1. Reason for Extension: Due to some officers not submitting self-appraisals and others being engaged in the 2024 General Election, the timelines are extended.
2. Extended Timelines:
   • Self-Appraisal: Extended to 31st July 2024.
   • Appraisal by Reporting Authority: Extended to 30th September 2024.
   • Appraisal by Reviewing Authority: Extended to 30th November 2024.
   • Appraisal by Accepting Authority: No change, remains 31st December 2024.
3. Final Deadline: No remarks may be recorded after 31st December 2024.
4. One-Time Measure: This extension is granted as a one-time measure only.
5. Signatory: The letter is signed by Kavita Chauhan, Under Secretary to the Government of India.

F. NO.11059/04/2024 -AIS-III
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi
Dated; 28th June, 2024

To,
The Chief Secretaries of States / UTs

Subject;- Extension of timelines for recording of PARs for the year 2023- 24 for all AIS officers – reg. .

Sir/Madam,

I am directed to refer to DoPTs letters vide dated 27.05.2024 regarding extension of timelines for recording of PARs for the year 2023-24. In this regard, it has come to notice that some AIS officers have not submitted self – appraisal of PARs and also some officers may not be able to review and record their remarks in PARs on time due to engagement in completion of General Election, 2024.

2. Accordingly, the matter has been duly considered in this Department. Therefore, keeping in view of the circumstances and in order to ensure filing of PARs by all AIS officers. It has been decided to further extend the timelines of PAR by 01 month, as indicated below:

3. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, no remarks may be recorded after 31st December, 2024 in the PAR of AIS officers for the PAR year 2023-24, in accordance with the 2nd proviso of the AIS (PAR) Rules, 2007, as amended.

4.The aforesaid relaxation is accorded as a onetime measure only.

(Kavita Chauhan)
Under Secretary to the Government of India.

The post Appraisal – Extension of timelines for recording of PARs for the year 2023 – 2024 for all AIS officers: DoPT O.M. dated 28.06.2024 appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

F.No. 42(02)/PF-II/2014
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
[PFC-I Division]

North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 8th December, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Continuation of schemes beyond 31st March, 2021 – instructions
regarding.

Reference is invited to this Department’s OM No. 42(02)/PF-II /2014 dated 23rd February, 2017 on the subject of continuation of schemes beyond 12th Five Year Plan. In order to align the public funded schemes with the financial resource cycle of Central and State Governments, schemes have been made co-terminous with the Finance Commission cycles since then. The 14th Finance Commission period came to an end on 31-03-2020; however, as the final report of the 15th Finance Commission was awaited at that time, DoE vide its OM No. 42(02)/PF-II/2014 dated 10th January, 2020 approved an interim extension to all ongoing schemes till 31-03-2021 or till the date of recommendations of 15th Finance Commission come into effect whichever is earlier. Proposals for continuation of ongoing schemes beyond 31.03.2021 may be sent now, to reach this Department at the earliest, but at any rate not later than 15-01-2021.

2. In the following paragraphs general guidelines for sending proposals for
continuation of schemes beyond 31-03-2021 are elaborated. The proposals should be submitted as per enclosed format (Annexure), These guidelines are equally applicable to both Central Sector (CS) Schemes and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS).

• For continuation of schemes with estimated financial implications within the delegated financial powers of appraisal/ approval of the administrative Ministry, the proposals may be appraised and approved as per the extant guidelines. However, it may be kept in mind that total financial implications for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26 should be taken into account for deciding the appraisal/ approval authority. Exceptions in this regard will be available to ongoing schemes whose approved sunset date is before the completion of this 5 year period. It may also be ensured to complete such appraisal / approval before 31-03-2021 giving requisite cognizance to third party evaluation report and necessary rationalization of schemes.
• As regards proposals for continuation of schemes with estimated total financial implications more than the delegated financial powers to Ministries/ Departments (i.e. more than Rs. 500 crore), the appraisal and approval will be done as per the laid down procedure through EFC. However, a list of CS and CSS schemes of the Ministry/ Department with the financial implication between Rs.300 crore to Rs. 500 crore over the 5 year period should be provided to DoE for information and annexed with the continuation proposals.
• Umbrella schemes denote public funded programmes under which various schemes/ sub-schemes exist with a view to ensure convergence of resources across schemes with same or related objectives and similar set of targeted beneficiaries. The CSS umbrella programmes were formulated to provide flexibility to states to administer the admissible components in line with state specific requirements. Wherever possible, restructuring of umbrella schemes and consolidation into fewer schemes will be a priority for the ensuing exercise.
• For standalone schemes, the estimated financial outlay for each scheme will determine the appraisal /approval authority in terms of DoE OM No. 24(35)/PF- 11/ 2012 dated 5th August, 2016.
• In respect of the umbrella Central Sector Schemes (CS)/ Centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) of the Ministry/ Department, the overall financial implications for each umbrella pertaining to one Ministry/ Department should be taken into account for determining the competent authority for appraisal and approval. Accordingly, a single proposal for an umbrella scheme may be sent to DoE for appraisal /approval.
• Keeping in view the minimum critical mass required for a central government scheme to have meaningful impact across States/UTs, it may be ensured that no standalone centrally sponsored scheme or scheme under an umbrella CSS should have financial outlay for five years below Rs. 300 crore.
• With regards to Umbrella Central Sector scheme, it may be ensured that the financial outlay of each scheme under the umbrella is not less than Rs.25 crore for five years and financial outlay of any standalone Central sector scheme should not be less than Rs.50 crore for five year.
• Schemes which have financial outlay less than Rs.25 crore for five year period should be categorized as projects or pilots with a definite sunset date and may be classified under Other Central Expenditure in the budget rather than a scheme/ sub-scheme.
• The extant orders on the structure, categorization, architecture and funding
  pattern of the schemes / sub-schemes should be strictly adhered to.
• To eliminate overlap of activities /objectives for the same target beneficiaries, the proposal should reflect a clear convergence architecture with other similar or related schemes of Central Government. This is desirable for optimum deployment of resources. Further, the Ministries/ Departments should examine various ongoing schemes being administered by them / other Ministries to explore the possibilities of merger / dropping of schemes with overlapping objectives.
• Unnecessary creation of Establishment, administrative expenses and thin spread of resources on these should be avoided. Emphasis should be on convergence of resources. As far as possible, a single monitoring body such as a PMU should be established at the Central Ministerial level/ state level rather than creating multiple PMUs/ monitoring agencies for different schemes in a Ministry /Department.
• The Ministries /Departments should be conscious of the fact that common norms should be evolved and followed in all the Central Government schemes with similar activities / objectives in order to achieve better coordination and harmonization of effort. Approved common norms such as Skilling norms, UGC norms etc should be kept in view.
• Staff requirement for the scheme may be reviewed and indicated in the proposal with annual financial implications.
• For continued improvement in public Services delivery, the Government is placing great emphasis on identification of authentic beneficiaries, Aadhaar seeding and transfer of direct benefit to the same through Aadhaar authentication. The proposals for continuation of schemes should effect necessary modification in the implementation mechanism accordingly. Disbursement of the funds should be done through Aadhaar Enabled Payment system (AEPS) to ensure Aadhaar authentication, and not merely Aadhaar seeding.
• Similarly, cashless and electronic transactions of financial resources should be incorporated suitably in the scheme design to promote the objective of digital and less-cash economy.
• The flow of funds in all the schemes should be through PFMS in order to ensure complete tracking of funds up to “last mile’. The implementing agencies of the schemes at all the levels should be on-boarded on PFMS and Expenditure, Advance and Transfer (EAT) module / Receipt, Expenditure, Advance and Transfer (REAT) module should be used.
• The total projected outlay of the schemes of the Ministry/ Department for five years should ordinarily be not be more than the 5.5 times the Actuals of the total scheme expenditure of FY 2019-20.
• As per this Department’s OM dated 10th January, 2020 it was directed that continuation of schemes would depend upon the evaluation and outcome review as per DoE OM dated 5-8-2016. The Ministries / Departments were requested to complete the evaluation process and submit the proposal of continuation of their ongoing schemes for appraisal and approval incorporating the findings of the evaluation. Accordingly Ministries/ Departments should ensure submission of their continuation proposals (draft) along with evaluation reports at the earliest and definitely not later than 15th January, 2021 to DoE. Ministries/ Departments should also circulate the draft proposals to all the stakeholders including Ministries / Departments/ NITI Aayog to incorporate their comments at the time of the appraisal.
• The evaluation of the Centrally Sponsored schemes (CSS) was to be done by DMEO, NITI Aayog and the evaluation of the Central sector schemes was to be organized by the Administrative Ministries/ Departments. For those CSS /CS schemes, where the evaluation has not be done, appropriate budget cuts would be made in FY 2021-22.
• The approval for continuation of the schemes may be sought if the evaluation report for the scheme shows positive results and brings out that though the scheme has been effective in achieving its previously laid down objectives ‘targets, still there is need to continue the scheme in view of its mandate, performance and/ or scaling up of targets. Depending upon the findings of the outcome review of the schemes and also on resource constraints, schemes can be continued in its present form or with necessary modifications. (However, depending upon the resource constraints, fiscal space and evolving priorities of GoI, even schemes with positive evaluation reports may in some cases have to be discontinued.)
• Recommendations of 15th Finance Commissions wherever relevant to the sector would also be considered as and when it is available. This will be taken into account while deciding the expenditure allocation for schemes pertaining to a particular sector.
• It may be ensured that among schemes which are proposed for continuation, there should be no scheme where the competent authority specifically decided to terminate the scheme at the end of 14th Finance Commission cycle.
• It has been constant endeavour of the Government to rationalize the scheme through merging, restructuring or dropping existing schemes / sub schemes that are duplicate or have become redundant or ineffective with passage of time. Before bringing the proposal for continuation of schemes, necessary rationalization of existing schemes should be ensured by administrative Ministries/ Departments. The Department of Expenditure reserves the right to merge, restructure or drop any existing scheme/sub scheme in consultation with administrative Ministry/Department to improve economy of scale for better
  outcomes.
• As per delegation of Financial Powers, Scientific Ministries/ Departments have been delegated the powers to appraise Projects/ Schemes through Departmental EFC(s) irrespective of their financial outlays (except those involving setting of new Autonomous Body, institutes of National importance, Central Universities or Deemed to be Universities, SPVs, etc.) chaired by respective Secretaries. However, the delegated powers are subject to ‘in-principle’ approval of DoE. Hence, these Ministries/ Departments may hold EFC meeting for continuation of their schemes beyond 31.03.2021 only after ‘In-Principle approval’ for the outlay of their schemes for the 5 year period (2021-22 to 2025-26) is accorded by the Department of Expenditure.
• With regard to the Infrastructure projects of Ministries/ Departments such as Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Power, etc., a review will be done separately for which communication will be issued subsequently.

3. The appraisal of the schemes of various Ministries/ Departments is expected to be scheduled in the months of February and March, 2021. The detailed schedule will be circulated subsequently. It may be noted that no scheme will be allowed to continue beyond 31st March, 2021 if the appraisal for continuation is not completed by then. Therefore, the Ministries /Departments are requested to complete all the due process
   and get their scheme appraised, adhering strictly to the timelines.
4. This issues with the approval of Secretary (Expenditure)

(Dr. Shivalli M. Chouhan)
Director (PFC-I)
Tel: 23093109

Annexure

FORMAT FOR APPRAISAL OF CONTINUATION OF SCHEMES

Note: For the schemes which are part of an umbrella scheme the details for both Part A and Part B of the format should be provided. In such cases, Part B should be filled for each scheme separately under the Umbrella.

For Standalone schemes details for Part B is only required.

Part A

1. Name of the Umbrella scheme under which scheme is to be continued
2. Total outlay of the umbrella scheme; Scheme-wise and year-wise (In case of Umbrella CSS, specify the overall Central Govt. and State Govt. shares)
3. In case of centrally sponsored umbrella scheme, specify central components (100% funded for central government) and state components (shared between centre/ state /UTs)

Part B

1. Name of the scheme
2. Objectives of the scheme
3. Background of the scheme
4. Whether Central Sector (CS) scheme/ Centrally sponsored scheme
5. Total Proposed outlay (Component-wise and Year-wise)
6. Actual Expenditure of the ongoing scheme in last 3 years
7. Approved output/ outcome of ongoing scheme year wise and achievements (in a tabular form)
8. Existing and proposed funding pattern (in a tabular form) along with rationale.
9. Major findings of evaluation / outcome review and comments of the Ministry /Department on each observation of the scheme (Attach evaluation report)
10. Major changes / departure proposed from earlier scheme along with justification
11. Major changes in costing norms, if any
12. Convergence architecture with other central government schemes
13. Rationale for continuation
14. Proposed output/outcomes year-wise
15. Sunset date
16. Details of posts created for the Scheme (Regular/Contractual separately) and the number of persons engaged against them with annual financial implications
17. Any additional posts proposed to be created with annual financial implication.
18. Comments of other stakeholders including Ministries/ Departments/ NITI Aayog and response thereon (in a tabular form)

Source: DoE

The post Appraisal of Continuation of schemes beyond 31st March, 2021 – instructions – DoE appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

DoE – Financial powers were assigned to evaluate / approve all publicly supported schemes / projects to implement all new schemes / sub-schemes.

F.No.42(02)/ PFC-1/2014
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
PFC-I Division

North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 4th June, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Appraisal and Approval of all Public Funded Schemes / Sub-Schemes – reg.

Reference is invited to DoE OM No.24(35)/PF-11/2012 dated 5-8-2016 vide which financial powers have been delegated for appraising/ approving all public funded schemes/projects. In terms of para 4(i) of the OM of even number, for initiating all new schemes/ sub-schemes , ‘in-principle’ approval will be taken from Department of Expenditure. It may be appreciated that in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, there is an unprecedented demand on public financial resources, and a need to use resources prudently in accordance with emerging and changing priorities. However, many new proposals for ‘in-principle’ approval are being received from Ministries/ Departments.

2. In view of the circumstances prevailing in the current financial year, the undersigned is directed to convey the following:-

• No new proposal for a scheme/ sub-scheme , whether under delegated powers to Administrative Ministry including SFC proposals or through EFC should be initiated this year (FY 2020-21) except the proposals announced under the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Package, Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan package and any other special package /announcement. ‘In-principle’ approval for such schemes will not be given in this financial year.
• The initiation of new schemes already appraised/ approved in Financial Year 2020-21 under the delegated powers of the Administrative Ministries including SFC proposals (schemes upto Rs. 500 Crore) (exception as mentioned in (i) above), will remain suspended for one year till 31st March, 2021 or till further orders whichever is earlier. This is applicable for those schemes as well, for which ‘in-principle’ approval has already been given by Department of Expenditure. A list of all such schemes (as per the enclosed proforma) may be sent to DoE by FAs of the Ministries / Departments by 30th June, 2020.
• The continuation of all existing schemes will be governed by the DoE OM No. 42(02)/PF- 11/2014 dated 10-01-2020 by which an interim extension for all the ongoing schemes has already been given till 31st March, 2021 or till the date of recommendations of 15th Finance Commission come into effect, whichever is earlier. This is applicable for all the schemes, whether under delegated powers to Administrative Ministries/ Departments, through SFC or through EFC which the Ministry/Department wants to continue without changing their scope, nature, coverage and without creating any additional posts. It has also been reiterated therein that continuation of all schemes would be based on an outcome review based on evaluation. The continuing schemes need to be appraised and approved further for the period of 2021-22 to 2025-26 after 15th Finance Commission recommendations are accepted and resource position of public exchequer is clear. This would also be depend upon the evaluation and the outcome review.
• No funds may be released for schemes which are not in strict conformity to the instructions given above and also in terms of DoE OM No. 24(35)/PF-11/2012 dated 05-08-2016 and No. 42(02)/PF-11/2014 dated 10-01-2020, nor should budgetary provisions be made available by re-appropriation to such schemes.
• Any exception to the above guidelines shall require specific approval of the Department of Expenditure.

Also read: Stepping up of pay of senior Assistants of CSS drawing less pay on promotion in the Section Officers Grade than their juniors

3. This issues with the approval of Secretary (Expenditure).

(Dr. Shivalli M. Chouhan)
Director (PFC-I)

Download PDF – DoE

The post Appraisal and Approval of all Public Funded Schemes / Sub-Schemes – DoE appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

Online submission of APARs in r/o all belonging to CSS / CSSS and other cadres is mandatory as per DoPT guidelines.

URGENT / TIME BOUND

Subject: Online submission of APARs by officers of MoD for the Assessment Year 2019-20

Online submission of APARs in r/o all belonging to CSS / CSSS and other cadres is mandatory as per DoPT guidelines.

Also check: DoPT: Online generation and recording of Annual Performance Assessment Report (APAR)

2. The addressee officers are requested to furnish details of Reporting / Reviewing Officers for the year 2019-2020 for creation of their APAR workflow in SPARROW system. In case an officer is required to submit more than one APAR for the year 2019-20, the details of periods of annexed proforma.

3. The information sought above may please be forwarded within a week to enable this section to ensure timely generation of APARs in r/o the officers concerned and forwarding the same to them.

Also read: DoPT: Introduction of SPARROW across al the cadres of CSS/CSSS/CSCS for the reporting year 2018-19

4. This may please be accorded High Priority.

Encl: as above

(Ajay Kumar Gaur)
Under Secretary to the Government of India.

Source: MoD

The post Online submission of APARs by officers of MoD for the Assessment Year 2019-2020 appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

Important Circular

No. AN-1/1058/ SPARROW/Vol. II

Date: 13/02/2020

To
All PAR Managers/ Custodians (SPARROW- IDAS)
All IDAS officers

(Through CGDA’s website)

Subject : Completion of APARs in “SPARROW”

In the recent times, it is observed that the APARs are not completed by the officers as per the laid down DoPT timelines. APARs in respect of few IDAS officers for the FY 2018-19 have been closed by the system – “Pending with Officer Reported upon for self appraisal” stage. This has been viewed seriously by the competent authority.

2. In this regard it is stated that the PAR managers are responsible to send alert message to the officer reported upon (preferably a week before the prescribed timeline for submitting self appraisal). On failure of an officer to submit self-appraisal as per DoPT timelines to the Reporting Officer, the PAR Manager shall “Force Forward” the same to the Reporting Officer without self appraisal.

3. The Reporting officers should also keep a watch on the movement of APARs of officers working under them and ensure that the APARs are written timely. In case, the self appraisal is not submitted timely, then the force forwarded APAR without self appraisal shall be written by the Reporting officer.

4. The Reporting/ Reviewing/ Accepting officers are also requested to complete the APARs as per DoPT timelines in future. The online recording of APARs on SPARROW system close on 31st December after which it will not be possible to take any action on the APARs.

5. APARs of officers posted on deputation to various Ministries/Departments (other than those posted in Ministry of Defence , UPSC and OFB) are generated centrally in this HQrs office. These officers are request ed to provide the details as mentioned in the table below latest by first week of the next financial year so that the APARs could be initiated timely. Officers posted in Ministry of Defence, UPSC and OFB may forward the details to concerned PAR Managers of MoD, UPSC and PCA (Fys) Kolkata respectively.

6. Officers posted on deputation/ IPA/ Ordinance factories setup, where officers of other services/ Ministers/ Executive authorities are involved are requested to track the movement of their APARs using the tracking activity on SPARROW and if necessary request their Reporting/ Reviewing/ Accepting officers for timely completion of their APARs.

(Praveen Kumar)
Sr. Jt. CGDA (Admin)

The post CGDA – Completion of APARs in “SPARROW” appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

No. 24(35)/PF-II/2012
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi,
Dated 3rd April, 2018

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Appraisal and Approval of Public Funded Schemes and Projects (except matters required to be placed before the Cabinet Committee on Security) – Special Measures to meet needs of Persons with Disabilities

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM No.24(35)/PF-II/2012 dated 05th August, 2016 on the subject cited above.

2. Following modifications are made in Annexure-IVA and Annexure-IV B of this Department’s OM No. 24(35)/PF-II/2012 dated 05th August, 2016 :

(i) Insertion of a new sub-para 3.6 in Section 3 of Annexure -IVA: Format for EFC/SFC Memorandum for the appraisal of schemes, as under:
“Please bring out special interventions proposed to meet needs of Persons with Disabilities, including accessibility requirements under the RoPWD Act 2016”. [Attach details at Annexure]

(ii) Insertion of a new sub-para 2.4 in Section 2 of Annexure IV B: Format for PIBIDIB Memorandum for appraisal of Projects, as under:
“Please indicate special measures proposed to meet needs of Persons with Disabilities, including accessibility requirements under the RoPWD Act”. [Attach details at Annexure]

3. This comes into immediate effect. Ministries/Departments are requested to accordingly circulate EFC/PIB memos for inter-ministerial consultations after incorporating measures to meet needs of Persons with Disabilities.

4. This issues with the approval of Secretary (Expenditure).

(Harsha Dass)
Director
Tel. No. 23092578

Source: DoE

The post Appraisal and Approval of Public Funded Schemes and Projects – Special Measures to meet needs of Persons with Disabilities appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

When asked how soon the new appraisal form is expected, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairperson Anita Kapur said, “This year’s review will be based on new proforma.”

New Delhi – Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the I-T department will introduce a system of online scrutiny of returns and modify the performance appraisal proforma of officials with a view to motivating them to pass correct orders and also check corruption.

Stating that the government is taking several steps to serve honest tax-payers, Modi said this year, 91 per cent of electronic returns were processed within 90 days as compared to 46 per cent last year.

“I have also instructed that the performance appraisal system for Income Tax Officers be changed. The appraisal should reflect, whether or not the officer’s orders and assessments have been upheld on appeal. This will deter corruption and also motivate officers to pass correct orders,” Modi said at the 6th Delhi Economic Conclave here.

The I-T department, he said, will move to a system where not only returns but also scrutiny is done without having to go to the tax office.

“Queries could be raised and answered online or by email. There should be a visible electronic trail of what is pending with whom, where, and for how long. This is being piloted in five big cities,” Modi said.

He said the electronic filing of returns now covers 85 per cent of all tax returns and this year the tax department has introduced e-verification using Aadhaar. Over four million taxpayers made use of this facility.

Earlier, electronic returns had to be followed by a paper verification which used to take weeks to get processed, Modi said.

“When fully implemented, these changes, namely online scrutiny, and changes in performance appraisal have transformative potential,” Modi added.

When asked how soon the new appraisal form is expected, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairperson Anita Kapur said, “This year’s review will be based on new proforma.”

She further said the tax department has launched pilot projects for five cities wherein the officers will send questionnaires online and get the response online.

Source: PTI – The Economic Times

The post New Performance Appraisal Proforma for IT Officials on Cards appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.