DOP Directions in r/o CAT cases regarding reduction in period of commuted value of pension from 15years to 10/12years
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Wednesday, 5 February 2025
Regularize Irregular SSA Account in Post Office through MoF - Last date is 10/02/2025
Regularize Irregular SSA Account in Post Office through MoF - Last date is 10/02/2025
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Urgent Release of All-India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) for December 2024
Urgent Release of All-India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) for December 2024 
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Constitution of 8th Central Pay Commission - Rajya Sabha Question No. 237
Constitution of 8th Central Pay Commission - Rajya Sabha Question No. 237
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RBI imposed a monetary penalty of ₹26.70 lakh on IPPB
RBI imposed a monetary penalty of ₹26.70 lakh on IPPB
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Tuesday, 4 February 2025
Discontinuation of Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB)
Discontinuation of Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB)
The Indian government has decided to discontinue the Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) scheme due to its high borrowing costs. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman confirmed this decision, stating that the government periodically reviews its borrowing strategies and found that SGBs incurred significant costs.
Despite allocating ₹18,500 crore for SGBs in the FY25 Budget, no new tranches have been issued in the current fiscal year. The last issuance was in February 2023, amounting to ₹8,008 crore. The SGB scheme was launched in November 2015 to reduce physical gold imports by offering a digital alternative.
The discontinuation of the SGB scheme means that no new bonds will be issued. However, existing SGB holders will continue to receive interest payments and can redeem their bonds upon maturity or as per redemption rules
Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) Scheme: Key Features
- Launch Date: November 2015, aimed at reducing physical gold imports.
- Maturity Period: 8 years, with the option for early redemption after 5 years.
- Interest Rate: Initially set at 2.75%, later revised to 2.5% per annum.
- Redemption Price: Determined by the average closing price of 999 purity gold, as quoted by the India Bullion and Jewelers Association Ltd (IBJA).
- Last Issuance: February 2023.
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Dearness Allowance of Central Government Employees during Covid-19 - Lok Sabha Question & Answer
Dearness Allowance of Central Government Employees during Covid-19 - Lok Sabha Question & Answer
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Monday, 3 February 2025
Extension of ad-hoc promotion of Postal Service (PS), Group B officers to Junior Time Scale (JTS) of IPoS in Group A in India Post
Extension of ad-hoc promotion of Postal Service (PS), Group B officers to Junior Time Scale (JTS) of IPoS in Group A in India Post
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Delegation of statuary power of DGPS in Department of Posts
Delegation of statuary power of DGPS in Department of Posts
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Promotion of philately at iconic post offices
Promotion of philately at iconic post offices
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National JCM had submitted terms of references of 8CPC from staff side
National JCM had submitted terms of references of 8CPC from staff side
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Sunday, 2 February 2025
Union Budget 2025: Except Tax Relief Major Concerns Remain Unaddressed for Employees
Union Budget 2025: Except Tax Relief Major Concerns Remain Unaddressed for Employees
Bruhaspati Samal
General Secretary
Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers
Odisha State Coordination Committee, Bhubaneswar
The Union Budget 2025, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2025, has introduced significant tax relief measures aimed at the salaried middle class. However, beyond these tax adjustments, the budget appears to have overlooked several critical areas concerning the welfare of employees and pensioners. While tax benefits provide some respite, various other pressing issues remain unresolved, raising concerns among government employees and retirees.
In an effort to increase disposable income and boost consumption, the government has revised the income tax slabs under the new tax regime. In the new tax regime, the revised tax rate structure will stand as follows:
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As announced, no personal income tax is payable up to income of Rs 12 lakh (i.e. average income of Rs 1 lakh per month other than special rate income such as capital gains) under the new regime. This limit will be Rs 12.75 lakh for salaried tax payers, due to standard deduction of Rs 75,000. The new structure will substantially reduce the taxes of the middle class and leave more money in their hands, boosting household consumption, savings and investment. But the new Income-Tax Bill scheduled to be placed in the next week to be clear and direct in text so as to make it simple to understand for taxpayers and tax administration, leading to tax certainty and reduced litigation which has created suspicion in the minds of the employees. It is said that revenue of about Rs. 1 lakh crore in direct taxes will be forgone. Instead, it is a fact that nearly 1 crore new Taxpayers are likely to enrolled which may increase the flow of collection of IT and make good the said shortfall. For senior citizens, the tax deduction limit on interest income has been doubled, and the Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) threshold on rental income has been raised, providing them with additional financial relief. While these changes will benefit many taxpayers, the budget has been criticized for failing to address other crucial concerns of employees and pensioners.
One of the major disappointments in the budget is the absence of any mention of the government’s declared intent to increase its contribution to the Unified Pension Scheme. As per the Gazette Notification dated January 25, 2025, the government had announced an increase in its contribution from 14% to 18.5%, to be implemented from May 1, 2025. However, this crucial measure was not reflected in the budget, leaving many pensioners in a state of uncertainty. The lack of financial allocation or even a mention in the budget raises questions about the government's commitment to the welfare of pensioners. Another significant omission in the budget is the non-mention of the 8th CPC. The government had previously indicated its intent to constitute the 8th CPC to revise pay scales and benefits for central government employees. However, the budget does not include any allocation or plan for its implementation, leading to speculation that the matter has been deferred indefinitely. Central government employees have been expecting a revision in their pay scales to keep up with the rising cost of living. The absence of any announcement regarding the CPC not only dampens their morale but also affects their financial stability, as salary hikes have remained stagnant for years.
Another major disappointment is the failure to address the pending Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears for the 18-month period from January 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021. Despite repeated demands from employees and pensioners, the government has not provided any assurance regarding the release of the withheld DA/DR payments. This prolonged delay has financially strained many government employees and pensioners, who were expecting a resolution in this year’s budget. The issue of vacant government positions is another pressing concern that remains unaddressed. As of January 2025, there are approximately 11 lakh vacant posts in various central government departments. Filling these positions would not only improve administrative efficiency but also provide much-needed employment opportunities, particularly at a time when India’s unemployment rate stood at 7.8% in December 2024, The lack of any concrete announcements regarding recruitment drives in the budget has left job seekers disappointed.
Healthcare and insurance are other key areas where the budget falls short in addressing employee welfare. While the government announced plans to establish Day Care Cancer Centres in district hospitals over the next three years, the budget did not provide a comprehensive strategy to enhance overall healthcare benefits for employees. Given that out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure in India remains alarmingly high at 62.4% of total health expenses, the absence of enhanced medical support for employees and pensioners is a significant drawback. A more robust healthcare policy with improved insurance coverage could have alleviated the financial burden on the workforce.
The budget also introduced certain provisions for gig workers, proposing the issuance of identity cards and the registration of one crore gig workers on the e-Shram portal. This move aims to provide them with access to healthcare under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). While this initiative is a step in the right direction, the absence of a comprehensive social security framework for gig workers leaves them vulnerable to financial instability.
While the Union Budget 2025 offers notable tax relief to salaried employees and senior citizens, it has failed to address several crucial issues that directly impact government employees and pensioners. The lack of provisions for pension reforms, salary revisions, DA arrears, job creation, and healthcare improvements reflects a missed opportunity to enhance the welfare of the workforce. A more comprehensive and employee-centric approach in future budgets is essential to ensure holistic economic growth and social security for all stakeholders.
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BPS: Championing Pensioners’ Rights Beyond Retirement – Signs MoU with AFSIR (India’s Premier Job Portal for Retired Government Officials)
BPS: Championing Pensioners’ Rights Beyond Retirement – Signs MoU with AFSIR (India’s Premier Job Portal for Retired Government Officials)
BPS: Championing Pensioners’ Rights Beyond Retirement – Signs MoU with AFSIR (India’s Premier Job Portal for Retired Government Officials)
“For decades, Bharat Pensioners Samaj (BPS) has been a strong advocate for pensioners’ rights, working tirelessly to ensure dignity, financial security, and opportunities for retirees.
In 2024, BPS took a significant step toward digital empowerment by launching a nationwide digital literacy campaign for pensioners. Through 16 workshops conducted across the country, 500 pensioners were trained under the ‘Each One, Teach One’ initiative in collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
.““Now, taking its mission even further, BPS has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AFSIR, India’s premier job portal for retired government officials. This partnership is not just about finding jobs for retirees; it’s about redefining life after retirement and creating new avenues for contribution, financial independence, and social engagement.
““Beyond Retirement: A New Chapter Begins.
“At BPS, we believe that age should never be a barrier to contribution. The wealth of experience, knowledge, and dedication that retirees possess is invaluable, and they deserve recognition and opportunities to continue making meaningful contributions. This collaboration with AFSIR is a powerful step toward unlocking those opportunities.
““Retirement is not an end—it’s a new beginning. It’s a time to rediscover passions, explore new roles, and continue making an impact in society. Whether it’s mentoring, consultancy, part-time roles, or even entrepreneurship, the possibilities are endless.
““So, if you’re a retired professional wondering, "What’s next?", the answer is simple: A New Beginning!
““Welcome to the future, where retirement is just another word for limitless possibilities!
“For more details and to explore post-retirement opportunities, stay connected with Bharat Pensioners Samaj (BPS).
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Gratitude for Expanding Ayushman Bharat & Appeal for Further Relaxation-
Gratitude for Expanding Ayushman Bharat & Appeal for Further Relaxation
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Appeal for Strengthening Welfare Measures for Senior Citizens & Pensioners
Appeal for Strengthening Welfare Measures for Senior Citizens & Pensioners
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Saturday, 1 February 2025
Family pension is a statutory right for dependents, unaffected by an employee’s personal choices or exclusions.-
Family pension is a statutory right for dependents, unaffected by an employee’s personal choices or exclusions.-
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Personal Income-tax reforms with special focus on middle class
Personal Income-tax reforms with special focus on middle class
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