New Delhi: Centre notified its decision to raise dearness allowance (DA) to 119%, from 113%, benefiting 50 lakh central government employees and 56 lakh pensioners including dependents.

The union cabinet had decided on 9 September, to release an additional instalment of DA and dearness relief (DR) to pensioners with effect from 1 July 2015. Thus, the central government employees as well as pensioners are entitled for DA/DR at the rate of 119% of the basic with effect from 1 July 2015.

“…the President is pleased to decide that DA payable to central government employees shall be enhanced from existing rate of 113% to 119% with effect from 1 July 2015,” the Finance Ministry’s Office Memorandum No.1/3/2015-E-II-(B) dated September 23, said.

According to the official order, the additional instalment of DA payable under these orders shall be paid in cash.
In regard to armed forces personnel and railway employees, separate orders will be issued by the ministry of defence and ministry of railways, it said.

The government has estimated that the combined impact on exchequer on account of both DA and DR would be Rs 4,436.76 crore in the remaining months of the current financial year and Rs 6,655.14 in a year.

The DA rate increase is based on an average of 12-month consumer price index-industrial workers (CPI-IW) from 1 July, 2014 to 30 June, 2015. This is in line with the Sixth Central Pay Commission.

In April, the government had hiked DA by six per cent to 113 per cent of their basic pay with effect from January.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the Seventh Pay Commission will shortly submit its report to the government and will consider this amount of DA in its recommendations. Recently, its term was extended till December 31.

The commission was constituted in February 2014 and was to submit its recommendations within 18 months.

TST

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Central Employees DA release not discussed in cabinet meeting

New Delhi: The release of Dearness Allowance (DA) did not figure in the Union Cabinet on Wednesday, despite media saying earlier that it would raise the issue in the meeting.

The cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, discussed only the controversial issue of land ordinance, which was allowed to lapse on August 31 at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi official residence, 7, Race Course Road (RCR) here.

“The Union Cabinet today gave its approval to an order issued by government on August 28 to extend the provisions of compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement available to farmers under the 2013 Land Acquisition Act to 13 other central laws as well,” a senior officer in the PMO said.

“The release of the Dearness Allowance (DA) was not discussed at all in the meeting,” the official told The Sen Times.

The government is likely to approve a hike in dearness allowance (DA) to 119 per cent from the existing 113 per cent, benefiting the around 30 lakh central government employees and 50 lakh pensioners including dependents.

“The average rate of retail inflation for industrial workers from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 works out to be 6.77 per cent. Thus the Central government will hike dearness allowance for it employees by 6 per cent,” an official of Finance Ministry said.

He further said the Finance Ministry will put a Cabinet proposal later in this month for approval of 6 per cent dearness allowance hike from July 1 this year as the revised Consumer Price Index number for Industrial Workers for June was released by Labour Ministry on July 31.

With increase in DA, the pensioners will also gain as the benefit provided to them as dearness relief will be hiked to 119 per cent of pension.

The central government in April hiked dearness allowance by 6 percent to 113 percent of the central government employees and pensioners’ basic pay with effect from January.

The increase is in accordance with the accepted formula based on the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission, an official statement had said.

The release further said the combined impact on the exchequer on account of both DA and DR would be of the order of Rs 6,762.24 crore per annum, and Rs 7,889.34 crore in the 2015-16 (for a period of 14 months from January 2015 to February 2016).

TST

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6% hike in DA/DR from January, 2015 is Final: December, 2014 AICPIN released

The 6% hike in DA/DR from January, 2015 with total 113% is now FINAL after release of December, 2014 AICPIN.  All Central Government Employees & Pensioner are now eligible to get 6% hike in current DA/DR which is 107%.  All India Consumer Price Index Number (AICPIN) for Industrial Worker is remained stationery at 253 (two hundred and fifty three) for the month of December, 2014.   The additional installment of 6% DA/DR from January, 2015 will be approved by the Govt. in the month of March, 2015 and the arrears of the month from January to March, 2015 will be paid in the staring of next financial year i.e. April, 2015.
The Final table is for calculation of DA/DR for the month from January, 2015 is given below:-

You may also download/save the excel sheet for self calculation.  The link for excel sheet is given below:

DOWNLOAD: EXCEL FILE FOR EXPECTED DEARNESS CALCULATION TO CALCULATE YOURSELF 

Press Release for CPI(IW) Base 2001=100 Monthly Index Letter – DECEMBER 2014

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPHW) – December, 2014

The indices of 38 centres are below and other 39 centres’ indices are above national average. The index of Varanasi centre remained at par with all-India index.

The next index of CPI-1W for the month of January, 2015 will be released on Friday, 27 February, 2015. The same will also be available on the office website www. labourbureau. gov. in.

Source: http://labourbureau.nic.in/press%20note%20eng%20dec%202014.pdf

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7th Pay Commission did not agree to discuss the important issue of DA/DR Merger in the preliminary meeting held on 23rd July 2014.

Brief feedback on BPS Preliminary meeting with 7th CPC on 23rd July 2014

Friends,
BPS and BCPC were the first Pensioners’ organizations to be called for preliminary meeting with 7th CPC on 23rd to discuss the reply to questionnaire, the Memorandum & the allied issue submitted by them. Only 45 minutes were given to each organization. S.C.Maheshwari G.S. BPS /Chairman BCPC had the opportunity to discuss the issues from both the Forums:

Following issues were discussed & explained to the full satisfaction of the Chairman & the members of 7th CPC who were very receptive, patient & themselves actively participated in deliberations which ensued.

At the end Chairman remarked that NC JCM Memorandum is very exhaustive, includes most of the issues raised today & that he will take it as a base for consideration. 1.New Pension Scheme: Response of commission was negative. Commission was apprised of the back ground, its failure in other countries & the fate of EPS 95.They were also informed that it will be acceptable if 50% of last drawn is ensured.

2.Reasonable ratio to be maintained between maximum & minimum salary & Pension and adoption & adoption of common multiplication factor for revision

3.Ratio between maximum & minimum paid to be 5:1 for Defense Personnel and re-employment of ex servicemen as well as raising status of defense civilian pensioners to ex servicemen.

4.Inclusion of full DA in emoluments for calculating Pension. There was a very lively discussion on the issue in which the entire penal of 7th CPC participated & cross examined Secy. Genl BPS. Finally they agreed to BPS point of view.

5.100% neutralization of inflation : It was explained to the Commission that 100% neutralization is illusionary and DA is not sufficient, as the very system of calculation is faulty & unrealistic,

6. Payment additional pension to start from the age of 65 years. Chairman agreed that age of 100 years for Pensioners was illusionary.

7. Parity in Pensions : It was explained to the commission that full parity exists for High Court Supreme Court Judges, Govt. has agreed to OROP in case of Defence pensioners & Sr Bureaucrats (S32 & above ) have achieved it through modified parity formula of 6th CPC but for others who too are citizens of same category & same country even the formula for parity given by 5th CPC & accepted by Govt. is not being honored.

8. Pension to BSNL pensioners : It was submitted that since they are governed by CCS(Pension) Rules 1972. They be treated at par with C.G.Pensioners for the purpose of revision of Pension, Chairman advised to submit separate Memorandum

9. Discrimination in medical facilities to pensioners of Postal department & merger of 33 Postal dispensaries with CGHS.

10. Medical facilities :  To Pensioners following issues raised in BPS memorandum were discussed in detail & the Chairman was agreeable to BPS views. (i) “Health is not a luxury” and “not be the sole possession of a privileged few”. It is a Fundamental justify of all present & past Employees! To ensure hassle free health care facility to Pensioners/family pensioners, Smart Cards be issued irrespective of departments to all Pensioners and their Dependents for cashless medical facilities across the country. These smart cards should be valid in

• all Govt. hospitals
• all NABH accredited Multi Super Specialty hospitals across the country which have been allotted land at concessional rate or given any aid or concession by the Central or the State govt.
• all CGHS, RELHS & ECHS empanelled hospitals across the country.

Medical attendants : For reimbursement of bills for treatment & for hospitalization . No referral should be insisted in case of medical emergencies. For the purpose of reference for hospitalization & reimbursement of expenditure thereon in other than emergency cases Doctors/Medical officers working in different Central/State Govt. department dispensaries/health units should be recognized as Authorized medical attendant.

The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is recognized as a fundamental justify of all workers in terms of Article 21 read with Article 39for a, 41, 43, 48A and all related Articles as pronounced by the Supreme Court in Consumer Education and Research Centre & Others vs Union of India (AIR 1995 Supreme Court 922) The Supreme court has held that the justify to health to a worker is an integral facet of meaningful justify to life to have not only a meaningful existence but also robust health and vigour.

Therefore, the justify to health, medical aid to protect the health and vigour of a worker while in service or post retirement is a fundamental justify-to make life of a worker meaningful and purposeful with dignity of person. Thus health care is not only a welfare measure but is a Fundamental justify. We suggest that, all the pensioners, irrespective of pre-retiral class and status, be treated as same category of citizens and the same homogenous group. There should be no class or category based discrimination and all must be provided Health care services at par .

(ii). Hospital Regulatory Authority: To ensure that the hospitals do not avoid providing reasonable care to smart card holders and other poor citizens, a Hospital Regulatory Authority should be created to bring all NABH-accredited hospitals and NABL-accredited diagnostic Labs under its constant monitoring of quality, rates for different procedures & timely bill payments by Govt. agencies and Insurance companies. CGHS rates may be revised keeping in mind the workability as per market conditions.

(iii). Fixed Medical allowance (FMA): As is recorded in Para 5 of the minutes of Committee of Secretaries (COS) held on 15.04.2010 (Reference Cabinet Secretariat, Rashtrapati Bhavan No 502/2/3/2010-C.A.V Doc No. CD (C.A.V) 42/2010 Minutes of COS meeting dated 15.4.2010) which discussed enhancement of FMA. “CGHS card estimates for serving Personnel: Since estimates are not available separately for pensioners M/O Health & Family Welfare had assessed the total cost per card p.a. in 2007-2008 = Rs 16435 i.e. Rs.1369 per month for OPD”.

Adding to it inflation, the figure today is well over Rs 2000/- PM. Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. of India vide its letter no. G-25012/2/2011-SSI dated 07.06.2013 has already enhanced FMA to Rs 2000/- PM for EPFO beneficiaries. Thus, to help elderly pensioners to look after their health, Adequate raise in FMA will encourage a good number of pensioners to opt out of OPD facility which will reduce overcrowding in hospitals. OPD through Insurance will cost much more to the Govt. As such the proposal for raising Fixed Medical allowance to Pensioners is fully justified and is financially viable.

We suggest that FMA for all C.G. Pensioners be raised to at least Rs 2000/- PM without any distance restriction linking it to Dearness Relief for automatic further increase. We further suggest that FMA be exempted from INCOME TAX. Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) is a compensatory allowance to reimburse the medical expenses. As Medical Reimbursement is not taxable, FMA should also be exempted from Income Tax.

11. DA /DR merger commission did not agree to discuss the issue as it is not covered byTOR

12.Interim relief Commission response did not appeared to be very positive on our stressing the issue they said they will look into.

13. 6th CPC anomalies : Chairman asked for submission of detailed list through supplementary memorandum.

14.Plight of those born on 1.1.1938/46: Commission said, they will look into.

15. Plight of those retiring on 30June Commission said, they will look into.

16. Restoration of Commutation in 12 years: commission said thy will look into the details provided.

17. Grievance redressed. Chairman was critical of the functioning of the system already existing & remarked “ you will not be benefited. Court is the only alternative”

Friends, BPS has done its duty well, issues raised by us has received due attention from NCJCM as well as the 7th CPC.

S.C.Maheshwari
Secy Genl BPS

Source: www.scm-bps.blogspot.in
[http://scm-bps.blogspot.in/2014/07/brief-feedback-on-bps-preliminary.html]

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The Dearness Allowance from July-2014 as DA/DR from January, 2014 is to be paid to employees/pensioner.  Release of additional installment of DA/DR effected from January, 2014 today approved by govt. and will be paid from Salary/Pension of March, 2014 means arrear and increased DA will be paid in April, 2014.  On the other hand All India Consumer Price Index Number [http://labourbureau.nic.in/indtab.html] for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) on base 2001=100 for the month of January, 2014 declined by 2 points and pegged at 237 (two hundred and thirty seven).  AICPI Number declined by 6 points in two months and this tendency is showing 4-5 percent increase in future DA/DR.  April or May AICPIN will give confirm picture of expected DA/DR from July, 2014.  Expectation of DA/DR for July, 2014 may understood with table is given below:-

Source: karnmk.blogspot.in

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As already mentioned and calculated in our previous post that Dearness Allowance from January-2014 will be 100% now continued in view of All India Consumer Price Index Number [http://labourbureau.nic.in/indtab.html] for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) on base 2001=100 for the month of December, 2013 declined by 4 points and pegged at 239 (two hundred and thirty nine).  Now it is absolutely confirmed that Dearness Allowance for Central Govt Employee & Dearness Relief for Central Govt Pensioner from Jan-2014 will be 100%. Decline in AICPIN of Dec, 2013 vanished the expectation of crossing the DA from 100%.  The final chart for calculation for DA/DR is given below:-

PIB Release of CPI-IW:

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Labour & Employment

31-January, 2014

Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) December 2013

According to a press release issued by the Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour & Employment the All-India CPI-IW for December, 2013 declined by 4 points and pegged at 239(two hundred and thirty nine). On 1-month percentage change, it decreased by 1.65 per cent between November and December compared with the rise of 0.46 per cent between the same two months a year ago.

The largest downward pressure to the change in current index came from Food group contributing -4.96 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Onion, Ginger, Chillies Green, Brinjal, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Peas, Tomato, Potato and other Vegetable items, Sugar etc. are responsible for the decrease in index. However, this was compensated to some extent by Fish Fresh, Eggs, Hen, Poultry, Milk, Pure Ghee, Garlic, Firewood, ESI Contribution, etc. putting upward pressure on the index.

The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 9.13 per cent for December, 2013, as compared to 11.47 per cent for the previous month and 11.17 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 11.49 per cent against 16.17 per cent of the previous month and 13.53 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.

At centre level, Giridih recorded the highest decline of 12 points each followed by Ahmedabad, Chhindwara, Varanasi, Munger, Jamalpur, Nagpur and Bhavnagar (10 points each).Jamshedpur (09 points), Rourkela, Ludhiana, Tripura and Angul Talcher (08 points each) Among others, 7 points decrease was registered in 9 centres, 6 points in 8 centres, 5 points in 11 centres, 4 points in 8 centres, 3 points in 7 centres, 2 points in 9 centres and 1 point in 7 centres. On the contrary, Sholapur centre reported an increase of 4 points followed by Puducherry (2 points), Coimbatore and Srinagar centres 1 point each. Rest of the 3 centres’ indices remained stationary.

The indices of 37 centres are above All-India Index and other 38 centres’ indices are below national average. The index of Varanasi and Vijaywada centre remained at par with all-India index.

The next index of CPI-IW for the month of January, 2014 will be released on Friday, 28 February, 2014. The same will also be available on the official website www.labourbureau.gov.in.

via: karnmk.blogspot.in

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