Tuesday, July 19, 2016

7th pay commission: A Damp squib?

Seventh pay commission: A damp squib?

As the NDA government, aims for a double-digit growth trajectory of the Indian economy, a pay hike to almost one crore government employees and pensioners can come handy, as it will push demand. The 7th central pay commission (CPC), submitted its report earlier this year, and finance minister Arun Jaitley welcomed it, terming it ‘historic’. The cabinet accepted the recommendations last month. However, employees are not happy, and have announced plans for a protest strike.

The recommendations by the justice Ashok Kumar Mathur commission for providing a hike of an average 16 percent increase in pay, 63 percent in allowances and 24 percent increase in pension have failed to create excitement.

Officers at higher levels getting better increments are worried about the rising inflation. Moreover, they feel their salaries are not at par with those in the private sector. Meanwhile, the low-rung employees and middle-level officers are unhappy with the wages.

Therefore, soon after the release of the pay commission report, employee unions threatened to go on a nation-wide strike on July 11. Questions have been raised on the calculation of the minimum wage, which as per the latest CPC is Rs 18,000 per month as compared to Rs 7,000 earlier. Almost 33 lakh employees have demanded the minimum wage be increased to Rs 26,000. Undoubtedly, the hike is the lowest in the seven decades.

The strike, though, has been deferred for four months after home minister Rajnath Singh assured them of constituting a high-level committee to look into the demands. A sense of resentment, however, looms over the central government employees, especially among the lower rung.

Jaitley though maintains that the government employees’ salary is higher than the private sector after implementation of the 7th CPC.

“We have semi-skilled workers while private sectors have unskilled labour. Trying to establish the co-relation between the two is not required,” says KKN Kutty, president, Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers.

“A grade four employee working in a government job hasn’t received enough raise. To their current salary a mere amount of Rs 2,500-3,000 will be added,” says Kutty, who works in the income tax department.
“The calculation of the wages is determined on the basis of the price of 14 commodities, primarily including food items like grains and pulses. In the 7th CPC the price of those commodities has been taken lower than the actual market price.

“The raise is not as it should be,” says Kutty, citing it as a reason for resentment.

A pay commission comes after every 10 years. During their representations before the 7th CPC, Kutty and other central government employees suggested merging dearness allowance (DA) with basic pay, which could give financial benefits to employees. “This was, however, not considered. When we raised the issue, it was said that the commission had already commenced with the work,” he says.

The report prepared on the basis of a study by the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad, calculated the wages by comparing them with the same in the private sector.

“Priority has been given to the corporates in defining our pay scale. It cannot be a prerequisite for our pay scale. The government should have defined our pay scale on the basis of the Aykroyd formula, which reflects the basic average cost of living in the country,” suggests Shiv Gopal Mishra, convener of National Joint Council of Action (NJCA), a platform of several employees unions.

Mishra, who is also the general secretary of All India Railwaymen’s Federation, however, clarifies that 7th CPC is a positive move to boost the economy. “People will start investing in consumer goods like automobiles and electronics, overall pushing the economy,” he says.

Apparently, the CPC is consumer-sentiment driven. It leads to increase in consumption and savings. “When people get more money, it comes back in the system in the form of taxation. Savings will increase… spending will go up,” Arun Jaitley had said while accepting the 7th CPC report.

“There is no sense of excitement among our officers’ group. Though the government has been citing that it will boost economy, we are worried it will raise the inflation rate,” says a senior official in the ministry of agriculture on condition of anonymity.

The CPC is likely to impact the inflation rate. It stood at 5.77 percent in early July as experts warned of a spike in coming months. Still, a good monsoon and improved economy can cushion the inflationary effects.
But civil servants in higher ranks are worried about it.

“The rising consumer demand will not neutralise the inflation rate instead it will stoke the consumer price index. So, until the next pay commission, which will come after 10 years, we will struggle in dealing with the inflation with our current pay package. Inflation eats away minimum wage each year. Therefore, employees at the lower grades will be at the receiving end,” says the senior official.

Vijendra, a grade four employee in the horticulture department of Delhi Development Authority (DDA), says, “I am not happy with the seventh pay commission. Last time we received a hike of almost 50 percent and this year it is somewhere between 14 to 25 percent.”

Meanwhile, the CPC in its report has mentioned that it has attempted to provide wages commensurate with a comfortable living, and it aims to promote efficiency, accountability and responsibility in the work culture.
Vijendra, however, wonders if it possible to create such an environment in the years to come. Clearly, he is hinting that high salary does not guarantee better government services in the coming years.

“The government says they will curb corruption. Is it possible?” Vijendra asks sarcastically.

Via Governance Now

Simplification of procedure for endorsement of Family Pension entitlement in the PPO of living Armed Force Pensioners-reg

Simplification of procedure for endorsement of Family Pension entitlement in the PPO of living Armed Force Pensioners-reg
No.1(11)/2014/D(Pen/Pol)
Government of India
Ministry of Defence
Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare
New Delhi
Dated: 15th July 2016
To
The Chief of the Army Staff
The Chief of the Naval Staff
The Chief of the Air Staff

Subject: Simplification of procedure for endorsement of Family Pension entitlement in the PPO of living Armed Force Pensioners-reg.

I am directed to refer Gol, MoD letter No.6(4)/87/1369/B/D(Pens/Sers) dated 30.06.1988, which was issued for taking appropriate action for endorsement of Family Pension in the Pension Payment Orders of Armed Forces Personnel. For this purpose an application from “Appendix A” was enclosed along with ibid letter under which details of re-employment, family pension from other sources were required to be filled.

(2) After implementation of Cabinet Secretaries Commitee-2012 recommendations for grant of dual family pension to NOK of Armed Forces Pensioners, the matter was under consideration of this ministry for modification in “Appendix A”. It has now been decided to modify Appendix ‘A‘. The revised Appendix ‘A’ is attached with this letter.

(3) The other terms and conditions for endorsement of family pension in the PPO shall remain unchanged.

(4). These orders issue with the concurrence of MoD(Fin/Pen) vide their ID No.10(16)/2015/Fin/Pen dt. 30th June 2016.

Hindi version will follow.
Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Manoj Sinha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Source : http://www.desw.gov.in/

LOANS AND ADVANCES – Advances to Government Employees for the Celebration of Marriage – Administration of the Marriage Advance Scheme – Entrustment to the Director of Treasuries and Accounts – Orders – Issued

LOANS AND ADVANCES – Advances to Government Employees for the Celebration of Marriage – Administration of the Marriage Advance Scheme – Entrustment to the Director of Treasuries and Accounts – Orders – Issued


FINANCE [Salaries] DEPARTMENT
G.O.Ms.No.140 G.O.Ms.No.140, Dated , Dated , Dated 13th May 2016.
(Chithirai -30, Thiruvalluvar Aandu-2047)

ABSTRACT

LOANS AND ADVANCES – Advances to Government Employees for the Celebration of Marriage – Administration of the Marriage Advance Scheme – Entrustment to the Director of Treasuries and Accounts – Orders – Issued.

Read:-
1. G.O.Ms.No.234, Finance (Salaries) Department, dated 30-03-1995.
2. G.O.Ms.No.148, Finance (Salaries) Department, dated 13-05-2015.

ORDER:

The Government of Tamil Nadu is granting various interest free and interest bearing advances to its employees. Among them, the following loans and advances are included under Demand 16 – Finance Department:-

Sl.
No.
Name of the AdvanceHead of Account (DPC)Interim BE
2016-2017
(Rs. in Thousands)
1.Conveyance Advance7610 00 202 AA61,00,00
2.Computer Advance7610 00 204 AA20,05,00
3.Other Advances:-
i.Warm Clothing Advance7610 00 800 AB 020630,00
ii.Education Advance7610 00 800 AB 220440,00
iii.TANSI Advance7610 00 800 AB 38015,00
iv.Khadi Advance7640 00 800 AB 40061,70,00
v.Handloom Advance7610 00 800 AB 410425,00,00
4.Marriage Advance7610 00 800 AC 010650,00

Except Marriage Advance, all other advances are administered by the Director of Treasuries and Accounts.
2) In respect of Advances administered by the Director of Treasuries and Accounts, funds are allocated based on requirement from the Heads of Department / District Collectors. Whereas, in the case of Marriage Advance, sanction is accorded for notional allocation of funds to Heads of Department / District Collectors without knowing the actual requirement. This kind of fund allocation led to under utilization of funds by certain departments / districts and pendency of application for want of funds in some other departments / districts. Consequently, the huge surrender of funds occurred resulting to adverse remarks from the Accountant General (A&E).

3) The Government, after careful examination, has decided to streamline the administration of the Marriage Advance scheme. Accordingly, Government direct that the administration of the Marriage Advance Scheme be entrusted to the Director of Treasuries and Accounts as in the case of other advances listed above and issue the following orders:-
(i) The Director of Treasuries and Accounts shall be the administrator of Marriage Advance Scheme from the year 2016-2017;
(ii) The funds provided in the Budget Estimate 2016-17 under the Head of Account ‘7610 00 800 AC’- included in Demand 16 – Finance Department, shall be allocated to the Heads of Department and District Collectors based on requirement;
(iii) The Heads of Department and District Collectors shall send their requirement to the Director of Treasuries and Accounts and get funds for sanctioning Marriage Advance to the Government employees under their control as in the case of other advances;
(iv) The Director of Treasuries and Accounts shall be the Estimating, Recounciling and Controlling authority for the head of account 7610 00 800 AC;
(v) The Heads of Department and District Collectors shall follow the existing Government Orders and instructions governing the sanction of Marriage Advance;
(vi) The Director of Treasuries and Accounts shall follow the usual procedures for allotment of funds as applicable to other advances; and
(vii) The Director of Treasuries and Accounts shall issue instructions to Heads of Departments/ District Collectors on modalities for seeking funds to sanction Marriage Advance.
(By Order of the Governor)
K.SHANMUGAM
ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT
Tamilnadu State Government Order

All Central Government Employees will remain ready with the time slot to fight for their rights – NJCA

All Central Government Employees will remain ready with the time slot to fight for their rights – NJCA

“Government of India to think better than Rs.18,000 as Minimum Wage, change in the Fitment Formula and many other important heartburning aspects, like National Pension System (NPS) and to handover all such issues to the committees with a commitment to consider the same within a timeframe of four months. Considering positive attitude of the senior ministers of the Government of India, the National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) had decided to give another four months time to the government.”

“All the Central Government Employees were ready, already even today and will remain ready with the time slot to fight for their rights.”

NJCA
NATIONAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION
4, State Entry Road, New Delhi

No.AIRF/24(C)
Dated: July 15, 2016
Dear Friends!

On the call of the National Joint Council of Action(NJCA), on hopeless recommendations of VII CPC, scrapping of National Pension System (NPS) and other long pending genuine demands of the Central Government Employees, covering lakhs and lakhs of Railwaymen, Defence (Civilian) personnel, Postal employees, working in different Central Government offices throughout the country, unitedly not only participated and contributed regularly in agitational programmes of different stages of struggle but also succeeded to reflect such an environment in the entire length and breadth of the country well before the date of commencement of nationwide “Indefinite Strike” from 11th July, 2016; that compelled the Government of India to think better than Rs.18,000 as Minimum Wage, change in the Fitment Formula and many other important heartburning aspects, like National Pension System (NPS) and to handover all such issues to the committees with a commitment to consider the same within a timeframe of four months. 

Considering positive attitude of the senior ministers of the Government of India, the National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) had decided to give another four months time to the government.
I am fully aware that, our Central Government Employees and the youth with full sincerity and dedication had unitedly created an unprecedented environment throughout the country, enlightening all the fellowmen about our demands in support of “Indefinite Strike” continuously, for which they deserve to be thanked a lot.

Earlier too I had drawn your attention and warned to be aware of such elements who will confuse and mislead you by various baseless arguments and try to weaken and derail our united struggle.
I know that, such negative thinking persons neither would have participated in the strike nor moved shoulder to shoulder in the movement of struggle. Negative thoughts not only weaken the individual, but also malign mental attitude of the others. Certain such persons, pouring in forcefully their polluted views on others, only try to break the broader unity of the movement. After all, it is not a new phenomena, such elements were found in all the strikes of the past. But nowadays; propaganda scenario has changed. Earlier, social media – WhatsApp, Facebook etc. were not available, so, such elements were launching propanganda campaign in the Canteens, Pan shops etc. In the present era, instead of using social media, WhatsApp, Facebook etc, in positive way for uniting co-workers, such elements unsuccessfully attempt to break the unity with their contaminated thought, reflecting the fellowmen that they are the only genius and ever alert and real friends of them, but such individuals always deceived and show their back at the climax of the struggle.

I had earlier mentioned; to be very careful of such vindictive personalities who have destructive thought during the struggle, meant to secure their own rights. It is waste to have even least hope of any contribution in any struggle from such individuals who during agitation/strike try to side-away themselves by all means.

For complete preparation of strong background in any movement, struggle/strike, role of an individual unit, branch, division, zonal and national level, strong change can never be devaluated, and such an strong united movement at all levels leaders ultimately encourages to give a clarion call of struggle at the national level. National leadership has to take care of all even-odd circumstances, lead his attitude, patience and safety of their force. Deep contemplation yields of the movement for him to cause execution to implement various strategies and timelines for the fulfillment of the objective of the obligation to go beyond such a positive approach rather than criticism for decisions on the subtleties of the churning the movement extended to the middle of your peers and get validness struggling peace succeeds

I have full faith that, all the Central Government Employees were ready, already even today and will remain ready with the time slot to fight for their rights.

I again remind my colleagues to be aware and give befitting reply to those having negative thinking, and a strong movement only can go ahead.

I earnestly thank you all.
Comradely yours,
Sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary (Staff Side)
NC/JCM & Convener
Source: Confederation

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