No exemption from Training for employee in the verge of retirement

Ministry of Railways has issued a Circular rejecting NFIR’s request from exempting staff who are on the verge of retirement.

No exemption from Training for employee in the verge of retirement

Railway Employees at the verge of retirement should NOT be exempted from attending the promotional training – Railway Board

Ministry of Railways has issued a Circular regarding successful completion of promotional training should be mandatory before being promoted to a particular post.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD

No.E(MPP)2015/3/28

New Delhi, dated 26.l l.2015

The General Manager,
All Indian Railways &
Production Units.

Sub: Successful completion of Promotional training – reiteration of instructions.

Reference Board’s letter No.E(MPP)99 /19 /l /5.3 dated 25.2.2002 (RBE No.25/2002) conveying Board’s decision that successful completion of promotional training should be mandatory before being promoted to a particular post.

The subject matter was discussed during PNM meeting with NFIR. During the interaction, it was pointed out that those staff, who are on the verge of retirement should be exempted from attending the promotional training.

Federation’s demand has been examined in detail in consultation with various training centres and it has been decided that instructions issued vide Board’s letter dated 25.2.2002 referred above be followed strictly. No exemptions are permissible.

(Anuradha Singh)
Director (MPP)
Railway Board

Download Railway Board Circular No.E(MPP)2015/3/28 dated 26.11.2015

No interviews for government jobs from Jan 1; skill test may continue: DoPT

No interviews for government jobs from Jan 1; skill test may continue: DoPT

New Delhi: All central government ministries and their Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) were today told to dispense with the requirement of interviews for selections at junior level posts within next two days, however, they may continue with skill or physical test.

The timeliness set regarding completing the process of the discontinuation of interview by December 31, 2015 has to be adhered to strictly, a communique sent by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to secretaries of all central government ministries said.

From January 1, 2016, there will be no recruitment with interview at the junior level posts in government of India ministries, departments, attached and subordinate offices, autonomous bodies and PSUs.

“All the advertisement for future vacancies will be without the interview as part of the recruitment process,” said today’s Office Memorandum No.39020/01/2013-Estt (B)-Part.

The decision to discontinue interview for recruitments is for all Group C and non-gazetted posts of Group ‘B’ category and all such equivalent posts, the DoPT said.

“It is also clarified that as skill test or physical test is different from interview, they may continue. However, these tests will only be of qualifying nature. Assessment will not be done on the basis of marks for such tests,” it said.

In case of specific posts where the ministry or department wants to continue undertaking interview as a process of recruitment, a detailed proposal seeking exemption will have to be sent to the DoPT with the approval of the minister or minister-in-charge.

The ministries have been asked to send a consolidated report to the DoPT by January 7 in this regard.
“Report so to be furnished with the approval of the minister or minister-in-charge shall include the details of the name and number of posts where the interview is discontinued and posts for which the exemption has been sought within the purview of the administrative ministries or departments,” the order said.

Similarly, the Department of Public enterprises has also asked all ministries to advise PSUs under their administrative control to adopt a revised mechanism of recruitment for the non-executive level posts by dispensing with the practice of interview.

PTI

Armed Forces are not Perceived as an Attractive Career Any More – 7th CPC has worsened the Situation Further

The reason for this is that the 7th Pay Commission has systematically and with malevolent intent, downgraded the Armed Forces from an All India Service that it was considered to be.

Armed Forces are not Perceived as an Attractive Career Any More – 7th CPC has worsened the Situation Further

Armed Forces are not Perceived as an Attractive Career Any More – We would have been better served if the Commission had concentrated on dealing with the challenges faced by the military in attracting talent.
Those familiar with Dante Alighieri, the 13th century Italian poet, and his enduring work, The Divine Comedy, will be aware of the nine layers of hell. The ninth level, symbolised by the three mouths of Satan, was reserved for traitors. One can, but speculate, as to who would occupy them, if the poem had been set in India.

Raja Jaichand of Kannauj is a certainty; his assistance to Mohammed Ghouri led to Prithviraj Chauhan’s defeat and death, ushering Muslim rule in India. Another certainty is Mir Jafar who was instrumental in Robert Clive’s victory at Plassey; ensuring subsequent British rule in India. The third choice, if left to the serving and retired military community, would unanimously be the Seventh Pay Commission.

The reason for this is that the 7th Pay Commission has systematically and with malevolent intent, downgraded the Armed Forces from an All India Service that it was considered to be. That its actions have been cloaked in ambiguity and hypocrisy, with blatant disregard for facts, suggests arrogance and an utter contempt for propriety.

That the 7th Pay Commission’s recommendations suffer from major lacunae is in no small measure because the Government continues to insist, despite forming the largest cadre affected by its deliberations, that the Armed Forces is incapable of providing expert representation and requires a Civilian Defence Audit and Accounts officer to represent them. This in itself is abhorrent.

Benjamin Disraeli, the former British Prime Minister, once said, “There are three kinds of lies: Lies, damned lies, and statistics.” Table II of the Commission’s report illustrates this in full. It has compared component-wise defence expenditure in percentage terms of 10 selected countries and drawn two conclusions.

First, that “Increased expenditure on personnel has been at the expense of operational and maintenance expenditure”. Second, that “The need to calibrate growth in expenditure on pay and allowances for defence forces personnel so as to ensure that the composition of defence expenditure — between capital and revenue and within revenue between pay and allowances and others is not skewed so as to adversely affect the operational and strategic objectives of the defence forces”.

From these conclusions, the 7th Pay Commission has clearly shown its intent as to how it wished to proceed regarding emoluments for the defence forces. This raises the fundamental question as to the rationale for selecting countries for comparison: Was it of similar size or threat perception? Comparisons with our neighbours, especially those inimical to us, would be helpful, despite the fact that every country has its own unique circumstances that needs consideration.

Moreover, how can we compare component-wise expenditures in percentage terms, without comparing defence Budgets as well as that would it put things in perspective? The Commission itself points out that defence expenditure as a percentage of the gross domestic product and as percentage of Government expenditure has declined from 2.19 per cent in 1995-1996 to 1.80 per cent in 2012-2013 and from 14.50 per cent in 1995-1996 to 12.89 per cent in 2012-2013 respectively.

In contrast, China’s defence budget for 2012 was two per cent of its GDP. As its GDP is approximately six times as that of ours, expenditure on its defence forces was more than seven times than ours and as their forces are about double our strength, in real terms, their defence expenditure has been triple ours.

The logical conclusion, given our adversarial relationship with China, would have been for the Commission to have recommended an increase in the defence budget, in which case, it needn’t have focused on the “skewed revenue-capital expenditure” to the extent it has.

Take another statistical anomaly, the 7th Pay Commission has compared pay progression of a service officer vis-à-vis, Civil Services and concluded that “Not only has the starting pay of a defence officers been placed substantially higher at 29 per cent more than his/her civilian counterpart, this gap continues to remain wide at over 20 per cent for the first nine years of service. In fact, the pay of defence service officers remains uninterruptedly higher for a 32 year period. Thereafter, the pay of defence and civil service officers are at par”.

However, these figures only tell a part of the story, as the picture changes dramatically if we were to also compare the service/rank profile and promotion opportunities for both cadres. The fact is that by 16-18 years all in the Civil Services are at the level of Joint Secretary while only 50 per cent of any given batch of Service Officers will reach the rank of Colonel by then.

Subsequently, only four per cent of that batch are likely to reach the rank of Major General (equivalent of Joint Secretary) after 33-35 years of service and only about one per cent will reach the rank of Lt Gen or equivalent unlike the Civil Services in which over 95 per cent retire as Secretaries. This is truly a case of comparing apples and oranges.

There are numerous other infirmities, beyond the scope of this article, but the trend is clear from the fact that while the highest risk and hardship allowance in the Services is for operational service at Siachin and amounts to Rs31,500, a Group A officer is eligible to 30 per cent of basic pay as Hardship Allowance for serving in Leh, Guwahati or Shillong which will be in the range of Rs50,000 to Rs75, 000.

Similarly, paratroopers, who are the core element of our rapid deployment force required to carry out “out of area contingency” tasks apart from being trained to operate behind enemy lines in a conventional war, will receive 40 per cent of Risk Allowance as compared to Commando Battalion for Resolute Action personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force, who are deployed in Maoist areas.

Changes to the Disability Allowance have been suggested on the specious grounds that senior officers are availing of this prior to super annuation, while the Civil Services have been left out.

All of this clearly smacks of bias. Finally, despite the 7th Pay Commission noting “that there are exclusive elements that distinguish the defence forces personnel from all other Government employees. The intangible aspects linked to the special conditions of service experienced by them set them apart from civilian employees”, it has made every effort in all aspects of compensation to disadvantage the Armed Forces in comparison to the Civil Services.

We would have been better served if the Commission had concentrated on dealing with the challenges faced by the military in attracting talent. Not only are the forces deficient of officers to the tune of 20 per cent to 30 per cent, but what is alarming is that for the past three years, more than 40 per cent vacancies at the Indian Military Academy and the Officers Training Academy remain unsubscribed.

Clearly, despite all lip service to the contrary, the Armed Forces are not perceived as an attractive career. By its actions, the Commission has only worsened the situation further. We will pay heavily for this in the future, unless the Government takes corrective action, which given its track record is unlikely. Let us not be under any misapprehension, the only ones laughing at the discomfiture of our military are the Chinese and Pakistani Armed Forces, and they have every reason to be satisfied.

Source: Daily Pioneer

Discontinuation of Interview at Junior Level Posts in the Government of India – Dopt Orders on 29.12.2015

Discontinuation of Interview at Junior Level Posts in the Government of India – Dopt Orders on 29.12.2015

No 39020/01/2013-Estt (B)-Part
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training)

North Block, New Delhi.
Dated the 29th December, 2015

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Discontinuation of Interview at Junior Level Posts in the Government of India- recommendation of Committee of Secretaries.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s D.O. of even number dated 04.09.2015 and subsequent OM’s dated 09th October, 2015, 09th November, 2015 on the above subject seeking detailed information on the progress made/action taken in the matter.

2. It is informed that Secretary (Personnel) had convened meetings on 14th December, 2015 and 17th December, 2015 to review the progress of implementation of the “No Interview Requirement Proposal” and to get the updated status on the decision/progress made by the various Ministries/Departments. Keeping in view the queries raised by the representative of various Ministries/Departments the following is once again clarified:-

(a) The decision to discontinue interview for recruitments is for all Group ‘C’, Group (which are now reclassified as Group ‘C’) Posts and for nongazetted posts of Group ‘B’ Category and all such equivalent posts.

(b) The ‘No Interview Requirement” proposal has to be implemented for all the junior level posts in Government of India Ministries/Departments/attached Office/Subordinate Office/Autonomous Bodies/Public Sector Undertakings.

(c) Instructions issued by the Department of Public Enterprises on 14 th December, 2015 vide OM No. DPE-GM to all Administrative Ministries concerned with CPSES under them with advice to dispense with the practice of interview (copy enclosed).

(d) The timelines set regarding completing the process of the discontinuation of interview by 31.12.2015 has to be adhered to strictly. From 01 st January, 2016 there will be no recruitment with interview at the junior level posts as mentioned at 2(a) above, in Government of India Ministries / Departments / attached Office / Subordinate Office / Autonomous Bodies / Public Sector Undertakings. All the advertisement for future vacancies will be without the Interview as part of the recruitment process.

(e) The interviews will be done away even in cases where in the past the selections used to be made purely on the basis of performance in the interview. The Ministries/Departments/Organizations’ will consider revising the scheme for selection for such cases.

(f) It is also clarified that as Skill Test or Physical Test is different from Interview, and they may continue. However, these tests will only be of qualifying nature. Assessment will not be done on the basis of marks for such tests.

(g) In case of specific posts where the :Ministry/Departments wants to continue undertaking Interview as a process of recruitment, a detailed proposal seeking exemption will have to be sent to the DoPT with the approval of the Minister/Minister In-Charge.

3. All the Oentral Ministries/Departments are therefore requested to ensure that necessary action in respect of their Ministry/Department/Organizations are completed within the stipulated time.

A consolidated report with the details of the decision taken/progress made in this regard should also be furnished to this Department at the earliest and not later than 7th January, 2016. Report so to be furnished with the approval of the Minister/Minister In-Charge shall include the details of the name and number of posts where the interview is discontinued and posts for which the exemption has been sought within the purview of the administrative Ministries/Departments.

4. A soft copy of the consolidated information may also be sent to this Department at sumita.singhnic.in

sd/-
(Manisha Bhatnagar)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Authority : www.persmin.gov.in
Click to view the order

NC JCM and Confederation described it as retrograde recommendations, unexpected and unacceptable

NC JCM and Confederation described it as retrograde recommendations, unexpected and unacceptable

Central Government need to pay attention to the flaws of the 7th Pay Commission report

The statistics reveals that there are 88% of total strength of Government servants are in Group ‘C’ Category.

Obviously those who are representing these 88% at the Forums which are constituted to negotiate with concerned Departments and Government about their issues are capable of weighing the advantages and disadvantages of recommendations of 7th central pay commission.

The Staff Associations and Workers federations are the one who are representing Group C and Group B at various levels of negotiating forums know the plights and facts of government servants more than anybody. They in fact never utter a word of praise on 7th CPC recommendations since the day the report was submitted to the Finance Minister.

National Council JCM and Confederation described it as Retrograde recommendations, unexpected and un acceptable. They declared that all the central government employees are upset and dis satisfied since many of their demands were not considered by 7th pay commission.

1. Pay Scales and allowances are arrived by multiplying 2.57, just 14.29 % increase over existing pay and Allowances after DA neutralization.
2. The rate of HRA has been abruptly reduced,
3. Payment of CCL has been reduced for second 365 days.
4. Same confusion in MACP continues,
5. Uncertainty in Pension benefit in NPS continues.
6. Existing Pension provisions are left un touched. None of the proposals submitted by Pensioners Associations are not considered.
7. Minimum Pay is very much less; Maximum Pay is lavishly higher. [Minimum Rs.18000 – Maximum Rs.275000]
8. Gap between Minimum and Maximum Pay is not reduced, but unfortunately increased. [In sixth CPC it is 1:12 , 7th CPC Recommends 1:14]
9. All the Pay commission reduced the number of pay scales but 7th Pay commission maintained the existing pay scales,
10. 55 Allowances are abolished, No new allowances are introduced,
11. Same 3% increment continues, NCJCM demand for Two Increment Days 1st January and 1st July is not considered
12. No considerable benefit on Promotion,
13. Interest free advances including LTC advance are abolished,
14. Except the introduction of New Pay Matrix, nothing new in the recommendations of 7th Pay commission
15. Again uniform Multiplication factor was not applied for arriving Entry Pay for various Grades.

Low value for Lower Grades high value for higher Grades. Again the disparity in arriving Entry Pay is maintained by 7th CPC also.

What sixth CPC had recommended in some cases, what Government has suggested in some issues, what the Department has told, that has been just followed by the 7th Pay commission.

So the Central government employees are expecting the Government to pay attention to the concerns of Govt servants in respect of some recommendations of 7th pay commission which need to be addressed to boost the morale of the Central Govt staffs.

The constituents of NCJCM already formed National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) to invite the attention of Central Government through agitation Programmes to settle their demands. Now they modified their charter of demands to include the issues regarding 7th Pay Commission recommendation and cautioned that unless it is not settled before March 2016, they will be going for indefinite Strike.