Absent on Strike will not be treated as dies non and no salary will be deducted in case of leave like Child Care Leave, Maternity Leave, Earned Leave, etc.

GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

AUDIT BRANCH

No.6649-F(P)                                                                                   

  Dated:04/09/2015

MEMORANDUM 

In this department Memorandum No. 6535-F(P) dt. 01.09.2015 it has been mentioned that no leave will be granted to any employee commencing from a date before 2nd September, 2015 and continuing thereafter excepting on the grounds as mentioned in the Memorandum No. 2013-F(P) dt. 06.03 .2012. It has also been mentioned there that in such case the entire period of absence will be treated as dies non and no salary will be admissible.

Now confusion has arisen, if this will be applicable in case of already sanctioned leave like Child Care Leave, Maternity Leave, Earned Leave etc. In this connection, attention is drawn that in the said order dt. 0l.09.2013 it has also been mentioned that absence will be treated as dies non and salary will not be admissible unless the same is covered by the grounds in Finance Department Memorandum No. 2013-F(P) dt. 06.03.2012 where one such ground is that the provision will not apply in case of employees who had been on leave continuing from before.

Now, to remove the confusion it is clarified that absence will not be treated as dies non and no salary will be deducted or treated to be inadmissible in case of leave like Child Care Leave, Maternity Leave, Earned Leave, etc. sanctioned before the date of issuance of Finance Department's order No.6535-F(P) dated 1.9.2015.

Sd/-

H. K. Dwivedi

Principal Secretary to the

Government of West Bengal

Source : http://www.wbfin.nic.in/writereaddata/6649-F(P).pdf

Gmail, Yahoo, Live is Banned by Govt for Official Work

GMail Login: With increase in the cyber snooping on the Governments around the world, The Government of India had banned usage of GMail for Official work by the Govt. Staff to protect the users ( Govt. Staff) and Govt Data.

The email policy which is drafted by The Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DEITY) in October 2013 is implemented by the Government after taking the views from all the ministries.This policy is aimed to protect the sensitive data of Government.

NOW GMAIL LOGIN IS NOT POSSIBLE IN GOVT. OFFICES

GMail Banned in Govt Offices

The Government said in the notification that “The e-mail services provided by other service providers shall not be used for any official communication,” .This decision is took by Central Government and will be followed by both government employees of both central government and state government including the UT also.

This policy strictly says that no Government employee should use the Gmail login or any other foreign E-Mail accounts like Yahoo mail, HotMail for the official work by the staff, And the staff should use the E-Mail services provided by only NIC.

Due to this policy all the government data shall be passing from the Government Servers covering nearly 5-6 lakh Central and State government employees.

And the notification also says that NIC will be Monitoring the activities of the staff and have the power to access the access, review, copy or delete any files on the server of any users (Govt. Staff) for security reasons.

Source : http://www.whatlauderdale.com/news/gmail-login-banned-govt-official-work/1442/

Government constitutes National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Cabinet

01-January-2015 15:41 IST

Government constitutes National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog

 Press Note

            The Government has replaced Planning Commission with a new institution named NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India). The institution will serve as ‘Think Tank’ of the Government-a directional and policy dynamo. NITI Aayog will provide Governments at the central and state levels with relevant strategic and technical advice across the spectrum of key elements of policy, this includes matters of national and international import on the economic front, dissemination of best practices from within the country as well as from other nations, the infusion of new policy ideas and specific issue-based support. 

The following is the full text of the Cabinet  Resolution:-  

RESOLUTION  

Mahatma Gandhi had said:  “Constant development is the law of life, and a man who always tries to maintain his dogmas in order to appear consistent drives himself into a false position”. Reflecting this spirit and the changed dynamics of the new India, the institutions of governance and policy have to adapt to new challenges and must be built on the founding principles of the Constitution of India, the wealth of knowledge from our civilizational history and the present day socio-cultural context.   

2.            The Planning Commission was set up on the 15^th of March, 1950 through a Cabinet Resolution.  Nearly 65 years later, the country has transformed from an under-developed economy to an emergent global nation with one of the world’s largest economies.

3.            From being preoccupied with survival, our aspirations have soared and today we seek elimination, rather than alleviation, of poverty.  The people of India have great expectations for progress and improvement in governance, through their participation.  They require institutional reforms in governance and dynamic policy shifts that can seed and nurture large-scale change. Indeed, the ‘destiny’ of our country, from the time we achieved Independence, is now on a higher trajectory.

4.            The past few decades have also witnessed a strengthening of Indian nationhood.  India is a diverse country with distinct languages, faiths and cultural ecosystems.  This diversity has enriched the totality of the Indian experience.  Politically too, India has embraced a greater measure of pluralism which has reshaped the federal consensus.  The States of the Union do not want to be mere appendages of the Centre.  They seek a decisive say in determining the architecture of economic growth and development.  The one-size-fits-all approach, often inherent in central planning, has the potential of creating needless tensions and undermining the harmony needed for national effort.  Dr. Ambedkar had said with foresight that it is “unreasonable to centralise powers where central control and uniformity is not clearly essential or is impracticable”. 

5.            At the heart of the dynamics of transforming India lies a technology revolution and increased access to and sharing of information.  In the course of this transformation, while some changes are anticipated and planned, many are a consequence of market forces and larger global shifts.   The evolution and maturing of our institutions and polity also entail a diminished role for centralised planning, which itself needs to be redefined.

    6.   The forces transforming India are many and include: 

a.       The industry and service sectors have developed and are operating on a global scale now.  To build on this foundation, new India needs an administration paradigm in which the government is an “enabler” rather than a “provider of first and last resort”.  The role of the government as a “player” in the industrial and service sectors has to be reduced.  Instead, government has to focus on enabling legislation, policy making and regulation.  

b.      India’s traditional strength in agriculture has increased manifold on account of the efforts of our farmers and improvements in technology.  We need to continue to improve, and move from pure food security to a focus on a mix of agricultural production as well as the actual returns that farmers get from their produce. 

c.       Today, we reside in a ‘global village’, connected by modern transport, communications and media, and networked international markets and institutions.  As India ‘contributes’ to global endeavours, it is also influenced by happenings far removed from our borders.  Global economics and geo-politics are getting increasingly integrated, and the private sector is growing in importance as a constituent within that.  India needs to be an active player in the debates and deliberations on the global commons, especially in relatively uncharted areas. 

d.      India’s middle class is unique in terms of its size and purchasing power.  This formidable  group is increasing with the entry of the neo-middle class.  It has been an important driver of growth and  has enormous potential on account of its high education levels, mobility and willingness to push for change in the country.  Our continuing challenge is to ensure that this economically vibrant group remains engaged and its potential is fully realised.  

e.       India’s pool of entrepreneurial, scientific and intellectual human capital is a source of strength waiting to be unleashed to help us attain unprecedented heights of success.  In fact, the ‘social capital’ that is present in our people has been a major contributor to the development of the country thus far and, therefore, it needs to be leveraged through appropriate policy initiatives. 

f.       The Non-Resident Indian community, which is spread across more than 200 countries, is larger in number than the population of many countries of the world. This is a significant geo-economic and geo-political strength.  Future national policies must incorporate this strength in order to broaden their participation in the new India beyond just their financial support.  Technology and management expertise are self-evident areas where this community can contribute significantly. 

g.      Urbanisation is an irreversible trend.  Rather than viewing it as an evil, we have to make it an integral part  of our policy for development.  Urbanisation has to be viewed as an opportunity to use modern technology to create a wholesome and secure habitat while reaping the economic benefits that it offers. 

h.      Transparency is now a sine qua non for good governance.  We are in a digital age where the tools and modes of communication, like social media, are powerful instruments to share and explain the thoughts and actions of the government.  This trend will only increase with time.  Government and governance have to be conducted in an environment of total transparency – using technology to reduce opacity and thereby, the potential for misadventures in governing. 

7.            Technology and information access have accentuated the unity in diversity that defines us.  They have helped integrate different capabilities of our regions, states and eco-systems towards an interlinked national economy.  Indeed, Indian nationhood has been greatly strengthened on their account.  To reap the benefits of the creative energy that emerges from the Indian kaleidoscope, our development model has to become more consensual and co-operative.  It must embrace the specific demands of states, regions and localities.  A shared vision of national development has to be worked out based on human dignity, national self-respect and an inclusive and sustainable development path.  

     8.  The challenges we face as a country have also become more complex:  

a.            India’s demographic dividend has to be leveraged fruitfully over the next few decades.  The potential of our youth, men and women, has to be realized through education, skill development, elimination of gender bias, and employment.  We have to strive to provide our youth productive opportunities to work on the frontiers of science, technology and knowledge economy. 

b.            Poverty elimination remains one of the most important metrics by which alone we should measure our success as a nation.  Every Indian must be given an opportunity to live a life of dignity and self respect.  The words of Tiruvalluvar, the sage-poet, when he wrote that “nothing is more dreadfully painful than poverty”, and “gripping poverty robs a man of the lofty nobility of his descent”, are as true today as they were when written more than two thousand  years ago. 

c.            Economic development is incomplete if it does not provide every individual the right to enjoy the fruits of development. Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya had enunciated this in his concept of Antyodaya, or uplift of the downtrodden, where the goal is to ensure that the poorest of the poor get the benefits of development.  Inequalities based on gender biases as well as economic disparities  have to be redressed.  We need to create an environment and support system that encourages women to play their rightful role in nation-building.  Equality of opportunity goes hand in hand with an inclusiveness agenda.  Rather than pushing everyone on to a pre-determined path, we have to give every element of society – especially weaker segments like the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes - the ability to influence the choices the country and government make in setting the national agenda.  In fact, inclusion has to be predicated on a belief in the ability of each member of society to contribute.  As Sankar Dev wrote centuries ago in the Kirtan Ghosh: “To see every being as equivalent to one’s own soul is the supreme means (of attaining deliverance)”. 

d.            Villages (Gram) continue to be the bedrock of our ethos, culture and sustenance.  They need to be fully integrated institutionally into the development process so that we draw on their vitality and energy. 

e.            India has more than 50 million small businesses, which are a major source of employment creation.  These businesses are particularly important in creating opportunities for the backward and disadvantaged sections of the society.  Policy making must focus on providing necessary support to this sector in terms of skill and knowledge upgrades and access to financial capital and relevant technology. 

f.             Responsible development implies environmentally sound development.  India is one of the mega-diverse countries.  Our environmental and ecological assets are eternal, and must be preserved and safeguarded.  The country’s legacy of respect for environment is reflected in our reverence for trees and animals.  Our legacy to future generations must be sustainable progress.  Each element of our environment (paryavaran) and resources, namely water, land  and forest (Jal, Jameen evam Jungle) must be protected; and this must be done in a manner that takes into account their inter-linkages with climate (jal vayu) and people (jan).  Our development agenda has to ensure that development does not sully the quality of life of the present and future generations. 

9.            The role of the government in achieving ‘national objectives’ may change with time, but will always remain significant.  Government will continue to set policies that anticipate and reflect the country’s requirements and execute them in a just manner for the benefit of the citizens.  The continuing integration with the world – politically and economically - has to be incorporated into policy making as well as functioning of the government. 

In essence, effective governance in India will rest on the following pillars: 

a.       Pro-people agenda that fulfils the aspirations of the society as well as individual,

b.      Pro-active in anticipating and responding to their needs,

c.       Participative, by involvement of citizens,

d.      Empowering   women in all aspects

e.       Inclusion of all groups, with special attention to the economically weak (garib), the SC, ST and OBC communities,  the rural sector and farmers (gaon and kisan), youth and all categories of minorities.

f.       Equality of opportunity to our country’s youth,

g.      Transparency through the use of technology to make government visible and responsive. 

10.         Governance, across the public and private domains, is the concern of society as a whole.  Everyone has a stake in ensuring good governance and effective delivery of services. Creating Jan Chetna, therefore, becomes crucial for people’s initiative.    In the past, governance may have been rather narrowly construed as public governance.  In today’s changed dynamics – with ‘public’ services often being delivered by ‘private’ entities, and the greater scope for ‘participative citizenry’,  governance encompasses and involves everyone.

  

11.          The institutional framework of government has developed and matured over the years.   This has allowed the development of domain expertise which allows us the chance to increase the specificity of functions given to institutions.  Specific to the planning process, there is a need to separate as well as energize the distinct ‘process’ of governance from the ‘strategy’ of governance. 

In the context of governance structures, the changed requirements of our country, point to the need for setting up an institution that serves as a Think Tank of the government – a directional and policy dynamo.  The proposed institution has to provide governments at the central and state levels with relevant strategic and technical advice across the spectrum of key elements of policy.  This includes matters of national and international import on the economic front, dissemination of best practices from within the country as well as from other nations, the infusion of new policy ideas and specific issue-based support.  The institution has to be able to respond to the changing and more integrated world that India is part of. 

An important evolutionary change from the past will be replacing a centre-to-state one-way flow of policy by a genuine and continuing partnership with the states.   The institution must have the necessary resources, knowledge, skills and, ability to act with speed to provide the strategic policy vision for the government as well as deal with contingent issues. 

Perhaps most importantly, the institution must adhere to the  tenet that while incorporating positive influences from the world, no single model can be transplanted  from outside into the Indian scenario. We need to find our own strategy for growth.  The new institution has to zero in on what will work in and for India.   It will be a Bharatiya approach to development. 

12.          The institution to give life to these aspirations is the NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India).  This is being proposed after extensive consultation across the spectrum of stakeholders including inter alia state governments, domain experts and relevant institutions.  The NITI Aayog will work towards the following objectives: 

a.            To evolve a shared vision of national development priorities, sectors and strategies with the active involvement of States in the light of national objectives.    The vision of the NITI Aayog will then provide a framework ‘national agenda’ for the Prime Minister and the Chief Ministers to provide impetus to. 

b.            To foster cooperative federalism through structured support initiatives and mechanisms with the States on a continuous basis, recognizing that strong States make a strong nation. 

c.            To develop mechanisms to formulate credible plans at the village level and aggregate these progressively at higher levels of government. 

d.            To ensure, on areas that are specifically referred to it, that the interests of national security are incorporated in economic strategy and policy. 

e.            To pay special attention to the sections of our society that may be at risk of not benefitting adequately from economic progress.  

f.             To design strategic and long term policy and programme frameworks and initiatives, and monitor their progress and their efficacy.  The lessons learnt through monitoring and feedback will be used for making innovative improvements, including necessary mid-course corrections. 

g.            To provide advice and encourage partnerships between key stakeholders and national and international like-minded Think Tanks, as well as educational and policy research institutions. 

h.            To create a knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurial support system through a collaborative community of national and international experts, practitioners and other partners. 

i.              To offer a platform for resolution of inter-sectoral and inter-departmental issues in order to accelerate the implementation of the development agenda. 

j.              To maintain a state-of-the-art Resource Centre, be a repository of research on good governance and best practices in sustainable and equitable development as well as help their dissemination to stake-holders. 

k.            To actively monitor and evaluate the implementation of programmes and initiatives, including the identification of the needed resources so as to strengthen the probability of success and scope of delivery. 

l.              To focus on technology upgradation and capacity building for implementation of programmes and initiatives. 

m.           To undertake other activities as may be necessary in order to further the execution of the national development agenda, and the objectives mentioned above.  

13.   The NITI will comprise the following:  

a.            Prime Minister of India as the Chairperson 

b.            Governing Council comprising the Chief Ministers of all the States and Lt. Governors of Union Territories 

c.            Regional Councils will be formed to address specific issues and contingencies impacting more than one state or a region.  These will be formed for a specified tenure.  The Regional Councils will be convened by the Prime Minister and will comprise of the Chief Ministers of States and Lt. Governors of Union Territories in the region.  These will be chaired by the  Chairperson of the NITI Aayog or his nominee. 

d.            Experts, specialists and practitioners with relevant domain knowledge as special invitees nominated by the Prime Minister 

e.            The full-time organizational framework will comprise of, in addition to the Prime Minister as the Chairperson: 

  i.      Vice-Chairperson: To be appointed by the Prime Minister

 ii.      Members: Full-time  

 iii.      Part-time members: Maximum of 2 from leading universities research organizations and other relevant institutions in an ex-officio capacity.  Part time members will be on a rotational basis.

 iv.      Ex Officio members: Maximum of 4 members of the Union Council of Ministers to be nominated by the Prime Minister. 

 v.      Chief Executive Officer : To be appointed by the Prime Minister for a fixed tenure, in the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.

 vi.      Secretariat as deemed necessary. 

14.          Swami Vivekananda said “Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – think it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.” Through its commitment to a cooperative federalism, promotion of citizen engagement, egalitarian access to opportunity, participative and adaptive governance and increasing use of technology, the NITI Aayog will seek to provide a critical directional and strategic input into the governance process.  This, along with being the incubator of ideas for effective governance, will be the core mission of NITI Aayog. 

Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India

New Delhi, 1^st January 2015

Government employees to file separate property returns under Lokpal

All government employees have to file a revised declaration, information or return of their liabilities and those of spouse and their dependent children as per the mandatory requirement under the Lokpal regime, which came into being two days ago. 
These declarations would be different from the existing such returns being filed by the government employees under various services rules. 
The government has on Saturday notified the Lokpal and Lokayuktas (Removal of Difficulties) Ord .. 
View the Gazette Notification

Disbursement of Pension by Agency Banks: RBI Master Circular for Central Civil/Defence/Telecom/Railway/Postal/State Pensioner

Master Circular- Disbursement of Pension by Agency Banks

Payment of Pension to Government Pensioners under the various schemes through agency banks Introduction

The payment of pension to retired Government employees is governed by the relevant Schemes prepared by concerned Ministries/Departments with the approval of Controller General of Accounts, Ministry of Finance, Government of India or by State Governments and involves payment of basic pension, increased Dearness Relief and other benefits as and when announced by the Governments. Various circulars issued in this connection are summarized hereunder for information.

2. Payment of Pension to Central Government Pensioners through Public Sector Banks - Steps taken by Government to minimize delay in payment of Dearness Relief (DR) to Pensioners - Discontinuation of forwarding Government Orders in respect of DR etc. through Reserve Bank of India.

(Ref: DGBA. GAD. No. H-506/45.01.001/2002-03 dated April 12, 2003)

In order to obviate the time lag between the issue of Dearness Relief etc. orders and actual payment to the beneficiaries and to render expeditious service to the senior citizens, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare, Government of India have taken following steps:

i. As soon as the sanction of Dearness Relief at revised rates is received from Ministry of Finance, Orders for payment of Dearness Relief to pensioners at revised rates are issued and the copies of such orders are immediately sent to Heads of all Agency Banks by e-mail as well as by FAX with instructions to take necessary action for expeditious payment of Dearness Relief.

ii. The orders are put on web-site of Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance and Pensions (http://www.persmin.nic.in)

iii. Copies of orders are also sent by post to Heads of all Agency Banks and published in leading newspapers by Indian Banks' Association. RBI would no longer be forwarding Government orders in respect of Dearness Relief to Agency Banks.

3. Acceptance of nomination in form 'A' and 'B'- Central Civil / Railway Pension

(Ref: DGBA. GAD. No.H-94/45.05.031/2004-05 dated August 24, 2004 and Ref. DGBA.

GAD. No. H-3611/ 45.03.002/ 2005-06 dated October 10, 2005)

With a view to avoid inconvenience to the pensioners, Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) and Ministry of Railways (Railway Board), have decided to adopt the nomination forms ('A' & 'B'). Agency banks were advised to issue necessary instructions to all pension paying branches to accept Nomination Forms 'A' or 'B' as the case may be, submitted by Central Civil/Railway pensioners for the payment of arrears of pension to the heir(s).

4. Implementation of procedure for payment of pensions and other retirement benefits to All India Service Officers retiring from Government of India while on Central Deputation.

(Ref. DGBA. GAD. No. 612-644/ 45.01.001/2004-05 dated October 7, 2004)

Agency Banks are advised to follow accounting procedure for payment of pension to All India Service Officers retiring from Government of India while on Central Deputation as follows:

(i) PPO number for All India Service Pensioners would incorporate, besides the 12 digit numeric component used for Central Civil pensioner, a prefix indicating the service and the state cadre to which the pensioner belongs. A sample PPO number for an IAS Officer of Punjab cadre would be - IAS/Pb/438840400191.

(ii) All India Service Pensioners will have the option to draw pension only through the authorised banks.

(iii) The Special Seal Authority (SSA) issued by the CPAO would be in blue colour to distinguish it from authorities issued for Central Civil pensioners. In addition, the authority will indicate the State Government to which the payment is debitable.

(iv) One copy of the SSA will be sent to concerned Accountant General for information and record.

(v) The concerned paying branches of the bank after following the necessary procedure for identifying the pensioner would release the payment and add the name of All India Service Pensioner to the scrolls prepared for State Government Pensioners to be routed for reimbursement to the reimbursing branches of the Reserve Bank/ State Bank as the case may be. Such scrolls are NOT being handled under Single Window System of pension reimbursement for Central Government Civil Pensioners and should not therefore be sent to CPAO.

(vi) The reimbursing branches would follow the procedure for the State Government Pensioners and send advice to Reserve Bank, CAS, Nagpur and the corresponding scrolls to the concerned Accountant General.

(vii) The RBI, CAS, Nagpur would debit the concerned State Government Account as per the procedure.

5. Scheme for payment of pension to Defence pensioners by public sector banks - delay in submission of pension payment scrolls and steps to avoid fake & fraudulent payments.

(Ref. DGBA.GAD. No. 867-899/ 45.02.001/ 2004-05 dated October 18, 2004)

It has been observed that there is a lag of two to three months in submitting the pension payment scrolls to pension authorities by the pension paying banks.

Often these scrolls are bunched. In this connection, a reference is invited to paragraphs 9(6), 10 and 11 of the booklet "Scheme for Payment of Pension to Defence Pensioners" wherein the procedure for transmission of pension payment scrolls by paying branches, link branches and reimbursing branches is clearly stipulated. The entire procedure needs to be completed as per the timeframe fixed so that the payment scrolls are finally received at the Office of the PCDA (Pension), Allahabad latest by 15th of the followrding month (except for the month of March scrolls, which should invariably reach latest by 3 week of every year). The Office of the PCDA (Pension) has also noticed that in some cases of payment of gratuity and commutation amount were made to imposters on fake and fraudulent PPOs by the pension paying branches without observing prescribed checks. It has also been observed that in the cases of first payment of pension, either PPO numbers were not mentioned on the scrolls or incorrect PPO numbers were mentioned making it difficult to verify the correctness of the payment. Further, these payments were being shown in the main pension payment scrolls along with the regular monthly payments of Defence Pensioners.

The Pension Paying Branches/ Link Branches / Reimbursing Branches are advised to put in place a more efficient system to ensure the following:

(i) Pension Paying Branches  to submit pension payment scrolls to Link Branches within the stipulated time (by 10 of the following month). No bunching of scrolls is done.

(ii) Link Branches to forward the original copy of the scroll along with summary sheet and summary documents to reimbursing banks (RBI/ SBI etc. as the case may be) by 11th of each month.

(iii) Reimbursing banks should forward the original copy of the scrolls directly to CDA (Pension), Allahabad after reimbursing pensionthpaying bank, by debit to Government Account so as to reach PCDA (Pension) by 15 of the following month except for the March scrolls.

(iv) In the cases of first payments of pension, pension paying branches should prepare scrolls carefully indicating correct PPO number, amount of gratuity and commutation against the name of each pensioner and submit the same separately on a monthly basis in addition to the regular monthly payment cases which will continue to be prepared separately along with separate summary sheet.

(v) Pension paying branches should prepare separate summary sheets for regular monthly pension payment cases as well as first pension payment case.

Joint Account of the pensioner with the spouse could be operated either by 'Former or Survivor' or 'Either or Survivor' basis subject to the following terms and conditions:

(a) Once pension has been credited to a pensioner's bank account, the liability of the Government/Bank ceases. No further liability arises, even if the spouse wrongly draws the amount.

(b) As pension is payable only during the life of a pensioner, his/her death shall be intimated to the bank at the earliest and in any case within one month of the demise, so that the bank does not continue crediting monthly pension to the Joint Account with the spouse, after the death of the pensioner. If, however, any amount has been wrongly credited to the Joint Account, it shall be recoverable from the Joint Account and/or any other account held by the pensioner/spouse either individually or jointly. The legal heirs, successors, executors etc. shall also be liable to refund any amount, which has been wrongly credited to the joint account.

(c) Payment of Arrears of pension (Nomination) Rules 1983 would continue to be applicable to a Joint Account with the pensioner's spouse. This implies that if there is an 'accepted nomination' in accordance with rules 5 and 6 of these Rules, arrears mentioned in the rules shall be payable to the nominee.

Existing pensioners desiring to get their pension credited to a joint account as indicated above are required to submit an application to the bank branch, from where they are presently drawing pension in the prescribed form. This would also be signed by the pensioner's spouse in token of having accepted the terms and conditions laid down by Government of West Bengal. The above facility is applicable to the existing/future pensioners.

15. Disbursement of Central Government Pension through Public Sector Banks - Issue of Pension Slip.

(Ref.DGBA.GAD.H.10975/45.05.031/2006-07 dated January 9, 2007)

It has been decided in consultation with the Central Pension Accounting Office, Ministry of Finance, Government of India to issue pension slips to the Central Government pensioners (Civil) at commencement of pension and thereafter, wherever there is a change in quantum of pension. All the agency banks were advised to issue suitable instructions to their pension paying branches.

16. Introduction of Single Window System for reimbursement of Defence Pension Payments.

(Ref. DGBA.GAD. No. H-13834/45.02.001/2006-07 dated March 13, 2007)

It has been decided in consultation with the Office of Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pension) to introduce Single Window System for reimbursement of Defence Pension with effect from April 1, 2007. Hence, the Reimbursing Banks i.e. RBI (PADs), SBI and its associate banks will cease to reimburse Defence pension payments made by the banks with effect from April 1, 2007. Pension payments transactions may be reported through Link Cell in Nagpur to Central Accounts Section, Reserve Bank of India, Nagpur for fund settlement as in the case of Central Civil Pension. The agency banks are required to send the Payment scrolls to the office of the PCDA (P), Draupadi Ghat, Allahabad.

All the past transactions remaining outstanding prior to April 1, 2007 for which Pension Payment Scrolls Advices are wanting shall be resolved through Reimbursing Branches of RBI/SBI and its Associates.

17. Scheme for payment of pension to Arunachal Pradesh Government pensioners by public sector banks:

(Ref. DGBA.GAD. H-14279/45.05.024/ 2006-07 dated March 23, 2007)

Government of Arunachal Pradesh has modified the scheme for payment of pension permitting credit of pension also to a Joint Account operated by pensioner with his/her spouse in whose favour an authorization for family pension exists in the pension payment order (PPO). The joint account of the pensioner with the spouse could be operated either by 'former or survivor' or 'either or survivor' basis subject to the following terms and conditions:

a) Once pension has been credited to the pensioner's bank account, the liability of the Government/bank ceases. No further liability arises, even if the spouse wrongly draws the amount without the knowledge of the pensioner.

b) As pension is payable only during the life of a pensioner, his/her death shall be intimated by the spouse to the bank at the earliest and in any case within one month of the demise, so that the bank does not continue crediting monthly pension to the joint account with the spouse, after the death of the pensioner. If, however, any amount has been wrongly credited to the joint account, it shall be recoverable from the joint account or his/her account held by the pensioner/spouse either individually or jointly. The legal heirs, successors, executors etc. shall also be liable to refund any amount, which has been wrongly credited to the Joint Account.

c) Existing pensioners desiring to get their pension credited to a Joint Account as indicated above are required to submit an application in the prescribed form to the concern bank branch, from where they are presently drawing pension. The pensioner's spouse in token of having accepted the terms would also sign this. The above facility is applicable to the existing/future pensioners.

d) Opening of Joint Account with any other person for credit of pension, except the spouse in whose favour family pension is authorised in the PPO, shall not be permissible. Family pensioners are not covered under this revised scheme.

18. Disbursement of Central Civil/Defence/Railway and Governments of West Bengal, Goa and Kerala Pension through Public Sector Banks-Issue of Pension Slips:

(Ref. DGBA.GAD. H-10975/45.05.031/ 2006-07 dated January 9, 2007 Ref. DGBA.GAD. H-17663/45.05.031/ 2006-07 dated June 12, 2007 Ref.DGBA.GAD.No. 3856/45.05.031/2007-08 dated October 8, 2007 Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H 12704/45.05.005/2007-08 dated June 11, 2008 Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.924/45.05.012/2008-09 dated July 23, 2008 Ref. DGBA. GAD.No.H 2090/ 45.05.015/ 2009-10 dated September 1, 2009)

It has been decided by Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO)/Ministry of Defence/Railway and Governments of West Bengal, Goa and Kerala to issue pension slips to their pensioners including family pensioners. Accordingly, pension slips as per the prescribed format are to be issued to these pensioners/family pensioners at the commencement of pension and thereafter, whenever there is a change in quantum of pension. All the agency banks were advised to issue suitable instructions to their pension paying branches.

19. Scheme for payment of pension to Assam Government Pensioners by Public Sector Banks- Credit of pension to Joint Account operated by a pensioner with his /her spouse:

(Ref. DGBA.GAD. No. 7570/45.05.018/ 2007-08 dated January 15, 2008)

The Government of Assam has modified the scheme for payment of pension permitting credit of pension also to a Joint Saving/Current Bank Account operated by pensioner with his/her spouse in whose favour an authorization for family pension exists in the Pension Payment Order (PPO). The joint account of the pensioner with the spouse could be operated either by 'Former or Survivor' or 'Either or Survivor' basis subject to the following terms and conditions:

(a) Once pension has been credited to a pensioner's Bank Account, liability of the Government/bank ceases. No further liability arises, even if the spouse wrongly draws the amount.

(b) As pension is payable only during the life of a pensioner, his/her death shall be intimated to the bank at the earliest within one month of the demise, so that the bank does not continue crediting monthly pension to the Joint Account with the spouse after the death of the pensioner. If, however, any amount has been wrongly credited to the Joint Account, it shall be recoverable from the account and/or any other account held by the pensioner/spouse individually/jointly. The legal heirs, successors, executors etc. shall also be liable to refund any amount, which has been wrongly credited to the Joint Account.

(c) The Payment of Arrears of pension (Nomination) Rules 1987 would continue to be applicable to a Joint Account with the pensioner's spouse. This implies that if there is an 'accepted nomination' in accordance with rules 5 and 6 of these Rules, arrears mentioned in the rules shall be payable to the Nominee.

Existing pensioners desiring to get their pension credited to a joint account as indicated above are required to submit an application to the bank branch, from where they are presently drawing pension in the prescribed form. This would also be signed by the pensioner's spouse in token of having accepted the terms and conditions laid down by Government of Assam. The above facility is applicable to the existing/future pensioners.

25. Scheme for Payment of pension to Telecom Pensioners through Authorized Banks-Credit of pension to Joint Bank Account operated by a pensioner with his / her spouse:

(Ref. DGBA. GAD. No.H-1917/45.04.001/2008-09 dated August 21, 2008)

It has been decided in consultation with Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) to permit credit of Pension also to a Joint Account operated by DOT/ Ex-DOT, DTS & DTO pensioner (absorbed in BSNL) and drawing pension through authorized banks, with his / her spouse in whose favour an authorization for family pension exists in Pension Payment Order (PPO). The Joint Account of the pensioner with the spouse could be operated either by 'Former or Survivor' OR 'Either or Survivor' basis subject to certain terms and conditions as mentioned in the Office Memorandum of Government of India, Ministry of Communications & I.T.,Department of Telecommunication, New Delhi. All agency banks have been advised to issue the instructions to their pension disbursing branches accordingly.

27. Recommendations of the Prabhakar Rao Committee on Customer Service - Pension Payments:

(Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H-3085/45.01.001/2008-09 dated October 1, 2008)

It has been decided to accept the recommendations of the Prabhakar Rao Committee relating to pension payments and accordingly all agency banks have been advised to issue instructions to their dealing branches to adhere to these recommendations and also instruct their internal Auditors / Inspectors to bestow due attention to the adherence to the items of work by the branches listed with respect to the checklist (enclosed therewith) and comment on the quality of customer service in their reports which may be made available to Reserve Bank's inspecting officers, as and when they visit the branches.

28. Implementation of Government's decision on the recommendations of Sixth Central Pay Commission - Revision of pension of pre-2006 pensioners / family pensioners etc.

(Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H-3699/45.01.001/2008-09 dated October 17, 2008)

Government of India, Ministry of Personnel , Public Grievances & Pensions, New Delhi have accorded the sanction of regulation of pension/family pension of all the pre-2006 pensioners / family pensioners w.e.f. January 2006 vide letter No.38/37/08-P & PW(A) dated September 1, 2008. These orders apply to all pensioners/family pensioners who were drawing pension / family pension on January 1, 2006, under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972. CCS (Extraordinary Pension) Rules & the corresponding rules applicable to Railway Pensioners & pensioners of all India services, including officers of the Indian Civil Service retired from services, on or after January 1, 1973. These orders do not apply to retired High Court and Supreme Court Judges and other Constitutional /Statutory Authorities whose pension etc. is governed by separate rules / orders.

Accordingly all agency banks have been advised to issue suitable instructions to adhere to the Government recommendations while disbursing the pension to the pensioners.

29. Scheme for payment of pension to Central Government / Civil/Defence / Railway/ Telecom/Freedom Fighters/ State Governments Pensioners by Public Sector Banks- Staggering of pension payments by PSBs.

(Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H - 7652/ 45.05.031/2008-09 dated March 3, 2009)

We have been receiving the large number of complaints from pensioners regarding non payments of pension in the last four working days of each month. Instead, pension is paid by the agency banks on the last working day of the month which causes much hardship to the pensioners and they have to wait in queue for a long time.

In this connection, we had reiterated the instructions contained in our earlier circular GA.NB.No.307/45.01.001/94-95 dated June 1, 1995 and advised all agency banks to spread over disbursal of pension during the period of last four working days of the month, except for the month of March, which will continue to be credited on or after the first working day of April.

30. Issue of Pension Slips / Updation of Pension Payment Order by Pension paying branches of Agency banks.

(Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H-9326 /44.01.001/2008-09 dated April 29, 2009)

Although suitable instructions were issued to the agency banks, for issue of Pension Slips and for updation of PPO, we have been receiving complaints from Pensioners' Associations regarding non-issue of Pension Slips by pension paying branches. They have also complained that the pension paying branches do not update both halves of Pension Payment Order (PPO), whenever there is change in basic rates of pension advised by the concerned Government Departments. We have, therefore, advised all Regional Offices to ensure that the Inspecting Officers from PADs invariably look into the aspect of Pension Slips and updation of PPO and furnish specific comments thereon while conducting the inspection of agency banks.

31. Recovery/Refund of overpayment of pension to the Government Account.

(Ref. DGBA. GAD. No.H-10450 /45.03.001/2008-09 dated June 1, 2009 and DGBA. GAD. No. H-2434/ 45.05.031/ 2009-10 dated September 15, 2009)

Government of India have advised us that the overpayments of pension made by the banks are not credited back to Government account by the banks in lump sum but are remitted in installments as and when recovered from the pensioner. As this causes loss to the Government, all agency banks have been advised that whenever any excess / overpayment is detected the entire amount thereof should be credited to the Government account in lump sum immediately. We have reiterated instructions issued vide our circular dated April 18, 1991 and June 1, 2009 for recovery of excess payments and lump sum refund of excess/ overpayments respectively.

32. Scheme of Payment of Pension to Railway Pensioners through Public Sector Banks-issue of Due and Drawn statement .

(Ref. DGBA. GAD. No.H 2084/ 45.03.001/ 2009-10 dated September 1, 2009)

The Ministry of Railways (Railway Board), New Delhi has informed that banks are not advising the pensioners about the details of the payments made to them on account of the revised pension. Therefore, in order to bring more transparency in the procedure of payment of arrears Ministry of Railways have requested us to instruct all Public Sector Banks to provide a copy of the 'Due and Drawn' statement to the pensioners. All the Public Sector Banks have, therefore, been advised to issue suitable instructions to their pension paying branches for issuance of 'Due and Drawn' statement in the prescribed form to Railway pensioners, whenever there is a change / revision in their pension, so as to avoid inconvenience to the pensioners. They have been advised to report the action taken in the matter to the Ministry of Railways under advice to Reserve Bank.

33. Scheme for payment of pension to Central Civil/ Defence/ Railway/ Telecom/ Freedom Fighters/State Governments' Pensioners through Public Sector Banks- Facility for withdrawal of pension by old/ sick/ disabled/ incapacitated pensioners.

(Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H 3194/45.01.001/2009-10 dated October 14, 2009)

It is observed that the guidelines issued by RBI are not being meticulously adhered to by the banks, may be due to ignorance of the bank staff and that of the pensioners. In order to take care of the problems/ difficulties faced by the sick and disabled pensioners in withdrawal of pension / family pension from the banks, we have reiterated the instructions issued earlier to all the agency banks and advised them to categorise the cases of sick and incapacitated pensioners as under:

1. Pensioner who is too ill to sign a cheque / unable to be physically present in the bank

2. Pensioner who is not only unable to be physically present in the bank but also not even able to put his/her thumb impression on the cheque/ withdrawal form due to certain physical defect / incapacity.

With a view to enabling such old/sick/incapacitated pensioners to operate their accounts, banks have been advised to follow the procedure as under:

a) Wherever thumb or toe impression of the old/sick pensioner is obtained, it should be identified by two independent witnesses known to the bank, one of whom should be a responsible bank official.

b) Where the pensioner cannot even put his/her thumb/ toe impression and also would not be able to be physically present in the bank, a mark can be obtained on the cheque/withdrawal form, which should be identified by two independent witnesses, one of whom should be a responsible bank official.

Accordingly, the agency banks are requested to instruct their branches to display the instructions issued in this regard on their notice board so that sick and disabled pensioners could make full use of these facilities. The banks are also advised to sensitise the staff members in the matter and to refer to the FAQs on pension disbursement hosted on our website www.rbi.org.in in case of any doubt.

34. Pension Payment to Central/ State Govt. Pensioners by Agency Banks- Compensation for delay

(Ref.DO.No.CSD.CO/8793/13.01.001/2009-10 dated April 09, 2010, DGBA.GAD.No.H- 46/45.01.001/2010-11 dated July 2, 2010, DGBA.GAD.No.H- 6212 & 6213/ 45.01.001/ 2010-11 dated March 11, 2011 and DGBA.GAD.No.H- 6760 and 6762/45.01.001/2011-12 dated April 13, 2012)

Reserve Bank of India is receiving several complaints from the pensioners alleging inordinate delay in disbursing the revised pension and arrears. Position was reviewed by RBI and the agency banks have been instructed as under:

i) Pension paying banks should compensate the pensioner for the delay in crediting the pension/ arrears thereof by paying compensation at a fixed interest rate of 8 per cent for the delay after the due date and the compensation shall be credited to the pensioner's account automatically without any claim from the pensioner on the same day when the bank affords credit for revised pension/ pension arrears, in respect of all delayed pension payments made since October 1, 2008.

ii) Pension paying banks have been requested to put in place a mechanism to obtain immediately the copies of pension orders from the pension paying authorities directly and make payments without waiting for receipt of instructions from RBI so that pensioners should get the benefits announced by the Governments in the succeeding month's pension payment itself.

iii) System of attending to customer service including pension payments may be reviewed.

iv) The branch continues to be a point of referral for the pensioner lest he/she feel disenfranchised.

v) All branches having pension accounts should guide and assist the pensioners in all their dealings with the bank

vi) Suitable arrangements are made to place the arithmetic and other details about the pension calculations on the web, to be made available to the pensioners through the net or at the branches at periodic interval as may be necessary and sufficient advertisement is made about such arrangements.

vii) All claims for agency commission in respect of pension payments must be accompanied by a certificate from E.D. / CGM- in- Charge of Government business in case of SBI and its Associate Banks that there are no pension arrears to be credited/ delays in crediting regular pension/arrears thereof.

35. Introduction of Single Window System for Reimbursement of Railway Pension Payments.

(Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H-6493/45.03.001/2010-11 dated March 21, 2011, DGBA.GAD.No. H-74/45.03.001/2011-12 dated July 5, 2011, DGBA.GAD.No. H-8024 & 8026/ 45.03.001/ 2011-12 dated June 6, 2012 and DGBA.GAD.No. H-562 & 563/ 45.03.001/ 2012-13 dated July 27, 2012) 

The Single Window System (SWS) has been introduced in case of the reimbursement of Railway Pension payments with Bank of Baroda and Allahabad Bank effect from April 1, 2011, with United Bank of India with effect from July 1, 2011, with State Bank of India and Dena Bank with effect from July 1, 2012 and with Bank of Maharashtra and Union Bank of India with effect from August 1, 2012. Railway pension payments made by these banks will be reimbursed by RBI, Central Accounts Section, Nagpur.

36. Irregularities in the Railway pension payment by the public sector banks

(Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H-6581/45.03.001/2011-12, dated April 9, 2012)

Agency banks have been advised to strictly adhere to the instructions contained in the scheme for payment of pension to Railway pensioners.

37. Payment of Central / State Government pension by agency banks - Settlement of reimbursement claim for pension payments made

(Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H-8042/45.01.001/2011-12, dated June 7, 2012)

It has been decided to allow the Link branches of the agency banks to submit the reimbursement claims to Reserve Bank of India, Public Accounts Departments/ Central Accounts Section, Nagpur for Central /State Government pension payments in 4 lots instead of 3 lots in a month.

38. Introduction of Single Window System for Reimbursement of Telcom Pension Payments.

(Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H-1594 and 5443/45.04.001/2012-13, dated September 14, 2012 and March 19, 2013 respectively)

The Single Window System (SWS) has been introduced in case of the reimbursement of Telecom Pension payments with State Bank of India, its Associates and Nationalised Banks with effect from October 1, 2012 Telecom pension payments made by these banks will be reimbursed by RBI, Central Accounts Section, Nagpur.

39. Introduction of the 'Scheme for Payment of Pension to Postal Pensioners through Nationalised banks' in addition to Post Offices

(Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H. 2616 /45.07.001/2012-13 dated November 5, 2012)

The Department of Posts has introduced a scheme for payment of pension to Postal pensioners/ family pensioners through Nationalised Banks in addition to Post Offices with the concurrence of the Controller General of Accounts, Ministry of Finance and Comptroller & Auditor General of India vide their Office Memorandum No 26-26/2012-PA (PEA)/D.1133- 1207 dated October 19, 2012.

40. Payment of pension to the Central Government pensioners- Continuation of either or survivor pension account after death of a pensioner

(Ref.DGBA.GAD.No.H-7386/45.01.001/2012-13, dated June 3, 2013)

All agency banks disbursing Central Government pension have been advised that in case the spouse (Family pensioner) opts for existing joint account for credit of family pension, banks should not insist on opening of a new account when the spouse is the survivor and having a joint account with the pensioner and in whose favour an authorization for payment of family pension exists in the Pension Payment Order (PPO).

RBI Forwarding letter:

Master Circular- Disbursement of Pension by Agency Banks 

RBI/2013-14/101

DGBA.GAD.No.H- 4/31.05.001/2013-14

July 1, 2013

All Agency Banks

Dear Sir/Madam

Master Circular- Disbursement of Pension by Agency Banks

Please refer to our master circular RBI/2012-13/103 dated July 02, 2012 on the above subject. We have now updated the master circular incorporating important instructions issued by us till end of June 2013. A copy of the same is enclosed for your information. This circular may also be downloaded from our website www.mastercirculars.rbi.org.in.

2. Please acknowledge receipt.

Yours faithfully

(B.K.Mishra)

Chief General Manager

Encl: As above

Source: http://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/content/pdfs/101M13010713A.pdf

Courtesy : http://karnmk.blogspot.in/

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