Proposed new health insurance system for employees & pensioners of Central Government

Sixth Pay Commission recommended for New Health Insurance Scheme in lieu of present CGHS. Though employees covered under CGHS have apprehensions whether this proposed new scheme would be better than existing CGHS, in respect of employees residing in Non-CGHS area this scheme is definitely a boon.

 

The present CS Medical Attendance Rules under which employees residing under non-CGHS area are covered has no real intention to provide for proper medical treatment be it In-Patient or Out-Patient treatment as the cost reimbursed under CS Medical Attendance Rules would be a paltry sum compared to the actual cost of medical treatment in non-CGHS areas.

 

In the case of Pensioners too residing in non-CGHS ares, the fixed medical Allowance of Rs.300 per month provided to them may not be even sufficient to meet out the cost for one visit to a nearby Doctor for cold.

 

Under these circumstances, Central Government Employees and Pensioners residing in non-CGHS are really in need of good medical treatment at par with their colleagues in CGHS Areas. When New Medical Insurance Scheme was proposed by Government in the year 2008 as per the recommendations of 6CPC, it was believed that it would come as a relief for employees and pensioners in non-CGHS area.

 

But this scheme is still not a reality as in spite of repeated promises in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha that the scheme would be implemented soon, it it yet to take off.

 

On 28.08.2012, there was a quey regarding implementation of this Scheme for which Health Ministry has replied as follows

 

 GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF  HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

RAJYA SABHA

Health insurance for CGHS beneficiaries

 

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1775 by SHRI BASHISTHA NARAIN SINGH
 

a) whether it is a fact that in the year 2010, Government mooted a plan to provide health insurance scheme to its serving and retired employees;

 

(b) if so, the present status of that scheme;

(c) whether it is also a fact that beneficiaries including Members of Parliament are not getting required medicines from dispensaries specially Ayurvedic dispensary of North Avenue and elsewhere; and

 

(d) if so, by when Government would seriously consider providing health insurance cover to CGHS beneficiaries in order to provide better healthcare?

 

ANSWERED ON-28.08.2012

 

(a) & (b): There is a proposal for introduction of a health insurance scheme for central government employees and pensioners on pan-India basis with special focus on pensioners living in non-CGHS areas. As per the directions of the ‘Committee of Secretaries’, a proposal for inclusion of this scheme in the 12th Five Year Plan has been sent for consideration of the Steering Committee of the Planning Commission, before placing the same for approval of the competent authority. 

 

(c) : No.

 

(d): No specific time frame can be given for introduction of the proposed health insurance scheme.

Bi-monthly meeting in Hyderabad & Visakhapatnam Regions

Bi-monthly meeting with PMsG in Hyderabad & Visakhapatnam Regions are scheduled to be held in the month of September, 2012. The agenda for discussion in the meeting is to be submitted latest by 03/09/2012. 

Office bearers and members fof both the Regions are requested to intimate the items, if any, to be taken up in the meeting for discussion with PMsG by 02/09/2012.

Clarification on admissibility of HRA during Chile Care Leave

DoPT issued a clarification on admissibility of HRA during child care leave (CCL) vide OM No. 2(9)/2012-E.II(b) dated 27/08/2012.

CLICK HERE to view the OM.

CMC & RJCM meetings held at Nagarjunasagar

RJCM & CMC meetings were held at Nagarjunasagar (Nalgonda District) on 28/08/2012 and 29/08/2012 respectively. All the PMsG and DPS' of all Regions attended the meetings.

Allotments in PS Gr 'B' Cadre

9 officers from AP circle who came out successful in the PS Gr 'B' Examination 2012 held on 03/06/2012 were allotted to Andhra Pradesh Circle.

Shri Vineet Pandey PMG SK Region to hold additional charge of GM CEPT, Mysore

Shri Vineet Pandey (I.Po.S.-1986) PMG, SK Region, Karnataka Circle will hold additional charge of GM (CEPT), Mysore until further orders as per Directorate Order No. 1-10/2009-SPG dated 16/08/2012.

Happy 66th Independence Day wishes to all members, viewers & well wishers

The circle branch of the association wishes a happy 66th INDEPENDENCE DAY to all members, viewers and well wishers.

Gold Coins in Post Offices in Delhi - Independence Day Discount of 6.5%

For this Independence Day & Pushya Nakshtra, India Post has announced a special discount of 6.5% on purchase of Gold coins.

On 13th, 14th & 16th August 2012 any customer who buys gold from identified Post Offices in Delhi will get a special 6.5% discount of the day’s retail price on all denominations.

This offer is available in all 31 Post Offices of Delhi indentified for the sale of Gold coins.

These gold coins bear unique logo of India Post and are available in denominations of 0.5 gms, 1gms, 5gms, 8gms, 10gms, 20gms & 50gms for sale across counters at select Post Offices. These coins are having purity rating of 24 karat 99.99% from Valcambi, under Swiss certification and are available in tamper-proof packaging having benefits like internationally recognized certification, low risk of duplication, quality packaging, product standardization and numbering with assayer certification.

Allotment of IPoS probationers in regular JTS Gr-A cadre

Directorate issued orders of posting to I.Po.S. probationers to JTS Gr-A cadre on regular basis.

CLICK HERE to view the order

Revision of rates of honorarium to IOs/POs for departmental inquiries

DoPT has released consolidated orders on rates of honorarium to IOs/POs for departmental inquiries on 31/07/2012. The revised rates are : IOs (Serving)  -  Min. Rs 5000  Max  Rs. 10,000,  POs(Serving)  -  Min Rs. 5000  & Max - Rs. 10,000 and are effective from 31/07/2012 applicable to the inquiries in progress also.  The payment is subject to terms and conditions laid down.

The number of disciplinary cases are to be restricted to 10 in a year and not not more than 2 at a time.

CLICK HERE to view the order in full and also to view the terms and conditions involved in payment of honorarium.

Expenditure measures in Central Government Offices

With a view to containing non-developmental expenditure and thereby releasing additional resources for meeting the objectives of the priority schemes, Ministry of Finance has been issuing guidelines on austerity measures in the government.  Stringent economy measures to reduce the non plan expenditure and curbs on funding meetings./conferences/foreign visits etc. have been introduced.  Besides, strict guidelines for spending in Budget Estimates in a proper manner have also been put in force. All the Financial Advisories of Ministries/Departments have been directed for assisting in implementation of these measures and also to send quarterly report on action taken form implementation.

Complete text of OM No. No.7(1)/E.Coord/2012 dated 31.05.2012 is reproduced below :

No.7(1)/E.Coord/2012

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

New Delhi dated: 31st May, 2012

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

              Subject: Expenditure Management-Economy measures and rationalization of
                            expenditure

 

Background:

With a view to containing non-developmental expenditure and thereby releasing additional resources for meeting the objectives of the priority schemes, Ministry of Finance has been issuing guidelines on austerity measures in the government from time to time.

 

2.  Economy Measures

In the context of the current fiscal situation where there is a tremendous pressure on government’s resources, there is an urgent need for rationalization of expenditure and optimization of available resources with a view to improve the macroeconomic environment.  With this objective, the following measures for fiscal prudence and economy will come into force with immediate effect :-

2.1 Cut in Non Plan expenditure

For the year 2012-13, every Ministry/Department shall effect a mandatory 10 % cut in non-Plan expenditure excluding Interest payment, repayment of debt, Defence capital, salaries, pension and the Finance Commission grants to the States.  No re-appropriation of funds to augment the non-Plan heads of expenditure on which cuts have been imposed, shall be allowed during the current fiscal year.

2.2  Seminars and Conferences
i) utmost economy shall be observed in organizing conferences/Seminars/Workshops.  Only such conferences, workshops, seminars etc. which are absolutely essential, should be held and even there a 10 % cut on budgetary allocations for seminars/conferences shall be effected.

ii) Holding fo exhibitions/seminars/conferences abroad is strongly discouraged except in the case of exhibitions for trade promotion.

iii) There will be a ban on holding of meetings and conferences at five star hotels.

2.3  Purchase of vehicles
i)  Purchase of vehicles is banned until further orders, including against condemned vehicles.

2.4 Foreign travel

i)  It would be responsibility of the Secretary of each Ministry/Department to ensure that foreign travel is restricted to most necessary and unavoidable Official engagements based on functional necessity and extant instructions, including on the number of visits, are strictly followed.

ii) where travel is unavoidable, it will be ensured that officers of the appropriate level dealing with the subject are sponsored instead of those at higher levels.  The size of the delegation and duration of visit will be kept to the absolute minimum.

iii) proposals for participation in study tours, workshops/ conferences/ seminars/ presentation of papers abroad at government cost will not be entertained except those that are fully funded by sponsoring agencies.

iv) Foreign visits should be so regulated as to ensure that each ministry remains within the allocated budget (after 10 % cut) for the same.  Re-appropriation proposals on this account would not be approved.

2.5 Creation of posts

There will be a total ban on creation of Plan and Non-Plan posts.

3. Observance of discipline in fiscal transfers to states, Public Sector Undertakings and Autonomous Bodies at Central / State/Local level.

3.1  No amount shall be released to any entity (including state Governments), which has defaulted in furnishing Utilisation Certificates for grants-in-aid released by the Central Government without prior approval of the Ministry of Finance.

3.2 Ministries/Departments shall not transfer funds under any Plan schemes in relaxation of conditionalities attached to such transfers (such as matching funding).

3.3. The State Governments are required to furnish monthly returns of Plan expenditure – Central, Centrally sponsored or State Plan – to respective Ministries/Departments along with a report on amounts outstanding in their Public account in respect of Central and Centrally sponsored Schemes.  This requirement may be scrupulously enforced.

3.4  The following specific steps may be adopted :
a) The unspent balances available with the states and implementation agencies must be taken into account before further releases are made.

b) The sanction for payment must clearly specify either that the payee has no utilization certifications as ‘due for rendition” under the Rules under the Scheme in question or that the payment has been authorised by Department of Expenditure.

c) for any deviation from the above, the case should be referred to the Department of Expenditure.

d) The Chief Controller of Accounts must ensure compliance with the above as part of pre-payment scrutiny.

4. Balanced Pace of Expenditure

4.1 Rush of expenditure towards the end of the financial year continues to be an area of concern.  As per the extant instructions, not more than one-third (33%) of the budget estimates may be spent in the last quarter of the financial year.  Besides the stipulation that during the month of March the expenditure should be limited to 15 % of the Budget Estimates, is reiterated.

Ministries/Departments which are covered by the Monthly Expenditure Plan (MEP) may ensure that the MEP is folowed strictly.

4.2  It is also considered desirable that in the last month of the year payments may be made only for the goods and services actually procured and for reimbursement of expenditure already incurred. Hence, no amount should be released in advance (in the last month) with the exception of the following :

i) Advance payments to contractors under terms of duly executed contracts so that Government would not renege on its legal or contractual obligations.

ii) Any loans or advances to Government servants etc. or private individuals as a measure of relief and rehabilitation as per service conditions or on compassionate grounds.

iii) Any other exceptional case with the approval of the Financial Advisor.  However, a list of such cases may be sent by the FA to the Department of Expenditure by 30th April of the following year for information.

4.3  Rush of expenditure on procurement should be avoided during the last quarter of the fiscal year and, in particular, the last month of the year, so as to ensure that all procedures are complied with and there is no infructuous or wasteful expenditure.  FA’s are advised to specially monitor this aspect during their reviews.

5.      No fresh financial commitments should be made on items which are not provided for in the budget approved by Parliament.

Secretaries of the Ministries/Departments being the Chief Accounting authorities as per Rule 64 of GFR shall be fully charged with the responsibility of ensuring compliance of the measures outlined above. Financial Advisors shall assist the respective Departments in securing compliance with these measures and also submit an overall report to the Minister-in-Charge and to the Ministry of Finance on a quarterly basis regarding various actions taken on these measures/guidelines.

(Sumit Bose)
Secretary( Expenditure )

Shri Alok Saxena continues as Secretary, Postal Services Board

Shri Alok Saxema (I.Po.S. -1989) DDG Establishment, Postal Directorate continues as Secretary, Postal Services, Board.

MACP promotions to ASPs

Circle Office has released orders of financial upgradation to the following ASPs to the Grade Pay of Rs 4800/-.

1. Shri P.Shiva Shankaraiah, Jt Manager EPPC/PSO Hyderabad Sorting Division.
2. Shri A.Padmanabha Shetty, ASRM, Kazipet RMS.
3. Shri S.Shabbir, AD (Adhoc), RO, Hyderabad.
4. Shri C.Jayarami Redy, ASRM TP Dn., Tirupati.
5. Shri T V V Satyanarayana, ASP, CO, Hyderabad.
6. Shri Y S Narsinga Rao, ASP (R), Srikakulam.
7. Shri G.Shanmukheswara Rao, SP (Adhoc), Parvatipuram.
8. Shri A.Eswar Rao, ASP, Parvatipuram.
9. Shri K V S L Narsimha Rao, ASP, Amalapuram.
10. Shri P.Ananda Rao, ASP, Parvatipuram.
11. Shri M.Sheshagiri Rao, ASP (Hqrs), Hanamkonda.
12. Shri B V Ramana, SAS, CO, Hyderabad.
13. Shri M.Manmadha Rao, ASP, Hyderabad Sorting Division.
14. Shri I.R.K. Naidu, ASP (R), Nellore.

Congrats to the officers.

DA from 01/07/2012 expected to be 72%

As per the AICPI(W) released for June 2012, the new DA from 01/07/2012 is expected to be 72%. The Government likely to officially announce new DA in September/October, 2012.