Group X Pay for JCOs/ORs – 7th Central Pay Commission Recommendations

Group X Pay for JCOs/ORs – 7th CPC Recommendations

The 7th Pay Commission has recommended in its report regarding the Group X Pay for JCOs / ORs in Group X at Rs.6,200 per month for all X trades which involve obtaining a qualification which is equivalent of a diploma recognised by AICTE.

Group ‘X’ pay for JCOs/ORs and equivalent has been sought to be enhanced by four times from the existing rate of Rs.1,400 per month. In the context of change in nature of warfare the requirement of a higher technological threshold has been emphasised by the Services. In Defence services, there two groups ‘X’ and ‘Y’ in the three services, by way of the entry level qulaification thershold and the training imparted.

The Commission has taken due note of the emphasis being placed on skilled manpower with higher educational and technological thresholds. While determining X pay for X group of JCOs/ORs the VI CPC considered the relativity of some of the grades of JCOs/ORs in Group X with diploma holders in engineering on the civil side. In case of civilians, posts requiring minimum qualification of diploma in engineering are placed in GP 4200 and in defence forces, some of the posts in X group whose minimum qualification held equivalent to diploma in engineering are placed in GP 2800. The element of X group pay was therefore fixed at Rs.1,400.

The Commission has examined the existing educational and training requirements of X pay personnel and has already noted the wide variation that exists in the three Services in this  regard. It has therefore recommended that all X trades should mandatorily involve obtaining a qualification which is equivalent of a diploma in engineering (recognised by AICTE).

Direct Entry Diploma Holders : In Indian Coast Guard, Direct Entry Diploma Holders (DEDH) join as Yantrik in Technical Branch and are placed in GP 2400 along with a Yantrik Pay of Rs.800 per month. However, Direct Entry Diplomas Holders in other civil services, including Indian Railway are placed in GP 4200. In the Indian Navy, the Diploma Holders (Artificer-IV) with similar qualification and nature of job as of Yantrik of ICG are placed in GP 2800 along with X Pay of Rs.1,400 per month.

Indian Coast Guard: The Commission is recommending for the Indian Coast Guard: a. Merger of pay group Z into pay group Y. b. X pay of Rs.6,200 p.m. to all direct entry diploma holders.

MACP scheme for Defence Service personnel – No marked change in 7th Central Pay Commission Report

MACP scheme for Defence Service personnel – No marked change in 7th CPC Report

Assured Career Progression

The Services have sought four financial upgradations under MACP scheme at 6, 12, 18 and 24 years of service or on completion of six years of continuous service in same Grade Pay. It has been stated that 60 percent of the soldiers (i.e., Sepoys and Naiks) are deprived of the third financial upgradation on account of an early retirement.

Analysis and Recommendations : The Commission has considered the demand and notes that as it is the existing scheme of MACP for the Defence forces personnel, at 8, 16 and 24 years of service, is more beneficial than the one on the civilian side, which is spaced at 10, 20 and 30 years. The aspect of early retirement of the defence services personnel is therefore already factored in. Further, no revision in the MACP scheme is intended on the Civilian side.

Keeping these facts in view the Commission is unable to recommend any changes to the MACP scheme insofar as Defence Service personnel are concerned.

One Rank One Pension to retired/serving personnel of CAPF

One Rank One Pension to retired/serving personnel of CAPF

One Rank One Pension

As per report received from the Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO), Ministry of Finance, total number of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles (AR) pensioners are 3,28,010 and the pension expenditure as disbursed by Banks for the period 01/04/2014 to 31/03/2015 is Rs.4317.38 crore.

The posted strength of CAPFs and AR as on 01/11/2015 is 8,94,616 (AR-67,018, BSF-2,48,799, CRPF-2,89,182, CISF-1,29,468, ITBP-81,747 & SSB-78,402).

The Government has received representations for implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme from the retired/serving personnel of CAPF and broadly seeking parity with the Defence Forces in the matter of pension. As per records available, the Supreme Court has not issued any directive in this regard. Representations from in-service or retired personnel of CAPF & AR received from the time to time, are examined on merit and appropriate decision taken.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to question by Shri Chhedi Paswan, Shri Vinayak Bhaurao Raut, Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, Shri Rahul Shewale and Mohammed Faizal in the Lok Sabha today.

Source: PIB News

Need reservation for more communities

Need reservation for more communities

Demand for Reservation in Service

The benefits of reservation to various communities included in the list of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe or Other Backward Classes are available in Central Government services and posts, as per the instructions issued by Government, from time to time. Demands from various communities for inclusion of their community to avail the benefit of reservation are received by the Government from time to time.

These demands are examined by the Government as per the procedure adopted by the Ministries of Social Justice and Empowerment and Tribal Affairs, in consultation with the concerned State Governments, National Commission for SC, ST or OBC as the case may be, Registrar General of India and other stakeholders.

This was stated by Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr. Jitendra Singh in Lok Sabha today in a written reply to a question by Dr. Mamtaz Sanghamita, Shri Anto Antony and Shri Ashwini Kumar.

Source: PIB News

Tackling Corruption

Tackling Corruption

With a view to ensure timely disposal of disciplinary cases and to maintain a mechanism for probity among Government servants, the Department of Personnel & Training has recently issued instruction to all the Ministries and Departments vide Office Memorandum No. 29062/6/2015-AIS(I)(Pt.I) dated 30.9.2015, eliciting information in a standardized format in disciplinary cases for its monitoring.

The Department of Personnel & Training handles Prevention of Corruption Act / Disciplinary cases against officers of Indian Administrative Service, Under Secretary and above level officers of Central Secretariat Service, and Group A officers of CBI. As the Cadre Controlling Authority, the Department of Personnel & Training review disciplinary cases relating to these services on monthly basis.

The respective Cadre Controlling Authority of Central Services / Cadres have also been directed to monitor disciplinary cases against officers of those services periodically. A Committee chaired by the Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training also monitors on quarterly basis status of all delayed cases of sanction for prosecution and takes necessary steps to resolve delayed cases expeditiously.

Government has further issued instruction to the Ministries / Departments regarding time bound submission of proposals to the Cadre Controlling Authority for initiating disciplinary proceedings against IAS Officers.

Government has issued instruction recently to all the Ministries/ Departments to carry out periodical review under FR 56(j) and Rule 48 of CCS (Pension Rules, 1972); and under Rule 16(3) of All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958, to weed out the deadwood and inefficient officials in the service.

This was stated by Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr. Jitendra Singh in Lok Sabha today in a written reply to a question by Shri Ravindra Kumar Pandey.

Source: PIB News

Wi-Fi facility with free access to rail passengers

WI – FI Service Facility to Railway Passengers

Wi-Fi facility with free access to rail passengers for first 30 minutes in a day is proposed to be provided at all A1 (75), A (332) and B(302) i.e. total 709 railways stations. For period after 30 minutes the service will be available on payment.

Initially the Wi-Fi service is proposed to be provided at 400 nos. of A1 and A category stations. For B category stations Request For Proposal (RFP) issued and date of opening is 23.12.2015.

Initially Wi-Fi project shall be undertaken in phases to cover all A1 and A category stations.

Non-Suburban stations with an annual passenger earning of more than ` 60 crores are categorised as A1 stations. Non-Suburban stations with an annual passenger earnings of ` 8 crores and upto ` 60 crores are categorised as A stations.

RailTel Corporation of India Limited (a Public Sector Undertaking of Ministry of Railways) has entered into a collaboration with M/s. Mahataa Information India Private Limited (an Indian Subsidiary of Google Inc.) for the present, no direct investment has been made so far. The proposed investment will come in the form of providing technology, design and equipments required for providing Wi-Fi service.

Work of providing of Wi-Fi service within the scope of the collaboration is in progress at 100 category A1 and A stations, after which work at balance 300 category A1 and A stations shall be taken up. For B category stations Request For Proposal (RFP) issued and date of opening is 23.12.2015

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

Source: PIB News

Minimum Government and Maximum Governance

Minimum Government and Maximum Governance

A citizen friendly and accountable administration is the focus of the government. A series of steps to achieve this goal have been initiated. These include simplification of procedures, identification and repeal of obsolete/archaic laws/rules, identification and shortening of various forms, leveraging technology to bring in transparency in public interface and a robust public grievance redress system.

Doing away with the practice of submitting Affidavits for small level executive jobs in the Government and allowing Self-Certification of certificates is one important step in this regard. This has greatly led to the reduction in time and effort on the part of both the citizen as well as the officials in many Government offices.

Leveraging the power of information technology brings with it the advantage of transparency and speed for the benefit of the citizens. In this regard the Government has embarked upon a time bound Digital India Plan. The details of this plan are available on the Website of the Department of Electronics & Information Technology (www.deity.nic.in). As a part of Digital India Plan, the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances has been made the nodal ministry for implementation of e-Office in Central Ministries/Departments. The Department is regularly monitoring implementation of the e-Office project. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has moved into 100% e-Office platform.

The Central Secretariat Manual of Office (CSMOP) has been revised and the 14th Edition of the CSMOP was brought in the form of e-Book form on 22nd May, 2015, which is available on the website www.darpg.nic.in. This is a much reduced and simplified version of the manual in comparison to the earlier editions. A number of redundant and repetitive literatures and words have been removed.

The Government of India has also taken a number of initiatives for improving ‘Ease of Doing Business’. The emphasis has been on simplification and rationalization of the existing rules and introduction of information technology to make governance more efficient and effective.

One of the focus areas of Government is to reduce the decision making layers to the minimum while allowing for faster means of information sharing/dissemination. The Government has launched a website mygov@nic.in and india.gov.in for this purpose. This is a citizen centric platform to empower people to connect with the Government and contribute towards good governance. Suggestions are also received on the PMO website. It also seeks expert advice from the people, thoughts and ideas on various topics that concern India. Citizens can join the discussion to share, debate and add value.

This was stated by Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr. Jitendra Singh in Lok Sabha today in a written reply to a question by Shri Nalin Kumar Kateel, Shri B.N. Chandrappa, Shri D.K. Suresh and Shri R.K. Bharati Mohan.

Source: PIB News

Reservation For Minorities

Reservation For Minorities

At present, there is no reservation in Civil Posts and Services under the Government of India and admission to Central Educational Institutions for Minority Communities declared by the Central Government under Section 2(c) of National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.

However, Central Government carved out a sub quota of 4.5% for minorities, as defined under Section 2(c) of National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 [viz. Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhist and Zoroastrians (Parsis)], from within the 27% reservation for OBCs in Civil Posts and Services under the Government of India and admission to Central Educational Institutions.

A Division bench of Hon’ble High Court of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, in its judgement dated 28-05-2012 has set aside the carving out of a sub-quota of 4.5% in favour of minorities out of the 27% reservation for OBCs. The matter is presently sub-judice in the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. Subsequently, Jains community was also declared as Minority Community vide notification dated 27th January, 2014.

This Information was given by the Minister of State , Ministry of Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi in reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

Source: PIB News