MP govt takes key decisions on PF, insurance

Bhopal, Sep 23 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh government today took key decisions regarding its employees' departmental Provident Fund (PF), insurance and savings scheme, implementation of a new pension scheme, providing divisional commissioners with rights to take disciplinary action against government servants, reducing Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel and entry tax on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), official sources said.

A Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan here, decided that the PF, insurance and savings scheme and new pension scheme would be implemented through the Pensions Directorate that would also keep records -- through outsourcing -- of various deductions for future pensioners. The Directorate would henceforth be known as the Directorate for Pensions, PF and Insurance.

Complaints had been received regarding maintenance of PF accounts. The Cabinet decisions were also taken with a view to stem apprehension of PF scams.

Divisional commissioners would henceforth have the power to take disciplinary action against Class I and II-level state government servants in their respective divisions. The Chief Minister's June 18 order -- for reducing VAT on diesel from 25 per cent to 23 and cutting entry tax on LPG from 9.5 to 6.47 per cent -- was approved.

Airstrips at Ratlam district headquarters and Ujjain district's Datana would be allotted for 10 years, instead of seven, for pilot training as per the conditions of a contract with Yash Air Limited, Indore.

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