Finance ministry has granted 4600 grade pay to 6500-10500 wef 01-01-2006

F.No. 1/1/2008-IC

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Revenue

NewDelhi,dated 13th November,2009.

Subject:- Grant of the revised pay structure of grade pay of Rs.4600 in the pay band PB-2 to posts that existed in the pre-revised scale of Rs.6500-10500 as on 1.1.2006 and which were granted the normal replacement pay structure of grade pay of Rs.4200 in the pay band PB-2

Sixth Pay commission recommended merger of the three pre-revised scales of Rs.5000-8000, Rs.5500-9000 and Rs.6500-10500 and replaced them by the revised pay structure of grade pay of Rs.4200 in the pay band PB-2. Vide para 2.2.21 (v) of its report, the Commission recommended that on account of the merger of these 3 scales, some posts which constituted feeder and promotion grades would come to lie in an identical grade. The Commission gave specific recommendations in its Report granting higher grade pay of Rs.4600 to some categories of these posts. As regards the other posts, the Commission recommended that it should first be seen if the posts in theses 3 scales can be merged without any functional disturbance and if possible, the same should be done, Further, the Commission recommended that in case it is not feasible to merge the posts in these pay scales n functional consideration, the posts in the scale of Rs.5000-8000 and Rs.5500-9000 should be merged with the posts in the scale of Rs.6500-10500 being upgraded to the next higher grade in the pay band PB-2 with grade pay of Rs.4600 corresponding to the pre-revised scale of Rs.7450-11500, the posts being upgraded from the scale of Rs.6500-10500 should be merged with the post in the scale of Rs. 7450-10500.

The above recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission were notified vide para (ii), Section I in Parts B and C of the First Schedule to the CCS (RP) Rules,2008. While Part B of the First Schedule of he CCS(RP) Rules relates to revised pay scales for common categories of staff, Part C notifies revised pay structure for certain posts in Ministries, Departments and Union Territories. The above provisions of the Rules specifically mentioned that upgradations in terms of para (ii) Section I may be done in consultation with Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

Consequent upon the Notification of CCS (RP) Rules, 2008, Department of Expenditure has received a large number of references from administrative ministries / departments proposing upgradations of the posts which were in the pre-revised scale of Rs.6500-10500 as on 1.1.2006 by been granting them grade pay of Rs.4600 in the pay band PB-2. The matter has been considered and it has now been decided that the posts which were granted the normal replacement pay structure of grade pay of Rs.4200 in the pay band PB-2, will be granted pay of Rs.4600 in the pay band PB-2 corresponding to the pre-revised scale of Rs.7450-11500 w.e.f.1.1.2006. Further, in terms of the aforementioned provisions of CCS (RP) Rules, 2008, in case a post already existed in the pre-revised scale of Rs.7450-11500, the posts being upgraded from the scale of Rs.5600-10500 should be merged with the post in the scale of Rs.7450-11500.

Accordingly, in terms of Rule 6 of CCS (RP) Rules, 2008, revised pay of Government servants in the pre-revised scale of Rs.6500-10500 who were earlier granted grade pay of Rs.4200 and who have already exercised their option for drawal of pay in the revised pay structure in the format prescribed in the Second Schedule to the Rules, will be fixed again in accordance with illustration 4A annexed to CCS (RP)Rules,008.

In case of all such Government servants in the pre-revised scale of Rs.6500-10500 who were earlier granted grade pay of Rs.4200 and who had opted to have their pay fixed under CCS(RP) Rules, 2008, action as prescribed in this Department’s O.M. of even number dated 30th August, 2008 will be taken. In case a Government servant desires to revise his earlier option for coming over to the revised pay structure, he may be permitted to do so without any reference to this Department.

6. On account of pay fixation in the revised pay structure of grade pay of Rs.4600 in the pay band PB-2, arrears of pay will be recalculated and difference of arrears in respect of the entire amount will be paid immediately. The manner of drawal of arrears ahs already been indicated in this Departments/s O.M. of even number dated 30.8.2008.

‘Incredible India’ Wins World Travel Award

The Incredible India campaign of ministry of tourism received yet another feather in its cap, when it was conferred with the World Travel Award for the best destination marketing campaign. The Minister of Tourism, Kumari Selja received this award at the glittering event organized in London on 9th November, 2009. The promotional video being used for the overseas campaign was broadcast during the event, much to the delight and appreciation of the audience. The others present were Devesh Chaturvedi, Additional Director General (Tourism) and Director, India Tourism, London Mr Jagdish Chander.

INAUGURATION OF INDIA PAVILION AT WTM-2009

On 10th November, 2009 the Tourism Minister inaugurated the India pavilion at the World Travel Mart by lighting of the traditional lamp. Those present were High Commissioner of India to U.K and senior office bearers of travel trade.

World Travel Market (WTM) is one of the premier international travel related events, which provides an effective platform for showcasing and sourcing new products and services and to learn about the latest international trends and patterns affecting tourism to various regions.

Incredible India has an imposing presence in the mart with a total of 83 participants as co-exhibitors in the India Pavilion. These include Air India, ITDC/ Organizing Committee (Commonwealth Games 2010), 60 Travel Agents / Tour Operators / Hotels and 21 State Governments / UTs.

The theme of the India Pavilion this year is the “Commonwealth Games 2010” to be hosted in Delhi in 2010. The new creatives of the Ministry for promoting the Games as well as images of the mascot “Shera” are being displayed prominently in the Pavilion.

ASIAN GUILDS AWARD

Later in the day, the Union Minister tourism, received the ASIAN GUILD AWARD at the House of Lords, which recognized the contribution made by the Incredible India campaign in spreading awareness about India among the Asians living in U.K.

The eminent personalities present during the event were Lord Peter Archer, President, The Asian Guild, Lord King of West Bromwich, the chairman, The Asian Guild and Tom Watson, MP, Advisor to PM, Tourism Ministers of the state of Jammu & Kashmir, Mr Nawang Rigzin Jora and Mr Nasir Aslam Wani and the High Commissioner of India in U.K Mr Nalin Surie.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Tourism stated that the “Incredible India” initiative was conceived with an objective to brand the country as a unique, vibrant and inclusive identity. The “Incredible India” brand line and campaigns have since grown by leaps and bounds, so much so that the terms “Incredible” and “India” are now almost synonymous - and not only while referring to the immense tourism potential of the country.

There is no doubt that the Incredible India initiative has positioned the country in the mind of the discerning traveller, re-enforced interest in the country and contributed in generating awareness about India among the younger generations. The successful campaigns have also created a sense of pride amongst the Indian communities residing in different parts of the world, including the United Kingdom. The present award is in recognition of these efforts.

The minister stated that the Indian Government, in close association and collaboration with all stakeholders in the tourism industry will continue to work towards building of the “Incredible India” brand. Initiatives have been taken to develop tourism infrastructure, improve the quality of services and develop new tourism products such as Medical, Wellness and Rural Tourism, which offer the visiting tourist a rejuvenating and enriching experience.

Railways to provide bedrolls to RAC passengers in AC Class

PROVISION OF BEDROLL KITS FOR SLEEPER CLASS PASSENGERS IN ‘DURONTO’ EXPRESS The Ministry of Railways has decided that blanket and a bedsheet may be given to RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) passengers travelling in AC classes (except AC Chair Car) in all trains as the bedroll charges are included in fare being collected from them and it is also a requirement in AC Class.

At present RAC passengers are not provided with bedroll facility in AC Classes (except AC Chair Car) since one berth is shared by two RAC passengers. In another circular issued by the Ministry of Railways, it has been decided that bedroll would be provided in Sleeper Class on demand in Duronto Express trains. The instructions have been issued to all Zonal Railways that Booking Clerk/Reservation Clerk, at the time of issuing of PRS ticket to passengers traveling in Sleeper Class by Duronto Express, should invariably ask passengers to indicate their requirement of bedroll on reservation requisition slip. The bedroll charges of Rs. 25/- per bedroll kit will be collected as part of fare from the passengers in Sleeper Class travellling by Duronto Express, who opt for bedroll, at the time of issuing of ticket itself. The date of implementation of this facility will be intimated shortly.

PM’s address at the Inauguration of ‘National Education Day’ Celebrations

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh addressed the National Education Day celebrations to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Union Education Minister, in New Delhi today. Following is the text of Prime Minister’s address on the occasion:

It is a great pleasure for me to participate in these National Education Day celebrations. Today we commemorate the memory of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, a great visionary, a great freedom fighter, a great scholar, an eminent educationist and the first Education Minister of Independent India.

Throughout his life, Maulana Azad served the twin causes of freedom and justice. He was a champion of liberal and secular values. He worked for the unity and integrity of India both during the freedom movement and after independence. It was he who laid the foundation of India's educational policy and planning.

Maulana Azad was also a great institution builder. He created the University Grants Commission (UGC), the National Academies-the Sangeet Natak Akademy, Sahitya Akademy, Lalit Kala Akademy, and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. He strengthened the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and oversaw the establishment of a chain of top class technical institutions that now represent the best in the Indian Education System. Under his distinguished leadership, the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur was established in 1951, which was followed by a chain of IITs at Mumbai, Chennai, Kanpur and Delhi.

The celebration of Maulana Azad's birth anniversary as the National Education Day is a befitting homage to one of our greatest leaders. Today is also an occasion when all of us should re-dedicate ourselves to the cause of education, and through it to building India as a modern, knowledge society.

As you all know, education has received the highest priority from the Central Govt. in the last 5 years or so. Our commitment to this important area of national endeavour has seen the strengthening and expansion of the education system at all levels – primary, secondary, higher, professional and technical education. We had earlier taken important steps in providing quality education to all children through our flagship programme of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. Now we have extended our initiatives to the secondary level. The objective of the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) is to achieve an enrolment ratio of 75% for classes IX-X within five years and to provide universal secondary education by the year 2017. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 creates a legal entitlement for compulsory and free education for all our children between the ages of 6 and 14 years. We have recently launched a new literacy initiative, SAAKSHAR BHARAT, on the International Literacy Day on 8th September, 2009.

In higher education, the outlay has been increased by 10 times in the Eleventh Five Year Plan as compared to the Tenth Five Year Plan. A number of new institutions - Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Management, Indian Institutes for Science Education & Research, Indian Institutes of Information Technology and others - are being established.

I am also very happy to note that a National Mission on Education through ICT has been launched in February 2009 with an outlay of about Rs. 5000 crore. This will provide internet connectivity to about 20,000 colleges and educational institutions and will be a major harbinger of use of modern technology in the field of education. As UNESCO plays a very important role as a global clearing house of ideas and knowledge and creation of knowledge based societies, I would like to offer our willingness to share with them the e-learning material prepared under this technical mission by the Indian Institutes of Technologies (IITs).

Improving access to education is not enough. It should be accompanied by efforts to ensure equity and improve quality. Our Government stands committed to provide good and quality education to each and every child in our country, especially those who belong to the underprivileged sections of our society. It is with this end in view that we have started a number of scholarship schemes for those who cannot afford to study on their own - the SCs/STs/Minorities and other such disadvantaged groups. We especially recognize the importance of educating women and they are being given special attention in the SAAKSHAR BHARAT mission.

Improvement in quality at all levels is also receiving increasing emphasis. In higher education this will be achieved through structural reforms on the basis of the recommendations of the National Knowledge Commission and the Yashpal Committee.

The realization of the Right to Education does not depend merely on expansion of educational infrastructure but, equally importantly on availability of trained and qualified teachers with commitment to their profession. UNESCO in its Oslo Declaration 2008 relating to Education for All, has projected a requirement of 18 million new primary teachers throughout the world in the next seven years to achieve universal primary education at the global level. In India too, we would need an extra 1 million teachers to implement the Right to Education Act. For this purpose, apart from the need of augmenting teacher’s training institutes and use of ICT for mass learning, it is necessary to restore the prestige and status of the teaching profession in our society.

The importance of good teachers cannot be over-emphasized. Good teachers not only educate- they also inspire. Good teachers make good students. Good teachers make good citizens. We must therefore find ways and means of improving the quality of our teachers. We must find ways of attracting the best talent as faculty in our premier institutions. We today face difficulty in finding top level professors and lecturers in the newly created IITs, IISERs and other such institutions. This state of affairs cannot be allowed to persist and I urge all of you to work to address these problems of deficiency in the quality of teaching in our schools, in our colleges, and in our universities.

A system of education which is built on the premises of quality and equity is central as it must be to India's rapid progress as a modern, dynamic society. Let me reaffirm today our government's commitment to the cause of education. But in the mammoth task that lies ahead, we will need the contribution of all our citizens and all actors in the civil society. I urge all of you to work for this noble cause with renewed energy and vigour that will be a befitting tribute to the memory of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

With these words, I wish your celebrations all success. I also wish all of you the very best in your efforts to make our educational system stronger, better and more equitable.