CGHS row peaking

A show cause notice has been served by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 25 of the 407 Hospitals for denying credit facility for CGHS beneficiaries.
Now, the Corporate Hospitals say, the notice is illegal and unfair. They said the fault lies with the Govt , as the dues on hospital bills are not cleared on time. Hospitals now demand hike in health packages, as the rates have not been revised .

More on N P S

NPS may soon allow partial withdrawals, making it more appealing and more liquid.  However, the withdrawals  are subject to  certain conditions.

1.       Maximum withdrawal not to exceed 25%  of the total contributions made

2.       Should have a regular NPS account for a minimum of 10 years

3.       Withdrawals only for Children’s  higher education and wedding,  first  house, or certain illnesses

4.       Withdrawals can’t be more than three times  during the tenure , with a gap of  five years.

This makes the NPS more liquid  and strong, considering the low-cost investment model  it follows and give an option to save through equities.

Tax Records - Keep them for 16 years

Tax Records – Need  to maintain for long

Even if you file your tax returns right and regularly, records must be maintained to ensure you have the answers when asked.  As you know, there are many circumstances that can lead to a tax notice. May be a wrong tax treatment of income, Mismatch in tax credits, Not filing IT return, Mistakes while filling the IT forms, Purchasing properties, or making excessive Credit Card payments. This warrants you to keep copies of all records/documents, in a safe place.  And you know for how long ?  For 16 years !   

So, save all those tax related documents, don’t  shred  them  off  !

Retirement at 65

Retirement age at 65

The  Standing Committee of Parliament on  Social Justice and Empowerment  has  urged the Central Govt to raise the retirement age of Govt servants from 60 years to 65 years.   They noted that  growing life span was adding to the need for “productive ageing”.  They also reminded that Senior Citizens would form 12.4 % of  our population  in 2026 (up from 7.5 % in 2001 ).  The Committee aid “ We feel that  with the increase in life expectancy and relatively better stae of health of people, the Govt needs to look at continuity of employment upto 65 years”.

Concessions from Haryana

Haryana State has announced  a couple of Senior Citizen friendly  initiatives.

1.      

  50 % concession of fare of State Roadways buses  for Senior Citizens above 65 years of age.  This scheme will be effective from 1 January, 2014.

2.

    Free Calcium supplements for women over the age of 55 years.

About CPCs

1 CPC                     1943

2 CPC                     1958-59                                                addition  of  Dearness Allowance

3 CPC                     1972-73

4 CPC                     1983-86                wef  1-1-1986

5 CPC                     1993-96                wef  1-1-1996

6 CPC                     2004-06                wef  1-1-2006

7 CPC                     2014-15                wef  1-1-2016

(more  details will be compiled up here)

More on CGHS issue

Thi is what the newspapers reported today .. ..

(From The Hindu )

VSSC Highlights 2013

Did you get a copy of  "VSSC Highlights 2013", the Annual Newsletter for Former Emplyees, from VSSC ?

Manthra to Stay Young

The magic manthra to stay young for all long !   Simple, Learn something new everyday !!
But you don't have to go to any School. You can learn something new and earn Certificats too, and without paying a paisa, right at the comfort of your home !  Use your internet device (lap-top, tablet, mobile) and log on to one of the popular MOOC platforms ! Massively Open Online Courses (MOOC)  offers you free of cost courses for everyone from anywhere.

https://www.edx.org/‎    and      https://www.coursera.org/    are two  well-known MOOC  providers.  Anyone can register and take online courses, as there are no application process and no costs.  edX has university partners too. IIT Bombay, BITS, Pilani and the like ! So you can get VERY VALUABLE  certificates too.

So, why don't you try something new ? All the Best !!

It's Income Tax time !

It's time for some of you to pay Income Tax now (for the FY 2013-14 and Assessment Year 2014-15).
Please click here or on "Your Money" link above for Income Tax info and computations.

Please also visit www.incometaxindia.gov.in for all  IncomeTax related info.  This info has a Tax calculator, Challan forms (download) and so on ...

Improving NPS

Are you aware that the NPS is certainly improving its performance ?  There are now 55 lakhs subscribers,  and 40 thousand crores total corpus. The scheme, being managed by Pension Funds, gave a 12+ % returns for Fy12-13.  Now that more Fund houses are coming up for the Fund manageement, the fund management fees will come down. That will further improve the NPS returns.

( Copy from The Hindu )

CGHS news continued

Hope CGHS issue be resolved immediately.

About CGHS issues

 Though ISRO pensioners may not be alarmed about this news,  read what's in store for you !

Memory Loss

Researchers have claimed to have found a drug to tackle Memory Loss in elderly. A chemical, an inhibitory brain neurotransmitter, called GABA is essential. Without it, the brain cells can become too sctive. The overactivity of brain cells is the main reason for memory loss. A normal level GABA helps maintain the optimum level of brain activity.  GABA could be our saviour of memory !

CHSS approved Hospitals

List of CHSS approved Hispitals now listed  in CHSS page.
Click Here  or   CHSS  menu link above  to view listing

7CPC - Terms of Reference

7th C P C -  Terms of Reference
Extract from  www.gconnect.in

a) To examine, review, evolve and recommend changes that are desirable and feasible regarding the principles that should govern the emoluments structure including pay, allowances and other facilities/benefits, in cash or kind, having regard to rationalization and simplification therein as well as the specialized needs of various Departments, agencies and services, in respect of the following categories of employees:-
i. Central Government employees-industrial and non-industrial;
ii. Personnel belonging to the All India Services;
iii. Personnel of the Union Territories;
iv. Officers and employees of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department;
v. Members of regulatory bodies (excluding the Reserve Bank of India) set up under Acts of Parliament; and
vi. Officers and employees of the Supreme Court.
b) To examine, review, evolve and recommend changesthat are desirable and feasible regarding principles that should govern the emoluments structure, concessions and facilities/benefits, in cash or kind, as well as retirement benefits of personnel belonging to the Defence Forces, having regard to historical and traditional parities, with due emphasis on aspects unique to these personnel.
c) To work out the framework for an emoluments structure linked with the need to attract the most suitable talent to Government service, promote efficiency, accountability and responsibility in the work culture, and foster excellence in the public governance system to respond to complex challenges of modern administration and rapid political, social, economic and technological changes, with due regard to expectations of stakeholders, and to recommend appropriate training and capacity building through a competency based framework.
d) To examine the existing schemes of payment of bonus, keeping in view, among other things, its bearing upon performance and productivity and make recommendations on the general principles, financial parameters and conditions for an appropriate incentivescheme to reward excellence in productivity, performance and integrity.
e) To review the variety of existing allowances presently available to employees in addition to pay and suggest their rationalization and simplification, with a view to ensuring that the pay structure is so designed as to take these into account.
f) To examine the principles which should govern the structure of pension and other retirement benefits, including revision of pension in the case of employees who have retired prior to the date of effect of these recommendations, keeping in view that retirement benefits of all Central Government employees appointed on and after 01.01.2004 are covered by the New Pension Scheme (NPS).
g) To make recommendations on the above, keeping in view:
i. the economic conditions in the country and need for fiscal prudence;
ii. the need to ensure that adequate resources are available for developmental expenditures and welfare measures;
iii. the likely impact of the recommendations on the finances of the State Governments, which usually adopt the recommendations with some modifications;
iv. the prevailing emolument structure and retirement benefits available to employees of Central Public Sector Undertakings; and
v. the best global practices and their adaptability and relevance in Indian conditions.
h) To recommend the date of effect of its recommendations on all the above. The Commission will make its recommendations within 18 months of the date of its constitution.
It may consider, if necessary, sending interim reports on any of the matters as and when the recommendations are finalised.
The decision will result in the benefit of improved pay and allowances as well as rationalization of the pay structure in case of Central Government employees and other employees included in the scope of the 7th Central Pay Commission.
Background
Central Pay Commissions are periodically constituted to go into various issues of emoluments’ structure, retirement benefits and other service conditions of Central Government employees and to make recommendations on the changes required.

Extract from  www.gconnect.in
For more information, and for a comparison of  ToRs  of 6CPC and 7CPC, please visit  www.gconnect.in

NOTE :

The terms of reference do not specifically include pensioners’ demands given to the Govt. Viz :

Merger of DA

Interim relief

Date of effect of 7CPC as 1-1-2011

Full parity in Pension between past and present pensioners

Inclusion of staff representation

Settlement of anomalies raised before the National Anomalies Committee.

Dial a Doctor - 1056

"Dial a Doctor" service  is now available in Trivandrum. The service launched by the State Health Department can be accessed by dialling 1056. Round the Clock service, to seek medical advice of Doctors, is available.

You may also visit www.disha1056.com  for medical service/advice.
 

Dial 1063 for Telecom complaints

You can now register your complaints for (DoT's notice) by dialling the toll-free number 1063 .

Moreover, District Consumer Forums are now competent to resolve your disputes with Telecom Service providers,

PPF and Post Office savings - Interest rates

Interest rates for small savings with Post Offices hiked.  tis hike will be effective from 1 April, 2014.
However, the interest rates on the 5year Senior Citizens saving scheme,  5 and 10 year National Saving Certificates  and Public Provident Fund are NOT hiked.

Retirement Homes

"There are 98 million people of 60 years and more in India.  This is going to double by 2030. Homes for Senior Citizens will be a very good and viable market for Real Estate developers "
A news paper report (from Tata Housing)  says that such Retirement Homes are coming up in many cities.

Our fraternity certainly indicated such needs many times during the last few years. But we are nowhere in meeting this need, atleast for some of us ( Though Not all are in need, and so not interested !).
Are we not smart enough to address this need of our friends and colleagues ?

New age Amruth

New age  Amruth

A pill to prevent ageing and also aids in treating related ailments is almost a reality now.  Researchers say, activating a protein called SIRTUIN 1 extends life span, delays the onset of age related metabolic diseases, and  improves general health.  The Sirtuin1 supplementation leads to decrease in cholesterol levels, leading to better heart protection and help prevent diabetes.

Hey…  wait… don’t  run to the medical shop !  This Amruth is still in the researchers’ lab !!

7CPC and some questions

The much awaited 7CPC has been constituted and the terms of reference approved by Cabinet (on 28-2-2014).  The Committee is expected to submit its report in two years time., and the recommendations will be implemented from 1-1-2016.

7CPC Chairman          :  Justice Ashok Kumar Mathur  (Retd. Supreme Court Judge, & Retired Chairman, Armed Forces Tribunal)

            Members         :  Mr. Vivek Rae ( Secretary , Petroleum and Natural Gas)

                                       Dr. Rathin Roy ( Director, NIPFP )

            Secretary         :   Ms. Meena Agarwal, OSD, Dept. of Expenditure, Min of Fin.

DA (90% now) has been increased by 10 % (to 100 %) , with effect from 1-1-2014. Government also confirmed that there is neither an Interim Relief nor a merger of DA with Basic Pension/Pay.  7CPC is expected to look into this matter later.

A few questions to be answered :

1.         Will 7CPC stick to the time frame ?  Will the Government  implement the recommendations from 1-1-2016 ?

2.         Will there be an Interim Relief and/or merger of DA with BP ?

3.         The National Anomaly Committee ( post 6CPC)  did not do justice, leaving many unresolved  issues.  Will 7CPC resolve them (with retrospective effect from 1-1-2006         ) ?

4.         Will 7CPC recommend and implement full parity between past and future retirees?

5.         Will the restoration of commutation after 12 years be recommended/implemented ?

And many more issues and  questions !