Confederation publishes the outcome of the meeting of National Anomaly Committee and National JCA
CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS
1st Floor, North Avenue PO Building, New Delhi – 110 001
Website : www.confederationhq.blogspot.com
e-mail : confederationhq@gmail.com
President K.K.N.Kutty 09811048303
Secretary General
M.Krishnan
09447068125
No.CONF/2015
Date : 12-06-2015
Dear Comrade,
As
indicated in our last circular letter, the final meeting with the 7th
CPC was held on 9.6.2015. Earlier on 8th afternoon, the Staff side had
met separately to chalk out the course of negotiations. The National JCA
also met on the same day. The National Anomaly Committee met on 9th
June, 2015 at 3.00 pm under the Chairmanship of Joint Secretary (E)
Department of Personnel at Room No. 72 North Block, New Delhi.
We give
hereunder a brief synopsis of the discussions at all the meetings.
1.
Meeting with 7thCPC
The following Staff Side members were present at the Meeting:
Coms.
M. Raghavaiah (Leader Staff Side – NFIR),
Shiv Gopal Mishra (Secretary, Staff Side-AIRF), Com.
Guman Singh, R.P. Bhatnagar and
Com.Sharma (all from NFIR), Com.
Rakhal Dasgupta, Com.
J.R Bhosale (AIRF) Com.
KKN Kutty, M.S. Raja and Com. M. Krishnan (from Confederation and NFPE) Com.
Srikumar and Com.
R.N. Pathak (from AIDEF) Com.
Srinivasan and Com.
Surjeet Singh ( From INDWF)
(a) Date of effect:
The Chairman has made it clear that the Commission would recommend
1.1.2016 as the date of implementation of their recommendations. The
Commission would finalise its report by end of August and would submit
the same to the Government thereafter. They would adopt Dr. Aykroyd
formula for the computation of the Minimum wage. To the specific query
made by the Staff Side, the Commission said that they would factor the
probable increase in the rate of retail prices of the commodities and
would arrive at the minimum wage as on 1.1.2016. There had been no reply
to the loss of wages to the employees due to the erosion of the real
value of wages as there was no interim relief or benefit accrued from
the merger of DA. These demands, therefore, stand rejected.
(b) Increase in the insurance coverage in cases of death in harness:
The Staff Side recalled the assurance held out by the Commission
earlier to have the actuarial assessed by an expert agency to accede to
the demand of the staff side to increase the subscription and the
insurance coverage. The Staff Side was of the opinion that their
suggestion to share the subscription in the ratio of 3:7 was reasonable
but in the absence of an expert study, the Government might not accept
the same. The commission said that they would explore the possibility of
such an assessment by the LIC before finalization of the report.
(c) Fitment formula.
The Commission might accept the suggestion made by the Staff Side in
respect of fitment formula with requisite change in the ratio on the
basis of the quantum of minimum wage determined.
(d) Open ended pay scales: The Commission would recommend open ended pay scales as suggested by the Staff Side.
(e) In the matters of rate of increment, quantum of allowances etc, the Commission did not come out clearly of their thinking in the matter.
(f) Parity in pension
entitlement of the past and present pensioners. The Commission is yet
to make up its mind on the suggestion made by the staff side in the
matter. They however said that almost all the Pensioners organizations
which met the Commission had pleaded for this and the same is linked
with the one rank one pension demand of the Armed forces personnel.
(g) MACP scheme: The
difficulties and anomalies pointed out by the Staff Side and various
other organizations have been taken note of by the Commission. The
Commission assured to evolve a methodology to resolve the problem.
(h) Opposition to the induction of casual/daily rated workers and contractorisation.
The Commission said that they were opposed to the unfair practice of
exploitation of labour. For jobs which are of perennial and permanent
character, regular workers must be recruited, the Commission added and
that would obviate the need for outsourcing and contractorisation. Since
most of the outsourced jobs do not require any academic qualification,
the Commission was of the opinion that the revival of Group D cadre
would help to address the issue. However, the Commission stated that if
only the staff side sends in a communication in writing, the Commission
would be able to make any recommendation in the matter. The Staff Side
reiterated that they are totally opposed to outsourcing, induction of
casual workers and contractorisation and the same has been made explicit
in their memorandum.
(i) Parity in the pay scales between the personnel in the Central Sectt and those in the subordinate establishments.
The Commission stated that they have appreciated the stand taken by the Staff Side in the matter.
The Commission was non committal on other issues raised by the Staff Side members.
2.
National Anomaly Committee meeting
The
meeting was held at Room No. 72 North Block, under the Chairmanship of
J.S(E) Department of Personnel and Training. In the initial remarks, the
Staff side raised the following issues.
(a) Though
the official side had promised to provide an action taken statement on
all issues in the National Council, the same has not been supplied;
(b)No date for the National Council is indicated.
(c)
No indication of the steps taken to convene the Departmental Councils.
The official side had assured of the convening of the Departmental
Council of the Ministry of Finance in the last meeting. However, the
staff side has not been apprised of any date so far.
(d) Abnormal
delay in replying to the references made to the Ministry of Finance,
Department of Personnel from the Railways and other Ministries.
(e) The necessity to increase the ceiling limit of the rebate in Incometax for the allowances given to the Loco Pilots.
(f) Non-adherence to the GOI instructions by the Defence Ministry in certain matters.
The
Official side stated that the Action taken Statement was almost ready
but for certain comments from Certain departments. The same would be
sent to the staff Side and another meeting held to discuss the course of
action required on items where no agreement could be reached. The JS
(per) stated that some of the references received from the Railways had
been sent back to them for clarification before a final decision is
taken. Regarding increase in the rebate ceiling under the Income tax
Act, the matter would be referred to the revenue department and
requested the staff side to appreciate that the same has to be
considered in a wider perspective. Thereafter the agenda items, which
had not been discussed even once were taken up.
(ii)
Anomaly in the Pay Band and Grade Pay assigned to the Group B Officers of the Audit and Accounts, Incometax, , Central Excise and Customs and Postal Departments.
(Agenda Item No. 1 and 8 taken together.) Despite agreeing that there
existed an anomaly in the matter, the official side expressed their
inability to proceed further in the matter as the Group B Gazetted
Officers were beyond the ambit of the JCM scheme. However, they agreed
that the Govt. would take up the issue specifically with the 7th CPC.
Com.Shiv Gopal Mishra said that the Govt. must consider a JCM set up for
the promote officers as their cases are not heard or discussed at any
other forum. Com. Kutty said that the items were introduced as early as
in 2009 and it was not correct on the part of the official sided to
state that the same would be referred to the 7th CPC. Normally the Pay
Commission would not entertain to consider the anomalies of the earlier
Commissions. However, after some discussions, it was agreed that they
would discuss the issue of audit & accounts scale (AAOs) separately
after receiving a note from Staff Side and in respect of others, a note
will be submitted to the 7thCPC.
(iii)
Anomaly in the pay and Grade Pay of Data Processing Assistants Grade A..
The official side did not agree with the contention that the assigning
of higher grade pay to certain categories of officers (7450-11500 and
Grade Pay4600) was arbitrary. The Government, they added, had acted upon
the recommendation of the 6th CPC. They also said that only in those
cases where the pre-revised pay scales were in 6500-10500 such
up-gradation had been made. In the case of DPA Grade A, they were in the
pre revised scale of pay of Rs. 5500-9000.
(iv) Item No.3.
Grant of Grade pay of Rs. 4200 to Lab Technicians. The official side said that the orders have been issued in the matter.
(v) Item No.4.
Up-gradation of Pay Band and Grade pay of LDCs and UDCs.
The Staff Side made the following points in support of the item:
(a)
The Grade pay of Rs. 1900 assigned to LDCs by the 6th CPC was without
any logic and without appreciating the existing vertical relativity
between Group D and LDCs and LDCs and UDCs.
(b) While creating the
non functional grade in the grade pay of Rs. 4200 in the Central
Secretariat, the Department of Personnel, which is the nodal department
for all matters concerning the common categories, did not extend the
benefit to the UDCs in the Subordinate offices.
(c) The Staff side
also pointed out the Department while restructuring the cadre of
stenographers in the Central Sectt. earlier, had extended the benefit to
all Stenographers in the subordinate offices.
The official side
stated that it was not possible for them to address the issue, whatever
may be its justification in the background of the setting up of the 7th
CPC. They however, assured to make a reference specifically to the
Commission.
(vi) Item No.5.
Senior Clerks in DMS to be assigned grade pay of Rs. 4200. The matter was stated to be sub-judice.
(vii) Item No. 6 and 12. –
Removal
of anomaly in the case of artisans staff of different departments &
Master Craftsmen pay scale in MMS in Postal Department. The
two agenda items being identical were take up together. The Staff side
pointed out the glaring discrimination in the matter. They also stated
that the number of employees involved is very small. On behalf of the
Postal Department it was stated that the recruitment qualification in
the Postal Department was VIII Standard and ITI whereas in other
establishment, the academic qualification stipulated was X Standard. The
Staff side contested the same pointing out that no person is entitled
to be admitted to ITI without having X standard qualification. They
pointed out that the merger of Artisan Grade I and Charge hand was the
root cause of the problem. The official side took the stand that in any
case the anomaly cannot be removed at this stage and have to wait till
the 7th CPC recommendations are made.
(viii) Item No. 7.
Parity in pay scales between the Central Sectt. and subordinate offices.
The official side said that the up-gradation of the pay scale of
Central Sectt. Assistants were on well found grounds. The Government had
considered the repercussion of the said decision and therefore, the
decision is not possible to be either reversed or extended to any other
category of employees. They added that perhaps the 7th CPC before whom
the matter is already agitated by the employees organizations of the
subordinate offices might take a decision in the matter.
(ix) Item No. 9 and 10.
Higher grade pay for Medical Assistants and Store keepers.
The Defence Ministry was asked to submit a detailed note to the
Ministry of Finance indicating the duties and responsibilities assigned
as also the recruitment qualifications stipulated in the RR to enable
them to reconsider the issue.
(x)
Children Educational Allowance for any two children.
The official side stated that the deviation made in identifying the
eldest two children was consciously done taking into account the
National Population policy and various other factors and is not likely
to be changed. Regarding the claim for reimbursement of expenses
incurred in the nursery class, as such institutions or classes are not
linked to any Educational Boards, the official side said that they would
look into the matter with a view to find a solution thereof.
National JCA meeting on 8th June
The
National JCA which met at the Staff side office on 8th June, 2015 took
note of the fact quite a few States are yet to hold the State level
conventions. The meeting also noted that the strike decision taken on
28th April, 2015 has not been percolated down to the rank and file of
the workers. The meeting wanted the affiliate to realize that the denial
of the demand for wage revision to be effective from 1.1.2014 and the
consequent denial of interim relief and the benefit of merger of DA with
pay must be viewed very seriously as the said decision will have a far
reaching consequence. The Government would not in future will discard
the age old practice of grant of I.R. and merger of DA for ever. It has
decided to appeal to all the affiliates to chalk out independent
programmes of actions in the months to come and to carry out the same in
all seriousness so that the employees become fully aware of the
possible outcome of the 7thCPC . The Chairman and Convenor of the
National JCA will get in touch with those States, where the programme
has not been carried out. The meeting decided to convey to the members
that the minimum wage computation, in the given situation would be on an
imaginary basis. The National JCA was of the opinion that a meeting of
all office bearers of the participating organizations must be convened
at Delhi somewere in the month of July to chalk out the programmes of
action to be pursued by theCGEs togher
It was informed at the
house that both Defence and Railways would be taking their strike ballot
and would be concluded in the first week of October. The meeting
decided to advise the other units to chalk out progammes of action in
July so that an ambience of struggle could be created. The NJCA also
took note of the painful fact that despite assurances, Government was
not convening the Departmental Councils and the JCM has been allowed to
become defunct.
The National JCA in conclusion decided to appeal
to all affiliates to take concrete steps to invigorate the joint
movement of the Central Government employees and meet the challenge that
is like to arise on receipt of the recommendations of the 7th CPC.by
creating an atmosphere of Unity, and determination to carry out the call
of indefinite strike action scheduled to commence on 23rd November,
2015..
With greetings,
Yours fraternally,
sd/-
M.Krishnan
Secretary General
Source: Confederation Blog
