Monday 31 July 2017

Reduction in PF contribution

Reduction in PF contribution 
With a view to bring contribution under Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions (EPF & MP) Act, 1952 to be paid by employer and employee at par with other savings instruments like the National Pension System, Contributory Provident Fund etc., an agenda item for lowering the rate of contribution from the present 12 per cent to 10 per cent was deliberated in the 218th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) held on 27.05.2017. All employees’ and employers’ representatives and State Government representatives were against reducing the rate of contribution from 12 per cent to 10 per cent.
The details of action taken by Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) against the defaulting establishments to protect the interest of workers covered under the said Act are as under:
(i) Real time default management system has been implemented to reduce remittance default by establishments.
(ii) Action under section 7A of EPF & MP Act, 1952 against the defaulting establishments for assessment of dues.
(iii) Action under section 14B of the Act for levying of damages for belated deposit of dues.
(iv) Action under section 7Q of the Act for levy of interest for belated remittances.
(v) Action for recovery as provided under sections 8B to 8G of the Act.
(vi) Action under section 14 of the Act for filing prosecution against the defaulters before the competent court of law.
(vii) Action under section 406/409 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the employer for non-payment of employees’ share of contribution deducted from the wages/salary of the employees but not deposited in the fund.
This information was given by Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, the Minister of State (IC) for Labour and Employment, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, today.
Source : PIB
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DA from July 2017 for Central Government Employees will be 5%

DA from July 2017 for Central Government Employees will be 5%

DA from July 2017 for Central Government Employees will be 5% – 1% increase expected from the month of July 2017 based on All India Consumer Price Index for the months from July 2016 to June 2017
Calculation of DA from July 2017 for Central Government Employees and Pensioners could be finalised now as actual All India Consumer Price Index for all the twelve months (From July 2016 to June 2017) is available. DA increase for Central Government Employees with effect from July 2017 will be 1% as estimated by us last month.
All India Consumer Price Index for the months from July 2016 to June 2017
MonthActual AICPI-IW
Jul-2016280
Aug-2016278
Sep-2016277
Oct-2016278
Nov-2016277
Dec-2016275
Jan-2017274
Feb-2017274
Mar-2017275
Apr-2017277
May-2017278
Jun-2017280
DA with effect from 1st July 2017= [ (280+278+277+278+277+275+274+274+275+277+278+280/12]-(261.4)X100/261.4
= 5 %

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Instructions on change of India Post eMail Password or AD User Password

Instructions on change of India Post eMail Password or AD User Password

Please note that the Password for Email Id and AD User Id is one & same for a particular user and change using either of the way above will change the password of both. Further please note that the new password being constructed should comply with the DoP Password Policy in force. The Highlights of the existing DoP Password Policy are:
     ❖Password must be minimum 09 characters and should include -
          ➣English uppercase characters (A - Z).
          ➣English lowercase characters (a - z).
          ➣Base-10 digits (0 - 9).
          ➣Special Characters (e.g.! $, #, %). Extended ASCII, Symbolic/linguistic characters.
     ❖New Password is not same as the 05 immediate old password.
     ❖New Password should not contain the user's account name or parts of the user's full name that exceed two consecutive characters.
Process of Change of Password: Either of the following ways:
1. Through Login into mail box using Webmail / OWA:
     a. Login into Webmail / OWA with your email address and current Password. After login, at the top right hand side you will find a "Settings" button.
     b. Click on "Settings" button and select "Change Password" option.
     c. Enter the details asked for in the next screen i.e. Current Password, New Password and Confirm New Password.
     d. Click on "Save" button. On successful change / resetting of password you will automatically be logged out and login screen will appear.
2. Through Login into CSI AD Joined PC: Prerequisite for using this option is that the PC being used should be joined to CSI AD Domain and user should be logged into the PC using his AD Domain User Account.
     a. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del and select "Change a Password" option.
     b. Enter the details asked for in the next screen i.e. Old Password, New Password and Confirm Password.
     c. Then press Enter. On successful resetting of Password you will receive a message "Your password has been changed".
     d. Click "OK" to continue.
     e. You will get a successful message Your password has been changed click OK to continue.
P.S: In case of any support please call CSI Interim Helpdesk at 011 66076729 / 011 66076730/ 01166076755 / 01166076756 or send a mail at doptcs.wave1support@tcs.com. Please use the Standard Issue Reporting Template while reporting issues to the CSI Interim Help Desk.
Thanks You, 
DoP Email Administrator
Ph: 011 66076729 / 011 66076730/ 01166076755 / 01166076756
Email: dotptcs.wave1support@tcs.com
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7th CPC Anomalies will be disposed before 15-2-2018 – DoPT Order

7th CPC Anomalies will be disposed before 15-2-2018 – DoPT Order

7th CPC Anomalies will be disposed before 15-2-2018 – DoPT Order

No.11/2/2016-JCA
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi – 110 001
Dated: 17th July, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Extension of time limit for forwarding of 7th CPC-related anomalies by the Staff-Side, NC(JCM) and for their disposal by the National Anomaly Committee – regarding

The undersigned is directed to refer to the aforementioned subject and to say that in further partial modification of this Department’s O.M. of even no. dated 5th May, 2017, it has been decided to extend the time limits for both receipt and disposal of the 7th CPC-related anomalies, as per the following details:

(i) The time limit for receipt of anomalies will stand extended by three months from 15.05.2017(as notified vide O.M. referred to above) to 15.08.2017; and

(ii) The time limit for disposal of anomalies will stand extended by three months from 15.11.2017 (as notified vide O.M. referred to above) to 15.02.2018.

2. This issues with the concurrence of Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

sd/-
(D.K.Sengupta)
Deputy Secretary (JCA)

Source: NC JCM Staff Side
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CSI migration and support team is formed in CEPT Chennai /Mysuru

CSI migration and support team is formed in CEPT Chennai /Mysuru

Respected Sir(s) / Madam(s),
I wish to share the following information that a support centre for CSI rollout has been set up at CEPT Chennai.

A CSI migration and support team is formed in CEPT Chennai /Mysuru under Mr V M Sakthivelu DD CEPT. The contact details and email is shared herewith.

V M Sakthivelu DD CEPT - 9444227090 sakthiveluvm@indiapost.gov.in

T.Vivekanandan ASP CSI DMCC - 9884614024, vivekanandan.t@indiapost.gov.in

V Subhashini IP CSI DMCC - 9444937245

M Pattabiraman IP CSI DMCC - 9176641355 


Other officials in the team are: 
Prasaanna R
N Kaviraj
R Lakshmi
C Valli
V Naveenkumar 

A common email for all communications is created : Circles / CPCs /SPOCs may write to csidmcc.cept@indiapost.gov.in any issue relating to CSI pre-rollout issues to post rollout issues (end to end)

A common user group with 10 telephone numbers for the group has been applied for and this will be communicated to the Circles shortly by the end of this week.

A template is created to collect the required information of SPOCs in the Divisions/ Regions / Circles. It is requested that this template may kindly be filled in at the earliest and sent back to us for contacting the divisional SPOCs directly.

This team will support issues listed:
Training (both UC and EU)
Pre-rollout monitoring including site preparation
Migrations
Post rollout issues and support

Critical issues identification and providing solution through TCS team

Hence, it is requested to circulate this information to all the divisions immediately.

We are organising a conference call on all alternative days with the SPOCS in the circles starting from 16th August 2017. Hence, the information to SPOCS who will be coordinating CSI activities may please be mentioned in the same template without fail.


Thanking You, Sir.

With Regards,
(V M SAKTHIVELU)
Deputy Director CEPT Chennai
+919444227090
sakthiveluvm@indiapost.gov.in
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Revision of Additional Relief on death/disability of Government servants covered under NPS in pursuance of Govt. decision on the recommendation of the 7th CPC

Revision of Additional Relief on death/disability of Government servants covered under NPS in pursuance of Govt. decision on the recommendation of the 7th CPC

Revision of Additional Relief on death/disability of Government servants covered under NPS in pursuance of Govt. decision on the recommendation of the 7th CPC

No. 28/03/2017-P&PW(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG. and Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare
3rd Floor, LokNayak Bhavan

New Delhi, dated the 30th May, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Revision of Additional Relief on death/disability of Government servants covered under NPS in pursuance of, Govt. decision on the recommendation of the 7th CPC- reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to Railway Board’s letter No. 2016/F(E)III/1(1)/7 dated 01.05.2017 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the additional. benefit on provisional basis has been extended to the Government employees covered under NPS vide OM. No. 38/41/06-P&PW(A) dated 05.05.2009 in the event of death or invalidation from service on disability. This OM. provides that the the Govt. employees covered under NPS who are discharged on invalidation disablement or the family of such employees who have died during service would be extended the benefit of invalid pension, or family pension in accordance with Rules 38, 49, 50 and 54 of CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972 and CCS(EOP) Rules as the case may be.

2. Any order for revision of pension /family pension sanctioned under the CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972 and CCS(EOP) Rules, would also be equally applicable to the Govt. servants covered under NPS, who have been extended the benefits of old pension scheme in terms of OM. dated 05.05.2009.

(S. Chakrabarti)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Shri Sanjay Prashar,
Deputy Director Finance(Estt.)III,
Railway Board,
Ministry of Railways,
Rail Bhawan, New Delhi-110001.
additional-relief-to-nps-employees-on-death-disability

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SB Order 07/2017 : Premature Closure of Public Provident Fund (PPF) account - Clarifications

SB Order 07/2017 : Premature Closure of Public Provident Fund (PPF) account - Clarifications

Clarification on Premature Closure of Public Provident Fund (PPF) account


SB Order No. 07/2017
F.No 32-01/2016-SB(Pt.)
Govt. of India
Ministry of Communication
Department of Posts
(F.S. Division)

Dak Bhawan, New Delhi-110001
Dated: 24.07.2017
To,

All Head of Circles/Regions
Addl. Director General, APS, New Delhi

Subject : Premature Closure of Public Provident Fund (PPF) account- clarifications.

Sir/Madam,

The undersigned is directed to say that vide memorandum dated June 18, 2016 and subsequent corrigendum issued vide notification dated June 27, 2016, Govt. of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs (Budget Division) and SB Order No.11/2016 dated 04.11.2016 has permitted premature closure of a PPF account after completion of five year On specified grounds. However, such premature closure of a PPF account is subject to the condition that the  interest payable on a prematurely closed PPF account shall be at a rate which shall be lower by one percentage points that the rate applicable to the PPF scheme from time to time.
2. Ministry of Finance (DEA) (Budget Division) has been receiving reference from banks seeking clarification of the following points:

(1) Whether the requirement of payment of a fee of Rs. 50 for each year of default along with arrear subscription of Rs. 500 for each year for regularizing discontinued account prescribed in para 7(2) of the PPF Scheme, 1968 shall be applicable for premature closing a discontinued PPF account; and

(2) Whether the reduction of one percentage point in interest rate on premature closure of a PPF account which has completed 15 years and has been extended under para 9(3A) of the PPF scheme, shall be applicable from the date of extension of the account or from the date of initial opening of the account.

3. The matter has been examined by Ministry of Finance (DEA) (Budget Division) and the points are clarified as under vide memorandum F. No.3/2/2014-NS dated 07.07.2017:-

(i) The requirement of payment of a fee of Rs. 50 for each year of default along with arrear subscription of Rs. 500 for each year. Prescribed under para 7(2) of the PPF Scheme is for regularizing a discontinued account and is not applicable for the purpose of closing the account prematurely. Hence, the subscriber is not required to deposit either the fee of Rs. 50 for each year of default. or arrears of subscription for closing the account prematurely; and

(ii) If a PPF account that has already completed 15 years and has subsequently been extended under the provision of para 9(3A) of the PPF Scheme is closed prematurely before the completion of the current 5 year block period, the reduction in interest rate by 1 percentage point shall be applicable from the date of the commencement of the current 5 year block period and not from the date of initial opening of the account.
4. It is requested to circulate these changes to all concerned for information and necessary guidance. Same may also be placed on the notice board of all Post Offices in Public area.

5. This issue with the approval of Competent Authority.

Yours Faithfully,

(P.L. Meena)
Assistant Director (SB-1)



Source :http://utilities.cept.gov.in/dop/pdfbind.ashx?id=2458
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Opportunity for retired central govt. pensioners to be picked up as inspecting officers examinations to be conducted by SSC, Chennai.

Opportunity for retired central govt. pensioners to be picked up as inspecting officers examinations to be conducted by SSC, Chennai.




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AICPIN for the month of June 2017

AICPIN for the month of June 2017

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI_IW) – June 2017
The All India CPI_IW for June, 2017 increased by two points and pegged at 280.
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Extension of date for filing of Income Tax Returns extended for five days up to 5th August, 2017

Extension of date for filing of Income Tax Returns extended for five days up to 5th August, 2017



Press Information Bureau 
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
31-July-2017 16:30 IST

Extension of date for filing of Income Tax Returns extended for five days up to 5th August, 2017 

There are some complaints that the taxpayers are not being able to log on to the e-filing website of Income Tax Department or not being able to link Aadhaar with PAN because of different names reflected in PAN and Aadhaar database. While technical snags have been removed already, the main reason for failure of people to log in is because of last minute rush and panic in which those who have already logged in want to continue for the entire period for fear of losing it.

In order to ease-out the panic situation, the Government has decided to take the following steps:

  • For the purpose of e-filing return, it would be sufficient as of now to quote Aadhaar or acknowledgement No. for having applied for Aadhaar in e-filing website. The actual linking of PAN with Aadhaar can be done subsequently, but any time before 31st August, 2017. However, the returns will not be processed until the linkage of Aadhaar with PAN is done.
  • In order to facilitate the e-filing of return, it is also decided to give extension of five days for e-filing of return. The return can be filed upto 5th August, 2017.
****

DSM/SBS/KA

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ITR filing deadline extended till 5 August: income tax department

ITR filing deadline extended till 5 August: income tax department

The income tax department said the deadline for filing income tax returns (ITRs) for financial year 2016-17 has been extended till 5 August



New Delhi: The income tax (I-T) department said on Monday the deadline for filing income tax returns (ITRs) for financial year 2016-17 has been extended till 5 August.
On Sunday, a top official had said the last date for filing of ITRs will not be extended beyond 31 July deadline.
“The last date for filing of ITRs remains 31 July. There are no plans to extend this deadline. The department has already received over 2 crore returns filed electronically. The department requests taxpayers to file their return in time,” the official said.
The department has also issued advertisements in leading national dailies in the last few days stating that taxpayers should disclose their income “correctly” and file their ITRs on or before 31 July.
The linking of Aadhaar number with the PAN (Permanent Account Number) of a taxpayer has also been made mandatory for filing of an ITR, beginning 1 July.
The department has also asked taxpayers to declare cash deposits made in bank accounts aggregating to Rs2 lakh or more, post demonetisation between 9 November-30 December last year, in the ITRs.

On reports of the e-filing website facing some glitches, the official said that no major glitches have been reported with the department's e-filing website -http://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/ - barring a few times when the portal was "interrupted for maintenance".
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Proposal to grant Recruitment and discretionary powers to Postmaster Cadre officials

Proposal to grant Recruitment and discretionary powers to Postmaster Cadre officials

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Aadhaar-PAN linking can be done till August 31

Aadhaar-PAN linking can be done till August 31



I-T returns filing deadline extended to August 5

The Central Board of Direct Taxes on Monday extended the linking of Aadhaar with PAN (Permanent Account Number) till August 31.
The income tax returns will be processed after the Aadhar-PAN linking, a release said.
Under pressure to push back the July 31 deadline for filing income tax returns due to the inability of the online server to handle the traffic on the last day, the Income Tax Department on Monday announced the extension of the deadline to August 5.
“There are some complaints that the taxpayers are not being able to log on to the e-filing website of Income Tax Department or not being able to link Aadhaar with PAN because of different names reflected in PAN and Aadhaar database,” the Finance Ministry said in a statement. “While technical snags have been removed already, the main reason for failure of people to log in is because of last minute rush and panic in which those who have already logged in want to continue for the entire period for fear of losing it.”
In order to ease this situation, the government has decided to extend the return filing deadline by five days to August 5.
“For the purpose of e-filing return, it would be sufficient as of now to quote Aadhaar or acknowledgement number for having applied for Aadhaar in e-filing website,” the statement added. “The actual linking of PAN with Aadhaar can be done subsequently, but any time before August 31, 2017. However, the returns will not be processed until the linkage of Aadhaar with PAN is done.”
A senior official of the department said the decision to extend the deadline ending today was taken after a meeting of the revenue department and the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) was held in the Finance Ministry on Monday.
The department, till Sunday, had maintained that no extension would be given as already over 2 crore returns have been received and no major glitches on the portal had been detected.
But, the situation changed on Monday and the extension was declared.
This time, the linking of the Aadhaar number with the PAN (Permanent Account Number) of a taxpayer has been made mandatory for filing of an ITR, beginning July 1.
The department has also asked taxpayers to declare cash deposits made in bank accounts aggregating to ₹2 lakh or more, post demonetisation between November 9-December 30 last year, in the ITRs.
The ITRs to be filed by July 31 pertain to 2016-17 fiscal or assessment year 2017-18.
(With inputs from PTI)

Source : http://www.thehindu.com/
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How to respond if you get a notice from income tax dept

How to respond if you get a notice from income tax dept
Slapped with an income tax notice? We explain you how to deal with it.
income tax returns, income tax filing, income tax returns last date, it returns last date, how to file income tax, india news, Indian Express India news, business, India news
Such emails should be ignored and should not be considered as a legitimate notification from the Income Tax Department. Here are a set of legal tax notices that you may get after filing an IT return. 
There have been reports of hackers purportedly targetting several tax payers, claiming that there was an error in calculating their tax and a refund has to be issued. Victims of this phishing attack will be directed to a net banking login page and their username and password is recorded.
Such emails should be ignored and should not be considered as a legitimate notice from the Income Tax Department. What gives away the con job is the sender’s address. The official I-T mail address is donotreply@incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in. If you pay attention, the E will be missing from the fake ID.
However, in case you do receive a legitimate notice from the I-T after filing your return, here is what you should do.
SECTION 139 (9)
Under this section, you are liable to be sent a notice in case there has been a defect while filing the ITR. The defects might include the following:
(a)  You haven’t paid the entire tax due.
(b)  You have claimed a refund for deducted tax but have not mentioned the relevant income.
(c)  There is a mismatch in the name on the form and PAN card
(d)  You have paid taxes but not listed income.
TIME LIMIT: The time limit to respond to a notice under this section is 15 days from within the date of intimation of the assessing officer. You can avail yourself of an extension by writing to the local assessing officer. If you don’t respond, the return will be considered invalid.
How to respond? 
You can go to the income tax filing site and download the right ITR form under the given assessment year. After this, select the option “In response to a notice under Section 139(9) where the original return filed was a defective return.” Fill in the reference number and acknowledgement number, and fill the form with required corrections. Under “e-file”, select “e-file in response to notice u/s 139(9)” and upload it using the password given in the notice.
SECTION 143 (1)
More than a notice, this is an intimation about the returns filed by you. You can get three types of notices under this section:
a) It can be simply the final assessment of your returns as your tax calculation matches that of the assessing officer.
b) It can serve as a refund notice, where the assessing officer’s computation shows excessive tax paid by you.
c) It can be a demand notice, wherein assessing officer.
The Time Limit to reply to this notice is before the expiry of one year from the end of financial year in which the return has been filed.
How to respond? 
If there is no discrepancy in the returns, you are not required to do anything. If a refund is due, it will be transferred to the bank account mentioned in the return. If it is not transferred, request a reissue of the refund. You will have to pay the due refund within 30 days.
SECTION 143 (1A)
This is essentially a communication on proposed adjustments, which means that if there is a discrepancy in the income mentioned in the return and Form 16, or deductions given under Section 80C or Chapter VIA and Form 26AS, then verification will be sought through this notice.
Time Limit to respond: 30 days from the date of issue of the communication.
How to respond? 
After logging in to the tax filing portal, under the “e-Proceeding” section, explain the discrepancy along with the supporting documentary proof that will have to be uploaded.
SECTION 148
You will get this notice if any income has escaped assessment or calculation.
Time limit to serve notice: If the income that has escaped assessment is Rs 1 lakh or less, it can be sent within four years of the end of the assessment year. If it is more than Rs 1 lakh, the notice can be sent within six years of the assessment year.

Time limit to respond: 
The return will have to be furnished within 30 days or in the specified duration as per the notice by the assessing officer.

How to respond? 
You will have to file the returns for the relevant assessment year, as directed by the assessing officer.
SECTION 143 (2)
This is a scrutiny assessment notice that follows preliminary assessment of returns. “This can be of three types, with the first two coming under computer assisted scrutiny selection (CASS), while the third is a manual scrutiny notice,” told Chetan Chandak, Head of Tax Research, H&R Block, India to Economic Times.
“The timeline for the completion of this assessment is 18 months for assessment year 2017-18, down from 21 months in 2016-17, and is likely to be further brought down to 12 months from next year,” he adds.
a) Limited purpose scrutiny: “This is not a full-fledged scrutiny and is meant to highlight only one or two points and verification is sought on these,” adds Chandak.
b) Complete scrutiny: This entails a complete, detailed scrutiny as serious discrepancies have been identified in the tax returns.
c) Manual scrutiny: This notice is handpicked by the assessment officer, but it can be sent only after the approval by the Income Tax Commissioner.
Time limit to serve notice:  Before the expiry of six months from the end of the financial year in which the return is filed.
Time limit to respond: The taxpayer will have to appear in person or through a representative before the officer on the date specified in the notice.
How to respond? Get all the income and expense-related documents and other relevant papers ready, and do not miss the hearing. If you fail to comply with the section’s provisions, it may result in:
a) ‘Best judgement assessment’, which means the officer will confirm the assessment and decide the tax liability as he sees fit, or;
b) Penalty under Section 271(1)(b), that is, Rs 10,000 for each failure or;
c) Prosecution under Section 276D, which may extend up to one year with or without fine.
SECTION 234 (F) 
This is a new section that has been introduced in the Income Tax Act, according to which a fee or penalty will be levied in case returns are not filed by 31 July of the relevant assessment year. “So far, salaried taxpayers were lax about not filing returns by 31 July if taxes had been paid, but now it is mandatory to do so,” Amit Maheshwari of Ashok Maheshwary & Associates told Economic Times. Till date, a penalty of Rs 5,000 was levied at the discretion of the assessment officer if the return was was not filed.
Starting with assessment year 2018-19, a fee of Rs 5,000 will be charged in case returns are filed after the due date, but before 31 December of the relevant assessment year, or Rs 10,000 if it is filed after 31 December of the relevant assessment year. However, for those earning less than Rs 5 lakh a year, maximum penalty of Rs 1,000 will be levied.
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