Grant of Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners and family pensioners – Revised rate effective from 1.7.2014.

Pensioners Portal issued orders on granting of Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners and family pensioners with revised rate effective from 1st July 2014 from 100% to 107%…

F. No.42/10/2014-P&PW(G)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Department of Pension & Pensioners” Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,

Khan Market, New Delhi – 110003

Date: 29th Sept, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Grant of Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners — Revised rate effective from 17.2014.

The undersigned Is directed to refer to this Department’s oM No. 42/10/2014-P&PW(G) dated April, 2014 on the subject mentioned above and to state that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Relief (DR) payable to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 100 % to 107% w.e.f. 1st July 2014.

2. These orders apply to (i) All Civilian Central Government Pensioners/Family Pensioners (ii) The Armed Forces Pensioners, Civilian Pensioners paid out of the Defence Service Estimates, (iii) All India Service Pensioners (iv) Railway Pensioners and (v) The Burma Civilian pensioners/family pensioners and pensioners/families of displaced Government pensioners from Pakistan, who are Indian Nationals but receiving pension on behalf of Government of Pakistan and are in receipt of ad-hoc ex-gratia allowance of Rs.3500/- p.m. in terms of this Departments OM No. 23/1/97-P&PW(B) dated 23.2.1998 read with this Department’s OM No. 23/3/2008-P&PW(B) dated 15.9.2008.

3. Central Government Employees who had drawn lump sum amount on absorption in a PSU/Autonomous body and have become eligible to restoration of 1/3 commuted portion of

pension as well as revision of the restored amount in terms of this Department’s OM No. 4/59/97-P&PW (D) dated 14.07.1998 will also be entitled to the payment of DR @ 107% w.e.f.

1.7.2014 on full pension i.e. the revised pension which the absorbed employee would have received on the date of restoration had he not drawn lump sum payment on absorption and

Dearness Pension subject to fulfillment of the conditions laid down In para 5 of the 0.M. dated 14.07.98. In this connection, instructions contained in this Department’s OM No.4/29/99-P&PW(D) dated. 12.7.2000 refer.

4. Payment of DR involving a fraction of a rupee shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee.

5. Other provisions governing grant of DR in respect of employed family pensioners and re-employed Central Government Pensioners will be regulated in accordance with the provisions contained In this Department’s OM No. 45/73/97-P&PW (G) dated 2.7.1999 as amended vide this Department’s OM No. F.No. 38/88/2008-P&PW(G) dated 9th July, 2009. The provisions relating to regulation of DR where a pensioner is in receipt of more than one pension, will remain unchanged.

6. In the case of retired Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, necessary orders will be issued by the Department of Justice separately.

7. It will be the responsibility of the pension disbursing authorities, including the nationalized banks, etc. to calculate the quantum of DR payable in each individual case.

8. The offices of Accountant General and Authorised Public Sector Banks are requested to arrange payment of relief to pensioners etc. on the basis of these instructions without waiting

for any further instructions from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the Reserve Bank of India in view of letter No. 528-TA, 11/34-80-II dated 23/04/1981 of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India addressed to all Accountant Generals and Reserve Bank of India Circular No. GANB No. 2958/GA-64 (ii) (CGL)/81 dated the 21st May, 1981 addressed to State Bank of India and its subsidiaries and all Nationalised Banks.

9. In their application to the pensioners/family pensioners belonging to Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issue after consultation with the C&AG.

10. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure conveyed vide their OM No. No 1(4)/EV/2004 dated 26th Sept.2014.

11. Hindi version will follow.

sd/-

(Charanjlt Taneja)

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source: http://pensionersportal.gov.in/

Air Travel concession on LTC for Central Government employees and families extended for 2 Years

Air Travel concession on LTC for Central Government employees and families extended for 2 Years

Extension of travelling by Air on Leave Travel Concession, the announcement, which Central Government employees were eagerly waiting for, is finally here!

Air travel concession, under the Leave Travel Concession scheme, to places like Jammu and Kashmir, North Eastern Region (NER), and also Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been extended by two more years.

For a while it was assumed that the newly crowned Modi Government had shelved this scheme.

We believe that the scheme was revived due to constant reminders from various employee unions, associations and federations.

Twice every four years, Central Government employees are given fare concessions to travel to their home town. Instead of two trips to home town, the employee is eligible to convert one of them as ALL INDIA LTC concession. Depending on their designation, the employees are eligible to utilize air, ship, rail and road transportation facilities, along with the travel class

The Government has been spending crores of Rupees to usher in development in economically-backward areas like Jammu and Kashmir, NER. As part of its various development schemes, the Government is trying to encourage tourism to these areas. The air travel concession, which is being offered for six years now, is part of this attempt. Awareness of this concession has increased only in the past two years and Central Government employees had only recently started utilizing the option. Under the scheme, Central Government employees can travel to these regions, with their families, by air, and reimburse the air tickets. For further information, please read the official notification. (Click here to view the Dopt Notification)

Although there are certain minor drawbacks, such concessions enjoy immense popularity. This time, there is a minor change – Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been added to the list of destinations. The announcement is a boon for the Central Government employees who didn’t utilize this opportunity in the previous round, and travel via air with their entire family.

UFBU Circular on the outcome of the Bipartite Talks with IBA on 26.9.2014

UFBU Circular on the outcome of the Bipartite Talks with IBA on 26.9.2014

Bipartite Talks with IBA – UFBU gives strike call

TEXT OF UFBU CIRCULAR

Further to the last round of meeting held on 17th instant, another round of bipartite meeting was held with the IBA today (26.9.2014). IBA was represented by Shri Rajeev Rishi (CMD Central Bank of India), Chairman of the Negotiating Committee along with other members of the Negotiating Committee. UFBU was represented by all its constituent unions.

In today’s meeting there was a detailed discussion on our demand for 100% reimbursement of hospitalisation expenses incurred by the employees/officers and their family members and the group mediclaim scheme offered by the IBA in response thereto. We explained our various apprehensions about the implementation of the scheme and hassle-free reimbursement of claims thereunder. We reiterated that employees/officers should not be required to deal directly with the insurance company or their Third Party Administrators. IBA has agreed and accordingly clarified that even though employees would be covered by the mediclaim scheme, they would continue to submit their claims to the management as hitherto and the reimbursement would be made by the Banks with the improved benefits of the scheme accruing to the employees. IBA also agreed to incorporate the suggestions submitted by the UFBU while finalising the scheme. Hence a broad in-principle consensus was mutually agreed upon and the final scheme would be worked out accordingly on the above lines.

We also raised the following issues during the discussions today:

Pension related matters i.e. 100% DA on pension for pre-Nov. 2002 retirees, improvement in family pension, provision for periodical updation of pension

Introduction of 5 days banking / 5 days working

Regulated working hours for officers

After discussion, IBA informed that they are inclined to favorably consider the demand of 100% DA on pension for pre-Nov. 2002 retirees. IBA further informed that cost aspect on improvement in family pension is being worked out and they would soon take a decision on the same. IBA responded positively on this issue. As regards updation of pension, IBA informed that in view of the high cost involved, it would be difficult to agree to the same. On our insistence, IBA agreed that any viable and affordable proposition from the UFBU in this regard would be examined.

As regards 5 day banking / 5 day working, IBA regretted their inability to accept our demand in the present situation. From UFBU, we insisted on this issue and hence IBA agreed that if a detailed note is submitted to them with the requisite logic and rationale, they would apply their mind afresh on this issue.

On the issue of regulated working hours for officers, IBA was not inclined to agree to the same. However, on drawing their attention to the note submitted by the Officers Organisation, IBA agreed to study the same and react subsequently.

From the IBA, they wanted to know our views and reactions on introduction of cost to company method as well as fixed and variable pay concepts. From UFBU we have reiterated our standpoint that the same are not acceptable to us. IBA also insisted for limiting the wage revision discussions upto scale III officers instead of upto scale VII which was also declined by us.

On the vital issue of improvement in the offer of IBA over 11%, despite our indication that we would be flexible in our demand, depending on improvements in other areas, IBA has conveyed that they are unable to improve their offer unless UFBU scale down further in its demand considering the financial constraints of the banks. We categorically informed IBA that UFBU would be reasonable and flexible in its approach provided the same is reciprocated by the IBA on the issues raised by us and insisted on IBA to improve their offer to take the negotiations forward. However, IBA was adamant in their stand and did not improve their offer and stuck to their earlier offer of 11%. UFBU expressed its unhappiness over the rigid stand of IBA on improvement.

In the UFBU meeting held subsequently, representatives of all the constituent unions expressed their dissatisfaction and condemned the lackadaisical approach and adamant attitude of IBA and unanimously decided to undertake agitational programmes to press our demands and to expedite the settlement. After deliberations, it was decided to observe One day Protest Strike preceded by the following action programmes:

10.10.2014 – BLACK BADGE WEARING

17.10.2014 – COUNTRY WIDE PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS

Between 18.10.2014 and 31.10.2014 – ONE DAY DHARNA AT ALL STATE CAPITALS (Date shall be decided by the State Unit of UFBU)

COUNTRY WIDE ONE DAY PROTEST STRIKE

It was also decided that the one day protest strike shall be followed by intermittent and relay strikes as well as indefinite strike. Detailed circular on the date of one day protest strike and other agitation programmes will be issued in due course.

Source: AIBEA

Bipartite Talks with IBA on 26.9.2014 – AIBOC

Bipartite Talks with IBA on 26.9.2014 – AIBOC

We have received the reaction from many of you on the outcome of the meeting with IBA. Our Confederation expressed its clear view in the UFBU meeting held on 26th September, 2014, that we want quick and sustained agitational programme against the apathy of IBA and the Government on our just and reasonable demands.

We also suggested that our strike call should be for 13th and/or 14th October preceded by programmes like no late sitting, not coming on Sundays and Holidays, Badge wearing, relay hunger strikes, rallies and demonstrations. Undersigned offered the challenge to hold a rally/demonstration on 27th September, 2014 itself at Delhi. However, the above programme only could be decided by the UFBU.

We call upon our members to be in preparedness for any call of the UFBU/organization.

Action taken on Reimbursement of Medical Expenses with FMA @ Rs. 100/- per month – BPMS

Action taken on Reimbursement of Medical Expenses with FMA @ Rs. 100/- per month

BHARATIYA PRATIRAKSHA MAZDOOR SANGH

Ministry of Defence

D(Civ-II) Section

Subject: Reimbursement of medical claim pertaining to in-patient treatment to the Defencc Civilians who are getting Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA).

The proposal for (Reimbursement of medical claim pertaining to in-patient treatment to the Defence Civilians who are getting Fixed Medical Allowance) was taken up by the Ministry of Defence with Ministry of health & Family Welfare.

2. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare vide their ID No 14025/9/2011-MS dated 14th August, 2014 has proposed that ‘FMA being granted to CS(MA) beneficiaries be stopped and they should be governed by the provisions of CS(MA) Rules, 1944 under which medical reimbursement for outdoor treatment as well as indoor treatment is permissible as per the rules”.

3. It has been stated by the M/o H&FW that stopping of FMA for serving employees in question, will facilitate their family in getting comprehensive medical care under CS(MA) Rules, 1944 including outdoor and indoor treatment., even in emergency conditions. Accordingly. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has sought comments of this Ministry so that the anomaly in the matter can be removed at the earliest.

4. All lower formations/Employees Federations/Associations are therefore requested to furnish their comments to this Ministry within 15 days i.e. by 24.09.2014 for processing the matter further by this Ministry with the M/o H&FW.

sd/-

(Gurdeep Singh)

Under Secretary

Source: BPMS