Expert Committee for Creamy Layer under the Chairmanship of former DoPT Secretary

Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs): An Expert Committee has been constituted by the Government of India under the Chairmanship of Shri B.P. Sharma (former Secretary, DoPT) on 08.03.2019 

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

Expert Committee for revisiting Creamy Layer for OBCS

An Expert Committee has been constituted by the Government of India under the Chairmanship of Shri B.P. Sharma (former Secretary, DoPT) on 08.03.2019 to examine the issues related to Creamy layer equivalence among the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs).

The Terms of Reference for the Expert Committee are as under:-

I. To examine issues arising from the implementation of the OM dated 08.09.1993 and to revisit the criteria evolved by the Expert Committee (Prasad Committee) and thereafter to give recommendations for redefining, simplifying and streamlining the concept of creamy layer while keeping in view the observations of the Supreme Court in the Indra Sawhney case.

II. If then necessary, to give recommendations for establishing the equivalence of posts of employees in PSUs etc. mentioned in Category II-C of the OM dated 08.09.1993.

III. To examine the issue of candidates of Civil Services Examination where cases have not been settled.

IV. To examine and recommend whether the Certificates of Equivalence issued by State Governments in respect of posts and services under the instrumentalities controlled by the State Government should be accepted for applying the test of equivalence for comparability vis-a-vis State Governments posts while applying the exclusion criterion of creamy layer; if so, then recommend modalities for issuing such Equivalence Certificates with adequate safeguards and level of authorities of State Government for approving such Certificates.

V. To examine the specific cases of candidates, who had submitted Equivalence Certificates from various authorities of States, which were not considered in absence of a policy in this regard in the Civil Services Examination 2017 and to make specific recommendation on each case, whether to accept the Equivalence Certificate, in consultation with the authorities of the concerned State Governments to satisfy about the veracity of such certificates.

VI. Any other matter that is referred to the Committee by the Competent Authority.

The report of the Committee is likely to be received soon.

This information was given by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

Source: PIB

from Blogger http://www.systempost.in/2019/06/expert-committee-for-creamy-layer-under.html

Sovereign Gold Bonds

Ministry of Finance

Posted On: 24 JUN 2019 6:54PM by PIB Delhi

The Government notified the Electoral Bond Scheme, 2018 on January 02, 2018. The Reserve bank of India (RBI) has announced the issue of Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB) in consultation with the Government of India for specified period. The tranche-wise calendar was release on 30th May, 2019 for First Half (H1) of 2019-20 and is tabulated below: 

Sl. No. Tranche Period for Subscription Date of Issuance

1. Series I June 03-07, 2019 June 11, 2019
2. Series II July 08-12, 2019 July 16, 2019
3. Series III August 05-09, 2019 August 14, 2019
4. Series IV September 09-13, 2019 September 17, 2019

            The Prescribed ceiling for an individual or an organisation for investment in Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB) as indicated in the Notification dated 30th May 2019 is as below:-

(i) Minimum permissible investment is for 1 gram of gold.

(ii) The maximum limit of subscription is 4 Kg for individual, HUF and 20 Kg for trusts and similar entities per fiscal (April-March) as notified by the Government of India from time to time. A self-declaration from investor to this effect will be obtained. The annual ceiling will include bonds subscribed under different tranches during initial issuance by Government and those purchased from the Secondary Market.

This was stated by the Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

from Blogger http://www.systempost.in/2019/06/sovereign-gold-bonds.html

IT Exemption on Gratuity – 20 lakhs w.e.f. 29.3.2018

Income tax exemption for gratuity increased from Rs.10 lakhs to 20 lakhs w.e.f. 29.3.2018

Income tax exemption for gratuity enhanced Up to Rs. 20 lakhs

Ministry of Finance has enhanced the income tax exemption for gratuity under section 10 (10) (iii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 to Rs. 20 lakhs. Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State for Labour and Employment has expressed hope that this would benefit those employees of PSUs and other employees not covered by Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 and has thanked the Finance Minister for enhancing the exemption limit.

The ceiling of Gratuity amount under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 has been raised from time to time keeping in view over-all economic condition and employers capacity to pay and the salaries of the employees, which have been increased in private sector and in PSUs.

The latest such enhancement of ceiling of gratuity was made vide Government of India Notification dated 29.03.2018 under which the gratuity amount ceiling has been increased from Rs.10 lakhs to 20 lakhs w.e.f. 29.3.2018.

Source: PIB

from Blogger http://www.systempost.in/2019/03/it-exemption-on-gratuity-20-lakhs-wef.html

Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre Ordinance, 2019

Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre Ordinance, 2019

Cabinet approves reservation in Teachers’ Cadre Ordinance, 2019

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the proposal for promulgation of “The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Ordinance, 2019” considering the University/ College as a unit instead of ‘Department/ Subject’.

Impact:

This decision is expected to improve the teaching standards in the higher educational institutions to attract all eligible talented candidates.

Benefits:

This decision will allow filling up of more than 5000 vacancies by direct recruitment in Teachers’ Cadre duly ensuring that the Constitutional Provisions of Articles 14, 16 and 21 shall be complied with and stipulated reservation criteria for the Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes and Socially and Educationally Backward Classes are met with.

Source: PIB

from Blogger http://www.systempost.in/2019/03/reservation-in-teachers-cadre-ordinance.html

Single Card for Seamless Travel through different Metros & Other Transport Systems

Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs

Single Card for Seamless Travel through different Metros & Other Transport Systems

National Common Mobility Card – India’s First Indigenously developed Payment Platform launched by PM in Ahmedabad

05 MAR 2019

One Nation, One Card for transport mobility was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a function in Ahmedabad yesterday. The Indigenous Automatic Fare Collection System based on One Nation One Card Model i.e. National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) is the first of its kind in India.India’s First Indigenously Developed Payment system for transport consisting of NCMC Card, SWEEKAR (SwachalitKiraya: Automatic Fare Collection System) and SWAGAT (Swachalit Gate) is based on NCMC Standards.

These are bank issued Debit/Credit/Prepaid cards and the customer may use this single card for payments across all segments including metro, bus, suburban railways, toll, parking, smart city and retail. The stored value on card supports offline transaction across all travel needs with minimal financial risk to involved stakeholders. The service area feature of this card supports operator specific applications e.g. monthly passes, season tickets etc.

The National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) to enable seamless travel by different metros and other transport systems across the country besides retail shopping and purchasesis an initiative of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs. The card will address the challenges associated with the cash payment e.g. cash handling, revenue leakages, cash reconciliation etc. Various initiatives have been taken by transit operators to automate & digitize the fare collection using Automatic Fare Collection System (AFC). The introduction of closed loop cards issued by these operators helped to digitize the fare collection to a significant extent. However, the restricted usability of these payment instruments limits the digital adoption by customers.

The customers need not carry multiple cards for different usage. Further, the super quick contactless transactions will improve the seamless experience.This will also help in higher digital payments penetration, savings on closed loop card lifecycle management cost and reduced operating cost. The rich data insights may be used by operators for business intelligence leading to efficient operation.

Source : PIB

from Blogger http://www.systempost.in/2019/03/single-card-for-seamless-travel-through.html

Government decides to allow one more opportunity to employees of Public Sector Insurance Companies who joined on or before 28th June, 1995

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Finance

02-March-2019

Government decides to allow one more opportunity to employees of Public Sector Insurance Companies who joined on or before 28th June, 1995

The Government of India has decided to allow one more opportunity to employees of Public Sector Insurance Companies (PSICs) who joined on or before 28th June 1995, to opt for Pension, as a retirement benefit.

Pension was introduced as a retirement benefit in PSICs with effect from 28th June 1995. In April 1997, employees of LIC and Public Sector General Insurance Companies namely, GIC, NICL, OICL, UIICL and NIACL, who joined service on or before 28th June 1995 were given another opportunity to opt for Pension, as a retirement benefit.

However, many eligible employees could not exercise the option and there has been a long standing demand from them to be given another option.

In order to mitigate the hardship of such employees of whom many have retired, Government has decided as a welfare measure, to allow one more opportunity to employees of PSICs who joined service on or before 28th June 1995, to opt for the Pension scheme of their respective organizations, in lieu of Contributory Provident Fund.

This decision is expected to benefit 42,720 employees (serving and retired) of which 24,595 are of LIC and 18,125 of PSGICs.

Source : PIB

from Blogger http://www.systempost.in/2019/03/government-decides-to-allow-one-more.html

NITI Aayoghosts Conference on The Future of Indian Banking

NITI Aayog co-hosted a conference on “The Future of Indian Banking” on February 22, 2019, with the Foundation for Economic Growth and Welfare (EGROW Foundation).  Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, inaugurated the event. 

The conference aimed to increase and elevate the discourse on the banking sector in India, and help develop insights to inform the continued evolution of the Indian banking sector for optimally supporting the growing credit needs of the Indian economy.  

Dr. Rajiv Kumar highlighted the tremendous progress made by the banking system in the past four years that provided a strong foundation for a long runway for expanding credit and supporting accelerating growth of India’s economy.  He indicated that there was still a lot of work to be done in improving the financial system and furthering reforms in the financial sector.

The other key messages from the deliberations included:

• Technology has become critically important for banking already and will continue to become more important in future. This will serve to bring banking closer to the customer, including those in rural areas, and also bring tremendous efficiencies with greater speed of service at much lower cost.
• Appropriate skilling of banking human resources is necessary to keep pace with best credit practices and new technology-based banking paradigm. In addition, banking staff needs to be trained to prepare for a larger role of banking in expanding the Indian economy.
• The banking industry has to be continuously prepared for fraud and rising cyber security risks.
• The banking industry requires a suitable vigilance mechanism for trustworthy banking but with a clear mandate to distinguish between deliberate action, criminal negligence, error in judgment or unforeseeable business risk.
• There may be a need to think again in terms of specialised and sector based banking.
• Public sector banks have consistently supported social banking, unlike private and foreign banks. Public sector banks should continue to do so.
• To compete effectively globally there is a need for bigger banks in India.
• There is a need for more research on banking sector issues, specific to the Indian context.

The event hosted over 200 domestic and international participants, including policy makers, academicians, researchers, professionals, and students from various banks, universities and institutes.The eminent speakers included Dr. Rajiv Kumar, VC NITI Aayog, Shri Rajiv Kumar, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Dr. K.V. Subramanian, CEA, Government of India, Dr. Andreas Bauer, Senior Resident Representative, IMF, Dr. Marius Vismantas, Lead Financial Sector Specialist, World Bank, Shri Sunil Mehta, MD, Punjab National Bank, Shri  NandkumarSaravade, CEO, Reserve Bank Information Technology Pvt Ltd (ReBIT), and Dr. Arvind Virmani, Chairman, EGROW Foundation.

from Blogger http://www.systempost.in/2019/02/niti-aayoghosts-conference-on-future-of.html

Substantial increase in number of Service Voters

The Unregistered eligible Service Personnel can still file their applications for registration in the last part of Electoral Roll

Posted On: 22 FEB 2019 8:44PM by PIB Delhi

The process of summary revision of last parts of electoral rolls with reference to 01.01.2019 as the qualifying date has concluded with the final publication of last parts today i.e. on 22.02.2019. A total of 16,62,993 service personnel have been enrolled as Service Electors in the Country in the final last part of electoral roll 2019.

In 2014 the corresponding figure was 13,27,627. Thus the 2019 ER has recorded a substantial increase on the total number of service voters of 2014. This increase in number of service voters has been due to the Commission’s all out efforts to maximise the registration of service electors during summary revision 2019 and active cooperation of the services/departments concerned and greater participation of service personnel.

As per the provisions of law and instructions of the Commission, all left out and un-registered eligible service personnel can still file their applications for registration in the last part of electoral roll during continuous updation till the last date of filing nominations of elections, and they can submit the Form 2, 2A or 3, as the case may be, through their Record officer/Commanding Officer/Authority concerned on the service voter portal i.e. servicevoter.nic.in. It is clarified that all the Forms received till 10 days before the last date of filing nominations shall be disposed of and the names of the applicants shall be included in last part of electoral rolls, if the Forms have been found complete in all respect by the ERO concerned.

In order to ensure that maximum number of service personnel are enrolled in the last part and exercise their electoral right of franchise at elections, all the services/departments concerned have been requested to focus on bridging the gap in registration, if any, by motivating all unregistered eligible service personnel to get themselves enrolled in the electoral roll as service elector during continuous updation  so that they are not deprived of voting at impending election for want of registration in the electoral roll.

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from Blogger http://www.systempost.in/2019/02/substantial-increase-in-number-of.html

Voter registration services get more accessible with Helpline at number 1950

 In view of the impending General Elections, the Election Commission of India has strengthened its Voter Helpline to make it easy for the Voters to get authentic information pertaining to their voter registration.  The range of services provided by the Helpline Number 1950 have been refurbished and made easily accessible.

            The enrolled electors in the Electoral Roll can check the details of their personal information, the Polling Station planned for them to visit on the Poll Day and to know the contact details of Booth Level Officers, Electoral Registration Officers and District Election Officers, by using the Voter Helpline Mobile App or through www.nvsp.in  portal or by calling 1950 Helpline Number.  In the same line, services through SMS can also be availed by citizens by sending SMS without any cost to 1950.  Formats in which such SMSs can be sent are:

1. ECI <EPIC Number>  <0 (for reply in English) or <1 (for reply in the regional language). 
2. ECIPS <EPIC Number>  

This will fetch the address of the Polling Station, where the said EPIC Number bearer needs to go to cast the vote.

3. ECICONTACT <EPIC Number> 

This will fetch the reply providing the sender with contact details of Booth Level Officers, Electoral Registration Officers and District Election Officers.

            Since mere possession of EPIC Card is not enough for the electors but their names should also be there in the electoral roll for enabling them to cast their vote on the poll day, it is necessary that the citizens/electors should check that their names figure in the electoral rolls.  If they are not enrolled, they can submit Form 6 online through www.nvsp.in or submit the form through Mobile APP or hard copy to the respective ERO Offices.  If there is any correction needed, they can submit Form 8 for necessary correction online through NVSP or through Mobile App or hard copy to respective ERO offices.  Also if their addresses are changed within the part, they need to submit Form 8A on the same lines as above.

It is also clarified that all these services can be obtained directly or by approaching the concerned officials appointed by the Election Commission of India.  ECI has not authorized any intermediaries to provide these services.

from Blogger http://www.systempost.in/2019/02/voter-registration-services-get-more.html

1,30,000 vacancies in Indian Railways in this recruitment – For the first time there will be reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) candidates

 

 Ministry of Railways
Ministry of Railways will launch a massive recruitment drive to fill up its vacancies in various categories of posts which are essential for smooth and safe running of trains

An Indicative Notice will be published in Employment News on the forthcoming recruitments on 23rd February, 2019
There are expected to be 1,30,000 vacancies in Indian Railways in this recruitment drive
For the first time there will be reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) candidates

22 FEB 2019

Ministry of Railways is going to launch a massive recruitment drive to fill up its vacancies in various categories of posts which are essential for smooth and safe running of trains.

On 23.02.2019, an Indicative Notice will be published in Employment News on the forthcoming recruitments. Indian Railways has over 1.3 lakh vacancies in different departments which needed to be filled up.

The eligible candidates for the first tranche of recruitments in Non-Technical Popular Categories can do registration of online applications from 28.02.2019. The posts included in these categories are Junior Clerk cum Typist, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Trains Clerk, Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Traffic Assistant, Goods Guard, Senior Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Senior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Account Assistant cum Typist, Commercial Apprentice, Station Master etc.

The next tranche of recruitment will be available for online registration with effect from 04.03.2019, in Paramedical categories like Staff Nurse, Health & Malaria Inspector, Pharmacist, ECG Technician, Lab Assistant, Lab Superintendent, etc.

On 08.03.2019, online registration will open for candidates eligible for Ministerial and Isolated Categories like Stenographer, Chief Assistant, Junior Translator (Hindi) etc
.
In all, there are expected to be 30,000 vacancies in the above three recruitments.

In addition, the Ministry of Railways will also recruit about 1 lakh staff in Level-1 (erstwhile Group-D Categories) for which online registration would open on 12.03.2019.

There will be reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC) (non creamy layer) and for the first time there will be reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) candidates. Besides, there will be reservation of posts for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), Ex-Serviceman (ExSM).Besides, for Level-1 post, there will reservation for Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAA).The vacancies in the above categories, except Level-1, will be available on Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) websites, after opening of online registration for the respective category.The vacancies of Level-1 will be available on website of Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC). Applications for all post will be accepted online only.

Indian Railways is already in the process of recruiting over 1.5 lakhs candidates in various safety categories like Assistant Loco Pilot and Technicians, Safety Category posts of Operating Department and Technical Department such as Civil Engineering, Electrical, Mechanical, Signal & Telecommunication, in both the Level-1 and Supervisory Categories. This also includes over 10,000 recruitments in Railway Protection Force organization.

Source : PIB

from Blogger http://www.systempost.in/2019/02/130000-vacancies-in-indian-railways-in.html