Centre increases grants for staff
New Delhi: In a parting gift to about 50 lakh Central Government employees, the Centre has given an increase in some grants, including children education allowance. “The annual ceiling limit for reimbursement of children education allowance shall be Rs 18,000 (Rs 1,500 per month) per child,” said an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). Earlier, employees were allowed Rs 12,000 as reimbursement of children education, annually. The rates of special allowance for child care to women with disabilities stands revised to Rs 1,500 (as against Rs 1,000) per month, it said. Similarly, the annual ceiling for reimbursement of education allowance for disabled children of government employees shall be treated as revised to Rs 36,000 per annum (Rs 3,000 per month) per child, said the order. Earlier, employees were entitled to claim Rs 2,000 per month towards educational allowance for disabled children. These revisions are applicable with effect from January 1, 2014. The increase, DoPT order said, has come into force following hike upto 100 per cent in Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central Government employees from January 1 this year.
NHRC takes notice ‘mortgaging’ of kids
New Delhi: Taking cognisance of reports of starvation and “mortgaging” of children due to drought in lalitpur district, NHRC sought response from the UP Government and district authority there and also directed its own probe team to carry out an on-the-spot inquiry. National Human Rights Commission has asked the Chief Secretary, UP Government and DM, lalitpur to submit a detailed report into the allegations that due to severe drought in the district, a number of cases of starvation have been reported over the months and “some families have sold or mortgaged their children for a small sum of money for their survival”. They have been given four weeks submit the report, according to an NHRC statement. The Commission has also directed its Director General (Investigation) to send a team for an on-the-spot probe.