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Monday, June 13, 2016

Empowered Committee Meeting was not held as scheduled

“The meeting is expected to take place on Tuesday, June 14”, said V.P. Mishra, President, Indian Public Service Employment Federation

New Delhi: The meeting of the Empowered Group of Secretaries reviewing the 7th Pay Commission, to finalize the payout to the central government employees did not take place as scheduled earlier on Saturday.
The office of the Cabinet Secretary confirmed that the meeting did not take place on Saturday. It did not reveal either when would the secretaries panel meet again to give the final shape to the salaries of central government employees.
“The meeting is expected to take place on Tuesday, June 14”, said V.P. Mishra, President, Indian Public Service Employment Federation. “When we met the Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha on June 3, he told us that we would be meeting on June 14”, added Mishra confirming that the 7th Pay Commission report is said to be finalised soon.
The AK Mathur led 7th pay panel report, which was released in November, had raised the minimum pay of central government employees to Rs 18,000 per month from currently drawn Rs 7,000, while the maximum pay recommended was Rs 2.5 lakh per month from Rs 90,000.
The employees unions decried the wage revisions suggested by the Commission as the “the lowest in the post independent history of the country”, and said a “meager rise of 14% alone was recommended by the Commission to be effective for a long period of ten years.”
The Empowered Committee of Secretaries, which was set up in January to review the 7th Pay Commission’s recommendations, is expected to meet on Tuesday and is expected to finally decide how the monthly package of central government employees will shape up.
“We have give our recommendations, and the Cabinet Secretary told us that we are looking into these”, added Mishra.
“It (Empowered Committee of Secretaries) is a divided house, but good number of people agree that what we are saying has a point”, said KKN Kutty, President, Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers.
The Confederation is demanding the minimum salary of Rs 26,000 per month. ” The Staff side had computed the minimum wage as on 1.1.2014 at Rs. 26,000, The rates were taken on the basis of the actual retail prices in the market as on 1.1.2014 (average prices of 8 Cities in the country) substantiated by the documentary evidence of Cash bill obtained from the concerned vendors. As on 1.12016, the minimum wage work out to Rs. 29339, rounded off to Rs. 30,000″, said the Confederation in its Charter of demand.
It has done everything possible to get the maximum payout under 7th Pay Commission. The Confederation has decided to go on strike from July 11, if its charter of demand are not met by the government, and has already given the strike notice to the Cabinet Secretary.
There are nearly 47 lakh employees and over 50 lakh pensioners in India on central government payrolls currently.
The Empowered Committee of Secretaries was set up in January has and involved all the stake holders involved–central government unions, departments, ministries and all other – and will complete deliberations in todays meeting and decide the final monthly payout.
Source : Zee News

Friday, June 10, 2016

National Mazdoor Conference (NMC) seeks PM’s intervention for release of 7th Pay Panel report

 National Mazdoor Conference (NMC) President Subash Shastri sought the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention for early release of Seventh Pay Commission report for Central Government employees and requested him to ask the Empowered Committee of Secretaries (COS) headed by Cabinet Secretary P.K Sinha to early finalise the review of the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations for cabinet nod.


Shastri expressed concern over the slow processing in respect of Seventh Pay Commission recommendations adding that the effect to the recommendation should have been given by January 2016 itself, but the long delay is intriguing.


An Empowered Committee of Secretaries, headed by Cabinet Secretary P.K Sinha, has been set up on 27th January, to process for implementation the report of the Seventh Pay Commission, he added.


Shastri however hailed the significant recommendation of Seventh Pay Commission’s report favored introduction of a health insurance scheme for central government employees and pensioners and doubling the gratuity ceiling to Rs 20 lakh and demanded implement the same recommendation in favor of State Government employees and pension.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Empowered Committee Expected to Submit Report by This Week End

Empowered Committee of Secretaries headed by Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha is all set to meet on coming Saturday (June 11) to give final shape to the changes on 7th Pay Commission recommendation.
This will give the much needed boost to lakhs of government employees who are anxiously waiting for the implementation of the recommendation of the 7th Pay Commission.
The secretaries group is expected to meet on June 11 to finally wrap up its report on the remuneration of government employees.
Reliable Sources further state that it will take only a few days afterwards by the finance ministry to implement the higher pay package for central government employees.
Reliable sources add, the secretaries group has recommended between Rs 2,70,000 and Rs 21,000 hike for the higher and the lower level. This is twenty thousand more in the upper limit prescribed by the 7th CPC and three thousand more in the lower level set by the commission.
It may be recalled that the government had set up a high-powered panel headed by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha to process the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission which will have bearing on the remuneration of 47 lakh central government employees and 52 lakh pensioners.

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Strike Notice by NFIR Unions - 7th CPC

FIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110055
Affiliated to :
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) 
International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)
NO.II/95/Pt.VIII
Dated: 05/06/2016
The General Secretaries of
Affiliated Unions of NFIR
Brother,
Sub: Service of Strike Notice by NFIR Unions on the GMs of Zonal Railways/ Production Units-reg.
Please refer NFIR’s communication of even number dated 31st May, 2016 to the Affiliated Unions (already sent through mail). Also refer NFIR’s message of even number dated 04/06/2016.
In the NJCA meeting held on 3rd June 2016, after taking stock of the situation particularly in the context of Government’s failure to hold formal meetings and discuss on Charter of Demands for reaching a negotiated settlement, it has been decided that the JCM Constituent organizations shall serve Strike Notice on the respective employers/authorities on 9th June, 2016 . duly organizing massive rallies/demonstrations and proceed ahead for total mobilization of Central Government Employees / workers for Strike Action from 11 th July, 2016.
In this connection, NFIR has already sent to the affiliates, the proforma of Strike Notice together with Charter of Demands to facilitate the Affiliated Unions to serve Strike Notice on the respective GMs etc on 9th June, 2016. It was also conveyed that copy of Strike Notice should also be sent to different authorities as indicated in NFIR’s letter of even number dated 31st May, 2016 through e-mail and also through speed post.
The affiliates ofNFIR should mobilize Railway employees in a massive scale on 9th June, 2016 in the course of serving the Strike Notice. Media Conferences should also be held and the Charter of Demands vis-a-vis Government’s non-responsive attitude be highlighted for wider coverage.
The 11 Point Charter of Demands finalized by NJCA again on 3rd June, 2016 is enclosed. In addition, NFIR’s demands are also listed in the enclosure as part ‘B’ of the Charter of Demands.
The NJCA in its meeting held on 3rd June, 2016 has also decided as follows.
• The Constituents will plan and execute a massive mobilization campaign to cover each and every employee/worker in which all the National and State leaders must take part.
• The Unions / Federations /Associations will suspend immediately all ongoing negotiations with their departmental heads/authorities ‘1,ndconcentrate on the mobilization campaign.
• On 24th June, 2016, a massive united demonstration under the auspices of the NJCA will be held before the Parliament. The constituent organizations will decide upon the quota for each State Unit and communicate the same so that the State Units can take necessary steps to ensure that their members reach New Delhi on 24th June, 2016 and participate in the demonstration.
• The NJCA (CHQ) will write to the leaders of all the Political parties as also the Central Trade Unions seeking their support and solidarity as also explaining as to why the NJCA had to take the extreme step of organizing the strike action.
• All the constituent organizations and the State Units shall write such letters to the Members of Parliament of their respective States and shall make efforts to meet them in person to seek their support.
• All the State Units of the Constituent organizations either jointly or independently organize Press Conferences for coverage by Print and Electronic Media.
• The NJCA (CHQ) will hold such a Press Conference at Delhi on 23rd June, 2016 i.e. just one day prior to the mammoth demonstration planned before the Parliament.
• The Constituent organizations will get in touch with the Associations/Federations of the retired personnel both at the All India and State levels to seek their support for the strike action and enlist their participation in all demonstrative programmes organized by the working employees in support of Strike. The Pensioners Organizations may be informed of the Government decision to reject the recommendations of the 7th CPC to provide option no. 1 to the Pensioners as an alternative pension fitment formula.
• The constituents will also seek the participation of those organizations in their respective organizations/departments who are not associated with the NJCA being non-participants in the JCM Scheme.
NFIR therefore appeals to all its affiliates to make all out efforts to enlist the support of employees of all categories for their total and successful participation in the Strike Action. It needs to be realized that the historic decision for launching Strike Action by all Central Government Employees is an opportunity for every employee/worker to demonstrate united strength of working class and emerge victorious inspite of Government’s onslaughts. We should get ready to face any challenge and establish that our united struggle has not only brought laurels but also become an unforgettable event, inspiring future generations of work force.
NFIR also appeals to its affiliates to take necessary initiatives as indicated above promptly in order to see that message goes all over that the united struggle of rail workforce is creating greater impact for the eventual success.
Yours fraternally,
sd/-
(Dr M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary
STRIKE NOTICE
FORM L
(See rule 71 of the Industrial Disputes Act 1947)
Form of Notice of Strike to be given by [Union/Workmen] in Public Utility service
[Names of five elected representatives of workmen]
Dated the 9th June of 2016
To,
The General Manager,
……………
………….
Dear Sir,
In accordance with the provrsions contained in Sub-section (1) of Section 22 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, I/We ……….. hereby give you notice that I propose to call a strike I we propose to go on strike, on any day from 11th July 2016 at 6 A.M. for the reasons explained in the Annexure. (Charter of Demands).
Yours faithfully,
General Secretary
[Five representatives of the workmen duly elected at a meeting held on ……. (date), vide resolution attached]
ANNEXURE
Statement of the Case.
Copy to:
(1) Assistant Labour Commissioner (Central)……….. (Here enter office address of the Assistant Labour Commissioner (Central) in the local area concerned)
(2) Regional Labour Commissioner (Central) …………, Zone.
(3) Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), Shram Shakti Bhavan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi (Email Id: ppmitra@nic.in)

Charter of Demands

Part ‘A’
1. Settle the issues raised by the NJCA on the recommendations of the th CPC sent to Cabinet Secretary vide letter dated 10th” December 2015.
2. Remove the injustice done in the assignment of pay scales to technical/safety categories etc., in Railways & Defence, different categories in other Central Government establishments by the th CPC.
3. Scrap the PFRDA Act and NPS and grant Pension/Family Pension to all CG employees under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 & Railways Pension Rules, 1993.
4. i) No privatization/outsourcing/contractorisation of governmental functions
ii)Treat GDS as Civil Servants and extend proportional benefit on pension and allowances to the GDS.
5. No FDI in Railways & Defence; No corporatization of Defence Production Units and Postal Department.
6. Fill up all vacant posts in the government departments, lift the ban on creation of posts; Regularize the casual/contract workers.
7. Remove ceiling on compassionate ground appointments.
8. Extend, the benefit of Bonus Act, 1965 amendment on enhancement of payment ceiling to the adhoc Bonus/PLB of Central Government employees with the effect from the Financial year 2014-15.
9. Ensure five promotions in the service career of an employee .
10. Do not amend Labour Laws in the name of Labour reforms which will take away the existing benefits to the workers.
11. Revive JCM functioning at all levels.

Charter of Demands

Part ‘B’
1. Improve minimum wage of Rs.18000/- and correspondingly improve multiplier factor for pay fixation. Reject all retrograde recommendations of VII CPC.
2. Scrap New Pension Scheme (NPS) and restore old pension scheme to be made applicable to those railway employees employed on & after 1.1.2004.
3. Settle NFIR’s Charter of Demands submitted to the Government and Ministry of Railways on 24.12.2013, 28.01.2014, 03.07.2014, 07.07.2014,11.09.2015 & 10.12.2015 which include removal of anomalies of VI CPC, implementation agreements reached for merger of Technicians, grant up-gradation of Apex Group ‘C’ posts to Group ‘B’ Gazetted, replacement of Pay Band & GP of various categories, removal of salary calculation ceiling for ensuring payment of PLB on actual wages, grant of parity in case of Railway Stenographers with those working in Central Secretariat Services, reduction of duty hours, improvement in Railway Quarters, Medical facilities, creation of New Posts for New Assets/Services without insisting on matching surrender etc., Ensure career improvement of Safaiwalas / Safaiwalies in Railways SPAD definition to be reviewed to prevent harassment of victimization of Running & Safety staff, Absorption of Quasi-Administrative Units/Offices Staff against GP Rs. 1800/- (PB-I), Setting up of multi-disciplinary training institute to impart training in rail related electronic technologies to the wards of Railway employees, Induct Course Completed Act Apprentices against Safety vacancies etc.
4. Scrap report ,of Bibek Debroy Committee & implement positive recommendations of High Power Committee (Running & Safety).
5. Recall FDI notification of Government of India dated 22nd August, 2014 in construction, operation & maintenance of Indian Railways and scrap all agreements entered into with foreign Companies as well as National Companies which are detrimental to the interests of Railways & Nation.
6. Stop anti-worker amendments of labour laws.
7. Injustice done to Railway Employees like Technicians, Technical Supervisors, Loco and Traffic Running Staff, Operating Staff, Medical categories etc., in respect of allotment of 7th CPC Pay Matrix levels and promotional scope should be done away with and justice administered.
8. Ensure parity in pay structure & promotional scope for common categories with those working in the Central Secretariat/Ministries.
9. Retain existing allowance/advances.
10. (a) Constitute Joint Committees at each Ministry/Departmental level to resolve the VII CPC anomalies / berrations / injustices within the prescribed time frame, empowering them to resolve.
(b) Set up National Joint Committee to discuss and resolve VII CPC anomalies / aberrations / injustices within the prescribed time frame.
11. Ensure payment of P.L. Bonus at the rate of Rs. 7000/- p.m. for the year 2014-15 as was done in October, 2008 when the salary calculation limit was revised from Rs. 2500/- to Rs. 3500/- p.m.
Source : NFIR

Friday, June 3, 2016

Relaxation to travel by private airlines to visit Jammu & Kashmir – Extension reg.

No.31011/7/2014-Estt.(A-IV)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-IV Desk
North Block, New Delhi-110 001
Dated: June 1st, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:- Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 — Relaxation to travel by private airlines to visit Jammu & Kashmir – Extension reg.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s O.M. No. 31011/3/2014- Estt.(A-1V) dated 26th September, 2014 where Government servants in relaxation to CCS(LTC) Rules, were allowed to travel by air to visit Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), North East Region (NER) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (A&N) on LTC for a period of two years against conversion of one block of Home Town LTC. The relaxation was given subject to air travel by Air India only.
2. Later vide DoPT’s O.M. of even no. dated 28.11.2014, the Government decided to allow travel by private airlines to visit Jammu & Kashmir under this special dispensation scheme subject to certain conditions. The scheme was valid for a period of one year from the date of issue of the O.M. and expired on 27.11.2015.
3. It has now been decided to extend the scheme for a further period from the date of issue of this O.M., till the date of expiry of the of the special dispensation scheme of travel by air to J&K, NER and A&N, i.e. 25.09.2016. All other terms and conditions prescribed in this Department’s O.M. dated 28.11.2014 shall continue to apply.
(Mukesh Chaturvedi)
Director (Establishment)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
North Block, New Delhi-110 001
Dated: 28th November, 2014
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:- Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 — Relaxation to travel by private airlines to visit J&K.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s O.M. No. 31011/3/2014- Estt.(A-1V) dated 26th September, 2014. It has been decided that the Government servants while availing Leave Travel Concession (LTC) to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) under the special dispensation scheme allowed by the aforesaid O.M. may also travel by private airlines subject to the following conditions:-
(i) Officers entitled to travel by air may also travel by private airlines from their headquarters;
(ii) Officers not entitled to travel by air may be permitted to travel by private airlines between Delhi /Amritsar and any place in J&K.
2. Air travel by private airlines is to be performed in Economy Class only an at LTC-80 fare of Air India or less.
3. Air Tickets to be purchased directly from the airlines (Booking counters, website of airlines) or by utilizing the service of Authorized Travel Agents viz. ‘M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company’, ‘M/s Ashok Travels & Tours’ and ‘IRCTC’ (to the extent IRCTC is authorized as per DoPT’s O.M. No. 31011/6/2002-Estt.(A) dated 02.12.2009) while undertaking LTC journey. Booking of tickets through other agencies is not permitted.
4. All other conditions prescribed in this Ministry’s O.M. No. 31011/3/2014-Estt.(AIV) dated 26.09.2014 would continue to apply.
5. The order will remain in force for a period of one year from the date of issue of this order.
(B. Bandyopadhyay)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
Authority: www.persmin.gov.in

Thursday, June 2, 2016

7th Pay Commission: Secretaries' panel to bring cheers for govt employees on June 11

The group of secretaries headed by Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha is all set to meet on June 11 to give final shape to the changes on 7th Pay Commission recommendation.
 This will give the much needed boost to lakhs of government employees who are anxiously waiting for the implementation of the recommendation of the 7th Pay Commission.
The secretaries group is expected to meet on June 11 to finally wrap up its report on the remuneration of government employees.
News reports further state that it will take only a few days afterwards by the finance ministry to implement the higher pay package for central government employees.
The secretaries group has recommended between Rs 2,70,000 and Rs 21,000 hike for the higher and the lower level. This is twenty thousand more in the upper limit prescribed by the 7th CPC and three thousand more in the lower level set by the commission.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

7th Pay Commission – Confederation calls for Strike as it perceives low wage hike


The Staff side had demand of minimum wage of Rs 26000/- & fitment formula of 3.71. Against this the 7th CPC had recommended minimum wage of Rs 18000/- & fitment formula of 2.57. The 7th CPC recommendations has provided only at 14% wage hike at Group “C” level it is only ranging from Rs 2240/- to  Rs  3500/- increase per month, and at Group “B” level ranging from Rs 4000/- to   Rs 6500/- increase per month. This increase is lowest by any pay commission, hence vast changes are required as the prices of essential commodities have gone up and also the inflation rate has gone up.

There are various reports on 7th Central Pay commission on the media reports on minimum wage of Rs 21000/- & fitment formula of 3.00, (which is at 34% wage hike against the 14% wage hike recommended by the 7thCPC).  These reports are totally wrong and not true, these reports divert the Central Government Employees from the struggle path. Now it’s clear from the meeting of the staff side leaders with the Cabinet Secretary that there will likely hood of the slight increase in minimum wage, but not be any  changes in the fitment formula.This is against the Staff side demand of minimum wage of Rs 26000/- & fitment formula of 3.71.
Secondly there is no change in allowances expect HRA that too its rates are reduced by the 7th CPC and also many allowances have been withdrawn. This is saving for the Government.
Comrades it is the time to struggle, we should educate the members and prepare for struggle, so that we should get at least 50% wage hike without allowances, as allowances are not taken into pension benefit.
Only struggle will get us benefit. Please don’t believe on rumours. Now it is now or never.  Serve strike notice on 9th June 2016.