AICPIN for the month of July 2016: 2% DA for the month of July 2016

AICPIN for the month of July 2016

No. 5/1/2016-CPI
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT
LABOUR BUREAU
CLEREMONT, SHIMLA-171004

DATED: 31st August, 2016

Press Release

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) — July, 2016

The All-India CPI-IW for July, 2016 increased by 3 points and pegged at 280 (two hundred and eighty). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by (+) 1.08 per cent between June, 2016 and July, 2016 when compared with the increase of (+) 0.77 per cent between the same two months a year ago.

The maximum upward pressure to the change in current index came from Food group contributing (+) 1.65 percentage points to the total change. The House Rent index further accentuated the overall index by (+) 0.86 percentage points. At item level, Rice, Wheat, Wheat Atta, Besan, Black Gram, Gram Dal, Groundnut Oil, Eggs (Hen), Poultry (Chicken), Milk, Chillies Green, Garlic, Onion, Brinjal, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Gourd, Palak, Potato, Pumpkin, Banana, Sugar, etc. are responsible for the increase in index. However, this increase was checked by Fish Fresh, French Beans, Tomato, Electricity Charges, Petrol, etc. putting downward pressure on the index.

The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 6.46 per cent for July, 2016 as compared to 6.13 per cent for the previous month and 4.37 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 9.34 per cent against 8.33 per cent of the previous month and 3.21 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.

At centre level, Bokaro reported the maximum increase of 11 points followed by Munger-Jamalpur (10 points), Giridih, Agra and Delhi (9 points each). Among others, 7 points increase was observed in 4 centres, 6 points in 10 centres, 5 points in 5 centres, 4 points in 9 centres, 3 points in 8 centres, 2 points in 8 centres and 1 point in 5 centres. On the contrary, Mysore recorded a maximum decrease of 6 points followed by Mundakkayam and Coimbatore (5 points each), and Hubli Dharwar and Emakulam (4 points each). Among others, 3 points decrease was observed in 4 centres, 2 points in 2 centres and 1 point in 5 centres. Rest of the 8 centres’ indices remained stationary.

The indices of 33 centres are above All-India Index and other 43 centres’ indices are below national average. The indices of Vishakhapathnam and Mundakkayam centres remained at par with All-India Index.

The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of August, 2016 will be released on Friday, 30th September, 2016. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureaunew.gov.in.

EXPECTED DA CALCULATION FROM JULY 2016

DA is the most important allowance in existing Pay, if you look at the current basic DA is higher.

7th CPC Basic fixation has biggest influenced with the DA value. For this reason, after 7th Pay commission implementation, Central government staffs are looking out for how DA would be available.

In 6th CPC, everyone know how DA was calculated

In the above formula 115.76 was fixed based on the below interpretation

After implementation of Sixth Pay Commission report, Government ordered that the dearness allowance has to be calculated based on All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI¬IW index) with the base year 2001-100. So, DA with effect from the period 1.1.2006, has to be calculated using average Price CPI-IW index of 536 for 2005 (base 1982-100) adjusted to the base year 2001-100 by dividing the same with the Linking Factor between 1982 and 2001 Series which is 4.63. As a result, the average consumer price index (Industrial workers) for 12 months in 2005 (base 2001-100) was worked out to 115.76.To calculate Dearness Allowance with effect from Jan-06, we need the average of monthly All India Consumer Price Index (IW) with the base year

2001-100 for the preceding 12 months and apply the same in the following formula:

DA – (Average AICPI-115.76)x 100/115.76

For example, to calculate the DA for 01/01/2007, we find that the average AICPI in the year 2007 -118.95. So, D.A. as on 01/01/2007 – (118.95 – 115.76)*100 /115.76 = 2%.

In 7th CPC entire calculation can change if we use the same combination. Let’s see, how this can change?
Based on it, in 2015 (base 2001 =100) Average is 261.40 and by using the same following formula the expected (assumed) DA in 7th CPC would be (261.4-261.4)*100/261.4 = 0% and July (277-261.4)*100/261.4 = 2%

In case the base year 2011-100 is used in 7th CPC, then the linking factor will be changed to calculate the DA Value.

Minimum wage hike for unskilled labourers historic : Arun Jaitley

Minimum wage hike for unskilled labourers historic : Arun Jaitley

NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said the “historic hike” in minimum wages to Rs 350/day is a step forward in transforming India and labour reforms.

To appease trade unions, the government yesterday announced a 42 per cent increase in the minimum wages for unskilled non-agricultural workers to Rs 350 per day from the current Rs 246.

Also, the government employees will be paid a wage bonus as per revised norms, for 2014-15 and 2015-16, a move that will entail a payout of Rs 1,920 crore.

“Historic hike in minimum wages for unskilled non-agricultural workers to Rs 350/day is a step forward in Transforming India and labour reforms,” Jaitley tweeted.

The decision to pay bonus for years 2014-15 and 2015-16 on revised norms reiterates government’s “commitment to work for the benefit of workers”.

Trade unions, which are demanding minimum monthly wage of Rs 18,000 per month or Rs 692 a day and base pension of Rs 3,000 a month have said however that they would go ahead with the day-long strike on September 2.

The strike call is being supported by almost all major labour unions except RSS-affiliated BMS, and may impact banking and insurance services, power supplies and coal mining.

PTI

Hike in salaries of MPs under government consideration: Par panel

Hike in salaries of MPs under government consideration: Par panel

New Delhi: The issue of hike in salaries of MPs is under consideration of the government, a Parliamentary panel was informed today.

Deposing before the Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament, representatives of the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry Committee said the issue of hike in salaries of MPs is under the consideration of the government, sources said.

The ministry, sources said, is working on the final draft before it is sent to the Prime Minister’s Office for approval.

At today’s meeting, some members lamented that while the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission have been implemented, the lawmakers are yet to get a salary hike.

The Centre had in September last proposed to constitute a three-member Emoluments Commission to determine salary and allowances of Members of Parliament and it was endorsed at the two-day All India Whips Conference on September 29 and 30.

An MP gets a salary of Rs 50,000 per month. In addition, Rs 2,000 per day is paid as daily allowance when an MP signs the register while attending Parliament sessions or House committee meetings. An MP is also entitled to Rs 45,000 constituency allowance every month — Rs 15,000 for stationery and Rs 30,000 to employ secretarial assistance staff.

In their sitting on October 20 last year, the committee decided to enhance the amount of Constituency Allowance from the present Rs 45,000 to Rs 75,000, which required an amendment in rules.

MPs are also entitled for government accommodation, air travel and train travel facilities, besides three landline telephone connections and two mobile phones. They also get a loan of Rs 4 lakh to buy a vehicle.

PTI

Issues arisen consequent upon 7th CPC recommendations and Government decisions

Issues arisen consequent upon 7th CPC recommendations and Government decisions

NFIR
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. IV/NFIR/7 CPC (Imp)/2016/MoF

Dated: 31/08/2016

The General Secretaries of
Affiliated Unions of NFIR

Dear Brother,
Sub: Issues arisen consequent upon 7th CPC recommendations and Government decisions -reg.
The affiliates are aware that the Indefinite Strike action from 11/07/2016 on Charter of demands mainly “minimum wage and multiplying factor” was deferred on official commitment given by the Government through Finance Ministry’s statement on 6th July, 2016 for constituting High Level Committee to examine the issues.

A committee under the Chairmanship of Additional Secretary (Expenditure) with Joint Secretary (Pers), Joint Secretary (Estt), Joint Secretary (Imp) as its members will deal the issues raised through a memorandum of JCM (Staff Side), submitted to the Empowered Committee, among them the major issues are “upward revision of Minimum wage as well Multiplying Factor”.
The 1st introductory meeting chaired by Addl. Secretary (Exp) was held on 30th August, 2016 at North Block, New Delhi attended by myself, S/Shri Shiva Gopal Mishra & M.S. Raja. In the preamble, we tried to impress upon the Addl. Secretary (Exp) the need for revision of minimum wage and Multiplying factor formula on the basis of facts and merits already presented by JCM (Staff Side). After brief discussion, it was agreed that another meeting of the Committee will be fixed to be held in consultation with the JCM (Staff Side).

We also met Cabinet Secretary, Government of India thereafter and conveyed our disappointment over the delay in sorting out important issues. The Cabinet Secretary has stated that orders have since been issued by the Government for payment of Gratuity to the employees governed by the NPS. He said that the Government has also issued orders revising the salary calculation limit to Rs. 7000/- for payment of Bonus/PLB w.e.f. 2014. The Cabinet Secretary has also assured to positively consider remaining pending issues.

The affiliates may please note that a meeting between the Standing Committee of JCM (Staff Side) and the Committee Chaired by Finance Secretary (Expenditure) will take place on 1st September, 2016 at North Block, New Delhi. In the said meeting the issues pertaining to the negative recommendations of 7th CPC on allowances and advances will be dealt.

Yours fraternally

sd/-
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source : NFIR

GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT ON MINIMUM WAGES Etc IS A MOCKERY AND DECEPTION COMBAT THROUGH MASSIVE STRIKE ON 2nd SEPTEMBER 2016

GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT ON MINIMUM WAGES Etc IS A MOCKERY AND DECEPTION COMBAT THROUGH MASSIVE STRIKE ON 2nd SEPTEMBER 2016

CITU Press Statement

30th August 2016

The Group of Ministers headed by the Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley, and comprising Labour Minister, Petroleum Minister and Power Minister held a Press Conference today on 30th August 2016 to tell the nation that the Govt had accepted major demands of the trade unions and hence they should not go in for strike on 2nd September 2016. CITU considers the statement of the Govt nothing but a mockery meted out to workers.

The Statement of the Finance Minister that the Govt has accepted the recommendation of the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee is totally untrue. The Minimum Wage Advisory Committee met on 30th August 2016 at 3 pm and ended inconclusive while all the workers’ representatives reiterated their demand of Rs 18000/-. Such mis-statement by Govt is a deliberate ploy to mislead and confuse the workers before the strike.

Govt’s offer of a floor level minimum wage of Rs 350/- per day, i.e., Rs 9100/- per month (26 days) is cruel joke by the Govt making a posture of accepting the demands of workers. Trade unions reject such a mockery in the name of offer with the contempt it deserves.

Releasing previous year’s bonus for the central govt employees is not something about Govt’s magnanimity. Govt did so to implement the enhanced ceiling as per the Payment of Bonus Act for them, which they should have done much earlier. Now they have released in order to deceptively pose that the Govt has been considering so many things. So far as the court cases on implementation of Payment of Bonus Act is concerned, it is the responsibility of the central govt to defend and implement the Act passed by Parliament, for which they cannot claim any special credit. But this NDA Govt should better note that it is the BJP Govt in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan etc have withheld implementation of the Bonus Act for the year 2014-15 on their own citing the High Court Orders in Kerala and Karnataka which were not binding on them. That makes the real intention clear.

Govt also stated that they will issue advisory to state governments to ensure registration of trade unions within 45 days. Advisory is not having binding impact. What is required is to make statutory arrangement. But in their proposals on labour reforms, Govt has already put so many conditions that would make registering trade union virtually impossible.

On being asked in the press conference about the right to minimum wages for the central Govt Scheme workers like Anganwadi, Mid-day-meal, ASHA etc , The Finance Minister brushed the questioner aside saying that scheme workers are all volunteers and not workers. He must recall that the 46th Indian Labour Conference held during NDA regime has unanimously reiterated the recommendation of the previous ILC that the Scheme workers should be recognized as workers with right to minimum wages and attendant benefits.

The Minister further stated that the scheme workers will be covered by the Social Security benefits for which a committee will be constituted. Almost same statement was uttered by him one year before on 26-27 August 2015, prior to previous general strike. Nothing has been done yet. Rather ESIC has offered extremely partial ESI benefit to Anganwadi and mid-day-meal workers on payment of Rs 250/- per month which amounts to 8.33% of the paltry earning of the anganwadi workers, 16% of the anganwadi helpers and 25% of the mid-day-meal workers; whereas the workers covered by ESIC Act are to contribute 1.75% of their wage for full ESI benefit. Such proposal is dubiously designed to deny them the social security benefit and this deceptive game is going on.

In reality, Govt’s announcement in the press conference on the charter of demands of the workers is nothing but a hoax and must be rejected outright. This is game to confuse and mislead people just on the eve of strike. Such deceptive and dubious ploy of the Govt must be combated through making the 2nd September 2016 a massive success.

Source: CITU Centre

7th Pay Commission: No revised pay yet for military personnel

7th Pay Commission: No revised pay yet for military personnel - The Hindu

The seventh Pay Commission recommendations will be reflected in this month’s salary for central government employees that would be remitted on Wednesday, but not for the military personnel.

According to military sources, their new salaries are yet to be notified as the notification implementing the Seventh Pay Commission has not yet been issued by the Defence Ministry.

This is because the three service chiefs have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar seeking their intervention to fix the anomalies expressed by the military which remain unaddressed despite several representations to the empowered committee and assurances from Mr. Parrikar.
The key demands of the services include Non Functional Upgrade, NFU pay fixation, Military Service Pay (MSP) and common pay matrix for civil and military.

Read at: The Hindu

Government hikes minimum wage for workers as union strike nears

Government hikes minimum wage for workers as union strike nears

New Delhi: The Centre today announced a hike in minimum wage for unskilled non-farm workers of the central government to Rs 350 a day, from the current Rs 246, in an attempt to mollify trade unions that have threatened to go on a nation-wide strike on Friday.

Interacting with reporters here, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the bonus for 2014-15 and 2015-16 will be paid to central government employees based on revised norms. The Bonus Amendment Act will be implemented “strictly”.

He gave an assurance that the government will also take necessary steps to resolve the cases on payment of bonus pending in high courts and the Supreme Court.

The likely financial implications of the bonus move translate into Rs 1,920 crore per annum.

“In the last one and a half years, the inter- ministerial committee had meeting with central trade unions. Trade unions placed various demands. Some were labour related and some economic policy issues related. The government has taken some decisions with regard to those on the basis of their recommendations,” added Jaitley.

Power and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal and Labour and Employment Minister Bandaru Dattatreya were also present.

Jaitley said it has been decided to fix the minimum wages at Rs 350 per day for unskilled non-agricultural workers for ‘C’ category areas keeping in view the modalities of fixing minimum wages.

The decision was taken following deliberations at the meeting of the Minimum Wage Advisory Board under the chairmanship of the labour minister for revising the basic minimum wages in the central sphere.

The registration of the contract workers and their staffing agencies is mandatory and states will be advised to strictly implement the same, the finance minister said.

Errant contractors will face appropriate action for any violation, he warned.

The issue of giving social security benefit to the unorganised sector (like Anganwadi, mid-day meal, Asha volunteers) will be examined by a committee which will give its report at the “earliest”.

Asked about the strike call, Jaitley said: “I think we have responsible trade unions.”

On the opposition to the government’s plans to merge associate banks of SBI with the parent bank, Jaitley said “the merger is not subject of trade unions”.

“Their service conditions are not being hurt adversely or affected at all. There will be no impact of merger on service conditions of any employee. If government decides that we need strong banks, then unions would have to change their approach to the whole issue,” he asserted.

Dattatreya has held meetings with central trade unions wherein detailed discussions were held with regard to their charter of demands.

The issues have been taken up by inter-ministerial committee haded by the finance minister.

As many as 10 central trade unions have given a call for a one-day pan-India strike on September 2, 2016, to protest against the government’s labour reforms and “not paying heed to their demands”.

PTI

Trade unions stick to Sept 2 strike, reject government wage hike

Trade unions stick to Sept 2 strike, reject government wage hike

New Delhi: Trade unions today said they will go ahead with nation-wide strike on September 2, rejecting as “completely inadequate” the government’s 42 per cent hike in minimum wage to Rs 350 per day.

“The government’s minimum wage announcement is completely inadequate. The strike stands and we demand they should enact a Lawto fix minimum (universal) wage,” All India Trade Union Congress General Secretary Gurudas Dasgupta said.

Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced a slew of labour-friendly measures including hiking of minimum wage to Rs 350 a day for unskilled non- agricultural workers for ‘C’ category areas in central sphere.

Calculated monthly, it comes to Rs 9,100 minimum income (for 26 days) which is way below the unions’ demand of Rs 18,000. Initially, the unions had demanded Rs 15,000 as minimum monthly income for daily wagers but the demand was revised after the government accepted the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission.

Asked whether this will be a benchmark wage for the entire country, Labour Secretary Shankar Aggarwal said that this is for workers in central sphere and states can fix a minimum wage lower or higher than this rate.

Explaining further, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said that an amendment in the Minimum Wage Act is required for fixing a universal minimum wage and an initiative has been taken in this direction.

“Finance Minister’s statement clearly shows that the government has not considered any of the demands in our 12-point charter. The unions have no other alternative but to fight for their rights,” Indian National Trade Union Congress Vice-President Ashok Singh said.

However, RSS affiliate Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh has lauded the government’s announcements and decided to abstain from the general strike on September 2.

“We welcome it and are satisfied by the increase in minimum wages. BMS will not participate in the strike,” BMS General Secretary Virjesh Upadhyay said.

PTI

7th Pay Commission: Change rules to reflect recommendations, Government tells departments

7th Pay Commission: Change rules to reflect recommendations, Government tells departments

The Centre has accepted most of the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission, to be implemented from January 1, 2016.

The meeting will be taken with representatives of all the ministries in first week of October, it said

All central government departments have been asked to change service and recruitment rules to reflect recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission.

They have been asked not to make reference to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and the Union Public Service Commission and modify the service rules on their own.

The Centre has accepted most of the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission, to be implemented from January 1, 2016.

“Consequential amendment in the existing service rules and recruitment rules shall be made by the ministries or departments by substituting the existing pay band and grade pay by the new pay structure i.e. ‘Level in the Pay Matrix’ straightaway without making a reference to the Department of Personnel and Training and Union Public Service Commission,” the DoPT said in an order.

In this regard, a confirmation meeting is scheduled to be taken by the DoPT “to take stock of the latest position of amendment in service rules/recruitment rules”.

The meeting will be taken with representatives of all the ministries in first week of October, it said.

All central government departments have already been asked to set up committees to look into various pay related anomalies arising out of the implementation of the Pay Commission’s recommendations.

There will be two levels of Anomaly Committees — National and Departmental — consisting of representatives of the official side and the staff side of the national council and the departmental council, respectively.

Source : Indian Express

Brief of the meeting held today between the Government of India and the National Council JCM Staff Side

Brief of the meeting held today between the Government of India and the National Council JCM Staff Side

Shiva Gopal Mishra
Secretary

National council (staff Side)
Joint Consulative Machinery for Central Government Employees
13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi-110001
E-Mail : nc.jcm.np@gmail.com

No.NC/JCM/2016

Dated: August 30, 2016

All Constituents of National Council(JCM)
Dear Comrades!

Sub: Brief of the meeting held today between the Government of India and the National Council (JCM) (Staff Side)

The Government of India has constituted a committee, under the Chairmanship of Addl. Secretary(Exp.) with J.S.(Pers.), JS(Estt.) and JS(Imp.) as members, to deal with the pending issues of our memorandum, submitted to the Empowered Committee, of which prominent are “Minimum Wage and Multiplying Factor”.

The first meeting of the said committee with the National Council(JCM) Staff Side was held today, i.e. 30th August, 2016, which remained almost introductory. Apart from the Official Side members, Shri M. Raghaviah, Shri M.S. Raja and I myself (from the Staff Side JCM) attended the said meeting.

We raised vehemently the issues of “Minimum Wage and Multiplying Formula” and made them very clear that; the VII CPC has accepted Dr. Aykroyd Formula for fixing Minimum Wage, but has not implemented the said formula in full sense, so, that is not acceptable to the Staff Side(JCM), therefore, Minimum Wage from Rs.18000 must be enhanced and accordingly Fitment Formula should also be changed.

It was agreed by the committee that, since we are again meeting on 1st September, 2016 with the Committee on Allowances, the next meeting of the said committee will be fixed in consultation with the Staff Side(JCM).

Thereafter, we also met the Cabinet Secretary(Government of India) and there also we shown our anguish about the inordinate delay in resolving those issues which were agreed to. The Cabinet Secretary said that, orders for the gratuity have been issued for the NPS covered employees, and orders for the PLB and arrears have also been issued. Many of the issues raised by the Staff Side(JCM) have been accepted and implemented and the remaining issues would also be pursued and settled.

Comradely yours,
sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary (staff side)
NC/JCM & Convener

Source: www.ncjcmstaffside.com

Seventh Central Pay Commission recommendations — revision of pay scales- amendment of Service Rules/Recruitment Rules

Seventh Central Pay Commission's recommendations - revision of pay scales - amendment of Service Rules/Recruitment Rules

No. AB.14017/13/2016-Estt. (RR)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
New Delhi

Dated: 29th August, 2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Seventh Central Pay Commission's recommendations — revision of pay scales- amendment of Service Rules/Recruitment Rules

The undersigned is directed to refer to the Office Memorandum of even number dated 9.8.2015 on the above mentioned subject wherein it was requested that as per the CCS (Revised Pay) Rules 2016 issued by Department of Expenditure vide Notification dated 25th July, 2016, consequential amendment in the existing Service Rules/Recruitment Rules shall be made by the Ministries/Departments by substituting the existing Pay Band and Grade Pay by the new pay structure i.e. "LEVEL in the PAY MATRIX" straightaway without making a reference to the Department of Personnel and Training (DOP&T)/Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

2. In this regard, a confirmation meeting is scheduled to be taken by Joint Secretary (Establishment) to take stock of the latest position of amendment in Service Rules/Recruitment Rules. Joint Secretary (Administration/Establishment) of all Ministries/Departments along with the cadre controlling officers is requested to attend the meeting as per the schedule Annexed or depute a senior officer conversant with the matter to brief the progress.

3. The meetings would be held in Room No. 190, Ist Floor, North Block.

(G. Jayanthi)
Director (E-1)

To
Joint Secretary (Administration/Establishment)
All Ministries/Departments of Government of India

Annexure

Scheduled of the meeting to be taken by Joint Secretary (Establishment) to take stock of the latest position of amendment in Service Rules/Recruitment Rules
S. No.	Ministries starting with alphabets	Date and time
1.	A - C	3rd October, 2016 at 4.30 PM
2.	D - E	4th October, 2016 at 4.30 PM
3.	F - H	5th October, 2016 at 4.30 PM
4.	I - L	6th October, 2016 at 4.30 PM
5.	M-Q	7th October, 2016 at 4.30 PM
6.	R-V	13th October, 2016 at 4.30 PM
7.	W-Z	14th October, 2016 at 4.30 PM

Click to view the order

Enhancement of Bonus Ceiling for CG Employees – Finmin issued Orders on 29.8.2016

Grant of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) and non-productivity Linked Bonus (Ad-hoc bonus) in case of Central Government employees for the accounting year 2014-15 – enhancement of the calculation ceiling- Regarding.

No.7/4/2014-E-IIIA
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
(Department of Expenditure)

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 29th August, 2016

Office Memorandum

Subject: Grant of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) and non-productivity Linked Bonus (Ad-hoc bonus) in case of Central Government employees for the accounting year 2014-15 – enhancement of the calculation ceiling- Regarding.

The undersigned is directed to invite attention to this Ministry’s 0M No.7/24/2007/E-lll.A dated regarding grant of non-productivity Linked Bonus (Ad-hoc Bonus) to the Central Government employees for the accounting year 2014-2015, whereby the calculation ceiling for the purpose of payment of ad-hoc bonus was monthly emoluments of Rs.3500. The Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) in case of Central Government employees working under certain Ministries/Departments, where such PLB was in operation in 2014-15, was also paid by the respective Ministries/Departments for the accounting year 2014-15 based on the concurrence of this Ministry with the calculation ceiling at monthly emoluments of Rs. 3500.

2. The question of enhancement of the calculation ceiling for the purpose of payment of PLB and non-PLB (ad-hoc bonus), as the case may be, to the Central Government employees has been considered and the President is pleased to decide that the calculation ceiling of monthly emoluments for the purpose of payment of PLB and ad-hoc bonus, as the case may be, shall be revised to Rs.7000 w.e.f. 01.04.2014, i.e., for the accounting year 2014-15.

3. Accordingly, the PLB or ad-hoc bonus, as the case may be, as already paid to the eligible Central Government employees for the accounting year 2014-15 in terms of the above 0M dated 16.10.2015 pertaining to ad-hoc bonus and the respective sanctions issued by the concerned Ministries/Departments in respect of PLB under the respective schemes in operation during 2014-15 based on the specific concurrence of this Ministry, shall be re-worked out based on the calculation ceiling of monthly emoluments of Rs.7000 instead of Rs.3500.

4. While re-working out payment of PLB or ad-hoc orders, as the case  may be, under these orders for the accounting year 2014-15, all the other terms and conditions under which the payment was made shall remain unchanged.

5.  In respect of their application to the employees working in the Indian  Audit and Accounts Departments, these orders are issued in consultation with the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

6. Hindi version of this order will follow.

sd/-
(Amar Nath Singh)

Director

Click to view the order

Authority: http://finmin.nic.in/

Central government employees to get their pending 2 year bonus soon: FM

Central government employees to get their pending 2 year bonus soon: FM

New Delhi: Central government employees will get their pending 2 years bonus soon, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday said in the press conference on a charter of demands proposed of Central Trade Unions.

“The bonus entitlement for 2014-15 and 2015-16 will be released on the revised norms for central government employees. This was pending for two years. After this, the bonus will be covered under the 7th Pay Commission,” Finance minister Arun Jaitley told reporters in Delhi.

The announcement comes at a time labour unions have called a hunger strike on Friday over their demands.

The Left and Congress-affiliated unions have planned the general strike to oppose the NDA government’s economic and labour policies, exempting hospitals, medical stores, milk distribution and other emergency services from the day-long strike.

To discuss the issue with the trade unions, the government had formed a five-member team of Union ministers including Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Power Minister Piyush Goyal, MoS Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya and MoS Home Jitendra Singh.

“Centre has decided to write to all states regarding compliance of Contract workers law,” said the Finance Minister at the press conference. He also added that the government ha not been able to adhere to all the 12 demands raised by unions.

TST

Government hikes minimum wage for workers as union strike nears

Government hikes minimum wage for workers as union strike nears

New Delhi: The Centre today announced a hike in minimum wage for unskilled non-farm workers of the central government to Rs 350 a day, from the current Rs 246, in an attempt to mollify trade unions that have threatened to go on a nation-wide strike on Friday.

Interacting with reporters here, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the bonus for 2014-15 and 2015-16 will be paid to central government employees based on revised norms. The Bonus Amendment Act will be implemented “strictly”.

He gave an assurance that the government will also take necessary steps to resolve the cases on payment of bonus pending in high courts and the Supreme Court.

The likely financial implications of the bonus move translate into Rs 1,920 crore per annum.

“In the last one and a half years, the inter- ministerial committee had meeting with central trade unions. Trade unions placed various demands. Some were labour related and some economic policy issues related. The government has taken some decisions with regard to those on the basis of their recommendations,” added Jaitley.

Power and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal and Labour and Employment Minister Bandaru Dattatreya were also present.

Jaitley said it has been decided to fix the minimum wages at Rs 350 per day for unskilled non-agricultural workers for ‘C’ category areas keeping in view the modalities of fixing minimum wages.

The decision was taken following deliberations at the meeting of the Minimum Wage Advisory Board under the chairmanship of the labour minister for revising the basic minimum wages in the central sphere.

The registration of the contract workers and their staffing agencies is mandatory and states will be advised to strictly implement the same, the finance minister said.

Errant contractors will face appropriate action for any violation, he warned.

The issue of giving social security benefit to the unorganised sector (like Anganwadi, mid-day meal, Asha volunteers) will be examined by a committee which will give its report at the “earliest”.

Asked about the strike call, Jaitley said: “I think we have responsible trade unions.”

On the opposition to the government’s plans to merge associate banks of SBI with the parent bank, Jaitley said “the merger is not subject of trade unions”.

“Their service conditions are not being hurt adversely or affected at all. There will be no impact of merger on service conditions of any employee. If government decides that we need strong banks, then unions would have to change their approach to the whole issue,” he asserted.

Dattatreya has held meetings with central trade unions wherein detailed discussions were held with regard to their charter of demands.

The issues have been taken up by inter-ministerial committee haded by the finance minister.

As many as 10 central trade unions have given a call for a one-day pan-India strike on September 2, 2016, to protest against the government’s labour reforms and “not paying heed to their demands”.

PTI

Hike in salaries of MPs under government consideration: Par panel

Hike in salaries of MPs under government consideration: Par panel

New Delhi: The issue of hike in salaries of MPs is under consideration of the government, a Parliamentary panel was informed today.

Deposing before the Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament, representatives of the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry Committee said the issue of hike in salaries of MPs is under the consideration of the government, sources said.

The ministry, sources said, is working on the final draft before it is sent to the Prime Minister’s Office for approval.

At today’s meeting, some members lamented that while the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission have been implemented, the lawmakers are yet to get a salary hike.

The Centre had in September last proposed to constitute a three-member Emoluments Commission to determine salary and allowances of Members of Parliament and it was endorsed at the two-day All India Whips Conference on September 29 and 30.

An MP gets a salary of Rs 50,000 per month. In addition, Rs 2,000 per day is paid as daily allowance when an MP signs the register while attending Parliament sessions or House committee meetings. An MP is also entitled to Rs 45,000 constituency allowance every month — Rs 15,000 for stationery and Rs 30,000 to employ secretarial assistance staff.

In their sitting on October 20 last year, the committee decided to enhance the amount of Constituency Allowance from the present Rs 45,000 to Rs 75,000, which required an amendment in rules.

MPs are also entitled for government accommodation, air travel and train travel facilities, besides three landline telephone connections and two mobile phones. They also get a loan of Rs 4 lakh to buy a vehicle.

PTI

Trade unions stick to Sept 2 strike, reject government wage hike

Trade unions stick to Sept 2 strike, reject government wage hike

New Delhi: Trade unions today said they will go ahead with nation-wide strike on September 2, rejecting as “completely inadequate” the government’s 42 per cent hike in minimum wage to Rs 350 per day.

“The government’s minimum wage announcement is completely inadequate. The strike stands and we demand they should enact a Lawto fix minimum (universal) wage,” All India Trade Union Congress General Secretary Gurudas Dasgupta said.

Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced a slew of labour-friendly measures including hiking of minimum wage to Rs 350 a day for unskilled non- agricultural workers for ‘C’ category areas in central sphere.

Calculated monthly, it comes to Rs 9,100 minimum income (for 26 days) which is way below the unions’ demand of Rs 18,000. Initially, the unions had demanded Rs 15,000 as minimum monthly income for daily wagers but the demand was revised after the government accepted the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission.

Asked whether this will be a benchmark wage for the entire country, Labour Secretary Shankar Aggarwal said that this is for workers in central sphere and states can fix a minimum wage lower or higher than this rate.

Explaining further, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said that an amendment in the Minimum Wage Act is required for fixing a universal minimum wage and an initiative has been taken in this direction.

“Finance Minister’s statement clearly shows that the government has not considered any of the demands in our 12-point charter. The unions have no other alternative but to fight for their rights,” Indian National Trade Union Congress Vice-President Ashok Singh said.

However, RSS affiliate Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh has lauded the government’s announcements and decided to abstain from the general strike on September 2.

“We welcome it and are satisfied by the increase in minimum wages. BMS will not participate in the strike,” BMS General Secretary Virjesh Upadhyay said.

PTI

Revised Pay Matrix Levels as per 7th CPC for Posts in Indian Civil Accounts Cadre

Revised Pay Matrix Levels as per 7th CPC for Posts in Indian Civil Accounts Cadre

No. A-11014/2016/CGA/Gr.A/1837-41
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
Controller General of Accounts

7th Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan,
Khan Market, New Delhi- 110 003.

Dated :29th August, 2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Consequent upon the Govt. of India’s decision for implementation of 7th Central Pay Commission’s Recommendations vide Resolution dated 25th July, 2016, Min. of Finance, Deptt. of Expenditure has notified the orders for revised pay scales, fixation of pay and payment of arrears etc. Attention is drawn in this regard to Gazette Notification G.S.R. 721(E) dated 25th July, 2016. The details of posts in Indian Civil Accounts Cadre (ICAS) carrying existing Pay Band and Grade Pay corresponding to. the revised Pay Matrix Level are as under:

Sl. No.	Post	Existing (As per 6th CPC)		Revised (7th CPC)
		Pay Band	Grade Pay	Pay Level (Matrix)
1.	Controller General of Accounts (Apex Scale)	Rs. 80,000 (Fixed)	–	Level 17
2.	Addl. Controller of Accounts HAG+	Rs. 75,500-80,000	–	Level 16
3.	Pr. Chief Controller of Accounts HAG	Rs. 67,000-79,000	–	Level 15
4.	Senior Administrative  Grade SAG	PB-4 (Rs. 37,400- 67,000	Rs.10,000	Level 14
5.	Selection Grade in Junior Administrative Grade NFSG	PB-4 (Rs. 37,400-67,000)	Rs. 8,700	Level 13
6.	Junior Administrative Grade JAG	PB-3 (Rs.15,600-39100	Rs. 7,600	Level 12
7.	Senior Time Scale (STS)	PB-3 (Rs. 15,600-39,100	Rs. 6,600	Level 11
8.	Junior Time Scale (JTS)	PB-3 (Rs. 15,600-39,100	Rs. 5,400	Level 10

sd/-
(A.K.Bangalia)
Dy. Controller General of Accounts

Source : http://cga.nic.in/

7th Pay Commission Latest News – Three important demands of NJCA which are likely to be discussed in the 7th CPC Meeting to be held on 1st September 2016

7th Pay Commission Latest News – Three important demands of NJCA which are likely to be discussed in the 7th CPC Meeting to be held on 1st September 2016

To discuss the anomalies related to the implementation of 7th Pay Commission, the high-powered Committee of Secretaries formed by Centre has invited leading employee union National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) for a meeting on September 1.

NJCA would be represented at the meet by it’s current convenor Shiv Gopal Mishra. Aggrieved Central Government employees pin their final hope in the outcome of the Sept 1 meeting. If the Government constituted body fails to incorporate their demand, a large section of the organized workforce would call a strike.

Although, it has not been revealed whether the Committee of Secretaries would attempt to negotiate the demands at the upcoming meet, it has been assured that grievances of the employees, as raised by the Unions, would be noted down in a detailed manner by the Secretaries. Representing NJCA, Shiv Gopal Mishra is expected to show an uncompromising stand on at least the following three demands: 1) Hike in Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA),  2) Revision in the hike of minimum salary, 3) Availability of ‘Option 1′ for pensioners.

Hike in Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA): 

Central Government employees had demanded the 7th Pay panel led by Justice (retd) AK Mathur to raise FMA from current Rs 500 per month to Rs 2,000 per month. The demand appears legit to the employee unions as even many of the private sector companies are paying Rs 1200 to Rs 1800 per month as medical allowance to lower-middle level employees.

Revision of hike in minimum salary: 

NJCA, along with other employee unions have raised the demand to restructure the hike in minimum salary using 3.68 fitment factor. The entry-level pay as per 6th Pay Commission was Rs 7,000. The AK Mathur-led panel increased the minimum salary by multiplying with 2.57 fitment factor. This increased the salary to Rs 18,000. If the 3.68 fitment factor would be used, the minimum salary would be restructured to Rs 26,000.

Availability of ‘Option 1′: 

The All India Postal & RMS Pensioners Association (AIPRPA) has demanded the Government to enable Option 1 for hiking their pensions. According to Option 1, the hiked pensions would be fixed in the pay matrix on basis of the grade and and pay band in which they were enrolled at the time of retirement. According to the second option, the pay panel has recommended the pension hike by using 2.57 fitment factor. The second option would multiply their existing pensions by 2.57.

Despite Shiv Gopal Mishra appearing as the leading voice among those who are articulating the cause of aggrieved employees, a number of central government employees have raised doubts against him. His decision to roll back the July 11 mass strike, which was expected to evoke the participation of 33 lakh central government employees, has not gone down well with those among the dissidents. Several employees have straightaway asserted that if the government fails to pay heed to at least the above three demands, a rejuvenated call for strike should be made.

Source: India.com

Implementation of 7th CPC pension revision: Clarification on the points raised by banks

Implementation of 7th CPC pension revision: Clarification on the points raised by banks in the meeting held on 22.08.2016

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE
CENTRAL PENSION ACCOUNTING OFFICE
TRIKOOT-II, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE,
NEW DELHI-110066

CPAO/IT&Tech/7th CPC (Clarification)/2016-17

Dated: 24th Aug, 2016

Clarification on the points raised by banks in the meeting held on 22.08.2016

1	Applicability to absorbees	Para 7 (a) of the OM No. 38/37/2016-P&PW (A) (ii) dated-04.08.2016 issued by DP&PW stipulates that “Where the Government servants on permanent absorption in Public Sector Undertakings/ Autonomous Bodies continue to draw pension separately from the Government, the pension of such absorbees will be updated in terms of these orders. In cases where the Government servants have drawn one time lump sum terminal benefits equal to 100% of their pensions and have become entitled to the restoration of one-third commuted portion of pension as per the instructions issued by this Department from time to time, their cases will not be covered by these orders. Orders for regulating pension of such pensioners will be issued separately”.
2	Applicability of family pensions for absorbees	Para 7 (b) of the OM No. 38/37/2016-P&PW (A) (ii) dated-04.08.2016 issued by opapw stipulates that “In cases where, on permanent absorption in public sector I undertakings/ autonomous bodies, the terms of absorption and/or the rules permit grant of family pension under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 or the corresponding rules applicable to Railway employees/ members of All India Services, the family pension being drawn by family pensioners will be updated in accordance with these orders."
3	List of absorbees to be provided on banks login.	List has been uploaded on banks login by NIC
4	Interpretation of para 6 of OM dated 04.08.2016 on dearness relief to employed/ re-employed pensioner.	It has been clarified by Director, DP&PW that “As is clear from para 7(a) of the OM dated 04.08.2016, the pension of those pensioners who are re-employed and were not drawing dearness relief before 01.01.2016, is also required to be revised w.e.f. 01.01.2016 in terms of the said oM. However, dearness relief on revised pension will not be admissible during the period of re-employment”.
5	Format of reporting through e-scrolls of 7th CPC	It has already been mentioned in para 3 of CPAOs OM No. CPAO/lT&Tech/Revision (7030/19 Vol-III/2015-16/109 dated-11th August, 2016 that “after paying the revised pension and arrears, banks have to flag the revised cases in the Format-A of e-Scrolls to be submitted to CPAO so that revised cases may be identified at CPAO. To enable the banks for flagging of such cases, necessary modifications have been made in the Format-A of e-Scroll by changing the heading of column -18 to “Applicable Pay Commission”. Under this column, banks have to fill “7” for the cases which have been revised under 7th CPC by them”. Further, in the Column No. 27 of Format-F in e-scroll titled “Pay Commission" 7th CPC may be incorporated and sent alongwith Format-A. Each CPPC must attach Format-F with each e-scroll.
6	Who would do Ex-gratia payment revision?	The DP&PW oM No.38/37/2016-P&PW (A) (ii), dated 04.08.2016 is meant for revision of pension only of pre-2016 pensioners/family pensioners for which banks have been authorized to revise the pensions and make payment accordingly. Revision of ex-gratia payment is to be dealt with in accordance with para 12.1 of DP&PW oM No. 38/37/2016-P&PW (A) (i), dated 04.08.2016. The ex-gratia revision cases are required to be dealt with by the Department concerned and not by banks
7	Specific case of the Chief Election Commissioner	In this context para 2.3 of DP&PW OM No. 38/37/2016-P&PW (A) (ii), dated-04.08.2016 clearly states that these orders do not apply to the retired High Court and Supreme Court Judges and other Constitutional/ Statutory Authorities whose pension etc. is governed by separate rules/orders.
8	How to deal with cases where pension is being paid on 5th CPC rates.	Following categories:-i) Employees suspended before 2006 and also retired before 01.01.2006. ii) Employees suspended before 2006 but retired after 01.01.2006. iii) Employees who retired before 2006 and against whom departmental/judicial proceedings were pending at the time of retirement. were allowed to draw provisional pension in the pre-2006 pay scales. Later on DP&PW vide 38/6/2010-P&PW (A)(pt) dated18.03.2013 had decided to revise all such cases of provisional pensions in terms of their OM No. 38/37/08-P&PW (A) dated-01.09.2008. As such these cases may be referred to the concerned Ministry/Department for revising them first as per 6th CPC before they are revised under 7th CPC.
9	Applicability of 7th CPC revisions to various categories of pensioners.	As per para 2.1 of DP&PW OM No.38/37/2016-P&PW(A) (ii) dated-4th August, 2016, “These orders shall apply to all pensioners/family pensioners who were drawing pension/family pension before 1.1.2016 under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, Central Civil Services (Extraordinary Pension) Rules and the corresponding rules applicable to Railway pensioners and pensioners of All India Services, including officers of the Indian Civil Service retired from service on or after 1.1.1973. A pensioner/ family pensioner who became entitled to pension/ family pension with effect from 01.01.2016 consequent on retirement/death of Government servant on 31.12.2015, would also be covered by these orders”.The categories of pensioners further clarified by Director, DP&PW to SBI is as under:- i) The pension of Defence Civilian Pensioners, Postal and Telecom Pensioners under CDA category is regulated by CCS (Pension) Rules. These pensioners are, therefore, eligible for revision of pension under OM dated 4.8.16. However the absorbee pensioners of BSNL/MTNL who are getting pension under IDA category are not covered by this OM. The absorbee pensioners who had taken lump-sum in lieu of their monthly pension and are getting only one-third restored pension are also not covered by this OM. ii) The State Government pensioners are not eligible for revision of pension under this OM. However the All India Service officers and employees retired from CAG/AGs/Audit & Accounts Departments in States are covered under this OM.
10	Applicability of Additional Pension on attaining the age of 65 years to the pensioners of UT Chandigarh on the pattern of Punjab State Government	A clarification has been sought from IS (UT), MHA and DP&PW Central Government instructions allow additional pension only on attaining age of 80 years and above. Therefore, the additional payment on attaining the age of 65 years in case of UT Chandigarh pensioners banks should not grant additional pension on attaining the age of 65 years instead of 80 years until a clarification regarding applicability is received.
11	Contact Official in CPAO for 7th CPC clarification	Sl. No. Name & Designation Contact No. 1 Sh. Davinder Kumar, TD (NIC) 011-26175099 Mob. No. 9354806172 kumardavender[@]nic.in 2. Sh. Vijay Singh, Sr. AO (IT & Tech) 011-26166758 vijay.cpao[@]gmail.com 3. Sh. S.P. Sharma, Consultant Toll free - 1800117788 Mob. No.8010474683

http://cpao.nic.in/pdf/clarification_raiseedby_banks22082016.pdf

Postal Pensioners Programme of Action on Common and Sectional Demands of Pensioners

Postal Pensioners Programme of Action on Common and Sectional Demands of Pensioners!

AIPRPA CWC RESOLVES TO HOLD ITS NATIONWIDE PROGRAMME OF ACTION ON THE CHARTER OF DEMANDS OF PENSIONERS

Both Common & Postal Sectional!

The CWC of AIPRPA held at Chennai has resolved to organise a nationwide Programme of Action by the Postal & RMS Pensioners to highlight the important issues of Pensioners as well as peculiar major issues of Postal Pensioners before the Central Government. The Charter of Demands and the Programme of Action finalized by the Central Working Committee is as follows:

Postal Pensioners Sectional Charter

AIPRPA shall undertake an All India Programme of Action to highlight the basic common issues of Pensioners and important sectional issues of Postal Pensioners viz.,

(a) Grant of Universal pension of minimum 3000/- to all Senior Citizens of India irrespective of the fact that they had worked in private sector or unorganized sectors as being demanded by the Central TUs.
(b) Scrap NPS to all CG Employees recruited from 1.1.2004 and bring them all under Defined Pension Scheme.

(c) Grant of Full Parity in Pension between the past, present and future pensioners akin to OROP granted to Pensioners of Armed Forces.

(d) Accept the recommendation of Option Number 1 given by the 7th CPC for pension Refixation by notionally adding the number of increments earned by the pensioner in the pre-revised scale of pay from which he/she had retired as the same is feasible by records either directly or by reconstruction.

(e) Correct the recommendation by changing the “nearest level” to “next level” in fixing the stages after each annual increment in the Pay Matrix for the employees (like 6th CPC formula) and Link the pension re-fixation under Option Number 2 with the Matrix to the next level on par with the employees.

(f) Grant of Refixation of Pension on the basis of the scale of pay of the cadre / post from which the Pre-2016 Pensioners had retired instead of only on the basis of the replacement scales to end the injustice being done to the retirees belonging to the cadres of Postman, IPOs, ASPOs etc in the Department of Posts.

(g) Ending the injustice perpetrated to HSG-1 Pre-2006 Pensioners by granting the benefit of 4600 GP as granted to serving employees from 1.1.2006 by accepting that the scale is only a replacement scale in the backdrop of feeder cadre is allotted the 4200 GP scale by 6th CPC.

(h) Issue of orders as agreed by the Department and also as ordered by the Supreme Court for the grant of pension re-fixation for all Post-1.1.1996 Pensioners of Postman cadre with two advance increments.

(i) Grant of minimum pension by delinking the condition of 33 years of qualifying service to compulsorily retired employees also w.e.f 1.1.2006 as envisaged by the original orders of the Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare.

(j) Enhance the Fixed Medical Allowance to 2000/- per month.

(k) Accept and implement the positive recommendations of 7th CPC without delay on extension of medical benefits to all Pensioners including the Postal Pensioners by (1) removing the unjust condition of Health Ministry to allow all Postal Pensioners into the CGHS without any discrimination; (2) granting reimbursement facilities of in-patient treatment to all Pensioners in non-CGHS areas on par with the serving employees of that area; (3) Merger of existing P&T dispensaries with CGHS without conditions; (4) Finalization of Medical-insurance schemes covering all non-CGHS pensioners to get cashless and hassle free medical treatment; and (5) Merger of different systems like CGHS, Railway and Defence Hospitals to create a centralized health system for better Medicare to all employees and pensioners.

(l) Revise the Pension by applying the orders for treating the training period as eligible service to get TBOP/BCR upgradations.

(m) Allot rent-free BSNL / MTNL land-line phone to all erstwhile P&T Pensioners without any condition on length of service as ordered by courts.

(n) Allot vacant Postal Staff Quarters not preferred by serving employees to willing Postal Pensioners on seniority basis instead of keeping the quarters vacant for long time.

Nationwide Programme of Action

(i) AIPRPA CHQ will write to the Chairman of the High Level Committee; Health Minister; and Finance Minister focusing the Charter of Demands immediately.

(ii) Demonstrations shall be held at all places by the AIPRPA on 19th September, 2016 and Memorandum will be forwarded to Health and Finance Ministers. (Draft Memorandum will be circulated to all through CHQ website)

(iii) Mass Dharna by Postal & RMS Pensioners on 21st October, 2016 to demand implementation of the Charter of Demands.

(iv) ‘Chalo Delhi’ by Postal & RMS Pensioners to conduct a ‘Mass Demonstration’ in front of Parliament on 21st February (Date will be subject to finalisation in consultation with NCCPA to synchronize with the National Convention against NPS proposed by NCCPA) and to submit the Memorandum to the Prime Minster of India.

We call upon our rank & file Districts and Divisions to take the call seriously and start hectic preparations for all the Programmes including “Chalo Delhi” Parliament Dharna! Without our active protest like the Pensioners of Armed Forces who got their OROP through struggles, no advancement can be expected from the Government.

Source : http://postalpensioners.blogspot.in/

OBC creamy layer income limit to be hiked to Rs 8 lakh per annum

OBC ‘creamy layer’ income limit to be hiked to Rs 8 lakh per annum

New Delhi: With a large number of vacancies in central government jobs meant for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) remaining unfilled for want of candidates, the central government is mulling relaxing the ‘creamy layer’ criterion by raising the income ceiling to Rs eight lakh annually.

27 per cent of seats in government jobs and educational institutions are reserved for OBCs provided the annual income of the family is up to Rs six lakh. Those who earn above that are referred to as the creamy layer and are not eligible for reservation. Raising the ceiling would result in a larger pool of candidates eligible for government jobs and seats in educational institutions.

The Social Justice Ministry is working on a proposal to raise the annual income ceiling of OBCs to Rs 8 lakh, according to official sources.

A Cabinet note is likely to be moved in this regard soon, they said.

When contacted National Comission for Backward Classes (NCBC) Member Ashok Saini told PTI that the panel had recommended more than doubling the income ceiling to Rs 15 lakh.

“Even two decades after reservation (was introduced), out of 27 per allocated quota, it has been seen that only 12-15 per get utilised. As per our analysis, the major reason behind this is the ceiling on annual income,” Saini said.

As per Mandal Comission report, in 1980 OBCs constituted 52 per cent of India’s population. The panel’s report was based on the 1931 census. The National Sample Survey Organisation had in 2006 pegged the OBC population at 41 per cent.

PTI

7th Pay Commission – Aggrieved CG Employees pin hope in meeting between Committee of Secretaries and NJAC on Sept 1

7th Pay Commission – Aggrieved CG Employees pin hope in meeting – The leading employee union, National Joint Council of Action, headed by Shiv Gopal Mishra, has been invited in the meeting

Committee of Secretaries will hold their second meeting regarding the resolution of anomalies in the implementation of 7th Pay Commission. The meeting is scheduled on September 1.

The leading employee union, National Joint Council of Action, headed by Shiv Gopal Mishra, has been invited in the meeting. Aggrieved central government employees pin their hope in the outcome of the meeting. However, many among them have turned increasingly pessimistic, after reports floated earlier in the week stating that the government would not be increasing the minimum salary which has been fixed as Rs 18,000.

Shiv Gopal Mishra is expected to pitch the demands of the government employees before the high-powered committee. As of now, it is not clear whether government would pitch for a compromise with the union. However, the committee members are scheduled to hear the grievances of the employees as raised by the Unions.

One of the foremost demands raised by NJAC is that the government should use 3.68 fitment factor, instead of 2.57 in calculating the minimum salary, as well as the hike in allowances. The minimum salary of government employees as per 6th Pay Commission was Rs 7,000. This was increased by the Justice AK Mathur led panel to Rs 18,000, using the 2.57 fitment factor. If the 3.68 fitment factor would be applied, the entry-level pay would be hiked to Rs 26,000.

The 7th Pay Commission report prepared by Justice (Retd) AK Mathur had suggested the abolition of 51 out of the 194 existing allowances. A total of 27 allowances were subsumed.

Apart from the civilian employees, the armed forces have also marked their objection as the pay panel has refrained from incorporating their demand related to the creation of a uniform pay matrix.

The Defence Pay Matrix has only 24 pay levels, on the other hand, their bureaucratic counterparts enjoy 40 pay levels. Due to this, the armed forces personnel receive less opportunity of salary hikes. Their income gets stagnated at certain points, and even after retirement, they end up drawing Rs 20,000 less as pension, as compared to their civilian counterpart. Similarly, the demand to include Tier-II employees among beneficiaries in the technical allowance has not been paid heed.

The all-important meeting scheduled by the government comes a day before the pan-India strike called by several employee unions across organized sectors against the recommendations of the 7th pay commission.

Source: India.com

FinMin seeks status report on pay revision talks from public sector banks

FinMin seeks status report on pay revision talks from public sector banks

New Delhi: Keen to close pay negotiations in public sector banks by November 1, 2017, the Finance Ministry has asked the lenders to present status report on salary hike talks with their employee unions.

The chief executives of PSBs have been asked to intimate the ministry about “the present status/action taken by them so as to conclude the negotiations/next wage settlement by the effective date i.e November 1, 2017 positively”.

In January, the PSBs were asked to initiate the process of negotiations with the employees and conclude it prior to the effective date of November 1, 2017.

The communication to PSBs regarding wages comes in the backdrop of banks union threatening to join the strike called by trade unions on September 2 to protest against what they call anti-people policies of the government.

The wage revision of public sector bank employees has been due since November 2012. In the last wage negotiation between PSU banks employee unions and bank management, Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) had settled at 15 per cent hike.

There are 27 public sector banks in the country with a combined employee strength of about eight lakh. There are about 50,000 branches of these banks across the country.

Recently, RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan had said all public sector banks tend to over-pay at the bottom but under-pay their top executives, even as he rued, albeit jokingly, himself being “under-paid”.

PTI

Extend the benefit of Gratuity to all NPS Employees

Extend the benefit of Gratuity to all NPS Employees

IMPORTANT GOVT ORDER

A MAJOR VICTORY OF THE STRUGGLE OF CENTRAL GOVT EMPLOYEES:

Confederation of central Govt Employees & Workers have been continuously fighting against pension reforms implemented by Govt in tune with the neo-liberal policies and demanding SCRAPPING OF THE NEW PENSION SYSTEM (NPS). Further we have been demanding that those employees who are covered by NPS should be eligible for payment of Death cum Retirement Gratuity (DCRG) and Family Pension and also Govt guaranteed Minimum Pension and Compensation for price rise (Dearness Relief). Now the Govt has conceded one of our demand. Govt of India has issued orders to extend the benefit of Gratuity to all NPS Employees. Further the Cabinet has decided to constitute a committee for streamlining the implementation of NPS. We shall present the remaining issues before that Committee also. Scrapping of NPS is one of the main demand of 2016 September 2nd General Strike also. No struggle will go in vain. Let us make the strike a grand success

M.Krishnan, Secretary General Confederation.

No. 7/5/2012-P&PW(F)/B
Ministry of Personnel, Public (Grievances and Pensions
Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare

Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market,
New Delhi-110 003, Dated the 26th August, 2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Extension of benefit of Retirement Gratuity and Death Gratuity to the Central Government Employees covered by new Defined Contribution Pension System (National Pension System) – regarding.

The undersigned is directed to say that the pension of the Government servants appointed on or after 1.1.2004 is regulated by the new Defined Contribution Pension System (known as National Pension System), notified by the Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) vide their O.M. No. 5/7/2003-ECB & PR dated 22.12.2003. Orders were issued for payment of gratuity on provisional basis in respect of employees covered under National Pension System on their retirement from Government service on invalidation or death in service, vide this Department’s O.M. No. 38/41/2006-P&PW(A) dated 5.5.2009.

2. The issue of grant of gratuity in respect of government employees covered by the National Pension System has been under consideration of the Government. It has been decided that the government employees covered by National Pension System shall be eligible for benefit of ‘Retirement gratuity and Death gratuity’ on the same terms and conditions, as are applicable to employees covered by Central Civil Service (Pension) Rule,1972.

3. These orders issue with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, vide their .D. Note No. 1(4)/EV/2006-II dated 29.07.2016.

4. In their application to the persons belonging to the India Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issue after consultation with Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

5. These orders will be applicable to those Central Civil Government Employees who joined Government Service on or after 1.1.2004 and are covered by National Pension System and will take effect from the same date i.e. 1.1.2004.

Sd/-
(Harjit Singh)
Director (Pension Policy)

Source : confederationhq

7th Pay Commission: Salary hike likely for Karnataka government employees

7th Pay Commission: Salary hike likely for Karnataka govt employees; CM hints at setting up new panel

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah gave a strong indication to state government employees on Thursday when he hinted at setting up a pay panel to explore the possibility of salary hike that would benefit about 6.40 lakh employees.

“State government employees have been demanding salaries on a par with the Central government staff. The time has come to set up the next pay commission as the Centre is implementing the recommendations of the th pay commission,” Siddaramaiah was quoted as saying by Deccan Herald.

The chief minister spoke on the sidelines of the diamond jubilee celebration of the Karnataka Government Secretariat Employees’ Association (KGSEA) in Bengaluru.

The comment raised hopes of state government employees who had gone on a day-long strike on June 2 demanding pay parity with Central government staff.

“We are happy that the chief minister is keen on setting up a new pay commission. He also promised to look into our grievances,” KGSEA president Mahadevaiah Matapathii said. The last pay commission was set up by the state government five years ago.

Besides salary hike, the employees also want session allowance for all Vidhana Soudha employees and a site for the association’s building.

The 7th Pay Commission’s (CPC) recommendations hiking salary and allowances for Central government employees is a trigger for many state government employees to seek parity with their Central government counterparts.

The central government has accepted the recommendations pertaining to the hike in the salary component, while a decision on allowances is likely by November this year when a committee set up to examine raising allowances submits its report to the finance ministry.

The salary hike for Central government staff has also prompted employees of public sector undertakings (PSUs) to seek a similar hike for which they will be going on strike on September 2 in which state-run banks will also participate. Besides, pay hike, the strike is also in protest against “anti-labour” reforms of the government such as stake sale in PSUs.

Source: IBTIMES

7th Pay commission latest news – Group A cadre restructure to be reviewed

7th Pay commission latest news – Group A cadre restructure to be reviewed – Govt forms task force headed by additional secretary of DOPT

The 7th Pay Commission report is still grabbing headlines as the various permutations and combinations are still being bandied about and discussed threadbare and now it spans a big controversy that has to do with the near monopoly currently enjoyed by the IAS and how to end it, once and for all.

Moving forward, as per the requirement of the report, the Narendra Modi government has set up a task force to review the cadre structure of all Organised Group A Central Services.

This controversy has acquired increased urgency after the turf war between the officers of the Indian administrative and revenue services (IAS and IRS) recently reached a flashpoint after several IRS officers huddled together in Mumbai last month bringing matters to a head and this set alarm bells ringing at the highest echelons of the government.

The 7th Pay Commission task force will be headed by Department of Personnel and Training additional secretary T Jacob and he will submit the report in 3 months. What he will have on his hands will deal with 4 basic factors that include 1) the ideal structure for posts of joint secretary and above, 2) percentage of reserves in organised Group A services, 3) ideal recruitment policy and 4) way forward in mitigating stagnation level.

There are 49 Organised Group A Services ranging from the IFS, the Indian Postal Service, the five Accounts services and Indian Revenue Service (IT) to the 13 engineering services under the railways, CPWD, telecom, power, water and defence forces.

This move comes courtesy 7th Pay Commission panel chairman, Justice (retired) A K Mathur calling for an end to the dominance of IAS officials. However, there were divergent views in the panel on ending the IAS superiority.

Under the scanner especially was the joint secretary-and-above-level positions in the central staff. The 7th Pay Commission threw up the data: out of a total of 91 secretary level posts, 73 (80%) were occupied by IAS; out of 107 additional secretary level posts, 98 (92%) were with the IAS and of 391 joint secretary level posts, 249 (64%) were with the IAS.

The 7th Pay Commission said IAS officers get two extra increments at promotion stages and it wanted to extend the same to the IPS and the Indian Forest Service. Other all-India services and central services (Group A) are not getting proper representation either. The IAS officers always had a two-year edge compared to other services

The solution that the 7th Pay Commission panel unveiled said that all personnel who have put in 17 years of service should be given equal opportunity for central staff. The panel was overwhelmed by the reactions of Group A Services, who demanded that the services should have equal opportunities to man the senior-most posts and it should not be the preserve of a small group.

(PTI)

Source: The Financial Express

Centre Extends Retirement Benefits to all Central Government Employees

Centre Extends Retirement Benefits to all Central Govt Employees – Under the existing system the pension of the Government servants appointed on or after January 1, 2004 is regulated by the new Defined Contribution Pension System.

In a measure that would benefit thousands of Central government employees, the central government on Friday extended the Retirement Benefits and death gratuity to all, irrespective of the date on which they had entered government service.

Under the existing system the pension of the Government servants appointed on or after January 1, 2004 is regulated by the new Defined Contribution Pension System (known as National Pension System) whereas those who were in service earlier were covered under the Central Service (Pension) Rules, 1972.

According to a notification by the Department of Personnel, the issue of grant of gratuity in respect of government employees covered by the National Pension System has been under consideration and it has now been decided that they shall be eligible for Retirement Benefits, gratuity and Death gratuity’ on the same terms and conditions, as are applicable to other employees covered by the Central Service (Pension) Rules, 1972.

It said these orders will be applicable to those Central Civil Government employees ‘who joined Government service on or after January 1,2004 and are covered by the National Pension System and will take effect from the same date.’

Source: The Hindu

FinMin sets up panel to suggest steps to promote card payments

New Delhi: With an aim to discourage cash transactions, the Finance Ministry has set up a high-level committee to suggest steps to promote card payments through incentives like tax rebates and cash back schemes.

The 11-member committee, headed by former Finance Secretary Ratan P Watal, will recommend various measures to “incentivise transactions through cards and digital means, e.G., through tax rebates/incentives, introduction of cash back/lottery,” the ministry said.

The panel, which will review the payments system in the country and recommend measures for encouraging digital payments, has been set up following a decision taken by the Cabinet in February.

It will also study feasibility of creating a payments history of all card/digital payments and ensure that merchants/consumers can leverage the data to access “instant, low cost micro-credit” through digital means and create necessary linkage between the payment history and credit information.

The panel will also study and recommend need for changes, if any, in the regulatory mechanism under various laws, relevant for the purpose of promotion of payments by digital modes.

“To study and recommend ways for leveraging Unique Identification Number or any other proof of identity for authentication of card/digital transactions and setting up of a centralised KYC Registry” is another key task given to it.

The committee will study introduction of single window system of payment gateway to accept all types of cards/digital payments of government receipts and enable settlements via NPCI or other agencies within specified timelines.

Another task assigned to the panel is to identify regulatory bottlenecks and suggest changes.
It will also look into the scope of integration of all government systems like Public Finance Management System, PayGov, Bharatkosh and eKuber.

The Union Cabinet in February had approved withdrawal of surcharge, service charge and convenience fee on card and digital payments.

It also approved mandating payments beyond a prescribed threshold only through a card or digital mode.
The panel has been asked to submit its report in one year.

The Watal panel will also study global best practices in payments and identify possible market failures, along with suitable interventions.

The committee members include former RBI Deputy Governor H R Khan, Chairman of Indian Banks Association, President of Nasscom and CBDT Chairperson.

PTI

7th Pay Commission – Karnataka CM hints at Setting up New Panel

7th Pay Commission – Karnataka CM hints at Setting up New Panel – The comment raised hopes of state government employees who had gone on a day-long strike on June 2 demanding pay parity with Central government staff.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah gave a strong indication to state government employees on Thursday when he hinted at setting up a pay panel to explore the possibility of salary hike that would benefit about 6.40 lakh employees.

“State government employees have been demanding salaries on a par with the Central government staff. The time has come to set up the next pay commission as the Centre is implementing the recommendations of the th pay commission,” Siddaramaiah was quoted as saying by Deccan Herald.

The chief minister spoke on the sidelines of the diamond jubilee celebration of the Karnataka Government Secretariat Employees’ Association (KGSEA) in Bengaluru.

The comment raised hopes of state government employees who had gone on a day-long strike on June 2 demanding pay parity with Central government staff.

“We are happy that the chief minister is keen on setting up a new pay commission. He also promised to look into our grievances,” KGSEA president Mahadevaiah Matapathii said. The last pay commission was set up by the state government five years ago.

Besides salary hike, the employees also want session allowance for all Vidhana Soudha employees and a site for the association’s building.

The 7th Pay Commission’s (CPC) recommendations hiking salary and allowances for Central government employees is a trigger for many state government employees to seek parity with their Central government counterparts.

The central government has accepted the recommendations pertaining to the hike in the salary component, while a decision on allowances is likely by November this year when a committee set up to examine raising allowances submits its report to the finance ministry.

The salary hike for Central government staff has also prompted employees of public sector undertakings (PSUs) to seek a similar hike for which they will be going on strike on September 2 in which state-run banks will also participate. Besides, pay hike, the strike is also in protest against “anti-labour” reforms of the government such as stake sale in PSUs.

Source: IBT

Railways must implement decisions on staff transfer: CAT

Railways must implement decisions on staff transfer: CAT

Chennai: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has ruled that decisions on the transfer of 600 employees taken by a machinery, set up by Railways to settle disputes, should be implemented.

Justice G Rajasuria, judicial member of CAT, who disposed of the original applications filed by Southern Railway Mazdoor Union last week, said the minutes of the meeting did not disclose what transpired during the discussion and what points and suggestions of the union were turned down by the administration.
Pulling up the union for failing to record the minutes, the judicial member said, “When a union like SRMU participates in a discussion, it should prepare a written submission in the form of a booklet and also set out the objective facts before the railway administration for consideration.”

“I am of the view that it is for the applicant to submit their detailed suggestion in the form of dossiers to the railway administration, following which there could be fruitful discussions between them and a conclusion could be arrived at,” he observed.

However, he said the administration could hold discussions with the union and finalise on pin-pointing posts.
SRMU had approached the tribunal against the orders of the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager and Senior Divisional Personal Officer ‘unilaterally’ pin-pointing posts in the commercial department in Madras division and effecting more than 600 transfers on periodical grounds.

The union had contended that the orders were contrary to decisions taken by the Permanent Negotiating Machinery (PNM), wherein the General Manager had agreed to some norms and that his decision cannot be sidelined by the subordinate officers in the commercial department.

The tribunal which heard the application directed the railway administration to undertake the work study and after discussion with the union, finalise the ‘pin-pointing’.

PNM is a machinery set up by Railways with a view to settle disputes arising between organised labour and railway administration.

PTI

NPS Employees shall eligible for benefit of ‘Retirement gratuity and Death gratuity’ as per CCS (Pension) Rule,1972 – Finance Ministry issued orders on 26.8.2016

NPS Employees shall eligible for benefit of ‘Retirement gratuity and Death gratuity’ as per CCS (Pension) Rule,1972 – Finance Ministry issued orders on 26.8.2016

Extension of benefits of (Retirement Gratuity and Death Gratuity) to the Central Government employees covered by new Defined Contribution Pension System (National Pension System)- regarding.

No.7/5/2012-P&PW(F)/B
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare

Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market,
New De1hi-110 003, Dated the 26 August, 2016.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : Extension of benefits of ‘Retirement Gratuity and Death Gratuity’ to the Central Government employees covered by new Defined Contribution Pension System (National Pension System) — regarding.

The undersigned is directed to say that the pension of the Government servants appointed on or after 1.1.2004 is regulated by the new Defined Contribution Pension System (known as National Pension System), notified by the Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) vide their OM No.5/7/2003-ECB & PR dated 22.12.2003. Orders were issued for payment of gratuity on provisional basis in respect of employees covered under National Pension System on their retirement from Government service on invalidation or death in service, vide this Department’s OM No.38/41/2006-P&PW(A) dated 5.5.2009.

2. The issue of grant of gratuity in respect government employees covered by the National Pension System has been under consideration of the Government. It has been decided that the government employees covered by National Pension System shall eligible for benefit of ‘Retirement gratuity and Death gratuity’ on the same terms and conditions, as are applicable to employees covered by Central Civil Service (Pension) Rule,1972.

3. These orders issue with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, vide their I.D. Note No.1(4)/EV/2006-II dated 29.07.2016.

4. In their application to the persons belonging to the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issue after consultation with Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

5. These orders will be applicable to those Central Civil Government employees who joined Government service on or after 1.1.2004 and are covered by National Pension System and will take effect from the same date i.e. 1.1_2004.

sd/-
(Harjit Singh)
Director (Pension Policy)

Click to view the order
Authority :http://www.pensionersportal.gov.in/