PRESS NEWS -- Com.M.Krishnan Deliberates on NPS at Pensioners AIC at Vellore TN
VELLORE, July 21, 2014
Centre has no liability since fund created will be administered by private insurance firm
M. Krishnan, secretary general of the Confederation of Central Government Employees, speaking at the conference of All India Postal & RMS Pensioners Association in Vellore on Sunday.— Photo: C. Venkatachalapathy
The New Pension Scheme (NPS) introduced under the New Pension Fund Development and Regulatory Authority (NPFDRA) Act passed by the United Progressive Alliance-II government with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party will affect the existing pensioners as well as all those who joined the service prior to January 1, 2004, according to M. Krishnan, secretary-general of the Confederation of Central Government Employees (CCGE).
Speaking on ‘New Pension Scheme and its Impact’ on the second day of the two-day First Foundation All India Conference of the All India Postal & RMS Pensioners Association (AIPRPA) here on Sunday, Mr. Krishnan said that the NPS was introduced by the Centre based on the recommendations of the Bhattacharji Committee which stated that the financial position of the Central government employees would be far better at the time of their retirement since they were getting better wages while in service.
On these grounds the committee recommended the introduction of the contributory pension scheme (CPS). The committee also stated that the pensioners need not be paid any compensation for price rise except the increase in pension which they would get whenever there was a pay hike for the serving staff. Based on this, the then National Democratic Alliance government issued the order introducing the NPS and making it applicable only to those who joined service after January 1, 2004.
The UPA-I government did not cancel the order but gave a legal status to the NDA government’s order by bringing an Ordinance, which however could not be made into a law because of the opposition of the Left parties. But the subsequent UPA-II government passed the NPFDRA Act in Parliament with the support of the BJP.
With the passing of the Act, the employees who joined after January 1, 2004 suffered a 10% salary cut since this 10% went towards the New Pension Fund created under the Act. The General Provident Fund too was withdrawn for this category by the government which stated that the employees who were under the CPS would get 60% of their contribution as pension at the time of their retirement. Under the NPFDRA, the Central government had no pension liability since the Pension Fund created under the Act was to be administered by a private insurance company which would invest the fund in the share market, which only went to benefit the corporates.
“This virtually amounted to privatisation of pension,” he said.
Cautioning existing pensioners and those Central government employees appointed prior to January 1, 2004 who were under the wrong impression that the NPS would not affect them, Mr. Krishnan pointed to a clause in the NPFDRA Act which states that the NPS could, by a notification of the Government of India, be extended to those who were appointed prior to January 1, 2004 too.
The Secretary General said that a committee constituted by the Central government to work out the projected liability for it if it were to make an initial contribution towards the Pension Fund to provide pension to those who joined before the cut-off date stated that the Centre would have to contribute Rs. 3,35,628 crores to provide pension for the next 30 years, which the Sixth Pay Commission said the government could not bear.
So the committee suggested that the government could consider segregating the liability into one for those below 40 years, and another for others. But such a fund too would be managed by a private agency which would invest it in the unpredictable share market.
“So, the Damocles’ sword of the NPS hung on the existing pensioners too”, he said, adding that the Central government employees and pensioners should fight a joint struggle against the NPS.
The Prime Minister spent about one-and-a half–hours on the Postal department
Ravi Shankar Prasad
NEW DELHI, JULY 21:
Proper digital connectivity of all post offices in the country is top priority for the Government, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told the Lok Sabha here on Monday.
Replying to questions related to his Ministry, Prasad said the Prime Minister was personally monitoring a host of departments and postal services were one of them.
“The Prime Minister spent about one-and-a half–hours on the postal
department and has given suggestions, which will be considered,” he said, in reply to a query by Biju Janata Dal’s Tathagata Satapathy on the status of the banking licence applied for by the postal department.Prasad said there was need for reforms in postal reforms as also upgradation of Grameen Dak Ghar Services, catering to the rural population.
Mobile networks
Prasad said the Government’s priority was also to improve BSNL services.
Prasad said the Government’s priority was also to improve BSNL services.
Responding to a question raised by Congress MP Ashok Chavan on poor mobile network in Naxal-affected regions in Maharashtra, Prasad said mobile networks, under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) scheme in such areas are likely to be set up in 15 months.
A proposal to install mobile towers at 1,836 locations in nine States affected by Left Wing Extremism with funding support from USOF has already been approved, he added.
The Minister said Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) had installed mobile towers at 363 locations for which financial support to meet operational expenses would be provided through USOF.
On a question on lack of diesel supplies to BSNL mobile towers leading to their non-functionality and affecting security, he admitted there were concerns on diesel supply and “there is scope for improvement“.
The idea of using solar power for telecom towers was also being looked into, especially in the hilly regions of North East, Prasad said.
MORE ON POSTOFFICE IN PARLIAMENT
July 22, 2014
Going Postal
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had a word of advice for Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. Taking note of the number of questions that MPs had for the Minister, especially about postal services and post offices, she told the Minister, “A lot of people want to raise questions on the issues. You should pay more attention to the postal department.”The Minister on his part announced that the government had decided to open 80 Gramin Dak Sewa Post Offices and 80 sub post offices in the country under Rural Business and Access to Postal Network scheme.
CCGEW CIRCULAR No.17
CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS
Central Headquarters
1st floor, North Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi-110 001.
Circular No. 17 23-07-2014
To
1. General Secretaries, State C O Cs
2. National Secretariat Members.
3. Mahila Committee Members
4. Chief Executives of all affiliated organisations.
Dear Comrades,
National Secretariat of the Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers was held on 17th July, 2014 at New Delhi under the presidentship of Com.K.K.N.Kutty. Com.S.K.Vyasji, Advisor was also present.
The meeting held detailed chapter-wise discussion on the memorandum submitted to 7th CPC by the JCM National Council, Staff side. The following decisions are taken.
1. It is decided to submit a detailed memorandum by Confederation to 7th CPC before 31-07-2014 on common demands of the Central Govt. Employees incorporating all the acceptable suggestions / additions / alterations put forward by the rank and file membership and also leaders at State / CHQ level.
2. In the maiden Budget of Modi Government none of the major demands of the Central Govt. Employees such as DA merger, Interim relief, inclusion of Gramin Dak Sevaks under 7th CPC, compassionate appointment etc. are considered. National Secretariat is of the considered opinion that submitting memorandum and interim memorandum to 7th CPC alone will not solve the problems of Central Government employees. Educating the employees and Creating mass sanction of entire employees behind the demands is a must. Hence, it is decided to organise phased agitational programmes for settlement of confederation charter of demands.
3. As it is indicated that AIRF leadership has expressed its willingness for a joint programme of action on common demands, the National Secretariat decided not to declare the Confederation’s nationwide phased programme of action, for the time being and wait for the outcome of the joint meeting being arranged by AIRF leadership. National Secretariat authorised the Headquarters Office Bearers to declare the phased programme of action later on at an appropriate time.
4. National Secretariat adopted a resolution on the continued attack by TMC hooligans on the working class of West Bengal and decided to organize “West Bengal Solidarity Day ” on 27-08-2014 throughout the country. Copy of the resolution is appended. All District / State COCs and affiliated organisations are requested to organise the programme throughout the country, in a befitting manner.
Yours sincerely,
M.Krishnan,
Secretary General.
OBSERVE “WEST BENGAL SOLIDARITY DAY” ON 27-08-2014
RESOLUTIONADOPTED BY THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT OF CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS HELD AT NEW DELHI ON 17TH OCTOBER, 2014 ON
CONTINUING ATTACKS ON THE PEOPLE AND WORKERS INCLUDING CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES OF WEST BENGAL AND SOLIDARITY TO STRUGGLES AGAINST SUCH ATTACKS.
The National Secretariat meeting of the Confederation of Central Government employees & Workers held at New Delhi on 17th July, 2014 expresses serious concern on the continuing severe attacks and intimidations on the people and working class including Central Government Employees of West Bengal by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) led goons and anti-social elements for last 37 months since May 2011. During this period more than 157 left parties and Trade Union activists were killed and the number is increasing every day. Thousands are physically attacked and injured with police administration aiding and abetting such attacks and onslaughts. Even after declaration of the election results on 16th May 2014 such attacks and intimidation have been continuing in full steam and 12 comrades including two women were brutally murdered. Several thousands are ousted from their areas of work and residence. More than 15000 comrades and activists have been implicated in false cases and many of them were even jailed for months together having been booked on non-bailable cases. Molestation and rape of women by TMC hoodlums have become almost a frequent happenings in the state. Latest has been the brutal rape of one Anganwadi Worker by TMC miscreants at Nadia District on 7th July 2014 and it is the same district where TMC MP had given open threat to get women raped by his men a few days before such dastardly incident of rape. The police has been actively patronising such attacks. After declaration of the election result, intensity of such attack has increased targeting the working people both in towns and rural areas.
Democratic right of holding meetings, rallies etc. are being sought to be denied. Refusal of permission by police administration to hold public meeting, even hall meetings, and using mike throughout the state at the instigation of TMC has become almost a regular affair.
SITUATION IN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES:
During last strike of 12th & 13th February 2014 TMC elements with a handful of employees raised anti-strike slogans and threatened the striking employees in Aykar Bhawan and G.S.I. HQ on both the days of strike. However they could not break the strike. Our comrades avoided the provocation.
During previous one day strike called by Confederation and also during two days strike called by Central TUs, attacks were launched by TMC hooligans at Barrackpore, Kalyani, Contai, Tamluk and few other places where striking Postal comrades were manhandled. In a TSO of Barrackpore the Sub Postmaster was made to wear a garland of shoe and abused. The same was propagated through electronic media in order to defame not only that particular comrade but also all strikers. Botanical Survey of India employees are also under constant threat by TMC hooligans led by one Minister of West Bengal Government for last three years. The Comrades who were manhandled during strike could not submit any FIR as they were afraid of being arrested by Police. This is the order of the day in West Bengal; the victims of attack are being arrested and those who attacked are set free.
Our Comrades specifically Gramin Dak Sevaks were compelled to leave their houses as they are supporters of left forces and carrying red flag of their union. Attacks were made in the Conferences of Postal Union and Pensioners Associations in various places including Kolkata. The displaced comrades could not attend offices and taking leave. Few of them had to face disciplinary action for continuing on leave for more than 180 days leave.
Administration specially in Postal Department taking advantage of this political situation are harassing and issuing charge sheets against NFPE comrades. The appellate authority also reviews the punishment to enhance it. Two comrades were awarded compulsory retirement. Another comrade was also rewarded with same punishment after Rule 14 proceedings. Those three cases were for launching demonstration.
Attempts are being taken to change union by way of intimation and threats by the supporters of TMC. In spite of it most of the new recruits are enrolling themselves in our unions due to sustained efforts taken by our Comrades. The TMC Party leaders are intervening in the internal affairs of the Postal administration to get our organizers transferred. The common employees specially lady employees are being transferred to inconvenient places and after putting them in inconvenience the transfer order is being reversed if the employee joins unions supporting TMC.
Comrades all over the state are fighting for redressal. But the same is not enough as situation is worsening day by day.
CONFEDERATION CALLS UPON ALL CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES TO OBSERVE “WEST BENGAL SOLIDARITY DAY” ON 27TH AUGUST 2014 THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY
National Secretariat of the Confederation while condemning such Government sponsored hooliganism in West Bengal, expresses full support and solidarity with the struggle of the people and working class and demands upon the State Government in West Bengal to put a stop to such attacks and onslaughts. Confederation calls upon the entire Central Government Employees of our country to organize solidarity action and campaign against the ongoing brutalities by the fascist humpen-led TMC regime on the democratic people and working class of West Bengal.
Confederation National Secretariat further calls upon all District/State units and also affiliated organisations to observe “WEST BENGAL SOLIDARITY DAY” on 27th August 2014, throughout the country.
K.K.N. Kutty M. Krishnan,
National President, Secretary General.
Confederation. Confederation.
Consolidated Instructions on Probation/Confirmation in Central Services
CLICK HERE TO VIEW DoPT OM
Lokpal Act notified – Central Government Employees to declare assets of self, spouse and children
The central government has notified rules under the Lokpal Act making it mandatory for all its employees to file declarations of their assets and liabilities and those of their spouses and dependent children.
It has issued new forms for filing these returns which have fields to give details on cash in hand, bank deposits, investment in bonds, debentures, shares and units in companies or mutual funds, insurance policies, provident fund, personal loans and advance given to a person or any entity, among others.
The employees need to declare motor vehicles, aircraft, yachts or ships, gold and silverjewellery and bullion possessed by them, their spouses and dependent children, according to the form.
They need to give detail of their immovable properties and statement of debts and other liabilities on first appointment or as on March 31 of every financial year.
There are about 50 lakh central government employees, including IAS, IFS and IPS, among others.
The rules, Public Servants (Furnishing of Information and Annual Return of Assets and Liabilities and the Limits for Exemption of Assets in Filing Returns) Rules, 2014– were notified by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) last week.
As per the rules, notified under Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, every public servant shall file declaration, information and annual returns of his assets and liabilities as on March 31 every year on or before July 31 of that year.
These declarations are in addition to such returns being filed by the government employees under various services rules.
However, the competent authority may exempt a public servant from filing the information in respect of any asset if its value does not exceed his or her four months basic pay or Rs two lakh, whichever is higher, the rules said.
Dormant SB account closure issue in Finacle
Dormant means Silent
Issue Reported : Since the SB account being closed is dormant, the account closure transaction is not verified and gives the below error
Solution
Steps
ALL CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES WILL HAVE TO COMPULSORILY SUBMIT THEIR ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
All Central Government employees will now have to compulsorily submit a detailed report on their properties and debt owed by them…
Already, each year, the Group-A officials are required to submit information about the immovable properties owned by them. Now All categories of Central Government employees too have been asked to submit these details. The DOPT has issued relevant orders to this effect.
The Government has issued this order in accordance with the Lokpal rules. According to this rule, Central Government employees will now have to submit all details regarding the cash-in-hand, bank investments, share certificates, stocks and bonds, mutual fund investments, insurance policies, P.F. details, loans, motor vehicles, gold and silver ornaments, and precious metals, to the Government.
The employees have to also submit details of movable and immovable properties owned by their spouses and children. Application forms will be given to all the employees, to be filled up and submitted before the 31st of July for each financial year.
There are more than 50 lakh Central Government employees, including IAS, IPS and IFS officers, all over the country. All of them will have to henceforth submit details of their properties. If the total property owned by the employee is less than his/her four months’ basic salary, or if the total amount is less than Rs. 2 lakhs, then he/she could be considered for exemption from submitting the information.
Those who have already submitted the details will have to re-submit the form for the current financial year on or before September 15, 2014. Information also has to be furnished about the properties owned by the spouse and children.
On January 1, President Pranab Mukherjee gave his approval for the Lokpal Act and regulations. Following this, amendments were made to the Lokpal Act to make it compulsory for all Central Government employees to furnish their property details.
Source: CGEN.in
[http://centralgovernmentemployeesnews.in/2014/07/all-central-government-employees-will-have-to-compulsorily-submit-their-assets-and-liabilities/]
Filing your returns? It’s wise to stick to I-T dept's official site
The last date for filing Income Tax (I-T) returns is just about a week away and it's time to get your documents in order to get started with the process. If you have a taxable income of over Rs 5 lakh, you must file the returns online. The process has become less complicated this year with the I-T department's official e-filing site (incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in) introducing the much simpler Java utility.
"It is user-friendly and faster, with separate tab for head of income and tax details being provided. Also provided is the option to pre-fill some personal and tax information such as PAN (permanent account number), name, TDS etc," points out Sonu Iyer, partner and national leader, human capital services, EY.
However, keep your bank statements, Form-16 issued by your employer and a copy of the last year's returns near you before you begin.
You then need to register yourself on the portal, where your PAN will act as your user ID. You can click on 'Quick e-file ITR' on the left hand side menu and follow the instructions after selecting the applicable form. Pay the income tax due, if any; verify all the information and hit the 'submit' key. Finally, if you haven't filed the return using a digital signature, you need to print the verification form (ITR-V), sign it using a blue ink and send it to the I-T department's central processing centre in Bangalore by ordinary or speed post, within 120 days of filing your returns electronically.
Pay and File
If you find the task daunting, you may also use private portals like taxsmile. com, cleartax.in and myITreturn. com that facilitate filing of return.
You can also check out mobile applications from BlackBerry and makemyreturns.com.
The private portals essentially offer two types of plans — one, where you are required to complete the process on your own and the other, where the portal's helpdesk assists you. If your return-filing is complex and detailed, consider opting for this assistance. But you will have to pay a fee of Rs 299-1,500, depending on the site and your requirements. Those earning less than Rs 5 lakh are offered this service for free.
"For those drawing an income of over Rs 5 lakh, we charge a fee. All calculation engines are embedded (filer need not know the tax laws) in the page, making it easy to file returns," says V Srinivasan, MD and CEO, taxsmile.com. In addition to these, the portals also offer value-added services like tax credit verification, ITR-V submission and refund tracking for a fee. "Our income tax return review service entails tax experts scrutinising the return prepared by users. This helps in ensuring accuracy," says Saakar Yadav, managing director of my IT return.com.
Choose Sites Carefully
I-T department recently put out a cautionary advice against using certain mobile applications without naming any, stating that one must use them at their own risk. So, ensure that you are using a legitimate portal or an application. Also, read the privacy policy of the portals before going ahead with the process to ascertain how the information collected will be handled by these sites and applications.
For example, check if the firm's policy states that your data won't be shared with third parties without your consent. Moreover, you have to consider its track record too. "You need to assure yourself th at the sensitive information that you provide will not be misused. Therefore, do a background check to ascertain the return filing portal's reputation and its parent company's antecedents. Transacting through credible entities will provide some comfort," says Suresh Surana, founder, RSM Astute Consulting. Considering that the new version of the forms on the department's portal is simpler, attempt filing on the official site first. Switch to private sites only if you find the process on the department's site cumbersome.
"It is user-friendly and faster, with separate tab for head of income and tax details being provided. Also provided is the option to pre-fill some personal and tax information such as PAN (permanent account number), name, TDS etc," points out Sonu Iyer, partner and national leader, human capital services, EY.
However, keep your bank statements, Form-16 issued by your employer and a copy of the last year's returns near you before you begin.
You then need to register yourself on the portal, where your PAN will act as your user ID. You can click on 'Quick e-file ITR' on the left hand side menu and follow the instructions after selecting the applicable form. Pay the income tax due, if any; verify all the information and hit the 'submit' key. Finally, if you haven't filed the return using a digital signature, you need to print the verification form (ITR-V), sign it using a blue ink and send it to the I-T department's central processing centre in Bangalore by ordinary or speed post, within 120 days of filing your returns electronically.
Pay and File
If you find the task daunting, you may also use private portals like taxsmile. com, cleartax.in and myITreturn. com that facilitate filing of return.
You can also check out mobile applications from BlackBerry and makemyreturns.com.
The private portals essentially offer two types of plans — one, where you are required to complete the process on your own and the other, where the portal's helpdesk assists you. If your return-filing is complex and detailed, consider opting for this assistance. But you will have to pay a fee of Rs 299-1,500, depending on the site and your requirements. Those earning less than Rs 5 lakh are offered this service for free.
"For those drawing an income of over Rs 5 lakh, we charge a fee. All calculation engines are embedded (filer need not know the tax laws) in the page, making it easy to file returns," says V Srinivasan, MD and CEO, taxsmile.com. In addition to these, the portals also offer value-added services like tax credit verification, ITR-V submission and refund tracking for a fee. "Our income tax return review service entails tax experts scrutinising the return prepared by users. This helps in ensuring accuracy," says Saakar Yadav, managing director of my IT return.com.
Choose Sites Carefully
I-T department recently put out a cautionary advice against using certain mobile applications without naming any, stating that one must use them at their own risk. So, ensure that you are using a legitimate portal or an application. Also, read the privacy policy of the portals before going ahead with the process to ascertain how the information collected will be handled by these sites and applications.
For example, check if the firm's policy states that your data won't be shared with third parties without your consent. Moreover, you have to consider its track record too. "You need to assure yourself th at the sensitive information that you provide will not be misused. Therefore, do a background check to ascertain the return filing portal's reputation and its parent company's antecedents. Transacting through credible entities will provide some comfort," says Suresh Surana, founder, RSM Astute Consulting. Considering that the new version of the forms on the department's portal is simpler, attempt filing on the official site first. Switch to private sites only if you find the process on the department's site cumbersome.
Source : The Economic Times
No proposal to change five-day week: Government
There is no proposal to change the present five-day week for the employees of central government ministries and departments, Lok Sabha was informed today.
"No," said Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions in a written reply to a question whether the government plans to change the five days per week working for central government servants.
There were reports that the government was considering increasing the five-day week schedule to six days.
The minister said there was also no proposal to enhance earned leave and casual leave being granted to the employees. "There is no such proposal under consideration of the government," he said.
Source : The Economic Times
Consolidated Instructions on Probation / Confirmation in Central Services
Consolidated instructions on Probation/Confirmation in Central Services
No.28020/1/2010-Esst(C)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)
North Block, New Deli
Dated the 21st July, 2014
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
The undersigned is directed to say that this Department has been issuing Instructions!/guidelines from time to time laying down principles to be followed in probation / confirmation of persons appointed to service and posts in Central Government.
All such instructions issued till date have been consolidated under easily comprehensible headings for the facility of reference and placed as Annexure to this O.M. The number said date of the original O.M’s has been referred in the relevant instructions for easy reference in the context. All Ministries / Departments are requested to bring the above guidelines to the notice of all concerned.
2. There may be posts in various where the norms specified in the Recruitment Rules are different from those prescribed in the Annexure. In such cases, the norms specified In those Recruitment Rules shall prevail.
3. Hindi version will follow.
sd/-
(J.A.Vaidyanathan)
Direct (Establishment)
Source: www.persmin.gov.in
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/28020_1_2010-Estt-C-21072014.pdf]
Important message to employees who are retiring within the next six months
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare
Important message to employees who are retiring within the next six months
The Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare is organizing a Pre-retirement counseling workshop on 30th July, 2014 from 2.00 PM to 5.00 PM in the Conference Room of Department of Administrative Reforms, 5th Floor, Sardar Patel Bhawan, New Delhi. The retiring employees of Government of India about to retire in the next 6 months are hereby informed that they may attend the workshop. You may send your confirmation with Name, Ministry & Phone No. at the email address mkumar.mol@nic.in
sd/-
US (Sankalp)
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare
Phone No.24641627
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