From birth certificates to death proofs, 1-page form soon for all Government services

NEW DELHI: Applications for majority of services like birth or death certificates will soon be simplified and converted into one-page form format, the government announced today.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh also unveiled a single-page application form for pensioners on a day being observed as 'good governance day' which coincides with the birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

"For different schemes you have voluminous forms. Today, we are releasing one-page application form for pensioners. We plan to convert all multi-page or voluminous forms to single-page within a year," he told reporters during a press conference here.

Singh said the aim behind this initiative is to make the forms as simple and small as possible for the beneficiary. "There should be relevant and minimum information asked for in an application form for government services and not repetitive ones," he said.

Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, said he is coordinating with state governments and Union territories to replicate the same process.

"Every month we will be holding meetings with at least two central government departments and reviewing forms available for different services under them. Efforts will be to simplify the whole procedure and we hope to achieve the target of single-page form for all government services within a year's time," the minister said.

At present, one has to fill lengthy forms for getting birth, death and other certificates.

Secretary in Personnel Ministry Sanjay Kothari said the government plans to integrated Aadhaar number with government services so that people do not have to fill out whole details.

"We will be integrating Aadhaar data base for the services. But this will be possible only when all the people have Aadhaar numbers. It will further benefit people as they will not be required to fill out basic details like their residential address, among other things," he said.

Singh said the government has been taking steps to ensure that the tax payers' money, which is being spent through various schemes for benefit of the deserving segments, reaches them easily in required shape and measure in time.

"There is a need to have a critical look at the current procedures and forms in use in various departments and ministries in the government. There is a need to eliminate layers of decision making for adding speed to the disposal mechanism.

"There is a need to specify one-page forms seeking essential information for upholding the dignity of our citizens," the minister said.

Singh said workshops have already been conducted with the National Social Assistance Programme of the Ministry of Rural Development, Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and Directorate General, Labour Welfare of the Ministry of Labour and Employment for simplification of the application forms.

Good Governance Day is observed on December 25, since the last year, coinciding with the birthday of Vajpayee.

Source : economic times.indiatimes.com

WISH ALL THE READERS AND COMRADES A HAPPY CHRISTMAS !

WISH ALL THE READERS AND COMRADES A HAPPY  CHRISTMAS !

Implementation of 7th Pay Commission Recommendations – Taking Leave on 1-1-2016 will affect the effective date of Pay Revision

Implementation of 7th Pay Commission Recommendations – Taking Leave on 1-1-2016 will affect the effective date of Pay Revision

A Department of Para Military Forces has informed its officials that Revision of Pay will be effected from 1st January 2016 only for those who are present on duty on 1st January 2016. If he goes on leave on 1st January 2016, the increased pay will be effected only from the date of which such employee resumes duty and not from the first of January 2016. The message sent for respective Department is given below.

“ As you aware that 7th Pay commission has already submitted their report to Govt of India and same is likely to be accepted soon after observing due formalities. The commission recommends that the date of effect should be 01-01-2016. Rules provides that if a Government servant is away on leave or is availing joining time as on 1st of January 2016 the increased pay will be effected only from the date of which such employee resumes duty and not from the first of January 2016. All Force personnels informed accordingly.”

Hence the Government Servants those who are planning to go on leave to celebrate New Year day or for any other reasons on 1st January 2016, have to re think about their decision. Its Better for them to check with their Departments about the impact on Revision of Pay if they avail leave on 1st January 2016.

Source: http://www.gservants.com/

FILLING UP OF VACANT GDS POSTS (other than GDSBPM) - REVIWED

STRENGTHENING ESTABLISHMENT OF SINGLE HANDED BRANCH POST OFFICES

Is attendance compulsory for Central Government employees on the implementation day (01.01.2016) of the 7th CPC recommendations?

Is attendance compulsory for Central Government employees on the implementation day (01.01.2016) of the 7th Pay Commission recommendations?

Central Government employees are wondering if there will be any consequences of taking leave on January 1, 2016, the date of implementation of the 7th Pay Commission report.

The recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission regarding the salaries and perks for the Central Government employees will come into effect from January 1, 2016 onwards. Many are curious to find out the connection between the date of implementation of 7th CPC and reporting to work on the day.

Normally, the date of joining work, date of getting the promotion, date of receiving the increments, transfer date, and retirement dates are very important for a Central Government employee. In the average service period of a Central Government employee, he/she is likely to witness two or three Pay Commissions. Keeping this in mind, it would be better to not absent oneself on January 1, 2016.

“All Central Government employees are advised to report to work on January 1, 2016 (Friday).”

“This is especially so for those who are on long leave. It will help them avoid a lot of problems in future.”

“If 01.01.2016 is announced as a holiday, it will be better to report to work the next day.”

If the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission are going to be implemented from 01.01.2016 onwards, then the employees will have to come to work that day to accept these recommendations. If he/she is absent on the day, then the day they return to work will be treated as the day they had accepted the new recommendations.

If an employee not to report on the date of implementation of recommendations of new pay commission, this could delay the benefits of the 7th Pay Commission. This could also cause financial losses too due to pay revision as per the recommendations of new pay commission.

According to rules, in order to qualify for the annual increment, an employee has completed 6 months or more in the revised pay structure as per 6th CPC, as on 1st July. A delay of even a single day could deny you an increment, as per the rule.

It is not easy to calculate the date of promotion for Central Government employees. Normally, promotions are granted with retrospective effect. Let us assume that the promotion was given with effect from 01.01.2016. Not reporting to work on that day could cause a number of problems.

Since the government rules are bound to be changed arbitrarily, one can never be sure of the kind of troubles it could cause them. Therefore, it is better to go to work on 01.01.2016.

The recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission were implemented on 01.01.2006, a Sunday. Therefore, the next day was taken as the assumption date. One might remember that the government had issued another order to avoid the confusions that resulted due to this. (Click to view the order)

Even those who are on long leave for any particular reason are advised to report to work on January 1, 2016 at least and then continue with their leave. This will help them avoid a lot of problems.

Source : http://7thpaycommissionnews.in/

Japan’s Hitachi is keen to partner with the postal department for payments bank solutions

.Japan’s Hitachi is keen to partner with the postal department for payments bank solutions, aid communications and IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.The president and CEO of the company’s IT systems, Yutaka Saito,  called on the minister and discussed the possibility of Hitachi offering its banking solutions to India Post, which has got a an in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for starting a payments bank.“I have heard them, they have already met the postal department people. I have asked them to make elaborate presentations. They have come with the idea of a revenue-sharing model to install the banking solutions in all the post offices in India. We will consider it,” Prasad said after the meeting.“I have asked the postal department to work out the details,” he added.As per RBI guidelines, payments banks would offer a limited range of products such as demand deposits and remittances. They will not be allowed to undertake lending activities and will initially be restricted to holding a maximum balance of Rs 1 lakh per individual customer.They will be allowed to issue ATM or debit cards as also other prepaid payment instruments, but not credit cards.Hitachi’s payment services offer banking solutions related to ATM, point of sale, cash and deposit machines and card management solutions to all leading banks of the country.“They are very keen to partner with postal department for payments bank solutions in the vast network of India’s postal operations across the country and in rural areas,” Prasad said.The minister further said what is important is the technical upgrading of rural post offices to make the payments bank a success.“I have assured them that with Digital India opening up in India in a big way, there is enough scope for products, marketing, consumer base and above all innovation,” he added

Online Income tax filing made easy by IT department

Thanks to the rapid digitization of the whole process, the Income Tax Department has now launched the ‘e-Sahyog’ project, which does away with the need for the tax payer to physically appear before tax authorities unless there is a serious tax evasion case which requires physical scrutiny.

From a modest figure of just 3.62 lakh income tax (I-T) returns filed electronically in 2006-07, which was mere one per cent of the total returns filed that year, the number reached close to 3.42 crore in 2014-15 and it has surpassed 2.88 crore in the current financial year already (http://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/).

This clearly signals an end of the cumbersome paper returns era, and has not only helped the Income Tax Department in simplifying the administration of the return filing and assessment process, but has also made the life of the tax payers much easier as compared to what it was a few years back, when people dreaded the income tax notices.

Thanks to the rapid digitization of the whole process, the Income Tax Department has now launched the ‘e-Sahyog’ project, which does away with the need for the tax payer to physically appear before tax authorities unless there is a serious tax evasion case which requires physical scrutiny.

According to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), “The objective of “e-Sahyog” is to provide an online mechanism to resolve mismatches in I-T returns of those assesses whose returns have been selected for scrutiny, without visiting the Income Tax Office. Under this initiative the Department will provide an end to end e-service using SMS, e-mails to inform the tax assesses of the mismatch”.

The tax payers simply need to visit the e-filing portal and log in with their user-ID and password to view mismatch related information and submit online response — the responses will be processed and if found satisfactory as per automated closure rules, the issue will be treated as closed, and the tax payers can check the updated status online.

While this move is slated to take the unnecessary harassments out of the scrutiny process, the extended use of digital platform to link Aadhaar with the I-T returns is helping the department expedite the refund process by quick and assured identification of the tax payers.

The newly introduced e-verification of I-T returns for the Assessment year 2015-16 has already resulted in linking of 3863223 Permanent Account Numbers (PAN) to Aadhaar and e-verification of 4677358 returns through bank accounts.

So, starting from the payment of taxes to filing of returns, exchange of assessment-related information between the tax payer and the taxman, even refunds or scrutiny, everything can be done online today.

Once there is an extensive linkage of PAN to Aadhaar going forward, the need for any physical interface between the tax payers and the Income Tax Department will completely vanish in a majority of the cases.

Clearly, digitization has brought in the changes in the tax payer services in the last few years that were perceived to be the difficult ones for a long time.

(Keep looking at this space for more examples of this kind on how digital solutions are transforming administration and governance in the country

ACCORDING TO 7TH CPC REPORT, NET INCREASE IS ACTUALLY VARIES FROM 1% TO 4 %

Confederation Of Central Government Employees And Workers Karnataka State

Wage hike and trade union action 

Comrades ,

The 7th CPC has cheated the 35 lakhs Central Government Employees and 50 lakhs pensioners, by announcing meagre 14.29% wage hike, in actual term of increase for serving employees after deduction of Income tax, enhanced subscription of CGEIS,licence fee, CGHS etc the net increase is actually varies from 1% to 4 % increase.

The similar situation was existing for central Government employees during the 5th CPC , as the 5th CPC had recommended 20% wage hike after strike notice was served then the Third Front Government agreed to provide 40% wage hike, recently the 6th CPC had provided 54% wage hike.This is lowest wage hike by any pay commission.

The Central Government Employees are having 10 years wage revision against the basic principle of 5 years wage revision adopted by all other Government agency such as Banks Employees, PSU employees etc. The bank employees were initially offered around 10% wage hike , after sustained trade union action they got 15% wage hike from with effect from 1st November 2012. Cumulatively it works out to more than 35 % wage hike for 10 years. The AP and Telangana state government employees got recently 40 % wage hike the pay commission of AP had also adopted Dr. Aykroyd formula and 15th ILO norms and fixed at Rs 13,000/- minimum wage as on 1st July 2013 , if we calculate the minimum wage on this basis for the Central Government Employees the minimum wage works out to Rs 25,000/- and fitment formula of 3.57 .

Comrades let us fight united under the NJCA banner to achieve a decent wage hike, the 7th CPC has erred in the calculation of minimum wage for the Central Government Employees it has fixed at Rs 18000/ against the staff side demand of Rs 26,000/-. while calculating the minimum wage as per Dr. Aykroyd formula and 15th ILO norms the 7th CPC has taken wrong prices of the essential items for example the price of one kg of pulses as Rs 97.84 against the market price of Rs 180/- , similarly the price of one kg of rice and wheat as Rs 25.93 against the market price of Rs 50/- & Rs 40, and 7th CPC has modified the Dr. Aykroyd formula and 15th ILO norms. The 7th CPC has taken 125% DA into consideration, at present the DA is likely to cross 125% , the prices of essential commodity including rice and pulses are showing increase in last month and further rise due to floods and draught in many states.

Overall the 7th CPC has erred in calculation of minimum wage for the Central Government Employees there by denying the correct fitment formula and right wage hike. Comrade it is time to mobilize, educate and prepare for trade union action. Like bank employees we should also get right wage agreement.

Comradely yours

(P.S.Prasad)

General Secretary

Karnataka CoC

Income Tax Slabs for Financial Year (FY) 2015-16

 

FY 2015-16 tax rate applies to income earned between 1st April 2015 and 31st March 2016. Income Tax rates for individuals are same for FY 2015-16 and FY 2014-15.

• Income Tax Rates for taxpayers less than 60 years old

Tax Slab	FY 2015-16 & FY 2014-15  Tax Rate	Tax Slab	FY 2013-14  Tax Rate
Up to Rs.2,50,000	No Tax	Up to Rs.2,00,000	No Tax
Rs.2,50,000 - Rs.5,00,000	10%	Rs.2,00,000 - Rs.5,00,000	10%
Rs.5,00,000 - Rs.10,00,000	20%	Rs.5,00,000 - Rs.10,00,000	20%
Rs.10,00,000 and beyond	30%	Rs.10,00,000 and beyond	30%
Surcharge: 10% of the Income Tax, where total income exceeds Rs.1 crore.
Education cess: 3% on sum of total income tax and surcharge. source: https://cleartax.in/Guide/income-tax-slabs

Difference between National Pension System (NPS) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY)

Difference between National Pension System (NPS) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY)

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NATIONAL PENSION SYSTEM  (NPS) AND ATAL PENSION YOJANA (APY)

Recently Central Government launched one more pension scheme called Atal Pension Yojana. So what is the difference between existing National Pension System  (NPS) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY)?

DIFFERENCE OF NPS AND APY

Let us point one by one.

1) Age of joining–

The age for joining the National Pension System  (NPS) is 18-60 years. Whereas for Atal Pension Yojana (APY) the age eligibility is 18-40 years.

2) Who can join?

All Indian citizens can join NPS (whether they are resident or non-resident). Whereas for APY only Resident Indians are allowed to join.

3) Pension Slabs–

In case of NPS, there is no such standard pension slab. However, in APY the pension slabs are fixed like Rs 1,000/-, 2,000/-, 3,000/-, 4,000 and 5,000/- per month.

4) Types of Accounts–

In case of NPS, you have two types of accounts. One is Tier I and Tier II. Whereas, in case of APY there is no such differentiation.

5) Minimum and Maximum Contributions–

In case of NPS

For Tier I

You must contribute a minimum of Rs. 6,000 per annum. The minimum of Rs. 500 per contribution is required. In addition, you must contribute minimum 4 contributions per year. There is no maximum limit.

For Tier II

You have to contribute the minimum of Rs. 1,000 contribution at a time of account opening.

Subsequently, you have to contribute a minimum of Rs. 250 per subsequent contributions. Minimum Balance of Rs. 2,000 be maintained at the end of Financial Year (April-March). There is no maximum limit.

In case of APY

In case of APY, the minimum and range depends on the age. For example, the minimum monthly contribution for 18 years of age person is Rs.42 to get Rs.1,000 monthly pension. At the same time, the minimum monthly contribution for 40 years age person is Rs.291.

There is no upper limit of investment set for both NPS Tier I and Tier II Account. However, in case of APY, the maximum limit for 18 years of age is 210 to get a monthly pension of Rs.5, 000. At the same time, the maximum monthly contribution for 40 years of age person is Rs.1, 454.

6) Premature Withdrawal–

For NPS–

Tier I

• You can withdraw at age 60, 40% of accumulated amount be used to buy annuities from an IRDA approved insurance company, A phased withdrawal is also allowed, but the lump sum balance should be withdrawn before the age of 70 years.
• To exit before 60 years age, only 20% of the lump sum to be cash withdrawal, 80% to be used to buy annuities from an IRDA approved insurance company.
• On death before the age of 60, the nominee receives a lump sum.

Tier II

There is no restriction and you can withdraw it at any point of time.

For APY–

• Once you attain the age of 60 years, then you have no option but to utilize 100% of the accumulated amount for a pension. No partial withdrawal is permitted.
• You cannot withdraw in APY. Withdrawal is available only in case death or terminal diseases.

7) Choice of investment–

In case of NPS, you have primarily two choices. One is Auto Choice where the asset allocation among equity, Corporate Bonds, and Government Bonds are adjusted automatically based on age of a subscriber. Another is Active Choice, where you select your asset allocation (subject to the maximum of 50% in equity). In addition, you have a freedom to choose fund managers to manage your money.

In case of APY, there are no such options.

8) Tax Benefit–

While Investing–

The tax benefit in NPS will be available only in case of Tier I account, but not for Tier II account.

Employer contribution to the NPS on behalf of an employee will get a deduction from his income (i.e. employer’s income) an amount equivalent to the amount contributed or 10% of BASIC SALARY + DA of the employee, whichever is less. (Section 36 (1) (iv a) of the Income Tax Act 1961).

Employer’s contribution to NPS on behalf of the employee is treated as perquisite in the hands of the employees. However, it is deductible u/s 80CCD (2) of the IT Act, 1961 to the extent of 10% of basic salary. This deduction is over and above the limit of Rs.1.5 lac u/s 80 CCD (1). This will lessen the tax burden of the employee to the extent of amount deductible u/s80CCD (2) of the IT Act, 1961.

Contribution by an individual employee is eligible for a deduction from Income under Section 80CCD (1) of the IT Act 1961 up to Rs 1.5 Lakhs. However, investments under Section 80C Section 80CCC and 80CCD(1) should not exceed Rs.1.5 lakhs per assessment year to claim the deduction.

An additional tax benefit of Rs.50,000/- under section 80CCD (1B) per year (applicable from FY 2015-16/AY 2016-17) for NPS investments.

There are no such tax benefits of investing in APY.

While receiving pension–

Both NPS and APY pension is treated as taxable income under the head of a salary.

9) Where to open an Account?

In case of NPS, you have to open the account by visiting the nearest Point of Presence (POP) branch to open the account. This account could also be opened online through CAMS online, India Post etc.

In case of APY, you have to approach the bank/Post Office where your savings bank account is held.

10) Nomination facility-

In case of NPS, the nomination is not mandatory. However, you can nominate a maximum of 3 members. The total sum sharing of all these nominees must be equal to 100%.

In case of APY, the nomination is mandatory. You have to provide nominee details while opening the account.

11) How much return you can expect?

In case of NPS, returns are not guaranteed. It depends on the performance of the fund. Whereas, in case of APY, returns not disclosed. But set the fixed monthly pension.

12) Government contribution–

In case of NPS, the Central Government and State Government employee’s contribution are fixed at 10% of the Basic and Dearness Allowance (DA) per month which is matched by an employer contribution of the same amount. For the rest of the people, there is no Government contribution.

In APY, the Government will also contribute 50% of the total contribution or Rs. 1,000/- per annum, whichever is lower, to the eligible APY account holders who join the scheme during the period 1st June, 2015 to 31st December, 2015. The Government contribution will be for 5 years from FY 2015-16 to 2019-20. This contribution to APY will not be applicable to those members who are-

• Income Tax Payers.
• Employees’ Provident Fund & Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1952.
• The Coal Mines Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1948.
• Assam Tea PlantationProvident Fund and Miscellaneous Provision, 1955.
• Seamens’ Provident Fund Act, 1966.
• Jammu Kashmir Employees’ Provident Fund & Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1961.
• Any other statutory social security scheme.

13) Who manages?

NPS is managed by PFRDA. The APY scheme is administered by the PFRDA/Government.

14) Permanent Account Number–

In case of NPS, you will get the unique Permanent Retirement Number (PRAN). By quoting this PRAN, you can operate NPS sitting across India. There is no such facility in APY.

15) How many accounts, one can open?

For both NPS and APY an individual can open only ONE account.

Courtesy : http://finaclesolution.blogspot.in/