Latest news with #CentralCivilServicesRules
Hindustan Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Employees under Unified Pension Scheme now eligible for retirement, death gratuity benefits
New Delhi, All central government employees part of the Unified Pension Scheme will now be eligible for retirement and death gratuity benefits available under the Old Pension Scheme , Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday. Responding to this long-pending demand by a large section of government employees, he said, the move addresses a significant demand of government staff and brings parity in retirement benefits. Singh, the Minister of State for Personnel, said the new provision reflects the government's commitment to ensure social security for all categories of employees under the National Pension System . Addressing a presser on the "transformational" journey of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions over the last 11 years, he highlighted a series of reforms aimed at simplifying governance, empowering citizens, and humanising administration. Central government employees covered under the UPS will now be eligible for retirement and death gratuity benefits, as per the provisions of the Central Civil Services Rules, 2021, Singh said. The Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare , under the Personnel Ministry, on Wednesday issued an order on the "options to avail benefits under Old Pension Scheme on death of government servant during service or his discharge from government service on account of invalidation or disability for central government servants covered under Unified Pension Scheme". "The order gives an employee the option to revert to OPS in case of death in service. It is progressive in nature and addresses the clarifications being sought by employees," DoPPW Secretary V Srinivas told PTI. President of the All India NPS Employees Federation, Manjeet Singh Patel, welcomed the order and termed it a historic and much-needed move by the government. Patel said the inclusion of death-cum-retirement gratuity in UPS will remove all the misconceptions of the employees. He said, the inclusion of OPS benefits in case of death or disability of any employee during the service under UPS is a great justice. "Therefore, a lot of employees will opt for the UPS now," Patel said. The DoPPW had notified the Central Civil Services Rules, 2021, to regulate service-related matters of central government employees covered under the NPS. Under these, Rule 10 provides for the option to be exercised by every central government employee covered under the NPS for availing benefits under the NPS or the Old Pension Scheme in the event of death of a government servant during service or his discharge on the ground of invalidation or disablement. "UPS has been notified as an option under the NPS. Therefore, it has been decided that the central government civil employees who opt for UPS under the NPS shall also be eligible for option for availing benefits under UPS or the CCS Rules, 2021 or the CSS Rules, 2023 in the event of death of the government servant during service or his discharge on the ground of invalidation or disablement," the order said. The finance ministry, on January 24, issued a notification regarding the introduction of UPS as an option under the NPS for recruits to the central government civil service with effect from April 1, 2025. It gives a one-time option to the central government employees covered under the NPS for inclusion under the UPS. Every central government servant who opts for the UPS under the National Pension System shall, at the time of joining the service, exercise an option in Form 1 for availing benefits under the UPS or under the CCS Rules, 2021 or the CCS Rules, 2023 in the event of his/her death or boarding out on account of disablement or retirement on invalidation, the order said. "Existing government servants, who have opted for the Unified Pension Scheme under the National Pension System, shall also exercise such option as soon as possible after the notification of these clarifications," it said. In the case of the death of a government servant while in service, the last option exercised by the deceased employee before his death shall be treated as final, and the family shall have no right to revise the option, said the order issued to all central government departments. The DoPPW also issued another order on Thursday to clarify that the central government employees covered under the UPS shall also be eligible for the benefit of retirement gratuity and death gratuity under the provisions of the Central Civil Service Rules, 2021. DoPPW Secretary Srinivas said this order "brings parity between the NPS and UPS pensioners and they will be eligible for ₹25 lakh gratuity also". Both these orders were released by Singh during the conference.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Panel To Study Feasibility Of Periodic Reviews Of DU Staff
New Delhi: Delhi University has set up a nine-member committee to examine the feasibility of implementing periodic performance reviews of its employees. This is in line with a central govt notification that allows premature retirement of staff deemed underperforming or lacking integrity. The panel, headed by executive council (EC) member Indra Mohan Kapahi, will assess whether such a policy can be adopted within the university framework. The proposal, tabled during the EC meeting on Friday, referred to an office memorandum issued by the department of personnel and training in June 2024. The memorandum lays down guidelines for quarterly reviews of central govt employees—including those working in autonomous bodies and statutory institutions—with a report to be submitted each month on staff identified as ineffective or of "doubtful integrity. " The rules permit premature retirement in public interest for employees aged 50 or 55, or those who have completed 30 years of service. While university officials say the move is aimed at strengthening administration, sections of the teaching community have raised red flags, alleging that such provisions may be misused to target dissenters. "The university administration has overstepped its authority by attempting to adopt the DoPT circular without clearance from the ministry of education or UGC. This raises serious concerns about procedural violations and the motive behind such haste," said Rudrashish Chakraborty, executive member of Delhi University Teachers' Association and associate professor at Kirori Mal College. Mithuraj Dhusiya, a former EC member, submitted a dissent note arguing that the memorandum applies only to central govt employees under the Central Civil Services Rules, which do not govern DU staff. "The notification has not even been officially forwarded to universities, making the administration's urgency highly questionable," he wrote. Maya John, member of the DU academic council, echoed similar concerns during a protest organised by DUTA outside the EC meeting venue. She alleged that the criteria listed in the memorandum—such as "doubtful integrity" and "ineffectiveness"—are vague and susceptible to misuse. "This conflation of teaching staff with central govt employees violates DU's institutional autonomy and risks creating a culture of fear and compliance," she said. EC member Aman Kumar also objected, noting that DU already has robust mechanisms for staff evaluation, including annual performance appraisal reports, the UGC's career advancement scheme, and annual departmental reviews. "The imposition of additional layers through central administrative procedures is unwarranted and threatens academic freedom," he said. The committee's recommendations are expected to be tabled in a future EC meeting. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Call for innovative teaching practices, performance tracking at NVS principals' conference
The three-day annual regional principals' conference of Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) concluded on Friday. Principals from across Hyderabad region participated in discussions and planning sessions with a focus on academic excellence such as enhancing academic standards, co-curricular activities, and streamlining administrative protocols, for holistic development of students. According to officials, the emphasis was on qualitative and quantitative academic outcomes by innovative teaching practices, performance tracking, and remedial interventions. Plans were formulated for cluster and regional-level sports events, cultural programmes, and integration meets aimed at nurturing students. Central Civil Services Rules were explained by Assistant Commissioner Surya Prakash, who spoke about procedures for offences under POSCO and sexual harassment at workplaces. Accounts Officer Mithilesh explained financial transparency, and General Manager (Construction) K.V. Reddy presented measures for upkeep of school's infrastructure. Deputy Commissioner T. Gopalakrishna felicitated the toppers of the region for outstanding achievements. There is an urgent need to fill all 80 seats in Class 11 through lateral entry by making efforts to attract eligible and meritorious students, he said. Stressing on sustaining the legacy and consistent performance by Hyderabad region in academics and sports, he spoke about prioritising the safety of students in campuses. He also called for early initiation of procedures to ensure hassle-free and timely processing of retirement benefits for employees.
