CBIC-30A12(12)/7/2021 -Ad-IIIB Section-CBEC
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs

Gr. Floor, Hudco Vishal Building,
Bhikaji Cama Place, RK Puram, New Delhi-66,

To
All the Cadre Controlling Authorities
under Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
(Through e-mail )

Subject: Instructions regarding data collection on pending compassionate appointment – regarding

Sir/Madam,

The undersigned is directed to refer to Board’s letter of even no. dated 05.08.2021 on the aforesaid subject and to say that the competent authority has noted, from the data furnished by CCAs on compassionate appointment cases, that data is not up to date. Therefore, the compassionate appointments data furnished by CCAs needs to be updated.

2. It is further requested to confirm if arrangements are in place in the zone, in relation to the procedure for compassionate appointments, in compliance with DoPT’s O.M. dated 23.08.2021.

3. In view of the above, you are requested to ensure compliance and accordingly send a report to Board on the issue at the earliest.

Yours faithfully,

(Mohammad Ashif)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

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Expected DA 2020

AICPIN for the month of August 2020 – Expected DA 2020 – Central Government Employees News

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – August, 2020

The Labour Bureau, an attached office of the M/o Labour & Employment, has been compiling Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers every month on the basis of the retail prices of selected items collected from 289 markets spread over 78 industrially important centres in the country. The index is compiled for 78 centres and All-India and is released on the last working day of succeeding month. The index for the month of August, 2020 is being released in this press release.

The All-India CPI-IW for August, 2020 increased by 2 points and stood at 338 (three hundred and thirty eight). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by (+) 0.60 per cent between July and August, 2020 compared to (+) 0.31 per cent increase between corresponding months of previous year.

The maximum upward pressure in current index came from Food group contributing (+) 1.14 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Rice, Mustard Oil, Milk (Buffalo), Chillies Green, Onion, Brinjal, Carrot, French Bean, Gourd, Green Coriander Leaves, Lady Finger, Palak, Parval, Potato, Banana, Mango (Ripe), Tea (Readymade), Flowers/Flower Garlands, etc. are responsible for the increase in index. However, this increase was checked by Wheat, Wheat Atta, Fish Fresh, Goat Meat, Poultry (Chicken), Tomato, Guava, etc., putting downward pressure on the index.

At centre level, Coimbatore recorded the maximum increase of 9 points followed by Salem (7 points) and Madurai (6 points). Among others, 5 points increase was observed in 3 centres, 4 points in another 3 centres, 3 points in 12 centres, 2 points in 14 centres and 1 point in 16 centres. On the contrary, Labac-Silchar recorded the maximum decrease of 4 points. Among others, 2 points decrease was observed in 3 centres and 1 point in 8 centres. Rest of 15 centres’ indices remained stationary.

The indices of 31 centres are above All-India Index and 47 centres’ indices are below national average.

Year-on-year inflation based on all-items stood at 5.63 per cent for August, 2020 as compared to 5.33 per cent for the previous month and 6.31 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, Food inflation stood at 6.67 per cent against 6.38 per cent of the previous month and 5.10 per cent during the corresponding month a year ago.

Source: PIB

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Latest DoPT Orders 2020

No. A-27016/ 02/ 2017-Estt.(AL)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pension
Department of Personnel& Training

Block IV, Old JNU Campus
New Delhi dated 13th July, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Implementation of Government decision on 7th CPC’s recommendations on Night Duty Allowance (NDA).

Consequent upon the decision taken by the Government on the recommendations made by the 7th Central Pay Commission on the subject of Night Duty Allowance, the following instructions are being issued in supersession of this Department’s O.M.s No. 12012/4/86-Estt. (Allowances ) dated 04.10.1989 and OM No.15020/2/92- Estt .(Allowances) dated 05 .05 .1994

• Wherever the working hours have been arrived at after taking into account the night weightage factor, no further compensation may be admissible.
• Night Duty will be defined as duty performed between 22:00 hours and 6:00 hours
• A uniform weightage of 10 minutes shall be given for every hour of night duty performed.
• The ceiling of basic pay for entitlement of Night Duty Allowance shall be Rs. 43600/- per month.
• The hourly rate of NDA equal to [(BP+DA)/200] will be paid and the basic pay and DA for the calculation of NDA rates shall be the basic pay and DA prevalent as per 7th CPC.
• This formulation will extend to all employees across all Ministries/ Departments who were already in receipt of NDA.
• The amount of NDA will be worked out separately for each employee depending upon the basic pay the concerned employee is drawing on the date of performing the night duty. The existing practice for giving same rate of NDA to all employees with a particular Grade Pay should be discontinued.
• A certificate should be given by the supervisor concerned that Night Duty is essential.

2. The above instructions will be applicable with effect from 1st July 2017

Also check: 7th CPC Night Duty Allowance at revised rates to Civilian Employees – MOD

3. Hindi version will follow.

(Rajendra Prasad Tewari)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

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

Source: DoPT

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No.19011/1/2020 -TFA
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

Old JNU Campus New Delhi
Dated the 3rd July, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Containment of Covid-19 – Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for functioning of Training Institutes of the Central and State/ UT Governments w.e.f. 15th July, 2020 – reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to Ministry of Home Affairs’ Order No.40- 3/2020-DM-1(A) dated 29th June, 2020 vide which guidelines for Phased Reopening (Unlock 2), outside Containment Zones, as part of measures for containment of Covid¬19 have been issued. As per these guidelines, Training Institutes of Central and State Governments will be allowed to function w.e.f. 15th July, 2020 in accordance with the SOP to be issued by DoP&T.

2. Accordingly, the SOP finalized in consultation with the Central Training Institutes is at Annexure.

Encl: As above.

Also check: Issues faced by the Central Government Employees, especially COVID-19 – Confederation

(A.N. Narayanan)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India

Annexure

Sub: Reopening of Training Institutions of Central/ State Governments – Framing of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) – reg.

Ref: Guidelines on Unlock 2 annexed to Ministry of Home Affairs’ Order dated 29.06.2020

The Central and State Training Institutes shall observe the procedure outlined below and ensure that all the necessary steps are taken to avoid spread of Covid-19 while carrying out their activities with effect from 15.07.2020:

I. General Guidelines

• As far as possible training programs should be conducted in digital/ online/ virtual mode. Where it is necessary to conduct training in physical mode, the duration of the training program should be reviewed carefully to make it more compact by separating the training curriculum into digital and physical mode.
• Observance of all social distancing, wearing of masks and other COVID related protocols, as prescribed by Central and State / District Health authorities from time to time should be ensured by the Training Institute.
• All Class rooms, Staff Rooms, offices, hostels, Corridors, Lobbies, Common areas and washrooms etc. should be thoroughly cleaned/ sanitised as per procedure prescribed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• With a view to ensure safety, on best effort basis, the Training Institutes should ensure that the Arogya Setu app is downloaded and installed by all trainees /other staff and faculty having compatible phones.
• Training Institutes should notify Nodal Officers for COVID related administrative responsibilities and also constitute Committees with clear demarcation of roles especially for COVID related matters.
• All the trainees and personnel of the Training Institutes should be encouraged to proactively disclose their health status including fever/cough/sore throat/influenza like symptoms, to the Institute medical authorities.
• A functional medical clinic/ centre with the presence of qualified doctor(s) and nursing staff may be made available in each Training Institute with a protocol in place for treating of staff/ faculty /trainees with flu like symptoms. SOPs should be developed in consultation with local Public Health Authorities to ensure quick response for testing and isolation/ quarantine of symptomatic patients etc.
• Separate quarantine/ Isolation facility for COVID 19 positive I suspect cases should be created, in consultation with local Public Health Authorities, by the Training Institutes.
• Liaising should be established with local laboratories / hospitals/ Ambulance services and District Health Authorities for providing prompt Covid 19 testing / treatment facilities.
• Entry of visitors to training institute should be restricted, Such visitors, if permitted, should be allowed only after proper screening as per the prescribed protocols. Thermal scanner should be installed at the entry points.
• Entry and exit to Training Institutions may be regulated to ensure that no outside visitors are allowed to enter; staff, employees (including contract employees, vendors and vehicles who I which are deployed for material procurement and logistical duties maybe sanitized, screened, and thermally scanned before each entry into the Training Institutions as appropriate.
• Touch-free hand liquid hand sanitizers should be placed at the entry and all prominent places in the Institute such as reception, conference rooms, lecture halls etc. and every person-faculty member /staff member/ visitor/ trainee¬ entering the premises should sanitize their hands before entering the enclosed spaces.
• All the vendors, suppliers, housekeeping staff, workers etc. should preferably be accommodated in staff quarters to the extent feasible. Where it is difficult to accommodate all of such staff, they should be carefully screened before permitting entry into the campus and should not be deputed for duty in proximity to officer trainees.
• Certain categories of people with co-morbid conditions are at high risk as identified by the MoHFW. It will be desirable for such trainees to attend courses online from their place of current posting /ATI. Such High-Risk individuals could include:
  • Pregnant women, lactating mothers
  • People with the following medical conditions

1. Severe Asthma or chronic lung disease
2. High BP.
3. People with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
4. Serious heart condition
5. Any other medical condition that has potential high risk in the COVID environment in the opinion of a medical expert.
6. Any other category / symptom as notified.

• The Training Institutes can consider methods of determining the fitness of trainees, before joining, depending on local conditions. They could consider for e.g. obtaining an online declaration from all the trainee officers that they are not at ‘higher risk’ in terms of instructions of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, or in terms of status available on Aarogya Setu App etc

II. Arrival of trainee officers in Training Institutes

• As far as possible, Training Institutes should arrange for transportation of trainees from the Airport / the Railway Station to avoid the exposure to trainee officers in unidentified public transport.
• The Training Institutes should check the status of trainee officers on Arogya Setu App upon their arrival in the Institute.
• On arrival in the Training Institute, the Institute will ensure compliance with the quarantine requirement as per the concerned State Government guidelines.
• The rooms allotted to the trainees can serve as place for their quarantine.
• Basic screening of trainees should be done on their arrival at the designated locations and only then be allowed to proceed to their allotted rooms in secured and sanitised hostels.
• Separate hostel room should be allotted to each trainee to the extent possible. In no case, more than 2 trainees should be accommodated in one room. Training programmes should be so staggered so that all trainees have sufficient space in the hostel and there is no overcrowding.
• It should be ensured that minimal numbers of trainees are accommodated in dormitories. Special emphasis should be placed on frequent sanitisation of such common washrooms/facilities/rooms.
• Movement of trainees within the campus should be restricted and it should be ensured that trainees stay in their allotted rooms and avoid common areas such as lounges etc.
• The trainees may be encouraged to take up self-cleaning of their rooms/use washing machines / laundromats so as to avoid contact with others.
• Trainees should always maintain strict and complete isolation during the quarantine period. The food and other essentials should be provided in the hostel room of the trainee during this period.
• It should be ensured that nobody is allowed to visit the trainees in quarantine.
• Training Institutes should provide thermometers to trainees in quarantine to regularly check their temperature levels. Tele-consultation with medical staff can be arranged, if possible, by the medical Institute.
• In case, any trainee develops flu like symptoms or is tested positive for COVID19, he / she should be immediately shifted to a separate quarantine facility / designated hospital in terms of the protocols issued by the local health authorities.
• All the trainees should be asked to maintain a note of their contacts on a daily basis from the date of their arrival in the Institute.
• There will be no outdoor physical activities during the quarantine period.

III. Classroom Sessions

• During the period of quarantine of trainees, the classes should be conducted online and the trainees will access online classes from their respective hostel rooms.
• After the period of quarantine is over, the trainees can attend the classroom while maintaining social distancing, using face masks and other safety measures as prescribed.
• Sufficient ventilation should be ensured in the lecture halls/classrooms. Air Conditioners should be sanitized / cleaned as per prescribed guidelines. There should be sufficient time gaps between the consecutive sessions. Lengthy class room sessions should be avoided.
• Reading Materials and case studies etc. should be made available in advance to the trainees so as to reduce the classroom session time.
• Tea/coffee and water etc. should be served in disposable cups/glasses. as far as possible.
• Basic screening including temperature scan may be carried out daily for all the officer Trainees attending classes. Trainees found to have temperature above the normal range (that could be because of any kind of flu) may self-isolate themselves till such time the COVID 19 infection is ruled out.
• Group exercises or group meetings may be encouraged to be held in online/virtual format only

IV. Physical activities and Outdoors

• All the indoor facilities for physical exercise like Gym, swimming pool etc. should remain closed and should be operated as per the directions of the Central/State Government. The trainees may be encouraged to do Yoga in the room while maintaining social distancing.
• Decision on limited physical activities inside the campus especially during morning while following protocols may be taken by the Institution depending upon the availability of space, based on the guidelines from the Central / State Government.
• Social /cultural events or gathering or functions should be avoided during the training period.
• Outstation visits may be undertaken only after assessing the COVID 19 situation and travel related restrictions

V. Mess and Dining:

• Meal timings may be staggered appropriately with adequate intervals. A suitable time table may be disseminated to all concerned with a view to minimize the time spent in the mess/dining hall with other trainee officers.
• Mess supervisors should ensure that all trainees and mess staff wash hands properly before entry into mess/kitchen. Touchless hand sanitizers may be installed outside the mess/dining halls.
• Sufficient distance should be observed by all while inside the mess/dining hall. Seating should be so organized that the trainees do not face each other while having their meals.
• Sharing of utensils-dishes, cups, soaps, towels etc. should not be allowed

VI. General

• The officer trainees may be discouraged to go out of the campus or stay outside the campus unless it is essential to do so. Such visits should exceptional and made with the prior approval of the Director of the Institute.
• Efforts may be made to make available all the essential items such as stationery, snacks, toiletries, eatables, tea/coffee etc. within the campus.
• Immunity boosting products as recommended by the Medical Authorities and M/o AYUSH should be encouraged for use.
• Use of lifts should be discouraged. In case of using lift, the relevant etiquettes for social distancing should be strictly followed.
• In case a trainee tests positive, disinfection/sanitization/closing of the area /Institution may be done as per protocols ofCentral and State / District Health authorities.

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F.No.DIT (Inf)/ U-I/Misc.-1/ 2020-21/148
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
CENTRAL BOARD OF DIRECT TAXES
DIRECTORATE OF INCOME TAX (INFRA.)

Dated: 30.06.2020

To
All HoDs (Pr. CCsIT/Pr. DGsIT/CCsIT/ DGsIT/Pr. CsIT/Pr. DsIT/ CsIT/ADGs)

Madam /Sir,

Kind attention is invited to the O.M. issued by IFU vide F. No. 15/6/2008-IFU-III (EC) dated 15.09.2011 (Copy enclosed as Annexure-I) regarding delegated Financial Powers to the Head of Departments (HoDs). The partial modification of the OM F. No. 15/6/2008-IFU.III dtd.15.09.2011 was made vide OM under F. No. 14/11/2017-IFU (B&A) DT dated 16.08.2017 (Copy enclosed as Annexure-II).

2. As per the said OM, the financial powers upto Rs.60/90 lakhs per annum have been delegated to the Head of Departments of CBDT for ‘Outsourcing of Services” and all HoDs have to follow above OMs. However, several instances have come to the notice of CBDT wherein it has been noted that these OMs are not being followed and HODs are sanctioning expenditure on outsourcing of services beyond their delegated financial powers either by way of entering into fresh contracts or by extending the existing contracts. Subsequently when the ZAOs refuse to clear the bills for want of sanction of the competent authority, proposals are sent to the DIT(Infra) for seeking ex-post facto approval of the competent authority.

Further, in matter of sanctioning of works also, it has come to notice of CBDT that many times field authorities alter/add to the scope of originally sanctioned works beyond their delegated financial powers without prior approval of the competent authority. This has, at times, led to litigation between the contractor and the Department due to delayed payments for want of sanction of the competent authority resulting in levy of interest and cost by the courts.

Therefore, it is hereby reiterated that field authorities should not sanction expenditure pertaining to ‘Outsourcing of Services” or should not sanction works or add to the sanctioned works beyond their delegated financial powers without taking prior approval of the competent authority.

3. Moreover, it has been observed that proposals seeking ex-post facto approval of the competent authority in cases of renewal/revision of rent agreements, execution of works and outsourcing of services are being sent to this Directorate in a routine manner without any detailed reasons and valid justification for the delay in submitting such proposals. Such ex post facto approval cases are viewed very adversely by the higher authorities and the IFU.

4. Therefore, I am directed to hereby reiterate that field authorities should not award contracts for outsourcing of services or sanction works beyond the delegated financial powers and also submit the proposals well in time.

5. This is issued with the prior approval of Pr.DGIT (Admin. & TPS).

Encl: As above.

(H.Pradeep Rao)
Joint Secretary & Financial Adviser (Finance)

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F.No.11013/9/2014-Estt. A.III
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training)

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 5th June, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Preventive measures to be taken to contain the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Attendance regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to OM of even number dated the 17th March, 2020, 18th May, 2020 and 19th May, 2020 whereby advisory for well-being of Government employees and attendance in Government offices with staggered timings were issued by Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT).

Also check: Daily attendance is being sought by DoPT telaphonically, officers are requested to convey attendance by 11 am

2. Kind attention is also drawn to Ministry of Home Affairs’ Order dated 30.05.2020 whereby ‘Additional Directives for Work Places’ have been prescribed. Further, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW) on 4th June, 2020 has issued Standard Operating Procedure on preventive measures to contain spread of COVID-19 in workplace settings (copy enclosed).

3. It is emphasized that strict adherence to the practices of social distancing norms and health & hygiene practices, as enunciated in these guidelines, is of paramount importance and the Government servants as responsible employees should abide by these practices so that the Government offices function in the most efficient manner in the given situation. All the Ministries / Departments/offices as well as the Central Government employees are, therefore, directed to ensure strict compliance of instructions issued by DoPT as well as MHA and MoH&FW.

(Umesh Kumar Bhatra)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India

4th June, 2020

Government of India
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

SOP on preventive measures to contain spread of COVID-19 in offices

1. Background

Offices and other workplaces are relatively close settings, with shared spaces like work stations, corridors, elevators & stairs, parking places, cafeteria, meeting rooms and conference halls etc. and COVID-19 infection can spread relatively fast among officials, staffs and visitors.

There is a need to prevent spread of infection and to respond in a timely and effective manner in case suspect case of COVID-19 is detected in these settings, so as to limit the spread of infection.

2. Scope

This document outlines the preventive and response measures to be observed to contain the spread of COVID-19 in office settings. The document is divided into the following sub-sections

(i) Generic preventive measures to be followed at all times
(ii) Measures specific to offices
(iii) Measures to be taken on occurrence of case(s)
(iv) Disinfection procedures to be implemented in case of occurrence of suspect / confirmed case.

Offices in containment zones shall remain closed except for medical & essential sevices. Only those outside containment zones will be allowed to open up.

3. Generic preventive measures

Persons above 65 years of age, persons with comorbidities, pregnant women are advised to stay at home, except for essential and health purposes. Office management to facilitate the process.

The generic preventive measures include simple public health measures that are to be followed to reduce the risk of infection with COVID-19. These measures need to be observed by all (employees and visitors) at all times. These include:

i. Individuals must maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet in public places as far as feasible.
ii. Use of face covers/masks to be mandatory.
iii. Practice frequent hand washing with soap (for at least 40-60 seconds) even when hands are not visibly dirty. Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (for at least 20 seconds) can be made wherever feasible.
iv. Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. This involves strict practice of covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue / handkerchief / flexed elbow and disposing off used tissues properly.
v. Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest to the immediate supervisory officer.
vi. Spitting shall be strictly prohibited.
vii. Installation & use of Aarogya Setu App by employees.

4. Specific preventive measures for offices:

i. Entrance to have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitizes dispenser) and thermal screening provisions.
ii. Only asymptomatic staff/visitors shall be allowed.
iii. Any officer and staff residing in containment zone should inform the same to supervisory officer and not attend the office till containment zone is denotified. Such staff should be permitted to work from home and it will not be counted as leave period.
iv. Drivers shall maintain social distancing and shall follow required dos and don’ts related to COVID-19. It shall be ensured by the service providers/ officers/ staff that drivers residing in containment zones shall not be allowed to drive vehicles.
v. There shall be provision for disinfection of the interior of the vehicle using 1% sodium hypochlorite solution/ spray. A proper disinfection of steering, door handles, keys, etc. should be taken up.
vi. Advise all employees who are at higher risk i.e. older employees, pregnant employees and employees who have underlying medical conditions, to take extra precautions. They should preferably not be exposed to any front-line work requiring direct contact with the public. Office management to facilitate work from home wherever feasible.
vii. All officers and staff / visitors to be allowed entry only if using face cover/masks. The face cover/mask has to be worn at all times inside the office premises.
viii. Routine issue of visitors/ temporary passes should be suspended and visitors with proper permission of the officer who they want to meet, should be allowed after being properly screened.
ix. Meetings, as far as feasible, should be done through video conferencing.
x. Posters/ standees/ AV media on preventive measures about COVID-19 to be displayed prominently.
xi. Staggering of office hours, lunch hours/coffee breaks to be done, as far as feasible.
xii. Proper crowd management in the parking lots and outside the premises – duly following social distancing norms be ensured.
xiii. Valet parking, if available, shall be operational with operating staff wearing face covers/ masks and gloves as appropriate. A proper disinfection of steering, door handles, keys, etc. of vehicles should be taken up.
xiv. Any shops, stalls, cafeteria etc., outside and within the office premises shall follow social distancing norms at all times.
xv. Specific markings may be made with sufficient distance to manage the queue and ensure social distancing in the premises.
xvi. Preferably separate entry and exit for officers, staff and visitors shall be organised.
xvii. Proper cleaning and frequent sanitization of the workplace, particularly of the frequently touched surfaces must be ensured.
xviii. Ensure regular supply of hand sanitisers, soap and running water in the washrooms.
xix. Required precautions while handling supplies, inventories and goods in the office shall be ensured.
xx. Seating arrangement to be made in such a way that adequate social distancing is maintained.
xxi. Number of people in the elevators shall be restricted, duly maintaining social distancing norms.
xxii. For air-conditioning/ventilation, the guidelines of CPWD shall be followed which inter alia emphasises that the temperature setting of all air conditioning devices should be in the range of 24-30°C, relative humidity should be in the range of 40¬70%, intake of fresh air should be as much as possible and cross ventilation should be adequate.
xxiii. Large gatherings continue to remain prohibited.
xxiv. Effective and frequent sanitation within the premises shall be maintained with particular focus on lavatories, drinking and hand washing stations/areas.
xxv. Cleaning and regular disinfection (using 1% sodium hypochlorite) of frequently touched surfaces (door knobs, elevator buttons, hand rails, benches, washroom fixtures, etc.) shall be done in office premises and in common areas
xxvi. Proper disposal of face covers / masks / gloves left over by visitors and/or employees shall be ensured.
xxvii. In the cafeteria/canteen/dining halls:
a.Adequate crowd and queue management to be ensured to ensure social distancing norms.
b. Staff / waiters to wear mask and hand gloves and take other required precautionary measures.
c.The seating arrangement to ensure a distance of at least 1 meter between patrons as far as feasible.
d. In the kitchen, the staff to follow social distancing norms.

5. Measures to be taken on occurrence of case(s):

Despite taking the above measures, the occurrence of cases among the employees working in the office cannot be ruled out. The following measures will be taken in such circumstances:

i. When one or few person(s) who share a room/close office space is/are found to be suffering from symptoms suggestive of COVID-19:

• Place the ill person in a room or area where they are isolated from others at the workplace. Provide a mask/face cover till such time he/she is examined by a doctor.
• Immediately inform the nearest medical facility (hospital/clinic) or call the state or district helpline.
• A risk assessment will be undertaken by the designated public health authority (district RRT/treating physician) and accordingly further advice shall be made regarding management of case, his/her contacts and need for disinfection.
• The suspect case if reporting very mild/mild symptoms on assessment by the health authorities would be placed under home isolation.
• Suspect case, if assessed by health authorities as moderate to severe, will be treated as per health protocol in appropriate health facility.
• The rapid response team of the concerned district shall be requisitioned and will undertake the listing of contacts.
• The necessary actions for contact tracing and disinfection of work place will start once the report of the patient is received as positive. The report will be expedited for this purpose.

ii. If there are large numbers of contacts from a pre-symptomatic / asymptomatic case, there could be a possibility of a cluster emerging in workplace setting. Due to the close environment in workplace settings this could even be a large cluster (>15 cases). The essential principles of risk assessment, isolation, and quarantine of contacts, case referral and management will remain the same. However, the scale of arrangements will be higher.

iii. Management of contacts:

• The contacts will be categorised into high and low risk contacts by the District RRTas detailed in the Annexure I.
• The high-risk exposure contacts shall be quarantined for 14 days.
• These persons shall undergo testing as per ICMR protocol.
• The low risk exposure contacts shall continue to work and closely monitor their health for next 14 days.
• The flowchart for management of contact/ cases is placed at Annexure – II.

6. Closure of workplace

i. If there are one or two cases reported, the disinfection procedure will be limited to places/areas visited by the patient in past 48 hrs. There is no need to close the entire office building/halt work in other areas of the office and work can be resumed after disinfection as per laid down protocol.
ii. However, if there is a larger outbreak, the building/block will have to be closed for 48 hours after thorough disinfection. All the staff will work from home, till the building/block is adequately disinfected and is declared fit for re-occupation.

7. Disinfection Procedures in Offices

Detailed guidelines on the disinfection as already issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare as available on their website shall be followed.

Annexure I

Risk profiling of contacts

Contacts are persons who have been exposed to a confirmed case anytime between 2 days prior to onset of symptoms (in the positive case) and the date of isolation (or maximum 14 days after the symptom onset in the case).

High-risk contact

• Touched body fluids of the patient (respiratory tract secretions, blood, vomit, saliva, urine, faeces; e.g. being coughed on, touching used paper tissues with a bare hand)
• Had direct physical contact with the body of the patient including physical examination without PPE
• Touched or cleaned the linens, clothes, or dishes of the patient.
• Lives in the same household as the patient.
• Anyone in close proximity (within 1 meter) of the confirmed case without precautions.
• Passengers in close proximity (within 1 meter) in a conveyance with a symptomatic person who later tested positive for COVID-19 for more than 6 hours.

Low-risk contact

• Shared the same space (worked in same room/similar) but not having a high-risk exposure to confirmed case of COVID-19.
• Travelled in same environment (bus/train/flight/any mode of transit) but not having a high-risk exposure.

Source: DoPT

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Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers Central Headquarters

Ist Floor, North Avenue Post office Building,
New Delhi-110001

No. Confdn/NS/ 2016-19

Dated-18.11.2019

Important Circular

To
1. All National Secretariat Members (CHQ Office Bearers)
2. All Affiliated organisations
3. All General Secretaries of C-O-Cs.

Confederation National Secretariat Calls upon Entire Central Government Employees

(including Gramin Dak Sevaks and Casual / Contract Workers)

To Mobilise and Participate in the 2020 January 8th Nationwide Strike
Organise Mass Dharna and Demonstrations and Rallies at all important centres and State/ District/ Divisional Headquarters on 20th December, 2019.

• Strike to be organised on 10 points Charter of demands of Confederation (attached herewith) and also the common demands of workers adopted in the National Convention of Workers.
• First and most important demand to be emphasized is “Scrap NPS and Restore OPS“.
• Each affiliated organisation should independently chalkout intensive campaign programmes to mobilise their entire membership to participate in the strike. Campaign tour programmes of leaders of each affiliate should be chalked out immediately. This is most important and urgent.
• Campaign tour programmes of National Secretariat Members of Confederation will be published shortly.
• Draft copy of the pamphlet to be distributed among all the Central Government employees will be published in the Confederation website shortly. C-O-Cs and Affiliates at state/ district level to bring out pamphlets in respective vernacular, with additions/ modifications if necessary.
• State C-O-Cs should publish Posters with Confederation Charter of demands.
• Strike notice along with Charter of demands will be served on 12th December, 2019.
  Confederation Central Headquarters will serve strike notice to Cabinet Secretary. All Affiliated organisations should serve strike notice to their respective Departmental heads. Copy of the strike notice should be submitted to all lower level authorities also at State/ District/ Divisional level with mass demonstrations and gate meetings.
• Affiliated organisations should send copy of the strike notice served by them to their Departmental heads, to all their lower units and also publish the same in their websites.
• State/ District C-O-Cs should plan their own campaign programmes and mobilisation meetings.
• Confederation Central Headquarters has already written to the Secretary General of Confederation of Central Government Gazetted Officers Organisation (CCGGOO) requesting to participate in the 8th January 2020 strike.
• Message of the strike and strike demands should reach each and every Central Govt. employee including Gramin Dak Sevaks and Casual, Part-time contingent, daily-rated and Contract Workers.
• All Affiliates and C-C-Cs should ensure maximum participation of Central Govt. employees in all the campaign and mobilisation programmes of Joint Action Council of Central Trade Unions and Independent Federations also.
• As in the past, Government may issue circulars, threatening the employees who participate in the strike. Ignore all such circulars and join the strike with courage and determination. Don’t believe in rumours. All information related to the strike will be published in Confederation website www.confederationhq.blogspot.com
• Mass dharna at all important centres and also at State/ District/Divisional headquarters may be organised on 20th December 2019, with maximum participation of Central Govt. Employees.
• Give maximum publicity through local media, social media and websites. Send photos and reports by whatsapp or Email to Confederation Headquarters.
• Central Government Pensioners Associations may be requested to particpate in all mobilisation programmes and also to organise solidarity programme on 8th January, 2020.
  Remember, all our existing benefits and rights are achieved through struggles and sacrifices only. No strike action will go in vain. No sacrifice will go in vain. We will fight and we will win.

Also check the 2 days nation-wide strike on 8th & 9th January 2019 – Confederation

II. National Conference of Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers:

As already informed to all in the Circular dated 01-08-2019, the next National Conference of Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers will be held at NAGPUR (Maharashtra) on 07-02-2020 and 08-02-2020 (7th & 8th February 2020; Friday and Saturday). Delegate fee per head is Rs.1,000/- (Rs. One thousand only). In addition to delegates, visitors are also allowed to attend the Conference on payment of Rs.1,000/- (Rs. One thousand only) per head.

All Affiliated organisations and C-O-Cs are requested to ensure maximum participation of delegates and visitors in the National Conference, including maximum Lady delegates and visitors.

Please book the travel tickets of the delegates and visitors well in advance. Last minute, confirmed tickets will not be available.

C-O-C, Vidharbha Region, Maharashtra, Nagpur, is hosting the National Conference. Contact Number: Com: Nilesh D Nasare, General Secretary, C-O-C, Vidarbha Region, Nagpur & All India Organising Secretary, Confederation CHQ, Mob: 09850354898.

Women’s Sub Committee of the Confederation will be re-constituted in the Conference and New Office Bearers will be elected.

The names and mobile numbers of leaders, delegates and visitors attending the National Conference may be intimated to the Reception Committee on or before 31-12-2019. This is required for arranging accommodation.

C-O-C Mumbai, C-O-C Nagpur and nearby states C-O-Cs may ensure participation of more delegates/ visitors/ lady comrades.

Formal notice of the National Conference will be issued shortly.

Number of Delegates and Quota Remittance:

Number of eligible delegates of each Affiliated organisation and C-O-C is decided based on the quota remitted. The National Secretariat meeting of Confederation held at Hyderabad on 19th October 2019, has decided that the subscription/ quota dues list of affiliates will be placed in the Confederation website by the Financial Secretary shortly and all will be once again asked to pay out the arrears by 20-12-2019. On the basis of remittances received thereupon, voting rights will be compiled and exhibited in the website.

Contact number of Com.Vrigu Bhattacharjee, Financial Secretary, Confederation CHQ – 09868520926 and 09013163804.

All the Affiliated organisations and C-O-Cs are once again requested to remit the subscription/ quota dues on or before 20-12-2019 without fail and ensure participation of maximum delegates and visitors in the National Conference.

Let us meet at Nagpur after the Historic 2020 January 8th Strike.
Let us strengthen our unity further.
Unity for struggle and struggle for unity.

Fraternally yours,
M. Krishnan,
Secretary General,
Mob: 09447068125
Email: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com

10 Points Charter of Demands of Confederation

1. Scrap New Contributory Pension scheme (NPS). Restore Old defined benefit Pension Scheme (OPS) to all employees. Guarantee 50% of the last pay drawn as Minimum Pension.
2. Honour assurance given by Group of Ministers (GoM) to NJCA leaders on 30-06-2016. Increase Minimum Pay and Fitment formula. Withdraw the proposed move to modify the existing time-tested methodology for calculation of Minimum wage. Grant HRA arrears from 01-01-2016. Withdraw “Very Good” bench mark for MACP, Grant promotional heirarchy and date of effect from 01-01-2006. Grant Option-I parity recommended by 7th CPC to all Central Govt. Pensioners. Settle all anomalies arising out of 7th CPC implementation.
3. Stop corporatisation / privatisation of Railways, Defence and Postal Departments. Withdraw closure orders of Govt. of India Printing Presses. Stop proposed move to close down Salt Department. Stop closure of Govt. establishments and outsourcing.
4. Fill up all six lakhs vacant posts in the Central Government Departments in a time bound manner. Reintroduce Regional Recruitment for Group B & C posts.
5. (a) Regularisation of Gramin Dak Sevaks and grant of Civil servant status. Implement remaining positive recommendations of Kamalesh Chandra Committee report.
   (b) Regularise all casual and contract workers including those joined on or after 01-09-1993.
6. Ensure equal pay for equal work for all. Remove disparity in pay scales between Central Secretariat staff and similarly placed staff working in field units of various departments.
7. Implement 7th CPC Wage Revision and Pension revision of remaining Autonomous bodies. Ensure payment of arrears without further delay. Grant Bonus to Autonomous body employees pending from 2016-17 onwards.
8. Remove 5% condition imposed on compassionate appointments. Grant appointment in all eligible cases.
9. Grant five time bound promotions to all Group B & C employees. Complete Cadre Review in all departments within a time-frame.
10. (a) Withdraw the anti-worker wage/labour codes and other anti-worker Labour reforms. Stop attack on trade union rights. Ensure prompt functioning of various negotiating forums under the JCM Scheme at all levels.
    (b) Withdraw the draconian FR 56 (j) and Rule 48 of CCS (Pension Rules 1972

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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. F(E)I/2019/AL-28/44

New Delhi, dated 23.07.2019

The General Manager,
All Indian Railways / PUs,
(As per standard mailing list).

Sub: Grant of TA / DA and Air Travel permission to Retired Railway Officers to attend Courts for deposition as prosecution witnesses as sanction for prosecution authenticating authority.

The proposal regarding grant of TA / DA and Air Travel permission to retired railway officers to attend Courts for deposition as prosecution witnesses as sanction for prosecution authenticating authority has been considered by Board (MS & FC) and it has been decided that:

(i) TA / DA to such Retired Railway Officers may be considered in the same lines as applicable to Retired Inquiry Officers (Ws) as per para 815.1(5) of Indian Railways Vigilance Manual, i.e. in cases where the travel becomes inescapable, and so approved by the Competent Authority, the rate of TA / DA will be the same as applicable to the serving Railway Officers of equivalent rank.

(ii) Grant of Air Travel permission to Retired Railway Officers may be dealt with on case to case basis as is being done presently considering distance, place of journey, modes of travel available, time is taken and number of days involved. Competent Authority may consider eligibility same as applicable to the serving Railway Officers of equivalent rank.

While deciding Air Travel, the aspect that whether journey can be performed by overnight train would need to be seen as being done for serving officers and as is also applicable on civil side. On Air Travel issue, CRB had decided that need of the journey by Air and urgency that necessitate it should be seen. For example; while Delhi-Bangalore-Delhi would qualify for Air Travel, Delhi-Mumbai-Delhi can easily be covered by train comfortably.

This will also be subject to the other Terms & Conditions / instructions issued from time to time by Ministry of Finance / Board’s Office on ‘Air travel’.

(Jitendra Kumar)
Dy.Director Finance Estt-I
Railway Board

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No.887/AN-I/Orders/X (Part-II)/ 19

Dt: 09.07.2019

ORDER

Sub:-Committee for Prevention of Sexual Harassment of working women at work place:  Setting up of a Complaint Mechanism

***********

Consequent upon transferring out of Smt Pooja Bhatt, IDAS,DCFA outside the organisation, PCA (Fys) Kolkata, being the Competent Authority has reconstituted the complaint redressal committee regarding Prevention of Sexual Harassment of working women at work place, as per the laid down norms, in the Main Office, Kolkata for redressal of the complaint if any, on the subject of the staff-members working in M.O. & RTC (ER), Kolkata. The names of the Committee members are given below.

Chairperson:- Ms Panveer Saini, IDAS, DCFA, AO OCF Chandigarh

Members:-
1. Shri Subrata Bose, SAO, Main Office, Local
2. Smt.Malabika Sarkar, AAO, AN-X, M.O. (Local)
3. Smt. Sangeeta Chaktaborty, SA, T -Section, M.O., Local
4. Shri Sanjay Basu, SA, T-Section, MO, Local
5. Smt Yasmeen Sengupta, Member from NGO (Mahila Seba Samity)

Subject complaint, if any, may please be addressed to the above committee.

The contents of the circular may please be got noted by all staff-members/ Officers working in Sections of Main Office & RTC(ER) Kolkata.

Deputy Controller of Accounts (Admin)

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To,
All Chief Secretaries to the States

Subject: Revision of Pension of pre-2016 pensioners after implementation of seventh Central Pay Commission’s recommendations- anomaly in determining notional pay.

Sir,

I am directed to refer to various communications from State Governments on the above subject and to state that the matter raised in various representations of the pensioners seeking revision of their pension after implementation of 7th CPC recommendations, has been examined in this Department in consultation with Department of Pensions and Pensioner’s Welfare.

2. The basis for the re-fixation of the pension of pre-2016 pensioners are DoPT OM No.14021/4/2016-AIS-Il dated 19th May, 2017 {mutatis-mutandis based on DoP&PW OM dated 38/37/2018-P&PW(A) dated 12th May,2017} and the Concordance Tables issued by DoP&PW vide OM dated 38/37/2018-P&PW(A) dated 6th July,2017.

3. Prior to re-fixation of the pension of pre-2016 pensioners/family pensioners etc., following instructions/pension may be followed:-

(a) Para 4 of the OM dated 12th May, 2017 provides inter alia that the “revised pension/family pension w.e.f 01.01.2016 in respect of all Central Civil pensioners retired prior to 01.01.2016, may be revised by notionally fixing their pay in pay matrix recommended by the 7thCPC in the level corresponding to the pay in the pay scale/pay band and grade pay at which they retired. This will be done by notional pay fixation under each intervening Pay Commission based on the Formula for revision of pay. While fixing pay on notional basis, the pay fixation formulas approved by the Government and other relevant instructions on the subject in force at the relevant time shall be strictly followed. Further, para 7 of the OM provides inter alia that in case of those Government servants who retired or died on or after 01.01.1986 but before 1.1.2016, the actual pay and the pay scale from which they retired or died would be taken into consideration for the purpose of calculation of the notional pay as on 01.01.2016 in accordance with para 4 above.

(b) Accordingly, the pay of pre-2016 pensioners was notionally fixed in relevant cell of pay matrix of 7th CPC as per the formula of pay fixation approved by the Government. The pay of the serving IAS officers (including of Selection Grade officers) is also fixed in relevant cell of Pay Matrix of 7th CPC as per the formula of pay revision from 6th CPC to 7th CPC as approved by the Government. Also, the pay of serving officers who had been promoted on 1.1.2016 in JAG or Selection Grade is first fixed in the relevant cell of Pay Matrix of 7th CPC as per the formula of pay revision approved by the Government. Thereafter, they had to be promoted in next scale and their pay fixed in that level as per IAS Pay Rules 2016, granting them two increment in the promotion level.

(c) The pay of only those officers who were promoted on or after 1.1.2016 is to be fixed in 3rd cell of level-13. The pay of the officers who were already in selection grade i.e. level-13 as on 1.1.2016 is fixed as per the formula of pay revision from 6th to 7th Central Pay Commission(CPC). The notional pay of the officers who had retired before 01.01.2016 has to be similarly fixed. Therefore, the contention of any pensioner that his/her notional pay cannot be in any case less than the lowest level at which the pay of a serving officer of the Selection Grade of IAS can be fixed, is not tenable. Their pay is to be notionally arrived at by the formula of pay revision from 6th CPC to 7th CPC at par with other serving IAS officers.

4. Pension of pre-2016 pensioners/family pensioner may be revised w.e.f 1.1.2016 in accordance with the instructions contained in D/o P&PW OM dated 12.5.2017.

5. Accordingly, the representations of pre-2016 pensioners may be examined by the State Government and the concerned pensioner(s) may be informed.

6. This issues is with the approval of the competent authority.

(Sandeep Kumar Sinha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Tele 2309-4714

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