PAN AADHAR LINKING : DATE EXTENDED

Due date for linking of PAN with Aadhaar as specified under sub-section 2 of Section 139AA of the Income-tax Act,1961 has been extended from 31st December, 2019 to 31st March, 2020.

Central Retirement Age : Govt clarifies

Expected D.A. for central employees from January 2020

For calculating D.A. payable for central Govt. employees and pensioners, index no. of November and December is required, which will be made available at the end on December 2019 and January 2020.
Based on the increase in the last few months, it can be predicted that D.A. will be hiked by 4% from 1st January 2020.

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – October, 2019

The All-India CPI-IW for October, 2019 increased by 3 points and pegged at 325 (three hundred and twenty five).

Kerala forms pay commission, report in 6 months

The State Cabinet which met here on Thursday decided to constitute the 11th Pay Commission to revise the salary of State government employees and teachers.

Retired IAS officer K. Mohandas will chair the commission with M.K. Sukumaran Nair, Honorary Director, Centre for Budgetary Studies, Cusat, and lawyer Asok Mamen Cherian as members. The panel will have to submit its report in six months. The 10th pay commission had completed its tenure on June 30 this year.

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – September, 2019

The All-India CPI-IW for September, 2019 increased by 2 points and pegged at 322 (three hundred and twenty two).

Consolidated guideline on MACP for central staff

"The Seventh Central Pay Commission in Para 5.1.44 of its report, recommended that Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) will continue to be administered at 10, 20 and 30 years as before. In the new Pay matrix, the employees will move to the immediate next Level in the hierarchy. As per the recommendations, the Scheme will be available to all posts, including Group "A" posts, whether isolated or not. However, Organised Group "A" Services will not be covered under the Scheme. In other words, MACPS will continue to be applicable to all employees up to HAG level, except members of Organised Group 'A' Services....."
Click here to view the complete guideline

Bank Bipartite : IBA rejects 5 days' week, stick to 12% hike in salary

The Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) has formally declined a request from employee unions to keep bank branches open for five days a week, while also expressing inability to hike wages by more than its proposal of 12 per cent.

It has not agreed to the suggestion following views of some “important stakeholders”, according to a circular issued by the staff unions, under the umbrella of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU). The unions have to agree to the IBA’s decision for it to be implemented.

The bank managements, represented by the IBA, have told the unions that a 12 per cent hike in wages will cost public sector banks (PSBs) more than Rs 6,300 crore annually.

Karnataka hikes dearness allowance by 4.7%

Karnataka government on Saturday announced a 4.75 percent hike in dearness allowance (DA) for its employees, ahead of Diwali.

Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has also announced an additional Rs 1,000 as hardship allowance for police personnel, along with a revision in their salaries.

DA hike increase from 6.50 to 11.25 percent

Click Here for the Order

The hike announced for government employees would enhance their DA from the existing 6.50 percent to 11.25 percent of the basic pay, an order issued by the state Finance Department said.

The hike would come into retrospective effect from July 1, 2019, it said adding that it would be applicable to full-time government employees, Zilla Panchayat staff, employees of aided educational institutions and universities.

The order notes that the hike would also be applicable to pensioners.

Source : India Today

Rajasthan declares ad-hoc bonus for state employees

"The matter relating to grant of ad-hoc bonus for the financial year 2018-19 to State Government employees has been considered and the Governor is pleased to order that the State Government employees may be granted ad-hoc bonus equivalent to 30 days emoluments for the financial year 2018-19..."

"The amount of ad-hoc bonus payable to the eligible employees for the financial year 2018-19 will be computed on the basis of actual emoluments as on 31st March 2019 and for the purpose of calculation of ad-hoc bonus the maximum amount of emoluments will be restricted to Rs.7000/- per month."
Click here for the order

Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Tamilnadu hike Dearness Allowance

Tamilnadu

The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday hiked the Dearness allowance (DA) for its employees by 5% with effect from July 1.

“The additional instalment of DA payable under these orders shall be paid in cash with effect from July 1,” a Government Order issued in this regard said.

Click here for the Order

The payment of DA arrears from July to September this year would be drawn and disbursed immediately by existing cashless mode of Electronic Clearance System (ECS).

Bihar

The Bihar government employees will have a Diwali gift this time in terms of enhanced dearness allowance ( DA) in their salary this month.

The government has already made preparations for implementing the enhanced dearness allowance and the proposal will be approved by the Cabinet in next few days.

The government has proposed raising the DA by 5% from existing 12%. This means, the revised DA will be 17 %.

Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi said the enhanced DA to all regular employees and pensioners would be given from July 1, 2019, the same date from which central government employees get hiked DA. The Union government had, earlier this month, announced a 5% in DA for all central government employees.

“The enhanced DA would be reflected in this month’s salary. Instructions have been given for preparing the salary under CFMS and disbursement will start from October 25. This time, salary payment will be made in advance in light of Diwali and Chhath festival,” he said.

Uttar Pradesh

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has brought Diwali cheer to lakh of state government employees and pensioners by increasing the Dearness Allowance to 17 per cent from existing 12 per cent. ​The moves comes on the basis of the recommendation made in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission,

The increased DA will be applicable effective July 1, 2019. The employees will get arrears as per increased DA in next month salary that is expected to be credited ahead of Diwali. The UP government has decided to credit the salary by October 25, it has been reported earlier. 

Cabinet approved Central D.A. @ 5%

The Dearness Allowance of government employees will be raised by five per cent, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said today, calling it a "Diwali gift".

The decision was approved at a cabinet meeting this morning. The Dearness Allowance will be raised to 17 per cent, said the minister.
PIB Release :

The Union Cabinet Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today approved to release an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 01.07.2019 representing an increase of 5% over the existing rate of 12% of the Basic pay/Pension, to compensate for price rise.  This increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission. 

The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief would be Rs. 15909.35 crore per annum and Rs. 10606.20 crore in the financial year 2019-20 (for a period of 08 months from July, 2019 to February, 2020).  This will benefit about 49.93 lakh Central Government employees and 65.26 lakh pensioners.

The additional financial implication on account of this increase in Dearness Allowance is estimated at Rs 8590.20 Crore per year; and Rs 5726.80 Crore in the current Financial Year of 2019-20 (for 8 months from July 2019 to February 2020).

The additional financial implication on account of the Dearness Relief to pensioners is estimated to be Rs 7319.15 Crore per annum and Rs 4870 Crore in the current FY.

Dear Allowance/Dearness Relief is paid to Central Government employees/pensioners to adjust the cost of living and to protect their basic pay/pension from erosion in the real value. Dear Allowance/Dearness Relief is revised twice a year from 1st January and 1st July.

PSU bank staff''s Diwali bonanza - part arrears before final settlement

It''s a Diwali bonanza for employees of public sector banks as their accounts are being credited with handsome part wage arrears even before a final agreement on their wage revision is reached between the employee unions and the management. And this is happening for the first time in India''s banking history.

Public sector bank employees have been waiting for a wage revision from November 2017.

"The employees can opt out or take the part arrear payments. If they take the part arrear, the amount credited will not be less than Rs 50,000 and may exceed Rs 100,000," an employee of a government bank told IANS preferring anonymity.

Despite about 30 rounds of talks between the United Forum for Bank Unions (UFBU) and the Indian Banks'' Association (IBA) since 2017, a wage agreement is not in sight.

"It is really interesting to see the speed at which the bank managements are working towards payment of the part wage arrears, while the wage revision talks are moving at a snail''s pace," he added.

On October 1, the IBA had written to all the heads of government banks and private banks, that are part of bipartite settlement, directing them to pay an ad hoc amount of the pending wage settlement equivalent to a month''s salary (Basic Pay + Dearness Allowance) and adjust it later when the final wage arrears are paid after the unions reach a settlement.

Central employees to get 30 days' adhoc bonus

Central Govt. employees have reason to cheer in the festive season. Though any announcement of D.A. is yet to come, Centre declared 30 days' adhoc bonus.
As per the O.M dated 04.10.2019, all non gazetted central employees including para military personnel to get bonus amounting to Rs 6908/-.
Click here for the O.M. No.7/24/2007-E.III(A) dated 04.10.2019

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers- August 2019

The All India CPI (IW) for August 2019 increased by one point and pegged at 320.
Click here for Labour Bureau Press Note

West Bengal issued ROPA 2019 for higher pay but No Arrears

Salient Features :

They shall be deemed to have come into force on the first day of January, 2016. 
Application  ‐ (1) Save as otherwise provided by or under these rules, these rules shall apply to persons appointed to civil services and posts under the rule making control of  the  Government  of  West  Bengal  except  members  of  All  India  Services,  the  West  Bengal  Judicial Service and members of the services to whom the University Grants Commission, the  All India Council of Technical Education and Indian Council of Agricultural Research scales of  pay apply.  (2)   Unless  specifically  extended  under  express  order  of  the  State  Government,  these rules shall not apply to  ‐   (a) Subordinate executive staff of the Police Forces in West Bengal,  (b) Officers and staff of the West Bengal National Volunteer Force,   (c) Officers and staff of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Secretariat,  (d) ) Officers and staff of the Public Service Commission, West Bengal,  (e) Officers and staff of the High Court at Kolkata  (3)  These rules shall not also apply to :  (a) Government employees appointed on contract,  (b) Government employees not in whole time employment,  (c)  Government  employees  paid  otherwise  than  on  a  monthly  basis,  Including  those paid at piece‐rates,  (d)  Government  employees  who  have  retired  in  the  afternoon  of  the  31st December, 2015, and  (e) Government employees re‐employed after retirement. 
 From the date of commencement of these rules the Level of  posts shall be determined in accordance with the various Levels as assigned  to  the corresponding existing Pay Band and Grade Pay as specified in the Pay Matrix.  5.   Drawal  of  pay in  the  revised  pay  structure  ‐ Save as  otherwise  provided in  these  rules,  a  Government  servant  shall  draw  pay  in  the  Level  in  the  revised  pay  structure applicable to the post which he is holding as on 01.01.2016 or to which he is  appointed on or after 1st  day of January ,2016 : 
Payment  of  arrears.‐  Notwithstanding  anything  contained  elsewhere  in  these  rules, or in any other rules for the time being in force , no arrears of pay to which a Government  Servant may be entitled in respect of the period from the 1st day of January,2016 to the 31st day  of December,2019, shall be paid to the Government employee. 
House Rent Allowance – With effect  from the 1st January, 2020, the house rent allowance  admissible  to  a  Government employee  shall  be  12%  of  his  revised  basic  pay,  subject  to  a  maximum of Rs. 12,000/‐ per month. The ceiling of house rent allowance drawn by husband  and wife together shall also be raised to Rs. 12,000/‐ per month. 
No mention of D.A. in this ROPA 2019, so it can be assumed that as on 1.1.2020 , there will be no Dearness Allowance payable.
Click here to download ROPA 2019
Click here to download Memorandum for Pensioners

NO PLAN TO REDUCE CENTRAL EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT AGE

A fake news is being circulated in social media that Centre is mulling to reduce retirement age of Central Govt. employees. A fake whatsapp message is being circulated as under  :

"DOPT has finalized proposals for implementation of 33 years service or 60 years age whichever is early for retirement on superannuation for all Government employees. File sent to finance ministry for implementation w. e. f. 1.4.2020"

Some websites and blogs related to Central Employees are also backing the propaganda.
 Official sources, however, said: “The rumours circulating in the social media about DoPT having given clearance to a proposal for reducing the age of superannuation of central Government employees with effect from April 1, 2020, are unfounded and baseless. It has been clarified that there is no such proposal”.

A number of leading newspaper reported that this is a rumour and there is no such move. One can go through the newspaper reports by clicking the following links.
The Tribune
Times of India
Hindustan Times

Bank Strike withdrawn on assurance on amalgamation and wage revision

Trade unions of public sector banks (PSBs) on Monday decided to withdraw a two-day nationwide strike slated to begin from Wednesday.

The unions called off the strike after holding a meeting with Finance Secretary Rajiv Kumar in which they were assured that a committee will be set up to address issues arising out of the proposed amalgamation of 10 PSBs into four.

“The finance secretary was positive in formation of a committee consisting of all concerned to address the issues arising out of the proposed merger of 10 banks, including preserving the identity of all the banks. An appeal was made to us to revisit our strike call in view of the discussions,” a statement issued by four unions, which had given the strike call, said.

The All India Banks Officers’ Confederation, the All India Banks Officers’ Association (AIBOA), the Indian National Bank Officers’ Congress and the National Organisation of Bank Officers had called for a two-day strike opposing the amalgamation of banks.

WB cabinet approved pay hike

The West Bengal cabinet on Tuesday approved the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission with a revised pay. It must be noted that it will come into effect from January 1, 2020.

In what could bring cheers to the government employees, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee approved hikes more than what was suggested by the pay panel in some cases, without any arrears.

“The Cabinet today approved recommendations of the Pay Commission and it will be effective from January 1, 2020. The state government will be paying its employees a notional effect calculated from 2016,” state Finance Minister Amit Mitra said.

Raiway employees to get 78 days' bonus

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the payment of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equivalent to 78 days wages to over 11.52 Lakh eligible non-gazetted railway employees (excluding RPF/RPSF personnel) for the Financial Year (FY) 2018-19, for maintaining industrial peace and motivation of railwaymen. This entails an expenditure of Rs. 2024.40 crores to the exchequer.

This is the sixth consecutive year that the Government led by Mr Narendra Modi has maintained a bonus of 78 days wages. It has never lowered it.

Bank Bipartite : Unions reject 12% increase offer

Bank trade unions on Tuesday said the improved offer of a 12 per cent increase in the pay slip cost by bank managements is unacceptable to them. The earlier offer was at 10 per cent.

“The nine trade unions, under the aegis of the United Forum of Bank Unions, welcomed this improvement, but informed that this offer is not acceptable, as the offer has to be at least more than 15 per cent, which was settled under the 10th settlement from 2012 to 2017,” said CH Venkatachalam, General Secretary, All India Bank Employees Association.

West Bengal Pay Commission report submitted

West Bengal Pay Commission report submitted. Likely to be implemented from 01.01.2020.
Details awaited.

Cabinet may approve hike in central D.A. tomorrow

As per sources, Central employees and pensioners will have reason to cheer tomorrow. Cabinet likely to take up the issued of Dearness Allowance hike tomorrow. 
After the cabinet nod  central employee and pensioners will get D.A/D.R. at enhanced rate, up by 5% with effect from 1st July 2019.
So wait for cabinet meeting and the possible announcement thereafter.

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) — July, 2019

The (AICPIN) All-India CPI-IW for July, 2019 increased by 3 points and pegged at 319 (three hundred and nineteen).

Bank Bipartite : Next meeting on 29th August, Unions to demand 20% hike

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UBFA) has said it will seek a 20 per cent pay hike when talks resume with the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) on August 29 to seal the 11th bipartite wage settlement.

Centre notifies uniform retirement age for para military personnel

Retirement age for Central forces is 60

The Union Home Ministry has fixed the retirement age of all Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel at 60 years, an order issued on Monday said.

The MHA issued the order following a January 2019 Delhi High Court verdict asking the Ministry to fix a retirement age that would be uniform for all members of the CAPFs.

Himachal govt announces 4% DA for govt employees, pensioner

In an Independence Day gift to employees, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur Thursday announced 4 per cent Dearness Allowance (DA) hike for government employees and pensioners.

Thakur was presiding over the 73rd Independence Day function at Ridge Maidan in Shimla and said the DA hike would be paid retrospectively from January. This will ensure an annual additional financial benefit of Rs 260 crore to the employees.

AICPIN for June 2019 released. Central D.A. to hike @5% from July

Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers - CPI(IW) for June 2019 is released. It has increased two points and reached at 316.
Click here for the Press release
With this it can be confirmed that D.A. for central employees and pensioners will be hiked by 5% from 01.07.2019.
Cabinet likely to approve it by September and final order will be followed there after.

Exact hike in Central D.A. from 01.07.2019 to be known today

Labour Bureau will release AICPIN data for the month of June 2019 today afternoon. The exact hike  in Central D.A. for July 2019 can be calculated only after getting the number.
At present, the Dearness Allowance (DA) of central govt employees is 12 per cent.
Based on the last few months' data, it is expected a hike of at least 4% and may reach upto 5%. View Details.
So, all eyes on the labour bureau !

SAT directs WB Govt. to pay D.A. at central rate

The state will have to pay DA at the central rate.
The state will decide how to provide the DA. SAT said it would be discriminatory if it did not provide DA at the center rate. 

The SAT has ordered it to be implemented within a year or before the Sixth Pay Commission's judgment. 
The Kolkata High Court on August 7 last year ruled that DA state had the legal rights of public servants. The High Court, which declared the verdict, asked the SAT to determine the rate of DA of state government employees. Do state government employees get the same amount of DA as central government employees? The State Administrative Tribunal is asked to decide. Then, on October 1 last year, the DA case hearing was closed. But after that, a special hearing was filed in the High Court by submitting a review petition on behalf of the state. 

West Bengal to hike Primary Teachers' pay

West Bengal Education Minister announced hike in pay scale of primary teachers. According to his announcement, scale will be hiked from 5400 - 25200 to 7100 - 37600.
Grade Pay to be hiked from 2600 to 3200
Govt. will also introduce promotion policy for the Primary Teachers.
Another demand of cancellation of recent transfer of 14 teachers were also addressed by him. He assured that it will be done as per norms.
The enhancement of pay will cost Rs 1170 Crores to the state exchequer.
It may be mentioned that teachers were on a fast for the last 13 days for this demands. The demands are partially met as they demanded more lucrative pay structure.
A proposal to the hike announce sent for approval

WB sixth pay commission likely to submit report this week

According to sources and media reports the much awaited report of the West Bengal Sixth Pay Commission likely to  be submitted this week. Chairman of the commission Sri Abhirup Sarkar informed that the report is ready and will be submitted as and when C.M. asks him to do so, according to a media report.
According to media report, the basic pay is likely to be increased by 14.3%, which may cost more than Rs 12,500 Crores to the state exchequer if implemented.
As per the common practice, the report has to be cleared by cabinet and implemented through a committee.
As per sources, the new may may be implemented from November 2019 and chances of any arrears stand remote. 

IT return filing : Due Date extended

The Due date of filing of Income Tax Returns for most of the individual taxpayers extended to 31st August from 31st July this year.
Click here for the order

BSNL mulling reduction of retirement age, employees to protest

Even as Group of ministers (GoM) is working on a revival proposal for BSNL/MTNL, any move to reduce the retirement age to 58 is set to face opposition from the employees, who are set to legally challenge every decision in this regard.

According to sources, the GoM, headed by home minister Amit Shah, is deliberating on an option to reduce the retirement age to 58 years from the current 60, which will make BSNL lighter by 30,000 employees. However, the option will be strongly opposed by the staff, who feel that the government is duty-bound to honour the current retirement age.

AICPIN of May 2019 and impact on central D.A., wef 01.07.2019

The consumer price index for May 2019 has been increased by 2 points and reached at 314.
We know that Dearness Allowance is calculated on last 12 months' average of AICPIN No.
We are yet to get the number of June 2019 to calculate it finally. If the index remains at this point (314) for June 2019, D.A. will be 5% from 1st July 2019.
If the index slips even one point in the next month, increase in D.A. will come down to 4%.
But it may be assured that in any case. D.A. will not come down below 4%.
So we have to wait till 31st July 2019 (when the AICPIN data of June 2019 will be published by the labour bureau) to know the exact increase in D.A. ( 4% or 5%) with effect from July 2019.

Clarification from Finance Ministry reg probable delay in payment of Central employees' salary

Department of Expenditure , Ministry of Finance clarifies that it's Order dated 18th June 2019 relating to the disbursal of salary for the month of June 2019 is applicable to only an attached office under the Department namely, the O/o Controller General of Accounts (CGA) and the officials working in the PFMS Project Cell and is temporary in nature to avoid exceeding the Vote on Account limit

Posted On: 22 JUN 2019 1:53PM by PIB Delhi

It has been brought to notice that an internal Confidential Office Order pertaining to the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance is being circulated in various social media platforms.

It is clarified and informed that the Department of Expenditure 's Order dated 18th June 2019 relating to the disbursal of salary for the month of June 2019 is applicable to only an attached office under the Department of Expenditure namely, the O/o Controller General of Accounts (CGA) and the officials working in the PFMS Project Cell and is temporary in nature to avoid exceeding the Vote on Account limit. 

The General Public is also forewarned and cautioned not to circulate the Order since it is confidential in nature and may attract punitive actions under the applicable legal provisions.

West Bengal employees may get pay hike soon

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday met Prof Abhirup Sarkar, chairman of the Sixth Pay Commission and reportedly asked him to submit their report soon. Banerjee held a meeting with Sarkar for some time at Nabanna. The Sixth Pay Commission was formed on November 27, 2015, months before the 2016 Assembly election, to restructure the salary of state government employees. Headed by Prof Sarkar, the panel was scheduled to submit its report within six months. It eventually got periodic extensions.

It may be mentioned here that Banerjee had said on Monday that the Bengal government will decide on bridging the gap between Dearness Allowances (DA) of state and Central government employees only after getting recommendations from the Pay Commission. Employees of the Centre currently get around 23 percent more DA than their Bengal government counterparts. According to sources, the meeting between Banerjee and Sarkar remained inconclusive. On last Monday, Banerjee had made it clear that the state government requires money to run the administration. She had also said that she would try her best to bridge the gap in DA. She also clarified that she would not stop various government schemes including Khadya Sathi, Kanyashree and Swasthya Sathi.

http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/cm-meets-pay-commission-chairman-seeks-report-357884

Central D.A. likely to get a big hike in July 2019 !

Out of the required 12 month's index figure, we got 10 month's as of now. With a good increase of index no., possibility of a hefty increase in Dearness Allowance in on the way.
If the level maintains in this level (April 2019 : 312) for the coming two months, D.A. will be increased by 4%
If the level increases by 2 points in the next month and remains there in June, the increase will be amazing 5% !
As of now, there is no chance of getting D.A. below 4 % as that is only possible if the AICPIN No. decreases by 15 points in the next month, which is surely a remote possibility.
So it can be predicted that D.A. for central employee and pensioners is going to be increased by at least 4% from 1st July 2019.
View Update of July 2019

West Bengal grants adhoc bonus to state employees

"The undersigned is directed by order of the Governor to say that the Governor is pleased to decide that the State Government employees who are not covered by any of the productivity linked Bonus Scheme and whose revised emoluments did not exceed Rs.30,000/- per month as on 31st March, 2019 will be entitled to ad-hoc bonus for the accounting year 2018-2019 at the rate of Rs.4,000/- per head. The upper eligibility ceiling of Rs.30,000- p.m. as on 31st March, 2019 will be applicable irrespective of whether the emoluments are drawn in the pre-revised or revised scale of payor on fixed consolidated contract pay."
Click here for the order

West Bengal extends Pay Commission Tenure

The Governor is pleased to extend the term of the Office of the Chairman and the Members of sixth Pay Commission, West Bengal constituted under Finance Department Resolution No. 8070-F{P) dated 27.11.2015, upto 31.12.2019.

Click here for the Order 

Retirement age of all central forces likely to be made uniform at 60 years

The retirement age of CAPF personnel is set to be fixed at 60 years after the Supreme Court recently dismissed a special leave petition (SLP) filed by the government against the direction of the Delhi High Court to resolve an existing anomaly, official sources said today.

Sources in the security establishment said the Central government has time till May-end to implement the directive of the Delhi High Court and after consultations with all the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), it is “certain” that the age of superannuation in all the forces will be made uniform, well before the deadline.

West Bengal employees' wait for pay hike may be longer

There is no good news waiting for West Bengal Govt. employees in near future. The Sixth  Pay Commission which was set up long before on 27th November 2015 and supposed to submit report within six months did not submit it 30 months. After multiple extension of it's tenure, which is going to be concluded on 26th of this month, are till not ready with it's report. The tenure is again going to be extended for further six months as of now. As per sources, Govt. is not willing to get the report early as it is not in a position to bear the burden of the excess pay in near future.

BSNL employees to get salary by 20th of this month

The representatives of the AUAB met Shri Anupam Shrivastava, CMD BSNL yesterday at 10:30 am. Ms.Sujata T. Ray, Director (HR) was also present. The AUAB demanded that the salary for the month of February, 2019, should be paid before the Holi festival. The CMD BSNL explained the present financial position of the Company briefly, and assured that payment of salary would be made by 20th March, 2019.

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers - January 2019

The All-India CPI-IW for January, 2019 increased by 6 points and pegged at 307 (three hundred and seven). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by (+) 1.99 per cent between December, 2018 and January, 2019 when compared with the increase of (+) 0.70 per cent for the corresponding months of last year.

Download Central D.A. order wef 01.01.2019.

Dept. of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance released central D.A. order with effect from 01.01.2019.
"The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry's Office Memorandum No. 1/2/2018-E-II (B) dated 7" September, 2018 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Allowance payable to Central Government employees shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 9% to 12% of the basic pay with effect from 1st January, 2019."
"The payment of arrears of Dearness Allowance (from January to March) shall not be made before the date of disbursement of salary of March, 2019"
Click here for the order

Bank bipartite hits roadblock

The 11th round of wage negotiations between United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) has hit an impasse with two officers’ associations in the UFBU refusing to be a part of the deliberations, sources said.
The wage revision talks between the IBA and the UFBU had been under way since May 2017. The tenth round of negotiations, which concluded in May 2015 (for the period November 2012-17), had resulted in a 15% increase in wages.

When the UFBU sought to expedite a deal, the two officers’ associations — the All India Bank Officers’ Confederation and National Organisation of Bank Officers — decided not to participate in the talks saying the deal would be restricted only to those up to the rank of assistant general managers. The unions wanted the proposed wage pact to cover deputy general managers and general managers also, which was not acceptable to the IBA because those ranks comprised top executives that did not belong to any union.

Update on negotiation held on 21st February
Thursday, representatives of seven out of nine UFBU unions took part in the talks held in Mumbai. Since the two officers’ associations failed to send a representative for the talks, IBA restricted the discussions to workmen’s demands.
On wage revision for officers, the IBA said: “Whatever is finalised for the workmen unions, on the same basis, it will be extended and implemented for the officers also.”
If the two unions were not participating, talks would be restricted only to workmen unions, the IBA said.
The workmen unions said they would meet on March 1 to finalise their stand.
“We are negotiating for nearly 9.5 lakh workmen and officers. Officers above scale V are less than 1%. We hope to conclude the talks soon,” said C.H. Venkatachalam, general secretary, All India Bank Employees’ Association.

Minimum assured return under NPS? PFRDA working on it.

Pension fund regulator PFRDA is working on a minimum assured return scheme (MARS) for subscribers of the flagship social security programme -- National Pension System. 

NPS is a contributory retirement savings scheme and seeks to inculcate the habit of saving for old age among the citizens. 

NPS, having an asset under management (AUM) of Rs 2.91 lakh crore, had subscriber base of 1.21 at the end of January. 

The regulator is in the process of designing and developing MARS , according to a document of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). 

Some aspects, including what kind of guarantee -- absolute return guarantees or relative rate of return guarantees (sector and benchmark-based) -- can be reasonably provided by the pension funds with recommendation of suitable proposals, need to be examined, said the expression of interest (EOI) floated by it. 

EOI has been invited from actuarial firms to design, develop and recommend MARS under the National Pension System that can be implemented under NPS architecture. 

Source : Economic Times

Click here for EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) floated by PFRDA

Odisha hiked D.A. for employees and pensioners

Odisha government on Monday announced a Dearness Allowance (DA) hike of three percent for State government employees and pensioners.

Earlier on October last year, the State government had announced DA hike of two per cent for state government employees and pensioners.

It will be implemented with retrospective effect from January 1, 2019, said a release from the government.

A total of seven lakh people, including four lakh government employees and three lakh pensioners, would benefit from the decision, according to the release.

Rajasthan announces D.A./D.R for employees and pensioners

Rajasthan hiked dearness allowance by 3% for it's employees and pensioners with effect from 1st January 2019.

Arrears for January and February will be credited into the GPF A/C and to be paid in cash from March'19 onwards.

Those who are covered under NPS and pensioners will get the amount in cash.

Click here for the order for employees

Click here for the order for work charged employees

Click here for the order for pensioners

EPF interest rate hiked to 8.65%

Retirement fund body Employees' Provident Fund Organisation

has decided to provide 8.65 per cent interest on PF deposits for 2018-19 against 8.55 per cent in the last year to its 6 crore subscribers, Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar said.

   All members of the Central Board of Trustees of EPFO at a meeting agreed to give a higher interest for subscribers for the current fiscal, the minister said further.

The proposal would now go to the finance ministry for approval, Gangwar said after the CBT meeting.

Earlier, highly placed sources had indicated that the interest on EPF deposits for this fiscal could be more than 8.55 per cent in view of impending general elections.

The Central Board of Trustees (CBT) headed by Labour Minister is the apex decision making body of the EPFO which finalises rate of interest on PF deposits for a financial year.

 The EPFO had provided a five-year low rate of interest of 8.55 per cent to its subscribers for 2017-18. The body had kept the interest rate at 8.65 per cent in 2016-17 and 8.8 per cent in 2015-16. It provided 8.75 per cent interest for 2013-14 as well as 2014-15. The rate of interest was 8.5 per cent in 2012-13.

-- PTI

Central D.A. wef 01.01.2019 approved

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval to the release of an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees, and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 1.1.2019 representing an increase of 3% over the existing rate of 9% of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate for price rise. This increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC). The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both DA and DR would be Rs. 9168.12 crore per annum and Rs. 10696.14 crore in the FY 2019-20 (for a period of 14 months from January 2019 to February, 2020).This will benefit about 48.41 lakh Central Government employees and 62.03 lakh pensioners.

UP govt employees call off strike

Lucknow, Feb 8 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh government
employees called off their strike Friday hours after the Allahabad High Court declared the protest "illegal" and ordered it to initiate disciplinary action against them and their unions.

Senior leaders of the striking employees' union, Dinesh Chandra Sharma and Hari Kishore Tiwari, said in a statement Friday morning that the strike was being called off.

The court had Thursday prohibited the employees and unions from going on strike or inciting any employee. It had directed senior officials of various departments to record the employees' attendance and videograph their agitation.

A section of the state government employees had gone on strike Wednesday for restoration of an old pension scheme, prompting the government to invoke ESMA and ban the protest.

IBA raises wage hike offer to 10%, unions not happy

11th Bipartite Wage Settlement Status - Another round of Bipartite Talks was held on 2nd February in Mumbai between IBA and 5 Workman Unions. 
Issues which were discussed in the meeting 

 • Transportation of personal effects by train or road while on transfer from one station to another: Some improvements would be considered looking to entitlement of officers. 

• Increase in Breakage Allowance while on transportation of personal effects: agreed to increase the existing entitlement by 10% for both With Receipt Basis and Declaration Basis. 

• Festival Advance to employees – increase in quantum: Agreed to finalise it by discussion in the main negotiating committee and recommend to the Government. 

• Problems of Ex-servicemen employees in fitment, etc: Government guidelines from the Finance Ministry are being implemented. Circular with FAQ will be prepared and sent to all Banks for proper implementation of the Government guidelines. 

• Definition of family for coverage under Group Medical Insurance Policy – Any two of parents or parents-in-law to be covered: Matter will be taken up with United India Insurance Company. 

• Privilege Leave taken on sick grounds where sick leave is exhausted should not be counted as an occasion in the entitlement of 4 occasions in an year: Agreed. 

• Maternity Leave can be availed in combination and continuation of other kinds of leave: Agreed.

Budget 2019 : Income Tax rate unchanged !

No cheer for taxpayers. Tax rate unchanged. Only rebate u/s 87A increased to Rs 12500. 
Those whose total income is more than Rs 5 Lac will have to pay same amount of tax as earlier.
Standard Deduction increased to Rs 50,000.
Click here for the Finance Bill 2019

Next Bipartite meeting on 2nd February

Govt approved AICTE pay hike

Govt has approved proposal to extend the 7th CPC to the teachers and other academic staff of the state govt / govt aided degree level technical institutions. @narendramodi @PMOIndia @mygovindia @BJP4India @PIB_India pic.twitter.com/9unuJ7CFNz

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) January 15, 2019

The Ministry of Human Resource Development Tuesday approved a proposal to extend the seventh pay commission recommendations to academic staff of government and aided technical institutions with granting of Rs 1,241 crore for the purpose. 

"This will directly benefit a total of 29,264 teachers and other academic staff of state government funded institutes. Besides, about 3.5 lakh teachers and other academic staff of private colleges or institutions within the purview of All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) will also benefit from the approval," Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters. 

"The central government will also reimburse 50 per cent of total additional expenditure to be incurred by these institutes for the payment of arrears on account of 7th Central Pay Commission implementation," he added. 

Punjab to get pay commission benefit from February

With the General Election round the corner, the Congress government in Punjab is all set to implement recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission, headed by former Chief Secretary Jai Singh Gill.

The new pay scales are expected to be announced in February. The state has 3.5 lakh government employees, 1.5 lakh semi-government employees and around four lakh pensioners.

The financial provision is likely to be made in the state Budget to be presented in the first half of February.

West Bengal made it mandatory to attend office on strike days

West Bengal Govt. maintains it's stand on strike. It has taken a no tolerance stand against strike called by trade unions and political parties. As usual Govt. has issued circular to that effect the all state Govt. employees must attend office on 8th and 9th January and no leave will be granted in these days.
Absence will be treated as diesnon and no pay will be admissible for that period. Except some extra ordinary situations, presence will be a must.
Click here for the Memorandum dated 4th Jan'19.

Central, Bank employees to observe two days' strike

Confederation of Central Govt. employees, the umbrella organization of different unions in Central Govt. has called for a two days' nationwide strike on 8th and 9th January 2019. Some of the key demands are restoration of old pension scheme, revision of minimum pay and fitment factor, five promotions in service life, stop outsourcing, filling up of vacant posts.
Bank employees also to cease work in this two days.
Different trade union and left parties supported the strike and it may turn to a general strike as well.

The Strike Poster (From Confederation site)

Probable Central D.A. from 01.01.2019

Labour bureau released AICPIN data for November 2018 and it remains at the same level of 302. Assuming that it will remain close to 302 in December also. the prediction of D.A. can be done based on these numbers.
As per calculation, Central employees and pensioners are going to get a 3% hike in D.A. / D.R. with effect from 1st January 2019.

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) — November, 2018

The All-India CPI-IW for November, 2018 remained stationary at 302 (three hundred and two). On 1-month percentage change, it remained static between October, 2018 and November, 2018 when compared with the increase of (+) 0.35 per cent for the corresponding month of last year.