Monday, November 21, 2016
PAYMENT OF STATUTORY CONTRIBUTIONS
HENCEFORTH ONLY THROUGH INTERNET BANKING
The Prime Minister of India during the PRAGATI review meeting held on 26th October desired that claims related to death cases be prioritized and expedited and retirement claims may be settled on the day of retirement. In accordance, the processes have been reviewed and instructions have been issued to field offices to settle death claims within a period of 07 days from the date of receipt of proposal and retirement claims on the day of retirement. The officials in the facilitation centre of field offices have been instructed to scrutinize the claims and guide the claimant regarding submission of required documents in appropriate shape. An official has been posted in the facilitation centers of EPFO this category of claims.
Employers are now increasingly using internet banking to deposit statutory EPF dues since EPFO made it mandatory to use internet banking as the mode of receipt of EPF dues. 96.03% contributions in October 2016 were received online.
In an important judgment delivered by the High Court of Madras in the matter of writ petition filed by Builders Association of India, Madurai, the High Court dismissed the petition praying non enforcement of EPF & MP Act, 1952 every employee employed in or in connection with the work or that factory or establishment, other than an excluded employee, who has not become a member already shall also be entitled and required to become a member of the Fund from the date of joining the factory or establishment.
To expand the reach of convenience offered to EPF members, EPFO has joined the network of Common Services Centers (CSC). A Memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between EPFO and CSC e-Governance Services India Limited (CSC SPV) on 25th October 2016. The MoU is initially for a period of five years. Every year on 14st November, pensioners were required to submit their life certificates. From this year onward, pensioners can submit digital life certificates via Jeevan Pramaan Patra programme through a large number of points of Presence (PoP) of CSC network in addition to those available at EPFO offices. The pensioners living in remote areas can avoid cost and inconvenience of travelling down to the EPF offices or their banks for filing paper based life certificate through this arrangement.
AT/AK
(Release ID :153777) 18.11.2016
(Release ID :153777) 18.11.2016
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ABOLITION OF OVERTIME ALLOWANCE IN 7TH PAY COMMISSION: FIN MIN'S STATEMENT IN LOK SABHA.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 492
ANSWERED ON: 18.11.2016
Abolition of Overtime Allowance
G. HARI
Will the Minister of
FINANCE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the expenditure on overtime allowance provided to Government employees had increased from Rs.797 crore to Rs.1629 crore during 2012-13 and if so, the details thereof; and
(b) whether the Government is considering to abolish overtime allowance in Government offices and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (EXPENDITURE)
(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)
(a) Yes Sir. The expenditure of Rs.796.90 crore in 2006-07 was excluding the expenditure on overtime allowance in respect of employees of Union Territories whereas the expenditure of Rs. 1629.02 crore during year 2012-13 is including the expenditure in respect of employees of Union Territories.
(b) The Seventh Central Pay Commission has recommended to abolish OTA (except for operational staff and industrial employees who are governed by statutory provisions) and in case the Government decides to continue with OTA for those categories of staff for which it is not a statutory requirement, then the rates of OTA for such staff should be increased by 50 percent from their current levels. Recommendation of the 7th CPC on allowances are yet to be finalised.
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INTEREST RATE ON THE LONG TERM SAVING DEPOSITS IN POST OFFICES (Finance Ministry)
Interest rates on bank deposits are not uniform and vary from bank to bank. Hence, a one-on-one comparison of interest rates may not be possible.
The interest rates on term deposits are deregulated and they are determined by the banks themselves as per their Board approved policies. In contrast interest rates on Small Savings Schemes are administered interest rates linked to G-Sec rate of comparable maturity.
The percentage of savings in the savings schemes in Post Office as on 31.03.2016 is 14.84% of the deposits in the savings schemes of PSBs.
The Government has taken various steps to popularise all the existing schemes by carrying out publicity through print and electronic/Audio Visual media on an all India basis. Jan Dhan Yojana is a scheme of the Government to encourage deposits in banks and promote savings.
This was stated by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
PIBDSM/KA (Release ID :153841) (18.11.206)
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SEVENTH PAY COMMISSION ALLOWANCES TO GOVT EMPLOYEES: OFFICIAL ANSWER IN LOK SABHA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO: 57
ANSWERED ON: 18.11.2016
ALLOWANCES TO GOVT. EMPLOYEES
VIJAY KUMAR S.R.
SUDHEER GUPTA
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has deferred the Seventh Pay Commission’s recommendations on various allowances, perks and perquisites and referred the matter to a Committee;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the terms of reference and aims and objectives of this move;
(c) whether the Committee has submitted its report to the Government and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for the delay; and
(d) the timeframe drawn for the Committee to submit its report to the Government and the date from which the allowances including house rent, education and transport allowances are likely to be made effective?
ANSWER
FINANCE MINISTER (SHRI ARUN JAITLEY)
A Statement is laid on the Table of the House
Statement Annexed with the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 57 for 18.11.2016 by Shri S. R. Vijayakumar and Shri Sudheer Gupta on Allowances to Government Employees
(a) & (b): In view of the number of representations received with regard to substantial changes with the existing provisions relating to Allowances recommended by the 7th Central Pay Commission, the Government has set up a Committee to examine the recommendations of the Commission on allowances (except Dearness Allowance). The Committee has been asked to go into the recommendations of the Commission on various allowances and, having regard to the representations made by the staff associations as also the suggestions of the concerned Ministries/Departments and to make recommendations as to whether any changes in the recommendations of the Commission are warranted and, if so, in what form. Till a final decision is taken by the Government based on the recommendations of this Committee, all allowances (except Dearness Allowance) will continue to be paid at existing rates in the existing pay structure. The Committee, constituted vide order dated 22.7.2016, is to submit its report within four months.
(c) & (d): The Committee has been interacting with various stake-holders to discuss their demands and has so far held discussions with National Council (Staff Side), Joint Consultative Machinery, representatives from staff associations and officials from Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Home Affairs and Department of Posts. The Committee may also interact with the representatives of some other major Ministries/Departments and stakeholders with whom consultations are yet to be held before finalizing its Report. On submission of the Report, the matter pertaining to allowances will be considered by the Government and appropriate decision will be taken thereafter.
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