All-India Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural and Rural Labourers on Base 1986-87=100 – April, 2010

  
    The All-India Consumer Price Index  Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers (Base: 1986-87=100) for April, 2010  increased by 2 points each to stand at 538 (Five hundred and thirty eight)  points for  both the series.

       The  rise/fall in index varied from State to State.  In case  of Agricultural Labourers, it recorded an
increase between 1 to 7 points in 14 States and a decrease between 1 to 9  points in 6 States.  Haryana with 604 points topped the  index table whereas Himachal Pradesh with the index level of 460 points
stood at the bottom.

      In case of Rural Labourers,  it recorded an increase between 1 to 7 points in 14 States and a decrease
between 3 to 9 points in 5 States. It, however, remained stationary in 1  State.  Haryana with 600 points topped the index table  whereas Manipur with the index level of 463 points stood at the bottom.

      The Consumer Price Index Numbers of Andhra Pradesh State for Agricultural Labourers and Rural  Labourers registered the maximum increase of 7 points each mainly due  to increase in the prices of rice, jowar,  pulses, milk, chilies green, tamarind, vegetables & fruits and tea  readymade. On the other hand, the Consumer Price Index Numbers of Punjab and  Rajasthan States for Agricultural Labourers and
Rajasthan State for Rural Labourers recorded the  highest decrease of 9 points each mainly due to decrease in the prices of  wheat/wheat atta, jowar, bajra, onion, sugar and gur.

Point to point rate of inflation based on the CPI-AL and CPI-RL decreased  from 15.77% and 15.52% respectively in March, 2010 to 14.96% in April, 2010  for both the series.  The rates of inflation during  April, 2009 were 9.09% for both the series.

All-IndiaConsumer Price Index Number (General & Group-wise)

Group	Agricultural Labourers		Rural  Labourers
	March, 2010	April,  2010	March, 2010	April,  2010
General Index	536	538	536	538
Food	545	545	545	546
Pan, Supari, etc.	652	661	654	663
Fuel & Light	538	543	537	541
Clothing, Bedding  & Footwear	457	461	480	484
Miscellaneous	496	497	493	495

read more...

Sports persons participating in sporting events (both individual and team events) of national and international importance will be treated as having achieved excellence

The OFFICE MEMORANDUM issued by DOP&T  on 18th May 2010,clarifies that sports persons participating in sporting  events (both individual and team events) of national and international  importance will be treated as having achieved excellence for the purpose of  grant of increment(s) if he/she achieves lst 2nd or 3rd position in the  finals of sporting events if more than three individuals or teams have  participated in the events. If only three or less individuals or teams have  participated in the finals of a sporting event, the sportsperson/team  achieving first position will be treated as having achieved excellence. 

  

 No.6/2/2009-Pay-1
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training) 

New Delhi dated the 18^th May,  2010 

                                               

  OFFICE MEMORANDUM

  

Subject : Participation by Central Government servants in sporting
events and tournaments of National or International importance.

  

   
1. The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM  No.6/1/85-Pay-1 dated 16.7.85 in terms of which employees are entitled to grant of incentive increment on achieving excellence in sports events of
national/ international importance. 

2.    The question of defining the term  ‘Excellence’ for grant of increment to a government servant has been
examined in consultation with the D/Youth Affairs & Sports. It is clarified  that sportspersons participating in sporting events (both individual and  team events) of national and international importance will be treated as  having achieved excellence for the purpose of grant of increment(s) if  he/she achieves lst,2nd or 3rd position in the finals of sporting events if  more than three individuals or teams have participated in the events. If  only three or less individuals or teams have participated in the finals of a
sporting event, the sportsperson/ team achieving first position will be  treated.as having achieved excellence.

(Rita Mathur)
Director(Pay) 

read more...

National Council meeting Agenda and Discussion points - Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers - General Secretary

   HONOURABLE General Secretary of Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers Mr.K.K.N.Kutty has written in his blog regarding the National Council, JCM meeting decision and discussions points, we have reproduced the same content as follows…

   The 46th meeting of the National Council, JCM was held today at Rail Bhawan, Conference hall under the Chairmanship of Shri K.M. Chandrasekhar, Cabinet Secretary. The 45th meeting was on 14th October, 2006. The 46th meeting was thus held after two and half years, whereas the provisions of the JCM
stipulate that the meetings are to be convened once in every four months. i.e. three meetings in a year.

   The Chairman welcomed the members and stated that there had been a long delay in convening the meeting. However, he said that the Government had been interacting with the staff side frequently and cited the meeting of the Standing Committee had with him immediately after the 6th CPC recommendations were notified; convened the Standing Committee thereafter under the Chairmanship of the Secretary, Personnel; Government issued orders on the recommendations of the 6th CPC in record time, and ensured that the
Anomaly Committee is set up without much loss of time and discussions were held with the Staff side twice in the Anomaly Committee and has agreed to set up a small committee to look into the problems of the MACP. He also stated that the Government’s endeavour to resolve the disputes and problems faced by its employees through mutual discussion would continue with a view to maintain cordiality. He then requested the Leader and Secretary, Staff Side to make their initial remarks before the Agenda is taken for
discussion.

   The Leader, Staff Side thanked the Cabinet Secretary and the Government for taking expeditious decision on the 6th CPC suggestions and expressed his gratitude for his intervention to make improvements in the recommendations of the Commission. However, he touched upon the following issues seeking a resolution.

(a) Child Care leave: The clarificatory orders issued by the government have in effect nullified the benefit extended to the Women employees by the Commission and the Cabinet. He wanted the clarificatory orders in this regard to be rescinded. He added that if the Government has any practical difficulties in implementing the orders issued in this regard, the same may be discussed with the Staff Side. He assured the Cabinet secretary that the Staff Side will take a very constructive attitude in the matter.

(b) Children Education allowances: He said that the allowance has been  restricted to two eldest surviving children. He wanted the Govt. to reconsider this matter.

(c) The MACP scheme is supposed to be an improvement over the ACP which was in vogue. However in view of the promotion to the next grade pay stipulated in the new scheme, it has turned out to be less advantageous to many employees. He hoped that the Sub Committee would look into the matter and resolve the issue to the satisfaction of the employees.

(d) The new concept of Pay band and Grade Pay has created a situation in which the Senior Persons would be drawing lesser pay than their juniors. This matter has been the subject matter of discussion at the Anomaly Committee meeting. Though the Railways by issuing an order have partially set right this anomaly, the issue has not been fully addressed. Since this has created resentment amongst the employees, he wanted the Govt. to look into this matter and resolve the issue.

(e) Normally after every Pay Commission Govt. used to raise the income taxable limit. This was not done this time, with the result even the low paid employees have come within the ambit of taxation.

(f) The inordinate delay in convening the National Council and Departmental Councils was pointed out and requested that steps are needed to ensure that the meeting do take place within the stipulated periodicity.
The Staff Side Secretary while speaking raised the following issues for consideration and resolution.

(a) He said that the harmonious relationship could only be maintained with a continuous dialogue. The JCM was conceived with that idea. Initially the employees were against the idea of JCM but at the insistence of the then Home Minister, they had agreed and the track record has shown that it has helped in maintaining industrial peace in the Governmental sector. He therefore pleaded that the Council meetings should be convened within the stipulated period of time. He added that most of the Departmental Councils have become defunct and anomaly committee were not being set up at that level with the result all items of anomaly which are normally to be addressed at the Departmental levels were being referred to the National
Council. He pleaded that the Govt. should take a serious view of this matter and ensures that the Departmental Councils of all Ministries are periodically convened and the National Council apprised of the functioning of the Departmental Councils as it used to be done in the past.

(b) Arbitration Awards. Arbitration was inbuilt in the JCM scheme. Issues on which agreements could not be reached are to be referred to the Board of Arbitration. Both the Parties are supposed to abide the decision of the Arbitrator. The Govt. is vested with the power of referring the Parliamentary approval for rejection of the awards on certain specific circumstances like the expenditure on implementation of such awards would have a serious deleterious effect on the economy of the country. Of late the government had been referring every award to the Parliament for rejection.Even though it was agreed that such reference would be intimated to the Staff Side well in advance, the same had not been adhered to. He added that
recently he was informed of such a rejection of an award being considered by the Parliament on 4th May, 2010. The Staff side was informed of this only on 3rd May, 2010. It was agreed at the National Council that all such awards which had been referred to the Parliament would be recalled and subjected to
negotiation with the Staff Side. Two or three rounds of discussions were held with the Staff Side. But no conclusions were arrived at despite the Staff Side agreeing for the modification of these awards. He, therefore, wanted these awards to be re-subjected to further negotiations and decisions taken by mutual consent.

(c) DOPT has issued recently questionnaire on the functioning of the JCM. The members of the Staff Side had given reply to the said questionnaire. In the light of that he suggested to set up a joint committee to review the scheme with a view to improve its functioning.

(d) The Grade Pay and Pay band system introduced by the 6th CPC for improving the productivity of Government Services was a revolutionary concept and the same had not been fully grasped by the employees. Therefore, all the grievances that arise from the implementation of the 6th CPC had not been catalogued and presented at one go. He requested that the Govt. should continue to consider the problems of the employees as and when it is presented.

(e) He said that the recommendation of the 6th CPC was to double all the allowances. He complained that the Government has not done this in some cases for one reason or the other. What is needed is to double this allowance and then work on alternatives. As and when the alternatives are worked, this allowance could be withdrawn. He then enquired about the delay in revising the Medical Allowance for outpatient treatment for pensioners. The Official side intervened and said that the said allowance would be revised to Rs. 300 p.m. and the orders would be issued soon. The entire Staff Side resented this decision in the light of the fact that even the Health Ministry’s suggestion was to raise it to Rs. 500/-.on the basis of the per capita OPD expenses.

(f) He then referred to the orders issued by the Government to the effect that future promotion to the cadre of LDC would only be from among those who are qualified in the XII Std. Examination. He said that while this could be a stipulation for future recruitees, it cannot be applied for the existing employees as it would be impossible for them to acquire the said qualification.

(g) Even though the fast Track committee has done a commendable job in the case of Master Craftsmen, the same has not been implemented in Defence so far.

(h) He wanted the Govt. to waive the bonafide transport allowance granted to the employees of Lucknow and Jaipur which has been ordered to be recovered on the basis of the audit objection, especially in the background that in the case of those who had gone to the Court, the relief has been granted.

(i) He specifically drew the attention of the official side to the letter the Staff Side had written in the case of those Group D employees died or retired before getting the benefit of training and assignment of Grade pay
of Rs. 1800. He wanted them to be treated as deemed to have been trained and benefit of Grade pay of Rs. 1800 extended to them with effect from 1.1.2006 The Chairman, responding to the points made out by the Secretary and leader  stated that the same has been noted and necessary action would be taken by the Govt. and communicated. In the case of convening the Departmental Council meetings, he said that he would write to All Secretaries of the Govt. of India to immediately convene the Departmental Council
meetings/Anomaly Committee meeting.

   The agenda items were taken up then for discussion. We give hereunder the decisions taken on each of the items that came up for discussion.

Item No.1. Reimbursement of Ayaa charges – delegation thereon: Agreed. Orders issued.

Item No.2. Reimbursement of expenditure towards implantation of special types of stents like cipher stent etc. in case of CS(MA) beneficiaries – delegation thereon:. Orders issued delegating powers to the HODs

Item No.3. Pathological and diagnostic procedures: Diagnostic centers identified and recognized for the City of Jaipur.

Item No. 4. Grant of FMA in lieu of out door treatment facilities. The facility of extending FMA benefit to CGHS Card holders who are beyond the age of 70 would be considered. It was also stated that the Govt. would be issuing orders shortly raising the FMA from Rs. 100 to 300 for all pensioners covered under CSMA rules.

Item No.5.Relocation of one CGHS dispensary in Wadi area under the jurisdiction of Municipal Corporation Nagpur. Decision in the matter would be taken soon.

Item No. 6. Specialized consultation in PU hospital like Ispat Hospital, HEC Hospital and CCL Hospital, Ranchi. The matter is under consideration to permit the CGHS beneficiaries to avail the treatment in the above mentioned hospitals subject to an overall ceiling.

Item No. 7. Supply of free diet to employees and their dependant under treatment for TB Leprosy, Mental, Illness, Cancel and HIV/AIDS, Renal Dialysis therapy, Thalsaema. Orders issued.

Item No. 8. Sanction of incentive allowance to Central Government employees  working in extremists infested areas. Not agreed.

Item No.9 Declaration of Gandhinagar as Link City of Ahmedabad. Final decision by the next meeting.

Item No. 10. Up-gradation of Jamnagar as B.2. Town with effect from 14.2.2006. The Department of Expenditure will reconsider the matter.

Item No.11. Up-gradation of Bangalore City with effect from 16.1. 2007. The Department of Expenditure will reconsider the matter.

Item No.12. Anomaly in fixation of revised pension. Not agreed.

Item No.13. Eligibility of Family pension to Widow/Divorcee Daughter/unmarried Daughter who are now eligible for payment of family pension for inclusion of names in PPOs issued much earlier. Govt. will issue
a general clarification order soon.

Item No.14. Grant of family pension in case of Missing Pensioners after two months. Instead of two months, Govt. has agreed to reduce the period to 6 months.

Item No.15. Grant of half day casual leave facility for industrial employees. It was agreed that the condition imposed in the order would be removed.

Item No. 16. Relaxation of Upper age limit for departmental candidates for appointment to Group C Posts. In the light of extension of superannuation age to 60 years, the upper age ceiling for this purpose would be raised by two years.

Item No. 17. Rate of Stitching charge of liveries requires to be increased. Agreed to be considered and raised in 2011.

Item No.18. Casual labourers (Grant of Temporary Status and Regularization) scheme- on implementation of. The matter is under consideration

Item No. 19. Restricted holidays for Industrial workers. Not agreed to.

Item No. 20. Applicability of CCS(RSA)Rules 1993 to the workers employed in Defence Establishments. The Defence Ministry will seek legal opinion and would take appropriate decision

read more...

JAMMU & KASHMIR Govt Agrees to Employees Demands, Stalemate Ends

    The stalemate between the employees and the state government ended today[15th May] after latter agreed to most  of the demands of its agitating employees.

    A meeting took place between a cabinet  sub-committee, headed by Finace Minister A R Rather, authorised by the  government to deal with the situation following a fresh threat of agitation  by the employees, and union representatives late Saturday evening.

    The cabinet sub-committee was asked to engage in a 'meaningful' dialogue  with the government employees, who went on strike April 3 but called it off  later that month after the state high court ruled there was “no  justification” for the agitation.

    Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood  Control, Mr.Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Minister for Rural Development, Law & Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar, Minister for School  Education, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Minister for Industries & Commerce, Mr. S.S. Slathia, Chief Secretary, Mr. S.S.Kapur, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr. Khursheed Ahmad Ganai, Commissioner/Secretary, Finance, Mr. Sudhanshu Panday, Commissioner/Secretary,  GAD, Mr. Basharat Ahmad Dhar, Secretary Law, Mr. G.N. Tantray and various representatives of employees Unions, including Khursheed Alam and Nazir A Mir participated in the meeting.

    Rather later announced that the employees will get increase of two and half percent HRA from the month of June this year while rest two and half percent will be released in June 2011 next year.

    Regarding the release of dearness allowance, Mr. Rather said that it was decided that orders for release of 8% DA will be issued soon. He said that long pending demand of PSU employees has been solved by conversion of COLA into DA and will be effected from 1st July 2010.

    To remove the pay anomalies, Mr. Rather said that the pay anomaly committee shall submit its report to the Government by the end of June this year for taking further action in this regard.

    Regarding release of 6th Pay Commission arrears, Finance Minister said that the assurances given by the Chief Minister will be adhered strictly and road map for the release of arrears will be accordingly prepared within three months on the basis of which appropriate decisions will be taken. For acquiring the full pension benefits, the Committee has decided to reduce the qualifying services from 30 years to 28 years, Mr. Rather added. For the regularization of daily wagers, the Cabinet Sub-Committee already framed shall submit its report to the cabinet within six months.

    The Finance Minister also announced the release of salaries in favour of the employees for the striking period and the period shall be considered as leave what-so-ever due to them as one time exception. He said the process will be initiated to look into the cases of those employees against whom action was taken under ESMA and a positive and lenient view shall be taken after following the due process of law.

    Rather said that the Government has always been  employee-friendly and has taken several measures including implementation of  6th Pay Commission due to which State ex-chequer has to face burden of Rs 1800 crore.

   Confirming the deal Nazir Ahmad Mir, a representative of the Civil Secretariat Employee’s Union said, “The state government has agreed to an eight percent increase in dearness allowance with effect from Jan 1. The government has also agreed to a 2.5 percent increase in house rent allowance which would be paid with the salaries at the end of this month.”

    The employees were demanding payment of arrears as per the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission, enhancement of retirement age from the present 58 to 60 years, as well as revocation of the principle of no work, no pay for those employees who had remained on strike in April.

    The government also agreed to reduce the pension qualifying service from the present 30 years to 28 years, he said.

   As for the enhancement of the retirement age, the cabinet sub-committee has promised the employees their demand would be sympathetically considered and a decision on this would be taken in the near future. 

SOURCE - KASHMIROBSERVER

read more...

JAMMU & KASHMIR Govt Agrees to Employees Demands, Stalemate Ends

    The stalemate between the employees and the state government ended today[15th May] after latter agreed to most  of the demands of its agitating employees.

    A meeting took place between a cabinet  sub-committee, headed by Finace Minister A R Rather, authorised by the  government to deal with the situation following a fresh threat of agitation  by the employees, and union representatives late Saturday evening.

    The cabinet sub-committee was asked to engage in a 'meaningful' dialogue  with the government employees, who went on strike April 3 but called it off  later that month after the state high court ruled there was “no  justification” for the agitation.

    Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood  Control, Mr.Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Minister for Rural Development, Law & Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar, Minister for School  Education, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Minister for Industries & Commerce, Mr. S.S. Slathia, Chief Secretary, Mr. S.S.Kapur, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr. Khursheed Ahmad Ganai, Commissioner/Secretary, Finance, Mr. Sudhanshu Panday, Commissioner/Secretary,  GAD, Mr. Basharat Ahmad Dhar, Secretary Law, Mr. G.N. Tantray and various representatives of employees Unions, including Khursheed Alam and Nazir A Mir participated in the meeting.

    Rather later announced that the employees will get increase of two and half percent HRA from the month of June this year while rest two and half percent will be released in June 2011 next year.

    Regarding the release of dearness allowance, Mr. Rather said that it was decided that orders for release of 8% DA will be issued soon. He said that long pending demand of PSU employees has been solved by conversion of COLA into DA and will be effected from 1st July 2010.

    To remove the pay anomalies, Mr. Rather said that the pay anomaly committee shall submit its report to the Government by the end of June this year for taking further action in this regard.

    Regarding release of 6th Pay Commission arrears, Finance Minister said that the assurances given by the Chief Minister will be adhered strictly and road map for the release of arrears will be accordingly prepared within three months on the basis of which appropriate decisions will be taken. For acquiring the full pension benefits, the Committee has decided to reduce the qualifying services from 30 years to 28 years, Mr. Rather added. For the regularization of daily wagers, the Cabinet Sub-Committee already framed shall submit its report to the cabinet within six months.

    The Finance Minister also announced the release of salaries in favour of the employees for the striking period and the period shall be considered as leave what-so-ever due to them as one time exception. He said the process will be initiated to look into the cases of those employees against whom action was taken under ESMA and a positive and lenient view shall be taken after following the due process of law.

    Rather said that the Government has always been  employee-friendly and has taken several measures including implementation of  6th Pay Commission due to which State ex-chequer has to face burden of Rs 1800 crore.

   Confirming the deal Nazir Ahmad Mir, a representative of the Civil Secretariat Employee’s Union said, “The state government has agreed to an eight percent increase in dearness allowance with effect from Jan 1. The government has also agreed to a 2.5 percent increase in house rent allowance which would be paid with the salaries at the end of this month.”

    The employees were demanding payment of arrears as per the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission, enhancement of retirement age from the present 58 to 60 years, as well as revocation of the principle of no work, no pay for those employees who had remained on strike in April.

    The government also agreed to reduce the pension qualifying service from the present 30 years to 28 years, he said.

   As for the enhancement of the retirement age, the cabinet sub-committee has promised the employees their demand would be sympathetically considered and a decision on this would be taken in the near future. 

SOURCE - KASHMIROBSERVER

read more...

Vice President Presents National Florence Nightingale Awards-2010 to Nurses

    The Vice President Shri M Hamid Ansari presented National Florence Nightingale Awards to Outstanding/Meritorious Nursing Personnel here today. Terming nursing a noble profession Shri Ansari  said that nurses play a key role in ensuring equitable health care for all. 

   The Vice President said that the Nursing personnel must understand the magnitude of the health challenge and take coordinated action to promote healthy lifestyles, prevent disease and provide health care to those in need. Speaking on the occasion the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad assured that the Government is committed to upgrade nursing skills and improve the overall availability of nursing personnel. Shri Azad said that there are around 10.35 lakh nurses registered with the Nursing Council. Of these nearly 40% would be in active service. Many have retired or gone abroad or given up nursing services after marriage. That leaves only around 4 lakh nurses in the country in active service. Based on estimates made by different agencies around 10 lakh more nurses are required at the present rates.

        In order to meet the shortage of nurses and bring the availability of nursing personnel at par
with the developed countries Shri Azad gave details of new schemes being envisaged for promoting nursing in the country. He outlined the following initiatives.

• Opening of 132 ANM (Auxiliary Nursing and Midwifery) schools at an estimated cost of Rs.5.00 crores   per school.

• Establishment of 137 GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) Schools at an estimated cost of Rs.10.00 crores per school. Care will be taken to open these schools in those districts, where there are no such schools at present, thereby ensuring that all the districts of the country will have at least one Nursing School in the next two years.

• 14 State Nursing Councils are being strengthened at estimated cost of Rs. 1.00 crore per council.

• In another 14 cases Nursing Cells in Directorate of Health Services in the States are being strengthened at an estimated cost of Rs.1.00 crore per State.

• Six more Nursing Colleges are being opened at estimated cost of Rs.20.00 Crore per College.

                The Health Minister also enumerated other measures such as liberalisation of the norms to encourage setting up of more nursing institutions. For example, the student patient ratio has been relaxed from 1:5 to 1:3, and adoption of a pragmatic approach in respect of faculty requirements and the qualifications and experience norms and the upper age limit of faculty has also been relaxed.

              Similarly, super speciality hospitals have been allowed to start M.Sc. programmes without insisting on having graduate programmes; married females have been allowed admission in nursing course.

               Similarly, 100 nursing seats would be allowed to parent hospitals without insisting on a Medical College.

SOURCE - PIB

read more...

Vice President Presents National Florence Nightingale Awards-2010 to Nurses

    The Vice President Shri M Hamid Ansari presented National Florence Nightingale Awards to Outstanding/Meritorious Nursing Personnel here today. Terming nursing a noble profession Shri Ansari  said that nurses play a key role in ensuring equitable health care for all. 

   The Vice President said that the Nursing personnel must understand the magnitude of the health challenge and take coordinated action to promote healthy lifestyles, prevent disease and provide health care to those in need. Speaking on the occasion the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad assured that the Government is committed to upgrade nursing skills and improve the overall availability of nursing personnel. Shri Azad said that there are around 10.35 lakh nurses registered with the Nursing Council. Of these nearly 40% would be in active service. Many have retired or gone abroad or given up nursing services after marriage. That leaves only around 4 lakh nurses in the country in active service. Based on estimates made by different agencies around 10 lakh more nurses are required at the present rates.

        In order to meet the shortage of nurses and bring the availability of nursing personnel at par
with the developed countries Shri Azad gave details of new schemes being envisaged for promoting nursing in the country. He outlined the following initiatives.

• Opening of 132 ANM (Auxiliary Nursing and Midwifery) schools at an estimated cost of Rs.5.00 crores   per school.

• Establishment of 137 GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) Schools at an estimated cost of Rs.10.00 crores per school. Care will be taken to open these schools in those districts, where there are no such schools at present, thereby ensuring that all the districts of the country will have at least one Nursing School in the next two years.

• 14 State Nursing Councils are being strengthened at estimated cost of Rs. 1.00 crore per council.

• In another 14 cases Nursing Cells in Directorate of Health Services in the States are being strengthened at an estimated cost of Rs.1.00 crore per State.

• Six more Nursing Colleges are being opened at estimated cost of Rs.20.00 Crore per College.

                The Health Minister also enumerated other measures such as liberalisation of the norms to encourage setting up of more nursing institutions. For example, the student patient ratio has been relaxed from 1:5 to 1:3, and adoption of a pragmatic approach in respect of faculty requirements and the qualifications and experience norms and the upper age limit of faculty has also been relaxed.

              Similarly, super speciality hospitals have been allowed to start M.Sc. programmes without insisting on having graduate programmes; married females have been allowed admission in nursing course.

               Similarly, 100 nursing seats would be allowed to parent hospitals without insisting on a Medical College.

SOURCE - PIB

read more...

FAQ Regarding buying a new house - A Tax impact review

Rebate only if capital for house is borrowed


I own a house in Ahmedabad that I occupy. I propose to buy a house in the same city. What is the tax impact on such a purchase? What deductions areavailable if I make such a purchase? – Dharmesh

   The purchase as such will not lead to any tax implications. Note that onlyone property can be treated as self-occupied and the annual value taken as NIL. In respect of the other, the property will be treated as deemed to be let out and the annual value would be taken to be the sum for which the property can be leased.

   The property that is to be treated as self occupied where more than one property is self occupied would be at the option of the assessee.

   Deductions are available in respect of interest on capital borrowed and principal repayment of housing loan u/s 24 and u/s 80C respectively. A deduction in respect of purchase by itself will however not be available.

   I had invested Rs 25,000 in a fixed deposit for one year at 8 per cent per annum. The fixed deposit will be maturing this month and I wish to renew it along with the interest.

   Do I have to pay tax in respect of the interest now, as I fall within the tax bracket, or can I offer the entire interest to tax when I close the fixed deposit? – Sapna

  At the time when the fixed deposit is renewed along with the interest accrued thereon, the interest will be deemed to have been paid and therefore such interest will have to be brought to tax if you are following the cash system of accounting in respect of such source of income being interest from fixed deposits.

   It appears that you are not following the mercantile system of accounting as, if that had been so, the interest would have had to be offered on a year-to-year basis when it accrued.

   This is in reference to the reply published in respect of the query on setting off of losses from trading in futures and options.

  If I satisfy all the conditions that have been stated in the amended provisions of section 43(5) and if my loss is to be treated as non-speculative, can it be set off against income from bank interest and rental income received in the same financial year? – Sundar

   If you satisfy all the conditions stated in section 43(5), the loss would be treated as a business loss and not as a speculation loss and can consequently be set off against any income of the year other than salary income.

   If it cannot be so set off, it can be carried forward and set off against business income within eight assessment years immediately succeeding the assessment year in which the loss was first computed.

   It may be noted that the conditions stipulated in section 43(5) are as follows: The transaction is carried out electronically on by screen-based systems; the transaction is carried out through a registered broker or sub-broker; the transaction is supported by a time stamped contract issued by such broker or sub-broker; the contract note indicates the unique client identity number and permanent account number.

   I am a Central Government employee. As I was appointed in October 2005, I fall under the New Pension Scheme. My salary comprised of basic pay, grade pay, HRA, dearness allowance and transport allowance.

   Deduction towards provident fund of Rs 3,499 and contribution towards CGEIS is being made from my salary income. Can I get any deduction u/s 80C by investing up to Rs 1,00,000? If yes, how? – Dr Jai Gopal Sharma. You can claim a deduction u/s 80C by making investments.

   The maximum deduction available under this section is Rs 1,00,000 and the
deduction is available in respect of certain payments and investments.

  The payments and investments also include employees' contribution to a recognised provident fund and contributions to CGEIS (Central Government Employees' Group Insurance Scheme).

  In your case as you are contributing to a provident fund (if the same is recognized) and to Central Government Employees' Group Insurance Scheme, the maximum investment other than contribution to provident fund and CGEIS that will qualify for deduction will be Rs 1,00,000 as reduced by the amount of
contribution to such provident fund and CGEIS.

  This deduction can be claimed by you by giving proof to your employer who can take it into account while computing the tax to be deducted at source from your salary or alternatively by filing a return of income and claiming a refund in respect of the excess tax deducted at source or by adjusting it against other tax payable.

  Mail your queries to taxtalk@thehindu.co.in or by post to ‘Tax Talk', Business Line, Kasturi Buildings, 859, Anna Salai, Chennai-600002

SOURCE - THE HINDU

read more...

FAQ Regarding buying a new house - A Tax impact review

Rebate only if capital for house is borrowed


I own a house in Ahmedabad that I occupy. I propose to buy a house in the same city. What is the tax impact on such a purchase? What deductions areavailable if I make such a purchase? – Dharmesh

   The purchase as such will not lead to any tax implications. Note that onlyone property can be treated as self-occupied and the annual value taken as NIL. In respect of the other, the property will be treated as deemed to be let out and the annual value would be taken to be the sum for which the property can be leased.

   The property that is to be treated as self occupied where more than one property is self occupied would be at the option of the assessee.

   Deductions are available in respect of interest on capital borrowed and principal repayment of housing loan u/s 24 and u/s 80C respectively. A deduction in respect of purchase by itself will however not be available.

   I had invested Rs 25,000 in a fixed deposit for one year at 8 per cent per annum. The fixed deposit will be maturing this month and I wish to renew it along with the interest.

   Do I have to pay tax in respect of the interest now, as I fall within the tax bracket, or can I offer the entire interest to tax when I close the fixed deposit? – Sapna

  At the time when the fixed deposit is renewed along with the interest accrued thereon, the interest will be deemed to have been paid and therefore such interest will have to be brought to tax if you are following the cash system of accounting in respect of such source of income being interest from fixed deposits.

   It appears that you are not following the mercantile system of accounting as, if that had been so, the interest would have had to be offered on a year-to-year basis when it accrued.

   This is in reference to the reply published in respect of the query on setting off of losses from trading in futures and options.

  If I satisfy all the conditions that have been stated in the amended provisions of section 43(5) and if my loss is to be treated as non-speculative, can it be set off against income from bank interest and rental income received in the same financial year? – Sundar

   If you satisfy all the conditions stated in section 43(5), the loss would be treated as a business loss and not as a speculation loss and can consequently be set off against any income of the year other than salary income.

   If it cannot be so set off, it can be carried forward and set off against business income within eight assessment years immediately succeeding the assessment year in which the loss was first computed.

   It may be noted that the conditions stipulated in section 43(5) are as follows: The transaction is carried out electronically on by screen-based systems; the transaction is carried out through a registered broker or sub-broker; the transaction is supported by a time stamped contract issued by such broker or sub-broker; the contract note indicates the unique client identity number and permanent account number.

   I am a Central Government employee. As I was appointed in October 2005, I fall under the New Pension Scheme. My salary comprised of basic pay, grade pay, HRA, dearness allowance and transport allowance.

   Deduction towards provident fund of Rs 3,499 and contribution towards CGEIS is being made from my salary income. Can I get any deduction u/s 80C by investing up to Rs 1,00,000? If yes, how? – Dr Jai Gopal Sharma. You can claim a deduction u/s 80C by making investments.

   The maximum deduction available under this section is Rs 1,00,000 and the
deduction is available in respect of certain payments and investments.

  The payments and investments also include employees' contribution to a recognised provident fund and contributions to CGEIS (Central Government Employees' Group Insurance Scheme).

  In your case as you are contributing to a provident fund (if the same is recognized) and to Central Government Employees' Group Insurance Scheme, the maximum investment other than contribution to provident fund and CGEIS that will qualify for deduction will be Rs 1,00,000 as reduced by the amount of
contribution to such provident fund and CGEIS.

  This deduction can be claimed by you by giving proof to your employer who can take it into account while computing the tax to be deducted at source from your salary or alternatively by filing a return of income and claiming a refund in respect of the excess tax deducted at source or by adjusting it against other tax payable.

  Mail your queries to taxtalk@thehindu.co.in or by post to ‘Tax Talk', Business Line, Kasturi Buildings, 859, Anna Salai, Chennai-600002

SOURCE - THE HINDU

read more...

Efforts to introduce Performance linked incentives for Central Government Employees

   The Indian government is finally going the corporate way. The stage has been set for introducing performance-linked payouts which may force over five million central government employees to deliver their best.

     What may make even corporate executives envious of the new bonanza for central government employees, particularly of the brass, is the proposal of a 20% hike for the best performers over and above the raise that they had received after the sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations two years ago.

      Yet for the babus, it won’t be a cakewalk either, as the formula of assessing the government employees as proposed by performance management division under the cabinet secretariat, has ruled out paying even a penny to an official if his ministry scores 70 or below in a scale of 100.

      But a secretary of a high performing ministry which meets 100% target will be eligible to receive Rs
2.4 lakh extra per year if the cabinet secretariat’s proposal of a 20% performance-linked payout is endorsed by the government, according to an official in cabinet secretariat.

       The first round of assessment, initially for three months from January to March 2010, is over and three out of 59 central government departments have got a 100% score. There is a strong possibility that a large number of government employees would receive an extra pay once the new formula is adopted.

        “We are extending the performance monitoring and evaluation system to 62 departments from the  current fiscal. According to our system, a department sets a target, fixes the weightages of each target, and if it succeeds meeting all its targets, it gets a score of 100. Now, we are proposing that if a department meets all its targets,the head of the department would be given a performance bonus of
20% or more of his basic salary. And other employees too will get such bonuses,” said an official in performance management division.

        He further says how the government has failed to implement performance-linked incentives for its
employees for the last 20 years though such recommendations were mooted by successive pay commissions including the more recent Sixth Pay Commission.

        Several countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Netherlands, Denmark, UK, US and Finland have moved away from the traditional government administrative model to a management model
under which officers act like corporate managers as they get greater operational freedom, but are held accountable for results. In fact, New Zealand is considered to be the leader of the pack where performance of government agencies are weighed in by setting targets and adopting regular evaluations. Though there were several  attempts in India too to bring in performance management in an institutionalised way, the process got kickstarted only after World Bank’s senior economist Prajapati Trivedi was appointed as secretary to the government of India with the responsibility for performance management early last year. Dr Trivedi, along with cabinet secretary KM Chandrasekhar, introduced a tool called Results Framework Document (RFD) which will set targets for each ministry and will finally be the basis for yearly evaluation.

        Dr SP Parashar, a former director of IIM Indore, says that the government had in the past too dealt with the subject by introducing themessuch as programming,planning,budgeting(PPB) Zero Base Budgeting (ZBB), and Outcome Budgeting (OB), to name a few. “You might be wondering what happened to
them? They went with their champions. Lets hope that Results Framework Document (RFD) stays. The real challenge and test of any change program in our kind of democracies is its continuity…” he says.

        He agrees that at concept level, Results Framework Document captures international best practices in
respect of government performance management, but it misses the heart of good performance being implemented in the corporate world. It is fixing individual responsibility in addition to departmental responsibility. The Results Framework Document as currently devised and adopted uses departmental responsibility and score as proxy for individual responsibility and score,” he says.

        Yet, with 62 government ministries and departments on board with a few exceptions like PMO, home and defence, the performance of central ministries is under close watch. Though SundayET has learnt that only three ministries met 100% targets and some could not even meet 50%, it remains to be seen when and how the government makes those report cards public.

SOURCE - THE ECONOMIC TIMES

read more...

Efforts to introduce Performance linked incentives for Central Government Employees

   The Indian government is finally going the corporate way. The stage has been set for introducing performance-linked payouts which may force over five million central government employees to deliver their best.

     What may make even corporate executives envious of the new bonanza for central government employees, particularly of the brass, is the proposal of a 20% hike for the best performers over and above the raise that they had received after the sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations two years ago.

      Yet for the babus, it won’t be a cakewalk either, as the formula of assessing the government employees as proposed by performance management division under the cabinet secretariat, has ruled out paying even a penny to an official if his ministry scores 70 or below in a scale of 100.

      But a secretary of a high performing ministry which meets 100% target will be eligible to receive Rs
2.4 lakh extra per year if the cabinet secretariat’s proposal of a 20% performance-linked payout is endorsed by the government, according to an official in cabinet secretariat.

       The first round of assessment, initially for three months from January to March 2010, is over and three out of 59 central government departments have got a 100% score. There is a strong possibility that a large number of government employees would receive an extra pay once the new formula is adopted.

        “We are extending the performance monitoring and evaluation system to 62 departments from the  current fiscal. According to our system, a department sets a target, fixes the weightages of each target, and if it succeeds meeting all its targets, it gets a score of 100. Now, we are proposing that if a department meets all its targets,the head of the department would be given a performance bonus of
20% or more of his basic salary. And other employees too will get such bonuses,” said an official in performance management division.

        He further says how the government has failed to implement performance-linked incentives for its
employees for the last 20 years though such recommendations were mooted by successive pay commissions including the more recent Sixth Pay Commission.

        Several countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Netherlands, Denmark, UK, US and Finland have moved away from the traditional government administrative model to a management model
under which officers act like corporate managers as they get greater operational freedom, but are held accountable for results. In fact, New Zealand is considered to be the leader of the pack where performance of government agencies are weighed in by setting targets and adopting regular evaluations. Though there were several  attempts in India too to bring in performance management in an institutionalised way, the process got kickstarted only after World Bank’s senior economist Prajapati Trivedi was appointed as secretary to the government of India with the responsibility for performance management early last year. Dr Trivedi, along with cabinet secretary KM Chandrasekhar, introduced a tool called Results Framework Document (RFD) which will set targets for each ministry and will finally be the basis for yearly evaluation.

        Dr SP Parashar, a former director of IIM Indore, says that the government had in the past too dealt with the subject by introducing themessuch as programming,planning,budgeting(PPB) Zero Base Budgeting (ZBB), and Outcome Budgeting (OB), to name a few. “You might be wondering what happened to
them? They went with their champions. Lets hope that Results Framework Document (RFD) stays. The real challenge and test of any change program in our kind of democracies is its continuity…” he says.

        He agrees that at concept level, Results Framework Document captures international best practices in
respect of government performance management, but it misses the heart of good performance being implemented in the corporate world. It is fixing individual responsibility in addition to departmental responsibility. The Results Framework Document as currently devised and adopted uses departmental responsibility and score as proxy for individual responsibility and score,” he says.

        Yet, with 62 government ministries and departments on board with a few exceptions like PMO, home and defence, the performance of central ministries is under close watch. Though SundayET has learnt that only three ministries met 100% targets and some could not even meet 50%, it remains to be seen when and how the government makes those report cards public.

SOURCE - THE ECONOMIC TIMES

read more...

Candidates Selected on Merit can enjoy quota benefit under UPSC rule: SC

The Supreme Court has upheld the Constitutional validity of a UPSC
rule allowing merit list candidates, belonging to reserved category, to
avail the quota benefit while choosing posts.

                A five-judge Constitution bench headed by  Chief Justice    K.G.Balakrishnan on Friday set aside the Madras High Court judgement which had declared the Union Public Service Commission rule as unconstitutional.   “Such migrations (of reserved category candidates taking the benefit of reservation even after making into merit list) is not inconsistent with the provision of the Constitution….Appeals are allowed,” the bench said. The court passed the order on a special leave petition filed by the Centre challenging the Madras High Court verdict.

         The bench said the option to take benefit of the quota after migrating to the reserved category was validly allowed by the UPSC.  Migration under Rule 16 (2) as amended in 2005 is not inconsistent with the Constitutional provisions under Article 14 and 16. “Under such facts and circumstances, the Madras High Court judgement is set aside and the Constitutional validity of Rule 16 (2) is upheld,” the bench, also
comprising Justices S H Kapadia, R V Raveendran, B Sudershan Reddy and P Sathasivam said in an unanimous verdict.  The judgement assumes significance as it would have a bearing on the procedure for allotment of posts adopted by UPSC as well as aggrieved candidates who had challenged it in the Central
Administrative Tribunal after the civil services examination of 2005 and
2006-07.

       The apex court, on 27^th August last year, had reserved its judgement after a marathon hearing
involving the contentious issue which was referred to it by a smaller bench.Rule 16 (2) of the Civil Services
Examination as amended in 2005 mandates that a reserved category candidate selected on merit as general category can be considered as reserved category for allocation of a post on preferential basis.

       However, this rule was held as unconstitutional by the Madras High Court, leading to filing of appeals
against it by the Centre and aggrieved candidates. The aggrieved candidates come from both categories.  The Centre had defended the Rule by contending that it has been enacted to further the cause of the deprived classes and is not violative of the Constitution.

        It had contended that the rule gives the candidates of deprived classes, selected in merit list without
taking the benefit of reservation, an opportunity for appointment to a service of higher choice in order of their preference.

SOURCE - DD

read more...

Candidates Selected on Merit can enjoy quota benefit under UPSC rule: SC

The Supreme Court has upheld the Constitutional validity of a UPSC
rule allowing merit list candidates, belonging to reserved category, to
avail the quota benefit while choosing posts.

                A five-judge Constitution bench headed by  Chief Justice    K.G.Balakrishnan on Friday set aside the Madras High Court judgement which had declared the Union Public Service Commission rule as unconstitutional.   “Such migrations (of reserved category candidates taking the benefit of reservation even after making into merit list) is not inconsistent with the provision of the Constitution….Appeals are allowed,” the bench said. The court passed the order on a special leave petition filed by the Centre challenging the Madras High Court verdict.

         The bench said the option to take benefit of the quota after migrating to the reserved category was validly allowed by the UPSC.  Migration under Rule 16 (2) as amended in 2005 is not inconsistent with the Constitutional provisions under Article 14 and 16. “Under such facts and circumstances, the Madras High Court judgement is set aside and the Constitutional validity of Rule 16 (2) is upheld,” the bench, also
comprising Justices S H Kapadia, R V Raveendran, B Sudershan Reddy and P Sathasivam said in an unanimous verdict.  The judgement assumes significance as it would have a bearing on the procedure for allotment of posts adopted by UPSC as well as aggrieved candidates who had challenged it in the Central
Administrative Tribunal after the civil services examination of 2005 and
2006-07.

       The apex court, on 27^th August last year, had reserved its judgement after a marathon hearing
involving the contentious issue which was referred to it by a smaller bench.Rule 16 (2) of the Civil Services
Examination as amended in 2005 mandates that a reserved category candidate selected on merit as general category can be considered as reserved category for allocation of a post on preferential basis.

       However, this rule was held as unconstitutional by the Madras High Court, leading to filing of appeals
against it by the Centre and aggrieved candidates. The aggrieved candidates come from both categories.  The Centre had defended the Rule by contending that it has been enacted to further the cause of the deprived classes and is not violative of the Constitution.

        It had contended that the rule gives the candidates of deprived classes, selected in merit list without
taking the benefit of reservation, an opportunity for appointment to a service of higher choice in order of their preference.

SOURCE - DD

read more...

Pollution-Free Engines

   Government of India has not issued any specific direction to automobile industry to upgrade engines of all car models to make them pollution free.However, it is mandatory for the automobile industry to manufacture vehiclesas per standards prescribed under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR),1989. Accordingly, as per information provided by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), in keeping with the Auto Fuel Policy, the Automotive Industry has already introduced BS-IV norm compliant vehicles in the metro cities. The BS-IV emission norms are more stringent and will help reduce pollution emanating from vehicles significantly.

   This information was given by Shri Arun Yadav, Minister of State for Heavy
Industries and Public Enterprises in a written reply to a question in Lok
Sabha today.

SOURCE - PIB

read more...

Pollution-Free Engines

   Government of India has not issued any specific direction to automobile industry to upgrade engines of all car models to make them pollution free.However, it is mandatory for the automobile industry to manufacture vehiclesas per standards prescribed under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR),1989. Accordingly, as per information provided by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), in keeping with the Auto Fuel Policy, the Automotive Industry has already introduced BS-IV norm compliant vehicles in the metro cities. The BS-IV emission norms are more stringent and will help reduce pollution emanating from vehicles significantly.

   This information was given by Shri Arun Yadav, Minister of State for Heavy
Industries and Public Enterprises in a written reply to a question in Lok
Sabha today.

SOURCE - PIB

read more...

Do Govt Employees need Health Insurance ?

“Why should I go for a Health Insurance
if I am a Government Employee?  I am
already covered by either CGHS or Medical Attendance Rules.”  This may be your
thought process when you start reading this article.
But the reality is in case of an unfortunate event like you or your family
members had to be admitted in a good hospital
for a medical treatment, the present
health schemes such as CGHS or Medical Attendance Rules might not cover the
entire medical expenditure as these schemes have a cap in the form of package or
schedule rates.  And the net result is you will not be reimbursed with what you
had actually paid to Hospital.  Will health
Insurance schemes could come in handy at these kind of situations ?
Answer for this question may not be affirmative if you had asked this
question last year.  Because till last year Government norms for claiming
medical reimbursement and Health Insurance claim
simultaneously was bit stringent as the total of reimbursement from the
government and the health insurance claim shall not exceed the package rate
prescribed by the Government.  In other words there was no additional benefit in
taking a health insurance policy if you are a government employee.
However, this year this condition has been relaxed.  We can claim medical
reimbursement from Government as well the hospitalization expenses from the
Insurance Company, provided the total claim should not exceed the actual
expenditure.
Be an early bird:
Also most people tend to think that Health Insurance is something that they
need to think about only when they grow old.
However, the fact is Health insurance premium
tends to increase with age – more the age, higher the premium. So insure at a
young age.  So that your insurance gets fixed at a low cost and by the time you
grow old and the money become dearer, your insurance premium cost will be almost
negligible.
Stay insured:
The other truth is that health insurance protects you in case you become
seriously ill or meet with an accident. A sudden accident, loss of health or
natural disaster can happen to anyone. Such situations can drastically alter a
person’s life, causing loss of income and inability to pay bills.  So, it makes
sense to stay insured
Cost of Health Insurance:

A health insurance policy not only covers the cost of financial losses when
disaster strikes, but also helps you tide over emergency medical bills due to
hospitalization. If you think your health insurance premium is expensive, just
wait till you receive a medical bill.
Even if someone is down with jaundice or malaria and requires hospitalization
for a couple of days, his hospital bill could range from anywhere between Rs
15,000 and 25,000 depending on the hospital. And in these days of rising health
care costs, imagine a chronic diabetic who needs insulin injections everyday,
some one who needs frequent dialysis/chemotherapy or someone who needs
continuous medication to keep living.
While taking a survey of the Health Insurance premium cost, we just found
that at a cost ranging from Rs. 100 to Rs 200 per member per month, a family
consists of 4 members viz., husband in the age of 40, wife in the age of 36 and
two kids in the age of 12 and 7, could be covered with the health insurance
benefits of Rs.2 lakhs per year.  The following is the chart containing premium
cost per year for a sum assured amount of Rs.2 lakhs for the family consists of
4 members as narrated above.
Please note that this is not a campaign to the insurance companies mentioned
in the chart.  There may be other insurance companies which could offer good
rates than the premium cost mentioned in this chart. This is just an indication
to emphasize that insurance premium costs are affordable.  Readers are advised
to verify the health insurance schemes offered by various companies before
choosing the right one that suits them.


What are the other benefits of taking a Health Insurance policy?
The immediate benefit of taking up a Health Insurance policy is the Tax
benefit that you can enjoy under section 80 D of the Income Tax Act.
Do not worry if you do not have adequate money to pay for sudden
hospitalization or surgery. Your health
insurance policy offers a cashless hospitalization facility. This
facility is a great help since one doesn’t have to run around in the middle of
the night to collect cash for paying up large deposits prior to admission.
If a person gets hospitalized all his medical expenses 30 days prior to
hospitalization and 60 days post hospitalization will be covered. This includes
nursing expenses, diagnostic and medical expenses, surgery, anesthesia cost,
doctor’s expense, specialist fees, scanning, x-ray, ambulance expense, oxygen,
operation theatre expenses, and cost of surgical appliances, room expenditure,
day care expense and similar expenses.
There are few treatments which due to technological advancement are done as
an outpatient, that is, you need not
have prolonged hospitalization. These treatments are also covered under health
insurance.
Reduced Health Insurance Cost
over the period if no claim now:
If you are a non-claimant don’t think that your money is wasted. In fact, a
Health Insurance policy is most advantageous to you when you do not claim for
the first few years and stay insured continuously. You will not only enjoy the
Income tax benefits under Section 80D of the IT Act, but also your sum insured
gets increased without paying any extra premium by way of cumulative bonus. Or
you can keep the sum assured constant and start paying lesser premium.

SOURCE - GCONNECT

read more...

Do Govt Employees need Health Insurance ?

“Why should I go for a Health Insurance
if I am a Government Employee?  I am
already covered by either CGHS or Medical Attendance Rules.”  This may be your
thought process when you start reading this article.
But the reality is in case of an unfortunate event like you or your family
members had to be admitted in a good hospital
for a medical treatment, the present
health schemes such as CGHS or Medical Attendance Rules might not cover the
entire medical expenditure as these schemes have a cap in the form of package or
schedule rates.  And the net result is you will not be reimbursed with what you
had actually paid to Hospital.  Will health
Insurance schemes could come in handy at these kind of situations ?
Answer for this question may not be affirmative if you had asked this
question last year.  Because till last year Government norms for claiming
medical reimbursement and Health Insurance claim
simultaneously was bit stringent as the total of reimbursement from the
government and the health insurance claim shall not exceed the package rate
prescribed by the Government.  In other words there was no additional benefit in
taking a health insurance policy if you are a government employee.
However, this year this condition has been relaxed.  We can claim medical
reimbursement from Government as well the hospitalization expenses from the
Insurance Company, provided the total claim should not exceed the actual
expenditure.
Be an early bird:
Also most people tend to think that Health Insurance is something that they
need to think about only when they grow old.
However, the fact is Health insurance premium
tends to increase with age – more the age, higher the premium. So insure at a
young age.  So that your insurance gets fixed at a low cost and by the time you
grow old and the money become dearer, your insurance premium cost will be almost
negligible.
Stay insured:
The other truth is that health insurance protects you in case you become
seriously ill or meet with an accident. A sudden accident, loss of health or
natural disaster can happen to anyone. Such situations can drastically alter a
person’s life, causing loss of income and inability to pay bills.  So, it makes
sense to stay insured
Cost of Health Insurance:

A health insurance policy not only covers the cost of financial losses when
disaster strikes, but also helps you tide over emergency medical bills due to
hospitalization. If you think your health insurance premium is expensive, just
wait till you receive a medical bill.
Even if someone is down with jaundice or malaria and requires hospitalization
for a couple of days, his hospital bill could range from anywhere between Rs
15,000 and 25,000 depending on the hospital. And in these days of rising health
care costs, imagine a chronic diabetic who needs insulin injections everyday,
some one who needs frequent dialysis/chemotherapy or someone who needs
continuous medication to keep living.
While taking a survey of the Health Insurance premium cost, we just found
that at a cost ranging from Rs. 100 to Rs 200 per member per month, a family
consists of 4 members viz., husband in the age of 40, wife in the age of 36 and
two kids in the age of 12 and 7, could be covered with the health insurance
benefits of Rs.2 lakhs per year.  The following is the chart containing premium
cost per year for a sum assured amount of Rs.2 lakhs for the family consists of
4 members as narrated above.
Please note that this is not a campaign to the insurance companies mentioned
in the chart.  There may be other insurance companies which could offer good
rates than the premium cost mentioned in this chart. This is just an indication
to emphasize that insurance premium costs are affordable.  Readers are advised
to verify the health insurance schemes offered by various companies before
choosing the right one that suits them.


What are the other benefits of taking a Health Insurance policy?
The immediate benefit of taking up a Health Insurance policy is the Tax
benefit that you can enjoy under section 80 D of the Income Tax Act.
Do not worry if you do not have adequate money to pay for sudden
hospitalization or surgery. Your health
insurance policy offers a cashless hospitalization facility. This
facility is a great help since one doesn’t have to run around in the middle of
the night to collect cash for paying up large deposits prior to admission.
If a person gets hospitalized all his medical expenses 30 days prior to
hospitalization and 60 days post hospitalization will be covered. This includes
nursing expenses, diagnostic and medical expenses, surgery, anesthesia cost,
doctor’s expense, specialist fees, scanning, x-ray, ambulance expense, oxygen,
operation theatre expenses, and cost of surgical appliances, room expenditure,
day care expense and similar expenses.
There are few treatments which due to technological advancement are done as
an outpatient, that is, you need not
have prolonged hospitalization. These treatments are also covered under health
insurance.
Reduced Health Insurance Cost
over the period if no claim now:
If you are a non-claimant don’t think that your money is wasted. In fact, a
Health Insurance policy is most advantageous to you when you do not claim for
the first few years and stay insured continuously. You will not only enjoy the
Income tax benefits under Section 80D of the IT Act, but also your sum insured
gets increased without paying any extra premium by way of cumulative bonus. Or
you can keep the sum assured constant and start paying lesser premium.

SOURCE - GCONNECT

read more...

Model Recruitment Rules for group ‘c’ posts

The 6th CPC recommended that all Group ‘D’ posts in the Government will stand
upgraded to Group ‘C’, Pay Band-I with Grade Pay of Rs.1800, along with the
incumbents (after suitable training, wherever required).
The other recommendations of the Commission, in this regard include:
(i) There will be no further recruitment in Group ‘D’

(ii) The existing Group ‘D’ posts will be placed in Group ‘C’ Pay Band-I with
Grade Pay of Rs.1800.

(iii) The minimum qualification for appointment to this level will be either
loth pass or IT1 equivalent

(iv) Multi- skilling, with one employee performing jobs hitherto performed by
different Group ‘D’ employees.

(v) Common Designation for these posts
2. Model Recruitment Rules (Annex-I) have been framed keeping. view the
recommendations of the Pay

Commission. All the Ministriesl Departments are requested to amend the
Recruitment Rules for the erstwhile Group’ D’ posts as per the Model RRs and the
recommendations of the Pay Commission.
3. Powers for framing 1 amendment of RRs for Group ‘C’ posts have , already
been delegated to Ministriesl Departments. Therefore the RRs may be framed
accordingly, in consultation with Ministry of Law without further reference to
this Department. This Department needs to be consulted only if any deviations
from the model RRs are proposed.
Ministries1 Departments may adopt the designation of MULTITASKING STAFF for
some common categories of posts in the secretariat offices. Annex-ll indicates
the categories of erstwhile Group ‘D’ posts

which may be given this designation and illustrative list of duties attached to
these posts. For other categories of posts, Ministries1 Departments may adopt
single designation for posts whose duties are similar in nature and where the
officials can easily be switched from one task to another. In all cases it may
be ensured that:
a) The posts are classified as Group ‘C’

b) The posts are placed in Pay Band-I with Grade Pay of Rs.1800.

c) The minimum qualification for appointment is prescribed as loth passs. Where
technical qualifications are considered necessary, IT1 in the relevant subject
may be prescribed as the minimum qualification.
5. Ministry of Home affairs etc. are requested to bring the contents of this
0.M to the notice of all their Attached1 Subordinate Offices. The autonomous1
statutory bodies may adopt the same with the approval of

the competent authority as per their rules1 statutes.

read more...