D.A.increase
From May to July 2020:
2 slabs (0.20%)
Total: 761 Slabs
(76.10%)
For Pensioners
"No change"
From May to July 2020:
2 slabs (0.20%)
Total: 761 Slabs
(76.10%)
For Pensioners
"No change"
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Business standard news:
Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba has written to secretaries in various ministries, asking them to urge employees -- as well as those in PSUs under various ministries -- to make voluntary contribution to PM CARES Fund. The letter was sent on April 16.
On April 17, Ministry Of Finance's Revenue Department issued a circular, asking employees to contribute voluntarily to the PM CARES Fund with an opt-out clause. "It has been decided to appeal (to) all officers and staff of Department of Revenue to contribute their one day's salary every month till March 2021..."
Any officer or staff objecting to the donation is required to inform the department with his/her employee code by April 20. "Any officer or staff having objection to it may intimate Drawing & Disbursing officer, Department of Revenue in writing mentioning his/her employee code latest by April 20, 2020," the Revenue Department circular said. The Ministry of Finance's Department of Revenue is led by Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey.
Gauba's letter noted that in the past, government officials had contributed minimum one day's salary during national emergencies.
"Hence, it will be appreciated if an appeal is issued at your level to all officials working in your ministry/department as well as in the attached/subordinate offices and public sector undertakings (PSUs) to contribute to government's efforts to deal with this unprecedented situation. The voluntary contribution of all the willing officials in the Ministry/Department, deducted at sources, may be sent to Prime Minister's Citizens' Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situation Fund (PM CARES Fund) through the PFMS mechanism," the top bureaucrat wrote.
Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba has written to secretaries in various ministries, asking them to urge employees -- as well as those in PSUs under various ministries -- to make voluntary contribution to PM CARES Fund. The letter was sent on April 16.
On April 17, Ministry Of Finance's Revenue Department issued a circular, asking employees to contribute voluntarily to the PM CARES Fund with an opt-out clause. "It has been decided to appeal (to) all officers and staff of Department of Revenue to contribute their one day's salary every month till March 2021..."
Any officer or staff objecting to the donation is required to inform the department with his/her employee code by April 20. "Any officer or staff having objection to it may intimate Drawing & Disbursing officer, Department of Revenue in writing mentioning his/her employee code latest by April 20, 2020," the Revenue Department circular said. The Ministry of Finance's Department of Revenue is led by Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey.
Gauba's letter noted that in the past, government officials had contributed minimum one day's salary during national emergencies.
"Hence, it will be appreciated if an appeal is issued at your level to all officials working in your ministry/department as well as in the attached/subordinate offices and public sector undertakings (PSUs) to contribute to government's efforts to deal with this unprecedented situation. The voluntary contribution of all the willing officials in the Ministry/Department, deducted at sources, may be sent to Prime Minister's Citizens' Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situation Fund (PM CARES Fund) through the PFMS mechanism," the top bureaucrat wrote.
Sunday, April 19, 2020
Employees concern...
In this pandemic situation, we are already travelling to Branch Long distance like 30+30 k.m.,40+40k.m. through own vehicle by spending more money for petrol.... taking risk and facing police checking etc.,
Our Management not giving any allowances like other banks does (Rs.1000 for mask, gloves,etc and 1 day salary for every 6 days working), but forcing us to surrender one day PL as well as one day salary in April month salary is really unjust....
In this pandemic situation, we are already travelling to Branch Long distance like 30+30 k.m.,40+40k.m. through own vehicle by spending more money for petrol.... taking risk and facing police checking etc.,
Our Management not giving any allowances like other banks does (Rs.1000 for mask, gloves,etc and 1 day salary for every 6 days working), but forcing us to surrender one day PL as well as one day salary in April month salary is really unjust....
Saturday, April 18, 2020
Friday, April 10, 2020
*India needs more testing, not lockdown!!*
*Prof Partho Sarothi Ray,* who did his PhD in molecular virology from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, was among the community of scientists who engaged with the WHO to study of the coronavirus and formulate policies to tackle the pandemic.
In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, Ray, associate professor of biological sciences at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, says *that India lags far behind in detecting the character of the virus, and is therefore clueless about how to deal with COVID-19.*
*He says that the 21-day lockdown might help increase our ignorance about the virus if it is not used for enhanced testing.* The scientist, who had to his credit 74 research items and 1,400 citations, is presently working on the research on genetic control of cancer.
Could you elaborate on the two genotypes
While the WHO could get 29 different genotypes from a large section of samples around the world, in India we could produce only two samples where two different kinds of genes in the virus were found. *India is lagging far behind in detecting the character of the virus, and is therefore clueless about how to deal with it.*
So, molecular biologists do not support the lockdown?
*I can talk only for myself. I don’t think lockdown is useful unless you use the opportunity to test suspected people. Lockdown makes infected people remain at home. As a result, families are infected. If symptoms persist, they will go to doctors. But in 65 per cent of the cases the symptom is missing. When the lockdown ends these people would come out and infect old and vulnerable people, leading to resurgence of virus.*
In 1918 Spanish influenza, which was very pandemic and was the original H1N1, virus did that. It saw peak mortality during resurgence.
Why did the government declare the lockdown?
Only the government would know that. *Perhaps it was done out of fear and to replace testing. The WHO repeatedly emphasised on testing. India should have isolated the founder population (who first carried the virus into the country).*
What about Italy, Spain and US?
Please do not bracket them with us. Countries like Italy, the US and European countries have an aged population. Sixty-eight per cent of Italy’s population is old (above 60). So, Italy along with Spain felt the heat. Also, Italy did not want to lose its vibrant tourism income. So, it did not prevent the inflow of foreigners.
*But they have now imposed lockdown*
*That is for testing. They imposed temporary lockdown to conduct tests and arrange medical facilities. Actually, lockdown gives you a window to conduct tests and arrange hospital beds, facilities for health workers and other related services.*
*Do you feel India did not do that?*
*Not at all. Italy tested around 5,000 people per million of its population, while India tested 18 people per million. If you do not test and arrange for more ICUs, beds or facilities for health care professionals, then what is the purpose of the lockdown?*
But we do not have enough test kits.
That cannot be an excuse. We have at least 10,000 molecular testing labs where such testing can be done.
How does that work?
We need the blood samples and a known case sample to compare the gene. It can be done for Rs1,000 or less. In fact, two weeks ago at IISER, we did a cost estimate for the test and it came around Rs700.
But how reliable would that test be?
More reliable than the dubious testing kits in the market. *I am astounded to learn that the government has fixed the price at Rs 4,500 per test. Some specific companies have been given orders. We are totally shocked. A section of the corporate world is out to make profit in this critical time.*
Have you approached the government?
That is the most unfortunate thing. Our scientific labs are far better than those in many countries. Even organisations like the WHO rely on our research and development. But neither the Indian government nor any state government has consulted us.
But India is following the WHO guidelines.
*The WHO said isolate and test. It did not say lock down. India has locked down but is not testing. If you do not test, you will not know the varieties of the virus or its mutations.*
*Prof Partho Sarothi Ray,* who did his PhD in molecular virology from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, was among the community of scientists who engaged with the WHO to study of the coronavirus and formulate policies to tackle the pandemic.
In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, Ray, associate professor of biological sciences at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, says *that India lags far behind in detecting the character of the virus, and is therefore clueless about how to deal with COVID-19.*
*He says that the 21-day lockdown might help increase our ignorance about the virus if it is not used for enhanced testing.* The scientist, who had to his credit 74 research items and 1,400 citations, is presently working on the research on genetic control of cancer.
Could you elaborate on the two genotypes
While the WHO could get 29 different genotypes from a large section of samples around the world, in India we could produce only two samples where two different kinds of genes in the virus were found. *India is lagging far behind in detecting the character of the virus, and is therefore clueless about how to deal with it.*
So, molecular biologists do not support the lockdown?
*I can talk only for myself. I don’t think lockdown is useful unless you use the opportunity to test suspected people. Lockdown makes infected people remain at home. As a result, families are infected. If symptoms persist, they will go to doctors. But in 65 per cent of the cases the symptom is missing. When the lockdown ends these people would come out and infect old and vulnerable people, leading to resurgence of virus.*
In 1918 Spanish influenza, which was very pandemic and was the original H1N1, virus did that. It saw peak mortality during resurgence.
Why did the government declare the lockdown?
Only the government would know that. *Perhaps it was done out of fear and to replace testing. The WHO repeatedly emphasised on testing. India should have isolated the founder population (who first carried the virus into the country).*
What about Italy, Spain and US?
Please do not bracket them with us. Countries like Italy, the US and European countries have an aged population. Sixty-eight per cent of Italy’s population is old (above 60). So, Italy along with Spain felt the heat. Also, Italy did not want to lose its vibrant tourism income. So, it did not prevent the inflow of foreigners.
*But they have now imposed lockdown*
*That is for testing. They imposed temporary lockdown to conduct tests and arrange medical facilities. Actually, lockdown gives you a window to conduct tests and arrange hospital beds, facilities for health workers and other related services.*
*Do you feel India did not do that?*
*Not at all. Italy tested around 5,000 people per million of its population, while India tested 18 people per million. If you do not test and arrange for more ICUs, beds or facilities for health care professionals, then what is the purpose of the lockdown?*
But we do not have enough test kits.
That cannot be an excuse. We have at least 10,000 molecular testing labs where such testing can be done.
How does that work?
We need the blood samples and a known case sample to compare the gene. It can be done for Rs1,000 or less. In fact, two weeks ago at IISER, we did a cost estimate for the test and it came around Rs700.
But how reliable would that test be?
More reliable than the dubious testing kits in the market. *I am astounded to learn that the government has fixed the price at Rs 4,500 per test. Some specific companies have been given orders. We are totally shocked. A section of the corporate world is out to make profit in this critical time.*
Have you approached the government?
That is the most unfortunate thing. Our scientific labs are far better than those in many countries. Even organisations like the WHO rely on our research and development. But neither the Indian government nor any state government has consulted us.
But India is following the WHO guidelines.
*The WHO said isolate and test. It did not say lock down. India has locked down but is not testing. If you do not test, you will not know the varieties of the virus or its mutations.*
