F.No.712/324/HRD/WF-I/12
Directorate
General of Human Resources Development
Infrastructure
&Welfare Wing
C-4, Ground
Floor, IRCON Building (West Wing),
District
Centre,Saket,
New Delhi-110017
Date: 01.01.2013
Subject: Minutes of the meeting held on 21st
December, 2012 by the DGHRD with the representatives of recognized
Associations/Federations under the CBEC –reg.
A
meeting by DG, HRD with the representatives of the recognized Associations/
Federations under the CBEC was held on 21.12.2012 with a view to generate
awareness about the existing Schemes and thus, enthuse the Associations’
representatives to disseminate this information amongst all the officers/staff
of the Department to enable the
beneficiaries to avail the benefits available under these Schemes.
2
The Minutes of the said meeting duly approved
by DG, HRD are enclosed herewith for necessary action/ information please. The
same are being placed on this office website namely dghrdcbec.gov. in also.
-Sd-
(Meenu
S. Kumar)
Additional
Director (I&W)
Email:meenuhrd12@gmail.com
Off. Ph:011-29561870
Encl: As above (09 pages)
To:
1)
President/
General Secy., All India IRS (C&CE) Association, Room No. 131, Ist Floor,
C. R. Building , I P Estate, New Delhi-110109
2)
President/
General Secy., All India Central Excise & S. Tax Ministerial Officers
Association, 26/1, Mahama Gandhi Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600034
3)
President/ General Secy., All India Customs
Preventive Service Federation, O/o, Commissioner of Customs, 60, Rajaji Salai,
Chennai-600 001.
4)
President/ General Secy., All India
Association of Central Excise Gazetted Executive Officers,
240, Razapur, Ghaziabad (U.P.)- 201 001
5)
President/
General Secy., All India Central Excise Inspectors’ Association, MIG II-224,
Hudco, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh- 490 009
6)
President/
General Secy., Central Revenue Chemical Association, Central Revenue Control
Laboratory, P.O.- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi-
110012
7)
President/
General Secy., All India Narcotics Ministerial Officers Associations, O/o DNC,
Jhalavar Road, Mahavir Nagar-I, Kota, Rajasthan-5.
8)
President/
General Secy., All India Customs & Central Excise Group-D Officers
Federation, O/o Commissioner of Customs, Central Excise & Service Tax, C.
R. Building, I. S. Press Road, Cochin-
682 018.
9)
President/
General Secy., All India Customs Ministerial Employees Federation, 15/1, Customs House, Strand Road, Kolkata-
700 001.
10)
President/
General Secy., All India Customs Group-C Officers Federation, 15/1, Customs
House, Strand Road, Kolkata- 700 001.
11)
President/
General Secy., All India Customs Ministerial Officers Association, 15/1,
Customs House, Strand Road, Kolkata- 700 001.
12)
President/
General Secy., All India Narcotics Department Executive Officers Association,
19, The Mall Road, Morar Gwalior- 400 007.
13)
President/
General Secy., All India Association of Customs & Central Excise
Stenographers, H. No. 1, Williams Road, Cantonment, Tiruchirapalli-620 001
14)
President/ General Secy., All India
Federation of Superintends of Customs, New Custom House, 3rd Floor,
Ballard Estate, Mumbai-400 001.
15)
President/
General Secy., All India Federation of Customs & Central Excise
Telecommunication Staff,
Copy
to:
1.
All
Chief Commissioners/ Directors General
2.
All
Commissioner/ Additional Director General
Minutes of the meeting with the Officers’/Staff
Associations under CBEC held on 21-12-2012 by DG,HRD.
DGHRD is implementing various
Schemes approved by the Governing Body for centrally administering the Customs
& Central Excise Welfare Fund herein after called the Welfare Fund. The
details of the Schemes and guidelines for availing the benefits under them are
available on the CBEC and DGHRD website namely dghrdcbec.gov.in as well as in the DGHRD’s information Manual namely “HRD in CBEC”.
2.
The representatives of all the recognized Officers/Staff Associations/
Federations under CBEC were invited by the DG,HRD on 21-12-2012 with a view to
generate awareness about the existing Schemes and thus, enthuse the
Associations representatives to disseminate this information amongst all the
officers/staff of the Department to enable the beneficiaries to avail the
benefits available under these Schemes.
3.
At the outset, Ms. Neerja Shah, DG, HRD welcomed all the representatives of
different Officers’/Staff Associations/ Federations present in the meeting. She
apprised the representatives that 5% of the sale proceeds of confiscated goods,
fines, penalties in offence cases realized and sustained in appeals/revision
etc., is credited into the Welfare Fund. As on date, a sum of over Rs. 99.00
crores is available in the Fund. An amount of Rs. 6.0 crores per annum (on an
average) is transferred to the Welfare Fund. However, merely Rs. 3.00 crores is
able to be utilized annually, essentially due to lack of awareness about the
various Schemes.
4.
DG,HRD informed that the year-wise data relating to total number of proposals received
vis-à-vis the sum sanctioned shows that there is a need to increase the
utilization of funds available under Welfare Fund. The utilization is maximum
by the field formations in southern and eastern regions and minimum by field
formations in northern region. Therefore, the associations/ federations should
play a pro-active role in welfare matters and make personal efforts to enhance the
utilization of the benefits available. Thereafter, DG, HRD requested Smt.
Krishna A. Mishra, ADG (I&W), to explain the features of various schemes
available under the Welfare Fund as on date and to give a power point
presentation.
5.
ADG (I&W), DGHRD enumerated the details of all the existing Schemes under
the Welfare Fund with year-wise data relating to the number of proposals
received and the amount sanctioned/pending; important initiatives taken by
DGHRD; new Schemes under consideration; review/ revision of the existing Schemes
and the major tasks in hand.
SCHEMES UNDER THE WELFARE FUND:
a.
Scheme for grant of financial assistance for the
portion of medical expenses not reimbursable under CSMA/ CGHS Rules:
Suggestions of
the representatives:
·
Dependent parents of the employees should also be
covered
for grant of financial assistance.
·
The
time period to file a claim under the Welfare Fund is of 3 months after
settlement of the medical claim under the CGHS/CSMA Rules. This should be
increased as it is too short particularly, in cases of the staff working at
remote places.
·
Health/medical insurance cover: An independent
scheme for providing health/medical insurance cover should be formulated
for Department’s employees to enable access to cashless treatment in good hospitals.
·
Group Insurance:
To provide group life insurance cover to all the employees of the
Department.
DGHRD view:
·
DGHRD
has already started exploring possibilities of formulating a new independent
scheme for providing health/medical insurance cover with
cashless treatment using a smart card for Departmental employees and their
dependent family members in the hospitals recognized/ empanelled under CGHS/
CSMA Rules as well as in other good
hospitals having tie-up with the Health Insurance Service providers.
·
Issue
of inclusion of dependent parents for grant of financial assistance will be
placed for consideration of the Governing Body.
·
Group
Life Insurance Cover would require amendment/revision in the rules governing
the administration of the Welfare Fund as there is no provision in the existing
rules for group insurance of Department’s employees.
b.
Scheme of grant of ex-gratia financial assistance in case of death:
ADG (I&W), DGHRD informed that
the Scheme has been revised w.e.f 03-10-2012 and the amount of ex-gratia has
been enhanced as below:
|
Category
|
Occurrences
|
Ex-Gratia
Amount
|
|
A
|
Death
attributable to performance of enforcement functions including
anti-smuggling/ anti-evasion and anti-narcotics duties, etc.
|
Rs.
7.5 lakhs
|
|
B
|
Death
attributable to accidents or incidents of violence by terrorists, anti-social
elements, etc. while on duty, including the death in road accidents while
proceeding to or returning from anti-smuggling/ anti-evasion and anti-narcotics
duties or conduct of search/ seizure operations against economic offenders,
drug-traffickers etc.
|
Rs.
3.0 lakh
|
|
C
|
Death
not covered under categories (A) and (B)
|
Rs.
2.0 lakhs
|
|
D
|
Permanent
injury or disability sustained in performance of official duty
|
Rs.
2.0 lakhs
|
|
The
amount for categories (A) and (B) above shall be in addition to any
assistance which may be sanctioned in terms of Department of Pension and
Pensioners Grievances O.M. No. 45/55/97-P &W(C) dated 11-09-1998 fixing
the limit on aggregate from all sources to Rs. 10 lakhs, upper limit of Rs.
10 lakhs has been revised to Rs. 20 lakhs vide O.M. dated 16-03-2009 and
upper limit to aggregate has been waived off vide O.M. dated 12-07-2010.
|
||
Suggestions of
the representatives:
·
The
representatives of the associations/ federations requested that death of
officers/ staff as a result of an accident while travelling in a public/private
/official vehicle on official duties should also be included in the Category B
for grant of ex-gratia financial assistance. Therefore, the category (B) may be
enhanced to cover “All persons on official duty” instead of restricting
it to a few categories only.
DGHRD’s comments/ views:
·
“All
employees on official duty” are covered in the illustrative list of cases falling
in the Category-B of the Scheme.
·
Commissionerates
should appoint a PRO/ Welfare officer, who should provide necessary guidance to
the survivors of the deceased official or the official who sustained permanent
injury or disability to move the request for ex-gratia financial assistance
from the Welfare Fund along with required documents as the wife/family of the
effected staff/ officer may be ignorant about the provisions of this
scheme.
·
For
filing a claim there is a time limit of 2 years from the death of the official
or the date when permanent injury or disability is sustained. However, the time
limit of 2 years is generally condoned if supported by a proper justification
and recommendation of the advisory committee.
c.
Schemes for grant of Cash awards and Scholarships:
Suggestions of
the representatives:
·
The
representatives of the associations/ federations requested that there is a need
to enhance the amount of scholarship as the fees and other charges have
increased many folds ever since the existing limit of Rs. 18000/- on the
scholarship amount was fixed.
·
Children
showing exceptional excellence in avcademics may also be encouragedwith
additional cash awards/scholarships.
·
to
make the Scholarship Scheme broad based, Graduate courses in paramedical/humanities/accounts
as well as state specific courses should
be included.
DGHRD’s
comments/ views:
The
suggestions of enhancing the scholarship amount and inclusion of other graduate
courses will be considered at the time of revision of the existing guidelines.
d.
Scheme for grant of financial assistance for setting
up of common facilities-
Suggestions of the representatives:
·
Guest House: Accommodation should be booked on
first-cum-first serve basis, preferably online; Status of reservation/ booking
should be confirmed to the official to enable them to make their travel plans;
confirmed reservation/ booking should not be cancelled at the last minute.
·
Check on the extended/long stay of senior
officers in the Departmental guest houses.
·
Provision for air-conditioned rooms for
Group-B and Group-C officials also.
·
Transit accommodation: It was suggested
that transit accommodation may be arranged at a new place of posting on
transfer.
·
Accommodation in hotels: It was
suggested that the Department should tie-up with hotels for providing rooms to
Department’s officers on tour on official duties at the rates as per their
entitlements.
·
Provision
of subsidized food funded by welfare fund in the guest house accommodation for
Group-B and Group-C officials.
·
Gym
facilities should be set up in the office premises.
·
Canteen
facilities may be outsourced by way of Tie-up with established agencies like
IRCTC.
DGHRD’s comments/ views:
·
Guest House accommodation: It was explained that non-availability
of accommodation in Departmental guest houses is mainly due to shortage of
Departmental guest houses. Most Departmental guest houses are at present set up
in the office buildings or in staff quarters.
·
However,
in the new proposals for office buildings, a separate accommodation for guest
houses is being provisioned for, subject to requirement/availability of land.
·
For
booking accommodation in guest houses, HODs may look into it and take
necessary steps for reservation on first-cum-first serve basis, to confirm
status of / booking of accommodation, non- cancellation of confirmed bookings,
and to check long stay of officials in the Departmental guest houses.
·
As
regards the air-conditioned rooms for Group-B and Group-C officials, it
is considered necessity and not a luxury as Desert coolers are in-effective in
most parts of the country and during monsoon/ humid and hot climates. Moreover,
Desert coolers remain non-functional in summer due to water shortage and
consume lot of water.
·
It
was assured that at the time of revision of the existing guidelines, recommendation
for provision of air-conditioned rooms shall be made for all categories of
officials and for the existing non-air conditioned rooms in the Departmental
guest houses, Governing Body will be requested to approve a provision for
air-conditioners.
·
Transit accommodation: It was
suggested that a suitable proposal for transit accommodation wherever required may
be sent to DGHRD.
·
Accommodation in hotels: It was
informed that ITDC is providing rooms on single occupancy basis to Central
Govt. officers at the rates as per their entitlements.
·
Gym: It was explained that setting up of
Gym in office premises may not be feasible in every situation.
e.
Scheme for financial assistance for losses suffered
due to natural calamities:
·
No
issues/ suggestions were put forth by any representative of
associations/federations.
f.
Scheme for cash awards for winning medals in games/
events of national/international importance:
·
ADG
appraised that in spite of a number of good sports persons available in the
Department, the benefits available under the existing scheme are underutilized
due to unawareness in the field formations and non-submission of requisite
documents.
g.
Scheme for Adventure sports:
·
The
representatives of associations/ federations were apprised that to inculcate a
sense of adventure amongst the Departmental employees, a scheme for grant of
financial assistance for adventure sports like mountaineering, trekking, snow
skiing, parachute jumping, mountain biking etc. is being formulated.
h.
Scheme for funding of matriculation studies through Open School
·
The
representatives of associations/ federations appreciated the scheme of funding
of matriculation studies through open school for Sepoys, Hawaldars and Head Hawaldars
in the Department and requested that the scheme may be expanded to cover higher
studies also through open school/ distance education.
·
It
was suggested that skills of existing sportspersons’ in the Department may be
enhanced by subsidizing the training programmes for them.
DGHRD’s comments/ views:
·
Covering
the higher studies may not be possible as the matriculation scholarships are
provided with the twin purpose of opening promotional opportunities for
existing staff besides being a welfare measure.
·
DG,
HRD informed that there is a 5% quota reserved for sportspersons in the
government recruitments. Member (P&V) will be requested to fill up the
vacancies of sportspersons to enthuse fresh talent in the department.
Other suggestions received from the Officers/Staff Associations.
Sh. Niranjan,
AC, CC(P), New Delhi & Joint Secy., All India IRS (C&CE) Association and
representatives of other Associations made the following suggestions:
·
Earmarking of a certain percentage of Type-IV flats
at Kolkata for
Group-A officers as many flats are occupied for long by Group-B officers as
they do not have the liability of all India
·
Spouse
earning clause for financial assistance from the Welfare Fund on treatment may
be waived off or a cap can be put on the earnings of employee.
·
Upkeep
of residential flats from the Welfare Fund.
·
Senior
officers should be advised to utilize the funds within time.
·
The
representatives of the associations from CBN/ CCF asked as to why officials on
the strength of CBN/CCF have been excluded from the benefits available under
the Customs & Central Excise Welfare Fund for last few years whereas as per
a Ministry’s letter all establishment matters of CBN staff are under CBEC? They
informed that earlier financial assistance was sanctioned from the Welfare Fund
to furnish guest house at CBN Gwalior. Moreover at present they do get funds
from the Special Equipment Fund of Directorate of Logistics. They requested
that benefits under Welfare Fund should cover them also. They were ready to
make contribution towards the Customs & Central Excise Welfare Fund for
this.
·
Mobile phones and Laptops may be
provided to all employees of the Department as has been done in the Income Tax
Department.
·
Awareness: Most of the representatives expressed
their ignorance about various schemes being implemented for welfare of
Department’s employees under Welfare Fund.
· A Quarterly
Progress Report may be prescribed for all Commissioners regarding welfare
measures initiated/ progress thereof.
DGHRD’s comments/views:
·
Shortage of Type-IV flats: As earmarking of
Type-IV flats for allotment to Group-A officers may not be appropriate, it was
suggested that the Commissionerate may send a proposal for acquisition of land
for residential colony.
·
A
review of the clause relating to spouse earning clause for grant of financial
assistance on medical expenses from the Welfare Fund will be taken up.
·
Upkeep
of residential flats from the Welfare Fund is not possible as money from
regular budget is given to HODs under “Repair & Maintenance” Head.
·
All
members should follow up with the CCOs/HOD in the Commissionerates for
constitution of an Advisory Committee on Welfare and to hold their meetings
regularly. Further, JCMs should also be held periodically where the welfare
matters should be taken up by the Associations/Federations on behalf of the
staff.
·
The
representatives of the associations of CBN/CCF were informed that this issue
had earlier been considered by the Governing Body. However, the Governing Body
did not agree to cover officials borne on the strength of CBN/CCF as their
salaries were drawn under a separate Grant and they were under the Revenue Hqr.
administration.
·
However,
the issue was well taken by DGHRD. The
concerned representatives were requested to provide all relevant documents to
examine the issue afresh.
·
Mobile Phones: It was informed that a provision to
provide 20000 odd mobile connections to the Departmental employees has been
made under revamping of telecommunication set up in the Department on the lines
of“TARANG” in the Income Tax Department. The proposal for revamping of
telecommunication in the Department is being dealt by Directorate of Logistics,
CBEC.
·
A
proposal for providing a laptop, in
a phased manner, to all Executive Officers and identified Group-C officials of
the Department under 1% Incremental
Revenue Scheme is being dealt by Directorate of Logistics, CBEC.
·
The
present meeting is a step towards generating more awareness where a booklet
containing copies of updated guidelines, as approved by the Governing Body,
pertaining to all the existing schemes under Welfare Fund is being provided to
each representative.
·
A
copy of all relevant instructions/ amendment shall be endorsed to all
recognized associations/ federations under CBEC, hereafter.
·
The
Quarterly Progress Report is a good idea. This will be recommended to Member
(P&V) and may be prescribed for all Commissioners to monitor the welfare
measures initiated, if any and progress of utilization of welfare funds
disbursed to the formation.
IMPORTANT INITIATIVES
OF DGHRD:
Newly introduced
welfare schemes:
·
Scheme
for subsidized transport facility for the staff of Customs (Export),
Mumbai-II Zone.
·
Scheme
for funding of matriculation studies through open school for Sepoys,
Hawaldars and Head Hawaldars.
·
Scheme
for financial assistance for education of girl child of erstwhile
Group-D staff.
·
Proposal
for allocation of funds to Chief Commissioners/ Directors General to
expedite approval/ sanction of proposals under six Schemes.
Review/ revision of the existing welfare
schemes:
·
Scheme
for financial assistance for Coaches and renowned persons of the Department who
are recipients of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratan Award, Dhyan Chand Award etc.
·
Enhancement
in the financial assistance for sports persons of the Department who
participate in international sports events.
·
Revision
of existing guidelines for setting up of common facilities – Guest Houses,
Canteens, Crèches, Gym/ Sports/ Recreation centers.
·
Revision
of existing guidelines for grant of ex-gratia in cases of death/ permanent
disability.
New Welfare schemes under process:
·
Scheme
for financial assistance for adventure sports.
·
Tie-up
for seat reservations with renowned schools across the country for admission of
children of Departmental employees.
·
Scheme
for cashless treatment of Departmental employees and their dependents through
health insurance service providers.
·
Scheme
for providing high risk insurance cover to Department’s operational
officers/staff.
Tasks ahead:
·
To
arrange courses/ lectures through NACEN on how to manage
psychological/emotional/financial etc. aspects at the time of superannuation of
the employees.
·
To
prepare and maintain of a database of specialization areas and skills of
retiring officers; to counsel them about exploring connected opportunities.
·
To
disseminate information concerning welfare schemes/ measures being promoted/
implemented for Department’s officers/ staff by the CBEC.
The meeting
ended with a Vote of Thanks to the Chair.
The meeting was
attended by the following:
DGHRD officers:
1)
Ms.
Neerja Shah, DG, HRD
2)
Ms.
Krishna A. Mishra, ADG (I&W)
3)
Ms.
Meenu S. Kumar, Addl. Director (I&W)
4)
Sh.
B.R. Mahayach, Dy. Director (I&W)
5)
Sh.
Santosh Kumar, Consultant
6)
Sh.
A.S. Gahlawat, AAD (Welfare)
7)
Sh.
Gursharan, Sr. Tax Asst.
Representatives of Officers/ Staff
Associations & Federations under CBEC:
16)
Sh.
Niranjan, AC, CC(P), New Delhi & Joint Secy., All India
17)
Sh.
R.S. Gautam, Liaison Secy., All India
18)
Sh.
I.B. Mishra, Secy. General, All India
19)
Sh. Ravi Malik, Secy. General, All India
20)
Sh.
Ajit Kumar K.G., Secy. General, All India
21)
Sh.
Lalit Agarwal, Sh. Yogesh Pandey, Central Revenue Chemical Association.
22)
Sh.
R.K. Mishra, O/o CCF, New Delhi and Sh. Mayank
Varma, O/o DNC, Kota , All India
23)
Sh.
V.J. Gaikwad, President, All India Customs & Central Excise Group-D
Officers Federation.
24)
Sh.
Pradyut Ghosh and Sh. Sanjoy Kr. Pal, All India
25)
Sh.
Ashish Chakarborty, Secy. General and Sh. Rijib Beg, Member, All India Customs
Group-C Officers Federation.
26)
Sh.
Abhijit Bandopadhyay, Asst. Secy. And Sh. Barun Kr. Roy, All India
27)
Sh.
V.S. Kumar, President and Sh. P.K. Dixit, General Secy., All India Narcotics
Department Executive Officers Association.
Name of the Associations
not represented by any representative.
1)
All India Federation of Customs & Central
Excise, Telecommunications Staff.
2)
All India Association of Customs & Central
Excise, Stenographers.
3)
All India Narcotics Group ‘D’ Employees Association.
4)
All India Federation of Superintendents of Customs.
