DA/DR Merger : 7th CPC did not agree to discuss the issue in the preliminary meeting held on 23.7.2014 - BPS

DA/DR Merger : 7th CPC did not agree to discuss the issue in the preliminary meeting held on 23.7.2014 - BPS

7th Pay Commission did not agree to discuss the important issue of DA/DR Merger in the preliminary meeting held on 23rd July 2014.

Brief feedback on BPS Preliminary meeting with 7th CPC on 23rd July 2014

Friends,
BPS and BCPC were the first Pensioners’ organizations to be called for preliminary meeting with 7th CPC on 23rd to discuss the reply to questionnaire, the Memorandum & the allied issue submitted by them. Only 45 minutes were given to each organization. S.C.Maheshwari G.S. BPS /Chairman BCPC had the opportunity to discuss the issues from both the Forums:

Following issues were discussed & explained to the full satisfaction of the Chairman & the members of 7th CPC who were very receptive, patient & themselves actively participated in deliberations which ensued.

At the end Chairman remarked that NC JCM Memorandum is very exhaustive, includes most of the issues raised today & that he will take it as a base for consideration. 1.New Pension Scheme: Response of commission was negative. Commission was apprised of the back ground, its failure in other countries & the fate of EPS 95.They were also informed that it will be acceptable if 50% of last drawn is ensured.

2.Reasonable ratio to be maintained between maximum & minimum salary & Pension and adoption & adoption of common multiplication factor for revision

3.Ratio between maximum & minimum paid to be 5:1 for Defense Personnel and re-employment of ex servicemen as well as raising status of defense civilian pensioners to ex servicemen.

4.Inclusion of full DA in emoluments for calculating Pension. There was a very lively discussion on the issue in which the entire penal of 7th CPC participated & cross examined Secy. Genl BPS. Finally they agreed to BPS point of view.

5.100% neutralization of inflation : It was explained to the Commission that 100% neutralization is illusionary and DA is not sufficient, as the very system of calculation is faulty & unrealistic,

6. Payment additional pension to start from the age of 65 years. Chairman agreed that age of 100 years for Pensioners was illusionary.

7. Parity in Pensions : It was explained to the commission that full parity exists for High Court Supreme Court Judges, Govt. has agreed to OROP in case of Defence pensioners & Sr Bureaucrats (S32 & above ) have achieved it through modified parity formula of 6th CPC but for others who too are citizens of same category & same country even the formula for parity given by 5th CPC & accepted by Govt. is not being honored.

8. Pension to BSNL pensioners : It was submitted that since they are governed by CCS(Pension) Rules 1972. They be treated at par with C.G.Pensioners for the purpose of revision of Pension, Chairman advised to submit separate Memorandum

9. Discrimination in medical facilities to pensioners of Postal department & merger of 33 Postal dispensaries with CGHS.

10. Medical facilities :  To Pensioners following issues raised in BPS memorandum were discussed in detail & the Chairman was agreeable to BPS views. (i) “Health is not a luxury” and “not be the sole possession of a privileged few”. It is a Fundamental justify of all present & past Employees! To ensure hassle free health care facility to Pensioners/family pensioners, Smart Cards be issued irrespective of departments to all Pensioners and their Dependents for cashless medical facilities across the country. These smart cards should be valid in

• all Govt. hospitals
• all NABH accredited Multi Super Specialty hospitals across the country which have been allotted land at concessional rate or given any aid or concession by the Central or the State govt.
• all CGHS, RELHS & ECHS empanelled hospitals across the country.

Medical attendants : For reimbursement of bills for treatment & for hospitalization . No referral should be insisted in case of medical emergencies. For the purpose of reference for hospitalization & reimbursement of expenditure thereon in other than emergency cases Doctors/Medical officers working in different Central/State Govt. department dispensaries/health units should be recognized as Authorized medical attendant.

The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is recognized as a fundamental justify of all workers in terms of Article 21 read with Article 39for a, 41, 43, 48A and all related Articles as pronounced by the Supreme Court in Consumer Education and Research Centre & Others vs Union of India (AIR 1995 Supreme Court 922) The Supreme court has held that the justify to health to a worker is an integral facet of meaningful justify to life to have not only a meaningful existence but also robust health and vigour.

Therefore, the justify to health, medical aid to protect the health and vigour of a worker while in service or post retirement is a fundamental justify-to make life of a worker meaningful and purposeful with dignity of person. Thus health care is not only a welfare measure but is a Fundamental justify. We suggest that, all the pensioners, irrespective of pre-retiral class and status, be treated as same category of citizens and the same homogenous group. There should be no class or category based discrimination and all must be provided Health care services at par .

(ii). Hospital Regulatory Authority: To ensure that the hospitals do not avoid providing reasonable care to smart card holders and other poor citizens, a Hospital Regulatory Authority should be created to bring all NABH-accredited hospitals and NABL-accredited diagnostic Labs under its constant monitoring of quality, rates for different procedures & timely bill payments by Govt. agencies and Insurance companies. CGHS rates may be revised keeping in mind the workability as per market conditions.

(iii). Fixed Medical allowance (FMA): As is recorded in Para 5 of the minutes of Committee of Secretaries (COS) held on 15.04.2010 (Reference Cabinet Secretariat, Rashtrapati Bhavan No 502/2/3/2010-C.A.V Doc No. CD (C.A.V) 42/2010 Minutes of COS meeting dated 15.4.2010) which discussed enhancement of FMA. “CGHS card estimates for serving Personnel: Since estimates are not available separately for pensioners M/O Health & Family Welfare had assessed the total cost per card p.a. in 2007-2008 = Rs 16435 i.e. Rs.1369 per month for OPD”.

Adding to it inflation, the figure today is well over Rs 2000/- PM. Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. of India vide its letter no. G-25012/2/2011-SSI dated 07.06.2013 has already enhanced FMA to Rs 2000/- PM for EPFO beneficiaries. Thus, to help elderly pensioners to look after their health, Adequate raise in FMA will encourage a good number of pensioners to opt out of OPD facility which will reduce overcrowding in hospitals. OPD through Insurance will cost much more to the Govt. As such the proposal for raising Fixed Medical allowance to Pensioners is fully justified and is financially viable.

We suggest that FMA for all C.G. Pensioners be raised to at least Rs 2000/- PM without any distance restriction linking it to Dearness Relief for automatic further increase. We further suggest that FMA be exempted from INCOME TAX. Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) is a compensatory allowance to reimburse the medical expenses. As Medical Reimbursement is not taxable, FMA should also be exempted from Income Tax.

11. DA /DR merger commission did not agree to discuss the issue as it is not covered byTOR

12.Interim relief Commission response did not appeared to be very positive on our stressing the issue they said they will look into.

13. 6th CPC anomalies : Chairman asked for submission of detailed list through supplementary memorandum.

14.Plight of those born on 1.1.1938/46: Commission said, they will look into.

15. Plight of those retiring on 30June Commission said, they will look into.

16. Restoration of Commutation in 12 years: commission said thy will look into the details provided.

17. Grievance redressed. Chairman was critical of the functioning of the system already existing & remarked “ you will not be benefited. Court is the only alternative”
Friends, BPS has done its duty well, issues raised by us has received due attention from NCJCM as well as the 7th CPC.

S.C.Maheshwari
Secy Genl BPS

Source: www.scm-bps.blogspot.in
[http://scm-bps.blogspot.in/2014/07/brief-feedback-on-bps-preliminary.html]

Merger of DA with Pay and sanction of Interim Relief for the Central Government Employees.

Merger of DA with Pay and sanction of Interim Relief for the Central Government Employees.

 

Shiva Gopal Mishra

Secretary

National Council (Staff Side)

Joint Consultative Machinery

for Central Government Employees

13-C, Ferozashah Road. New Delhi – 110001

No.NC/JCM/2014

Dated: June 12, 2014

The Cabinet Secretary

And

Chairman National CounciI(JCM),

Government of India, North Block, New Delhi

 

Resp. Sir,

Sub: Merger of DA with Pay and sanction of Interim Relief for the Central Government Employees.

 

I take this opportunity to bring to your kind notice that, while Government of India have appointed 7th Central Pay Commission for the Central Government Employees to make recommendations in regard to revision of wages and other allowances, merger of Dearness Allowance with Pay and payment of Interim Relief have neither been considered by the government itself nor included in the Terms of Reference(ToR)

of the VII CPC.

 

It may be recalled that the two issues, viz. Merger of Dearness Allowance with Pay and Interim Relief have been the subject matter with the government at the time when the Staff Side was called upon to present their views while finalizing the ToR of the VII CPC by the Secretary(PersonneI, DoP&T), in his capacity as Chairman, Standing Committee, National CounciI(JCM). Although, the Staff Side pleaded for the specific reference of the above two issues to the VII CPC, the final version of the ToR, as approved by the government, did not find place for our views.

 

It would not be out of context to mention here that the methodology adopted for compensating the erosion in the real value of wage on account of price hike refiected in the rate of Dearness Allowance paid to Government Employees. The merger of DA to partially compensate the erosion in the real wages was done in pursuance of the report of Gadgil Committee in the post 2“ Pay Commission. This has, thereafter, been continued in the successive Central Pay Commissions also, wherein up to 50% of DA has been merged with the Pay when Dearness compensation exceeded 50%.

 

Dearness compensation has already reached 100% as on 01.01.2014, and it is further likely to exceed w.e.f. 01.07.2014, therefore, it would be grossly justified that, at least 50% DA be merged with Pay to compensate the erosion of the real value of the wages immediately.

 

The 7th CPC, appointed by the Government of India, has though started its functioning, nevertheless its report is expected to be available not earlier than 1 and 1/2 years time and because of uncontrolled skyrocketing price hike of essential commodities in the market, the real value of the wages is eroding the greatest extent, which is in no way being compensated even by sanction of Dearness Allowance/Dearness Relief.

 

It would, therefore, be imperative that, at least 25% of the Basic Pay of Central Government Employees, but not less than Rs.2000 should be sanctioned as “lnterim Relief” with immediate effect to compensate the sharp erosion in the real value of the wages.

 

We request your early intervention in the matter so as to provide necessary relief to the Central Government Employees.

 

sd/-

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)

 

Source: www.ncjcmstaffside.com

[http://ncjcmstaffside.com/2014/merger-of-da-with-pay-and-sanction-of-interim-relief-for-the-central-government-employees/]

NFIR writes to 7th CPC to send Interim Report along with merger of dearness allowance

NFIR writes to 7th CPC to send Interim Report to the Government along with the aspect of merger of dearness allowance with basic pay...

 

Preliminary inter-action meeting between 7th CPC & NFIR — reg.

 

NFIR

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen

3, Chelmsford Road, New Delhi-110 055

Affiliated to :

IndIan National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)

International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)

No.IV/NFIR/7th CPC/2013/Pt.Ii

Dated: 29-05-2014

The Chairman,

Seventh Central Pay Commission,

New Delhi

 

Respected Sir,

Sub: Preliminary inter-action meeting between 7th CPC & NFIR — reg.

Ref: Seventh CPC’s D.O. No.7CPC/22/Meeting dated 12th May, 2014.

 

We express our sincere gratitude to the 7th CPC for extending invitation to the NFIR to take part in the inter-action meeting. As this being the first meeting of preliminary inter-action nature. NFIR submits certain facts briefly for appreciation. The Federation would, however submit detailed memorandum separately on various issues as well as the proposed pay structure for Railwaymen/ Women and the need for upward revision of various allowances, incentive etc.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDIAN RAILWAYMEN (N.F.I.R.)

NFIR is one of the major Federations in the railways functioning for the cause of rail workforce (serving & retired) and equally for the growth of Nation as well Railways since the last over six decades.

 

NFIR is one of the major constituents of the Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM). M. Raghavaiah, General Sccrctary/NFIR, is also the Leader of Staff Side/JCM.

 

INDIAN RAILWAYS

Indian Railways is a unique and complex transportation system under the control of Central Government, serving the needs of people since the last more than 160 years. Indian Railways handle over 19,000 regular trains (Freight & Passenger) per day besides about 3000 special trains a day during various seasons. Its route kilometerage is 65,187.

 

During the year 2012-13, Indian Railways moved more than 1010 Metric Tonnes of freight traffic and joined as fourth member of the select Billion Tonne Club of USA, China and Russia. The operating ratio has been around 90% barring the 3 years period between 2005-06 & 2008. The Indian Railways incur losses as a result of fulfilling the social service obligations. The approximate loss on this account is around Rupees Twenty Thousand Crores per annum.

 

RAILWAY EMPLOYEES' ROLE:

The railway employees perform duties for ensuring uninterrupted flow of services. They Work at over 7000 railway stations. Most work places do not have access to facilities and basic amenities for their living. The employees are compelled to work under the open sky and inclement weather conditions. They face hazards associated with the job environment, remoteness. inhospitable terrain etc.,

 

Although, railway employees are part of Central Government Employees, their nature of work, duties and responsibilities are uncommon and not comparable with any other system/industry. The staff who maintain railway tracks, rolling stock, signal/telecom network, train operations, trains planning, punctuality, safety are skillful and devoted to the system but however, these factors have not been given due weighage by successive Pay Commissions. The running staff i.e. Loco Pilots, Asst. Loco Pilots, Guards. operating staff, station masters, controllers etc.. perform their jobs facing many odds. They are expected lo perform duties even beyond the prescribed duty hours.

 

We may incidentally cite para 2.3 of the report of the Chairman, High Level Safety Review Committee headed by Dr.Anil Kakodkar submitted to the Railway Ministry. According tlo the said report the number of railway employees killed in the course of performing duties has been higher as can be seen from the following figures (period 2007—08 to 2011)

 

	Killed	Injured
(a) Railwaymen	1,600	8,700
(b) Passenger/Public	1,019	2,110
(c) Unmanned Level Crossing	723	690

 

The nature of work, duties, responsibilities of railway staff justify grant of better pay structtire and other benefits treating the Railway Workforce as unique and not comparable with other Central Government employees. We shall explain the facts through our memorandum for consideration of Hon’ble 7th CPC.

 

NFIR‘s MEMORANDAM AND EVIDENCE:

As the NFIR is one of the major constituents of the JCM, our memorandum will be drafted and finalized after the submission of memorandum by JCM (Staff Side). In view of this, we request that we may be given time to submit our memorandum by 31st July, 20l4.

 

As the Hon’ble Pay Commission is aware that 1.3 million staff belonging to hundreds of caegories are working in the railways, we request that the Federation be given more slots in phases to facilitate us to explain the case of every important category cogently.

 

SATISFACTION LEVEL OF 6th CPC REPORT:

We may submit that the 6th  report, more particularly the concept of Grade Pay and Pay Band had generated many anomalies. This led to dis-satisfaction among different categories of railway employees. These anomalies are yet to be rectified by the Government. The proposals of Railway Ministry on 6th CPC issues are pending with Finance Ministry. MACPS aberrations have also been very large in number. Our efforts at the level of Railway Ministry as well Ministry of Personnel/MoF have not yielded positive result.

 

We hope that the Seventh Central Pay Commission would look into these issues in a realistic manner for mitigating the injustice caused to staff.

 

DEARNESS ALLOWANCE — IT’s MERGER WITH PAY:

Honhle Pay Commission may kindly appreciate that the Dearness Allowance (D.A.) has become 100% of pay w.e.f. 01/01/2014. This scenario was never anticipated by the 6th CPC. It may however be appreciated that in the past, the Government had merged DA with pay when it crossed 50% (In the year 2004). We are expecting 6% DA w.e.f. July 1, 2014, thus the DA% would be 106% of pay in July, 2014.

 

We therefore, request the Hon’ble Pay Commission to kindly consider this aspect for sending interim report to the Government recommending merger.

 

CONCLUDING:

NFIR assures its co-operation to the Pay Commission by way providing facts and material & equally hopes that this Pay Commission would render justice to the Railway employees.

 

Yours faithfully,

sd/-

(M.Raghavaiah)

General Secretary/NFIR

 

Forwarded to the Affiliated Unions of NFIR. lt was explained very effectively the uniqueness and uncommon working of the rail work force justifying different pay package. Speciai thrust was DA merger. The response has been positive.

 

Source: NFIR

NFIR writes to Finance Minister to merge 50% of Dearness allowance with basic pay - 28.05.2014

NFIR writes to Finance Minister to merge 50% of Dearness allowance with basic pay - 28.05.2014

On 28th May 2014, NFIR General Secretary writes to new Finance Minister Shri. Arun Jaitley to consider the huge anticipated demand of merging dearness allowance with basic pay for Central Government employees and Pensioners...

 

The letter is reproduced and given below for your ready reference...

 

NFIR

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen

3, Chelmsford Road, New Delhi-110 055

Affiliated to :

IndIan National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)

International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)

No.1/5(A)/Pt.I 

Dated: 28/05/2014

Sh. Arun Jaitley

Hon’ble Minister for Finance,

Government of India,

North Block

New Delhi

 

Dear Sir,

 

Sub: Merger of Dearness Allowance with Pay-reg.

 

While enclosing copy of Federation’s letter No. 1/5(A) dated 27/09/2013, NFIR desires to bring to your kind notice, the following facts for consideration.

 

2. In the Standing Committee meeting held under the chairmanship of the Secretary DoP&T, on 7th May 2014, the agenda item pertaining to merger of D.A. with pay was discussed by the JCM/Staff Side representatives. There has, however, been no positive response from the Official Side on the issue probably the VII CPC has started working on the terms of reference.

 

3. Now that the D.A. has become 100% of pay w.e.f. 01/01/2014 and another instalment of D.A. @ 6% of pay is likely to be granted by the Government w.e.f. 01/07/2014 as per the figures of Consumer Price Index, continuing D.A., without merger, is highly unjustified. In the past i.e. during the year 2004, the Government of India had merged 50% DA with pay for all purposes. Similar decision has, unfortunately, not been taken by the previous Government.

 

4. Seventh Central Pay Commission has already sent communications to JCM constituent organisations etc.. to submit Memorandums. At this juncture, it would be proper to convey to the Chairman, 7th CPC to consider the JCM (Staff Side) demand for merger of DA with pay with retrospective effect and send interim report to the Government for consideration.

 

NFIR, therefore, requests you to kindly consider our request and see that the Government makes reference to 7th CPC to consider DA merger with pay and to send its interim report to the Government for favourable consideration.

 

Thanking you.

 

Yours faithfully,

sd/-

(M.Raghavaiah)

General Secretary

 

Source: NFIR

7th CPC ToR, DA Merger and Stepping up...9 Points to be discussed in the Standing Committee of National Council(JCM) - AIRF

7th CPC ToR, DA Merger and Stepping up...9 Points to be discussed in the Standing Committee of National Council(JCM) - AIRF

AIRF published the 09 Point Agenda for discussion in the Standing Committee of National Council(JCM) having burining issues of Centrail Government Staff of India on its official website today, the same is reproduced and given below for your information...

No.NC-JCM/2014/VII CPC

Dated: April 9, 2014

The Chairman,

Standing Committee

National Council(JCM),

South Block,

New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Agenda for discussion in the Standing  Committee of National Council(JCM)

An agenda, comprising of 09 items, to be discussed in the Standing Committee of the National Council(JCM), is being enclosed herewith for necessary action.

Yours faithfully,

-sd-

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)

Secretary, Staff Side

National Council(JCM)

DA/As above

Copy to: All Constituent Organisations of the National Council(JCM) – for information.

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE 7th CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION 

The Government of India have finalized the Terms of Reference of the 7th CPC and circulated the same vide Ministry of Finance’s Resolution No1/1/2013-E.III (A) dated 28th February, 2014. It is a matter of concern that and disappointment that the Terms of Reference have been finalised unilaterally without having thorough discussion with the Staff Side and their views have also not been taken care of while doing so.

It may be recalled that a meeting was convened by the Secretary (Personnel) with the Staff Side members on 24th October, 2013 to discuss the possible Terms of Reference for the 7th CPC being appointed. In that meeting the Staff side had specifically requested that a copy of Terms of Reference for 7th CPC, as proposed by the Ministry of Finance may be circulated to all concerned and thereafter another meeting with Secretary, Department of Expenditure and Department of Personnel & Training be arranged with the Staff Side to discuss and finalise the same, which is clearly mentioned in para 11 of the Record Note of Discussion of that meeting. Subsequently, the Staff Side again requested for an urgent meeting with the Secretary(Expenditure) and Secretary DoPT for finalization of the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Seventh Central Pay Commission vide its letter dated 23rd January, 2014. However, no such meeting was convened and Terms of Reference for the 7th CPC have been finalised by the Government on 28th February, 2014.

While going through the ToR, as finalized by the Government, it is observed that many of the suggestions of the Staff Side, in regard to date of effect of Pay Commission, Merger of D.A., Interim Relief, representation of labour representative in the Commission itself, parity issues in regard to pensioners, settlement of the pending Anomaly items etc., have not been duly considered, which is a matter of dissatisfaction.

The Staff Side, therefore, demands that the Government must discuss the Terms of Reference for the 7th CPC with them and make necessary amendments/revisions to the Terms of Reference.

1. Revision of Wage with effect from 01.01.2011

The present wage structure of the Central Government employees is in vogue on the basis of the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission, which took effect from 01.01.2006 in the case of Pay, and in the case of Allowances from 01.09. 2008.

The wage revision of the Central Government employees is done every 10 years, which was recommended by the 5th CPC, however, in the case of Central PUSs, the wage revision normally takes place after every five years. In the past, wage revision has been linked to the extent of erosion of real wages. The degree of inflation in the economy determines the pace of erosion of the real value of wages. The retail prices of those commodities which are computed for determining the minimum wages have risen by about 160% from 01.01.2006 to 01.01. 2011, whereas the D.A. compensation, in the case of Central Government employees, on that date had been just 51%.

Since wage revision in all the Central Public Sector Undertakings takes places every five years through collective bargaining, revision of wages of the Central Government employees in 10 years gives rise to serious disparity in wages and allowances of the Central Government employees, vis-a-vis those in Public Sector Undertakings, which is a major cause of discontentment among them. The Staff Side, therefore, demands that the wage revision of the Central Government employees must also take place after every 5 years on the analogy of CPUSs and therefore, Government must specify the date of effect of the recommendations of the 7th CPC accordingly, i.e. to take effect from 01.01.2011 in place of 01.01.2016.

2. Merger of DA with Pay 

The wage revision of the Central Government employees takes place only through setting up of Central Pay Commissions, which has many a times proved to be a time consuming process. The 6th CPC submitted its report in the time frame provided to it, i.e. 18 months. Since the earlier Commissions had covered many aspects of the principles of wage determination and the periodicity of such revision had come down, the exercise might not now require a longer period of time as was the case earlier, still the 7th CPC shall require a reasonable time frame to go into the matter judiciously because the implementation of the recommendations of the 6th CPC have given rise to large number of anomalies and cadre related grievances.

The methodology adopted for compensating the erosion in the real value of wages in the interregnum period had always been though the mechanism of merger of a portion of DA. The 5th CPC had recommended that the DA must be merged with pay and treated as pay for computing all allowances as and when the percentage of Dearness compensation exceeds 50%. Accordingly even before the setting up of the 6th CPC the DA to the extent of 50% was merged with pay.

As on 1.1.2014, the Dearness compensation is 100%. The suggestion for merger of DA to partially compensate the erosion in the real wages was first mooted by the Gadgil Committee in the post 2nd Pay Commission period. The 3rd CPC had recommended such merger when the Cost of Living index crossed over 272 points i.e. 72 points over and above the base index adopted for the pay revision. In other words, the recommendation of the 3rd CPC was to merge the DA when it crossed 36%. The Government in the National Council JCM at the time of negotiation initially agreed to merge 60% DA and later the whole of the DA before the 4th CPC was set up. The 5th CPC merged 98% of DA with pay. It is, therefore, necessary that the Government takes steps to merge atleast 50% of DA with pay to compensate the erosion of the real value of wages immediately.

3. Appointment on compassionate grounds under the Central Government

Under the pretext of Hon’ble Supreme Court directives, the Central Government introduced a 5% ceiling on compassionate ground appointment. On account of this ceiling limit of 5%, a large number of cases of appointment on compassionate grounds of the dependents of the deceased Central Government employees have been pending in different departments, with the result that, the bereaved families of the late employees are constraints to face undue hardship due to loss of bread winner. Some of such candidates, belonging to Department of Posts, approached the Hon’ble Court of Law and obtained favourable orders, however, these directives have not been acted upon. The Government has chosen to dillydally by filing SLP in the Supreme Court.

It may be recalled that, the Central Administrative Tribunals were established with the intention of expeditious settlement of disputes on service matters. Even recently the Prime Minister's office ordered that it would not be open for various Ministries to appeal against the orders of the Tribunal as a matter of course and efforts must be to explore the ways of acceptances of the judgements of the Tribunal. In the light of these directives, the SLP ought to have been withdrawn.

It is pertinent to further mention here that, the standing Committee on Department of Personnel in one of their reports has termed the scheme of compassionate ground appointments as a sacred assurance to a fresh entrant that if he dies in harness, his family shall not be left in lurch. Such an assurance is being breached by the provisions of limiting such appointments to 5% of vacancies.

The Staff Side is, therefore, of the firm view that this condition of 5% ceiling must be done away with to provide relief to the bereaved families of the deceased Central Government employees.

4. Regularisation of Casual/Contingent/Daily Rate workers 

Due to ban on creation of posts and recruitment of personnel that continued for a very long period and the consequent strain on the existing workers, many departmental heads had to recruit personnel on daily rated basis or as casual workers. Thus, almost 25% of the present workforce in the Governmental organisations are casual workers deployed to do permanent and perennial nature of jobs, contrary to the prohibition of such unfair labour practices by the law of the land. In the fifties and sixties, even the casual workers who had been employed to do casual and non perennial jobs used to get priority for regular employment as and when vacancies for such permanent recruitment arise. It is, however, a matter of concern that thousands of persons are now recruited as casual workers and kept as such for years together and are paid pittance of a salary with no benefits, like Provident Fund, Dearness Allowance, other Compensatory Allowances etc. In order to ensure that they do not get the benefit of regularisation, these workers  are technically discharged for a few days to be employed afresh again. The modus operandi differs from one department to another. While in some organisations, they are recruited through Employment Exchanges, in others, the functions are contracted out. Not only the quality of work suffers, but it is also an inhuman exploitation of the workers given the serious situation of unemployment that exists in the country. While the permanent solution is to sanction the necessary posts and resort to regular recruitment, the Government should evolve a scheme by which these casual/contingent/daily rated workers are made regular workers with all the concomitant benefits available for regular Government employees. Pending finalisation of such a scheme for regularisation, the non regular employees recruited for meeting the exigencies of work must be paid pro-rata salary on par with similarly placed regular employees on the principle of equal pay for equal work.

5. Downsizing, Outsourcing, Contractorisation etc. 

To overcome the difficulties emanated from the total ban on recruitment and creation of posts and more specifically impacted by the 2001 executive fiat of the Government of India in the matter, many departments had to resort to outsourcing of its functions. Some were virtually closed down and a few others were privatised or contractorised. The large scale outsourcing and contractorisation of functions had a telling effect on the efficacy of the Government departments. The delivery system was adversely affected and the public at large suffered due to the inordinate delay it caused in getting the requisite service. The financial outlay for outsourcing of functions of each department increased enormously over the years, as a consequence of which, the quality of work suffered. In order to ensure that the people do get a better and efficient service from the Government departments and to raise the image of the Government employees in the eyes of the common people, it is necessary that the present scheme of outsourcing and contractorisation of essential functions of the Government must be abandoned. The practice of outsourcing and contractorisation is nothing but a cruel exploitation of the alarming situation of unemployment. The system of outsourcing of the functions seeks to informalise the workforce. The contract/casual workers get not even one third of the salary of the regular work force. They have no social security benefits like pension, provident fund gratuity etc. The Central Government employees fought against the temporary service rules which was in vogue in sixties and ensured that the recruitment to Government service is permanent and the civil servants are not allowed to be fired at the whim and fancy of their bosses. The outsourcing and contractorisation has paved way for large scale entry of casual workers and has resulted in the reversal of what all achieved in this direction through struggles in the past two decades.

The prevalent system of outsourcing and contractorisation, therefore, needs to be abandoned and all the regular and perennial nature works should be entrusted on regular Government employees only.

6. Revising Overtime Allowance(OTA) and Night Duty Allowance Rates 

It may be seen that the Overtime Allowance is seldom paid to the Government employees. It is only in case of emergency and in the contingency in which the work cannot be postponed, like that happens in the Railways in smooth running of trains round the clock, in the RMS Division of Postal Department, in the Atomic Energy Commission offices or when the Parliament is in session in other administrative offices, employees are asked to do work beyond the stipulated working hours. The Night Duty Allowance is, however, paid to Government employees who have to work in night shifts with certain stipulated conditions. The 4th CPC recommended that since there had been considerable misuse of the provisions relating to grant of OTA, the Government should find alternative methods to compensate the employees who are asked to work on over time and pending such a scheme being evolved recommended not to revise the rates. However, the Government did not bring in any new scheme but issued the directive that the OTA and Night duty allowance will be paid to the employees who are called upon to do overtime or night duty on the basis of the 4th CPC pay structure. This directive is still in vogue.

Owing to certain disagreements with the Government on these issues, this matter was referred to Board of Arbitration under the JCM Scheme, whereupon the Board of Arbitration, having found unreasonable position taken by the Government, gave out the award in favour of the staff and directed the Government to revise the order whereby the allowance will be linked to the actual pay of the Government employees. The Government did not accept this award and decided to approach the Parliament for rejection of the same. The matter has not yet been placed in the form of a resolution in the Parliament. Despite the fact that the employees had been abiding by the directive of their superiors to be on overtime/night duty, and despite having won the case before the Board of Arbitration they continue to be compensated on the basis of the Notional pay as in 1986. There cannot be a much bigger injustice meted out to the employees. The Government must accept the award of the Board and issue instructions linking the Allowance to the actual pay of the employee.

7. Stepping up of pay of seniors who are drawing less pay than the juniors consequent on fixation of pay due to implementation of 6th CPC recommendations between Direct Recruits and Promotees

Consequent upon implementation of the recommendations of the VI CPC, in respect of pay scales of various categories of staff, there are certain situations where the senior who were promoted before 01.01.2006 are getting lesser pay than their juniors promoted after 01.01.2006, on fixation of their pay w.e.f. 01.01.2006. This, being a serious anomaly, has been raised by different department in their Departmental Anomalies Committees for redressal thereof. While clarifications regarding stepping up of pay of senior who are drawing less pay than the juniors between Direct Recruitees and Promotees, i.e. the seniors and juniors placed in a pay scale, having some Direct Recruitment Quota, have already been issued, whereby seniors’ pay has been stepped up and equated to the juniors. However, in grades where there is no element of Direct Recruitment available, this provision has not been made till date, with the result that, the seniors are still drawing lesser pay than their juniors after fixation of their pay in new pay scales w.e.f. 01.01.2006, which, being a serious anomaly, is resulting in discontentment prevailing among the seniors.

The main incongruity in this case is basically due to the fact that it is for the first time that the 6th CPC has recommended specific entry level pay for Direct Recruits (DRs). This has resulted in employees who were appointed in service prior to the DRs and got promoted earlier are getting less pay as compared to their counterparts recruited directly and who joined after 1.1.2006. It has always been the case that on promotion, the pay of a promoted employee is never fixed at less than the entry level of pay of that post as admissible to a direct recruit.

The Staff Side, therefore, is of the firm view that orders need to be issued to the effect that the pay on promotion w.e.f. 01.01.2006 would not be fixed less than at the prescribed minimum of the Entry Pay as provided for the Direct Entrants in the Revised Pay Rules, to eliminate this anomalous situation.

8. Stepping up of pay of senior employees at par with their juniors consequent upon implementation of MACPS  

The Modified Assured Progression Scheme(MACPS) came into effect on 01.09.2008, and prior to this, Assured Career Progression(ACP) was in vogue. There are number of cases where the seniors who were promoted before implementation of the MACPS and the juniors who could not get normal promotion due to non-availability of vacancy or otherwise, and were extended the benefit of financial upgradation under MACPS on fulfillment of conditions laid down therein, the seniors are drawing lesser pay than their juniors under this scheme.

The MACP Scheme does not stipulate the provision of stepping up of pay of the seniors at par with their juniors, in case the seniors getting lesser pay than their juniors, which is absolutely unjustified and discriminative.

The Staff Side has repeatedly raised this issue in the MACPS’s Anomaly Committee as well, however, this discrepancy has not been done away with till date, with the result that, the seniors are still drawing lesser pay than their juniors, having been extended the benefit of financial upgradation under MACPS and this is causing deep sense of frustration prevailing among the seniors.

Staff Side, therefore, is of the firm opinion that the above-mentioned discrepancy needs to be addressed at the earliest to provide relief to the seniors.

9. Granting of Additional Pay to Loco & Traffic Running Staff  

On the basis of recommendations of the 6th CPC, Additional Pay of Rs.1000 p.m. with appropriate Dearness Allowance has been granted in favour of Loco Pilot(Mail/Express)/Sr. Motorman(PB-II, GP Rs.4200)/(Rs.6000-9800)(5th CPC). Similarly, Rs.500 has been granted to Loco Pilot(Passenger II/ Motorman)(PB-II, GP Rs.4200)/(Rs.5500-9000)(5th CPC) and Guard(Mail/Exp.)(PB-II, GP Rs.4200) (Rs.5500-9000)(5th CPC). But the same Additional Pay has not been granted to rest of the Loco & Traffic Running Staff, causing great injustice to these set of Loco & Traffic Running Staff.

It would be quite appropriate that the Additional Pay should be granted in favour of all other categories of Loco & Traffic Running Staff.

Source: AIRF

[http://www.airfindia.com]

Can the government servants get 30% Salary hike on account of 50% DA Merger? - An analysis

Can the government servants get 30% Salary hike on account of 50% DA Merger? - An analysis

It is observed that recently Public Medias are interested to publish the news about pay hike of central government employees.

 

We all know the Federations of Central Government employees have been holding demonstrations and Struggles to invite the attention of govt to settle their many demands for the past few months. As a result of this Centre has accepted to settle some demands.

 

One of the main demands laid down before the Central Government by Federations is 50% DA Merger. A Sensational News was spread across the country that a decision on 50% DA merger will be announced in the Cabinet Meeting held last week. But, though there

 

was no any formal announcement in this regard, the approval of 7th CPC Terms of reference by Government made everyone to think that it will be considered sooner or later.

 

A Popular English daily published a tabloid news last week, in which The daily claimed that a govt official informed them ‘the government servants will get 30% Pay Hike on account of Merger of 50% dearness Allowance with Basic Pay.’

 

Is that true? Let us see with an example

 

For example, let us consider as if a government servant is working in one of the four metropolitan cities and rendered 10 years’ of service.

 

His Basic Pay is (7600+2400)	10,000
Dearness Allowance 100%	10,000
HRA 30%	3,000
Transport Allowance (1600+1600)	3,200
Total	26,200

 

Rs.26,200 is the maximum total emoluments of this particular Basic Pay. This will not be exceeded at any cost but there are some reasons to make these total emoluments to be lesser than this.

 

The salary with same basic pay after DA merger

 

In case the central government agrees to merge the 50% DA with basic pay, then that govt servant can expect a considerable pay hike on account of Merger of 50% DA.

 

After Merger of 50% DA his Pay will be as fallows

 

Basic Pay (7600+2400)	10,000
Dearness Pay	5,000
Dearness Allowance	7,500
HRA	4,500
Total	29,400
Total Hike in Pay (29400 - 26200)	3,200
% of Hike is	12%

 

How can one say that he will be getting 30% hike when he is getting only Rs.3200 in addition to his previous salary of Rs.26,200 after 50% DA merger?

 

Everybody fallowed the particular Daily and started writing that the Government servants will get 30% salary hike after 50% DA is merged with basic Pay. But this example clearly shows that there is no such hike and if the DA is merged with Basic Pay the increase in salary will be only from 8% to 15%

 

According to their entitlement the percentage of increase will vary, but no one can get 30% pay hike on account of DA merger.

 

Source: 7thpaycommissionupdates.blogspot.in
[http://7thpaycommissionupdates.blogspot.in/2014/03/can-govt-servants-get-30-salary-hike-on.html]

7th Pay Commission may recommend in its interim report to merge 50% of DA with basic pay..!

7th Pay Commission may recommend in its interim report to merge 50% of DA with basic pay..!

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Friday raised dearness allowance to 100% from 90%, benefiting 50 lakh employees and 30 lakh pensioners.

The government has also cleared the way for merger of 50% DA with basic pay by approving it among the terms of reference of the 7th Pay Commission. An official said now the commission can suggest the merger in its interim report.

He added that 50% DA merger with basic pay will roughly increase the gross salaries of central government employees by around 30%.

The Cabinet approved the proposal to release an additional installment of DA and dearness relief (DR) to pensioners with effect from January 1, 2014, in cash, but not before the disbursement of the salary for the month of March 2014 at the rate of 10% increase over the existing rate of 90%, said an official statement.

Central government employees as well as pensioners are entitled for DA/DR at the rate of 100 per cent of the basic with effect from January 1, 2014, it said.

The government has estimated that the combined impact on exchequer on account of both DA and DR would be Rs 11,074.80 crore every year.

Source : Times of India
[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Cabinet-hikes-DA-to-100-salary-may-increase-by-30/articleshow/31190916.cms]

Whether Cabinet Approved Merger of DA with Basic Pay today(28.2.2014)..?

Whether Cabinet Approved Merger of DA with Basic Pay today(28.2.2014)..?

One of the leading news media ‘IBN Live‘ reported that “the Union Cabinet approved a hike in dearness allowance (DA) to 100 per cent from existing 90 per cent benefiting 50 lakh Central government employees and 30 lakh pensioners. The DA hike though, will not be merged with the basic pay“.

On the other side, one of the popular media news agency, ‘Business standard‘ said that the “Cabinet today approved merger of 50% dearness allowance of Central government employees and pensioners with their basic pay. However, it has deferred a decision on anti-corruption ordinances and Forward Contract Regulation (Amendment) Act. A special Cabinet meeting is likely tomorrow to take call on these ordinances“.


Which is correct…?

Source: www.centralgovernmentemployeesnews.in
[http://centralgovernmentemployeesnews.in/2014/02/whether-cabinet-approved-merger-of-da-with-basic-pay-today/]

Merger of Dearness allowance: AIRF Demanding Merger of 100% Dearness Allowance with Basic Pay

Merger of Dearness allowance: AIRF Demanding Merger of 100% Dearness Allowance with Basic Pay

 All India Railwaymen's Federation publishes the press statement regarding the merger of Dearness allowance with basic pay. The federation demanding merger of 100% Dearness allowance with basic pay for all purposes with effect from 1.1.2014.

The text of the press release has been reproduced and given below for your information...
Press Release of AIRF on Merger of Dearness Allowance and Announcement of Dearness Allowance w.e.f 01.01.2014.

PRESS RELEASE

New Delhi: February 21, 2014 - All India Railwaymen’s Federation(AIRF) has addressed the issue of merger of 100% Dearness Allowance with Basic Pay for all purposes w.e.f. 01.01.2014 to Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and the Finance Minister, Government of India, as Dearness Allowance will cross 100%. Unfortunately, there is no heed to this issue despite agitations at length over the Indian Railways by the AIRF.

It is also unfortunate that due 10% Dearness Allowance w.e.f. 1st

January, 2014 has still not been announced by the Government of India.

AIRF earnestly requests the Government of India to immediately announce Dearness Allowance w.e.f. 1st January, 2014 all along with merger of 100% Dearness Allowance with Basic Pay.

For General Secretary
All India Railwaymen’s Federation

Source: AIRF
New Delhi: February 21, 2014 - All India Railwaymen’s Federation(AIRF) has addressed the issue of merger of 100% Dearness Allowance with Basic Pay for all purposes w.e.f. 01.01.2014 to Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and the Finance Minister, Government of India, as Dearness Allowance will cross 100%. Unfortunately, there is no heed to this issue despite agitations at length over the Indian Railways by the AIRF.

It is also unfortunate that due 10% Dearness Allowance w.e.f. 1st

January, 2014 has still not been announced by the Government of India.

AIRF earnestly requests the Government of India to immediately announce Dearness Allowance w.e.f. 1st January, 2014 all along with merger of 100% Dearness Allowance with Basic Pay.

For General Secretary
All India Railwaymen’s Federation

Source: AIRF

Merger of 50% DA with Pay and grant of Interim Relief - NFIR

Merger of 50% DA with Pay and grant of Interim Relief - NFIR

NFIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen

No.II/95/Pt. VI

Dated: 20/02/2014

The General Secretaries of
Affiliated Unions of NFIR.

Brother,
Sub: Merger of 50% DA with Pay and grant of Interim Relief.

NFIR has been writing to the Government of India (including Prime Minister, Finance Minister etc) for merger of 50% DA with pay through its letters dated 10/01/2013, 05/08/2013, 27/09/2013. Also in its 27th National Convention held at Visakhapatnam from 10th  to 12th December, 2013, the Federation had passed a resolution demanding merger of 50% DA with Pay and grant of interim relief to employees of Central Government including Railway employees.

NFIR feels happy to convey that the Central Government has conceded the demand of the employees raised by the Federation.

Union Cabinet is likely to consider the issues to day for taking final decision. Federation will advise decision when taken by the Government. Federation expects that there may be Good News for all Central Government employees very soon.

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

Central Government News: Inclusion of DA Merger and Interim Relief in 7th CPC ToR - Cabinet likely to approve 7th CPC ToR

Central Government News: Inclusion of DA Merger and Interim Relief in 7th CPC ToR - Cabinet likely to approve 7th CPC ToR

Inclusion of DA Merger and Interim Relief in 7th CPC Terms of Reference - Union Cabinet likely to approve the 7th CPC Terms of Refernce in the next meeting, media sources said.

"To woo central government employees ahead of the general elections, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government is expected to ask the Seventh Pay Commission to consider merging 50 per cent dearness allowance (DA) with basic pay of employees.

This will form part of the terms of reference (ToR) for the Commission, to be considered by the Cabinet this week.

According to officials, the Pay Commission’s ToR categorically states a proposal in this regard should be actively considered.

The increases will be even more appealing as the Centre is expected to increase the DA by 10 per cent to 100 per cent by the end of February. Usually, the DA is merged with basic pay when the former goes beyond 50 per cent. It is 90 per cent now, but has not been merged so far.

Assuming an employee gets Rs 100 as basic pay and Rs 100 as DA at present, the basic will rise to Rs 150, even if 50 per cent allowance is merged. . A higher basic pay will also impact the house rent allowance (HRA) of employees as it is calculated at 30 per cent of the basic pay for central government employees.

DA is linked to the consumer price index (industrial workers). The government uses CPI-IW data of the past 12 months to arrive at a quantum for calculating any DA hike. The allowance will be announced from January. As such, the retail inflation for industrial workers between January 1 to December 31, 2013 would be used to take a final call on the matter. The average inflation during this period had stood at 10.66 per cent.

Earlier this month, the government had constituted the Pay Commission under the chairmanship of former Supreme Court Judge Ashok Kumar Mathur.

The other members of the panel are Petroleum Secretary Vivek Rae (full-time member), National Institute of Public Finance and Policy Director Rathin Roy (part-time member) and Officer on Special Duty in the Expenditure Department Meena Agarwal (Secretary).

The Commission’s recommendations would be implemented from January 1, 2016, officials said. However, it may recommend interim relief as well, they added.

The Commission’s recommendations will directly benefit almost five million employees and three million pensioners. Employees of state governments, which will adopt the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission will also benefit.

Some officials said the Cabinet is also expected to consider another proposal to modify the Prime Minister’s 15-point programme for minorities, which will enable allocation of at least 15 per cent of the total funds for welfare of minorities in major programmes such as National Rural Health Mission, Rashtriya Mahila Shiksha Abhiyan, Employment and Skill Development".

Source: www.business-standard.com
http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/centre-plans-big-bonanza-for-central-govt-employees-114021901256_1.html]