Submission of Life Certificate by National Pension system – Additional Relief (NPS-AR) pensioner through Jeevan Pramaan: Guidelines by CPAO

Submission of Life Certificate by National Pension system – Additional Relief (NPS-AR) pensioner through Jeevan Pramaan: Guidelines by CPAO

CPAO

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE
CENTRAL PENSION ACCOUNTING OFFICE
TRIKOOT, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE,
NEW DELHI 110066

CPAO/ Data Bank/ Life Certificate/ OM/2020‐ 21/360

dated: 11.01.2021

Office Memorandum

Subject : Submission of Life Certificate by NPS-AR pensioner through Jeevan Pramaan.

The Central Pension Accounting Office is Pension Disbursing Authority for National Pension system- Additional Relief (NPS–AR). The NPS-AR pensioners are required to submit Life Certificate in the month of November every year for continuation of the pension. Life Certificates are sent to CPAO through the Bank Branches of the pensioners, where the pensioners maintain their pension accounts.

2. A new interface (Aadhar based) for submission of Life Certificate has been developed in Jeevan Pramaan for NPS-AR pensioners and this interface is now live for submission of Digital Life Certificate (DLC] through Jeevan Pramaan. Now NPS-AR pensioners can submit their Life Certificate through Jeevan Pramaan. The Jeevan Pramaan User Manual for uploading Digital Life Certificate is attaching herewith.

Huge relief to CAPF personnel to extend Disability Compensation – Employees covered under NPS will get benefits under Rule 9 of Extra Ordinary Pension (EOP)

Huge relief to CAPF personnel to extend Disability Compensation – Employees covered under NPS will get benefits under Rule 9 of Extra Ordinary Pension (EOP)

• Huge relief to CAPF personnel to extend Disability Compensation – Employees covered under NPS will get benefits under Rule 9 of Extra Ordinary Pension (EOP)

This issue with the approval of Chief Controller (Pension).

(Satish Kumar Garg)
Sr. Accounts Officer, CPAO

Download Life Certificate User Manual – Jeevan Pramaan – CPAO

NPS AR pensioner Jeevan Pramaan

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NPS to OPS Contract for Old Pension Scheme – Rajya Sabha

NPS to OPS

Contract for Old Pension Scheme – Rajya Sabha

National Pension System (NPS) was introduced for Central Government employees by a Notification of Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) dated 22nd December, 2003. NPS is mandatory for all new recruits to the Central Government service from 1st January, 2004 (except the armed forces). However, in some specific court cases, like WP(C) No. 3834/2013 titled Permanand Yadav Vs. Union of India and WP(C) No. 2810/2016 viz.Rajendra Singh Vs. Union of India, where the selection of candidates had been made before 01.01.2004 but their actual appointment in the Government service could be made on or after 01.01.2004 due to various reasons, on the direction of the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi, the benefit of Old Pension Scheme was allowed to the petitioners.

After considering all the relevant aspects and to extend the benefit to similarly placed Government servants in order to reduce further litigation, the Government has decided, vide an Office Memorandum No. 57/04/2019-P&PW(B) dated 17th February, 2020 of the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, that in all cases where the results for recruitment were declared before 01.01.2004 against vacancies occurring on or before 31.12.2003, the candidates declared successful for recruitment shall be eligible for coverage under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972. Accordingly, such Government servants who were declared successful for recruitment in the results declared on or before 31.12.2003 against vacancies occurring before 01.01.2004 and covered under the National Pension System on joining service on or after 01.01.2004, may be given a one – time option to be covered under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972.

The advertisements issued before the introduction of the National Pension System may or may not have contained a clause regarding the pension scheme applicable to the selected candidates. In its order dated 27.03.2019 in W.P.(C) 10306/2016 – Union of India & others versus Dr. Narayan Rao Battu& another, Hon’ble High Court of Delhi observed that since the new pension scheme was in effect and a policy decision had already been taken to make the said scheme applicable to all incumbents joining government service on or after 01.01.2004, the Respondent, who was appointed on 25.02.2005, cannot claim the right to be covered by the old pension scheme, merely because the vacancy against which he was appointed was initially advertised at a time when the old pension scheme was in force. Hon’ble Court also observed that once the new pension scheme unambiguously and specifically provided that since all incoming office bearers, whose date of appointment is on or after 01.01.2004, would be governed by the new pension scheme, no reference can be made to either the date of vacancy, or the date of advertisement.

In view of the specific provisions of the Notification dated 22.12.2003, the date of advertisement for the vacancies or the date of examination for selection against those vacancies is not considered relevant for determining the eligibility for coverage under the Old Pension Scheme or the National Pension System. There is no proposal to revise the orders issued vide aforesaid Office Memorandum dated 17.02.2020.

This information was given by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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PFRDA pledges to contribute to PM-CARES Fund to help fight COVID-19 outbreak

PFRDA

PFRDA pledges to contribute to PM-CARES Fund to help fight COVID-19 outbreak

01 APR 2020

The pension sector regulator Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has pledged to contribute a part of the employee’s salary to the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) Fund, instituted recently under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to assist and provide relief measures to the citizens of the country following the global outbreak of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Alike other Government institutions, industry leaders, celebrities, individuals, PFRDA employees have decided to contribute part of their salary and PFRDA is committed to assist the government in its fight against the pandemic in India.

Shri Supratim Bandyopadhyay, Chairman PFRDA said “This is one of the most challenging period that our country is facing today. At this moment what matters most is sharing the responsibility of fight against coronavirus (COVID-19) in every way possible. The PFRDA is perceptive of the implications of this pandemic situation and would like to contribute towards the fight of this crisis”.

About PFRDA

Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) is the statutory Authority established by an enactment of the Parliament, to regulate, promote and ensure orderly growth of the National Pension System (NPS) and pension schemes to which this Act applies. NPS was initially notified for central government employees joining service on or after 1st Jan 2004 and subsequently adopted by almost all State Governments for its employees. NPS was extended to all Indian citizens (resident/non-resident/overseas) on a voluntary basis and to corporates for its employees.

As on 31st March 2020, the total number of subscribers under NPS and Atal Pension Yojana has crossed 3.45 crores and the Asset under Management (AUM) has grown to Rs 4,17,478 crores. More than 68 lakhs government employees have been enrolled under NPS and 22 lakhs subscribers have subscribed to NPS in the private sector with 7,568 entities registered as corporates. More than 2.11 crores subscribers are presently covered under the GoI guaranteed pension scheme - Atal Pension Yojana.

PIB

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Benefit of gratuity in respect of Railway employees covered under NPS

Benefit of gratuity in respect of Railway employees covered under NPS

NPS

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)

RBE No.29/2020

No. F(E)HI/2005/PN1/35

New Delhi, Dated : 04.o3.2020

The GMs/ Principal Financial Advisors,
All Zonal Railways/ Production Units,
(As per mailing list)

Subject: Counting of service on joining new service in State Government / Central Government / Autonomous Body for the benefit of gratuity in respect of Railway employees covered under National Pension System (NPS).

A copy of Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DOP&PW’s) O.M. No. 7/5/2012-P&PW(F)/B dated 12th February, 2020 is enclosed herewith for compliance and guidance. These instructions shall apply mutatis mutandis on the Railways also. Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 correspond to the Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993.

The Railway Board’s instructions corresponding to the DOP&PW’s instructions referred to in their aforesaid O.M. dated 12th February, 2020 are given under :-

S. No.	DOP & PW’s instructions	Railway Board’s corresponding instructions.
1.	O.M. No. 38/41/06 -P&PW(A) dated 05.05.2009	Letter No. 2008/ AC-II/21/19 dated 29.05.2009.
2.	O.M. No.7/5/2012 -P&PW(F)/B dated 26.08.2016	Letter No. 2012/ F(E)III/1(1)/4 dated 05.09.2016.

(G. Priya Sudarsani)
Director, Finance (Estt.)
Railway Board.

D.A.: as above

No. F(E)III/2005/PN1/35

New Delhi, dated: 04 . 03.2020.

Copy to Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General of India (Railways), Room No. 224, Rail Bhawan, New Delhi.

For Financial Commissioner / Railways

NPS - Grant of Additional Benefits on death / disability of Central Government Servants covered under National Pension System

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Coverage under Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993, in place of National Pension System, of those Railway employees

NPS

RBE No. 28/2020

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. D-43/12/2018-F(E)III

New Delhi, Dated : 03.03.2020

The GMs/ Principal Financial Advisors,
All Zonal Railways/ Production Units,
(As per mailing list)

Subject: Coverage under Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993, in place of National Pension System, of those Railway employees whose selection for appointment was finalized before 01.01.2004 but who joined Railway service on or after 01.01.2004.

Also check: Good news for NPS employees

A copy of Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DOP&PW’s) O.M. No. 57/04/2019-P&PW(B) dated 171 h February, 2020 is enclosed herewith for compliance and guidance. These instructions shall apply mutatis mutandis on the Railways also. Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 correspond to the Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993. The Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance’s Notification No. 5n/2003-ECB &PR dated 22.12.2003, mentioned in the DOP&PW’s O.M. dated 17.02.2020, has been circulated on Railways vide this office’s letter No. F(E)III/2003/PN 1/24 dated 31.12.2003.

Also check: Progress of National Pension System by Railway Board Minutes of meetings

Similar to the amendments made in the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 and other connected rules, as mentioned in para 1 of the DOP&PW’s O.M. dated 17.02.2020, the Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993 and other connected rules were also amended vide Notification No. F(E)III/ 2003/PN1/38 dated 30.12.2003.

NPS: Additional benefit on death/disability of Government servant covered by NPS

Further, separate instructions with respect to para 9 of the DOP&PW’s O.M. dated 17.02.2020 will be issued by the Accounts Directorate for accountal of the corpus available in the NPS account of the railway servant.

D.A.: as above

(G. Priya Sudarsani)
Director, Finance (Estt.)

Railway Board

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NPS - Additional Benefits on death / disability of Government Servants

NPS - Additional Benefits on death / disability of Government Servants

EAST COAST RAILWAY

Grant of Additional Benefits on death/disability of Government Servants covered under National Pension System (NPS) - Railway Board RBE No. 08/2020 No. D-43/4/2018- F(E)III dated 20.01.2020.

RBE No. 08/2020

Government of India
Ministry of Railways
(Railway Board)

No. D-43/4/2018-F(E)III

New Delhi, Dated 20.01.2020

The General Managers/ Principal Financial Advisory,
All Zonal Railways/ Production Units

Sub:- Grant of Additional Benefits on death / disability of Government Servants covered under National Pension System (NPS) - reg

Attention is invited to Board’s letter No. 2008/AC-II/21/19 dated 29.05.2009 vide which instructions were issued providing for additional relief on death/disability of Government servants covered by New Defined Contribution Pension System (NPS). Instructions issued vide letter ibid will be applicable to those Government Servants who joined Government Service on or after 01.01.2004 and will take effect from the same date i.e. 01.01.2004. Further, attention is invited to the letter No. 2016/F(E)III/1(1)/3 dated 27.05.2016 vide which Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Exits and Withdrawals under NPS) Regulation, 2015 notified vide Gazette notification dated 11.05.2015 was adopted and circulated on Railways. It is prescribed in these regulations that if the subscriber or the family members of the deceased subscriber, upon his death, avails the option of additional relief on seek transfer of the entire accumulated pension wealth of subscriber to itself.

Also check: Good news for NPS employees

2. References were received in this office seeking clarification whether the rule allowing option for drawl of pension/ family pension, instead of NPS corpus, is also applicable retrospectively for the cases where corpus of NPS has already been paid to the deceased employee’s legal heirs before issue of board’s letter No. 2008/AC-II/21/19 dated 29.05.2009. If the date of application of additional benefit is retrospective, whether it is from the date the employee deceased or from the date of issue of Board’s letter dated 29.05.2009. Also, whether the arrears of pension/family pension is to be paid (upon surrender of NPS Corpus) or not, and the amount is likely to be huge which would impact the Railway Finances. Clarification was, also, sought whether the interest on the corpus is to be charged from the date of payment of corpus amount till the date of is surrender and if so, at what rate.

3. The above issue has been examined in consultation with Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DOP&PW), the nodal Department of pensioner matters. DOP&PW has clarified that Railway servant/ family member in the case of death of railway servant of his discharge from service on account of invalidation/ disability, is entitled to pension/ family pension under old pension scheme under Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993, if the Railway servant/ Family wants to. DOP&PW have, further, clarified that the entire accumulated pension funds under NPS may be recovered from him/family with interest for the period from the date of receipt of entire accumulated pension wealth to the subscriber under NPS to the date of refund to the Government at the rate and manner applicable to GPF deposits from time to time.

4. The aforesaid clarification may be kept in view while dealing with cases covered under National Pension System (NPS).

sd/-
(G. Priya Sudarsani)
Director, Finance (Estt.)
Railway Board

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Enrollment of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) in National Pension System (NPS)

Enrollment of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) in National Pension System (NPS)

PENSION FUND REGULATORY AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
B-14/A, Chhatrapati Shivaji Bhawan,
Qutub Institutional Area,
Katwaria Sarai, New Delhi-110016

No: PFRDA/2019/24/PDES/5

Date: 17th December 2019

Circular

Subject: Clarification - Enrollment of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) in NPS.

1. This is in continuation to the Circular No: PFRDA/2019/19 /PDES/3 dated 29th Oct, 2019 on the above subject whereby the Authority permitted Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) to enroll in National Pension System (NPS) at par with Non-Resident Indians (NRI).
2. Based on the communication received from Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), it is hereby clarified that Annuity payable by ASPs to NRIs and OCIs will be taxed at source, at rates applicable as per the DTAA (Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements) of the country where the annuitant resides.
3. Hence the intermediaries including Annuity Service Providers (ASPs) are required to display/ convey to the prospective and existing subscribers that ‘Annuities payable to NRI/ OCI are subject to TDS and ‘repatriation of the corpus, if any, will be subject to applicable laws and regulatory provisions of IRDAI/ PFRDA/ RBI in their relevant marketing materials / website(s) / brochures / communications.

Also check: Good news for NPS employees

Mono MG Phukon
(General Manager)

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Pension Hike Latest News: Minimum monthly pension of Rs. 3000 after attaining the age of 60 years

Pension Hike Latest News: Minimum monthly pension of Rs. 3000 after attaining the age of 60 years

Ministry of Labour & Employment
Hike in Pension

25 NOV 2019

Government of India in February, 2019 launched Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM), a voluntary and contributory pension Scheme, for the benefit of unorganized workers, as per eligibility. The scheme assures minimum monthly pension of Rs. 3000 to the beneficiaries after attaining the age of 60 years. All unorganized workers, in the age group of 18-40 years, whose monthly income is up to Rs. 15,000 and who are not members of Employees’ Provident Fund Organization or Employees’ State Insurance Corporation or National Pension System (Government contributed) and are also not income tax payers, are eligible to enroll under the Scheme. The subscriber is required to pay the prescribed monthly contribution amount and the Central Government provides the equal matching contribution. This Scheme is implemented through Life Insurance Corporation of India. Enrollment under the Scheme can be done through any of the Common Service Centres across the country.

Also check: Hike Pensioners pay who is at the age of 80 yrs and above of Maharashtra Pensioners from 1.1.2019

Further, vide notification No. G.S.R. 593 (E) dated 19.08.2014, a minimum pension of Rs. 1000 per month has been fixed with effect from 01.09.2014 for the pensioners under Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), 1995 framed under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, applicable to establishments which belong to industries and classes of establishments listed in Schedule-I and where number of employees is 20 or more. No decision has been taken at present to further enhance the minimum pension under EPS, 1995.

Further, Atal Pension Yojana (APY) was launched in May, 2015, by the Government of India, and Indian Citizens between the age group of 18 to 40 years are eligible to join APY through their savings bank account or post office savings bank account. Depending upon the pension plan selected, each subscriber under APY shall receive a guaranteed minimum pension of Rs. 1000/- per month or Rs. 2000/- per month or Rs. 3000/- per month or Rs. 4000/- per month or Rs. 5000/- per month, after the age of 60 years until his/her death.

This information was given by Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar Union Minister of State (I/C) for Labour and Employment in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

PIB

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NPS - State government conference about benefits of National Pension System by PFRDA

NPS

NPS - State government conference about benefits of National Pension System by PFRDA

PENSION FUND REGULATORY AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

PRESS RELEASE

Conference on Implementation of National Pension System by State Governments

A conference on implementation of National Pension System by State Governments was organized by PFRDA on 10th Sept 2018 at IHC, New Delhi. The prime objective was to provide a forum to all State Governments, where the progress in the implementation of NPS with respect to compliance of timelines in various NPS related activities could be brought to the fore and a way forward could be provided. Higher officials from all State Governments attended the conference.

Also check: National Pension System (NPS) : PFRDA

Dr. Badri Singh Bhandari, Whole Time Member (Economics) in his opening address informed the state government officials about the features and benefits of NPS and various initiatives undertaken by PFRDA. He emphasised the use of online generation of PRAN, dashboard facility for effective monitoring of nodal officers and timely submission of subscriber registration forms and regular remittance of subscriber contribution. He reiterated about the issuance of guidelines by State Governments regarding procedure and timelines to be followed by State Governments for registration of new employees, upload of SCFs and remittance of the NPS contributions. He also touched upon the need of resolving pending grievances and withdrawals on priority by the nodal officers.
Sh. Ajay Narayan Jha, Secretary, Dept of Expenditure, Govt. of India in his address stated that the need of contributory system of pension arose due to the twin objectives to ensure fiscal prudence and secure old age income security in the country. Fiscally strong States are important for progress and development as the pension liabilities of the government has been increasing in terms of proportion of GDP. He advised participating State Governments to monitor the performance of NPS implementation with respect to timely completion of NPS related activities at nodal office level.

Read more on NPS - National Pension Scheme - CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

Chairman, PFRDA, Sh. Hemant G. Contractor, emphasized on the need for the government officials to be aware of the determinants of pension. NPS, being a contributory and market driven scheme, is different from the earlier pension system in the government, which was a formula based PAYG (Pay As You Go) scheme. In NPS, pension is dependent on various factors, such as the contribution amount, period of contribution, regularity in remittances, returns on investment, withdrawals, deferment options and choice of annuity. He urged the State governments to adopt online PRAN generation Module (OPGM) and to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of NPS. He also urged State Governments to ensure extending choices similar to those available to non-government subscribers and also to frame Rules for the guidance of government staff handling NPS in the States.
Quite a few presentations were made by various stakeholders under NPS for the benefit of the participants. As on 31st August, 2018, 28 States have implemented NPS and there are 32.51 Lakh subscribers with asset under management of Rs 1,16,227.49 Cr.

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NPS - Progress of National Pension System by Railway Board Minutes of meetings

NPS

NPS - Progress of National Pension System by Railway Board Minutes of meetings

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

RBA No. 82/2019

No. 2018/AC-II/21/3
New Delhi, dated: 12.09.2019

PFAs and PCPOs,
All Indian Railways and PUs
Sub: Minutes of meeting of Board (FC & MS) with Dy. CAOs and Dy. CPOs of all Zonal Railways and Production Units held on 04.09.2019 and 05.09.2019 in Board's office.
Minutes of the meeting held on 4th and 5th September, 2019 in Railway Board's office is enclosed for in formation and necessary action.

DA: As above
(Anjali Goyal)
Pr. Executive Director/ Accounts
Railway Board

Also check: Minutes of meeting of Railway Board with PFAs and PCPOs: NPS and Pension Revision Issues

Minutes of meeting of Board (FC & MS) with Dy. CAOs and Dy. CPOs of all Zonal Railways and Production Units held on 04.09.2019 and 05.09.2019 in Board’s office

Significant debates and resolution

NPS contribution being deducted from salary without PRAN:
As per information obtained from IPAS, there were 1024 employees without PRAN from whom NPS deductions were made from salary in the month of July, 2019. Of these, 415 cases were in SCR, 404 cases in SWR and 119 cases in CR. This implies that the NPS recoveries in these cases would lie in the suspense and will lead to loss of interest to subscribers, which will have to be borne by the Railways. This position is available to the Railways
Action:

• PED/A desired that IPAS exception reports should be viewed and acted upon by all Railways
• All these cases may be reviewed, PRAN generated at the earliest, subscription remitted to the Trustee Bank forthwith.

Number of PRANs without Nomination and Mobile details

There are 35025 PRANs with nomination details and 44553 PRANS without Mobile No. Non-availability of Nomination details will delay settlement in case of Death of a Subscriber.
Action:

• Mobile number has been made mandatory in CSR Form. For old cases, DDO/ PAO should insist on providing the same with the help of WLI. Subscribers should be educated about importance of having nomination and mobile no. in their PRANs.
• Nomination and Mobile no. should be collected from every subscriber and updated immediately.
• As a onetime effort, the Mobile numbers and email ids of these subscribers can be forwarded to NSDL for back end updation.

Check Latest News on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

Subscriber Coverage:

There is substantial gap in no. of registered subscribers and those receiving credits viz. ECR - 83.06%, NR - 87.56% and NER and SCR 89%.
Action:

• DDOs/ PAOs should ensure all the registered subscribers are receiving regular contribution credits
• SCFs uploaded should get matched and booked in the CRA system. Cancelled SCFs need to be re-uploaded on time.
• The regular monthly contributions should be uploaded as “regular” and arrear contributions as “arrear”.

Withdrawal requests pending for purchase of annuity

There are 634 cases where the subscriber has not chosen the Pension plan.
Action:

• Employees that have exited should be asked to make the option.
  Necessary informatory Youtube videos about the various pension plans are available.
• Links of these videos are at Annexure -2. Railways/Units may arrange to broadcast these for the benefit of the subscriber/retirees.
• NSDL offered training session for subscribers as well as Railway officals (Accounts & Personnel), on various aspects of NPS. Request for the same can be sent to NSDL under intimation to Railway Board For any queries/ assistance, PAOs may send an email to npsclaimassist@nsdl.co.in.

STATUS OF PENDING PENSION/FAMILY PENSION under NPS

• Railway Board had directed Railways to send information on pending cases of pension and family pension in MCDO to FC. The information in not forthcoming from all the Railways. Submission of this information may kindly be ensured.
• Further, it is noticed that several requests for family pension by family members of deceased NPS subscribers are pending on Railways mainly for want of documents from beneficiaries. This issue is being raised by Union/Federations and also by the beneficiaries in various forums.
• Complaints are also received regarding non-revision of NPS pension as per recommendation of 7th CPC
• Railways may review the pending position and ensure clearance thereof in a time bound manner.

Conclusion:

All Railways will ensure necessary action on the deficiencies discussed above and send an action taken report by 15th Oct., 2019 under signature of FA&CAO in charge of NPS.

Source: Indian railways

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NPS Booking of expenditure towards Interest on delayed / non- deposit of National Pension System Contributions

NPS

Booking of expenditure towards Interest on delayed / non- deposit of National Pension System (NPS) Contributions

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

RBA No. 78 /2019

No. 2019//\C-l l / 21/6

New Delhi, dated 05.09.2019

1. General Managers/ FA & CAOs etc (As per standard List 1)
2. All attached offices/ Subordinates offices (As per standard List II)

Sub: Booking of expenditure towards Interest on delayed/non- deposit of National Pension System (NPS) Contributions.

Advanced Correction Slip No. 144 modifying/ introducing the existing/new detailed head under Sub Major Head 11 (erstwhile D.No. 13/Abstract 0) for booking of Revenue expenditure towards Interest on delayed /non-deposit of NPS Contributions and introduction of new Primary Unit for booking Interest on delayed/non-deposit of NPS contribution in both Revenue and Capital Expenditure i n Indian Railway finance Code Vol. I I (Second Reprint 2008) is enclosed for necessary
Contents of the correction slip may please be circulated suitably. Kindly acknowledge receipt.
DA: As above.

(Sanjeev Sharma)
Director Finance/ Accounts
Railway Board

Advance Correction Slip No. 144
Indian Railway Finance Code Vol. II (Reprint Edition 2008)

I. Please modify /introduce the detailed head under Sub Major Head 11 (erstwhile Demand No. 13/Abstract O) as under:

Minor Head
100 Govt. Contribution for Defined Contribution Pension Scheme

Sub Head
110 Govt Contribution for Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and Interest

Detailed Head
111 Government Contribution for Defined Contribution Pension Scheme.112 Interest on delayed/non-deposit of NPS Contribution

II. Please introduce the following new Primary Unit for booking interest on delayed/ Non-deposit of N PS contributions under Revenue classification.

54 Interest on delayed/non-deposit of NPS contribution
III. Please introduce the following new Primary Unit for booking interest on delayed/ Non-deposit of NPS contributions under Capital classification.

54 Interest on delayed/non-deposit of NPS contribution

Note:

i. Expenditure on interest on delayed/non-deposit of NPS contributions in case of Capital portion (Construction and Production Units) establishment shall be booked to Primary Unit 54 - Interest on delayed/ non-deposit of NPS contributions under expenditure head to which Government Contribution to Defined Pension Scheme is being charged .

ii. Expenditure on interest on delayed/non-deposit of NPS contributions under Major Head 3001 (erstwhile Demand No. 1& 2) will be booked under Primary Unit 54 - Interest on delayed/ non-deposit of NPS contributions.

(Authority : Board's Letter No. 2019/ AC-11/ 21/6 dated 05.09.2019)

Source: Railway Board

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Pending demands of Central Government Employees - One day Hunger Strike on 14.10.2019

Pending demands of Central Government Employees - One day Hunger Strike on 14.10.2019

BPMS

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)

REF: BPMS/ Cir/18th TC/ 17

Dated: 04.09.2019

To,
The Office Bearers & CEC Members
Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh
&
The General Secretaries/ Presidents
Unions affiliated to this federation

Subject: One day Hunger Strike on 14.10.2019 at Atal Samadhi (Sadaiv Atal), Delhi.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Sadar Namaskar,

I hope all of you are quite well and busy in accelerating trade union activities to uplift the organization. It is for your kind information that Government Employees National Confederation has decided to conduct one day Hunger Strike on 14.10.2019 from 10:30 hrs to 15:30 hrs at Atal Samadhi (Sadaiv Atal), Near Rajghat, Delhi for various burning issues/ pending demands of Government employees like-

• Eradication of unemployment and filling of vacant posts through permanent employees in various offices/ establishments of Central/ States/ Autonomous Bodies
• Corruption free Government Departments
• No efforts should be made regarding corporatization of establishments of Defence/ Railway/ Postal or any other Government Department
• Restoration of Old Pension Scheme/ Removal of New Pension Scheme Extension of slab for Nil income tax liability upto 8 lakh
• Calculation limit of Bonus should be extended upto 18000 based on recommendation of 7th CPC on Minimum Pay
• Total abolition of Contract Worker System/ Outsourcing System for job of permanent nature in all Govt Departments
• All Allowance should be paid as per 7th CPC recommendations from 01.01.2016
• All employees of State Govt/ Autonomous Bodies should be granted Pay Structure of Central Government, wherever it is less beneficial to the Pay Structure of Central Government etc.

All the unions are requested to mark its presence by at least 5 members so that the hunger strike may be made successful.

With regards,

Brotherly Yours

(Mukesh Singh)
General Secretary

Source: Central Government Employees News

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NPS – National Pension System Trust will restart recovering administrative charges and expenses @ 0.005 per cent per annum

NPS – National Pension System Trust will restart recovering administrative charges and expenses @ 0.005 per cent per annum

NPS Trust

National Pension System Trust

Notice to subscribers

It is brought to the notice of all subscribers under National Pension System that, as approved by the Pension Fund Regulatory and development Authority, NPS Trust will restart recovering administrative charges / expenses @ 0.005% per annum of the Asset under Management (AUM) on saily accural basis to meet is expenditure.The Same will be effective from 01/08/2019.

(Akilesh Kumar)

General Manager

New Delhi
Date: 26/07/2019

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Introduction of NPS oversight mechanism

Introduction of NPS oversight mechanism

No. 1(24)/EV/2016

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Expenditure

New Delhi, the 2nd July, 2019

Office Memorandum

Subject: Introduction of NPS oversight mechanism.

The undersigned is directed to say that the Committee, as set-up by Department of Financial Services in terms of their OM No. 1/3/2016-PR dt. 21.10.2016 under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Pension) and comprising Secretary, Department of Financial Services and Secretary (Department of Personnel and Training), had submitted its report on 28.2.2018, containing its recommendations for streamlining implementation of the National Pension System (NPS).

2. One of the recommendations contained in para 8.7.1 of its report relating to grievance redressal is as under:-

“Three-tiered NPS oversight mechanism of the DDO/Head of Office, Joint Secretary (Admin)/Chief Controller of Accounts and the Financial Advisor set up vide Department of Expenditure’s OM No.1(2)/EV/2008, dated 03.02.209 may be strengthened/streamlined to monitor grievances as well as timely registration and credit of contributions to subscribes’ accounts. Fresh instructions to this effect and for strict compliance of instructions may be issued by Department of Expenditure.”

3. In the OM of this Department No. 1(2)/EV/2008 dated 3.2.2009, it was provided, inter-alia, that Ministries/Departments may constitute a Committee headed by J5 (Admin) and Principal CCA/CCA to monitor registration/regular upload of data and transfer of NPS contributions in respect of Central Government employees to ensure that no delay therein occurs. Subsequently, in terms of instructions of this Department vide OM No. 1(5)/EV/2011 dated 10.7.2011 the Committee was broad-based to include the concerned Financial Advisors and the said instructions dt. 10.7.011 also provided, inter-alia, that the implementation of NPS, with its various attendant parameters, in each Central Ministry/Department, shall be a “key performance area” of the Financial Advisors.

4. The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare, which is the nodal Department in respect of pension related matters of Central Government employees, is separately in the process of framing statutory rules to regulate the matters of National Pension System in case of Central Government employees. These Rules would also cover the issue relating to timely credit of contributions of Central Government employees and the Central Government, as deducted from the salaries of the concerned Government employee, to NPS architecture.

5. However, since timely credit of deduction made from the salary of Central Government employees towards their contribution to NP5, as also the applicable contribution of the Central Government, to the NP5 financial architecture is of paramount importance for availability of due and timely returns thereon towards generation of pension corpus, it has been decided that a Committee in each Ministry/Department shall be constituted as under to ensure oversight over the NPS contributions crediting:-

(i) Financial Advisor – Head of the Committee
(ii) Joint Secretary (Administration)
(iii) Principal CCA/CCA
(iv) The concerned Head of the office
(v) The concerned DDO

6. The Committee shall be responsible for the following actions:-

(i) Ensuring that the contribution of employees and the Government are credited without delay to the NPS financial architecture both in case of existing employees and employees newly recruited from time to time and the existing system and procedure being followed for the purpose shall be monitored effectively to ensure that no delay in credit of the contributions takes place.

(ii) Ensuring that in case any grievance by any employee is received in regard to delay in credit of contribution, either directly from the employee or through PFIZDA, the same has been looked into and disposed of in a manner to the satisfaction of the concerned employee.

(iii) Any other matter as having a bearing on the issue of crediting/remittance
of NPS contributions.

(iv) The Committee shall devise its own mechanism as also appropriate checks & balances to ensure that NP5 contributions are credited on time in respect of all employees under NPS system.

(v) The Committee shall meet at least once in 3 months to review the progress and in case any slippages are noticed, it shall take immediate corrective action. However, the concerned Principal CCAI CCA shall keep a watch over the progress on a regular basis.

7. While the above Committee shall be set-up in each Ministry/Department, appropriate mechanism for keeping a watch in respect of attached and subordinate offices under that Ministry/Department shall be put in place by the concerned Financial Advisor, so that the overall oversight in respect of the entire Ministry/Department as a whole is exercised by the Committee as mentioned in para 5 above.

8. The concerned Financial Advisor shall send a status report every six month to the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare about the result of the monitoring carried out through the above oversight mechanism with concluding remarks whether the NPS contributions are being credited on time and in case of any slippages, the details of the action taken.

(Amor Nath Singh)

Director

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NPS - Central Government hierarchy of Nodal Offices

NPS - Central Government hierarchy of Nodal Offices

Function of NPS Nodal Offices in Central Government

Nodal Office means the offices which act as interface between the subscribers and the central record keeping agency and shall include the Principal Accounts Office (PrAO), Pay and Accounts Office (PAO) and Drawing & Disbursing Office (DDO) under the Central Government or analogous offices under Central Government.

NPS - Hierarchy of Nodal Offices in Central Govt.

PrAO
PAO
DDO
^
^
Subscriber

Central Government hierarchy of Nodal Offices

Function of NPS Nodal Offices in Central Government Employees

1. Drawing and Disbursing Officer

Functions of DDO:
DDO will collect all the registration forms and forward it CRA for registration of the same. Further, it will also send the change request forms from the Subscribers and forward it to PAO for updation in NPSCAN system. However, DDO shall have various other functions as mentioned below:
Obtain the duly filled Application for allotment of PRAN from the subscribers, fill and certify the employment details.

Consolidate Application for allotment of PRAN and forward it to PAO.

Distribution of PRAN kit, I-Pin, T-Pin to Subscribers.

Forward the Switch requests, New Scheme Preference requests, Change in subscriber details request, Withdrawal Requests received from Subscribers to the PAO.

Providing information to PAO about Subscribers’ pension contribution.

Forward the grievance of the subscriber to the PAO.

DDO shall register itself with CRA before it starts providing various services to the Subscribers. For registering itself in CRA system, DDO shall forward the applications for registration to the concerned PAO.

2. Pay and Accounts Office

Functions of PAO
PAO will be responsible for carrying out the following activities:

Consolidate DDO registration form and forward it to CRA for registration.

Facilitate registration of Subscribers by consolidating the Application for allotment of PRAN received from the concerned DDO and forward it to the CRA - F.C.

Upload Subscriber Contribution File (SCF) to NPSCAN system. SCF will contain subscriber wise details of pension contribution such as PRAN, Pay month and year, Subscriber Contribution amount and Government Contribution amount etc.

PAO will deposit the contribution amount in the Trustee Bank as per the SCF uploaded in NPSCAN. This contribution amount will be invested in various schemes of PFM, based on the Scheme Preference of Subscribers for which SCF has been uploaded.

PAO will update through NPSCAN, the Switch requests, New Scheme Preference requests, Withdrawal Requests, the request for change in subscriber details received from Subscribers
PAO will raise grievance on behalf of DDO and the subscriber.

PAO will resolve the grievance raised against it by any entities in the CRA system.
However, before performing the above-mentioned functions, PAO shall have to register itself with CRA. For registering itself in CRA system, PAO shall forward the applications for registration to the concerned Pr.AO.

3. Principle Accounts Office

A Principal Accounts Office will have several functions in the NPS. However, most of them will be in the nature of monitoring the performances of the Nodal offices under its jurisdiction. CRA will send various alerts to Pr.AO to facilitate it to carry out the role of a supervisory entity.

Functions of Pr.AO:
Pr.AO will be responsible for carrying out the following activities.

Consolidate PAO registration form and forward it to CRA for registration Monitor performance of PAO and DDO in discharging their responsibilities in CRA system.

Monitor the resolution of grievances raised against PAO.

Take necessary action to ensure compliance of PAO and DDO with the operational procedures of CRA system Pr.AO, in its capacity of a Nodal Office shall register itself with CRA. Further, Pr.AO will send the registration applications of the PAOs attached to it to CRA.

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NPS - Extension of benefits of Retirement Gratuity and Death Gratuity to the employees of Autonomous Body/ Organisation covered under National Pension System

NPS - Extension of benefits of Retirement Gratuity and Death Gratuity to the employees of Autonomous Body/ Organisation covered under National Pension System

KVS

F.110230(NPS)2018 /KVS(HQ)/ P&I/ 2133

Dated: 16.05.2019

The Deputy Commissioner/Director,
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan,
All Regional Offices/ZIETs

Sub:- Extension of benefits of Retirement Gratuity and Death Gratuity to the employees of Autonomous Body/Organisation covered under National Pension System (NPS).

Sir,
I am to inform you that Ministry of HRD, vide letter dated 22.04.2019, has directed KVS for stoppage of retirement and death gratuity to the NPS subscribers forthwith. Therefore, death & retirement gratuity and provisional family pension, in terms of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, will not be payable to NPS subscriber with effect from 30.04.2019 till further order.

This issues with the approval of the Commissioner, KVS.

Yours faithfully,

(A.K. Srivastava)
Assistant Commissioner (Finance)

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Total subscribers that contribute throughout the month - NPS - NATIONAL PENSION SYSTEM

Total subscribers that contribute throughout the month - NPS - NATIONAL PENSION SYSTEM

Age Band	Total Existing Subscribers contributing during the month (Table A)
-	Male	Female	Transgender	NON IRA	Total
18-21 Years	22,501	7,514	-	-	30,015
22-25 Years	2,80,574	74,554	-	-	3,55,128
26-28 Years	5,91,061	1,52,324	3	-	7,43,388
29-35 Years	17,03,030	4,79,873	9	-	21,82,912
>35 Years	16,94,343	5,48,911	10	-	22,43,264
NON- IRA	-	-	-	15,976	15,976
Total	42,91,509	12,63,176	22	15,976	55,70,683

New Subscribers contributing during month (Table B)
Central Govt
Male	Female	Transgender	NON- IRA	Total
462	63	-	-	525
2,569	347	-	-	2,916
2,319	382	-	-	2,701
2,012	393	-	-	2,405
869	260	-	-	1,129
-	-	-	-	-
8,231	1,445	-	-	9,676

New Subscribers contributing during month (Table B)
State Govt
Male	Female	Transgender	NON- IRA	Total
2,606	1,459	-	-	4,065
10,164	4,310	-	-	14,474
7,298	3,571	-	-	10,869
11,830	7,079	-	-	18,909
13,001	6,258	-	-	19,259
-	-	-	2	2
44,899	22,677	-	2	12,381

New Subscribers contributing during month (Table B)
Non-Govt (Corporate Sector)
Male	Female	Transgender	NON- IRA	Total
85	60	-	-	145
2,313	1,158	-	-	3,471
1,987	629	-	-	2,616
3,374	475	-	-	3,849
4,622	539	2	-	5,163
-	-	-	-	-
12,381	2,861	2	-	15,244

1. PRAN association with respective sectors is as on March 31, 2019
2. Central Govt and State Govt includes Central and State Autonomous Bodies respectively.
3. All types of Contribution credit is considered in the above data.
4. As DOB and Gender of Subscriber is not available for NON IRA PRANs, additional category "NON IRA" is included in the above tables.
5. Table A refers to unique PRANs receiving credit (in the reporting month) for Central/State and Corporate Subscribers, irrespective of type of contribution.
6. Table B refers to unique PRAN receiving first credit (in the reporting month) in respective sectors, irrespective of type of contribution. This data is subset of data in Table A.
7. NPS was launched on 01 Jan'04 and was aimed at individuals newly employed with central and state government, but excluding. ones in the armed forces.
8. "Non-Govt" refers to Corporate sector employees".
9. Includes NSDL CRA & KARVY CRA data.
10. Non - Govt PRAN data may not necessarily represent new employment as there may be some persons who were in employment earlier but have opened PRAN now.

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Regarding transfer of NPS to GPF

High Court Order transferring NPS Subscription into GPF account

Regarding transfer of NPS to GPF

Government of India
Office of the director (Accounts)
Ministry of Home Affairs
Pay and accounts office, C.R.P.F
Plot No.14, PSF-2 Sector-23, Rohini,
New Delhi - 110085

No.PAO/CRPF/MHA/NPS/DA-I(1)/2018-19/797

Dated, the 15 March,2019,

To
The IG (Admin),
Directorate General, CRPF,
CGO Complex
Lodhi Road,
New Delhi-110003

Subject: Reg.transfer of NPS to GPF.

I am to say that various cases for transferring NPS subscriptions into GPF account have been received to this office after order of Hon’ble High Court of Delhi in respect of WP(C) No.3834/2013 and WP(C) No.2810/2016 vide which benefits of Old pension Scheme are extended to personnel joined in the year 2004. As there is a large number of subscribers under this kind of transfer and many requests are received along with information of office orders issued by various authorities (i.e., The Commandants, The DIGs, The IGs, etc.,). In this regard, it is requested to issue appropriate orders to concerned formation to send these cases with the following documents(02 copies of each):

• Necessary administrative approval from the administrative Head of the Department;
• Application(in the format enclosed) duly filled by the subscriber;
• Month-wise details of NPS subscriptions duly certified by the DDO;
• Copy of office documents such as court order etc, related to counting of previous Government service rendered before 01.01.2004;
• Copy of order vide which previous service of the subscriber is counted(if applicable);
• Copy of technical resignation of the subscriber(if applicable);
• and cases should be sent only after NPS subscription is stopped and GPF subscription is started from salary.

Further, the cases should be sent through the Administrative Head of Department to this office. There are some instances where offices are asking subscribers to apply for re-issue of PRAN card for submission with the case for NPS to GPF transfer. In this regard it is to inform that only if PRAN card is available it may be sent and there is no need for re-issue the PRAN card for this purpose. The details of PRANs are available in pay and service related records. The cases can be forwarded to Principal Accounts Office, MHA for further processing only after the aforementioned documents are received.

Yours faithfully,
Sr. Accounts Officer (NPS)

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DoE: Compensation for non-deposit or delayed deposit of contribution under National Pension System (NPS) during 2004-12

DoE: Compensation for non-deposit or delayed deposit of contribution under National Pension System (NPS) during 2004-12

No.1(21)/EV/2018
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
(E-V Branch)

North Block, New Delhi
the 12th April, 2019

Subject: Compensation for non-deposit or delayed deposit of contribution under National Pension System during 2004-12

The undersigned is directed to invite attention to the guidelines issued by Controller General of Accounts, Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, vide OM No.1(7)/2003/TA/Part file/279 , dated 02.09.2008 for streamlining of procedure for remittances of contributions under the
National Pension System (NPS) by PAOs/CDDOs and NCDDOs which provides, inter-alia, the detailed procedure for t he purpose of crediting of the NPS contribution to the NPS Trustee Banks so as to ensure that the contribution is credited to the NPS regulatory system as per the timelines prescribed therein without delay.

2. Based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission and the recommendations of a Committee of Secretaries, as set up in pursuance of the decision of the Government contained in para 15 of the Resolution of this Department bearing No. 1-2/2016-IC dt. 25.7.2016 to suggest measures for streamlining the implementation of the NPS, the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, has issued a Notification F. No. 1/3/2016-PR dt. 31.1.2019, clause 1(2)(x), 1(2)(xi) and 1(2)(xii) thereof provides as under:

Compensation for non-deposit or delayed deposit of contribution under National Pension System during 2004-12

(a) In a ll cases. where the NPS contributions were deducted from the salary of the Government employee but the amount was not remitted to CRA system or was remitted late, the amount may be credited to the NPS account of the employee along with interest for the period from the date on which the deductions were made till the date the amount was credited to the NPS account of the employee, as per the rates applicable to GPF from time to time, compounded annually.

(b) In all cases where the NPS contributions were not deducted from the salary of the Government employee for any period during 2004-201 2, the employee may be given an option to deposit the amount of employee contribution now. In case he opts to deposit the contributions. now, the amount may be deposited in one lump sum or in monthly installments. The amount of installment may be deducted from the salary of the Government employee and deposited in his NPS account. The satre may qualify for tax concessions under the Income Tax Act as applicable to the mandatory contributions of the employee.

(c) In all cases where the Government contributions were not remitted to CRA system or were remitted late (irrespective whether the employee contributions were deducted or not), the amount of Government contributions may be credited to the NPS account of the employee along with interest for the period from the date on which the Government contributions were due till the date the amount is actually credited to the NPS account of the employee, as per the rates applicable to GPF from time to time. Instructions to this effect may be issued by the Department of Expenditure/Controller General of Accounts. All such cases of delay may be resolved with in a period three months.

3. In pursuance of the aforesaid provisions of the said Notification dt. 31.1.2019, all the Ministries/Departments are required to ensure that the decisions, as contained therein insofar as these relate to the issue of delayed credit of NPS contribution to CRA system, are carried out in respect of Central Government employees under their administrative purview in consultation with the concerned Financial Advisors and the respective pension accounting organizations, i.e., Controller General of Accounts in respect of Central Civil Ministries/Departments, Railway Accounts in respect of Ministry of Railways, P&T Accounts in respect of employees of Department of Posts and Department of Telecommunication and the Controller General of Defence Accounts in respect of Defence Civilians.

4. While carrying out the above decision contained in the afore said notification dt 31.1.2019, it has to be ensured that the modalities for implementing the same are uniform across the pension accounting organizations and, therefore, for this purpose, the office of Controller General of Accounts of this Department shall be the nodal organization for laying down the modalities. Accordingly, the office of Controller General of Accounts shall issue guidelines for the purpose. The concerned Financial Advisor shall be the central point for the purpose in the respective Ministries/Departments.

5. It is likely that the concerned Ministries/Departments need data and information from the Central Record keeping Agency, namely, NSDL, to carry out the above decision in respect of employees under their administrative domain. In order, therefore, to facilitate such action by the Ministries/Departments, the CRA shall look into its record and in all cases which are covered under the decision contained in the aforesaid Notification dt. 31.1.2019, it shall pass on such employee-wise details , on its own, to the concerned Head of the Office and DDO/PAO, where the employee is currently posted within 15 days of the date of issue of these orders so that the desired and timely action gets initiated by the Ministries/Departments.

6. In their application to the employees working in the Indian Audit & Accounts Department, these orders issue in consultation with the Office of Comptroller & Auditor General of India.

7. Hindi version of this order is attached.

(Amar Nath Singh)
Director

Source: DoE

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General Provident Fund (GPF) to be introduced to willing National Pension System (NPS) employees- AIDEF Circular

General Provident Fund (GPF) to be introduced to willing National Pension System (NPS) employees- AIDEF Circular

ALL INDIA DEFENCE EMPLOYEES’ FEDERATION

Special Circular No.72

Date : 13.04.2019

As already informed to you the meeting of the National Council (JCM) was held on 13/04/2019 under the Chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary. AIDEF was represented by Comrades C. Srikumar, K.Balakrishnan and R.S.Reddy. After the introductory remark by the Cabinet Secretary the Staff Side raised the following issues:

1. The 47th Meeting of the National Council (ICM) is being Called by the Chairman after a period of 9 years. The last i. e. the 46th meeting of the National Council (JCM) was held on 15 May 2010. Under the JCM Scheme the Ordinary meetings of the National Council shall be held as often as necessary, and not less than once in four months. Special meetings can also be called by the Chairman or on a request from the Staff Side. Unfortunately between 1999 and as on date only 7 meetings are held, which means within a period of 20 years only 7 times the National Council has met. This is a clear proof of violation and dilution of the JCM Scheme. Since the National Council of JCM is not functioning, the Departmental Council JCM’s under the Chairmanship of the Secretaries of the Concerned Departments are also not taking place. Therefore I request the Chairman to take a serious note of the situation and a decision may be taken to hold regular meetings of the National Council, its Standing Committee and also the Departmental Council JCM meetings and the decision may be communicated to all Departments.
2. When the JCM Scheme came in to effect from 1966 all the Non- Gazetted employees were allowed to participate in the JCM Scheme. However due to upgradation of various Group C Posts to Group B these categories are now exempted from the JCM Scheme. The Staff Side is demanding for review of the same and to permit all Non Gazetted employees irrespective of their pay should be allowed to participate in the JCM Scheme.
3. In the past due to repeated discussions in the National Council JCM, the Cabinet Secretary has written a D.O. Letter to all the Secretaries that before implementing any decisions to privatize, Outsource and closures, downsizing, corporatization, rationalization etc the staff side of the Departmental Council JCM should be consulted and their views may be kept in mind while framing such policy decision. However arbitrary decisions are taken especially by Ministry of Railway’s, Defence, Printing and Stationery, Postal and other departments for privatizing the work being done by permanent employees, closure of many units etc. This has resulted in total Labour unrest and series of agitations are being held including strike action. It is therefore requested that all these activities against the interest of employees may be stopped immediately and the entire issue may be discussed in the Departmental Council JCM meetings with the Staff Side.
4. After the submission of the 7th CPC recommendations, the Central Government Employees were very much disappointed and there was an all around dissatisfaction since the 7th CPC has not taken into account the proposals of the Staff Side in determining the minimum pay and corresponding fitment factor. The 7th CPC has also rejected our demand to scrap the NPS implemented for employees recruited on or after 1/1/2004. In this backdrop the National Joint Council of Action of the Central Government employees have issued an Indefinite Strike Notice on the Government. A meeting was convened under the Chairman ship of Hon’ble Home Minister Sh. Rajnath Singh in which other three Senior Ministers including the Finance Minister and Railway Minister were also present. The meeting was held on 30th of June 2016 and based on the assurance given by the senior Ministers that the demands of the Central Government employees would be considered by a high Level committee, the strike was deferred. It is unfortunate that the commitment given to the NJCA was never honored and the discontentment amongst the Central Government employees still prevails. It is therefore urged upon the Government that the commitment of the Group of Ministers may be honoured in letter and spirit and Government may come forward to restore the negotiations with the NJCA for reaching an agreement on the following demands. - a. Enhancement of Minimum Pay and Fitment Factor w.e.f. 1.1.2006 - b. Scraping of NPS and restoration of guaranteed Pension under CCS (Pension) Rules 1972. - c. Option No. 1 recommended by 7th CPC for employees who retired prior to 01/01/2016.
5. The Staff Side are repeatedly representing to grant one more option to switch over to 7th CPC pay scale from a date subsequent to 25/07/2016. Even though there is no much financial implication, the Department of Expenditure is not extending the benefit. This issue needs to be considered favourably.
6. Inspite of the Government orders for grant of entry pay to the employees promoted on or after 1/1/2006 prescribed for direct recruits in the pay band is not yet implemented in many of the Departments for want of certain clarifications from Department of Expenditure. The issue was discussed in the last Standing Committee meeting and it was assured that necessary clarifications would be issued. However the same has not yet been issued.
7. Due to non functioning of JCM and non acceptance of genuine demands of the Central Governments employees there is a multiplicity of litigation on service matters including MACP issues like date of implementation of MACP from 1/1/2006, MACP in promotional hierarchy, Annual Increment to employees retired on 30th June and 31st December etc. In majority of the cases the judgements have gone in favour of the employees and as usual the Government drag the employees up to Supreme Court and even after Establishing the Law on service matters by the Supreme Court the benefits are restricted only to the petitioners. A separate meeting with Staff Side may be held so that the demand for implementation of various Court judgements on service matters can be settled and the number of litigations can be reduced.
8. The Defence Industry like Ordnance Factories, DRDO, Units under Army and Navy etc. are under serious attack. The entire policy decision needs to be reconsidered and all these Defence Establishments should be strengthened and developed.
9. One time relaxation of LTC-80 cases, where employees have purchased Air Tickets from other than authorized Agents is pending for quite some time. The same may be considered favourably.
10. Compassionate Appointment to the wards of employees who dies/medically invalidated on accidents while performing Government duty should be given over and above the 5% quota.
11. Outsourcing of permanent Jobs which are being performed by erstwhile Group “D” Employees should be stopped and all the vacancies should be filled up

Decision on Agenda Points/ Points Raised in the meeting

• Judgement of Supreme Court on service matters where policies are involved will be made applicable to all the similarly placed Employees.
• GPF to be introduced to willing NPS employees.
• Government seriously and positively considering the demand of allotment of salary budget separately to Ordnance Factories.
• Stepping up of pay will be permitted in MACP.
• Services of Temporary Status Employees of GSF Cossipore will be regularized.
• Government Orders on Risk Allowance and Night Duty Allowance will be issued soon.
• Relaxation of Educational Qualification for Compassionate Appointment to wife of employees medically boarded out from service would be considered.
• Regarding residency period for promotion from one post to another, the Staff Side should forward a detailed proposal.
• Grant of 90% Medical Advance for conventional diseases would be considered by Ministry of Health.
• Proposal for relaxation of LTC-80 is under consideration.
• Revision of pension to employees those who were compulsorily retired would be considered.
• The provision of “Wherever feasible” given in the Government order for grant of HRA without NAC would be considered.
• 13.Regarding implementation of Arbitration Awards separate meeting would be held with staff side.
• The decision on applicability of CCS (RSA) Rules 1993 to the workers of the Defence Ministry would be taken within a month. 15. The Demand for creation of NFSG grade in cadre of UDC / Stenographers in all offices outside Secretariat is under consideration of the Government.
• Reimbursement of Medical expenditure involved for over stay in the Hospital, because of infection / side effects would be considered by the Ministry of Health.

With Greetings,

(C.SRIKUMAR)
General Secretary

Source : AIDEF Circular

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