Review of Industrial Relations

Review of Industrial Relations

Review/updation of Labour Laws is an ongoing process and changes in Labour Laws are effected after detailed consultations with the social partners as and when a need is felt and with a view to harmonize the industrial relations in the interests of all Stakeholders. 

Recently, the Government of India has amended the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 vide Industrial Disputes (Amendment) Act, 2010 and the Plantations Labour Act, and 1951 vide the Plantation Labour (Amendment) Act, 2010 after series of tripartite consultations with stakeholders. 

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shri Mallikarjun Kharge gave this information in reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today. 

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Disabled-Friendly Offices

Disabled-Friendly Offices

As per Section 46 of the Persons with Disability (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, the appropriate Governments and the local authorities shall, within the limits of their economic capacity and development, provide for – (i) ramps in public buildings; (ii) adaptation of toilets for wheel chair users; (iii) braille symbols and auditory signals in elevators or lifts; and (iv) ramps in hospitals, primary health centres and other medical care and rehabilitation institutions. The Government endeavors to make public dealing offices accessible as mandated by Law. 

The Delhi Division of Ministry of Urban Development had notified the amended Building Bye-Laws, 1983 vide No. K-12016/5/79/DDIA/VA1B Vol. ix (pt), dated 28th August, 2002, to ensure that the public buildings, which were erected in Delhi provided barrier free environment to Persons with Disabilities. These Building Bye-laws for barrier-free built environment in public buildings has been circulated to all the States and Union Territories for incorporation in the municipal building Bye-laws. So far, 28 States have informed that they have modified their building bye-laws. 

The Ministry provides financial assistance to State Governments and various organisations /institutions run and supported by Central or State Governments under the Scheme for Implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 (SIPDA) for making public buildings and websites accessible. 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri D.Napoleon in the Lok Sabha today. 

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Aganwadi Workers Training Centres

Aganwadi Workers Training Centres

There are a total of 498 AWTCs operational as on 30 June 2011 in States/UTs. The Minister of State (I/C) for Women & Child Development Smt. Krishna Tirath revealed in Lok Sabha today that two proposals to open 10 new AWTCs - 6 in Assam and 4 in Jharkhand, have been received in May, 2011. 

In reply to a question she said that the number of Anganwadi Workers to be trained every year is proposed by the States/UTs in their Annual State Training Action Plans (STRAPs). During the current financial year, 2,87,778 Anganwadi Workers and 2,18,098 Anganwadi Helpers are proposed to be trained through the existing AWTCs. 

The Minister stated that in order to ensure effective functioning of the AWTCs, regular visits are made by the State Government officials as well as the faculty from the National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) to monitor and inspect these centres. Also, State Governments undertake periodic review meetings with the AWTCs to review the progress of the training courses against the targets approved under the STRAPs. 

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Improvement in Railways’ Catering Services

Improvement in Railways’ Catering Services

Due to intensive monitoring and supervision of Railways, the number of complaints reported in catering have reduced substantially by 48 per cent since September 2010 upto July 2011, in comparison to the corresponding period of last year after the transfer of catering activities to Zonal Railways from Indian Railways Catering and Tourism (IRCTC). During this period, about 24164 inspections have been carried out by Zonal Railways for the improvement of catering services. 

A system is in place on the Zonal Railways in which the Supervisors and officers periodically inspect the catering establishments, and also interact with the passengers on the trains to obtain a first hand knowledge of deficiencies observed with feed back from passengers. Zonal Railways proactively take corrective action on the deficiencies and irregularities found during inspections. For providing hot and fresh food in important trains like Rajdhani/Duronto Express train, a pantry car is attached to the train which has the facility to keep food fresh through deep freeze/refrigeration equipment, and to serve food hot they have food warmers and hot cases. This facility is also available in the pantry cars attached to a few important Mail/Express train. 

For other trains, Train Side Vending (TSV) facility is being gradually extended to provide satisfactory catering service to passengers. Policy guidelines for the arrangement for TSV to provide good quality hygienic food to passengers in the trains, in which pantry cars are not provided, have been issued to the Zonal Railways. Railways have also planned to construct and operate base kitchens at nominated points to provide hot and fresh food to the passengers. 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Bharatsinh Solanki in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today. 

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Railways take Steps to Prevent Misuse of Tatkal Scheme

Railways take Steps to Prevent Misuse of Tatkal Scheme

With a view to reduce the scope for misuse of Tatkal scheme, the following steps have been taken:- 

i) Access to Tatkal booking on all days and normal booking on the opening g day of reservation through e-tickets by the Travel Agents/Web-service agents/Web Agents of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has been disabled between 0800 a.m. and 09.00 a.m. 

ii) It has been made mandatory to produce any one of the prescribed identity cards (in original) during the journey by any one of the passengers booked on a Tatkal ticket. 

iii) Instructions have also been issued that Senior Divisional Commercial Managers/Divisional Commercial Managers should conduct regular inspections of Reservation offices and also personally inspect passenger Reservation System (PRS) offices during the opening hours and take immediate steps to check the routing activities. 

In addition, the following two safeguards already exist in the Tatkal Scheme:- 

• Tatkal Refund Rules are stringent to reduce chances of its misuse

. • Change of name facility is not available under the Scheme. 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Bharatsinh Solanki in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today. 

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SPECIALISED TREATMENT FOR SERVICE PERSONEL AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM CIVIL SOURCES

0028/Spl Treat/DGAFMS/DG-3A/1393/11/2011/D (Med)

Govt of India 

Ministry of Defence 

NewDelhi—110001 .

18th Jul 2011 .

To.

The Director General Armed Forces Medical Services 

New Delhi-110001

Sub – SPECIALISED TREATMENT FOR SERVICE PERSONEL AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM CIVIL SOURCES

Sir,

I am directed to say that the President is pleased to extend the provision of Ministry of Defence letter No 20028/DGAFMS/DG-3A11348/D (Med) dated 28 Mar 1988 as amended from time to time and last extended vide Govt of India Ministry of Defence letter No 20028/Spl Treat)DGAFMS/DG-3A/331/09/D (Med) dated 31 Mar 2009 for a further period of two years wet 01 Apr 2011 with partial modification as explained in para-2 below.

2. However, as facilities many procedures now exist in certain Armed Forces hosipital the facility for availing specialized treatment for Cardiology and Renal Transplant procedures will 

only be recommended on case-to-case basis as follows.

(a) Advanced Cardiovascular Treatment: – Recommendations of consultant/ Senior Advisor Cardiothoracic Surgery who will obtain concurrence of Sr Consultant (Surgery) office of DGAFMS telephonically if necessary. The recommendation should be pre- facto, however in emergency conditions, justitiabie post-facto recommendation may be obtained.

(b) Advanced Renal Transplant Treatment: – Recommendations of consultant/ Senior Advisor. Urology who will obtain concurrence of Sr Consultant (Surgery) office of DGAFMS telephonically if necessary. The recommendation should be pre-facto,however in emergency conditions, justifiable post-facto recommendation may be obtained

3, This issue with the concurrence of Defence/Finance vide their LJO.No 344/AG/PD/11 dated 06/07/2011

Yours Faithfully 

(Kulwant Rana) 

Under Secretary to the Govt of India

http://cgda.nic.in/audit/splTreat.pdf

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CHECK YOUR PENSION ENTITLEMENT

CHECK YOUR  PENSION ENTITLEMENT

(updated as on 16 August 2011)

Introduction

1. We all believe in the system and expect that justice will be done to us. However  your presumption that your bank is paying you correct pension, may not be in your best  financial interests. Experience indicates that Banks are frequently doing the mistake of  paying lower rates of pension vis a vis authorisation to many pensioners due to poor  understanding of defence pension provisions by their staff. Therefore it is a must for  every pensioner to know his/her correct entitlement of pension.

  

2. The pensioners, who have retired on or after 01-01-06, generally do not have any problem in getting their correct pension. The CDAs  in their case have issued Pension Payment Order (PPO) as per the new provisions of VI CPC. For these pensioners the banks have no option, but to pay the pension as specified by the CDA in the PPO.  However, the story is different for pre 01-01-06 retirees.

3. Considering the large volume of pre-2006 pensioners (25 lacs Appx), the CDAs have expressed their inability to issue a revised PPO as per VI CPC entitlement.  The Govt has therefore issued orders to Pension Disbursing Agencies (Banks, Treasury Offices etc) to calculate the revised pension as per VI CPC) and pay the same to the pre-2006 pensioners directly.   Govt has issued instructions to banks (with necessary reference tables) for calculating and releasing the revised pension.  Efforts are on at the highest level to ensure that revised PPOs are issued for pre-2006 pensioners also, by he CDAs in near future.  However it is linked to digitalisation of past records and data capture of pre-2006 pensioners on a large scale by CGDA and could take some time. Therefore as on date, it is only banks who will decide the post VI CPC revision of pension, for pre-2006 pensioners

Read`more`details -http://www.indianairforce.nic.in/dppr/download/CHECK%20YOUR%20PENSION.pdf

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Central govt employee gets post-retirement benefits at age of 91

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the central government to provide its 91-year-old former employee some of the post-retirement benefits that he had been unable to avail due to lack of information.

Justice S Muralidhar ordered the government to provide former Indian Railways employee KSR Chari the benefits of railway pension and family pension scheme that he had been unable to avail due to a communication gap.

The court was hearing Mr Chari's petition in which he alleged that he had been unable to avail the benefits of the scheme due to lack of proper communication by his first employer State Railway Coal department, which he joined in 1942, to his second employer the National Coal Development Corp (NCDC).

"In conclusion, this court would like to take judicial notice of the fact that with rising inflation and spiralling prices of basic commodities, the life of the elderly in our country is becoming increasingly difficult," the court said.

With every passing day they feel the pinch of rising prices whether it is food, provisions, transport or health care, it said.

The court said the provident fund amount that some of the retired employees got after many years of dedicated service, was meagre by today's rates of income. Moreover, the rates of return on the lump sum amounts had drastically reduced over the years.

"The elderly cannot risk investing their precious savings in the volatile and uncertain share market. Had some of them opted for pension, they would have a better level of sustenance. It is not surprising then that those who gave the best of their productive lives for the progress of the country and the betterment of our lives justifiably feel that they are being treated unfairly and that the Government owes them more," said the court in its 12-page order.

"The lives of the elderly in our country are becoming increasingly difficult. For a majority of retired government servants, the social security cover, if it can be called that, is palpably inadequate to ensure them a decent living," said the court, ordering the government to provide Chari the two post-retirement benefits for railway employees.

The court imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 each on the coal and mines ministry and NCDC for objecting to Chari's plea that he had come to the court after a gap of several decades after retirement.

Central govt employee gets post-retirement benefits at age of 91

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/central-govt-employee-gets-post-retirement-benefits-at-age-of-91-128504&cp&cp

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Awareness about Schemes for SC/OBCS

Awareness about Schemes for SC/OBCS

Various steps are taken by the Ministry to disseminate information about its Schemes to its target groups. It includes:-

i)    Advertisements in the newspapers for: 

a)    spreading information about various schemes of the Ministry; 

b)    inviting applications from the eligible students under the Scheme of “National Overseas Scholarship for SC etc. candidates”; 

c)    inviting applications from the implementing agencies under the Scheme of “Free Coaching for SC and OBC students”;

ii)    placing the information about the Schemes on the website of the Ministry; and 

iii) broadcasting the requisite information through Ministry’s weekly Radio Programme “Sanwarti jayein jeewan ki raahein”.

Centrally-sponsored schemes e.g. Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC students, Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for the Children of those Engaged in ‘Unclean’ Occupations and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatravas Yojana for SC students are implemented through the State Governments/UT administrations, who are also expected to give wide publicity to these schemes.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri D. Napoleon in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today

source-pib

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Puja bonus increase for govt employees

The government today raised to Rs 2,100 from Rs 1,000 the Puja bonus of employees earning up to Rs 20,000 a month and doubled the ex-gratia for pensioners in a move that will cost the exchequer over Rs 127 crore.

The move is an apparent bid to “appease” government employees who will not get a hike in dearness allowance for three months, sources said. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee had announced the decision yesterday.

Finance minister Amit Mitra also announced today that government employees would get 50 per cent of the Fifth Pay Commission arrears this year instead of the full amount.

Earlier, government employees with monthly salaries of up to Rs 16,000 used to get an ex-gratia amount of Rs 1,000 before the Pujas. With the widening of the salary slab, around 10 lakh employees will now get the increased bonus of Rs 2,100.

Mitra also increased the Puja bonus of retired government employees from Rs 400 to Rs 800. The number of retired employees is estimated to be 4.3 lakh. No eligibility criteria has been set for the pensioners.

The move will cost the exchequer an additional Rs 127.2 crore — Rs 110 crore for the employees and Rs 17.2 crore for the pensioners.

Since the 2000-01 financial year, the Left government had been paying a Puja bonus of Rs 1,000 to its employees and Rs 400 to pensioners. Before 2000, the employees used to get Rs 2,000 as bonus. The amount for pensioners was Rs 400.

Those employees who get salaries between Rs 20,000 and Rs 28,000 can avail themselves of an interest-free festival advance of Rs 2,000. The earlier amount was Rs 1,000, which employees with salaries between Rs 16,000 and Rs 26,000 used to get. The advance will have to be returned in instalments within eight months.

“On the instructions of chief minister Mamata Banerjee, we have decided to hike the Puja bonus. People need cash in hand ahead of the festive season,” Mitra told the Assembly today.

“The government decided to revise the Puja bonus amount after sensing the resentment among the employees following the three-month freeze on DA hike,” a source said.

The finance minister also announced that government employees would get 50 per cent of the third and final instalment of arrears of the Fifth Pay Commission this year, although they were supposed to get the full amount.

Mitra said the payment of arrears would cost the exchequer around Rs 500 crore this year. “The remaining 50 per cent is likely to be paid next year,’’ a source said.

Asked when the government planned to pay arrears for the three-month freeze on DA hike, Mitra said: “We will decide on that later.’’

State government employees get 35 per cent of basic and grade pay as DA while their central government counterparts receive 51 per cent.

The state employees were expected to get a DA instalment at an increased rate from July 1 this year but the government postponed it citing “financial stress’’.

source:The Teledraph

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Level ‘A’ Training Programme at ISTM for U.D.Cs with 5 years’approved service in the grade (29/08/2011 to 23/09/2011)

No.08/02/2011 -CS.l(Trg)-Vol.II

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Department of Personnel & Training

CS.I Training

Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi

Dated the I2th August, 2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Level ‘A’ Training Programme at ISTM for U.D.Cs with 5 years’approved service in the grade (29/08/2011 to 23/09/2011).

           The undersigned is directed to inform that UDCs/adhoc Assistants, whose names are given in Annexure I, have been nominated for the Level ‘A’ Training Programme conducted by ISTM w.e.f. 29/08/2011 to 23/09/2011. It is requested that these officials may be relieved of their duties, subject to vigilance clearance and advised to report to Shri Ranjan Kumar Director(Co-ordinator) ISTM, Administrative Block, JNU Campus (Old), New Delhi-110067 at 9 A.M. on 29th August, 2011.

2.      The performance of the officials in the training, as evaluated and reported by ISTM thereof, may be added In their APARs. No request for withdrawal of nomination either from the Ministry/Department or the officer concerned shall be entertained by this Department or the Institute. As the training of the officials and successful completion is necessary for promotion/regularization, the Cadre Units are requested to ensure that the officials nominated to the above programme are relieved in time.

3.       As the aforesaid training includes study tour, officers nominated above may be advised to draw necessary TA/DA advance of Rs.12,000/- each from their respective Ministry/Department. This amount may be released in Cash only and the same shall be collected by ISTM from the participating officials.

4.      Confirmation with regard to the participation of the officials along with their respective bio-data (Annexure-II) may please be sent by 23rd August. 2011 to Shri Ranjan Kumar, Deputy Director (Co-ordinator), ISTM, New Delhi, with a copy to the undersigned. Shri Ranjan Kumar, Deputy Director(Co-ordinator) ISTM is accessible on phone No. 26175590 (0).

sd/- 

(V.Srinivasaragavan ) 

Under Secretary to Government of India

Source: www.persmin.nic.in
[http://circulars.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02csd/LevA29811.pdf]

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Updating Records of Records of Trade Union Membership

Ministry of Labour & Employment

Updating Records of Records of Trade Union Membership

The Union Labour & Employment Minister Shri Mallikarjun Kharge has informed the Rajya Sabha the general verification of membership of Trade Unions affiliated to Central Trade Union Organizations(CTUOs) was last done with date of reckoning as 31.12.2002 and state-wise as well as industry-wise result was notified by this Ministry vide order dated 11.1.2008.

The registration of Trade Unions is done by the respective Registrars of the Trade Unions of the State Governments and the registered Trade Unions are required to submit annual Statutory Returns to the Registrars of Trade unions of the State Governments. The membership data is not required to be routed to the Ministry under the Trade Unions Act, 1926 and, hence, not maintained centrally.

Section 28 (4) of the Trade Unions Act, 1926 provides for examination of the documents relating to annual returns submitted by the Trade Unions, by the Registrar or any officer authorized by him.

The process of fresh general verification of Trade Unions affiliated to Central Trade Union Organizations has already commenced. This is a lengthy and time consuming process. So far, two meetings of the Standing Committee on general verification, comprising representatives from various Central Trade Union organizations have been held under the chairmanship of Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) and the date of reckoning for fresh general verification unanimously decided as 31.12.2011.

The Minister was replying to a written question in the Rajya Sabha today.

Source: PIB

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Promotion of Personal Assistant (PA) of CSSS to the Private Secretary (PS) Grade of CSSS on ad-hoc basis

No.4/2/2011-CS.II (A)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Department of Personnel & Training

Lok Nayak Bhawan New Delhi

Dated the 12th August 2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Promotion of Personal Assistant (PA) of CSSS to the Private Secretary (PS) Grade of CSSS on ad-hoc basis- reg.

In continuation of this Department’s O.M. of even number dated 8.6.2011 on the above mentioned subject, the undersigned is directed to say that on the basis of information received so far from the Cadre Units, the Competent Authority has decided to nominate the PAs whose names are given in the Annexure to this OM and post them to the Cadre Units indicated against their names for their promotion to the Grade of PS of CSSS on adhoc basis after having been found b'fit' by the DPC and clear from vigilance angle.

2. The ad-hoc appointment of these officials shall take effect from the date they assume charge of the post of PS in the respective Cadre Units. The adhoc appointment shall not confer on the appointees any right to continue in the grade indefinitely or for inclusion in the Select List of PS for regular appointment or to claim seniority in the PS Grade of CSSS. The period of adhoc promotion would be upto 30.9.2011 or till the regular Private Secretaries become available, whichever is earlier.

3. The Cadre Units are requested that the officers shown in the list at Annexure may be relieved, immediately so that they can take up their assignment as PS of CSSS on adhoc basis in the allocated Cadre Units. A copy of the relieving/promotion orders issued by Cadres concerned may be forwarded to this Department immediately

4. Cadre Units are also requested to furnish full details of vacancy remaining unfilled as on 1.9.2011 in the PS Grade to this Department immediately, so that the same can be filled up by promotion on adhoc basis.

sd/-

(J.Minz) 

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source: www.persmin.nic.in
[http://circulars.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02csd/PA2PSadhoc12811.pdf]

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Promotion of Personal Assistant (PA) of CSSS to the Private Secretary (PS) Grade of CSSS on ad-hoc basis

No.4/2/2011-CS.II (A)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Department of Personnel & Training

Lok Nayak Bhawan New Delhi

Dated the 12th August 2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Promotion of Personal Assistant (PA) of CSSS to the Private Secretary (PS) Grade of CSSS on ad-hoc basis- reg.

In continuation of this Department’s O.M. of even number dated 8.6.2011 on the above mentioned subject, the undersigned is directed to say that on the basis of information received so far from the Cadre Units, the Competent Authority has decided to nominate the PAs whose names are given in the Annexure to this OM and post them to the Cadre Units indicated against their names for their promotion to the Grade of PS of CSSS on adhoc basis after having been found b'fit' by the DPC and clear from vigilance angle.

2. The ad-hoc appointment of these officials shall take effect from the date they assume charge of the post of PS in the respective Cadre Units. The adhoc appointment shall not confer on the appointees any right to continue in the grade indefinitely or for inclusion in the Select List of PS for regular appointment or to claim seniority in the PS Grade of CSSS. The period of adhoc promotion would be upto 30.9.2011 or till the regular Private Secretaries become available, whichever is earlier.

3. The Cadre Units are requested that the officers shown in the list at Annexure may be relieved, immediately so that they can take up their assignment as PS of CSSS on adhoc basis in the allocated Cadre Units. A copy of the relieving/promotion orders issued by Cadres concerned may be forwarded to this Department immediately.

4. Cadre Units are also requested to furnish full details of vacancy remaining unfilled as on 1.9.2011 in the PS Grade to this Department immediately, so that the same can be filled up by promotion on adhoc basis.

sd/-

(J.Minz) 

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source: www.persmin.nic.in
[http://circulars.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02csd/PA2PSadhoc12811.pdf]

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Reservation for Minorities

Reservation for Minorities

The National Commission for Religious & Linguistic Minorities has, inter alia, recommended that 15 percent of posts in all cadres and grades under the Central and State Governments should be earmarked for minorities, of which 10 percent should be for Muslims and 5 percent for other minorities. The Commission has further stated that if it is not possible to give reservation as proposed above, 8.4 percent sub-quota may be earmarked for minorities (6 percent for Muslims and 2.4 percent for other minorities) within 27 percent OBC quota. The recommendation is under consideration of the Government. It is, however, not possible to fix time frame for taking a decision. 

This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Shri V.Narayanasamy in written reply to question in the Lok Sabha today. 

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Showing ACR to Subordinate

Showing ACR to Subordinate 

The Government has issued instructions that with effect from the reporting period 2008-09, the full Annual Performance Assessment Report (APAR) (earlier known as ACR) after completion shall be communicated by the Section entrusted with the maintenance of APAR to the concerned officer. No instructions have been issued to merely show the APAR and obtain any certificate to this effect. 

This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Shri V.Narayanasamy in written reply to question in the Lok Sabha today. 

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Agreements of Ordnance Factories with MNCs for ToT

Agreements of Ordnance Factories with MNCs for ToT 

Ordnance Factory Board has been allowed to enter into agreement with Foreign Vendors for Transfer of Technology, in sequel to the Armed Forces procurement, on case to case basis. 

Present Strength of the Staff at the Ordnance Factories are not sufficient to meet the demands of the three Services of the Armed Forces. Government proposes to recruit more persons for the purpose. 

During financial year 2010-11, total 14,199 Nos. of staff have been inducted at various levels in Ordnance Factories. 

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri MM Pallam Raju in a written reply to Shri Sanjay Raut in Rajya Sabha today

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Fresh empanelment of private Hospitals under CGHS. BENGALURU,CHANDIGARH, CHENNAI, HYDERABAD. JABALPUR. KANPUR, KOLKA TA AND MUMBAI

Government of India

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Department of Health & Family Welfare

Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi 110 108

No:S.110011/23/2009-CGHS D.II/Hospital Cell (Part IX)

Dated, the 27th July, 2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Fresh empanelment of private Hospitals under CGHS. BENGALURU,CHANDIGARH, CHENNAI, HYDERABAD. JABALPUR. KANPUR, KOLKA TA AND MUMBAI

The undersigned is directed to state that CGHS had initiated action for empanelment of private hospitals under CGHS, under Continuous Empanelment Scheme, which was notified vide Office Memorandum of even number dated 8th December, 2010.

2. The undersigned is directed to enclose a further list of hospitals. under the categories mentioned in the document, that have conveyed their acceptance of the CGHS rates in various cities announced and placed on CGHS website and have signed the Memorandum of Agreement with CGHS and have also furnished the appropriate performance bank guarantee. These hospitals are also taken as included in the list of approved hospitals for empanelment under CGHS. Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jabalpur, Kanpur, Kolkata and Mumbai.

3. It has now been decided that in the list of hospitals enclosed, which have been now approved under the fresh empanelment procedure, and have now signed the fresh Memorandum of Agreement and submitted the appropriate performance guarantee will be eligible to treat CGHS beneficiaries at revised rates with effect from the date of issue of letter.

A copy of this Office Memorandum and CGHS rates for different cities are available at website http://msotransparent.nic.in/cghsnew/index.asp

sd/-

[Jai Prakash]

Under Secretary to Government of India

Source: http://msotransparent.nic.in/writereaddata/cghsdata/mainlinkfile/File403.pdf

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No proposal to increase the Retirement Age of Central Government Servants...

No proposal to increase the Retirement Age of Central Government Servants...

The Central Government clarified that there is no proposal to extend the retirement age of Central Government Employees.

In Rajya Sabha, the Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena told that the total number of Central Government Employees as on March, 2010 was 32.24 Lakh and “at present we have no idea to increase the retirement age of Central Government Employees from 60 to 62”.

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Home loan scheme for govt staff launched

Chief minister Nitish Kumar said on Thursday that if the bankers fully cooperate, then corruption could be checked to a great extent in the state and the dream of economic prosperity would be achieved. He was speaking at a function organized here to launch a scheme of home loans for state government employees, a joint initiative of the state government and Central Bank of India. The CM also handed over loan cheques to 10 employees.

He said the loan facility extended by the Central Bank of India would benefit the government employees as they would get an opportunity to build their own houses. He congratulated the bank's executive director, R K Dubey, who was also present on the occasion.

The CM said apart from this scheme, the government's own loan scheme would also continue, under which a loan of up to Rs 7.5 lakh is given. The employees could now take a home loan of up to Rs 30 lakh from the bank and EMIs would be deducted from their salary every month.

Nitish said during his first tenure he wanted to implement various welfare schemes through banks, like bicycle and school uniform schemes, but failed to get requisite cooperation from the banks. As a result, cash subsidy was extended to beneficiaries. "I want to remove middlemen from all schemes and transfer government assistance to the bank accounts of beneficiaries. Scholarships to students should also be deposited into their accounts and they should be given the facility to withdraw money through ATMs," the CM said.

He appealed to other banks also to come forward and cooperate in implementation of different schemes. The banks should also help the people of unorganized sectors, farmers, weavers and BPL people by extending them home loans, he added.

Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi said house was a basic necessity like food and clothes but the dream of own home is not fulfilled so easily. He expressed hope that after the Central Bank's initiative, other banks would also come forward to extend home loans so that more people could benefit. Modi also urged the banks to come out with a scheme of home loans for legislators. "Banks should extend home loans at minimum interest to poor people for the construction of Indira Awas units," he said.

Central Bank's executive director R K Dubey threw light on the loan scheme and said a loan of Rs 39 crore was being extended in Bihar. Loans in education and agriculture sectors as also to the self-help groups had also been extended by the bank.

A memorandum of understanding was also signed between the state government and Central Bank of India on this occasion.
source:TOI

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Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir

Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved a Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir to encourage the youth of J&K to pursue higher studies outside their State. The total cost of the scheme will be Rs.1200 crore of which Rs.88 crore will be incurred in the current financial year. 

It is proposed to provide 5000 fresh scholarships every year over the next five years. Of these 4500 scholarships will be for general degree courses, 250 for engineering and 250 for medical studies. Every scholar will get upto Rs.30,000 per annum for tuition fees for general degree courses, upto Rs.1.25 lakh per annum for engineering course and upto Rs.3 lakh per annum for medical studies. In addition to these, hostel fees and incidentals will also be given for all categories of courses upto a ceiling of Rs. one lakh per annum. 

Only those students belonging to the State of Jammu & Kashmir, who pass the Class XII or equivalent exam from the J&K Board and pursue general degree courses, engineering, medical studies and other professional courses in Government colleges/ institute/ other reputed institutes, located outside the State of Jammu & Kashmir would be eligible for scholarship under this scheme. The income ceiling will be Rs.4.5 lakh per annum. 

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Medical Facilities to Non-Pensioners

Medical Facilities to Non-Pensioners

The government is aware of the demand for medical facilities to non-pensioners such as Emergency Commissioned Officers and Short Service Commissioned.

A proposal to make Short Service Commission more attractive has been initiated in which the provision for grant of ECHS facilities to Short Service Commissioned Officers has been included. The above proposal is still under examination. 

This information was given by Defence Minister of State for Defence Shri MM Pallam Raju in a written reply to Shrimati Paramjit Kaur Gulshan in Lok Sabha. 

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Implementation of One Rank One Pension

Improvement in pension is an ongoing process. Though the demand for One Rank One Pension (OROP) has been considered by various Committees in the past but it has not been found feasible to accept it. However, keeping in mind the spirit of the demand a Committee was set up under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary to look into the issue of OROP and other related matters, which submitted its report on 30.6.2009. The Committee made seven recommendations to substantially improve pensionary benefits of Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) and Commissioned Officers, which have been accepted by the Government. Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence has accordingly issued orders in implementation of the same vide Government letters dated 30.10.2009, 19.1.2010, 20.1.2010 & 8.3.2010 which are also available on www.pcdapension.nic.in. These orders have substantially increased the pension of pre 2006 retirees. 

The yearly statement of booking of Defence Pension Expenditure during and up to the month of March ending (2009-2010 & 2010-2011) shows that the total amount allotted for Defence Pension Expenditure has been booked in full and no amount is lying unspent. Further as per the reports received from various pension disbursing authorities including Public Sector Banks/Private Sector Banks almost 98.5% cases requiring revision have been cleared. Only few cases are pending for revision, which are also being pursued for early settlement. 

The process of revision of pension is being monitored regularly by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW), Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) and the Department of Financial Services. 

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri MM PAllam Raju in written reply to Shri K.E. Ismail in Rajya Sabha . 

pib

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Shortage of Officers in Armed Forces

Shortage of Officers in Armed Forces

The total number of men and women officers serving in the Indian Army is 35605 and 1020 respectilvely (excluding Army Medical Corps, Army Dental Corps and Military Nursing Services). At present, the shortfall in the number of officers in the Army is 11137. 

Government have allowed re-employment of retired Brigadiers against some staff/instructional/other appointments. The number of re-employed retired Brigadiers is limited to a maximum ten per cent of the authorised strength of the re-employed officers. 

The Government has been taking steps on a continuous and an ongoing basis to reduce shortage of officers. All officers including those in Short Service Commission (SSC) are now eligible to hold substantive rank of Captain, Major and Lieutenant Colonel after 2, 6 and 13 years of reckonable service respectively. The tenure of SSC officers has been increased from 10 years to 14 years. A total number of 750 posts of Lt. Colonel have been upgraded to Colonel towards implementation of AV Singh Committee Report (Phase-I). Further, 1,896 additional posts in the ranks of Colonel, Brigadier, Major General and Lieutenant General and their equivalents in the other two Services have been upgraded towards implementation of AV Singh Committee Report (Phase-II). The implementation of recommendations of the VI Central Pay Commission with substantial improvement in the pay structure of officers of Armed Forces has made the Services more attractive. 

The Armed Forces have also undertaken sustained image projection and publicity campaign to create awareness among the youth on the advantages of taking up a challenging and satisfying career. Awareness campaigns, participation in career fairs and exhibitions, advertisements in print and electronic media, motivational lectures in schools, colleges are also some of the other measures in this direction. The intake of officers, in Army, has shown a positive trend. 

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in separate written replies to Dr. T. Subbarami Reddy and Shrimati Vasanthi Stanley in Rajya Sabha . 

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Expert Committee Report on Pilots, Engineers Examination System Accepted

Expert Committee Report on Pilots, Engineers Examination System Accepted 

The Government has accepted the report of the Expert Committee, which was set up to examine the current system of examination of pilots, engineers etc. 

The Expert Committee was constituted in March 2011 to examine the current system of examination of pilots, engineers etc., and make recommendations to make examination system secure, credible and efficient and in line with modern and best practices. The committee was formed as a follow up to the statement made by Minister for Civil Aviation in the Rajya Sabha on 15.03.2011. 

The Committee submitted its report to the Government on 15th July, 2011. The Committee has made 12 recommendations. 6 of these relate to examination system, 5 to licensing and 1 for Development of comprehensive system for licensing. 

DGCA has been asked to take action for implementing the recommendations of the Committee. 

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Inclusion of names of members of family in the PPO and proof of age for additional quantum of family pension - requirement of certificates etc

F.No.1/19/11-P&PW(E)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, P.G. & Pensions

Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare

Lok Nayak Bhawan,

Khan Market, New Delhi

Dated: 03.08.2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Inclusion of names of members of family in the PPO and proof of age for additional quantum of family pension - requirement of certificates etc. — regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. No.1/6/2008-P&PW(E), dated 22.06.10 and No. 1/21/91-P&PW(E), dated 20.01.93, regarding intimation of names of eligible family members by the pensioner or the spouse to the Head of Office for inclusion in the Pension Payment Order (PPO). It has been clarified in the O.M dated 22.06.10 that in cases where the pensioner or his/ her spouse has expired, the widowed or divorced or unmarried daughter  / parents / dependent disabled children / disabled siblings can themselves intimate such details to the pension sanctioning authority, who can process such cases if sufficient proof of entitlement is produced by the claimant and all other conditions for grant of family pension are fulfilled.

2. Attention is also invited to this Department’s O.M. No. 38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 21.05.09, wherein detailed instructions regarding admissibility of documents as proof of date of birth of very old family pensioner who neither have a birth certificate nor any other corroborating document and whose date of birth is not available in the PPOs as well as in the office records of CPAO/ PAO have been circulated.

3. It is a matter of concern that a large number of complaints have been received in this Department from various pensioners associations and  individuals that the documents submitted by them to the Heads of Office concerned are not accepted by them. Complaints about inordinate delay of 2-3 years in settling the claims have also been received.

4. It is hereby reiterated that documents indicated in para 5 of O.M., dated 21.05.09 may be relied upon by the Heads of Office for admitting claims of the family pensioners. In addition to these, the Aadhaar number issued by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) may also be accepted by the Heads of Office/ Pension Disbursing Authorities as valid proof of identity, it is also emphasized that the date of birth of the applicant may also be ascertained at the time of sanctioning family pension as it may be required for deciding the quantum of additional family pension when the family pensioner attains the age of 80 years or above..

5. In case the applicant is unable to submit any of the documents indicated above but claims family pension based on some other documentary evidence, such cases may be submitted to the administrative Ministry/Department. The decision of the administrative Ministry / Department in this regard will be final.

6. Requests have also been received for inclusion of the name of dependent disabled child(ren) in the PPO during the life-time of the pensioner. It is 

hereby clarified that neither dependence nor disability are bound to be permanent in nature. Therefore, the name(s) of such child/ children may be 

included in the details of family by the Head of Office on receiving a request from the pensioner or his/ her spouse. However, family pension would be sanctioned only when their turn comes to receive the family pension on the demise of the pensioner/ family pensioner, after examining the claim(s) of such disabled children for family pension subject to the fulfilment of conditions stipulated in the relevant provisions of CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972.

7. All Ministries / Departments are requested to give wide publicity to these clarifications.

sd/-

(Tripti P.Ghosh)

Director 

Source: www.persmin.nic.in

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Hacking of Government Website

Ministry of Communications & Information Technology

Hacking of Government Website

            The Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology, Shri Sachin Pilot today informed the Lok Sabha in written reply to a question that a total of 117 Government websites were defaced during the period January - June, 2011. All the affected organizations and departments were requested to provide web server logs of hacked websites for analysis and identifying nature and type of attack and vulnerabilities exploited by the hacker. Based on the analysis the organizations were advised to take specific steps to strengthen the security of websites. The analysis report alongwith countermeasures to plug the exploited vulnerabilities was provided to the affected organizations by Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In).

The reply further stated that the information on the website of National Investigation Agency (NIA) is temporarily disabled. Since the website of National Investigation Agency was not hacked, no inquiry in this regard has been conducted.

The specific steps taken by Government towards ensuring cyber security are:

i. All the new Government websites and applications are to be audited with respect to cyber security prior to their hosting. The auditing of the websites and applications will be conducted on a regular basis after hosting also.

ii. National Informatics Centre (NIC) has been directed not to host web sites which are not audited with respect to cyber security.

iii. National Informatics Centre (NIC) which hosts the government websites is continuously engaged in upgrading and improving the security posture of its hosting infrastructure.

iv. All the Ministries/ Departments of Central Government and State Governments are implementing the Crisis Management Plan to counter cyber attacks and cyber terrorism.

v. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) issues alerts and advisories regarding latest cyber threats and countermeasures on regular basis.

The existing Government websites are periodically audited from security perspective and vulnerabilities found are plugged.

Source: PIB

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Nomination of qualified candidates of Stenographer Grade ‘C’ Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE), 2009

No.5/1/2011-CS-II(C) 

Government of India 

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions 

Department of Personnel & Training

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, 

Khan Market, New Delhi-100003. 

Date: 3rd August, 2011.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Nomination of qualified candidates of Stenographer Grade ‘C’ Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE), 2009.

            The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. of even number dated 30.5.2011 and 29.7.2011 on the subject noted above vide which the nomination of 44 qualified candidates of Steno Grade ‘C’ LDCE – 2009 was issued by this Department. The examination dossiers in respect of 12 more qualified candidates have been received from SSC. Out of these 12 candidates, 1 candidate has already been appointed as Steno Grade ‘C’ on regular basis whereas one more candidate has left the service. As such, the remaining 10 candidates are hereby nominated to the Cadre Units of CSSS as shown in the Annexure to this O.M.

2.        Before the nominated candidates are appointed, the Cadre Units are requested to ensure: 

          (i) Verification of the particulars furnished by the nominated candidates in the dossiers with the original entries in their respective Service Books. 

          (ii) Availability of vigilance clearance.

3.       It is requested that the qualified candidates may be relieved immediately for appointment as Steno Grade ‘C’ in the nominated Cadre Units. These nominated candidates may be included in the Select List of Steno Grade ‘C’ of CSSS for the year 2009 in the manner indicated in the CSSS Rules, 1969. Copies of their appointment orders may be endorsed to this Department and the SSC. The dossiers of nominated candidates are forwarded herewith for keeping the same as part of their Service Books.

4.       Receipt of this O.M. together with the enclosure may please be acknowledged.

sd/- 

(J.Minz) 

Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Click here to view “ANNEXURE TO O.M. No.5/1/2011-CS-II(C) DATED 3.8.2011″

Source : www.persmin.nic.in

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Hike rate of return on GPF: Parliamentary panel

Hike rate of return on GPF: Parliamentary panel 

New Delhi, Aug 2 (PTI)

A Parliamentary panel today asked the Central government to increase the rate of return on provident fund for its employees in the light of rising bank rates and EPFO's decision to hike its rate to 9.5 per cent for 2010-11.

"The rate of interest on General Provident Fund (GPF) which is pegged at 8 per cent may be reviewed so that government employees are not put to any disadvantage more so now when the interest rates for bank deposits has also been raised," the Standing Committee on Finance suggested in its report.

If the suggests of the panel finds favour from the government, over 50 lakh Centre's employees will stand to benifit.

The panel headed by former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, pointed out that retirement fund body Employees Provident Fund Organiation has also increased rate of interest on PF deposits to 9.5 per cent for 2010-11 from 8 per cent.

Continue to read deccanherald

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Clarification on Children Education Allowance for All India Services officers

No. 20011/5/2008-AIS-II 

Government of India 

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions 

(Department of Personnel and Training)

North Block, New Delhi-i 10001 

Dated, the 25th July, 2011.

To

The Chief Secretaries of all the
State Governments/UTs.

Subject: Clarification on Children Education Allowance.

Sir,

I am directed to enclose herewith a copy of this Department’s O.M.No.21011/16/2009-Estt.(AL), dated 17th June, 2011 and to state that clarification issued by the Central Government on Children Education Allowance vide this 0M. would also be applicable in respect of All India Services officers.

Yours faithfully,

(Yash pal) 

Desk officers

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All India Services (Death-Cum-Retirement Benefits) Amendment Rules. 2011.

THE GAZETTE OF INDIA. EXTRAORDINARY -               [PAST II Sec. 3(í)]

MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS 

(Department of Personnel and Training) 

NOTIFICATION

New  Delhi, the 28th July, 2011

G.S.R. 585(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of 

the All India Services Act. 1951 (61 of 1951), the Central Government, after consultation with  the Governments of the States concerned, hereby makes the following rules further to amend the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958. namely :—

1  (1) These rules may be caned the All India Services (Death-Cum-Retirement Benefits) Amendment Rules. 2011.

       (2) They shall come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.In the All India Services (Death-Cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958, in rule 5,after sub-rule (1), the following sub-rule shall be inserted, namely:

         (`1A) (I) The Central Government may permit a member of service to withdraw his resignation in the public interest on the following conditions, namely :-

(a) that the resignation was tendered by the member of service for some compelling reasons which did not involve any reflection on his integrity, efficiency or conduct and the request for withdrawal of the resignation has been made as a result of a material change in the circumstances which originally compelled him/her to tender the resignation;

(b) that during the period intervening between the date on which the resignation became effective and the date from which the request for withdrawal was made, the conduct of the member concerned was in no way improper;

(e) that the period of absence from duty between the date on which the resignation became effective and the date on which the member is allowed to resume duty as a result of permission to withdraw the resignation is not more than ninety days

(d) that the post, which was vacated by the member of service on the acceptance of his/he resignation or any other comparable post, is available

(ii) Request for withdrawal of a resignation shall not be accepted by the Central Government where a member of service resigns his/her service or post with a view to taking up an appointment in or under a private commercial company or in or under a corporation or company wholly or substantially owned or controlled by the Government or in or under a body controlled or financed by the Government.

(iii) Request for withdrawal of resignation shall not be accepted by the Central Government where a member of the Service resigns from his/her service or post with a view to be associated with, any political parties or any organisation which takes part in politics, or to take part in, or subscribe in aid of, or assist in any other manner, any political movement or political activity or to canvass or otherwise interfere with, or use his/her influence in connection with, or take part in, an election to any legislature or local authority.

(iv) When an order is passed by the Central Government allowing a member to withdraw his/her resignation and to resume duty, the order shall be deemed to include the condonation of interruption in service but the period of interruption shall not count as qualifying service

[F No. 24012/10/2010-AIS (II)]

DEEPTI UMASHANKAR, Director (Services)

MORE DETAILS-http://persmin.gov.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02ser/24012_10_2010-AIS-II-28072011.pdf

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Foreign Training (Long/short-term) under Domestic Funding of Foreign Training (DFFT)Scheme of the Department of Personnel & Training

MOST IMMEDIATE 

OUT TODAY

No. 12037/32/2010-FTC 

Government of India 

Department of Personnel & Training 

Training Division 

(Block No.IV, Old JNU Campus. New Delhi 110 067)

New Delhi, the 1st August 2011

To,

Secretaries to Central Ministries/Departments of Go Chief Secretaries of State Governments/Administrators of UTs(As per list attached),

Sub: Foreign Training (Long/short-term) under Domestic Funding of Foreign Training (DFFT)Scheme of the Department of Personnel & Training— Nomination of nodal officer – regarding.

Sir/Madam,

As you may kindly be aware, the Training Division of the. DOPT is administering the DFFT scheme wherein officers belonging to IAS, SCS, CSS. CSSS and also those officers of other Group ‘A’ services, who hold posts on deputation under the Central Staffing Scheme, are deputed for training forvarious short and long-term programmes abroad. Under the DFFT Scheme, an annual circular is issued by this Division in September/October eveiy year for training programmes to be organized in the following year. The eligible and interested officers apply against this circular through their respective controlling authorities.

2. [he application process under this scheme includes (i) filling up the application form by the interested officers, and (ii) forwarding of the same by the concerned controlling authorities to the DOPT.While filling up of the application by the officers has already been made on-line’, the form to be filled by the controlling authorities while forwarding the application forms of their respective officers will also go‘on-line’ w.e.f. FY 2011-12. Accordingly, all Ministries&Departments of Gol and State Governments/UTs were requested. vide this Department’s letters of even number dated 25 August 2010 and 28 October 2010, to appoint a nodal officer (not below the rank of Under Secretary to the Government of India) who will be associated with the work relating to the nomination of officers for training abroad under the DFFT Scheme and forward details the appointed nodal officers to this Division.

3. The requisite details of such nodal officer are awaited from your organization. It is requested that the same may kindly be expedited and forwarded to this Department immediately and, in any case, by5th August 2011 positively.

Yours faithfully

s/d

Sanjiv Shankar

Director(Foreign Training)

source-http://persmin.gov.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02trn/DFFT_01082011.pdf

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