Indian coast guard gets new class of OPV

                 The Indian Coast Guard today received the first of the new class of offshore patrol vessel (OPV) indigenously designed in house and built by Goa Shipyard limited (GSL).


                 The GSL spokesman said that the ship named ICGS Vishwast is the first of the new class of three OPVs being built by the shipyard for the Indian Coast Guard.

                 "The 93.89 metres vessel is well equipped with state-of- the-art Navigation and Communication equipment automated by an Integrated Bridge System (IBS), thus making the ship a versatile platform," GSL claimed.
                Propelled by two engines, the new OPV is capable of operating Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).

            "The vessel with an extended range of 4500 NM at a cruising speed of 12-14 knots is also capable of pollution control against oil spillage and external fire fighting," he said.

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Consideration of CRs for selection of candidates - instructions regarding.

                                       No. 220 1l/3/2008-Estt D

                                         Government of India
                      Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
                               (Department of Personnel and Training)
                                 New Delhi, the 20th August, 2008

Subject: -       Selection of candidates on direct recruitment basis -Consideration of CRs for selection of  candidates - instructions regarding.

               The undersigned is directed -to invite attention to Department of Personnel and Training n.M. No. 22011/l4/86-Estt (D) dated 17th June, 1988 providing that whenever officers already working in the Government apply for appointment by direct recruitment against vacancies advertised by the Union Public Service Commission, Confidential Reports (CR Dossiers) of such short listed candidates should be made available by the requisitioning Department to the Commission before the date of Interview.
          The above instructions were reiterated in the DoPT O.M. No.2201l/2/97-Estt. (D) dated January 5, 1998 and No. 22011l4/2005-Estt(D) dated 19.9.2005 respectively. It was, however, clarified in the circulars that it would not be necessary to hold up the interview till all the CRs became available. The Commission should consider the CR Dossiers to the extent they were available for making final recommendations.

2.          This issue has been re-examined in this Department in consultation with the UPSC. No separate marks or weightage is assigned by the Commission in the selection process to the service records of the candidates who are Government servants. Giving consideration to the CRs of only those who are already in Government service and rejecting their candidature on the grounds that some adverse remarks therein would seem discriminatory since the Commission are unable to get similar assessment in respect of candidates who are not in Government service. In actual practice, Interview Board forms its own independent opinion about the suitability of a candidate having regard to his performance during the interview and the CRs do not influence the Interview Boards' assessment. However, as per DoPT's OM No. AB 14017/l01/91·-Estt (RR) dated 14.7.1993, in case of Direct Recruitment by selection, i.e. 'Selection by Interview', it is the responsibility of the requisitioning Department / Ministry to bring to the notice of the Commission any point regarding unsuitability of any candidate (Govt. servant) from the vigilance angle and the appropriate time for doing so would be the consultation at the time of preliminary scrutiny when the case is referred by the Commission to the Ministry/ Department for comments on the provisional selection of candidates for interview by the Commission

.3.          In view of above facts, it has been decided, in consultation with the UPSC, that the requirement of providing CRs of short listed candidates (Government servants) who apply for appointment by direct recruitment against vacancy advertised by the UPSC should be discontinued forthwith.

(Smita Kumar)
Director(Estt)

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Highlights of General Budget 2010-11

                        GENERAL BUDGET 2010 -11· THE FINANCE MINISTER SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE LAYS EMPHASIS ON   CONSOLIDATED GROWTH, IMPROVING INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT, INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT AND STRENGTHENING TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY IN BUDGET 2010-11.
· THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE PROPOSED IN THE BUDGET ESTIMATES IS RS.11,08,749 CRORE , AN INCREASE OF 8.6 PER CENT OVER LAST YEAR.
· THE PLAN AND NON-PLAN EXPENDITURE ESTIMATED AT RS.3,73,092 CRORE AND RS.7,35,657 CRORE RESPECTIVELY, AN INCREASE OF 15 PERCENT IN PLAN EXPENDITURE AND 6 PER CENT IN NON-PLAN EXPENDITURE OVER THE BE OF PREVIOUS YEAR.
· FISCAL DEFICIT AT 5.5 PER CENT OF GDP WORKS OUT TO BE RS. 3,81,408 CRORE.
· ROLLING TARGETS FOR FISCAL DEFICIT PEGGED AT 4.8 PER CENT AND 4.1 PER CENT FOR 2011-12 AND 2012-13.
· NET MARKET BORROWING WOULD BE OF THE ORDER OF RS. 3,45,010 CRORE LEAVING ENOUGH SPACE TO MEET CREDIT NEEDS OF PRIVATE SECTOR.
· AGAINST A FISCAL DEFICIT OF 7.8 PER CENT IN 2008-09 , INCLUSIVE OF OIL AND FERTILIZER BONDS, THE COMPARABLE FISCAL DEFICIT IS 6.9 PER CENT AS PER RE 2009-10.
· GROSS TAX RECEIPTS ESTIMATED AT RS.7,46,651 CRORE AND NON-TAX RECEIPT ESTIMATED AT RS. 1,48,118 CRORE.
· STATUS PAPER GIVING ROAD MAP FOR CURTAILING THE OVERALL PUBLIC DEBT TO BE BROUGHT OUT WITHIN 6 MONTHS.
· ABOUT RS. 25,000 CRORES TO BE RAISED THROUGH DISINVESTMET PROGRAMME
· TO SIMPLIFY THE FDI REGIME, FOR THE FIRST TIME BOTH OWNERSHIP & CONTROL RECOGNISED AS CENTRAL TO THE FDI POLICY.
· RS. 16,500 CRORE TO BE PROVIDED TO PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS TO ACHIEVE A MINIMUM 8 PER CENT TIER-I
· GROWTH OF 127 PER CENT RECORDED IN EXPORTS FROM SEZs TILL DECEMBER, 2009.
· A FOUR-PRONGED STRATEGY TO SPUR THE GROWTH IN AGRICULTURE SECTOR ENVISAGED. WHICH INCLUDES AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, REDUCTION IN WASTAGE OF PRODUCE , CREDIT SUPPORT TO FARMERS AND THRUST TO THE FOOD PROCESSING SECTOR.
· AGRICULTURE CREDIT FLOW TARGET RAISED TO RS. 3,75,000 CRORE FROM RS.3,25,000 CRORE
· SUBVENTION FOR TIMELY REPAYMENT OF CROP LOAN INCREASED FROM 1 PER CENT TO 2 PER CENT.
· INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT GETS AN ALLOCATION OF Rs. 1,73,552 CRORE, 46 PER CENT OF TOTAL PLAN ALLOCATION , AN INCREASE OF 13 PER CENT IN ROAD TRANSPORT SECTOR.
· INDIA INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE COMPANY LIMITED’S DISBURSEMENTS TO REACH RS. 20,000 CRORE BY MARCH 2011.
· ALLOCATION FOR POWER SECTOR INCREASED BY MORE THAN DOUBLED TO RS. 5,130 CRORE.
· NEW TAX INCENTIVES ANNOUNCED FOR INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR.
· NATIONAL CLEAR ENERGY FUND FOR FUNDING RESEARCH AND INNOVATIVE PROJECTS IN CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES TO BE SET UP.
· SPENDING ON SOCIAL SECTOR TO ACCOUNT FOR 37 PER CENT OF TOTAL PLAN OUTLAY AT RS.1,37,674 CRORE
· ALLOCATION FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT ENHANCED TO RS.66,100 CRORES. ALLOCATION FOR NREGA STEPPED UP TO 40,100 CRORE.
· RS. 48,000 CRORE ALLOCATED FOR BHARAT NIRMAN PROGRAMME
· BACKWARD REGION GRANT FUND ALLOCATION ENHANCED TO RS. 7,300 CRORE.
· RAJIV AWAS YOJNA FOR SLUM DWELLERS AND URBAN POOR TO GET RS. 1,270 CRORE , AN INCREASE OF OVER 700 PER CENT
· NATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY FUND FOR UNORGANISED SECTOR WORKERS TO BE SET UP WITH AN INITIAL AMOUNT OF RS. 1,000 CRORE.
· MAHILA KISAN SASHAKTIKARAN PARIYOJNA WITH A PROVISION OF RS.100 CRORE LAUNCHED
· 80 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE ALLOCATION FOR MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT AT RS 4,500 CRORE.
· MINORITY AFFAIRS TO GET RS.2,600 CRORE, AN INCREASE OF 50 PER CENT.
· TO REWRITE AND CLEAN UP THE FINANCIAL SECTOR LAWS, FINANCIAL SECTOR LEGISLATIVE REFORMS COMMISSION TO BE SET UP.
· UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION AUTHORITY OF INDIA TO GET AN ALLOCATION OF RS. 1,900 CRORE. A TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY GROUP FOR UNIQUE PROECT TO BE SET UP.
· ALLOCATION FOR DEFENCE INCREASED TO RS.1,47,344 CRORE
· NATIONAL MISSION FOR DELIVERY OF JUSTICE AND LEGAL REGORMS TO BE SET UP TO PROVIDE TIMELY JUSTICE TO ALL.
· INCOME TAX SLABS BROADENED - 10 PER CENT ON INCOME ABOVE RS 1.6 LAKH TO 5.00 LAKH, 20 PER CENT ON INCOME ABOVE 5.OO LAKH TO 8.00 LAKH , 30 PER CENT ON ABOVE RS. 8.00 LAKH
· ADDITIONAL DEDUCTION OF RS. 20,000 FOR INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE BONDS
· SURCHARGE OF 10 PER CENT ON DOMESTIC COMPANIES REDUCED TO 7.5 PER CENT
· MAT INCREASED FROM 15 PER CENT TO 18 PER CENT
· WIGHTED DEDUCTION NON EXPENDITURE INCURRED ON IN-HOUSE R&D FROM 150 PER CENT TO 200 PER CENT
· LIMIT OF TURNOVER FOR PRESUMPTIVE TAXATION OF SMALL BUSINESS ENHANCED TO RS. 60 LAKH.
· LIMITS OF TURNOVER NEEDING AUDIT ENHANCED TO 60 LAKH FOR BUSINESSES AND RS. 15 LAKH FOR PROFESSIONS.
· PROPOSAL OF DIRECT TAX TO RESULT IN REVENUE LOSS OF RS. 26,000 CRORE WHERE AS INDIRECT TAXES TO RESULT IN A REVENUE GAIN OF RS. 46,500 CRORE.
· SERVICE TAX PROPOSALS TO RESULT IN NET REVENUE GAIN OF RS.3,000 CRORE.
· ACCREDITED NEWS AGENCIES WHICH PROVIDES NEWS FEED ONLINE EXEMPTED FROM SERVICE TAX
· SARAL –II FOR INDIVIDUALSALARY TAXPAYERS READY FOR NOTIFICATION
· SERVICE TAX RETAINED AT 10 PER CENT.
· CERTAIN NEW SERVICES TO BE BROUGHT WITHIN SERVICE TAX PURVIEW..
· MICRO-WAVE OVENS, PRE-PACKAGED IMPORTED GOODS, MOBILE PHONES, WATCHES, READYMADE GARMENTS, TOY BALOONS, LONG PEPPER, REPLACEABLE HOUSEHOLD WATER FILTER TO BE CHEAPER.
· INFOTAINMET SECTOR TO BENEFIT FROM CONCESSIONAL CUSTOM DUTY
· INDIAN RUPEE TO GET A SYMBOL, JOIN THE SELECT CLUB OF CURRENCIES
· SPECIAL DUTY CONCESSIONS TO PROMOTE CLEAN ENVIRONMENT CLEAN ENERGY CESS @ RS. 50 PER TONNE ON COAL
· RATE REDUCTION IN CENTRAL EXCISE DUTIES PARTIALLY ROLLED BACK AD VALOREM ON NON PETRO PRODUCTS &; CARS INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT
· UNIFORM BASIC DUTY OF 5 PER CENT AND CVD OF 4 PER CENT ON IMPORT OF MEDICAL EQUIPMNET.
· SCIENTIFIED INPUTS FOR ORTHOPAEDIC IMPLANTS EXEMPTED FROM IMPORT DUTY
· CENTRAL EXCISE ON PETROL & DIESEL RAISED BY RS. ONE PER LITRE.
· MAJOR TAX RELIEF TO AGRICULTURE &RELATED SECTORS
· PROJECT IMPORT STATUS FOR THE SETTING UP OF COLD STORAGES
· FULL EXEMPTION FROM EXCISE DUTY TO TRAILERS &; SEMI –TRAILERS.

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Every Child from 6 to 14 gets the right to free and compulsary Education

                   The Economic Survey for 2009-10 states that the universalisation of Elementary Education of adequate quality to ensure satisfactory learning standards is an objective that needs to be pursued vigorously. The survey points out that the Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 to provide for free and compulsory education for all children of the age 6 to 14 years, was published in the Gazette of India on august 27, 2009 and has the following salient features:

              Every child of the age 6-14 years shall have a right to free and compulsory education in a neighbourhood school till completion of elementary education;

           The appropriate Government and the local authority shall establish, within such area or limits of neighbourhood, a school where it is not so established, within a period of three years;

         The Central and State Governments shall have concurrent responsibility for providing funds for carrying out the provisions of this Act;

          It shall be the duty of every parent or guardian to admit or cause to be admitted his or her child or ward to an elementary education in the neighbourhood school;

          No school or person shall, while admitting a child, collect any capitation fee and subject the child or his or her parents or guardians to any screening procedure;

          No teacher shall engage himself or herself in private tuition or private teaching activity;

          The Central Government shall constitute by notification a National Advisory Council, consisting of members to be appointed from amongst persons having knowledge and practical experience in the field of elementary education and child development for advising the Central Government on implementation of the provisions of the Act in an effective manner.

               The survey also states that the Rashtrihya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), a new centrally sponsored scheme, to enhance access to secondary education and improve its quality was launched in March 2009. The objectives of the scheme are to achieve an enrolment ratio of 75 per cent for Classes IX-X within five years by providing a secondary school within reasonable distance of every habitation, to improve quality of education imparted at secondary level through making all secondary schools conform to prescribed norms, to remove gender, socio-economic and disability barriers, universal access to secondary level education by 2017, i.e. by the end of 12th Five Year Plan and universal retention by 2020.

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Cabinet clears Women's Reservation Bill

             Government tonight cleared the Women's Reservation Bill, which seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies but has been hanging fire for last over a decade due to lack of political consensus.


           A meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gave its approval to the Bill, which has already been introduced in the Rajya Sabha and was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice, and Personnel.

       The Committee which gave its report in December last had recommended passage of the Bill in its present form and suggested that the issue should not be left to the discretion of political parties.

source:PTI

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Ban on issue of unilateral guidelines /instruction in violation of established rules and procedures.

                                                           NO. 27/8/2007-EO(SM.11)

                                                               Government of lndia
                                                    Department of Personnel 8 Training
                                                     Office of Establishment Office
                                                      New Delhi, the15 February, 2010

Subject : Ban on issue of unilateral guidelines/instructions concerning methods of recruitment and service conditions by Ministries in violation of established rules and procedures.

                     The undersigned is directed to refer to this secretariat OM of even number dated 28.12.2007 on the subject cited above.
              2. It has been observed that the instructions contained therein barring the cadre authorities from issue of unilateral guidelines are not being followed properly and it has been noticed that Administration instructions/orders regarding service condition and entitlements of officers of AIS are being issued without concurrence of the DOP8T or of the Department of Expenditure.

           3. It is reiterated that the ACC has viewed with concern such instances of  Ministries issuing unilateral guidelines in violation of established procedures and rules and decided that henceforth no Ministry/Department shall issue any guideline/instruction in respect of the methods of recruitment and the conditions of service of any of the Central Services (except those exempted under the Allocation of Business Rules) or the All lndia Services without following the provisions of Government of lndia (Allocation of Business Rules), 1961 and the Government of lndia (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961. If any Ministry/Department resorts to such action. the relevant order issued by it will be treated as non-est and the Department of Personnel and Training shall be  authorized to declare the same as null and void as and when it comes to its notice. -
                                                                            ( P. K. Misra )
                                               Establishment Officer 8 Special Secretary to the Govt of lndia
source :DOP&T

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CBSE to launch courses on unconventional subjects

                CBSE is planning to launch acedemic as well as vocational courses on a number of new and unconventional subjects like Food and Beverage Services, the Lok Sabha was informed today.


            Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Resource Development D Purandeswari in a written reply said the Central Board of Secondary Education has planned to launch an academic course as well as vocational courses on Food and Beverage Services, Food Production, Media Studies and Appreciation.

           These projects are to be implemented on a pilot basis at plus 2 level in selected schools. Sources said the schemes could then be extended to a large number of CBSE schools, if they are found giving satisfactory results.

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50 Creches for Children of railway Women Employees and 20 Women Hostels to be set up

            The Minister of Railways, Kumari Mamata Banerjee, has announced setting up of 50 Creches for Children of Women Employees in the Railway Budget for the year 2010-11 presented in the Lok Sabha today.



           Stating that Railways will take all possible measures to take care of its 80,000 women employees, Kumari Mamata Banerjee also announced setting up of 20 women hostels for them. She also said that Railways would also make provision for more community centres and stadiums.

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Announcement of New Duronto Trains

               The Indian Railways will run following new Duronto trains for providing non-stop point to point services between cities offering large volumes of traffic. These are;

1. Yeshwantpur (Bangalore) – Delhi (AC) (Weekly)

2. Mumbai-Secunderabad AC (Bi-weekly)

3. Pune-Howrah AC (Bi-weekly)

4. Mumbai-Ernakulam AC (Bi-weekly)

5. Indore-Mumbai AC (Bi-weekly)

6. Jaipur-Mumbai AC (Bi-weekly)

In addition, following Durontos will run in the day time:

1. Chandigarh-Amritsar

 2. Chennai-Coimbatore

3. Puri-Howrah

4. Howrah-Digha

          This was announced by the Minister of Railways, Kumari Mamata Banerjee in the Lok Sabha today while presenting the Railway Budget for the year 2010-11.

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Extension of Suburban Services in Chennai, Kolkata & Mumbai

        During the next financial year, the metropolitan cities of Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai will get extended suburban services.


         In Chennai region, new services will be introduced over Chennai Central – Sullurpeta – Chennai Beach, Chennai Beach – Velachery – Chennai Beach (on the MRTS), Chennai Beach – Tiruttani – Chennai Central, Chennai Central – Arakkonam – Chennai Central. Work on the extension of MRTS Phase II from Velachary to St. Thomas Mount is in progress and targeted from completion by March 2012.

         In Kolkata region, new services will be introduced in the sections of Sealdah-Kalyani, Sealdah-Canning, Sealdah-Namkhana, Sealdah-Bangaon, Howrah-Tarakeswar-Bandel-Barddhwan, Sealdah-Ranaghat and Sealdah-Kolkata (via Ballygunge-Majerhat-B.B.D. Bagh). A survey will be conducted linking Howrah and Sealdah. Also a new station building at the Ballygunge junction station will be built and named as Bahadur Shah Zafar Station.

           In Mumbai, 101 additional services are proposed to be introduced with 32 services in Thane/Kalyan to Kasara/Karjat/Khopoli, 16 services on the Mainline, 18 services on the Harbour line and 35 services on trans-Harbour line.

        This was announced by the Minister of Railways, Kumari Mamata Banerjee in the Lok Sabha today while presenting the Railway Budget for the year 2010-11.

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Good And Bad of DTC(Direct Tax Code)

          The pace of globalisation in the last decade has set a legendary chapter in India’s economic history and our consumption patterns have shown sharp contrast. However, when it comes to saving and investing for the future, we always stand by our values. The saving pattern of the salaried class is by and large motivated by the annual tax incentives, which stimulates the level of investment in the economy.

        With brand new draft Direct Tax Code (DTC) ready to be implemented from 2011 and onwards, the government is planning to move all tax-saving investments from EEE (exempt-exempt-exempt) to EET (exempt-exempt-taxation). Under EET, an investment is free from taxation only in the first two stages of its life and is taxed at the time of withdrawal or maturity. The discussion paper on DTC mentions the objective behind its drafting as lowering the tax burden of individuals and simplifying the tax structure. Ironically, once the code is decoded, it ends up increasing the tax liability by taxing all the retirement benefits at the time of withdrawal.
       Once EET gets operational, permanent tax saving won't be possible as there is a mere deferment of tax and not saving of tax. In other words, under EET, you can at the most postpone the payment of tax depending upon the lock-in of your tax-saving investment. Tax will be levied at the time of maturity. So, it is more of wealth creation which promotes deferment of redemption rather than permanent tax saving.

     After an era, it is time again for the common man to search new avenues to park and drive up his hard earned money, but where and how?

  Every story has the good, bad and the ugly. In direct tax code, these are defined below:

      The good is that it increases the limit for tax-saving investments, currently pegged at Rs 1 lakh per annum to Rs 3 lakh per annum. Further, the introduction of “Grandfathering” will ensure EEE model is at least workable for the accumulated balance, till March 31, 2011.

          The bad is that the investment options have been reduced only to - Public Provident Fund (PPF), Employees’ Provident Fund, life insurance, superannuation funds, National Pension System (NPS) and claims for children’s tuition fee expenses. So, 2011 onwards, no more tax breaks for National Savings Certificates, Senior Citizens Savings Scheme, tax-saving bank fixed deposits and equity-linked savings schemes (ELSS) of mutual funds.

       But the ugly is that there is no incentive for repayment of principal on housing loan. This disappoints the majority class of individuals, as buying a house in these tough times is a challenge, especially when the weekly rising inflation hits the common man hard.

       There are, however, some recommendations to deal with the bad and ugly aspects of DTC:

         Grandfather the existing: ‘Grandfathering’ here refers to the exception provided for the investments made prior to a certain date. DTC proposes to exempt any ‘accretion’ to accumulated balance in approved Provident Fund (including PPF) as on 31 March 2011.


          So, you can invest up to a maximum of Rs 70,000 per annum in your PPF account and enjoy special treatment on the accumulated balance, till March31,2011 under EEE. This one investment ensures triple advantage of good return, safe investment and exemption on withdrawal.

        Continue your insurance: It is beneficial to continue the insurance policies, if the annual premium is less than 5 per cent of the sum assured as they are tax free under DTC. But evaluate buying new money back insurance plans promising returns on investment as the ‘grandfathering’ would be available on accumulation and premium (more than 5% of sum assured) would not be eligible for tax deduction post DTC.

      Invest in child’s future: What could be better investment than investing in children’s education that will give you and your children exponential returns for life? The amount paid by way of tuition fee to any educational institution in India for the purposes of full-time education can be claimed as deduction post DTC as well.

        Pre pay home loan: DTC proposes to withdraw deduction of interest on borrowed capital for self occupied property and there would be no deduction on repayment of housing loans. Any surplus funds may be utilised towards repayment of principal amount if the house property is self occupied. This will achieve the twin objective of saturating the limit of tax saving (1 lakh) under existing Section 80C of the I-T Act and reducing the burden of future interest cost.

       The introduction of EET would completely change the tax saving investment preferences of a common man. Hence, one should re-evaluate the current tax-saving investment portfolios and future investment plans. To sum up, let’s wait and watch how the government is actually going to introduce this new way of tax planning investment scheme into practice and hope for the best.

source: Thanks to:The EconomicTimes
(Views expressed by  Tax Analyst)

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RBI plans more security features for cheques

               Reserve Bank today said more security features will be introduced to make cheques tamper- proof and prevent fraudulent withdrawal of funds.


           "It has been decided to prescribe certain benchmarks towards achieving standardisation of bank cheques across the country," the RBI said in a communication to all banks.

             The new features would include use of The quality paper, water-mark and printing of bank logos in invisible ink, standard size, clutter-free background, use of ultra violet images etc. "Homogeneity of security features is expected to act as a deterrent against cheque frauds," RBI said.

           The RBI also said the "Cheque Truncation System-2010 Standard" will be introduced after ascertaining the readiness of banks to adopt it.The proposed format is based on the report of the RBI working group in this regard.

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86th amendment to the Constitution, RTE Act notified

                   Nearly eight years after an amendment was passed by Parliament, government has taken steps to provide free and compulsory education to all children aged six to 14 years from April one.


              The 86th amendment to the Constitution approved in 2002 providing free and compulsory education to all children aged six to 14 years has been notified.

                Along with this, the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act which was passed by Parliament last year was also notified to enable the implementation of the 86th amendment.

               Both the notifications will come into force from April one. In her address to the joint sitting of the Parliament, President Pratibha Patil today said the Act has been notified.
       
        source:PTI

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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NATIONAL ANOMALY COMMITTEE

                              MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NATIONAL ANOMALY

                                     COMMITTEE HELD ON 12" DECEMBER, 2009

     A meeting of the National Anomaly Committee (NAC) was held on 12th December, 2009 in Conference Room No.119, North Block, New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Personnel). A list of participants who attended the meeting is annexed.

          2. At the outset, the Chairman welcomed the representatives of the Staff Side and Official Side. The Chairman stated that the recommendations of the 6th CPC have been implemented with certain modifications. While processing the Report, the Committee of Secretaries also consulted the Staff Side. As
decided by the Cabinet at the time of approving the Report of the Sixth CPC, instructions have been issued for setting up of Anomaly Committees at the National as well as Departmental Level in order to ensure the resolution of anomalies. The Chairman informed that the National Anomaly Committee would discuss the anomalies common to two or more Departments and anomalies pertaining to common categories of employees. Further, he indicated his firm belief as well as conviction that all the anomalies can be resolved through the consultative process. The Chairman also informed that the next (46th) meeting of the National Council (JCM) has been scheduled to be held on 16th J anuary, 2010 under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary.
           The Chairman also reiterated the resolve of the Government to maintain a sustained level of contact with the Staff Side in order to take forward the process of consensus building and collaborative endeavour to achieve the goals of higher productivity, efficiency and staff welfare. Thereafter, the Chairman invited the Leader and Secretary of Staff Side to say a few words.

       3. Leader of the Staff Side Shri M. Raghaviah thanked the Chairman and conveyed the appreciation of the Staff Side for convening the meeting of the National Anomaly Committee. He further stated that the opening address of the Chairman conveyed the right message and stated that all anomalies can be resolved in a peaceful fashion. He thanked the Government for all the improvements over and above the recommendations of the 6th CPC and stated that there are certain areas where there is some unrest with respect to implementation of the recommendations of the 6th CPC and requested the Chairman that all such issues should be resolved as soon as possible. He once again thanked the Chairman and reiterated the resolve of the Staff Side for cordial and healthy industrial relations.

          4. Secretary of the Staff Side Shri Umraomal Purohit reciprocated the sentiments expressed by the Chairman and indicated that all the anomalies can be resolved through mutual discussion. He also thanked the Chairman, for not only for convening the first meeting of the NAC at such a short notice, but also taking initiative in scheduling the next meeting of the National Council (JCM) on 16th J anuary, 2010. He mentioned about the long delay in convening the meeting of the National Council but also stated that he hoped that from now onwards things would change for the better. Secretary, Staff Side drew the attention of the Chairman towards non-functioning / delays in holding the meetings of the Departmental Councils in various Ministries/Departments. Emphasising the importance of the Departmental Councils in the Scheme of Joint Consultative Machinery and Compulsory Arbitration, Secretary of the Staff Side stated that some way out has to be found to ensure that Departmental Councils work properly in all Ministries/Departments and its meetings are held regularly. While complimenting the Government for timely implementation of the recommendations of the 6th CPC, Secretary of the Staff Side stated that the definition of the anomaly
which was adopted earlier has been altered this time which may lead to certain problems. He also stated that the Report of the 6'h CPC is not like the earlier reports and the new format recommended by the 6th CPC is being gradually adopted. He also referred to certain issues like Risk Allowance (RA), Patient Care Allowance and Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) for pensioners and requested that final orders on these issues may be issued only after discussing the same with the Staff Side. Secretary of the Staff Side
also drew the attention of the Chairman towards certain benefits like maternity leave/ child care leave and stated that the same have not been extended as yet to the women industrial employees and requested for early action in this regard. Secretary of the Staff Side also complimented the Government with
respect to the setting of the Fast Track Committee and stated that the FastTrack Committee has resolved long standing problems of the employees. He once again thanked the Chairman for convening the meeting of the NAC and for giving him an opportunity to express his feelings

5. The Chairman stated that Government also understand that the report of the 6th CPC is different and was of the view that there is a need for greater dissemination of information on the recommendations of the 6th CPC. Accordingly, he requested the Staff Side for a list of questions I issues on which more information is required so that the Government can prepare a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and put the same on the web site for , increasing awareness etc. The Chairman also assured to take necessary steps to ensure that meetings of the Departmental Councils of various Ministries/ Departments are held regularly. Regarding the definition of an anomaly, the Chairman opined that this should not lead to any problems and
stated that official side is open to examining the matter if it is found that there is indeed a case. The Chairman also requested the Staff Side to forward issues which could have become anomalies had the said para not been deleted for further examination of the same.

6. Thereafter, the anomalies as per the agenda were taken up for discussion:

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MINUTES OF MEETING

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CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONERS HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME- Draft

                                                                   DRAFT

               CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONERS HEALTH INSURANCE  SCHEME  (CGEPHIS)

1. NAME OF THE SCHEME:

The name of the proposed scheme is “Central Government Employees & Pensioners Health Insurance Scheme (CGEPHIS)”.

2. BENEFICIARIES:

All personnel of the Central Government including All India Service officers, serving, newly recruited, retired / retiring and others who are covered under the existing CGHS (Central Government Health Services) and under CS (MA) [Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules] Rules shall be offered
Health Insurance Scheme on voluntary or on compulsory basis as indicated below:

1. CGEPHIS shall be compulsory to new Central Government Employees who would be joining service after the introduction of the Health Insurance Scheme.

2. CGEPHIS shall be compulsory to new Central Government retirees who would be retiring from the service after the introduction of the Insurance Scheme.

3. CGEPHIS would be available on voluntary basis for the following:
a. Existing Central Government Employees and Pensioners who are already CGHS beneficiaries. In this case they have to opt out of CGHS scheme. They will also have the option of choosing both CGHS and Insurance policy. In such case the total insurance premium has to be borne by the member.

b. Existing Central Government Employees and Pensioners who are not CGHS beneficiaries but are covered under CS (MA) Rules. Pensioners are however not covered under CS(MA)Rules.

3. TARGET GROUP:
              All personnel of the Central Government including All India Service officers, serving and retired, and others who are covered under the existing CGHS and under CS (MA) Rules shall be offered the Health Insurance Scheme. It is estimated that approximately 17 lakh serving employees and 7 lakh pensioners shall be offered this Scheme on compulsory / optional basis.

4. INSURANCE COVERAGE:
         a) In-patient benefits – The Insurance Scheme shall pay all expenses incurred in course of medical treatment availed of by the beneficiaries in an Empanelled Hospitals/ Nursing Homes (24 hours admission clause) within the country, arising out of either illness/disease/injury and or sickness.

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HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME-DEMAND SURVEY

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Date of joining is immaterial for pay fixation: CAT

                Candidates selected for posts in the Delhi government will be entitled to parity in pay scale fixation even if they join later than their colleagues, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has held.


               Six applicants, selected as medical officers in 2002, approached the tribunal seeking parity in terms of fixing of pay scale, back wages and pension after they were denied these as they joined late due to some legal hurdles.

                     "The applicants would be eligible for appointment to the post of Medical Officer (Ayurvedic) from the date three other persons selected along with them were appointed," the tribunal, comprising Chairman V K Bali and Vice Chairman L K Joshi, said.

     The CAT, however, held that they would not be entitled to back wages.

It also ordered the Delhi government to place them under the pension scheme of 1972.

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Compilation of information about appointments made on the basis of fake/ false caste certificates

MOST IMMEDIATE.

No.36017/2/2009-Estt. (Res.)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Department of Personnel and Training

North Block

New Delhi-I 10001

Dated the 28'h January, 2010.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Compilation of information about appointments made on the basis of fake/ false caste certificates- Recommendation of the Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of SCI ST.

The undersigned is directed to say that the Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in its Twenty-ninth Report (14th Lok Sabha) have recommended that the Department of Personnel and Training should collect information regularly from all Ministries/Departments/PSUs/ Banks/ Autonomous Bodies/ States/ UTs in regard to cases offalse caste certificates. The recommendation is reproduced below:

" ............D OP&T should interalia obtain information from all Ministries/ Departments, PSUs, banks, autonomous bodies and States/ UTs in regard to cases of false caste certificates regularly with a view to monitoring their progress and disposal, so that necessary plan of action could be taken to tackle the
problem for good."

2. , This Department's O.M. No.1 1012/1/91-Estt. (A) dated 19.5.1993 provides that if it is found that a Government servant had furnished false information or produced a false certificate in order to secure appointment, he should not be retained in service. Thus when an appointing authority comes to know that an employee had submitted a false/ fake caste certificate, it has to initiate action to remove or dismiss such an employee from service. All fhe Ministries/ Departments are requested to collect information from all organisation under their administrative control about the cases where the candidates got/ alleged to have got appointment against vacancies reserved for SCs, STs and OBCs on the the basis of false/ fake caste certificate and send a consolidated report in this regard in the enclosed proforma to this Department latest by 31.03.2010.

(K.G. Verma)
Director
Tele: 230921 58

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Procedure for handling Complaints against Secretaries

NO. 104/ 100/2009-AVD.1

Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)
New Delhi, Dated January 14, 2010

                                                  OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Complaints against Secretaries to the Government of India -procedure for handling regarding.

            The procedure regarding handling complaints against Secretaries to the Government of India, whether pseudonymous or otherwise, has been attracting attention of the Government. It has been observed that under the system presently prevalent, complaints against Secretaries to the Government of India are sent to the Department of Personnel and Training or the administrative Ministries concerned for examination and necessary action. Sometimes frivolous or vague complaints are also given importance meant for grave complaints. It is considered appropriate that complaints against Secretaries to the Government of India are scrutinized carefully and appropriate action taken based on their gravity, seriousness and the nature of the allegations.

2. It has, therefore, been decided to constitute a group, under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary, to take a view on such complaints. The of the group shall be as follows:-

(i) Cabinet Secretary
(ii) Secretary to the Prime Minister
(iii) Secretary (Coordination) in the Cabinet Secretariat
(iv) Secretary, DOPT, and
(v) Secretary, CVC

3. Complaints against Secretaries to the Government of India, whether pseudonymous or otherwise, received by the Cabinet Secretariat or the CVC or the DOPT or the Prime Minister's Office, will be first scrutinised by the group headed by the Cabinet Secretary. This group, after reviewing the complaints,
would proceed as follows:-

            a) If there is no substance in the complaint or the complaint is frivolous in nature, the group would close the complaint and inform the relevant office from where the complaint was received;

           b) In case the preliminary scrutiny of the complaint indicates that there is some substance in it or there are verifiable allegations, the group could do one or more of the following:-

             * Seek the comments of the Secretary concerned;
             * Call for the concerned file(s);
             * Call for the relevant records, including annual property returns, other reports etc.

4. Having received appropriate inputs on the complaints, the group will then proceed in the following manner:-

           * In case the records/comments indicate that there is no substance in the complaint, it will be closed.
           * If after scrutiny, it is felt that there is some substance in the complaint, a view would have to be taken by the group regarding the nature of the investigation called for and an appropriate recommendation made in this regard.
          *  Thereafter, thethe recommendation would be submitted to the Disciplinary Authority, for action as deemed fit.

5. Since the group constituted will also be looking into the complaints received by the CVC under the CVC Act or the Public Interest Disclosure Resolution, the CVC shall be kept informed at regular intervals about the status of the scrutiny/review undertaken by the group into complaints forwarded by the CVC.

 ( Dr. S. K. Sarkar )
Additional Secretary

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