Amendment in EPF scheme for buying homes

Amendment in EPF scheme for buying homes

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1056

ANSWERED ON-27.12.2017

Amendment in EPF scheme for buying homes

1056 . Shri R. Vaithilingam

(a)whether Government will amend the Employees” Provident Fund (EPF) scheme to enable around 4 crore members of Employees” Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to withdraw upto 90 per cent of their fund for making down payments while buying houses;
(b)whether said amendment will also allow the EPFO subscribers to use their EPF accounts for paying equated monthly installments of home loans; and
(c)whether under the proposed provision in the EPF scheme, the subscribers would have to form a cooperative society with at least 10 members to avail of the facility?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) to (c): The Government vide Notification No. G.S.R.351 (E) dated 12th April, 2017 has inserted a paragraph 68BD in Employees’ Provident Funds (EPF) Scheme, 1952 for withdrawal from the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) for purchasing dwelling house or flat or construction of a dwelling house.

The withdrawal amount from the Provident Fund shall not exceed ninety per cent of the employer’s share of contribution and interest thereon and employee’s share of contribution and interest thereon.

The Scheme envisages that a member can authorise monthly installment for the repayment, wholly or partly, of any outstanding principal or interest of a loan obtained in the name of the member or spouse of the member or jointly by the member and the spouse.
The payment can be made on behalf of the member to a housing agency or primary lending agency or bank concerned, etc.

The subscriber should be a member of a cooperative society or a society registered for housing purpose under any law for the time being in force and such society has at least ten members of the Fund.

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Decision of the Cabinet for enhancement of age of superannuation of Dental Doctors under Ministry of Railway

Decision of the Cabinet for enhancement of age of superannuation of Dental Doctors under Ministry of Railway

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(RAILWAY BOARD)

RRE No. 205/2017

New Delhi Dated: 26.12.2017

No. E(P&A)I-2016/RT-16

The General Managers and Principal Financial Advisers,
All Indian Railways including
Production Units etc.

Sub: Decision of the Cabinet for enhancement of age of superannuation of Dental Doctors under Ministry of Railways.

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW) vide OM No. A.12034/1/2017- CHS-V dated 30.09.2017 has communicated (i) post-facto approval of the Cabinet for enhancement of age of superannuation of doctors of Indian Railway Medical Service; (ii) approval of Cabinet for enhancement of age of superannuation of Dental doctors under Ministry of Railways to 65 years; and (iii) that Doctors shall hold the administrative post till the date of attaining the age of 62 years.

2. Accordingly, the age of superannuation of Dental Doctors under Ministry of Railways is enhanced from 60 years to 65 years.

3. Doctors shall hold administrative posts till the date of attaining the age of 62 years and thereafter their services shall be placed in Non-administrative positions.

4. Consequent upon enhancement of the age of superannuation of Dental Doctors, all Zonal Railways/Production Units are requested to review the vacancies arising from retirement in regard to direct recruitment as well as promotion so that there is no over recruitment or litigation or review DPCs because of change in “Zone of Consideration” as a result of reduction in the number of retirement vacancies.

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

6. Kindly acknowledge receipt.

(Anil Kumar)
Dy. Director Estt. (P&A)-I
Railway Board

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Voluntary Retirement in Paramilitary Forces

Voluntary Retirement in Paramilitary Forces

PERSONNEL OF PARAMILITARY FORCES TAKING VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT

Minister of State for Home Affairs replied in Parliament(Rajya Sabha) on 27.12.2017 regarding Voluntary Retirement in Paramilitary Forces.

“As per information provided by Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles (CAPFs & AR), 19239 personnel have taken voluntary retirement from service since January, 2016.

Improvement in service conditions/ amenities and welfare of the force personnel is a continuous endeavour. A study was got conducted through Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D) into the factors causing stress and suggest remedial measures and another similar study was got conducted though Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) for BSF & CRPF”. Based on the above study report, the measures, which have been taken to boost the morale and improve the working conditions and reduce stress among the force personnel, are at Annexure-‘A’.

ANNEXURE – ‘A’

R.S.US.Q.NO.1034 FOR 27.12.2017

Measures taken to improve the working conditions and reduce stress among the force personnel

(i) Transparent policies pertaining to transfer and leave of CAPFs and AR personnel. The hospitalization period due to injuries while on duty is treated as on duty. Choice posting is considered to the extent possible after the personnel served in hard area.

(ii) Regular interaction of officers with troops to find out and redress their grievances.

(iii) Ensuring adequate rest and relief by regulating the duty hours.

(iv) Improving living conditions for troops, providing adequate recreational/ entertainment, sports, communication facilities etc. Crèche facility is also provided at various establishments (where feasible) to facilitate the female employees.

(v) Facility of retention of government accommodation at the place of last posting (for keeping the family) while posted in NE State, J&K and LWE affected areas (except State Capitals).

(vi) Providing better medical facilities, also organizing talks with specialists to address their personal and psychological concerns and organizing Meditation & Yoga routinely for better stress management.

(vii) Adequately compensating the troops deployed in difficult areas.

(viii) Other welfare measures like facility of Central Police Canteen (CPC), scholarship for wards etc. Also air courier service has been provided to CAPF personnel deployed in NE States, J&K and LWE affected areas as welfare measure.

(ix) Designating retired CAPF personnel as ex-CAPF personnel for better identity and community recognition.

(x) Promotions are released regularly to eligible personnel as & when the vacancies arise. Financial benefits under Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) are given in case promotion does not take place for want of vacancies at 10, 20 & 30 years of service.

Besides above, implementation of suitable model for improvement of working conditions of CAPFs & AR is a continuous process and instructions in this regard are issued from time to time by this Ministry.

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