Showing posts with label NEWS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NEWS. Show all posts

Proposals of Retirement age 62 and 50% DA Merger..?

Modest Expectation for 50% DA Merger still on the cards

The expectations will not subside until the central government makes it clear whether 50% DA Merger will be approved or not. Though there were mixed news about whether 50% DA Merger is approved or not, Railway and Defence Federation’s Leaders told that the 50% DA merger was approved by the Cabinet. A website belongs to an important railway federation also flashed a news confirming merger of 50% DA is approved by the cabinet. Sometime later it changed its stand and removed the flash news

One of the News Media also confirmed that 50% DA is approved by the cabinet. But so far any announcement in this regard has not been come from the Government. Some Leaders of the Federations told, ‘when we had a talk with them, initially the central government agreed in principle to merge the 50% of Dearness Allowance and its decision was expected from the cabinet meeting held yesterday evening. But we are unaware of the reason for the government not announcing its decision.’

Earlier reports claimed that the government was considering 50% DA Merger and increasing retirement age to 62. But a source close to official side said these will be a part of Terms of Reference of 7th Pay Commission and the Panel , however, can recommend this later

Everybody feels, still it is an incomplete picture, as the government has not declared it is done

Source:http://www.gservants.com/2014/03/01/modest-expectation-50-da-merger-still-cards/

Motivation through Incentive Bonus to Examiners of QC in Ord Fys.

BHARATIYA PRATIRAKSHA MAZDOOR SANGH
CENTRAL OFFICE: 2-A, NAVEEN MARKET, KANPUR – 208001, PH & FAX : (0512) 2332222
MOBILE: 09415733686, 09235729390, 09335621629, WEB : www.bpms.org.in

REF: BPMS / MOD / 72(7/3/R) 
Dated: 15.02.2014

To,
The Joint Secretary (P&C),
Department of Defence Production,
Govt of India, Min of Defence,
South Block, DHQ PO,
New Delhi – 110011.

Subject: Motivation through Incentive Bonus to Examiners of QC in Ord Fys.

Respected Madam,

With due regards, your attention is invited to meeting held with your good self and BPMS reps on 12.12.2013 wherein one of the issues was raised regarding grant of incentive bonus to Examiners of Quality Control in Ordnance & Ordnance Equipment Factories and you had assured to do the needful.

This letter is to bring to your kind notice that vide OFB letter No. 108/POLICY/TS/QCS, Dated 12.09.2012 addressed to Sr GM /GM of all Ord Fys, the then DGOF & Chairman OFB had reflected his concerns over the ‘Quality Management System in Ordnance Factories’ which needs improvement to enhance User’s confidence in our products.

In this regard, this federation vide letter no. BPMS / OFB / 72(7/3/R), dated 19.09.2012 urged the then DGOF & Chairman, OFB to give some incentive to Examiners at least on par with Maintenance workers to motivate the Examiners, to contribute their knowledge, experience cent percent to the organization.

This federation has been grateful to the OFB on considering the above in correct perspective and for inviting the comments from Sr GMs/GMs of all Ordnance Factories whether Examiners may be provided some incentives. It is learnt that almost all Sr GMs/GMs have recognized the role of Examiners and recommended to grant incentive to Examiners at least on par with Maintenance workers. Since then the matter is pending in OFB.

Therefore, you are requested to take necessary action on priority to give Incentive Bonus to Examiners of QC at least on par with Maintenance Workers to boost the morale of Examiners and remove their apathetic attitude.

Thanking you.
Sincerely yours

Sd/-
(MUKESH SINGH)
Secretary/BPMS &
Member, JCM-II Level Council (MOD)

              BHARATIYA PRATIRAKSHA MAZDOOR SANGH
(AN ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF DEFENCE WORKERS)
(AN INDUSTRIAL UNIT OF B.M.S.)
(RECOGNISED BY MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, GOVT. OF INDIA)
CENTRAL OFFICE: 2-A, NAVEEN MARKET, KANPUR – 208001, PH & FAX : (0512) 2332222
MOBILE: 09415733686, 09235729390, 09335621629, WEB : www.bpms.org.in

REF: BPMS / OFB / 72(7/3/R)
 Dated: 15.02.2014

To,                                                     REMINDER-II
The DGOF & Chairman,
Ordnance Factory Board,
10 A, S K Bose Road,
Kolkata – 700001

Subject: Motivation through Incentive Bonus to Examiners of QC in Ord Fys.

Reference: This federation’s letter of even no., dated 19.09.2012, 22.01.2013 & 30.09.2013

Respected Sir,

With due regards, your attention is invited to OFB letter No. 108/POLICY/TS/QCS, Dated 12.09.2012 addressed to Sr GM /GM of all Ord Fys whereby the then DGOF & Chairman OFB had reflected his concerns over the ‘Quality Management System in Ordnance Factories’ which needs improvement to enhance User’s confidence in our products.

In this regard, this federation vide letters cited under reference urged the then DGOF & Chairman, OFB to give some incentive to Examiners at least on par with Maintenance workers to motivate the Examiners, to contribute their knowledge, experience cent percent to the organization.

This federation has been grateful to OFB on considering the above in correct perspective and for inviting the comments from Sr GM/GM of all Ordnance Factories whether Examiners may be provided some incentives. It is learnt that almost all Sr GMs/GMs have recognized the role of Examiners and recommended to grant incentive to Examiners at least on par with Maintenance workers. Since then the matter is pending in OFB.

Therefore, you are requested to boost the morale of Examiners and remove their apathetic attitude, kindly take necessary action on priority to give Incentive Bonus to Examiners of QC at least on par with Maintenance Workers.

Thanking you.
Sincerely yours

Sd/-
(MUKESH SINGH)
Secretary/BPMS &
Member, JCM-II Level Council (MOD)

Source:http://www.bpms.org.in/documents/examiners-iuhr.pdf

Postponement of proposed indefinite strike by Defence Employees Federations…


ALL INDIA DEFENCE EMPLOYEES FEDERATION 
INDIAN NATIONAL DEFENCE WORKERS FEDERATION 
BHARATIYA PRATIRAKSHA MAZDOOR SANGH

Ref:01/AIDEF/INDWF/BPMS/14

Date: 12/02/2014 

Camp: New Delhi
To
The Defence Secretary,
Ministry of Defence,
South Block, New Delhi.

Sub: Deferment/postponement of the proposed indefinite strike.

Ref; 1) Strike Notice No.01/AIDEF/INDWF/BPMS14 Dt; 28/01/2014.
2) VIde MoD ID NO.19(5)/2013/D(JCM) Dtd: 07/02/2014.

Sir,
The representatives of the 3 Federations perused the minutes of the meeting held on 06/02/2014 under the chairmanship of AddI. Secretary(A) with the representatives of recognised Federations of MoD I.e. AIDEF, INDWF, & BPMS in connection with the notice of Indefinite strike from 17/2/2014 by Defence Civilian Employees.

The 3 Federations Convey their gratitude to the MoD for the proactive steps taken to negotiate the demands of the Defence Civilian Employees in a cordial atmosphere and to settle some of the very outstanding issues of the Defence Civilian Employees pending for a long period.

The Federations also place on record the Initiative taken by the Honbie Defence Minister, Defence Secretary, Secretary(Dp) and all the officials in the MoD and Defence Finance in resolving some of the issues which were agitating the minds of the Defence Civilian Workforce and also the assurance given that all out efforts would be taken to settle the issues pending with Defence Finance, DOP&T, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Health by holding meetings with them.

The Federations are also confident that the assurances and commitment given in the meeting by the AddI. Secretary(A) and Defence Minister will be implemented In its true spirit. Accordingly after the meeting with the Addl. Secretary the representatives met the Hon ble Defence Minister Shri.A.K.Antony on 06/02/2014 at 15.00 hrs, and appraised him about the discussion taken place in the meeting held with Addi. Secretary and also requested him to consider the following 4 demands at his level.

1) Grant of CSD Canteen facilities to the retired Defence Civilian Employees at par with the Ex-servicemen.

2) To take up the matter with DOP&T and Ministry of Finance for relaxation of the 5% restrictions on grant of Compassionate Appointment.

3) To discuss with the Prime Minister and Finance Minister to merge a portion of Dearness Allowance i.e. more than 50% with Basic pay for all purpose, since Dearness Allowance has become 100% as on 01/01/2014.

4) For achieving self reliance, indigenisatlon of Defence production and to avoid scam & corruption in Defence purchase, Government owned Defence industries such as DRDO, Ordnance Factories, DGOA, EME Workshop, Naval & Air Force establishments should be expanded and patronised by the Government.

The Honble Raksha Mantiri assured to consider all the issues raised by us sympathetically.

Considering the above positive approach from the MoD and also the appeal made by the Addl. Secretary(A) to the Federations to withdraw the proposed indefinite Strike’ the Federations have decided to reciprocate the positive approach and goodwill and have decided to defer/postpone the indefinite strike proposed from 17/2/2014 till further review by the Federations depending upon the outcome of the settlement.

We hope that MoD will consider our decision in its true perspective and continue with the dialogue mechanism to solve the problems and to maintain harmonious employer employee relationship.

Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
C.Srikumar                                           R.Srinivasan                                         Sadhu Singh
Gener& Secretary / AIDF         General Secretary / INDWF           Orgn. Secretary / BPMS For General Secretary




Central Government Employees All India Strike – Confederation report

WELL  DONE  COMRADES !   
CONGRATULATIONS & RED SALUTE !!

CONFEDERATION NATIONAL SECRETARIAT CONGRATULATES ALL THE CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES WHO MADE THE  BEGINNING OF THE TWO DAYS STRIKE A MARVELLOUS AND THUNDERING SUCCESS.

THE HISTORIC 48 HOURS NATION WIDE STRIKE COMMENCED AT 00:00 HRS ON 12.02.2014

13 LAKHS  EMPLOYEES  JOINED  THE BIGGEST STRIKE OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES AFTER 1968 ON CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES COMMON DEMANDS.

FUNCTIONING OF ALL CENTRAL GOVT. OFFICES (OTHER THAN RAILWAYS & DEFENCE) COMPLETELY PARALYSED AND CAME TO A STANDSTILL.

WARNING AND THREAT OF VICTIMISATION BY THE GOVT COULD NOT DETER THE EMPLOYEES FROM JOINING THE STRIKE.

PENT UP DISCONTENTMENT AND ANGER OF THE EMPLOYEES BURST OUT LIKE A VOLCANO.

EVERYWHERE ENTIRE EMPLOYEES ARE ON STRIKE AND IN MAJORITY OF THE STATES AND DEPARTMENTS IT IS ALMOST NEAR TOTAL.

UPA GOVERNMENT  IS NOT READY TO CONCEDE ANY OF OUR DEMANDS, JUST AS IN THE CASE OF BANK EMPLOYEES.

CONTINUE THE STRIKE ON 13TH FEBRUARY ALSO.

CONFEDERATION NATIONAL SECRETARIAT WILL MEET ON 18TH FEBRUARY AND DECIDE FUTURE COURSE OF ACTION.

      
                                                              M.KRISHNAN
                                                            Secretary General
                                Confederation Central Govt. Employees and Workers
                                                            Mob: 09447068125
                                                Email: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com


P R E S S     S T A T E M E N T
Dated: 12th February, 2014
  
As per the report received at the Central Head Quarters of the Confederation, near about 13 lakhs Central Government Employees have commenced the two day strike from Midnight of 11th Feb. 2014. For 48 hours. The Strike action will continue upto the midnight of 13th Feb. 2014.  The functioning of the Government in the Postal, Income tax, Civil Accounts, Ground water Board, Botanical Survey of India, and many other organisations have been totally paralysed as in these departments, the offices could not even be opened .   In all other Departments of the Government of India viz. the Printing and Stationery, Indian Audit and Accounts Department, Atomic Energy Commission offices, Custom & Central Excise, Defence Accounts, Indian Bureau of Mines, Geological Survey of India, other Survey of India organisations and offices, Census, the work has been paralysed. 

The strike action became necessary due to the refusal of the Government to finalise the terms of reference of the proposed 7th CPC, grant interim relief and merger of DA with pay, inclusion  of Gramin Dak Sewaks within the purview  of the  Pay Commission and scrapping of NPS  and the settlement of the 15 point charter of demands,  The employees are agitated over the action of the Government in getting the PFRDA enacted in the Parliament  with the support of the BJP which contains the provision to bring in the existing employees and pensioners  also within its ambit.
  
During the last 5 years, Government had been outsourcing various functions to Contractors with the result presently about one third of the workforce of the Government of India is contract labours getting only a pittance of salary.  Lakhs of posts in various Departments of the Government are presently vacant due to the ban on recruitment aggravating the unemployment situation in the country.  

The Government has virtually closed down all channels of discussions with the employees by not convening the meetings of the JCM both at the National and Departmental levels.  There had been no avenue for the employees to air their grievances and seek redressal.  Even the awards of the Board of Arbitration which were in favour of employees were allowed to pend implementation for 15 years and are now being brought before the Parliament for rejection invoking the sovereign authority of the legislature. 

The incessant rise in the prices of essential commodities has eroded the value of wages fixed in 2006 phenomenally.  The price rise over the years between 2006 and 2014 is estimated to be three times, whereas the DA compensation presently is only 90%.  It has become difficult for the employees especially at the lower levels to meet even the basic requirements of a family life.  The agonising situation arising from the apathy of the Government has given rise to anger and desperation, which has been reflected in their total participation in the strike action.

The reports received from the States indicate  that   the strike was total in Kerala, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura,  Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu,  Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, ’Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, J&K, HP, Rajasthan, U.P. and more than 90% in the rest of the States. 

The National Secretariat of the Confederation is scheduled to meet on 18th Feb. to review and assess the response of the Government.  If the Government continues with its nugatory attitude, the Secretariat will be left with no other alternative but to call upon the employees to go for indefinite strike action before the general election is announced. 

M.KRISHNAN
Secretary General.

Source:http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/

CGEWHO: Housing Scheme for Government Employees

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION
LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO 207
ANSWERED ON 05.02.2014

HOUSING SCHEME FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

207 . Shri CHAUHAN MAHENDRASINH

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Central Government Employees’ Welfare Housing Organisation (CGEWHO) undertakes housing projects for the Central Government employees in different parts of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the projects in progress and under planning;

(c) whether the CGEWHO has conducted any survey to assess the requirement/ shortage of houses for the Central Government employees;

(d) if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and

(e) the steps taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government to address the issue?

ANSWER

(a): Yes, Madam.

(b): The details are at Annexure-I.

(c): Yes.

(d): Central Government Employees’ Welfare Housing Organisation (CGEWHO) has conducted demand survey in respect of 20 stations in August 2009, the details of which are at Annexure II.

(e): Since its inception in 1990, the CGEWHO has been able to complete 29 housing projects across the country, catering to 13345 Central Government employees. Besides, the construction of 6010 dwelling units is under progress and under planning. Further projects will be based on the availability of land by the respective State Government entities. In the absence of land not being provided by the State Governments, CGEWHO would consider taking up feasible turnkey projects.

Source:http://karnmk.blogspot.in/2014/02/cgewho-details-of-housing-scheme-for.html

Gramin Dak Sevaks are not Central Government employees and this issue is within the domain of DoPT and Ministry of Finance: Latest reply by Govt in Rajya Sabha

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF  COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1784
ANSWERED ON-07.02.2014
Grameen Dak Sevaks
1784 . SHRI MAHENDRA SINGH MAHRA

(a)  the State-wise number of Grameen Dak Sevaks working throughout the country at present;

(b)  whether the Ministry proposes to appoint these Grameen Dak Sevaks to the posts of postman and MTS on the basis of their seniority;

(c) if not, by when these Grameen Dak Sevaks are likely to be appointed to the posts of postman and MTS;

(d) whether the Ministry has received a demand letter from them demanding better facilities; and

(e) if so, the details of the action taken in this regard?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DR. (SMT.) KILLI KRUPARANI)

(a) As on 01.01.2013, the total working strength of various categories of Gramin Dak Sevaks is 263326. State-wise and UT wise details is at Annexure-I.

(b) Statutory recruitment rules of MTS already provide for their absorption to the posts of MTS on the basis of seniority. However, there is no proposal for their absorption to the posts of Postman on the basis of seniority.

(c) Absorption of Gramin Dak Sevaks to the posts of postman and MTS can only be made as per the provisions of statutory recruitment rules of postman and MTS.

(d) It is not clear from the question, which specific letter is being mention. However, some letters regarding inclusion of the category of Gramin Dak Sevaks within the purview of 7th Central pay Commission have been received.

(e) Gramin Dak Sevaks are not Central Government employees and this issue is within the domain of DoPT and Ministry of Finance.

Source:www.rajyasabha.nic.in

Cabinet Approves Amendment to Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill 2014

Press Information Bureau 
Government of India
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

07-February-2014 20:46 IST

Cabinet Approves Amendment to Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill 2014

The Cabinet on 6 February, 2014 approved the proposal of the Department of Disability Affairs to incorporate amendments in the proposed Rights of the Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014, which are:-

- Definition of person with disability in terms of interaction with barriers also;

- High support needs person enabled to take independent and inform decision also;

- Definition of low vision will be notified by the Government;

- The appropriate Government to take necessary steps to ensure reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities;

- No person with disability will be discriminated on grounds of disability;

- Appropriate Governments to ensure that the persons with disabilities enjoy legal capacity on an equal basis with others, in all aspects of life to have equal rights as any other person before law;

- Recognizing legal capacity of person with disability, limited guardianship would be the norm, to enable the person with disability to take joint decision with legal guardian;

- Person with disability would also have the right to appeal against the decision of appointment of legal guardian;

- Disability Certificate to be valid across the country;

- Educational institutions funded and recognized will have to provide inclusive education for children with disability;

- The appropriate Governments to constitute to expert committee with representation of persons with disabilities for identification of posts for Government employment for persons with disabilities;

- Review period shortened from 5 years to 3 years in case of identified posts;

- 5 per cent vacancies reserved for persons with disabilities will be computed against the total number of vacancies in the cadre strength;

- National Commission and State Commission will have power to exempt any post in an establishment from the purview of reservation for persons with disabilities;

- For greater coverage and employability in Government sector, the appropriate Governments to prescribe relaxation for upper age limit for employment of PwDs;

- National Commission shall formulate and enforce regulations.

Increasing Retirement Age to 65 for Central Government Employees

Raise age of retirement 60 to 65: House panel

NEW DELHI: A parliamentary panel has urged the Centre to raise the retirement age to 65 years, noting that growing lifespan was adding to the need for "productive ageing". 

The recommendation for increase in retirement age comes with a reminder that senior citizens would form 12.4% of the total population in 2026 from 7.5% in 2001. 

"The committee feels that with the increase in life expectancy and relatively better state of health of people, the government needs to look at continuity of employment up to 65 years," said the report of standing committee of Parliament on social justice and empowerment tabled on Friday. 

It also recommended that government look at greater post-retirement opportunities for senior citizens and create greater financial support for the elderly by hiking the old age pension to Rs 1,000 per month from the present Rs 200 for those above 60 years and Rs 500 for those above 80 years. 

While suggesting immediate redressal for the ageing population, the panel sought to train the government's focus on the 60-plus group by pointing out that its growing numbers would be a serious challenge in health and social care. 

Specifically, it underlined that as per population projections, the 80-plus bloc, the most-vulnerable group, would see a sharper rise in numbers. 

The urgency of parliamentarians towards senior citizens comes amid growing global realization that increasing lifespan is creating a new demographic bloc requiring state intervention. 

Seeking government attention, the committee noted that senior citizens comprised 7.5% of the total population in 2001 but their share is likely to increase to 12.4% in 2026. Importantly, UN projections say while India's population will rise by 55% by 2050, that of 60-plus would increase by 326% and that of 80-plus would go up by 700%. 

Given the rising challenge, the panel headed by Hemanand Biswal found the government response inadequate, noting that "issue of rapid population ageing in the country has not received due attention of the government and the community at large". 

The panel said special focus should be on the octogenarian bloc. "This age group is the most vulnerable and runs the risk of getting dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson disease, depression in their older years," it said, and asked the Centre to constitute an expert group of relevant government departments to devise specialized healthcare programme for them. 

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Raise-age-of-retirement-to-65-House-panel/articleshow/30015235.cms

Confederation writes to all MP’s regarding 2 Days Strike

2014 FEBRUARY 12th & 13th 48 HOURS STRIKE

CONFEDERATION REQUESTED INTERVENTION OF MP’S – COPY OF THE LETTER SENT TO ALL MP’S

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS 
First Floor North Avenue Post Office Building 
New Delhi. 110 001. 
Website: confederationhq. Blogspot.com. 
E mail:confederation06@yahoo.co.in.
Dated: 4th February, 2014
D/14/2014(2)(MP)

Dear Sir,
The Confederation of Central Government employees and workers is the apex level organisation of all Federations/Associations/Unions of CGEs other than in the Railways and Defence establishments.  In our last National Executive meeting, we were constrained to decide to call upon our members to organise TWO DAYSs strike on 12th and 13th February, 2014 in pursuance of our charter of demands.

It was in the wake of a strike action in 1960s by the Central Govt. Employees, the Govt. of India set up the permanent negotiating machinery called JCM so that the employees will be able to raise their demands and grievances and seek settlement thereof through dialogue.  This machinery has now come to a standstill as the Govt. does not convene the meetings of the councils at the Departmental levels on one pretext or the other.  

A new set of rules were promulgated in 1993 to grant recognition to Service Associations.  Many Ministries, despite the employees organizations abiding by the stipulated conditions, have not afforded recognition to the Associations/Federations, thereby closing all channels of communication.  The JCM had the facility of referring the issues on which the Government could not agree upon to the Board of Arbitration.  

The decision/award of the Board was binding on all parties.  However, of late the Government had been rejecting the awards in favour of the employees on the specious plea of adverse impact on national economy by presenting resolutions in the Parliament.  We need not emphasise the unethical character of this approach which undermines the confidence of the employees in the fairness of the system.

The new contributory pension scheme was introduced by the Government on the plea that the pension liability has become unbearable and is a drag on the exchequer.  In our Memorandum to the Prime Minister, we had raised several issues and had pointed out that the financial outflow on account of the new scheme will be much more than the existing defined benefit scheme. We had indicated in our memorandum quite a number of aspects which would be detrimental to the interest of workers. In the debate on PFRDA Bill in the last session of Parliament. We could notice that quite number of MPs had demanded for the withdrawal of the bill itself as it only benefits the Stock market operators and entrepreneurs. Even the Standing Committee’s suggestion for incorporation of a minimum return to the employees was turned down by the Government. We are certain that the new contributory pension scheme shall be a drag on the exchequer and the scheme will turn out to be a conduct for the flow of the poor employees’ savings to the corporate houses. We appeal to you to raise your voice in the Parliament against the new contributory Pension Scheme for its anti employee and anti national characteristic.  The real purport of the bill is reflected in the decision to allow FDI to the extent of 40% in this sector. The said decision has facilities outflow of Indian savings for investment outside the country.

The 6th CPC recommendations and its implementation had given rise to various anomalies.  The employees genuinely felt that the said anomalies would be removed through discussions for which the Government had set up a committee.  The Committee despite meeting on four occasions had not been able to settle the issues; nor could it be referred to the Arbitrator. The 6th CPC recommendations were implemented with effect from 1.1.2006.  The revision of wages was due on 1.1.2011. The Government has not so far come forward to set up the 7th CPC.

It had been the age- old   practice to revise the wages of Central Government employees as and when substantial erosion takes place in the real value of wages. The 5th CPC opined that as and when the DA Component in wages crosses over 50% such revision must take place and the said Component of DA must be merged with pay. Accordingly the 6th CPC was set up and wages revised in 2006. On 1st January 2011 the Dearness allowance component in the emoluments of the employees had   reached 51%   The Government had been dilly dallying the wage revision and merger of DA with Pay which would have helped the employees to combat the soaring price rise. On 12th December 2012, the employees went on a day’s strike which received magnificent response from the rank and fill of the workers. The unbridled inflation and the consequent Price rise has made the existing Pay and allowances   incapable of making both ends meet. The Government announced its intention of setting up 7th CPC thereafter but no follow-up action ensued, leaving the employees with no alternative but to declare a 48 hours strike on 12th and 13th February 2014. As on 1.1.2014 the DA component has crossed   over 100%. The Government attitude has become untenable. On the request of the Government, the Staff side had submitted the draft terms of reference for 7th CPC.   They had also raised     the grant of interim Relief, which normally precedes the notification of any CPC. The Staff Side of the National Council had demanded the inclusion of Gramin Dak Sevaks within the ambit of the 7th CPOC, an issue which was at the core of discussion earlier in 2006. The Government has not indicated its approach on this vital issue so far as a result of which about three lakh GDS employees are in anxiety and desperation.

The Neo-liberal policies brought in its wake the unethical practice of contract labour system and  employing casual workers for perennial and permanent jobs, which is strictly prohibited by the law of the land. Government departments witnessed an overdose of this policy in the period between 2004-2014. More than one third of the work force in Govt. Sector is now composed   of such a informal workers. They are provided with pittance of wages and the huge gap in wages of the regular and the informal employees has been the root cause of inter-personnel tension and many fraudulent ventures.  Government functions are supported supposed to have an element of security and accountability. The removal of this ill- advised system had been a cry often falling on deaf ears. Besides there are quite a number of casual workers employed to carry out perennial and permanent jobs. They are to be regularised. In the postal department alone they number about 3 lakhs called as GDS. Enclosed is a brief note on Charter of demands, the non-settlement of which has resulted in the loss of confidence in the system itself and consequent compulsion to tread the path of straggle. Many of these issues are incorporated   in the agenda of National Council for not less than ten years back, begging settlement.  . The Government has made procrastination an art in itself and allow the issues longer on for years.

We seek your solidarity and support and request you to kindly raise these issues in the Parliament and ask the Government to settle the demands of the Government employees.

Thanking you 
Yours faithfully,

M.KRISHNAN 
Secretary General

Source:http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/2014/02/2014-february-12-th-13-th-48-hours.html

Confederation News – Explanatory Note on Demands of Central Govt Employees

Demands of CG Employees : Revision of wage with effect from. 1.,01.2011 and Merger of DA with pay…etc.,

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS 
North Avenue Post office, Firstg floor 
New Delhi. 110 001. 
Website: confederationhq. Blogspot.com. 
E mail:confederation06@yahoo.co.in.
Dated: 4th Feb. 2014.
EXPLANATORY NOTE ON DEMANDS

Item No. 1. Revision of wage with effect from. 1.,01.2011. 
The present wage structure of the Central Govt. Employees has been made on the basis of the 6th Central Pay Commission’s recommendations.  The 6th CPC introduced a new concept in the form of Pay band and Grade Pay.  The recommendations of the Commission were implemented with effect from 1.1.2006 in the case of Pay and in the case of allowances with effect from 1.9. 2008.  In the case of Central Public Sector undertakings, the wage revisions normally takes place after every five years.  

The 5th CPC in the case of Central Government employees recommended wage revision in every 10 years.  In the past wage revision has been linked to the extent of erosion of real wages.  The degree of inflation in the economy determines the pace of erosion of the real value of wages.  The retail prices of those commodities which go into the making of minimum wages have risen by about 160% from 1.1.2006 to 1.1. 2011, whereas the D.A. compensation in the case of Central Government employees on that date had been just 51%.  It is also an acknowledged fact that the 6th CPC had computed the minimum wage by suppressing the retail price of these commodities in the market on the specious plea that official statistics of the retail prices of these commodities were not available.  They therefore, computed the retail price by increasing the wholesale price by 20% for each of the commodity whereas the actual retail price in the market was 60% more than the wholesale price.  While in the case of Group B,C & D employees, the Commission applied a multiplication factor of 1.86 for arriving at the revised pay structure, in the case of Group A Officers, the factor was ranging from 2.36 to 3 times. In the matter of fitment formula also, unlike recommended by the 5th CPC, the 6th CPC adopted varying percentages whereby the officers in Group A were given rise extending from 42 to 49%, whereas the employees in Group B,C,D were granted only 40%. While implementing the Commission’s recommendations, the Government further accentuated the discrimination further. The recommendations of the 6th CPC when implemented gave rise to very many glaring anomalies. They were assured to be looked into and settled through negotiations in the JCM. The effectiveness of JCM as a potent forum to settle issues has been eroded over the years. Thus, though the National Anomaly Committee met 4-5 times, it could not settle any major issues.

The minimum wage  determined  by the 6th CPC was  at a far lesser amount than what an unskilled  worker is entitled to. Morevoer, the Commission assigned the so determined minimum wage to be the wage of a skilled worker..   It excluded persons below matriculation qualification from the purview of Government employment.  In a country where one third people are illiterate, such controversial recommendations have only gone to absolve the State from its solemn responsibility to provide employment to the persons at the lower strata of the society. The wage structure evolved by the 6th CPC deviated drastically from the concepts emerged from the deliberations over decades in the matter of wage determination of civil servants  and is beset with innumerable anomalies necessitating a thorough overhaul , which can only be attempted by setting up another Commission with appropriate terms of reference. 

The Gramin Dak Sewaks were excluded from the purview of the 6th Central Pay Commission as the Postal Department took an erroneous view that they are not Central Government employees.  The 4th CPC had categorically stated that they ought to have been included within the purview of the Commission’s jurisdiction but chose to go by the Postal Department’s decision ultimately.  the GDS constitute the largest chunk of the Postal Workers.  The exclusion of GDS from the purview of the Pay Commission being unjust, discriminatory and bereft of any logic,  the next Pay Commission when it is set up must have the jurisdiction to recommend  on wage structure and service conditions of the GDS.     

Wage revision in all public Sector undertakings through Collective bargaining takes place once in five years. On the same analogy, the wage revision of the Central Government employees must be after every five years and the Government must therefore set up the 7th CPC immediately.

Item No. 2. Merger of DA with pay: 
The wage revision of the Central Government employees had always been through the setting up of Pay Commissions.  Since the wage revision exercise involves inquiring into various aspects of wage determination and service conditions of the Government employees the Government had been appointing Pay Commissions for it was considered a better suited system.    Such inquiry through setting up of Commissions had been a time consuming process.  The 3rd, 4th and 5th Central Pay Commissions had taken more than three years to submit their reports.  The 6th CPC however, submitted its report in the time frame provided to it i.e. 18 months.  Since the earlier Commissions had covered many aspects of the principles of wage determination and the periodicity of such revision had come down, the exercise might not now require a longer period of time as was the case earlier  Even then the Commission will have to be given a reasonable time frame to go into the matter judiciously for the 6th CPC recommendations when implemented has given rise to large number of anomalies and cadre related grievances. The methodology adopted for compensating the erosion in the real value of wages in the in the interregnum period had always been though the mechanism of merger of a portion of DA.  

The 5th CPC had recommended that the DA must be merged with pay and treated as pay for computing all allowances as and when the percentage of Dearness compensation exceeds 50%.  Accordingly even before the setting up of the 6th CPC the DA to the extent of 50% was merged with pay. It is pertinent to mention that even this benefit was denied to the GDS.  As on 1.1.201, the Dearness compensation was 65% The suggestion for merger of DA to partially compensate the erosion in the real wages was first mooted by the Gadgil Committee in the post 2nd Pay Commission period.  The 3rd CPC had recommended such merger when the Cost of Living index crossed over 272 points i.e. 72 points over and above the base index adopted for the pay revision.  In other words, the recommendation of the 3rd CPC was to merge the DA when it crossed 36%. The Government in the National Council JCM at the time of negotiation initially agreed to merge 60% DA and later the whole of the DA before the 4th CPC was set up.  The 5th CPC merged 98% of DA with pay.  It is, therefore, necessary that the Government takes steps to merge atleast 50% of DA with pay to compensate the erosion of the real value of wages immediately.

Item No. 3. Compassionate appointments 
On the plea of a Supreme Court directive, Govt. introduced a 5% ceiling on the compassionate appointments.  When the matter was taken up by the Staff Side in the National Council the Government was unable to produce any such direction of the Supreme Court.. Despite that, the official side refused to withdraw the said instructions limiting the appointments to 5% of the available vacancies.  In one of the National Council meetings, presided over by the Cabinet Secretary solemn assurance was given to the Staff Side that the issue will be revisited  in the light of the discussion, but nothing happened thereafter.   It is pertinent to mention in this connection that the compassionate appointments in the Railways continue to be operated without any such ceiling. In the Department of Posts hundreds of  candidates selected by Selection Committee were denied jobs.  

The list of selected candidates was scrapped. These candidates approached the Court and obtained a favourable order. But the Court directive was not acted upon.  The Government has chosen to dilly dally by filing SLP in the Supreme Court.  When the Central Administrative Tribunals were established, it was with the intent of expeditious settlement of disputes on service matters.  Even recently the Prime Minister’s office ordered that it would not be open for various Ministries to appeal against the orders of the Tribunal as a matter of course and efforts must be to explore the ways of acceptances of the judgements of the Tribunal.  In the light of this directive, the SLP ought to have been withdrawn. The standing Committee on Department of Personnel in one of their report has termed the scheme of Compassionate ground appointments as a sacred assurance to a fresh entrant that if he dies in harness, his family shall not be left in lurch.  Such an assurance is being breached by the provisions of limiting such appointments to 5% of   vacancies.  This condition, therefore, must be done away with.

Item No. 4(a). Absorption of GDS as regular postal employees 
The postal Department employs the largest number of Government employees, next to Railways and Defence.   Nearly half of its workforce is called the Grameen Dak Sewaks, the new nomenclature given for the Extra Departmental Agents.  The system of EDAs was evolved by the British Colonial Government to sustain a postal system at a cheaper cost especially in rural areas.  Despite the enactment of very many legislations to prohibit the exploitation of workers, the Government continued with this system.  No doubt in the post independent era, at the instance and persuasion of the Unions of regular employees, certain benefits were accorded to them. Till 1963, the GDS or the Extra Departmental Agents were treated as Government employees and were covered by the service conditions applicable to civil servants.    

However, the Department of Post reversed this position thereafter and contended that they are not Central Government employees. The Honourable Supreme Court in 1977 declared that they are holders of Civil Posts.  Justice Talwar Committee appointed by the Govt. to look into the issues pertaining to GDS declared that the GDS are holders of Civil posts and all benefits similar to regular employees must be extended to them.  However, the Government did not accept this recommendation of the committee which they themselves set up. On the specific suggestion of the Postal Department, the Government set up a separate Committee called the Natarajamurthy Committee to go into their service conditions and suggest improvement on the lines of the recommendations of the 6th CPC.   The recommendations of this Committee were totally disappointing and the GDS in the post 6th CPC era is worse of. Instead of utilising the service of GDS for the welfare schemes of the State in rural areas by converting them as regular employees, the Department caused injustice to them by acting upon the recommendations of the Natarajamurthy Committee.    Recently,  the Postal Department has decided that the vacancies in the Cadre of Postmen, and MTS would not be fully made available for promotion to the GDS and an element of open direct recruitment has been introduced.  This has decelerated the meagre chance of the GDS being a regular Postal employee further.  In order to ensure that their grievances are properly addressed, the Postal Department must be directed to earmark all the existing vacancies in the cadre of Postmen and MTS to the eligible GDS for promotion and a scheme is evolved to absorb the GDS as regular full time Government employees. 

Item No. 4(b) Regularisation of daily rated workers. 
Regularisation of Casual/Contingent/daily rated workers. 
Due to the ban on creation of posts and recruitment of personnel that continued for a very long period and the consequent strain on the existing workers, many Departmental heads had to recruit personnel on daily rated basis or as casual workers. Thus, almost 25% of the present workforce in Governmental organisations are casual workers deployed to do the permanent and perennial nature of jobs, contrary to the prohibition of such unfair labour practices by the law of the land. In Fifties and Sixties, even the casual workers who had been employed to do the casual and non perennial jobs used to get priority for regular employment as and when vacancy for such permanent recruitment arises.  Thousands of persons are now recruited as casual workers and kept as such for years together.   

They are paid pittance of a salary with no benefits like provident fund, dearness allowance, other compensatory allowances etc.    In order to ensure that they do not get the benefit of regularisation, these workers are technically discharged for a few days to be employed afresh again.  The modus operandi differs from one department to another.  While in some organisations, they are recruited through employment exchanges   in others the functions are contracted out.  Not only the quality of work suffers but it is also an inhuman exploitation of the workers given the serious situation of unemployment that exists in the country.  While the permanent solution is to sanction the necessary posts and resort to regular recruitment,   the Government should evolve a scheme by which these casual/contingent/daily rated workers are made regular workers with all the concomitant benefits available for regular Government employees.  Pending finalisation of such a scheme for regularisation, the non regular employees recruited for meeting the exigencies of work must be paid pro-rata salary on par with the similarly placed regular employees on the principle  of equal pay for equal work.

Item No.5.  Functioning of the JCM. 
It was in the wake of the indefinite strike action of 1960, the JCM was set up as a negotiating forum to expedite settlement of demands and problems of employees. On the pretext of the promulgation of the new CCS(RSA)Rules, most of the departments suspended the operation of the Departmental Councils.  Even after complying with the requisite formalities, in many departments, Associations/Federations are yet to be recognized.  Wherever the recognition process was completed and orders issued granting recognition, no meetings of the Departmental Councils are held.  Inspite of raising the issue in the National Council on several occasions by the Staff Side, nothing tangible has been done to ensure that the councils are made functional. 

The National Council is, as per the scheme, to meet once in four months.  It meets after several years, the system of concluding on the agenda in the meeting in which it is raised has been totally abandoned with the result that number of issues have been kept pending for indefinite period of time.  The non- functioning of the Council and the consequent non- redressal of grievances has led to agitations including strike action in many departments. The 6th CPC recommendations were given effect to in September, 2008.  The anomalies arising therefrom (which is in large numbers) ought to have been settled as per the agreement by Feb,. 2010.  

Barring one or two items, no settlement has been brought about on a large number of anomalies till date.  In the wake of the General Strike action on 28th Feb. 2012, the Joint Secretary (Estt.) in the Department of Personnel wrote in her demi-official communication addressed to all Secretaries of the Government of India as under, which is contrary to facts but also misleading too. 

"Joint consultative machinery for Central Government employees is already functioning.  This scheme has been introduced with the object t of promoting harmonious relations and of securing the greatest measure of co-operation between the Government, in its capacity as employer and the general body of its employees in matters of common concern, and with the object further of increasing the efficiency of the public service. 

The JCM at different levels have been discussing issues brought before it for consideration and either reaching amicable settlement or referring the matter to the Board of Arbitration in relation to pay and allowances, weekly hours of work and leave, wherever no amicable settlement could be reached in relation to these items." 

The forum of Departmental Councils must be immediately revived in all Departments and made effective as an instrument to settle the demands of the employees.  The periodicity in which the meeting of the National Council is to be held must be adhered.  The Department of Personnel, which is the nodal department for ensuring the functioning of the negotiating machinery must monitor the functioning of the Departmental Councils of various Ministries and Departments and a report placed in the National Council.  The Cabinet Secretary, who is the Chairman of the National Council, is required to ensure that the Council meetings are convened once in four months and the issues raised therein settled in a reasonable time frame. 
Since the grant of recognition to Service Association is a pre requisite for the effective functioning of the negotiating machinery, the Ministries must be asked to process the application and take decision in the matter within a fixed time frame as the recognition rules have come into existence in 1993 that is about a decade back.

Item No. 6. Remove the ban on recruitment and creation of posts 
In 1993, the Government of India introduced a total and blanket ban on creation of posts.  This was with a view to reduce the manpower in the Governmental establishments, for on implementation of the neo liberal economic policies, the Government will be required to close down some of its activities and some others to be shifted to the private domain. In 2001, the GOI  issued an executive instruction modifying the complete ban on recruitment that was in vogue whereby various departments, if they so desire, resort to recruit personnel to fill up the  existing vacancies, provided they abolish 2/3rd of such vacancies.  In other words, the concerned heads of Departments will be permitted to fill up 1/3rd of the vacancies provided they abolish the 2/3rd vacancies permanently. 

Since it was impossible to carry on the functions assigned to the Departments with large number of vacant posts, they had to implement the above cited directive of the Department of personnel, which was meant to arbitrarily reduce the manpower especially in Group C and D segments.  Though the directive was to be applied uniformly to all cadres where direct entry is one of the mode of recruitment, not a single Group A.  post was abolished as most of the departments offered to do away with   Group C and D posts even in the place of require Gr.A posts.  Since direct recruitment is seldom resorted to in Group B cadres, the brunt of the burden of the above cited instruction had to be borne b    y the Group C and D cadres in each department.  The said directive remained operative for nearly a decade i.e. upto 2010.  Such abnormal and arbitrary abolition of posts affected very adversely the functioning of many departments consequent upon which the public at large suffered immeasurably, besides accentuating the unemployment situation to alarming proportion.   To cope up with the genuine complaints of the public, most of the heads of Departments had to resort to either outsourcing of the functions or engaging contract workers. The Govt. encouraged this endeavour by providing unlimited funds. In the circumstances, it is  imperative  that the sanctioned Strength as on 1.01.2001 is restored and the consequent vacancies filled up by a special drive for recruitment.

The Government has a time tested and scientific system of assessing the workload and measuring the manpower requirement.  This seems to have been presently abandoned and the vacancies barring in  a few cases are not being filled up.  Even though there had been phenomenal increase in the workload in each department no new posts are created to cope up with the situation. The 6th CPC dealing with the subject has recommended that such ban on creation of posts for a long period is not desirable and the Departments should be empowered to create the need based posts for its effective functioning. The commensurate posts that are needed to cope up with the increasing workload must be sanctioned and recruitment of personnel resorted to so that the assigned functions of each department could be carried out effectively and efficiently.

Item No. 7.  Downsizing, outsourcing, contractorisation etc. 
To overcome the difficulties emanated from the total ban on recruitment and creation of posts and more specifically impacted by the 2001 executive fiat of the Govt. of India in the matter, many departments had to resort to outsourcing of its functions.  Some  were virtually closed down and a few others were privatised or contractorised.   The large scale outsourcing and contractorisation of functions had a telling effect on the efficacy of the Government departments.  The delivery system was adversely affected and the public at large suffered due to the inordinate delay it caused in getting the  requisite service..  The financial outlay for outsourcing of functions of each department increased enormously over the years.  The quality of work suffered.  In order to ensure that the people do get a better and efficient service from the Government departments and to raise the image of the Government  employees in the eyes of the common people, it is necessary that the present scheme of outsourcing and contractorisation of essential  functions of the Government must be abandoned.The practice of outsourcing and contractorisation is nothing but a cruel exploitation of the alarming situation of unemployment.    The system of outsourcing of the functions seeks to informalise the workforce.  The contract/casual workers  get not even  one third of the salary of the regular work force.  They have no social security benefits like pension, provident fund gratuity etc.  The CG employees fought against the temporary service rules which was in vogue in sixties  and ensured that the recruitment to Government service is permanent and the civil servants are not allowed to be fired at the whim and fancy of their bosses.  The outsourcing and contractorisation has paved way for large scale entry of casual workers and has resulted in the reversal of what all achieved in this direction through struggles in the past two decades.   

Item No. 8. Stop price rise and strengthen PDS.    
The abnormal and phenomenal increase in the prices of essential commodities is an acknowledged fact.  The pursuance of the new economic policies and consequent withdrawal of the universal public distribution system had been per se the reason for such unbearable inflation.  The universal PDS which was evolved to protect the food security of common people was an effective instrument not only to arrest inflation but also to ensure that no Indian dies of hunger.  Government employees even at the lowest wage structure i.e. the Group D and C employees are presently precluded from the PDS as their meagre wages itself is considered to be above the benchmark of "Below Poverty Line".   They are to depend upon the open market for even essential food items, which with their meagre income they are unable to access.  It is, therefore, necessary that the universal PDS as was in vogue must be brought back as the market forces have failed to arrest inflation and price rise of essential food items.

Item No. 9.Introduction of PLB and removal of ceiling limit. 
Barring the Railways, Defence production units and Postal Department, Bonus is paid to the Central Government employees on adhoc basis.  The 30 days adhoc bonus is the maximum that is provided to them. The 4thand 5th Central Pay Commissions had recommended the introduction of productivity linked bonus scheme to all Departments as is presently the case in the three Departments mentioned above. Even the scheme of PLB is not uniform in as much as the Postal Department introduced a ceiling on the entitled number of days of bonus whereas no such ceiling exist either in the Railways or in the Defence Production organisations.   The Government is yet to implement these recommendations even though several rounds of discussions on the subject were held.  There is no reason whatsoever, as to why this recommendation could not be implemented.  There had been no rise in the adhoc bonus for past a decade even though there had been considerable amount of increase in the case of PLB over the years.    The Department of Personnel and Expenditure may be advised to finalise the PLB scheme without further delay for those who are in receipt of adhoc bonus.

Even though Bonus Act is said to have no application or relevance to the Productivity linked Bonus or adhoc bonus, the provisions of the said Act is employed to deny the entitled bonus to the Government employees on the basis of their emoluments.  The bonus entitlement in both the cases is restricted to the computation based on the notional emoluments of Rs. 3500, while the Postal Department went one step ahead and declared that in the case of GDS, it would continue to be Rs. 2500.The injustice meted out to the GDS in the matter by the Postal Department is highly deplorable.   Presently even a casual worker is entitled to get a monthly wage of more than Rs. 3500.  The minimum wage as on 1.1.2006 determined by the 6th CPC in respect of Central Government employees  is Rs. 7000.   By artificially linking the restriction of emoluments stipulated by the Bonus Act, the employees are denied their legitimate entitlement of Bonus.   The Bonus entitlement must be computed on the basis of the actual emoluments of an employee.

Item No. 10. Revising OTA  and Night Duty allowance rates: 
Overtime allowance is seldom given to the Government employees.  In case of emergency and in the contingency in which the work cannot be postponed, like that happens in the RMS division of Postal Department, in the Atomic Energy Commission offices or when the Parliament is in session in other administrative offices, employees are asked to do work beyond the stipulated working hours.  The Night duty allowance is provided to the employees who are asked to work in the night shifts with certain stipulated conditions.  The 4th CPC recommended that since there had been considerable misuse of the provisions relating to the grant of OTA, the Government should find alternative methods to compensate the employees who are asked to work on over time and pending such a scheme being evolved recommended not to revise the rates.  However, the Govt.did not bring in any new scheme but issued the directive that the OTA and Night duty allowance will be paid to the employees who are called upon to do overtime or night duty on the basis of the 4th CPC pay structure.  This directive is still in vogue.  On quite a number of occasions, the Staff Side pointed out the irrationality of the directive of the Government  in as much as a person engaged for managing the excess work from outside gets better emoluments than  the over time allowance granted to the regular employees.  The Government refused to reach an agreement in the National Council on this issue.  When the Staff side pressed, the Government came forward to record disagreement and refered  the matter to the Board of Arbitration under the JCM. Scheme.  The Board of Arbitration having found the unreasonable position taken by the Government gave out the award in favour of the staff and directed the Government to revise the order whereby the allowance will be linked to the actual pay of the Government employees.  The Govt. did not accept this award and has approached the Parliament for the rejection of the same.  The matter has not yet been placed in the form of a resolution in the Parliament.  Despite the fact that the employees had been abiding by the directive of their superiors to be on overtime/night duty, and despite having won the case before the Board of Arbitration they continue to be compensated on the basis of the Notional pay as in 1986.  There could not have been a much bigger injustice meted out to the employees. The Government must accept the award of the Board and  issue instructions  linking the allowance to the actual pay of the employee.

Item No.11. Arbitration Awards. 
There are about 17 awards of the Board of Arbitration given in favour of the employees.  On the plea that the implementation of these awards would result in heavy financial outflow, the Govt. has moved resolutions in the Parliament for the rejection of these awards.   The fact is that the financial burden on account of acceptance of these awards is meagre.  The figures quoted by the official side included the arrears that have become due to the delay in taking decisions.  The financial implication is normally computed as a total outlay for a period of a year.  The official side has in fact only tried to mislead the Parliament in order to obtain a rejection of the award.   A few years back, the staff side  agreed to alter the date of implementation of these awards in order to reduce the financial implication.  The official side discussed the issue on several occasions but did not conclude with the result that these awards are still pending acceptance of the Government.  It is rather unethical and untenable that the Government has chosen to invoke the sovereign authority of the Parliament to deny the legitimate dues of its own employees.  Prior to 1998, the Government has not chosen to approach the Parliament once the award is given in favour of the employees and implemented every one of them except in a very few cases.   The Government must  accept these awards and implement the same for such a direction will bring in confidence in the efficacy of the negotiating forum and a sense of reasonableness in the decision making process.                                             

Item No. 12. Right to strike 
Article 309 of the Constitution makes it incumbent upon the Government of India and the Provincial Governments to make enactments to regulate the service conditions of the civil servants.  However, till date no such enactment has either been moved or passed by the Parliament..  The transitory provisions empowering the President of India to make rules till such time the enactment is made has been employed to regulate the service conditions of the Government employees.   Once recruited as an employee, the ILO’s conventions provide all trade union rights.  India is a signatory to those conventions. Despite all these legal and moral obligations on the part of the Government, the Government employees continue to be denied the right to collective bargaining.  No negotiation is worth the meaning, if the employees have no right to withdraw their labour in case of a non-satisfactory agreement on their demands.  It is this legal lacuna which was employed by the Supreme Court to justify the arbitrary dismissal of lakhs of employees by the Tamilnadu State Government when they resorted to strike action.  In the judgment delivered by the Supreme Court, it was observed that the Government employees do not have any legal, fundamental or moral right to resort to strike action.  The entire section of the Indian Working Class enjoys the right to strike and an effective collective bargaining system except the Government employees.  The denial of the right to strike to Government employees was employed by the British Colonial Rulers as part of the scheme to subjugate the Indian people and to shut out any probable dissenting views  within the Governmental machinery.  To continue with the same concept is to infer that the Sovereign  Republic of India want to follow the archaic rules and regulations conceived by colonial rulers perhaps with the same intent.  We therefore urge that necessary legislation affording the right to strike to Government employees may be made in the Parliament.

Item No. 13 :Career progression: Grant five promotion in the service career. 
For the efficient functioning of an institution, the primary pre-requisite is to have a contended workforce.  It is not only the emoluments, perks and privileges that motivate an employee to give his best. They are no doubt important.  But what is more important is to provide them a systematic career progression. The present system of career progression available in the All India Services and the organised group A Civil services attracts large number of young, talented and educated persons to compete in the All India Civil Service Examination.  No different was the career progression scheme available in the subordinate services in the past.  Persons who were recruited to subordinate services were able to climb to Managerial positions over a period of time.  The situation underwent vast changes in the last two decades.  In most of the Departments, stagnation has come to stay.  It takes decades to be promoted to the next higher grade in the hierarchy.  It was the recognition of the lack of promotional avenue in the subordinate services that made the 5th CPC to recommend a time bound  two career progression scheme.  However, this has not gone to address the inherent problem of de-motivation that has crept in due to the high level of stagnation.  In most of the Departments, the exercise of cadre review which was considered important was not carried out.  Any attempt in this regard was restricted to Group A services.  The discontent amongst the employees in the matter is of high magnitude today.  It is, therefore, necessary that every Department is asked to undertake to bring about a cadre composition and recruitment pattern in such a manner that an employee once recruited is to have five  hierarchical promotions in his career as is presently the position in the All India Services and in the organised Group A services.

Item No.14: Scrap the New Pension Scheme 
The defined benefit scheme of pension was introduced replacing the then existing contributory system decades back. .  The Government decided to reconvert the same into a contributory scheme on the specious plea that the outflow on pension had been increasing year by year and is likely to cross the wage bill. By making it contributory, the Government expenditure on this score is not likely to get reduced for the next  four decades  because of the reason that as per the announced scheme, the Government is to contribute the same amount to the fund as the employees make. Coupled with this stipulation the Government is also duty bound to make payment for the existing pensioners and for all Central Government employees who were in service prior to 1.1.2004.  The contribution collected from the employees who are recruited after 1.1.2004 is to be managed by a mutual fund operator for investment in the stock market.  It is the vagaries of the stock market which will then determine the quantum of pension or in other words annuity, which would not be cost indexed.   Before the introduction of the new scheme and the PFRDA bill, the Government had set up a committee under the chairmanship of Shri Bhattacharya, the then Chief Secretary of the State of Karnataka. The bill was unfortunately drafted and presented to the Parliament disregarding even the recommendation of the said committee to the effect that the Govt. should consider introducing a hybrid system by which the employees will have either a defined benefit pension   or opt for a higher return through stock exchange investments.  Despite the non-passage of the bill and the consequent absence of a valid law to support the Pension Regulatory authority, the Govt. converted the existing pension scheme into a contributory one through executive fiat and invested a percentage of the fund so generated from the employees’ contribution in the Stock market.   India is a young country and the expenditure on statutory pension has remained over a long period not more than 5% of GDP which the country/Government can afford to spend. The withdrawal of PFRDA bill is required for the following solid reasons: 

(a)    The new pension scheme is going to make social security in old age uncertain and dependent on market forces. 
(b)   The scheme has been compulsorily imposed on a section of employees and hence it is discriminatory. 
(c)    Such scheme had been a failure in many countries including Chile, UK and even USA.  In USA entire pension wealth has been wiped out leaving pensioners with no pension. In Argentina the contributory scheme which was introduced at the instance of IMF was replaced with the defined benefit pension scheme. 
(d)   The PFRDA Bill has provisions empowering the Govt. and the Authority to cover employees now left out and to amend the existing entitlements of pension benefits. 
(e)   In majority of the countries, "pay as you go" is the system of pension.          
(f)     The contributory scheme does not give any guarantee for a minimum pension of 50% of the pay drawn at the time of retirement of the employee. Nor does it provide for the protection of his family members in the form of family pension in the event of death

The Supreme Court had declared pension as one of the fundamental rights. The government should therefore retrace from its avowed position, which is detrimental to the interest of the employees and ensure that the employees recruited after 1.1.2004 is covered by the existing statutory defined benefit scheme and withdraw the PFRDA bill from the Parliament.

The recent decision of the Cabinet to allow FDI in pension fund operations has made the real intent of the PFRDA bill unambiguously clear. The FDI will facilitate the mutual fund operators to invest the funds outside India thereby making Indian Savings available for development of a foreign country. It is now clear that the decision behind the contributory pension scheme was the pressure imposed by imperialist powers and more specifically IMF.  It has, therefore, to be opposed at all cost and with vehemence.  The Govt. must not be allowed to go ahead with its intention of induction of FDI in pension fund companies.  The one day strike on 12th December, 2012 must be seen as a beginning of the sustained and incessant struggles in the days to come.

Item No. 15.Vacate All Trade Union victimisation           
The Central Government employees are alarmed and distressed over the spree of vindictive actions pursued by various Accountant Generals against the employees of the I A & AD Department.  More than 12000 employees have been proceeded against under Rule 14 or 16 of the CCS (CCA) rules. The resort to such vindictive action has been taken by the Administration of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the simple reason that the employees together decided to be on mass casual leave demanding the vacation of victimization of the Union functionaries in Kerala, Rajkot, Gwalior, Kolkata, Nagpur, Allahabad etc. The very fact that large number of employees participated in the Mass Casual leave programme is indicative of the fact of the growing discontent against the highhandedness of the Administration.

The authorities in the IA & AD have not been permitting the genuine trade union activities for the last several years. No meeting of the employees is allowed if the same is held under the auspices of the recognized Associations, whereas permission to hold cultural shows even during office hours are granted. In the name of discipline, dissenting voice, howsoever genuine they are, is not being tolerated. Despite repeated pleas made by the All India Audit and Accounts Association, the Comptroller General of India did not deem it to fit to intervene and set right the high handed behaviour of the Accountant General Kerala. On his promotion as Principal Accountant General, he was transferred to Hyderabad, where, as per the report, he has continued with his intolerant attitude towards the Association. Permission to hold the General Body meeting, a constitutional requirement and a necessity to abide by the stipulations made by the CCS (RSA) Rules, 1993, was denied to the recognized Association in Andhra Pradesh. The General Secretary and other office bearers of the Association have been proceeded against under Rule 16 for holding the General Body meeting during lunch break.

In the background of this unprecedented situation and the blanket ban instituted by the authorities to hold any meeting within the office premises we appealed  to the Honourable Prime Minister to  intervene in the matter and direct the concerned to hear the grievances of the employees and settle the same in an amicable and peaceful atmosphere. We also requested that In order to create a conducive atmosphere for talks, the authorities may be asked to withdraw all punitive and vindictive actions against the employees who had gone on Mass casual leave as a means of protesting against the inordinate delay in settling issues and to give vent to their feeling of anger. Not only no action has been initiated by the C&AG in this direction but the vindictive attitude  of the Accountat Generals continue to persist. The Government is required to interfere and bring about a peaceful atmosphere in this prestigious institution.

Source: http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/2014/02/2014-february-12-th-13-th-48-hours.html

Fixation of pay on promotion to a post carrying higher duties and responsibilities but carrying the same grade pay

CIRCULAR
Office of the Principal Controller of Accounts (Fys)
10-A, S.K. BOSE ROAD, KOLKATA-700001

No. Pay/Tech-1/01 (6th CPC) /2014/01

Date: 30-01-2014

To
All Group Controllers

Subject: Fixation of pay on promotion to a post carrying higher duties and responsibilities but carrying the same grade pay.

References hove been received from different Br. AOs and Factories regarding extension of benefit of 3% increment in terms of MoF, Deportment of Expenditure OM No. 10/02/2011-E.III/A dtd 07.01.2013 [click here to view] to those employees who were promoted f rom CM-II to CM-l/AF to JWM/MCM to CM on or ofter 1.1.2006.

In this connection, it may be stated that as per MoF, Deptt of Expenditure OM No. 10/02/2011-E.III/A dtd 07.01.2013, benefit of fixation of pay under FR 22(1) (a) (l) can be extended when both the feeder and promotional grades were placed in the identical revised pay scales based on the recommendation of the 6th CPC and where the existence of both the erstwhile posts are continued in 6 CPC and at the same time the promotional post also involves assumption of higher responsibilities as envisaged in the MoF OM No. 169/2/2000-lC dtd 24.11.2000.

In this context, it is also significant to mention that after 6th CPC, the posts of CM-II & I and AF & JWM have been merged and replaced by a single grade of CM or JWM with a grade pays of Rs. 4200/- and Rs. 4600/- respectively. Therefore, promotion between these grades after 6th CPC remains no more available and no movement within merged grade is practically possible and the basic conditions stipulated in G of I, MoF OM dtd 24-11-2000 including assumption of higher charge and existence of feeder and promotion grade are not fulfilled. Thus the benefit of 3% increment for movement from CM-II to CM-I and AF to JWM is not admissible in terms of proviso to para 2 of the aforesaid OM dtd 7.1.2013.

Whereas, in case of movement from MCM to CM, it may be stated that prior to 1.1.2006, the MCM grade was not a hierarchical post. The MCMs were part of HS cadre during 5th CPC. After the restructuring of Artisan cadre w.e.f 1.1.2006, the MCM grade has become a separate hierarchical post and cannot be treated within the strength of the HS. Hence, the condition stipulated under proviso to para 3 of MoF OM dtd 7-1-2013, that the promotional movement should be between two different posts of feeder and promotion post prior to 1 /1/2006 now carrying some grade pay, is not fulfilled in the case of the MCM also w.e.f 01-0.l -2006.

As such, promotionol benefit in terms of MOF OM dtd 7.1.2013 to the CM-l & JWM on their promotion from CM-II/MCM & AF respectively on or after .l.1.2006 may not be considered for admittance.

Br. AOs under your control may please be intimated accordingly.

Addl. C of A (Fys) has approved.

Sd/-
Asst. Controller of Accounts (Fys)

Source: http://www.pcafys.gov.in/files/Same%20grade.pdf

LDC-UDC ISSUE-YET ANOTHER LETTER FROM DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

Dear friends,

I give hereunder the copy of the letter received from the Department of Expenditure on the issue of upgradation of grade pay of LDC & UDC. A similar letter addressed to FA, DoPT with copy to Shri M Krishnan, Secretary General Confederation has been posted in this web site on 30th November. Association’s view was that the LDC & UDC are common cadres and spread over the entire Government of India offices and as such upgradation in a particular Department or some Departments through cadre restructuring is not possible. As such with the support of Confederation our Association had decided to file a case so that the upgradation of Grade Pay to these cadres may get w.e.f. 1.1.2006. And the preparation for filing the case is under progress and we expect the same would be filed by 1st week of March.

TKR Pillai
General Secretary
Mob. 09425372172

No. 58(2)/E.III (B)/2013
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
E.III-(B) Branch
New Delhi, the 23 January, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Forwarding of letter No. 4/GS/2013 dated 14/10/2013 from All India Association of Administrative Staff.

The undersigned is directed to forward herewith letter No. 4/GS/2013 dated 14/1-/2-13 from Shri TKR Pillai regarding upgradation of Grade Pay of LDC and UDC in administrative branch of Government of India offices and to state that this Department does not consider the representations received from individuals or association and they are forwarded to the concerned administrative ministry/departments. The administrative Ministry/Department concerned is required to examine the representations and if merit is found, the same may be forwarded to this Department for consideration in the form of a proposal, through IFD.

Sd/
(Manoj Kumar)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

To

FA (DoPT),
Department of Personal & Training,
North Block,

Copy to:
Shri TKR Pillai, NSSO (FOD), Hall No. 201 & 205, Vijay Stumbh, Zone I, Maharana Pratap Nagar, Bhopal.

Source-http://aiamshq.blogspot.in/2014/02/ldc-udc-issue-yet-another-letter-from.html