Defence: Modernisation of Armed Forces

Ministry of Defence

Modernisation of Armed Forces

02 JAN 2019

Budget Estimates, Revised Estimates, Modified Appropriation and Actual Expenditure incurred under Capital Acquisition (Modernisation) Head under Defence Services Estimates (DSE) for the last five years and the current year are tabulated below:-

(Rs. in crore)

Year	Budget Estimates	Revised Estimates	Modified Appropriation	Expenditure
2013- 14	73,444.59	66,406.41	66,201.92	66,850.30
2014- 15	75,148.03	66,151.73	65,706.04	65,862.38
2015- 16	77,406.69	65,400.00	61,699.39	62,235.54
2016- 17#	69,898.51	62,619.36	64,853.86	69,280.16
2017- 18*	69,473.41	68,965.24	68,980.89	72,732.20
2018-19	74,115.99	Not yet finalised.	Not yet finalised.	54,230.94

(# figure excludes MF, ECHS, DGQA, NCC, RR, DGOF and R&D)
(* figure excludes MF and ECHS)
(@Expenditure in r/o Financial Year 2018-19 is upto November, 2018)

The Final Appropriation has been fully and optimally utilized during the said period. Internal Audit and External Audit of the allocated amount is carried out by CGDA and C&AG respectively.
In May 2001, the Defence Industry sector, which was hitherto reserved for the public sector, was opened up to 100% for Indian private sector participation, with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 26% both subject to licensing.  Further, Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry has notified revised FDI policy under which FDI is allowed under automatic route upto 49% and beyond 49% through Government route wherever it is likely to result in access to modern technology or for other reasons to be recorded.

During the last three years and current year (upto October, 2018) out of total 188 contracts, 121 contracts have been signed with Indian vendors for procurement of defence equipment for Armed Forces such as Helicopters, Survey vessel, Radar, Ballistic Helmets, Artillery Guns, Simulators, Missiles, Bullet Proof Jackets, Electronic Fuzzes and ammunition.

Government is taking measures for modernization of the Armed Forces, through procurement of new equipment and upgrading of existing equipment and systems. The modernization projects are being progressed as per the approved Capital Acquisition Plans and in terms of the extant Defence Procurement Procedure.

Since the launch of ' Make in  India' in September 2014, several measures have been taken by the Government to promote indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence & aerospace equipment in the country under  'Make in India' by harnessing the capabilities of the public and private sector.

Government has also promulgated the policy of Strategic Partnership in the Defence Sector which encourages participation of the private sector in manufacture of major defence platforms and equipment in four selected segments viz. Submarines, Fighter Aircraft, Helicopters and Armoured Fighting vehicles / Tanks.

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Dr.Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri Rameswar Teli and others in Lok Sabha today.

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Payment to Contractual Labour through Cheque

Ministry of Labour & Employment

Payment to Contractual Labour through Cheque

02 JAN 2019

The Payment of Wages Act, 1936 has been amended by Payment of Wages (Amendment) Act, 2017 (effective from 28.12.2016) to enable the employers to pay wages to their employees by (a) cash or (b) cheque or (c) crediting to their bank account. The amendment in the Act also enables the appropriate Government to specify the industrial or other establishment, by notification in the Official Gazette, which shall pay to every person employed in such industrial or other establishment, the wages only by cheque or by crediting in his bank account.

Provision for making of payment only by cheque or by crediting in bank account of an employee, in respect of industrial or other establishment in the Central Sphere has been notified on 26.04.2017.
As per information received from the Government of Madhya Pradesh, contract labour are paid through Bank at thermal power station, Chachai in Amarkantak in the district Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh.

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

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Scheme to partially reimburse employers for Maternity Benefits

Ministry of Labour & Employment
Scheme to partially reimburse employers for Maternity Benefits

02 JAN 2019

Government is working on an Incentive Scheme wherein seven weeks wages shall be reimbursed to employers who employ women workers and provide the maternity benefit of 26 weeks paid leave, as provided for in the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017.

To enable an entity to avail of the incentive, the women employees working in their entity should be a wage earner of less than Rs.15,000/- per month and a member of Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) for at least one year and not covered by Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).

A meeting of Stakeholders' Consultation with representatives of concerned Central Ministries, State Governments, Employers', Employees' etc. was held on 14.11.2018 to discuss the matter. The Scheme was supported by and large with the majority of stakeholders.

The scheme is proposed to be administered after obtaining the approval of the competent authorities. The Incentive is proposed to be funded from the budgetary allocations. Government has not made any allocation for the scheme during the current financial year.

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

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DoPT: Submission of Immovable Property Return (IPR) for the year 2018 (as on 31.12.2018) by the Officers of Central Secretariat Services (CSS)

DoPT: Submission of Immovable Property Return (IPR) for the year 2018 (as on 31.12.2018) by the Officers of Central Secretariat Services (CSS)

F.No.26/01/2018-CS.I (PR/CMS)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions,
Department of Personnel & Training

2nd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan
Khan Market, New Delhi
Dated December 31st 2018

Office Memorandum

Subject:- Submission of Immovable Property Return (IPR) for the year 2018 (as on 31.12.2018) by the Officers of Central Secretariat Services (CSS) reg.

In terms of Rule 18 of CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964, the Immovable Property Return is required to be furnished by the CSS Officers in the grade of Under Secretary and above, latest by 31.01.2019. IPR should be submitted by all the CSS Officers through Web Based Cadre Management System which is hosted at cscms.nic.in . A copy of the print out (IPR submitted online) duly signed, should also be submitted to CS.I (PR/CMS) Section, which is the custodian of Immovable Property Return (IPR) of these Officers. Assistant Section Officers and Section Officers of CSS will also submit the print out (IPR) duly signed, to their respective Admin/Vigilance Division .

2. Ministries/Departments are therefore, requested that the contents of this O.M. may be widely circulated to the notice of all CSS Officers/Officials working under their respective control. They should also ensure that the IPR for the year 2018 (as on 31.12.2018) is submitted within the stipulated time by all the CSS Officers. The officers are also informed that non-submission of IPR within the stipulated date, would invite the denial of vigilance clearance for empanelment, deputation and applying to sensitive posts and assignment to training programme (except mandatory training) as the IPR status needs to be checked for the said purpose(s).

3. It is, therefore, requested that all the CSS Officers may be directed to file their Immovable Property Return (IPR) for the year 2018 (as on 31.12.2018) well in time, latest by 31.01.2019, through Web Based Cadre Management System only. IPRs received beyond the stipulated date, shall not be regarded as conforming to the extant guidelines. It is also stated that the date of filing of IPR will start from 01st January, 2019 and the “Immovable Property Returns” window shall be opened/provided at cscms.nic.in. automatically from that date only.

4. In case of any doubt/difficulty about filing the IPR, Shri Krishnandan Kumar, Assistant Section Officer (PR/CMS)/Shri Anuj Pratap Singh (CSCMS Engineer), may be contacted at Telephone No. 24629890/24629414.

sd/-
(Chandra Shekhar)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source: https://dopt.gov.in

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DoPT Orders 2018: Furnishing of OBC data of recruitment to Commission for Sub- Categorization of OBC

DoPT Orders 2018: Furnishing of OBC data of recruitment to Commission for Sub- Categorization of OBC

No.21/1/2016-CS.I(PR/CMS)

Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

2nd Floor, Khan Market,
New Delhi-110003
Date:- 31st December, 2018

Office Memorandum

Subject: Furnishing of OBC data of recruitment to Commission for Sub- Categorization of OBC - Regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Division’s OM of even number dated 20.02.2018, 27.02.2018 and 21.03.2018 on the above cited subject related matter and to state that on scrutiny of the data available on CSCMS portal, it is observed that many Ministries/Departments have not yet updated the information with reference to Categorization/Sub-Categorization of OBC officers, along with the data relating to the "State" from which OBC candidates appeared/selected in respect of CSS cadre (ASO to JS-in-situ) in the CSCMS portal.

2. The Commission has desired for the details with reference to the Categorization / Sub-Categorization of OBC Officers in the CSS cadre. This data should also include the data on "State" from which the OBC candidates appeared/got selected.

3. As the data is urgently required by the Commission for Sub-Categorization of OBC Officers, the concerned Ministries/Departments are once again requested to take up immediate necessary steps for updating the information, in the CSCMS portal compulsorily, by 9th of January, 2019 (Wednesday). The concerned Officers may also be sensitized to get their data updated in the system, in a time bound manner.

4. In case of any doubt/difficulty about the functioning of the CSCMS portal/Correctness of data in the CSCMS, Shri Krishnandan Kumar, ASO (PR/CMS)/Shri Anuj Pratap Singh (Engineer/CMS)/ may be contacted at Tele-phone 24629890/24629414.

5. This may be accorded, "TOP MOST PRIORITY".

sd/-
(Chandra Shekhar)
Under Secretary to Government of India

Source: dopt.gov.in

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NPS To OPS - Revert to Old Defined Benefit Pension System - Parliament Q&A on 28.12.2018

National Pension System to Old Pension Scheme

In Parliament on 28th December 2018, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla said that there is no proposal to replace the National Pension System (NPS) with old pension scheme in respect of Central Government employees recruited on or after 01.01.2004.
The detailed report of Questions and Answers are given below for your information…

Lok Sabha Un Starred Question No.2954

(a) Whether the Government is planning to reconsider the Old Pension Scheme on optional basis for Central Government Employees on heavy demand of employee associations across the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) Whether the Government has received any representation from various State Governments and employees' associations in this regard and if so, the details thereof along with the other major changes demanded by the employee associations and the reaction of the Government thereon;
Representations have been received which inter alia also include the demand that the Government may revert to old defined benefit pension system. However, due to rising and unsustainable pension bill and competing claims on the fiscal, there is no proposal to replace the National Pension System (NPS) with old pension scheme in respect of Central Government employees recruited on or after 01.01.2004.

(c) Whether the Government has decided to raise the Government contribution in National Pension System (NPS) to 14 per cent from existing 10 per cent and if so, the details thereof along with the increased financial liabilities of the Government thereon;
Yes, the mandatory contribution by the Central Government for Tier I accounts of its employees covered under NPS has been enhanced from the existing 10% to 14%. The employees' contribution rate would remain at the existing 10%. As informed by the Department of Expenditure, the impact on Government exchequer on account of enhancing the mandatory contribution by the Government for its employees covered under NPS from 10% to 14% is estimated to entail an additional financial impact of Rs. 2840 crores on Central Government in the next immediate financial year (2019 2020).

(d) The details of cases of family pension sanctioned so far to the families of deceased Central Government employees and the payment of compensation made for non-deposit or delayed deposit of contributions under the NPS;
Number of Family Pensioners getting pension through Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) by authorised Bank under National Pension System- Additional Relief (NPS-AR) as on 30.11.2018 is 4,779.

(e) whether the Government has decided to stop pension scheme to all the Government employees including Government/Public Undertakings organization, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
The Government of India vide notification dated 22.12.2003 had introduced the National Pension System (NPS) (earlier known as New Pension Scheme) for its employees and made it mandatory for all new recruits of the Central Government (excluding armed forces) who joined service on or after 01.01.2004. The old defined benefit scheme was withdrawn by the Government for Central Government employees (excluding armed forces) joining service on or after 01.01.2004. There is no proposal to stop the pension scheme for Government employees.

(f) The amount/percentage of the budget consumed every year to pay pensions to employees serving in Government jobs in the country?
As informed by the Department of Expenditure, the details of Budget consumed during 2017-18 to pay pension to pensioners and Budget for financial year 2017-18 are as under:

Budget consumed

HEAD OF ACCOUNTS	AMOUNT (IN CRORES) (PROVISIONAL)
2071 Pension & other retirement benefits	145745.07
3001-101 Indian Railways Pensionary charges	366.85
3002-11 Indian Railways Pensionary charges	1996.97
3003-11 Indian Railways Pensionary charges	21.07
3201-07 Pension-Postal Services	8511.33
Grand Total	156641.29

Budget for the financial year 2017-18 under NPS-AR is as under:

Budget Estimate 2018- 19	Expenditure 2018- 19	Budget Estimate 2017- 18	Expenditure 2017- 18
Rs. 90.20 cr	Rs. 59.71 cr (as on 30.11.2018)	Rs. 66.21 cr	Rs. 65.65 cr

Source: https://loksabha.nic.in/

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Manual for procurement of Goods, 2017 and Manual for Procurement of Consultancy other Services, 2017

Manual for procurement of Goods, 2017 and Manual for Procurement of Consultancy other Services, 2017

No. F .1/36/2018-PPD
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
Procurement Policy Division

516, Lok Nayak Shavan,
New Delhi. Dated 28th December, 2018

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Manual for procurement of Goods, 2017 and Manual for Procurement of Consultancy & other Services, 2017.

It may be recalled that the Department of Expenditure in 2017 had issued a set of two Manuals on 'Policies and Procedures for Procurement of Goods' and 'Procurement of Consulting & Non- Consulting Services', in conformity with the General Financial Rules (GFR), 2017. These Manuals have been prepared in consonance with the fundamental principles of transparency, fairness, competition, economy, efficiency and accountability. Efforts have been made to cover all major aspects of procurement in these Manuals in a user-friendly manner. The manuals are the outcome of extensive consultations in two stages with Ministries/Departments and other organizations. These manuals are available on the website of Department of Expenditure.

2. These Manuals provide generic guidelines which would be useful for the procuring officials working in various Ministries! Departments as operating instructions and would bring about greater transparency and predictability in Government procurement procedures and help in improving the ease of doing Business with Government. Ministries! Departments are advised to supplement these manuals to suit their local/specialized needs, by issuing their own detailed manuals (including customized formats); Standard Bidding Documents and Schedule of Procurement Powers to serve as detailed instructions for their own procuring officers.

3. The above referred Manuals may be brought to the notice of all concerned officers under your Ministry/ Department, Attached! Subordinate offices and Autonomous Bodies engaged in the work of procurement directly or indirectly. Such officers may also be encouraged to attend one week residential free procurement training at National Institute of Financial Management (NIFM). The calendar of training is available on the website of this Department as well as NIFM.

(Ujjwal Kumar)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
Tel. : 24621305
Email: kn.reddy@gov.in

To
Secretaries of All Central Government Ministries/ Departments

Source: DoE

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