Saturday 31 January 2015

GPF & Pension Benefits to Casual Labour with temporary status regularised after 1.1.2004 – Dopt orders



GPF & Pension Benefits to Casual Labour with temporary status regularised after 1.1.2004 – Dopt orders





G.I., Dep. of Per. & Trg., O.M.No.49014/2/2014-Estt(C), dated 29.1.2015





Subject: GPF & Pension Benefits to Casual Labour with temporary status regularised after 1.1.2004 —regarding.





The undersigned is directed to say that following the issue of this Department’s O.M. No. Dated 26.04.2004, the status of admissibility of pensionary benefits to CL-TS regularised after 1.1.2004 has been a subject of litigation in a number of court cases being contested by various Ministries/Department.






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Eastward

The road in to Hveragerði

I wish I could say I'm heading into my future on the road less traveled, but to be honest, pretty much anyone who's visited Iceland, and everyone who lives here, has covered this particular swath of pavement. It's just at the top of the steep and winding section of the ring road, Highway 1, that leads into past Hveragerði before continuing east into Selfoss and adventures beyond.

It's not, then, a hidden path or even a particularly inaccessible one, this road, although in winter time the heath that needs to be crossed before starting the descent into the lands to the east can be treacherous...
And because of that heath, Hellisheiði, the town of Hveragerði has never quite become the bedroom community it would easily have out in the US, for example. Only forty minutes from the heart of Reykjavik, this cozy little center of horticulture, with its many greenhouses and its hot spring park in the very center of town, can easily become unreachable if (when!) a good solid storm sweeps over the Reykjanes peninsula. A good friend of mine works at Vegagerðin, the roads administration, monitoring banks of screens showing conditions throughout the southern part of the island, and it's he and his colleagues who make decisions about when roads should be snow plowed, salted, graveled or shut down (his family business also fixes roads and airports throughout Iceland, making them smooth and safe, which we should all be grateful for.) The ferocious winds that funnel through gaps in the striated volcanic mountain range (video) of the peninsula and scour the heaths of all but the most tenacious mosses can easily blow cars and trucks off the road and into the surrounding lava fields.

So this road is definitely not the stuff commuter-neighborhoods are made of. But it's the one I want to take into a new life adventure, the one that's calling me. I've always lived in the very center of Reykjavik and am grateful for everything the city has given me. This neighborhood is where my parents grew up, where they've come back to after 40 years in California, and it's the only place I've lived in Iceland, aside from a short year in Akureyri in 1994. I always knew that if I ever left this neighborhood, with all the shops and cafés, and the ritualized tolling of Hallgrímskirkja (every fifteen minutes, for twelve hours a day, for the past sixteen years), I'd go further afield than the ever-spreading suburbs of the Capitol region, out to somewhere wilder, or at least less readily accessible.

My current vision then is to set up shop and home in the lands to the east of the mountains (austur fyrir fjöll, as the city folk of Reykjavik call them) and embed myself into the eco-sustainability and wellness culture that's gaining momentum in more rural regions of Iceland (I'm particularly fond of the local Edengarður foundation, and would love to recreate our own Eden in Hveragerði, modeled on the Eden Project in Cornwall, Wales.) I've reconnected with my deep need to be amidst the tall pine forests and surging waters of my childhood in Pacific Grove, though substituting the Varmá river for my dearly-missed Pacific. We'll get a dog or two, I'll study horticulture at the Agricultural University of Iceland and my son will have a chance to experience what life is like this much closer to nature, though only actually that much farther away from the bustling city.

I've set the whole thing in motion, and now it's patience-time while the great cogs and wheels of the universe mesh and turn to help my vision come to life. I'm filled with gratitude for what we have, but super excited for our new adventure!

Oh, and as I've often said, part of the pleasure of keeping this blog is finding gems of interest online while searching for something completely different. This website detailing an idea for a rapid transit train system here in Iceland is one.

Another pleasure is knowing that I have faithful readers out there, some of whom have offered so much good will and energy over the years. Professor Batty, who I finally met in person when he was here visiting in 2012, is one of those people, and once again he's blown me away with his encouragement and support with this post, written as a letter to me. Thank you, Professor. You've given me more over the past decade than you'll ever know ~.~

(Thanks to those of you who've sent me emails regarding my last post. I took the comments feature offline here due to bad spam issues, but if you write, I will write back. I'm at icelandeyes (at) gmail.com : )  

Friday 30 January 2015

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers for December 2014






Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers for December 2014 released by Labour Bureau





No.5/1/2014-CPI


GOVERNMENT OF INDIA


MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT


LABOUR BUREAU


`CLEREMONT’, SHIMLA-171004


DATED: the 30th January, 2015


Press Release





Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – December, 2014





The All-India CPI-IW for December, 2014 remained stationary at 253 (two hundred and fifty three). On 1-month percentage change, it remained static between November, 2014 and December, 2014 when compared with the decrease of (-) 1.65 per cent between the same two months a year ago.






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Wednesday 28 January 2015

All CG Employees are required to register themselves in the system of AADHAR Enabled Bio-metric Attendance System



All CG Employees are required to register themselves in the system of AADHAR Enabled Bio-metric Attendance System - Dopt notification





Introduction of AADHAR enabled bio-metric attendance system





G.I., Dep. of Per. & Trg., O.M.F.No.11013/9/2014-Estt.A-III, dated 28.1.2015





Sub: Introduction of AADHAR enabled bio-metric attendance system.



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Review of Model Calendar for the Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs) - Dopt Orders



Review of Model Calendar for the Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs) being conducted by the Ministries/Departments






G.I., Dep. of Per. Trg., O.M.No. 22011/4/2013-Estt.(D), dated 28.1.2015






Subject: Review of Model Calendar for the Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs) being conducted by the Ministries / Departments.





Reference is drawn to this Department’s instructions on Model calendar for DPCs vide O.M. No.22011/9/98-Estt (D) dated 8th September, 1998. The Model Calendar envisages initiating action in advance of the commencement of the vacancy year so as to have the approved select panels ready before start of the vacancy year and ensure timely promotions of employees.






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Tuesday 27 January 2015

Travel by Premium Trains on LTC- Clarification orders issued by DoPT on 27.1.2015






Travel by Premium Trains on LTC- Clarification orders issued by DoPT on 27.1.2015





"travel by Premium Trains is not permissible on LTC. Hence, the fare charged by the Indian Railways for the journey(s) performed by Premium trains shall not be reimbursable for the purpose of LTC."





G.I., Dep.of Per. & Trg., O.M. No.31011/2/2015-Estt.(A-IV), dated 27.1.2015





Subject: Travel by Premium Trains on LTC- Clarification reg.






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Election Holidays – Grant of Paid Holiday to CG Employees on the day of Poll – Orders Issued by Election Commission






Election Holidays – Grant of Paid Holiday to CG Employees on the day of Poll – Orders Issued by Election Commission





Election Commission has issued orders on General Election to the State Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi 2015, grant of paid holiday to employees on the day of poll under section 135B of Representation of the People Act 1951. The order is reproduced and given below for your ready reference…





ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA


No.78/2015/EPS


Dated: 20th January, 2015


To


1. The Chief Secretary to the Government of NCT of Delhi,Delhi.


2. The Chief Electoral Officer,Delhi.


3. The Secretary to the Govt, of India, M/o Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training, North Block, New Delhi.





Subject:- General Election to the State Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi, 2015 – Grant of paid holiday to employees on the day of poll – Regarding.





Sir,


I am directed to invite your attention to Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 which provides for the grant of paid holiday to the employees on the day of poll. The Section 135B is reproduced below:-






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Regulation of journeys on use of own/ hired taxi on account of disability of the Government Employees on LTC – CGDA Orders



Regulation of journeys on use of own/ hired taxi on account of disability of the Government Employees on LTC – CGDA Orders





Office of the Controller General of Defence Accounts,


Ulan Batar Road, Palam, Delhi Cantt-110010





Circular


No. AT/IV/4462/LTC Claim


Dated: 13th Jan 2015


To


All PCsDA/ CsDA


PCoA (F‘ys) Kolkata





Sub: Regulation of journeys on use of own / hired taxi on account of disability of the Govt. Servant on LTC.





Reference is invited to GoI, DoPT OM F No. 31011/3/2009-Estt.(A) dated: 28th Oct’ 2009.






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Dopt Notification – Amendment of Rules on Imposing Penalty on Central Government Employees


Dopt Notification – Amendment of Rules on Imposing Penalty on Central Government Employees




G.I., Dep. of Per. & Trg., Notification, dated 22.1.2015



G.S.R. 6(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to article 309 of the Constitution, the President hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Fundamental Rules, 1922, namely:-



1. (1) These rules may be called the Fundamental (Amendment) Rules, 2014.



(2) They shall be deemed to have come into force on the 27th October, 2013.



2. In the Fundamental Rules, 1922, in rule 29, for clause (2), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:—



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Monday 26 January 2015

Address by the President of India on the eve of the Republic Day of India 2015



Address by the President of India on the eve of the Republic Day of India 2015





Press Information Bureau


Government of India


President’s Secretariat


25-January-2015 19:20 IST





Address by the President of India on the eve of the Republic Day of India 2015





My Fellow Citizens:


1. On the eve of the 66th Republic Day, I extend warm greetings to all of you in India and abroad. I convey my special greetings to members of our Armed Forces, Paramilitary Forces and Internal Security Forces.






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Comparison of weighting diagrams of the existing and revised series of CPI






Comparison of weighting diagrams of the existing and revised series of CPI





Base Year Revision of Consumer Price Index (CPI)





The Central Statistics Office (CSO) releases Consumer Price Indices (CPI) for Rural, Urban and Combined, at State/UTs and all India level, w.e.f. January 2011. The Base Year of this series of CPI is 2010=100 and weighting diagrams are based on the results of Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) 2004-05.





2. Now the CSO is in the process of revising the Base Year from 2010=100 to 2012=100. The weighting diagrams have been prepared on the basis of the results of CES (2011-12). With this revision, the gap between Price Reference Year (Base Year) and the Weight Reference Year has been minimized. Apart from this, a number of methodological improvements have been introduced in the revised series, which are as follows:




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Feedback of the AIRF’s Leadership meeting with Minister for Railways Sh. Suresh Prabhu



Feedback of the AIRF’s Leadership meeting with Minister for Railways Sh. Suresh Prabhu





A.I.R.F.


All India Railwaymen’s Federation


4, State Entry Road,


New Delhi – 110055


No.AIRF/24(C)


Dated: January 24, 2015


The General Secretaries,


All Affiliated Unions,





Dear Comrades,


Sub: Brief of the meeting held with Hon’ble Minister for Railways





Yesterday I met Hon’ble Minister for Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, and had discussion on various issues, justify from 14:00 to 14:45 hrs.





Once again I tried my level best that the FDI should not be brought in the Railways.






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Friday 23 January 2015

Dopt Orders - Shortage of staff in the grades of Assistants and Section Officers



Shortage of staff in the grades of Assistants and Section Officers - modification to the channel of submission till staff position improves regarding.





Vacancy position in the grades of Assistants (2475) and Section Officers (540)





It may be seen that the combined strength of officers in-position in these grades in almost all the Ministries/Departments is more than the sanctioned strength of Assistants. 






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CGEGIS Table 2015 - Tables of Benefits for the savings fund for the period from 1.1.2015 to 31.12.2015






CGEGIS Table 2015 – Table for Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme 1980





Tables of Benefits for the savings fund for the period from 1.1.2015 to 31.12.2015





CGEGIS Table 2015: Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme-1980 — Tables of Benefits for the savings fund for the period from 01.01.2015 to 31.12.2015.






G.I., M.F., O.M. No.7(1)/EV/2014, dated 22.1.2015




Subject:- Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme-1980 — Tables of Benefits for the savings fund for the period from 01.01.2015 to 31.12.2015.





The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s O.M. No.7 (1)/EV12013 dated 8th January, 2014 forwarding therewith Tables of Benefits under CGEGIS for the year 2014. 






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Thursday 22 January 2015

Removal of medicines from CGHS list – Life saving medicines – Reg.






Removal of medicines from CGHS list – Life saving medicines – Reg.





Member of Parliament Shri.Sardar Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa asked some important questions in respect of CGHS beneficiaries regarding the life saving medicines and concerned minister has given reply on this issue as follows…





With a view to streamline the issue of medicines, an Office Memorandum was issued on 25.08.2014. Under the revised guidelines:






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Age limit of Retirement in Central Government Services – What says FR56..?






Age limit of Retirement in Central Government Services – What says FR56..?





“All Government servants are to retire on the last day of the month in which they attain the age of 60 years, subject to the exceptions mentioned therein”.





The DoPT Minister informed in the Parliament as a written reply to a question to the subject above mentioned as follows…





As per Rule 56 of Fundamental Rules all Government servants are to retire on the last day of the month in which they attain the age of 60 years, subject to the exceptions mentioned therein. A copy of the relevant rule is annexed. Different age of retirement for certain categories has been fixed on functional requirements.






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Railway Board Orders - Holidays to be observed in Central Government offices during the year 2015


Holidays to be observed in Central Government offices during the year 2015.





G.I., Railway Board Letter No. 2012/E(LR)Ill/HL 1/1, dated 4.9.2014



Sub: Holidays to be observed in Central Government offices during the year 2015.




With regard to above subject a copy of Department of Personnel & Training’s letter No. 12/5/2014-JCA-2 dated 6th June, 2014 as displayed on their web site, with a list of holidays to be observed in Central ‘Government Offices during the year 2015 is sent herewith for information and necessary action.







Source document from official website of AIRF



Suggestions for the General Budget 2015-16 - AIRF



AIRF has sent suggestions for General Budget to Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley.





Suggestions for the General Budget 2015-16





A.I.R.F.


All India Railwaymen’s Federation


4, State Entry Road, New Delhi – 110055


No.AIRF/60


Dated: January 20, 2015


Hon’ble Finance Minister,


Ministry of Finance,


(Government of India),


New Delhi





Dear Sir,


Sub: Suggestions for the General Budget 2015-16





All India Railwaymen’s Federation(AIRF), representing more 1.3 million Railwaymen, being the largest and oldest organization of the Railwaymen in India, wish to put-forth following important suggestions to be considered favourably while finalizing General Budget proposals for the Financial Year 2015-16:-






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Wednesday 21 January 2015

Latest Finmin Orders Jan 2015 – Foreign tours, Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG and Sukanya Samridhhi Account



Latest Finmin Orders Jan 2015 – Foreign tours, Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG and Sukanya Samridhhi Account





The Finance Ministry has issued some important orders today on its portal, the same is reproduced and given below for your kind information…





1. Foreign tours/travels as part of Training Programmes — approval of Screening Committee of Secretaries (SCOS).





2. Direct Benefit Transfer / Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG (DBTL) — payment of Commission to Banks.





3. Launch of scheme for Girl Child named “Sukanya Samridhhi Account’ by Hon’ble Prime Minister




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CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS SUBMITS JOINT MEMORANDUM TO FINANCE MINISTER



CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS SUBMITS JOINT MEMORANDUM TO FINANCE MINISTER





17th January 2015





The Hon’ble Minister of Finance, Govt. of India,


North Block, New Delhi





Dear Sir,


We thank you for inviting the central trade unions representing the working people in the country in both organized and unorganized sector for this pre-budget consultation.





In the previous pre-budget consultation meeting with you held on 6th June 2014, we urged upon you to please consider a directional change in the economic policy regime from that pursued during the previous government which, you have also admitted, had landed the country’s economy in a bad situation. In fact, we had articulated our views and proposals on that premise. But we like to submit candidly that our proposals did not receive a positive response and the economic policies followed the same trajectory and made situation worse for the mass of the people during the intervening period.






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Closing of Central Government Offices in connection with general elections to the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi, 2015



Election Holidays 2015 – Closing of Central Government Offices in connection with general elections to the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi, 2015: DoPT Order




G.I., Dept. of Per & Trg., O.M. F. No. 12/7/2014-JCA2, dated 19.1.2015






Subject: Closing of Central Government Offices in connection with general elections to the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi, 2015.





The undersigned is directed to say that in connection with the general election to the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi, to be held on 7“I February, 2015, the following guidelines, already issued by DOPT vide OM No. 12/ 14/99-JCA dated 1oth October 2001, have to be followed for closing of the Central Government Offices including Industrial Establishments in NCT of Delhi.






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Awareness Programme Under Pensioners’ Portal



Awareness Programme Under Pensioners’ Portal





The Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions is implementing a web based mission mode project on pensions namely Pensioner’s Portal under the National e-Governance Plan. The Department has also started initiative called SANKALP for channelizing the experience and skill of Pensioners towards meaningful social activities.





The Department is proposing to conduct the next such Awareness Programme for Pensioners in Aizwal, Mizoram at Assam Rifles Cinema Hall on February 05,2015. The meeting will be chaired by Secretary (P,AR&PG).






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Tuesday 20 January 2015

Dopt issued guidelines on prescribing Educational Qualifications and experience for recruitment of various post




Guidelines on prescribing Educational Qualifications and requisite experience in respect of various posts, Pay Band & Grade Pay/ Pay Scale for appointment by Direct Recruitment.



Educational Qualifications and requisite experience in respect of various posts, Pay Band & Grade Pay/ Pay Scale for appointment by Direct Recruitment or deputation depending upon the nature of functions and duties are being issued. 




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Monday 19 January 2015

Dopt orders on review of Model RRs for the Storekeeping staff category of posts








Dopt orders on review of Model RRs for the Storekeeping staff category of posts









G.I., Dep. of Per. & Trg., O.M., No. AB-14017/11/2014-Estt.(RR), dated 16.1.2015




Subject : Review of Model RRs for the Storekeeping staff category of posts.





The Model RRs for the Storekeeping staff category of posts issued in this Department OM No. AB-14017/41/87-Estt. (RR) dated 23.3.1987 have been reviewed in the light of 6th CPC recommendations on revision of pay scales, instructions issued by this Department, etc. Accordingly, the revised Model Recruitment Rules for the same are enclosed as Annexure to this Office Memorandum.




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Early Closure of Offices in connection with Republic Day Parade and Beating Retreat Ceremony during 2015





Early Closure of Offices in connection with Republic Day Parade and Beating Retreat Ceremony during 2015






G.I., Dep. of Per. & Trg., O.M., No.16/1/2014-JCA 2, dated 19.1.2015




Sub: Early Closure of Offices in connection with Republic Day Parade and Beating Retreat Ceremony during 2015.




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Saturday 17 January 2015

Immovable Property Return for the year 2014 (as on 31.12.2014) – submission through cscms.nic.in – regarding




Immovable Property Return for the year 2014 (as on 31.12.2014) – submission through cscms.nic.in – regarding





Govt. servants will be required to file annual property return as per existing provisions of CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 also. Accordingly, all CSS Officers are directed to file immovable property return by 31.1.2015.






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Meetings held by 7th CPC (as on 16.01.2015)



Meetings held by 7th CPC (as on 16.01.2015)





Date Meeting with





14.01.2015 At Kolkata: All India Railway Accounts Staff Association, SER Chapter; Technical Assistants’ Association of IIEST; All India Postal Stenographers’ Association; Eastern Railwaymen’s Congress (ERMC); All India Data Processing Officers’ Association; National Institute for the Orthopedically Handicapped Staff Association; Commercial Intelligence Union; Commercial Intelligence and Statistics Employees Association; Employees’ Association, CAT-III, Office of AG, WB; All India Customs Ministerial Officers’ Association; All India Customs Ministerial Employees Federation; National Library Employees Association; East Coast Railway Engineers’ Association; The Company Law Administrative Employees Association; Joint Council of Action of Income Tax Associations, WB.






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Friday 16 January 2015

Cadre Review of Central Secretariat Stenographers Service (CSSS) 2015



Cadre Review of Central Secretariat Stenographers Service (CSSS) 2015: Meeting on 21.01.2015






G.I., Dep. of Per. & Trg., Circular No. 15/1 /2014-CS.II(A), dated 14.1.2015




Sub: Cadre Review of Central Secretariat Stenographers Service (CSSS), 2015 – reg.





A Cadre Restructuring Committee (CRC) has been constituted under the chairmanship of EO & SS to review the service conditions of the CSSS personnel and suggest requisite measures pertaining to the said service. Service Associations, cadre units of CSSS as well as individual officers are invited to present their views in this regard before the Committee on 21.01.2015 at 10.00 in Room No. 190, North Block,New Delhi.






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CCS (Conduct) Rules – Filing of annual Immovable Property Returns



CCS (Conduct) Rules – Filing of annual Immovable Property Returns – Dopt Orders 2015






G.I., Dep. of Per. & Trg., O.M. F. No. 11013/3/2014-Estt.(A), dated 16.1.2015




Subject: Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 — Filing of annual Immovable Property Returns – regarding





The undersigned is directed to state that as per various notifications issued by this Department, relating to the Public Servants (Furnishing of Information and Annual Returns of Assets and Liabilities and the Limits for Exemption of Assets in Filing Returns) under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, the public servant who has filed declaration, information and annual returns of property under the provision of the rules applicable to such public servant, should file the declaration, information and return indicating his/her assets and liabilities, as on 01.08.2014, to the competent authority on or before, 30.04.2015. The notifications are available on the Department’s website at http://persmin.gov.in/Lokpal HomePage From CCIS.asp.






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DR Orders for CG Pensioners – Issue taken as agenda by DPPW



Simultaneous issue of orders for the release of Dearness Allowances: Issue taken as agenda by DPPW in the SCOVA meeting





Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions published an order yesterday regarding the four new agenda items will be discussed in the meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOCA) under the Chairmanship on 3.2.2015.





The four fresh agenda points are given below…






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Thursday 15 January 2015

7th Pay Commission : Highlights of the demands of Central Government Employees to 7CPC






7th Pay Commission : Highlights of the demands of Central Government Employees to 7CPC





1. Pay scales are calculated on the basis of pay drawn pay in pay band + GP + 100% DA by employee as on 01-01-2014.





2. 7th CPC report should be implemented w.e.f. 01-01-2014.





3. Scrap New Pension Scheme and cover all employees under Old Pension and Family Pension Scheme.





4. JCM has proposed minimum wage for MTS (Skilled) Rs.26,000 p.m.





5. Ratio of minimum and maximum wage should be 1:8.






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Wednesday 14 January 2015

Introduction of postal stamps as RTI fee/cost – seeking comments from public regarding



Introduction of postal stamps as RTI fee/cost – seeking comments from public regarding






G.I., Dep. of Per. & Trg., Circular No.1/3/2014-IR, dated 14.1.2015




Subject: Introduction of postal stamps as RTI fee/cost – seeking comments from public regarding





RTI Rules, 2012 prescribe payment of RTI application fee/Cost through four Modes i.e. IPO, Demand Draft, Bankers Cheque and Cash against receipt. Apart from regular modes of payments, Information seekers can use the facility of e-IPO and also use Debit/Credit Card for filing online RTI


application.






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Clarification regarding Pay fixation on grant of Non-Functional Upgradation to the officers of Organized Group A Services



Clarification regarding Pay fixation on grant of Non-Functional Upgradation to the officers of Organized Group A Services






G.I., Dep. of Per. & Trg., O.M. No. AB. 14017/25/2013-Estt.(RR), dated 12.1.2015




Subject: Clarification regarding Pay fixation on grant of Non-Functional Upgradation to the officers of Organized Group A Services





The instructions for grant of NFU as per 6th CPC for officers of Organized Group ‘A’ services have been issued in DOPT OM dated 24.04.2009. The terms & conditions for grant of NFU as laid down in Clause-7 of the Annexure to the above said 0.M., prescribe that pay fixation on grant of NFU under these orders will be done as per the provisions of CCS (RP) Rules, 2008 i.e. officers will be granted one increment at the rate of 3% of basic pay and the difference of grade pay will be added to their basic pay. As for the officers posted under the Central Staffing Scheme, they will be granted one increment on account of NFU, but their grade pay will remain unchanged as they are holding a tenure post with a specific grade pay under Central Staffing Scheme.






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Tuesday 13 January 2015

Dopt clarification orders regarding declaration of Assets and Liabilities by public servants under section 44 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013



Dopt clarification orders regarding declaration of Assets and Liabilities by public servants under section 44 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013





Declaration of Assets and Liabilities by public servants under section 44 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 — extension of last date for filing of revised returns by public servants who have filed property returns under the existing service rules – Clarification on filing of property returns in accordance with existing service rules for different categories of public servants.





Filing of property returns already extended the time limit from 31st December, 2014 to 30th April, 2015





In this regard, several queries are being received from various Ministries/Departments/cadre authorities, as to whether there is any need for public servants to file property returns under the relevant provisions of the existing service rules, as applicable to them, since they are now required to file information and annual returns under the provisions of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.






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Amendment in Fundamental Rules, 2014 – DoPT Notification on 2.1.2015



FUNDAMENTAL (AMENDMENT) RULES, 2014






G.I., Dep. of Per. & Trg., Notification, dated 2.1.2015




G.S.R. 6(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to article 309 of the Constitution, the President hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Fundamental Rules, 1922, namely:-






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Callings

Beautiful murals just off of Bergstaðastræti in the heart of Reykjavik, 

I've tried to quit this blog quite a few times in the past decade, but have always felt compelled to post just one more photo, just one more entry. Historically I've announced my decision with explanations and justifications and excuses, which have been hard to backtrack on when the urge to share has overtaken me. This time around I took a quite pause from posting because it just seemed to make sense to. It was a part of an overall readjustment for me, a realignment with my inner self that lasted all of last Fall.


When I quit Iceland Eyes in 2012, it was to focus on writing 88, the work of semi-fiction I'd been planning to write for at least a decade, and it had to happen exactly during the autumn of that year. A year later I came roaring back, fresh with the vigor of having finally gotten printed copies of my book delivered to my door. I felt ready to tackle anything, even the Entire Internet! I was updating my fb fan page and Iceland Eyes twitter feed almost daily and crowing about my little paperback to anyone who'd listen. I was sure I'd, at the same time, be super diligent about starting a second book, and maybe follow through on the podcast idea a friend had. Around the same time the BBC World Service contacted me and asked me to be a guest on their World Have Your Say show (to listen to the pretty interesting Iceland portion, start at 27:00 minutes) as a specialist on all things Icelandic, twice! There'd been some political hiccups in my career as an English teacher at a local technical college, but I was sure I had a second life in full force as an online presence, and started dreaming of being able to quit in the most responsible and profitable manner. All was looking good!

So what was it that lead me to slow to a stop late this summer, to quietly disappear from all social media related to this blog? I had to go inwards, to a quiet place, especially with all the new 'noise' being generated here by our burgeoning tourist economy. So many visitors, so many photos posted online, so many articles and reviews...so much publicity for our little island, and so many locals competing for the almighty tourist buck! Living here in the very heart of the city, walking past all the visitors who are bussed up to Hallgrímskirkja every day to take photos and see the downtown sights, watching decades-old specialty shops being turned into souvenir stores and apartment rental prices skyrocketing as space after space is turned into a guesthouse has been...challenging. I hold no grudge against any of this (except the rental prices for my friends' sakes...I own my apartment, so am not directly affected) and I actually feel that this increase in tourism is helping Iceland to mature in many ways. But it gets overwhelming, and I just wanted to sit back, breathe deep, and watch the flow from somewhere still inside of me. And so I did.

Recently, though, my sister Addy and her family (who live out in Cupertino still, in the house we grew up in - a gorgeous Eichler with a lemon, grapefruit and kumquat tree in the backyard) came to visit my parents who moved back here about eight years ago. She and I were chatting about life in general, and she told me that she was going to give me a book she'd had recommended to her, entitled Callings, by Gregg Levoy. It's all about, you guessed it, callings...those aspects of life that we refuse to answer at our peril, those intuitive drives and urges that keep directing us towards a goal or towards some thing (a career, a hobby, a location, a mindset...) that we will always feel un-whole without. Being handed this book has been totally apropos for two reasons...one, it made me realize that sometimes you are called to do somthing that you may not even enjoy all the time, but that compels you in both internal and external ways to take part in (this blog, for example), and two, that I definitely also feel called to engage more fully in the eco-sustainability movement here in Iceland (I'll be posting more about that the months to come.)

So, after a spell of returning to my personal source of inspiration and discovering a way to see our new Iceland with new eyes, I'm happy to be posting again. I've realized that I'm not able to let this space become some kind of promotional venue for the curious potential visitor, with attending hype and media noise,  but will let it stay being what it's always been: a place for me to share my own personal Iceland in my own way, with anyone who'd like to stop by ~.~

Staff Side NC JCM writes to Cabinet Secretary for Interim Relief, Merger of DA








Staff Side NC JCM writes to Cabinet Secretary for Interim Relief, Merger of DA etc.





Secretary Staff Side NC JCM writes to cabinet secretary regarding demands of central government employees:-





"The National JCA met today and took note of the silence on the part of the Government to our pleadings. The meeting has, therefore, decided to go ahead with the agitational programmes, the first phase of which will culminate in a massive March to Parliament by Central Government employees on 28th April, 2015."






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Monday 12 January 2015

One time relaxation in Rules for leave encashment during service



One time relaxation in Rules for leave encashment during service – Permission for leave encashment to Railway Employees who have failed to avail leave encashment during the previous blocks.





RBE No. 141/2014


GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)


MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRAIAYA)


(RAILWAY BOARD)


No. F(E)III/2008/LE-1/1


New Delhi, Dated: 15/12/2014


The GMs/FA & CAOs,


All Zonal Railways/PUs,


(As per Mailing List)





Subject: One time relaxation in Rules for leave encashment during service – Permission for leave encashment to Railway Employees who have failed to avail leave encashment during the previous blocks.





Representations have been received in this office to allow leave encashment to Railway employees who have failed to avail the benefit during the previous blocks despite availing Pass/PTO and leave during a block on the ground that the concept of block period was new for the Railway employees and it Introduced during the 2nd block period resulting in some of the employees failing to apply for the same due to various reasons.






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There should be No Reservation in Promotions – Supreme Court



There should be No Reservation in Promotions – Supreme Court





Supreme Court in a landmark judgement has ruled out reservation in promotion for SC/ST categories.





New Delhi: January 10





NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has ruled that there could be no quota for SC and ST employees for top posts in public sector banks but reservation for them was permissible in posts from scale-I till scale-VI.





A bench of J.Chelameswar and A.K.Sikri held that though there was no provision for reservation in promotion in banks for officers from scale-I onwards but an office memorandum issued by Department of Public Enterprises in November 2004 permitting quota up to scale-VI.



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Relaxation for purchase of Air-Tickets on TA (Transfer) from Private Agents: CBDT Order



Relaxation for purchase of Air-Tickets on TA (Transfer) from Private Agents: CBDT Order






G.I., CBDT, O.M. F.No. A-27017/01/2015-Ad.VI (A), dated 9.1.2015




Sub: Relaxation for purchase of Air-Tickets on TA (Transfer) from Private Agents – Regarding.






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Recruitment of Ex-Trade Apprentices in Ordnance Factories – BPMS



Recruitment of Ex-Trade Apprentices in Ordnance Factories – BPMS





BPMS General Secretary Shri M.P.Singh writes a letter to the Chairman of DGOF regarding the subject above quoted, the content of the letter is reproduced ang given below for your information…





BHARATIYA PRATIRAKSHA MAZDOOR SANGH


(AN ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF DEFENCE WORKERS)





REF: BPMS /OFB / Trade Apprentice / 228(8/3/L)


Dated: 09.01.2015


To,


The DGOF & Chairman,


Ordnance Factory Board,


10 A, S K Bose Road,


Kolkata





Subject: Recruitment of Ex-Trade Apprentices in Ordnance Factories: Compliance of the amended provisions of The Trade Apprentices Act, 1961.




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Proposal to bring all bank staff under 7th Pay Commission – Minister replied in Parliament



Proposal to bring all bank staff under 7th Pay Commission – Minister replied in Parliament





Member of Parliament Shri M.P.Achuthan asked some questions regarding bank employees in Parliament and the concerned minister replied…





Covering bank employees under Seventh Pay Commission






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Review of Model Constitution in respect of Resident Welfare Associations recognized by DOPT



Review of Model Constitution in respect of Resident Welfare Associations recognized by DOPT






G.I., Dep. of Per. & Trg., O.M. No.05/08/201 3-Dir(C), dated 9.1.2015




Subject: Review of Model Constitution in respect of Resident Welfare Associations recognized by DOPT





The undersigned is directed to say that certain amendments to the existing Model Constitution of RWAs(Copy Enclosed) are proposed to be made in the light of various suggestions made by stakeholders and subsequent deliberations done in the Department. A  copy of the proposed amendments to Model Constitution is attached for reference.






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Continuation of ad-hoc appointment in the grade of Assistant of CSS regarding



Continuation of ad-hoc appointment in the grade of Assistant of CSS regarding






G.I., Dep. of Per. & Trg., O.M. No.4/2/2006-CS.II (B) (Vol.), dated 9.1.2015




Subject :- Continuation of ad-hoc appointment in the grade of Assistant of CSS regarding.





The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M of even number dated 3Rd July, 2014 on the subject mentioned above, vide which Cadre units were permitted to continue ad-hoc appointments in the grade of Assistant up to 31.12.2014. Further continuance of these appointments has been reviewed in this Department and it has been decided that the period of the ad-hoc appointment of those UDCs of CSCS who are working as Assistants of CSS on ad-hoc basis may be extended up to 30.06.2015 or titi regular Assistants become available, whichever is earlier.






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Engagement of a retired officer of CSS as consultant on contract basis – Dopt Orders 2015



Engagement of a retired officer of CSS as consultant on contract basis – Dopt Orders 2015






G.I., Dep. of Per. & Trg., O.M. No.I-28011/5/2015-Coord., dated 8.1.2015




Sub: Engagement of a retired officer of CSS as consultant on contract basis – regarding.





The undersigned is directed to state that one Consultant is to be engaged in the Department of Personnel and Training to assist the Department in filing of replies, taking updates of court cases from counsels in respect of the Court/CAT cases.






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Sunday 11 January 2015

Relaxation for purchase of Air-Tickets on TA (Transfer) from Private Agents: CBDT Orders



Relaxation for purchase of Air-Tickets on TA (Transfer) from Private Agents: CBDT Orders





F.No. A-27017/01/2015-Ad.VI (A)


Government of India


Ministry of Finance


Department of Revenue


Central Board of Direct Taxes





New Delhi, dated 9th January, 2015


To


All Pr. Chief Commissioner of Income Tax,


All Director General of Income Tax,





Sub: Relaxation for purchase of Air-Tickets on TA (Transfer) from Private Agents – Regarding.





Sir/ Madam,


Kindly find enclosed herewith a copy of GM. of Ad.I Section of Department of Revenue bearing No. FTS No.110738/2014-Ad.I dated 31st December, 2014 alongwith its enclosure on the above mentioned subject for strict compliance by field offices.






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Instructions regarding observance of Wednesdays as a ‘Public Meeting Day’ for hearing public grievances - CBDT Orders



Instructions regarding observance of Wednesdays as a ‘Public Meeting Day’ for hearing public grievances - CBDT Orders





F.No.Dir(Hqrs.)/Cb.(DT)/29/2013


Government of India


Ministry of Finance


Department of Revenue


{Central Board of Direct Taxes)





Room No.157-B, North Block, New Delhi,


Dated the 6th January, 2015





OFFICE MEMORANDUM





Subject: Instructions regarding observance of Wednesdays as a ‘Public Meeting Day’ for hearing public grievances-





As a part of Prime Minister’s ‘Good Governance Day’ promise to provide an “open and accountable administration’ it has been decided that all field offices of the Income Tax Department will observe ’Public Meeting Day’ during 10.00 AM to 1.00 PM every Wednesday to listen to and try to resolve the grievances of the members of the public. Heads of local income tax offices will not fix any official meeting on Wednesdays during the hours prescribed for interaction with the public and will ensure that their staff including staff at the reception and security personnel. are suitably instructed to allow the members of the public to meet the officers without prior appointment.






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Harry Potter World

Admission time: I only read the first Harry Potter book and thought the movies dire.  I got up and walked out of the first one I was watching in the Barbican, I found it so boring; slept right through another one (no idea which one) in Lindau; and apparently I watched the very final one in the gorgeous Tuschinsky cinema in Amsterdam, though I can't really remember anything that happened in it.  Boom, fire, wands, wizards, things being blown up, baddies, goodies, owls and stuff.  Mmm, that's about all I can say on the subject.

Petey Potter and the Cheesy Grin of Fire

So having got that out of the way, what on earth was I thinking visiting Harry Potter World this week?  Well the boyfriend wanted to go and as I regularly make him do shit he's not interested in, it seemed fair enough.  Off we trundled.  And honestly?  It was amazing.

Practical Stuff

Let's get some practical info out of the way.  It's located at the Warner Brothers studios in Watford, north of London.  It's superbly well organised and part of that means it's never overcrowded, because you have to book your ticket in advance and they only let a certain number of people in for each tour.  In our case we had to wait a month to get a mid-week ticket in term time January, it's clearly so popular.

Teeby Potter outside, all excited

They've clearly spent a fortune on the place, but that's okay because they also clearly make a small fortune out of it.  Don't even think of going if you're on a tight budget.  Tickets were about £32 each; a veggie burger was £7.95.  Bars of chocolate in the shop were £3.95.  Cheap looking plastic wands were £25.  Two USB sticks and 2 photos of us riding broomsticks (more later) were £50.  Harry Potter sweaters were £79.  If you've got some Harry Potter mad kids, you could easily sink £300+ here in a day.

It might be best to go for an early afternoon visit, after you've eaten elsewhere, and also to feign a medical condition that requires hospitalisation just before the shop, which miraculously gets better after you've rushed your kids through and are safely on the other side.

You will need a full 3 hours for the visit by the way, so plan accordingly.   The staff are some of the nicest, best trained people I've come across in a public interface role.  They were absolutely lovely without exception, from the people keeping the (free) parking brilliantly organised, to the people doing the broomstick demos. 

Last thing: don't think it's all kids here.  I'd say the majority of people were actually 20 or 30 somethings.  I guess they're the age range who really grew up with both the books and the movies.  That's my way of saying, therefore if you're a little more mature, you won't feel a prat.

Pure Magic

Given how little I'm interested in Harry Potter, what amazed me was how interested I was in the actual film making details you learn.  There's a general introduction and couple of films, then you're free to wander through everything else at your own pace, which was appreciated.  And you do literally get to walk through several of the actual sets (the Hogwarts dining room is of course the most spectacular).


Inside the Hogwarts Dining Hall

What really struck me above anything else, was getting to appreciate the massive amount of creative work that goes into designing these things.  The sets are pure works of fantasy: taken from the descriptions of the book they've been transformed into "real life" using fibre glass and wood.  Everything is bespoke, everything is a product of a team's artistic creation.

As you visit the sets you also see some of the tricks of the movie trade, like "false perspective" that allows two people to sit in the front of a pub at a regular sized table, but the set behind them is far smaller and tapers off into the distance.  When filmed, it looks huge.

Some street set thing. Dunno what it's called.

There are sections on the various special effects, the creatures and their animation, the costumes, make up, props, the graphic design, and scaled models of various elements.  You realise that a small army of people is involved and literally millions go into these things (the total cost for all 8 films actually came to $1.155 billion.  However they took a total of $7.723 billion at the box office - meaning it wasn't a bad investment by any means).

If the above sounds in any way dry - it isn't.  It's magical (see what I did there!?), fascinating, beautifully presented and I was just captivated by it all.  I guess it doesn't matter what the movie is: if you don't have knowledge of how one is created, any one would do.  The thing with Harry Potter is the sets, costumes etc are all so incredibly beautiful, and the production budgets were so huge, it makes an excellent example to see.

Enormous Scale Model of Hogwarts. I think.

Butterbeer

There's a café mid way through the tour, which is a fine idea and ideal opportunity to drop some more dosh of course.  It's one of two places in the world where they serve Butterbeer: Universal Studios in Orlando and here.   Apparently it's something that comes up in the Harry Potter movies, but if you were listening earlier, you'll remember I was either asleep or absent or in a trance so wouldn't remember.

Even Ste almost vommed

Looking on the net, it's basically sweetened condensed milk, whipped butter, ice-cream soda, and a butter scotch topping.  It's simply the most delicious thing you've ever tasted - for the first 5 seconds.  You then want to projectile vomit everywhere. 

Oh and it's £2.95 for a tiny little cup (still enough to make you sick though!), unless you want a souvenir tankard, in which case you have to hand over your mother, your house, and your first born child.  Rather cutely on the recycling bins in the café they put "Butterbeer" on the signs under "Liquids".  Nice touch.

Yup, ours went straight in here

Broom Flying

Everyone gets a chance to fly on a broom.   This is fabulous [-ly embarrassing].  Essentially the entire queue is standing there with nothing to do except watch you and your performance on a screen.  The queues aren't painfully long (remember, timed entries only, not overcrowded etc) but still, there are probably 50 people at a time watching you.

Ste and I of course both decided to go full out with as many little facial expressions and gestures as possible, to make it even more embarrassing still.  You are filmed with a plain green background, but get to see where you are flying on a screen.  A dude tells you things like "wave to your friend" or "shake your fist" and you over-act accordingly.

Here are our efforts - it's a scandal, frankly, that we weren't selected for a major role in the actual movies, all things considered.  If the embedded movies below don't work, click here for Ste; and here for Peter, which will take you to Youtube.





It was FUN - and of course there were no prices displayed anywhere for if you wanted to order a CD or USB stick with your performance on it.  £50 for our two, plus two printed pictures.  *Cough, splutter, collapse etc...* but of course we had to have them.  They may be the best thing you have ever seen in fact.  Come on, admit it.

Recommendation

So here's my recommendation.  Go.  It's that simple.  It's one of the best days out I've ever experienced and I've done a lot of days out in my time!  I absolutely loved it, and so, clearly do the reviewers on TripAdvisor.  As at the time of writing 11,514 of 13,910 people ranked it excellent (five owl eyes) which is a staggering achievement.  Yours truly is one of them.  Many of the reviews are absolutely gushing and quite rightly so. 

Amazing. I even managed to photo No 3, not No 4, Privet Drive.

Just imagine if I actually liked Harry Potter how even more positive this piece would be!  If you're a fan, just do it.  And make sure you post your broomstick video for us all to laugh at, of course :-)