Removing Anomaly in Pensions of Ex-Servicemen

Removing Anomaly in Pensions of Ex-Servicemen

Removal of anomaly, if any, in the pension being given to the various categories of ex-servicemen is a continuous process. Such anomaly is redressed, as and when it comes to the notice of the Government.

The policy of “One Rank One Pension” has been adopted by the Government to address the pension disparities. The modalities for implementation of OROP are under consideration of the Government. It will be implemented once the modalities are approved by the Government.

A Pension Grievance Cell exists in the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare. Grievances received by this Cell are examined and redressed in coordination with the agencies concerned in the matter. A system of holding Pension Adalat is in place to provide a credible forum for redressal of grievances of the defence pensioners. Officers concerned of every organisation involved remain present in the Adalats and the grievances are redressed on the spot. A computerized pension enquiry project “Suvigya” has been developed by the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA).

It is an online pension enquiry system which would enable the ex-servicemen to know their entitlements of pension. A pensioners’ grievance cell exists in the Office of Principal Controller of defence Accounts (Pension), Allahabad.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply to Shri D.P Tripathi in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, 30 July 2015.

Source : PIB News

Government of India for the following fiscal benefits including tax rebate and relaxations

Tax Benefits to Tourism Industry

The Tourism Industry has requested the Government of India for the following fiscal benefits including tax rebate and relaxations:

i. Inclusion of tourism infrastructure like hotels/resorts/tourist lodges/banquet halls/convention and exhibition centres etc. for benefits of Section 32 AC of Income Tax Act 1961 by lowering the minimum threshold investment limit to Rs.5.00 crores.

ii. Extension of benefits under Section 35 AD of Income Tax Act 1961 to business concerns who are making capital investment in setting up of smaller category of hotels/guest houses/dharamsalas/tourist hostels/motels/wellness facilities/medical facilities and other associated infrastructure like installation of house boats/ adventure and leisure tourism facilities.

iii. Weighted deduction of 200% in line with Research & Development sectors in India for expenditure incurred towards marketing and promotional activities of the country as inbound tourism destination.

iv Establishment of special tourism zones in India.

v. Lower withholding of tax and interest paid to foreign banks or financial institutions for loan taken in tourism sector.

vi. Deduction in respect of profit and gains from taxable income for business of hotels, convention centres and other tourism specific infrastructure.

vii. Foreign exchange earning linked deduction on profits for Income Tax computation.

viii. Exemption on Service Tax from Heritage Hotels and Heritage Trains.

ix. Exemption on Service Tax on room tariff to be increased.

x. Service Tax to be exempted for unit to be set up within special tourism zones.

xi. Exemption on Service Tax on all the incidental activities or services like hotel stay, Rent a Cab, Tour Operators etc. if the main event is exempted by Government from the ambit of Service Tax.

xii. Extend CENVAT credit on the entire tourism components of Travel intermediaries on abated value (tour operators, travel agents, rent a cab operators) as against just on the same line of business.

In order to ascertain the incidence of high taxations on tourism sector and its impact in making Indian tourism industry products un-compatible, a study on Taxes levied on tourism sector vis-à-vis Export sector has been conducted, and the findings of the study have been shared with the stakeholders

This information was given by The Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma in reply to a starred question in the Rajya Sabha today.

Source : PIB News

Indian Railways conducts survey on the consumer preference of Bedroll

Indian Railways conducts survey on the consumer preference of Bedroll

Ministry of Railways has started a survey on the consumer preference of bedrolls (bed-sheets, towel, pillow, blankets) required during the travel on trains. For this purpose, the Ministry of Railways has made available a detailed questionnaire Performa on the homepage of its own website www.indianrailways.gov.in for online submission of replies by the consumers.

The performa can be filled up online by 17th August, 2015. The questions asked in this survey include all aspects pertaining to bedrolls like cleanliness and hygienic conditions, colour preference, size preference, design preference, fabric preference, possible charges etc. etc. Consumers have been requested to spare some time and fill in the questionnaire.

It has been assured that the information so collected could be used only for research purpose and would remain private and confidential. Indian Railways has signed an MoU with National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) to work on quality and design of bedrolls and related issues. The survey has been designed in consultation with NIFT. The data collected through the survey will also prove to be as useful inputs in this exercise.

Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu has always been emphasizing on having a better connect between the Railway Administration and the railway users and has been insisting on collecting passenger’s feedback on various issues with a view to improve passenger’s amenities and services in all respects. The present survey is in line with these directions.

Source : PIB News

Web Portal site for Missing Children

Web Portal for Missing Children

The Ministry of Women and Child Development, with the assistance of Department of Electronics and Information Technology, has launched a web portal Khoya-Paya on 2nd June, 2015 for reporting and searching of missing children. The web portal ‘Khoya-Paya’ will have information of missing and sighted children. So far approximately 2700 users have registered on the portal and around 1500 have downloaded mobile application for usage through their mobile phones. Around 1500 cases of missing/sighted children have been reported and 140 cases of missing children have been closed on the portal.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi in reply to an unstarred question in Rajya Sabha today.

Source : PIB News

The extant promotion policy for women officers in the armed forces, service-wise

Promotion Policy for Women Officers in the Armed Forces

The details of the extant promotion policy for women officers in the armed forces, service-wise is as follows:

Army: Presently, Women Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs) of all Arms / Services are eligible for substantive promotion to non-select ranks of Captain, Major and Lieutenant Colonel on completion of 2, 6, and 13 years of reckonable commissioned service respectively, at par with Men SSCOs. Women officers granted Permanent Commission are eligible for promotion in the Select Ranks (Colonel & above) based on the same criteria as applicable to Male officers.

Navy: In the Indian Navy, officers are eligible for substantive promotion to the rank of Lieutenant, Lieutenant Commander, Commander and Captain (Time Scale) after completion of 2 years as Sub Lieutenant, 4 years from the date of promotion of Substantive Lieutenant, 11 years from the date of promotion of Substantive Lieutenant and 26 years of reckonable commissioned service respectively. Promotions on these lines are subject to officers fulfilling other criteria as per extant rules. This policy is equally applicable to both men and women officers.

Air Force: The promotion policy for men and women officers in IAF is same. Promotion upto the non-select rank of Wing Commander and Group Captain (TS) is based on the years of service and minimum performance criteria and the same is applicable for men and women officers. Officers are eligible for substantive promotion to the rank of Flt. Lieutenant, Squadron Leader, Wing Commander and Group Captain (Time Scale) after completion of 2 years, 6 years, 13 years, and 26 years of reckonable commissioned service respectively. Promotions on these lines are subject to officers fulfilling other criteria as per extant rules. From the rank of Group Captain (Select) and above the promotion is based on selection process as per the promotion policy in vogue which is common for both men and women.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar in a written reply to Shri Shadi Lal Batra in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, 30 July 2015.

Source : PIB News

What are the expectations of the Central Government employees from the 7th Pay Commission?

What are the expectations of the Central Government employees from the 7th Pay Commission?

“It is impossible for the 7th Pay Commission to fulfill all the demands of the Central Government employees. The question is – will it at least address the concerns of majority of them?”

The media is full of unconfirmed reports on the submission of 7th Pay Commission report to Central Government. Recently in an interview with a leading English newspaper, Neelakanth Mishra, India equity strategist of Credit Suisse expressed his strong opinions about the 7th Pay Commission and the implementation of its recommendations.

The big question is – what are the expectations of the Central Government employees from the 7th Pay Commission?

In an exclusive interview to NDTV, Neelkanth Mishra said that there are possibilities of a 40% hike in the salaries of Central Government employees. He believed that the 7th Pay Commission will submit its report to the Government in the month of September and the recommendations will be implemented next year.

The employees are likely to get a hike of 30-40%. This time around, the implementation wouldn’t be like it was previously, during the 6th Pay Commission, due to the amount of arrears (it is worth mentioning that the arrears dues were paid in two installments during the 6th Pay Commission). He said that the economic status of Central Government employees would increase enough to afford a car.

His forecast has to be taken seriously. On August 15, 2008, the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced that the 6th Pay Commission will come into effect from September onwards. More than the salary hike, the employees were curious to know about the arrears and how they were going to get it, because the sum was huge.

The employees didn’t make such a huge fuss about the increment they had received. Instead of small hike that was added to the salary, they were more interested in the lump sum arrears. Since it was impossible to clear 30-months’ arrears in a single payment, the government was forced to release it in two installments.

But this time, the government is particular about giving an increment in salary and allowances without keeping any pending arrears. Therefore the employees are curious to know about their salary hikes.

Source: www.cgstaffnews.in