Revision of Pension/ family pension of Pre-01.01.2016 and Post 01.01.2016 retired employees of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR), New Delhi

Revision of Pension/ family pension of Pre-01.01.2016 and Post 01.01.2016 retired employees of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR), New Delhi

F.NO.4-1/2019-U.3
Government of India
Ministry of Human Resource Development
Department of Higher Education
U.3 Section

Room No. 519, 'C' - Wing
Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated: April 05, 2019

To,
The Member Secretary,
Indian Council of Philosophical Research,
36, Tughlakabad Institutional Area,
Mehrauli Badarpur Road,
New Delhi

Subject: Revision of Pension/ family pension of Pre-01.01.2016 and Post 01.01.2016 retired employees of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR), New Delhi - reg

Sir,
I am directed to refer to the Government's decision regarding provisions regulating pension including the revision of pension/ family pension of Pre-01.01.2016 retired employees of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR), New Delhi on the recommendations of 7th Central pay Commission issued vide Department of Pension and Pensioner's Welfare O.M. No. 38/37/2016-P&PW(A) dated 04.08.2016, 12.05.2017, 06.07.2017, 18.07.2017 and 13.09.2017.

2. The DoP&PW (as per aforesaid OMs) has provided for following manner of revision of pension/ family pension:

As per 2nd formulation (recommended by 7th CPC), vide' para - 4.1 of O.M. dated 04.08.2016, as follows:

For existing pensioners, who have retired before 01.01.2016 the revised pension/ family pension with effect from 01.01.2016 shall be determined by multiplying the exisiting pension/ family pension, as had been fixed at the time of implementation of 6th Central pay Commission (CPC)  recommendations, by 2.57. The amount of revised pension/ family pension so arrived at shall be rounded off to next higher rupee.

As per 1st formulation (recommended by 7th CPC), vide para - 4 of O.M. dated 12.05.2017, as follows:

The pension/ family pension w.e.f. 01.01.2016 may be revised by notionally fixing the pay of pensioners in the pay matrix recommended by the 7th CPC in the level corresponding to the pay in the pay scale/ pay band and grade pay at which pensioners retired/ died. This will be done by notional pay fixation under each intervening Pay Commission based on the Formula for revision of pay. While fixing pay on notional basis, the pay fixation formulae approved by the Government and other relevant instructions on the subject in force at the relevant time shall be strictly followed. 50% of the notional pay as on 01.01.2016 shall be the revised pension and 30% of this notional pay shall be the revised family pension w.e.f. 01.01.2016 as per the first Formulation. In the case of family pensioners who were entitled to family pension at enhanced rate, the revised family pension shall be 50% of the notional pay as on 01.01.2016 and shall be payable till the period up to which family pension at enhanced rate is admissible as per rules. The amount of revised pension/family pension so arrived at shall be rounded off to next higher rupee.

3. The DoP&PW's above mentioned OM dated 12.05.2017 vide para-5, further maintains that higher of the two Formulations i.e. the pension/family pension already revised in accordance with this Department's OM No.38/37/2016-P&PW(A) (ii) dated 04.08.2016 or the revised pension/family pension as worked out in accordance with para 4 of OM dated 12.05.2017, shall be granted to pre- 01.01.2016 pensioners as revised pension/family pension w.e.f. 01.01.2016. In cases where pension/family pension being paid w.e.f. 01.01.2016 in accordance with this Department's OM No. 38/37/2016-P&PW(A) (ii) dated 04.08.2016 happens to be more than pension/family pension as worked out in accordance with para 4 of OM dated 12.05.2017, the pension/family pension already being paid shall be treated as revised pension/family pension w.e.f. 01.01.2016.

4. Accordingly, the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR), New Delhi may workout the pension/ family pension of its pre-01.01.2016 pensioners/ family pensioners as per the formulations discussed above read with other principles enunciated in Department of Pension and Pensioner's Welfare's O.M. No. 38/37/2016-P&PW(A) dated 12.05.2017 and 06.07.2017 and subsequent OMs dated 18.07.2017 & 13.09.2017.

5. In the case of those employees who retired/died before 01.01.1986, the pension may be worked out on lines with these concordance tables given in Department of Pension and Pensioner's Welfare OM No. 38/37/2016-P&PW(A) dated 06.07.2017 based on their notional pay as on 01.01.1986, which was fixed in accordance with this Department's OM No. 45/86/97-P&PW(D)(iii) dated 10.02.1998.

6. The revision of pension and pensionary benefits such as gratuity etc. to those pensioners who retired on or after 01.01.2016 shall be done as per Department of Pension and Pensioner's Welfare O.M. No. 38/37/2016-P&PW(A) (i) dated 04.08.2016. The revision of pension and pensionary benefits such as gratuity etc. are to be made applicable to only those who are already covered with the schemes which are in accordance with the similar schemes for Central Government employees.

7. This order is applicable in only those cases where such pension schemes have already been adopted with prior approval of Government of India/ Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and the benefits was applicable as per Sixth CPC.

8. In case the Council has fixed the pension in a manner different from the above formulations, the same may have to be reworked by the Council and necessary adjustment be made.

9. Any excess payment made on account of incorrect fixation of pension or any other excess payment made shall be adjusted/ recovered against the future payments due or otherwise to the beneficiary.

10. The Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR), New Delhi is hereby advised to review its user charges for increase in its internal revenue generation to take up a part of the pensionary burden.

11. This issues with the approval of the Integrated Finance Division vide its note Diary No. 1025 dated 26.03.2019.

12. Hindi Version will follow.

(SanjayKumar Singh)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source: MHRD

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Allotment of Qualification based Pay Matrix - ECG Technicians in Railways - NFIR

Allotment of Qualification based Pay Matrix - ECG Technicians in Railways - NFIR

NFIR

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI - 110055

Affiliated to :
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF)
No.II/1/2019

Dated: 30/03/2019

The Secretary (E)
Railway Board,
New Delhi.

Dear Sir,
Sub: Allotment of Qualification based Pay Matrix - ECG Technicians in Railways.

Ref: (i) NFIR's PNM item No. 60/2012.
(ii) NFIR's letter No.II/1/Part XI dated 26/09/2016.
(iii) NFIR's letter No. II/1/Part XII dated 23/01/2017.
(iv) Railway Board's letterNo. PC-VII/20161F.-U140 dated 06/0312017 to GS/NFIR.
(v) NFIR's letter No. II/1/Part XII dated 08/11/2017.
(vi) NFIR's letterNo. II/1/2018 dated30/07/2018.
(vii) Railway Board's reply to GS/NFIR vide letter No. PC-VII/2018/R-U/8 dated 14/03/2019 (Item No. 5 of Annexure 'A').

Kind attention is invited to the comments of Railway Board vide Annexure OA of Board's reply dated 14/03/2019, not agreeing for providing cadre structure for ECG Technicians with apex Grade Pay 4200/pay Level-6, on the ground that no specific recommendations have been made by the Pay
commission in favour of ECG Technicians of Railways, the parity between various categories of para- medical staff working in Railway Hospitals/Health Units cannot be made with para-medical or para- medical staff of specified Central Government Hospitals due to functional requirements. These views of the Railway Ministry have been disputed by the Federation earlier, due to being incorrect & unjust and urged upon the Railway Board to take judicious decision to render justice to the ECG Technicians working in Railway Hospitals/Health Units. In this context, Federation's letter dated 26/09/2016 and 30th July, 2018 may kindly be referred to.

Railway Board may also appreciate that the Railway Hospitals mainly Zonal and Divisional Hospitals have been functioning on at Zones and the Divisions. These Railway Hospitals have been providing Cardiac and other important treatments to ailing Railway employees and their family members as indoor patients located in all big cities in the Zones/Divisions. Besides this, job contents of the ECG Technicians and their role/service conditions in these Railway Hospitals is in no way less than the Medical Institutions of National Eminence. It is also relevant to appreciate that most of these Railway Hospitals are having 100 plus bed strength giving all types of treatment to the patients, therefore, the ECG Technicians working in Railway Hospitals cannot be rated inferior to those ECG Technicians working in other National Medical Institutions but rather deserve to be considered atleast on par if not more so far as their pay structure is concerned. In this connection, Railway Board may kindly consider Federation's proposal dated 26/09/2016 & 30/07/2018 (copies enclosed) and take the issue to the nodal Ministry i.e. Ministry of Health and Family welfare with justification for allotment of Pay Level-6 at apex level to the ECG Technician category already placed in the NFIR PNM Agenda Item No. 60/2012.

Another fact which cannot be ignored is that at present the Central Hospitals working on each Zonal Railway have been functioning as Educational Institutions also as the Graduate/Post Graduate Doctors are undergoing DNB, internship etc., and other types of courses before they being awarded Degree. These Railway Hospitals cannot be under-rated in so far as their work culture and responsibilities shouldered by staff are concerned. While several cadres in Railways where entry Grade Pay is 1800/- and 1900/- with direct recruitment qualification being lower than "Graduation" are provided cadre structure upto GP 4200 and in some cases GP 4600, in the case of ECG Technicians where entry qualification is "Graduation in Science plus Diploma/experience" apex Grade Pay 4200/- has not been provided in the existing cadre structure. This is unique case of injustice meted out to the category despite V CPC had given general recommendation for allotment of "qualification based pay scale". The case of ECG Technicians therefore stands on merit for providing improved cadre structure with atleast GP 4200/ Level-6 at apex level of the cadre.

NFIR, therefore, once again requests the Railway Board to kindly review and make out a proposal for obtaining the approval of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and MoF as suggested above.

Yours faithfully,
(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

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Merger of three categories of posts in the Commercial Department viz -Ticket Checking Staff (TC), Commercial Clerk (CC) & Enquiry-cum Reservation Clerk (ECRC)

Merger of three categories of posts in the Commercial Department viz -Ticket Checking Staff (TC), Commercial Clerk (CC) & Enquiry-cum Reservation Clerk (ECRC)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No.E(NG)I/2016/PM 1/12 (Pt.)

New Delhi, dated April 05, 2019

The General Managers (P),
All Zonal Railways/Production Units.
(as per standard mailing list)

Sub: Merger of three categories of posts in the Commercial Department viz -Ticket Checking Staff (TC), Commercial Clerk (CC) & Enquiry-cum Reservation Clerk (ECRC).

As Railways are aware, consequent to the acceptance of the recommendations of the 7th CPC, Railway Board had issued orders vide RBE 28/2018 regarding the merger of Ticket Checking Staff, Commercial Clerks & ECRCs in a phased manner.

It has been observed that implementation of RBE No. 28/2018 has led to reported problems at the field level. The integration of seniority of existing CCs and ECRCs has led to either of the groups feeling aggrieved due to their promotional prospects perceived as getting affected on account of the vacancies in their seniority group being· thrown open to the other category also due to the merger. Nomenclature of the post in GP 4200/- has also been represented against as has the exclusion of only the TC categories from first phase merger.

It was also noted that there were several Court cases pending on this, issue, in various Benches of the Hon’ble CAT – in Ahemdabad, Hydrabad, Jabalpur, Calcutta, Jaiput, Ernakulam, Madras and in the Principal Bench, New Delhi. · In some of these. cases, · interim stay orders on operation of RBE 28/2018 and subsequent actions taken thereon have also been issued.

It has also been noted that implementation of RBE 28/2018 has also not been uniform as reported from various Railways. In some Railways, vacancies that existed as on the date of circulation of the instructions, i.e. 22.02.2018 in the CC or ECRC group were to be filled up exclusively by employees belonging to that group. Only after this was done, the process of merger of the existing cadre to take place. However, this methodology has not been followed in some other Railways where vacancies that existed in the categories of CC and ECRC have not been filled up by the respective seniority groups prior to merger of the existing categories.

Further, subsequent to merger above, general re-allotment of functionalities ordered in some units have triggered staff representation and led to court cases.

In the light of the above developments, the instructions issued vide RBE 28/2018 ibid have been reviewed in consultation with both staff Federations i.e. AIRF & NFIR and the commercial Directorate. Accordingly, while accepting the basic premise of the 7th Pay Commission recommendations that the three Commercial Categories of TC, CC and ECRC would eventually require to be merged, the revised methodology of implementing the same has been worked out and is enclosed herewith as Annexure ‘A’.

The above revised provisions may be brought to the notice of the benches of the Hon’ble CAT wherever cases have been filed in this regard. Wherever, directions of the Hon’ble Court affect implementation of these revised instructions, appropriate action to get these directions revised/lifted to be done before implementation.

It may also be noted that while the methodology implementing merger of cadres would be as in Annexure-A, this would not operate to prevent utilization of existing Commercial staff across functional categories, wherever such utilization is considered inescapable in administrative exigencies.

(P.M.Meena)
Dy. Director-II/E(NG)
Railway Board

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Introduction of SPARROW for CSCS Officials - DoPT Orders 2019

Introduction of SPARROW for CSCS Officials - DoPT Orders 2019

No. 25/6/2018-CS.II(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
(CS.II Division)

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan,
Khan Market, New Delhi - 110003.
Dated: 4th April, 2019.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Introduction of SPARROW for CSCS Officials.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. No. 22- 15/2018-CS-I (APAR) dated 1st June, 2018 wherein it was decided to extend the online recording of APAR on SPARROW to all the officials of CSCS from the FY 2018-2019.

2. NIC has informed that the website enabling online filing of APAR for CSCS officials has been made live and is accessible through https://sparrow-cscs.eoffice.gov.in/

3. The Ministries/Departments are required to send details in respect of officers to be reported upon (ORU) in the proforma annexed if not already sent to this Similarly, particulars in respect of various functionaries to perform roles of the custodian, PAR Manager, EMD may also be provided.

4. It may be ensured that all the ORUs have either been provided DSC or e‑sign facility for submission of online APAR on SPARROW.

5. For providing assistance to the Ministries/Departments a helpline has been set up and may be contacted for guidance/ clarification:‑

(i) Smt. Sheema Chakraborty, S.O.
(ii) Shri Balram Yadav, ASO.
Tel No:- 011-24625816.
e-mail l.D:- balram.y13@nic.in

(Chirabrata Sarkar)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
Tel. No: 24623157

Source: DoPT

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Scheme Preference under NPS for Central Government Subscribers - FAQ

Scheme Preference under NPS for Central Government Subscribers - FAQ


Is the choice of Pension Fund and Investment Pattern available for Subscriber under Tier I?
As per Ministry of Finance Gazette Notification dated January 31, 2019, the Central Government Subscribers, from April 1, 2019, will have the option of selecting the Pension Funds (PFs) and Investment Pattern in Tier I account. A Subscriber can choose anyone of the available PFs and Investment Option as per their choice. If the choice is not exercised by the Sub scriber, NPS contributions will be invested in the existing schemes - LIC, SBI and UTI will act jointly as default P Fs as per the guidelines issued by the Government of India/ PFRDA. For more details on 'Investment Option ', please refer 'Information on Scheme Preference' available on CRA website (www.npscra.nsdl.co.in).

Is the choice o f Pension Fund and Investment Pattern can be exercised at the time of registration under NPS?
Yes, a Subscriber is allowed to select the Pens ion Fund and Investment Pattern as per his/ her choice at the time of registration under NPS. The Subscriber is required to provide the relevant details in the Subscriber Registration Form (CSRF).

What are the Investment Options available for Subscriber under Tier I?
The Subscriber can select anyone of the following investment schemes:

• Scheme G - 100% of contribution will be invested in Government Bonds and related instruments.
• Scheme LC 25 - It is the Life cycle fund w here the Cap to Equity investments is 25% of the total asset.
• Scheme LC 50 - It is the Life cycle fund w here the Cap to Equity investments is 50% of the total asset.

If the choice is not exercised by tile Subscriber, NPS contributions will be invested in the existing schemes - LIC, SBI a/ld UTI as per the guidelines issued by the Government of India/ PFRDA. For more details on 'Investment Option', please refer 'Information on Scheme Preference' available on CRA Website (www.npscra.nsdl.co.in).

How can a Subscriber change a Scheme Preference?
There are two options available to the Subscriber - Online as well as offline.
Online: The Subscriber can change Scheme Preference online through his/her NPS account log-in.

Subscriber Call follow the simple steps as given below :

a. Go to your NPS account and log-in .
b. Click on sub menu "Scheme Preference Change" under main menu "Transaction".
c. Select Tier type and Change the Scheme Preference as you intended to do.

Alternatively, the Subscriber can also submit physical request (Form GOS-S3) to his/her associated Nodal Office. The form GOS-S3 can be freely downloaded from CRA Website. On receipt of physical request, the Nodal Office will update the Scheme Preference in the CRA system.

How many times a Subscriber can change 'Scheme Preference' ?
Yes, you have the option to change your Pension Fund manager. At present, the Subscriber can change the Pension Fund Manager once in a Financial Year.

'What will happen to the contributions accumulated in NPS account till March 31,2019?
The legacy contributions i.e. contributions accumulated in NPS account till March 31,2019 will remain invested in the existing schemes - LIC, SBI and UTI will act jointly as default PFs as per the guidelines issued by the Government of India (GOI)/ PFRDA. Redemption and transfer of accumulated contributions will be carried out once guidelines and modalities are provided by GOI/ PFRDA.

Will there be any change in the Transaction Statement?
Yes. Transaction Statement will undergo a change for the PRANs having legacy contributions i.e. contributions accumulated in NPS account till March 31, 2019. For the Subscribers who have opted new schemes, the Investment details of the legacy schemes, and of the new scheme will be shown it two separate tables in the Transaction Statement.

Whether Subscriber can select 'Scheme Preference' at the time of shifting to Central Government?
The Subscriber will have the option of selecting the Pension Funds (PFs) and Investment Pattern in Tier I account at the time of shifting to Central Government. The Subscriber is required to provide the relevant details in Inter Sector Shifting (ISS) Form.

Whether a Non-IRA Subscriber can change 'Scheme Preference' under NPS?
At present, Non-IRA Subscribers do not have the option of 'Scheme Preference' change. A Non-IRA Subscriber should first submit the physical registration form to become an IRA compliant Subscriber. Once he / she becomes IRA, the Subscriber can change the Scheme Preference .

Is the choice of Pension Fund and Investment Pattern available for Subscribers under Central Autonomous Bodies (CABs)?
At present, the Subscribers under CABs do no t have the option of selection of Pension Fund and Investment Pattern under NPS. In case of CABs, NPS contributions will be invested in the existing schemes - LIC, SBI and UTI as per the guidelines issued by the Government of India / PFRDA.

Via : NPS

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Induction of Female employees in Railway and other Central Government Departments

Induction of Female employees in Railway and other Central Government Departments.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No.E(NG)I-2015/TR/10 Pt

New Delhi dated 02.04.2019

The General Secretary,
NFIR,
3, Chelmsford Road,
New Delhi-110055.

Sub: Induction of Female employees in Railway and other Central Government Departments - reg.

Dear Sir,
The undersigned is directed to refer to NFIR's letter No. II/1/2019 dated 29.01.2019 on the above subject and to state that there is no ban in place against recruitment of female candidates to Track Maintainers Category though admittedly the nature of the job and working conditions are strenuous/tough. Notifications for Level-1 recruitment are underway in which a significant portion is for Track Maintainers. With finalization of above 2 recruitments ( CEN 02/2018 & CEN1/RRC/2019), position should ease and transfers of eligible Trackmen to other department as provided for in rules should be able to be effected without problems.

It is hoped that the Federation would appreciate the position.

Yours faithfully,
For Secretary, Railway Board.

Source: NFIR

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