F.No. 712/ 112/HRD/WF-1/17 / 1066

Date 14 February, 2019

To
The Pr. Directors General/ Pr. Chief Commissioners (All)
The Directorate General/ Chief Commissioners (All)
The Pr. Commissioners/ Pr. Additional Directors General (All)
The Commissioners/ Additional Director General (All)

Sir/Madam,

Subject: Scheme for grant of Cash Awards to meritorious children of Departmental officers / staff for their performance in the 10th / 12th standard Board Examination held in March / April, 2016, 2017 & 2018 :- Reg.

Please refer to this office letter of even no. dated 12.11 .2018 on above mentioned subject.

1. In this regard, it is to intimate that the Competent Authority has extended the last date of receiving the application / nominations for grant of cash award to meritorious children of Departmental officers/staff for their performance in the 10th / 12th standard Board Examination held in March / April, 2016, 2017 & 2018 from 31.12.2018 to 31.03.2019.
2. It is requested that the necessary application / nomination along with the requisite documents may please be sent on priority so as to reach DGHRD, New Delhi on or before 31.03.2019.
3. All other content of the above mentioned letter dated 12.11.2018 will remain same.

Yours faithfully,

sd/-
(Anice Joseph Chandra)
Addl. Director General (I&W) &
Member-Secretary, Governing Body (Welfare Fund)

Source: cbic.gov.in

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With the Union Budget 2017 just a couple of weeks away, there are expectations that the government will take some measures to help the common man, especially the salaried class, who has rallied behind the government’s decision on demonetization despite suffering a lot post the note ban.

Experts are also of the view that the upcoming Budget 2017 should provide some tax gain for the common people to soothe at least the cash ban pain.

Otherwise also, “there are only a few tax concessions available to individual tax payers. Most of the current set of tax benefits like medical reimbursement, conveyance allowance etc., at the present level, do not offer any real economic benefit to the individual tax payers.

Instead they only add to the administrative burden for the employers as claims made by the employees have to be reviewed and processed by them,” says Vikas Vasal, National Leader-Tax, Grant Thornton India LLP.

Thus, either these tax benefits should be substantially increased or they should be done away with and instead a special tax benefit like the erstwhile standard deduction be introduced. “This would simplify the tax law, reduce administrative burden and curtail unnecessary litigation associated with these tax concessions,” suggests Vasal.

In view of the above, here’s what to expect from the Budget 2017 for the salaried class:

1. Tax slab rates should be revised upwards

It is widely expected that there may be some upward revision in the income tax slabs to provide some relief to the common tax payers. What is making people more optimistic is the recent hint from Finance Minister Arun Jaitley himself that income tax slabs could further be increased, lowering the tax burden on taxpayers due to higher revenue being collected on account of cashless systems.

Some people are even expecting that the government should increase the current income tax exemption limit from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 4 lakh. However, the common expectation is that the exemption limit be raised from the current Rs 2.50 lakh per annum to Rs 3 lakh, while the subsequent slabs of 10 per cent, 20 per cent and 30 per cent should be applicable to annual income range of above Rs 3 lakh and up to Rs 10 lakh, above Rs 10 lakh and up to Rs 20 lakh and above Rs 20 lakh, respectively. If implemented, this will help alleviate the common man’s sufferings to some extent.

2. Reduction in tax rates

Salaried individuals are always at a loss when it comes to tax rates since they end up paying high amount of taxes when they fall into high salary brackets. Currently anyone who earns more than Rs. 10 lakh per annum pays 30% tax on the amount exceeding Rs. 10 lakh. Thus, he has to forgo a large portion of his income in taxes. Hence, apart from revision in tax slabs, change in tax rates would always be a welcome move.

“The IDS scheme of the government launched last year is expected to add a lot of tax revenues to the government coffers with almost Rs. 75,000 crore declared as black money. Considering a tax rate of 45%, almost Rs. 35,000 will be collected as taxes. These revenues are expected to help the government reduce the tax rates in the coming FY,” informs Vaibhav Sankla, Director, H&R Block India.

3. Higher deduction for interest paid on housing loan

Housing and the real estate sector are facing a lot of hardship. The recent media reports indicate that sales have declined substantially and the sentiment is quite low. It is a fact that the real estate sector is one of the key growth engines for a developing economy like India.

It provides large-scale employment to unskilled and semi-skilled workers in the country, which is a need of the hour, to boost employment opportunities for a large scale population. This sector also impacts a few of the critical sectors like cement, steel, logistics etc., which in turn are important for the overall growth of the GDP.

Also, “keeping in view the government’s agenda of providing housing for all, it is imperative that some tax concessions are provided in the Budget. One such option could be to increase the tax deduction for interest paid on housing loan from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh. This will also provide an immediate boost to the banking services sector, which is flush with funds post demonetization and looking at avenues to lend money to the masses,” says Vasal.

Some tax experts also believe that people having a single home need to be allowed to deduct the entire amount paid as interest on home loan. Vaibhav Sankla, for instance, says that currently the home loan interest deduction is capped at Rs. 2 lakh per annum for self-occupied house property and deduction of actual interest paid is allowed for a second home that is given on rent or is deemed rented.

However, “nowadays buying a second home is not very common owing to high property prices. In such cases, home owners possessing a single home need to be allowed to deduct the entire amount paid as interest on home loan. This would be a welcome relief for salaried individuals since they do not have much scope for tax saving and moreover this is an expense-based deduction,” says Sankla.

4. Increase in deduction for insurance premium

The deduction under 80D is currently capped at Rs. 25,000 for self, spouse and dependent children. An additional deduction of Rs. 25,000 is available for parents and Rs. 30,000 if they are senior citizen parents. Hence the total deduction available under this section can go up to Rs. 55,000. A deduction for preventive medical expenses is also available up to Rs. 5,000 spent as a part of the overall deduction.

A deduction for the actual expenses made in this regard on medical insurance premiums will be a welcome move since insurance premiums are very high, especially when it comes to parents. The cap of Rs. 5,000 on preventive health check-up expenses should also be removed in budget 2017. It will help salaried individuals to save huge amounts in taxes.

5. Increase in deduction for education and childcare expenses

Childcare nowadays has become very expensive for parents, especially for those staying in metro cities. The maximum deduction for tuition fees permitted under Section 80C is Rs 1.5 lakh per financial year, with deductions eligible only for two children per assessee. Tuition fees generally constitute a very small portion of the entire education fees for the year. This deduction should be extended to other portions of the fees as well.

“Childcare in big cities also calls for daycare expenses, especially for working parents. The expenses many a time run into more than Rs 1-2 lakh per annum. These expenses should also form a part of deductions under Section 80C. This will provide another expense-based deduction to individuals and be a great move towards providing a deduction aimed at working parents,” says Sankla.

6. Deduction for rent paid where no HRA is paid by the organization

Generally, organisations pay HRA to employees in order to ease the burden of rent and there is an exemption available under the tax laws on HRA. However, there are instances when organisations do not include HRA in the salary components.

When HRA is not paid by the organization, salaried individuals are being allowed a deduction of Rs. 5,000 per month under Section 80GG from FY2016-17. This deduction should be increased to at least Rs. 10,000 for metro cities. This is because rent for a decent accommodation in metro cities has risen to this level and there is a need to increase the deduction so that salaried individuals get the benefit of this deduction.

7. Standard Deduction

There are many deductions/ exemptions like medical reimbursement, conveyable allowance, meal allowances etc. Employees actually incur much more cost and obtain very little tax benefit. To highlight, a family of four members will incur on an average, say, Rs 50,000 plus on general medical ailments. And if the family has senior/ailing households, then this expenditure for general hospital/doctor visits and medicines may be much higher.

Therefore, there is need to take a re-look at all such benefits and increase them substantially in line with the current economic reality. Same is the case with other tax benefits like travel allowance etc. Keeping this in view, there is need for a special tax benefit like the erstwhile standard deduction to be introduced the budget 2017.

Source: FE

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Teaching of German language as an option to Sanskrit will be discontinued forthwith. – Teaching of Foreign Languages in Kendriya Vidyalayas

KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN
18, Institutional Area, Shaheed Jeet Singh marg
New Delhi 110 016
Fax: 26514179 TEL: 26858570
website:www.kvsangathan.nic.in

11029-10/2012/KVS(HQ) Aced

November 11, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Teaching of Foreign Languages in Kendriya Vidyalayas.

The decisions taken with regard to the subject mentioned above in the 99th Meeting of the Board of Governors of KVS held on 27.10.2014 are conveyed as under –

(a) Teaching of German language as an option to Sanskrit will be discontinued forthwith.

(b) Students studying German as an option to Sanskrit in class VI to VIII shall be given an option to study Sanskrit or any other Modern Indian Language of his/her choice.

(c) In view of the mid-session policy change, appropriate and adequate counselling to such students and their parents would be organized by the concerned . Kendriya Vidyalayas. For this, proper counselling sessions with parents and students may be conducted.

(d) Teaching of Sanskrit to such students of class VI to VIII would be done by existing TGTs (Sanskrit) in KVS. For other Modern Indian Languages, contractual teachers can be appointed as per need.

(e) German can be taught to such students of class VI and VII as an additional subject or hobby class, if they so desire, but not as a third language.

Yours faithfully,

(Dr. Shachi Kant)
Joint Commissioner (Trg.)

Source: http://kvsangathan.nic.in/GeneralDocuments/ANN-11-11-14(10).PDF

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KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN (HQ)
18, Institutional Area, S.J. Marg, New Delhi-110016.
Tel.: 26858570 Fax 26514179
Website: www.lcusangathan.nic.in

F.No. 110331/01/2014/KVS(HQ)/Acad

Dated:28.10.2014

The Deputy Commissioner,
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan,
All Regional Offices and ZIETs.

Sub: Inclusion of “Third Gender” as a category in the forms for the purpose of admission to educational institutions and other related records —reg.

Madam/Sir,
In terms of Hon’ble Supreme Court in its judgement in writ petition (Civil) No. of 2013 National Legal Services Authority Ws Union of India and others delivered on 15/04/2014 declared in para-129.

1. Hijras, Eunuchs, apart from binary gender, be treated as “third gender” for the purpose of safeguarding their rights under Part III of our Constitution and the laws made by the Parliament and the State legislature.

2. Transgender persons’ right to decide their self-identified gender is also upheld and the Centre and State Governments are directed to grant legal recognition of their gender identity such as male, female or as third gender.

3. Directed Centre and State Governments to take steps to treat them as socially and educationally backward classes of citizens and extend all kinds of reservations in case of admission in educational institution and public appointments.

You are requested to disseminate the same to all the schools under your jurisdiction for inclusion of “Third Gender” in all forms/applications for the purpose of admission to Kendriya Vidyalayas w.e.f ensuing academic session 2015-16 where ever gender classification is envisaged.

This is for information and necessary action at your end.

Yours faithfully,

(Dr. V. Vijaylakshmi)
Joint Commissioner(Acad.)

Source: http://kvsangathan.nic.in/CircularsDocs/CIR-ACAD-30-10-14.PDF

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State-wise number of Nursing Institutions and Admission Capacity as on 31^stMarch 2014

Above annexures was attached with reply of undermentioned Lok Sabha Question:-

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 1238

ANSWERED ON 18.07.2014

NURSING INSTITUTIONS

1238 . Shri CHANDRAKANT BHAURAO KHAIRE

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:-

(a) the number of nursing schools and colleges in the country along with their admission capacity, number of seats therein, State/UT-wise;

(b) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to open new nursing educational institutions in the country, location and State/UT-wise;

(c) whether the Government has received a number of proposals from the States/UTs for setting up/upgradation of nursing institutions;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the proposals cleared and still pending for clearance indicating the reasons for their pendency during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise; and

(e) the fresh measures being taken by the Government for standardization of nursing education and meet the shortage of nurses in the country?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

(a): The number of nursing schools and colleges in the country is enclosed at Annexure – I. [as above]

(b) to (d): Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Strengthening/ upgradation of Nursing Services (ANM/GNM), the Government has sanctioned certain districts in various States for opening of Auxillary Nurse Midwife (ANM)/General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) Institutes, as per statement at Annexure – II [as above]. Opening of Institutes under the said scheme depends on proposals received from the States as per the scheme guidelines.

(e): INC has taken a number of steps which include revision of syllabus for various courses, development of Ph.D., Nursing Curriculum, establishment of national curriculum for Ph.D. (Nursing), development of quality assurance model, framing for syllabus for different speciality nursing programme etc. The norms for opening of new courses and nursing institutions have been relaxed by the Indian Nursing Council.

Source: Loksabha Q&A Annexure:
http://164.100.47.132/Annexture_New/lsq16/2/au1238.htm

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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)

RBE No. 75/2014.

No. E (NG)-H/2007/RR-1/38. –

New Delhi, dated: /5/07/2014

The General Manager (P),
All Zonal Railways / Production Units
(As per standard mailing list)
Sub: Acceptance of certificates/ qualifications awarded by various Boards of School Education in India for the purpose of employment on the railways.

Ref: Letter No. E(NG)II/89/RR-1/17 dated 25/2/1991 (RBE No. 38/1991), E(NG)1’I/2001/RR-1/48 dated 23/5/2002 (RBE No. 71/2002), E(NG)II/2001/RR-1/52 dated 21/6/2002 (RBE No. 89/2002), E(NG)II/2003/RR-1/36 dated 03/12/2003 (RBE No. 205/2003) & 09/9/2010 (RBE No. 128/2010), E(NG)II/2008/RR-1/35 dated 30/4/2009 (RBE No.76/2009), 10/6/2009 (RBE No.102/2009) & 04/11/2013 (RBE No.118/2013), E(NG)II/2008/RR-1/40 dated 14/5/2009 (RBE No. 81/2009), E(NG)II/2004/RR-1/14 dated 04/4/2013 (RBE No. 31/2013), E(NG)II/2005/RR-1/6 dated 30/4/2013 (RBE No. 40/2013) and No. E(NG)II/2005/RR-1/14 dated 08/10/2013 (RBE No.104/2013),

References from various field units as well as federations seeking clarification regarding acceptance or otherwise of certificates/ qualifications obtained from various Boards of School Education in India for the purpose of employment in railways have been under consideration of this Ministry.

Clarification has been received from nodal Ministry/Department of Government of India, viz, Department of Personnel & Training (DOP&T) and M/o Human Resource Development (MHRD) stating that COBSE (Council of Board of School Education in India), an Association of National State School Boards, is responsible for verifying genuineness/ recognition of School Education Boards in India. It grants membership to Boards/ Institutes that are set up by an Act of Parliament or State Legislature or an executive order of the Central/ State Governments and follow National Curriculum Framework. The certificates issued by its member Boards are equivalent to any other board across the country. Accordingly, the matter has been examined and it has been decided by the Board that zonal railways need not approach this Ministry seeking such clarification regarding acceptance or otherwise of certificates/ qualification obtained from various Boards of School Education in India and instead, refer to official website of COBSE i.e. www.cgbse.org which contain list of Boards of School Education which are Member Boards of COBSE. Thus certificates/ qualification obtained from all such institutions borne on the aforesaid list will be acceptable for the purpose of employment on the railways, from the date on which the said institution has been accorded membership by COBSE, if they were not recognized earlier by any competent authority. This date of acceptability of certificate may be obtained by approaching COBSE directly and a copy of clarification thus obtained may also be endorsed to this Ministry for information & record.

Instructions contained in letters under reference will continue to be valid.

Please acknowledge receipt.
(Hindi version will follow)

(Harsha Dass)
Director Estt. (N)-II
Railway Board

Source: AIRF [http://www.airfindia.com/Orders%202014/RBE_No_75_2014.pdf]

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 GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2355

ANSWERED ON 05.02.2014

KVS JNVS

2355 . Shri HARIBHAU MADHAV JAWALE

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-

(a) the number of students studying in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in the country, State-wise;
(b) the number of teachers and library staff employed in these schools during the last three years; and
(c) the details of pay scales and other benefits provided to teaching staff in these schools?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. SHASHI THAROOR)

(a) The state-wise data of the number of students studying in the Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in the country is at Annexure-I.
(b) The number of teachers and library staff employed in these schools during the last three years is as under-

(c) The salary structure i.e. pay scales and all other allowances particularly Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Compensatory City Allowance of all the employees including teachers in KV and JNV schools is identical to the corresponding categories of the Central Government employees. The Government has extended the revised pay scales as incorporated in part A (Section-I & II) of the First Schedule to the Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules 2008 notified vide Government of India, Ministry of Finance Notification F. No. 1/1/2008-IC, dated the 29th August, 2008 based on the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission to the teaching staff of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti.

ANNEXUE-I

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2355 RAISED BY SHRI HARIBHAU JAWALE, HON’BLE MP TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2014 REGARDING KVs/JNVs

STATE-WISE ENROLMENT AS ON 30.09.2013

Source:  karnmk.blogspot.in

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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 428

ANSWERED ON 06.12.2013

 TIME LIMIT FOR REPAYMENT OF EDUCATIONAL LOANS

428 . Shri R. THAMARAISELVAN

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-

(a) the existing time limit fixed by the Government/Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for repayment of educational loans taken by students to pursue higher studies abroad;
(b) whether the Government proposes to expand the said time limit; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

(MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE) (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)

(a) : As per revised Model Education Loan Scheme of Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), the students are allowed repayment period of 10 years for education loans upto Rs 7.50 lakh and 15 years for loans above Rs 7.50 lakh.

Students are allowed repayment holiday/moratorium during course period plus 1 year or 6 months after getting the job which ever is earlier.

(b) & (c) : No such proposal is under consideration of the Government at present.

Source: Lok Sabha
Via: http://karnmk.blogspot.in/2013/12/time-limit-for-repayment-of-educational.html

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