DEPARTMENT OF PENSION AND PENSIONERS’ WELFARE MINUTES OF THE MEETING WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF STAFF SIDE, NATIONAL COUNCIL JCM ON PENSIONARY MATTERS

F. No. 42/7/2013-P&PW(G)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Department of Pension & Pensioners‘ Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,

Khan Market, New Delhi – 110003

Dated : 12th June, 2013

OFFICE MEMORANDUM 

Subject : Minutes of the meeting held on 28.5.2013 with the representatives of Staff Side, National Council JCM on pensionary matters.

The undersigned is directed to enclose herewith a copy of minutes of the meeting held on 28.5.2013 with the representatives of the Staff Side, National Council JCM on pensionary matters under the chairmanship of

Secretary (Pension, AR&PG) in room No. 310, Lok Nayak B Khan Market, New Delhi for information/ necessary action,

Enclosure: As above.

sd/-

(Sujasha Choudhury)

Dy. Secretary (P)

DEPARTMENT OF PENSION AND  PENSIONERS’ WELFARE

MINUTES OF THE MEETING WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF STAFF SIDE, NATIONAL COUNCIL JCM ON PENSIONARY MATTERS UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF SECRETARY (PENSION, AR&PG) ON 28.5.2013 AT LOK NAYAK BHAWAN, NEW DELHI

Secretary (Pension, AR&PG) chaired a meeting with the representatives of Staff Side, National Council JCM on 28.5.2013 to discuss various issues relatingto pension and other retirement benefits. The list of participants is at Annexure-I.  Secretary (Pension, AR&PG) welcomed the participants and appreciated the contributions of the pensioners in the overall development of their respective organisation.

2. The meeting started with a discussion on the Action Taken Report on the minutes of the meeting held on 6.11.2012 as per details given below:

(i) Ex-gratia payment to SRPF/CPF beneficiaries who retired other than on superannuation, i.e. voluntary retirement and medical invalidation cases.

Department of Expenditure has given clearance for deletion of clause ‘c’ of para 2 of OM dated 22.3.2004 which prohibits grant of ex-gratia payment to those retired from service other than superannuation. With this, CPF beneficiary who have retired voluntarily and on medical grounds after 20 years of service will also be granted ex-gratia. It was decided that this agenda item will be closed after issue of a revised OM by the DOP&PW.  Ministry of Railways will also issue similar orders.

Action DOP&PW and Ministry of Railways

(ii) Raising quantum of ex-gratia to CPF retirees on the lines of SRPF

The latest status of the case was intimated to the JCM.  After the issue of orders by this Department, consequent to the decision of Cabinet the item may be dropped.

Action : DOP&PW

(iii) Abnormal delay in the issue of revised PPO to Pre – 2006 retirees,pensioners / family pensioners.

(i) It was intimated that the Department had taken the following initiatives like (a) allowing change in date of birth of spouse, (b) use of certain documents as proof of date of birth of spouse, (c) inclusion of present postal address and mobile and telephone number in the life certificate (d) use of e-scroll for extracting information from banks’ database. (e) revision of PPOs even in cases where date of birth/age of spouse is not given in the PPO or this information is not available in the office records for speedy revision of PPOs.

(ii) As a result, the number of pending revision cases for civil pensioners has come down from 2,54,467 in August, 2012 to 74,000 as on April, 2013 as per information given by the CPAO on the basis of e-scrolls.

(iii) However, amendment in calculation of revised pension, vide OM dated 28.1.13, has necessitated issue of revised authority in all cases, as indicated in OM dated 13.2.13.

Secretary (Pension, AR&PG) stated that record/information of many pensioners are not available with the Departments, which is hampering further progress and the Pensioners Associations should come forward to help the departments in reaching out to the pensioners/family pensioners. He further stated that Secretaries of various Departments have been requested to review the issue of revision of PPO in the fortnightly/monthly meetings.

Railways stated that in case of pre 2006 pensioners advertisement has been issued. Matter was taken up with RBI to issue notification to all banks Out of 10.89 lakh such cases, 5.46 have been issued revised P.P.Os. Meetings are generally held at various levels. 30th September, 2013 has been set as the target date for disposal of these cases. The progress is being reviewed every month. It has also been decided to take up the revision of PPOs suo-moto rather than waiting for anapplication from the pensioner. The said letter is under issue. Secretary (Pension, AR&PG) desired that the same may be issued by 15th June, 2013. Secretary, Pension desired that necessary changes in systems may be made if that would facilitate the pension sanction and payment processes in the Railways. The present pension authorisation is decentralised in the Railways, Secretary, Pension also stated that he will write to the Chairman, Railway Board in this matter.

CGDA, Ministry of Defence intimated that they hope to complete the exercise by 30th September, 2013.

Action : CPAO, Ministry of Railways,

Ministry of Defence & DOP&PW

(iv) Fixation of Revised Pension (1/3 of commuted portion of Pension) in respect of Government servant who had drawn lump sum payment on absorption –  revision by multiplying pre revised pension by a factor of 2.26

CAT, Hyderabad Bench, vide its order dated 22.4.2013, has directed, to pass an order for revision ofpension of absorbee pensioner’s. The Staff Side was informed that the matter was under examination in consultation with Department of Expenditure.

(v) Commutation of Pension(a) Revision of old/ new commutation table and

(b) Restoration of commutation period to be reduced from 15 to 12 years.

It was explained that the matter of revision of old/new commutation table was discussed withDepartment of Expenditure.

It was observed that this issue should be considered by the next pay commission.

JCM intimated that by the new commutation table, the restoration of the commuted portion is completed by 11 years because interest rate is at 8% unlike the old table wherein the restoration period was after 15 years because interest rate was taken at 4.75%. Department of Expenditure stated that issue for this old/new commutation table can be studied only by a specialised body and hence could be looked into by the IRDA. However, these are larger issues for which a holistic viewneeds to be taken by a body like the Pay Commission. However, the matter may be referred toDepartment of Expenditure.

(vi) Family pension to divorced/Widowed/ Unmarried daughter of a Government Servant.- Difficulty faced by them in getting family pensionsanctioned.- Life Time Arrear.

JCM did not raise any specific point in this regard. In fact, it was mentioned by the JCM members that the legal view on the issue of nomination of life time arrear of family pension is that since he/she has not earn the family pension he/she also can not have the right to nominate.  As such, the matter may be dropped.

(vii) Payment of arrear pension/family pension on account of revision ofpension family pension with effect from 1.1.2006- Specific of bank in Chandrapur.

It was informed that the matter was taken up with CPPC, Mumbai (SBI), who informed that the payment to pensioners is being made and there is no such case where pension has not been revised as per 6th CPC. Hence the matter may be dropped.

(viii) Payment of Pension to the spouse of pensioners through S.B. account opened jointly with spouse - Problem in SBI.

CPAO has informed that necessary instructions in this regard have been issued to all CPPCs with the direction to bring the contents to the notice of all paying branches. CPAO was requested to give a copy to the 3C1v1. It was decided to drop the matter.

3. The representatives of 3CM also desired the status of eight agenda items sent by Shri Shiva Gopa I Mishra, General Secretary, AIRF which were not included may also be intimated clearly. This may be informed to him separately.

4. After above discussion on Action Taken Report on the minutes of meeting dated 6.11.2012, fresh agenda items were taken for discussion which are as under:

(i) Equitable Gratuity under Rule 50 of Pension Rules. Slabs are too wide leading to disparity.

Rule 50 of Pension Rules provide the following death gratuity to the family of the deceased Government servant.

Sl. No.	Length of service	Rate of death gratuity
1	Less than one year.	2 times or emoluments.
2	One year or more but less than 5years.	6 times of emoluments.
3	5 years or more but less than 20 years.	12 times of emoluments.
4.	20 years or more.	Half month of emoluments for every completed six monthly period of qualifying service subject to a maximum of 33 times of emoluments.

The JCM (Staff Side) has stated that the given at Sl. No. 3 above is not equitable and suggested the following revision: -

3(i)	5 Years or more but less than 11 years	12 times of emoluments.
3(ii)	11 years or more but less than 20 years	20 times of emoluments

This issue was discussed in the JCM meeting. The present slab of death gratuity was introduced w.e.f. from 1.1.1986 and was introduced as per the recommendations of 4th Central Pay Commission, vide this Departmen No. 2/1/1987-PIC-II dated 14.4.1987. This slab has not be revised since 1986. In between, the 5th and 6th Pay Commission had submitted their reports but no revision had been recommend.  After discussions, it was decided that the matter may be examined in consultation with Department of Expenditure.

Action: DOP&PW

(ii) Extension of CS (MA) Rules, 1944 to Cetnral Government Pensioners residing in non-CGHS areas.

The Staff Side demanded that as in the case of serving employees, the CS (MA) Rules may be extended to the pensioners also.  This would make pensioners in the non CGHS areas entitled for reimbursement of medical expenses.  Staff Side also mentioned that Hon’ble Supreme Court has dismissed some SLPs and allowed reimbursement of medical examination of pensioners, in accordance with CS(MA) Rules.

The representative from Ministry of Health informed that the proposal for extension of CS (MA) Rules 1944 to Central Government pensioners was not agreed to in view of huge financial implications. In regard to the dismissal of SLP filed by Department against order of courts/tribunals for grant of medical benefits in individual cases, Ministry of Health has filed a review petition in Supreme Court. It was also informed that Ministry of Health is contemplating Health Insurance Scheme on pan India basis keeping special focus on the non CHGS areas. This is expected to solve the problems of pensioner’s living in non CGHS areas. The item was treated as closed.

(iii) Grant of modified parity with reference to the Revised Pay Scale corresponding to pre revised Pay Scale of the post from which an employee had retired – upgraded pay scale instead of normal replacement scales.

The JCM suggested that upgraded revised pay scales may be notionally extended and used for pension fixation instead of normal replacement scales.

It was informed that after the 5th Pay Commission also modified parity was allowed with reference to replacement pay scales and not with the upgraded pay scales. This decision of Government was also upheld by Supreme Court in its judgement dated 23.11.2006 in the CA No. 3173-3174/2006 & 3188¬3190/2006  (K. S. Krishna Swamy Vs. UOI).  In the 6th CPC the same principle has been followed in view of above. It was informed that it would not be possible to reopen this issue.Therefore, the item may be closed.

5. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to chair.

Source: http://www.airfindia.com

Indian Railways issued revised 'Refund Rules' with effect from 1.7.2013

Indian Railways issued revised 'Refund Rules' with effect from 1.7.2013

Indian Railways has issued revised 'Refund Rules' with effect from 1st July, 2013.

For the convenience of the train passengers, Indian Railways have drawn up liberalized customer-friendly Refund Rules. To get the maximum benefit and to save on cancellation charges, Passengers are requested to cancel their tickets within the prescribed time limits, wherever possible. This will also help other RAC / Wait List passengers in getting confirmed accommodation. The revised 'Refund Rules' are given below...

Refund Rule with effect from 1.7.2013

1. Definitions :- In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires - 

(a) “clerkage” means a charge levied by a railway administration for the clerical work rendered by it in the refund of fares; 

(b) “destination station” means the station for which the ticket has been issued; 

(c) “RAC ticket” means a ticket on which a seat has been reserved against requisition for a berth and a berth may be subsequently provided against cancellation, if any; 

(d) “fare” includes basic fare, supplementary charge on superfast trains and reservation fee; 

(e) “reserved ticket” means a journey ticket on which a berth or seat has been reserved; 

(f) “reservation fee” means the charge, in addition to the fare, levied by the Railway administration for the reservation of a berth or seat; 

(g) “station” means a railway station and includes other reservation offices or booking offices in the same city; 

(h) “station master” means a railway employee, by whatever name called, having overall charge of a railway station and includes any other railway employee authorised to grant refund of fare at a Station; 

(i) “ticket” means a single journey ticket or any half of a return ticket but does not include a season ticket, an Indrail Pass ticket or a special ticket for a reserved carriage or a tourist car or saloon, or a special train; 

(j) “ARP” means advance reservation period upto which a reserved ticket can be booked for a future journey date; 

(k) “confirmed ticket” means a ticket on which a seat or berth has been reserved; 

(l) “TDR” means ticket deposit receipt issued to the passengers in lieu of the surrendered ticket, at the station where the ticket has been surrendered by the passenger; 

(m) “tatkal ticket” means a ticket with shorter advance reservation period, issued to meet the requirements of those passengers who have to travel at short notice; 

(n) “waitlisted ticket” means a ticket on which no berth or seat has been allotted.’

Levy of clerkage :-
Subject to other provisions of these rules, station master shall levy a clerkage charge per passenger for cancellation of unreserved, wait-listed and RAC tickets at the rate of rupees fifteen for second class (unreserved) and rupees thirty for second class (reserved) and other classes”. 

3. Unused tickets on which no reservation has been made :-
If a ticket on which no reservation of a seat or berth has been made is presented to the station master for cancellation, refund of fare shall be made on every such ticket after deducting the clerkage- 

(i) the ticket is presented for cancellation within three hours of issue of ticket;
(ii) in case of tickets issued in advance, the ticket is presented upto 2400 hours of the day preceding the day of journey”. 

4. Unused tickets on which reservation has been made. 
1. Subject to the provisions of these rules, if a ticket on which reservation of a seat or berth has been made is presented by the passenger or his agent to a station master for cancellation, refund of fare shall be made after deducting cancellation charges from the fare as follows:- 

(a) if the ticket is presented for cancellation more than forty eight hours in advance of the scheduled departure of the train, a minimum per passenger cancellation charge shall be deducted at the flat rate of rupees one hundred and twenty for airconditioned first class/executive class, rupees one hundred for airconditioned-II tier/first class, rupees ninety for air conditioned III-tier/ 3 economy/airconditioned chair car, rupees sixty for sleeper class and rupees thirty for second class.
(b) if the ticket is presented for cancellation between forty eight hours and upto six hours before the scheduled departure of the train, cancellation charge shall be twenty five per cent of the fare subject to a minimum of the cancellation charge referred to in clause(a);
(c) if the ticket is presented for cancellation within six hours before the scheduled departure of the train and upto two hours after the actual departure of the train irrespective of distance, the cancellation charge shall be fifty per cent of the fare subject to a minimum of the cancellation charge referred to in clause (a); and
(d) the passenger may get the ticket cancelled from any Passenger Reservation System(PRS) counters or the designated current counters: Provided that for the night trains leaving between 21.00 hours and 06.00 hours (actual departure), refund shall be admissible at the station within first two  hours after the opening of reservation office, in case no current counters are available at the station originating the journey; 

(2) No refund shall be granted on the reserved ticket if it is surrendered for  cancellation after two hours of the actual departure of the train. 

(3) In case, on a party ticket or a family ticket issued for travel of more than one person, some persons have confirmed reservation and others are on waiting list, full refund of fare, less clerkage, shall be admissible for confirmed passengers also provided that the entire ticket is surrendered for cancellation within six hours before the scheduled departure of the train and upto two hours after actual departure of the train”. 

5. Unused waitlisted or RAC tickets :-

(1) If a waitlisted ticket or RAC ticket is presented for cancellation, refund of fare shall be made after deducting the clerkage in the following manner, namely:- 

(i) the ticket is presented for cancellation upto three hours after the actual departure of the train irrespective of the distance;
(ii) the passenger may get the tickets cancelled from any Passenger Reservation System(PRS) counters or the designated current counters;
(iii) no refund of fare shall be granted on RAC ticket or waitlisted ticket after three hours of the actual departure of the train. 

(2) In case no current counters are available at the station originating the journey for night trains leaving between 21.00 hours and 06.00 hours (actual departure), refund of fare shall be admissible at the station within first two hours after the opening of reservation office. 

(3) In remote and hill areas as identified by the Zonal Railway with the prior approval of the General Manager and printed in the time table, for night trains leaving between 19.00 hours and 06.00 hours (actual departure) refund shall be admissible at the station within first two hours after the opening of reservation or booking office, in case there is no reservation counters or booking office or current counters available in that area. 

(4) Where confirmed reservation has been provided to RAC or waitlisted ticket holder at any time upto the final preparation of reservation chart, such ticket shall be treated as a reserved ticket and cancellation charge shall be payable in accordance with rule for Unused tickets on which reservation has been made. 

5 A. Cancellation of e- tickets :-

(1) The e- ticket may be booked and cancelled through internet and the refund of are shall be credited to the customer’s account after deducting the charges applicable. 

(2) In case of a confirmed e-ticket, refund of fare shall be granted in accordance with rule for Unused tickets on which reservation has been made.  

(3) In case of RAC e-ticket, refund of fare shall be granted in accordance with rule for unused waitlisted and RAC tickets. 

(4) In case of the waitlisted e-ticket on which status of all the passengers is on waiting list even after preparation of reservation charts, names of all such passengers booked on that Passenger Name Record (PNR) shall be dropped from the reservation chart and refund of fare shall be credited to the customer’s account after deducting the clerkage. 

(5) In case on a party e-ticket or a family e-ticket issued for travel of more than one person, some persons have confirmed reservation and others are on the list of RAC and waiting list, then in case of passengers on RAC or waitlisted not travelling, a certificate has to be obtained from the ticket checking staff to that effect and refund of fare shall be processed online through TDR, indicating the details of the certificate issued by ticket checking staff. 

(6) The online TDR shall be filed upto seventy two hours of actual arrival of the train at passenger’s destination and the original certificate issued by the ticket checking staff is to be sent through post to Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). 

(7) The fare shall be refunded by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to the customer’s account after due verification. 

(8) In case of e-tickets (confirmed or RAC), if the reservation charts have been prepared, online TDR is required to be filed for obtaining refund.

(9) No refund of fare shall be admissible on e- ticket having confirmed reservation in case the request for refund is filed online after two hours of the actual departure of the train. 

(10) No refund of fare shall be admissible on RAC e-tickets in case the request for refund is filed online after three hours of the actual departure of the train. 

5 B. Refund on Tatkal ticket :-

1. No refund of fare shall be admissible on confirmed Tatkal ticket. 

2. In case of Tatkal ticket on waitlist, refund of fare shall be granted in accordance with rule for unused waitlisted or RAC tickets. 

3. In case on a party Tatkal ticket or a family tatkal ticket issued for travel for more than one person, some persons have confirmed reservation and others are on waiting list, full refund of fare, less clerkage, shall be admissible for confirmed passengers also provided that the entire tatkal ticket is surrendered for cancellation within six hours before the scheduled departure of the train or upto two hours of the actual departure of the train. 

6. Cancellation charges on multiple journey tickets :-
When an unused ticket involving more than one journey is surrendered for cancellation, the entire ticket shall be treated as one single journey ticket and refund of fare of the entire ticket,  irrespective of reservation status of different laps of journeys, shall be granted as per reservation status of first lap of journey, as under:- 

(i) if reservation status of first lap of journey is confirmed, refund shall be granted in accordance with rule unused tickets on which reservation has been made (confirmed tickets) and 

(ii) if reservation status of first lap of journey is RAC or waiting list, refund shall be granted , in accordance with rule Unused waitlisted or RAC tickets. 

Note: The cancellation charges or clerkage shall be levied only once on the entire amount of ticket and not separately for each lap of journey. 

7. Postponement or preponement of journey on a reserved, RAC or waitlisted ticket :-

(1) The postponement of journey on confirmed or RAC or waitlisted ticket shall be allowed in the same class and for the same destination or any higher class by the same train or by any other train for any subsequent days, subject to condition that.- 

(i) the ticket is surrendered during the working hours of reservation office and at least forty eight hours before the scheduled departure of the train in which originally booked;
(ii) the confirmed or RAC or waitlisted accommodation is available in the train in which fresh reservation is required;
(iii) in case of confirmed ticket, fresh reservation fee for the class for which reservation is required, is paid; and
(iv) in case of RAC or waitlisted ticket, clerkage charge is paid. 

(2) The preponement of journey on confirmed or RAC or waitlisted ticket shall be allowed in the same class and for the same destination or any higher class by the same train or by any other train for any earlier days, subject to condition that - 

(i) ticket is surrendered during the working hours of reservation office and at least forty-eight hours before the scheduled departure of the train in which originally booked;
(ii) the confirmed or RAC or waitlisted accommodation is available in the train in which fresh reservation is required;
iii) in case of confirmed tickets, fresh reservation fee for the class for which reservation is required, is paid; and
(iv) in case of RAC or waitlisted ticket, clerkage charge is paid. 

(3) In case of difference in fares for originally booked journey and revised journey, the difference of fare shall be refunded or recovered, as the case may be, subject to the provisions of sub rules (1) and (2) . 

(4) The postponement or preponement of journey under the sub-rule (1) or sub-rule 

(2) shall be allowed only once. 

(5) The postponement or preponement of journey on normal train ticket other that Tatkal ticket shall not be applicable against Tatkal Quota even on payment of Tatkal charges”. 

8. Change of journey from lower class to higher class :-

(1) Change of reservation shall be allowed on a reserved ticket of lower class for higher class on the same train and day or when reserved for a seat in a class for reservation of a berth in the same class on the same train and day, without levying any cancellation charges but on payment of fresh reservation fee for higher class/berth, provided that - 

(i) accommodation is available, and
(ii) the request for change is made - 

(a) either during the working hours of reservation office and upto six hours before the scheduled departure of the train, or 

(b) during the course of journey in the train.; 

(2) The change referred to under sub-rule (1) shall be allowed only once 

(3) If the ticket on which change of reservation has been allowed under sub-rule (1) is cancelled, cancellation charge shall be payable as follows, namely :- 

(a) cancellation charge as would have been due if the original reservation had been cancelled at the time when the change of reservation was allowed; and 

(b) cancellation charge due in respect of the altered reservation as if the altered reservation is a fresh reservation. 

9. Non-commencement or missing of journey due to late running of trains :-

(i) No cancellation charge or clerkage shall be levied and full fare shall be refunded to all passengers holding reserved, RAC and waitlisted tickets, if the journey is not undertaken due to late running of the train by more than three hours of the scheduled departure of the train from the station commencing the journey subject to condition that – 

(ii) the ticket is surrendered upto the actual departure of the train; 

(iii) in case of e-tickets, the TDR is filed online before the actual departure of the train for availing full refund.

(2) In case the ticket is cancelled or surrendered or if the request for refund of fare is filed online after the actual departure of the train, no refund of fare shall be admissible. 

(3) Where a passenger holding a ticket, with or without reservation, misses connection for continued journey by another train at any junction station owing to late running of the train by which he had been travelling, the fare for the travelled portion shall be retained and the balance amount of ticket shall be refunded as the fare for untravelled portion, without levying any cancellation charge or clerkage, if he surrenders the ticket for such refund within three hours of the actual arrival of the train by which he had travelled and the refund of fare shall be granted at the junction station”.

10. Cancellation of tickets where railway administration is unable to provide accommodation :- 

Where a railway administration is unable to provide accommodation for any reason whatsoever to passengers holding reserved tickets, no cancellation charge shall be levied and full refund of fare shall be granted to them if such tickets are surrendered for refund within three hours from the actual departure of the train:  Provided that when the train is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances such as accidents, breaches and floods, the ticket is surrendered within three days excluding the scheduled day of departure of the train. 

11. Partially used tickets :-

(1) Except as provided in these rules, no refund shall be granted at a station on a ticket on which part of the journey has been undertaken. 

(2) Where a passenger terminates the journey enroute, a ticket deposit receipt shall be issued to the ticket holder by the station master of the station in lieu of surrender of the ticket and refund shall be admissible in terms of rule for refund of Passenger Reservation System (PRS) tickets in other circumstances. In such cases, fare for the travelled portion shall be retained and the balance amount of the ticket shall be refundable as the fare for the untravelled portion of journey. 

12. Discontinuation of journey due to dislocation of train services :-

(1) When a train journey is dislocated enroute due to unforeseen circumstances, such as accidents, breaches and floods, full fare for the entire booked journey without any deduction for the travelled portion and without levy of cancellation charge shall be refunded at the station at which the journey is terminated under the following circumstances :-  

(a) when the railway is unable to carry the passenger to destination station within a reasonable time by arranging transhipment or diversion or otherwise; or 

(b) when the passenger is involved in a railway accident and/or injured in the accident and does not continue his journey; or 

(c) in the case of death or injury to a passenger in a railway accident, the kith and kin of the passenger have to terminate the journey. 

(2) Where the railway administration offers to carry the passenger to his destination station by any diverted route or by arranging transhipment or otherwise, and the passenger is not willing to avail of such an alternative arrangement, fare for travelled portion shall be retained and the balance amount of ticket shall be refunded as the fare for untravelled portion, without levying any cancellation charges, at the station at which the journey has been terminated. 

(3) Where the train journey is dislocated enroute due to bandhs, agitations or rail roko, fare for travelled portion shall be retained and the balance amount of ticket shall be refunded as the fare for untravelled portion, without levying any cancellation charges. 

(4) If the trains, which have separate all-inclusive fare structure on point to point basis, are terminated at a non-scheduled stoppage of the train and the passenger is not willing to avail of the alternative arrangement made by the railway administration to carry the passenger to his destination station, fare for the distance travelled shall be retained based on the per kilometer fare of ticket and balance amount shall be refunded as the fare for untravelled portion of journey. 

13. Refund of certain fare on failure to provide air-conditioning facility in air-conditioned coaches. -

(1) Where the air-conditioning facility could not be provided for a portion of journey, refund on tickets issued for air-conditioned coaches shall be granted for such portion on the following basis, namely :- 

(a) if the ticket is for air-conditioned first class, the difference between the airconditioned first class fare and first class fare; 

(b) if the ticket is for air-conditioned sleeper/air-conditioned 3-tier sleeper class, the difference between air-conditioned sleeper/air-conditioned 3-tier sleeper class fare and sleeper class fare (Mail and Express); 

(c) if the ticket is for air-conditioned chair car, the difference between air-conditioned chair car fare and second class fare (Mail and Express); 

(d) if the ticket is for executive class, the difference between the notified executive class fare for the concerned section and the first class fare (Mail and Express) for the concerned distance of that section. 

(2) The refund of difference of fare under sub-rule (1) shall be granted at the destination station on production of the ticket alongwith a certificate from the conductor or the guard or the travelling ticket examiner of the train giving particulars of the ticket, number of the coach and stations between which the air-conditioning facility was not provided, and is presented within twenty hours of arrival of the train. 

14. When passengers are made to travel in lower class for want of accommodation :-

If the ticket holder of a higher class is made to travel in a lower class for want of accommodation in the class for which the ticket was issued, refund of the difference between the fare paid and the fare payable for the class in which it is actually used shall be granted at the destination station or at the originating station, as the case may be:  Provided that refund shall be granted at the destination station on production of a certificate from the conductor or the guard or the travelling ticket examiner of the train certifying that the holder of the ticket had to travel in a lower class for want of accommodation in the class for which it was issued and the ticket, alongwith the above certificate, is presented within two days of the date of issue of the certificate (excluding the date of issue of the certificate). 

15. Lost, misplaced, torn or mutilated tickets: -

(1) No refund of fare in respect of a lost or misplaced ticket shall be granted. 

(2) Refund of fare shall be granted in respect of a torn or mutilated ticket if its genuineness and authenticity are verifiable on the basis of the particulars visible on the face of the ticket. 

(3) If the reservation status of a lost, misplaced, torn or mutilated ticket, at the time of receipt of the application for issuance of a duplicate ticket for the purpose of undertaking journey, is confirmed or RAC and that the duplicate ticket is sought before preparation of reservation chart of the concerned train, the station master shall issue a duplicate ticket in lieu of the original ticket on payment of rupees fifty per passenger in case of second and sleeper class and rupees one hundred per passenger for other classes. 

(4) If a duplicate ticket in lieu of a lost or misplaced reserved ticket is sought after preparation of reservation chart of the concerned train, it shall be issued on payment of a charge equivalent to fifty per cent of the total fare. 

(5) No duplicate ticket shall be issued in respect of RAC tickets after preparation of reservation chart of the concerned train. 

(6) If duplicate ticket in lieu of a torn or mutilated reserved or RAC ticket is sought after preparation of reservation chart of the concerned train, it shall be issued on payment of a charge equivalent to twenty-five per cent of the total fare. 

(7) A duplicate ticket in respect of a party coach ticket or a special train ticket shall be issued upto the time of departure of the train, on payment of a charge equivalent to ten per cent of the total fare. 

(8) No refund of fare shall be granted in respect of charges paid under sub-rules  (3),(4),(5) and (6) except in cases where the lost or misplaced ticket is traced after the issuance of a duplicate ticket and presented alongwith the duplicate ticket before departure of the train and in that case charges collected towards the issuance of duplicate ticket shall be refunded after deducting five per cent thereof subject to a minimum deduction of rupees twenty.

(9) In case the journey is not undertaken, the cancellation charges on the original ticket shall be determined as specified in these rules. 

(10) If the passenger, who has paid excess charges in train on account of his reserved ticket or RAC ticket being lost, misplaced, torn or mutilated, makes an application to a railway administration for grant of refund of the charges paid in train, the Chief Commercial Manager (Refunds) of that railway administration may, after making such inquiry as he may deem necessary, grant refund of fare, total charges realised in the train, after retaining the cancellation charges at fifty per cent. of a single journey ticket fare per passenger provided that no one has taken refund earlier on the original ticket”.

16. Wait-listed passengers on concession and privilege ticket order tickets :-

When any person has purchased a ticket on any concessional order or privilege ticket order, and is wait-listed for reservation in any train, he shall be entitled to avail of the same ticket for reservation in any other train on the same date or any other date, without losing the benefit of concessional fare. 

17. Unused portion of return tickets :-

No refund shall be granted on the unused portion of the concessional return tickets. When a return ticket is issued without any concession, it shall be treated like two single journey tickets and the refund shall be granted accordingly. 

18. Refund of fare on unused tickets and freight realised on luggage tickets in respect of luggage booked on the same ticket in case the journey is not undertaken :-

(1) Refund of freight on luggage shall be granted by the station master as under:

(a) Luggage is withdrawn at  starting station	Luggage ticket shall be cancelled and freight already collected shall be  refunded after recovery of wharfage charges, if any, and  deduction of cancellation charge of rupees five per luggage  ticket. Journey ticket shall be endorsed to the effect.
(b) Luggage already Dispatched  from the starting station	Freight charges on weight admissible as free allowance   shall be collected and remarks to this effect endorsed on journey ticket.

(2) On production of journey ticket on which luggage has been booked, the fare shall be refunded only if bearing the endorsement referred to in sub-rule (1) on the unused ticket after deducting the cancellation charges or clerkage as per rules. 

19. Application for refund of Passenger Reservation System (PRS) tickets in other circumstances :-

(1) For refund of fare under circumstances other than those specified in these rules or under circumstances like ‘bandh’ or agitations or floods, etc., the passengers could not reach the reservation counter or station or current counters for cancellation of tickets, in those cases, a TDR shall be issued to the passenger and the passenger may apply for refund of fare within ten days from the day of commencement of journey to the Chief Commercial Manager (Refunds) of the railway administration under whose jurisdiction the TDR issuing station comes, enclosing the original TDR. 

(2) In the circumstances specified in sub-rule(1), the TDR shall be issued only upto three days after the scheduled departure of the train”. 

Source: www.indianrailways.gov.in

Submission of demands to Director of Health services, A & N Administration

Shri P. Kannan, President and Shri S.K.Majumdar, General secretary, Government Employees Federation & Office bearer of A&N health Department Ward attendant, Aya & Safai karamchari Association.

Members of Association

APPEAL FOR DONATION

               GEF/PB/2013/59                                               25.06.2013

To

1.      The Station Manger, Doodarshan Kendra, Port Blair.

2.      The News Editor, Prasar Bharati (AIR), Port Blair.

3.      The Chief Editor,“The Daily Telegrams”,Govt.Press,    Port Blair.

4.      The Editor, Dweep Samachar, Govt. Press, Port Blair.

5.      The Editor, Echo of India, Port Blair.

6.      The Editor, Andaman Express, Phongi Chang, Port Blair.

7.      The Editor, Andaman Chronicle, Port Blair.

8.      The Editor, Andaman Herald, Quarry Hills, Port Blair.

9.      The Editor, Light of Andaman, Port Blair.

10.    The Editor, Andaman Sikha, Port Blair.

Sub:- Request to Broadcast the Press release in the  Doordarshan News, Pradeshik Samachar News Bulletin and Publish in your esteem news paper as “News Item”-reg.

 Sir (s)/Madam,

            We  request you to kindly broadcast the below mentioned Press Release in Doordarshan News / Pradeshik Samachar News bulletin and  to publish in your esteem news paper as “News Item” in the interest of Govt. Servants and Islanders.

PRESS RELEASE

APPEAL FOR DONATION

The  Government Employees Federation requests  all the members of its affiliated Association  and all the Government Servants working in A&N Islands to come forward to donate generously or at-least contribute one day Salary towards Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, to help out the victims of unprecedented damage and devastation has been caused in the recent flush flood and landslides in Uttarakhand, which has affected the lives and properties of thousands of people. We also request all the Government servants to abide by the Appeal already made by the A & N Administration.  A circular has been issued by Secretary (Personnel) requesting all Heads of Department/Office, Heads of Local Bodies and Public Sector Undertaking to deduct one day salary of officers and staff with their consent from the salary of June 2013.

Thanking You.

Yours faithfully,

( S.K.MAJUMDAR )

              General Secretary                   

Fixed Medical Allowance to Pensioners and Employees of EPFO :

Fixed Medical Allowance to Pensioners and Employees of EPFO : Enhancement in the rate of used Medical Allowance from Rs. 1200/- to Rs. 2000/- p.m. w.e.f 01.03.2013, payable to the serving as well as retired employees of the EPFO for outdoor medical treatment - regarding.

Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation

(Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India)

No, HRM-8/V/12/1/2003/FMA/Vol-117/6160

Dated 13 JUN 2013

To,

All Addl. Central P F. Commissioner (Zones)

Director (NATRSS)

All RPFCs-In-Charge of the Region/ZTIs

RPFC (ASDL), Head Office

All Officer-in-charge of SROs

Sub:. Enhancement in the rate of used Medical Allowance from Rs. 1200/- to Rs. 2000/- p.m. w.e.f 01.03.2013, payable to the serving as well as retired employees of the EPFO for outdoor medical treatment - regarding.

Sir, 

I am directed to convey the approval of the 76th Executive Committee, CBT, EPF held 25/02/2013 and Hon'ble Labour & Employment Minister, Government of India for enhancement of the Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) for pensioners and employees of EPFO from Rs. 1200/- p.m. to Rs 2000/- p.m w.e.f. 1st March, 2013, subject to the following conditions :-

(i) The enhancement of fixed medical allowance will be available to serving employees and pensioners (including family pensioners) of the Employees Provident Fund Organization. The serving employees of the Organization who are in the Head Office at New Delhi and Regional/Sub Regional Office at Delhi and at stations which are covered by the Central Government Health Scheme will not be eligible for Fixed Medical Allowance.  As soon as any employee is covered by Central Government Health Scheme, the fixed medical allowance admissible to him/her shall be stopped.

(ii) If two or more members of family are working in the EPF Organization, only one of them will be eligible for the facility of fixed medical allowance.

(iii) In the case of an employee whose wife/husband spouse is an employee of a Government or any other organization (including private firm/office) he/she will be required to give an undertaking that his/her spouse is not availing of medical facilities in case, lf any granted by their respective employers.

(iv) The Fixed Medical Allowance will be in lieu of the medical facility available for outdoor treatment under the Central Services (Medical Attendance) Ruler 1944 as adopted by the FPF Organization for its own employees and pensioners.

(Authority: Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. of India letter no.G-25012/2/2011-SS-I dated 07.06.2013)

You faithfully,

sd/-

(V.N. SHARMA)

ADDL. CENTRAL P.F. COMMISSIONER (HR)

Source  : www.epfindia.com

Remember MOTIVATION to get self-motivated

MOTIVATION 

Motivation is what keeps you moving. Without motivation you become inert, standing still, clueless, aimless and confused. Motivation is what makes you act in a desired manner, generally towards improved performance.  We can see how the letters in the word MOTIVATION could indicate how we can get motivated.

Letter M: stands for Move On. One should think of moving on, rather than remaining stuck. Whether you like it or not, keep moving,  doing your duties, without getting affected by circumstances around you.

Letter O: stands for open to suggestions. Many a time suggestions and comments from others would be of great help in bringing about improvements in your thinking. These suggestions could be from friends, elders, bosses, your immediate superiors, your colleagues etc. These could come in various ways – through communication, through their actions which you take note of, through direct consultations for help and advice, through readings and so on.

Letter T: stands for thinking. It is said that an idle mind is a devil’s workshop. Thinking keeps the brain and mind active and takes you to a bigger canvas to be able to explore ideas, solutions, new actions, moving into other areas of interest,  and thus you can keep yourself active and productive too.

Letter I: stands for initiative. If you want to learn something, improve your knowledge, get interested in some thing, it is you and you alone who should make the first step.
Initiation and pro-activeness can well prove to be your strengths, be it in the realm of your career or your life.

Letter V: stands for value, branding. What value you would like to attach to yourself?
What sort of a ‘brand’ you would like to be identified with? You must give thought to these aspects and develop some good qualities and attributes by which people will come to know of you, or with which they will try to identify you.  This means that when some one refers to your name, those set of qualities which you possess and represent will immediately flash in their minds.

Letter A: stands for Attitude. It is first and foremost, your attitude which will shape your life. Always think of a positive attitude which will make you look at all the good things in life, see them as really good, make you follow them. While looking at a glass half filled, rather than seeing, thinking and believing the glass to be half-empty, see and believe it as half full – which means, you have to  fill just half a glass more to make it full, meaning thereby very little more to be done to achieve something.

Letter T: stands for training.  No one  is born with all good qualities, all abilities to be able to do things to perfection; and it is here one sees the importance of training. Whether you call it formal training or not, each new thing we learn during our career and life adds to our knowledge and skill, and training therefore assumes great importance.

Letter I. Here it stands for interaction with peers and experts. You must always welcome the opportunity for interaction which will only help you to get other’s viewpoints through which you can benefit immensely. Without such interaction, you will be confined to narrow thinking. Through such interactions you can also easily appreciate other’s viewpoint.

Letter O: stands for organization. Unless one organizes, things would get out of control and you will always find  yourself fretting and fuming. Organize  means properly arrange, control, prioritize – particularly your time and actions.  This  way, you can plan better and through such planning implementation will happen the way you desire, rather than leaving everything to chances.

Letter N: stands for natural, normal. Try to be your natural self. Do not try to mask yourself, pretend or imitate. This way, people will like you and love you. And that itself will further motivate you.

About the author: The author of this article is Shri C.V. Subramaniam. He retired as Director in the Department of Information Technology, GOI and has held several important positions in the Government. He has published 70 plus articles in various leading news papers and has also published a book on Human Resource Management.