Expected DA from July-2013, AICPIN for the month of March-2013.

Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) March 2013.

   According to a press release issued today by the Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour & Employment the All-India CPI-IW for March, 2013 rose by 1 point and pegged at 224 (two hundred and twentyfour). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by 0.45 per cent between February and March compared with 1.01 per cent between the same two months a year ago.

   The largest upward contribution to the change in current index came from Food group which increased by 0.84 per cent, contributing 0.82 percentage points to the total change. This was followed by Miscellaneous group with 0.53 per cent increase contributing 0.26 percentage points to the change. At item level, largest upward pressure came from Rice, Wheat & Wheat Atta, Fish Fresh, Goat Meat, Vegetable Green & non-Leafy, Apple, Tea (Readymade), Firewood, Medicine (Allopathic), Private Tuition Fee, Bus Fare, Petrol, etc. However, this was compensated by Mustard Oil, Eggs (Hen), Poultry (Chicken), Onion, Potato and Sugar putting downward pressure on the index.

   The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 11.44 per cent for February, 2013 as compared to 12.06 per cent for the previous month and 8.65 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 13.21 per cent against 14.98 per cent of the previous month and 8.16 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.

   At centre level, Salem recorded the largest increase of 7 points followed by Sholapur and Quilon (6 points each). Among others, 5 points rise was registered in 4 centres, 4 points in 2 centres, 3 points in 4 centres, 2 points in 12 centres and 1 point in 18 centres. On the contrary, a decline of 2 points was reported in Jharia, Chennai, Siliguri, Mariani-Jorhat, Asansol and Kodarma and 1 point in 10 centres. Rest of the 19 centres’ indices remained stationary.

   The indices of 34 centres are above All-India Index and other 43 centres’ indices are below national average. The index of Ajmer centre remained at par with all-India index. The next index of CPI-IW for the month of April, 2013 will be released on Friday, 31 May, 2013. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureau.gov.in.

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Reimbursement of Fee under Scholarship Scheme.

   Under the Merit-Cum-Means based scholarship Scheme for students belonging to the notified minority communities full course fee is reimbursed in respect of the 85 Listed Institutions only. For students in other Institutions upto to Rs. 20,000/- is reimbursed.

   There is no separate Merit-Cum-Means Scholarship scheme for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Under the existing Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarship for OBCs, there is a provision for reimbursement of compulsory non-refundable fees in addition to maintenance allowance, reader charges for blind students, study tour charges, thesis typing/printing charges, book allowances for students pursuing correspondence course, etc for complete duration of the course.

   This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri P. Balram Naik in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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Promotion Scheme for CGHS Homoeopathic and Unani Doctors.

   As per the 5th Central Pay Commission’s recommendation, career progression had been granted to the ISM&H (Indian Systems of Medicine & Homeopathy) Physicians possessing the medical qualifications approved by the Central Council for Indian Medicines/Central Council of Homoeopathy on the pattern available to the Allopathic doctors//General Duty Medical Officers of Central Health Service (CHS).

   According to the Recruitment Rules for Chief Medical Officer (Non Functional Selection Grade), Union Public Service Commission has to conduct the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) process for promotion to this grade. In respect of the Unani Doctors, the CMO (NFSG) grade has already been granted to 8 eligible Unani doctors. In respect of Homoeopathic doctors, UPSC has asked for certain information / documents in respect of the officers under consideration.

   This information was given by the Minister for Health & Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

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