Official organ of National Federation of Railway Pensioners
Official organ of
National Federation of Railway
Pensioners
Tributes to a Great Trade unionist
Com. Umraomal Prohit, President AIRF and Secretary Staff Side
JCM attained the Lotus feet of Lord almighty on 27th February, 2014 at about 5.00 AM . He was 85 years of age. He
entered the trade union movement in the early fifties and became General
Secretary of Western Railway Employees Union in 1958. His upward movement
continued till he became President of AIRF. He was one of the most sincere
trade unionists and was always trying to settle issues peacefully. People who
were fortunate to work alongside Com. Prohit admire his skill for negotiating
with the administration on all matters concerning the working class. His great
skills of negotiations in the capacity of Secretary/ JCM (Staff side) brought rich
benefits to the Railway employees. In the JCM National council and other
negotiating machineries, he commanded great respect and was able to achieve
better working conditions and wages for Railway men. His death has resulted in
a big loss for the railway employees and a huge void in trade union fraternity.
NFRP express our heart felt condolences to the bereaved family. May the
departed soul rest in peace.
The
population of Central Government Employees, pensioners, family pensioners and
their family members in our country, is stated to be around 2.5 crores. The
grievances of such a sizeable population can not be ignored by any socialistic
Government. There is a strong demand from this population to merge 50 per cent
dearness allowance (DA/DR) with the basic pay/Pension which will benefit
approximately 50 lakh employees and 30 lakh pensioners. There was a token
strike recently by a section of Central Government employees to press the
government for conceding this demand among other things. The strike was a big success
according to Confederation of Central Government Employees. The railway
employees did not participate in the strike. That brings to mind the last
general strike by railway employees in 1974. That strike totally paralyzed the
railway system for nearly two weeks. The over whelming success of that strike
was a major reason for the Government taking serious note of the service
condition of the railway employees and bringing in changes in the nature of
working of essential categories, improving their emoluments etc. Thousands of Railway employees who took part
in the strike were victimized. They are among those who are now pensioners.
Present day employees may not be aware of the sufferings undergone by them
during the strike and the period that followed. A torch bearer of railway
pensioners’ organizations, Shri. V.S.Devasundaram relentlessly fought to get
dearness relief for pensioners. Shri.D.S.Nakara obtained the land mark verdict
from Supreme Court, that pension is a rightful entitlement of employees on
their retirement. Even though the railway employees did not get involved in the
recent strike, they are among the Central Government employees association
demanding the merger of 50% DA with basic pay. Almost all pensioners’
associations are also demanding merger of 50% DR with basic pension and allow
consequential benefits. The government was denying the same on the plea that 6th
Central Pay commission has not recommended the merger. NFRP’s representation on
this subject was also replied
by the Secretary, Expenditure of the Government of India on the above
lines. We were expecting that the
government would announce the merger of 50% DR while presenting the Vote on
Account in Parliament, but this did not happen. At the same time, we are
extremely happy that the government has come forward to implement “one rank-
one pension” to our Defence personnel. With the government set to complete its
term in May 2014, we may have to wait till the new government assumes charge.
The burden of pension can not be cited as cause of the inflation because
pension is paid from the amount deducted from our salaries when we were in
service. To highlight these issues, a dharna was conducted by Bharath
Pensioners Samaj and its MoU partners AIPFA, NFRP, AISCC etc at New Delhi on 24th
February 2014. The dharna was a huge success. More than 2000 pensioners took
part in the dharna. Shri.Prakash Javdekar of BJP addressed the gathering and
assured all support to pensioners. NFRP expresses its gratitude to the senior
citizens who participated in the dharna. After the dharna, BPS, AIPFA, NFRP and
AISCC submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister. Meanwhile, the government has
announced 10% additional DA/DR with effect from January 2014. Let us look
forward to more such positive results from this dharna and the
memorandum, even if it means a wait for the formation of new government at the centre.
CHALLENGES BEFORE THE SEVENTH PAY COMMISSION
(The Financial Express dated Feb 18, 2014 )
Challenges before the 7th
Pay Commission- Growth has fallen in the last couple of years, eroding the
revenue, while inflation remains stubbornly high. The new Pay Commission will
have to factor in both concerns.
Why does the Government appoint Pay commission every
decade? : A pay panel is appointed every decade to review and recommend the pay
structure for central government employees taking into consideration various
factors such as cost of living, inflation rate, revenue growth and fiscal
deficit of the government, growth in work force, private sector job scenario
and wages and economic growth. The government has so far appointed six pay
commissions. The demand for a permanent pay commission set up through an ACT of
Parliament has been raised once but it was not accepted by the government.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh approved the constitution of
the 7th Pay Commission – to be headed by retired Supreme Court Judge
Ashok Kumar Mathur – to suggest the extent of hike in salaries of the 7 million
plus central government staff and pensioners with effect from 2016. Petroleum
Secretary Vivek Rae has been appointed as a full-time member, NIPFP director
Rathin Roy will be part- time member and Meena Agarwal will be member-
secretary of the new pay panel.
How did the process of pay hike
evolve? : The pay panel recommendations have evolved with time. The first pay
commission (CPC) adopted the concept of “living wage” to determine the pay
structure of the government staff. The 3rd CPC adopted the concept
of “need-based wage”. The 4th CPC had recommended that the
government constitute a permanent machinery to undertake periodical review of
pay and allowances of its employees, but this was not accepted by the
government. The 6th CPC suggested performance related incentive
scheme (PRIS) to replace ad hoc bonus
and productivity linked bonus schemes. The pay panel also suggested that the
running pay band be extended to all grades of officers. Also, the 6th
pay panel suggested slashing of the number of grades to 20 and one distinct pay
scale for secretaries from the 35 grades existing earlier.
By how much have the public sector
salaries increased every decade following the pay panels’ recommendations? : By and large, the salaries of central
government staff have tripled every decade. The 6th CPC suggested 3
times increase in salaries from the 5th CPC levels – it was 2.6
times for lower grade officials and slightly above 3 for the higher grade
staff. The increase in salary during 5th CPC was 3-3.5 times from
the 4th CPC levels.
What has been the fiscal implication of pay hikes? Government finances have come under strain after
implementations of each CPC. After the fourth CPC, the combined fiscal deficit
of centre and states rose to 9.5% of GDP in FY87 from 7.7% in FY86. The impact
was significantly harsh during the fifth CPC, especially for states—the
combined fiscal deficit rose from 6.1% in FY97 to 7% in FY98 and then to 8.7%
in FY99 with the aggregate deficit of states surging from 2.6% to over 4%. In
the case of the sixth CPC, the government expenditure increased by
about Rs 22,000 crore during 2008-09—Rs 15,700 crore on
the general budget and Rs 6,400 crore on the rail budget. The Rs
18,000 crore arrears were distributed in two years—40% in FY09 and 60% in FY10.
The fiscal implication of sixth CPC coupled with fiscal stimulus in the
form of higher spending and tax cuts after the Lehman crisis,
increased Centre’s fiscal deficit to 6% in FY09 and 6.5% in FY10 from less than
3% in FY08.
What are the challenges before seventh CPC? The new pay panel faces many challenges when it starts the
process of reviewing the pay structures of babus. First, the economic
growth has slowed sharply in the last 10 years—from over 9% between FY06
and FY08 to 4.5% in FY13. This means slower revenue growth and little
room for scaling up expenditure on salaries.
Second,
the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) target has already been
revised more than twice after the Lehman crisis and the new target
for lowering the fiscal deficit target to 3% of GDP in FY17. This again binds
the government to restrict spending on salaries and wages.
Third
and the most important factor, inflation has stayed high in the past few
years—the CPI inflation (CPI-Industrial Workers and the new CPI) has averaged
over 9% in the past eight years, which means cost of living has gone
up significantly and hence necessitates higher compensation for workers. The
dearness allowance of government staff has already touched 100%, which along
with the rise in other allowances have more than
doubled salaries since 2006. Analysts expect the
seventh pay panel to suggest 3-3.5 times hike in salaries across
various grades from sixth CPC levels apart from a further rationalisation of
government staff. Already, direct or permanent jobs in public sector have been
shrinking while engagement of contract labour and outsourcing is on the rise.
This trend is likely to continue given the fiscal imperatives of the
government.
There
is a perception that government salaries should rise faster at the
higher grades and slowly at the lower grades to keep pace with private sector.
It needs to be seen whether the seventh CPC retains the minimum: maximum
ratio at sixth CPC level of 1:12 .
A hike in the ratio should not impinge the fiscal much as the top
level officials—joint secretaries and above—comprise less than 5% of the
overall public sector workforce. The performance related incentives could also
be reviewed to retain talent within the public sector. More than the fiscal implication,
what matters is the productivity of the public sector. For instance, sluggish
clearances needed for large projects have ruined investment and
halved the growth rate in last three years. The silver-lining of the next CPC
could be that it may boost the services sector growth and help revive the
faltering economy from 2016 as higher salaries boost spending on housing,
automobiles and consumer electronics.
Central Government is
expected to ask the seventh pay commission to consider merging 50% dearness
allowance:-
In a bid to woo central government employees ahead of General Elections, the
UPA government is expected to ask the seventh pay commission to consider
merging 50% dearness allowance with basic pay of the employees. This will form
part of the terms of reference (ToR) for the Commission, to be considered by
the Cabinet this week. The Commission may suggest interim relief as well.
Officials said the ToR of the Pay Commission categorically states that a
proposal in this regard should be actively considered.
The hikes will be all
the more appealing as the Centre is expected to increase the dearness allowance
by 10% to 100% by the end of February. Usually, the DA is merged with the basic
pay when the former goes beyond 50%. However, DA is 90%, but it has not been
merged so far. Assuming an employee gets Rs 100 as basic pay and Rs 100 as DA
at present, the basic will rise to Rs 150, even if 50% allowance is merged. A
higher basic pay will also impact the house rent allowance (HRA) of employees as
it is calculated at 30% of the basic pay for central government employees.
Dearness Allowance is
linked to the consumer price index (industrial workers). The government uses
CPI-IW data of the past 12 months to arrive at a quantum for calculating any DA
hike. The allowance will be announced from January. As such, the retail
inflation for industrial workers between January 1 and December 31, 2013 would be used to
take a final call on the matter. The average inflation during this period had
stood at 10.66%.
Earlier this month,
the government had constituted the Pay Commission under the chairmanship of
former Supreme Court Judge Ashok Kumar Mathur. The other members of the panel
are Petroleum Secretary Vivek Rae (full-time member), National Institute of
Public Finance and Policy Director Rathin Roy (part-time member) and Officer on
Special Duty in the Expenditure Department Meena Agarwal (Secretary).
The Commission’s
recommendations would be implemented from January 1, 2016 , officials said. However, it
may recommend interim relief as well, they added. The recommendations of the
Commission, will directly benefit almost 50 lakh employees and 30 lakh
pensioners. Employees of states governments which will adopt the
recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission will also benefit.
Some officials said
the cabinet is also expected to consider another proposal to modify the Prime
Minister’s 15-point programme for minorities which will enable allocation of at
least 15% of the total funds for welfare of minorities in major programmes like
National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), Rashtriya Mahila Shiksha Abhiyan,
Employment and Skill Development.
F.No.18/26/2011-Estt (Pay-I) Government
of India
Department
of Personnel and Training Dated the 6th February, 2014
OFFICE
MEMORANDUM
Subject:-
Recovery of wrongful/excess payments made to Government servants.
The
undersigned is directed to say that the issue of recovery of wrongful/excess
payments made to Government servants has been examined in consultation with the
Department of Expenditure and the Department of Legal Affairs in the light of
the recent judgement of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Chandi Prasad Uniyal And
On vs State Of Uttarakhand And Ors, 2012 AIR SCW 4742, (2012) 8 ‘SCC 417, decided
on 17th August, 2012. The Hon’ble
Court
15.
We are not convinced that this Court in various judgments referred to
hereinbefore has laid down any proposition of law that only if the State or its
officials establish that there was misrepresentation or fraud on the part of
the recipients of the excess pay, then only the amount paid could be recovered.
On the other hand, most of the cases referred to hereinbefore turned on the
peculiar facts and circumstances of those cases either because the recipients
had retired or on the verge of retirement or were occupying lower posts in the
administrative hierarchy.
16. We are
concerned with the excess payment of public money which is often described as
"tax payers money" which belongs neither to the officers who have
effected over-payment nor that of the recipients. We fail to see why the
concept of fraud or misrepresentation is being brought in such situations.
Question to be asked is whether excess money has been paid or not may be due to
a bona fide mistake. Possibly, effecting excess payment of public money by
Government officers may be due to various reasons like negligence,
carelessness, collusion, favouritism etc. because money in such situation does
not belong to the payer or the payee. Situations may also arise where both the
payer and the payee are at fault, then the mistake is mutual. Payments are
being effected in many situations without any authority of law and payments
have been received by the recipients also without any authority of law. Any
amount paid/received without authority of law can always be recovered barring
few exceptions of extreme hardships but not as a matter of right, in such
situations law implies an obligation on the payee to repay the money, otherwise
it would amount to unjust enrichment.
2. Hon’ble Supreme Court also distinguished the cases like
Shyam Babu Verma v UOI, 1994 SCR (1) 700, 1994 SCC (2) 52, Syed Abdul Qadir and
Ors. v. State of Bihar and Ors,(2009) 3 SCC 475, Sahib Ram v. State of
Haryana,1995 Supp (1) SCC 18 etc., where it had not allowed recovery of excess
payment in view of the peculiar facts and circumstances of those cases so as to
avoid extreme hardship to the concerned employees, for example, where the
employees concerned were mostly junior employees, or they had retired or were
on verge of retirement, the employees were not at fault, and recovery which was
ordered after a gap of many years would have caused extreme hardship.
3.
In view of the law declared by Courts and recently reiterated by the Hon’ble
Supreme Court in the above cited case, Chandi Prasad Uniyal And Ors vs State Of
Uttarakhand And Ors, 2012 AIR SCW 4742, (2012) 8 SCC 417, the
Ministries/Departments are advised to deal with the issue of wrongful/excess
payments as follows:
i.
In all cases where the excess payments on account of wrong pay fixation, grant
of scale without due approvals, promotions without following the procedure, or
in excess of entitlements etc come to notice, immediate corrective action must
be taken.
ii.
In a case like this where the authorities decide to rectify an incorrect order,
a show-cause notice may be issued to the concerned employee informing him of
the decision to rectify the order which has resulted in the overpayment, and
intention to recover such excess payments. Reasons for the decision should be
clearly conveyed to enable the employee to represent against the same. Speaking
orders may thereafter be passed after consideration of the representations, if
any, made by the employee.
iii.
Whenever any excess payment has been made on account of fraud,
misrepresentation, collusion, favouritism, negligence or, carelessness, etc.,
roles of those responsible for over payments in such cases, and the employees
who benefited from such actions should be identified, and departmental/criminal
action should be considered in appropriate cases.
iv. Recovery should be made in all
cases of overpayment barring few exceptions of extreme hardships. No waiver of
recovery may be allowed without the approval of Department of Expenditure.
v.
While ordering recovery, all the circumstances of the case should be taken into
account. In appropriate cases, the concerned employee may be allowed to refund
the money in suitable installments with the approval of Secretary in the
Ministry, in consultation with the FA.
vi.
Wherever the relevant rules provide for payment of interest on amounts retained
by the employee beyond the stipulated period etc as in the case of TA, interest
would continue to be recovered from the employee as heretofore. - Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
No.1/44/2009-IR
Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department
of Personnel & Training Dated the 13th February, 2014
OFFICE
MEMORANDUM
Subject: - Electronic Indian Postal
Order-extension of service to Indian Citizens residing in India
In
continuation to this Department’s O.M. of even number dated 22/03/2013, it is
intimated that Department of Posts has extended the “elPO” (electronic Indian
Postal Order) service to Indian citizens residing in India also w.e.f.
13.02.2014, for purchasing Indian Postal Order electronically by paying a fee
online through e-Post Office Portal i.e. http://www.epostofficemov.in . It can
also be accessed through India Post website www.indiapost.qov.in
2.
It is reiterated that:- This facility
has been provided for Indian citizens to facilitate them to seek information
from the Central Public Information Officers (CPIOs) under the RTI Act, 2005.
Debit or Credit Cards of any Bank powered by Visa / Master can be used to
purchase e-IPO.
ii)
The user needs to get registered at the website. He has to select the Ministry
/ Department from whom he desires to seek the information under the RTI Act and
the eIPO so generated can be used to seek information from that Ministry /
Department only. A printout of the eIPO is required to be attached with the RTI
application. If the RTI application is being filed electronically, eIPO is
required to be attached as an attachment
iii)
This facility is only for purchasing an Indian Postal Order electronically. All
the requirements for filing an RTI application as well as other provisions
regarding eligibility, time limit, exemptions etc. will continue to apply.
3.
An elP0 so generated must be used only once with an RTI application. To check
any multiple use of the same elPO, the Public Authority shall maintain a record
of the elPOs so received. In case of any doubt, the details of eIP0 can be
verified from the above mentioned site / portal of India Post. - Sd/(Sandeep Jain) Director(IR)
Profile of Chairman and Members of 7th Pay commission
The
Chairman and its Members of 7th Central Pay Commission have been appointed and
resolution in this regard yet to be published by central government.
Apart
from constitution of pay revising committee, the Terms of Reference of 7th pay
commission would play a vital role in evolving proper pay structure for central
government employees and pensioners and all the employees of state governments
too, as all the state governments have been forced to fallow the 7th CPC
recommendations. Though the pay commission will prepare a questionnaire to get
feedback from all the staff associations, unions and federations and from
common public to work out accordingly to finalize the pay package of government
employees, the attitude of its Members towards functioning of government
organizations and work ethics of government servants will be the deciding
factor in writing the fate of the government servants for the next ten years.
So it is important to know the short profile of Chairman and Members of 7th Pay
Commission to presume the trend of the 7th CPC report
Hon’ble Mr. Justice A.K. Mathur – Chairman Former
Judge
Mr.
Justice Ashok Kumar Mathur, M.A.L.L.B – was born on August 7, 1943 . He was enrolled as an Advocate
of the Rajasthan High Court on October
20, 1967 . He was appointed as Assistant Government advocate and Deputy
Government Advocate on August
2, 1969 and Government Advocate of
Jodhpur from January 31,
1977 to July 12,
1978 . Appointed as Additional Advocate General in 1981. He was
appointed as Additional Judge on July 13, 1985 and permanent Judge of the Rajasthan High
Court on July 23, 1986 .
He was transferred to the Madhya Pradesh High Court on February 18, 1994 . He was appointed
as Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court from February 3, 1996 . Transferred to the Calcutta December 22, 1999 . He was
elevated as Judge, Supreme Court of India on June 7, 2004 . Retired on August 7, 2008 (F.N)
Mr.
Vivek Rae – Member (Full Time) Secretary,
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas , India
Mr.
Vivek Rae took over as Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas in
the month of February, 2013. Mr. Vivek Rae entered the Indian Administrative
Service in 1978, after a brief stint as a
management Trainee with Hindustan Lever Limited (subsidiary of
UnileverLimited). As a civil servant, Mr Rae has acquired wide ranging
experience cutting across social and economic sectors, including health,
education, planning and finance. Mr. Rae served as Deputy Commissioner in the
state of Arunachal Pradesh from 1985 to 1988. Mr. Rae served briefly at the
Prime Minister’s Office during 1989-90 and there after worked as Assistant
Resident Representative with the United National Development Programme, New Delhi Goa during 1996-1999, Planning Secretary in the National
Capital Territory of Delhi during 1999-2001 and Joint Secretary (Plan Finance)
in the Ministry of Finance, Government of India during 2002-2006.
Mr.Rathin
Roy – Member (Part Time) Director,
NIPEP; Mr.Rathin Roy took charge as Director NIPFP in May 2013. Prior to
joining NIPFP, he has been the Director of Asia Pacific Regional Centre, UNDP, Bangkok Brazil School
of Oriental University
of London University of Manchester
Smt.
Meena Agarwal – Secretary, OSD, Department
of Expenditure in Finance Ministry; Smt. Meena Agarwal is a 1980 batch IRAS
officer and wife of Shri OP Agarwal, a 1979 batch ex-IAS, who is now in a
senior position at World Bank. Smt. Meena Agarwal is presently Officer on
Special Duty, Procurement Policy Division, Department of Expenditure, Ministry
of Finance.
7th Central Pay Commission Terms of
Reference
The
Union Cabinet today gave its approval to the Terms of Reference of 7th Central
Pay Commission (CPC) as follows:-
a) To examine, review, evolve and recommend changes that are
desirable and feasible regarding the principles that should govern the
emoluments structure including pay, allowances and other facilities/benefits,
in cash or kind, having regard to rationalization and simplification therein as
well as the specialized needs of various Departments, agencies and services, in
respect of the following categories of employees:-
i.Central Government employees-industrial and
non-industrial;
ii.Personnel belonging to the All India
iii.Personnel of the Union Territories
iv.Officers and employees of
the Indian Audit and Accounts Department;
v.Members of regulatory bodies (excluding the Reserve
Bank of India
vi.Officers and employees of the Supreme Court.
b) To examine, review, evolve and recommend changes that are
desirable and feasible regarding principles that should govern the emoluments
structure, concessions and facilities/benefits, in cash or kind, as well as
retirement benefits of personnel belonging to the Defence Forces, having regard
to historical and traditional parities, with due emphasis on aspects unique to
these personnel.
c)
To work out the framework for an emoluments structure linked with the need to
attract the most suitable talent to Government service, promote efficiency,
accountability and responsibility in the work culture, and foster excellence in
the public governance system to respond to complex challenges of modern
administration and rapid political, social, economic and technological changes,
with due regard to expectations of stakeholders, and to recommend appropriate
training and capacity building through a competency based framework.
d) To examine the existing schemes of
payment of bonus, keeping in view, among other things, its bearing upon
performance and productivity and make recommendations on the general
principles, financial parameters and conditions for an appropriate incentive
scheme to reward excellence in productivity, performance and integrity.
e) To review the variety of existing
allowances presently available to employees in addition to pay and suggest
their rationalization and simplification, with a view to ensuring that the pay
structure is so designed as to take these into account.
f) To examine the principles which
should govern the structure of pension and other retirement benefits, including
revision of pension in the case of employees who have retired prior to the date
of effect of these recommendations, keeping in view that retirement benefits of
all Central Government employees appointed on and after 01.01.2004 are covered
by the New Pension Scheme (NPS).
g) To make recommendations on
the above, keeping in view:
i. the economic conditions in the country and need for
fiscal prudence;
ii. the need to ensure that adequate resources are available for developmental expenditures and welfare measures;
iii. the likely impact of the recommendations on the finances of the State Governments, which usually adopt the recommendations with some modifications;
iv. the prevailing emolument structure and retirement benefits available to employees of Central Public Sector Undertakings; and
v. the best global practices and their adaptability and relevance in Indian conditions.
ii. the need to ensure that adequate resources are available for developmental expenditures and welfare measures;
iii. the likely impact of the recommendations on the finances of the State Governments, which usually adopt the recommendations with some modifications;
iv. the prevailing emolument structure and retirement benefits available to employees of Central Public Sector Undertakings; and
v. the best global practices and their adaptability and relevance in Indian conditions.
h) To recommend the date of effect of
its recommendations on all the above.
The
Commission will make its recommendations within 18 months of the date of its
constitution.
It may consider if necessary, sending interim reports on any of the
matters as and when the recommendations are finalised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2812. ANSWERED ON 07.02.2014
CASHLESS
FACILITY TO CGHS BENEFICIARIES: 2812.
Shri RUDRAMADHAB RAY, M.
K. RAGHAVAN
Will
the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:- (a)
the medical assistance and other facilities provided by the
Government to retired Central Government pensioners under the Central
Government Health Scheme (CGHS) through empanelled hospitals; (b)
whether the empanelled hospitals under CGHS provide cashless facility to
the pensioners only for the diseases for which they are empanelled
even during the emergencies and if so, the details thereof along with
the regulations in this regard; (c) whether the Government plans to
instruct all empanelled hospitals to provide cashless facilities to pensioners
and other CGHS beneficiaries irrespective of diseases for which they are
empanelled during emergencies and shift the patients to other authorised
hospitals after first aid; (d) if so, the details thereof and if
not, the reasons therefor; and (e) the steps taken/proposed
to check exploitation of patients in emergencies by empanelled
hospitals?
ANSWER - THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI
AZAD)
(a)
to (e): Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) empanels private
hospitals for providing inpatient medical treatment to its
beneficiaries. They may avail the requisite treatment with prior
permission for procedures advised by CGHS and other government specialists /
CMO–in-charge. CGHS pensioner beneficiaries are entitled for cashless medical
treatment in the CGHS empanelled private hospitals. The empanelled private
hospitals under CGHS provide treatment to the pensioners
on credit /cashless basis for the procedures for which they are
empanelled. However, in case of emergency conditions empanelled hospitals are
expected to provide treatment to pensioners
on credit basis, even for conditions for which they are not
empanelled and they are expected to shift the patient to another empanelled
hospital after stabilization as per the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed
with government. In case of violation of the terms of the Memorandum of
Agreement, suitable action, including depanelment can be initiated against
errant hospitals.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has allowed
a petition challenging its own decision on the administrative side before
holding that the parents of a deceased employee too are entitled to family
pension.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court
has allowed a petition challenging its own decision on the administrative side
before holding that the parents of a deceased employee too are entitled to
family pension.
“The purpose of the rules relating to family
pension is to provide financial assistance to members of the deceased
employee's family. Not only are the widow and children dependant upon the
income of the deceased employee but also the old parents,” Justice Daya
Chaudhary has ruled.
The ruling on a petition filed by a
77-year-old widow is significant as the High Court had categorically claimed
that the petitioner was not entitled to after-death benefits as she was not
included in the definition of a “family”
In her petition against the High Court
Registrar-General and other respondents, Bhanti Devi had earlier contended that
her son, Virender Singh, was working as a process server in the Fatehabad
District and Sessions Court. Besides her, he was survived by his minor son.
Her counsel had contended that the minor son
was being taken care of by the petitioner; and the divorcee wife has no right
to claim benefits after her husband’s death.
Taking up the matter, Justice Chaudhary
asserted: “The issue in the present case is as to whether the petitioner, who
is mother of the deceased government employee, can be excluded from the
definition of a family and denied benefits of family pension. The petitioner is
a widow mother, having no source of income, and is of more than 77 years of
age. Nothing has been brought on record that she is getting some income from
other source.”
Justice
Chaudhary added the petition deserved to be allowed. The petitioner was 74 at
the time of filing the petition in 2010. She was now more than 77. The
employee’s wife had obtained a divorce and had also received permanent alimony.
Before parting with the order, Justice Chaudhary ordered the granting of 50 per
cent of the family pension to the petitioner while ordering the release of the
remaining 50 per cent in favour of the minor”.
The Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Kozhikode .
C.C.199/2013, Dated 22nd January
2014 .
Complainant : Gevarghese Paul,
“Bethshino”, 2/707-D, Udayamangalam Road, Karaparamba.P.O 673010, Kozhikode V/s Opposition party : Chief Mnager,
M/s State Bank Of India, main Branch, Kozhikode-673001 before hon’ble Mr.G.Yadunadhan BA, LLB- President,
Hon’ble Mr.Jyothikumar, LLB- Member and Hon’ble Mrs. Beena Joseph – Member
ORDER:-
By
L.Jyothikumar, Member: The petition was filed
on10.05.2013. The case of the complainant is that he is having a safe
deposit locker in the State Bank of India Kozhikode for the past 22 years. On 04.05.2013 the
complainant approached the opposite party No.2 to deposit valuables into
the locker. The Bank Officer in charge made him to sign the locker Access
Register and was asked to proceed to the strong room where the locker is
situated. Immediately the Manager blocked him and stated that the
complainant did not pay the locker rent. The opposite party has not sent
any intimation regarding the locker rent. Moreover the complainant had
caution deposit with the bank. But the opposite parties denied entry to
the locker room and was taking undue interest in humiliating him in front of
the staff and customers present there. The complainant is alleging
negligence, deficiency in service and unfair trade practice on the part of the
opposite parties. Hence this petition is filed against the opposite
parties seeking relief.
Notice sent to the opposite parties
was served. On 10.06.2013 Adv. Anoop Narayanan Proposed Vakkalath. After
that he has not filed vakkalath and version. Hence on 17.10.2013 opposite
parties were called absent and set exparte. The complainant was examined
as PW1 and Ext.A1 to A3 were marked on complainant’s side.
The case of the complainant is that he
is having a safe deposit locker in the State Bank of India Kozhikode . On
04.05.2013 the complainant approached the second opposite party to deposit
valuables into the locker. So he signed in the locker Access
Register. Then he was directed to proceed to the strong
room. Immediately the first opposite party blocked him due to non payment
of locker rent. According to complainant if any amount was due opposite
party has to inform the complainant. Here opposite parties did not send
any intimation letter regarding the non payment of locker rent. There was
a caution deposit with the bank. Complainant was also ready to pay the
arrear amount after depositing the valuables in the locker. But they
denied. Opposite parties had not appeared before the Forum even after
serving the notice which also shows the arrogant nature of the opposite
parties. On going through the available evidence and exhibits there is
nothing to disbelieve the complainant. Complainant had to
suffered financial loss and mental agony at the hands of the opposite
parties 1 and 2. We are of the opinion that the opposite parties 1 and 2
are jointly and severally liable for the unfair trade practice which is quite
evident from the facts and circumstances and of available evidence of the
case. Therefore complainant is entitled to get compensation from the
opposite parties No.1 & 2. Opposite party No.3, is exonerated from the
liabilities.Hence the petition is partly allowed. The first and second
opposite parties are directed to pay compensation of Rs.2000/-(Rupees two
thousand only) to the complainant within one month from the date of receipt of
the order. Failing which the complainant is entitled for an amount of
Rs.25/-(Rupees twenty five only) per day from the date of order till realization.
Modified Parity pended for a week to Feb 19, 2014 . Court rejects Govt demand for
long adjournment Contempt Petition Reg; Modified Parity, which came up for
hearing the 19th February, 2014, before the Principal Bench of
Central Administrative Tribunal, New Delhi, was adjourned to 5th
March, 2014., after long pleadings by the Govt for long adjournment.
Proceedings on 12th Feb were very positive- given the multi-pronged strategy
the GOI - the Contemnors were trying to confuse and force the Court to buy time
- like staggered SLPs, RP, Curative Petition etc besides bringing in the Financial Implication etc.
None of which was accepted by the Court. Sr. Counsel for the Petitioners argued
quite forcefully against any further adjournment. The arguments were heard on 5th March 2014 .
The Government side wanted time for filing counter and the case was adjourned
to 26th March
2014 .
Pension
Sanction and Payment Tracking System Launched on Pilot Basis
The
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has launched a web based
Pension Sanction and Payment Tracking System “ BHAVISHYA” which provides for
on-line tracking of sanction and payment processes by the individual as well as
the administrative authorities. The new proposed system will capture
information relating to the pensioner’s personal and service data including
contact details like mobile number and e-mail etc. It will also have electronic
Forms required to be submitted to pension sanctioning authority. The system
will keep retiring employees informed of the progress of pension sanction
process through SMS/E-mail in future. The application will help in monitoring
the delays which take place in sanction of pension and retirement benefits to a
retiring Government Servant.
The
software has been launched on a pilot basis in fifteen Ministries/Departments
of the Government viz. Department of Home, D/o Electronics & Information
Technology, M/o Statistics & Programme Implementation, M/o Steel, D/o
Health, D/o Family Welfare, D/o Ayush, M/o Urban Development/o Textiles, D/o
Commerce, D/o Industrial Policy & Promotion, Planning Commission, D/o
Personnel & Training/o Administrative Reforms &Public Grievances and
D/o Pension & Pensioners Welfare.
Railways agrees to Union ’s
demands
The Indian
Railway has agreed to several demands of the National Federation of Indian
Railwaymen (NFIR) including the scrapping of the new pension scheme among
others.
The NFIR along with
the Chairman – Railway Board and Member Staff held a meeting on Friday and
presented their charter of Demands. The railways had taken a strike ballot on
January 17 and 18 where 97.03% employees voted in favour of general strike. The
meeting was attended by NFIR general secretary M Raghavaiah, NFIR president
Gumansingh and NFIR working president R P Bhatnagar. NFIR vice-president J G
Mahurkar said that NFIR had opposed the decision of new pension scheme imposed
from January 1, 2004 .
A special communication was being sent to ministry of finance with the approval
of railway minister recommending scrapping of the new pension scheme.
Also, it was decided
that the railway board will go in for up-gradation of track maintainers. The
board has also agreed granting appointment to wards of a railwaymen under the
LARSGESS Scheme by relaxing norms.
Mahurkar said that
the railway board has also agreed to grant appointment under the LARSGESS
Scheme to employees. Also, it decided for up-gradation of 3,335 apex level
group ‘C’ post to group ‘B’ gazetted. The railway board has agreed to consider
absorption of quasi administrative staff and to find the solution. The railway
board has agreed to discuss the anomalies of modified assured career
progression, said Mahurkar.
Awareness
Programme under Pensioner’s Portal
The
Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare, Ministry of Personnel, Public
Grievances and Pensions is implementing a web based mission mode project on
pensions namely Pensioner’s Portal under the National e-Governance Plan. Under
the project, the Department has Centralized Pension Grievances Redressal and
Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS). The Awareness Programme will be chaired by Mr.
Sanjay Kothari, Secretary of the Department.
The
Department is proposing to conduct the next such Awareness Programme for
Pensioners in and around Jallandhar (Punjab )
on March 01, 2014 .
The mobilization of the pensioners will be done in association with All India
Central Government Pensioners Association, Jallandhar City
The
basic objective of the project is to facilitate redressal of Pensioners’
Grievances as also to provide information and guidance to pensioners on various
pension and retirement related matters. User Ministries/Departments,
Pensioners, Banks, CGA.CPAO, Post Offices etc. are the stakeholders in this
venture aimed at welfare of the Pensioners.
With
a view to providing know how about the operational aspects of this portal and
the grievances redressal mechanism in particular, the Department of Pensions is
conducting Awareness Programme at different stations in the country. So far
such programmes have been conducted at Chandigarh Bangalore Bhubaneswar Lucknow
Justification
to Scrap New Pension Scheme by AIRF (cgenewstools@gmail.com)
No.AIRF/24(C) Dated: February 13, 2014 to The Executive
Director, Estt.(IR),Railway Board,
Sub: Justification to Scrap New Pension Scheme
It was agreed in the Joint Meeting, held on
7th February, 2014 with Full Board that, necessary
material/justification may also be furnished by the Federations for proposed
reference to be sent to Hon’ble Finance Minister from the Hon’ble Minister for
Railways. Accordingly, we are sending herewith a detailed
justification for taking necessary action in the matter.
AIRF's
Justification to Scrap New Pension Scheme (NPS)
1. Discriminatory treatment between two sets
of Railway employees viz - one appointed before 01.01.04 and the others
appointed on 01.01.2004 and thereafter.
2. Although the contribution is defined, the
benefit has not been defined.
3. Extract from Railway Safety Review
Committee, 1998 - vide para 2.1.1 and para 2.1.2 the
Committee has recommended that the working in the Railways is more closely
allied to the armed forces than the sometimes lacks civilian forms. As such
railwaymen cannot be bracketed with other Central Govt. Employees for the
purpose of Social benefit.
Para 2.1.1 During the colonial period, the
Railways was conceived and operated as an auxiliary wing of the Army, primarily
because it provided the transport muscle that enabled rapid movement of troops
across the Indian sub- continent. There was, however, another less visible but
important reason for the close linkage with the Army. The colonisers realized
that the Railways, by virtue of its complex nature, required a high degree of
discipline and efficiency to be able to perform its role as the prime transport
mode. This , in turn, meant a system of working more closely allied to the
Armed Forces than the sometimes lax civilian forms. Thus, historically, Indian
Railways (IR) has functioned differently from other Government
institutions.
4. Committee on railway safety was appointed by
the Ministry of Railway under the Chairmanship of Dr. Anil Kakodkar. Vide para
2.3 of the report is cited below:
|
|
Killed
|
Injured
|
|
Railwaymen
|
1,600
|
8,700
|
|
Passenger
/ Public
|
1,019
|
2,118
|
|
(Unmanned
Level Crossing)
|
723
|
690
|
It would be seen that number of Railwaymen
killed and injured while on duty during the period 2007 - 08 to October, 2011
was much more than passenger and public killed during the year.
5. Railwaymen are the second line of Defence.
During Chinese aggression in the year 1962 there was massive exodus of civil
population near in Arunachal Pradesh and North Bank of Brahmaputra, currency
notes were burnt at the order of Dy. Commissioner, Tezpur (Sonitpur), the jail
birds were freed but the Railwaymen did not leave their duty post. In this
connection extract from Special Gazette published by the Railway Board during
Railway Week, 1963 is given below.
"On the night of 20/21 November, 1962
following the exodous of Civil Population from Rangapara North in the Wake of
reported Chinese advance Shri Rakhal Das Banerjee bravely struck to this post
in the Station, displaying an extra ordinary sense of duty and great courage,
he ensured safe custody of Railway Cash amounting to Rs. 26 lakhs".
Similarly when Pakistan attacked India during
1965, the Railwaymen at the Western Sector saved lives of thousands and
thousands of people by sacrificing their own lives while Bomb was exploded on Oil Tankers (Railway Wagon Tanker) (This News was appeared in
the Railwaymen of 1965, may be 1966), they parted the effected wagons from the
rest, but in the effort an good number of Railwaymen burnt alive.
Braving insurgency, Railwaymen continued to
maintained the services in North Eastern Region, Naxal infested areas in
Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh etc.
In
May 2008, Loco Pilot of Lumding N. F. Railway saved lives of many persons at
the cost of his own life and he was awarded „KIRTI CHAKRA‟. The incident is as
under.
"On 15th May, 2008, Shri N. N. Bora,
Loco Pilot, Lumding was booked to work Security Special from Lumding. When the
Special reached near Tunnel No. 3 at KM 57/12 between Lumding - Badarpur
section terrorist pumped bullets injuring Shri N. N. Bora critically. Despite
critical injury Shri Bora‟s devotion to duty and presence of mind worked, the
train was pushed back to a safer place and Shri Bora succumbed to the u\injury.
He could save lives of all his colleagues in the train, sacrificing his
life".
6. NPS is an additional financial burden in
the Railways Exchequer - Indian Railway is paying pension and family
pension and in addition to that the Indian Railway is to contributing 10% of
pay and 10% of Dearness Allowance to the Pension Fund
(NPS). At present, the number of New Pension Holders is 4.5 Lakhs taking the
average salary of such newly recruited persons as Rs. 20,000, at present the
Railway is paying Rs. 2160 Crores annually towards Pension Fund. This will go
on increasing with more and more persons to be recruited vice retirement and
the amount will also be compounded because of annual increment, increase in the
rates of Dearness allowance, MACP & Promotional
benefits. This is the additional burden which the railway will have to bear
with its compound effect from coming years to years on the Railway's Finance.
7. Effect on Industrial relation - Gradually the number
of new recruits on or after 01.01.2004 will take over the number of persons
appointed prior to 01.01.2004 and they will compel their pre 01.01.2004
counterparts to join precipitative action to secure their (NPS Holders)
rightful claim of social security i.e. Pension and Family Pension and this will
leads to serious industrial unrest in the Railway Industry.
Taking all these factors into consideration
all Railwaymen irrespective of date of appointment should be covered under
Pension and Family Pension Scheme.
News: The armed forces are in for a special
hearing, with the Centre likely to separately deal with issues pertaining to
their service conditions and payment structures in the 7th Central
Pay Commission. The union government, however, has not accepted the demand for
military representation on the pay panel.
The terms of reference for the 7th
CPC, to be cleared by the Cabinet, will for the first time include a paragraph
on the defence force. It has come in response to intense lobbying by the
defence forces, with the latter for long complaining of a raw deal compared to
their civilian counterparts in the fixation of salaries by the central panel.
According to the terms of reference, the pay
panel will examine the salary structure and benefits, including retirement benefits,
with due emphasis on the aspects, unique to these (military) personnel”. The
allowances could be reviewed in view of the hardships, both in terms of
operations and frequent transfers, associated with military service.
The focus on the defence forces comes in the
wake of the massive unrest triggered by the 6th Pay Commission
report which led to the three service chiefs lodging serious complaints about
the recommendations.
There is another plus for the defence forces,
with Justice Ashok Mathur to chair the pay commission. He has been the Chairman
of the Armed Forces Tribunal and the government says he is conversant with the
issues related to the defence forces.
Thus while keeping a representative of the
defence forces has not been accepted on the grounds that it would lead to
similar demand from other specialised services, the presence of the chair to
indirectly meet the demand.
While the pay panel is populist move given
the vast vote base that government employees make, the defence community of 14
lakh serving and 23 lakh retired military personnel itself swells into a
sizeable – albeit diffused- vote bank of around 1.5 crore people if family
members are also taken into account.
The government was rattled by the widespread
anger in the armed forces in 2008-2009 when they complained that successive pay
panels failed to address their long-pending pay and pension “anomalies”.
Hundreds of ex-service men continue to protest by returning their medals even
to-day over failure of successive governments to implement the one-rank,
one-pension principle despite it being promised by most parties in their
manifestoes. (Union Finance Minister, in his budget speech last month, has
sanctioned “ One rank-One pension ” for armed forces.
Government of India
Central Board of Direct Taxes Datedthe 11th February, 2014 .
Central Board of Direct Taxes Dated
Subject: – Clarification regarding scope of
additional income-tax on distributed Income under section 115R of the
Income-tax Act -regarding.
Section 115R of the
Income-tax Act, 1961 (‘Act’) provides for levy of additional income-tax on
distributed income to unit holders (hereinafter referred to as ‘additional
income-tax’).
2. It has been
reported that some field authorities are taking a view that mutual funds/specified
companies are required to pay additional income tax under sub-section (2) to
section 115R of he Act not only on income distributed by way of dividend but
also on payments made at the time of redemption/repurchase of units as well as
at the time of allotment of bonus units to existing investors.
3. The matter has been
examined by the Board. Section 115R is placed under Chapter XII-E of the Act,
which is titled as “SPECIFIC PROVISIONS RELATING TO TAX ON DISTRIBUTED INCOME”
and prescribes special provisions for taxing ‘distributed income’, which is not
taxed under any other provisions of the Act.
4. Sub-section (2) of
section 115R of the Act provides that any amount of income distributed by (i) a
specified company, or (ii) a mutual fund to its unit holders shall be
chargeable to tax and such entities shall be liable to pay additional income
tax on such distributed income at the rates prescribed therein. The income so
distributed by such entities is the dividend paid to the unit holders and is
liable to tax under this section. However, redemption of units or repurchase of
milks would not attract levy of tax under sub-section (2) to section 115R of
the Act as such income is not of the nature of income ”distributed” to the unit
holders and hence lies outside the purview of this section.
5. Further, the income
so distributed by the mutual fund or specified company in the hands of the
recipient unit holder is specifically exempt from tax under section 10(35) of
the Act. Proviso to section 10(35) of the Act stipulates that exemption of
income under this section is not applicable to those cases where transfer of
units takes place. The recipient of such income is liable to pay capital gains
tax, if applicable, on transfer of such units as per relevant provisions of the
Act and shall not be subject to additional income tax under section 115R of the
Act.
6. Similarly, bonus
units at the time of issue would not be subjected to additional income tax
under section 115R of the Act since issue of bonus units is not akin to distribution
of income by way of dividend. This may be inferred from provisions of section
55 of the Act which prescribes that ‘cost of acquisition’ of bonus units shall
be treated as nil for purposes of computation of capital gains tax.
7. In view of above
position, Central Board of Direct Taxes, in exercise of its powers under
section 119 of the Act hereby clarifies that additional income-tax under
sub-section (2) of section 115R of the Act is to be levied on income
distributed by way of dividend to unit-holders of mutual funds or specified
companies and receipts from redemption/repurchase of units or allotment of
additional units by way of bonus units would not be subjected to levy of
additional income tax under that section. Sd/
Deputy Secy to the Government of India
It comprises
about 91% water, 6 % sugar and 3% of other minerals. Naturally, it is packed
with vitamin C, beta-carotene, riboflavin, niacin, panthothenic acid, choline,
calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, phosphorous, sodium, zinc,
lycopene and a host of the vitamins and minerals. Apparently, a watermelon is
all you need to have a healthier body.
Watermelon is highly on demand especially on summer for its invigorating properties. A watermelon juice definitely is the perfect piece to beat the summer heat, considering that it contains 97% water and sugar. It should be noted as well that a watermelon helps you get rid of those extra pounds off, contrary to fears that eating the fruit or drinking a watermelon juice could result to gaining weight due to its sugar content. Actually, it’s not the same sugar that could aggravate diabetes; a watermelon contains natural sugar good for the body. What’s more? Drinking a watermelon juice could lead you to the following health benefits:
Watermelon is highly on demand especially on summer for its invigorating properties. A watermelon juice definitely is the perfect piece to beat the summer heat, considering that it contains 97% water and sugar. It should be noted as well that a watermelon helps you get rid of those extra pounds off, contrary to fears that eating the fruit or drinking a watermelon juice could result to gaining weight due to its sugar content. Actually, it’s not the same sugar that could aggravate diabetes; a watermelon contains natural sugar good for the body. What’s more? Drinking a watermelon juice could lead you to the following health benefits:
Health Benefit 1 - A watermelon, especially red
watermelon helps an individual to avert many diseases. Why? It contains
lycopene in high measure. Basically, a lycopene is an antioxidant that helps to
defuse “free radicals” that could potentially damage tissues and organs of the
body. Moreover, free radicals augment inflammation and cholesterol in blood
vessels, which then could lead to heart attack and stroke. Now with a
watermelon juice, the risk of having or developing the aforementioned diseases
could be mitigated.
Health Benefit 2 - A glass of watermelon juice everyday could reduce the risk of acquiring or worsening diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and colon cancer. Furthermore, since a watermelon is rich in antioxidants, it can preempt the development of kidney stones.
Health Benefit 3 - A watermelon is vital to obtain a low fat, low cholesterol diet. In fact, a glass of watermelon juice is enough or is considered a complete meal already. Watermelon also contains protein in addition to water, sugar and other minerals i.e., a balanced diet in every sense.
Health Benefit 4 - As previously mentioned, a watermelon is packed with potassium that essentially helps normalize blood pressure. In addition to that, it lessens the risk of developing cardiac arrest and apparently, potassium strengthens the body.
Health Benefit 5 - It goes without saying that a watermelon or watermelon juice is an exceptional source of energy, since it is loaded with vitamin B and of course, sugar as well as water. As a matter of fact, watermelon is the most preferred fruit by athletes or even tri-athletes for its rejuvenating properties. To top that, it is a fine thirst quencher. Normally, athletes eat a watermelon or drink a glass of watermelon juice a day before undergoing strenuous activities, taking into account that it boosts their physical as well as mental condition.
Health Benefit 6 - It helps prevent bone loss and the like. A watermelon is rich in calcium which aids in the preservation and strengthening of bone structures. Moreover, it reduces the risk of age-related eyesight deterioration that could potentially lead to loss of foresight, especially to elders.
Health Benefit 7 - Watermelon’s seeds are loaded with high quantities of iron. So, try to crush the seeds and add the same to your glass of watermelon juice. Needless to emphasize, it is an ideal agent to fight off and/or prevent iron-deficiency anemia and related diseases.
Health Benefit 8 - A piece of watermelon addresses erectile dysfunction in one way or another. Although, research and studies have not yet formally concluded and expounded the reasons behind this ability of watermelon, many individuals have verified, experienced and testified about this miraculous curative.
Health Benefit 2 - A glass of watermelon juice everyday could reduce the risk of acquiring or worsening diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and colon cancer. Furthermore, since a watermelon is rich in antioxidants, it can preempt the development of kidney stones.
Health Benefit 3 - A watermelon is vital to obtain a low fat, low cholesterol diet. In fact, a glass of watermelon juice is enough or is considered a complete meal already. Watermelon also contains protein in addition to water, sugar and other minerals i.e., a balanced diet in every sense.
Health Benefit 4 - As previously mentioned, a watermelon is packed with potassium that essentially helps normalize blood pressure. In addition to that, it lessens the risk of developing cardiac arrest and apparently, potassium strengthens the body.
Health Benefit 5 - It goes without saying that a watermelon or watermelon juice is an exceptional source of energy, since it is loaded with vitamin B and of course, sugar as well as water. As a matter of fact, watermelon is the most preferred fruit by athletes or even tri-athletes for its rejuvenating properties. To top that, it is a fine thirst quencher. Normally, athletes eat a watermelon or drink a glass of watermelon juice a day before undergoing strenuous activities, taking into account that it boosts their physical as well as mental condition.
Health Benefit 6 - It helps prevent bone loss and the like. A watermelon is rich in calcium which aids in the preservation and strengthening of bone structures. Moreover, it reduces the risk of age-related eyesight deterioration that could potentially lead to loss of foresight, especially to elders.
Health Benefit 7 - Watermelon’s seeds are loaded with high quantities of iron. So, try to crush the seeds and add the same to your glass of watermelon juice. Needless to emphasize, it is an ideal agent to fight off and/or prevent iron-deficiency anemia and related diseases.
Health Benefit 8 - A piece of watermelon addresses erectile dysfunction in one way or another. Although, research and studies have not yet formally concluded and expounded the reasons behind this ability of watermelon, many individuals have verified, experienced and testified about this miraculous curative.
How to Prepare a Glass of Watermelon Juice - Considering all the benefits a watermelon brings forth, it is
therefore a must to have one on the table every day. Nevertheless, you can
always be creative when it comes to serving it for a more delightful eating or
drinking experience such as preparing a watermelon salad or watermelon juice.
Preparing a watermelon juice is very easy by just following the simple steps
enumerated below:
A. Chop the watermelon into pieces and place them in a bowl.
B. Put those watermelon pieces into a juicer or crusher. It is advisable to include the seeds in it as they are a good source of iron, zinc and phosphorous. Don’t have a juicer? Look through our juicer reviews to find the perfect one for your household.
C. You may mix or pour on milk to make the watermelon juice tastier. Basically, it is not necessary to add sugar in the juice considering that it has natural sugars that makes it sweet.
B. Put those watermelon pieces into a juicer or crusher. It is advisable to include the seeds in it as they are a good source of iron, zinc and phosphorous. Don’t have a juicer? Look through our juicer reviews to find the perfect one for your household.
C. You may mix or pour on milk to make the watermelon juice tastier. Basically, it is not necessary to add sugar in the juice considering that it has natural sugars that makes it sweet.
NEW SIMPLIFIED
PENSION FORM FOR RETIRED GOVT EMPLOYEES INTRODUCED BY PENSIONER PORTAL. cgenewstools@gmail.com on Sunday, February 23, 2014
Pensioner Portal has introduced a set of new
pension forms for retired central employees, which simplifies the process of
sanctioning pension and doing away with the requirement for submission of
affidavits. The new ‘Form 5’ has been brought for the benefit of
pensioners and it will record all information on the basis of self-attestation
by the individual concerned. While changes have been made in a number of
(other) forms, special change is being made only on Form-5. The
information to be filled in by retiring government employees is restricted to
their name, address and bank account details.
In addition, employees’ mobile number and e-mail id if available is also
being collected for ease of correspondence in future. These steps will go a
long way toward reducing inconvenience of the individual as well as making the
process more transparent. Earlier this Pensioner Portal had issued proposed Common Nomination Forms for Nominations under Pension,
GPF, CGEGIS, Commutation, Arrears of Pension Rules.
The Government of India, Ministry of
Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Pension and
Pensioners' Welfare Notification dated 20th February, 2014 regarding Amendment
to CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 is reproduced below and link for forms for
download in pdf
format also given:-
No. 1/19/2013-P&PW(E) Government of India 20th February, 2014 addressed to The
Manager, Govt. of India
Subject:-
Amendment
to CCS (Pension) Rules. 1972 - Notification regarding
{to be published in the
Gazette
of India
G.S.R - In exercise of the powers conferred by the
proviso to article 309 and clause (5) of article 148 of the Constitution and
after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in relation to persons serving
in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, the President hereby makes the
following rules further to amend the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules,
1972, namely:
1.
(1) These rules may be called the Central Civil Services (Pension) Amendment
Rules, 2014.
(2)
They shall come into force on the date of their
publication in the Official Gazette.
2. In the Central Civil
Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, for Form 3, Form 5, Form 7, Form 8, Form 10,
Form 11, Form 12, Form 13, Form 14, Form 18, Form 19, Form 20, Form 21, Form 22
and Form 24, the following Forms shall respectively be substituted, namely-
·
FORM 3 [See rule 54 (12)] Details of Family {download}
·
FORM 5 [See rules 59 (I) (c)
& 61(1)] [Also see rules 5 (2),12,13 (3),14 (I) and 15 (3) of Central Civil
Services (Commutation of Pension) Rules. 1981] Particulars to be obtained by the Head of Office from the
retiring Government servant eight months before the date of his retirement
{download}
·
FORM 7 [See rules 58, 60, 61 (1)
& (3) and rule 65(I)] Form
for assessing Pension/Family Pension and Gratuity [To be sent six months
before the Date of Retirement to the PAO] PART I {download}
·
FORM 8 - [See rule 61 (1)] [Form of letter to the Accounts
Officer forwarding the pension papers of a Government servant] {download}
Sd/- (Sujasha Choudhury) Deputy Secretary
Southern Railway
Pensioners’ Sangam, Ponmalai,
Conducted its monthly
meeting on 31.1.2014, with President Sri.Gopalan in the Chair. After offering
condolences for the death Sri. V.S. Devasundaram and recalling the sacrifices
of the “Father of our Nation”, regular business was transacted. Sri. Ramasamy,
Secretary, proposed a “Vote of thanks”
Railway Pensioners Association, Kazipet
Oserved the Pensioners’ Day on 17.12.2013. A
function was organized at “Paradise
Gardens Warangal
|
1.
|
Sri.
|
M.Komaraiah
|
Working President
|
7.
|
Sri.
|
R.Venkataswamy
|
Asst.Secretary
|
|
2.
|
Sri.
|
G.K.Mallaiah
|
Vice-President
|
8.
|
Sri.
|
K.Ramaswamy
|
Asst.Secretary
|
|
3.
|
Sri.
|
K.Rajaiah
|
Vice-President
|
9.
|
Sri.
|
T.Devaiah
|
Asst.Secretary
|
|
4.
|
Sri.
|
K.Iylaiah
|
Vice-President
|
10.
|
Sri.
|
K.Anjaneyulu
|
Asst.Secretary
|
|
5.
|
Sri.
|
B.Anjaneulu
|
Vice-President
|
11.
|
Sri.
|
D.Sathyanarayana
|
Treasurer
|
|
6.
|
Sri.
|
Ch.Govindhan
|
Secretary
|
12.
|
Sri.
|
K.Sreeramulu
|
Org. Secretary
|
Fifteen
pensioners were elected as Working Committee members. The meeting discussed the
significance of “pensioners’ Day” and the need for unity among pensioners. The
meeting concluded with vote of thanks.
Railway
Pensioners Association, Palakkad conducted their Annual General Body Meeting
on 8th March 2014 ,
at Anugraha Kalyana Mandapam, Olavakkode. The event commenced with a procession
by the participants from Palghat Railway Junction to the venue of the meeting.
The open session in the fore-noon commenced at 10 hrs, attended by 900
delegates, with Sri.P.Syed Mohammed, President/RPA/PGT in the chair. Sri.
Unnikrishnan Nambisan, Retd.DFM/PGT welcomed the gathering. Sri.T.Kumardas,
Retd.Chairman/RCT inaugurated the open session, by lighting the Nilavilakku
(oil-wick lamp). Sri.Prabhakaran, General Secretary read out the message
received from DRM/PGT. Sri.Syed Mohammed explained the problems faced by
pensioners. He dwelt at length on the problems created by the 6th CPC
and subsequent implementation of the same. He spoke on the need for posting of
specialist doctors in vital areas like cardiology, ortho etc. in the Railway
Hospital He also requested to open a Öld
age Home” in Railway Hospital, Palghat.
Sri.N.Govindan, Sr.DPO/PGT offered
felicitations. He explained the steps taken by the administration to mitigate
the problems of pensioners and assured continued assistance. He confirmed that
the issue of revised PPOs is almost completed.
Sri.K.Chandrasekaran, President,
NFRP/PGT explained the role played by pensioners’ organisations in mitigating
the problems of pensioners. Sri.A.Bhaskaran, Retd FA & CAO/ KRCL
complimented the RPA for its dedicated service to pensioners.
Sri.T.Chinnaswamy, Zonal Secretary, NFRP offered felicitations and
congratulated the RPA for their dedicated service to pensioners. Eleven
pensioners aged above 80 years were honoured in the open session.
Sri.P.Chandrasekharan who won medals in the athletic events in the State
Masters meet was also felicitated. Cash presentations of Rs.2002/- each were
made to three schools to be used for awarding outstanding students in these
schools. In the closed session in the after noon , chaired by Sri.Syed Mohammed, two minutes silence
was observed in memory of pensioners who left for their heavenly abode since
the last AGM. Sri.Syed Mohammed explained the anomalies crept in while
implementing the recommendation s of 6th CPC. He also explained the
disparity in the rate of increase in pension while implementing the 6th
CPC recommendations to different pensioners and thereby creating division among
pensioners. Sri.Prabhakaran, General Secretary presented the Annual report.
Sri.K.Anadarajan, Treasurer, presented the Accounts for the year 2013. Several
speakers participated in the discussions. Sri.Krishnan Kutty, Vice President
moved 22 draft resolutions which were passed unanimously. The meeting concluded
with vote of thanks by Sri.P.Balakrishnan, Vice President, followed by singing
of National Anthem.
Press
Information Bureau, Government of India
Press Note – dated 07-March-2014 17:55 IST
There have been reports in
the Media that private hospitals on the panel of CGHS are denying credit
facilities to the eligible CGHS beneficiaries for delay in settlement of
hospitals bills. Lower package rates and inadmissible deductions etc. have also
been reported to be the other reasons for withdrawal of agreed cashless /credit
facilities.
In this regard, the CGHS
beneficiaries are advised not to be guided by such misleading information.
Delay in payments in the last quarter of the financial year due to budgetary
constraints is not a new phenomenon and the hospitals are aware of it. Ministry
of Health and Family Welfare has taken special steps and the pendency is likely
to be cleared within a week.
CGHS has already invited
bids for revision of package rates through a transparent tender process. The
last date for submission of bids is 10th March, 2014 . Measures have also been taken to
streamline the payment related issues in the ensuing empanelment process.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
will ensure that the CGHS empanelled private hospitals continue to extend
cashless /credit facilities to the eligible CGHS beneficiaries in compliance with
the terms and conditions as laid down in the Memorandum of Agreement signed by
them with CGHS. As per the information received by the Ministry, most of the
private hospitals are continuing to extend the cashless facilities to the CGHS
beneficiaries.
Good News for Southern Railway Pensioners: In
the SCOVA meeting conducted in February 2014, the Railway Ministry has
confirmed that revised PPOs have been issued to all railway pensioners of
Southern Railway. At the same time, there are more than 30,000 PPOs yet to be
revised all over Indian Railway. Ministry Of Railway has expressed difficulty
in complying with the target date since the pending PPOs are complicated cases.
The revised target date for completing the issue of revised PPOs is 30th September 2014 .
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Subscription due May 2014
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S.No
|
Sub.No.
|
Name
|
Station
|
S.No
|
Sub.No.
|
Name
|
Station
|
|
1
|
A697
|
T.Sankarankutty
|
TCR
|
2
|
A3557
|
C.Sachindran
|
CAN
|
|
3
|
A737
|
M.S.Srinivasa
Rao
|
SBC
|
4
|
A1168
|
K.Jaganathan
|
BB
|
|
5
|
A3562
|
T.P.Somanathan
|
PLMNA
|
6
|
A1199
|
P.V.Subramanian
|
PGT
|
|
7
|
A3564
|
H.Thilakalal
|
BZA
|
8
|
A1341
|
V.S.Krishna
Bhramman
|
RJY
|
|
9
|
A3674
|
S.Munuswamy
|
Cudappah
|
10
|
A1863
|
R.Vasudeva
Rao
|
MAS
|
|
11
|
A3675
|
Anadi
Mukherji
|
Kharagpur
|
12
|
A2281
|
V.Natarajan
|
MAS
|
|
13
|
A3676
|
O.Joseph
|
Cudappha
|
14
|
A3058
|
V.M.Kurian
|
PNLR
|
|
15
|
A3678
|
A.Kolappan
|
NCJ
|
16
|
A3179
|
B.N.Roy
|
UP
|
|
17
|
A3679
|
A.T.Abraham
|
ERN
|
18
|
A3236
|
D.D.Raju
|
VZM
|
|
19
|
A3680
|
S.Gopalakrishnan
|
QLN
|
20
|
A3276
|
S.Ramaswamy
|
TPJ
|
|
21
|
A3681
|
Gopalchandra Buniya
|
WB
|
22
|
A3447
|
C.Ramaswamy
|
MAS
|
|
23
|
A3695
|
R.Sathyanarayana
|
AP
|
|
|
|
|
1. Sri. Kattaiah Kattaiah, Retd SM/ KZJ expired on 07.01.2014.
2. Sri. R.Iyloni Balaiah, Retd Guard/ KZJ, expired
on 16.01.2014
3. Sri.RamuluPeddaiah, Retd HS1(S&T)/KZJ
expired on 18.01.2014
4. Sri. Venkati Seethaharamaiah, Retd. Mate (Engg) /KZJ expired on 22.01.2014
5. Smt. Zourabee Fly Pensioner/KZJ expired
on 28.01.2014.
6. Sri.P.Laxmi Narayana, Retd C&W
Fitter/ KZJ expired on 28.01.2014
7. Sri.S.P.John, Retd Driver/KZJ expired on
30.01.2014
NFRP prays almighty to rest the departed souls in peace.
Dear friends, please
note, the annual subscription for RPND is Rs 200/- with effect from January
2014. Kindly renew your subscription accordingly. Subscription to RPND, Donations and affiliation fee of
Pensiners’ Associations to NFRP should be sent by EMO / MO only to the address given below.
Outstation cheques / DDs will not be accepted. These three items should not be sent to UBI account
number of NFRP.
Address:- Treasurer (NFRP/PGT), XI/893, Upstairs of RPA Office, Opp. Aranyabhavan, Railway Colony
Road, Olavakkode, Palakkad – 678002, Kerala.
Date of
Publication 28th March,
2014
Annual
subscription Rs 200/-
RNI
Registration No KERENG 2012/47175 DATED 01.01.2013 Title RPND
Postal
Registration No PGT/041/2013-2015
G/RNP/100/RPND/PKD
11.01.2013
License
to post without pre-payment. LICENSE No: KL/PMG/NR/WPP/ 9-5 /PKD/2013-15
Posted at
RMS/Palakkad – 678002
FORM
IV
Statement about ownership and other particulars about newspaper RPND to
be published in the first issue every year after the last day of February
1. Place of publication :- Palakkad.
2. Periodicity of its publication :- Monthly.
3. Printer’s Name :- K.Chandrasekharan
BA.
Nationality :- Indian.
Address :- Mathilakath,
Krishna Nivas, East
Yakara ,
Palakkad 678013.
4. Publisher’s Name :- K.Chandrasekharan
BA.
Nationality :- Indian.
Address :- Mathilakath,
Krishna Nivas, East
Yakara ,
Palakkad 678013.
5. Editor’s Name :- K.Chandrasekharan
BA.
Nationality :- Indian.
Address :- Mathilakath,
Krishna Nivas, East
Yakara ,
Palakkad 678013.
6. Names and addresses of individuals :- National
Federation of Railway Pensioners,
who own the newspaper
and XI/893, Upstairs of RPA Office,
partners or
shareholders Opp. Aranyabhavan,
holding More than one Railway Colony Road
per cent of the total
capital. Palakkad – 678002, Kerala.
I, K.Chandrasekharan
BA, hereby declare that the particulars given above are true to the best of my
knowledge and belief.
Sd/-
K.Chandrasekharan BA.
Editor, Printer and Publisher,
Date 15.03.2014. Railway Pensioners National Digest.
RPND
Subscription should be renewed well in advance of the due month to avoid discontinuity.
While sending EMOs / MOs,senders name
and subscriber number (ID No.)
should be written on message column/space for communication of the MO form. It
is noticed that many are not doing this. Subscriber number is furnished in the
subscription receipt sent to each subscriber. Subscriber Number and due dates
are not allowed in the address wrapper of RPND
RAILWAY
PENSIONER’S NATIONAL DIGEST ( Estd .
1986 )
Official organ of
the National Federation of Railway Pensioners’ (NFRP) ( Estd-1982) ( Registered
under Registration of Societies Act XXI of 1860, No 37/88 ) Admn Office :
XI/893, Upstairs of RPA Office, Opp. Aranyabhavan, Railway Colony Road,
Olavakkode, Palakkad – 678002, Kerala.
Edited,
printed, published and owned by K. Chandrasekharan BA, Mathilakath, Krishna Nivas, East Yakkara ,
Palakkad 678013, Kerala. Phone 0491 2506011 on behalf of NFRP and printed at
Kallur Industries (Printers), Rly
Colony Road
Palakkad
678009. Phone - 0491 2555720.
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