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Friday, October 30, 2020

HAPPY EID MILAD UN NAVI

Thursday, October 29, 2020

MHA EXTENDS THE GUIDELINES FOR RE-OPENING

 Ministry of Home Affairs

MHA EXTENDS THE GUIDELINES FOR RE-OPENING
MOVING AHEAD WITH CAUTION (
सतर्कता के साथ अग्रसर)
STATES/ UTS ADVISED TO ENFORCE COVID-APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

Posted On: 27 OCT 2020 3:38PM by PIB Delhi

 

·          Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an Order today to extend the Guidelinesfor Re-opening, issued on 30.09.2020, to remain in force upto 30.11.2020

·         Re-opening of activities outside the Containment Zones

o    Since the issuance of the first Order on lockdown measures by MHA on 24th March 2020, almost all activities have been gradually opened up in areas outside the Containment Zones. While most of the activities have been permitted, some activities involving large number of people, have been allowed with some restrictions and subject to SOPs being followed regarding health and safety precautions. These activities include - metro rail; shopping malls; hotel, restaurants and hospitality services; religious places; yoga and training institutes; gymnasiums; cinemas; entertainment park etc.

o    In respect of certain activities, having relatively higher degree of risk of COVID infection, State/ UT Governments have been permitted to take decisions for their re-opening, based on the assessment of the situation and subject to SOPs. These activities include – schools and coaching institutes; State and private universities for research scholars; allowing gatherings above the limit of 100 etc.

o    After the last guidelines issued by MHA on 30.09.2020, the following activities are also permitted but with certain restrictions:

   i.        International air travel of passengers as permitted by MHA.

  ii.        Swimming poolsbeing used for training of sportspersons.

iii.        Exhibitions halls for Business to Business (B2B) purposes.

iv.        Cinemas/ theatres/ multiplexes upto 50% of their seating capacity.

  v.        Social/ academic/ sports/ entertainment/ cultural/ religious/ politicalfunctions and other congregations, in closed spaces with a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity and subject to ceiling of 200 persons.

Further decision regarding the above activities will be taken based on the assessment of the situation

·         COVID-Appropriate behavior

o    The essence behind graded re-opening and progressive resumption of activities is to move ahead. However, it does not mean the end of the pandemic. There is a need to exercise abundant caution by adopting COVID-19 appropriate behavior by every citizen in their daily routine. A ‘Jan Andolan’ was launched by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on 8th October 2020 on COVID-19 appropriate behavior to follow three mantras, namely:

   i.        wear your mask properly;

  ii.        wash your hands frequently; and

iii.        maintain safe distance of 6 feet.

  o     There is an urgent need to instill a sense of discipline and ownership amongst citizens in order that the resumption of activities is successful and gains made in the management of the pandemic are not diluted.

  o     MHA has already advised Chief Secretaries/ Administrators of all States/ UTs that they should endeavour to promote COVID-19 appropriate behavior extensively at the grass root level and take measures to enforce the wearing of masks, hand hygiene and social distancing.

National Directives for COVID-19 management

·         National Directives for COVID-19 management shall continue to be followed throughout the country, so as to enforce COVID-19 appropriate behavior.

Strict enforcement of lockdown in Containment Zones till 30th November 2020

·         Lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till 30th November, 2020.

·         Containment Zones shall be demarcated by the District authorities at micro level after taking into consideration the guidelines of MoHFW with the objective of effectively breaking the chain of transmission. Strict containment measures will be enforced in these containment zones and only essential activities will be allowed.

·         Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only essential activities allowed. 

·         These Containment Zones will be notified on the websites of the respective District Collectors and by the States/ UTs and information will also be shared with MOHFW.

States not to impose any local lockdown outside Containment Zones

·         State/ UT Governments shall not impose any local lockdown (State/ District/ sub-division/City/ village level), outside the containment zones, without prior consultation with the Central Government.

No restriction on Inter-State and intra-State movement

·         There shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods.No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements.

Protection for vulnerable persons

·         Vulnerable persons, i.e., persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years, are advised to stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.

Use of AarogyaSetu

·         The use of AarogyaSetu mobile application will continue to be encouraged.

REGARDING SUPPLY OF SPECIMEN OF VARIOUS FORMS TO BE USED IN OPERATION OF NATIONAL (SMALL) SAVINGS SCHEMES IN HINDI AND ENGLISH

 (Click the link below to view)

http://utilities.cept.gov.in/dop/pdfbind.ashx?id=4920

Monday, October 26, 2020

STRIKE NOTICE SERVED TO THE SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF POSTS TODAY ON 27.10.2020




Draft strike notice to be served on 27.10.2020 after holding lunch hours demonstration.

 Com. All Circle Secretaries are requested to serve the strike notice of one Day nationwide General strike to their DAP/GM (Finance) after holding lunch hours Demonstration, on 27.10.2020. Copy of the notice to be served is posted below.

S B Yadav

General Secretary


To

            The Secretary / Director General,

            Department of Posts,

            Dak Bhawan,

 New Delhi – 110001

NOTICE

Sir,

            In accordance with the provisions of Sub Section (1) of section 22 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, we hereby notify that all Postal, RMS & GDS Employees will go on One Day Strike on 26th November-2020.

            The Charter of Demands is enclosed herewith

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Yours Sincerely                                    

                              CHARTER OF DEMANDS                               PART-A

1.   Scrap New Contributory Pension Scheme (NPS).  Restore old defined benefit Pension Scheme (OPS) to all employees.  Guarantee 50% of the last pay drawn as minimum pension.

2.      (a)     Scrap the draconian FR 56((j) & (i) and Rule 48 of CCS (Pension) Rules 1972.  Stop terrorizing and victimising employees.

          (b)     Withdraw the attack against the recognised status of Associations and Federations.

          (c)     Withdraw the anti-worker Wage/Labour codes and other anti-labour reforms.

          (d)     Stop attack on trade union rights.

3.      (a)     Withdraw the orders freezing the DA and DR of employees and Pensioners and impounding of arrears till 30-06-2021.

     (b)     Implement five year wage revision and Pension revision to Central Government employees and Pensioners.  Appoint 8th Central Pay Commission and revise the Pay, Allowances and Pensionary benefits of Central Government employees and Pensioners with effect from 01-01-2021.

         (c)     Honour the assurance given by Group of Ministers (GoM) to NJCA leaders on 30-06-2016.  Increase minimum pay and fitment formula recommended by 7th CPC.  Grant HRA arrears from 01-01-2016.

         (d)     Withdraw “Very Good” bench mark for MACP, grant promotional heirarchy and date of effect of MACP from 01-01-2006.

      (e)     Grant Option-1 parity recommended by 7th CPC to all Central Govt. Pensioners.  Grant one notional increment to those who retired on 30th June.

          (f)      Settle all anomalies arising out of 7th CPC implementation.

4.      Stop ban on creation of new posts.  Fill up all seven lakhs vacant  posts in Central Government departments in a time bound manner.  Scrap National Recruitment Agency and introduce Departmentwise recruitment and Regional recruitment for Group B and C posts.  Stop re-engaging retired personnel in Central Govt. services.

5.  Stop Corporatisation and privatisation of Railways, Defence and Postal Departments.  Withdraw closure/merger orders of Govt. of India Printing Presses and Postal Stores depots/Postal Stamp depots.  Stop proposed move to close down salt department.  Stop outsourcing and closure of Govt. establishments.s

6.    (a)     Regularisation of Gramin Dak Sevaks and grant of Civil Servants status.   Implement remaining positive recommendations of Kamalesh Chandra Committee Report.

         (b)     Regularise all casual and contract workers including those joined service on or after 01-09-1993.

7.   Settle all Covid-9 related issues pertaining to Central Govt. employees and Pensioners on top priority basis.  Treat the  period of absence during lock down as duty.  Grant full wages to casual, part-time, contingent and contract workers during the lock down period.

8.    Grant equal pay for equal work for all.  Remove disparity in pay scales between Central Secretariat staff and similarly placed staff working in field units of various departments.

9.      Implement 7th CPC wage revision and pension revision to remaining Autonomous body employees and pensioners.  Ensure payment of full arrears without further delay.  Grant Bonus to Autonomous body employees pending from 2016-17 onwards

10.    Remove arbitrary 5% ceiling imposed on compassionate appointments.  Grant appointment in all eligible cases.

11.    Grant five time-bound promotions to all Group B & C employees.  Complete cadre review in all departments in a time bound manner. 

12.    Ensure prompt functioning of various negotiating forums under the JCM Scheme at all levels.

        CHARTER OF DEMANDS                  PART-B

1. (a) Grant of Special Casual Leave to all the employees who could not attend due to Covid-19 related problems and issue of Uniform Guide Lines

(b)       Grant of Compensation of Rs. 10 Lakh to the family of deceased due to Covid-19 without any further delay.

(c)       Compassionate appointment to one ward of the deceased employee due to Covid-19.

(d)       Payment of wages to Casual/Part-time /Contingent /DRM & Out sourced Workers for the Lockdown period.

(e)       Continuance of Roaster till Covid-19 Problem persists.

2.         Stop Closure / Merger of PSDs/ CSDs/Post Offices/RMS Offices and Mail Motor Services. Stop Road Transport Network proposal.       

3.         Drop the idea of Decentralization of Postal Accounts offices and merger of Circle office and SBCO Cadre in PA Cadre.

4.         Stop harassment and allotment of unscientific targets to open IPPB accounts and Aadhar Enabled Payment Service and Aadhar Card Service.

5.         Stop Proposal of Common Service Centres in POs.

6.         Fill up all vacant posts in all Cadres and stop Recruitment of Outsourced Postal Agents particularly to run the Parcel Hubs in Department of Posts.

7.         Start Membership Verification for Regular and GDS Employees through Old Check-Off System, drop the idea of Online Verification.

8.         Implement remaining positive recommendations of Kamlesh Chandra9

9.       Finalize Cadre restructuring proposals of left out Categories of Department of Post.

10.       Implement 5 (Five) Days Week in all Post Offices and RMS Offices

Sunday, October 25, 2020

HAPPY VIJAYADASHAMI



 

Friday, October 23, 2020


 

Thursday, October 22, 2020

CIRCULAR 23






Letter to Secretary (Post) request to initiate the process of Repatriation of officials from PAO Vijayawada to PAO Hyderabad - Reg.


 

Letter to Member (Finance) request for modification to the Recruitment Rule of AAO Cadre, tp protect the interest of PAO Staff- reg.


 

AIPAEA CWC meeting notification


 

Productivity Linked Bonus for the Accounting year 2019-20.


Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Special Package LTC for Central Government Employees for the Block Year 2018-21 - Clarification dtd 20.10.2020

 

PHOTOS “GRANT BONUS DAY” 20.X.2020


















 

Sunday, October 18, 2020

2020 NOVEMBER 26 -- STRIKE FOR OUR SURVIVAL.

 The entire working class of India will go on one day nationwide strike on 26 November 2020. Confederation of Central Govt Employees and Workers and National Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE) has decided to join the strike as we are a constituent organisation of National Platform of Central Trade Unions and Independent Federations. Not only that, most of the issues raised in the common charter of demands are our own issues. The demands raised are mainly issues affecting the life and livelihood of workers, peasants , unorganised workers and the jobless youth of our country. Confederation and NFPE has decided to organize the strike on 26 November 2020, mainly on our own Charter of demands, in addition to the common Charter of demands of the working class and peasants. Strike notice will be served on 27 October 2020 (see Confederation circular and charter of demands published elsewhere).

       Eventhough Central Government started implementation of neo-liberal reforms from 1991 onwards , the BJP-led Government from 2014 onwards , intensified vigourous implementation of the right-extreme neo-liberal. Policies of naked privatisation and dismantling of Public sector and Government departments.  The privatisation of Telecom , which was a Central Government Department , initiated during the Congress regime is almost  completed during the period  from 2014 onwards. As a result , BSNL which was making a profit of 10000 crore profit in 2000 has become a loss making entity and lakhs of workers are sent out on voluntary (compulsory) retirement scheme. In the Defence sector , Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is raised from 49 per cent to 74 per cent and Government declared that 41 ordnance factories will be corporatised (and then privatized). In this process, just like Telecom, thousands of Defence Employees will become surplus and will be sacked unceremoniously.

      In the Postal department, India Post Payment Bank (IPPB), a public limited company , started functioning. Proposal for Corporatisation of Postal life Insurance and Rural Postal life Insurance is pending approval of Cabinet.  It may happen any time. Conversion of existing Parcel Directorate into a separate company is in the pipeline. Most of the counter work now done by Postal Employees such as booking of registered and speed post articles , money orders , acceptance of all Savings Bank deposits etc are going to be handed over to a Public Limited Company called "Common  Service Centre (CSC). If all the above reforms are completed, thousands of Postal Employees will become surplus and their job security will be in danger.

      The situation in other Central Govt Departments is also more or less similar. Railways are on fast-track privatisation. More than 150 private trains are going to be commissioned shortly and the process of long term leasing out of Railway stations, Railway lands along with large scale outsourcing of the work presently performed by Railway employees is already in progress. Alongwith Railway Printing presses, Government has decided to close down 12 out of 17 Government of India printing presses also. Postal Printing Press (PPP) in Bhubaneswar is already closed. Postal Stores Depots and Circle Stamp Depots are ordered to be merged and closed. During the Covid-19 pandemic period, Government has declared unbriddled privatisation of all strategic sectors including Space Research (ISRO) , Atomic Energy , Defence production etc.

         The refusal of the Central Government to honour the assurance given by Group of Ministers headed by Shri Rajnath Singh , then Home Minister , to increase Minimum Pay and Fitment Formula , rejection of our demand to scrap Contributory Pension Scheme (NPS) and restore Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and also to grant 50 per cent of last pay drawn as Minimum Pension , refusal to grant Civil Servants Status  and Pension based on entire past services to Gramin Dak Sevaks , non-consideration of the demand for one time Regularisation of all Casual and Contract Workers , refusal to relax 5 per cent condition on compassionate appointments , increasing attacks on Trade Union rights  -- are all part of this extreme neo-liberal policies pursued by the Central Government. 

        Freezing of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief of Employees and Pensioners and impounding of arrears upto 30.06.2021 in the name of Covid-19 crisis is another blow to the Central Government Employees and Pensioners.  The special package of Festival advance and Cash payment in lieu of Leave Travel Concession (LTC) is nothing but a hoax. To get 1/3rd we have to spend 2/3rd from our pocket that too on 12 per cent GST items. Bonus declaration is unduly delayed and Government is not disclosing its mind. To terrorise the employees, strict implementation of the draconian FR 56(j), FR 56(l) and Pension Rules 48 are ordered.

      In short, Central Govt Employees in general and Postal Employees in particular, are facing very very serious challenges and crisis, never faced in the past, due to the ruthless policies of the Central Government. Our Job security, Wage structure including DA formula, Social Security ie; pensionery benefits and Trade Union rights are under severe attack. How to overcome this situation? How to protect the hard-won benefits of the employees which are the fruits of the struggles and sacrifices made by thousands of workers and leaders in the past? The answer is that, the Central Government Employees, especially the Postal Employees who are a bigger and more militant force, should be ready for uncompromising struggle and for more sacrifices than the sacrifices of our earlier leaders and ordinary workers at grass root level. Benefits, wages and service conditions which are the products of bitter struggles of the past, can be protected through still bigger and more militant struggles only. This is what history taught us. There is no short-cut. There is no substitute for struggle for existence. There is only two options left before us -- either fight or perish. 

      Let us not surrender like cowards. Let us stand up and fight. Make the 26th November 2020 one day strike a resounding success.

Strike for our own survival 

Strike to protect our dignity and self-respect.

STRIKE ! STIKE!! STRIKE !!!

Saturday, October 17, 2020

National Pension System report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (C&AG)


NATIONAL PENSION SYSTEM (NPS) 

REPORT OF THE COMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR GENERAL OF INDIA (C&AG) 

DATED 4th AUGUST 2020 

M.Krishnan

Vice President

 Confederation of C G E & Workers.

 

*      C & AG report (Para 3.7) recommends for providing Minimum Assured Return Scheme (MARS) to the NPS subscribers.

 

*      C & AG report (Para 3.8) quotes the strike notice of Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers served to the Central Government demanding 50% of the last pay drawn as Minimum Pension and the reply of the Government.

                 sThe following are the important recommendations and observations of the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on National Pension System (NPS) submitted to Central Government on 4th August 2020.  (Total 75 pages excluding Annexures). 

          1.           The National Pension System (NPS) was introduced with effect from 01 January 2004 for new recruits to Central Government Service (except Armed Forces) replacing the old Pension System and subsequently, State Governments (except West Bengal) also adopted NPS on voluntary basis for their employees.  NPS is being regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

 

          2.           As on 31st March 2018, there are 58.01 lakhs Government Sector subscribers including Central Government Employees (1758144), State Government employees (3163415), Central Autonomous Body employees (170856) and State Autonomous body employees (708585).

 

          3.           Total Assets Under Management (AUM) in NPS amounted to Rs.399245 Crore as on 31 January 2020, with Rs.341815.87 Crore pertaining to Government Sector (Central and State Government).

 

          4.           Key functionaries in NPS are (a) Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) which regulates NPS subscribed by employees of Central Government, State Governments and employees of private institutions/organisations and unorganised sectors (b) Central Record Keeping Agency (CRA) which acts as an operational interface between PERDA and other NPS intermediaries such as Pension Funds, Annuity Service Providers, Trustee Bank etc.  It performs the record keeping, administration and provide customer service functions for all NPS subscribers. (c) Trustee Bank which is responsible for day-to-day flow of funds and banking facilities in accordance with the guidelines/direcetions issued by the Authority under NPS  (d) Pension Funds which manage pension corpus through various schemes under NPS  (e) Custodian who holds scheme securities in Demat accounts in the name of NPS Trust and provides custodial and depository participant services for the pension schemes regulated by the Authority.  (f)  Annuity Service Providers (ASPs) licenced and regulated Life Insurance Companies, for servicing the annuity requirements of the NPS subscribers and (g) NPS Trust which has been constituted to take care of assets and funds under the NPS in the interest of the subscribers.

 

          5.           The performance Audit was conducted during October 2018 to January 2019 covering the period from 01 January 2004 to 31 March 2018 in the selected samples of seven state Governments (Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand) 02 Union Territories (National Capital Territory of Delhi and Andaman Nicobar Islands) and 16 Ministries/Departments of Central Government.

 

          6.           Audit noted that even after 15 years of introduction of NPS, rules ,on service comnditions/retirement benefits in respect of employees covered by NPS had not been framed.  The Committee formed (October 2016) for streamling implementation of NPS in its report also identified the necessity for seperate rules on service matters pertaining to pensionary benefeits of NPS employees for issues like Suspension, extra-ordinary leave (ie; leave without pay) or without medical certificate, unauthorised absence, entitlement in the event of imposition of penalty of compulsory retirement or dismissal/removal, recoveries in the event of pecuniary loss caused by employee to Government during service, cases of pending departmental or judicial proceedings, voluntary retirement etc.

 

          7.           Department of Pension and Pensionary Welfare (DoPPW) vide OM dated 05 May 2009 extended provisionally the benefit of gratuity (on invalidation/death during service), Family Pension (on death during service), disability Pension (disability attributable to performance of duty) and Extra-ordinary Family Pension (death attributable to performance of duty) to NPS covered employees at par with the employees appointed before 01 January 2004.  The benefit being provisional, were subject to adjustment against final payments to be made in accordance with Rules to be framed by PFRDA.  Audit noticed that benefits of retirement and death gratuity (DCRG) were made applicable to NPS employees on the same terms and conditions as were applicable to employees covered by Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules.  However rules in respect of invalid pension, family pension, disability pension and Extra-ordinary family pension are yet to be framed.

 

          8.           As per Ministry of Finance (GOI) OMs dated 07January 2004 and 04 February 2004, CPAO (Central Pension Accounting Office) had to prepare Annual Accounts Statement (AAS) for each employee (showing the opening balance, details of monthly deductions and Government’s matching contribution, interest earned and closing balance) and issue AAS to the subscribers.  Further CPAO after close of each financial year, had to report the details of the balance (Pay and Accounts Office (PAO) wise) to each Principal Accounts Office (Pr.AO) who would forward the information to each Pay and Accounts Office (PAO) for the purpose of reconciliation. 

 

          9.           Department of Economic Affairs vide OM dated 29 March 2008 sanctioned transfer of Rs.1165.39 Crore from Government of India’s Budget for the year 2007-2008 to the Trustee Bank in respect of NPS Accumulations (Legacy Contributions).  Till March 2008, GOI gave interest at GPF rate on such amount.  Vide OM, it was indicated that no more interest would be given after March 2008 and subscriber-wise accounts were to be transferred to Central Record Keeping Agency (CRA) within the month of April 2008.  Government must identify all such cases where legacy contributions are not remitted to the Trustee Bank and ensure that the same may be remitted with due interest and compensation, so that subscriber does not suffer loss.

 

          10.         GOI vide its notification dated 31 January 2019, allowed subscribers to choose (i) any one of the Pension Funds, including Private Sector Pension Funds  (ii) the option to invest 100 per cent of the funds in Government Securities and (iii) two life-cycle based schemes.  Audit noticed that Government sector employees did not have the choice of pension fund and different categories of schemes for a period more than 15 years, ie; from 01 January 2004 to 30 January 2019 (till Government issued a notification in this regard), which implied that Government sector subscribers had no choice in making their investment whereas non-Government subscribers had this opportunity available since 01 May 2009.

 

          11.         No Scheme for Minimum Assured Return (MARS):

          As per PERDA Act 2013, vide sub section 2(d) under Section 20, the subscriber:-

 

          *        shall have an option of investing upto 100 per cent of his funds in Government Securities; and

          *        seeking minimum assured returns, shall have the option to invest his funds in such schemes providing minimum assured returns as may be notified by the Authority.

 

          In this regard, the Audit noticed that PFRDA initiated (February 2019), the process to design the Minimum Assured Returns Scheme (MARS) by issuing an Expression of Interest for design and development of MARS under NPS inviting response from Actuary/Actuarial Investment Management firms.  However, it was not available (December 2019) to NPS subscribers, in violation of PFRDA Act.  Thus, it was only after a lapse of five years since notification of PERDA Act, that PFRDA had initiated process to design/formulate a scheme offering Minimum Assured Returns and evenafter lapse of more than 15 years since the introduction of the NPS, the subscribers were not yet to receive such minimum assurance.  Immediate steps need to be taken for providing MARS in compliance to the provisions of the PFRDA Act, to the subscriber for ensuring their social security post retirement

 

          12.         Replacement rates-   As per the Government decision (August 2009), it was expected that contribution of the salary (basic pay plus DA) and a matching contribution by the employer ie; Central Government, could achieve a replacement rate around 56% Per cent of the last emoluments (basic pay plus DA) for  Group A employees, around 58%  for Group B employees, around 59%  for Group C employees, and around 68% for Group D employees. These estimates were based on certain assumptions which, inter-alia, included no change in the existing pay structure, inflation indexation of wage (rise of DA) at the rate of four per cent per annum, investment of contribution in scheme A (it is estimated that Government securities give real returns of 1.6% per annum, corporate bonds give real rate of returns of 5% per annum and Equity give a real rate of returns of 8% Per annum over a long period).

 

          In this regard, Audit noticed that Confederation of Central Government Employees & workers, with a notice of strike, submitted a charter of demands to Department of Economics Affairs (DEA).  With reference to the charter of demands, PFRDA informed (October 2007) that apprehension expressed regarding inadequacy of return on pension accumulation to provide a replacement rate of 50% were unfounded. It added  that the simulations made by experts indicated that real rate of return of 5% or more per annum would provide pension of more than 50%  of the last pay.

 

          Department of Financial services (DFS) replied (March 2019) to Audit that periodic assessment of the actual replacement rate vis-a-vis the assessment rate and identifying a critical level of the replacement rate across various categories of employees was not mentioned in the Government decision. DFS further added (December 2019) that falling annuity rates, increased longevity and inevitable lowering of interest rates as the economy matures, the replacement rates envisaged in the Government decision might not be achieved.

 

         DFS may arrive at minimum replacement rate taking into consideration the annuity rates, increased longevity and interest rates.

          13.    Appointment of Actuary and Actuarial evaluation of the scheme:

          High level Expert Group (HLEG) recommended that in order to ensure that the fund would be viable in long run, it would be necessary to have an actuarial evaluation conducted once in two years, additing that based on the findings of the actuarial evaluation, the Government might like to rationalise the benefit structure or increase contribution rate as the case might be. Audit could not draw assurance on viability of the fund/scheme.  This assumes importance in view of the fact that the actuarial evaluation is at the core of any pension scheme.  DFS in its reply (December 2019) stated that a review of performance of NPS vis-vis the expected outcomes and standards envisaged at inception, and way forward is under consideration.  Further DFS intimated (May 2020) that it intended to conduct actuarial evaluation to assess the present situation and take appropriate measures to maximize and optimize the replacement rate keeping in view the recent replacement rates under NPS vis-a-vis the benefits envisaged at the introduction of NPS.

          14.    Coverage and Registration of Nodal offices and eligible employees-

          PFRDA also informed that any delay in registering all Nodel offices and individual subscribers into new CRA system, so as to enable individual, subscriber-wise contributions to accepted for the investment, would have adverse consequences on the pension savings of NPS subscribers, adding that their assessment indicated that one day’s delay in transfer of funds would erode the terminal pension wealth of an employee by Rs.40000/-.

 

          DFS replied (Dember 2019) that for delays post 2012, the recommendation of Committee of secretaries, suggesting measures for streamlining NPS, were under active consideration for implementation.  Further, pusuant to the budget announcement 2019 on seperation of NPS Trust from PFRDA, requisite ammendments to PFRDA Act also were under examination inter-alia including incorporating provisions for compensation and penal provisions for delay in Government Departments. DoPPW has also incorporated penal provisions in the draft CCS (NPS) Rules.

 

          Fool proof system needs to be put in place to ensure that all NPS eligible employees are registered, internal Audit mechanism should see that every employee is brought into the system.  To ensure this, delays need to be  penalised and compensation effected to avoid loss to the subscriber.

 

          There are cases where due to delay in issuance of PPAN (Permanent Pension Account Number), commencement of first deduction of contribution did not occur, in the month subsequent to the month of joining, the subscriber suffered a loss of interest (whereever no such compensation has been made to the subscriber) on contributions between month of actual deduction and the months in which deduction was due. DFS in is reply (December 2019) expressed its view that penal provisions reed to be introduced for delinquent officials to prevent occurence of delay in future.

 

          15.    CGA had prescribed (September 2008) that NPS contributions should be credited to the Trustee Bank on the last working day of each month.  Test check of selected sample revealed that there were delays at each stage from the issuance of Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN), deduction of contribution, submission of bills PAO, uploading of subscriber contribution file (SCF) containing details of Pension Contribution, PRAN, DDO, amount etc, which would ultimately lead to delayed remittance of contribution to Trustee Bank. Audit noted that the delayed issue of PRAN were due to late receipt of duly filled application forms from subscribers or forms received with incorrect/missing details and delay in procedural approvals.  The delay in issue of PRAN resulted in delayed remittance to the Trustee Bank.  Delay in issuance of PRAN would lead to loss of NPS corpus to the extent of contribution of subscriber and its employer and return thereon, thereby affecting its terminal wealth (where such contribution and reutrn was not provided subsequently to the subscriber of NPS account). Delay in remittance of contribution to Trustee Bank affects timely credit of contributions to the subscribers account.  DFS accepted (December 2019) that these cases may lead to monetary loss to the subscribers.

 

          There were case of delay in issue of Permanet Retirement Account Number (PRAN), First deduction of NPS contributions, Bills reaching PAO, uploading subscriber contribution files (SCFs) and remittance of contribution to the Trustee Bank.

 

          16.    In 4130 case pertaning to Civil Ministers of Central Government, an amount of Rs.139.95 crore of NPs accumulation was lying in the NPS accounts (ie; PRANs) which were required to be transfered to Nodel office/ Government as these employees/families were granted the benefit of additional relief (old pension on death/invalidation).

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