UFBU decides to revive the strike programmes – 4 days strike from 25th to 28th Feb 2015

UFBU decides to revive the strike programmes – 4 days strike from 25th to 28th Feb 2015

IBA backtracks from its assurance
Offers a paltry 0.5% increase
UFBU decides to revive the strike programmes
Calls for four days Strike from 25th to 28th February, 2015
Indefinite Strike from 16th March, 2015

In our earlier Circular No.UFBU/2015/44 dated 19-1-2015, we had informed that in the background of the assurance given by IBA towards expeditious wage settlement and considering the positive developments since last conciliation meeting held on 5th January 2015, UFBU had put on hold its call for 4 days’ strike from 21st January 2015.

In this background another round of negotiations between IBA and UFBU was held in Mumbai yesterday (i.e., 3rd February 2015). Subsequent to a general reporting of the discussions held in the meetings of the three Sub-Committees on (i) Employees’ service conditions, (ii) Officers’ service conditions and (iii) revised medical reimbursement scheme, the important issue of further improvement in the wage increase offer came up for discussion. IBA sought the view of UFBU about revising its demand from 19.5% in order to arrive at a final deal. UFBU informed IBA that the wage increase offer needs to be substantially improved by IBA as assured and accordingly UFBU would negotiate further to reach a final accord. Quoting, once again, the strenuous financial performance of various Banks, IBA informed that the banks are not in a position to accept the demand of the UFBU. After prolonged discussions, IBA finally proposed to improve their offer from 12.5% to 13% and expected UFBU to scale down its demand.

Since the increase in offer of 0.5% by IBA was paltry, inadequate and not satisfactory, UFBU met thereafter and decided to revive the strike programmes as under:

9th February 2015 Centralised Demonstrations at all centres
13th February 2015 Centralised Demonstrations at all centres
20th February 2015 Badge Wearing & Demonstrations
23rd February 2015 Press Meet in all State capitals
24th February 2015 Centralised Demonstrations at all centres
25th to 28th February 2015 FOUR DAYS’ ALL INDIA BANK STRIKE
2nd to 14th March 2015 Further preparatory programmes
16th March onwards INDEFINITE STRIKE

Comrades, the sincere and persuasive efforts of UFBU to negotiate a reasonable and mutually acceptable wage increase are being misunderstood by the IBA and the Government as its weakness. With utmost patience, for the past two years, UFBU has been making its best efforts to settle the demands amicably. At every point of time, we have shown our flexibility. But unfortunately, it is not being reciprocated by the IBA.
When the entire workforce in the banking industry is making every effort to implement the various programmes of the Government including the recent Jan Dhan Yojana, when employees and officers are working under lot of stress and maximum difficulty due to manpower shortage and increased volume of work, it is regrettable that the Government is remaining a passive spectator without initiating any steps to find an amicable solution to the genuine expectations of bank employees for a better and reasonable wage revision.

UFBU has been once again pushed to the path of struggle. We call upon all our units and the entire membership to rise as one and plunge into action to implement the programmes successfully.

State-level UFBU meetings should be held immediately to plan out the steps to be initiated for making all the programmes a total success.

Comrades – March ahead with solidarity and unity – Let us exhibit clearly that our united movement brings Success and success alone…..

“WE SHALL FIGHT – WE SHALL FIGHT – TILL WE SUCCEED – WE SHALL FIGHT”

Source: AIBEA

Recruitment to Multi Tasking Staff in Pay Band-I, with Grade Pay of Rs. 1800/- Sending of requisition to Staff Selection Commission.

Recruitment to Multi Tasking Staff in Pay Band-I, with Grade Pay of Rs. 1800/- Sending of requisition to Staff Selection Commission.

No.AB-14017/6/2009-Estt (RR)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

New Delhi, dated the 5th February, 2015

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Recruitment to Multi Tasking Staff in Pay Band-1, with Grade Pay of Rs.1800/– Sending of requisition to Staff Selection Commission.

This Department vide OM of even number dated 12.5.2010 and reiterated vide OM dated 21st October, 2013 had issued instructions to all the Ministries/Departments that they have to intimate their requirements for Multi Tasking Staff (Non-Technical) in PB-1 Grade Pay Rs.1800/- to the Staff Selection Commission.

The Ministries/Departments were also advised to take action simultaneously for framing Recruitment Rules for these posts in accordance with the Model RRs already circulated vide OM dated 30.4.2010.

2. It is once again reiterated that the posts of MTS are required to be filled up only through SSC as per the instructions of this Department. All Ministries/Departments may send their requirements as well as the requirements of their attached/subordinate offices also, for MTS ( PB-1 Grade Pay Rs.1800/-) to the Staff Selection Commission so that the Commission could initiate action for recruitment. The Staff Selection Commission is likely to issue advertisement on 1.8.2015.

3. Action pending, if any, may simultaneously be taken for framing of Recruitment Rules for these posts in accordance with the Model Recruitment Rules already circulated.

(Mukta Goel)
Director (E-I
Tel:23092479

Tags: Multi Tasking Staff, Pay Band, Grade Pay, Staff Selection Commission, SSC, Pensions, DOPT, MTS, central Government employees news

Source: http://ccis.nic.in/

Voluntary Retirement from Persons suffering with disability

Voluntary Retirement from Persons suffering with disability – Dopt orders on 6.2.2015

G.I., Dep. of Per. & Trg., O.M.F. No. 25012/01/2015-Estt (A.IV), dated 6.2.2015

Subject: – Request for Voluntary Retirement from Persons suffering with disability – regarding.

The undersigned is directed to say that many Government servants seek voluntary retirement on medical grounds. Sec 47 of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of justifys and Full Participation) Act, 1995 (PWD Act) lays down that no establishment shall dispense with the services of an employee who acquires a disability during the course of service. It is proposed that any Government servant seeking voluntary retirement on medical grounds may be apprised of the above provisions of PWD ACT, in order that he can take a considered decision.

2. A draft of the office memorandum to be issued in this regard is enclosed. Comments/suggestions are invited on the proposal. Comments may kindly be sent to the undersigned by Email at dse@nic.inor by FAX at 011-23093179 by 20-02-2015


Draft of the Office Memorandum

G.I., Dep of Per. & Trg., O.M. F.No.25012/1/2015-Estt (A-IV), dated ../../2015

Subject : Request for Voluntary retirement from persons suffering from disability — Supreme Court Order in Bhagwan Dass & Anr Vs Punjab State Electricity Board (2008) 1 SCC, 579.

The undersigned is directed to refer to Rule 48A and Rule 48 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 and Rule 56 of Fundamental Rules and say that a Government servant can seek voluntary retirement after completion of prescribed period of qualifying service under the said Rules.

2. It has been noticed that on many occasions persons suffering from physical/mental disability seek voluntary retirement owing to their inability to attend duty, not being aware of the protection afforded by the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 (PWD Act):
3. Section 47 of PWD Act, 1995 is reproduced below for reference:

“Non-discrimination in Government Employment — (1) No establishment shall dispense with, or reduce in rank, an employee who acquires a disability during his service.

Provided that if an employee, after acquiring disability is not suitable for the post he was holding, could be shifted to some other post with the same pay scale and service benefits;

Provided further that if it is not possible to adjust the employee against any post, he may be kept on a supernumerary post until a suitable post is available or he attains the age of superannuation, whichever is earlier.

No promotion shall be denied to a person merely on the ground of his disability;

Provided that the appropriate Government may, having regard to the type of work carried on in any establishment, by notification and subject to such conditions, if any, as may be specified in such notification, exempt any establishment from the provisions of this section”.

4. The issue had come up in Bhagwan Dass & Anr Vs Punjab State Electricity Board (2008) 1 SCC 579, decided by the Hon’ble Supreme Court where the employee who had during his service suffered from blindness had applied for voluntary retirement. The Hon’ble Supreme Court had observed that he was not aware of any protection that the law afforded him and apparently believed that the blindness would cause his to lose his job, the source of livelihood of his family. In those circumstances it was the duty of superior officers to explain to him the correct legal position and to tell him about his legal rights.

5. Keeping in view the provisions of PWD Act and the judicial pronouncement, it has been decided that whenever a Government servant seeks voluntary retirement, on medical grounds, the Appointing Authority shall examine whether his/her case is covered by the provisions of Section 47 of PWD Act. In case, the provisions are applicable, then the Government servant shall be advised that he/she has the option of continuing in service by virtue of the protection afforded by PWD Act.

6. If the Government servant, after being advised as in para 5 above, still wishes to take Voluntary retirement the request may be processed as per normal rules.

7. All the Ministries and Departments are requested to keep the above in view while processing cases of requests for Voluntary retirement in case of disability.

Authority: www.persmin.gov.in

Capturing Mobile Telephone Number for the booking of eMO

Capturing Mobile Telephone Number for the booking of eMO

G.I., Dep. of Posts., Circular No 3-4/2014-Po, dated 3.2.2015

Subject: Capturing Mobile Telephone Number for the booking of eMO.

Attention is invited to the Directorate memo no.27-6/2014-PO dated 17-07-2014, vide which a combined Money Order Form was introduced.

2. The new Combined Money order form referred to above provides the fields for capturing Mobile Number of the sender as well as that of the addressee/receiver The functionality to enter the mobile number of the sender and addressee also exists in the eMO software. However, these fields have not been made mandatory either in the form or eMO software.

3. Meghtdoot 7.9 2. released by CEPT on 20th December 2014, has a provision to send an SMS to the addressee in case of eMO apart from Speed Post, Registered Post, Parcel and Foreign Money Order The SMS is electronically triggered once the central server receives the message pertaining to the receipt of eMO at the delivery Post Office concerned. However, this would be possible only if mobile number of the addressee is captured in Point of Sale (Meghdoot) at the time of booking of eMO.

4. If the mobile number of the addressee is captured at the time of booking, the auto-populated SMS would intimate the addressee about arrival of the eMO at the delivery Post Office. This would have a major impact on eMO delivery. Therefore, the Circles may sensitize the Postmasters as also officials deployed at the counters to encourage the senders of money orders to provide details of senders as well as addressee’s mobile number in the eMO form. If the customers are informed about the advantages, they are likely to provide the mobile number for the purpose of booking of eMO.

Source : www.indiapost.gov.in

MHA to launch MySecurity web portal shortly

MHA to launch MySecurity web portal shortly

Ministry of Home Affairs

06-February, 2015 14:42 IST

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to launch MySecurity web portal ‘MySecurity.gov.in’ which will enable the general public to get access to a large number of security related applications. The MySecurity platform is being created for individuals, companies, students, NGOs etc to develop and deploy security applications which may be useful to people.

The details of the “MySecurity Platform-Deployment of Security applications” scheme are available on the website of the Ministry www.mha.nic.in

The application developers interested in deploying their application on this platform may send their applications to the e-mail id uspr-mha@mha.gov.in with all necessary details.

After the launch of MySecurity web portal, these applications would be accessible to the public.

– PIB

Pros and cons of One rank one pension scheme

Pros and cons of One rank one pension scheme

New Delhi, Feb 5: One Rank One Pension 'OROP' implies equal amount of pension for having served in the same rank and also having rendered the same length of service.

For an example, a Sepoy who retired in 1995 would get the same amount of pension as the one who retired in 1996. 

Pay commission makes thing worse 

Discontent among ex-servicemen is largely because of the reason that with every successive pay commission the gap between past pensioners and their younger equivalents grows further. According to Lt Gen Raj Kadyan, who is the chairman of Indian Ex Servicemen Movement, "The stark difference can be seen after implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission". He further says, "for equal service, a Sepoy, who retired prior to 1996, gets 82% lower pension than a Sepoy who retires after 2006. Similarly, among officers, a pre-1996 Major gets 53% lower pension than his post 2006 counterpart". 

Problems with OROP 

The OROP is not easy as it seems to some. There are several big hurdles to achieve this ambitious task. When a country has 'zero' 

GDP In a country which has zero GDP growth. 

A worker, who wants pension wealth at the age of 60, buys annuity, needs to pay a fixed amount of money every year into his pension account that will help him purchase a annuity post retirement. The magnitude of his annuity must be half his last salary.

Let assume, if the person pays Rs A (for annuity) which eventually pays him Re 1 per month, post retirement. In such a case his pension at the time of retirement will be half his final wage, Aw/2; where w is the person's wage.

This is how all ordinary pension schemes work. If one wants an unfunded, or a `defined benefit' pension, then the taxpayer will have to pay Aw/2 for each person.

In India today, A is roughly Rs 4000.

In simple words, if a person wants a fixed cash flow of Rs 1 per month until he/she dies, then the annuity market will charge him/her a sum of Rs A. This will be the lowest price of an annuity or simple unindexed nominal annuity. 

Real annuities in a 'zero' GDP environment 

Now suppose, if a person wants an inflation indexed Rs 1 per month instead of getting nominal Rs 1/month. Then it becomes an inflation indexed annuity, which will cost a lot higher than A. In order to get nominal annuity, the provider invests in nominal bonds to produce a stream of cash.

But in case of an inflation-indexed annuity, the provider will have to invest in inflation-indexed bonds, which yield a lower stream of cash. Therefore, a person needs to pay much more than A to get an inflation indexed stream of Rs 1/month. In such a case the price is B, and as we know B >> A.

If a government promises an unfunded inflation-indexed annuity, it is placing an expense of Bw/2 on the tax payer.

Problems of GDP growth 

In a country with high GDP growth, where per capita growth is say 6%. In such a country GDP doubles every decade and that is where the difference emerges.

Suppose a person's age is 60 but his wage was half of those who are getting 59-years-old. His pension remains constant when he's 70 but those who were 59 have roughly got their wage doubled. In such a scenario, a pensioner is no match to a worker.

This was not a big deal in Western countries as they have a slow growth rate but in case of a high GDP the gap becomes a mammoth one.

A person who is at the 90th percentile of the income distribution at 60 years of age will end up at perhaps the 70th percentile of the income distribution at the age of 70.

Read at : http://www.oneindia.com

Corporatisation of Ordnance Factories – Still the cloud is not clear…

Corporatisation of Ordnance Factories – Still the cloud is not clear…

INDWF General Secretary Shri.R.Srinivasan published on its official blog regarding the burning issue of ‘Corporatisation of Ordnance Factories’. He said, that the media is highlighting in the press that M of D proposing to corporatise the Ordnance Factories in ‘The Hindu’ on 18th Jan 2015. Also damaging statements are appearing in the Press against Ordnance Factories. In this respect, all the three recognised Federations submitted a Joint Memorandum to Hon’ble Defence Minister on 30.12.2014 requesting him to call for a meeting to discuss the proposal of M of D about Ordnance Factories. But till date, no intimation has been received from M of D.

Still the cloud is not clear and the M of D is proceeding on its own without consulting or discussing with the stake holder including working class organisations.

The detailed letter is given below for your information…

 

Click to read full story

Re-employed person can receive DA on pension as well as salary: MAT

Re-employed person can receive DA on pension as well as salary: Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal

Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT) held that a re-employed pensioner was entitled for receiving "dearness allowance (DA)" on his pension as well as on his salary.

"There is no rule that prohibits claiming dearness allowance on pension amount as well as on basic salary that is received after re-employment. The intention of legislation was to give benefit to the government employee who prefers retirement before the age of 55 years and is obviously subjected to payment of reduced amount as pension as compared to those who superannuate at 58 years," Justice (retired) MN Gilani stated.

Applicant Mohammed Jameel had sought voluntary retirement from the Public Health Department on October 5, 1999, before attaining 55 years and joined as a lecturer in Law College in Gondia from the next day. He retired on February 9, 2007, after putting in seven years of teaching. On the same day, city-based district treasury officer issued an order of recovery of Rs1.31 lakh from his pension amount on the grounds that drawing "two dearness allowances" was not permitted. The petitioner received the DA on his pension as well as on his salary during his re-employment.

He challenged this order through counsel Tushar Mandlekar relying on the MCS Pension Rules that say in case of persons retiring before attaining the age of 55 years, the competent authority while fixing the pay should ignore the "entire pension" clause in case of employees other than Class I. The government relied on the guidelines issued through its circulars for pointing out that excess DA payment was not permissible.

Mandlekar argued the definition of "pension" as per Article 366 of the Constitution of India was inclusive of DA. The definition of pay, pension, and pensionable pay, are defined under Rule 9 (36), (37), (38), and Rule 60 of MCS, if read together along with the definition of pension under Article 366, makes it clear that DA was included in pay and pension, and thus could not be separated or deducted independently.

The tribunal held that Rule 157 (3) of MCS Pension Rules was independent and had its own identity, which mandated the government to ignore the "entire pension" clause that included allowances attached to it.

MAT added that there was no reason for paying and disbursing officer to rely on Rule 262 of Maharashtra Treasury Rules 1968 or government circulars. "The payment of pension to the re-employed pensioners is required to be fixed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter XIV of MCS Pension Rules, 1982. It is provided in Rule 157 (3) that "entire pension" needs to be ignored while fixing the new pay," Justice Gilani said before quashing the district treasury officer order.

Read at: Times of India

Minutes of the PNM meeting between Railway Board and NFIR

Minutes of the PNM meeting between Railway Board and

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen

held on

19th & 20th December, 2014

MINUTES

25/2012: Periodical Medical Examination – Relaxation for Loco Pilots and Guards declared with TYPE-II Diabetes – Reg.

It was agreed to allow appeals from employees decategorised in the last two years immediately prior to the date of issue of initial order allowing relaxation i.e. cases decided within a period of two years prior to the issue of Railway Board’s Letter No.2008/H/5/18 dated 20.05.2011.

44/2012: Retired Employees Liberalised Health Scheme (RELHS)-97) – Extension of scope to those retiring with less than 20 years service

Official Side stated that the proposal to consider the demand in case of normal superannuation cases has not been agreed to by Finance Dte. Federation strongly conveyed their discontentment as this was agreed to do so in the last PNM meeting. After consulting EDF(E) in the matter it was agreed to reconsider to cover those retired employees who joined late but retired at the normal superannuation age.

This will be processed in a month’s time.

59/2012: Eligibility for accommodation in the Railway Hospitals/ Recognised Hospitals-Non observance of laid down instructions – Staff facing hardship – review urgent

Necessary instructions have been issued to Zonal Railways vide Board’s letter No.2011/H-1/11/90/SCR/ Accommodation Criteria dated 25.08.2014.

(CLOSED)

7/2014: Recognition of corporate hospitals for referral facility for treatment of railway employees (serving & retired)

It was explained to the Federation that Railway Board has already given freedom to CMDs to inspect corporate hospitals and send the proposals for the recognition so that the best of healthcare services can be given to Railway patients at the time of need.

However, representatives of the Federation mentioned about reference from NF Railway and difficulties being faced in RWF, ICF etc. It was agreed to look into those cases for the needful action.

20/2014 (iii): Railway Hospital within the premises of the Coach Factory at Rae Bareli with required facilities of specialist & Super Specialties to attend to Health Problems of the staff and their family members yet to be established.

CMS(SAG) has already joined at RCF, Rae Bareli. He can engage specialist on HVS basis or can call on case to case basis. There is no specialist cadre of IRMS. On availability of specialist from UPSC they can be posted.

AM(Tele)

7/2013: Joint Procedure Order (JPO) for use of CUG/ Personal Mobile Telephones by Loco Pilots/ Assistant Loco Pilots/ Motormen and Guards – Review – urged

Missed Call Alert Facility is a premium service provided by Airtel to its subscribers. Any CUG user can opt for this facility and no separate instructions are required to be issued for this purpose.

(CLOSED)

EDPM

19/2013: Reservation for Tatkal by paying difference of Fare on passes/ PTOs

The matter was re-examined but it has not been found feasible to agree to the request.

(CLOSED)

13/2011: Provision of cooking facilities at Rest Rooms meant for Ticket Checking Staff

It was explained that there is no pending policy issue on which a dispute exist now. Improvement to TTEs rest houses has been taken with zonal railways with D.O. letter from CRB and MT. Further, the matter has also been followed up in CCM Conferences. Improvement and Maintenance of TTEs rest houses are continuous and ongoing process. Further the status report on TTE Rest Room over Zonal Railways and at Delhi, Mughalsarai and Lok Manya Tilak Terminus furnished to the Federation. After detailed deliberation it was agreed to send a further reference from Board (MT) highlighting the complaints made by the Federation on this PNM Item.

29/2014: Ticket Checking Squads – Change of nomenclature

Position advised by Official Side is enclosed as Annexure-A.

AM(Elect.)

25/2011: Problems encountered by A.C. Escorting staff due to deterioration in working conditions.

A separate meeting with Board (ML & MM) is yet to be held. It was stated by the Official Side that due to non availability of a regular MM, the meeting cannot be held immediately. Federation requested for holding this meeting very soon. It was agreed to fix the meeting date early.

24/2013: Urgent need for construction of a new Running Room at Mumbai Central – Western Railway.

The Federation’s representatives conveyed their utmost concern on this issue as due to lack of facility, the running staff are sometime required to wait for four to five hours for accommodation in the running room at Mumbai Central, Western Railway. They conveyed that this is a serious problem and needs immediate attention. The issue was discussed threadbare and it was decided to look into the matter and take quick action.

AM(CE)

3/2012: Career Progression and improvement of working conditions of Trackmen in the Railways – Implementation of the Report of the Joint Committee

Federation demanded implementation status on Board’s letters dated 17.08.2012 & 01.04.2014 in a month’s time. This was agreed to.

AM(Signal)

14/2010: Upgradation of posts commensurating with the increased work load and responsibilities – ESM Category – S&T Department.

Another separate meeting with AM(Signal) is to be held.

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