Pensioners' Digest-01.01.015 Monthly publication of KCGPA an affiliate of BPS
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The
Year Past in Retrospect
Majority-powered new Government took the reins at the Centre after the
General elections, under the leadership of BJP scion Shri Narendra Modi. The
new Prime Minister visited more foreign countries, than any other prime
minister, in a short period of six months; and received the acclaim of these
foreign statesmen and the Indians abroad. New plans, new schemes and new
slogans rent the political air in the country, since then (May 2014). The
advantages to the ‘aam admi’ (common man) are yet not clearly visible. Coming
home to the pensioners’ lot, the 7th Central Pay Commission in
position visited more places and heard views from more associations. They are
still on visits to different
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places. They are to
formulate their report and submit it to the Government within the end of this
year. While at Bangalore (Aug 24), the Commission assured to ensure ‘parity’
from January 2016; to look into the problems of BSNL pensioners; and to
consider the demand of the pensioners from statutory/autonomous bodies to have
the CGHS facility. The pensioners have yearned for the grant of Interim Relief
and the Merger of 50% of DA/DR with pay/pension; but either the Commission or
the Government have not shown any inclination whatsoever in considering this
immediate requirement – nay, demand. The new Finance minister is to present the
Union Budget in February 2015; and things do not appear to be silverine herein
too. In regard to extension of ‘modified parity’, either the Apex Court or the
CAT did not show any favourable climate so far in favour of the helpless
pensioners, in the light of the fact that not all pensioners can go to court
and hang on for years and years. All in all, the pensioners remain high and
dry, as ever. After all, as late Justice Chandrachud proclaimed in 1982:
‘Pension is not alms; it is deferred wage for those who toiled hard in the
prime of their life, so that they have some money in the evening of their lives
to help their dear families and the surrounding civil society’. The Caravan
moves on – from 2014 to 2015.
One
Rank, One Pension
The slogan on this principle has been heard
off and on. The Government somehow is not able to come to terms on issuing the
necessary notification. It is recently stated that this would be done in the
next 6 to 8 weeks. We quote below a newsitem lifted from the Central Govt
Employees News-site (d/ Dec 21, 2014):
(Quote) Much to the relief of
nearly 25 lakh ex-servicemen, including 12 lakh soldiers who are protecting
this sovereign nation, the final decision on the One Rank One Pension demand
will be announced in a month or two.
According to reliable
sources of information, Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar has given the
assurance and that steps in this regard have already been taken. The fact that
the Ministry is working overtime to enforce this scheme has brought cheers to
serving armymen all over the country. They can rest assured that the scheme,
which was being talked about for a number of years, will finally be implemented
this time.
The Sixth Pay Commission
had recommended fitment formula and modified parity for past pensioners, in
order to reduce the gaps, which were accepted by the Government. For example, a
Sepoy, who retired prior to 1996, gets 82% lower pension than a Sepoy who
retires after 2006. Similarly, among officers, a pre-1996 Major gets 53% lower
pension than his post-2006 counterpart”. OROP means that every pension-eligible soldier who retires in a
particular rank deserves the same pension, irrespective of date of retirement.
Currently, soldiers who left the armed forces more recently receive more than
those who did earlier, because successive pay commissions hiked salaries.
During his Parliamentary
speech, the then Finance Minister Pranabh Mukherjee announced that the scheme
would be implemented in July 2009. It was announced that the Government was
going to implement the recommendations made by the high level committee led by
KM Chandraskehar. The scheme was discussed a number of times, but was never
implemented.
With an allocation of
Rs. 1000 Crores, while there is pressure to implement the scheme, the
government also has to keep in mind the lakhs of former servicemen.
The new Government’s stand
in this issue will become clear in another few months. (Unquote)
News feature from
‘The Times of India’ d/ Dec 14, 2014: Naklin Mehta of the Times group
came up with a write-up in four columns on the OROP issue. It said ‘Military
veterans claim babus are thwarting PM Modi’s poll pledge of one-rank
one-pension by inflating its cost estimates. It also gives graphic description
of the money involved and the assurances given over the past years on the
subject. (In view of the news supra, the press item could be glossed over.)
(The news clipping was handed over by former Treasurer Shri DMR Panthalu.)
A soldierly historic Judgement by the Supreme
Court
Captioned
‘SC
censures Centre over Pension for Ex-Armymen’, ‘Deccan Herald’ (Bangalore, Dec
14, 2014) put out the following soldierly
judgement:
(Quote) The Supreme Court has
asked the Centre to show large-heartedness in granting “modest” increase in Disability pension for Ex-servicemen.
A three-judge bench
presided over by Chief Justice of India H L Dattu dismissed the Union Govt’s
plea against an order of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT), extending the
benefits of an extra amount in their pension on account of disability due to
service conditions.
“ They are in the
line of fire. They sacrifice their life for you and us. This is the least you
could do for them”, the Bench stated while coming to the rescue of 15,000 soldiers.
The Court expressed
its displeasure over the Government’s denying the benefit to the soldiers on
the ground that it would burden the Exchequer with an additional Rs 1,500
crores.
The Bench, also
comprising Justice Madan B. Lokur and A. K. Sikri said, “The Govt. can have at
least this much budget for its soldiers who are dying for the people of this
country every day. What is the point in having these memorials and placards
saluting our defence personnel if you litigate against the disabled soldiers
till the Supreme Court ? You should pay them”.
Following the Bench’s
nudge, the Govt’s law officer preferred not to argue and expressed readiness to
comply with the Tribunal’s order. The bench disposed of around 880 appeals
against the AFT order on this issue. (Unquote)
(PS: The news item has been sent by Vice-Prdt Shri S S
Kargudri. The feature has received the appreciation of many members, including
retired Prof of IIT-Delhi Sh A L Agarwal, PAN IIT-D Retired Faculty Assn, Tel:
011-45561489.)
Bankmen strike: The
Bankmen are agitating for 23% increase in wages etc. They were recently on
strike on different dates in different zones. The Indian Banks Assn in a Note
d/29th December 2014 stated that the effective date of
implementation and ‘the merger of DA’
have been clinched. The merger issue is to be noted by the Govt and the
staff/pensioners.
Govt reportedly denies IR as well as Merger of 50% DA
Reports have indicated that the
Government is not inclined to concede the demands for Grant of Interim Relief
as well as the Merger of 50% of DA/DR with pay/pension. The Pay Commission on
its part has stood firm that the Government should make a specific reference to
them. The Staff side of the National Council of Joint Consultative machinery
(JCM) has written in strong terms to the Cabinet Secretary, who is the Chairman
of the JCM, requesting him to convene a meeting of the JCM soon, as it has
become nearly defunct. He has stated that the issues of Interim Relief and Merger
are imminent; and that the Government should avoid serious unrest in the
Government services and disturbance to industrial peace.
Case
before the CAT New Delhi
The case before the CAT-PB New Delhi on
December 17 has been adjourned to January 13, 2015.
Meantime,
a section of the pensioners has decided to approach the CAT, to get them the
arrears for the period 1.1.2006 to 23.9.2012, on par with the petitioners of
the S-29 Grade Pensioners Assn. It may be recalled that after the Judgement of
the CAT on May 15, 2014, the Govt held that the arrears would be paid only to
the ‘petitioners’ of that Assn. Thereupon, Miscellaneous Applications have been
filed before the CAT in December 2014, and more pensioners are likely to follow
suit. The Advocate, who has taken up
this legal battle, has clarified that he would take up the cases of only those
pensioners, who have received some arrears with effect from 24th
Sept 2012. One such case filed by him has been adjourned to February 2,
2015. Eight members have opted to
seek recourse to the CAT from this Association. The Assn had to reject the
applications of at least a dozen members, as they have not received arrears
from 24.9.2012, according to the stand
of the Advocate. The Advocate or the Assn will not entertain any more
application/s.
(Postscript: We are sorry that the situation before the
issue of PD for Dec 2014 indicated to us that all pensioners could file this
new petition. Only very late, the Advocate has clarified his position as above.
The inconvenience caused to some of the pensioners is regretted. Secondly, any
development in the CAT would be intimated through the PD, as and when
information is received.)
59th
AGB of BPS at Agra
A 16-member Managing
Committee of the BPS was declared elected at the AGB. Shri KB Krishna Rao (ID: krishnaraokb44@gmail.com : Tel
23230545), Secretary of Karnataka P&T PA, and Shri RSN Murthy (ID: rani.murty43@gmail,com :
Tel: 9958839936) who was earlier in the BPS office at New Delhi, and now Member
of Karnataka CGPA) are, among those, from Bangalore.
Pensioners’
Day
December 17 is
Pensioners’ Day. The Karnataka CGPA observed the Day at its office on Dec 17.
Over 30 members were present. They had sweets and snacks. The President and the
members recounted the Judgement issued by late Justice Chandrachud on the Day
in 1982 in the case between the Union of India v/s (late) D S Nakhra. It was
generally felt that this Judgement is of late being diluted by the Government,
mainly because the implementation of this Nakhra judgement would tell upon the
Govt Exchequer. The occasion was utilised by the members present (30) to write
out postcards to the Hon’ble Prime Minister requesting for the grant of Interim
Relief and the Merger of 50% of DA/DR with pay/pension.
The Co-ordination Committee of the
KCGPAs observed the Day at Udaya Bhanu Mandir, Gavipura, Bangalore, on Dec 21,
and honoured the pensioners’ veteran leaders Shri B Sadashiva Rao, IPS (Rtd),
former Chairman of the Co-ordination Committee, also former President of the
Karnataka P&T Pensioners Assn, and Shri N Bhaskaran, former General
Secretary of the CC and former Secretary of the KP&TPA, for their
invaluable services – particularly their efforts in working towards
presentation of a Common Memorandum to the 6th and 7th
CPCs. The CC presented both of them with shawls and fruits. The opportunity was
availed by the Karnataka CGPA to honour the two stalwarts with the presentation
of crockery items to each, with both of them expressing a pleasant surprise. The CC also hosted lunch to the
attending affiliates’ members. At the start, Shri L N Bhat, a Kannada literary
figure, spoke on late Shri DV Gundappa’s “Manku Thimmana Kagga”, an epic in
Kannada. The Managing Committee of the
CC met the same day. CC Secretary Shri Radhakrishna spoke on the uncomfortable
attitude of the Government over the question of Interim Relief and the Merger
of 50% DA; and added that the Govt Notification on ‘One Rank, One Pension’
could come out in a month or two. Chairman Shri KB Krishna Rao spoke on the
ensuing SCOVA meet in January 2015, and the Agenda-Items sent to the Department.
Treasurer Shri OM Bhaskaran presented the Accounts position. A Medical check-up
camp was also organised by the Sagar Hospitals at the venue the same day, for
the benefit of the members.
The Karnataka P&T Pensioners
Assn, Bangalore, came out with large extracts from the Judgement of the Supreme
Court (Dec 17, 1982), through ‘Pensioners Champion’ (November 2014) under the
title “Pensioners’ Day – A Day to thank the Judiciary”, a very apt title
indeed.
Eligibility
of widowed/divorced daughters for Family pension
A few members desired
to know the details on the subject. Extract from OM No.1/3/09-P&PW€ d/ 18th
Sept 2014, issued by the DoP&PW, Ministry of Personnel & PG, New Delhi,
is given below :
(Quote)
Para 2. Provision for grant of family pension
to a widowed/divorced daughter beyond the age of 25 years has been made, vide
OM dated 30.08.2004. This provision has been included in Clause (iii) of
sub-rule 54(6) of the CCS (Pension) Rules 1972. For settlement of old cases, it
was clarified, vide OM dated 28.04.2011, that the family pension may be granted
to eligible widowed/divorced daughters with effect from 30.08.2004, in case the
death of the Govt servant/pensioner occurred before this date.
Para 3. It was further clarified vide OM
dated 11th September 2013, that, if a daughter became a
divorcee/widow during the period when the pension/family pension was payable to
her father/mother, such a daughter, on fulfilment of other conditions, shall be
entitled to family pension. The clarification was aimed at correctly
interpreting the conditions of eligibility of a widowed/divorced daughter in
terms of the concept of family pension under the CCS (Pension) Rules 1972. It
was also stated that it was only a clarification and the entitlement of widowed/divorced
daughter would continue to be determined in terms of OM dated 25th/30th
August 2004, read with OM dated 28th April 2011. It implies that the
family pension should discontinue in those case where it had been sanctioned in
pursuance of these OMs but without taking into consideration that the
widowed/divorced daughter was leading a married life at the time of death of
her father/mother, whoever died later and was therefore ineligible for family
pension. It would be appropriate that in order to maintain equality before law,
family pension payable to such daughters is discontinued. However, recovery of
the already paid amount of family pension would be extremely harsh on them and
should not be resorted to.
Para 4. This issues with the approval of the
Secretary (Pension). (Unquote)
Special benefits in cases of death and
disability in service – Revision
On the above subject, the
Dept of Pensions and Pensioners Welfare, New Delhi has issued OM
No.45/3/2008-P&PW d/ 20.11.2014 (signed by Smt Tripti P Ghosh, Director).
The OM, though long, is reproduced below:
(Quote) The
undersigned is directed to say that the pension of pensioners/family pensioners who were drawing pension/family pension as on
1.1.2006 under the CCS(EOP) Rules was to be revised in accordance with
Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare OM
NO.38/37/2008-P&P&W(A) dated 1.9.2008. Accordingly, instructions were issued vide this Department
OM of even number dated 30th September
2010 for extension of benefits of modified parity to past pensioners' for revision
of disability pension/family pension covered under CCS(EOP) Rules.
2. Further,orders were issued vide this
Department's OM No.38/37/2008-P&PW(A) dated 28th January, 2013 for further
stepping up of normal pension/family pension to 50%/30% of the sum of minimum
pay in the pay band and grade pay corresponding to the pre-revised pay scales
from which the pensioner had retired, as arrived at with reference to the
fitment table annexed to the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure OM
NO.1/1!2008-IC dated 30th August 2008. The question of extending .this benefit
to pre-2006 disability pensioner/family pensioner covered under the Central
Civil Services (Extraordinary Pension) Rules has been under the consideration
of the Government. It has now been decided that the pension/family pension of
pre-2006 disability pensioners/family pensioners covered under CCS(EOP) Rules
would be further stepped up as under:-I.
Family Pension for Categories B & C
Where the deceased Government servant was not
holding a pensionable post:
40% of minimum of Pay in the Pay Band plus
Grade Pay (in the case of below HAG scale)! minimum Basic pay in the revised
Scale of Pay (in the case of HAG and above) applicable from 1.1.2006
corresponding to the scale of pay last held by the employee as arrived at with
reference to the fitment tables annexed to the Ministry of Finance, Department
of Expenditure, OM No. 1/1!2008-IC dated 30th August, 2008 subject to a minimum
of Rs.4550!—
(b) Where the deceased Government servant was
holding a pensionable post: 60%
of minimum of Pay in the Pay Band plus Grade Pay (in the case of below HAG
scale )/ minimum Basic Pay in the revised Scale of Pay (in case of HAG and
above) applicable from 1.1.2006, corresponding to the scale of pay last held by
the employee as arrived at with reference to the fitment tables annexed to the
Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, OM No. 1/1/2008-IC dated 30th
August, 2008 subject to a minimum of Rs.7.000/-
In case where the widow dies or remarries, the children shall be paid
family pension at the rates mentioned at (a) or (b) above, as applicable, and
the same rate shall also apply to
fatherless/motherless children. In both cases, family pension shall be paid to
children for the period during which they would have been eligible for family
pension under the CCS (Pension) Rules. Dependent parents/brothers/sisters etc.
shall be paid family pension one-half the rate applicable to widows/fatherless
or motherless children.
II.
Family Pension under Categories D & E
Family pension shall be calculated as the
minimum of Pay in the Pay Band plus Grade Pay and minimum Basic Pay in the
revised Scale of Pay (in case of HAG and above) applicable from 1.1.2006,
corresponding to the scale of pay last held by the employee as arrived at with
reference to the fitment tables annexed to the Ministry of Finance, Department
of Expenditure, OM No. 1/1/2008-IC dated 30th August, 2008.
(a) If the Government servant is not survived
by his widow but is survived by child/children only, all children together
shall be eligible for family pension at the rate of 60% of minimum of Pay in
the Pay Band plus Grade Pay and minimum Basic Pay in the revised Scale of Pay(
in case of HAG and above) applicable from 1.1.2006, corresponding to the scale
of pay last held by the employee as arrived at with reference to the fitment
tables annexed to the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, OM No.
1/1/2008-IC dated 30th August, 2008 subject to a minimum of Rs. 7000/-
When the Government servant dies as a
bachelor or as a widower without children, dependent pension will be admissible
to parent without reference to pecuniary circumstances, at the rate of 75% of
minimum of Pay in the Pay Band plus Grade Pay and minimum Basic Pay in the
revised scale of pay(in case of HAG and above) applicable from 1.1.2006,
corresponding to the scale of pay last held by the employee as arrived at with
reference to the fitment tables annexed to the Ministry of Finance, Department
of Expenditure, OM No. 1/1/2008-IC dated 30th August, 2008, if both parents are
alive, and at the rate of 60% if only one of them is alive.
III.
Disability Pension for Categories B & C
(a) Disability pension would comprise of a
service element equal to 50% of minimum of Pay in the Pay Band
plus Grade Pay (in the case of below HAG scale)/minimum Basic Pay in the
revised Scale (in case of HAG and above) applicable from
1-1-2006, corresponding to the scale of pay last held by the employee as
arrived at with reference to the fitment tables annexed to the Ministry of
Finance, Department of Expenditure, OM No.1/1/2008-IC dated 30th August, 2008,
to be reduced proportionately, if the employee did not have required qualifying
service for full pension, plus disability element equal to 30% of the same
basic pay, for 100% disability.
(b) For disability less than 100%, disability
element shall be reduced proportionately. In cases of disability pension where
permanent disability is not less than 60%, the disability pension (i.e. total
of service element plus disability element) shall not be less than 60% of the
minimum of pay in the Pay Band plus Grade Pay ( below HAG scale) or the minimum
basic pay in the revised Scale of pay (in case of HAG and above) corresponding
to the scale of pay last held by the employee as arrived at with reference to
the fitment tables annexed to the Ministry of Finance, Department of
Expenditure, OM No.1/1/2008-IC dated so" August, 2008, subject to a
minimum of Rs. 7000/- per month.
IV.
Disability Pension for Category D
Disability pension would comprise of a
service element equal to 50% of minimum of Pay in the Pay Band plus Grade Pay (
in the case of below HAG scale)/minimum Basic Pay in the revised Scale of Pay
(in case of HAG and above) applicable from 1.1.2006, corresponding to the scale
of pay last held by the employee as arrived at with reference to the fitment
tables annexed to the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, OM No.
1/1/2008-IC dated 30th August, 2008, subject to proportionate reduction in case
his qualifying service up to the deemed date of retirement falls short of full qualifying
service and disability element equal to 30% of the same minimum of Pay in the
Pay Band plus Grade Pay (in the case of below HAG scale)/minimum Basic Pay in
the revised Scale of Pay ( in the case of HAG and above) as arrived at with
reference to the fitment tables annexed to the Ministry of Finance, Department
of Expenditure, OM No. 1/1/2008-IC dated 30th August, 2008 subject to the
condition that the aggregate of service and disability element shall not be
less than 80% of the minimum of Pay in the Pay Band plus Grade Pay/minimum
Basic Pay, in case of HAG and above, applicable from 1.1.2006, corresponding to
the scale of pay last held by the employee as arrived at with reference to the
fitment tables annexed to the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure,
OM No. 1/1/2008-IC dated 30th August, 2008 for 100% disability.
For lower percentage of the disability,
proportionate reduction would be made in disability element as provided in OM
dated 3.2.2000 as amended vide O.M. No.45/3/2008-P&PW (F) dated 18.11.2008-
V.
Disability Pension for Cases under Category E
(a) Disability pension would comprise of a
service element equal to 50% of minimum of Pay in the Pay Band plus Grade Pay
(in the case of below HAG scale or the minimum Basic pay in the revised Scale
of pay (in case of HAG and above) applicable from 1-1-2006, corresponding to
the scale of pay last held by the employee as arrived at with reference to the
fitment tables annexed to the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure,
OM No.1/1/2008-IC dated 30th August, 2008 subject to proportionate reduction in
case his qualifying service upto deemed date of retirement falls short of full
qualifying service and disability element
equal to the same minimum of pay in the Pay Band plus Grade Pay ( in the cases
of below HAG scale) or the minimum Basic Pay in the revised Scale of Pay (in
case of HAG and above) corresponding to the scale of pay last held by the
employee, as arrived at with reference to the fitment tables annexed to the
Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, OM No. 1/1/2008-IC dated 30th
August, 2008 for 100% disability.
(b)For lower percentage of the disability,
proportionate reduction would be made in disability element as provided in OM
dated 3.2.2000 as amended vide O.M.NO.45/3/2008-P&PW (F) dated 18.11.2008.
3. In the case of Disability pension/Family
pension calculated as per para 4.1 of OM NO.38/37/2008-P&PW(A) dated
1.9.2008 is higher than the disability pension/family pension calculated in the
manner indicated above, the same (higher consolidated disability pension/family
pension) will continue to be treated as basic disability pension/family
pension.
4. These orders shall take effect from
24.9.2012. There will be no change in the amount of revision disability
pension/family pension paid during the period 1.1.2006 to 23.9.2012, and,
therefore, no arrears will be payable on account of these orders for that
period.
5. All other terms and conditions in the O.M.
dated 3.2. 2000, as amended vide O.M. No.45/3/2008-P&PW (F) dated 18.11.
2008 and 30.09.2010 shall remain unchanged.
6. This issues with the concurrence of the
Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, vide their 10 No.481/EV/2014
dated 3.9.2014.
7. In so far as persons belonging to the
Indian Audit & Accounts Department, these orders issue after consultation
with the Comptroller & Auditor General of India.
8 All Ministries/Departments are requested to
bring the contents of these orders to the notice of Controller of Accounts/Pay
and Accounts Officers and Attached and subordinate Offices under them on a top
priority basis. All pension disbursing officers are also advised to prominently
display these orders on their notice boards for the benefits of disability
pensioners/family pensioners. (Unquote)
Payment of Income Tax : A guideline
Following tables have been provided by former Secretary
Shri S Gurudas, on the above subject. Income Tax Return is mandatory for
even the senior citizens if their income is over Rs 3 lakhs. Those above 80
years have the exemption, however.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ASSESSMENT YEAR 2015-16
• For a resident senior citizen (who
is 60 years or more at any time during the previous year but less than 80 years
on the last day of the previous year, i.e., born during April 1, 1935 and March
31, 1955)
Net
income range
|
Income-tax
rates
|
Surcharge
|
Education
cess
|
Secondary
and higher education cess
|
Up
to Rs. 3,00,000
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Rs.
3,00,000 – Rs. 5,00,000
|
10%
of (total income minus Rs. 3,00,000) [see Note 1]
|
Nil
|
2%
of income-tax
|
1%
of income-tax
|
Rs.
5,00,000 – Rs. 10,00,000
|
Rs.
20,000 + 20% of (total income minus Rs. 5,00,000)
|
Nil
|
2%
of income-tax
|
1%
of income-tax
|
Rs.
10,00,000 – Rs. 1,00,00,000
|
Rs.
1,20,000 + 30% of (total income minus Rs. 10,00,000)
|
Nil
|
2%
of income-tax
|
1%
of income-tax
|
Above
Rs.1,00,00,000
|
Rs.
28,20,000 + 30% of (total income minus Rs.1,00,00,000)
|
10%
of I.T. [seeNote 2]
|
2%
of income-tax and surcharge
|
1%
of income-tax and surcharge
|
ASSESSMENT YEAR 2015-16
• For a resident super senior
citizen (who is 80 years or more at any time during the previous year, i.e.,
born before April 1, 1935)—
Net income range
|
Income-tax rates
|
Surcharge
|
Education cess
|
Secondary and higher
education cess
|
Up to Rs. 5,00,000
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Rs. 5,00,000 – Rs.
10,00,000
|
20% of (total income minus
Rs. 5,00,000)
|
Nil
|
2% of income-tax
|
1% of income-tax
|
Rs. 10,00,000 – Rs.
1,00,00,000
|
Rs. 1,00,000 + 30% of
(total income minus Rs. 10,00,000)
|
Nil
|
2% of income-tax
|
1% of income-tax
|
Above Rs. 1,00,00,000
|
Rs. 28,00,000 + 30% of
(total income minus Rs. 1,00,00,000)
|
10% of income-tax [see Note
2]
|
2% of income-tax and
surcharge
|
1% of income-tax and
surcharge
|
Notes :
1. Rebate under section 87A – A resident individual (whose net income does not exceed Rs. 5,00,000) can avail rebate under section 87A. It is deductible from income-tax before calculating education cess. The amount of rebate is 100 per cent of income-tax or Rs. 2,000, whichever is less.
1. Rebate under section 87A – A resident individual (whose net income does not exceed Rs. 5,00,000) can avail rebate under section 87A. It is deductible from income-tax before calculating education cess. The amount of rebate is 100 per cent of income-tax or Rs. 2,000, whichever is less.
2. Surcharge – Surcharge is 10 per
cent of income-tax if net income exceeds Rs. 1 crore. It is subject to marginal
relief (in the case of a person having a net income of exceeding Rs. 1 crore,
the amount payable as income tax and surcharge shall not exceed the total
amount payable as income-tax on total income of Rs. 1 crore by more than the
amount of income that exceeds Rs. 1 crore).
3. Education cess – It is 2 per cent
of income-tax and surcharge.
4. Secondary and higher education
cess – It is 1 per cent of income-tax and surcharge.
• Alternate minimum tax – Tax
payable by a non-corporate assessee cannot be less than 18.5 per cent
(+SC+EC+SHEC) of “adjusted total income” as per section 115JC
source:
Income taxindia.gov.in
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
C G
H S
Revision of CGHS formulary: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi, has
clarified the position of formulary, through its OM No.Ot.F.No.2-2/2014/CGHS HQ/PPT/CGHS(P)
d/ 1st October 2014. It said :
(Quote) With reference to the OM
No.2-2/2014/CGHS HQ/PPT/CGHS(P) of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,
Department of Health and Family Welfare, dated 25-8-2014, I have been directed
to inform that the CGHS formulary is under revision. In the meantime, the
formularies of the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and
Employees State insurance Corporation have also been adopted to avoid hardship
to the beneficiaries. These formularies are also placed on website of the CGHS.
It has been reported that still there are a few essential medicines which are
not covered by any of these formularies. It is therefore clarified that till
CGHS formulary is revised, CGHS I/Cs may use their discretion to supply such medicines
which they consider essential and are not in the formularies of CGHS, ESIC and
ECHS subject to following :
1
In
such cases, the duration of prescription should not be for more than seven days
and the cost of the medicine must be less than Rs 1500,00 per week.
2
It
should be approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), for use in
India for that particular indication.
3
In
case of imported drug, the drug can be prescribed only when the Indian
substitute is not available and the drug is approved by the DCGI for use in
India for that particular indication.
4
In
case, if the duration of treatment is more than one week and/or the cost is
more than Rs 1500, the prior permission of AD(MSD)/AD of the City must be
obtained.
This is issued with
approval of the competent authority. (Unquote)
Ministry’s
instructions on Issue of medicines: OM
No.2-2/2014/CGHS HQ/PPT/CGHS(P) d/ 21st October 2014 of the Ministry
of Health and FW restores the earlier Instructions on issue of medicines. It
said “Medicines can be issued for upto 3 months at a time in chronic diseases
on the basis of a valid prescription, and for upto 6 months for those
beneficiaries who are going abroad, as was the case prior to issue of OM dated
25.8.2014.”
(Courtesy: Both the above two Items
are lifted from “SwamysnewS” for Nov and Dec 2014, respectively.)
Another
OM of the Ministry of Health: The Ministry of Health & FW, New Delhi,
has issued another OM No.2-2/2014/CGHS(HQ)/PPTY/CGHS(P) d/ 23rd
December 2014 on ‘Clarification regarding issue of medicines under CGHS’. It is
reproduced below:
(Quote) With reference to the above mentioned
subject the undersigned is directed to state that the situation arising out of
issue of Office Memorandum No 2/2014/CGHS(HQ)/PPTY / CGHS(P) dated the 25th
August ,2014 has been engaging the attention of Government for quite some time.
Various representations about the difficulties being encountered have been
received from different stakeholders i.e., beneficiaries and doctors,
necessitating a review of the matter. It was accordingly considered by a
Committee under the Chairmanship of AS&DG,CGHS. After careful review and
keeping the recommendations of the Committee in mind, the following guidelines
are issued to streamline the functioning of the Wellness Centres:
i.
The medicines are to be issued as per the CGHS Formulary and guidelines issued
by this Ministry in this behalf.
ii.
In case the prescribed medicines are not available in CGHS formulary, but are
essential for the treatment of the patient, they can be issued / indented by
the doctors of the CGHS Wellness Centre on the basis of a valid prescription of
the authorized specialist subject to the condition that such medicines are
neither dietary supplements/ food items nor banned drugs. Instructions on this
issue i.e., non-admissibility of food items etc. issued vide O.M .No.
39-3/2003-04/CGHS/MSD/RS dated 23rd July 2009 and 3rd August 2009 must be
followed.
iii.
In case of anti-cancer drugs and other life-saving drugs that are not approved
by the DCG1 for use in India, each case should be considered by the Expert
Committee under the Chairmanship of Special DG(DGHS).
iv.
The technical Standing Committee constituted vide 2-2/2014/CGHS(HQ)/PPTY /
CGHS(P) dated 27.08.2014 of this Ministry will review addition or deletion of
drugs in the CGHS Formulary/ list of Treatment procedures / investigations /
listed implants. The Technical Committee will meet once in three months or as
per need, whichever is earlier. In the meantime reimbursement for unlisted
procedures / implants will be made at the rates approved by AIIMS/GB Pant
Hospital / actuals, whichever is less.
2.
The O.M. of even number dated 25.08.2014 is superseded to the above extent
while O.M. of even number dated 1.10.2014 is withdrawn. ** (Unquote)
(PS: 1. The
OM is thankfully and quickly conveyed by Shri S Gurudas, former Secretary of
the Assn.
2. The OM d/ 1.10.2014 **, which is
mentioned in previous para, is also reproduced above. It was lifted from
SwamysnewS.)
A CGHS
Advisory Committee out-going member speaks out : A significant ‘speech’ !
Dear Friends, I have completed my tenure of two eventful years as
Member (Pensioner Nominee) of Advisory/Grievance Committee for CGHS Wellness
Centre. Though we gave periodical reports to CCCGPA Karnataka on our
activities, I think I should give a report to our members.
To start with, I did not know what I
was heading for, when I volunteered to be on Advisory Committee, which later
turned out to be an eventful period.
Government of India has been generous
in taking care of Pensioners. After monthly pension, Health care in the form of
CGHS is the best thing we pensioners have.
I recollect. When I approached CGHS
office in Kendriya Sadan, Koramangala, I
expected another Govt. Office, make me wait endlessly at every stage,
make me doubt whether I was eligible for CGHS or not, and ask for more and more
details, before they could give me a CGHS Card. I was pleasantly surprised.
Everyone there talked to me with respect, showed respect for the organisation,
I once served, the Border Security Force, and gave very precise information on
what documents to bring. In the next meeting, they presented me the CGHS Card.
I must have spent about half an hour on each occasion.
I happened to be attached to Wellness
Centre at Shivajinagar and for some time to Gangenahalli Wellness Centre.
Almost all Doctors and Pharmacists, who dispense medicines, spoke with concern,
care and respect. Even when waiting period was 3 hours or more and our turn came
beyond 2 PM (on those days CGHS timings were 07-30 AM to 2-00 PM), Doctors and
staff generally remained cool and composed. If I name a particular Doctor or
Staff, I will be doing injustice to others. I wish I had conveyed my
appreciation more often.
A Few issues dominated last two years.
Change of timings, Issue of plastic card, Computerisation in CGHS, Requests for
revision of CGHS rates by Hospitals and Diagnostic Laboratories, Pending bills,
Discontinuance of cashless treatment facilities for pensioners, Issue of
medicines for 30 days only instead of 90 days as was the practice for some
diseases, De-recognition and Empanelling
of hospitals and laboratories.
Above issues, to say the least,
disturbed the pensioner community to such an extent, they started thinking
Health support from Govt may just go into memory and Health care in future
would remain a nightmare.
Fortunately for us, pensioners,
situation has improved. Nightmare seems to be over. By the time you read this
article, situation should be near normal, with better systems in place, which
are good for Govt., Private Hospitals, Laboratories and of course the
beneficiaries. Having said all these, there are some issues which have eluded
satisfactory solutions. Some of these issues are here.
Virtually no empanelled hospital in
North Bangalore. No new Wellness Centre for Bangalore. No new Polyclinic for
Bangalore. No Wellness Centre outside
Bangalore. Getting appointment with Specialists continues to be difficult. Many
well-known hospitals, which were with CGHS, are yet to come back to CGHS fold.
There were suggestions, complaints,
requests, pleadings, angry outbursts by the beneficiaries. I know I have not
met many of those expectations. I gave them a hearing and I am happy. I was
able to help some of them. What is good is there are many individuals and
informal groups supporting each other during crises period. We should think how
to extend or enlarge these groups.
There are many Central Government
Pensioners who are not aware of CGHS or some not convinced about the utility of
CGHS Scheme. Gerard La Forgia and Somil Nagpal have done a vast study on virtually
every (Health) scheme that is present in India. (Report runs to 700
pages). I wish to quote 5 lines from
that report. (Quote) In terms of depth of coverage, CGHS has the most
generous benefits package of those described in this book and is one of the
most generous health insurance schemes in the world. CGHS offers a
comprehensive package of out-patient and in-patient care, also including preventive
care. It also covers ayurvedic, homeopathy, unani and siddha systems of
medicine. There are no exclusions for pre-existing diseases, co-payments,
deductions, or monetary cap on yearly or life-time coverage. (Unquote)
I strongly recommend to those who have
not opted for CGHS, please opt. Pay full contribution, now. Once 7th
CPC report comes, you may have to pay 3 to 4 times of what you will be paying
now. There are no doubts many hiccups in CGHS, but you cannot afford to ignore Health insurance?
Government has before it ‘ Vision 2020
‘, Vaccination for elders, Annual check-up for pensioners etc., At the same
time, Budgetary allotment seems to restrict extension of CGHS coverage.
I thank the CCCGPA Karnataka and the
KCGPA Bangalore for giving me an opportunity to serve in the Advisory Committee
of CGHS Wellness Centre No.1 as Pensioners’ nominee. I thank all Doctors and
Staff of CGHS for their understanding, cooperation and their commitment to
beneficiaries. -- By Shri Ashok S Kololgi, Secretary, Karnataka
CGPA.
(PS: The Addl
Director, CGHS, at Koramangala, may gracefully peruse, please !)
Full pension for pre-2006 20-year service pensioners
The case on December
15, 2014, is adjourned to February 6, 2015.
Meantime, an RTI Appeal gives interesting
information – though against the interests of the pre-2006 full pension-seeking
litigants. An RTI Appeal was filed before the First Appellate Authority, on
28.9.2014. The applicant desired to have information on the basis of which
retrospective full pension benefit has been denied to pre-2006 pensioners, vide
para 2 of OM d/ 10.12.2009. The Reply d/ 10.10.2014 stated that in terms of
orders issued by the Govt, pre-2006 pensioners are not entitled to full
pension, if they did not have 33 years of qualifying service. On this reply,
another RTI Appeal was filed on 29.10.2014 stating that the required
information was not provided. Thereupon, the Appellate Authority decided on
4.12.2014 that there was no denial of the required information, and disposed of
the Appeal. The Authority added “In case you are not satisfied with the
information, you may file a Second Appeal with the Central Information
Commission, Room No.306, 2nd floor, August Kranti Bhavan, Bhikamaji Place, New
Delhi 110 066. (Smt Tripti P. Ghosh is the Director of the First Appellate
Authority.)
Karnataka CGPA
Postal Registration extended: The Karnataka Postal
authorities have extended the registration period for despatch of ‘Pensioners
Digest’ from 1.1.2015 to 31.12.2017, with new Regn No.KARN/BGE/200/2015-2017. We are thankful to them for this facility and continued
patronage. We are endeavouring to get their permission for postal franking, to
avoid purchase of postage and affixing them on to each issue of the PD. We hope
we would get this clearance shortly.
‘Pensioners
Digest’ reaches
Gujarat and Rajasthan ! The
Pensioners’ Assns here have remitted the subscription to the PD, and the issues
of December 2014 have already been despatched to them. Shri GM Halvadia is the
Secretary of the Telecom Pensioners Assn, Tel.No.9173899281 at SIHOR. The
issues go to the address: ‘Prasad’, Jalaram Lati, Station Road, SIHOR (PIN)
364240 (Gujarat). Shri M R Kukar is the Secretary of CGPA at Sri Ganganagar, Tel. No.
M: 9352095757. The issues go to No.70, Indra colony, St. 3, Sri Ganganagar
(PIN) 335001 (Rajasthan). We thank them for evincing interest in our journal.
The President avails this opportunity to
state this. The PD is presently sent on-line to the e-mail holders of the MC
and a few others, in the first week of every month. The Bharat Pensioners Samaj,
New Delhi, has also requested for ‘soft copy’ on line. We have no hesitation
whatsoever to send the PD to others too, on-line. Those who need such ‘soft
copy’ on line may please intimate the President (hngrssrrao@gmail.com) their e-mail IDs with telephone numbers, for
the required action. Postal issues will also however be sent, on 11th
each month, as stipulated by the Postal authorities. (There was a suggestion
that this date should be shifted to 15th. The President declined it,
stating that he desired that the PDs should reach the members as early as
possible.)
Visit
to the Printer’s unit: The President and the
Treasurer of this Assn visited the Printers’ establishment on Dharmaraja Koil
street, Bangalore, on December 3, 2014. They got an idea where the on-line
PD-text is received, where the printing is done, where the stamping etc are
done. The printers-staff are working as a composite unit, under the guidance of
our Printer Shri V Sathianarayanan. One reason was to check up how colour
photos on glossy papers were incorporated in the issue of PD for December 2014.
As an incentive and as Xmas and New Year Eve gift to the staff, the Assn
presented them a token amount of Rs 500, and requested them to have lunch
together on any one day. They complied with the request gratefully, and had the
lunch on December 10, 2014. We thank the Printers staff for their valuable
continuous service for long years.
Vice-Prdt,
AIFPA Chennai, visited Bangalore: Shri
M R V Nath, Vice-President, AIFPA, Chennai, who was on a visit to Bangalore (to
see his son employed here), spoke to the President and visited him on December
25. He assured of inter-action between the two units, and said that the news of
KCGPA getting the SP Vatta Trophy & Cash reward would be incorporated in
the Federation journal ‘Pensioners Advocate’. He has handed over 3 papers on
CGHS functions, and these are looked into. The President had politely told him
that despite this Assn intimating the AIFPA Chennai of the demise of former
President Shri M N Doreswamy (vide e-mail d/5.12.2013), the Federation had not
published the demise, not to mention other items. It should be stated here that
the KCGPA has thankfully extracted many pieces of information from the
‘Pensioners Advocate’ (Chennai) and published them in ‘Pensioners Digest’
(Bangalore) off and on.
Grievances registration on CPENGRAMS
One case of Shri D M
Mahadeva Panthalu (M No.725) has been registered (the 14th by the Assn) on the Portal with Regn
No.DOPPW/E/2014/03165 on 26 Dec 2014, for revision of his pension. He has
stated that he has written to the CDA(P) Allahabad on November 5, 2014; but has
not received any reply.
The President desires to point out here that
the pensioners have shown quite delayed attention in projecting cases of wrong pension
fixation/re-fixation. The Ministry’s portal indicates position of pension
re-fixation after the 6th CPC. The fixation was done after the 6th
CPC recommendation, in 2008/2009; and why is this delayed pointer by the
pensioners. We have more than half a dozen such cases still on hand in the last
two years, and nothing has reached the point of clearance. The pensioners
should look into their cases immediately, take them up promptly with their
Departments or with the Dept of Pensions, and approach the Assn in the event of
no-reply/no-action by the concerned authorities. The pensioners can also individually file
their Grievances on the Portal. In fact, we have already indicated to the Dept
that it i.e. the Grievances portal functions just as ‘post office’ by
forwarding the grievances to a nodal officer in the corresponding department,
and washes off its hands. The BPS remarked that the portal ‘forwards and
forgets’ the grievances!
New
members enrolled: Following
7 members have joined the Assn during the month. We welcome them, and wish them
well.
Nmes (S/Shri)
|
Age/DOB
|
Dept.
|
Tel No./E-mail ID
|
M No.
|
Abhay Kumar Ghosh
|
69
02-11-1945
|
BSF, MHA,
|
2847 8271; 9845572585
|
1102
|
Gurudev N
|
69
14-12-1945
|
ICAR (IIHR),
Bangalore
|
99164 21148
|
1104
|
Krishnamurthy M
|
74
14-11-1940
|
CQAL, B’lore
|
2333 7885; 9845694390
|
1108
|
Kulkarni KG
|
76
14-07-1938
|
CQAL, B’lore
|
2343 7207; 9482230666
|
1106
|
Narayana Moorthy TM
|
71
01-02-1943
|
CQAL, B’lore
|
2353 2985; 9901226170
|
1103
|
Sarjoo Singh Suryavamshi
|
70
20-02-1944
|
ADE, DRDO
|
96862 35138
|
1105
|
Venugopal BR
|
66
14-04-1948
|
CQAL, B’lore
|
87224 75654
|
1107
|
Payments
received: Following payments
have been received during the month. Three
members have paid Rs 1000 each. We thank them all for their payments. (** ) Among them are : Shri GM Halvadia,
Secretary of Telecom Pensioners Assn, Sihor (Gujarat), and Shri M R Kukar,
Secretary, CGPA, Sri Ganganagar (Rajasthan).
Names (S/Shri)
|
M No.
|
Rect.
No.
|
Dona-
tion
|
M.
Fee
|
PD subs.
|
Year/s
|
Abhay Kumar Ghosh
|
1102
|
914
|
500
|
500
|
14-18
|
|
Gurudas S
|
105
|
921
|
500
|
15-19
|
||
Gurudev N
|
1104
|
924
|
500
|
125
|
14-15
|
|
Halvadia GM, **
|
931
|
125
|
||||
Krishnamurthy M
|
1108
|
928
|
500
|
125
|
14-15
|
|
Kukar MR, **
|
932
|
130
|
||||
Kulkarni KS
|
1106
|
926
|
500
|
125
|
14-15
|
|
Murthy RS
|
611
|
929
|
500
|
500
|
15-19
|
|
Nagaraja K
|
255
|
918
|
500
|
500
|
14-18
|
|
Narayana Moorthy TM
|
1103
|
920
|
500
|
125
|
14-15
|
|
Prabhakar MK
|
1035
|
911
|
1000
|
|||
Ramamurthy BS
|
856
|
919
|
500
|
14-18
|
||
Sarjoo Singh
Suryavamshi
|
1105
|
925
|
500
|
125
|
14-15
|
|
Sathyanarayana BL
|
906
|
917
|
1000
|
|||
Shashikanth S
Kargudri
|
408
|
915
|
1000
|
|||
Subba Rao B
|
378
|
923
|
350
|
250
|
16-18
|
|
Syed Akbar
|
829
|
916
|
250
|
14-16
|
||
Usha Kumari Smt.
|
485
|
912
|
500
|
|||
Vaidyanatha Prabhakara
|
492
|
922
|
500
|
|||
Venugopal BR
|
1107
|
927
|
500
|
125
|
14-15
|
Revision of PPOs
Two cases continue to
agitate the Assn. One, the PPO of Shri A S Pereira, who is running the 93 year
on bed, is yet to be revised. He keeps ringing up the President every
fortnight. We have tapped the doors of ‘every one’ in the country; the BPD
screamed in its Blog two month back stating ‘Will any Govt officer help?’; and yet there is no fruitful response.
Second,
Shri B D Bhandari, also on sick bed, has to get a duplicate PPO. The original
has not been received, and is apparently lost in transit. He
has been given a PPO number by his Bank, and on that basis he continues to get
his pension. But, but, the CPAO holds that the number is incorrect !
(ATTENTION: The Secretary, Ministry
of Pensions, may kindly look into these two ‘SOS’ cases, and take considered
quick action to help the sick and aged pensioners, please.)
A Quote
When God blesses
you financially,
Do
not raise your standard of ‘living’;
(But) Raise your standard of
‘giving’.
n
Mark Batterson
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Go Green :: Be
Clean
A Request -- P l
e a s e :
1 write your names in capital letters, with telephone numbers, in all
communications –
even while making remittances;
2 do not send courier/registered mail or MOs
to the Office (working 2 to 5 pm);
Office
tel. no. is 23468438, and Manager’s mobile number is 9241703937;
3 remit
PD subscriptions during Feb-March, as subscription is for financial year;
remittances made upto December will expire in
March following;
4 request
the Office for substitute PD issues, before 20th of the month;
5 comply
with Appeal for Donations, minimum being ‘50% of DR hike every six months’
(which
is an AGB Resolution);
6 represent
your Grievances/Problems, in writing, with telephone numbers/e-mail IDs
in particular, as we tabulate
them.
Thank
you.
THE KARNATAKA CENTRAL
GOVERNMENT PENSIONERS’ ASSOCIATION®
(Estd : 1974) (Regd
: 1983)
RNI Regn. No.KARENG/2008/27233 Postal Regn.
No.KRNA/BGE/200/2015-2017
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENSIONERS’ DIGEST
JANUARY 2015
“Swarna”, 120/1, 2nd Main, Gayatri Devi Park Extension,
Vyalikaval, Bengaluru 560 003
PENSIONERS’ DIGEST : JANUARY
2015
(Subscription: Rs 125/- per financial year)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RNI Regn.
No.KARENG/2008/27233 Postal Regn.
No.KRNA/BGE/200/2015-2017
Posted at Bengaluru GPO, Bengaluru 560001, in bulk, on
11th of each month.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S/Shri/Smt:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If undelivered, please
return to:
The Karnataka CGPA, “Swarna”, 120/1, 2nd Main, Gayatri Devi
Park Extension, Vyalikaval, Bengaluru 560 003
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Published by Shri S
Gurudas, for and on behalf of The Karnataka Central Government Pensioners’
Association, “Swarna”, No.120/1, 2nd Main, Gayatri Devi Park
Extension, Vyalikaval,, Bengaluru 560003; and Printed by Shri V
Sathianarayanan, at M/s GH Enterprises, No. 128, Dharmaraja Koil Street,
Bengaluru 560001; and Written/Edited
by Shri
S S Ramanatha Rao.
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