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TELEPHONE POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Subject of Telephone Policy, under the Rules of Business 1973, has

been allocated to the Cabinet Division (RA Wing). In view of advancement in Telecom

Sector, the Cabinet Division has been considering/revising the policy remaining within

the financial implications involved thereof in consultation with Finance Division.

Salient features of this policy as it stands today are as under:-

1) Office Telephone

Ministries/Divisions/Attached Departments and Sub-ordinate Departments (O.M No.3/10/2006/STC-RA-III dated 5th January, 2007 refers)

i) This facility is required to be availed from NTC or after obtaining NOC

from PTCL. ii) Principal Accounting Officer (PAO) in the Ministries/Divisions/Attached

Departments can sanction this facility for their officers in BS 17 and above subject to observance of prescribed ceiling.

iii) Administrative Secretaries are also empowered to sanction telephone for

miscellaneous purposes like library, reception, dispensary etc with the ceiling of Rs.1500/- per month.

iv) Proposals for allowing Telephone in office to officers/officials in B.S 16

and below shall be considered/decided by the Committee on telephones comprising the additional Secretaries of the Cabinet and the Finance Divisions.

v) For installation of 2nd telephone line in the offices of entitled officers, a

separate reference shall be made to the Cabinet Division. Such requests containing approval of the concerned PAO shall also be considered by the Committee on need basis.

vi) Principal Accounting Officer is empowered to condone the excess

expenditure beyond the prescribed office ceilings, the powers shall remain vested in Administrative Secretaries as per existing instructions. While considering such condonation requests, following procedure shall be adopted:

a) The officer concerned should submit complete case along with full

justification and monthly bill for consideration of the concerned Principal Accounting Officer (PAO).

b) PAO after going through justification will decide the case.

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vii) As per latest instructions the connections installed (Local/STD) can be converted into International Subscriber Dialing (ISD) through NTC.

Telephone Ceiling of the officers in Ministries/Divisions and Attached

Departments applicable from 11th May, 2009 is as under:-

DESIGNATION OFFICE (Rs.)

RESIDENCE (Rs.)

Secretary (BPS-22) and equivalent

No Limit No Limit

Additional Secretary (BPS-21) and equivalent

No Limit 4620/- + (Line Rent)

Joint Secretary (BPS-20) and equivalent

No Limit 3696/- + (Line Rent)

Deputy Secretary (BPS-19) and equivalent

7421/- + (Line Rent) 2000/- + (Line Rent)

Section Officer (BPS-17/18) and equivalent

6211/-+ (Line Rent) 1200/-+ (Line Rent)

BPS-16 & Below (Non entitled)

3000/- (On need basis) On case to case basis upto a maximum of Rs.1,000/-.

There will be no limit for BS-22 officers and

Ministers/MOSs/Advisors/Members of NSC etc. for their office and residential

telephones. Cabinet Division letter’s No.2/9/2007/RA-III dated Ist October, 2007

refers.

2) Residential Telephone

Ministries/Divisions only

i) All regular officers of BS-17 & above working in Ministries/Divisions are entitled for telephone at their residence on government expense.

ii) Such connection will be provided by NTC through dealing section of the Ministries/Divisions.

iii) In case of non-availability of NTC line the NTC will provide WWL connection.

iv) NTC in case of inability of providing both types of connections (NTC landline + WLL) will provide NOC for availing such facility through PTCL or some other companies.

v) Private connection already installed will be taken on private to public account on written requests.

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vi) In un-avoidable circumstances, where a telephone connection is

installed in the name of owner of hired/rented house, then photocopy of the letter issued for hiring of same house would be attached with the monthly bill for payment/re-imbursement within the admissible ceiling.

vii) Requests of Officers/Officials in BP-16 and below are considered by the Cabinet Division and where required the committee on telephone will be consulted.

viii) As per latest instructions the connections can be converted into International Subscriber Dialing (ISD).

ix) The requests for condonation of excess expenditure on residential

telephones will not be entertained. In this regard, the powers already delegated to concerned Principal Accounting Officer(s) to condone the excess expenditure beyond the prescribed residential ceilings have been withdrawn. Any excess amount beyond the monthly expenditure limit would be borne by the Officer himself and settled every month in consultation with the concerned dealing Section of the Ministry/Division/Department etc. Entitled Officer(s) will be responsible for paying the disconnection charges if such situation arises due to non-payment of excess amount.

3) Residential Telephone Attached and Sub-ordinate Departments.

All regular officers in BP-19 and below working in Attached and

Subordinate Departments are not entitled for residential telephone. The Committee on

telephone will consider their cases on case to case basis.

4) Extent of the Federal Government

Telephone Policy The approved Telephone Policy is applicable to all

Ministries/Divisions/Attached Departments/Autonomous Bodies/Semi-Autonomous

Bodies/Corporations etc. All Autonomous Bodies/Semi-Autonomous

Bodies/Corporations will strictly follow the policy as all such bodies were established

with the public revenues and later on granted financial autonomy under the

Act/Ordinance for efficient performance. However, Sanctioning Authority in the

Autonomous Bodies/Semi-Autonomous Bodies/Corporations etc. for office and

residential telephone including fax connections is Chairman/Head of Corporation

concerned.

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5) Clarification Regarding Telephone Policy

Issued on Ist June, 2007

Sr. # Queries Clarifications

1 Whether residential telephone is only

restricted to all Section Officers (BPS-

17/18) or also allowed to all other ex-

cadre posts (BPS-17/18/19) such as

Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors,

Research Officers and other

deputationists etc. working in the

Ministries/Divisions?

All ex-cadre / deputationist officers (BPS-

17/18/19) who are on the strength and being

paid by the Ministries/Divisions are entitled

to avail the residential telephone facility

under the Policy instructions.

2 Section Officers re-employed on contract

basis who are mostly Deputy Secretaries®

will be provided with the facility of

residential telephone on Public Account or

otherwise.? As per terms and conditions of

these Section Officers, all matters not

specified in the contract, the

Rules/Regulations applicable to Federal

Civil Servants shall apply.

Provision of residential telephone facility to

all contract employees including Section

Officers will be governed by their terms

and conditions of the contract prescribed by

the Establishment/Finance Division.

3 i) Whether separately notified

office and residential telephone ceilings will be observed or instead of these

separate ceilings, their aggregate

expenditure should not increase the

combined office and residential

expenditure limits?

ii) Whether 15% CED on office and

residential telephone bills is included or

will be added separately in recently

notified official ceilings?

iii) All entitled Officers will be

provided with STD residential telephone

or they are allowed only for re-

imbursement of their actual bill within the

prescribed ceilings?

iv) After fixation of a ceiling of Rs.

1500/- per month for common used

connections, Whether the already fixed

ceiling of Rs. 2000/- per month for Non-

Separate expenditure ceilings for office and

residential telephones issued vide O.M No.

3/10/2006-STC-RA-III dated 5th

January,

2007 on the subject “Monthly expenditure

ceilings for office and residential

telephones borne on public account” will be

observed.

15% CED on office and residential

telephone bills is inclusive in the prescribed

ceilings. No additional amount @ 15%

CED is permissible in both limits.

If an Officer desires to have a new official

residential telephone then the concerned

Ministry/Division will approach NTC for

the purpose as per notified instructions.

And re-imbursement of the actual monthly

bill is also allowed where a private

connections taken from private to public

account as explained in the policy

guidelines.

Monthly expenditure ceiling of Rs. 2,000/-

notified vide this Division’s letter No.

3/8/STC-GC-2005 dated 3rd

February, 2006

is applicable to official telephone

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STD telephone connection installed in

R&I Section of each Ministry/Division

will remain the same or the revised ceiling

of Rs. 1500/- per month with STD

connection will be applicable?

connection installed in R&I Section of each

Ministry/Division etc.

4 i) Private Secretaries (BPS-17/18) attached with the Ministers/MOSs/Federal

Secretaries/Additional Secretaries will be

provided a residential telephone with the

previous residential telephone ceilings of

Rs. 1848/- + line rent or with the revised

ceiling of Rs. 1200/- + line rent?

ii) Whether the Private Secretaries

(BPS-17) working with the Additional

Secretaries (BPS-21), Draftsman-II/II (BPS-

21) and Senior Consultant (BPS-21) etc.

other than the Federal

Ministers/MOSs/Federal Secretaries/Special

Secretaries in Ministries/Divisions are

entitled to a residential telephone or non-

entitled? All Private Secretaries are not

allowed to have an office telephone, how

their residential entitlement will be worked

out as it involved extra expenditure?

Expenditure ceilings fixed for office and

residential telephones vide O.M No.

3/10/2006/STC-RA-III dated 5th

January,

2007 on the subject “Monthly expenditure

ceilings for office and residential

telephones borne on public account” are

applicable to all categories of officers

including Private Secretaries attached with

the Ministers/MOSs /Federal

Secretaries/Additional Secretaries etc.

All Private Secretaries (BPS-17/18)

working in Ministries, Divisions and

attached with Additional Secretaries (BPS-

21) /Draftsman (BPS-21) and Senior

Consultants etc. are authorized to avail the

official residential telephone facility as per

revised ceilings.

5. i) All officers (BPS-17/18/19) (including

Section officers posted by

Establishment Division) working in

Attached Departments of Federal

Government can be extended the

facility of residential telephone or

otherwise when they are not drawing

their salaries from the Attached

Departments?

ii) All regular officers (BPS-19) of

Attached/Sub-ordinate Departments

already provided with the residential

telephone would continue to avail the

same or it will be withdrawn?

iii) Private Secretaries/SO (Council)/SO

(General/ SO (Record) who were

provided with residential telephone in

Attached Departments in consultation

with the Cabinet Division would

All officers who are drawing salaries from

the concerned Ministry/Division and

temporarily working (not on deputation

basis) in the Attached/Sub-ordinate

Departments are authorized to avail the

residential telephone facility.

All regular officers of BPS-19 working in

Attached/Sub-ordinate Departments who

were provided with residential telephone in

the past under some policy

instructions/NOC would continue to avail

this facility. However, all fresh cases where

residential telephone was not provided or

the post is newly created shall require prior

NOC from the Cabinet Division.

All those posts where Cabinet Division had

approved residential telephone facility do

not require fresh approval.

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continue to avail this facility within

the prescribed ceilings or otherwise?

6) Installation of Fax

There is no specific entitlement of fax facility. It can be allowed by

Cabinet Division in consultation with Finance Division as per prescribed ceiling to the

following:-

DESIGNATION PER MONTH ENTITLEMENT OFFICE RESIDENCE Federal Minister No Limit Rs.5,000/- Minister of State No Limit Rs.3000/- Secretary & Equivalent No Limit Rs.2,000/- Additional Secretary & Equivalent

Rs.10,000 (Domestic) Rs.15,000/- (ISD)

Nil

Joint Secretary & Equivalent

Rs.8,000/- Nil

Deputy Secretary & Equivalent

Rs.6000/- Nil

Section Officers/PS and Equivalent

Rs.5,000/- Nil

Condonation of expenditure in excess of the above limit will be condoned

by the Principal Accounting Officer (PAO) in rare cases.

7) MOBILE PHONE FACILITY

As per Mobile Phone Policy, following dignitaries/officers who are

working in the Ministries/Divisions on regular basis are entitled to avail the mobile

phone facility on public account:

a) Members of the Federal Cabinet, Advisors to the Prime Minister,

Dignitaries holding status of Federal Minister, Minister of State and the Officers in BS-21 and above (including Senior Joint Secretaries) are entitled for Mobile Phone facility. Ceiling of above categories is given as under:-

SR. NO.

DESIGNATION PER MONTH CEILING

1. Federal Minister Rs. 7000/- 2. Minister of State Rs. 7000/-

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3. Secretary Rs. 6000/- 4. Additional Secretary Rs. 4000/- 5. Senior Joint Secretary Rs. 4000/- 6. Heads of Attached

Departments/Autonomous Bodies (BS-21)

Rs. 4000/-

8) Procedural Requirements for Mobile telephone connection

(No.5/2/2004-GC dated 11th April, 2005 refers)

i. The provision of mobile/cellular phone connections to the Additional Secretaries/Senior Joint Secretaries (BPS-21) and above are entitled subject to the following conditions :-

ii. The type of connection (pre-paid/post-paid etc). and the choice of

mobile/cellular company may be decided by the Ministries/Divisions themselves in accordance with the principles of financial propriety. A proper record of bills of all the officers be maintained for audit purposes.

iii. The expenditure on the cost of mobile sets, activation/connection

charges, security deposit and national/international roaming charges etc. may be met from with-in the approved budget of the Ministries/Divisions with the approval of the Principal Accounting Officers.

iv. In case of theft or loss of mobile set(s) etc. the concerned officer(s) will

be required to pay all the charges i.e. mobile set cost, security deposit for new connection, activation charges or any other charges etc. Replacement will be done by the Ministry/Division concerned only after the above costs have been deposited by the officer(s) concerned.

v. The repairing charges, in case of damage to mobile set will be recovered from the officer(s) concerned.

vi. The maximum purchase price of mobile set is fixed at Rs. 5,500/- per

entitled officer for each Ministry/Division.

vii. The mobile set(s) provided to the entitled officer(s), would be surrendered along with the connection to the respective Ministry/Division on transfer or retirement of the officer/s.

viii. The mobile telephone connection/s would be transferable only to the

entitled officers in the Ministries/Divisions. ix) Any excess expenditure beyond the prescribed ceiling will be borne by

the officer(s) himself and settled every month.

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9) Revision of Policy on use of Mobile Phone Facility

(BS 17 to 20 Officers) (O.M No.2/26/2005-RA-IV dated 11th May, 2009 refers)

In the light of revised mobile phone policy, all officers in BS-20 and below

working in the Ministries/Divisions on regular basis are entitled to avail mobile phone

facility on public account. The revised mobile phone policy shall be applicable from 11th

May, 2009 subject to the following conditions:-

i)

Designation Office Phone Ceiling on Landline Number

(Per month)

Mobile Phone Ceiling

(Per month)

Revised Office Phone Ceiling on Landline

Number (Per month)

Joint Secretaries (BS-20) or equivalent in the Ministries / Divisions and Director Generals in the M/o Foreign Affairs

No limit

Rs.1,000/-

No limit

Deputy Secretaries (BS-19) or equivalent in the Ministries/Divisions and Directors in the M/o Foreign Affairs

Rs.8221/- + (Line Rent)

Rs.800/-

Rs.7421 + (Line Rent).

Section Officers (BS-17-18) or equivalent in the Ministries/ Divisions and Assistant Directors/ Deputy Directors in the M/o Foreign Affairs

Rs.6711/- + (Line Rent)

Rs.500/-

Rs.6211/-+ (Line Rent)

ii) All entitled officers of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other Ministries posted in

Pakistan Missions abroad are authorized 25% of combined ceiling (office and residential telephone) for use of mobile phone.

iii) Facility of Roaming Mobile telephone has been extended to Secretaries,

Additional Secretaries, Heads of Attached Departments and autonomous Organizations who are in or equivalent to BS-21 and BS-22.

iv) Excess expenditure beyond ceiling on roaming mobile phone upto 25% will be

condoned by the concerned Principal Accounting Officer (PAO). The excess

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expenditure upto 50% will be condoned by the Cabinet Secretary on the recommendations of the concerned PAO. Cases for condonation excess expenditure beyond 50% will be submitted to the Prime Minister with full justification. Instructions issued vide this Division’s O.M No.2/8/2003-GC dated 17th March, 2007 shall stand modified.

v) Only postpaid billing would be admissible for use of mobile telephone.

vi) The facility allowed to the Officers in BS-20 and below will also be subject to the

condition that the officers will arrange the equipment (Mobile Phone Set) at their own.

vii) The officers will be allowed to have connection of any mobile company. viii) Other guidelines as contained in Cabinet Division’s letter No. F.5/2/2004-GC

dated 11th April, 2005 (copy enclosed) will be followed.

In continuation of Cabinet Division’s D.O. letter No.F 5/2/2004-GC dated 11th

April, 2005, following instructions issued vide letter No. 2/8/2003-GC dated 17th

March, 2007, are given as under :-

i. The mobile sets which do not function properly after a period of three years of continuous use can be replaced on the written request of concerned officer(s). Further disposal, sale, purchase of components etc. of these mobile sets shall be dealt with as per electronic machinery and equipments in the Ministries/Divisions/Departments etc.

ii. The distinction between “official” and “private” calls has been done away

with as long as the officer/user remains within the permissible ceiling allowed to him/her by the Federal Government.

10) Clarification Regarding Revised Mobile Phone

Facility (BS-17 to 20 officers) (No.2/26/2005-RA-IV dated 11th June, 2009 refers)

Clarification regarding Revision on Use of Mobile Phone Facility are given as under :- Sl.No. Queries Clarifications

1 Whether connection, activation and

security deposit charges may be met

from with-in the approved budget of

the Ministry/Division or by the officer

concerned.

The expenditure on activation/connection

charges, security deposit may be met from

with-in the approved budget of the

Ministries/Divisions with the approval of the

Principal Accounting Officer/s. However, it

is advised in the national interest that

Ministries/Divisions may make proper

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arrangements to waive-off the security

deposits by the mobile phone companies

who would be happy to extend the facility in

lieu of business.

2 Whether officers of Attached

Departments/Sub-ordinates Offices of

the Federal Government are entitled to

avail this facility or other wise.

All regular officers working in the

Ministries/ Divisions (BS-17 to 20) are

entitled to avail this facility on public

account as per prescribed ceiling. Officers

of Attached Departments/Sub-ordinates

Offices are not entitled to avail this facility.

3 Whether there will be a separate head

for the mobile or adjusted against the

allocations for landline telephone.

As per existing financial rules and practice

in vogue

4 Whether officers working in BPS-

17/18 on regular basis who have not

been provided/entitled separate office

telephone (landline) facility are also

covered under the revised mobile

phone facility or other-wise.

All regular officers working in the

Ministries/ Divisions (BS-17 to 20) are

entitled to avail this facility on public

account as per prescribed ceiling. Officers

appointed on current charge basis or

selection grade are not entitled for this

facility. Similarly, officers appointed on

contract basis will avail the facilities in

accordance with terms and conditions issued

by the Finance and Establishment Divisions.

5 Whether officers like Consultant,

Deputy Consultant, Assistant

Consultant, posted in National

Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) are

entitled to avail this facility or other

wise.

All regular officers in BS-17 to 20 posted in

President Secretariat’s, Prime Minister’s

Secretariat, National Assembly/Senate

Secretariat, Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat etc.

are entitled to avail the said facility. This

facility will not be applicable to the officers

posted in Autonomous Bodies Attached

Departments and Sub-ordinance offices.

6. It may be clarified whether officers

who have in the past obtained special

permission/NOCs by the Cabinet

Division for use of mobile phones

with a special ceiling would continue

to avail said facility or otherwise.

Special permission/NOCs already issued by

the Cabinet Division would continue.

However, other regular officers will observe

ceiling as per their entitlement.

7. The facility of post paid billing line is

quite cumbersome and would create

lot of administrative difficulties for the

Ministries/Divisions and cellular

companies. In order to get optimum

benefits from this facility it is

proposed to monetized the facility of

mobile phone and attach it with the

pay of officer or pre-paid cards be

provided to the officer in order to

avoid extra expenditure on processing

the post paid bills.

The facility of post paid billing was

approved by the competent authority in

accordance with the Principal of Financial

Propriety, to maintain a proper record of

bills and to avoid audit objections.

8. Whether ceiling fixed for different Ceiling fixed @ Rs. 500/-, Rs. 800/- and Rs.

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categories is inclusive of all taxes and

line rent or otherwise.

1000/- per month is inclusive of line rent

and all other taxes. Excess expenditure, if

any would be paid by the officer himself and

settled every month.

11) FIXATION OF DSL CONNECTION CEILING INSTALLED

IN THE MINISTRIES/DIVISIONS/ATTACHED DEPARTMENTS THROUGH LAN

In the light of Internet Policy issued vide Cabinet Division’s O. M No.

03/11/2007/STC-RA-III dated 2nd June, 2007, the case for fixation of a new ceiling for

DSL connection through LAN established in the Ministries/Divisions etc. was

considered in consultation with the Finance Division, E-Government Directorate and

NTC. It was decided that:

i) Each Ministry/Division/Department may propose a separate DSL connection ceiling based on overall anticipated expenditure for the whole month.

ii) The proposed ceiling may be sent on the prescribed proforma with the

approval of concerned PAO.

iii) Keeping in view the requirements, Cabinet Division will examine each case and fix a separate ceiling for the respective Ministry/Division/Department.

iv) Unless a separate ceiling is not fixed by the Cabinet Division, AGPR will

continue to accept the monthly bill(s) of every Ministry/Division/Department.

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12) FIXATION OF CEILING OF DSL CONNECTION USED THROUGH LOCAL

AREA NETWORK (LAN)

1. MINISTRY/DIVITION/DEPARTMENT__________________________________

I) Total No. of Officers:_________________________________________________

II) Type of Required DSL package:_________________________________________

III) Average expenditure of last six (6) months Rs.:_____________________________

IV) Proposed ceiling for DSL connection used through LAN:_____________________

(Recommended by the concerned PAO)

Signatures along with Name/Designation

2. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (E-GOVERNMENT

DIRECTORATE/NTC)

I) Type of DSL package recommended )(by DG, EGD): _______________________

II) Ceiling recommended:________________________________________________

III) Remarks (if any):____________________________________________________

Signatures along with Name/Designation

3. FIANNCE DIVISION

The above package and proposed ceiling (Agreed/Not agreed)

Views (if Any) __________________________________________________

(Additional Secretary (Exp)

Finance Division

4. CABINET DIVISION

i) Approved ceiling_____________________________________________________

ii) Approved DSL connection package______________________________________

(Additional Secretary (EC&R)

Cabinet Division

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13) Internet Connection at the Residence

of the Ministers, Ministers of State etc. As per Cabinet Division’s letter No. 2/26/2005-GC dated 22nd June, 2006, the

Prime Minister has been pleased to allow the Internet facility through DSL connection

at the residences of Ministers/MOSs/Advisors/Special Assistants to the PM and all

Federal Government employees in BPS 20 to 22 and equivalent working in the

Ministries/Divisions. The facility shall be subject to the following conditions :-

i) The DSL connection shall be provided within the existing ceiling of

residential telephone connections.

ii) The service shall be awarded only from the National Telecommunication Corporation without adding new telephone/connection for the purpose.

iii) The above category of the dignitaries may not be provided with official

computers except Members of the Cabinet by the respective Ministries/Divisions.

iv) Already provided residential DSL/Internet connection, if any, to above

category would be surrendered with immediate effect. Note: This supersedes all relevant policies already issued from time to time including this Division letter No. 3/9/2006 dated 31st May, 2006 pertaining to fixation of DSL/Internet connection ceiling In the light of OM issued vide No.03/11/2007/STC-RA-III dated 31st May, 2007 under subject “ Creation of E-Enabled Environment – Provision of Internet Connection at the Residence of the Ministers, Ministers of State, etc. following additional instructions were issued:

i) If NTC’s network is not available in a residential area then it will issue NOC to concerned Ministry/ Division for obtaining DSL connection from any private Internet Service Provider. NTC will also mention a specific duration after which the subscriber will again approach NTC for DSL connection.

ii) The policy approved by the Prime Minister will be strictly followed in case

of Attached/Sub-Ordinate Departments etc.

iii) Extension of DSL connection through Local Area Network (LAN) has been tasked to Electronic Government Directorate (EGD) under the Ministry of Information Technology. All Ministries/ Divisions/ Departments may, therefore, approach EGD for provision of Internet facility in the offices of their officers as per policy.

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iv) In the light of Cabinet Division’s letter No.2/9/2007-RA-III dated Ist October, 2007, the monthly charges of Rs 1000/- and Rs 2000/- 128 for kbps on high speed internet connectivity with usage limit of 1.5 Gbs and 3 Gbs will be allowed within the residential telephone ceilings of the officers in BS-20 and BS-21 respectively. Officers in BPS-22 and Ministers/Ministers of State, etc. who enjoy no limit facility will also have the facility of using 3 GBs limit.

14) Provision of Broadband DSL Service at the

Residences of Officers of BPS-17 -19 (O.M No.2/26/2005-RA-IV dated 6th August, 2008 refers)

With the approval of the Prime Minister the Internet facility through DSL

connection was further extended at the residences of officers of BS-17-19 working in the Ministries/Divisions. The facility shall be subject to observance of the following conditions:

i) All the entitled officers (BS-17-19) have an option to avail either of the package as under:-

a. 1 GB download at 128/256 Kbps @ Rs.650 per month. b. 1.5 GB download at 128/256 Kbps @ Rs.800 per month. c. Additional usage over above limit @ Rs.40 per month 100 MB.

ii) The DSL connection shall be provided within the existing ceiling of

residential telephone connections. Any extra amount if limits are crossed, be borne by the officers from their own resources.

iii) The service shall be awarded only from the National Telecommunication

Corporation without adding new telephone/connection for the purpose.

iv) The expenditure involved/incurred shall be borne by the respective Ministries/Divisions from their sanctioned budget.

15) Miscellaneous Information / Clarification

i. Official residential telephone facility is also allowed of an entitled post to

non-entitled officer performing duties on current charge basis. The ceiling of residential telephone during current charge period would be observed equivalent to that of higher post.(O.M No. 3/9/STC/2006-GC dated 31st May, 2006 refers) .

ii. Provision of residential phone connection to an officer at a place other

than present place of posting is against basic spirit of the facility. As per policy, such facility shall not be extended in future to any officer(s) at a place other than his present duty station in all Ministries/Divisions /Attached Departments. (F.No. 3/8/STC-GC 2005 dated 3rd Feb, 2006 refers).

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iii. As per Policy, officers proceeding on LPR are not allowed to retain the official residential telephone. The facility is disconnected from the day of commencement of LPR. However, in special situation relaxation is recommended for retention of residential telephone for four months by the widow of a deceased entitled officer (O.M No. 3/9/STC/2006-GC dated 31st May, 2006 refers).

iv. As per policy if an official who has been deputed for training, irrespective

of the length of training, he is supposed to be on duty and therefore, eligible to an official telephone at his residence, “Cetris Paribus”.

v. Entitled officers proceeding on leave not exceeding 4 months are

allowed to retain residential telephone at government expense and on payment of monthly rent and other expenses if the leave exceeds 4 months (O.M No. 1/1/81/Gen.Coord dated 25th January, 1981 refers).

vi. Officers/officials (BS-14-16) (Assistant/Superintendents etc) who are

performing duties on current charge basis in their own pay scale against the posts of Assistant Directors/Section Officers etc. BS-17 are not entitled for residential telephone policy. Telephone Committee clarified that only regular officers of BS-17 and above working in the Ministries/Divisions are entitled for residential telephone on official account (O.M No. 3/13/2008 dated 7th Nov, 2008 refers).

vii. Instructions for conversion of residential telephone provided on Government expense from public to private account are as under:-

Principal Accounting Officer i.e. Secretary or Additional Secretary Incharge, will exercise Prowers to allow the conversion of government residential phones (Non-STD or STD only) from public to private Account. On receipt of any written request from the government servant or from the widow of a deceased servant who while in service were availing an official telephone facility at residence, it should be examined in the Ministry/Division concerned, keeping in view the following guidelines:-

a. Officers proceeding on retirement either on completion of 25 years

service or on superannuation, may be permitted this conversion, provided they have no private telephone installed at their residence.

b. Armed Forces Officers re-employed in civil shall be allowed this facility, provided they have not availed it from the armed forces on retirement.

c. Officers employed on contract shall not be entitled to this conversion facility.

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d. Government Servants on their posting/transfer from one city (station) to another and from one Ministry/Division to another or from one office to another, will not be allowed this conversion facility, as this is a regular feature during service career.

e. Conversion charges and shifting charges, if any, to be claimed by the Telephone Department will be paid by the beneficiary requesting such conversion.

Cases referred under para-I above will be considered on their merits by

the concerned Ministries/Divisions and Cabinet Division will exercise its control in

deciding the cases not covered under the above categories.

The above instructions do not apply to autonomous organizations who

have their own set of rules. (O.M No. 1/1/81-GC dated 23rd December, 1990 refers).

Note: i) Errors and Omissions are accepted.

ii) Please contact the following officer for further inquiry/information/clarifications.

(MANZOOR AHMED) Section Officer (RA-IV) Cabinet Division Tele: 9208709