Tuesday 30 June 2020

EXERCISING OPTION FOR DEDUCTION OF TDS UNDER OLD AND NEW RATES OF INCOME TAX FOR F.Y. 2020-21 – MINISTRY OF LABOUR CIRCULAR

No. 24/06/2020-Cash (MS)
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA/BHARAT SARKAR
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT
CASH SECTION (MS)
New Delhi, dated the 25th June, 2020
CIRCULAR

Exercising option for deduction of TDS under old and new rates of Income Tax for the Financial Year 2020-21

The Government of India has notified new tax structure w.e.f. the financial year 2020-21 (assessment year 2021-22), wherein the total taxable income shall be computed without any exemption/deduction such as Standard Deduction, HRA Exemption, loss from house property, deductions granted under the provisions of Chapter VI-A (except deduction under sub section (2) of Section 80CCD).
S.No.
 Taxable income
Tax Rate
 Tax rate (New Scheme)
1
Up to Rs. 2,50,000
Nil
Nil
2
From Rs. 2,50,001 to Rs. 5,00,000
5%
5%
3
From Rs. 5,00,001 to Rs. 7,50,000
20%
10%
4
From Rs: 7,50,001 to Rs. 10,00,000
20%
15%
5
From Rs. 10,00,001 to Rs. 12,50,000
30%
20%
6
From Rs. 12,50,001 to Rs. 15,00,000
30%
25%
7
Above Rs. 15,00,000
30%
30%
The income tax rates prevailing in the financial year 2019-20 will continue to exist and the official has to choose between old rates and new rates for the purpose of monthly Income Tax recovery from pay and allowances. In the old tax rates, all the existing deductions and exemptions are allowed.
Therefore, all the officials are required to exercise their option, in writing or through email to mole124cash@gmail.com to choose between old or new income tax structure for the financial year 2020-21 (assessment year 2021-22) for the purpose of monthly income tax deduction from pay and allowances. This option should be forwarded to Cash Section (MS) latest by 10-07-2020. If no option is received by the prescribed date, it will be presumed that the official is opting for the old tax structure and income tax recoveries will be regulated accordingly.
It may also be noted that the option so exercised will be final and cannot be modified during the present financial year.
(C.S. Rao)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
  1. All Officers/Officials of MOLE
  2. NIC – for uploading on website.

Filling up of post of Deputy Manager, Assistant Manager and Technical Supervisor in Centre for Excellence in Postal Technology under Department of Posts.

Rates of interest for Small Savings Schemes for the 2nd quarter remain unchanged as first quarter of 2020-21


SPOs, Sambalpur Division transferred.


CERT -In Advisory CIAD-2020-0040 on COVID 19-related Phishing Attack Campaign by Malicious Actors



Monday 29 June 2020

Guidelines for Unlock 2

Ministry of Home Affairs

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issues new Guidelines for Unlock 2 

Unlock 2 opens up more activities outside Containment Zones 

Strict enforcement of lockdown in Containment Zones

Posted On: 29 JUN 2020 9:28PM by PIB Delhi
Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued new guidelines for Unlock 2 to open up of more activities in areas outside the Containment Zones. The new guidelines will come into effect from July 1, 2020, the process of phased re-opening of activities has been extended further. The new guidelines, issued today, are based on feedback received from States and UTs, and extensive consultations held with related Central Ministries and Departments. 
As stipulated in the Unlock 1 Order and guidelines issued on 30.05.2020, certain activities, i.e., religious places and places of worship for public; hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services; and shopping malls; have already been permitted from June 8, 2020 outside the Containment Zones. Detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) have also been issued. 
Salient features of the new guidelines for Unlock 2
  • Domestic flights and passenger trains have already been allowed in a limited manner. Their operations will be further expanded in a calibrated manner.
  • Night curfew timings are being further relaxed and curfew shall be in force from 10.00 pm to 5.00 am. Further, relaxations in night curfew have been given for seamless operation of industrial units in multiple shifts, movement of persons and goods on National and State Highways, loading and unloading of cargo and movement of persons to their destinations after disembarking from buses, trains and airplanes.
  • Shops depending upon their area, can have more than 5 persons at a time. However, they have to maintain adequate physical distance.
  • Training institutions of the Central and State Governments will be allowed to function with effect from July 15, 2020.  SOP in this regard will be issued by the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India.
  • After extensive consultation with States and UTs, it has been decided that schools, colleges and coaching institutions will remain closed till July 31, 2020.
  • International air travel of passengers has been permitted in a limited manner under the Vande Bharat mission.  Further opening up will take place in a calibrated manner.
  • All activities, except the following, shall be permitted outside containment zones: 
  1. Metro Rail.
  2. Cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places.
  3. Social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions and other large congregations.
Dates for opening of these will be decided separately, based on the assessment of the situation.
  • Lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till 31 July, 2020. Containment Zones are required to be carefully demarcated by the State/ UT Governments with a view to contain the spread of COVID-19, after taking into consideration the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW).  Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only essential activities allowed. 
  • These Containment Zones will be notified on the websites of the respective District Collectors and by the States/UTs and information will also be shared with MOHFW.
  • Activities in the Containment Zones shall be monitored strictly by the State/UT authorities, and the guidelines relating to containment measure in these zones shall be strictly implemented.
  • MOHFW will monitor the proper delineation of Containment Zones and implementation of the containment measures.
States to decide on activities outside Containment Zones
  • States and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may prohibit certain activities outside the Containment zones, or impose such restrictions as deemed necessary. 
  • However, there shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods.  No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements. 
Night curfew
  • Night Curfew shall continue to remain in force, between 10.00 pm and 5 am, except for essential activities and other relaxation given in Unlock 2. 
National Directives for COVID-19 management
  • National Directives for COVID-19 management shall continue to be followed throughout the country, with a view to ensure social distancing.  Shops will need to maintain adequate physical distancing among customers. MHA will monitor the effective implementation of National Directives.
Protection for vulnerable persons
  • Vulnerable persons, i.e., persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years, are advised to stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.
Use of Aarogya Setu
  • The use of Aarogya Setu mobile application will continue to be encouraged.

No posting orders to be issued against the qualified IPs and wherever posting order has been issued, the official (s) not to be allowed to join


Extention of validity period of empanelment of already empanelled Health Care Organizations under CGHS.


Sunday 28 June 2020

Nationwide Protest Demonstration on 3rd July 2020 at all workplaces


No. NFPE – ODI / 11 / 2020
Dated at Bhubaneswar the 28th June, 2020
To
All Circle Secretaries, NFPE Odisha State Coordination Committee
All Divisional / Branch Secretaries of NFPE Unions in Odisha (Through respective Circle Secretaries)

Sub: - Nationwide Protest Demonstrations at workplaces on 3rd July, 2020.

Dear Comrades,
Enclosed, please find attached here with the endorsement of Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers with request to conduct protest demonstrations on 3rd July, 2020 at all workplaces maintaining all norms of social distancing and other conditions of COVID-19 pandemic.

As such, it is sincerely requested to make the programme a grand success with wide publicity through print / electronic / social media.

With struggle greetings.
Comradely yours,

(Bruhaspati Samal)

 Chairman, NFPE, Odisha State CoC


Confederation of Central Government Employees and workers endorses the call of Central trade unions and appeal to all Constituent organisations to conduct protest demonstration on 3rd July 2020 at all work places, maintaining all norms of social distancing and others of Covid 19.

05th June, 2020

Central Trade Unions call for 3rd July 
as Nation Wide Protest 
Prepare for Countrywide Struggle of Non Cooperation and Defiance

The Central Trade Unions (CTUs) in their meeting on 3rd June 2020 congratulated the workers for responding enthusiastically to the nation-wide protest call demanding immediate halt to changes in labour laws, abrogating the rights won over after a struggle of 150 years among other demands. The meeting took serious note of the continuous aggressive attack on the workers’ rights ignoring all the joint representations to the Government on the matter including the nationwide protest on 22nd May 2020.

The Government not only failed in getting its own orders and advisories implemented in regard to payment of wages to workers, no retrenchments to be carried during lockdown period. Instead, it withdrew its own decision in the face of the case in Supreme Court by the employers of some companies. The Government did not heed to the demand of cash transfer of Rs. 7500/- to all non income tax paying households including unorganised labour (registered or unregistered) for the months of April, May, June, neither the demand for Government support to pay the wages of workers of MSMEs for these three months. The ration to all working people for at least six months to be made available universally also did not find favour with the Government. Neither our demand for workers safe journey home paid attention to.

The Supreme Court had to take cognizance finally asking the Governments of Centre and States not to demand passenger fares from workers, give them proper shelter and food till they are transported to their homes. Nineteen High Courts had taken cognizance of workers, frontline fighters and hospital services etc during this period.

We re-iterate that the Central Government chose the cover of COVID-19 lockdown to push through its agenda of disinvestment and wholesale privatisation of Public Sector Enterprises, 100 percent FDI in core sectors - Indian railways, Defence, Port and Dock, Coal, Air India, Banks, Insurance etc., steps in favour Corporates of Indian & Foreign brands to usurp natural resources and business of the country while mouthing behind the slogan of Aatma-Nirbhar Bharat. The earlier decisions and those taken during COVID-19 lockdown on privatization/corporatization/commercialization in Defense, Coal, Space science, Atomic energy, Insurance, Banks and most of the PSUs are being pursued with vigour and arrogance. The decision of DA freeze of 48 lakh Central Government Employees and DR freeze of 68 lakh pensioners, which is also having impact on the state government employees, is not withdrawn despite vehement opposition from Government employees and CTUs.

In this back ground various sections are now in agitation mode. The electricity workers and engineers have jointly observed countrywide protest against Electricity Amendment Bill 2020 on 1st June 2020. While welcoming the sectoral struggles which are developing in various sectors, CTUs support the protest programmes taken up by Defence federations including “strike ballots” and those in the coal mine sector on 10-11 June 2020.

The scheme workers, ASHA, Anganwadi, MDM, 108 ambulance employees, etc and the nurses and doctors who are in the front ranks among the front line warriors working at the community level for combating Covid 19 Pandemic are agitated for their demands for safety measures not being addressed appropriately and neither they are provided proper health care on falling sick from COVID-19 infection, nor the social security and insurance coverage being extended to the families who are succumbing to the disease. The scheme workers are also being denied payment of honorarium for lockdown period.


ASHAs, anganwadi employees, Doctors, Nurses, Safai Karamcharis, have been in the protests now and then in various parts of the country on similar demands. The CTUs support all these agitations on their just demands.

The so-called 20 lakh crore package of the Government is nothing but a hoax and cruel joke on the suffering people; this mainly comprises of loan guarantee to various sectors and the actual relief package reaching people is not even 1 percent of GDP. Even, previously announced budgetary allocations and welfare schemes such as PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Construction Workers Welfare Board and District Mineral Funds etc have been unscrupulously repackaged to befool the people.

The workers who have reached back to their villages would need work, so there is dire need of additional amount to cover these workers also along with the existing needs of rural labours. But the sum announced was paltry in face of demand at the ground level. We demand that the coverage of MNREGA must be enhanced sufficiently to meet the demand for livelihood and work for all including the returned migrant workers; similar employment guarantee should also be extended for the urban areas to meet the demand for work and livelihood for all including the most suffering unorganized sector workers; they should also be provided universal social security including health care and food support.

Now with the opening up of some industrial units the complaints are that all workers are not being taken back, only a small percentage is finding their place back in jobs and that also on reduced wages and refusal to pay lockdown period salary. Such denial of employment and pressure for wage-reduction have to be unitedly combated and we also demand upon the governments for immediate corrective interventions in that direction.

The jobless are more than 14 crore and if we add the daily wagers/contract/casual, it is more than 24 crores who are out of livelihood at present. The MSMEs themselves are reporting that 30% to 35% units may not be in position to start their activities. The unemployment rate is already reached 27%. ILO has said in its report that more than 40 crore people would be pushed into deeper poverty. According to eminent scientists & medical experts, India is faced with stark reality, that malnutrition would increase, hunger deaths would become a daily reality, and there is real threat of depression resulting in suicides amongst workers.

Modi Government has most insensitively dealt with the problem of COVID 19 as law & order issue instead of treating it as medical emergency for the human being and society. It has caused immense miseries to millions of workers, farmers and other vulnerable sections of the society. Whereas, Government stood only by Corporates & big businesses.

A Government which has no respect and concern, towards the rights and basic survivalentitlements of workers and the people does not deserve any co-operation. We the workers/employees and trade unions need to do everything possible to be in solidarity with each other, unitedly face the disease taking all precautions necessary, stand with each other to defend our rights of unionization, collective bargaining, decent working condition, wages & future securities etc. This Govt has demonstrated cruel insensitivity of the basic human needs of the workers and people. This cannot be endorsed and cooperated with.

We cannot accept lying down the designs for imposition of slavery on workers through total nullification of all labour laws; nor can we remain onlooker to the Govt project of wholesale privatization of our PSUs through multipronged routes; we cannot silently accept the aggressive structural changes in the agricultural economy in favour of corporate-landlord lobby putting already distressed majority of the agricultural populace in deeper miseries besides endangering food security for the entire people. Trade union movement cannot endorse or cooperate with this process; we have to totally non-cooperate, defy and resist through united struggles such disastrous anti-people, anti-worker and anti-national designs being imposed on the society taking advantage of the lockdown situation in an unscrupulous manner. The Central Government has defied its constitutional obligation.

Hence we the Central Trade Unions, independent Federations and Associations in this background have jointly decided to observe Nationwide Protest Day on 3rd July 2020, by the workers and employees of formal & informal sector and service establishments, maintaining physical distancing and other precautions. This programme is in preparation and prelude to further united struggle of prolonged Non-Cooperation and Defiance of the anti-people, anti-national policies of the Govt and in defence of our rights and basic entitlements. Preceding the nationwide protest, to generate awareness about the changes being made in labour laws and other policy issues, the state level joint meeting/seminars/conventions may be held.

We demand upon the Government to immediately hold the long overdue Indian Labour Conference to dwell upon the 12 point Charter of Demands, the labour and trade union rights, issues of job losses, wages, job security, the migrant workers’ issues including their journey to home and return journey to those who desire to join back their work, instead of frequently meeting only the employers and corporates organisations.

We call upon the working class and trade unions of all affiliations to make the programme of Nationwide Protest Day on 3rd July 2020 a massive success throughout the country, in all workplaces and centres in preparation to countrywide united struggles of Non-Cooperation and Defiance to anti-worker, anti-farmer, anti-people and anti-national policies of the Govt for at least six-months period to defend the rights of the people and save and defend the national economy. The concrete form of Non Cooperation and Defiance including nationwide general strike will be decided by the joint platform of Central Trade Unions and independent Federations and Associations at appropriate time in the next phase after the observance of the Nationwide Protest Day.
  



And Together with the Federations and Associations of various sectors

Saturday 27 June 2020

Revision of time limit for submission of final claims for reimbursement of medical expenses under CGHS


Regarding New Format of CN 23 Form




NFPE writes to the Department for promotion of all HSG-I officials completing 2 years to HSG-I NFG

National Federation of Postal Employees
1st Floor North Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi-110 001
Phone: 011.23092771                                             e-mail: nfpehq@gmail.com
Mob: 9868819295/9810853981                     website: http://www.nfpe.blogspot.com
_______________________________________________________

   No.PF-NFG /2020                                                                 Dated:   27th June, 2020

To
The Secretary
Department of Posts
Dak Bhawan,
New Delhi-110001

Sub:-   Immediate need to promote all HSG-I officials who have completed 2  years in HSG-I to HSG-I (NFG) without linking to availability of posts in  HSG-I (NFG) as per the recommendations  in the report of the committee constituted to examine the issues relating to the    Postmaster cadre

Ref:- Directorate office order No.25-19/2018-PE-I dated 25th February 2019

 Sir,

         Vide Directorate office order No.25-19/2018-PE-I dated 12.10.2018, a committee was constituted to examine the issues relating to the Postmasters cadre. The said committee has submitted its report and the report was circulated vide Directorate office order referred above. At Para 4.1.4 committee has given recommendations w.r.t. other allied issues. At 4.1.4 (a) the committee recommended that ‘‘ As per present  provision, financial upgradation to HSG-I officials (NFG) is available on seniority basis on the availability of limited number of posts. Usually, NFG is given after completion of certain period of service without linking to availability of posts. The committee is of the view that appropriate proposal be initiated for seeking approval of the competent authority to allow NFG for all HSG-I officials after two years of sevice in that grade.’’

           But this recommendation of the committee which is fully justified based on the usual practice adopted while giving NFG is not implemented resulting in denial of  natural justice to HSG-I officials who are shouldering the responsibilities  of appointing authorities and disciplinary authorities to GDS, Postmen, MTS and also in cases  while  imposing  minor penalties for PAs and also attending the duties of DDOs drawing pay and allowances to  the staffs and even to higher officers and recently attending the work attended earlier by the divisional heads of the duties of  approval of new PLI/RPLI policies  and  sanction of claim on maturity and claim in death cases of PLI/RPLI policies. All these works require higher knowledge and skills in the present scenario of technology advancement in our department. As such the implementation of the recommendation of the committee to give NFG to all HSG-I officials after completion of 2 years of service in that grade is fully justified.

            Under the circumstances, it is requested to implement the recommendations of the committee recommended at Para 4.1.4 (a) in true spirit  by giving notional promotion to NFG to those officials who have completed 2 years service in HSG-I and in Postmaster Grade III cadre retrospectively from 27.05.2016 the date of order of cadre restructuring, duly considering the justification. In Karnataka circle, HSG-I (NFG) is given to those officials who have completed 2 years service in HSG-I notionally from 27.05.2016 vide CPMG Karnataka Circle Bengaluru Memo No.BI/1-3/2018-19 dated 14.11.2018. This date of notional promotion to HSG-I (NFG) should be made applicable to all those officials who have completed 2 years service in HSG-I including the service in Postmaster Grade III on 27.05.2016 so that seniors who were in Postmaster Grade III cadre in the year 2016 till merger of Postmaster Grade III cadre with  HSG-I are not denied their legitimate and justified promotion.  This will also facilitate correcting of anomaly existing now because of  promotion given to juniors who were in HSG-I and promotion denied to seniors who were in Postmaster Grade III cadre on 27.05.2016.  

 An early action is  solicited.

Yours Sincerely,

(R.N. Parashar)
Secretary General