Pay Commission to submit report soon

Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees - Revised Rates effective from 1.7.2015 - Order issued by Finance Ministry

No. 1/3/2015-E-II (B)

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Expenditure

North Block New Delhi

Dated the 23rd September, 2015.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees - Revised Rates effective from 1.7.2015.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s Office Memorandum No. 1/2/2015-13-11 (B) dated rot" April, 2015 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Allowance payable to Central Government employees shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 113% to 119% with effect from 1st July, 2015.

2. The provisions contained in paras 3, 4 and 5 of this Ministry’s O.M. No. 1(3)/2008-E-II(B) dated 29th August, 2008 shall continue to be applicable while regulating Dearness Allowance under these orders.

3. The additional installment of Dearness Allowance payable under these orders shall be paid in cash to all Central Government employees.

4. These orders shall also apply to the civilian employees paid from the Defence Services Estimates and the expenditure will be chargeable to the relevant head of the Defence Services Estimates. In regard to Armed Forces personnel and Railway employees, separate Orders will be issued by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways, respectively.

5. In so far as the employees working in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned these orders are issued with the concurrence of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

sd/-

(A. Bhattacharya)

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Order is as below

Pay Commission to submit report soon

PTI | Sep 23, 2015, 04.03 PM IST

NEW DELHI: Seventh Pay Commission is ready with its recommendations on revising emoluments for nearly 48 lakh central government employees and 55 lakh pensioners, and will soon submit report to the finance ministry.

Earlier in August, the government had extended Commission's term by another four months till December 31 to give recommendations.

"The Commission is ready with recommendations and the report will be submitted soon," according to sources.

The Commission, whose recommendations may also have a bearing on the salaries of the state government staff, was given more time by the Union Cabinet just a day before its original 18-month term was coming to an end.

Headed by Justice AK Mathur, the Commission was appointed in February 2014 and its recommendations are scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2016.

The government constitutes the Pay Commission almost every 10 years to revise the pay scale of its employees and often states also implement the panel's recommendations after some modifications.

As part of the exercise, the Commission holds discussions with various stakeholders, including organisations, federations, groups representing civil employees as well as defence services.

Meena Agarwal is the secretary of the Commission. Other members are Vivek Rae, a retired IAS officer of 1978 batch and Rathin Roy, an economist.

The Sixth Pay Commission was implemented with effect from January 1, 2006, the fifth from January 1, 1996 and the fourth from January 1, 1986.

Courtesy : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

IRDA seeks information from insurers like Bharti AXA & Max Bupa to verify

MUMBAI: The insurance regulator has asked companies such as Bharti AXA and Max Bupa to furnish further details on the composition of  their boards and shareholding pattern to ensure the control and ownership  structure remains with Indians even after an increase in foreign holding. "We  have asked for more information from companies like Bharti AXA and Max Bupa,"  said an Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda) official.

 "We want to ensure that board majority remains with Indians; that key   appointments and all key decisions are taken by the board and the foreign   promoter does not get a veto power in key management decisions."

The   Foreign  Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) has cleared an increase in FDI  in companies such as Edelweiss Tokio Marine, Bharti AXA  and Max Bupa. Max  Bupa, the standalone health insurance JV, was the first  insurance company  to announce an increase in FDI to 49% from 26%. However, these were cleared without looking  into the control and ownership structures. The regulator has cleared the   increase in FDI in Edelweiss Tokio Marine.

 

"Irda is looking into the control and ownership issues," said a CEO of an insurer. "They are seeking more information in  terms of composition of the board and shareholding agreement."

Even  though the government has allowed higher FDI in the insurance sector, it wants  to make sure that ownership and control remain with Indians at all times. While  Indian ownership is defined as more than 50% of the equity share capital being  held by Indian residents, control would mean the rightto appoint majority directors on the board of a company or to control the  management or policy decisions, including shareholder agreements or voting  agreements.

Source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

4 ways to undo the ill effects of prolonged sitting

Highlights of 7th Pay Commission Report Spreads on Social Media and Leading Websites

Rumors on 7th Pay Commission Report – Highlights of the report spreads on Social Media and Leading Websites

Photograph of 7th Pay Commission’s Document Spreads like Wildfire on Social Media

“A copy of one of the important letter pertaining to the 7th Pay Commission surfaced in the social media yesterday.”

A crucial document containing the signatures of four members, including the chairman and secretary of the 7th Pay Commission was released on the Social Media, creating a buzz. The document, titled “Report of Seventh Central Pay Commission Highlights” contained the seal of the Central Government, stated that it would be submitted on September 1, 2015. The report showed three pages of the document. At the end of it, there were signatures, along with names and designations of four members of the Pay Commission, including the chairman and secretary.

The document also contained the recommendations of Revised Pay Scale Structure for all groups of Central Government employees. In addition to abolishing the Grade Pay Structure, the new minimum pay scale has been fixed at Rs.21,200. There is also indicated to provide a six percent annual increment.

There is brief information on HRA, CEA, Pay Fixation and Increment. There is no information about the person/s who had released the document. Most importantly, the information provided in the document is hard to believe.

The 7th Pay Commission was all set to submit its report to the Central Government towards the end of September, but the Centre has given it an extension of four more months. According to the government, the decision was made after the committee requested for additional time to prepare the final report.

For the past few weeks, the curiosity of Central Government employees about the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission has increased. This is reflected by the increased searches on the internet for any information on the new Pay Commission. They are eagerly reading up all kinds of reports, analysis, and comments on the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission on topics like new pay scale, promotions, and revised allowances. They are also expressing their opinions on such articles.

There is nothing wrong in writing articles about the 7th Pay Commission based on personal opinions and aspirations. But, there is nothing funny about producing a fake document and releasing it on the internet.

Source: http://www.cgstaffnews.in/

4 ways to undo the ill effects of prolonged sitting

Modern lifestyles are becoming increasingly sedentary. We spend a great deal of our time sitting; be it sitting for long hours at work, sitting while traveling, sitting while watching TV or eating. But if you think that your hour long intensive workout at the gym or your morning jog will make up for your prolonged sitting, you are wrong! A recent study published in the journal Health Psychology Review has found that targeting physical activity and increasing the level of exercise doesn't make any great difference to reduce prolonged sitting. One should focus on decreasing their sitting time. Ask health experts and they will tell you how prolonged sitting kills like smoking. It has turned into a serious public health concern. According to WHO, low physical inactivity is the fourth-leading risk factor for death around the world. 

So what can be done?
Get up and move
If you are guilty of staying glued to your office seat for long hours, it's time you change your habit. Fitness guru Mickey Mehta shares, "It is extremely important to get up from your seat every two hours. Stand up, walk a little, take a deep breath and stretch backwards and touch your toes." Also stand up from your seat every 45 minutes and try working as you stand. Some of the Indian companies have sit-stand desks at work to facilitate that.

Stretch some more 
Did you know you can stretch even while sitting on your desk? Try holding your stomach muscles for a few seconds when breathing in, then release when breathing out. Tilt your head left and right, front and back. Next sit erect in your chair and extend your left leg straight ahead of you. Hold the position for a few seconds and change the leg. If you don't feel too awkward, try front kicks and sidekicks too.

Eye relief 
Working on a laptop or desktop for extended hours also impact your eyes adversely. So take a break every 45 minutes and look at an object in the distant for 10-15 seconds. This will relieve the stress in your eyes.

Work as a team 
Encourage your team members to stretch with you or take a quick stroll with you. Turn by turn record sitting time and set goals for limiting sitting time. Sometimes these tricks fail when done in isolation but if followed at a team, they do wonders.

Source:-The Times of India

PJCA CIRCULAR

POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES

FEDERATION OF NATIONAL POSTAL ORGANISATIONS

ALL INDIA POSTAL EMPLOYEES UNION, GDS (NFPE)

NATIONAL UNION GDS

No.PF-PJCA/2015                                              Dated: 23^rd September, 2015

CIRCULAR

To

            All General Secretaries /All India Office Bearers

Circle Secretaries / Divisional and Branch Secretaries of NFPE, FNPO

& GDS Unions.

Comrades,

            The Postal Joint Council of Action comprising NFPE, FNPO, AIPE Union GDS (NFPE) & NUGDS has viewed with grave concern, the total negative attitude of the Central Government towards the genuine demands of the Postal employees which includes the revision of wages and service condition of the Gramin Dak Sevaks by 7^thCPC, implementation of Cadre Restructuring Agreement and filling up of all vacant posts in all cadres of Department of Posts.

            As the 7^th CPC  may  submit its report  any time before 31^st  December,2015 , delay in settling the above demands will  result in denial of justice to 5.5 lakhs Postal Employees .

            In view of the above serious situation the PJCA  unanimously decided to  revive the  postponed indefinite strike of  May 6^th  and  to commence  the indefinite  strike  from 23^rd November, 2015, the date  from which JCM National Council  Staff Side  is going  on indefinite  strike. It is further  decided  that  in case  the JCM  Staff Side  change their decision the PJCA  will go on  strike from 23d November,2015 itselffor the following  demands:

            (i)Include GDS in 7^th CPC for wage revision and other service related matters.

            (ii)Implement cadre Restructuring proposals in all cadres including Postal     Accounts and MMS in Department of Posts

            (iii)Fill up all vacant posts in all cadres of Department of Posts(i.e. PA,SA,       Postmen, Mail Guard, Mail Man, GDS Mail Man, MMS Driver & other staff in         MMS, PA CO, PA SBCO , PO Accounts & Civil Wing  Staff)

With revolutionary Greetings

Yours Comradely,

                                                                      

(D. Theagarajan)                                                                                     (R.N. Parashar)

Secretary General                                                                                 Secretary General

         FNPO                                                                                                     NFPE

           

                                                                                     

(P. Panduranga Rao)                                                                        (P.U. Muralidharan)

General Secretary                                                                                General Secretary

AIPEU GDS (NFPE)                                                                                        NUGDS

Copy to:

          The Secretary Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi-110 001 for information and necessary action.

Postal JCA (NFPE & FNPO) strike from 23rd November 2015

The meeting of the Postal Joint Council of Action comprising NFPE, FNPO, AIPEU GDS (NFPE) & NUGDS has viewed with grave concern the totally negative attitude of the Central Govt. towards the genuine demands of the Postal Employees which includes the revision of wages and service conditions of Gramin Dak Sevaks by 7th Central Pay Commission, implementation of Cadre Restructuring agreement.

As 7th CPC may submit its report any time before 31st December 2015 delay in settling the demands will result in denial of justice to 5.50 lakh Postal Employees. 

In view of the above serious situation the Postal JCA unanimously decided to revive the postponed indefinite strike of May 2015 and to commence the indefinite strike from 23rd November 2015 the date from which JCM National Council Staff-side is going on indefinite strike. 

It is further decided that in case the JCM Staff-side change their decision, the Postal JCA will go on strike from 23rd November 2015itself.

Atal Pension Yojana

 

 

Higher house rent allowance expected in 7th CPC report

The Seventh Pay Commission is likely to propose to increase House Rent Allowance (HRA) of central government employees, besides their basic salaries. By giving House Rent Allowance hikes, the Pay Commission is likely to seek to encourage....

 property owners to rent out their properties, reduce the shortage of dwellings and to provide ‘housing for all central government employees’.

Besides the basic salary, a large portion of central government employees’ salary is the House Rent Allowance; some changes will be made in that category this time.

Instead of the existing three areas for house rent, four are likely to be created. ‘X’ class cities Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune, where employees will get 40 percent of their basic salary asHouse Rent Allowance (HRA), increasing from the existing 30 percent.

Employees posted at ‘Y’ class cities covers near about 90 stations, will receive 30 percent of basic salary, instead of the existing 20 percent.

A new area will be opened for the district towns; the central government employees will get 20 percent of their basic salary as House Rent Allowance (HRA) there.

In other areas, the house rent allowance will be 10 percent of basic, which is the existing rate of House Rent Allowance(HRA) of ‘Z’ class cities.

The existing qualifying threshold of population for HRA classification is 50 lakh and above for X, 5-50 lakh for Y and below 5 lakh for Z class cities.

However, the central government’s salary bill will rise by 9.56% to Rs 1,00,619 crore with the implementation of therecommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission, according to a statement tabled in Parliament by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on August 12."

Source : The Sen Times

Misuse of IDs and Passwords in organizations - preventive vigilance measurers