Upper Ceiling on Gratuity 20 Lakhs - Gratuity Bill Passed by Parliament

Upper Ceiling on Gratuity 20 Lakhs - Gratuity Bill Passed by Parliament

Ministry of Labour & Employment

Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2018 passed by Parliament

The Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2018 has been passed by parliament today.The bill ensures harmony amongst employees in the private sector and Public Sector Undertakings/Autonomous Organizations under Government who are not covered under CCS (Pension) Rules. These employees will be entitled to receive higher amount of gratuity at par with their counterparts in Government sector. The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha today and the Lok Sabha on 15 March, 2018.

The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 applies to establishments employing 10 or more persons. The main purpose for enacting this Act is to provide social security to workman after retirement, whether retirement is a result of superannuation, or physical disablement or impairment of vital part of the body. Therefore, the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 is an important social security legislation to wage earning population in industries, factories and establishments.

The present upper ceiling on gratuity amount under the Act is Rs. 10 Lakh. The provisions for Central Government employees under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 with regard to gratuity are also similar. Before implementation of 7th Central Pay Commission, the ceiling under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 was Rs. 10 Lakh. However, with implementation of 7th Central Pay Commission, in case of Government servants, the ceiling has been raised to Rs. 20 Lakhs.
Therefore, considering the inflation and wage increase even in case of employees engaged in private sector, this Government decided that the entitlement of gratuity should also be revised in respect of employees who are covered under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972. Accordingly, the Government initiated the process for amendment to Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 to increase the maximum limit of gratuity to such amount as may be notified by the Central Government from time to time.
In addition, the Bill also envisages to amend the provisions relating to calculation of continuous service for the purpose of gratuity in case of female employees who are on maternity leave from "twelve weeks" to such period as may be notified by the Central Government from time to time.
After enactment of the Act, the power to notify the ceiling of the amount of gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 shall stand delegated to the Central Government so that the limit can be revised from time to time keeping in view the increase in wage and inflation and future pay commissions.

Source: PIB

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Adhaar is not mandatory to get pension: Dr Jitendra Singh

Aadhaar is not compulsory to get Pension

Dr. Jitendra Singh chairs 30th meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies

Adhaar is not mandatory to get pension: Dr Jitendra Singh

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh chaired the 30th meeting of the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) here today. The SCOVA meeting is organised by the Department of Pensions & Pensioners' Welfare (DoP&PW), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and the last such meeting was held on January 12, 2017.

During the meeting, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the SCOVA which was first constituted in July, 1986 would be completing 32 years this year. He said this platform has gone a long way in addressing in a focused manner issues related to Pensioners.

He said that today's interaction was very meaningful and stimulating, thus reflecting on the working of DoP&PW. The Minister while assuring the representatives of pensioners’ Associations said that it was no more mandatory to have one's Adhaar Card to get his/her pension.

The Minister said that the Department of Pensions has brought out a series of OMs to benefit the Pensioners/Family Pensioners in the last 12 months including enhancing of minimum pension from Rs.3500/- to Rs.9000/- per month; the ceiling of gratuity has been increased from the existing Rs.10 lakhs to Rs.20 lakhs; the rates of ex-gratia lump sum compensation being paid to the families of employees who die in performance of duty has been increased from existing Rs. 10-15 lakhs to Rs.25-45 lakhs. He also said that divorced daughter will be eligible for family pension if divorce case has been filed before the death of pensioner/family pensioner, even though the judgement has been passed after the death of the pensioner /family pensioner.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said that this Government has given relief to the senior citizens and Pensioners in the Budget 2018-19 by allowing Standard Deduction of Rs. 40,000/- per year to the Pensioners and given exemption on tax on account of interest income from bank savings accounts has been increased to Rs. 50,000/ from Rs. 10,000/- per year. Deduction on account of health insurance premium which was earlier allowed at maximum of Rs.30,000/- has now been increased to Rs. 50,000/- in the case of Senior Citizens/Pensioners.

While addressing the meeting he said that we need to put in place an institutionalized mechanism to make good use of the knowledge, experience and efforts of the retired employees which can help in the value addition to the current scenario. Dr.Jitendra Singh said the retired employees are a healthy and productive workforce for India and we need to streamline and channelize their energies in a productive direction. We should learn from the pensioners’ experience, he added. The Minister also said that the DoP&PW should be reoriented in such a way that pensioners become a part of nation building process.

In the meeting, discussions were held on the action taken report of the 29th SCOVA meeting. Further many issues related to pensioners were discussed threadbare, such as revision of PPOs of pre- 2006 pensioners, Health Insurance Scheme for pensioners including those residing in non-CGHS area, Special "Higher" Family Pension for widows of the war disabled invalidated out of service, Extension of CGHS facilities to P&T pensioners, issue relating to CGHS Wellness Centre, Dehradun

etc. The Minister directed for the prompt and time bound redressal of the grievances of the pensioners and said that we should have sympathetic attitude towards them.

The Secretary, DoP&PW, Shri K.V. Eapen and other senior officers of the department were also present on the occasion. The meeting was also attended by the member Pensioners Associations and senior officers of the important Ministries/Departments of Government of India.

PIB

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Major Changes in NPS including Withdrwal Norms

Major Changes in NPS including Withdrwal Norms

Three major changes in the National Pension Scheme (NPS) including withdrawal norms

Relaxation of Norms for NPS

The Government of India has recently made three changes in the National Pension Scheme (NPS) including withdrawal norms.

The details are as under:

Partial withdrawal during the service: The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), with an objective to  meet the subscriber's sudden financial requirement enrolled under NPS, has liberalized norms for partial withdrawals which also include reduction of requirement of minimum years of being enrolled under NPS from 10 years to 3 years from the date of joining. Suitable amendments were made through "Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Exits and Withdrawals under the National Pension System) (First Amendment) Regulations, 2017 and the same has been notified on 10.08.2017.

Increase in the joining age under NPS: With an objective to allow individuals (under NPS-All Citizen Model and Corporate Sector Model) who are in the age bracket between 60 years and 65 years to join NPS system. Suitable amendments were made through “Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Exits and Withdrawals under the National Pension System) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2017 and the same has been notified on 06.10.2017.

Exit in case of disability and incapacitation of the subscriber: With an objective of facilitating easy exit & withdrawal in case of disability and incapacitation of the subscriber covered under NPS, PFRDA has made suitable amendments through "Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Exits and Withdrawals under the National Pension System) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2018 and the same has been notified on 02.02.2018.

This was stated by Shri Ship Pratap Shukla, Minister of State for Finance in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

Source: PIB

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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 3884
ANSWERED ON: 19.03.2018

Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act

RAJENDRA AGRAWAL
MALLIKARJUN KHARGE
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:-

(a)whether majority of the women in the country are not able to avail maternity leave under the Maternity Benefits Act, 2017 due to their working in the unorganized sector and if so, the details thereof;
(b)whether the Government is considering any proposal to include women working in the unorganized sector to enable them to avail the benefits under the Act, and if so, the details thereof;
(c)whether the Government is anticipating decline in rate of labour force participation of female population due to discriminatory hiring practices by the employers in order to prevent maternity benefits available under the said Act; and
(d)if so, the details thereof along with the corrective steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) & (b): No, Madam. Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 is applicable to establishments employing 10 or more women irrespective of whether it is organised or unorganised sector.

(c) & (d): No, Madam. The Government is of the opinion that with enforcement of the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, more and more women workers would be inclined to seek employment which will lead to increase in women labour participation rate. There are stringent provisions under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 for prevention of discriminatory practices against women work force.

Source: Lok Sabha

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Grant of 10 days Casual Leave to those Civilian employees under Defence Establishments who are not entitled to 17 holidays per calendar year

Government of India
(Department of Defence)
Ministry of Defence
D(Civ-ll)

Subject: Grant of 10 days Casual Leave to those Civilian employees under Defence Establishments who are not entitled to 17 holidays per calendar year

The undersigned is directed to say that this division has been receiving proposals from Line Dtes and Defence Federations to grant 10 days Casual Leave to the Defence Civilian employees in such Defence units wherever the entitlement is less than 17 days Gazetted holidays.

2. In this connection, para 9 of the Appendix-III of the CCS(Leave) Rules, 1972 is reiterated as under:

"Entitlement (per calendar year) -

8 days - For those entitled to 17 holidays

10 days - For those not entitled to 17 holidays."

3. All concerned are therefore requested to ensure that the entitlement of Casual Leave to the Civilian employees in the Defence Establishments under MoD who are covered under CCS(Leave) Rules, 1972, is adhered strictly as per Para 9 of the Appendix-III of these Rules.

S/d,

(Dalpat Singh)

Under Secretary to the Govt of India

To

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Grant of Dearness relief to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners- Revised rate effective from 01.01.2018

7% DR from Jan 2018 - Orders issued by DoPPW

Grant of Dearness relief to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners- Revised rate effective from 01.01.2018

No.42/06/2018-P&PW(G)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market, New Delhi - 110003
Dated the 22nd March,2018

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Grant of Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners - Revised rate effective from 01.01.2018.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's OM No. 42/15/2016-P&PW(G) dated 28.09.2017 on the subject mentioned above and to state that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Relief admissible to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 5% to 7% w.e.f 01.01.2018.

2. These rates of DR will be applicable to (i) Civilian Central Government Pensioners/Family Pensioners including Central Govt. absorbee pensioners in PSU/Autonomous Bodies in respect of whom orders have been issued vide this Department's OM No.4/34/2002-P&PW (D) Vol.II dated 23.06.2017 for restoration of full pension after expiry of commutation period of 15 years (ii) The Armed Forces Pensioners, Civilian Pensioners paid out of the Defence Service Estimates, (iii) All India Service Pensioners (iv) Railway Pensioners/family pensioners (v) Pensioners who are in receipt of provisional pension (vi) The Burma Civilian pensioners/family pensioners and pensioners/families of displaced Government Pensioners from Burma/ Pakistan, in respect of whom orders have been issued vide this Department's OM No.23/3/2008-P&PW(B) dated 11.09.2017.

3. These orders shall not be applicable on CPF beneficiaries, their widows and eligible children who are in receipt of ex-gratia payment in terms of this Department's OM No.45/52/97-P&PW(E) dated 16.12.1997 and revised vide this Department's OM 1/10/2012-P&PW(E) dtd 27.06.2013.
Separate orders will be issued in respect of above category.

4. The payment of Dearness Relief involving a fraction of a rupee shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee.

5. The payment of arrears of Dearness Relief shall not be made before the date of disbursement of pension/family pension of March, 2018.

6. Other provisions governing grant of DR in respect of employed family pensioners and re-employed Central Government Pensioners will be regulated in accordance with the provisions contained in this Department's OM No. 45173/97-P&PW (G) dated 2.7.1999 as amended vide this Department's OM No. F.No. 38/88/2008-P&PW(G) dated 9th July, 2009. The provisions relating to regulation of DR where a pensioner is in receipt of more than one pension will remain unchanged.

7. In the case of retired Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, necessary orders will be issued by the Department of Justice separately.

8. It will be the responsibility of the pension disbursing authorities, including the nationalized banks, etc. to calculate the quantum of DR payable in each individual case.

9. The offices of Accountant General and authorised Pension Disbursing Banks are requested to arrange payment of relief to pensioners etc. on the basis of these instructions without waiting for any further instructions from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the Reserve Bank of India in view of letter No. 528-TA, II/34-80-U dated 23/0411981 of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India addressed to all Accountant Generals and Reserve Bank of India Circular No. GANB No. 2958/GA-64 (ii) (CGL)/81 dated the 21st May, 1981 addressed to State Bank of India and its subsidiaries and all Nationalised Banks.

10. In their application to the pensioners/family pensioners belonging to Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issue after consultation with thc C&AG.
11. This issues in accordance with Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure's OM No.
11/2018-E.U(B) dated 15th March,2018.

12. Hindi version will follow.

sd/-

(Charanjit Taneja)

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source: http://www.pensionersportal.gov.in/

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