No.IV/NFIR/7 CPC (IMPL)/Allowances/2016

Dated: 29/11/2016

The Joint Secretary (Implementation Cell) 7th CPC,
Room No. 214, Ashoka Hotel,  Chanakyapuri
New Delhi-110021

Dear Sir,
Sub: 6th Meeting of Committee on Allowances constituted to examine the recommendations of 7th CPC on Allowances-reg.

In the meeting held on 28th November, 2016 in Room No. 169-D (Fresco), 1st Floor, North Block, New Delhi, the General Secretary, NFIR Shri M. Raghavaiah has at the outset invited attention of the Chairman to the Meeting held on 1st September, 2016 wherein it was suggested by the Chairman that the Federations may send their list containing department specific Allowances to the concerned Administrative ministries. He said that the NFIR has accordingly given the list to the Railway Board as well as to the Chairman, Railway Board on 08th & 09th September, 2016 respectively. He further requested that the Pay Commission’s recommendation vide Para 8.2.25 that any Allowance not mentioned and hence not reported to the Commission shall cease to exist, should be rejected by the Government out right as in the Railways, there are specific Allowances which have been sanctioned in the System’s interest.

The General Secretary/NFIR M. Raghavaiah has explained in the meeting, the views of the Federation on Railways’ specific allowances as below:

(i) PCO Allowance (Serial No. 11 of the chart relating to specific Allowances – Ministry of Railways).

The PCO Allowance is unique for Workshops/Productions Units in Railways as the staff in PCO are being deprived of incentive bonus and for compensating the said loss, PCO Allowance has been granted and continued since decades. The 7th Central Pay Commission’s recommendation for reducing the percentage of PCO Allowance is unjustified and it would therefore be necessary to allow 7.5 & 15% of 7th CPC Basic Pay as PCO Allowance for eligible staff in GP 4600 & 4200 respectively.

(ii) Shoe Allowance for Track Maintainers (Serial No. 17 of the chart relating to specific Allowances – Ministry of Railways)
The nature of duties of Track Maintainers is such, that the uniform presently provided will not last beyond three months due to field working conditions, exposure to dust, heat, rain, winds etc. It would therefore be necessary to grant Rs. 10,000/- towards Dress Allowance for Track Maintainers (subsuming Shoe Allowance). Similarly, Running Staff in Railways should also be granted not less than Rs. 10,000/- towards Dress Allowance.

(iii) ASV Allowance (Serial No. 19 of the chart relating to specific Allowances – Ministry of Railways).

The Account Stock Verifiers of Railways are expected to conduct Stock Verification of Stores, materials etc., at various remote places on Indian Railways throughout the year (covering over 66,000 kms). Considering the peculiar nature of duties, outdoor work and unlimited duty hours away from their headquarters stations, these staff have been granted ASV Allowance to motivate them and volunteer for the post of Stock Verifier. The Railway Board Chairman in his speaking order vide No. PC-VI/2001/R/I dated 07/06/2001 had mentioned the difficult nature of duties being performed by the staff and for the said purpose this Allowance has been granted. Hence this Allowance needs to be retained and enhanced further.

(iv) Breakdown Allowance (Serial No. 20 of the chart relating to specific Allowances – Ministry of Railways).
In the interest of Railways, the Breakdown Allowance has to be retained and enhanced substantively as the staff nominated are expected to report within 45 minutes of the siren/hooster given and proceed to the site of accident/tracks breaches, sites where OHE wires snapped for restoring the services.

(v) Coal Pilot Allowance (Serial No. 21 of the chart relating to specific Allowances – Ministry of Railways).
This Allowance needs to be continued considering the fact that the staff are directly connected with movement of coal from collieries and perform duties in all weather conditions. It is requested to enhance the Allowance suitably.

(vi) Flying Squad Allowance (Serial No. 22 of the chart relating to specific Allowances – Ministry of Railways).
The recommendation of Pay Commission for abolition of this Allowance is irrational and illogical. The Ticket Checking Staff in Flying Squads are playing very crucial role in preventing Ticketless travel, unauthorized entry of anti-social elements and also levy penalty on Ticket Fare for realization of dues to the Railways. This Allowances needs to be retained and improved further.

(vii) Handicapped Allowance (Serial No. 23 of the chart relating to specific Allowances – Ministry of Railways).
Abolition of Handicapped Allowance in the case of physically challenged, orthopedically challenged and staff suffering from spinal deformity is an unjustified recommendation by the Pay Commission. The Federation further cites the decision of the Apex Court allowing the Allowance in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 107 of 2011 – decided on 12/12/2013. It would therefore, be necessary to retain the Allowance and enhance the same further.

(viii) Operation Theatre Allowance (Serial No. 24 of the chart relating to specific Allowances – Ministry of Railways).
This Allowance needs to be continued for motivating the staff Nurses to perform duties in ICU/Operation Theatres. The Railway Ministry had in fact agreed with NFIR’s demand and accordingly proposal was sent to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare/Ministry of Finance. The Abolition of Allowance recommended by the Pay Commission needs to be rejected for retaining and improving the Allowance.

(ix) Night Patrolling Allowance (Serial No. 25 of the chart relating to specific Allowances – Ministry of Railways).
In view of duties and responsibilities of Patrolmen as placed below, the Night Patrolling Allowance should be retained and substantially improved.
(a) Walk to and fro over the beat in accordance with the chart pertaining to his “patrol-section” looking out for subsidence, slips, signs of erosion, trees blown across the track during storms or any other causes likely to endanger the safety of line. Bridges and their approaches should be especially watched.
(b) Apprehend damage to line when
(i) the flood exceeds danger level at any of the bridges
(ii) when there is damage to the protection work or on approaches even before danger level is reached.
(iii) the water on one side of the embankment is at a much higher level than on the other side.
(iv) when any obstruction such as a fallen tree is blocking the water-way of a bridge.
(v) the track shows signs of a settlement
(c) Take immediate steps in accordance with Para 1011 to stop trains when any portion of the line is likely to be rendered unsafe due to abnormal rain or flood or any other cause.
(d) When no danger is apprehended, stand on the cess on the left hand side facing the train and exhibit his number place, turning the light of his lamp on to it, so that the number can be seen from the passing train. He should also blow the whistle, when the engine and the brake-van of the train pass him.
(e) Obtain the signature of the Station Master/ Block Hut-in-charge on duty at the Station/Block Hut concerned for his arrival and departure and exchange patrol books with adjacent patrolmen.
(f) Exchange the reports as to the conditions on their beats with adjacent patrol men and stationary watchmen on the way.
(g) Heed instructions from drivers who may report a condition of danger at a kilometrage and proceed to the place indicated and take necessary measures.
It is of supreme importance that patrolmen and watchmen thoroughly understand what they have to do in the event of emergency. In the event of an emergency the patrolmen should devote their whole time and energy to the protection of the line and summoning of assistance. Having protected the line and summoned assistance, they should resume their patrolling.

(x) Rajdhani Allowance (Serial No. 27 of the chart relating to specific Allowances – Ministry of Railways).
The 7th CPC recommendation for abolition of the Allowance is not in the interest of Railways, as the Train Superintendent of Rajdhani Express Train Performs duties as Captain of the train controlling on-board staff of all departments and monitoring punctuality, Safety & Security of passengers as well their comforts. As these staff perform duties as incharge of the entire train, the Allowance has been granted for motivating them to opt for the post. Hence the 7th CPC recommendation for abolition should be rejected and Allowance be further improved.

(xi) Track Maintainers Risk & Hardship Allowance (Serial No. 5 of the chart of common issues relating to specific Allowances – Ministry of Railways).
The recommendation of 7th CPC for Risk & Hardship Allowance based on the Cell R3H2 (Rs. 2700/- p.m.) may be accepted and the recommended Allowance be granted. The Track Maintainers presently paid Special Level Crossing Gate Allowance for manning level crossing gates also should be paid this Allowance mentioned in Cell R3H2 (Rs. 2700/- p.m.).

(xii) Daily Officiating Allowance (Serial No. 6 of the chart of common issues relating to specific Allowances – Ministry of Railways).
This Allowance needs to be continued as the system cannot afford to keep the safety and operational posts unmanned even for a single day. The system of granting of Daily Officiating Allowance has been in vogue in terms of Rule 1427 of the Indian Railways Establishment Code Vol.II. Railways being an operational system, working round the clock, this concept of payment of Daily Officiating Allowance has been working satisfactorily. It would therefore be necessary to retain and enhance the rates of Daily Officiating Allowance.

The General Secretary, NFIR M. Raghavaiah has also brought to the notice of the Chairman of the Meeting that in Railways Special Allowance for announcing duties has been in vogue. He cited an example of Station Master performing announcing duties in addition to his designated duties of Train Operations etc. Such Allowances are required to be retained and revised upwardly.
The General Secretary, NFIR also mentioned that Train Controllers Allowance recommended by the 7th CPC be accepted. He further suggested to consider grant/improvement of Special Allowances in the case of following categories in Railways:
(a) Loco Pilots,
(b) Assistant Loco Pilots,
(c) Guards,
(d) Training Allowance be revised to 30% of 7th CPC Pay
(e) In Railways, Cycle Allowance may be retained and revised.
Concluding his views, M. Raghavaiah expressed confidence that the Committee Chaired by Finance Secretary would favourbly recommend the proposals made by the Federation as placed above.

He also requested that the above points may be made part of the minutes of the meeting held on 28/11/2016

Yours faithfully,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

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Government of India/ Bharat Sarkar
Ministry of Finance] Vitta Mantralaya
Department of Expenditure/ Vyaya Vibhag
(Implementation Cell, 7th CPC)

Room No. 214, The Ashok
New Delhi, the 1st August, 2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Implementation of the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission – fixation of pay and payment of arrears – instructions regarding.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s OM of even number dated 29.07.2016 regarding fixation of pay and payment of arrears and to say that the statement of fixation of pay under Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016 annexed with the said OM dated 29.07.2016 stands superseded by the statement of fixation of pay under Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016 enclosed at Annexure to this OM

(R.K Chaturvedi)
Joint Secretary to the Government of India

Statement of fixation of pay under Central Civil Service (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016

According to Para 2 of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure (Implementation Cell, 7th CPC)’s OM No. No.1-5/2016-IC dated 29-07-2016, in pursuance of the CCS (RP) Rules, 2016, appropriate necessary action to fix the pay of the employees covered thereunder in the revised pay structure needs to be carried out forthwith in accordance with the provisions contained therein.The statement of fixation of pay in revised pay structure as per CCS (RP) Rules, 2016 be prepared in triplicate and one copy thereof be placed in the Service Book of the employee concerned and another copy made available to the concerned accounting authorities [Chief Controller of Accounts/Controller of Accounts/Accounts Officer] for post-check

Annexure

Statement of fixation of pay under Central Civil Service (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016

1. Name of the Employee :
2. Designation of the post in which pay is to be Fixed as on January 1, 2016 :
3. Status (substantive/ officiating) :
4. Pre-revised Pay Band and Grade Pay or Scale :
5. Existing Emoluments :
a. Basic Pay (Pay in the applicable Pay Band plus applicable Grade Pay or basic pay in the applicable scale) in the pre-revised structure as on January 1, 2016 :
b. Dearness Allowance sanctioned w.e.f. 01.01.2016 :
c. Existing emoluments (a+b) :
6. Basic pay ( Pay in the applicable Pay Band plus applicable Grade Pay or basic pay in the applicable scale) in the pre-revised structure as on January 1, 2016 :
7. Applicable Level in Pay Matrix corresponding to Pay Band and Grade Pay or scale shown at S.No 4 :
8. Amount arrived at by multiplying Sl. No. 5 by 2.57 :
9. Applicable Cell in the Level either equal to or just above the Amount at Sl. No. 8 :
10. Revised Basic Pay (as to Sl. No. 9) :
11. Stepped up pay with reference to the revised Pay of Junior, if applicable [Rule 7(8) and 7(10) of CCS (RP) Rules, 2016]. Name and pay of the junior also to be indicated distinctly. :
12. Revised pay with reference to the Substantive Pay in cases where the pay fixed in the officiating post is lower than the pay fixed in the substantive post if applicable [Rule 7(11)] :
13. Personal Pay, if any [Rule 7(7) and 7(8)] :
14. Non-Practicing Allowance as admissible at present in the existing pre-revised structure (in terms of para 4 of this OM) :
15. Date of next increment (Rule 10) and pay pay after grant of increment :

Date of Increment Pay after increment in applicable Level of Pay Matrix

16. Any other relevant information :

Date:
Signature & Designation of Head of Department
Office:
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Superseded Annexure:-

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Minutes of the Meeting of Joint Secretary (IC) with the Members of the Staff-Side of the Standing Committee (National Council-JCM) held on 19.02.2016

A Meeting was held under the chairmanship of Joint Secretary (Implementation Cell), Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, with the Members of the StaffSide of the Standing Committee (National Council-JCM) on 19.2.2016 to discuss the issues raised by the National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) {Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM)} in their letter No. NJC/2015/7th CPC dt. 10.12.2015, addressed to the Cabinet Secretary, regarding their Charter of Demands on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission. The Secretary, Staff-Side of the Standing Committee (National Council- JCM), who is the convener of the NJCA, along with other office bearers attended the meeting. The list of the participants from the Staff-Side is attached at Annexure.

2. Welcoming the members of the Staff-Side, JS(IC) mentioned that the meeting has been convened to enable the Staff-Side to bring out their concerns on the recommendations of the 7th CPC in the light of the Charter of Demands made by them in the aforesaid letter of NJCA so that same could be examined in the Implementation Cell and submitted for consideration of the Empowered Committee of Secretaries. He informed the office bearers that before arriving at a decision, the ECoS would also hold separate discussions with the Staff Side.

2. Commencing the discussions from the Side of the Members of the Staff-Side, Secretary, Staff-Side, Standing Committee (National Council-JCM), explained that they have already placed their Charter of Demands as per the letter of NJCA dated 10.12.2015. He mentioned that the reasons based on which these demands have been made have also been explained therein. He, however, highlighted that the Staff-Side is not at all happy with the recommendations of the 7th CPC and, in fact, no section of the employees is satisfied, as the Commission has recommended a minimal pay increase as compared to the previous Pay Commissions. He mentioned that the Staff-Side does not agree with the minimum pay of Rs. 18000 and the reason as to why the methodology adopted by the 7th CPC to arrive at this figure is not correct has been explained in their letter dated 10.12.2015. He stated that Staff-Side demands enhancement of the minimum pay to Rs. 26000 and the reasons in support of this have been given in their aforesaid letter. He further stated that an amicable and mutually negotiated settlement of these demands is necessary as non-acceptance would further cause resentment in the employees. He informed that Staff-Side has already made their stand clear to go on strike from 11th April, 2016 if their demands are not considered and no amicable settlement happens.

3. Thereafter, the other members of the Staff-Side also expressed their arguments for acceptance of these demands and all of them emphasised that the minimum pay needs to be revised. Consequently, the fitment multiple of 2.57 would also need commensurate change. The leader of the Staff-Side explained that the office bearers who were present in the meeting represent various sections of Central Government employees including railways, defence civilians, postal employees etc., the number of which is around Rs. 32 lakhs.

4. The Staff-Side brought out their concerns on all the 26 demands included in the Charter of Demands and all the points brought out by them in the letter of the NJCA dt. 10.12.2015 were reiterated. However, following issues in support of their demands were highlighted :-

(i) Minimum Pay needs to be revised to Rs. 26000 p.m. and the minimum pay of Rs. 18000 p.m. as recommended by 7th CPC is not acceptable. This would require upward revision in the fitment multiple of 2.57 and change in the Pay Matrix. It was argued that if the 10% of the pay for NPS contribution and the recommended increase in the CGEIS contribution are taken into account, there would be a drop in the take-home salary of the employees at the
minimum pay of Rs.18000.

(ii) Central Government employees need to be excluded from the National Pension Scheme (NPS), which has been a long pending demand of the StaffSide. The Staff-Side stated that the Pension Fund which has been created under NPS to generate annuity for employees, would not ensure reasonable pension. Rather it is quite likely that it may generate negative returns because of the dismal performance of the financial market to which the fund is
invested, leaving the employees without any reasonable social security benefit.

(iii) The 7th CPC has recommended abolition of 52 allowances without properly appreciating the justification of these allowances. The example of break-down allowance in case of Railway employees was given, stating that this allowances is given so that the concerned employees take up the necessary follow up action in the case of breakdown on an urgent basis and therefore its withdrawal is not justified in operational interests of Railways.

(iv) The withdrawal of advances, especially LTC, TA, Medical, National Calamity Advance, was not justified. It was argued that these advances are recovered from the employees and, therefore, the same should be retained. (v) In regard to enhancement of contribution under Group Insurance Scheme, it was argued that increase in the contribution from the employees was not justified and if the same is to be raised, the Government should bear the
insurance premium.

(vi) The post of LDC should be upgraded to UDC and as part of delayering, Grade Pays of Rs. 1900, Rs. 2400 and Rs. 4600 should be abolished and merged with the next higher Grades.

(vii) The rate of increment needs to be raised from 3% to 5% because pay is revised in the Central Government after 10 years. It was mentioned that in the PSUs the pay is revised after 5 years and the rate of increment is also higher.

(viii) Two increments in the feeder post may be granted as promotion benefit.

(ix) Fixed medical allowance for pensioners who are not covered by CGHS and REHS needs to be increased from Rs. 500 p.m. to Rs. 2000 p.m.

(x) The recommendation regarding grant of only 80% of salary for the second year of Child Care Leave need not be accepted and the existing provisions may be retained

(xi) It was also demanded that though the D/o Expenditure has sought the comments of the Ministries/Department on the issues pertaining to them after consulting the Staff Associations, administrative Departments are not inviting the Staff associations for discussions.

5. After detailed explanation by the Staff-Side on all the demands included in the Charter of Demands, JS(IC), while concluding the discussions, assured the Staff-Side that the concerns and demands made by them would be placed before the Empowered Committee of Secretaries for consideration after examining the same in the light of the recommendations of the Commission. He also mentioned that in cases where the comments of the administrative Ministries/ Departments would be necessary, e.g., the case of break-down allowance pertaining to Ministry of Railways, the same would be considered before the issues are placed before the E-CoS. As regards the issue raised that the administrative Departments are not inviting staff associations for discussions, JS(IC) mentioned that the Departments have to formulate the views keeping in view the representations made by the Staff Associations.

6. Thereafter, the meeting ended with thanks to the chair.

Members of the Staff side of the National Joint Council (JCM), who attended the meeting with JS (IC) held on 19.02.2016 -7th Central Pay Commission
S.No Name (S/Shri)
1. Shiva Gopal Mishra
2. M.Raghavaiah
3. N.Kanniah
4. Guman Singh
5. K.K.N.Kutty
6. C.Srikumar
7. S.N.Pathak
8. Ashok Singh
9. R.N.Prashar
10. M.S. Raja
11. Giri Raj singh
12. Satish Chander
13. R.Srinivasan

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Comments of the Ministries/Departments on Recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission-Request to Expedite

F No.30-1/2016-IC
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

Implementation Cell (7th CPC)

Dated: 15th February, 2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Comments of the Ministries/Departments on Recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission – Request to Expedite – regarding.

All the Ministries/Departments, vide the D.O.No.1-4/2015-EIII.A dated 21.11.2015 from Joint Secretary (Pers), Department of Expenditure were requested to formulate their views/comments on the issues and the posts/services under them with reference to the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission and forward it to the Department of Expenditure within a period of three weeks.

2. The action involved on part of the administrative Ministries/Departments was also discussed, in detail, in the meeting with the Nodal Officers on 02.02.2016 and all the Nodal Officers were requested to furnish their comments in the ‘prescribed proforma’ circulated in the meeting, along with soft copy to the ‘jsic-cpc@nic.in within two weeks i.e. by 17.02.2016. The responses received so far are not satisfactory and comments of the most the Ministries/Departments are still awaited.

3. The Implementation Cell which is working as the secretariat of the Empowered Committee of Secretaries (E-CoS) has been asked to furnish considered views of the Ministries/Departments on the recommendations of the 7th CPC.

4. In view of the above, the comments of the Ministries/Departments may be furnished to the Implementation Cell. Department of Expenditure, immediately.

This may be treated as most urgent.

sd/-
(R.K.Chaturvedi)
Joint Secretary (IC)

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Nominatin of Nodal Officers including the major ministries like Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Ministry of Railways…the complete list of Officer’s Name, Address and Contact details are given below…

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