Productivity Linked Bonus for Railway Employee

Productivity Linked Bonus for Railway Employee 

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the Production Linked Bonus for Railway Employees. 


As a result of the review of the scheme and approval of the Cabinet the salient features of the PLB scheme are as under: - 

a) The output for a year is reckoned by the equated net tonne kilometres by adding together:- 

i) total goods revenue net tonne kilometres. 

ii) non-suburban passenger kilometres converted by a factor of 0.076. 

iii) suburban passenger kilometres converted by a factor of 0.053. 

b) The input is taken as the non-gazetted staff strength (excluding RPF/RPSF personnel), increased by the incremental increase/decrease in capital (over average of last three years) during the year. Incremental capital is confined to Rolling Stock utilised for movement of trains. The relative weights given are 0.50 for Tractive Effort, 0.20 for Wagon Capacity and 0.30 for Seating Capacity. The labour input i.e. non-gazetted staff strength is then increased to the extent of the percentage increase in the incremental capital. 

Highest PLB amount of 78 days' wages was paid for the financial years 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14. This year also PLB equivalent to 78 days' wages will be paid considering the good financial performance which is expected to motivate employees for working towards improving the same in future. 

The financial implication of payment of 78 days' PLB to railway employees has been estimated to be Rs. 1030.02 crore. The wage calculation ceiling prescribed for payment of PLB to the eligible non-gazetted railway employees is 3500/- p.m. The maximum amount payable per eligible railway employee is Rs. 8975 for 78 days. 

About 12.58 lakh non-gazetted Railway employees are likely to benefit from the decision. 

The Productivity Linked Bonus on Railway covers all non-gazetted railway employees (excluding RPF/RPSF personnel) who are spread over the entire country. 

Background: 

The Union Cabinet in its meeting held on October 2015 accepted the proposal of the Ministry of Railways for payment of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equivalent to 78 days' wages for the financial year 2014-2015 for all eligible non-gazetted Railway employees (excluding RPF/RPSF personnel). 

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Cadre review and formation of a service by the name of 'Indian Skill Development Service' 

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today gave its approval for the formation of a Group ‘A’ service of the technical cadre of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSD&E). This was earlier called the Directorate General of Employment & Training, Ministry of Labour Employment. The new service will be called the Indian Skill Development Service (ISDS). 

The following changes were also approved in the cadre restructure:- 

1. Increase of one post at SAG level; 

2. Increase of four posts at JAG level; 

3. Increase of seven posts at STS level; and 

4. Reduction of 12 posts at JTS level. 

The Cabinet also gave its approval for introduction of NFSG to the extent of 15 percent of SDPs at the STS level as applicable in Group ‘A’ Engineering Service. 

This decision will enhance the capacity and efficiency of the organisation. 


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Protocol amending the Convention and the Protocol between India and Israel for the avoidance of double taxation and for the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital 

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the protocol amending the Convention and the Protocol between India and Israel, for avoidance of double taxation and for prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital. 

The Protocol provides for internationally accepted standards for effective exchange of information on tax matters including bank information and information without domestic tax interest. It is further provided that the information received from Israel in respect of a resident of India can be shared with other law enforcement agencies with authorisation of the Competent Authority of Israel and vice versa. 

The Protocol further provides for 'Limitation of Benefits' Article as an anti-abuse provision aimed at preventing misuse of the Convention. The provisions of this Article enable use of the provisions of domestic law and measures concerning tax avoidance or evasion in the event of misuse of the Convention. 

Background:

The existing Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) between Indian and Israel was signed in 1996. Both the Indian and Israeli sides agreed to update Article 27 on the ‘Exchange of Information’ in India-Israel DTAC to meet internationally accepted standards. 

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Protocol amending the Agreement between India and Vietnam for the avoidance of double taxation and for prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income 

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the Protocol amending the Agreement between India and Vietnam for the avoidance of double taxation and for prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income. 

The Protocol provides for internationally accepted standards for effective exchange of information on tax matters including bank information and information without domestic tax interest. It is further provided that the information received from Vietnam in respect of a resident of India can be shared with other law enforcement agencies with authorisation of the Competent Authority of Vietnam and vice versa. 

Background:

The existing Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between Indian and Vietnam was signed in 1994. Both the Indian and Vietnamese sides agreed to update Article 27 on the ‘Exchange of Information’ in India-Vietnam DTAA, to meet internationally accepted standards, and add a new Article on ‘Assistance in the Collection of taxes’, and enter into an Amending Protocol for the purpose. 

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Setting up of new AllMS under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna 

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today gave its approval for setting up of three new All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AllMS) at Nagpur in Maharashtra, at Manglagiri in Andhra Pradesh and at Kalyani in West Bengal under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY). This involves financial implication of Rs.4949 crore. 

The new AIIMS will be established as institutes of national importance for providing quality medical education, nursing education and also to provide tertiary healthcare facilities to the people of these locations. The proposed institution shall have a hospital with capacity of 960 beds. In addition, there shall be a teaching block, administrative block, AYUSH block, auditorium, nursing college, night shelter, hostel and residential facilities. 

Of the total expenditure of Rs. 4949 crore, the cost of the new AIIMS at Manglagiri in Andhra Pradesh will be to the tune of Rs. 1618 crore, at Nagpur in Maharashtra of Rs.1577 crore and at Kalyani in West Bengal of Rs. 1754 crore. 

Setting up of these AIIMS will address regional imbalances in availability of affordable and reliable tertiary health care services in these regions. It will augment the facilities of quality medical education and would also address the shortfall of health care professionals in these regions. 

The large populations of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra (Vidarbha) and West Bengal along with adjoining States and region will be beneficiary of this project. 

Six new AIIMS under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY) have been made functional. Also construction of AIIMS, Rae Barely is under progress. 

Background: 

This approval is in accordance with the announcement made by Union Finance Minister in his Budget Speech 2014-15 establishing new AIIMS at these places. This also fulfils the promise made under the Andhra Pradesh re-organization Act 2014 that provides for establishment of one AIIMS type institute in the successor State of Andhra Pradesh. 

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Protocol on framework for cooperation in the field of blue economy between India and Seychelles 

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today gave its ex-post facto approval to the protocol for cooperation in the field of blue economy which was signed between India and Seychelles during the visit of the President of Seychelles to India on August 26, 2015. 

The protocol lays down the modalities and mechanism of cooperation between the two parties for ocean studies as well as scientific exploration and exploitation of sea based resources, for sustainable development and economic purposes. 

The cooperation will enhance India’s strategic cooperation in the field of blue economy; commercial benefits from export of human resources, expertise and technology and it will increase India’s access to ocean-based resources in cooperation with Seychelles. Cooperation with Seychelles in blue economy will provide new data on ocean-based resources and also provide for sharing of expertise and technology developed by Indian scientists and research institutes. It will also help domestic innovation in the field of ocean research and technology. 

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Cabinet approves construction of National War Memorial 

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today approved the construction of a National War Memorial and a National War Museum at Princess Park, near India Gate, New Delhi in memory of all Indian soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice for the country post-independence. 

The estimated cost of the project will be around Rs. 500 crore and the total time for completion of the entire project is estimated to be five years. 

Post-Independence, more than 22,500 soldiers have made the supreme sacrifice in national interests and in defence of the sovereignty and integrity of the country. However, even after 69 years of Independence, no memorial to commemorate the martyrs has been constructed till date. With the present decision of the Cabinet a long pending demand of the Armed Forces has been redressed. 

It has been decided that the prestigious project will be monitored by an empowered Steering Committee chaired by Defence Secretary and assisted by a dedicated project management team, to ensure that the proposed project is completed within scheduled time frame, Post commissioning, a management body will be formed for maintenance of the National War Memorial and Museum. 

This government will be establishing a War Memorial and a Museum with a deep sense of gratitude to honour those brave soldiers, who laid down their lives. The memorial will promote a sense of patriotism in the minds of visitors, and will award an opportunity to citizens of this vast nation, to express their token sense of gratitude to the brave soldiers, who laid down their lives for the mother land.

While their final movements, would have gone unnoticed and on occasions their final resting place unknown, this museum will capture those poignant moments in history and bring out the variegated nature of their commitments. 

Their dedication, this government feels is a part of unfinished work in nation building. This Government resolves with all its humility at its command that they did not die in vain and that Bharat Mata is enriched by their contribution. A visit to the memorial shall inspire us to rededicate ourselves to this great nation with utmost devotion. 

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Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement on cooperation in the field of sports signed with Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan 

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today gave its ex-post facto approval for circulation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Agreement on cooperation in the field of sports signed with Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. This MoU was signed in July, 2015.

Bilateral exchange programmes in the field of sports between India and Kazakhstan and India and Turkmenistan will help in expanding knowledge and expertise in the areas of sports science, sports medicine and coaching techniques. It would result in improvement in performance of Indian sportspersons in international tournaments. 

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Mechanisation of East Quay (EQ) Berths 1, 2 and 3 at Paradip Port 

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval to the project of Mechanisation of East Quay (EQ) Berths-1, 2 and 3 at Paradip Port on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis, under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode' for handling thermal coal exports. 

The estimated cost of the project is Rs.1437.76 crore of which Rs. 1412.76 crore will be spent by the concessionaire. The remaining Rs.25 crore will be spent by the Paradip Port Trust on dredging. 

The project envisages mechanization of EQ 1, 2 and 3 Berths to increase their capacity from the existing 7.85 million tonnes to 30 million tonnes. The project is scheduled to be completed within three years from the date of award of concession. After completion of the project, the total thermal coal export handling capacity at Paradip Port will reach 50 million tonnes. This will help the port to meet the growing demand of thermal coal over the next three to four years. 

This mechanisation project will go a long way in improving the operational efficiency in Paradip Port and thereby reduce transaction cost for thermal power plants dependent on coal supply through Paradip Port. The project will also create additional employment opportunities. 

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World Bank Assisted Project "Neeranchal" for the Watershed Component (Erstwhile Integrated Watershed Management Programme) of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana 

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval to:

 (i)        implement the World Bank assisted National Watershed Management Project "Neeranchal" with a total outlay of $357 million (Rs 2142.30 crore at Rs. 60 = $1)
(ii)        implement the project at the National level as well as in the nine States of Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana.

The total cost of the project is Rs. 2142.30 crore of which the Government's share is Rs. 1071.15 crore (50 percent) and rest is the loan component from the World Bank.

For achieving the major objectives of the Watershed Component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana (PMKSY) and for ensuring access to irrigation to every farm (Har Khet Ko Pani) and efficient use of water (Per Drop More Crop), Neeranchal is primarily designed to address the following concerns:

                           i.            bring about institutional changes in watershed and rainfed agricultural management practices in India,
                         ii.            build systems that ensure watershed programmes and rainfed irrigation management practices are better focussed, and more coordinated, and have quantifiable results,
                        iii.            devise   strategies   for   the   sustainability   of   improved   watershed. management practices in programme areas, even after the withdrawal of project support,
                       iv.            through   the  watershed   plus   approach,   support   improved   equity, livelihoods, and incomes through forward linkages, on a platform of inclusiveness and local participation.

Neeranchal will translate into better implementation outcomes of PMKSY. The programme will lead to reducing surface runoff of rainwater, increasing recharge of ground water and better availability of water in rainfed areas resulting in incremental rainfed agriculture productivity, enhanced milk yield and increased cropping intensity through better convergence related programmes in project areas.

Neeranchal is designed to further strengthen and provide technical assistance to the Watershed Component of PMKSY, in particular and all  components of PMKSY, in general, to enhance its delivery capacity.  Neeranchal will support the Watershed component of PMKSY (erstwhile IWMP) which was implemented by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) in 28 States.

Watershed development projects are area development programme and all  people living in the project area will be benefitted.

Background:

The Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) was implemented since 2009-10 by the DoLR, for supporting watershed development in 28 States. From 2015-16 onwards, the IWMP will be implemented as the Watershed Component of PMKSY.

The potential of the watershed approach followed by the erstwhile IWMP to support both conservation and production outcomes including the availability of water in rainfed areas, catering to the needs of small and marginal farmers as well as the asset-less, including women, has been successfully demonstrated at scale across various States of India. However, despite these successes, a number of challenges remain for watershed development to achieve better outcomes, including enhanced participation of communities, building stronger capacities and systems to plan, implement, monitor and post-project sustainability of local institutions and assets. These challenges, if not resolved, can result in implementation delays, slow disbursements and benefits.