Cabinet approval

Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017 : Increase maximum limit of gratuity in Private Sector

September 13, 2017 by Sony 2 Comments

Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017 : Increase maximum limit of gratuity in Private Sector

“Amendment will increase the maximum limit of gratuity of employees, in the private sector and in Public Sector Undertakings/ Autonomous Organizations…”

Cabinet approves introduction of the Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017 in the Parliament

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for introduction of the Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017 in the Parliament.

The Amendment will increase the maximum limit of gratuity of employees, in the private sector and in Public Sector Undertakings/ Autonomous Organizations under Government who are not covered under CCS (Pension) Rules, at par with Central Government employees.

Background:

The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 applies to establishments employing 10 or more persons. The main purpose for enacting this Act is to provide social security to workmen after retirement, whether retirement is a result of the rules of superannuation, or physical disablement or impairment of vital part of the body. Therefore, the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 is an important social security legislation to wage earning population in industries, factories and establishments.

The present upper ceiling on gratuity amount under the Act is Rs. 10 Lakh. The provisions for Central Government employees under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 with regard to gratuity are also similar. Before implementation of 7th Central Pay Commission, the ceiling under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 was Rs. 10 Lakh. However, with implementation of 7th Central Pay Commission, in case of Government servants, the ceiling now is Rs. 20 Lakhs effective from 1.1.2016.

Therefore, considering the inflation and wage increase even in case of employees engaged in private sector, the Government is of the view that the entitlement of gratuity should be revised for employees who are covered under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972. Accordingly, the Government initiated the process for amendment to Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972.

Retirement Gratuity Ceiling hiked to Rs.20 lakh for bank employees and officers – AIBEA

7th CPC increased Gratuity Ceiling limit – 20 lakh from 1.1.2016

Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017 : Increase maximum limit of gratuity in Private Sector

Cabinet approves Cadre Review of Group ‘A’ Executive Officers of Border Security Force

September 12, 2016 by Sony Leave a Comment

Cabinet approves Cadre Review of Group ‘A’ Executive Officers of Border Security Force

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the Cadre Review of Group ‘A’ Executive officers of BSF with net creation of 74 posts of various ranks from Assistant Commandant to Additional DG ranks to enhance the operational and administrative capabilities of BSF.

Increase of existing structure of Group ‘A’ posts from 4109 to 4183 posts are as follows:

1. Increase of one post of Additional DG (HAG level).

2. Net increase of 19 posts of Inspector General (SAG level).

3. Net increase of 370 posts of DIG/Commandant/2 1C (JAG level).

4. Net increase of 14 posts of Assistant Commandant (JTS level).

5. Net reduction of 330 posts of Deputy Commandant (STS level).

Background:

The BSF is the largest border guarding force established in 1965. The present sanctioned strength of the Force is 2,57,025 having 186 Battalions (including 03 NDRF Battalions). Of these the Executive Group ‘A’ cadre has sanctioned strength of 4065 officers (4109 including the IPS quota). About 90% of the troops are deployed in Indo-Pakistan Border, Indo-Bangladesh Border (including North East) and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) States. The last cadre review of the service was done in 1990.

Source: PIB News

Cabinet approves Revision of pension of BSNL Pensioners Removing Anomalies

July 5, 2016 by Sony Leave a Comment

Cabinet approves Revision of pension of BSNL Pensioners Removing Anomalies

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the revision of pension of BSNL pensioners and family pensioners, who retired prior to 10.06.2013 by allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA/DR with Basic Pay/ Pension, effectively amounting to 78.2% DA/DR for the purpose of fitment, and (ii) Modifying the liability of BSNL towards the payment of pensionary benefits to the retired employees.

The pension of BSNL pensioners/family pensioners, who retired prior to 10.06.2013 has been revised w.e.f. 01.01.2007 notionally with actual benefit w.e.f. 10.06.2013, by allowing the benefit of merger of 50% DA/DR with Basic Pay/ Pension, effectively amounting to 78.2% DA/DR for the purpose of fitment at par with the serving employees of BSNL. However, increase in the amount of DCRG, leave encashment and commutation of pension in respect of these pensioners shall not be increased on this account.

The pension liability in respect of employees of Department of Telecommunications (DOT) / Department of Telecom Services (DTS) / Department of Telecom Operations (DTO) who retired prior to 01.10.2000 is solely borne by Government of India and the BSNL will have no liability in respect of these employees. In respect of employees who are absorbed in BSNL, the liability on account of pensionary benefits shall be fully borne by Government while BSNL will continue to discharge pension liability by way of pension contribution in accordance with FR-116 for the period they so work/worked.

The revision entails an estimated recurring annual expenditure of approximately Rs 129.63 crore for pensioners and Rs 24.93 crore for family pensioners and arrears from 2013-14 would be Rs 239.92 crore approximately for pensioners and Rs 44.62 Crore approximately for family pensioners. Approximately118500 pensioners all over India will be benefitted by this revision.

This revision will fulfill the long pending demand of revision of pension of BSNL absorbed employees who retired prior to 10.06.2013 and will bring the pensioners at par with the serving employees of BSNL by removing the anomalies. It will help in reducing the financial burden of BSNL and removing prospects of industrial unrest in BSNL while fulfilling the commitment of Government.

Background: The decision of the Cabinet has come in the wake of an anomalous situation created in the difference of pension formula among the BSNL retirees who retired before and after 10.06.2013. Further, the decision regarding pensionary liability is on persistent demand from various quarters and a series of deliberations at different levels to fulfill the assurance given by the Government before corporatization i.e. before formation of BSNL.

Source: PIB News

Cabinet approved 6% DA and DR for Central Govt Employees and Pensioners from Jan 2016

March 23, 2016 by Sony Leave a Comment

Cabinet approved 6% DA and DR for Central Govt Employees and Pensioners from Jan 2016

Release of additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners due from 1.1.2016

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved release of an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to Pensioners w.e.f. 01.01.2016. This represents an increase of 6 percent over the existing rate of 119 percent of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate for price rise.

This will benefit about 50 lakh Government employees and 58 lakh pensioners.

The increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC). The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief would be of Rs. 6796.50 crore per annum and Rs.7929.24 crore respectively, in the financial year 2016-17 (for a period of 14 months from January, 2016 to February, 2017).

Source: PIB News

Based on the Census of 2011 HRA and TA increased for CG employees

June 5, 2015 by Sony Leave a Comment

Based on the Census of 2011 HRA and TA increased for CG employees for select cities

House Rent Allowance, Travel Allowance increased

for select cities

Based on the Census of 2011, the House Rent Allowance and Travel Allowance for Central Government employees of a few cities are going to be hiked.

At the cabinet meeting, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was decided that, based on the Census report of 2011, the status of 29 towns and small towns is going to be upgraded. Central Government employees employed in these cities and towns will be eligible to grant revised House Rent Allowance and Rravel Allowance with effect from April 1, 2014. This would cost the government exchequer an additional Rs.128 crores annually.

House Rent Allowance to Central Government employees is now calculated on the basis of the population census of 2001. The cities and towns are classified as X, Y, and Z, based on their population. Employees in these towns are eligible for 30%, 20% and 10% House Rent Allowances respectively.

Population census is conducted once every ten years. The most recent census was held in 2011. Official information and findings of the Census was sent by the registrar General & Census Commissioner to the Finance Ministry a long time ago.

There is no denial in the fact that the Confederation of Central Government Employees has been constantly demanding this upgrading. The Confederation had, on 28.04.2014, sent a letter to the Finance Ministry. The letter said that even though the 2011 Census Report CD was received, there is no official announcement from the Government in this regard. The letter also demanded that a revised HRA and TA be implemented immediately in the reclassification of cities and towns on the basis of 2011 Census. On 30.07.2014, the Finance Ministry had, in reply to the mail, said that steps are being taken to implement the revised HRA and TA rates to the Central Government employees of these cities and towns.

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