Government is planning to abolish the system of formation of Pay Commission in future?

 Central Government replied that there is no such proposal at present under consideration.

 In Lok Sabha on 5th January 2018, A Hon‘ble member asked some questions about the Pay Commission and DA Merger as follows…

• whether the National Anomaly Committee (NAC) under the 7th Central Pay Commission has submitted its interim report, if so, the details thereof;
• whether the Government is planning to abolish the system of formation of Pay Commission in future, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
• whether the Government is considering to adjust the salaries of its employees and pensioners Dearness Allowance (DA) that crosses the 50 per cent mark, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
• whether the Department of Expenditure planning to take the responsibility to regularly monitor salaries and allowances of central government employees and recommend the changes if needed, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

The Minister of State for Finance Shri P.Radhakrishnan replied that the National Anomaly Committee set up by the Department of Personnel & Training in August, 2016 following the decision of the Government on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission has not yet met.

The post Abolish the system of formation of Pay Commission in future? appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

Recently, the Central Government Employee’s Welfare Ministry released an announcement which has created panic and commotion among the central government employees.

In the announcement it has been said that senior officials have to analyse the service record and decide whether employees who have completed thirty years of service or reached their 50th year should continue their service or be advised to leave service after three months notice.

Does it take a management to learn that an official or an employee is unfit to continue in service when he has reached his 50th year? Does it take thirty years of continuous service to assess the efficiency of an employee?

Can’t the ability of an employee be learnt during his probation period? Leaving an employee at such times and trying to force him out of service when he is old appears rather inhumane.

When problems like educations expenses of children, marriage and housing loan afflict employees, the announcement of compulsory retirement will certainly be a great shock.

Hence, Central Government should provide an explanation about the announcement and help clear the doubts of the central Government Employees. Changes have to be made at the beginning itself. If the Central Government brings changes at a very late period then the purpose for which it released this very announcement would become futile and ineffective. On the contrary, it will only lead to a loss of trust that employees have on the Central Government.

Source: 7-paycommission.in

The post COMPULSORY RETIREMENT AFTER 30 YEARS OF SERVICE/ON REACHING 50 YEARS OF AGE?VIEWS OF EMPLOYEES appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

Order for Merger of 50% DA, Retirement age news.

Recently rumour mill went overdrive in social media with the following news that

1. Central Government decided to merge 50% DA with basic pay with effect from 1.1.2015.

2. It went on to say that age of Retirement will be on completion of 33 Years of service or at the age of 58 Years whichever is earlier.

The 7th CPC is expected to submit its report shortly and due to Bihar elections the Central Government cannot take any policy decisions in this regard. Hence it is clarified that none of the above news are correct.

Source: http://karnatakacoc.blogspot.in/

The post 50% DA Merger and Retirement age 58 : Rumor Spreading in Social Networks appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

Maken to sit on dharna

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Ajay Maken along with a large number of party workers will sit on a daylong dharna tomorrow at Jantar Mantar seeking merger of Dearness Allowance (DA) with basic pay and also to oppose the move by the BJP-led Central Government to lower the retirement age of government employees.

DPCC chief spokesperson Sharmistha Mukherjee said party workers, government employees, teachers, pensioners and others will join Maken in the dharna to press their demand for merger of DA with basic pay and also to oppose the move to lower the retirement age of government employees.

Addressing a press conference, Mukherjee said the Congress would be seeking the merger of 100 per cent DA with basic pay, which is 113 per cent as on January 1, 2015. The Congress-led UPA II government was to take a decision on merger of DA with basic pay, but due to the announcement of the general elections, it had to be deferred.

Read more at The Tribune

The post Seeking Merger of DA and Oppose reduce the Retirement age – DPCC appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

NATIONAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION
4, State Entry Road New Delhi–110055

No.NJCA/2015

Dated: June 15, 2015

All the Members of the NJCA,

Dear Comrades,

Sub: National JCA Meeting held on 8th June

The National JCA, which met at the Staff Side Office on 8th June, 2015, took note of the fact that quite a few states are yet to hold the State Level Conventions. The meeting also noted that the strike decision taken on 28th April, 2015 has not been percolated down to the rank and file of the workers. The meeting wanted the affiliate to realize that the denial of the demand for wage revision to be effective from 01.01.2014 and the consequent denial of interim relief and the benefit of merger of DA with Pay must be viewed very seriously as the said decision will have far reaching consequence. The Government would discard the age old practice of grant of I.R. and merger of DA forever. It has decided to appeal to all the affiliates to chalk out independent programmes of actions in the months to come and to carry out the same in all seriousness so that the employees become fully aware of the possible outcome of the 7th CPC. The Chairman and Convenor of the National JCA will get in touch with those States, where the convention has not been held so far. The meeting decided to convey to members that the minimum wage computation, in the given situation would be on an imaginary basis. The National JCA was of the opinion that a meeting of all office bearers of the participating organizations must be convened at Delhi somewhere in the month of July to chalk out programmes of action to be pursued by the CGEs together. It was informed at the meeting that both Defence and Railways would be taking their strike ballot and would be concluded in the first week of October. The meeting, therefore, decided to advise the other units to chalk out progammes of action in July so that an ambience of struggle could be created. The NJCA also took note of the painful fact that despite assurances, Government was not convening the National Council and Departmental Councils and the JCM has been allowed to become defunct. The National JCA in conclusion decided to appeal to all affiliates to take concrete steps to invigorate the joint movement of the Central Government employees and meet the challenge that is likely to arise on receipt of the recommendations of the 7th CPC by creating an atmosphere of Unity, and determination to carry out the call of indefinite strike action scheduled to commence on 23rd November, 2015.

With greetings,

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary (Staff Side)
NC JCM & Convener

Source: www.ncjcmstaffside.com

The post Denial of interim relief and the benefit of merger of DA with Pay must be viewed very seriously – NC JCM appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

No. 2(42)/97-DPE (WC)-GL-VIII/15
Government of India
Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises
Department of Public Enterprises

Public Enterprises Bhawan,
Block 14, CGO Complex, Lodi Road.
New Delhi-110003, 29thApril, 2015

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: – Payment of DA to the CDA pattern employees of CPSEs governed by HPPC recommendations.

The undersigned is directed to refer to Para No. 2 and Annexure-III to this Department’s OM. dated 24.10.1997 wherein the rates of DA payable to the employees of CPSEs following CDA pattern pay scales, which are governed by HPPC recommendations had been indicated.

2. In continuation of this Department’s OM of even number dated 9.10.2014, the rates of Dearness Allowance w.e.f. 01.01.2015 payable to the employees of CPSEs governed by the recommendations of HPPC. which have not revised their pay scales in terms of DPE O.M. No. 2(54)/2008-DPE(WC) dated 14.10.2008 may be as follows:-

a) In case of CPSEs who have not allowed the benefit of merger of 50% of DA with basic pay as contained in DPE QM. dated 24.05.2005 to their employees. the DA payable may be enhanced from existing rate of 262% to 273%.

b) In case of CPSEs who have allowed the benefit of merger of 50% of DA with basic pay as contained in DPE QM. dated 24.05.2005 to their employees, the DA payable may be enhanced from existing rate of 212% to 223%.

3. The payment of Dearness Allowance involving fractions of 50 paise and above may be rounded off to the next higher rupee and the fractions of less than 50 paise may be ignored.

4. All administrative Ministries/Department of Government of India are requested to bring the foregoing to the notice of the Central Public Sector Enterprises under their administrative control for action at their end.

sd/-
(Samsul Haque)
Under Secretary

Source: http://dpe.nic.in/sites/upload_files/dpe/files/29_04_2015_CDA_5th_CPC0001.pdf

The post DA from Jan-2015 to CDA pattern employees of CPSEs – @ 273% for without 50% DA Merger and 223% with 50% DA merger appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

Pensioners seek merger of 50 p.c. DA with pay

The Tamil Nadu Government Education Department Retired Ministerial Employees’ Association has urged the State government to merge 50 per cent of dearness allowance with pay to benefit both in service employees and retired personnel.

A resolution adopted at its state executive meeting here on Sunday wanted the Treasury Officers to issue identity cards to pensioners.

Another resolution wanted some concession in the bus fare for the retired employees.

The following were elected state office-bearers of the association: B. Viswanathan – president; N. Subbiah vice-president, and A. Janarthanam – general secretary.

Read more at The Hindu

The post Pensioners seek 50% da merger and Bus travel concession appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

inutes of the 26th meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) held on 03rd February, 2015 under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS(PP).

SCOVA Meeting

No. 42/39/2014-P&PW(G)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market,
New Delhi – 110003

Date: 26th Feb,2015

To

All the Pensioners Associations under present SCOVA

Subject: Minutes of the 26th meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) held on 03rd February, 2015 under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS(PP).

Please find enclosed herewith a copy of minutes of the 26th meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) held on 03rd February, 2015 under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS (PP) at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi for your kind perusal and necessary action.

Enel: as above

Sd/-
(Sujasha Choudury)
Dy. Secretary (P)
Tele No. : 24635979
E-mail: sujashachaudhary.edu@nic.in

Minutes of the 26th meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) held on 03.02.2015 under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS (PP) at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi.

The list of participants is at Annexure-A

At the outset Joint Secretary (Pension) welcomed Hon’ble MOS (PP), Secretary, Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, representatives of Pensioners Associations and the participating officers of various Ministries/Departments. It was stated that SCOVA is a multi¬party forum and a platform for sharing views. Under the able leadership of the Hon’ble Minister, the Department will continue to streamline the various policy issues for the benefit of the pensioners.
Thereafter, Hon’ble MOS (PP), Chairman, SCOVA, welcomed all participants to the meeting. He said that presently the number of pensioners is more than the number of employees in service. Hence, there is a large pool of experience which can be utilized in a constructive manner. MOS (PP) also mentioned that the Department has been able to effectively deliver on most of what was promised. Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) has been increased from ‘ 300 to ‘ 500, online grievance monitoring system CPENGRAMS is being used to keep the number of outstanding grievances to a minimum, BHAVISHYA (online pension sanction and payment tracking system) has been extended to 25 Ministries/Departments. MOS(PP) also stated that the Pensioner’s Portal is a part of the e-governance system which is in itself a priority of the present Government. He said that initiative “Sankalp” had immense potential to contribute to the welfare of pensioners who could continue to contribute to the society after their retirement.

Regarding the issue of agenda points suggested by the various Pensioners Associations being summarily rejected, it was informed that due importance was attached to all agenda points. However, owing to time constraints some of them are taken up for discussion during the SCOVA meeting and the items which were specific to a particular Department were forwarded to the concerned Ministries/Departments for taking necessary action. Hon’ble MOS(PP) emphasized that each Department should look at the pensioners as their own responsibility and treat them as their family members.

It was pointed out by Pensioners’ Associations that there has been delay in payment of the enhanced amount of Fixed Medical Allowance in several Postal Circles. The instructions of Department of Posts to Postal Circles for accessing the orders from the website of DoP&PW and send the copies to the Pension Disbursing Offices without delay are not being followed. A suggestion was made that the Heads of Postal Divisions (instead of the designated Officer in Postal Circle Offices) may be authorized to download the relevant order from the website of DoP&PW and send the copies to the Head Post Offices to effect timely payment to the Pensioners.

Thereafter, the Action Taken Report of 25th SCOVA meeting and Fresh Agenda items of 26th SCOVA meeting were taken up for discussion.

Discussion on ATR of 25th SCOVA meeting:-

Sl . No 1 of ATR: Status of issue of revised PPOs to pre-2006 pensioners.

CPAO informed that 29,615 cases were pending for revision. Despite several efforts, no further information was coming forth in respect of the pre- 1990 PPOs. They have approached banks and pensioners to obtain the missing information. CPAO was advised to hold meetings with individual Ministries and sort out cases issue wise so that solutions could be worked out and the pendency brought down to zero. CPAO was also advised to discuss the issue with Ministry of Railways and Department of Defence who had shown remarkable progress and brought down the pendency to Nil.

(Action: CPAO)

b) One of the Pensioner Association intimated that a number of cases were still pending in the Maharashtra Circle post offices. The Department of Posts intimated that they would consider delegating authority of revision to sub-post offices. In case of Patiala Circle, date of birth of spouse is not indicated in the revised PPOs. In respect of the comments of other Pensioners Associations, they were requested to give specific case wherein revised authority has not been issued.

(Action: Department of Posts)

c) The Ministry of Railways informed that only 5000 cases are pending where no records are available and revised PPOs could not be issued. However, the Pensioners Association informed that in Firozpur, Ambala and Delhi revised PPOs in some cases have not been issued. Ministry of Railways was therefore asked to reconfirm their figures of revised PPOs.

(Action: Ministry of Railways)

d) Department of Telecommunications informed that as on date 867 cases are pending and out of which 665 cases pertain to BSNL. Necessary action to revise these are being taken.

(Action : Department of Telecom)

e) D/o Ex-Servicemen Welfare informed that revised PPOs have been issued in most of the cases. This was refuted by the Defence Pensioner Association. Pensioners Associations were requested to give the list of the pending cases to the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare, which will take the matter with CGDA. However, CGDA was asked to also reconfirm their figures.

(Action: Ministry of Defence)

Jt. Secretary (P) requested all the Ministries/Departments to issue revised authorities for all pending cases before the next SCOVA meeting so that this item could be closed finally.

On the issue of Pension Adalat, the associations wanted that they be allowed to represent the cases of the illiterate family pensioners. It was clarified that they could very well represent the cases as individuals and not as representatives of Pensioners’ Associations. Pension Adalats were being held regularly by Survey of India for their organization, and Ministry of Defence were also conducting the same regularly hence the item may be closed.

(ii) Sl.No 2 of ATR :- Broad Banding of Disability Element for Pre-1996 cases.

The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare informed that the orders have been issued. The Department was advised to speedily implement the orders so that the benefit could percolate to all concerned pensioners, it was therefore decided to close the matter.

(iii) Sl.No 3 of ATR:- Health Insurance Scheme for pensioners including those residing at non-CGHS areas.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare intimated that the EFC Memo has been recast and has been sent to IFD for approval. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was advised to expedite a decision in this respect.

One of the pensioner association requested that the prosthesis issued to the orthopedically disabled may also be considered for insurance for easy replacement/repairs thus saving expense.

(Action: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare)

(iv) Sl.No.4 of ATR:- Dedicated day for Pensioners.

It was pointed out that in the case of Defence Pensioners, though a mechanism had been created in September, 2014 no meetings were held. The Ministry of Defence representatives were requested to hold regular meetings. Since, most of the Departments have set up institutional mechanism for meeting with the pensioners, the agenda item was closed.

(v) Sl.No 5 of ATR :- Special Family Pension for the Widows of Disabled War Veterans.

The Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare informed that the matter is being reconsidered by CGDA. One of the Pensioners Associations clarified that this issue is only for the war disabled veterans invalided out of service who are very few in number and deserved empathetic consideration. To hasten the process DoPPW may take up matter with the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri.

(Action: – D/o of Ex-servicemen Welfare ,CGDA and DoPPW)

(vi) Sl.No 6 of ATR :-

The Orders of Ministry of Health reiterating that all the pensioners are at liberty to opt themselves with any of the nearest CGHS hospital/ dispensary may be widely circulated. Arbitrary orders dated 01/08/1996 and 01/09/1996 issued by Ministry of Health and Director of CGHS may be withdrawn and the benefit of CGHS facilities be allowed to the pensioners of Department of Post and Department of Telecom.

Medical facilities for existing P&T pensioners.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare intimated that various issues including the issue relating to extension of CGHS facility to P&T pensioners is likely to be considered in a meeting of the Committee of Secretaries to be held shortly. As regards, the orders dtd 01.08.1996 and 01.09.1996, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed that the matter was still sub-judice.

(Action: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare)

(vii) Sl.No 7 of ATR:- Anomaly in fixation of pension to DoT employees absorbed in BSNL, who retired between 1.10.2000 and 31.7.2001.

It was informed that since the last SCOVA meeting, two meetings were held with the officials of Department of Telecom on 29.09.2014 and 30.12.2014 and Department of Telecom was advised to expedite the details/Reply sought in DoPPW’s ID Note dtd 28.02.2014.Department of Telecom informed that the BSNL is collecting the requisite information sought by DoPPW from corporate offices of BSNL/MTNL. Department of Telecom was advised to send a reply to DoPPW within a fortnight.

(Action: D/o Telecom & DoPPW)

(viii) Sl No.8 of ATR :- Merger of 78.2% IDA with basic pension benefit to the absorbed BSNL Pensioners.

It was informed that the proposal has been approved by Department of Expenditure, in principle. Department of Telecom informed that as per the advice of the Department of Expenditure a Cabinet Note has been prepared and sent to their IFD for approval. Department of Telecom was advised to finalise the draft Cabinet Note and circulate it to the concerned Ministries by the end of February,2015.

(Action: D/o Telecom & D/o Expenditure)

(ix) Sl.No 9 of ATR :- Extension of benefit of upgraded Grade Pay to pre-2006 retirees of S-12 grade.

D/o Expenditure had earlier observed that the benefit to grade pay of the 4600/- could not be extended to those who retired from the S-12 pay scale before 01.01.2006 as it was an upgraded scale. However, the Department of Expenditure has since sought to re-examine the issue and the relevant file on the issue has been forwarded by DoPPW to D/o Expenditure for reconsideration on 22.01.2015. D/o Expenditure was advised to expedite a decision in this regard.

(Action: D/o Expenditure & DoPPW)

(x) S.No.10 of ATR :- Extension of benefit of OM dt. 28.1.2013 w.e.f 1.1.2006 instead of 24.9.2012

It was informed that the matter is sub- judice and the next date of hearing in the SLP No 36148-50/2013 in the Hon’ble Supreme Court was fixed for 17.02.2015.

(Action: D/o P&PW)

(xi) S.No11 of ATR:- Stepping up of Disability Element on the basis of Fitment Tables.

D/o Ex-Servicemen Welfare intimated that the matter is pending with CGDA. They were advised to meet the CGDA personally to expedite the case in one month.

(Action: D/o Ex-servicemen Welfare)

(xii) S.No 12 of ATR:- Income Certificate to be produced by the Family Pensioner.

Ministry of Railways have already reiterated their instructions. They were advised to display these instructions on the website. The item may therefore be closed.

(xiii) S.No 13 of ATR:- Extension Counter of CGHS Wellness Centre at Srinagar and Upgradation of facilities at CGHS Wellness Centre at Jammu including Construction of CGHS Hospital on the plot of land allotted by J&K Govt. at Jammu.

Various issues concerning CGHS including the above issue, were discussed by JS(P), DoPPW in a meeting with AS& DG(CGHS). Various suggestions for providing a centre at Srinagar had been considered in the meeting. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed that while there were huge resource constraints, overall CGHS reforms were being looked into by the Committee of Secretaries (COS). Regarding upgradation of CGHS Wellness Centre at Jammu, it was informed that computers had been procured and supplied. Funds have been released and the procurement of other equipment was being processed. The work is expected to be completed shortly.

Regarding posting of an additional doctor at the CGHS Wellness Centre at Jammu, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was advised to explore the possibility of taking the services of a doctor from the State Govt. on deputation.

(Action: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare)

(xiv) S.No 14 of ATR:- Delay in family pension to next eligible family member in case of death of widow.

There is no case pending in DoPPW and no specific case was intimated by the SCOVA members, the item may therefore be closed.

(xv) S.No 15 of ATR:- Extension of CGHS facilities to retired BSNL employees -Issue of follow up order by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare & fixation of rates of contribution & ward entitlement by DoT.

Department of Telecom informed that since the pay structure in BSNL and Central Govt. was different, the orders of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding ward entitlement on the basis of pay band/grade pay could not be made applicable in the case of BSNL retirees. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare requested Department of Telecom to suggest alternate mechanism for the retirees of BSNL. Department of Telecom was advised to send a proposal to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in this regard in a month’s time.

(Action : Ministry Health and Family Welfare, Department of Telecom)

6. Discussion on Fresh Agenda Points for the 26th SCOVA meeting:-

(26.1) Simultaneous issue of orders for the release of Dearness Allowance

Department of Expenditure intimated that although they do not propose to issue common order both for DA and DR, the proposal could be considered and a copy of the approved Cabinet Note may be forwarded to enable the DoPPW to issue orders at an early date. No separate approval of Ministry of Finance would be required thereafter for issue of DR orders.

(Action: D/o Expenditure and DoPPW)

(26.2) Co-authorisation of Family Pension of Permanently disabled children/dependent parents and permanently disabled siblings.

The Ministry of Defence were asked to proactively take up the issue and finalise the case within a week.

(Action: Ministry of Defence)

(26.3) Non-adherence of extant rules with regard to submission of life certificate.

Regarding complaints in respect of submission of life certificate, SCOVA members were requested to give specific cases. CPAO was advised to give wide publicity to their Toll Free number so that the complaints could be lodged.

(Action:- CPAO and D/o Financial Services)

(26.4) Provision of CGHS facility for life time to dependent disabled/mentally retarded children of Central Government employees/ pensioners.

Ministry of Health was advised to examine the suggestion for extension of CGHS facilities to married disabled/mentally retarded daughter on the analogy of continuation of family pension to such children even after marriage. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare intimated that they will examine the issue.

(Action:- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)

7. Concluding, Secretary (P) stated that the public grievance module CPENGRAMS has been streamlined and lot of improvements have come after its merger with CPGRAMS. The website of the Department has all the latest orders available at the click of the mouse. He urged the SCOVA members to help the pensioners above 80 to get their Adhaar numbers so that they could exercise the online “Jeevan Pramaan” facility which would be of immense help to them. He urged the Department of Telecom to resolve the pending issues with BSNL at an early date. Finally concluding MOS(PP) indicated that Inter Departmental Communication should extend even beyond SCOVA and each Department should look at their pensioners as their responsibility and take out time for communicating or meeting with them.

The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chair.

Source: http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D3/D03ppw/SCOVA_26-FEB-2015.pdf

The post Merger of 78.2% IDA with basic pension benefit to the absorbed BSNL Pensioners -Minutes of the 26th SCOVA meeting 03-02-2015 appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

Meeting with Chairman 7th Pay Commission & Discussion with Govt. on NJCA Strike Charter of Demands – 25.02.2015 – Com. K. K. N. Kutty (President), Com. M. S. Raja (Working President) & Com. M. Krishnan (Secretary General) attended both the meetings on behalf of Confederation.

Shiva Gopal Mishra
Secretary

Joint Consultative Machinery
for Central Government Employees
13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi – 110001

No. NC-JCM/2015/S.C

February 26, 2015

Dear Comrade

The Standing Committee of the Staff Side, National Council has interaction with the 7th CPC on 25th Feb. 2015 followed by the Standing Committee meeting of National Council (JCM) with the Secretary DOPT in the afternoon. The meeting with the Secretary Personnel came as a result of the decisions that we have conveyed for organizing March to Parliament and other programmes, culminate as a pre pretretory meaure for an indefinite strike. The agenda for discussion with the Secretary Personnel was, therefore, the charter of demands (10 points) we had submitted to the Government after the National Convention of all Central Government Employees Organizations on 11th December, 2014. The response from the Government undoubtedly establish the fact that ultimately they have taken note of the growing discontentment of the Central Government employees manifested through various programmes we have jointly carried out by this time. We, therefore, earnestly request the affiliates and leaders of various organizations at the field formations to intensify the ongoing programmes to compel the Government to settle our demands. We give hereunder a brief resume of the discussions we had with the Pay Commission and the Secretary Personnel, which is indicative of the reflections of both the entities.

Meeting with the Pay Commission:
The Chairman informed of his inability to take a final decision on the question of merger of DA and Interim relief as the Government has not referred this matter to them and further stated that this Govt. can take decisions on the two issues, without any report from the CPC. He added that the memoranda received from the staff Side on these two issues had been forwarded to the Government. He wanted the staff side to take up the matter with the Government and assured that on receipt of the reference from the Government they would consider the matter without any loss of time. However, they indicated that the Commission would strive to submit their report to the Government within the stipulated time frame and therefore, the question of Interim relief, in his opinion should not arise at all. The Staff side requested him to appreciate the fact that the matter concerning merger of DA and interim relief has been raised by them not on account of the possible delay on the part of the Pay Commission but emanated from the fact that the erosion in the real value of wages of the Central Government has been eroded during the period drastically.

On Oral Evidence:
The methodology to be adopted by the 7th CPC in the matter was discussed at length. It was ultimately decided that the Staff Side after considering the viewpoints expressed by the CPC will draw out a plan both for the National Council Staff Side and for the organizations at the Departmental levels. The scheduled date for meetings with the Pay Commission will be finalized after Holi festival i.e. 5th March, 2015. The Staff Side will discuss the matter and will submit its consensus view to the Commission soon in this regard. In any case, the staff side would require the following information immediately at its office.

1. Name of the organization which has submitted its memorandum to CPC with date of submission.
2. Underwhich Ministry the Department function
3. Whether the organization is recognized or not
4. The number of employees, whom the organization represents
5. The total – Group C and Group B Non Gazetted – strength of the concerned Department.

Inclusion of GDS
The Chairman assured that he would go through the Supreme Court Judgment in the matter. However, fie added that the inclusion or otherwise of the GDS within the purview of the 7th CPC is the prerogative of the Government and except making its opinion clear on the subject he might not be able to do anything further in the matter.

Standing Committee meeting with Secretary Personnel: There had been no tangible result in the discussions. The impression gained was that the staff side was invited to show that the dialogue continues, However, we give here under the response of the Government in respect of the issues subjected for discussion. The rest of the issues in the charter will be discussed later on at another meeting, for which the date has not been indicated.

1. Interim relief, Merger of DA, Date of effect, Inclusion of GDS in the ambit of 7th CPC; Settlement of anomalies; The views expressed by the official on each of the above items are as under

a). Interim relief is normally given if there is an apprehension of abnormal delay. Government has been informed by the 7th CPC that they would adhere to the time schedule.

b). DA merger: Since the Pay Commission would be submitting its report soon, the question of merger of DA would automatically be in-built in their recommendation.

c). It is the prerogative of the CPC to recommend the date of effect. Govt.’s role will come only after the recommendations are received.

d). GDS: Govt. has not considered the GDS as Civil Servants. However, the latest recommendation received from the Postal Department in the matter is said to be under the consideration of the Govt.

e). The National Anomaly committee will meet again shortly and the resolution on agreed items would be expedited.

2. FDI and Privatization of Railways and Defense factories and Corporatization of Postal: The Staff Side was advised to take up the issue at a higher level as the issues raised were said to be policy matters.

3. No ban on recruitment.: The official Side clarified that the Govt. has not instituted any ban on recruitment. There is only ban on creation of posts. However, for operational posts, exemption has been provided in compelling situation.

4. Scrap PFRDA Act.: The official side will look into the letter received from the Railway and Defence Ministers. The scrapping of the Act was said to be not within the scope of discussion. The Joint Secretary Financial Services explained the various provisions of the Act and as to how the contributory pension scheme would be beneficial to the subscribers. The Staff Side requested the Government to make it optional that anybody who feels that the new scheme would be beneficial would opt for it and others will have the opportunity to opt out and adopt the old defined benefit scheme scheme of Pension.

5. Closure of Medical Stores Depots and Printing and Stationery Departments : It was categorically cleared by the Govt that there had been no decision to close down the Printing Presses and Stationery Department. In view of the new situation in which all Departments are permitted to purchase the requisite stationery items from the market, the Urban Development Ministry has suggested certain modernization and restructuring the of Stationery Department. The Govt. was prepared to discuss the details thereof and arrive at an amicable settlement, acceptable to the Staff Side. The official side expressed willingness to discuss the matter with the staff Side of the concerned Department along with the 3 (three) members of the standing Committee. In respect of Medical store depots also, the official side clarified that the department would not be closed down and no employee will be retrenched. They also wanted the staff side to meet and discuss the issue with them to clear the doubts and suspicion in the matter.

6. Active Functioning of JCM : The Government will convene the meeting of the National Council soon. the convening of the Departmental Councils would be taken up with the concerned Departmental heads. The delay in the grant of recognition may be brought to the notice of the Department of Personnel for corrective action at their end

7. Compassionate Appointment : Government will consider lifting of the ceiling of 5% but no assurance was held out. The other issues in the charter will be subjected to discussion later on.

With Greetings

Yours fraternally,
sd/-
Shiv Gopal Mishra
Convenor

Source: Confederation

The post Meeting with 7th Pay Commission and DoPT on 25.2.2015 – Confederation publishes brief resume of the discussions appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

The post JCM Staff Side Meeting with 7th Pay Commission – Discussion about DA Merger and Interim Relief appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.