Govt Doctors to Resign En masse in Karnataka

Nearly 4,000 government doctors in Karnataka would resign en masse today in protest against the government's refusal to accept their demand on salary hike they sought.


President of the Karnataka Government Medical Officers Association, H N Ravindra, told PTI that one or two doctors would, however, be on duty at taluk and district-level hospitals even after resigning to maintain health services.

The Association has set October 14 as the deadline for the Government to accept its demand. "If the Government does not accept our demand, we will not come to work from October 15," he said.

Government doctors at the "beginners level" get a monthly pay of Rs 18,500 which the Association has demanded be raised to at least Rs 35,000.

The government has offered a pay hike ranging between Rs 3,000 and Rs 8,000 which the Association has rejected.

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What is loan insurance?

Harshad was a young software professional working in a multinational company. After a few years of working he was in a position to apply and get a home loan for a house close to his heart.

Unfortunately, a year after he got the home loan, he met with an accident and was bed ridden for more than six months. In such a situation he was not able to make his home loan EMI payments and had to eventually let go of his house.

Such an unfortunate situation could have been avoided if Harshad had gone in for home loan insurance. Loan insurance is a concept catching up in India. Most people taking a loan are not aware about what they would do in case they are unable to make the monthly payments towards the loan.

Loan protection insurance, or loan payment protection insurance, is a form of payment protection insurance. This type of insurance can help you protect your monthly loan payments if you become unemployed or suffer an accident or sickness. Loan protection insurance will typically be used to protect a home loan, car loan or even sometimes personal loans. Under a loan insurance cover, the lump sum amount reduces as the outstanding loan decreases as per the loan schedule.

Loan insurance means during tough times, you'll have an insurance cover to take care of the EMIs or of the outstanding loan amount. This is especially useful:In case of death or disability due to an accident or sicknessIn case of loss of jobThis effectively reduces the burden on your family in case of any unfortunate event that occurs with you. They would be saved from the financial trauma of paying off the loans.In cases of a joint loan application, a joint loan insurance plan can be taken which will effectively cover you and your partner. Both will have the reassurance that if either of you should be faced with redundancy, illness, have an accident or even die, your repayments will be made for you.

Loan insurance is offered mainly for home loan borrowers. However, some banks offer loan insurance for personal loans as well as auto loans.

Do I have to pay any premium for such insurance? If yes, how much? Like any insurance you do need to pay premium for the insurance. There are only a few banks which offer this kind of insurance without any premium.
Premium amounts usually vary from bank to bank and depend primarily on:
The age of the person taking the loan - the premium is usually higher for older people
The loan amount - if the loan amount is high, the premium payment will also higher owing to the fact that the bank has a higher liability in such cases
The tenure of the loan - If the repayment period is longer, the premium to be paid is also higher

The medical record of the individual - if your physical health is good, the premium amount comes down.

However, if you are suffering from any kind of serious ailments the premium amount will go high

Loan insurance is something that you need to give careful thought to.
You need to check:
What does the loan insurance cover? - Does it cover death by accident or death by any cause? Does it cover temporary disability only or does it cover permanent disability as well?

Eligibility for the insurance - Check about the eligibility criteria for the insurance. Check whether the loan needs to be of a certain amount

Payment of premium - Check whether you can pay the premium as part of the EMI or does it have to be made as a lump sum amount
A medical check-up necessary? - Check whether a medical checkup is necessary in all cases
Are there any tax benefits because of the insurance being a 'life insurance' scheme?
Yes, there are tax benefits that you can get with such kind of insurance. Since you are paying a life insurance premium, you can get deduction under Section 80C. However, if it is clubbed with your EMI payments, you will not get the insurance benefit.
source:bankbazar.com

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PFRDA board clears extra a/c for NPS subscribers

The Pension Fund Regulatory Development Authority (PFRDA) board on Wednesday decided to provide the New Pension System (NPS) subscribers with an extra account from which funds can be withdrawn anytime they want.

An NPS subscriber can now have two accounts—a standard one and a flexible one. Although the norms for investing the contributions to these two accounts would be the same, subscribers will have greater flexibility in accessing funds from the second one, when needed. One can access funds from the standard account called tier one only for specific needs such as medical emergency or marriage. The flexible account will be introduced on December 1, 2009.

The pension regulator also decided in principle to introduce a low-cost pension scheme for the poor, for which PFRDA is negotiating with the record keeper to reduce the annual charges from Rs 350 to Rs 60, PFRDA chairman D Swarup told ET.

The National Securities Depositories (NSDL) has agreed to slash the charges to Rs 75 a year, but PFRDA is negotiating to further lower it to Rs 60. The scheme would enable a large section of the nearly 28 crore low-income workers such as rickshaw pullers, fishermen, weavers and street hawkers to have a safety net to lean on when they enter the twilight years of their working life.

“The idea of having more than one record keeping agency has also received the blessings of the PFRDA board,” said Mr Swarup. Competition among record keeping agencies would bring down cost and enhance efficiency, pension experts said.

The three-member board of the regulator also decided to accept proposals from corporate entities to manage their pension funds subject to the condition that these entities will have only those investment choices that are available to any other pension subscriber. They will not be able to customise the investment options NPS’ fund management charges are quite low. The regulator has already received proposals in this regard from SBI and Himachal Road Transport Corporation.
source:The Economic Times

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Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees - Revised Rates effective from 1.7.2009.

No.1(6)/2009-E- (B)

Government  Of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Expenditure

NewDelhi,Dated 18th September,2009.

Subject:- Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees - Revised Rates effective from 1.7.2009.

          The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry's Office Memorandum No.1(6)/2009-E- (B) Dated 13th September,2009 on the subject mentioned above and to state that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Allowance payable to Central Government employees shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 22% to 27% with effect from 1st July, 2009.

2.        The provisions contained in paras 3, 4 and 5 of this Ministry's O.M.No.1(6)/2009-E- (B) Dated 29th August,2008 shall continue to be applicable while regulating Dearness Allowance under these orders.

3.         The additional installment of Dearness Allowance payable under these orders shall be paid in cash to all Central Government employees.

4           These orders shall also apply to the civilian employees paid from the Defence Services Estimates and the expenditure will be chargeable to the relevant head of the Defence Services Estimates. In regard to Armed Forces personnel and Railway employees separate orders will be issued by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways, respectively.

5.         In so far as the persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders issue after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

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Productivity Linked Bonus For Railway Employees

             
        The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal of the Ministry of Railways for payment of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equivalent to 75 days’ wages for the financial year 2008-2009 for all eligible non-gazetted Railway employees (excluding RPF/RPSF personnel).


           The salient features of the PLB scheme evolved as a result of review of the scheme and approval of the Cabinet on 23.09.2000 and applied for making payment for the financial years 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02 are as under :-

a) The output for a year is reckoned by the equated net tonne kilometres by adding together:-

(i) Total goods revenue net tonne kilometres.

(ii) Non-suburban passenger kilometres converted by a factor of 0.076.

(iii) Suburban passenger kilometres converted by a factor of 0.053.

b)           The input is taken as the non-gazetted staff strength (excluding RPF/RPSF personnel), increased by the incremental increase/decrease in capital during the year. Incremental capital is confined to Rolling Stock utilised for movement of trains. The measurement of capital is in terms of tractive effort (Diesel Electric & Electric) for Locomotives, carrying capacity for Wagons and seating capacity for Coaches. The tractive effort of locomotives and carrying capacity of Wagons/Coaches together are given equal weight. The relative weight of wagons and coaches is determined on the basis of ratio of goods train kilometres and passenger train kilometres in the total train kilometres. Based on this principal, the relative weights are 0.50 for Tractive Effort, 0.20 for Wagon Capacity and 0.30 for Seating Capacity. Thus, the percentage increase in Tractive Effort over the base year is multiplied by 0.50; similarly the percentage increase in Wagon Capacity and Seating Capacity is multiplied by 0.20 and 0.30 respectively and added up to arrive at the total percentage increase in capital. The labour input i.e. non-gazetted staff strength is then increased to the extent of this percentage increase in the incremental capital.

c) The ratio of the output to the input is the productivity index for the year.

Background :

               Railways were the first departmental undertaking of the Government of India wherein the concept of PLB was introduced. The main consideration at that time was the important role of the Railways as an infrastructural support in the performance of the economy as a whole. In the overall context of Railway working, it was considered desirable to introduce the concept of PLB as against the concept of Bonus on the lines of ‘The Payment of Bonus Act – 1965’. Even though the Payment of Bonus Act does not apply to the Railways, yet the broad principles contained in that Act were kept in view for the purpose of determining the “Wage/Pay Ceiling:, definition of ‘Salary’/’Wage’, etc. The PLB Scheme for the Railways came into force from the year 1979-80 onwards and was evolved in consultation with the two recognised federations viz. All India Railwaymen’s Federation and National Federation of Indian Railwaymen and with the approval of the Cabinet. The scheme envisages a review every three years.

Implementation Strategy and targets:

                      Sixth Central Pay Commission in para 4.4.5 of their report had recommended that all Departments should ultimately replace the existing productivity linked bonus schemes with Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS) and also that in places where PLB is applicable and it is not found feasible to implement PRIS immediately, the existing productivity linked bonus schemes may be continued in a modified manner where the formula for computing the bonus has a direct nexus with the increased profitability/productivity under well-defined financial parameters. In respect of the Railway’s PLB scheme, the VIth CPC in Para 4.412 of their report have opined that a new formula for computing PLB that is based on financial parameters and where profit is computed as per the established principles of commercial accounting, wages with appropriate adjustments for increases, the impact of the capital investment, element of subsidy, etc. needs to be devised in case the PRIS is not implemented immediately in Ministry of Railways.

             The Government on the said recommendations of the Sixth CPC relating to the PLB schemes has decided to examine the same separately. However, the recommendation regarding PRIS has been accepted by the Government. Thus individual Ministries/Departments are required to devise PRIS in accordance with their own organizational structure and need as per guidelines to be issued by the nodal Ministry. Since no guidelines on PRIS have been received so far and as such PLB scheme is to continue till introduction of PRIS.

Major Impact

           This will be the highest PLB payment ever to be made by Railways. PLB is based on the productivity indices reflecting the performance of the Railways.

Expenditure involved:

          The financial implication of payment of 75 days’ PLB to railway employees has been estimated to be Rs.889 crores. The wage calculation ceiling prescribed for payment of PLB to the eligible non-gazetted railway employees (excluding RPF/RPSF personnel) is Rs.3500/- p.m.

Number of beneficiaries:

About 13.05 lakh non-gazetted Railway employees are likely to benefit from the decision.

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Payment Of Dearness Allowance to Central Government Employees-Finance Ministry Order.

No.1(6)/2009-E- (B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
NewDelhi,Dated 18th September,2009.

Subject:- Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees - Revised Rates effective from 1.7.2009.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry's Office Memorandum No.1(6)/2009-E- (B) Dated 13th September,2009 on the subject mentioned above and to state that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Allowance payable to Central Government employees shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 22% to 27% with effect from 1st July, 2009.

2. The provisions contained in paras 3, 4 and 5 of this Ministry's O.M.No.1(6)/2009-E- (B) Dated 29th August,2008 shall continue to be applicable while regulating Dearness Allowance under these orders.

3. The additional installment of Dearness Allowance payable under these orders shall be paid in cash to all Central Government employees.

4. These orders shall also apply to the civilian employees paid from the Defence Services Estimates and the expenditure will be chargeable to the relevant head of the Defence Services Estimates. In regard to Armed Forces personnel and Railway employees separate orders will be issued by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways, respectively.

5. In so far as the persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders issue after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

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Productivity Linked Bonus for Railway Employees

The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal of the Ministry of Railways for payment of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equivalent to 75 days’ wages for the financial year 2008-2009 for all eligible non-gazetted Railway employees (excluding RPF/RPSF personnel).
The salient features of the PLB scheme evolved as a result of review of the scheme and approval of the Cabinet on 23.09.2000 and applied for making payment for the financial years 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02 are as under :-
a) The output for a year is reckoned by the equated net tonne kilometres by adding together:-
(i) Total goods revenue net tonne kilometres.
(ii) Non-suburban passenger kilometres converted by a factor of 0.076.
(iii) Suburban passenger kilometres converted by a factor of 0.053.
b) The input is taken as the non-gazetted staff strength (excluding RPF/RPSF personnel), increased by the incremental increase/decrease in capital during the year. Incremental capital is confined to Rolling Stock utilised for movement of trains. The measurement of capital is in terms of tractive effort (Diesel Electric & Electric) for Locomotives, carrying capacity for Wagons and seating capacity for Coaches. The tractive effort of locomotives and carrying capacity of Wagons/Coaches together are given equal weight. The relative weight of wagons and coaches is determined on the basis of ratio of goods train kilometres and passenger train kilometres in the total train kilometres. Based on this principal, the relative weights are 0.50 for Tractive Effort, 0.20 for Wagon Capacity and 0.30 for Seating Capacity. Thus, the percentage increase in Tractive Effort over the base year is multiplied by 0.50; similarly the percentage increase in Wagon Capacity and Seating Capacity is multiplied by 0.20 and 0.30 respectively and added up to arrive at the total percentage increase in capital. The labour input i.e. non-gazetted staff strength is then increased to the extent of this percentage increase in the incremental capital.
c) The ratio of the output to the input is the productivity index for the year.
Background :
Railways were the first departmental undertaking of the Government of India wherein the concept of PLB was introduced. The main consideration at that time was the important role of the Railways as an infrastructural support in the performance of the economy as a whole. In the overall context of Railway working, it was considered desirable to introduce the concept of PLB as against the concept of Bonus on the lines of ‘The Payment of Bonus Act – 1965’. Even though the Payment of Bonus Act does not apply to the Railways, yet the broad principles contained in that Act were kept in view for the purpose of determining the “Wage/Pay Ceiling:, definition of ‘Salary’/’Wage’, etc. The PLB Scheme for the Railways came into force from the year 1979-80 onwards and was evolved in consultation with the two recognised federations viz. All India Railwaymen’s Federation and National Federation of Indian Railwaymen and with the approval of the Cabinet. The scheme envisages a review every three years.
Implementation Strategy and targets:
Sixth Central Pay Commission in para 4.4.5 of their report had recommended that all Departments should ultimately replace the existing productivity linked bonus schemes with Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS) and also that in places where PLB is applicable and it is not found feasible to implement PRIS immediately, the existing productivity linked bonus schemes may be continued in a modified manner where the formula for computing the bonus has a direct nexus with the increased profitability/productivity under well-defined financial parameters. In respect of the Railway’s PLB scheme, the VIth CPC in Para 4.412 of their report have opined that a new formula for computing PLB that is based on financial parameters and where profit is computed as per the established principles of commercial accounting, wages with appropriate adjustments for increases, the impact of the capital investment, element of subsidy, etc. needs to be devised in case the PRIS is not implemented immediately in Ministry of Railways.
The Government on the said recommendations of the Sixth CPC relating to the PLB schemes has decided to examine the same separately. However, the recommendation regarding PRIS has been accepted by the Government. Thus individual Ministries/Departments are required to devise PRIS in accordance with their own organizational structure and need as per guidelines to be issued by the nodal Ministry. Since no guidelines on PRIS have been received so far and as such PLB scheme is to continue till introduction of PRIS.
Major Impact
This will be the highest PLB payment ever to be made by Railways. PLB is based on the productivity indices reflecting the performance of the Railways.
Expenditure involved:
The financial implication of payment of 75 days’ PLB to railway employees has been estimated to be Rs.889 crores. The wage calculation ceiling prescribed for payment of PLB to the eligible non-gazetted railway employees (excluding RPF/RPSF personnel) is Rs.3500/- p.m.
Number of beneficiaries:
About 13.05 lakh non-gazetted Railway employees are likely to benefit from the decision.

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Increased compensation for policemen who die on duty-West Bengal Government

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today promised to increase compensation for the policemen who die during anti-terrorist operations in the state.


"At present the compensation for police personnel who die on duty is Rs 2 lakh which is not enough. We have decided to increase the amount. We will announce the increased amount very soon," Bhattacharjee, who also holds Home portfolio, said while inaugurating a police memorial said.

"The duty of policemen is no less than that of the army and in this changed socio-political condition when the terrorist activities in the state have increased to a considerable degree, the duty of the policemen has become more tough and challenging," he said.

Admitting that there were infrastructural problems, Bhattacharjee said, "We are trying to build hospitals, quarters and trying to give more facilities to the family of the policemen".
source:PTI

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MEDICLAIM POLICY AND TAX BENEFITS

Mediclaim insurance offers both tax savings and medical cover. You can insure against medical expenses of yourself or dependents. Mediclaim cover provides security to meet unanticipated medical expenses. These policies are offered by almost all insurance companies.

They provide insurance cover for the treatment of most ailments with hospitalisation. In addition to the basic cover, there are addons available on payment of an extra premium. You should go through the cover and exclusion clauses carefully. In some cases, preexisting ailments are also covered on payment of an additional premium. The cover may be enhanced to ailments not normally covered also. Some insurance companies provide cover for day-care and annual medical check-ups as well.

The premium paid for mediclaim policies is tax deductible. Under the Income Tax Act, exemption is available for the amount contributed towards medical insurance premium. This is provided under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act. According to these provisions, premium paid towards a mediclaim insurance is deducted from the total income of an assessee. The deduction is available only to individuals and Hindu Undivided Family members.In case of an individual, the amount deductible includes any sum paid for insurance on his health, on the health of his spouse, dependent parents or dependent children. The dependence of parents will have to be proved in order to claim the exemption. Dependence will be evident in case the own resources of the parents are not sufficient to support them.

In case of a Hindu Undivided Family, the amount deductible includes any sum paid for insurance on the health of any member of the family.

In order to claim this deduction, the amount should be paid by cheque. Also, the amount should be paid in the relevant previous year. It should be paid out of income chargeable to tax. The scheme of insurance should be approved by the General Insurance Corporation of India. Moreover, the insurance should be approved by the Central Government.

According to the Income Tax Act, the limit eligible for deduction is Rs 15,000. In some cases, an enhanced deduction of Rs 20,000 is allowed, provided the insured is a senior citizen. Senior citizen means a person who is resident in India and at least 65 years of age at any time during the previous year.

The scheme of deduction has been further modified with effect from the assessment year 2009-10 to encourage individuals to supplement the efforts of their parents in getting medical cover. Accordingly, an additional deduction of Rs 15,000 will be allowed to an individual on any payment made for an insurance on the health of his parents, irrespective of the fact whether they are dependent on him or not. This deduction would be in addition to the one on the insurance of the assessee himself, his wife or children
source:The Economic Times

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40 DAYS BONUS(PLB) FOR CIVILIANS OF ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS- MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE ISSUED ORDER REGARDING THE PAYMENT OF PRODUCTIVITY LINKED BONUS FOR THE CIVILIANS OF THE ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS(AOC) FOR THE YEAR 2008-2009
click the orders to view the full details

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40 DAYS BONUS(PLB) FOR CIVILIANS OF ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE ISSUED ORDER REGARDING THE PAYMENT OF PRODUCTIVITY LINKED BONUS FOR THE CIVILIANS OF THE ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS(AOC) FOR THE YEAR 2008-2009

click the orders to view the full details

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It pays to be a state govt employee or retiree: Study

Salaries and retirement benefits of all state government employees, which were as high as one-third of the aggregate revenue expenditure or two-third of states’ own tax revenue in the eight years up to 2008, is set to rise sharply, said a study commissioned by the thirteenth finance commission chaired by Dr Vijay Kelkar.

The study done by Rajasthan government’s principal secretary Subhash Garg and Invest India Economic Foundation MD Gautam Bhardwaj made a case for the Union government and states to urgently set up an electronic database of employees, pensioners and the benefits to be given to them.

The study urged the Thirteenth Finance Commission to tell the Centre and state governments to initiate this immediately so that a reliable reference is available for fiscal planning. The Thirteenth Finance Commission was set up to advise on how to share Centre’s net tax revenue with states in the five years from April 2010.

The study on building an employee, pensioner database said the direct and indirect employees of states governments form less than 6% of the paid workforce and roughly 2% of India’s population. However, aggregate payments towards salaries, lump sum terminal benefits such as gratuity and leave encashment and monthly pensions on an average amounted to 32.77% of states’ total revenue expenditure and 67.3% of states’ own tax revenue between 1990-91 and 2008-09.

These costs grew at a CAGR of 17.13% across states. The study projected a 30% increase in this expense due to wage hike but the exact rise may depend on the demographic profile, the study said.

source:The Economic Times

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Rajasthan announces quota in PDS

The Rajasthan government  announced quota in the public distribution system (PDS) for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC).

"The quota would be 16 per cent for SC, 12 per cent for ST and 21 per cent for OBC," Rajasthan Food and Civil Supply Minister, Babulal Nagar, told reporters here.

However, in the tribal areas of Shahabad and Kishangang, the ration would be allocated to SC and ST at 50 per cent quota, he said.

Of the total 23,800 ration shops in the state, 1140 are vacant and 2700 new will be opened soon, Nagar said, adding 3840 of them would be allocated on the basis of reservation.

"A new roaster system would be adopted for PDS shops allocation," the minister said.

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Rajasthan raises employees' DA from July one

The Rajasthan government yesterday night announced a raise in Dearness Allowance (DA) of employees from 22 to 27 per cent effective July 1, 2009.

Revised DA arrears for the month of July and August would be deposited in the employees' PF, and cash would be disbursed with monthly salary of September, an official spokesman said.

DA of pensioners have also been raised with same rates.

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Guards Of Ayodhya will get 30% Increase in allowance

Security personnel guarding the Ram Janma Bhoomi Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya will get an increase of 30 per cent in the allowance within two months.


Confirming the development, additional director general of police AK Jain said that the state government has approved the proposal to increase the allowance of UP police personnel posted at Ram Janma Bhoomi Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya.

Jain who was in Ayodhya for a review meeting told that the Government is planning to acquire further two bighas of tourism department land adjacent to the Babri Masjid premises.

"This land will be used in building two more security watch towers and construction of barracks to accommodate about 50 sub inspectors deployed in disputed shrine's security. The Uttar Pradesh Construction Corporation has already completed its survey in this regard," he added.

source:PTI

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Increase in allowance of guards at Ayodhya

Security personnel guarding the Ram Janma Bhoomi Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya will get an increase of 30 per cent in the allowance within two months.
Confirming the development, additional director general of police AK Jain said that the state government has approved the proposal to increase the allowance of UP police personnel posted at Ram Janma Bhoomi Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya.
Jain who was in Ayodhya for a review meeting told that the Government is planning to acquire further two bighas of tourism department land adjacent to the Babri Masjid premises.
"This land will be used in building two more security watch towers and construction of barracks to accommodate about 50 sub inspectors deployed in disputed shrine's security. The Uttar Pradesh Construction Corporation has already completed its survey in this regard," he added.
source:PTI

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Uttar Pradesh government decided to revise the pay scale as per 6CPC recommendations

Uttar Pradesh government  decided to revise the pay scale of staff of all state-owned enterprises and corporations and to provide other benfits as per the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission with effect from January 1, 2006.

The decision will benefit about 98,000 employees and officers of public sector enterprises and corporations except energy sector undertakings, a government spokesman said here.

It will entail an additional burden of Rs 305 crore annually which will be borne by the enterprises and corporations.

However, the benefits of revised pay scale and other benefits will be subject to the economic capability of corporations and certain conditions, he said.

"No government assistance will be provided," the spokesman said.

The government also decided to relax rules regarding payment of dearness allowance to the staff of enterprises and corporations and merge 50 per cent of the DA with the salary.

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Release of additional instalment of dearness allowance to Central Government employees and dearness relief to Pensioners, due from 1.7.2009

The Cabinet has decided to release an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 1.7.2009 representing an increase of 5% over the existing rate of 22% of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate for price rise.

The increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission. The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both dearness allowance and dearness relief would be of the order of Rs.4355.35 crore in a full year and Rs.2903.55 crore in the financial year 2009-2010 (for a period of 8 months from July, 2009 to February, 2010).

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CABINET APPROVED ADDITIONAL 5% DEARNESS ALLOWANCE

The Cabinet has decided to release an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 1.7.2009 representing an increase of 5% over the existing rate of 22% of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate for price rise.
The increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission. The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both dearness allowance and dearness relief would be of the order of Rs.4355.35 crore in a full year and Rs.2903.55 crore in the financial year 2009-2010 (for a period of 8 months from July, 2009 to February, 2010).

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LTC BY AIR -CLARIFICATION

No.3101112/2006-Estt.(A)

Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pension
Department of Personnel & Training

Subject:- Regulation of Journey by air while availing Leave Travel Concession
- clarification regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's a.M. of even No. dated 27.7.2009 on the above subject and to say that consequent to issue of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure O.M.No. 7(1) E.Coord/2009 dated 7/9/2009 on expenditure management the reimbursement of the expenses on air travel while availing of the Leave Travel Concession by Government servants will be restricted to the cost of travel by the economy class, irrespective of entitlement, with immediate effect.

(C.A. Subramanian)
Director (E.1I)

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JOURNEY BY AIR WHILE AVAILING LTC- CLARIFICATION

No.3101112/2006-Estt.(A)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pension
Department of Personnel & Training

Subject:- Regulation of Journey by air while availing Leave Travel Concession
- clarification regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's a.M. of even No. dated 27.7.2009 on the above subject and to say that consequent to issue of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure O.M.No. 7(1) E.Coord/2009 dated 7/9/2009 on expenditure management the reimbursement of the expenses on air travel while availing of the Leave Travel Concession by Government servants will be restricted to the cost of travel by the economy class, irrespective of entitlement, with immediate effect.

(C.A. Subramanian)
Director (E.1I)

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RS.5000-8000 FOR MCM(WORK SHOP STAFF)-MOD ISSUED ORDER

This is really a happy news for workshop staff .Actually its a decade long demand of defence civilian workshop staff for Rs.5000-8000 for MCM Grade at par with Railway. But unfortunately the Sixth CPC turned down this demand and recommended Rs.4500-7000 to Railway employees too.After the strong protest of all federations this issue was placed before Fast Track Committee and finally this decision was arrived.See the order given here.

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MINISTRY OF DEFENCE ISSUED ORDERS FOR REDESIGNATION OF HIGHLY SKILLED GRADE INTO HS-I AND HS-II.,AND GRADE PAY RS .4200 FOR MCM GRADE

This is really a happy news for workshop staff .Actually its a decade long demand of defence civilian workshop staff for Rs.5000-8000 for MCM Grade at par with Railway.But unfortunatly the Sixth CPC turned down this demand and recommended Rs.4500-7000 to Railway employees too.After the strong protest of all federations this issue was placed before Fast Track Committee and finally this decision was arrived.click the order to view full detail.

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Grant of Honorarium to Inquiry Officers/ Presenting Officers

No. 142/20/2008- AVD I

Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training)
New Delhi, Dated the 2nd  July 2009

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Grant of Honorarium to Inquiry Officers/ Presenting Officers

The undersigned is directed to refer to this department's OM no 134/4/99-AVD I dated 29th June 2001 and 7th April 2003 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the rates of honorarium payable to the 10/PO in the case of departmental inquiries were last revised vide OM dated 29th June 2001 in the case of serving Government Servants functioning as part time IO/PO and vide OM dated 7th April 2003 in the case of retired Govt Servants functioning as10. :.

2. The existing rates of honorarium as prescribed in the aforesaid OM was reviewed in consultation with the Ministry of Finance.As a result of review, it has been decided to revise the existing rates of the honora'l'ium, payable, to 10/PO. The rates of honorarium as revised are indicated in the table below:-

Particulars of Revised Rates ( per inquiry)

a) Inquiry Officer (Part timeServing Govt Servants) Rs. 3000/-Maximum -Rs.1500/-minimum


b) Presenting Officer (Part time Serving Govt Servants) - Rs.1500/- maximum
Rs.750/- Minimum

c) Retired Govt Servants as Inquiry Officers Rs.9750/ . (lumpsum) Plus
1500/- for every additional charged officer

3 The grant of revised rates of honorarium as above will be subject to the same conditions stipulated vide para 4 of this Department's OM no. 134/4/99-AVD-I dated 29th June 2001. "

4, These orders will take effect from the date of issued and will also
apply to inquiries in progress.

5. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of 'Finance, Department of Expenditure, vide their ID no 14(4)!2009-EII(B) 14,7.2009.

(P.K Ravi)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

.

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Grant of Honorarium to Inquiry Officers/ Presenting Officers

No. 142/20/2008- AVD I
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training)
New Delhi, Dated the 2ih July 2009

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Grant of Honorarium to Inquiry Officers/ Presenting Officers

The undersigned is directed to refer to this department's OM no
134/4/99-AVD I dated 29th June 2001 and 7th April 2003 on the subject
mentioned above and to say that the rates of honorarium payable to the 10/PO in the case of departmental inquiries were last revised vide OM dated 29th June 2001 in the case of serving Government Servants functioning as part time IO/PO and vide OM dated 7th April 2003 in the case of retired Govt Servants
functioning as10. :.
2. The existing rates of honorarium as prescribed in the aforesaid OM was reviewed in consultation with the Ministry of Finance.As a result of review, it has been decided to revise the existing rates of the honora'l'ium, payable, to 10/PO. The rates of honorarium as revised are indicated in the table below:-

Particulars of Revised Rates ( per inquiry)
a) Inquiry Officer (Part timeServing Govt Servants) Rs. 3000/-Maximum -Rs.1500/-minimum
b) Presenting Officer (Part time Serving Govt Servants) - Rs.1500/- maximum
Rs.750/- Minimum
c) Retired Govt Servants as Inquiry Officers Rs.9750/ . (lumpsum) Plus
1500/- for every additional charged officer

3 The grant of revised rates of honorarium as above will be subject to the same conditions stipulated vide para 4 of this Department's OM no. 134/4/99-AVD-I dated 29th June 2001. "

4, These orders will take effect from the date of issued and will also
apply to inquiries in progress.

5. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of 'Finance, Department of Expenditure, vide their ID no 14(4)!2009-EII(B) 14,7.2009.

(P.K Ravi)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
.

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Meghalaya government has announced an overall pay hike of 32 per cent for all its employees

Meghalaya government has announced an overall pay hike of 32 per cent for all its employees with retrospective effect from January 1, 2007.


After a cabinet meeting last night, Chief Minister DD Lapang said the revised pay scale as recommended by the state's fourth pay commission will be implemented from October 1.

The state government will have to spend Rs 330 crore annually on salaries of about 70,000 employees.

Arrears, amounting to Rs 660 crore, would be divided between the current financial year and the subsequent years in the ratio of 40:60.

Meghalaya will require Rs 545 crore to implement the new pay scales. "The central government has assured us of a Rs 260 crore assistance for the purpose," Lapang said adding that for the remaining amount the state government will have to mobilise additional resources.

Source:PTI

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CBSE: No more failed students

Students enrolled in schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will no longer be ‘failed’ as the grading system proposed to replace marking systems next year on will just term a student scoring less than 32 per cent marks as one that ‘needs improvement’. Students scoring less than 32 per cent marks will be graded ‘E’ — ’Needs Improvement’ — while those scoring over 95 per cent will be graded A1 and termed ‘Truly exceptional’. Those scoring between 92-94 per cent will be termed ‘outstanding’.


This nine-point grading system will ensure that students must score at least 33 per cent in five subjects to get a certificate while those who do not manage to make the cut in five subjects will be given a ‘Statement of Performance’. The CBSE is planning a nine-point grading system to replace marking system as part of academic reforms and in keeping with the recommendations made in the National Curriculum Framework, 2005.

The CBSE will also be making the Class X boards optional from the session 2010-11 at the instance of the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry. As per the plan, students in CBSE schools up to Class XII will not need to appear for Class X boards and will instead just go through a Comprehensive and Continued Evaluation (CEE) system. However, students who have to change schools after Class X will be able to appear for the Boards.

Source: Express India

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CBSE: No more failed students

Students enrolled in schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will no longer be ‘failed’ as the grading system proposed to replace marking systems next year on will just term a student scoring less than 32 per cent marks as one that ‘needs improvement’. Students scoring less than 32 per cent marks will be graded ‘E’ — ’Needs Improvement’ — while those scoring over 95 per cent will be graded A1 and termed ‘Truly exceptional’. Those scoring between 92-94 per cent will be termed ‘outstanding’.

This nine-point grading system will ensure that students must score at least 33 per cent in five subjects to get a certificate while those who do not manage to make the cut in five subjects will be given a ‘Statement of Performance’. The CBSE is planning a nine-point grading system to replace marking system as part of academic reforms and in keeping with the recommendations made in the National Curriculum Framework, 2005.

The CBSE will also be making the Class X boards optional from the session 2010-11 at the instance of the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry. As per the plan, students in CBSE schools up to Class XII will not need to appear for Class X boards and will instead just go through a Comprehensive and Continued Evaluation (CEE) system. However, students who have to change schools after Class X will be able to appear for the Boards.

Source: Express India

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Incentive Increments to Sportspersons for Sports Achievements

No.6/2/2008-Pay-1
Government of India
M/o Personnel,
PO & PensionsDepartment of Personnel and Training
New Delhi, 2009. 3rd September 2009

OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:- Incentive increments to sportspersons for outstanding sports achievementsat National and International levels.
Reference is invited to this Department's OM of even number dated 26'"August, 2008 and subsequent reminder dated 3rd October, 2008 and 12th September,2008 whereby it has been requested to furnish views regarding the quantum oflump-sum incentives to be granted to sportspersons who win a Gold, Silver orBronze medal in the Nationallinternational Tournaments. A copy of the OM dated26th August, 2008 has been uploaded on the DOPT website.

2. All the Ministries/Departments are again requested to expedite the matter andfurnish their considered views at the earliest to enable this Department to review theexisting provisions for grant of incentives to Government servants who acheiveexcellence in the sporting events of National international importance.
B,R, Mukhokpadhyay
Director(pay)
View the copy of OM dated 26th August 2008

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Clarification Regarding Deduction of Tax at source from 60% Arrears

F.No.275/192/2008-IT(B)

Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Dated 31th August,2009.

Subject:- Clarification regarding deduction of tax at source from payments of second installment of arrears to Government employees on account of implementation of Sixth Central Pay Commission’s recommendations matter regarding.

Under the provisions of Section 192 of the Income-tax Act, an employer is required to deduct tax at source from any payments in the nature of salary, which inter alia also includes any arrear payments. The Implementation Cell of the Department of Expenditure, Govt of India, vide its Office Order dated 30th Aug’08 had stated that 40% of the aggregate arrear (first installment of arrears) would be payable during FY 2008-09. In Circular No. 09/2008 dated 29th Sept.2008 issued from this office it was stated that during 2008-09 the tax has to be deducted at source on this 40% of aggregate arrear during FY 2008-09The OM,F.No-1//1/2008-IC, of the Implementation Cell of the Department of Expenditure, Govt of India, vide its order dated 25th August,2009 has stated that the remaining 60% of the aggregate arrear (second installment of arrears) would be paid to the concerned Government servants during FY 2009-10. Such arrangements could be followed by State Governments also.

In this regard, all the DDOs and PAOs as the case may be, in the Central/State Government and various organizations under them are advised to compute the correct tax liability of every employee on second installment of arrears drawn by him and immediately recover the full tax liability along with education cess thereon at the rates in force. The deduction of tax at source on such arrear payment should not be deferred in any circumstance. They should further ensure that the tax so recovered is paid to the account of Central Government account immediately as per the Income Tax Rules, 1962. The DDOs/PAOs are further advised that they should ensure that the PAN details of the deductees (recipient of arrears) are correctly quoted in the relevant quarterly e-TDS returns filed by them so that the Government Servants get propercredit of their tax deducted in their respective income tax returns.

DDOs/PAOs who fail to comply with the provisions of Section 192 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 would be liable to pay interest under section 201(1)/(1A) of Income Tax Act along with other penal consequences.

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Incentive Increments to SportsPersons

No.6/2/2008-Pay-1
Government of India
M/o Personnel, PO & Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
New Delhi, 2009.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Incentive increments to sportspersons for outstanding sports achievements at National and International levels.

Reference is invited to this Department's OM of even number dated 26th August, 2008 and subsequent reminder dated 3rd October, 2008 and 12th September, 2008 whereby it has been requested to furnish views regarding the quantum of lump-sum incentives to be granted to sportspersons who win a Gold, Silver or Bronze medal in the Nationallinternational Tournaments. A copy of the OM dated 26th August, 2008 has been uploaded on the DOPT website.

2. All the Ministries/Departments are again requested to expedite the matter and furnish their considered views at the earliest to enable this Department to review the existing provisions for grant of incentives to Government servants who acheive excellence in the sporting events of National international importance.

(B,R, Mukhokpadhyay
Director(pay)
View the copy of OM dated 26th August 2008

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Deduction of Tax at Source From Payments of 60% Arrears

F.No.275/192/2008-IT(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Dated 31th August,2009.

Subject:- Clarification regarding deduction of tax at source from payments of second installment of arrears to Government employees on account of implementation of Sixth Central Pay Commission’s recommendations matter regarding.

Under the provisions of Section 192 of the Income-tax Act, an employer is required to deduct tax at source from any payments in the nature of salary, which inter alia also includes any arrear payments. The Implementation Cell of the Department of Expenditure, Govt of India, vide its Office Order dated 30th Aug’08 had stated that 40% of the aggregate arrear (first installment of arrears) would be payable during FY 2008-09. In Circular No. 09/2008 dated 29th Sept.2008 issued from this office it was stated that during 2008-09 the tax has to be deducted at source on this 40% of aggregate arrear during FY 2008-09The OM,F.No-1//1/2008-IC, of the Implementation Cell of the Department of Expenditure, Govt of India, vide its order dated 25th August,2009 has stated that the remaining 60% of the aggregate arrear (second installment of arrears) would be paid to the concerned Government servants during FY 2009-10. Such arrangements could be followed by State Governments also.

In this regard, all the DDOs and PAOs as the case may be, in the Central/State Government and various organizations under them are advised to compute the correct tax liability of every employee on second installment of arrears drawn by him and immediately recover the full tax liability along with education cess thereon at the rates in force. The deduction of tax at source on such arrear payment should not be deferred in any circumstance. They should further ensure that the tax so recovered is paid to the account of Central Government account immediately as per the Income Tax Rules, 1962. The DDOs/PAOs are further advised that they should ensure that the PAN details of the deductees (recipient of arrears) are correctly quoted in the relevant quarterly e-TDS returns filed by them so that the Government Servants get propercredit of their tax deducted in their respective income tax returns.

DDOs/PAOs who fail to comply with the provisions of Section 192 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 would be liable to pay interest under section 201(1)/(1A) of Income Tax Act along with other penal consequences.

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Haryana Teachers Resigned from Additional Assignments

University teachers in Haryana today resigned en masse from additional assignments held by them in protest against the failure of the state government to implement the new UGC scales in totality. They also continued their strike.

A spokesperson for the teachers said here today that senior teachers of all universities today resigned from the assignments they held in addition to their original posts. These included posts of chairman, proctor, hostel warden and dean. Kurukshetra University teachers had quit such posts yesterday.
He said teaching remained suspended in all universities and teachers staged dharnas on their respective campuses.
Rakesh Lohchab, president of the GJU Teachers Association, said the teachers would make up the academic loss to students as and when teaching resumed. He appealed to various sections of society to support the university teachers’ agitation.
He sought the intervention by the Governor and the Chief Minister in resolving the crisis.

KURUKSHETRA: Supporting the demands of university and college teachers, INLD state president Ashok Arora said here on Tuesday that it was a matter of pity that the teachers were compelled to take to the streets for getting their demands accepted.
Arora demanded that the teachers should be granted the UGC scale

SIRSA: Teachers of Chaudhary Devi Lal University here on Tuesday submitted their resignations from additional assignments being handled by them.
The teachers, who have been on strike for the past one week, submitted their resignations through a joint note to the university authorities.
“As many as 26 senior teachers of the ranks of Professor, Reader and Lecturer have resigned from 62 additional assignments,” said Dr Deepti Dharmani, Reader in the department of English and spokesperson for the striking teachers.
The teachers have also decided that they will not attend meetings of the academic council, the executive council, the university court, the postgraduate board of studies and the departmental research committee till their demands are met.

source:Tribune

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H1N1 VACCINE FIRST FOR HEALTH WORKERS- HEALTH MINISTRY

After international pharmaceutical companies announced they are ready to roll out the H1N1 vaccine, the Health Ministry has written to them saying they can conduct “limited drug trials” in the country so that their vaccines can be evaluated for the Indian population.


Letters went out to Aventis-Sanofi, Glaxo SmithKline (GSK) and Baxter. GSK has agreed to conduct the trials provided the government gives it some “guarantee of purchase.”

These companies are said to be ready to launch their vaccines between December and February while Indian companies have a March deadline. ‘Talks are on with the companies and we are working out how many units of vaccines we are likely to need,” said V M Katoch, DG ICMR and Secretary, Health Research. “We have identified eight testing sites where the trials (for both international and domestic companies) are likely to happen,” he said. “We will surely give the companies a purchase guarantee,” Katoch said.

If the trials are successful, sources said, the plan is to order the vaccines first for health workers directly exposed to the virus and wait for development of the indigenous vaccine for the general public.

“There have been negative experiences associated with vaccines in the past. Although the vaccines have been found to be safe abroad, the Indian population can react differently. We don’t give influenza vaccines here, our immunity levels are different,” said Katoch.

There was no tearing hurry, he said. “We have been able to keep the death rates really low by giving Tamiflu, so we can wait a little more.”

In India, the Serum Institute, Panacea India and Bharat Pharmaceuticals are working on the vaccine. “They have made a lot of headway,” said S K Srivastava, Director-General, Health Services.

Homeopathic medicine

A meeting of experts called by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy to suggest ways and means of prevention of flu has inter alia recommended that homoeopathy medicine Arsenicum album be taken as prophylactic medicine. It has recommended one dose of Arsenicum album 30 daily, on empty stomach, for three days. The dose should be repeated the same way after a month if flu-like conditions prevail.

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H1N1 VACCINE FIRST FOR HEALTH WORKERS

After international pharmaceutical companies announced they are ready to roll out the H1N1 vaccine, the Health Ministry has written to them saying they can conduct “limited drug trials” in the country so that their vaccines can be evaluated for the Indian population.
Letters went out to Aventis-Sanofi, Glaxo SmithKline (GSK) and Baxter. GSK has agreed to conduct the trials provided the government gives it some “guarantee of purchase.”

These companies are said to be ready to launch their vaccines between December and February while Indian companies have a March deadline. ‘Talks are on with the companies and we are working out how many units of vaccines we are likely to need,” said V M Katoch, DG ICMR and Secretary, Health Research. “We have identified eight testing sites where the trials (for both international and domestic companies) are likely to happen,” he said. “We will surely give the companies a purchase guarantee,” Katoch said.

If the trials are successful, sources said, the plan is to order the vaccines first for health workers directly exposed to the virus and wait for development of the indigenous vaccine for the general public.

“There have been negative experiences associated with vaccines in the past. Although the vaccines have been found to be safe abroad, the Indian population can react differently. We don’t give influenza vaccines here, our immunity levels are different,” said Katoch.

There was no tearing hurry, he said. “We have been able to keep the death rates really low by giving Tamiflu, so we can wait a little more.”

In India, the Serum Institute, Panacea India and Bharat Pharmaceuticals are working on the vaccine. “They have made a lot of headway,” said S K Srivastava, Director-General, Health Services.

Homeopathic medicine

A meeting of experts called by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy to suggest ways and means of prevention of flu has inter alia recommended that homoeopathy medicine Arsenicum album be taken as prophylactic medicine. It has recommended one dose of Arsenicum album 30 daily, on empty stomach, for three days. The dose should be repeated the same way after a month if flu-like conditions prevail.

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Government Agreed Pay Hike for Professors in IIT and IIMs

The Centre has agreed to a jump in the salaries of assistant professors in IITs and IIMs, raising prospects of an early resolution of an unprecedented pay dispute that saw teachers boycotting classes.


The government has agreed to hike the starting salary of assistant professors by almost 25 per cent from that stipulated in a new pay regime it had notified earlier this month, top officials revealed.

The decision was firmed up today, on the eve of a meeting between human resource development minister Kapil Sibal and IIT directors to resolve the crisis.

Faculty at the IITs and the IIMs are protesting revised pay scales that snip salaries recommended by a central pay panel under former Indian Institute of Science director Goverdhan Mehta.

The pay regime notified earlier this month also ignores a slew of additional incentives suggested by the Mehta panel to counter the lure of better salaries offered by industry and foreign universities.

Poor salaries for assistant professors, the institutes argued, were at the root of the dispute.

Under the pay scales notified earlier this month, assistant professors were placed at a starting monthly salary of Rs 30,000, in a range referred to as pay band 3.

The HRD ministry has decided that salaries for assistant professors will now start at Rs 37,400 a month, in a higher pay range — called pay band 4.

The academic grade pay — a rank-based increment — for assistant professors will remain at Rs 8,000 a month, as notified earlier this month.

The ministry has not yet accepted demands from the IITs for additional incentives — financial compensation for the years spent in study and research instead of working, or a performance-related incentive scheme.

The salaries notified earlier this month — and first reported by The Telegraph on August 19 — represented the first hike in pay scales for the IIT and IIM faculties since 1999.

On learning about the notification, faculties across the IITs and IIMs protested against the new pay regime, wearing black bands. Teachers at different IITs took turns at boycotting classes.

The IITs last week submitted a memorandum of demands to the HRD ministry, threatening a mass hunger strike on September 5 — Teacher’s Day — if their demands were not accepted.

The IIMs have also formulated a similar charter of demands, though they have not specified any protest action they are planning.

Under current pay scales for teachers at India’s universities, assistant professor salaries automatically proceed from pay band 3 to pay band 4 after three years in service. The pay scales for IIT and IIM faculties notified this month did not include any similar provision for shifting the salaries of assistant professors to pay band 4 after three years.

Teachers at the IITs and the IIMs have traditionally been paid higher than their counterparts at universities because of the higher demand they command in the corporate market.

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LPG SMS booking facility for IOC & BPCL and IVRS for HPCL customers

Shri Murli Deora, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas launched here today the innovative customer service initiatives of three Oil Marketing Companies(OMCs) by sending an SMS on IOC’s SMS booking number. He also unveiled the IVRS (Integrated Voice Response System) mechanism of HPCL. With this the consumers of domestic LPG have been provided a platform for quick and smooth booking of LPG Refills. They will not only get acknowledgement but also get information about cylinder delivery. The facility has been initially launched in Delhi and would be expanded in a phased manner to cover all towns of the country having population of over 5 lakhs.

The Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Jitin Prasada dialed the unified six digit toll free number of all the three OMCs to mark inauguration of the new number for registering complaints towards effective grievance redressal. This replaces the earlier separate eleven digit numbers of three companies thus making it easier for customers to remember and make use of the facility in a more meaningful way.

View Full Details

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LPG SMS booking facility for IOC & BPCL and IVRS for HPCL customers

Shri Murli Deora, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas launched here today the innovative customer service initiatives of three Oil Marketing Companies(OMCs) by sending an SMS on IOC’s SMS booking number. He also unveiled the IVRS (Integrated Voice Response System) mechanism of HPCL. With this the consumers of domestic LPG have been provided a platform for quick and smooth booking of LPG Refills. They will not only get acknowledgement but also get information about cylinder delivery. The facility has been initially launched in Delhi and would be expanded in a phased manner to cover all towns of the country having population of over 5 lakhs.


The Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Jitin Prasada dialed the unified six digit toll free number of all the three OMCs to mark inauguration of the new number for registering complaints towards effective grievance redressal. This replaces the earlier separate eleven digit numbers of three companies thus making it easier for customers to remember and make use of the facility in a more meaningful way.

Speaking on the occasion Shri Murli Deora emphasized that the steady efforts have led to better services in the marketing of petroleum products during the recent years. Complementing OMCs for the improvements, he pointed out that there are areas where more need to be done towards improving customer care services. In his address Shri Jitin Prasada underscored that these initiatives will go a long way in leveraging benefits of technology to the customers. As part of Vision 2015 finalized about two months back, he said that main thrust of these initiatives was to pan out the outreach of services and products to common man especially in the rural areas. Shri Prasada also called upon OMCs to acquit themselves in a way that their customer friendly face is more and more visible. He reminded thatwhenever there is shortage of LPG, it the the common-man who suffers through late and uncertain delivery schedule.

(A) SIX DIGIT TOLL FREE NUMBER

• There is now a common, consumer friendly, six digit toll free number for the customers of the three Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) namely Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL). This six digit number ‘155233’ replaces the earlier eleven digit numbers which were not only difficult to remember but were different for the three OMCs.

• Through this single common number any customer can query and register their complaint in the call center being operated by all the three OMCs. The Call centers are operated region wise to facilitate the customers to lodge complaints in local language. Customers are given a registration number and those who wish to know about the status of the complaints can call up the centers at the same toll free number.

• The service will be stabilised by the companies in coming days throughout the country

(B) SMS BOOKING

For sourcing LPG cylinder refills, Customers are required to register their requests. Refill calls are presently registered traditionally by consumers through personal visit and telephone, which remain a matter of concern for the customers. While analyzing the data on complaints being received by OMCs, it has been observed that a major chunk of them pertains to the refill booking and against not providing the acknowledgement of bookings. To effectively address this issue, it was felt necessary to have a system of registering the booking and providing the registration number without any manual intervention.

Alongwith the Toll free number, booking of LPG refills through SMS/Integrated Voice Response System (IVRS) was also be launched in Delhi on 31st August, 2009.

With today’s launch the service will be expanded in a phased manner in the city and the towns with over 5 lakh populations by the OMCs

The bookings can be made to

i. 54625 for IOC (Vodafone, Airtel, MTNL, Idea & Tata Users)

ii. 52725 for BPCL (Vodafone, MTNL, Idea & Tata Users)

and 57333 for other mobile users.

The consumer will get as confirmation on SMS giving Booking Number, time & date of recording and another SMS after the delivery against the booking is effected, saying “The LPG refill booking that was booked has been delivered.”

The above method has following advantages:
(i) Customer is sure about his booking as he is provided with the booking reference. He can make a query on the status citing the number anytime after booking.
(ii) If customer has not got the refill but has received a message that refill has been delivered, such customers can contact/complain for non-delivery of the refill.
(iii) This method can check wrong deliveries of refill and will help in arresting diversion.
(iv) Booking for the refill is possible 24X7.

IVRS of HPCL is an exclusive 24x7 facility and the IVRS refill booking system for Delhi is 9990923456.

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Postal Department Will Act as an Agency to Enrol NPS Customers

 Post offices will soon offer services under the new pension system as the department of posts is set to sign an agreement with the


Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) in this regard. Initially, the services will be available only in computerised post offices, an official in the ministry of communications & IT said.

After the agreement, the postal department will act as an agency to enrol NPS customers, the official said requesting anonymity. Technically known as ‘points of presence’ (PoPs), these agencies serve as contact and collection centres where pension contributions are collected under the NPS scheme. There are 21 PoPs providing NPS services including banks such as State Bank of India, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, Oriental Bank of Union Bank ofIndia.

The pension regulator is now convinced that some of the post offices have the IT infrastructure to serve the scheme.

Earlier, the watchdog had expressed doubt due to the poor IT penetration in the postal system, post offices may not be able to provide NPS services. “But around 3,000 post offices were found to be fully equipped,” the official said. The official didn’t specify the time frame within which the agreement will be signed. The PFRDA opened up the new pension system to all citizens from May 1, 2009. It is compulsory for all government employees joining service on or after January 1, 2004.

Under the new pension system, instead of agents selling the scheme, the regulator has banks and other financial institutions as points of presence, where an account could be opened. As a result, the marketing cost of the pension plan remains low and the fees applicable are disclosed upfront. The scheme offers a social security net for workers in the unorganised sector too.

The regulator is now in talks with the government to bear the transaction cost for the unorganised sector, which would make the scheme even more attractive.

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WEST BENGAL TO SET UP A PAY COMMISSION

Following the revision of pay scales for Central government employees, the West bengal state government announced to set up a pay commission for its employees

According to Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta, the notification for the new commission will be issued in nearly 10 days. It will be the fifth such commission for the state government employees.

“The commission will be asked to finish its work as fast as possible. We will also demand the Centre to provide half the money needed to implement the revised pay scale,” Dasgupta said.

He added that the additional burden on state exchequers arising due to revision of pay scales will be on the agenda at the meeting of state finance ministers to be held in Delhi on August 29.

Various employees’ unions affiliated to the Opposition parties have rapped the state government’s decision to set up the commission.

“Nearly 20 states have declared that they would upgrade the pay scales of their employees at par with the Central government employees. Why is our government not doing so? It is sheer chicanery,” Samir Ranjan Majumder, president (Writers’ Buildings area) of West Bengal Government Employees’ Union, said.

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POST OFFICES OFFER SERVICES UNDER NEW PENSION SCHEME

NEW DELHI: Post offices will soon offer services under the new pension system as the department of posts is set to sign an agreement with the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) in this regard. Initially, the services will be available only in computerised post offices, an official in the ministry of communications & IT said.

After the agreement, the postal department will act as an agency to enrol NPS customers, the official said requesting anonymity. Technically known as ‘points of presence’ (PoPs), these agencies serve as contact and collection centres where pension contributions are collected under the NPS scheme. There are 21 PoPs providing NPS services including banks such as State Bank of India, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, Oriental Bank of Union Bank ofIndia.

The pension regulator is now convinced that some of the post offices have the IT infrastructure to serve the scheme.

Earlier, the watchdog had expressed doubt due to the poor IT penetration in the postal system, post offices may not be able to provide NPS services. “But around 3,000 post offices were found to be fully equipped,” the official said. The official didn’t specify the time frame within which the agreement will be signed. The PFRDA opened up the new pension system to all citizens from May 1, 2009. It is compulsory for all government employees joining service on or after January 1, 2004.

Under the new pension system, instead of agents selling the scheme, the regulator has banks and other financial institutions as points of presence, where an account could be opened. As a result, the marketing cost of the pension plan remains low and the fees applicable are disclosed upfront. The scheme offers a social security net for workers in the unorganised sector too.

The regulator is now in talks with the government to bear the transaction cost for the unorganised sector, which would make the scheme even more attractive.

Read More