Grant of Paid Holiday to employees on the day of the Poll – reg.

 
   The Election Commission of India, vide its letter no. 78/2011/EPS, dated 10th January, 2012, had issued instructions to the Chief Secretaries of the States of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and the Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Personnel & Training, inviting their attention to the provisions of Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which provides for the grant of paid holiday to the employees on the day of the poll.

   The Commission has reiterated that the above mentioned Section of the RP Act, 1951 requires that all establishments and shops including those which work on shift basis shall be closed on the day of poll in the Constituency where a General/ bye-election is to be held. However, there may be cases where a person is ordinarily resident of the Constituency and registered as an elector, may be serving/ employed in an industrial undertaking or an establishment located outside the Constituency having a general/ bye-election. It is clarified that in such a situation, even those electors including casual workers working outside the constituency concerned would be entitled to the benefit of a paid holiday extended under the Section 135B(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. For example, the voters in the State of U.P. will be entitled to get a paid holiday from their employers, even if their location of employment is in Delhi or any other State.

The daily wage/casual workers are also entitled for a holiday and wages on poll day as provided in Section 135B of the R.P. Act, 1951.

Source: PIB

Kids of widowed daughters to be included in CGHS.

   It’s a move that will go a long way in empowering widowed/separated daughters dependent on their parents. Last month, the ministry of health and family welfare decided to expand the ambit of Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) to include dependent children of widowed/separated daughters as beneficiaries under the government’s comprehensive health scheme. Till now, serving central government employees, pensioners, current and former members of Parliament, serving and retired judges of Supreme Court and high court, freedom fighters, accredited journalists, former governor and former vice president of India could avail of CGHS benefits.

   “The move has been initiated with the aim of empowering widowed and separated daughters who live with parents who are CGHS beneficiaries,” said a health ministry official.

   Though the health ministry does not have an exact count of dependent children of widowed/ separated daughters of CGHS beneficiaries, senior officials said the move would benefit thousands of children.

   “It’s a conservative estimate that the number would run into thousands,” said a ministry official.

   Currently, there are nine lakh CGHS beneficiaries in India, of which six lakh are serving government employees.

   Currently, the health ministry spends approximately R1,200 crore on CGHS. “The number of dependent children of widowed/separated daughters of CGHS beneficiaries runs into a few thousands. It won’t result in any massive hike in the CGHS budget,” said a senior ministry official.

   The decision was taken following the recommendation of the 6th Central Pay Commission to expand the definition of “family” under CGHS.

   “The health ministry has examined the matter and it has now been decided, with the approval of the competent authority, to expand the definition of family under CGHS to include minor children of widowed/separated daughters, who are dependent upon the CGHS beneficiary,” a ministry circular stated.

   The upper age limit of the dependents for the purpose of being eligible for CGHS medical facilities will be 18 years. “They should normally be residing with the government servant/pensioner,” the circular added.

   The Central Government Health Scheme was started in 1954 to provide comprehensive health care facilities to central government employees, pensioners and their family members residing in CGHS covered cities.

   The medical facilities are provided through wellness centres, polyclinics under allopathic, ayurveda, yoga, unani and homeopathic system of medicines.

Courtesy: www.hindustantimes.com

Reservation of jobs for Physically Handicapped Persons.

MOST IMMEDIATE

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

E(NG)II/2012/RC-2/12

New Delhi, dt. 15/02/2012

The General Manager (P),
All Zonal Railways/Pus.

Sub:- Reservation of jobs for Physically Handicapped Persons.

Ref: Railway Board’s letter No. E(NG)II/2009/RC-2/5 List dated 27.08.2009.

   Shri S.K. Rungta, Chairman, National Confederation of the Blind has met CRB and represented that 1% reservation quota for Visually Handicapped persons is not being implemented in its true spirit in the Railways. In order to ascertain the position of implementation of reservation to persons with disabilities (PWDs) with reference to Visually Handicapped (VH), Railways are requested to furnish the position as per proforma in the Annexure.

   Attention is drawn to this Ministry’s letter No. E(NG)II/2009/RC-2/5 List dated 27.08.2009, based on which Railway Board has circulated department-wise list of categories, where reservation for PWDs (VH) is to be provided. The Proforma, where details have been sought for, contain the same categories as mentioned in letter ibid. The position of your Railway may be furnished within 10 days as the next meeting with the Confederation is likely to be held in the last week of February, 2012.

sd/-
(R. MUKUNDAN)
Executive Dir.Estt.(N)
Railway Board.

Source:http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/establishment/ENG-II/reservation_1502120001.pdf