Saturday, December 25, 2021


 

 

SETTING UP OF CGHS WELLNESS CENTRES:

RAJYA SABHA

 

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1853
TO BE ANSWERED ON 14THDECEMBER, 2021

SETTING UP OF CGHS WELLNESS CENTRES

1853. SHRI ABDUL WAHAB:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that there are only two or three CGHS Wellness Centres functioning in the States other than big Metros;

(b) the details of CGHS Wellness Centres, State-wise;

(c) whether it is also a fact that the CGHS beneficiaries, retired/serving, across the country are subjected to travel hundreds of kilometers to obtain medical facilities for want of adequate Centres; and

(d) whether Government will contemplate any action to set up more CGHS Wellness Centres at least in all the district headquarters of all the States so as to contain the difficulties faced by the beneficiaries including the Parliamentarians?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (d): At present, 333 CGHS Wellness Centres are functional in 74 cities of the country covering most of the States and Union Territories. State wise details thereof are at Annexure.

In view of the country wide network of CGHS Wellness Centres, a large number of serving Central Government employees and pensioners are covered by it.

Serving Central Government employees residing in non-CGHS areas are covered under CS (MA) Rules 1944. Central Govt. Pensioners residing in non-CGHS areas have the following options:

1) Avail Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) in lieu of OPD facility or
2) Avail OPD & IPD facility from the nearest CGHS city on payment of requisite subscription 
or
3) Avail FMA in lieu of OPD facility & avail IPD facility from the nearest CGHS city on payment of requisite subscription.

Opening of new wellness centres is subject to fulfilment of norms and availability of resources including creation of posts with the approval of Ministry of Finance.     Source: Rajya Sabha

Friday, December 24, 2021

 

Greetings on the Eve of Christmas

ON THE AUSPICIOUS OCCASION OF CHRISTMAS WARM GREETINGS AND BEST WISHES

क्रिसमस की पूर्व संध्या पर

 क्रिसमस के शुभ अवसर पर, हार्दिक बधाई और शुभकामनाएं

Monday, December 20, 2021

 COMMITTEE ON THE WELFARE OF SCHEDULED CASTES & SCHEDULED TRIBES (2021-2022)

NINTH REPORT

CLICK HERE  FOR COPY & DETAILS (28 pages)

Saturday, December 18, 2021

 PRESS NEWS

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Public Awareness Initiatives aimed at Pensioners’ Welfare across the country 

Posted On: 16 DEC 2021 3:39PM by PIB Delhi 

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said,  during the last four years, Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has conducted 5 Pensioners’ Awareness Workshops towards the schemes aimed at Pensioners’ Welfare across the country.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today, DrJitendra Singh informed that apart from 5 workshops, 15 Pre-retirement Counseling (PRCs) Workshops and 8 Workshops for Training of Trainers (TOTs) were also conducted during the period.

The Department also utilizes the Social Media Platforms i.e., Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Awareness regarding important orders as well as pension rules are done through social media for the benefit of pensioners. Theme-based series of Tweets in Q & A form were carried on ‘Family Pension’ Rules, Know your retirement benefits, Life Certificate Rules etc. Family Pension entitlements and Doorstep Service for Digital Life Certificate (DLC) carried out through short animated videos on YouTube.

The Minister also informed that the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, has been conducting online conferences/ interactions for the pensioners. The conferences included the following:

  1. An online workshop covering Pensioners from ten (10) different cities of Northern region was held on 07.09.2021. Another workshop was held on 28.10.2021 which covered pensioners from various cities in India.
  2. Pension Rules and use of Digital Life Certificate (JeevanPramaan) were demonstrated during both the workshops.
  1. First ever on-line All India Pension Adalat held in December 2020 by leveraging technology through Video Conferencing.
  2. For ensuring preventive health care of pensioners living in 20 Indian cities, an online programme was organized during which Yoga professional gave a demonstration to Pensioners in order to boost immunity during lockdown and to stay fit.
  3. To address the psychological health of pensioners, this Department had scheduled an interactive session on the topic “Power of Thoughts and Meditation in COVID-19 pandemic”.

 

 The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has released the following e-publications for Ease of Pensioners:

i.       A handbook on Family Pension

ii.       Compendiums 2019 & 2020

iii.      Consolidated instructions on 7th CPC related orders

iv.      Clickable e-book on Retirement benefits.

   vi.        Ease of Life for Pensioners-Digital Life Certificate. 

 

SNC/RR (Release ID: 1782230) 

Saturday, December 11, 2021

Confederation of Central government employees and workers

charter of demands

1.     Payment of Arrears of DA/DR withheld from January -2020 to June-2021.

2..     Scrap New Contributory Pension Scheme (NPS).  Restore old defined benefit Pension Scheme (OPS) to all employees.  Guarantee 50% of the last pay drawn as minimum pension.

 

3..     (a)     Scrap the draconian FR 56((j) & (i) and Rule 48 of CCS (Pension) Rules 1972.  Stop terrorizing and victimising employees.

      (b)     Withdraw the attack against the recognised status of Associations and Federations.

          (c)     Withdraw the anti-worker Wage/Labour codes and other anti-labour reforms.

          (d)     Stop attack on trade union rights.

 

4.   (a)     Implement five year wage revision and Pension revision to Central Government employees and Pensioners.  Appoint 8th Central Pay Commission and revise the Pay, Allowances and Pensionary benefits of Central Government employees and Pensioners with effect from 01-01-2021.

         (b)     Honour the assurance given by Group of Ministers (GoM) to NJCA leaders on 30-06-2016.  Increase minimum pay and fitment formula recommended by 7th CPC.  Grant HRA arrears from 01-01-2016.

         (c)     Withdraw “Very Good” bench mark for MACP, grant promotional heirarchy and date of effect of MACP from 01-01-2006.

          (d)     Grant Option-1 parity recommended by 7th CPC to all Central Govt. Pensioners.  Grant one notional increment to those who retired on 30th June.

           (e)     Settle all anomalies arisen out of 7th CPC implementation.

 

5.      Stop ban on creation of new posts.  Fill up all seven lakhs vacant  posts in Central Government departments in a time bound manner.  Scrap National Recruitment Agency and introduce Department wise recruitment and Regional recruitment for Group B and C posts. .

 

6.      Stop Corporatisation and privatisation of Railways, Defence, Printing & Stationery Department and Postal Departments.  Withdraw closure/merger orders of Govt. of India Printing Presses and Postal Stores depots/Postal Stamp depots.  Stop proposed move to close down  department.  Stop outsourcing and closure of Govt. establishments.

 

      7.      Regularisation of Gramin Dak Sevaks and grant of Civil Servants status. Implement remaining positive recommendations of Kamalesh Chandra Committee Report.

 

       8.       Regularise all casual and contract workers including those joined service on or after 01-09-1993.

 

9.      Settle all Covid-19 related issues pertaining to Central Govt. employees and Pensioners on top priority basis.  Treat the period of absence during lock down as duty.  Grant full wages to casual, part-time, contingent and contract workers during the lock down period. Payment of Compensation Rs. 20 lakh to family of deceased died due to Corona.

 

10.   Grant equal pay for equal work for all.  Remove disparity in pay scales between Central Secretariat staff and similarly placed staff working in field units of various departments.

 

11.   Implement 7th CPC wage revision and pension revision to remaining Auton- omous body employees and pensioners.  Ensure payment of full arrears without further delay.  Grant Bonus to Autonomous body employees pending from 2016-17 onwards.

 

12.    Remove arbitrary 5% ceiling imposed on compassionate appointments.  Grant appointment in all eligible cases.

 

13.    Grant five time-bound promotions to all Group B & C employees.  Complete cadre review in all departments in a time bound manner.

 

14.    Ensure prompt functioning of various negotiating forums under the JCM Scheme at all levels.

(R. N. Parashar)

Secretary General

 

 

 Comrades,

The National Convention on Strike on 23-24 February 2022, which was scheduled on 11th January 2022 has now been deferred to 12th January 2022.

 This will be held jointly by Confederation / NFPE.

Comrades are requested to book their tickets to attend the Convention at New Delhi on 12 January 2022.

Com K Hemlata, President, CITU will inaugurate the Convention. 

Other leaders of Central trade unions will also address

  Secretary General

Confederation / NFPE.

Friday, December 10, 2021

 

DETERMINATION OF PAY/EMOLUMENTS FOR CALCULATION OF FAMILY PENSION AND DEATH GRATUITY WHERE A GOVERNMENT SERVANT DIES DURING CURRENCY OF A PENALTY

 (CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW)

https://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D3/D03ppw/1_15_2020_P_PW%20_E_09122021iQN2Q.pdf

 

 

 


 



Tuesday, December 7, 2021

 COUNTRYWIDE GENERAL STRIKE ON

23-24 FEBRUARY, 2022

Call of the NATIONAL CONVENTION OF WORKERS
 held on 11TH November 2021, Jantar Mantar, New Delhi

6th December, 2021, New Delhi:

The Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and Independent sectoral All India Federations and Associations met in Delhi on 3rd December, 2021 and finalized the dates for the Countrywide 2-days’ General Strike, on 23-24 February 2022 during the budget session of the Parliament as announced by the National Convention of Workers held on 11th November 2021 at New Delhi, against the anti-people, anti-worker and anti-national destructive policies of the BJP Govt. at the centre.

The main slogan of the strike will be SAVE THE PEOPLE AND SAVE THE NATION.

It was decided to hold joint preparatory public meetings in co-ordination with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) leadership, especially in the states that are to go to polls in the beginning of 2022, to strengthen the call of “Mission UP”, “Mission Uttarakhand” given by the SKM. The Joint Platform of Trade Unions & Federations reiterated its continued proactive support to the programmes and struggles decided by SKM, following repeal of the Farm Laws.

The State Units of the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and Independent Sectoral Federations will carry out intensive campaign jointly through various forms – such as state conventions, human chains, torchlight processions, signature campaigns, sectoral and area-based joint campaign and agitation etc- to expose the consequences of the anti-worker, anti-farmer, anti–people, pro-corporate and anti-national destructive policies by the Govt. of India which have brought the lives and livelihood of the entire people and also the country’s economy to the brink of disaster. Already many struggles and agitations are going on in many sectors on the same issues at the initiative of the constituents of Joint Platform. The Joint Platform also welcomes and supports the decision of two days countrywide strike in Banks on 16-17 December 2021 as decided by United Forum of Bank Unions and also the strike decision by Electricity Employees’ joint forum on 1st February 2022-all against privatization move and retrograde legislative move in that direction.   Our United Struggle is not only to save the rights and lives/livelihood of people but also save the country’s economy and the entire democratic system and the society as a whole from disaster and destruction being engineered by the authoritarian forces in governance with the active support of private corporate, both domestic and foreign and decisively defeat the disastrous policy regime and their political operators in governance.  

The farmers' movement has snatched a historic victory by forcing the arrogant Modi govt. to repeal the 3 farm laws. Now the cross sections of the Working People must heighten their united intervention further to demand a halt to this process of assault on lives and livelihood, employment, alarming intensity of impoverishment and hunger, assault on democracy and also unity of the people and thereby save our dear nation from disaster.

We have to demand from all political parties of the nation to incorporate “protection of right to work, living wage, free quality health-care and education-facility to all citizens and all legitimate constitutional rights” as a firm commitment in their political manifestos for the coming assembly elections in 2022 and for the elections scheduled for 2024 and take oath publicly to fulfill their assurances and to support the demands of workers, farmers and all people of the country if they come to power.

The recent repeal of 3 Farm Laws and marginal reduction in central taxes on petrol/diesel in the face of determined long-drawn united struggles by the farmers along with countrywide solidarity actions by the working people and people at large demonstrating rising popular anger and unrest, is also a reflection cum reaction under compulsion of the debacle faced by the ruling party in the centre in the recent by-elections. And therefore, intensification of the united struggle in continuity determined to combat and defeat the anti-people policies and the regime is the way before us. Let that determination be demonstrated in the forthcoming countrywide two days’ general strike.

We have to heighten our united struggle resolutely pressing for our demands, particularly for

  1. Scrapping the Labour Codes; Scrapping of EDSA (Essential Defence Services Act)
  2. Accept 6-point charter of demands, post repeal of Farm Laws, of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha,
  3. No to Privatisation in any form and scrap the NMP;
  4. Food and Income Support of Rs 7500 per month to non-income tax paying households;
  5. Increased allocation for MNREGA and extension of Employment guarantee Scheme to urban areas;
  6. Universal social security for all informal sector workers;
  7. Statutory Minimum wage and social security for Anganwadi, ASHA, Mid-day-meal and other Scheme workers;
  8. Proper protection and insurance facilities for frontline workers serving the people in the midst of pandemic;
  9. Increase in public investment in agriculture, education, health and other crucial public utilities by taxing the rich through wealth tax etc in order to revive and revamp the national economy;
  10.  Substantial reduction in Central Excise duty on petroleum product and concrete remedial measure to arrest price rise. 
  11. Regularisation of contract workers,  scheme workers and equal pay for equal work for all
  12. Cancellation of NPS and restoration of old pension; substantial increase in minimum pension under Employees’ Pension Scheme

Along with other demands already formulated and being pressed for and pursued by the Joint Platform of CTUs and Federations/Associations.

 

Forward to the 2-days countrywide General Strikes on 23-24 February 2022

 during the Budget Session of Parliament

 

“SAVE THE PEOPLE AND SAVE THE NATION”.

     

And Independent Sectoral Federations/Associations

Sunday, December 5, 2021

 VIOLATION OF CENTRAL CIVIL SERVICES (CONDUCT RULES), 1964: DOP&T ORDER ON FORWARDING OF TRANSFER REQUESTS BY MINISTERS/MPS  (CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW)

https://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D2/D02csd/CCS%20conductRgkuD.pdf

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F.No.7/3/2020-CS.1 (A)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)

2nd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan,
Khan Market, New Delhi-110003

Dated the 3rd December, 2021

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Violation of Central Civil Services (Conduct Rules), 1964—reg.

 

This Department has been receiving numerous inter-cadre transfer requests on personal/medical grounds to attach/outstation offices of various Ministries/Departments in the grade of ASO in CSS Cadre. Many times, these requests of ASOs are being forwarded from Hon’ble Minister/ Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha)/other designated authority for their favourable consideration.

 

2. The said conduct is clearly a violation of Rule 20 of CCS (Conduct Rules), 1964 which states the following:

 

No Government servant shall bring or attempt to bring any political or other outside influence to bear upon any superior authority to further his interests in respect of matters pertaining to his service under the Government.

 

3. The Competent Authority has taken a serious view in the matter. It is informed that all such acts will invite appropriate action including disciplinary action, as per extant rules in all such cases.

(George D. Toppo)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Tel: 24642705

 

To,     The Ministry/Department of Central Secretariat Service (CSS) (through

           DOPT website)

 

Friday, December 3, 2021

 LITIGATION FOR OLD PENSION SCHEME

पुरानी पेंशन योजना के लिए मुकदमा 

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
(DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERS’ WELFARE)
RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 610
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2021)

LITIGATION FOR OLD PENSION SCHEME

610 SHRI NEERAJ SHEKHAR:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) whether Supreme Court has dismissed more than half dozen SLPs and Review Petitions and ordered that Central Government officials whose advertisements were issued before 01/01/2004 and joining and results occurred after 31.12.2003 be reverted to old pension scheme;

(b) if so, whether officials of Government are deliberately advising for lame litigation in each case even after dismissal of SLPs and Review Petitions at admission stage without hearing by Supreme Court, to tarnish pro-public image of Government by harassing its own officials and not issuing general orders for similar cases; and

(Cc) if not, the reasons for litigation in each case?

ANSWER

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)

(a): Hon’ble Supreme Court has dismissed some of SLPs filed by Union of India against the orders of Hon’ble High Court of Delhi allowing benefit of old pension scheme to those Government servants whose selection process was completed after 01.01.2004.

(b) & (c): National Pension System (NPS) was introduced for Central Government employees by a Notification of Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) dated 22nd December, 2003. NPS is mandatory for all new recruits to the Central Government service from 1st January, 2004 (except the armed forces).

In view of the specific provisions of the Notification dated 22.12.2003, the date of advertisement for the vacancies is not considered relevant for determining the eligibility for coverage under the Old Pension Scheme or the National Pension System.

भारत सरकार
कार्मिक, लोक शिकायत एवं पेंशन मंत्रालय
(पेंशन और पेंशनभोगी कल्याण विभाग )

राज्यसभा
अतारांकित प्रश्न संख्या 610
(दिनांक 02.12.2021 को उत्तर दिया जाना है)

पुरानी पेंशन योजना के लिए मुकदमा

610 श्री नीरज शेखर :

क्या प्रधानमंत्री यह बताने की कृपा करेंगे कि:

(क) कया उच्चतम न्यायालय ने आधा दर्जन से अधिक एसएलपी और समीक्षा याचिकाओं को खारिज कर दिया है और आदेश दिया है कि केंद्र सरकार के अधिकारी जिनकी भर्ती के लिए विज्ञापन 01/01/2004 से पहले जारी किए गए थे और उनके परिणाम की घोषणा और उनकी नियुक्ति 31.12.2003 के बाद हुई थी, उन्हें पुरानी पेंशन योजना का लाभ दिया जाये;

(ख) यदि हां, तो क्‍या उच्चतम न्यायालय द्वारा सुनवाई किए बिना एसएलपी और समीक्षा याचिकाओं को प्रवेश स्तर पर खारिज करने के बाद भी सरकार के अधिकारी प्रत्येक मामले में अपने ही अधिकारियों को परेशान करके जान बूझकर झूठे मुक़दमेबाज़ी की सलाह दे रहे हैं, ताकि सरकार की जन-समर्थक छवि को धूमिल किया जा सके और समान मामलों के लिए सामान्य आदेश जारी नहीं करना पड़े; और

(ग) यदि नहीं, तो प्रत्येक मामले में मुक़दमेबाज़ी के क्या कारण हैं?

उत्तर

कार्मिक, लोक शिकायत एवं पेंशन मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री और प्रधानमंत्री कार्यालय में राज्य मंत्री (डा. जितेंद्र सिंह)

(क) माननीय उच्चतम नन्‍्यायात्रय ने, उन सरकारी कर्मचारियों को, जिनकी चयन प्रक्रिया 01.01.2004 के बाद पूरी हुई थी पुरानी पेंशन योजना का लाभ देने की अनुमति देने वाले माननीय दिल्ली उच्च न्यायालय के आदेशों के विरुद्ध केंद्र सरकार द्वारा दायर कुछ एसएलपी को खारिज कर दिया है।

(ख) और (ग) वित्त मंत्रालय (आर्थिक कार्य विभाग) के दिनांक 22 दिसम्बर, 2003 की अधिसूचना द्वारा राष्ट्रीय पेंशन प्रणाली(एनपीएस) को लागू किया गया था। दिनांक 01.01.2004 से केंद्रीय सरकार की सेवा में हुई सभी नई भर्तियों (सशस्त्र बलों को छोड़कर) के लिए राष्ट्रीय पेंशन प्रणाली(एनपीएस) अनिवार्य है। दिनांक 22.12.2003 की अधिसूचना के विशिष्ट उपबंधों को ध्यान में रखते हुए, पुरानी पेंशन योजना या राष्ट्रीय पेंशन प्रणाली के तहत कवर किए जाने के लिए, पात्रता निर्धारित करने के लिए रिक्तियों के लिए विज्ञापन की तारीख को प्रासंगिक नहीं माना जाता है।

Source: Rajya Sabha

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