West Bengal Services (Appointment, Probation and Absorption of Group C Employees) Rules, 2013

Government of West Bengal

Finance Department

Audit Branch

Writers’ Buildings, Kolkata – 700001

NOTIFICATION

No.1832-F(P) dt. 01-03-2013 – In exercise of the power conferred by the proviso to article 309 of the Constitution of India and in partial modification of notification No. 6060-F, dated the 25th June, 1979, the Governor is hereby pleased to make the following rules, namely

Rules

1. Short title and commencement – (1) These rules may be called the West Bengal Services (Appointment, Probation and Absorption of Group C Employees) Rules, 2013.

(2) They shall come into force with effect from the 1st day of March 2013.

2. Application (1) These rules shall apply in case of appointment to any post or cadre or service or category belonging to Group C.

(2) These rules shall not apply to –

a) part-time workers, casual labourers, daily labourers, master roll workers and seasonal labourers;

b) such offer categories of persons as may be specified from time to time by Government by notification in the Official Gazette.

c) Cases of appointment on promotion.

3. Definitions – In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires:-

1) “Appointment on probation” means appointment on trial before absorption;

2) “Government” means the Government of West Bengal;

3) “Probationer” means a Government employee appointed on probation.

4. Mode of appointment – On or after the date of coming into force of these rules, all appointments on entry into posts or cadre or service or category belonging to Group C in the Government service, shall be on probation for a period of three years.

5. Absorption after probation – A Government employee shall be absorbed on regular basis on satisfactory completion of the period of probation and for this purpose, the performance of the concerned employee shall be reviewed after completion of each year.

Provided that where passing of departmental or other examination like computer skill etc. is essential under any existing rules of the concerned Group C post, the concerned employee shall have to pass the same within the period of probation.

Provided further that in case such Government employee fails to pass the departmental or other examination within the period of probation, the period of probation may be extended for further period of one year on the request of the employee.

6. Discharge on non-satisfactory performance during the period of probation. In case of non-satisfactory performance or failing to pass the departmental examination or other examination as mentioned in rule 5. the Government employee concerned may be discharged.

7. Selection Procedure – Selection shall be made on the basis of competitive examination to be conducted by the Staff Selection Commission. West Bengal or the Public Service Commission. West Bengal (Clerkship Examination only), as the case may be by way of following the procedures mentioned in the relevant recruitment rules of the concerned Group C posts or cadre or service or category.

8. Drawal of salary during the period of probation. During the period of probation only the entry point pay i.e. Basic pay plus Grade Pay of the concerned Group C posts or service or cadre or category shall be allowed with annual increment @ 3% per annum and medical allowance, if any.

9. Treatment of probation period after absorption. (1) After absorption on successful completion of the period of probation and passing of such departmental examination wherever applicable, an employee shall be allowed to draw pay in the regular scale related to the concerned posts or service or cadre or category from the date of confirmation.

(2) The period of probation shall be counted for pensionary benefit and shall not counted for Modified Carrier Advancement Scheme (MCAS) or for promotion.

10. Leave during period of probation. Leave during period of probation shall be allowed as per rule 213 of the West Bengal Service Rules. Part I . applicable for contractual appointment.

By order of Governor,

Sd/- H.K. Dwivedi

Secy to the Govt. of West Bengal

http://www.wbfin.nic.in/writereaddata/GROUP%20C%20RECRUITMENT.pdf

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Procedure for refund of money Deposited to GPF Account or Suspense Head of Account in respect of the Officers of All India Services covered under New Pension Scheme

Government of West Bengal 

Finance Department 

Audit Branch 

Writers’ Buildings, Kolkata-700 001.

No.10263.-F(y)

Kolkata, the 18th December, 2012.

MEMORANDUM

Sub:- Procedure for refund of money Deposited to GPF Account or Suspense Head of Account in respect of the Officers of All India Services covered under New Pension Scheme.

   This Department vide Notification No.1069-F(Y) dated 03.02.2012 prescribed the procedures for the implementation of the ‘New Pension Scheme’ [NPS] of the Government of India applicable for the All India Service [AIS] Officers borne on West Bengal Cadre on or after 01.01.2004.

   In paragraph 1(c) of the said Notification it was stated that “On amendment of the All India Service (Death cum Retirement Benefit) Rules, 1958 and the All India Service (Provident Fund) Rules, 1955,the benefits of the Defined Benefit Pension and General Provident Fund shall not be available to the new recruits. The AIS Officer who is covered under NPS but so far Contributed to General Provident Fund/or any other fund or account, his entire contribution to the General Provident Fund Accounts/ or any other fund or account shall be refunded to him by the concerned DDO in consultation with the DTA and Office of the Pr, A.G.(A&E) WB and that amount may be deposited by the concerned AIS Officer for payment of backlog Contribution to the NPS.”

   It has come to the notice of this Department that prior to issuance of this Department Notification No.1069-F(y) dated 03.02.2012, some amount have been deposited either under the Major head ‘8658 – Suspense Accounts’ or under the Major head ‘8009 — State Provident Fund’ by way of deduction from the regular salary bills of the Officers of All India Services who were covered under New Pension Scheme. In most of the cases it was either been deposited under the Suspense Head 8658-00- l20-026-20-Deposit Suspense Account” or GPF Head “8009-01-104-001-19-All India Services Provident Fund”.

   Now, in terms of para 1(c) of the said Notification dated 03.02.2012 it is required to refund the money which were erroneously deposited in those accounts for depositing the same to the account of the concerned AIS Officers under the New Pension Scheme as their own ‘Arrear Backlog Contribution’.

   The matter regarding the refund of the amount has been consulted with the Office of the Accountant General (A&E) West Bengal and as per their suggestions vide their Letter No.A.M.-1/3-61/569 dated 30.10.2012 read with D.O.FUND I/AIS(PF)/Pre-Jan.2004/Out-56 dated 21.11.2012, the following procedure have been prescribed by the Government for withdrawal of the amount erroneously deposited under the heads of accounts ‘8658- Unclassified Suspense’ or ‘8009-General Provident Fund’:

(A). For refund of the money deposited under Major head ‘8658- Unclassified Suspense’:

   (I) A Statement showing the drawal head of account [14-Digit head of account- upto Detail Head], Voucher No. & Date, Challan No. & Challan Date [to be collected from the concerned Treasury], Name of Treasury, Amount deducted under the head for each month for the entire period of Deposit shall be prepared by the head of Office and shall be verified by the DDO/DDOs from the concerned Treasury(s). The Head of office shall submit such verified Statement to the O/o. the Accountant General (A&E) West Bengal for confirmation of the balance under the said head in the account of the concerned Officer,

   (II) After getting the confirmation of the balance from the O/o. the Accountant General (A&E) West Bengal, a Sanction Order shall be issued by the Head of Office for the withdrawal of the amount from the head of account where it was originally deposited with detail head “10-Payments” by transfer-credit to the head “8342 – Other Deposits — 00 — 117 – Defined Contribution Pension Scheme — 002 -Members’ Subscription for AIS NPS under Tier I – 07-Deposit”,

   (III) A Transfer-credit Bill under T.R. Form No. 43 along with the above mentioned Sanction Order and Balance confirmation Certificate from the Accountant General (A&E) West Bengal along with Schedule-IV for depositing Backlog Contribution under head ‘8342-00-117-002-07” shall be submitted to the Treasury by the concerned DDO where the AIS Officer is posted,

   (IV) Information of such drawal shall be given to the Directorate of Treasuries & Accounts, West Bengal, who will arrange to credit the amount to the NPS Account of the concerned Officer.

(B) For refund of the money deposited under Major head ‘8009-P.F. Account’:

   (I) (I) A Statement showing the head of account [14-Digit head of account-upto Detail Head], Voucher No. & Date, Challan No. & Challan Date [to be collected from the concerned Treasury), Name of Treasury, Amount deducted under the head for each month for the entire period of Deposit prepared by the head of Office and shall be verified by the DDO/DDOs from the concerned Treasury(s) and shall be submitted to the O/o. the Accountant General (A&E) West Bengal along with the (ii) Form No. XV complete in all respect including (iii) detail of Temporary Advance(s) and Non-refundable withdrawal(s) sanctioned and paid (if any), if no advance / withdrawal is made a certificate to that effect has to be submitted. Copy of the Form No. XV is enclosed with Memorandum. Form No. XV duly completed in all respect and signed by the Head of Office or Cadre Controlling Cell shall be submitted to the O/o. the Accountant General (A&E) West Bengal,

   (II) After obtaining ‘Authority’ from the O/o. the Accountant General (A&E) West Bengal a Bill under T.R. Form No. 50 along with the Authority of the Accountant General (A&E) West Bengal and the Schedule-IV for depositing Backlog Contribution under head ‘8342-00-117-002-07” shall be submitted to the Treasury by the concerned DDO where the AIS Officer is posted,

   (III) Information of such drawal shall be given to the Directorate of Treasuries & Accounts, West Bengal, who will arrange to credit the amount to the NPS Account of the concerned Officer.

Sd/- 

H. K. Dwivedi, 

Secretary to the 

Government of West Bengal

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE WEST BENGAL GOVERNMENTS MEMORANDUM

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Public Holiday on 8th May 2012 in West Bengal under N.I.Act

Public Holiday on 8th May 2012 under N.I.Act

Public Holiday on account of Birthday of Rabindra Nath Tagore on 8th May, 2012, Tuesday under Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (XXVI of 1881)

VIEW ORDER-CLICK HERE

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Treatment of absence of employees on 28.02.2012-West Bengal Government's Decision

Government of West Bengal 

Finance Department 

Audit Branch 

Writers’ Buildings, Kolkata-700 001.

No. 2013-F(P)

Dated : 06-03-2012.

MEMORANDUM

   In Circular No. 283(60)-PS dated 21.02.2012 of the Home (Political) Department, Government of West Bengal, it was directed that all Stale Government Offices would remain open on 28.2.2012 and all Government employees should report for duly. It as also mentioned therein that no leave would be granted to any Government employee on that date. In spite of the above Circular it has been noticed that some employees did not attend office on that day.

   So, the question of treatment of absence of employees on 28.02.2012 has accordingly been considered by the Government. After careful consideration of the entire matter, the Governor has been pleased to decide as follows:

   Head of offices will issue Show Cause notice to the concerned employee who was absent on 28.02.2012 asking him to explain why action would not be taken against him for such unauthorized absence in violation of Circular No. 283(60)-PS dt. 21.02.2012. After receipt of reply, action may be taken in the following manner:-

1) Leave due and admissible may be granted on production of documentary evidence in the following cases:-

a) Hospitalisation of the employee.

h) Bereavement in the family.

c) Severe illness and absence continuing from before.

d) Employees who had been on leave continuing from before, if such leave was sanctioned prior to issue of the above Circular.

e) Compelling reasons of similar nature, where the employee could not report for duty for circumstances beyond his coutrol.(Specifie reasons with documentary proof will have to be furnished in each Such case.)

   It is mentioned here that dislocation of traffic will not be a reason for granting leave as traffic remained normal on that day.

   2) Where the absence is not covered by any of the abovementioned reasons, the same will be treated as dies non and no salary will be admissible for that day. However, this will not affect past service of the concerned employee.

   3) Those who do no respond to the show-cause notice will be liable for disciplinary action.

   4) All actions in terms of this order should be completed by 31st March, 2012.

Sd/-

H.K.Dwivedi

Secretary

Finance Department

view pdf-http://www.wbfin.nic.in/writereaddata/ORDER%20FOR%20ABSENCE%20ON%2028.02.2012.pdf

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Calcutta HC upheld order on privileges in entrance test for post graduate courses to remote Bengal doctors

 (UNI) Calcutta High Court division bench on 1.3.2012, upheld a single bench order staying a state government notification that offered privileges in entrance test for post graduate courses to doctors working in difficult places and remote districts of the state. 

The bench comprising Chief Justices Joynrayan Patel and Sombuddha Chatraborty issue the ruling on a appeal of the government challenging the single-bench order. 

The bench sent back the case to the single bench for settlement of the issue. 

Justice Tapen Sen on January 20 had issued the ruling on after 71 doctors, who were now posted in rural health centers moved writ petitions challenging the notifications, issued recently. 

The notification classified 12 of the 19 districts in the state as 'remote and difficult places.' Rules set by Medical Council of India states that junior doctors working in remote and difficult places after MBBS are eligible to a quota (for diploma aspirants ) and a grace of 10 per cent for post-graduate courses in entrance tests. 

In his order, Justice Sen observed, ' Primarily, this court feels that there should be an interim injunction on government notification so that the health department cannot give effect to the said notification at least till March 15 when the case will be heard in detail. UNI

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Child adoption leave for the female Teaching & Non-Teaching employees of Non-Govt. aided Secondary Schools

Government of West Bengal

School Education Department

Secondary Branch

Bikash Bhawan, Salt  Lake, Kolkata-700091

Memo No. – 421-SE(S)/2L-01/2011

Date- 29/02/2012

O R D E R

In Terms of Finance Department Memorandum No. 9728-F(P) dated  24.10.2011, the facility of child adoption leave has been extended to the female  Govt. employees. The matter of child adoption leave for the female Teaching & Non-Teaching employees of Non-Govt. aided Secondary Schools of this State Govt. was under active consideration for some time past.

Now, therefore, in  exercise of the power conferred by Sub-Section (1) & Sub-Section (2) (D) of Section 45 of West Bengal Board of Secondary Education Act, 1963 (West Bengal Act V of 1963), the Governor is hereby pleased to make the following amendment to the Management Of Recognized Non-Govt. Institutions  (Aided & Unaided) Rules, 1969 (hereinafter referred to as the said rules):-

AMENDMENT

In the appendix to the said rules, insert following sub-rule after sub-rule (4) of rule 8:-

(a)  “(5) A female employee having less then two surviving children shall be entitled to child adoption leave of 135 days with full pay if she adopts a child less than 1 year of age. The female employee may avail herself of any kind of leave as may be due and admissible for a period upto one year or till the child is one (1) year old, whichever is earlier” .

(b) In rule 12, insert the following sub- rule after sub-rule 5:-

      

       “(6) Child Adoption Leave”.

         This order issues with the concurrence of finance department vide their U.O.no. 4501- Gr.P (service) dated   16.01.2012. 

        

          This order takes effect from 01.10.2011 &shall remain in force until further order.

(VIKRAM SEN)

Principal Secretary

view pdf- http://www.wbsed.gov.in/wbsed/readwrite/notifications/120113051403002.pdf

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‘Child Care Leave’ for West Bengal State female Government Employees,

Government of West Bengal

Finance Department

Audit Branch

No: 1364-F(P) Kolkata, the 15th February, 2012.

MEMORANDUM

          Consequent upon recommendation of the Fifth State Pay Commission for introduction of ‘Child Care Leave’ in favour of female State Government Employees, the matter has been under consideration of the Government for some time past.

After careful consideration of the matter, the undersigned is directed by order of the Governor to say that the Female Govt. employees having minor children may be granted Child Care Leave [CCL] by an authority competent to grant leave, for a maximum period of two years (i.e. 730 days) during their entire service period for taking care of upto two children upto 18 years of their age whether for rearing or to look after any of their needs like examination, sickness etc. subject to the following conditions.

i. During the period of such leave, the female employees shall be paid leave salary equal to the pay drawn immediately before proceeding on leave.

ii. It may not be granted in more than 3 (three) spells in a calendar year.

iii. It may not be granted for less than 15 days in a spell.

iv. Child Care Leave shall not be debited against the leave account.

v. It may be combined with Leave of the kind due and admissible.

vi. Child Care Leave should not ordinarily be granted during the Probation period except in case of certain extreme situations where the leave sanctioning authority is fully satisfied about the need of Child Care Leave to the probationer. It may also be ensured that the period for which such leave is sanctioned during probation is minimal.

vii. Other terms and conditions as applicable to sanctioning Earned Leave shall be applicable in the matter of sanctioning Child Care Leave.

viii. An account for the purpose shall have to be maintained under proper attestation by the leave sanctioning authority.

2. This order shall take effect from 1st January, 2012.

3. Formal amendments in the relevant rules of the West Bengal Service Rules will be made in due course

Sd/-

A.K. Das

Joint Secretary to the

Government of West Bengal,

Finance Department

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Child Care Leave for female West Bengal State Government Employees

Government of West Bengal

Finance Department

Audit Branch

No: 1364-F(P) Kolkata, the 15th February, 2012.

MEMORANDUM

Consequent upon recommendation of the Fifth State Pay Commission for introduction of ‘Child Care Leave’ in favour of female State Government Employees, the matter has been under consideration of the Government for some time past.

After careful consideration of the matter, the undersigned is directed by order of the Governor to say that the Female Govt. employees having minor children may be granted Child Care Leave [CCL] by an authority competent to grant leave, for a maximum period of two years (i.e. 730 days) during their entire service period for taking care of upto two children upto 18 years of their age whether for rearing or to look after any of their needs like examination, sickness etc. subject to the following conditions.

i. During the period of such leave, the female employees shall be paid leave salary equal to the pay drawn immediately before proceeding on leave.

ii. It may not be granted in more than 3 (three) spells in a calendar year.

iii. It may not be granted for less than 15 days in a spell.

iv. Child Care Leave shall not be debited against the leave account.

v. It may be combined with Leave of the kind due and admissible.

vi. Child Care Leave should not ordinarily be granted during the Probation period except in case of certain extreme situations where the leave sanctioning authority is fully satisfied about the need of Child Care Leave to the probationer. It may also be ensured that the period for which such leave is sanctioned during probation is minimal.

vii. Other terms and conditions as applicable to sanctioning Earned Leave shall be applicable in the matter of sanctioning Child Care Leave.

viii. An account for the purpose shall have to be maintained under proper attestation by the leave sanctioning authority.

2. This order shall take effect from 1st January, 2012.

3. Formal amendments in the relevant rules of the West Bengal Service Rules will be made in due course

Sd/-

A.K. Das

Joint Secretary to the

Government of West Bengal,

Finance Department

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Implementation of the New Pension Scheme for members of the All-India Services joining on or after 01/01/2004 and borne on West Bengal Cadre

Government of West Bengal 

Finance Department 

Audit Branch

No. 1069-F(Y). Kolkata, the 3rd February, 2012.

NOTIFICATION

Sub: Implementation of the New Pension Scheme for members of the All-India Services joining on or after 01/01/2004 and borne on West Bengal Cadre.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India vide letter No. 25014/14/2001-AIS(II) DoPT, GOI, dated: 08.09.2009 has issued the detailed guidelines for the implementation of New Pension Scheme for members of the All India Services including those joining in the State Cadre on or after 01.01.2004.

The pension of the members of the All India Services appointed on or after 01.01.2004 is regulated by the new Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (known as the New Pension Scheme) notified by the Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) Government of India vide their O.M. No. 5/7/2003 – ECB 2- PR dated 22.12.2003. On introduction of the New Pension Scheme, the All India Service (Death cum Retirement Benefit) Rules, 1958 and the All India Service (Provident Fund), Rules, 1955 were amended on 7.02.2004 & 17th May 2004 respectively. Under the amended Rules, benefits of the old Defined Benefit Pension Scheme and of GPF are not available to the members of the service appointed on or after 1.1.2004.

As per guidelines of the New Pension Scheme (NPS) all State Governments would be required to designate a State Nodal Officer (SNO) at the State capital for all NPS related activities. District Treasury Officer (DTO) / Treasury Officer (TO) would be entrusted the responsibility of deducting the amount of employee’s subscription from the salary of the AIS subscriber and would forward the same consolidatedly to the State Nodal Officer. The salary bills and the bills for Government contribution will be passed by the TOs after exercising the checks prescribed under financial rules and Treasury Manual for subsequent transfer to the Trustee Bank by the SNO.

It is now required to bring the members of the All India Services (AIS) i.e. the Indian Administrative Service, the Indian Police Service and the Indian Forest Service, borne on West Bengal cadre and who have joined the All India Service on or after 01.01.2004 under the ambit of the New Pension Scheme. For this purpose it is necessary to detail the procedure of operationalising the NPS for the All India Service Officers borne on the State of West Bengal, and define the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in the New Pension Scheme.

Considering the above stated guidelines of Govt. of India, the Governor is pleased to prescribe the following procedures for the implementation of the New Pension Scheme [NPS] of the Government of India applicable for the All India Services [AIS] Officers borne on West Bengal Cadre on or after 01.01.2004.

read more details-http://www.wbfin.nic.in/writereaddata/New_Pension_Scheme%5B1%5D.pdf

source-http://www.wbfin.nic.in/

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NCPCR directs WB govt. to enumerate steps to prevent infant deaths

NCPCR directs WB govt. to enumerate steps to prevent infant deaths

Taking cognizance of neonatal deaths in various hospitals of West Bengal, viz Kolkata, Malda, Burdwan and Berhampore etc, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has asked the State Government to spell out in detail steps taken to tackle the situation.

“We have sought the details from the State Government on the measures initiated to tackle the situation,’’ said Vinod Kumar Tikoo, Member, NCPCR.

We will intervene in the matter only after receipt of the information from the State Government, he added.

The Central body has asked for details of the mechanism put in place by the administration to deal with identification of high risk pregnancies, their timely referral and promotion of institutionalised deliveries, the arrangements to strengthen the infrastructure and required number of trained personnel in PHCs, its sub-centers and Anganwadi centers.

The Commission has asked for the registration details of pregnant mothers from Anganwadis for 75 deaths reported in Malda District Hospital between October 1 to November 23, 2011 and 12 deaths reported in BC Roy Hospital with their registration particulars. Details of SNCUs made operational till date district wise with number of beds in each SNCU has also been sought along with the details on strengthening the Medical staff in the hospital.

The Commission has also asked for a status report on the number of newborns covered under the cash less service under each block and number of Nischay Jan/Matri Jan selected and trained under the same.

source-pib

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Child Care Leave for West Bengal State Govt Employees

It's time to rejoice for all women employees working with the Mamata Banerjee governmentcan now rejoice.

On ThursdayIn a major movethat will make hundreds of state employees happy, the state government will be placing a proposal in the cabinet to grant two years of "child care leave" (CCL) to women employees for two children till they are 18 years of age. This is apart from the maternity leave that they get during the birth of children.

Central government employees already enjoy this benefit and, if no one objects at Thursday's cabinet meeting, then - there is no reason why anyone would -an order would shortly follow from the West Bengal government which will give the state employees the same benefit.

According to the Central government order that came into effect from September 1, 2008, "Women employees having minor children may be granted CCL by an authority competent to grant leave, for a maximum period of two years (730 days), during their entire service for taking care of upto two children whether for rearing or to look after any of their needs like examination, sickness etc."

It can be taken in a single or separate spells and will be applicable only for as long as the children grow up to be 18 years of age. "During the period of such leave, the women employees shall be paid leave salary equal to the pay drawn immediately before proceeding on leave. CCL shall not be debited against the leave account."

For Central government employees, the maternity leave has now been increased from 135 days to 180 days. In Bengal, while the former Left Front government had discussed increasing it similarly, as of now, maternity leave remains 120 days.

The proposal has long been pending. with the state government and After the new government was formed, a deputation was also placed before Mamata Banerjee so that this is introduced for state employees.

Before bringing the proposal, state officials have already examined the Central government order issued following the recommendation of the Sixth Central Pay Commission that led to the introduction of CCL for them from September 1, 2008.

According to a senior official, "there has been a huge demand for introducing CCL here. If and after it was already introduced by the Central government employees can get it, there is no reason why it could not be done for state employees as well.

source:TOI

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The 12th January, 2012, the birthday of Swami Vivekananda is a Public holiday-West Bengal

GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL 

FINANCE DEPARTMENT 

AUDIT BRANCH

No. 261-F(P)

Date 09.01.2012

NOTIFICATION

In exercise of the power conferred under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (XXVI of 1881) read with explanation thereunder and also Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs Notification No. 20/25/56-Pub(I), dated the 8th June, 1957, the Governor is pleased to declare Thursday, the 12th January, 2012, the birthday of Swami Vivekananda as a Public holiday. This is in partial modification of earlier Notification No. 10972-F(P) dated 7.12.11.

A. K. Das 

Joint Secretary to the 

Government of West Bengal 

Finance Department

source-"http://www.wbfin.nic.in/writereaddata/Holiday_under_N.I._Act_on_12.01.12"

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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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Mamata declares holiday on Rabindranath Tagore's death anniversary

Mamata declares holiday on Rabindranath Tagore's death anniversary

KOLKATA: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday declared Aug 8 a holiday to mark the death anniversary of poet Rabindranath Tagore.

Banerjee also appealed to the central government to declare a national holiday to mark the occasion, and said she would write to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in this regard.

"We have decided to declare a holiday on this day in all schools, colleges, other educational institutions and offices so that everyone can take part in programmes to mark the occasion. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation will also be a part of the programme," Banerjee said.

With the state government facing an acute financial crisis, all agencies and departments have been asked to pitch in with funds. "The state government will coordinate with the Tagore 150th birthday celebration committee and the KMC in organising the programmes," she said.

"The main cultural programme will be held Aug 8 at Netaji indoor stadium," she said.

Programmes would be held in all schools, colleges, other educational institutions, government offices, state public sector undertakings and city police headquarters Aug 8-10.

"We have also requested the railways to light up its offices in the state as also the important stations," the chief minister said after a high-level meeting.

"Tagore's 150th birth anniversary has not been suitably celebrated so far. So we have decided to hold programmes around his death anniversary," she said.

Four huge and colourful rallies will be brought out from the Jorasanko Thakurbari - the poet's ancestral house where he was born, Park Circus, College Square and Harish Mukherjee Road at 10 a.m. Aug 8.

All four rallies will terminate at Shahid Minar in the heart of the city.

Banerjee would join the rally from Harish Mukherjee road.

Banerjee said the state government was also renovating a house in Mongpu village in Darjeeling district which hosted Tagore on several occasions. "We have plans to set up a Nepali Academy there."

Tagore in 1913 became the first Asian Nobel laureate and the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize for literature.

He also holds the distinction of having authored the national anthems of two sovereign nations - India and Bangladesh, and the bard's rich, diverse and vast literary oeuvre is virtually unmatched in the world. He was also a painter and a composer par excellence.

Source : Times of India

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West Bengal to recruit 46,000 primary teachers

The West Bengal government today decided to recruit 46,000 primary teachers to improve the school education system, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said.

"We have decided to appoint 46,000 teachers in primary schools. This has been done with the approval of the finance department," Banerjee told after a cabinet meeting.

She said that 10 per cent of the recruitment will be made from the state Primary Teachers Training Institutes and para-teachers.

Banerjee said the problem of Sishu Siksha Kendras, Madhya Siksha Kendras and would be solved in phases, within three years.

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PAID HOLIDAY ON 1ST MAY IN WEST BENGAL

PAID HOLIDAY ON 1ST MAY IN WEST BENGAL

Press-Note Published On: 21.04.2011

   The West Bengal State Government has decided to declare a paid holiday on the occasion of celebration of 1st May 2011 for all categories of workers and employees including the work-charged category in Industrial Establishment where the day has not already been declared as a paid holiday.

http://www.westbengal.gov.in

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Public holiday under N.I.Act for the offices in West bengal on account of the General Election in the State

Press-Release Published On: 11.04.2011
On account of the General Election to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2011 scheduled to be held in six phases in the State the following days [day of poll] shall be a public holiday under N.I.Act for the offices located in the districts / part of the districts and the Assembly Constituencies indicated against each.

phase.No	NAME OF DISTRICTS WHERE ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD	NO.OF ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCIES	DATE OF POLL
1	Coochbehar,    Jalpaiguri,    Darjeeling, Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur and Malda.	1 to 54	18-04-2011 [Monday]
2	Murshidabad, Nadia & Birbhum	55 to 93, 284 to 294	23-04-2011 [Saturday] (For those  State  Govt. Offices where Saturday is not a holiday)
3	North 24-Parganas, South 24-Parganas, Kolkata South and Kolkata North.	94 to 168	27-04-2011 [Wednesday]
4	Howrah,  Hooghly,   Purbo  Medinipur and part of Burdwan	169 to 218, 260, 262 to 273	03-05-2011 [Tuesday]
5	Part  of Paschim   Medinipur,  Part  of Purulia, part of Bankura and part of Burdwan.	219, 223 to 232, 235, 242   to   248,  252  to 259, 261, 274 to 283.	07-05-11 [Saturday] (For those State Govt. Offices where Saturday is not a holiday).
6	Part of Paschim Medinipur, part of Purulia & part of Bankura.	220to222, 233,234, 236 to 241, 249 to 251	10-05-2011 [Tuesday]

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