Sunday, February 6, 2011

PAY EQUAL PENSION TO ALL THE LIC RETIREES : HC

REJOICE VETERAN BROTHERS, WITH THE FOLLOWING ORDERS OF RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT, OUR CASE FOR OROP STANDS GOOD CHANCE OF SIMILAR APPLICABILITY:-
===================================
Jaipur, Jan 24 (PTI) The Rajasthan high court has come down heavily on the "inaction" of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) for not adhering to its board resolution to pay equal pension to all the retirees across the country irrespective of their date of retirement.

The division bench of Justices Dalip Singh and Mahesh Bhagwati directed LIC to give effect to its board decision dated November 24, 2001 to revise the pension and Dearness allowance ( DA) payable to its retired employees corresponding to the successive revisions of the pay scales that took place in 1986, 1993, 1997, 2002 and 2007 respectively.

The court verdict is bound to effect thousands of retired personals of LIC across the country.

(SOURCE - PTI)

THE TERM "PBOR" BEING REMOVED FROM MILITARY WRITING


THE FOLLOWING IS POSTED FOR INFORMATION OF ALL VETERAN BROTHERS:-
=========================================
Dear Friends,

Jai Hind.

Today at Signals Vatika, New Delhi, during the Centenary Celebrations of Corps of Signals, Brig Lakshman Singh, Signals Veteran, introduced me to a serving General Officer from Army HQ, who confirmed that Army HQ has issued a letter ordering discontinuation the use of the word “PBOR”.

The General Officer has very kindly agreed to forward the scanned copy of the Army HQ letter on Monday, 7th Feb 2011 to Brig Lakshman Singh. As soon as the letter is received I will circulate it to you all.

Well done IESM. Congratulations.

Vande Matram

In service of Indian Military Veterans

Chander Kamboj.
=============================
English to Hindi translation

प्रिय दोस्तों,

जय हिन्द.

संकेत वाटिका, नई दिल्ली सिग्नल कोर, ब्रिगेडियर लक्ष्मण सिंह, सिग्नल वयोवृद्ध के शताब्दी समारोह के दौरान, पर आज मुझे सेना मुख्यालय से एक सेवारत जनरल आफिसर ने पुष्टि की कि सेना मुख्यालय एक विच्छेदन आदेश पत्र जारी किया है करने के लिए शुरू की का उपयोग करें शब्द "PBOR".

जनरल आफिसर बहुत कृपया के लिए उत्सुक सोमवार को, 7 फ़रवरी 11 ब्रिगेडियर लक्ष्मण सिंह को सेना मुख्यालय पत्र की प्रति स्कैन सहमत हो गया है. जैसे ही मैं यह पत्र आप सभी को प्रसारित करेगा प्राप्त होता है.

खैर IESM किया. बधाई हो.

वंद Matram

भारतीय सैन्य दिग्गजों की सेवा में

Kamboj Chander

(Source-Posted by SIGNAL on Sunday, February 06, 2011)

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

RBI ON PENSION PAYMENT- Interesting letter from RBI

The bank is paid Rs 60.00 per month to credit your pension every month- thus 60x12 = Rs 720.00 per year is the earning by the bank to pay you pension. I suppose arrears crediting must be over and above this. So no bank is doing you a favour. The circular below says they should pay you 2% interest if there is delay. Claim it !!
======================================
RBI clamps down on banks delaying pension payout

April 22, 2010 08:07 PM
Sucheta Dalal with Sanket Dhanorkar

Central bank wakes up to inordinate delays in payments faced by government pensioners; reprimands bankers and directs them to make good the dues immediately, along with penal interest. In what could be a major victory for government pensioners awaiting pension payments, the country’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has taken bankers to task for ‘inordinate delays’ in disbursing revised pension and arrears.

Taking a serious view of the matter, the RBI has issued a circular (dated 9 April 2010) to various banks with an exasperated tone, directing the concerned banks to ensure that all entitled pensioners are paid their revised pension or arrears within 15 days from receipt of the circular. Additionally, it has also advised the banks to make a penal interest payment of 2% for any delay beyond the due date.

The RBI was forced to take this tough stand after receiving several complaints from pensioners, especially State government pensioners, alleging inordinate delay in disbursing the revised pension and arrears. Under the 6th Pay Commission recommendations, RBI had advised pension-paying banks to put in place a suitable mechanism so that pensioners could get the benefits announced by the government in the succeeding month’s pension payment itself. The controlling offices or head offices of agency banks were also advised to closely monitor and supervise the timely and accurate disbursement of pension to the pensioners.

An RBI review of the pension payment systems in various agency banks revealed the true story behind the picture. The circular highlights RBI’s findings as follows:

“Even though Pension Relief Orders were issued by the respective State Governments, there is inordinate delay ranging from one month to 18 months at the Agency Bank level in disbursing the revised pension as also the pension arrears. The delay was more pronounced in the case of those State Govt pensioners residing outside their States drawing pension from Agency Bank branches. To be specific, non-State resident pensioners have not received adequate attention and timely receipt of the revised pension/arrears for months together.”

The circular goes on to highlight the discrepancies of banks in administering the pension payouts. “Our experience was that customer service on pension payment matters was not effective at the branch level where customers normally interface with the front office,” said the central bank’s communiqué. The RBI also makes note of the lack of coordination between the branches and Central Pension Processing Centres, as also the absence of transparency in the calculation of the revised pension or arrears.

In a tone that is vividly indignant, the RBI questions the concerned banks’ indiscretions. “Pension payment is an agency function entrusted to you for a commission @ Rs60 per transaction and an amount of Rs487 crore has been paid to Agency Banks on account of pension disbursements alone during the year 2008-09. Although this is a significant income generating activity, it appears that it is still not given the due importance that it deserves.”

In view of the above, the RBI has advised banks to undertake review of the system of attending to customer service and have a pension accounts guide at all branches to assist the pensioners in all their dealings with the bank. Additionally, RBI has demanded that suitable arrangements be made, to place on the bank website details about the pension calculations, and made available to the pensioners at periodic intervals with sufficient advertisements to that effect.

With the RBI finally wisening up to the reality and putting its foot down squarely on the Agency banks, they will have to take a deeper look at their archaic systems and make life easier for pensioners. As the RBI rightly puts it, “Pension is the lifeline of the pensioners and any delay in affording their legitimate dues will rob them of the dignity of life to which they are entitled to”.
============================
(source-reportmysignal)

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Central Govt. employees are likely to get 6% D.A. from January 2011

Whatever the price of onion is, the D.A will not be as sweet as July last year. As per the All India Index published by Labour Bureau, Govt. of India the Dearness Allowance payable to the Central Govt.staff with effect from January 2011 may not be more than 6 percent. The figure for Nov'10 has just released and it stands at 182. The December figure is expected in the end of January. Even if the figure touches 185 in December, which is very unlikely, the D.A. hike will be limited to 6%.

Only thing to cheer is the fixed allowances such as Children Education Allowance, Conveyance Allowance for some category of staff will be 25% more as the D.A. will certainly cross the 50% mark. It may be remembered that D.A. linked allwances such as Transport Allowances will be unchanged.
=========================
(PAY COMMISSION NEWS)

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Army to dedicate 2011 to its disabled personnel

The army will dedicate the year 2011 for its personnel disabled while serving the nation and a number of programmes will be launched for their welfare, Army Chief General V K Singh said in New Delhi today. "We are working out programmes under which we will give attention to all our disabled. It is not that we don't do it now, but for one year we want to concentrate only on this particular aspect," Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a function to honour war widows and disabled personnel.

Asked about complaints from veterans that they have been forgotten by the nation, Singh said the army has been working towards addressing the issue by updating the database of ex-servicemen at their regimental centres."Our endeavour is to prepare such a system that we can access the database of all the centres and after that see the shortcomings. And then send our personnel to these people and enquire about their problems and try to provide solutions for them," he added.

The army chief and his wife Bharati Singh today handed over scooters to the disabled soldiers and provided monetary help to the war widows

(source:national portal)

Friday, December 24, 2010

ENTITLEMENT AND PROCEDURE FOR PURCHASE OF ITEMS AGAINST FIRM DEMAND (AFD) CATEGORY –I A) FOUR WHEELERS (CARS): OFFICERS

1. Eligibility.

a) All Commissioned / Honorary Commissioned Officers (serving / retired).

b) Widows of Service Officers.

c) Equivalent status of Civilian Officers / Officers of CSD. However, they will have to pay sales tax / Value Added Tax as applicable in the respective State.

d) All GREF Officers (serving / retired).

e) All SSC and EC Officers who have put in five years of reckonable service before release.

f) One of the parents i-e. either the father or the mother of unmarried deceased officers.

g) Either of the officers child, if both the parents have died and the child is drawing pension from Defence Estimates.

2. Other conditions:

a) Applicant must not have purchased a four wheeler (Car) within the last two years on the day of submission of the application. In addition, the applicant will have to give an undertaking that he/she will not sell the vehicle within next two years.

b) As per finance bill of 1998-99, quoting of PAN/GIR No is mandatory at the time of purchase of Car.

c) Application form for all entitled officers is at Appendix ‘A’

B) FOUR WHEELERS (CARS): PBOR

1. Eligibility:

All Personnel Below Officer rank (serving & retired), of the three services having minimum of 15 years colour service and having been released honorably are entitled to purchase a four wheeler upto 1300cc capacity.

2. Procedure and Conditions:

a) JCOs/equivalent can purchase the second car after five years of the initial purchase and all other entitled soldiers/Sailors/Airmen after seven years. Sale of car is not allowed before completion of two years from the date of purchase.

b) Serving and retired PBOR will apply on the prescribed forms as enclosed at Appendices B & C respectively.

c) The following documents shall be submitted alongwith the application:

I) Serving PBOR:-

i) A certified copy of Driving licence issued by the civil authorities.

ii) A certificate from PBOR countersigned by the CO/OC troops that the individual has not purchased a car in the last five / seven years, as applicable, and that he will not sell the car before two years and that he is liable to pay the entire excise/sales tax concession in case of any violation.

iii) A certified copy of the pay book wherein the entry with regard to purchase of car by the PBOR is made.

iv) Following Certificate from the Commanding Officer / OC Troops that financial position of the applicant allows him to purchase a car:-

CERTIFICATE

Certified that No. __________________ Rank _________ Name is eligible to purchase a car and that his financial position allows him to purchase a car.

Commanding Officer/OC Troops

II) Retired PBOR: The retired PBOR shall submit an affidavit of Rs. 5/- on Non Judicial Stamp Paper covering the following:-

i) I have not purchased a car in the last 5/7 years as applicable.

ii) I shall not sell the car for the next two years.

iii) I understand that any Violation of the above will make me liable to pay back the entire excise / sales tax concessions to the Govt.

iv) The vehicle is for my personal use.

v) The vehicle purchased from the CSD will be registered on self name.

d) Entry with regards to purchase of car by retd PBOR will be made on the original PPO at the depot.

e) Misuse:

In case an individual is found to have violated any of the above conditions, that is, purchase of second car before five/seven years (as applicable) or sale of car before two years from the date of purchase, he will be liable to pay the full excise duty/sales tax as applicable.

f) Action by the CSD: At the CSD Depot level the following action will be taken on receipt of application from the PBOR:-

a) Verify the correctness of the details furnished by the PBOR.

b) Cross check from CSD HO whether the PBOR has already purchased a car from any other CSD depot.

c) Share the data with regard to purchase of car by PBOR with other depots.

d) The PBOR will be allowed to purchase the car only after receipt of confirmation from CSD HO.

g) In case of retired PBOR following additional action shall be taken:-

i) Ensure that affidavit as above has been obtained.

ii) Ensure entry of purchase of car with date is made on the original PPO.

C) CANCELLATION OF APPLICATION- In the event of Officer / PBOR intending to withdraw his application due to any reason, the officer shall have to forfeit the incidental charges of Rs.500/- and balance amount will be refunded.

D) PROCEDURE FOR BOOKING OF CARS

a) For readily available vehicles :- Customer selects the vehicle with dealer. He/she submits indent form (duly completed in all respects) at the depot. He/she also deposits full amount of cost of vehicle with CSD depot. Depot in turn places Local Supply order on dealer and customer gets the delivery of vehicle.

b) For vehicles with waiting period of delivery

i) Depot will inform the customer of applicable selling price & CSD handling charges on the vehicle to be purchased by customer.

ii) Customer will deposit only 0.5% as CSD handling charges in the first instance.

iii) Depot will issue provisional booking order to concerned Dealer.

iv) Booking amount (as decided by firm and applicable for civil customers also) will be paid directly by the customer to the dealer concerned.

v) On intimation of availability of the vehicle, the customer will deposit full amount (excluding 0.5% CSD handing charges already paid) with the Depot and the Depot will place LS Order on the dealer concerned.

vi) The customer will take delivery and obtain refund of booking amount and applicable interest (as conveyed by the firm) from the dealer.

E) TWO WHEELERS/COMMERCIAL VEHICLES/TRUCKS/TRACTORS:

1. Eligibility:

a) All ranks (serving / retired) qualifying under entitled categories.

b) Widows of service personnel (including remarried) qualifying under entitled categories.

c) Eldest child of the deceased service personnel, if he is not survived by his wife, provided the under mentioned conditions are fulfilled:

i) If a son, he should be between 18 to 25 years of age and should not be in service or commercially employed.

ii) If a daughter, she should be unmarried.

2. Other Condition: Entitled category of personnel should not have drawn/brought any of above items from the CSD within the last two years. Entitled purchaser shall have to give an undertaking that he / she shall not sell the vehicles for two years from the date of purchase.

F) REFRIGERATORS/COLOUR TVs/AIR CONDITIONERS/WASHING MACHINES/AND OTHER AFD CAT-I ITEMS:

1. Eligibility: All Ranks (Serving / retired) of Armed Forces.

2. Other Condition: Entitled category of personnel should not have drawn/brought any make of same AFD (CAT-I) items from the CSD within the last two years. Entitled purchaser shall have to give an undertaking that he / she shall not sell the item for two years from the date of purchase.

G) PROCEDURE FOR ALL CATEGORIES OF AFD-I ITEMS:

a) Entitled customers will fill the application form and submit the same to the CSD Area Depot of their choice alongwith a Bank Draft for the value of the item. Form for purchasing AFD-I items (except cars) is at Appendix ‘D’ for serving personnel and at Appendix ‘E’ for retired personnel.

b) Customers are required to deposit Demand Draft / Bankers Cheque drawn on Nationalized Bank / Scheduled bank or UTI, HDFC, ICICI, IDBI banks only. For all other State & Central Co-operative and other Private Banks, the release order will be given only after the draft / bankers cheque amount is actually credited in CSD Public Fund Account (Main). The Demand Draft / bankers cheque should be drawn in favour of “CANTEEN STORES DEPARTMENT PUBLIC FUND ACCOUNT (MAIN)” payable at the location of Area Depot. Cheques will not be accepted.

c) The application form must be countersigned by the Commanding Officer of the unit/Formation. In case of retired officers, the application must have the countersignature of Stn HQs/DDZSB. They should also produce original PPO for verification.

d) Customer should select four wheeler/car/two wheeler available with authorized dealer and obtain Engine No./ Chasis No. & other details and submit the same alongwith application form. For other AFD-I items, customers should preferably confirm availability of item with the dealer.

e) Purchase of AFD-I items is subject to compliance of procedural requirements laid down by Central / State Govts. and payment of taxes (as applicable).

H) COLLECTION OF AFD-I ITEMS THROUGH AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVES:

Where the bonafide customer is unable to collect in person due to valid reasons proper authority letter with the signature of the nominee duly attested by the bonafide customer and countersigned by the Unit Commander in case of Serving personnel and Station HQ/Secretary, Zila Sainik Board/Deputy Director, Zila Sainik Board in case of retired Service personnel can be accepted for effecting delivery at the discretion of the Depot. All the necessary documents in respect of the bonafide customer required to be perused at the Depot will be brought by the authorised representative to book the AFD item. The delivery of an item will be given to the same person only, who signs at the Depot and in whose favour the authority for collection has been given by the Depot. No authorization in favour of any dealer or his employee will be accepted by the depots.

I) PROCUREMENT OF AFD-I ITEMS FROM ANY OF THE DEPOT

AFD-I items including cars can be purchased from any CSD Depot of choice of CSD customer subject to following preconditions:-

a) These items will be allowed to be purchased on smart cards since AFD limit (excluding car) is catered for in the smart card.

b) The purchase will be through valid forms processed through the CSD.

c) The form duly countersigned by the CO/OC of the unit will be verified by the CSD Manager concerned with an undertaking (on the form itself) that the individual is making a valid purchase as per authorization.

d) For all other entitled category of pers, the form will be verified by the CSD Manager/station HQ or local authority involved with canteen management.

J) PAYMENT OF INTEREST ON DELAYED DELIVERY:-No interest will be paid by the Department for late delivery of AFD-I items including vehicles. Customers are requested to ascertain the delivery position from the concerned dealer(s) and the concerned Depot(s) before booking of AFD-I items. Prices prevailing on date of delivery will be applicable.

K) APPLICATION FORMS :- Application Forms are enclosed as under:

1. Application Form for Cars (for Officers) : Appendix ‘A’

2. Application Form for Cars by PBOR (Serving): Appendix ‘B’

3.  Application Form for Cars by PBOR (Retired) :Appendix ‘C’

4. Application Form for AFD-I items (except Cars) by Serving Personnel :Appendix ‘D’

5. Application Form for AFD-I items (except Cars) by Retired Personnel: Appendix ‘E’

(source-www.csdindia.gov.in)

Thursday, December 23, 2010

EX-SERVICEMEN TO GHERAO PARLIAMENT FOR ONE RANK ONE PENSION

Indian Ex-Services League (IESL) today served an ultimatum to the Centre that ex-servicemen in lakhs will gherao Parliament if their demand for 'One Rank One Pension' was not accepted by February 18 next year. Interacting with mediapersons here, Bhag Singh, president of the IESLs Punjab and Chandigarh chapter, said the IESL had achieved partial success of 'One Rank One Pension' whereas 30 to 40 per cent cases were yet to be settled.

He said the league had interacted with the Defence Minister, Minister of State for Defence besides the President during 2009 but to no avail. On October 21, the Minister of State for Defence attended a conference organised by the league where he again interacted separately with the league members. He said 'One Rank One Pension' nod had already been given by the Prime Minister during his speech from the historical Red Fort on August 15 this year.

Col Singh alleged that the government was still playing the game of hide and seek with the serving and retired army persons. He said the country was surviving at the cost of Armed Forces both during war and peace. He asked when the government had given 'One Rank One Pension' to IAS and other cadres then why the armed forces were denied the facility.
==================================
(SOURCE -= WEB INDIA.123 NEWS)