replicated for all zones.

Internal audit measures – specialised teams mandated to screen railway operations in specific areas to detect inefficiencies and prevent wastages, every zone preparing 2 reports by March 31, 2016.
Partnerships – Cabinet approval for JVs with State Governments, 17 consented and 6 MOUs signed with State Governments. 44 new partnership works covering about 5,300 kms and valuing about Rs. 92,714 crore have been indicated in the Budget documents.

Customer Interface : Interaction and feedback through social media & dedicated IVRS system.
Making travel comfortable by generating over 65,000 additional berths, installing 2,500 water vending machines; introducing ‘Mahamana Express’ with modern refurbished coaches; 17,000 bio-toilets in trains; world’s first Bio-Vacuum toilet developed.

Improving punctuality – operations audit for Ghaziabad to Mughalsarai section.

Ticketing: Introduced 1,780 Automatic Ticket Vending Machines, mobile apps & GoIndia smartcard for cashless purchase of UTS and PRS tickets, enhanced capacity of e-ticketing system from 2,000 tickets per minute to 7,200 tickets per minute and to support 1,20,000 concurrent users as against only 40,000 earlier.

Social initiatives: One-time registration for availing concessions while booking tickets online, online booking of wheelchairs & Braille enabled new coaches introduced for the Divyang, increased quota of lower berths for senior citizens and women, middle bays reserved in coaches for women.

Wi-Fi provided in 100 stations, to be provided in 400 more.

Stations being redeveloped – financial bid received for Habibganj, Bhopal; Cabinet approval for stations to be taken up under PPP.

Security through helplines & CCTVs.

Safety – 350 manned level crossings closed, eliminated 1,000 unmanned level crossings, 820 ROB/RUB completed in the current year and work going on in 1,350 of them.

Other major achievements : Energy: annualized savings of Rs. 3,000 crore to be achieved in the next financial year itself, a year earlier than announced; achieved by procuring power directly at competitive rates using IR’s status as Deemed Distribution Licensee.

Rail University – initially identified the National Academy of Indian Railways at Vadodara.
Digital India: application of Track Management System (TMS) launched, inventory management module of TMS has resulted in inventory reduction by 27,000 MT resulting in saving of Rs.64 crore and scrap identification of 22,000 MT equivalent to Rs.53 crore.

The Way Ahead Improving quality of travel For the unreserved passenger –Antyodaya Express unreserved, superfast service.

Deen Dayalu coaches – unreserved coaches with potable water and higher number of
mobile charging points.

For the reserved passenger – Humsafar – fully air-conditioned third AC service with an optional service for meals 

Tejas – will showcase the future of train travel in India. Will operate at speeds of 130 kmph and above.Will offer onboard services such as entertainment, local cuisine, WiFi, etc. through one service provider for ensuring accountability and improved customer satisfaction Humsafar and Tejas to ensure cost recovery through tariff and non-tariff measures UDAY – overnight double-decker, Utkrisht Double-Decker Air-conditioned Yatri Express on the busiest routes, has the potential to increase carrying capacity by almost 40%.

Ticketing: Sale of tickets through hand held terminals; e- ticketing facility to foreign debit/credit cards; bar coded tickets, scanners and access control on a pilot basis. Expansion of Vikalp – train on demand to provide choice of accommodation in specific trains to wait-listed passengers. 

E-booking of tickets facility on the concessional passes available to journalists; facility of cancellation through the 139 helpline post verification using ‘One Time Password’ sent on registered phone number, to improve tatkaal services CCTV cameras on windows and periodic audit of PRS website.

Cleanliness -‘Clean my Coach’ service through SMS, ranking of A1 and A stations based on periodic third party audit and passenger feedback; waste segregation and recycling centres; ‘Awareness campaigns’; additional 30,000 bio-toilets; providing portable structures with biotoilets at all platforms of select stations for senior citizens, Divyang and women travellers, plan to explore innovative means of providing and maintaining toilets such as advertisement rights, CSR, voluntary support from social organizations.

Catering and stalls at stations -IRCTC to manage catering services in a phased manner; explore possibility of making catering services optional, adding 10 more IRCTC operated base kitchens; to build local ownership and empowerment, weightage will be given to district domicile holders for commercial licenses at stations. Stoppages: convert all operational halts into commercial halts for the benefit of the common man. Rail Mitra Sewa: expanding Sarathi Seva in Konkan Railway to help the old and disabled passengers, strengthening the existing services for enabling passengers to book battery operated cars, porter services, etc. on a paid basis in addition to the existing pick up and drop, and wheel chair services.
 
Measures for Divyang: all stations under redevelopment accessible by Divyang; to provide at least one Divyang friendly toilet at each platform in A1 class stations during the next financial year and also ensure availability of wheelchairs in sufficient numbers at these stations.

Travel Insurance to passengers – to offer optional travel insurance for rail journeys at the time of booking.

Hourly booking of retiring rooms – will be handed over to IRCTC.

Expanding the freight basket of IR – to start time-tabled freight container, parcel and special commodity trains on a pilot basis, container sector would be opened to all traffic barring coal, specified mineral ores and part-loads during the non-peak season. All existing terminals/sheds would be granted access to container traffic, where considered feasible. Rationalising the tariff structure – undertake review of tariff policy to evolve a competitive rate structure vis a vis other modes, permit multi-point loading/unloading and apply differentiated tariffs to increase utilization of alternate routes, explore possibility of signing long term tariff contracts with our key freight customers using pre-determined price escalation principles.

Building terminal capacity – proposed to develop Rail side logistics parks and warehousing in PPP mode, 10 goods sheds will be developed by TRANSLOC, the Transport Logistics Company of India, in 2016-17. To soon inaugurate India’s first rail auto hub in Chennai. Encourage development of cold storage facilities on vacant land near freight terminals. Local farmers and fisherman would be given preferential usage of the facility. A policy in this regard would be issued in the next 3 months.

Nurturing customers – will appoint Key Customer Managers to liaison with our major freight stakeholders; each Zonal Railway will develop customer commitment charter indicating service level commitments of IR, will explore the feasibility of opening up leasing of general purpose wagons.

Annex-2 of the speech details the Implementation of Budget announcements 2015-16

Source: Indian Railway

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