Saturday 31 August 2019

REMINDER FOR ISSUE OF ORDERS TO GRANT FINANCIAL BENEFIT TO SENIORS WHO WERE WORKING AS ASP AS ON 1-1-2006

REMINDER FOR ISSUE OF ORDERS TO GRANT FINANCIAL BENEFIT TO SENIORS WHO WERE WORKING AS ASP AS ON 1-1-2006


To
Sh. A.N.Nanda,
The Secretary (Post)
                        Department of Post
                        DakBhawan, Sansad Marg
                        New Delhi-100001

No.     CHQ/POA/1-1/2019-20                                   Dated                    2.09.2019

Sub:    Request for issue of orders to grant financial benefits on 01/01/2006 to senior IPs, ASPs and Group B officers consequent upon placing IPs & ASPs in the same scale.
Respected Sir,

            Members of the Postal Officer Association (India) have been raising their concern for not settling the issue regarding grant of financial benefit to senior ASPs w.e.f 1-1-2006 but our Directorate is silent despite several requests from the staff side.  Consequent upon court verdict various orders like (i) placing of Inspector of Posts ( IP) in the Grade Pay of Rs 4,600/- from Rs 4,200/- w.e.f.  01-01-2006 on par with next hierarchical promotional Gazetted Post i.e. Assistant Superintendent of Posts (ASP) and (ii) grand of one increment in the same scale on promotion to next hierarchical Post of ASP cadre have been issued by the department for those who joined the department just after 2006 with all consequential benefits including arrears. These beneficiaries are being allowed the provisions of MACP at the upgraded level. Whereas far-far seniors who were working as ASPs on 1-1-2006, now Postal Service Group B officer have been placed in a detrimental and disadvantageous position. It is pertinent to mention here that many of our senior members are still working at level 8 whereas the juniors have been placed at level 9 on allowing benefit of 3rd MACP. It is a clear cut case of discrimination.

Sir, you will agree that consequent upon placing ASPs and IPs in the same GP of 4600/- corresponding to the old pay the scale of 7450-225-10500, the promotion already given to ASPs in the lower scale of 6500-200-10500 has become redundant and need to be discarded Hence, an anomaly occurred due to hierarchical problem. These orders nullified the promotion of ASPs (Gazetted). As a matter of justice, ASP should be allowed benefit of one increment as on 1-1-2006 as allowed to ASP promoted after 1-1-2006 in the same scale.

Reasons for Anomaly between IP & ASP on 1-1-2006. 

1.         Postal Directorate vide Memo No 2-12/2013-PCC dated 24.10.17 increased Grade pay of IP by Rs 400/- (from 4,200 to 4,600) from 1-1-2006.
2.         IP pay has been fixed minimum as Rs 17,140 ( Pay band Rs 12,540 + GP Rs 4,600) as on 1-1-2006 vide OM No. 8-23/2017-E.IIIA dated 28-09-2018 of Ministry of Finance  Department of Expenditure.
3.         Under the provision contained in OM No.10/02/2011-E.III/A of Ministry of Finance  Department of Expenditure dated 7-01-2013 one increment is given when IP promoted to ASP after 2006.
4.         Further, on 1-9-2008 after the introduction of MACP orders, a PA recruited after 1-9-1989 who is IP/ASP will get 4,800/-grade pay WITH INCREMENT in his 2nd MACP in just 20 years of service apparently earlier to Sr. ASP who got 4800 after 30 years.
In nutshell with all above orders/provisions some of the IP's pay either became equal or crossed the ASP after 1-1-2006 to 1-9-2008Reason for pay Anomaly between ASP & IP is due to placing/granting of 4,600 Grade Pay to IP on and after 1-1-2006 and ignoring the fundamental right of seniors.

Further calculation reveals that IPs as on 1-1-2006 are given Rs. 400/-increase in their Grade Pay and also will get one increment when they get ASP promotion after 1-1-2006 around Rs 600/-.  But contrary to this those who were ASPs as on 1-1-2006 and their pay was fixed after 6th pay commission was simply given multiple of 6500/- without even giving the benefit of fitment table. Now again on the promotion of these IPs to ASP will again get one increment + 4,800 GP under 2nd MACP around Rs 650 + 200 = Rs 850/-.

As explained above, after 1-1-2006 an IP by 1-9-2008 will get around Rs 400+600+850 = Rs 1,850/-.  While ASP has not given any benefit of creating an anomaly in the hierarchy.
ANOMALY is due to the WRONG decision of MoF/DoE/DoP as grade pay of ONLY IP was upgraded WITHOUT UPGRADING grade pay of ASP. Hence, Anomaly has to be set right.
.
Solution to set right Anomaly between IP and ASP

A.  Cadre of Inspector Post (Non-Gazetted) and ASP (Gazetted) have been placed in the identical GP of Rs. 4600/-. As provided in MOF OM No. 10/2/2011.E.III/A dated 7-1-2013, the fixation of pay on promotion from one post to another where promotional post carries the same GP as the feeder post, in such cases fixture of pay will be done in the manner as prescribed in Rule 13 (i) of CCS (RP) rules 2008.  Apparently, the officers who were working as ASPs as on 1-1-2006 are also eligible for the fixture of pay w.e.f 1-1-2006 in an identical scale for two different cadres after giving the benefit of increment.

B.        Since ASPs and IPs have been placed on the same scale so provision for grant of MACP or ACP will have to be redefined in view of the DoPT clarification in its OM No. 35034/1/97-Estt (D) (Vol. IV) dated 12.02.2000 ( point of doubt No. 1)  and 18.7.2001, earlier promotion given is to be IGNORED COMPLETELY promotion earned /up-gradation granted under the ACP schemes in the past to those grades which now carry the same GP due to the merger of the scales/ up-gradation of posts recommended by the sixth pay commission shall be ignored for the purpose of up-gradation under MACPs.

 As such fixation is to be given afresh with increment on 1-9-2008 under MACP. As per VI pay Commission, change of grade pay should be accompanied by fixation only. Otherwise, Anomaly continues & hundreds of both serving & retired ASPs have to approach Court unnecessarily by spending thousands of rupees.

Association, therefore again urge your kind honour to issue orders with regard to extending benefits of Grade pay of 4800 and 5400 as on 01-01-2006 with increment in the same scale to all senior IPs/ASPs, who were promoted to ASP/PS group B cadre or had been granted 2nd financial up-gradation prior to 01/01/2006.

With profound regards

Yours Sincerely


R N Yadav
General Secretary
Postal Officer Association

Copy to:
1.    Sh. P.K.Bisoi, The Member (Personnel) Postal Services Board, Postal Directorate, New Delhi-110001
2.    The DDG (Establishment ) Dak Bhawan New Delhi-110001
3.    The ADG(PPC), Dak Bhawan New Delhi-110001

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Instructions regarding timely issue of Charge-sheet – DoPT Orders on 23.8.2016

Instructions regarding timely issue of Charge-sheet – DoPT Orders on 23.8.2016

F.No.11012/04/2016-Estt.(A)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment A-III Desk
North Block, New Delhi — 110001

Dated August 23, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965 – instructions regarding timely issue of Charge-sheet – regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to DoP&T’s O.M. No.11012/17/2013-Estt.A-III dated 3rd July, 2015 on the above mentioned subject and to say that in a recent case, Ajay Kumar Choudhary vs Union of India Civil Appeal No. 1912 of 2015 dated 16/02/2015, the Apex Court has directed as follows:

“14 We, therefore, direct that the currency of a Suspension Order should not extend beyond three months if within this period the Memorandum of Charges/Chargesheet is not served on the delinquent officer/employee; if the Memorandum of Charges/Charge sheet is served a reasoned order must be passed for the extension of the suspension. As in the case in hand, the Government is free to transfer the concerned person to any Department in any of its offices within or outside the State so as to sever any local or personal contact that he may have and which he may misuse for obstructing the investigation against him. The Government may also prohibit him from contacting any person, or handling records and documents till the stage of his having to prepare his defence Furthermore, the direction of the Central Vigilance Commission that pending a criminal investigation departmental proceedings are to be held in abeyance stands superseded in view of the stand adopted by us.”

2. In compliance of the above judgement, it has been decided that where a Government servant: is placed under suspension, the order of suspension should not extend beyond three months, if within this period the charge-sheet is not served to the charged officer. As such, it should be ensured that the charge sheet is issued before expiry of 90 days from the date of suspension. As the suspension will lapse in case this time line is not adhered to, a close watch needs to be kept at all levels to ensure that charge sheets are issued in time.

3. It should also be ensured that disciplinary proceedings are initiated as far as practicable in cases where an investigating agency is seized of the matter or criminal proceedings have been launched. Clarifications in this regard have already been issued vide O.M. No. 11012/6/2007-Estt.A-Ill dated 21.07.2016.

4. All Ministries/ Departments/Offices’ are requested to bring the above guidelines to the notice of all Disciplinary Authorities under their control.

5. Hindi version will follow.

sd/-
(Mukesh Chaturvedi)
Director (E)
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DA Calculation tool for January 2020

DA Calculation tool for January 2020

Labour Bureau released Consumer price Index Number for Industrial Workers for the Month of July 2019 . According to the Press Release, the AICPIN for July 2019 increased 3 Points and Pegged at 319.
So far 7 Months AICPIN are released. Balance 5 months AICPIN to be released from August 2019 to December 2019 to know the exact rate of DA from January 2020.
However, using the tool given below, we can calculate the expected DA from January 2020 approximately
EXPECTED DA CALCULATOR
Month/ YearCPI(IW)
BY2001=100
DA%
Monthly Increase
Jan 201930713.39
Feb 201930713.99
Mar 201930914.66
Apr 201931215.5
May 201931416.3
June 201931617.09
Jul 201931917.65
Aug 2019
Sept 2019
Oct 2019
Nov 2019
Dec 2019
                   
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Expected DA – AICPIN for the month of July 2019

Expected DA – AICPIN for the month of July 2019

No. 5/112019-CPI 
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT 
LABOUR BUREAU
‘CLEREMONT’, SHIMLA-171004
DATED: 30th August, 2019
Press Release
Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – July, 2019
The All-India CPI-IW for July, 2019 increased by 3 points and pegged at 319 (three hundred and nineteen). On I-month percentage change, it increased by (+) 0.95 per cent between June, 2019 and July, 2019 when compared with the increase of (+) 3.44 per cent between the corresponding months of previous year.
The maximum upward pressure to the change in current index came from Housing group contributing (+) 2.00 percentage points to the total change. The Food index further accentuated the overall index by (+) 0.91 percentage points. At item level, Wheat & Wheat Atta, Arhar Dal, Groundnut Oil, Goat Meat, Pure Ghee, Garlic, Ginger, Onion, Brinjal, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Gourd, Green Coriander Leaves, Mango (Ripe), Palak, Potato, Tomato, Torai, Electricity Charges, Petrol, etc. are responsible for the increase in index. However, this increase was checked by Rice, Fish Fresh, Poultry Chicken, Coconut, French Bean, Lemon, Cooking Gas, etc., putting downward pressure on the index.
The year-on-year inflation based on CPI-IW stood at 5.98 per cent for July, 2019 as compared to 8.59 per cent for the previous month and 5.61 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 4.78 per cent against 5.47 per cent of the previous month and (-) 0.32 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.
At centre level Haldia observed the maximum increase of 23 points followed by Ranchi-Hatia (13 points), Jaipur (11 points), Jharia & Nagpur (10 points each) and Goa & Munger-Jamalpur (9 points each). Among others, 8 points increase was observed in 6 centres, 7 points in 4 centres, 6 points in 2
centres, 5 points in 8 centres, 4 points in 7 centres, 3 points in 8 centres, 2 points in 10 centres and 1 point in 7 centres. On the contrary, Coimbatore recorded a maximum decrease of 6 points. Among others, 3 points decrease was observed in 2 centres, 2 points in 3 centres and 1 point in 7 centres. Rest of the 6 centres’ indices remained stationary.
The indices of 34 centres are above All-India Index and 43 centres’ indices are below national average. The index of Rourkela centre remained at par with All-India Index.
The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of August, 2019 will be released on Monday 30th September, 2019. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureaunew.gov. in.
Sd/-
(AMRIT LAL JANGID)
DEPUTY DIRECTOR

aicpin-july-2019-press-note
AICPIN-for-the-month-of-july-2019
Source: labour bureau
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Seven Changes In Income Tax Laws With Effect From September 1, 2019

Seven Changes In Income Tax Laws With Effect From September 1, 2019

Income tax related changes announced in the Budget usually come into effect from April 1. However, since the full Budget for FY 2019-20 was presented in July this year after the general elections, there are certain tax changes that will come into effect from September 1, 2019.
Here are the main changes in tax laws that will come into effect from September 1.
TDS on additional payments made when purchasing immovable property
From September 1, 2019, while buying a property, you will have to include the payment made for other services or amenities such as club membership fee, car parking fee, electricity and water facility fee and so on when computing the amount paid for the property for the purpose of deducting TDS.
Chartered Accountant Naveen Wadhwa, DGM, Taxmann.com says, “Previously, tax was deducted by the buyer from the payment made for the purchase of property. However, other payments such as club membership fees etc. were usually subtracted from the total consideration to compute the amount of TDS. The primary reason for this stems from the fact that ‘consideration for immovable property’ was not defined properly in the Income Tax Act. Remember, the TDS will continue to be deducted at the rate of one per cent if the value of the property exceeds Rs 50 lakh.”
TDS on cash withdrawals from bank account
Cash withdrawals exceeding Rs 1 crore on aggregate basis during the year from an account held with a bank, cooperative bank or post office will invite levy of TDS from September 1. The move is aimed at discouraging large cash transactions and also to promote a less cash economy.
A new section 194N has been inserted in the Income Tax Act which defines that TDS will be levied at the rate of two per cent on cash withdrawals made from the account.
TDS on payments made by individuals and HUFs to contractors and professionals
From September 1, individuals and HUFs making a payment to contractors and professionals exceeding Rs 50 lakh in aggregate per annum will also be required to deduct TDS at the rate of 5 per cent.
This would mean that individuals making payments over this limit for house renovation, wedding functions or for any other purpose to a single professional in a year would be required to deduct tax at the time of making the payment.
A new section 194N has been inserted in the Income Tax Act for this purpose. However, in order to provide ease of compliance, individuals and HUFs, deducting the tax will not be required to obtain TAN (tax deduction account number). The new law will be applicable to all the payments made by the individual whether for personal use or for business purposes (in case their accounts are not required to be audited.)
TDS on non-exempt portion of life insurance
If life insurance maturity proceeds received by you are taxable in your hands, then TDS will be deducted at the rate of five per cent on the net income portion. The net income portion is defined as the total sum received less of total amount of insurance premium paid.
Currently, proceeds received at the maturity of a life insurance policy are exempted from tax if the annual premium paid does not exceed 10 per cent (20 per cent in case of insurance policies sold prior to April 2012) of the sum assured.
Wadhwa says, “If the maturity proceeds received by an individual are taxable, then TDS will be deducted only on the net income portion and not on the total amount paid. Remember TDS will be deducted at the rate of 5 per cent in case the taxable proceeds, i.e., net income portion exceeds Rs 1 lakh. Prior to this TDS was deducted at the rate of 1 per cent on the total amount paid.”
Banks and FIs can be asked to report even small transactions
Till now banks and other financial institutions are required to report specified financial transactions if the amount exceeded the threshold limit. In most of the reportable transactions, the limit has been Rs 50,000 or more. These transactions were to be reported to the income tax department through a Statement of Financial Transactions (SFT) required to be filed by all banks and FIs.
However, the government has widened the scope of reporting requirement for such transactions by removing the minimum floor of Rs 50,000, above which financial transactions are required to be reported. This has been done via legislation introduced in the last budget. This means that from September 1, banks and FIs can be asked to report even small transactions to the tax department which in turn can use the data to check your ITR.
Wadhwa adds, “Previously, the tax department could ask for a report of transactions of individuals equal to or more than Rs 50,000. However, this floor of Rs 50,000 has been removed in the budget of July 2019 enabling the income tax department to ask for information about small transactions as well. Thus, the CBDT can now require reporting of transaction even if the value of such transaction is nominal.”
If PAN is not linked with Aadhaar
As per rules existing prior to changes announced in July Budget 2019 PAN would have become invalid if not linked with Aadhaar by a specified deadline. This would have meant that in case of a person’s PAN becoming invalid, it would be treated as if the person never had a PAN.
However, to protect the validity of previous transactions done using the PAN, Budget 2019 changed the rules such that PAN will become now become inoperative but not invalid if not linked with Aadhaar by the specified deadline.
“However, the government is yet to clarify the rules regarding what will happen if the PAN becomes inoperative if not linked with Aadhaar,” adds Wadhwa.
Inter-changeability of PAN and Aadhaar and mandatory quoting in prescribed transactions
Another important announcement in Budget 2019 was inter-changeability of PAN and Aadhaar. “However, Aadhaar can be quoted in lieu of PAN only for certain prescribed transactions. Though the new law comes into effect from September 1, the government is yet to notify the certain prescribed transactions,” adds Wadhwa.
Source: economictimes
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IRCTC Air Provides LTC To All Government Employees On Domestic And International Flight Bookings

IRCTC Air Provides LTC To All Government Employees On Domestic And International Flight Bookings


In a major announcement, IRCTC Air is providing Leave Travel Concession (LTC) to all government employees on domestic and international flight bookings. The news was confirmed by IRCTC through its official Twitter handle.
In a Tweet, IRCTC Air quoted, “IRCTC Air provides Leave Travel Concession (LTC) to all government employees on domestic and international flight bookings. Just select LTC tab while booking flights and provide your valid govt. ID number in order to avail special fares. visit air.irctc.co.in.”
IRCTC
@IRCTCofficial
IRCTC Air provides Leave Travel Concession (LTC) to all government employees on domestic and international flight bookings. Just select LTC tab while booking flights and provide your valid govt. ID number in order to avail special fares. visit http://www.air.irctc.co.in 

View image on Twitter
To avail special fare under LTC, government employees will have to select “LTC tab” on the official website of IRCTC while booking flights. They will also have to provide valid ID number issued by the government.
Source: indiatvnews
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New Personal Income Tax Slabs: Task Force Has Proposed 5 Rates To Govt

New Personal Income Tax Slabs: Task Force Has Proposed 5 Rates To Govt


A government-appointed task force earlier this month submitted its report to the Finance Ministry on new Direct Tax Code, which seeks to replace the existing Income Tax Act. Though its details are yet to be made public, news agency IANS, citing sources, has reported that the task force has proposed many changes to the Income Tax Act, which dates back 58 years. The task force has not recommended raising of the income tax exemption limit from the current level of ₹2.5 lakh but has suggested five tax brackets of 5%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 35%, the report said. Currently, there are three tax slabs: 5%, 20% and 30%.
The tax force on Direct Tax Code has not suggested any change in the 5% tax bracket or the current rebate of ₹12,500, says the report.
Those earning between between ₹5 lakh and ₹10 lakh per year, says the report, may have to pay lower 10% income tax, if the recommendations of this high-level tax force are accepted.
The tax force has also recommended lowering of the personal income tax for those earning between ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh per year to 20%.
The panel, says the report, has recommended those earning above ₹20 lakh and till ₹2 crore to remain at current level of 30%. It has also proposed introducing a new 35% tax tax bracket of 35% for those earning above ₹2 crore in a year while doing away with the surcharge.
Currently, personal income is taxed at 5% for income between ₹2.5 and ₹5 lakh, at 20% for income between ₹5 lakh and ₹10 lakh, and 30% for an income of over ₹10 lakh. But those earning up to ₹5 lakh annually get a rebate of up to ₹12,500 on the taxes paid, effectively making income of up to ₹5 lakh tax-free.
Income tax slabs as recommended by the task force, as reported by IANS:
Up to ₹2.5 lakh – Exempted
Up to ₹5 lakh – 5% (rebate up to ₹12,500)
₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh – 10%
₹10 lakh – ₹20 lakh – 20%
₹20 lakh to ₹2 crore – 30%
₹2 crore and above – 35%
Current Income Tax Slabs for individuals below the age of 60
Up to ₹2,50,000 – Nil
₹2,50,000 to ₹5,00,000 – 5%
₹5,00,000 to Rs. 10,00,000 – 20%
Above ₹10,00,000 – 30%
(Surcharge and health and education cess as applicable. In 2019-20 Budget, the government had increased surcharge from 15% to 25% on taxable income between ₹2 crore and ₹5 crore, and from 15% to 37% for income above ₹5 crore)
Source: livemint
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Friday 30 August 2019

Winners of Photography Competition on theme Gandhian Heritage in Modern India

Winners of Photography Competition on theme Gandhian Heritage in Modern India


Winners of Photography Competition on theme Gandhian Heritage in Modern India

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Guidelines for correspondence through proper channel

Guidelines for correspondence through proper channel


Guidelines for correspondence through proper channel

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Rescheduling of date of 31st meeting of SCOVA under the chairmanship of Hon'ble MOS(PP)

Rescheduling of date of 31st meeting of SCOVA under the chairmanship of Hon'ble MOS(PP)

Rescheduling of date of 31st meeting of SCOVA under the chairmanship of Hon'ble MOS(PP)

42/03/2019-P&PW (D)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, P.G and Pensions 
Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare
3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, 
Khan Markel, New Delhi- I I 0003

Date: 30th Aug, 2019

To

All the Pensioners' Associations included in the SCOVA 
vide Resolution dated 31.01.2018 (copy enclosed)

ub:- 31st meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) under the chairmanship of Hon'ble MOS(PP)-Rescheduling of date
Please refer lo this Department 's letter of even no. dated 30.07.2019 regarding holding of 3 l st meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) under the Chairmanship of Hon'ble MOS (PP). Owing to some administrative reasons, the 31st SCOVA meeting has been rescheduled to a new date. Details of the meeting are as under:-
Date and Time : 05th September, 2019 (Thursday)
Registration/Tea: 9.30 am to 10.30 am
Commencement of Meeting :­ 10.30 am
Venue: Committee Room-A, Vigyan Bhawan Annexe Maulana Azad Road, New Delhi

2. Because of the constraint of the space, only one representative may attend the above said meeting. It is requested that the name of the member nominated to attend the meeting may kindly be sent to the undersigned.

3 Only one outstation member will be paid TA/DA and local members will be paid conveyance charges in accordance with the rules/instructions. Outstation members will be paid TA/DA as per their last entitlement on retirement. Representatives of Pensioners Associations who are entitled for journey by air and also entitled to journey by air as per this Department 's letter no. 42/11/2014-P&PW(G) dated 19.05.2014 may purchase their Air Tickets from Air India only (at Booking Counters/website of Air India) or by utilising the services of authorised travel agency i.e Balmer Lawrie & Company/IRCTC/M/s Ashok Travels & Tours.

4. In connection with para 3 above, the cancellation charges will be reimbursed to the SCOVA members who had booked their tickets for attending the meeting on 06th Sept,2019 on submission of both cancelled and new tickets.

5. It is requested to fill up the Mandate form enclosed. The TA/TA reimbursement would be made through e-payment mode afterwards.

Encl: as above

Sd/-
(Charanjit Taneja) 
Under Secretary to the Government of India

31st+scova+meeting+rescheduled+order+30-08-2019

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