Admissibility of House Rent Allowance (HRA) – Issue of Non Availability Certificate: PCDA(O)

ADVISORY NO.: 34

Dated:- 01.06.2022

O/o PCDA(O) Pune, Public Relation office PRO

Subject: Admissibility of House Rent Allowance (HRA) – Issue of Non Availability Certificate.

Your kind attention is invited to Min of Defence, New Delhi, letter No. 1(2)/2021-D(Q&C) dated 08th April 2022 duly extending and reiterating the provisions contained in Min of Finance, New Delhi, OM No. 2/5/2017-E.IJIB dated 05th March 2019 regarding revised (modified) Instructions issued as regard to admissibility of HRA to Defence Service Personnel and Dispensation of condition of furnishing ‘No Accommodation Certificate’ (NAC) for admissibility of HRA in respect of Armed Forces Personnel.

As per the earlier practice in vogue, Army Officers were eligible for HRA only on production of ‘Non Availability Certificate’ (NAC) issued by concerned Station Hqrs. However, w.e.f. O8th April 2022, Gol, MoD, New Delhi, vide letter No. 1(2)/2021-D(Q&C) dated O8t April 2022, has issued revised guidelines regarding Dispensation of the condition of furnishing of ‘NAC’ for admissibility of HRA for Defence Personnel i.e. Army Officers.

The following point in regard to NAC may please be followed scrupulously while publishing HRA Part II Orders relating to admittance, processing, acceptance and payment of HRA henceforth viz :-

• a. While issuing Part II Orders in the case of Army Officers claiming HRA, responsibility will vest and rest with Commanding Officer so that accommodation shall not remain vacant while individuals are granted HRA.

This order is applicable w.e.f. dated 08 April 2022.

This is for your kind information please.

This is issued with kind approval of PCDA (O), Pune.

Regards,

Jai Hind

Shri Lehana Singh, IDAS
(Dy. CDA)

(P.S.: Certificate will be required with all details as mentioned and specified in Documentation Procedure for Publication of Part IJ Orders (Officers)-2014 as per Annx IV for claiming HRA by the Army Officers.)

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Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3164

TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE JANUARY 05, 2018
PAUSHA 15, 1939 (SAKA)

NATIONAL ANOMALY COMMITTEE

QUESTION

3164. SHRI CH. MALLA REDDY:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the National Anomaly Committee (NAC) under the 7th Central Pay Commission has submitted its interim report, if so, the details thereof;

(b) 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;

(c) whether the Government is considering to adjust the salaries of its employees and pensioners Deafness Allowance (DA) that crosses the 50 per cent mark, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d) 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?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(SHRI P. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a): 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.

(b) to (d): No such proposals are at present under consideration.

Click to view on  (http://loksabha.nic.in) in Hindi / English

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The pay rise, the finance ministry says, should take place in January, and would mean a pay rise for 4.8 million central government employees and 5.5 million pensioners. If the government decides to implement the rise, which it may do after the completion of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assemblies poll process, it would be the second successive pay hike, and would bring the real value of the minimum pay back in line.

A top Finance Ministry official, who did not wish to be named, indicated the government will be taking the proposal seriously, but cannot implement the pay rise now, it will be decided after the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assemblies elections.

This would represent minimum pay rise of Rs 21,000 for central government employees. If this recommendation were accepted, the value of the minimum pay would be higher than the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission of Rs 18,000 and the government is now making good progress towards restoring the value it lost during the previous period of its cabinet nod, he said.

The National Anomaly Committee (NAC), which has been formed to look into pay anomalies arising out of the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission’s recommendations, has to strike a delicate balance between what is fair for employees and what is affordable for the government, without costing jobs. It does so impartially and without political interference. It is important that it is able to complete to do its work before Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections, he added.

A rise in the minimum pay would be a good political move for the BJP, as it would bolster their argument on the cost of living debate for benefit poor and middle class, where Congress said that Modi government gave India achhe din with a broken GST and failed note ban.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has killed the country’s economy by firing “double tap” shots of note ban and GST into it, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi said.

The economic experts are also worried about the GST and note ban’s effect on exchequer. If such a situation is not chaos, then how is government going to implement minimum pay Rs 21,000?

But the official has said that it is possible for the minimum pay to jump up to Rs 21,000 with fitment factor 3.00 to reap political gains for BJP in future, but such a rise is less likely now the the central government employees unions’ demanding for hiking minimum to Rs 26,000 with fitment factor 3.68. If fitment formula is tinkered with 3.00, the salary and pension in general for all segments of employees will go up.

Earlier, the government had given nod minimum pay from Rs 7,000 to Rs 18,000 per month with fitment factor 2.57 on the recommendations of the 7th pay commission. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had also promised to raise minimum pay in a meeting with the central government employees’ unions leaders on June 30, 2016, the day after the cabinet approval of the 7th Pay Commission’s recommendations.

TST

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No. 17(01)/2017(01)/D(Pension/Policy)

Government of India
Ministry of Defence
Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare
New Delhi, Dated 4th September, 2017

To

The Chief of the Army Staff
The Chief of the Naval Staff
The Chief of the Air Staff

Subject : Implementation of Government’s decision on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) – Revision of pension of pro-1.1.2016 Defence Forces pensioners/ family pensioners etc.

Sir,

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s letter No. 17(01)/2016 D(Pen/Pol) dated 29th October 2016 for revision of pension of pre-2016 Defence Forces pensioners/ family pensioners in implementation of the Government decisions on the recommendations of the 7th CPC. As per para 9 of this Ministry’s said order dated 29th October 2016 the revision of disability element of disability pension was held in abeyance pending decision of National Anomaly Committee to whom matter was referred by MoD to decide methodology for calculation of disability element of disability pension under 7th CPC. The National Anomaly Committee has recommended that parity with Civilians for grant of Disability element which was granted to Defence Forces under 6th CPC, shall be maintained.

2. The recommendations of the National Anomaly Committee have been considered by the Government. In partial modification of Ministry’s order dated 29th October 2016, the President is now pleased to decide that Disability element of disability pension for Defence Forces Pensioners shall also be revised by multiplying the existing rate of disability element as had been drawn on 31.12.2015 by factor of 2.57 to arrive at revised rate of disability element as on 1.1.2016. The amount of revised disability element so arrived shall be round-ed off to next higher rupee.

3. Para 13 of this Ministry’s above quoted letter dated 29.10.2016 regarding “Ex-gratia awards to Cadets in cases of disablement” shall be replaced with the following:

13. EX-GRATIA AWARDS TO CADET (DIRECT) The ex-gratia award payable to Cadet (Direct)/ NoKs in cases of disablement / death shall be payable subject to the same conditions as hitherto in force in the event of invalidment on medical ground / death of a Cadet (Direct) due to causes attributable to or aggravated by military training

(i) Monthly Ex-gratia amount of Rs 9,000/- per month

(ii) In cases of disablement, Ex-gratia disability award @ Rs 16,200/- per month shall be payable in addition for 100% of disability during period of disablement subject to prorata reduction in case the degree of disablement is less than 100%. “No ex-gratia disability award shall be payable in cases where the degree of disablement is less than 20%.”

4. The dearness relief sanctioned by the Government from 1.1.2016 and thereafter, shall also be paid on rates of disability element and monthly ex-gratia award to Cadet(Direct), revised in accordance with the provision of this letter.

5. Vide para 10(ii) of MOD order dated 29.10.2016, it was ordered to pay the Constant Attendance Allowance(CAA) at the existing rate since matter regarding grant of Allowances was under examination by the Committee on Allowances (CoA). in this regard, Ministry of Finance vide Resolution dated 6th July 2017 (Appendix II item 37 has accepted the recommendation of 7th CPC to enhance the existing Constant Attendance Allowance @ 4500/ p.m. by 50%. DoP&PW vide O.M No. 1/4/2017-P&PW(F) dated 2.8.2017 has issued orders in this-regard for civilian pensioners. Accordingly, for Armed Forces personnel the Constant Attendant Allowance shall continue to be admissible under the condition as hitherto fore at the existing rate from 1.1.2016 to 30.06.2017. However, it shall now be admissible at the enhanced uniform rate of Rs. 6750/- per month, irrespective of the rank with effect from 1.7.2017.

6. With reference to the provisions contained in Para 5.4 of this Ministry’s letter dated 29th October, 2016, it is further clarified that the maximum ceiling shall be applicable only in the case of Service/Retiring Pension, Service element of Disability/ liberalized disability /War Injury Pension and Ordinary family Pension. The said ceiling is not applicable in the cases of Disability/ Liberalised Disability/ War injury element. Special Family/ Liberalized Family Pension etc. applicable under casualty pensionary awards.

7. The provisions of this Ministry’s letter dated 29th October 2016, which are not affected by the provisions of this letter, shall remain unchanged.

8. The provisions of this letter shall take effect from 1.1.2016

9. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Division of this Ministry their U.O. No. Part File (1) to (30)(01)/2016/Fin/Pen dated 14th August 2017.

10. Hindi version will follow.

Yours faithfully,

(Manoj Sinha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

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F.No.11/1/20156-JCA
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 21st February, 2017

To
Shri Shiva Gopal Mishra
Secretary,
National Council Staff-Side(JCM),
13-C, Ferozshah Road,
New Delhi.

Subject:- 1. Standing Committee meeting held on 25.10.2016- ATS reg.
2. ATS in respect of NAC meetings held after 6th CPC

Sir,

I am directed to refer to the discussion held in the Standing Committee meeting on 25.10.2016 under the Chairmanship of Secretary(P) in DoPT, and to send herewith a copy of an Action Taken Statement (ATS) in respect of 19 items on which discussion was held in that meeting. The information in respect of the other items also discussed in the same meeting will be sent upon receipt of the ATS from other Ministries/Departments which is still awaited.

2. Additionally, as discussed in the same meeting, a copy of the ATS on the items discussed in the first 4 meetings of the National Anomaly Committee (NAC) during the 6th CPC regime, and as circulated with the O.M. no. 11/1/2015-JCA dated 19.06.2015 is also being sent herewith once again for your perusal.

A regards the ATS of the two NAC meetings held on 29.05.2015 and 09.06.2015 they are being sent separately.

3. Holding the next meeting of the Standing Committee is also under consideration. It is, therefore, requested that new agenda items which the Staff-Side consider for discussion in the next meeting may be sent to the DoPT urgently.

Encl: As above

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(D.K.Sengupta)
Deputy Secretary, JCA

Click to view the detailed report of points discussed in last 4 NAC Meetings

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

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RECORD NOTE OF THE MEETING HELD ON 25TH FEBRUARY, 2015

A meeting was held on 25th February, 2015 in Conference Room No.190, North Block, New Delhi with the representatives of the Staff Side under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Personnel). A list of participants who attended the meeting is annexed.

2.At the outset, the Chairman welcomed the representatives of the Staff Side and Official Side and expressed his firm belief and conviction that all the issues/demands can be resolved through the consultative process. He also indicated that the next (47th) meeting of the National Council (JCM) is likely to be scheduled soon under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary. Thereafter, the Chairman invited the Leader and Secretary of Staff Side for their opening remarks.

3. Shri M. Raghaviah, Leader of the Staff Side welcomed the new Chairman. He thanked the Chairman and conveyed the appreciation of the Staff Side for convening the meeting. He mentioned that presently JCM is almost defunct which has caused much anguish and frustration. He observed that the basic framework for which Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) has been set up is defeated if meetings are not held and no result oriented interaction takes place. He complained that even issues agreed upon do not result in appropriate orders being issued by the Government and cogent replies are not given in case of rejection of proposal.

4.While thanking the Chairman, the Secretary Staff side, Shri Shiva Gopal Mishra, stated the anguish of the Central Government Employees about communication deadlock. He also mentioned that no dialogue policy of the Official Side has left the Staff Side with no option except to agitate the issue. He further mentioned that no date has been fixed for National Anomaly Committee and that no meeting of the National Council has been fixed till date.

All the above shows that the government does not want to resolve the problems of the Central Government Employees in a peaceful manner and this is the reason that all the constituents of National Council JCM had decided for sustained struggle with massive demonstration before the Parliament on 28th April. He further hoped that, the Government will take a note and will resolve the issues raised in their Declaration.

5.It was also pointed out by other Members from Staff Side that many anomalies of 6th CPC have not been resolved and since 7th CPC has been constituted, this has become an excuse to keep the anomalies pending as they stand referred to the 7th CPC. I confrontation is to be avoided, the legitimate demands should be settled and action taken on agreed area like stepping up of pay in the matter of pay fixation anomaly. They pointed out that since meetings of the JCM are not held regularly, it gives the impression that the government is not interested to settle the issues positively and the JCM is being treated casually. This is a painful situation as even Departmental Council meetings are not taking place which leads to plethora of litigations. It was also brought out that a Memorandum was submitted earlier by Staff Side for merger of DA and interim relief in view of the erosion of the value of rupees and cost hike. Thereafter, the issues as per the Charter of Demands were taken up for discussion.

1.Effect wage revision of Central Government employees from 1.1.2014 accepting the memorandum of the staff side JCM; ensure 5-year wage revision in future; grant interim relief and merger of 100% of DA. Ensure submission of the 7th CPC report with the stipulated time frame of 18 months; include Grameen Dak Sewaks with the ambit of the 7th CPC. Settle all anomalies of the 6th CPC.

The Staff side stated that a memorandum was submitted to 7th CPC for merger of DA and Interim Relief, and the Commission has forwarded the same to the government. Now, the government must take a decision on the memorandum itself or amend the terms of reference to enable the CPC to make their recommendations on the twin issues. Staff Side also pointed out that there was no laid down periodicity rule setting up of Pay Commissions but by convention it has been done after every ten years. The Staff Side stated that the wage revision must be made every five years as is the case in the Banking and Insurance Sector and other Public Sector Undertakings. With regard to the 7th CPC recommendations, the staff side wanted these to be given effect from 01.01.2014.

Regarding Grameen Dak Sewaks, the staff side wanted the Government to amend the terms of reference of 7th CPC to include Gramen Dak Sewaks as a category of employees as the Supreme Court has declared them as holders of civil post.

It was also submitted by the Staff Side that Interim relief is not part of the TOR of CPC. However, it can be made as part of the TOR even now by the government. Staff Side was of the view that the Interim Relief should not be linked to the delay in the submission of the report by the CPC but should be construed as necessary in view of the erosion of the real value of wages on account of inflation. This was noted by the Chairman.

2.No privatization, PPP or FDI in Railways and Defence Establishments and no corporatization of postal services;

The Staff Side shown its concern on silence of the Government of India on their demand for trans discussion on FDI and PPP. Staff Side vehemently opposed 100% FDI in the Railways and 49% FDI in Defense Establishment. The Staff was advised to meet and discuss the issue with the concerned departments.

3. Non-resolving of the issues as referred by the Ministry of Railways to MoF(Exp.)

With regard to the demand for setting the anomalies of 6th CPC, the staff side submitted that the Ministry of Railways had sent certain proposals to the Department of Expenditure on which no action has been taken till date. The Grade pay based MACP has created administrative and other problems in Railways and they added that there was no cadre with the grade pay of Rs.2000 in Railways. The staff side also pointed out that the decision to hold the meeting of the NAC has not been honoured so far. The Official Side stated that the proposals of the Ministry of Railways will be sorted out between Railway Board and Department of Expenditure. The Staff Side further stated that there are several items in the NAC pending settlement. Some agenda items have not been subjected to discussion even once. The Chairman agreed to convene the meeting of NAC shortly.

4. No Ban on recruitment/creation of post.

Regarding ban on recruitment, the Official side stated that there is no ban on recruitment. They further stated that with regard to ban on creation of posts, exceptions are made for operational needs.

5. Scrap PFRDA Act and re-introduce the defined benefit statutory pension scheme.

The Staff Side submitted that 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 rescind the PFRDA Act.The recent decision of the Cabinet to allow FDI in pension fund operations has made the real intent of the PFRDA Act unambiguously clear. The FDI will facilitate the mutual fund operators to invest the funds outside India. It is clear that the decision behind the contributory pension scheme was the pressure imposed on Government and taken without consulting Staff Side and therefore it is to be opposed at all cost and with vehemence. The Govt. should not go ahead with its intention of induction of FDI in pension fund companies. The Staff Side demanded to (i) restore the old pension scheme. (ii) abolish PFRDA and amend the New Pension Scheme. The proposal from the Ministry of Railways regarding replacement of National Pension scheme (NPS) with Old Pension Scheme was sent to Ministry of Finance on 29.0.2014, which needs to be agreed to. The Department of Financial Services gave details on the scheme, asserting the comparative benefits of the contributory pension scheme, Reacting the presentation, the staff side requested that official side to make the contributory pension scheme optional and the employees might opt for the same if the new scheme is beneficial as presented by the official side. It was decided that the staff side will discuss the issue with the Department of Financial Services further.

6.No outsourcing; contractorisation, privatization of governmental functions; withdraw the proposed move to close down the Printing Presses; the publication, form store and stationery departments and Medical Stores Depots; regularize the existing daily rated/casual and contract workers and absorption of trained apprentices;

Staff Side demanded that due to the ban on creation of posts and recruitment of personnel continuing for a very long period, there was consequent strain on the existing workers and many Departmental heads had to recruit personnel on daily rated basis or as casual workers. Thus, almost 25% of the present work force in Governmental organizations 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. As per information now made available on the floor of the Parliament, the number of contract workers engaged by various public sector undertakings and Governmental organizations is very large. They are paid pittance of a salary with no benefits like provident fund, DA and other compensatory allowances etc. In order to ensure that they do not get the benefit of regularization, these workers are technically discharged for a few days to be employed afresh again. The modus operandi differs from one department to another.

Staff Side demanded that privatization and corporatization must not be allowed. It was informed by official side that the meeting in the Departments of (Railways & Postal) have taken place in this matter and dialogue is continuing.

Regarding Printing Press, representative of Ministry of Urban Development stated that it was looking into it in a holistic manner and no final decision has yet been taken on privatization of printing presses.

The Ministry of Health representative said that there was no plans to close the Medical Stores Depots. A Society was being floated for better supplies of medicines. It was decided that Staff Side will have a meeting with Ministry of Health & Family Welfare/Ministry of Urban Development separately.

7.Revive the JCM functioning at all levels as an effective negotiating forum for settlement of the demands of the Central Government Employees (CGEs).

This issues was not discussed.

8.Remove the arbitrary ceiling on compassionate appointments.

The Staff Side has submitted that on the plea of a Supreme Court directive, Government introduced a 5% ceiling on the compassionate appointments. When the matter was taken up by the Staff side in the National Council the Govt. was not able 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. Some candidates approached the Court and obtained favorable order. But the Court detective was made applicable to only those who approached the Court. Such an assurance is being breached by the provisions of limiting such appointments to 5% of vacancies therefore must be done away with.

It was agreed that DoPT will revisit the issue.

9.Other issues were deferred for next meeting.

10. It was agreed that the pending issues on the National Anomaly Committee would also be discussed further. In the case of MACP issues, Ministry of Railways would be requested to respond to the same in consultation with DoPT and Department of Expenditure. As regards, the issue relating to stepping up of pay Department of Expenditure would be requested to respond to the issue.

11.Staff Side Members from the Ministry of Defence flagged the following issues for reconsideration by DoPT:-

(i) As per provisions of CCS(RP) Rules, 2008, merger of unskilled and Semi-skilled in the Workshop Staff has taken effect from 01.01.2006. Accordingly, as per DoPT guidelines, ACP granted to the labourers (Unskilled and Semi-skilled) of Ministry of Defence may be reviewed, for which an exemption of trade test is required. The MoD recommended the case of DoPT for their approval, however, DoPT has rejected the case on the plea that the ACP, already granted, need not be reviewed since merger of the Unskilled and Semi-skilled has taken place from 01.09.2008.

(ii) Defence Civilian Employees are always paid a higher rate of Risk Allowance when compared to other Central Government Employees since they are working in highly hazardous and risky jobs. Risk Allowance rate of Defence Civilian Employees may be revised to 6th CPC pay scales.

(iii) CAT, Principal Bench and also Supreme Court have ruled that Night Duty Allowance of Defence Civilian Employees may be revised in 6th CPC pay scales. However, judgments are not implemented.

ANNEXURE

List of Participants in the Meeting held on 25.02.2015 at 2.30 P.M. in Room No.190, North Block

CHAIRPERSON
Shri Sanjay Kothari
Secretary (Personnel)

Source: www.persmin.nic.in
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/Meeting-25022015.pdf]

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ALL INDIA ASSOCIATION ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF (NG)
MINISTRY OF STATISTICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
GOVERNMENT ON INDIA

NSSO (FOD), Hall No. 201 & 205, Vijay Stumbh,
Zone I, Maharana Pratap Nagar,
No. 4/GS/2013
Bhopal, 06/09/2013

Sub: Revision of Grade Pay of LDC to Rs. 2400/ and that of UDC to Rs. 2800/-request for your personal intervention for getting a favorable decision.

Dear Sir,

At the outset I would like to introduce me as TKR Pillai, General Secretary, All India Association of Administrative Staff (Non Gazetted), Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, Government of India.  This Association had written a letter to the Hon’ble Prime Minister to apprise him of the pathetic conditions of LDC & UDC working in the Central Government Offices and request his office’s intervention on the matter (Copy enclosed in annexure 2 to VIII). While taking action on the said letter DoPT has identified the LDC/UDC issue as anomaly and the case has been sent to JCA for action (copy enclosed in annexure I).

Earlier, the matter was raised in the National Executive Meeting of the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers by the undersigned and according to a decision taken in the meeting Shri S.K. Vyas, President Confederation and Member National JCM & NAC had put up the item in the National Anomaly Committee. Unfortunately, this most important issue has not been taken up for discussion in the forum so far.

1. Why the LDC & UDC case become anomaly?

Sixth Pay Commission has denied an appropriate pay structure to the LDC & UDC of Government of India Offices in the light of raising the academic and technical qualification and responsibilities assigned. The officials in these cadres are initiating the official work and made responsible for smooth functioning of the offices, have been granted a simple replacement grade pays. In fact the Grade Pay granted to the post of LDC is only Rs.1900 which is just Rs.100 more than the grade pay of MTS, i.e. Rs.1800/-.  In the mean time the academic & technical qualifications to get selected to the post of LDC have been raised. On the other hand, the Pay Commission has recommended the merger of various group D posts and upgraded their grade pay from Rs. 1400 to Rs.1800 and also given them additional benefit of 3 MACPs to the merged posts. Moreover, all the pre-revised pay scales above UDC -from Accountant to Assistant Administrative Officer- have been merged and granted Rs. 4200 -4600 grade pay.

1.1  Duties/responsibilities assigned to the LDCs in the Non CSCS office:

As per the Staff Selection Commission notification Lower Division Clerks are entrusted with routine nature of work, for example registration of Dak, maintenance of section diary, file register, file movement  register, indexing and recording of files, typing, comparing, dispatch, preparation of arrears and other statements etc.

Whereas in practice,  most of the Non CSCS office (where total staff strength is not more than 100) has been allocated with average one Administrative Officer, 1-2 Assistants, two UDC and 3 to 4 LDC.

(A) And in a normal Non CSCS office, it has 5-6 major sections which could only be allocated to UDC & above as per the DoPT guide lines, viz.
(i)   Accounts Section-I (where, various payments are processed and released, Income Tax, Budget,  NPS, monthly Expenditure Statement, reconciliation are done),
(ii) Store & purchase Section,
(iii) Establishment Section (where service records, leave and other personal matters are processed),
(iv) Bill Section, where various kind Bills have been scrutinized for passing etc.
(v)  RTI, Court Cases, handling of Audit Para etc.

(B) In addition there are other sections viz.
(i)Accounts/Cash Section-II(to Assist the Accounts Section I in discharging their day to day duties, disbursement of cash and maintenance of related registers, cheque books, postage stamps etc), (ii)Dispatch & Diary, (iii)loans & Advance, (iv)typing, maintenance of library, file register, file movement  register, indexing and recording of files, comparing, preparation of arrears and other statements etc.

Since the number of UDCs sanctioned is much lesser than the actual requirement, LDCs are posted in the major section as given under ‘A’ above. Thus in contrary to the nature of duties of LDC as given in the DoPT manual as well as the Staff Selection notification the quality and quantity of work done by the LDC & UDCs are much higher in these offices. The officers are only taking decision on the file put up by the LDCs/UDC on all the matters.

1.2 Position in Indian Railways:

In Railways also, the Junior Clerk & Senior Clerk are even used to allocate the duties identified for the post of OS-II/Head Clerk and made them responsible for the area of work assigned. Junior clerks are allocated route administrative matters/independent section wherein noting drafting, typing in computer etc are involved. The young, dynamic persons with reasonable academic and technical qualification join on the post of Junior Clerk are capable to take up any kind of assignment and the administration identifies the capabilities of these young chaps and allocates work with higher responsibilities accordingly. Some instances of work allocated to them are as follows –

(1) Preparation of staff muster roll and sending it for salary payment to staff. (2) Issue of Pass/PTO/MCTO etc. (3) Dealing with Railway Quarters & House Rent Allowance case. (4) Issue of Medical card/Identity card etc. (5) Keeping up date knowledge of Railway Establishment Serials/Rulings. (6) Matters related with training, Joining, Transfer, Promotion, Retirement etc. (7) Monitoring of Stock & Non-stock, Requisitions related to Store section and Rolling stock section. (8) Ensuring all the records related to Stores & Establishment Section. (9) Monitoring & processing of challans, Condemnation. (10) Dealing with cases related to PNM Items, D&A cases, Court cases, Inspection Notes, Theft Cases, IOD Cases, & Stock verification (11) Different works of technical data entry and computer related work

1.3 Data Entry Operator (DEO) & LDC

In accordance with the recommendation of 6th Pay Commission, Government India has raised the academic qualification from Matriculation to 12th class pass or equivalent and technical qualification of typing from manual typewriter to sophisticated computer for getting selected to the post of LDC through Staff Selection Commission. It is to be noted that typing on computer is far different from the typing on typewriter because for typing on computer one should have the knowledge of the operation of computer for which one required to undergo a computer diploma programme.

The academic qualifications required for both LDC & DEO are the same i.e. 12th class pass or equivalent. As regards the technical qualification the candidate appearing for the post of LDC requires 10500 KDPH/9000 KDPH English and Hindi typing respectively on computer whereas the candidate appearing the DEO requires 8,000 KDPH on Computer. But the grade pay granted/fixed for the post of LDC is 1900 and the same for DEO is 2400. Moreover, the DEO has only to entry the readymade data given to them whereas the LDCs have to create data/draft letters and then to type on computer, putting up the matter through file note with justification with the support of rules and procedure.  Thus LDC does more work in qualitatively and quantitative terms with less grade pay than that of the DEO.

1.4 LDC & MTS

Even though the raising of academic qualification of MTS from 8th Standard to Matriculation, duties prescribed for the earlier Group D and the present MTS are the same.

Whereas the academic & technical qualification of the LDC have been upgraded and assigned heavy responsibilities on them by the office concerned. Majority of the persons selected for the post are graduates and even post graduates and qualified to handle any kind of assignment. The job profile of the post has undergone significant changes after introduction of modernization in Government offices. Now, computers have taken the place of typewriters.

During the 5th Pay Commission, pay scale S-1 to S-4 were granted to the group D posts and pay scale S-5 was granted to LDC i.e. one step above than the pay scale of the Group D posts which never crossed over the pay scale of LDC. In the 6th Pay Commission the pay band of MTS (formerly group D), LDC & UDC are same and Grade pay of LDC is 1900/ and that of MTS through MACP is 2400/.

2. Massive support from web sites publishes Central Government Employees’ issues:

Meanwhile, various web sites which are exclusively  publish the issues of the Government Employees’ have given enormous support on the upgradation of the grade pay of the LDC & UDC and  published all important correspondence in this connection. Hundreds of LDC and UDCs and other central Government employees registered their comments in support of the issue in these web sites.

3. Upgradation of the Grade Pay of LDC/UDC by the Rajasthan/Punjab/.Himachal Pradesh & Haryana Governments:

Rajasthan government had set up Shri Govind Sharma committee to study the upgradation of the grade pay of LDC & UDC. Following a very positive recommendation from the Committee the Rajasthan Government has raised the grade pay of LDC and UDC from the Rs. 1900 & 2400 to 2400 and 2,800 respectively. Also the names of posts ‘Lower Division Clerk’ and ‘Upper Division Clerk’ have been changed as ‘Clerk grade-II’ and ‘Clerk grade-I’ respectively. Similarly, the Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana Government have reportedly upgraded the grade pay of LDC & UDC.

4. Conclusion

Sir, while taking up this issue, I have got tremendous response from LDC UDC as well as  other sections of the various central Government Departments including Railways and Defense. Dozens of phone calls, e-mail and letter through post are being received on daily basis in support of the demand.

Each and every one who has written me had emphasized that Government of India Offices especially the subordinate offices are functioning smoothly virtually due to the fact that LDCs & UDCs are shouldering heavy responsibilities. But the Pay Commission has not considered equal pay for the work done by them. This has been a demoralizing effect on the already   desperate young and talented cadre in the Government offices.

From the above it is evident that the upgradation of the grade pay of LDC & UDCs is a genuine issue. We, therefore, justifiably request you to put a case for revision of Grade Pay of LDC to Rs. 2400/ and that of UDC to Rs. 2800/. It is to be noted that cases of several cadres in the Administrative branch were considered and favorable decision was taken by the 6th CPC but the case of LDC & UDC were left out. The LDC and the UDC also deserve higher grade pays than the present one, to commensurate with the qualifications and assignments attached to these posts after the implementation of the recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission.

I conclude this letter with two comments among the hundreds of comments written in favour on various web sites as follows.

(1) “Whether letter sent to the DOPT regarding the upgradation of grade pay of LDC and UDC will be considered or not. We are poor LDC and UDC. Nobody has time to understand us. Everybody tries to have best of comforts, income and all other facilities to the higher class of employees. The lower levels of employees are doing hard works. Among them there will be graduates and postgraduates along with few numbers of SSLC or Plus Two or pre-degree qualified. But whatever may be the qualification of the higher class, whether SSLC or PDC or Plus Two, there is no problem. Everybody will get enough. But in the case of LDC and UDC they have to suffer a lot- A lot of financial burden. Try to make awareness among the high powered DOPT about our problems”.

(2) “Many many thanks for your kind efforts taken for the betterment of the Clerical Staff working in the Sub-ordinate Offices of the Govt. of India. The GOI’s stepmother treatment towards the Clerical Staff working in the Sub-ordinate Offices must be stopped. There should be parity between the CSCS & the Clerical Staff working in the Sub-ordinate Offices of the Ministry. We have seen that the Govt. has wisely protected the CSCS by implementing NFSG Scheme & Cadre Restructure after the VIth CPC. But the same procedure has not been extended to Sub-ordinate services. Once again many many thanks Sir.”

In view of the above, we seek your kind personal intervention for getting a favorable decision to revise the GP at Rs. 2400/ and 2800/ respectively to LDC & UDC.

Thanking you

Yours Sincerely
Encl: As above
(TKR Pillai)
General Secretary
Mob. No. 09425372172

Source: http://aiamshq.blogspot.in/

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ADASA – Doordarshan Members met with JCM member Shri M. Raghavaiah at Hyderabad
A MEET WITH RAGHAVAIAH, JCM MEMBER

ADASA, Doordarshan Members meet JCM member Shri M. Raghavaiah at Hyderabad yesterday evening to know the latest developments concerning Central Government Employees.  Shri Raghavaiah explained that so far only three meetings have taken place with anomaly committee to resolve the anomalies cropped up after the implementation of VI CPC recommendations.

While explaining the developments, he stressed the need to rectify certain provisions in MACP scheme as any new scheme should be more beneficial than the existing one.  Where as the MACP scheme is detrimental to the interest of employees, particularly at lower level.  In this context he said that he has submitted certain proposals for modifying the conditions in MACP Scheme and awaiting the reply.  The ADASA members have drawn his attention to the latest Punjab & Haryana High Court judgement, CAT Principle Bench judgement, Apex courts rejection to allow the SLP on MACP, he explained that they are fighting since 2010 for modifying the provisions which are having adverse affect.

He felt because of the observations of Judiciary at highest level, now the government has no other option except to modify the provisions gracefully, which will benefit all the employees in general particularly at lower level. He has asked the members to feel free and interact on the issues concerning central government employees and volunteered to support for the true cause.  The meeting ended by expressing sincere thanks by all our members for sparing his valuable time despite busy schedule.

Source: www.airtvadmin.blogspot.in
[http://airtvadmin.blogspot.in/2013/07/a-meet-with-raghavaiah-jcm-member.html]

The post MACP Scheme: Government has to implement the apex court Judgement, ADASA – Doordarshan members met with JCM member appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.