Appeal to generously donate to ‘Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund)’

The pandemic of COVID-19 has engulfed the entire world and has posed serious challenges for the health and economic security of millions of people worldwide. In India too, the spread of coronavirus has been alarming and is posing severe health and economic ramifications for our country. The Prime Minister’s office has been receiving spontaneous and innumerable requests for making generous donations to support the government in the wake of this emergency. 

Distress situations, whether natural or otherwise, demand expeditious and collective action for alleviating the suffering of those affected, mitigation/control of damage to infrastructure and capacities etc. Therefore, building capacities for quick emergency response and effective community resilience has to be done in tandem with infrastructure and institutional capacity reconstruction/ enhancement.  Use of new technology and advance research findings also become an inseparable element of such concerted action.

Keeping in mind the need for having a dedicated national fund with the primary objective of dealing with any kind of emergency or distress situation, like posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to provide relief to the affected, a public charitable trust under the name of ‘Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund’ (PM CARES Fund)’ has been set up. Prime Minister is the Chairman of this trust and its Members include Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister.

PM Narendra Modi has always believed and shown in actions that public participation is the most effective way to mitigate any issue and this is yet another example. This fund will enable micro-donations as a result of which a large number of people will be able to contribute with smallest of denominations.

Citizens and organisations can go to the website pmindia.gov.in and donate to PM CARES Fund using following details:

Name of the Account     : PM CARES        

Account Number       : 2121PM20202                                                                                

 IFSC Code               : SBIN0000691                                                                        

SWIFT Code              : SBININBB104                                                                         

Name of Bank & Branch :State Bank of India, New Delhi Main  Branch                                        

UPI ID                         : pmcares@sbi

Following modes of payments are available on the website  pmindia.gov.in 

1. Debit Cards and Credit Cards
2. Internet Banking
3. UPI (BHIM, PhonePe, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, PayTM, Mobikwik, etc.)
4. RTGS/NEFT

Donations to this fund will be exempted from income tax under section 80(G).

Posted On: 28 MAR 2020 4:36PM by PIB Delhi

(Source : Via e-mail from Wg Cdr RK Bali (Retd.), 9899809930)

INDIA FIGHTS AGAINST CORONA VIRUS: ASSISTANCE BY DEFENCE VETERANS

  26 Mar 2020

Dear Friends,

1.  You are aware of the spread of corona virus and its imminent dangers. The whole world  is being affected  by the deadly virus. India has been able to control the onset of stage three  for the time being, thanks to the timely steps taken by the  Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Medical fraternity and the people of the country. This does not mean that corona virus has been eliminated. It can exponentially   spread even now.

2.  Our Hon’ble Prime Minister has advised all countrymen to observe self-discipline and strictly follow self quarantine. It is our paramount duty to follow this advice and ensure that there are no violations of this order for saving citizens from this calamity.

3.  Indian Ex-servicemen Movement (IESM) has will extend full cooperation to the Govt to face this calamity.  Firstly, IESM has extended its services and confirmed that IESM members are ever ready to help Civil Administration  to confront this evil, whenever called to help.

4. IESM strongly feels that veterans must also contribute financially in supporting the Government to help the under-privileged, casual and daily labour and any other distressed sections of the Indian society.

5. IESM therefore requests all veterans to contribute to IESM to fight this calamity. IESM will transfer the donations received from 26 Mar to 15 Apr 2020 in Prime Minister Relief Fund.

6. Veterans are requested to generously  contribute for this cause. Veterans are requested to send their contributions in  IESM account.   

7. Please donate generously and send your donations in cheque/ draft/ E-transfer in the IESM account. Payable to:

Indian Ex Servicemen Movement

HDFC Bank

A/C No: 06162000001330

IFSC Code- HDFC0000616

Sector 23A, Gurugram

Haryana 122017

Or, you can send it to our office address:

543, Sector 23,

Gurugram – 122017 (Haryana), INDIA.  

Please mark it 'Donation for the Corona Emergency'

Please Donate generously and motivate others to do so.

With regards

Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd)

Chairman IESM

Mob: +919312404269

Tel: 0124-4110570

Email ID: satbirsm@gmail.com

Note: Please circulate to maximum Ex-Servicemen.

(Source : Via e-mail)

Dearness Allowance Hiked for Central Government Employees! Modi Cabinet approves 4% DA increase

 

Updated: March 13, 2020 5:46:22 PM

Dearness Allowance Hiked for Central Government Employees! The Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today approved the proposal to increase the Dearness Allowance for Central Government Employees by 4 per cent.

Dearness Allowance Hiked for Central Government Employees: Good news for Central Government Employees! The Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today approved the proposal to increase the Dearness Allowance for Central Government Employees by 4 per cent in accordance with the accepted formula based on the 7th Pay Commission recommendations. Dearness Relief for Pensioners has also been increased by 4%. The increase in DA and DR for Central Government Employees and Pensions respectively will come into effect from January 1, 2020. “The Union Cabinet has approved four per cent hike in dearness allowance (DA) for central government employees,” Union Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters.

The news of DA and DR hike comes days after the Government has told the Rajya Sabha that Dearness Allowance was due to Central Government Employees from January 1, 2020. The revision in DA and DR is over the existing rate of 17 per cent of the Basic Pay and Pension of Central Government Employees and Pensioners respectively, the Government said.

Dearness Allowance for Central Government Employees: What Govt told Parliament

An official statement of the Government said: “The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved to release an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 01.01.2020. There will be an increase of 4 per cent over the existing rate of 17 per cent of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate for price rise.”

The statement further said that the combined impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief would be Rs.12,510.04 crore per annum and Rs.14,595.04 crore in Financial Year 2020-21 (for a period of 14 months from January, 2020 to February, 2021). The DA and DR hike will benefit about 48.34 lakh Central Government employees and 65.26 lakh pensioners respectively.

“The increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission,” it added.

(SOURCE : FINANCIAL EXPRESS)

FLASH/GOOD NEWS : REVISION OF PENSION OF PRE-01.01.2006 RETIREE HAVILDARS GRANTED HONY RANK OF NB SUBEDAR

Dear all,

Good news for all Pre-1.1.2006 Havildars granted Hony Nb Sub rank. They are now granted revised pension/dis. pension/dis.element etc. of Hony Rank of Nb Sub w.e.f. 1.1.2006.

Also they may note that they will get their revised pensionDP/DE at OROP rate w.e.f. 1.7.2014.

Furthermore, they will get 7 CPC pension/DP/DE (OROP x 2.57 mul fac) w.e.f.1.1.2016.
========================================================================

No.  1(13)/2016/ D(Pen/Policy)
Government of India
Ministry of Defence
Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare

New Delhi, dated 21st February, 2020

To : The Chief of the Army Staff

Subject: – Revision  of  pension  of  Pre-01.01.2006 retiree  Havildar  granted  Hony Rank of Nb Subedar.

I am directed to refer to this Ministry’s letter No. 1(8)/2008-D(Pen/Policy) dated 12.06.2009 according to which “Honorary rank of Naib Subedar granted to Havildars will be notionally considered as a promotion to the higher grade of Naib Subedar and benefit of fitment in the pay band and the higher grade pay will be allowed notionally for the purpose of fixation of pension only.” This provision was applicable for Havildars granted Hony rank of Naib Subedar retired on or after 01.01.2006.

View: Deletion of note of conditional sanction printed in PPOs of Pre-01.01.2006 retirees Havildar granted Hony Rank of Naib Subedar

2. A section of  Pre-2006 retiree Havildars granted Hony rank of Naib  Subedar approached various courts for implementing the provision of this Ministry letter dated 12.06.2009 in their cases. Hon’ble AFT Chandigarh vide their order dated 2 7.10.2017 in OA No. 2755 of 2013 filed by Ex Havildar (Hony Nb Sub) Hoshiar Singh, allowed the benefit of Go!, MoD letter No. 1(8)/2008-D(Pen/Policy) dated 12.06.2009 to all Pre- 2006 Havildars granted Hony rank of Naib Subedar w.e.f. 01.01.2006. Further, pension revision tables for Hony Naib Subedars in pursuance of Govt. policy letter dated 08.03.2010 and 17.01.2013 were also quashed and respondents  were  directed  to prepare these tables afresh taking into account the aspect that the benefit under GoI, MoD letter dated  12.06.2009 was to be granted.3. The issue has been examined in the Ministry and undersigned is directed to say that Government has decided to implement the Hon’ble AFT Chandigarh order dated 27.10.2017 referred above.  The  provision  of  GoI,  MoD  letter  No.  1(8)/2008- D(Pen/Policy) dated 12.06.2009 is hereby extended w.e.f. 01.01.2006 to  Pre-2006 retiree Havildars who were granted Hony rank of Naib Subedars. Further, as per the directions of Hon’ble Court the tables meant for Hony Nb Subedar for implementation of GoI, MoD letter No. PC 10(1)/2009-D(Pen/Pol) dated 08.03.2010 and GoI, MoD letter No. 1(13)/2012 / D(Pen/Policy) dated 17.01.2013 circulated vide PCDA (P), Allahabad Circular No. 430 dated 10.03.2010 and Circular No. 501 dated 17.01.2013 respectively are hereby quashed. However, to extend the benefits of these Govt. orders tables are hereby prepared afresh and attached with this letter.

4. All Pension Disbursing Agencies handling disbursement of pension to Defence pensioners are hereby authorized to carry out revision of  service  pension/special pension/invalid pension/service element of disability pension w.e.f. 01.01.2006, 01.07.2009 and 24.09.2012 to the affected pensioners in the category of Pre-01.01.2006 retiree Havildar granted Hony rank of Naib Subedar drawing pension with 15 years or more qualifying service in terms of these orders without calling for any application from the pensioners and without any further authorization from the PCDA (Pension), Allahabad and pay the arrears on account of such revision. If rate of pension mentioned in various orders issued earlier by this Ministry in respect of Hony. Nb Subedar happens to be more beneficial than the rates as per attached tables, then the same will not be revised to the disadvantage of the pensioners.

5. No arrears on account of revision of pension based on notional fixation of pay shall be admissible for the period prior to 01.01.2006.

READ  Deletion of note of conditional sanction printed in PPOs of Pre-01.01.2006 retirees Havildar granted Hony Rank of Naib Subedar

6. Pension of Hony Nb Subedars who are in receipt of Special Pension, Invalid Pension and Service Element of Disability Pension for less than 15 years of qualifying service would also need to be revised in terms of these orders. However, Pension Disbursing Agencies shall refer such cases to the PCDA (Pension), Allahabad for issuing of Corr. PPO.

7. No commutation of pension will be admissible on additional amount of pension accruing as a result of revision under these orders.

8. Notional fixation of pay in terms of these orders will not affect the entitlement of retirement Gratuity already determined and paid with reference to rules in force at the time of discharge/invalidation.

9. Any over payment of pension coming to the notice or under process of recovery shall be adjusted in full by the Pension Disbursing Agencies against arrears becoming due on revision of pension on the basis of these orders.

10. If a pensioner to whom the benefit accrues under the provisions of this letter has died/ dies before receiving the payment of arrears, the Life Time Arrears of pension (LTA) shall be paid as usual manner.

11. All other terms and conditions of this Ministry letter No. PC  10(1)/2009- D(Pen/ Pol) dated 08.03.2010 and No. 1(13)/2012/D(Pen/ Pol) dated 17.01.2013 shall remain unchanged.

12. Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure has concurred the proposal with following conditions:

(i) The revised pension of an honorary rank Naib Subedar who had retired before 01.01.2006 shall not exceed that of an honorary rank Naib Subedar who retired on or after 01.01.2006.

(ii) The revised pension of an honorary rank Naib Subedar who had retired before 01.01.2006 shall not exceed that of a regular Naib Subedar who retired either before or after 01.01.2006.

13. This issues with the concurrence of M/o Finance, D/o Expenditure vide their ID No. 1(13)/EV/2019 dated 05.02.2020 and the Finance Division of this Ministry vide their ID No. 10(06)/ 2012/ Fin/Pen dated 20.02.2020.

14. Hindi Version will follow.

(Ashok Kumar)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Copy to :

As per standard list
MoD(Finance/ Pension)
CGDA, New Delhi

Source ; Click Here to Download PDF

http://desw.gov.in/sites/default/files/DESW-Pen-Pol-21.02.2020.pdf ) 

(Source : Staffnews blog)

TREATMENT TO VETERANS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS (IN SERVICE HOSPITALS)

(SOURCE : VIA E-MAIL)

UP DATE : OROP CASE IN HON'BLE SUPREME COURT

Dear Veterans,

 

Today on 10 Feb 2020, OROP case came up for hearing in court number 8 of Justice Dr Chandrachud and justice Indu at s no 49. 

Our turn came at 1240. 

Hon'ble Justice expressed that this case is serious and affects our gallant soldiers and their morale and he would like to hear it in detail. Our lawyers pressed that we would need just 30 min to conclude our final arguments. Govt lawyer requested for time. 

Honourable Justice expressed that he would like to hear this case for final disposal.

 

Our lawyer requested for early date but Govt lawyer resisted&requested for time

Honourable justice fixed 24 Mar for hearing and final disposal of OROP case.

 

Our lawyers further requested for case to be listed as priority and be listed at early serial number. This request was accepted by Honourable Justice.

 

Next date for final disposal of OROP petition is 24 Mar 2020.

 

Large number of ESM came to Supreme Court to show their solidarity.

 

Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM

Vice Chairman IESM. 

10 Feb 2020 

Time 1307 from Supreme Court of India.

(Source- Via e-mail)

Defence ministry to directly disburse Rs 51,000-crore pension, benefitting 24 lakh ex-servicemen Getting rid of the ‘middleman’, Defence Ministry's ambitious plan will do away with the earlier process of banks that used a disbursement agency.

NEW DELHI: Getting rid of the virtual ‘middleman’, the Defence Ministry is implementing an ambitious plan to credit Rs 51,000 crore worth of pensions directly into the accounts of ex-servicemen, doing away with an earlier process of banks – mostly state owned – being the disbursement agency.

Faced with the mounting pressure of thousands of complaints and grievances on pensions being wrongly calculated or distributed unevenly, the MoD has sanctioned a new policy to directly send money to pensioners through the Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) process.

Initial estimates by the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) indicate that an annual saving of over Rs 180 crore will be effected through this change by cutting out the 32 banks – 28 Public sector and 4 private sector - that were earlier the distribution agency for pensions.

More importantly, the MoD believes that implementing a centralized system will do away with a majority of grievances that pensioners bring up on disbursement of funds. “An analysis of grievances received at the Ministry or at CGDA office or at PCDA (Pension) office reveal that more than 95% of the complaints pertain to pensioners drawing their pension from the banks. The task of addressing these grievances and providing services to pensioners to their complete satisfaction is an arduous one,” a note on the new system says.

At present more than 24.16 lakh pension accounts – and growing - are active throughout the nation that received close to Rs 51,000 cr per year. Out of these, 18 lakh pensioners are serviced through banks and the MoD pays Rs 960 a year to the banks as transaction fees for each account.

“If all pensioners are brought under the centralised PDA system where MoD will credit pension in pensioners Bank accounts through NEFT/RTGS, saving of Rs 180 cr could be achieved,” the note says.

Officials said that to start with, all new pensioners in the Navy and Air Force will get disbursements through this new system directly into their bank accounts. Pensioners will need to indicate a joint bank account of their choice along with their Aadhar number. The Army, which has the largest chunk of pensioners, will get the new system by August.

(Source:https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/defence-ministry-to-directly-disburse-rs-51000-crore-pension-benefitting-24-lakh-ex-servicemen/articleshow/47793020.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst  )