National Federation of Postal Employees

RESERVATION FOR SC/SCT IN PROMOTIONS.

Union Cabinet clears the proposal to introduce Constitution amendment bill in the ongoing session on Parliament for enacting Reservation for SC/SCT in promotions.

The government today cleared a proposal that would allow it to provide reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in promotion in state jobs.

The Union Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved the proposal for making provisions for quotas for SC/STs in promotions in government jobs.

The Cabinet nod clears the decks for introduction of a Constitution Amendment Bill in the ongoing session of Parliament, which has been a long-standing demand of all parties, barring the Samajwati Party.

An all-party meeting, convened by the Prime Minister on August 21, had discussed the issue of reservation in promotion specifically in the wake of the decision of the Supreme Court striking down reservation in promotion to SCs and STs in Uttar Pradesh.

Most political parties had favoured a legally sustainable legislation in the backdrop of the Supreme Court order.

The proposed bill seeks to amend at least four articles of the Constitution to enable the government to provide quota in promotions to SC/STs. BSP leader Mayawati had raised the issue in Parliament after the Supreme Court had on April 28 struck down her government’s decision in this regard.

Parliament had witnessed disruptions on the issue in the current as well as previous session.

Source: Hindustan Times

RETIREMENT BENEFITS : DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION SCHEME AND NEW PENSION SCHEME TO RETIRED CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.

In Lok Sabha, Minister of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Shri.V.Narayanasamy replied to a question about the welfare schemes for retired employees on 22nd August, 2012.

          The Central Government employees appointed before 1.1.2004 and governed by the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme, on their retirement, are granted a monthly pension equal to 50% of their last pay drawn. However, the minimum pension granted to retired employees is Rs.3,500/- per month. Old Pensioners of the age of 80 years and above are granted additional pension ranging from 20% to 100% of their basic pension. 

The pensioners are also granted dearness relief from time to time based on the All India Consumer Price Index. The present rate of Dearness Relief is 65% of the pension. The pensioners are also provided medical facilities/fixed medical allowance to take care of their health.

 
The Government employees appointed on or after 1.1.2004 and governed by the New Pension System can withdraw 60% of their savings as a lumpsum when they retire. The balance 40% of their wealth is used to purchase an annuity scheme from a life insurance company of their choice, which will pay him/her a monthly pension for the rest of his/her life. In case the employees leave the New Pension Scheme prior to age of 60, the mandatory anuitization would be 80% of the pension wealth. 

SMS FACILITY FOR INDENTED MEDICINES TO CGHS BENEFICIARIES.

           The service of SMS facility for indented medicines is now provided by NIC to CGHS beneficiaries with effect from 6.7.2012. This information was given by the Minister Shri.Ghulam Nabi Azad in Lok Sabha.

SMS FACILITIES FOR INDENTED MEDICINES
SMS facility has been started since 6th July 2012. Currently the service is provided by NIC, free to CGHS.
The beneficiaries are given the printout of prescription by doctors, which carries the details whether the medicine is available in the Wellness Centre or is indented.
SMS facility has been started
•(i) As a deterrent against misuse of CGHS card by unauthorized persons. 
•(ii) As a good will gesture that CGHS takes care of the beneficiaries. 
Currently the service is provided by NIC, free to CGHS.