Dissatisfaction over 7th Pay Commission ‘Anomalies’

Dissatisfaction over 7th Pay Commission ‘Anomalies'

New Delhi: It was supposed to get praise but all it generated was bitterness. The 7th pay commission recommendations should have come as good news for the central government employees as it will give them more money in the pocket and a number of other perks.

Overall, the government gave its nod for 23.55 per cent hike the salaries and allowances for the central government employees. They are also getting arrears from January.

Instead of gratitude the government is hearing unhappy outbursts from the very people it is supposed to please. The cause is increasing 14.27 per cent in basic pay for Central government employees, the lowest in 70 years.

The National Joint Council Action (NJCA), a confederation of 3.3 million central government employees, has been one of the most vocal protesters of increasing minimum pay Rs 18,000 since the cabinet approved minimum pay from existing Rs 7000 to Rs 18,000 on June 29.

The Central government employees’ Unions have been pressing for fixing “anomalies” in the pay scale. They are demanding minimum pay Rs. 26,000 instead of Rs 18,000 with 3.68 fitment factor, which cabinet approved fitment factor 2.57 to hike basic pay only 14.27 per percent.

The Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu then stepped in and assured the unions leaders that the issues raised by them would be considered by the High Level Committee, which will soon be set up and the government will take steps accordingly.
The Central government employees’ Unions not only demands hiking in pay scales but also asked the other anomalies in 7th pay commission recommendations like abolition of some allowances and advances that should be fixed.

After receiving of 7th pay commission recommendations on November 19 from Justice A K Mathur, who headed the commission, the government formed a 13 member secretary-level Empowered Committee headed by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha in January to review the report of the 7th Pay Commission before cabinet nod.
The Empowered Committee of Secretaries recommended a 30 per cent increase in the central government employees’ basic pay and minimum basic pay to Rs 21,000 per month. They also recommended for doubling of existing rates of allowances and advances but the cabinet didn’t accept any suggestion of the Empowered Committee for cabinet nod of 7th Pay Commission recommendations. The cabinet went for ditto, the 7th pay commission recommendations.

The cabinet asked to refer all allowances including HRA, transport allowance to a committee headed by Finance Secretary for examination of the 7th Pay Commission recommendations on its. The committee shall submit its report within four months

However, the notification on 7th Pay Commission recommendations is under process in Finance Ministry and it will be issued shortly and payment may be made from August with hiking basic salary from 14.27 per cent as well as allowances to be paid as per the existing rates in existing pay structure, not like the 7th pay commission recommendations.

However, the central government employees’ Unions are ready to wait for four months for more hiking in the basic pay and allowances.

Hence, the cabinet approval of 7th pay commission recommendations gave more agony for the central government employees.

TST

Irregularities and misuse in availing Leave Travel Concession Guidelines to be followed

Irregularities and misuse in availing Leave Travel Concession Guidelines to be followed

No.31011/3/2013-Estt (A.IV)
Government Of India
Ministry Of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department Of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-IV Desk

North Block, New Delhi – 110 001
Dated July 12, 2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Irregularities and misuse in availing Leave Travel Concession Guidelines to be followed.

The undersigned is directed to enclose a copy of draft O.M.on the subject noted above for comments within 15 days to the undersigned (email address:jha.sn@nic.in)

sd/-
(Surya Narayan Jha)
Under secretary to the Government of India

No.31011/3/2013-Estt(A.IV)
Government Of India
Ministry Of personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-IV Desk

North Block, New Delhi – 110 001
Dated: ,2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Irregularities and misuse in availing Leave Travel Concession – Guidelines to be followed.

The undersigned is directed to say that some instances where some Government servants colluded with private travel agents to submit LTC claims showing inflated airfare to clandestinely obtain undue benefits like free boarding/lodging/transport of cash refunds have come to notice of the Government.

2. In order to curb these malpractices the following steps may be taken:

(i) As per instructions reiterated from time to time, in all cases whenever a Govt. Servant claims LTC by air, he/she is required to book the air tickets either directly through the airlines (Booking counters, website of airlines) or by utilizing the service of authorized travel agents viz. M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company’, M/s Ashok Travels & Tours’and ‘IRCTC’. Proposals from different Ministries/Departments for relaxation continue to be received on the plea that the Government servant was not aware of this requirement. Vide the OM dated No.31011/3/2015-Estt (A.IV) dated 18th February, 2016 detailed guidelines on submission and processing of claims were circulated These guidelines are required to be made available to Government servants whenever they apply for LTC. Plea of ignorance of the instructions therefore cannot be used by such Government Servants.

The nodal Ministries of M/s Balmer Lawrie & Co. (Ministry of petroleum and Natural Gas), M/s Ashok Travels & Tours (Ministry of Tourism) and IRCTC (Ministry of Railways) shall issue instructions to these organisations to ensure compliance to the instructions issues vide O.M.dated 18th February, 2016 on issue of air tickets. Any violation of these instructions shall invite blacklisting.

(ii) Vide the Department of Expenditure’s O.M.No.19024/1/2009-E.IV dated 04.03.2011, it was clarified that reimbursement of air fare lower than LTC-80 fare of Air India is admissible for the journey(s) performed by Air India under LTC-80. LTC-80 fare is to be used as the ceiling beyond which no claim will be entertained. It has now been decided that in accordance with the canons of financial propriety, Government servants should purchase tickets at the lowest rate available at the time of booking for the date and time of scheduled journey. Government servant will be required to submit the print out of the tickets showing date and time of booking in addition to the fare charged. It may, however, be kept in mind that in some cases of cancellation/rescheduling, a refund fee may be applicable. This will be borne by the employee unless the journey had to be rescheduled/cancelled due to exigencies of work. The Authority which has approved the LTC will have the powers to cancel or reschedule it.

(iii) While submitting the LTC claim after completion of the LTC journey, the Govt. Servant will be required to submit a self-certificate on plain paper as follows:

(1) I certify that the airfare claimed by me is in respect of the fare charged by the Airline for the air journey only and does not include any charges for any facility/undue benefit including boarding/lodging/local transport.

(2) I also certify that I have booked the ticket at the lowest fare available for the destination at the time of booking for the scheduled date and time of departure. I am aware that suppression of any information or furnishing wrong information will render me liable to disciplinary action.

3. The Administrative Ministries/Department may also from time to time do random checks from airlines whether the tickets were booked at the lowest fare available on that date. Attention of the Ministries/Departments is also invited to Rule 3(1)(i) of the Central Civil services (conduct) Rules, 1964 which requires the Government servants to maintain absolute integrity at all times. In addition, cheating/fraud also attract various sections of the India Penal code 1860. Ministries/Departments should therefore not hesitate to take severe action against employees guilty of deliberate malpractices, particularly in collusion with travel agents etc.

4. All the Ministries/Departments of Government of India are requested to bring the contents of this O.M. to the notice of all concerned.

(Surya Narayan Jha)
Under secretary to the Government of India.

Original  : DOPT Order

Bank employees to observe one-day strike on July 29

Bank employees to observe one-day strike on July 29

Chennai: Public and private sector bank employees have decided to observe a day-long strike on July 29 to oppose the “anti-people” banking reform policies of the Centre, AIBEA said today.

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) consisting of nine trade unions across the country representing 10 lakh bank employees and officers would observe the strike.

They are pressing for various demands including not to privatise public sector banks and increase private capital in such banks, and also protesting against FDI in banking sector.

Besides, the unions oppose move to privatise regional rural banks, co-operative banks, consolidate and merging banks among others, All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) General Secretary C H Venkatachalam said in a statement.

The decision to go on strike was taken at the meeting here organised by UFBU.

PTI

7th Pay Commission – Unions to put forth its demands strongly – NJCA

7th Pay Commission – Unions to put forth its demands strongly – NJCA

While Committee was formed by Cabinet to look in to revision of allowances, High Level Committee to be formed by Govt will review Minimum wage and fitment formula

7th Pay Commission – Unions to put forth its demands strongly – NJCA leader’s Interview ot India TV on formation of 7th CPC High Level Committee by Govt

We welcome one step taken forward by Government – Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra

Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra has welcomed the formation of High Level Committee formed by Ministry of Finance. While speaking on India 24×7 on 07.07.2016, Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra Convener / NJCA assured 33 Lakhs central government employees that NJCA will put forth its demands to Government very strongly and hopes positive outcome coming out of negotiations. Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra said that Minimum wages recommended by 7th Pay Commission are not acceptable to them at all and they hope that High Level Committee would do the needful in this regard in stipulated time frame i.e. four months.

Here is the video of interview given by Mr. Shiva Gopal Mishra, Convener of NJCA..