New Year Greetings

ISROfef wishes all associates and guests 

A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS 

NEW YEAR

31 satellites

Revised PPOs - No news

There's no news about the 7CPC Pension Revision  !  Some persons got it ! Most people did not get it so far !!  No idea as to what's happening at ISRO !!!

Keep waiting. you have no other option !

Old-age pension

From BusinessLine dt 27 Dec 2017

Happy Christmas

Christmas is just over. However, its not too late to wish you a

Very Happy Christmas

Various Benefits for Seniors

Here are various benefits you can avail as a Senior Citizen

Senior citizens in India, who are above the age of 60, have always been accorded certain benefits to make lives easier for them. So, let’s find out what these concessions are:

1. Relaxed tax laws

As a senior citizen, your income is non-taxable up to Rs 3 lakh. If you are a super senior citizen (above the age of 80), your income is non-taxable up to Rs 5 lakh.

There are tax benefits when you pay health insurance premium too. For senior citizens, insurance premium up to Rs 30,000 is exempt from tax.

If you are diagnosed with a critical illness, you are eligible for tax deduction of up to Rs 60,000, while it is Rs 80,000 for a super senior citizen.

2. Travel concession

Senior citizens are eligible for a 50% concession on airfares. This is applicable only if you travel by economy.

Train ticket concession for men above the age of 60 is 40%. Women above the age of 58 get 50% concession.

There are similar concessions for bus travel as well. The rates vary from state to state.

3. High ROI

You are eligible for a higher return on investment (ROI) if you are above the age of 60. For instance, the Senior Citizen’s Saving Scheme provides 8.4% interest per annum.

The interest rate on fixed deposits (FDs) – 0.5% to be precise – is higher too.

4. Friendlier insurance policy

There are several insurance policies tailored for those above 60. For instance, National Insurance offers a mediclaim policy called Varishta for those aged between 60 and 80. The policy offers Rs 2 lakh for critical illness and Rs 1 lakh for hospitalisation.

5. Subsidised phone bills

BSNL waives registration charges for senior citizens over the age of 65. Senior citizens are also eligible for registration of telephone on priority.

MTNL offers a concession of 25% on installation charges and monthly service payments to those above 65.

6. Other special allowances

In case of registration and medical examination, hospitals ensure there are separate queues for the elderly.

If aged over 60, you can ask the courts for the preferential hearing of your case/s by writing to them.

Banks also offer senior citizen cards and priority services.

To sum up

These are the benefits you are eligible for if you are a senior citizen or about to be one. It is not easy to maintain a steady income in your retirement years. That’s the reason such benefits are in place. They are there to ensure that no senior citizen is harrowed during their sunset years.

source ;   yahoo.com

Aaditya

Here is a news about ISRO's Solar studies.

Blessing in disguise - Retirement homes

Reproduced below is an article from The Indian Express  dt 18th. Nov.

Its about a subject ISROfef has been talking about since long !  About  RETIREMENT HOMES for ISRO retirees !!

But  no one seems to be serious . Either they don't need one or are not able to recognise the need !

Sure, it seems the Associations of ISRO retirees have not even thought about this !!

TERLS, 21 November 1963

ISRO - Sounding Roackets

This is a reminder on November 21, our Mother's Birthday !

Click here to  Read more on  Wikipedia !!  

TERLS  on Wikipedia

RBI's help for Seniors

Here is the Order from RBI, dt.  9 Nov 2017, regarding provision of  Banking Facilities for the Senior Citizens and Differently Abled persons.

Concordance Tables - Modified

As you are aware, the Concordance Tables, originally released Dt. 6-7-2017, had TWO subsequent modifications.  Concordance Tables 43 and 44 (for Level 13) had been modified earlier.  The latest modification is on Tables 51 and 52 (for Level 14).

The whole set of Tables, with modifications, is given below for your use. Please click below to Read/download the latest Concordance tables.

Concordance Tables - Modified

Further modifications in the Concordance Tables are NOT ruled out.

Modified Concordance Table for Level 14 ( Sci. G )

Modified Concordance Table for Level 14 ( Sci. G )

Office Memorandum dt 13 Sept 2017  have modified Concordance Table 51 and  52. This relates to Level 14 ( G ).  The OM is reproduced below for your reference.  Both pre-revised (original) and now revised  Tables 51 and 52 are also given below for your quick reference.

Please note that the revised table shows a lesser pension for some of the Basic pay.  Please confirm your pension based on this.

RBI's help for Seniors

RBI, today, have brought instructions to all Banks for assisting Senior Citizens. Here is the report from BusinessLine.

Life Certificate

This is the month of November, and its time for all of us pensioners to prove that we are alive !


Please make sure that you give your Life Certificate to your Pension Account Bank,  before 15th November.

Do's and Don'ts

An interesting and Useful set of points compiled by  and appeared in "Pensioners' Advocate" is reproduced here for you .

The Orbit of Memories

A report on the release of the book , in Mathrubhoomi daily.

The Orbit of Memories

Sri. Nambi Narayanan's autobiography "The Orbit of Memories" is just published (on 26 Oct). Please read the report from TheHindu dt 27 Oct.

And from MalayalaManorama

Ormakalude Bhramanapatham - Sri. Nambi Narayanan

Ormakalude Bhramanapatham  
( ഓർമകളുടെ ഭ്രമണപഥം )
( Orbit of memories )

Our former senior colleague, Sri. Nambi Narayanan just wrote his autobiography.  The book titled Ormakalude Bhramanapatham  will be released today by Dr. Sashi Tharoor, at  the Press Club, Trivandrum.

The ISRO espionage case !   The created case of espionage !!  where our former senior colleagues Sri. Nambi Narayanan and Sri. D Sasikumar were involved !!

I am sure, this will be many orbits of memories by many of us who were there at VSSC/ISRO those days !!  It was a torture not only for "Nambi" and "Sasikumar", but for all of us in VSSC during those days. 

ISROfef will feature a post  on this book  shortly here.


Read more on  Sri. Nambi Narayanan  from Wikipedia



On Facebook : NambiNarayanan

And ..

Sri. D. Sasikumar 

VSSC Pensioners' Portal - CHSS claim submission online

VSSC Pensioners' Portal

Please Click above to enter VSSC Pensioners Portal

This Portal helps us to Submit CHSS Claims online. Excellent facility offered to all Pensioners from VSSC.

Unfortunately, the Claim Submission / New Claim is not working well. Let's hope the Portal becomes healthy soon !

Condolences - K V R Wariyar

Sri. K V Raghava Wariyar (QDC /VSSC)  expired at 5 PM on  23/10/2017 at  SK Hospital, Trivandrum.

May his soul rest in peace.

Biopic on Dr. K Radhakrishnan

This is a recognition for our former Chairman, Dr. K Radhakrishnan.  But it's much more for ISRO as well !  Read on the news below .

( report from BusinessLine today )

SpaceX - RLV

Some of the media, today,  put a small news item in a remote corner of the paper.  I've reproduced one (BusineesLine) here. 

Very interesting ofcourse  !!  Not that this Falcon 9 rocket put 10 satellites into an orbit, but the great act of  returning the vehicle in an upright landing on a floating platform !!

I am sure, ISRO must be preparing for such smart feats !!

2.57 to 2.67 - for Level 13 : A reminder

Those of you who missed the OM (which modified the IOR  from 2.57 to 2.67 ) for Level 13,  is given below. Please click below to read/download.



IOR revison for Level 13 ( from 2.57  to 2.67 )


And a clarification : 

Index of Rationalisation ( IOR ) is used to generate the PayMatrix. Earlier it was 2.57 for Level 13, among some of the other Levels too.  Now, this IOR for level 13 is modified to 2.67.  Accordingly, the PayMatrix has been revised.


For Pay Fixation, please note that,  the multiplication factor of 2.57 is used for all. 

Sample cases of Pay/Pension fixation will follow .

Constant Attendance Allowance for Civil pensioners

Constant Attendance Allowance for Civil pensioners too increased.

Now it's  6750/- pm.

Download. Read the OM dt 3-10-17

ISRO Vs TeamIndus

TeamIndus, the first Indian private Space company  is serious about its challenges. Please read on the report ( Ref. Business Line dt 7-10-2017 ) below to know more !

Modification of Level-13 of Pay Matrix

Modification of Level-13 of Pay Matrix  - OM dt 28 Sept 2017


Level 13 seems to be a headache for the Min of Finance. Errors, Revisions, and Clarifications continues.... 

A new set of modifications is just released. Click the link given here to read on the full OM.   If you happen to digest the OM, kindly tell all of us, who are confused now, about how it refers to we pensioners of Level 13  (Engr SF ) .


OM dt 28-09-2017 Regarding Level 13 - Modifications

Don't turn away SeniorCitizens

Senior Citizens sould be a bit more happy ! Reserve Bank has now given a directive to all Banks.  Read on below ... !  And ... let's hope the Banks and its people at the desk honor this !!

Good rumour, but pray for the best

If no good news, why not some good rumour !  That's why I dare to give you a sweet rumour !!

7CPC – Fitment Factor Likely to be 3 With Hike in Minimum Pay to Rs 21,000

GConnect last day reported the matter as below :

After the 7th Pay Commission recommendations were approved, the National Anomaly Committee is set to meet and decide on the hike in minimum pay.
Last year in September, the government had formed a 22-member National Anomaly Committee which was headed by Secretary of Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). The committee was formed to look into the concerns of central government employees related to the minimum pay.
Now, after discussing the matter with the stakeholders, the committee may recommend a hike in minimum pay to Rs 21,000.
The government is likely to soon announce the decision of raising the minimum pay for central government employees considering the inflationary pressure, a reliable source said.
However, the central government employees unions were demanding the rise in minimum pay to Rs 26,000 and raising fitment formula to 3.68.

In June, when the Union Cabinet had approved the implementation of 7th Pay Commission, that time, the Ministry had fixed minimum pay at Rs 18,000 considering the fitment formula at 2.57.
Keep your Fingers Crossed 
The National Anomaly Committee will meet soon. On the agenda would be the basic minimum pay which the Central Government employees have demanded be raised from Rs 18,000 to Rs 25,000. The NAC would by a majority vote decide on this aspect.
What to Expect?
Sources say that there is a general agreement that the basic minimum pay should be hiked. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had assured that the minimum pay would be hiked. While the employee unions have been demanding that the minimum pay be hiked to Rs 25,000, the NAC majority would however may vote to clear a Rs 21,000 hike in basic pay.
Fitment Factor may be tinkered with
The NAC would also take up for discussion the rise in fitment factor. In order to increase the basic minimum pay, the fitment factor currently at 2.57 will be raised to 3 times. Sources say that the NAC agrees that the fitment factor should be 3 times. This would ensure that the salary and pension for all Central Government employees would go up.

HAPPY ONAM

ISROfef wishes all ISROites a very 

HAPPY ONAM

HAPPY ONAM

HAPPY ONAM

Constant Attendance Allowance Hiked

Constant Attendance Allowance Hiked

The constant attendant allowance given to a retired employee has increased to Rs 6,750 per month from the existing Rs 4,500, by an official OM issued now. This is effective from 1-7-2017.

The allowance is sanctioned if, in the opinion of a competent medical authority, a 100 per cent disabled retired employee needs the services of a constant attendant for at least three months.

Accordingly, the allowance has been hiked from Rs 4,500 to Rs 6,750 per month, said the order issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

Ref :   DPPW  OM No. No.1/4/2017–P&PW (F)  Dt. 2-8-2017

I am an Indian - Music from ISRO

Our younger brothers are making wonderful  Rockets and Satellites. They also make MUSIC !!

Congratulations to the team of  video "I am an Indian".  Please watch it now at YouTube.
Click the link below.


I am an Indian

Tail end :

Our bosses,  those days,  used to make music, and we all did dance to their tune  !!
Today,  these young men make music.  Their bosses must be dancing !!

Here is a paper report (TheHindu) on this.

New Gen and retirement blues

Reproduced from TheHindu, we have two quite interesting reads. Go ahead ... you will feel better !

Antrix - CBI - Dr. G Madhavan Nair

It's my best hope !  I dont wish any ISROite to be branded or accused as a "bad boy".  But what to do ! ?

Please read this news item appeared in TheHindu last day.

History from Dr. Geoge Joseph

These are the days of creating History !  ISRO certainly creates history the every other day, and we all are really proud of it.
Former top guns too, it looks, are busy in creating history through their autobiograhy. The latest in the list is  Dr. George Joseph, former Director , SAC. This is more of a Technical one than his Autobiography.  Hats off to you sir !!




Here is a review of his book (TheHindu)   , titled "India's journey towards excellence in building earth observation Cameras"

More about Dr. George Joseph   Click here to go to Wikipedia

"ISRO Pensioner"

ISRO Pensioner

The July 2017 issue of the  inhouse journal of ISRO PENSIONERS' ASSOCIATION  is just published.

Autobiography of Mr. G Madhavan Nair

അഗ്നിപരീക്ഷകൾ
Autobiography of our former Chairman, Sri. G Madhavan Nair.

" Autobiography by G Madhavan Nair , former Chief of ISRO. A book which ignites the Indian minds after APJ Abdul Kalam's Agnichirakukal. In this book he unleashes many untold stories related to ISRO and Indian Space History."

Books of G MADHAVAN NAIR

Add to cart Add to wish AGNIPAREEKSHAKAL Author : G MADHAVAN NAIR Category : Publisher : DC BOOKS Language : MALAYALAM Face Value :  ₹ 399.00 Special Price :₹ 359.00 Total Votes: 20 Autobiography by G Madhavan Nair , former Chief of ISRO. A b...

Concordance Tables - discrepancies ?

By this time, you all would have studied the Concordance table relevant to your Grade / Level.  Did you convince yourself that  your pension shown in the Table is right ?

But ...  it looks there is a discrepancy in Level 13 ( Sci/Engr SF ).. ie. Concordance Tables 43/44/45.

Please remember that the IOR (Index of Rationalisation ) , for Level 13 , has been modified to 2.67 against 2.57 given earlier.  The concordance tables seem to be computed with 2.57 only. It should have been with 2.67.

Please see below, a tabulation of the computation.  Please go through and comment.

For        Pre 2006 ,            Level 13,             GP 8700,                 Sci/Engr SF
	Basic Pay from 1.1.96 to 31.12.2005	Basic Pay from 1.1.2006 to 31.12.2015	Notional pay as on 1.1.2016	Next higher in Pay Matrix	Revised Pension from 1.1.2016	Revised pension as per Concordance Table	Notional pay as on 1.1.2016	Next higher in Pay Matrix	Revised Pension from 1.1.2016
			X  2.57				X  2.67   ( as per revised PayMatrix, dt. 16.5.2017 )
	14300  to  14700	46100	118477	118500	59250	61550	123087	123100	61550
	15100  to 15500	47230	121381	122100	61050	61550	126104	126800	63400
	15900  to 16300	48390	124362	125800	62900	63400	129201	130600	65300
	16700  to 17100	49590	127446	129600	64800	65300	132405	134500	67250
	17500  to  17900	50820	130607	133500	66750	67250	135689	138500	69250
	18300  to  18700	52090	133871	137500	68750	69250	139080	142700	71350
	19100  to  19500	53400	137238	137500	68750	69250	142578	142700	71350

3.5 %

Obviously, most of  the Pensioners have FDs in the Bank.  Now, they may be getting a return of  8  %  pa, at best. And , after Income Tax, its just about 7 % ... that's all.

In your SB account, now you earn a mere 4 %.  And, from today onwards, its only 3.5 %.  This will be immediately followed by a reduction in FD interest rates as well. 

What does this all mean to you ??  Your money in the Bank will not get you anything good !  Think well... find other investment options that suit you.

Requests for Pension revision

Some Central Pensioners still argue that " a written request to the Office (from where you retired) is necessary for effecting the 7CPC pension revision".  But, dept of Pensions and Pensioners' welfare have again confirmed that NO such requests are necessary. The Depts are to act and do the revision, without any individual request from the pensioners. Here is the quote from the OM dt. 25 July.

F.No. 4/23/2017-P&PW(D)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances & Pension
Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan,
Khan Market, New Delhi
Dated 25th, July, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Implementation of Government’s decisions on the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission-Revision of Pension of pre-2016 pensioners/family pensioners etc- Procedural actions for revision.

The undersigned is directed to say that orders for revision of pension of pro-2016 pensioners/family pensioners by notional pay fixation in the 7th Central Pay Commission Matrix have been issued vide this Department’s O.M. No.38/37/2016-P&PW(A) dated 12.05.2017 Subsequently, concordance tables for fixation of revised pay and pension/family pension of pre-2016 pensioners/family pensioners have also been circulated vide this Department’s O.M. No. 38/37/2016-P&PW(A) dated 06.07.2017.

2. Attention Of Ministries/Departments is invited to Para-18 of this Department’s O.M. No.38/37/2016-P&PW(A) dated 12/05/2017 whereby responsibility has been cast on Head of Department and Pay and Pay and Accounts Office attached to the office from which the Government servant had retired or was working last before his death to revise the pension/family pension of pre-2016 pensioners/family pensioners with effect from 01.01.2016

3. It has however, come to the notice of this Department that the process of revision of pension/family pension of pre-2016 pensioners/family pensioners has not been started by a large number of Ministries/Department/Organisations/Offices. It has also brought to the notice of this Department that pensioners/family pensioners are being asked to make a formal application for revision of their pension/family pensioners. The instructions issued by this Department do not provide for submission of application by individual pensioners/family pensioners for revision of pension/family pension Ministries/Departments, etc. are, therefore, once again requested to suo moto proceed to process the revision cases immediately to avoid delays in issuance of revised PPOs of pre-2016 retirees.

4. All the Ministries/Departments are also requested to furnish the status of revised cases as on 16-08-2017 in the enclosed proforma so as to reach this Department latest by 31-08-2017.

(Sanjay Wadhawan)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India

Prof. U R Rao

Our former Chairman, Prof. U R Rao, is no more.

ISROfef  records our heart-felt condolences .  May his soul rest in peace.

Corrections to Table 44 and 45 - Concoradance Tables

Ho... there are corrections to Table 44 and 45 ( Level 13, ie. Engr SF grade ) in the Concordance tables.


Here is the OM from Govt. dt 18 July 2017.   Click to read !!

But, the corrections are NOT positive for anyone... but certainly negative for some !!

Pensioners' Portal - Pension Calculator - Official

Revised Pension Calculator for pre-2016 Pensioners - 7CPC

GoI  Pensioners' Portal has a Pension Calculator now.
It claims to be based on all Govt instructions and OMs. And particularly based on the Concordance tables. Try your own !!

Click below to go to :

Pensioners' Portal


But ,  I personally feel there is a mistake in the case of Level 13 ( Sci/Engr. SF ) .  As you know, the index of multiplication is 2.67 and not 2.57 .  But the computation seems to take only  2.57, and so there is a mistake in the computation.

Kindly verify and confirm yourself.

Did you check the CONCORDANCE TABLES  ???  That's all the Bible for the Deprt to compute your latest Pension.

VSSC Pensioners Portal

VSSC Pensioners' Portal ... It's too difficult to get logged in.
Please try the following link. You will be better off !!!

VSSC Pensioners Portal

Pension fixation - Concordance Tables

An important info !!!
DoPPW has just released the Concordance Tables for fixation of Pension for Pre-2016 pensioners.

Please read the OM dated  today ( 6/7/2016) below.

Please Click here to DOWNLOAD / VIEW the tables  !!!

Click here to VIEW / Download the OM