സ്ത്രീകള്‍ എങ്ങിനെ വസ്ത്രം ധരിക്കണം എന്ന് പുരുഷന്‍ നിഷ്ക്കര്‍ഷിക്കുന്നത് ശരിയോ? അല്ലെങ്കില്‍ തിരിച്ചും?

Sunday, December 11, 2011

History of Pensions


Pensions for All - a History
History of Pensions: A brief guide to the history of Pensions and the pensioner movement in or related to the United Kingdom
· 1597 Poor Law Act
Every parish was to appoint overseers of the poor to find work for the unemployed and set up parish-houses for poor people who could not support themselves.
The poor laws were introduced because of the increase in poverty throughout the land. Some of the reasons
· 1601 Poor Law Act or Old Poor Law Act This remained in force until 1834 and is usually known as the Elizabethan Poor Law or Old Poor Law
· 1670s First organised pension scheme for Royal Navy Officers - the life expectancy at that time was 48.
· 1834 The Poor Law Amendment Act sometimes abbreviated to PLAA was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom passed by the Whig government of Earl Grey that reformed the country's poverty relief system. While called an Amendment Act it completely replaced earlier legislation based on England's Poor Law of 1601. With reference to this earlier Act the 1834 Act is also known as the New Poor Law.

§ 1885 - Agitation for National Pension prior to General Election of 1885. Pensions mentioned at Election but no action taken.
§ 1898 - Royal Commission- Findings - 2 Million over 65, 1.3 million in want. "Nothing can be done" but it was noted that New Zealand granted pensions for over 65s of ?35p per week.
§ 1898 The Reverend Francis Herbert Stead (1857-1928) initiated the campaign that won the Old Age Pension. Meeting held on issue of pensions at Browning Hall in London.
§ 1899 Following Browning Hall Meeting, many other meetings followed in London, Newcastle, Durham, Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham and the National Pensions Committee was formed. This was linked to National Committee of Organised Labour. F.H. Stead called for a national campaign for a universal non-contributory old age pension at age 65.
The Newcastle meeting was attended by 37 delegates from Trade Unions, 29 Co-ops, 3 Trades Councils and Visitors. Unanimous demand for a Universal and non contributory pension to be funded out of general taxation.
? 1899 Charles Booth publishes a pamphlet demanding pensions at 70 with 35p for men and 25p for women
§ 1899 Joseph Chamberlain appointed a Select Committee on "aged and deserving poor" to look into the demand. ?Baulked at the idea of a Universal pension claiming to great a demand on the public purse. ?17 MPs sat on the Committee. ?However, pensions were at long last - in the public arena.
§ 1899 "Old age Pensions and poor relief" issued by the
Committee on Old Age Pensions (HD7/179),
§ 1902 George Barnes, General Secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, formed the National Committee of Organised Labour for Old Age Pension
§ 1906 A Labour Party motion advocating Old Age Pensions was approved by the House of Commons.
§ 1907 The British Constitution Association produced a pamphlet against contributory Pensions entitled "Old age Pensions- the better way" written by Sir William Chance. (HD7/41).
§ 1908 "Old-age Pensions-ways and means: a new proposal" by J. Birdsall (HD7/418)
§ 1908 "A plea for old-age Pensions" by F. Rogers (HD7/C73).
Around this time there was a proliferation of groups advocating or against pensions. Publications were issued by: the Society for Promoting Old Age Pensions, National Committee of Organised Labour for Promoting Old Age Pensions, the National Old Age Pension Trust, Committee on Old Age Pensions, Association to Advocate Contributory Insurance, National Association of Insurance Committees and the Fabian Society (Fabian Tract no.89).
· 1908 - On 1st August 1908 Lloyd George introduced the Old Age Pensions Act. The Act provided for a non-contributory old age pension for persons over the age of 70. It was enacted in January 1909 and paid to half a million who were eligible. The text of the regulations
· It paid a weekly pension of between 1s and 5s (= to 10p to 25p) a week (7s 6d = to 37.5p) for married couples).
· The level of benefit was deliberately set low to encourage workers to also make their own provision for retirement. In order to be eligible, they had to be earning less than £31.50 per year, and had to pass a 'character test'; only those with a 'good character' could receive the pensions. Those who had habitually failed to work or had been imprisoned received nothing from the scheme. Eligibility included:
· Held British nationality and lived in the country permanently since 1878
· Not be in receipt of charitable donations nor detained in a workhouse or mental health asylum
· Not served a prison term or been convicted under the Inebriates Act
· Not to have refused work when able
· A pensioner in 1909 paid about 2 shillings rent for one room.
This left 3s for food, fuel etc which would buy: coal (6d), 4 loaves of bread (6d) ¼ lb tea (6d), ½ lb sugar (1d), quart of milk (3d), 7lbs potatoes (3d), ¼ lb cheese (2d), ½ lb cheap cuts meat (3d), leaving 6d over for beer, vegetables or other expenses.


(
David Lloyd George, the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Liberal government was also an opponent of the Poor Law in Britain. He was determined to take action that in his words would "lift the shadow of the workhouse from the homes of the poor").
· 1909 "Pensions Day" 1st January - commenced first general old age pension paying a non-contributory weekly amount of between 1s and 5s (= to 10p to 25p)or (7s 6d = to 37.5p) for married couples), from age 70, on a means-tested basis. Over half a million individuals collected their first National Pensions. 1700 collected their pension in Southwark where the agitation first began in 1885, 24 years previously
?
· 1912 the Liberal Publications Department issued a pamphlet entitled "The National Insurance Act and its proposals summarised and explained" (HD7/177).
· 1913 - The National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations issued a leaflet entitled "National Insurance Act: denounced by the Friendly Society officials" in 1913 (HD7/180).
· 1919 - Pension increased to 10s (50p).
· 1921 Finance Act - tax relief granted to pension schemes satisfying certain conditions.
· 1924 - The Labour Party issued a number of pamphlets including "Labour and war Pensions" in 1924 (HD7/252) and "Labour's fight for the old folk" which outlined the development of old age Pensions.
· 1925 Contributory Pensions Act - set up a contributory State scheme for manual workers and others earning up to £250 a year. The pension was 50p a week from age 65.
· 1928 "Co-operative employees and superannuation funds" written by A.W. Petch (HD7/A31)
· 1931 the National Joint Industrial Council for the Flour Milling Industry "Group pension scheme as finally approved by the trustees" (HD7/190) (Ocupational Pensions)
· 1932 The National Industrial Alliance published "Pensions for all"(HD7/188).
· 1932 "Pension, provident and benevolent funds" Bournville Works (HD7/189) (Ocupational Pensions)
· 1935 The National Spinsters' Pensions Association was established by women textile workers in Bradford to demand contributory pensions at 55. Annie Marienne Marsland (1899-1989) was their Treasurer from 1935 to 1945. By 1938 the organisation had 125,000 members in 97 branches and produced a monthly journal entitled 'The Spinster'. They also collected 1 million signatures for a petition for their aims and were successful in lobbying for a parliamentary commission for pensions of unmarried women. This reported in 1939 and as a result the age for unmarried women's eligibility for a state pension was reduced to 60 in 1940.
· 1937 First official meeting of SOAPA (Scottish Old Age Pensioners Association) took place within the British Legion at Halls in the Canongate, Edinburgh.
· 1938 Old Age Pensions Movement formed.
· 1939 Old Age Pensions Movement handed Petition to Parliament with 2 million signatures (forerunner to Pensioners Voice)
· 1940 National Federation of Old Age Pensions Associations formed.
See notable events
· 1940 unmarried women's eligibility for a state pension was reduced to 60.
· 1941 Life Expectancy had risen for Women to 64 and Men to 59
· 1942 "Labour's fight for the old folk" which outlined the development of old age Pensions was published.
· 1942 Sir William Beveridge publishes his "Social Insurance and Allied Services" report with state welfare proposals.
· 1946 National Insurance Act - introduced contributory State pension for all. Initially Pensions were £1.30 a week for a single person and £2.10 for a married couple. Paid from age 65 for men and 60 for women, effective from 1948.
· 1947 Finance Act - limited the maximum amount of tax relief on Pensions, and the proportion that could be taken as a lump sum.
· 1948 National Federation of Old Age Pensions Associations presented their fourth Petition on November 3rd, 1948, with 2,300,000 signatures.
· 1953 Pensioners' progress: the story of the fight for the aged people of Great Britain" by E. Melling and issued by the National Federation of Old Age Pensions Associations (HD7/C8)
· 1959 National Insurance Act - introduced a top-up state Pensions scheme, based on earnings and known as the graduated pension. Covered earnings between £9 and £15 a week.
· 1959 Labour's policy for security in old age" was published HD7/C133).
· 1966 "Guide to company pension schemes" by the Labour Research Department (HD7/C135),
· 1970 Life expectancy for Women was 74 and for Men 69
· 1971 "The future for Pensions" by J. Worsden, issued by the Aims of Industry (HD7/B132)
· 1972 British Pensioners and Trade Union Action Association BP&TUAA was formally established.
· 1973 "What about the pensioners" by Jack Jones published by the Transport and General Workers Union (HD7/A30),
· 1973 The Greater London Pensioners Association was set up.
· 1975 "Financing public sector Pensions" by R. Nottage published by the Royal Institute of Public Administration (HD7/B242)
· 1975 Social Security Pensions Act - set up the State Earnings related Pension Scheme (Serps). Introduced in 1978, the scheme replaced graduated Pensions. Rules for contracting out were also introduced, whereby workers with adequate private provision can give up all or part of the benefits of Serps. In return they pay lower National Insurance contributions.
· 1979 the Joint Committee of Senior Citizens (forerunner to The National Pensioners Convention) was set up by Jack Jones.
· 1980 Social Security Act - Link between state pension increases and average earnings broken by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government. If the link with earnings had not been broken, a basic state pension for a single pensioner would be worth about £30 a week more.
· 1985 Strathclyde Elderly Forum was formed to act as the umbrella body for local forums in the West of Scotland. This was considered to be the first Forum to be established in this way.
· 1986 Financial Services Act - set out terms and conditions under which investment business could be conducted. Changes to contracting out.
· 1988 The Greater London Forum for the Elderly (GLF) was set up as an 'umbrella' organisation for Forums in all the London Boroughs.
· 1989 - Pensioners Liaison Forum formed
· 1991/2 Maxwell scandal. Mirror newspaper proprietor Robert Maxwell used about £460m from his group's pension funds to finance business dealings.
· 1995 Pensions Act - response to Maxwell, which set up regulatory and compensation schemes.
· 1997 Gordon Brown as Chancellor removed tax credits for pension funds on company dividends. His decision wiped out up to £75billion of assets and destroyed faith in holding shares. Critics blame him for the closure of many final-salary pensions which has left retiring employees out of pocket.
· 1999 At the Annual Conference of SOAPA it was overwhelmingly agreed to drop the two words "OLD AGE" and the organisation was renamed Scottish Pensions Association.
· 1999 Introduction of Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG), income support for poorest pensioners.
· 2000 Strathclyde Elderly Forum changed it's name to West of Scotland Seniors Forum. This was a result of a proposal by Pensions 100to get rid of the inappropriate word "elderly". This helped to create a new image and led to many other forums following its example.
· 2000 The government "insulted" pensioners by offering them a 75p increase in the basic state pension. 'Lifting pensioners out of poverty? However All pensioners over 75 will receive a free TV licence.
· 2001 Barbara Castle attacked Chancellor Gordon Brown's refusal to link pensions to earnings at the Labour party conference.
· 2001 Introduction of stakeholder Pensions, a low-cost Pensions scheme aimed at people on low to average earnings and helping women save for old age
· 2001 New FRS17 accounting rules introduced by Gordon Brown -which require companies to report pension deficits (or surpluses) in the year the deficit occurred. (This is believed to have contributed to heavy losses on the Stock Exchange and exacerbated the "Pensions Crisis".)
· 2002 British pensioner Annette Carson, who lives in South Africa, failed in her legal challenge against the UK government to have her pension uprated with inflation. The case has implications for thousands of British ex-pat pensioners worldwide.
· 2002 Switch from Serps to the State Second Pension scheme.
· 2002 in May, Steve Webb MP launched SWAPP
The
Support Women Against Pension Poverty
campaign to join together people around the country who believe that women get a raw deal on pensions and want to do something about it.
· 2003 Introduction of the Pension Credit, which brought half a million pensioners into means-testing.
· 2003: Pension order books phased out. Those without bank accounts got cheques.
· 2004 Pensions Act introduced the Pensions Protection Fund, stronger regulation of funds and increased participation by Member Nominated Trustees.
· 2005 The Turner commission report outlining solution to the pensions impasse published on 30 November, expected to recommend a higher state pension funded by a rise in the retirement age, and an automatic national savings scheme.
· 2006 Paupers Progress by Joe Harris. With a forward by Prof. Alan Walker, it's a short history, with illustrations, of Poor Relief and the struggle to establish the Old Age Pension. Cost £3.50 (inc p&p)
· 2008 1st January - State Pension Centenary campaign launched by National Pensioners Convention
· 2008: Cheques still used to pay 400,000 pensioners, disabled and unemployed people.
· 2010 ????: Government replaces all benefit cheques with pre-paid plastic cards.
· 2010 - The Conservative and Lib Dem coalition restore the Link?
· 2010 Steve Webb MP - founder of SWAPP -appointed as Pensions Minister
· June 2010 - West of Scotland Seniors Forum - the first Seniors Forum - regretfully ceased due to shortage of funding. .
· 2011 from April 2011, the state pension would go up by the increase in average earnings, or in line with prices, or by 2.5% - whichever is highest. (Previously it would go up every April by 2.5%, or the level of the Retail Prices Index the previous September.) Lifetime Allowance and Annual Allowance are to be frozen for five years. Pension tax relief changes for high earners.
Some of these facts are based on information from the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF).

Provision of Toll free Numbers for PLI/RPLI Purpose

The following Toll free Numbers have been provided at PLI Directorate

New Delhi to give improved services to the Customers in PLI/RPLI matters.

Customers can dial either of these two numbers from any where in the

country free of cost for any information or grievance redressel.


Toll free Numbers : 155232 and 18001805232

RENEWAL OF CGHS CARDS

1986 Shri TUFANI SAROJ

QUESTION
(a) the process of renewal and issuance of CGHS cards to the beneficiaries;
(b) whether the CGHS beneficiaries have to stand in queue for several days for obtaining the CGHS cards;
(c) if so, the reasons for not adopting any centralised system for distribution of the CGHS cards;
(d) whether there is any proposal to adopt any new convenient procedure for renewal of the said cards; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be implemented?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a) The eligible persons are required to make an application in the prescribed proforma for issue of Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) card for self and dependent family members. Serving employees are supposed to submit these forms after getting the entries verified and forwarded through their departments. Pensioners submit the application form with the requisite fee through Demand Draft as per their entitlements and period of validity. On receipt of the application and after due verification, a paper print out of the index card is issued to the applicant. This printout is valid for availing CGHS facilities till a plastic card is issued to the beneficiary.
(b) & (c) The process now is a centralized one. All card related activities like submission of forms, distribution of cards, on line uploading of data and photographs, correction in database, addition and deletion to data base, receipt of subscription from departments and individuals etc. are managed by Card & Programme Section of Delhi CGHS (HQ). However, because of some manpower, logistic and infrastructure constraints, initial inconveniences have taken place. The situation has improved significantly.
(d) & (e) Action has been initiated to further streamline the entire process of CGHS card making in order to make it hassle free and more convenient to the beneficiaries. Different systems for serving employees and pensioners beneficiaries are contemplated in which the CGHS cards are proposed to be delivered at the residence of the pensioners and at office of the serving employees.

Sixth Pay Commission / Performance based incentive / Grievances - V Narayanasamy

NEW DELHI: The Central Government is contemplating introduction of a performance based incentive for its employees like in the private sector.

"The Sixth Pay Commission has recommended the introduction of a new performance based pecuniary benefit, over and above the regular salary, for Government employees.

"The benefit will be called Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS) and will be payable taking into account the performance of the employees during the period under consideration," Minister of State for Personnel and Public Grievances V Narayanasamytold the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

"This recommendation has been accepted by the Central Government and guidelines are being worked out through inter-departmental consultation," he added.

Family pension – list of documents to be submitted by a claimant member of family (other than spouse) along with Form 14. PPO and death certificate in


No. 11/6/2011- P&PW(E)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel. Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare
(Desk ‘E’)
3’ Floor Lok Nayak Bhavan,
New Delhi the 8th December, 2011
Office Memorandum
Sub: Family pension – list of documents to be submitted by a claimant member of family (other than spouse) along with Form 14. PPO and death certificate in respect of the deceased pensioner/family pensioner – regarding.
The Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare has been receiving references for clarification by various Ministries/Departments of the Government regarding the documents for family pension, including certificate of income, required to be submitted by a claimant member of family (other than spouse) along with application form (Form 14), PPO and death certificate after the death of a pensioner/family pensioner The matter was also discussed at length in the 20th meeting of SCOVA held on 21st September. 2011 (item No 9 2 of the Minutes refers). It was agreed In the meeting that a list of such documents will be made available at the website of the Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare. It was pointed out in the meeting that It is indicated in this Department’s Office Memorandum No.45/51/97-P&PW(E). dated 21.7.1999 that a self certificate for the income of those who are self employed or are in receipt of income from sources other than employment may be accepted It was decided to send a copy of this 0M. to all member associations of SCOVA.
2. This IS informed that the claims submitted by a claimant member of family (other than spouse) for family pension after the death of a pensioner/family pensioner in Form 14 and supported by the death certificate and PPO of the pensioner/family pensioner. may be processed in consultation with the Pay and Accounts Officer, who is the custodian of the pension file which contains all relevant Forms and information of the pensioner In a very rare case where the name of the claimant member is not available in the records of the Head of Office as well as the Pay & Accounts Officer concerned and the claimant member also fails to submit a copy of PPO or Form 3 containing ‘Details of Family submitted earlier by the deceased employee/pensioner the certificates prescribed at serial number 9(v) of Form 14 may be accepted In addition to these certificates PAN Card, Matriculation Certificate, Passport, CGHS Card, Driving License Voters ID Card and Aadhar Number may also be accepted. Acceptance of voter’s ID card ana adhar Number is subject to the condition that the pensioner/family pensioner certifies that he/she is not a matriculate and he/she does not have any of the documents mentioned in Form 14 or above Apart from these documents, the Ministries/Departments may accept any other document submitted by the claimant which may be relied upon and which establishes the relationship of the claimant with the pensioner and/or contains his/her date of birth
3 The applicant has also to prove that no other surviving member in the family, who may have a prior entitlement for family pension s eligible For this purpose. the above and/or any other documents, such as marriage/death/income certificates of the other members which may be essential in a given situation may be used.
4. As decided in the SCOVA meeting. a copy of O.M. No 45/51/97-P&PW(E). dated 21.7.1999 is enclosed for circulation to an Ministries/Departments/
Associations
(D.K. Solanki)
Under Secretary
Ph: 24644632

Thursday, December 08, 2011

Job Highlights (03 DECEMBER 2011 - 09 DECEMBER 2011)


  1. Staff Selection Commission invites applications for recruitment of Constables (General Duty) in CPOs and Rifleman (General Duty) in Assam Rifles-2012.
  2. Staff Selection Commission (Southern Region) requires Sepoy.
  3. Syndicate Bank invites applications for recruitment of Agricultural Assistants in Clerical Cadre.
  4. Vijaya Bank invites applications for recruitment of Specialist/Generalist Officers.
  5. Uttranchal Gramin Bank requires Officer Scale-I and Office Assistants.
  6. State Bank of India requires Consultants.
  7. Indian Oil Corporation Limited, requires Junior Engineering Assistants-IV in various disciplines.
  8. Indian Space Research Organisation requires Assistants and Junior Personal Assistant.
  9. Indo Tibetan Border Police Force invites applications for the posts of Assistant Sub-Inspector (Pharmacist), Assistant Sub Inspectors (Laboratory Technician) and Head Constables (Midwife).
  10. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Kanpur requires Technician Trainees and Diploma Trainees.
  11. Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Willingdon Island, Matsyapuri requires T-3 (Technical Assistant).
  12. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited, New Delhi requires Assistant Plant Managers, Assistant Managers, Micro-Biologists, Assistant Supervisors and Supervisor Quality Control.

How to make your ATM Transactions Safe?

You can make your ATM (Automated Teller Machine) operations safe, by observing some simple precautions:
  • Memorise your PIN. Do not keep your card and PIN together.
  • Do not share your PIN or card with anyone.
  • Stand close to the ATM while entering your PIN.
  • Do not take help of strangers for using the card or handling the cash.
  • Always press the 'Cancel' key before moving away from the ATM.
If your card gets stuck in the ATM, or if cash is not dispensed after you having keyed in a transaction, press the 'Cancel' key and call your bank immediately.

Courtesy : http://www.investmentkit.com

Minimum Pension to Workers Covered by EPFO

The recommendations of the Pension Implementation Committee (PIC) of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation to increase the minimum pension amount to Rs. 1000 per month is to be placed before Central Board of Trustees, Employees Provident Fund {(CBT(EPF)} in its ensuing meeting for its consideration.

The decision to increase minimum pension to Rs. 1000 per month as per actuarial valuation would require 0.63 per cent increase in the contribution in addition to the existing rate of employers contribution of 8.33 per cent. Any follow-up action would arise only after consideration by CBT (EPF).

The Union Labour & Employment Minister Shri Mallikarjun Kharge gave this information in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.


Source : PIB dtd 07/12/2011

Update‐1 to Meghdoot 7.0 ( release dtd 05/12/2011)

The pre‐requisite for all these applications is that Meghdoot version 7.0 released by CEPT on 22nd July, 2011 should be installed before attempting to upgrade using this Update‐1.

Download the Update and Upgradation procedure from the below link.
Download Link : ftp://ftp.ptcinfo.org/Meghdoot7/Updates/Update-1/


Source : ftp://ftp.ptcinfo.org/

HSheet - Latest Updates


I sincerely express my thanks to all who have sent the feed back on HSheet. I here admit that I could not make it a complete solution for maintaining all records like expenditure on AMC, Diversion, Item wise reports etc.When I tried ,I feared that It may take a long time to complete and presently the platform I designed to build up this needs to be entirely changed. Therefore,I present this with minor changes as suggested by you all. Pl report any bugs. The revised exe will be uploaded soon. This can be downloaded by clicking Check for updates in Help-About window.

Download the complete setup from below link.

Those who have already installed this software, please download the revised exe from the below link.