1. What is the PRANAM Act?
‘The Assam Employees’ Parent Responsibility and Norms for Accountability and Monitoring Act, 2017, in short as the “Assam Employees PRANAM Act” provides the accountability of employees of the State Government/ Government Undertakings/ State PSUs/ a Government Company as defined in the Company’s Act, 1956 (as amended till date) and any other organisation or body , whether incorporated or not in which the State Government has a controlling interest in the share or other capital thereof; or directly or through its nominee has substantial control over its working), in the State of Assam in taking care of their parents and divyang siblings.
2. Why is there a need for the PRANAM Act?
This Act is needed to take care of the dependent parents by their children and divyang siblings. Along with strengthening the family system, this Act will enable employees to act as role models by taking responsibility for their dependent parents and divyang siblings.
3. Who are covered under the PRANAM Act?
This Act strives to benefit Dependent Divyang Siblings and Dependent Parents. The Act obligates every employees working in Government/ Government Undertakings/ State PSUs/ a Government Company as defined in the Company’s Act, 1956 (as amended till date) and any other organisation or body , whether incorporated or not in which the State Government has a controlling interest in the share or other capital thereof; or directly or through its nominee has substantial control over its working), in the State of Assam in taking care of their parents and divyang siblings.
4. Who can register a complaint under the PRANAM Act?
Any Dependent Parents or Dependent Divyang Siblings of a State Government employee can register a complaint under the PRANAM Act.
5. Who are considered as the Dependent Parents under the Act?
Dependent parents are the mother/ father or both of a State Government employee, and dependent on his/ her/ their son/ daughter because such parents do not have an adequate source of income of their own.
6. Who are considered as the Dependent Divyang Siblings under the Act?
Dependent Divyang Sibling is a 'person with disability' or 'person with a disability having high support needs' and who is an unmarried sibling (brother/ sister) of a State Government employee and do not have an adequate income of their own to support their livelihood.
7. What is the procedure for registering a complaint under the PRANAM Act?
The dependent parent or Divyang sibling of any employee can register a complaint to the Designated Authority at any time to be made in Form 'A' (Annexure I)
8. Who is the Designated Authority under the PRANAM Act?
All concerned Drawing and Disbursing Officers of the State Government i.e. the head of the establishment in which the employee is working are appointed as the Designated Authority for the employees working in their respective establishment.
9. Who is the Appellate Authority under the PRANAM Act?
The Commissioner of the Division, within whose jurisdiction the Office of the Designated Authority is located, is appointed as the Appellate Authority for State Government employees. The second Appellate Authority id the PRANAM Commission.
10. Within how many days will the complaint be responded to or resolved by the concerned authority?
The Designated Authority shall decide on the eligibility of a claim and dispose off the application within ninety (90) days of the date of receipt of an application.
11. What is the composition of the PRANAM Commission?
The Assam State Employees PRANAM Commission shall consist of-
(a) Chief Commissioner, and
(b) Commissioners, not exceeding two, (as may be deemed necessary.)
The Government of Assam has recently constituted the PRANAM Commission constituting of the following members:
1. Shri. V.B Pyarelal, IAS, Chief Commissioner
2. Smti. Jugabala Buragohain, Commissioner
3. Prof. Alaka Sarma, Commissioner
12. Where is the Commission located?
The Headquarters of the Commission is located in the Assam Administrative Tribunal, Guwahati.
13. What are the Powers of the Commission?
(I) The Commission will have the power to receive and inquire into any complaint from the parents/ divyang siblings of an employee-
(a) who has been unable to submit a request to the Designated Authority/ Appellate Authority,
(b) who has not been given a response to a request for sanctioning apportioned salary of an employee within the time limit specified under this Act;
(II) The Commission has the power to suo moto initiative an inquiry when it is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to inquire into the matter;
(III) The Commission shall while inquiring into any matter under this section, have the same powers as are vested in a civil court trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 95 of 1908), in respect of the following matters, namely;
(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of persons and compel them to give oral or written evidence on oath and to produce the documents or things;
(b) requiring the discovery and inspection of documents;
(c) receiving evidence on affidavit;
(d) requisitioning any public record or copies thereof from any court or office;
(e) issuing a summons for an examination of witnesses or documents, and any other matter which may be prescribed.
(IV) The Commission may, during the inquiry of any complaint under this Act, examine any record to which this Act applies and which is under the control of the authority, and no such record may be withheld from it on any grounds.
14. Is there an appeal mechanism for the parents/ divyang siblings/ employees?
The employee or the dependent parents/ divyang siblings shall register a complaint to the Designated Authority for resolution. If the orders of the Designated Authority are not found satisfactory, then such employee/ dependent parents/ divyang siblings may prefer an appeal before the Appellate Authority against such orders within one month from the date of receipt of such order.
There are two levels of appeal, the First Appellate Authority being the Commissioner of the concerned Division and the Second Appellate Authority is the PRANAM Commission.
The appeal may be escalated to the PRANAM Commission for resolution by the employee/ dependent parents/ divyang siblings if not satisfied with the decision of the Appellate Authority.
15. How much compensation is eligible under the PRANAM Act?
The compensation amount to be paid monthly to the dependent parents/ divyang siblings can be up to 10
5 of the monthly gross salary being paid to the employee (s). However, in exceptional cases, it may go up to 15% of the monthly gross salary of the employee.
