COPY OF CHARGE-SHEET CANNOT BE DENIED UNDER RTI ACT: CIC

COPY OF CHARGE-SHEET CANNOT BE DENIED UNDER RTI ACT: CIC

The CIC Prof M Sridhar Acharyulu held on 3rd November 2014 that ‘charge-sheet’ has to be disclosed after separating non-disclosable portions, if any, as per restrictions prescribed under RTI Act. Ms. Usha Kanth Asiwal sought to know from Director of Vigilance Delhi, details of complaint made to Anti Corruption Bureau on 25-04-2001 and inquiry leading to registration of case against 13 persons under Prevention of Corruption Act, which is now under prosecution in Tis Hazari Courts. She sought 22 point information, which broadly relate to contents of the Charge-sheet.

The PIO denied the information u/s 8(1)(h) of the RTI Act claiming disclosure would impede investigation or prosecution. The First Appellate Authority upheld the decision of the PIO. She approached the Commission in second Appeal. Though demand was not for copy of charge-sheet, the appellant agreed that a copy of charge-sheet would answer his application. Then issue before the Commission was whether charge sheet was public document, and if so could that be shared under RTI Act with any citizen.

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No improvement in Conciliation meeting held on 5.11.2014 – Bank employees Strike on 12.11.2014

No improvement in IBAs offer – UFBU decides to go ahead with the strike on 12.11.2014

Conciliation meeting held by CLC today(5.11.2014) – No improvement in IBAs offer – CLC calls for further meeting on 10th instant – UFBU decides to go ahead with the strike

Further to the Strike notice served on the IBA by the UFBU, conciliation meeting was held today in New Delhi by Mr. P.P. Mitra Chief Labour Commissioner, Ministry of Labour, Government of India. IBA was represented by Mr. M.V. Tanksale, Chief Executive, Mr. Unnikrishnan, Dy. Chief Executive and other officials. UFBU was represented by all the constituent unions.

During the conciliation proceedings, the IBA contended that due to the reducing profitability of the Banks, they are unable to accept the demands of the UFBU and stated that for the sake of an amicable settlement, they would be willing to consider improving their present offer provided UFBU agrees to substantially reduce the demands. IBA also suggested that UFBU should defer the strike so that the negotiations may be further continued.

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Aadhaar Biometric Attendance System – Central Government Employees Attendance Record to be Modernized

Aadhaar Biometric Attendance System – Central Government Employees Attendance Record to be Modernized

A decade before, all the government offices had printed ‘Attendance Register’ in which employees used to sign against their names in order to record their attendance. The register would usually be kept in front of an Secton officer and register should be initialed at the bottom by the Section Officer. Every employee should note down the time of arrival and departure under his /her initial in ink in the Attendance Register. At the end of the 10 minutes grace time, the register would be taken to the department head’s table.

This system was followed by various computerized methods like smartcard, swipe card, and show card. The most popular method now is the Biometric Attendance System, which captures the employees’ fingerprint to record his/her attendance. The Government explained that the new system has been implemented in order to reduce late-coming. The point worth noting is that no changes can be made in the registered time of arrival or leaving, in this method. Higher officials get immediate reports on the time the employee arrived and the time he/she left the office.

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Swamysnews – Unbreakable bond with Central Government employees continues

Swamysnews – Unbreakable bond with Central Government employees continues

The name ‘Swamysnews’ makes people assume that it is a spiritual publication. But the truth is – the publication has nothing even remotely connected to divinity or religion. It however has got everything to do with information that are relevant to the Central Government employees. In fact, it could be called a treasure trove of details. There is no Central Government employee who doesn’t know about Swamysnews because the publication has answers to all the questions..!

Swamy Publishers Private Limited is a company mainly publishing books on Central Government Rules. For more than 55 years now, the publication, which was started in 1958, continues to provide crucial information in the form of books, to Central Government employees and their offices.

The founder of this organization, Mr.Muthuswamy, was an employee of the Postal Department, a Central Government organization. After getting promoted in his job, he started the service in order to create awareness in the midst of Central Government employees. He had the opportunity to conduct regular free classes for the benefit of his junior colleagues. He edited his lectures and circulated cyclostyled notes on a non-profit basis to examinees in other cities as well. The not-for-profit venture created new openings for him. The books that he published started gaining popularity. Employees found them very useful. He became well known in many Central Government Offices across the country as a reliable instructor and interpreter in the field of Guide Books for Service Rules.

Swamys books are broadly classified into Reference Books, Special Books, Guide Books and a monthly magazine ‘swamysnews’. These books were not only of high quality, but the information contained in them was verified and up-to-date. The books gained further credibility due to the explanations and interpretations of the Government Orders that they featured. Due to their long history in accurately presenting Central Government employees related news, the publication gained the Centre’s approval. Swamysnews Publishers are the only publication with Government approval.

Their monthly publication, ‘Swamysnews’ is their specialty. They usually contain all the latest Government Orders, Case-Law Section, Supreme Court Judgments, Tribunal Judgments and Question and Answer(Readers Forum) section. The Q&A section contains only selected questions. The crystal-clear manner in which they strongly present their answers and explain them shows their confidence and their mastery of the subject.

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Posting of Information relating to Working Hours etc. on “Indian Government Websites.” - Dopt Orders

Posting of Information relating to Working Hours etc. on “Indian Government Websites.”

No.13/2/2014-JCA-2

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

(Department of Personnel & Training)

North Block, New Delhi,

Dated the 5th November, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub.: Posting of Information relating to Working Hours etc. on “Indian Government Websites.”

To make the general public and concerned stakeholders aware of the office timing in Government Offices, Department of Personnel & Training has posted this information on the Home page of its website www.persmin.nic.in. The matter regarding posting/ uploading of “Working Hours” etc. on the Websites of Indian Government has been considered in this Department in order to provide information to the citizens staying/residing abroad who seek Indian Government Websites.

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Expected DA from Jan 2015 – Comparison of DA Calculation from 2006 to 2014

Expected DA from Jan 2015 – Comparison of DA Calculation from 2006 to 2014

Expected DA from Jan 2015 – AICPIN Points for September Released – Remains Unchanged at 253

One of the most important department functioning under the Central Government is the Labour Bureau. The department releases a number of important statistics and conducts surveys. In the year 1872, the department had successfully conducted the population census of the entire country. This census gave not only the count of number of persons, but also the number of gainfully employed. Since then every census has thrown useful data on workers in different industries and occupations every 10 years. The bureau also releases official information, economic indicators like Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial, Agricultural and Rural Labourers; wage rate indices and data on industrial relations etc. that are followed by a number of government departments.

One such indicator is the monthly Consumer Price Index Numbers (Industrial Workers 2001=100), which is used to calculate the Dearness Allowance for Central Government employees. Prices of 24 essential commodities (from rice to bathing soap) are observed in 78 cities all over the country in order to calculate the average index of CPI(IW).

It is based on these statistics that, once every six months, the Centre announces Dearness Allowance for its employees. Based on the AICPIN(All India Consumer Price Index Numbers) between January and June, and between July and December, the Finance Ministry decides the percentage of hike in Dearness allowance and Dearness Relief according to the recommendations of 6th CPC and informs the Government. The Centre makes its decision after discussing the recommendation during the cabinet meeting.

Now, ‘Expected DA from Jan 2015′ is the first installment of next year and only three months’ data have been collected as of now, for the Dearness Allowance. Accurate D.A percentage can be calculated only after the remaining 3 months’ AICPIN points are announced.

But, we believe that based on October’s AICPIN points, we can conclude if the next D.A hike is going to be for 6% or 7%.

The Dearness Allowance announcements since 2006 have been tabulated and presented, as additional information.

Year wise DA Calculation tables form 2006 to 2014…

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Mandatory induction training of atleast two weeks duration for Probation clearance – Dopt Orders 30.10.2014

Mandatory induction training of atleast two weeks duration for Probation clearance – Dopt Orders 30.10.2014

The Dopt order says, during the period probation, or any extension thereof, candidates may be required by Government to undergo such courses of training and instructions to pass examinations and tests as Government may deem fit as a condition to satisfactory completion of the probation.

No. 28020/I/2010-Estt(C)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

(Department of Personnel & Training)

North Block, New Delhi

Dated the 30th october 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Introduction of mandatory Induction Training for Probation clearance-regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M of even number dated 21 July, 2014 wherein consolidated instructions on Probation/ Confirmation in Central Services were issued for ready reference to all concerned. As per extant instructions during the period probation, or any extension thereof, candidates may be required by Government to undergo such courses of training and instructions to pass examinations and tests as Government may deem fit as a condition to satisfactory completion of the probation.

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