Central Government considering not to form Pay Commission in future

No new commission may be formed in future for increasing salaries of central government employees, a senior Finance Ministry official told The Sen Times on condition of anonymity.

“The government is going to take a policy decision in this regard,” official told our reporters after issuing the 7th Pay Commission notification.

Pay Commissions makes much impact on the fiscal deficit, since pay commission awards come once in 10 years, the two to three years subsequent to each award tend to be fiscally stressful for the central government. States also suffered major blows to their finances for implementation of pay commission report, he added.

Presenting an idea about an alternative arrangement, he said that the 7th Pay Commission Chairman Justice A K Mathur had earlier told The Financial Express in an interview, “The government should review the salary of central government employees every year looking into the data available to it and based on the price index.”

The 7th Pay Commission recommended that the pay matrix may be reviewed periodically without waiting for the long period of ten years. It can be reviewed and revised on the basis of the Aykroyd formula which takes into consideration the changes prices of the commodities that constitute a common man’s basket, which the Labour Bureau at Shimla reviews periodically.

The Pay Commission also suggested that this should be made the basis for revision of that pay matrix periodically without waiting for another Pay Commission.

So, it will not be necessary to form a new pay Commission after every 10 years for central government employees and pensioners and whether any change is required regarding pay and allowances would be made considering inflation.

Accordingly, the central government is to follow this proposal of the Pay Commission and to discontinue the practice of appointing pay commissions in future to suggest salary structure and other perks for all central government employees and pensioners, the official gave his views.

The official said there would be an officer who would submit a report of inflation to the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley every three years.

He added some changes regarding pay and allowance would be made considering inflation.

Source: TST

Gradation List of HSG-I (Postal) officials of Odisha Circle

Greeting of 70th Independence Day of India

Wishing a very happy Independence Day to all our members and viewers. May this 70th Independence day will bring more happiness and prosperity. Jai Hind

Change in criteria for benchmarking of ACR as per 7th CPC recommendations:-

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

RAJYA SABHA

QUESTION NO 2087

ANSWERED ON 04.08.2016

Change in criteria for benchmarking of ACR

2087 Shri Rajeev Shukla 

Will the Minister of PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS be pleased to satate :- 

(a) whether there is any proposal to introduce any mechanism to review the performance outcome of Government officials and to change the criteria for benchmarking of Annual Confidential Report (ACR); and

(b) if so, the details thereof and whether this would be implemented along with implementation of the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission?

ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) & (b): The Government of India has accepted the recommendation of the Seventh Pay Commission with regard to Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) scheme and withholding of annual increments as under:-

(i) Benchmarking for performance appraisal for promotion and financial upgradation under MACPS to be enhanced from ‘Good’ to ‘Very Good’.

(ii) Withholding of annual increments in the case of those employees, who are not able to meet the benchmark either for MACP or a regular Promotion within the first 20 years of service.

Amendments to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its ex-post facto approval for amendments to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 by introducing the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in Parliament.

The maternity benefit Act 1961 protects the employment of women during the time of her maternity and entitles her of a ‘maternity benefit’ – i.e. full paid absence from work – to take care for her child. The act is applicable to all establishments employing 10 or more persons. The amendments will help 1.8 million (approx.) women workforce in organised sector.

The amendments to Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 are as follows:

• Increase Maternity Benefit from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for two surviving children and 12 weeks for more than two childern.
• 12 weeks Maternity Benefit to a ‘Commissioning mother’ and ‘Adopting mother’.
• Facilitate’Work from home’. 
• Mandatory provision of Creche in respect of establishment having 50 or more employees.

Implementation of the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission- Fixation of pay and Payment of arrears – instructions Regarding

Sri Niranjan Mohanty, ASP (HQ) Puri Division is now ordered to be posted as ASP(OD) Puri Division

GAZETTE NOTIFICATION RELEASED BY THE GOVERNMENT ON 25.7.2016 ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF 7TH CPC RECOMMENDATIONS

DOWNLOAD COMPLETE REPORT

HIGH LIGHTS : 
4. 

i. The Pay Matrix, in replacement of the Pay Bands and Grade Pays as in force immediately prior to the notification of this Resolution, shall be as specified in Annexure I in respect of civilian employees.  

ii. With regard to fixation of pay of the employee in the new Pay Matrix as on 1 day of January, 2016, the existing pay (Pay in Pay Band plus Grade Pay) in the pre-revised structure as on 31st day of December, 2015 shall be multiplied by a factor of 2.57. The figure so arrived at is to be located in the Level corresponding to employee’s Pay Band and Grade Pay or Pay Scale in the new Pay Matrix. If a Cell identical with the figure so arrived at is available in the appropriate Level, that Cell shall be the revised pay; otherwise the next higher cell in that Level shall be the revised pay of the employee.

iii.  After fixation of pay in the appropriate Level as specified in sub-paragraph (2) above, the subsequent increments in the Level shall be at the immediate next Cell in the Level. 

 5. There shall be two dates for grant of increment namely, 1st January and 1 st July of every year, instead of existing date of 1 st July; provided that an employee shall be entitled to only one annual increment on either one of these two dates depending on the date of appointment, promotion or grant of financial up-gradation.  

6. The Commission’s recommendations and Government’s decision thereon with regard to revised pay structure for civilian employees of the Central Government and personnel of All India Services as specified at Annexure I and the consequent pay fixation therein as specified at Annexure II shall be effective from the 1 st day of January, 2016. The arrears on this account shall be paid during the financial year 2016-2017. 

 7. The recommendations on Allowances (except Dearness Allowance) will be referred to a Committee comprising Finance Secretary and Secretary (Expenditure) as Chairman and Secretaries of Home Affairs, Defence, Health and Family Welfare, Personnel and Training, Posts and Chairman, Railway Board as Members. The Committee will submit its report within a period of four months. Till a final decision on Allowances is taken based on the recommendations of this Committee, all Allowances will continue to be paid at existing rates in existing pay structure, as if the pay had not been revised with effect from 1 st day of January, 2016.

 8. The recommendations of the Commission relating to interest bearing Advances as well as interest free Advances have been accepted with the exception that interest free Advances for Medical Treatment, Travelling Allowance for family of deceased, Travelling Allowance on tour or transfer and Leave Travel Concession shall be retained.

  9. The recommendations of the Commission for increase in rates of monthly contribution towards Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS) for various categories of employees has not been accepted. The existing rates of monthly contribution shall continue. Department of Expenditure and Department of Financial Services will work out a customised group insurance scheme for Central Government employees.

  10. The Government has accepted the recommendations of the Commission on upgrading of posts except for those specified at Annexure III. The recommendations on upgradation specified at Annexure III will be separately examined by Department of Personnel and Training for taking a comprehensive view in the matter.

  11. The Government has not accepted the recommendations of the Commission on downgrading of posts and normal replacement will be provided in such cases. 

 12. While revising the pay of Doctors in respect of whom Non Practicing Allowance is admissible and Railway employees in respect of whom Running Allowance is admissible, it will be ensured that the actual raise in pay at the time of initial fixation is about 14.29 percent as recommended by the Commission. 

 13. The pay of officers posted on deputation under Central Staffing Scheme will be protected and the difference in the pay will be given to them in the form of Personal Pay to be made effective from the date of notification.  Click Here to Calculate Your New Salary 

14. Recommendations not relating to pay, pension and allowances and other administrative issues specific to Departments/Cadres/Posts will be examined by the Ministries/Departments concerned as per the Allocation of Business Rules or Transaction of Business Rules. Until a decision is taken by the Government on administrative issues pertaining to (i) Non Functional Upgradation (NFU) presently admissible to the Indian Police Service/Indian Forest Service and Organised Group ‘A’ Services, (ii) two years’ edge to Indian Administrative Service officers vis-a-vis other All India Services/Organised Group ‘A’ Services in empanelment under Central Staffing Scheme, (iii) grant of two additional increments at Senior Time Scale, Junior Administrative Grade and Selection Grade to Indian Police Service and Indian Forest Service at par with Indian Administrative Service and Indian Foreign Service (iv) a uniform retirement age for all ranks in Central Armed Police Forces, where the Commission could not arrive at a consensus, status quo shall be maintained. 

 15. A Committee of Secretaries comprising Secretaries of Departments of Personnel and Training, Financial Services and Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare will be set up to suggest measures for streamlining the implementation of the National Pension System (NPS).

  16. Anomalies Committees will be set up by Department of Personnel and Training to examine individual, post-specific and cadre-specific anomalies arising out of implementation of the recommendations of the Commission.  

17. Regarding pay and related issues concerning All India Services, appropriate action will be taken by Department of Personnel and Training to give effect to the decisions on these matters as may be applicable to them.
  18. The Government of India wishes to place on record their appreciation of the work done by the Commission.  

ORDER 

Ordered that this Resolution be published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary. Ordered that a copy of this Resolution be communicated to the Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, State Governments, Administrations of Union Territories and all other concerned.  
                                                                                                   R.K. CHATURVEDI,
                                                                                                  Jt. Secy. 
                                      ANNEXURE I - PAY MATRIX.
                                                ANNEXURE II 
Statement showing the recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission on Pay relating to Civilian employees in Group ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ and personnel of All India Services and Government’s decisions thereon.

 I. Pay Fixation in revised Pay Structure:

 Sl. No.    Recommendation of the Seventh Central Pay           Decision of the Government                 Commission 

1.  Minimum pay in government with effect from                           Accepted                     01.01.2016 at Rs. 18000 per month 
(Para 4.2.13               of the Report)

2. Pay Matrix comprising two dimensions having                          Accepted                     horizontal range in which each level corresponds
to a “functional role in the hierarchy” with
number assigned 1, 2, 3 and so on till 18 and
“vertical range” denoting “pay progression”.
These indicate the steps of annual financial 
progression (Para 5.1.21 of the Report)

3.On recruitment, an employee joins at a particular                        Accepted
   level and progresses within the level as per the
   vertical range. The movement is usually on an
  annual basis, based on annual increments till the
  time of their next promotion. (Para 5.1.22 of the Report) 
4.The fitment factor of 2.57 to be applied                                       Accepted
    uniformly for all employees. 
   (Para 5.1.27 of the              Report) 

 II. Annual Increments:

 Sl.No.   Recommendation of the Seventh Central Pay                    Decision of the Government                Commission 
1.        The manner of drawal of annual increment to be                            Accepted             
           as laid down in Para 5.1.53 of the Report.  

III. Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme: 

Sl. No. Recommendation of the Seventh Central Pay                      Decision of the Government                Commission
 1. MACP will continue to be administered at 10, 20                                  Accepted   
    and 30 years as before. In the new Pay Matrix, 
    the employee will move to immediate next
    Level in hierarchy. Fixation of pay will follow
   the same principle as that for a regular promotion
   in the Pay Matrix.MACPS will continue to be
   applicable to all employees up to 
   Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) level except
   members of Organised Group ‘A’ Services. 
  (Para 5.1.44 of the Report)  

2. Benchmark for performance appraisal for                                            Accepted        
    promotion and financial ungrdation under
    MACPS to be enhanced from
   “Good” to “Very Good”. (Para 5.1.45 of the Report)  

3. Withholding of annual increments in the case of                                  Accepted  
     those employees who are not able to meet the
     benchmark either for MACP or a regular 
     promotion within the first 20 years 
     of their service. (Para 5.1.46 of the Report)  

IV. Dearness Allowance:  

Sl. No.      Recommendation of the Seventh Central                        Decision of the Government                 Pay Commission 
1. Existing formula and methodology for                                  
    calculating Dearness Allowance to  continue 
    (Para 8.17.37 of the Report)                                                                          Accepted. 
   The reference base for calculation of
   Dearness Allowance after coming into force
   of the revised Pay structure shall undergo change                                                                                accordingly and will be linked to the                                                                                                average index as on 01.01.2016.

NO REFERENCE FOR UPGRADED PRE REVISED SCALE TO POSTAL EMPLOYEES.



Read more at: http://potools.blogspot.in/2016/07/high-lights-gazette-notification.html

GAZETTE NOTIFICATION RELEASED BY THE GOVERNMENT ON 25.7.2016 ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF 7TH CPC RECOMMENDATIONS

DOWNLOAD COMPLETE REPORT

HIGH LIGHTS : 
4. 

i. The Pay Matrix, in replacement of the Pay Bands and Grade Pays as in force immediately prior to the notification of this Resolution, shall be as specified in Annexure I in respect of civilian employees.  

ii. With regard to fixation of pay of the employee in the new Pay Matrix as on 1 day of January, 2016, the existing pay (Pay in Pay Band plus Grade Pay) in the pre-revised structure as on 31st day of December, 2015 shall be multiplied by a factor of 2.57. The figure so arrived at is to be located in the Level corresponding to employee’s Pay Band and Grade Pay or Pay Scale in the new Pay Matrix. If a Cell identical with the figure so arrived at is available in the appropriate Level, that Cell shall be the revised pay; otherwise the next higher cell in that Level shall be the revised pay of the employee.

iii.  After fixation of pay in the appropriate Level as specified in sub-paragraph (2) above, the subsequent increments in the Level shall be at the immediate next Cell in the Level. 

 5. There shall be two dates for grant of increment namely, 1st January and 1 st July of every year, instead of existing date of 1 st July; provided that an employee shall be entitled to only one annual increment on either one of these two dates depending on the date of appointment, promotion or grant of financial up-gradation.  

6. The Commission’s recommendations and Government’s decision thereon with regard to revised pay structure for civilian employees of the Central Government and personnel of All India Services as specified at Annexure I and the consequent pay fixation therein as specified at Annexure II shall be effective from the 1 st day of January, 2016. The arrears on this account shall be paid during the financial year 2016-2017. 

 7. The recommendations on Allowances (except Dearness Allowance) will be referred to a Committee comprising Finance Secretary and Secretary (Expenditure) as Chairman and Secretaries of Home Affairs, Defence, Health and Family Welfare, Personnel and Training, Posts and Chairman, Railway Board as Members. The Committee will submit its report within a period of four months. Till a final decision on Allowances is taken based on the recommendations of this Committee, all Allowances will continue to be paid at existing rates in existing pay structure, as if the pay had not been revised with effect from 1 st day of January, 2016.

 8. The recommendations of the Commission relating to interest bearing Advances as well as interest free Advances have been accepted with the exception that interest free Advances for Medical Treatment, Travelling Allowance for family of deceased, Travelling Allowance on tour or transfer and Leave Travel Concession shall be retained.

  9. The recommendations of the Commission for increase in rates of monthly contribution towards Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS) for various categories of employees has not been accepted. The existing rates of monthly contribution shall continue. Department of Expenditure and Department of Financial Services will work out a customised group insurance scheme for Central Government employees.

  10. The Government has accepted the recommendations of the Commission on upgrading of posts except for those specified at Annexure III. The recommendations on upgradation specified at Annexure III will be separately examined by Department of Personnel and Training for taking a comprehensive view in the matter.

  11. The Government has not accepted the recommendations of the Commission on downgrading of posts and normal replacement will be provided in such cases. 

 12. While revising the pay of Doctors in respect of whom Non Practicing Allowance is admissible and Railway employees in respect of whom Running Allowance is admissible, it will be ensured that the actual raise in pay at the time of initial fixation is about 14.29 percent as recommended by the Commission. 

 13. The pay of officers posted on deputation under Central Staffing Scheme will be protected and the difference in the pay will be given to them in the form of Personal Pay to be made effective from the date of notification.  Click Here to Calculate Your New Salary 

14. Recommendations not relating to pay, pension and allowances and other administrative issues specific to Departments/Cadres/Posts will be examined by the Ministries/Departments concerned as per the Allocation of Business Rules or Transaction of Business Rules. Until a decision is taken by the Government on administrative issues pertaining to (i) Non Functional Upgradation (NFU) presently admissible to the Indian Police Service/Indian Forest Service and Organised Group ‘A’ Services, (ii) two years’ edge to Indian Administrative Service officers vis-a-vis other All India Services/Organised Group ‘A’ Services in empanelment under Central Staffing Scheme, (iii) grant of two additional increments at Senior Time Scale, Junior Administrative Grade and Selection Grade to Indian Police Service and Indian Forest Service at par with Indian Administrative Service and Indian Foreign Service (iv) a uniform retirement age for all ranks in Central Armed Police Forces, where the Commission could not arrive at a consensus, status quo shall be maintained. 

 15. A Committee of Secretaries comprising Secretaries of Departments of Personnel and Training, Financial Services and Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare will be set up to suggest measures for streamlining the implementation of the National Pension System (NPS).

  16. Anomalies Committees will be set up by Department of Personnel and Training to examine individual, post-specific and cadre-specific anomalies arising out of implementation of the recommendations of the Commission.  

17. Regarding pay and related issues concerning All India Services, appropriate action will be taken by Department of Personnel and Training to give effect to the decisions on these matters as may be applicable to them.
  18. The Government of India wishes to place on record their appreciation of the work done by the Commission.  

ORDER 

Ordered that this Resolution be published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary. Ordered that a copy of this Resolution be communicated to the Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, State Governments, Administrations of Union Territories and all other concerned.  
                                                                                                   R.K. CHATURVEDI,
                                                                                                  Jt. Secy. 
                                      ANNEXURE I - PAY MATRIX.
                                                ANNEXURE II 
Statement showing the recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission on Pay relating to Civilian employees in Group ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ and personnel of All India Services and Government’s decisions thereon.

 I. Pay Fixation in revised Pay Structure:

 Sl. No.    Recommendation of the Seventh Central Pay           Decision of the Government                 Commission 

1.  Minimum pay in government with effect from                           Accepted                     01.01.2016 at Rs. 18000 per month 
(Para 4.2.13               of the Report)

2. Pay Matrix comprising two dimensions having                          Accepted                     horizontal range in which each level corresponds
to a “functional role in the hierarchy” with
number assigned 1, 2, 3 and so on till 18 and
“vertical range” denoting “pay progression”.
These indicate the steps of annual financial 
progression (Para 5.1.21 of the Report)

3.On recruitment, an employee joins at a particular                        Accepted
   level and progresses within the level as per the
   vertical range. The movement is usually on an
  annual basis, based on annual increments till the
  time of their next promotion. (Para 5.1.22 of the Report) 
4.The fitment factor of 2.57 to be applied                                       Accepted
    uniformly for all employees. 
   (Para 5.1.27 of the              Report) 

 II. Annual Increments:

 Sl.No.   Recommendation of the Seventh Central Pay                    Decision of the Government                Commission 
1.        The manner of drawal of annual increment to be                            Accepted             
           as laid down in Para 5.1.53 of the Report.  

III. Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme: 

Sl. No. Recommendation of the Seventh Central Pay                      Decision of the Government                Commission
 1. MACP will continue to be administered at 10, 20                                  Accepted   
    and 30 years as before. In the new Pay Matrix, 
    the employee will move to immediate next
    Level in hierarchy. Fixation of pay will follow
   the same principle as that for a regular promotion
   in the Pay Matrix.MACPS will continue to be
   applicable to all employees up to 
   Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) level except
   members of Organised Group ‘A’ Services. 
  (Para 5.1.44 of the Report)  

2. Benchmark for performance appraisal for                                            Accepted        
    promotion and financial ungrdation under
    MACPS to be enhanced from
   “Good” to “Very Good”. (Para 5.1.45 of the Report)  

3. Withholding of annual increments in the case of                                  Accepted  
     those employees who are not able to meet the
     benchmark either for MACP or a regular 
     promotion within the first 20 years 
     of their service. (Para 5.1.46 of the Report)  

IV. Dearness Allowance:  

Sl. No.      Recommendation of the Seventh Central                        Decision of the Government                 Pay Commission 
1. Existing formula and methodology for                                  
    calculating Dearness Allowance to  continue 
    (Para 8.17.37 of the Report)                                                                          Accepted. 
   The reference base for calculation of
   Dearness Allowance after coming into force
   of the revised Pay structure shall undergo change                                                                                accordingly and will be linked to the                                                                                                average index as on 01.01.2016.

NO REFERENCE FOR UPGRADED PRE REVISED SCALE TO POSTAL EMPLOYEES.



Read more at: http://potools.blogspot.in/2016/07/high-lights-gazette-notification.html

Cadre Restructuring of Group-C employees in Department of Posts - Odisha Circle

 

India Post plans 50 payments bank branches by May

India Post expects to start the first 50 branches of its payments bank by May 2017, seeking to widen financial inclusion in the country.

As per the current plan, India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) - as it has been termed will eventually have 650 branches across the country. While the first set of branches will open by May, the remaining will start operations by September 2017, a top official of the Department of Posts said. The department hopes to submit a final proposal to the Reserve Bank of India by February, ahead of the March 2017 deadline, after it has the required management and technology in place, SK Sinha, secretary, Department of Posts, told ET. The RBI gave in-principle approval to 11 applicants in August last year, including the Department of Posts, Aditya Birla Nuvo, Airtel M Commerce Services, Fino PayTech, National Securities Depository, Reliance Industries, Tech Mahindra and Vodafone m-pesa, for setting up payments banks. Three of the 11 entities have decided to back out, citing unviability. India Post, with a network of about 155,000 post offices, will hire almost 2,000 people for the payments bank operations. "There will be nine board members, five from outside and four internal people from the department, including the CEO," said Sinha.

The department is contemplating whether it can form its own search and selection committee to appoint a CEO or rely on the standard procedure followed by public sector banks for top-level appointments. The department has written to state-owned banks seeking nominations. Sinha said the State Bank of India has responded with some names. "For the next rung of leadership such as the chief financial officer, chief operating officer and chief technology officer, we are forming an internal committee," he said. The government has approved Rs 400 crore equity and Rs 400 crore grant for IPPB. Alibaba-backed Paytm is the other or payments frontrunner for payments banks in India and has drawn up a largely branchless model. Sinha said that India Post is looking at catering to the unbanked population of the country with the idea of opening one branch in almost every district of the country. "Most of the other players may not be even thin king of the areas that we want to service," said Sinha. The plan is to have most of the banking features such as money transfer and internet banking, apart from offering credit (in partnership with other banks or institutions), along with financial products such as mutual funds. Sinha is betting big on the government's direct benefits transfer scheme to drive transactions, with welfare payments being deposited in the bank accounts of consumers.

While the first set of branches will open by May, the remaining will start operations by September 2017, a top official of the Department of Posts said

14 th Circle Conference of Punjab Circle

The 14 th Circle Conference of Punjab Circle was held  from 2nd to 3 rd July 2016 at Hotel India Pride Mohali.The GS along with Sri B Sivakumar AGS,Sri Bhagwan FS participated and addressed the open session and subjects committee. Sri P.U.Muralidharan GS NUGDS and L.D.Kaushik Ex CS Delhi Circle Sri Ajmer Singh EX CS P IV Punjab Circle also Participated in the conference.

 Sri Baljinder Singh Chandigarh and Sri Saurab Mittal Jalandhar were reelected as Circle Secretary and Circle President.The CHQ congratulates the newly elected office bearers The Reception committee made Grand arrangements

GENERAL SECRETARY