Aadhar as address proof - clarification by DoP
Demand for new National Pay Commission(7th CPC)
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1704
ANSWERED ON-23.08.2013
Demand for new National Pay CommissionWill the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to satate :-
1704 . SHRI D. RAJA
(a) whether it is a fact that all Railway trade unions have threatened to go on a general strike if their demand for a new National Pay Commission is not announced within a period of four months; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and Government’s reaction thereto?
ANSWER
(SHRI KOTLA JAYA SURYA PRAKASH REDDY)
(a) and (b): There are two recognized staff Federations on Railways. Both the Federations have made numerous demands concerning various service matters of railway employees like pay and allowances, promotion and pension. While one of the Federations have indicated that if their grievances are not resolved in a time bound programme, the Federation would be compelled to conduct strike ballot as a first step. The other Federation have decided to give a time of four months to the Government for satisfactorily settling their demands failing which the Federation will be compelled to give call for ‘Indefinite Strike’ on Railways. One of the demands of both the Federations is regarding setting up of VIIth Central Pay Commission. Since constitution of Central Pay Commission is a subject matter of Ministry of Finance, the same has been referred to that Ministry.
Consumer forum imposes fine of 5k on chief post master for deficiency of service
KANPUR: The Consumer Protection Forum,KanpurNagar, on Friday ordered chief post master, KanpurNagar, to pay Rs 5,000 to complainant within 30 days of the order for deficiency of service.
Complainant Ashok Kumar Pandey had moved the Forum claiming that he lost an opportunity to land a job and earn his bread and butter owing to the deficiency of service. His application form for a job in Barrage NirmanKhand-II, irrigation department, Phoolbagh, was rejected due to delayed delivery.
In his petition, Pandey claimed that he was unemployed and had applied against an advertisement of the above job. The last date of submission of form was February 18, 2009 and he had sent his form through speed post on February 16. Pandey claimed that his application form reached the irrigation department on February 20 and was not entertained. The postal department returned his form with a note of refusal.
The claimant sought Rs 50,000 from the postal department as damages for not delivering the application on time and the mental agony caused by it.
Appearing before the Forum, the postal department contradicted the charges of deficiency of services. In a written submission, the department claimed that letter was delivered on February 20. As per norms of speed post services, the letter is to be delivered within 72 hours of the date of registry. The department said that Pandey's complaint be rejected as the application was delivered within due course of time.
Forum president LV Singh and member Ganesh Prasad in their order observed that speed post must be delivered within 48 hours but even if the claim of 72 hours was considered then application should have been delivered on February 19. However, the marking of refusal was done on February 20 at 12.45 pm, which indicated that the application form reached its destination on the fourth day.
The Forum said that it was a fit case of deficiency of service and liable to be awarded. The forum awarded the complaint and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on chief post master.
Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
LTC scam: MPs may also be inflating air travel bills
NEW DELHI: The stink of forged airline tickets being used to defraud the government is spreading to Parliament.
Ever since TOI on Thursday exposed the widespread scandal in LTC (leave travel concession) claims, where officials of the central government and public sector units have been submitting forged or inflated airline travel bills, information has been emerging of the scam being far more widespread than known, and quite efficiently organized.
Here comes the latest shocker: It may not be just government officials who have been submitting forged airline tickets in connivance with travel agents to defraud the government. According to multiple sources, there seems to be a well-oiled network of travel agents supplying members of Parliament with similarly inflated flight tickets.
In some cases, it is possible that the MPs are not aware of their bills being forgeries, but there are indications that some MPs may also be part of the racket.
At least one Lok Sabha member confirmed to TOI that he was a victim of one such racket. The MP, who did not want to be named, lodged a complaint with the Speaker on August 12, demanding a thorough probe of all airline tickets submitted by him to the secretariat. Contents of the letter were shared with TOI.
Members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are entitled to business class tickets to attend Parliament sessions, consultative and standing committee meetings, or other official functions. Besides, they are also entitled to 34 business class tickets in a year.
The 34 business class tickets can be used in different ways, MPs can take spouses or companions along. The spouse/companion can travel alone up to eight times using these tickets. The unused tickets are carried over to the next year.
There are two ways for MPs to claim their tickets. One is to collect exchange orders from the secretariat of the House concerned and submit them to an Air India office and pick up tickets in exchange. They can also obtain tickets from the Air India counter on the first floor of Parliament building.
The second, and preferred way, is to buy tickets through travel agents and submit the boarding pass, e-ticket and filled-up voucher for reimbursement. The money is reimbursed to the bank account of the MP. Tickets of any airline can be booked through travel agents.
It is in the second method that the scandal exists. According to the MP who has complained to the Speaker, he used to buy his tickets through a travel agent based in Regal Building, Connaught Place, in Delhi. The MP said he thought he was "trapped by the representative of the travel agent".
He said the travel agent was charging him an "exaggerated amount" while supplying tickets purchased at lower prices. When he sensed something was wrong, he switched to a new travel agent based in Gulmohar Enclave. But here again, he realized that the same racket was going on. He suspects that his personal staff may also be involved .
Inquiries with several officials involved with MPs, some MPs themselves and travel industry sources indicate that many of the MPs may be aware of the racket. In some instances, it is the personal staff of the MP who seem to be involved .
What has let this racket flourish is the lax audit systems of the Parliament secretariat, officials claimed. There seems to be no foolproof audit of claims submitted by MPs, who only have to submit boarding passes and e-tickets, which could well be forged.
The revelations about MPs' tickets too being possibly manipulated comes even as the CBI is expected to begin an investigation against travel agents, employees of the Rajya Sabha secretariat, Ordnance Factory Board, Shipping Corporation of India and possibly even Air India for being part of a massive racket in submitting fake or forged airline tickets to claim LTC.
Ever since TOI on Thursday exposed the widespread scandal in LTC (leave travel concession) claims, where officials of the central government and public sector units have been submitting forged or inflated airline travel bills, information has been emerging of the scam being far more widespread than known, and quite efficiently organized.
Here comes the latest shocker: It may not be just government officials who have been submitting forged airline tickets in connivance with travel agents to defraud the government. According to multiple sources, there seems to be a well-oiled network of travel agents supplying members of Parliament with similarly inflated flight tickets.
In some cases, it is possible that the MPs are not aware of their bills being forgeries, but there are indications that some MPs may also be part of the racket.
At least one Lok Sabha member confirmed to TOI that he was a victim of one such racket. The MP, who did not want to be named, lodged a complaint with the Speaker on August 12, demanding a thorough probe of all airline tickets submitted by him to the secretariat. Contents of the letter were shared with TOI.
Members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are entitled to business class tickets to attend Parliament sessions, consultative and standing committee meetings, or other official functions. Besides, they are also entitled to 34 business class tickets in a year.
The 34 business class tickets can be used in different ways, MPs can take spouses or companions along. The spouse/companion can travel alone up to eight times using these tickets. The unused tickets are carried over to the next year.
There are two ways for MPs to claim their tickets. One is to collect exchange orders from the secretariat of the House concerned and submit them to an Air India office and pick up tickets in exchange. They can also obtain tickets from the Air India counter on the first floor of Parliament building.
The second, and preferred way, is to buy tickets through travel agents and submit the boarding pass, e-ticket and filled-up voucher for reimbursement. The money is reimbursed to the bank account of the MP. Tickets of any airline can be booked through travel agents.
It is in the second method that the scandal exists. According to the MP who has complained to the Speaker, he used to buy his tickets through a travel agent based in Regal Building, Connaught Place, in Delhi. The MP said he thought he was "trapped by the representative of the travel agent".
He said the travel agent was charging him an "exaggerated amount" while supplying tickets purchased at lower prices. When he sensed something was wrong, he switched to a new travel agent based in Gulmohar Enclave. But here again, he realized that the same racket was going on. He suspects that his personal staff may also be involved .
Inquiries with several officials involved with MPs, some MPs themselves and travel industry sources indicate that many of the MPs may be aware of the racket. In some instances, it is the personal staff of the MP who seem to be involved .
What has let this racket flourish is the lax audit systems of the Parliament secretariat, officials claimed. There seems to be no foolproof audit of claims submitted by MPs, who only have to submit boarding passes and e-tickets, which could well be forged.
The revelations about MPs' tickets too being possibly manipulated comes even as the CBI is expected to begin an investigation against travel agents, employees of the Rajya Sabha secretariat, Ordnance Factory Board, Shipping Corporation of India and possibly even Air India for being part of a massive racket in submitting fake or forged airline tickets to claim LTC.
Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Safety of Women Workers
Business Process Organisations (BPOs) are covered under the Shops and Establishment Act, which is a State Act and enforced by respective State Governments. Ministry of Home Affairs has sent a detailed advisory dated 04th September, 2009 to all State Governments and Union Territories wherein they have been advised, inter-alia, to make a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of the machinery in tackling the problem of crime against women. The advisory, inter-alia, advises the State Governments and Union Territories on gender sanitization of the police personnel, adopting appropriate measures for swift and salutary punishment to the persons found guilty of violence against women, minimizing delays in investigations of crime against women and improving the quality of investigations, setting up ‘Crime AgainstWomen Cell’ in district where these do not exist, setting up of special courts, improving the safety conditions in road and special steps for security of women working in night shifts of call centers.
As far as safety provisions in textile firms are concerned, they are governed by the Factories Act, 1948. As per Section 66 of the Factories Act, 1948 women workers are allowed to perform any work only during 6.00 a.m. and 7.00 p.m. and in special cases with State Government permission between 5.00 a.m. and 10.00 p.m.
Business Process Organisations (BPOs) are covered under the Shops and Establishment Act, which is a State Act and enforced by respective State Governments. Ministry of Home Affairs has sent a detailed advisory dated 04th September, 2009 to all State Governments and Union Territories wherein they have been advised, inter-alia, to make a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of the machinery in tackling the problem of crime against women. The advisory, inter-alia, advises the State Governments and Union Territories on gender sanitization of the police personnel, adopting appropriate measures for swift and salutary punishment to the persons found guilty of violence against women, minimizing delays in investigations of crime against women and improving the quality of investigations, setting up ‘Crime AgainstWomen Cell’ in district where these do not exist, setting up of special courts, improving the safety conditions in road and special steps for security of women working in night shifts of call centers.
As far as safety provisions in textile firms are concerned, they are governed by the Factories Act, 1948. As per Section 66 of the Factories Act, 1948 women workers are allowed to perform any work only during 6.00 a.m. and 7.00 p.m. and in special cases with State Government permission between 5.00 a.m. and 10.00 p.m.
In respect of factories registered under the Factories Act, 1948, mechanisms are in place, to initiate legal action and launch prosecution against such factories that violate safety norms. Details of such prosecutions for violating safety norms including safety of women filed during the year, 2011 State-wise is given at Annexure-I.
This information was given by Minister of State for Labour & Employment Shri Kodikunnil Suresh in the Lok Sabha today in reply to a written question.
CONFEDERATION DEMANDS INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA OF THE JCM NATIONAL COUNCIL
Agenda for next meeting of the JCM National Council has been finalized on 27.08.2013 in consultation with DOP&T Twelve demands raised by Confederation in the charter of demands are included. (including GDS employees demand) Next meeting of National Council JCM is expected by the end of October 2013.
The letter give by Com. Umraomal Purohit, Secretary, JCM (NC) and the 12 demands included in the agenda are given below:
M. Krishnan
Secretary General
Confederation
Agenda for next meeting of the JCM National Council has been finalized on 27.08.2013 in consultation with DOP&T Twelve demands raised by Confederation in the charter of demands are included. (including GDS employees demand) Next meeting of National Council JCM is expected by the end of October 2013.
The letter give by Com. Umraomal Purohit, Secretary, JCM (NC) and the 12 demands included in the agenda are given below:
M. Krishnan
Secretary General
Confederation
Safeguards in New Banking Licence Norms
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued guidelines for setting up new banks in the private sector vide Press Release dated 22.02.2013. The last date for receipt of applications was 01.07.2013. In all, RBI has received 26 (twenty six) applications.
At the first stage, the applications will be screened by RBI to ensure prima facie eligibility of the applicants, including the assessment of ‘fit and proper’ status of applicants. Thereafter, the applications will be referred to a High Level Advisory Committee to be set up by RBI. In view of the processes involved, it is expected to issue ‘in-principle’ approvals for new banks by the first quarter of 2014.
The safeguards and prudential regulations which have been put in place in the guidelines for the new bank, the parent Non-Operative Financial Holding Company (NOFHC) and the consolidated bank to serve as adequate safeguards to deal with conflict of interest situations, inter-alia, include ‘fit and proper’ criteria; corporate structure of the Non-Operative Financial Holding Company (NOFHC); no exposure to the promoter group by bank, NOFHC and other financial sector entity under the NOFHC and; corporate governance of NOFHC and stipulation of majority of independent directors on the Board of the Bank.
This was stated by Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Source : PIB
Complaints against CGHS & Govt initiatives to improve the services
The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) is providing comprehensive healthcare facilities to the Central Government employees and pensioners and some other select categories of persons in 25 cities across the country. Government has taken a large number of initiatives over last few years to improve the functioning of CGHS which have yielded positive results. However, the Ministry has also been receiving suggestions, representations and complaints on various aspects of the functioning of this Scheme. The complaints reported from different States are generally of similar nature and can be broadly classified in the following categories:
1. The number of private hospitals on the panel of CGHS in some cities including Thiruvanathpuram, Kerala, is not adequate.
2. The number of CGHS dispensaries is not adequate.
3. Need to cover more cities under CGHS.
4. Shortage of doctors and staff in dispensaries.
5. Impolite and rude behavior of dispensary staff.
6. Delay in supply of indented medicines.
7. Overcharging and denial of credit facility by empanelled private hospitals.
8. Disruption in services due to break down in internet connectivity.
9. Delay in settlement of Medical Reimbursement Claims.
10. Delay in issue of plastic cards.
11. Non- supply of Ayurvedic medicines, etc.
Government has taken the following initiatives to improve the services of CGHS to its beneficiaries:
1. ‘Continuous Empanelment Scheme’ has been revived in all CGHS locations to empanel more number of eligible private hospitals and diagnostic/ imaging centres. The process of empanelment has also been decentralised by delegating powers at the city level.
2. CGHS beneficiaries residing in non-CGHS areas have been allowed to avail follow up and inpatientmedical treatment in hospitals recognised under CS (MA) Rules and ECHS.
3. Ministry has mooted a proposal for opening at least one dispensary in the capital of the States where CGHS is not in operation.
4. CGHS engages retired Government doctors on short term contract basis to address the shortageof doctors wherever required. The powers to engage retired doctors on contract basis have also been delegated at city level.
5. Instructions have been issued to the doctors and other staff to be polite and courteous in their behaviour towards the beneficiaries.
6. There is a provision to penalise the authorised local chemists for delay in supply of indented medicines.
7. Appropriate actions are taken against the defaulting hospitals for overcharging and denial of credit facility.
8. Instructions have been issued to provide consultation/treatment even in case of breakdown of internet connectivity. Instructions have also been issued to create standby arrangement to ensure uninterrupted services.
9. Continuous monitoring of MRCs are done at the level of Additional Directors to ensure timely settlement. Time limit of 45 days has been fixed for final settlement of MRCs.
10. The requirement for referral /permission for diagnostic tests/investigations has been done away with.
11. ‘SMS-Alert’ system has been introduced by CGHS for close contact with CGHS beneficiaries
12. CGHS beneficiaries can avail medical consultation and medicines from any CGHS Wellness Centres across the country.
13. Biometric System for recording attendance has been introduced in CGHS to ensure punctuality.
The above information was submitted by Min of Health & Family Welfare in reply of undermentioned Rajya Sabha Question:-
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
RAJYA SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO-242
ANSWERED ON-27.08.2013
Inadequate facilities provided by CGHS
*242. DR. T.N. SEEMA:
Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government has received any complaints about inadequate facilities, shortage of staff and delay in providing healthcare by the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) in various States including Kerala;
(b) if so, the details of the complaints received, State-wise for the last three years and the current year; and
(c) the action taken by Government to redress these grievances, State-wise?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a)to(c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 242 FOR 27TH AUGUST, 2013
(SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a)to(c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 242 FOR 27TH AUGUST, 2013
*** see above**
Source: Rajya Sabha Q&A
Age of Retirement of Employees of Sick CPSE
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises
27-August-2013 18:11 IST
Age of Superannuation of Employees of Sick Central Public Sector Enterprises
The Government has said that the Department of Public Enterprises is not considering anyproposal to enhance the age of superannuation of employees of all sick Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) from 58 to 60 years. However, Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprises (BRPSE) has been directed to undertake in-depth examination with regard to enhancement of age of superannuation from 58 to 60 years in respect of such CPSEs whose revival packages have been approved by the Government and which will continue to be in public sector after implementation of revival package, and thereafter make suitable recommendations to the concerned administrative Ministry for obtaining approval of competent authority. Giving this information in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today, Shri Praful Patel, Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, said that BRPSE has also been directed to ensure that the issue of the enhancement of age of superannuation from 58 to 60 years is adequately addressed while examining/recommending future proposals for revival of sick/loss making CPSEs and that the revival package has specific recommendation in this regard.
Shri Patel informed the House that BRPSE has not made any specific recommendation regarding enhancement of age of superannuation from 58 to 60 years in respect of employees of ITI Limited.
Source : PIB
Chile Care Leave (CCL) to third child in case of second child has been given away in adoption: DoPT clarification vide Min of Labour & Emp.
"The DOPT has observed that the Second child has been given away in adoption and the female government servant is no longer having the custody or legal right of such child. In case, she has not availed CCL and other related benefits in respect of her second child, the said woman is entitled to CCL and other related benefits for the third Child (second surviving child in this case)". The text of Ministry of Labour & Employment letter, is reproduced here:-
No.A-24020/01/2013-SS.I
Government of India/Bharat Sarkar
Ministry of Labour & Employment/Shram Aur Rozgar Mantraylya
Social Security Division/Samajik Surakasha Prabhag
Shram Shakti Bhawan, New Delhi.
Dated the 30th July' 2013
Subject: Clarification regarding grant of CCL and other related benefits — reg.
Sir,
I am directed to refer to ESIC's letter bearing No. A-40/11/5/2012-E.III dated 27.05.2013 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the matter has been examined in consultation with Department of Personnel and Training. The DOPT has observed that the Second child has been given away in adoption and the female government servant is no longer having the custody or legal right of such child. In case, she has not availed CCL and other related benefits in respect of her second child, the said woman is entitled to CCL and other related benefits for the third Child (second surviving child in this case). ESIC is, therefore, requested to take appropriate administrative decision in the matter.
Yours' faithfully,
sd/-
(SUBHASH KUMAR)
Under Secretary
Source: www.esic.nic.in
[http://www.esic.nic.in/CIRCULARS/cir_EIII_22.08.pdf]
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