NFIR View on Expected DA from July 2015

NFIR View on Expected DA from July 2015

‘National Federation of Indian Railwaymen’ – NFIR circulated to its all affiliated unions regarding the ‘Expected DA from July 2015′ after the announcement of AICPIN for the month of March 2015 yesterday by the Labour Bureau. It is expected that the additional dearness allowance is likely to be 118% of pay from July 2015. The letter is reproduced and given below for your information…

EXPECTED DEARNESS ALLOWANCE FROM 01st July 2015

NFIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3. CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110 055

No.1/5(A)Part.1

Dated: 01/05/2015

The General Secretaries of Affiliated Unions of NFIR
Dear Brother,

Sub: Dearness Allowance with effect from 01.07.2015 – reg.

The All India Consumer Price Index for March 2015 was 254 and if it remains as it is for next three (3) months or if it rises to 256, the average is expected to be 253. Consequently, the Dearness Allowance increase is likely to be 118% of pay from July 2015.
The above is for information of affiliates. You are aware that the Government normally announces D.A. revision in September, to be given effect from July.

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

Source: NFIR

Official Report of NFIR about the Massive Demonstration by Central Government employees at Parliament

Official Report of NFIR about the Massive Demonstration by Central Government employees at Parliament

Massive Demonstration by Central Government employees at Parliament – Indefinite Strike from 23rd November,2015 announced

NFIR
Natioiral Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI . 1 10055

No.IV/NJCA(N)2014

Dated: 30/04/2015

MASSIVE DEMONSTRATION BY CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AT PARLIAMENT – INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 23rd NOVEMBER 2015 ANNOUNCED

Over one lakh Central Government employees belonging to Railways, Defence, Postal, Income Tax, Central Excise etc., have conducted massive demonstration in front of Parliament against Central Government’s anti worker policies and non-responsive attitude on the Charter of Demands presented to the Dr. M. Raghavaiah, Chairman of the National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) has presided over the massive meeting near Parliament. He declared that over 34 lakh Central Govemment employees will go on Indefinite Strike from 23rd November 2015 – 6 A.M. onwards if Government fails to reach negotiated settlement on the Charter of Demands out of which main demands are as follows :-

• Withdrawal of FDI, PPP in Railways, Defence etc., – Stop outsourcing, contractorisation and privatization,
• Scrap New Pension Scheme,
• Grant of Interim Relief to Central Government employees,
• Merger of DA with Pay with retrospective effect and payment of Interim Relief,
• Implement wage revision w.e.f. 01/01/2014,
• Calculation of PL Bonus on actual wages,
• Exemption of Transport Allowance from the purview of Income Tax,
• Enhancement of contribution of GIS by atleast 10 times,
• Merger of Technician II with Technician I in GP 2800/- (PB-I) in Railways,
• Entry grade pay of Station Master as Rs. 4200/- in (PB-2),
• Allotment of higher grade pay to Loco Pilots and Guards,
• Upward revision of kilometrage rates of Running Staff w.e.f. 01/011/2006 and settle settlement of Running Staff issues as per agreement dated 07th February 2014 etc.

S/Shri Shiva Gopal Mishra, NJCA Convenor, Guman Singh, NFIR President, Rakhal Das Gupta, AIRF President, Pathak, President/AIDWF, Ashok Singh, President/INDWF, K.K.N. Kutty, president/Confederation of Central Government employees, R.Srinivasan, General Secretary/INDWF, Shri Kumar, General Secretary/AIDWF, R.P. Bhatnagar, NFIR Working President, B.C. Sharma, Joint General Secretary, NFIR, N. Kannaiah, AIRF Working President, Harbajan Singh Siddu, President, NRMU, Thiyagaiajan, Secretary General FNPO, Krishnan, Confederation and NFPE leader among those addressed the masses. NFIR Vice president J.G. Mahurkar and AGS/NFIR, P.S. Suriyaprakasam and Munindra Saikia, Asst General Secretary/NFIR were also on the dais.

RESOLUTION ADOPTED AT THE MASSWE RALLY AT JANTAT MANTAR (PARLIAMENT STREET) ON 28th APRIL 2015

“The massive congregation of the representatives of Central Government Employees who have come from various parts of the country held at Jantar Mantar before the Indian Parliament on 28/04/2015 decided to commence the Indefinite strike action 23rd November 2015 from 6:00 AM having failed to elicit any positive response from the Government in settlement of the 10 Point charter of Demands submitted months back. It was also decided that the Railways and Defence organirations will conduct the strike ballot in July 2015 as per the provision of the Industrial Disputes Act and Recognition Rules before commencing the strike from 23.11.2015.

The massive gathering adopted the resolution unanimously exhorting the central Government Employees to prepare for the eventual strike action in all earnestness and make it a historic one.

The meeting congratulates the employees for forging exemplary unity and carrying out various programmes chalked out by the National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) after the National Convention on 11th December 2014. Even though the Government was compelled to set up the 7th CPC on account of the sanctions generated through the action programmes, Government has refused to grant Interim Relief and Merger of DA and excluded the Gramin Dak Sewaks of the Postal Department from the ambit of the 7tn CPC.

The meeting noted that the Government has purposely ensured the closure of Joint consultative Machinery, the negotiating forum set up in 1964 for Central Government Employees to discuss and bring about settlement of their demands.

The meeting chaired by Secretary (personnel) on 25th February 2015 did not bring about settlement on any single item of the Charter of Demands.

The meeting unanimously decided to demand the immediately and settle the following Charter of Demands.

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

Effect wage revision of the Central Government Employees from 01/01/2014,regarding the memorandum of the Staff side JCM, ensure 5-year wage revision in future, grant Interim Relief and Merger of 100% of DA.
Ensure submission of the 7th CPC report within the stipulated time frame of 18 months, include the Grameen Dak Sewaks within the ambit of the 7th CPC. Settle all anomalies of the 6th CPC.

• No Privatization, PPP or FDI in Railways and Defence Establishments and no corporatization of postal services.
• No Ban on recruitment/creation of post.
• Scrap PFRDA Act and re-introduce the defined benefit statutory pension scheme.

No outsourcing, contractorisation, privatization of governmental functions, withdraw the proposed move to close down the Printing Presses, the publication form store and stationery departments and Medical Stores Depots, regularize the existing daily rated/casual and contract workers and absorption of trained apprentices.
Revive the JCM function at all levels as an effecting negotiating forum for settlement of the demand of the

• Remove the arbitrary ceiling on compassionate appointments.
• No labour reforms which are inimical to the interest of the workers.
• Remove the Bonus ceiling.
• Ensure five promotions in the service career.

The meeting authorized the National JCA to take appropriate and necessary steps indefinite strike begining from 23rd November 2015 an unprecedented and grand success’.

sd/-
(M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

NC JCM writes to PM regarding the pending demands of Central Govt Employees – DA Merger, NPS, Interim Relief, Promotion and Bonus issues

NC JCM writes to PM regarding the pending demands of Central Govt Employees – DA Merger, NPS, Interim Relief, Promotion and Bonus issues

The letter is translated to English and given below for your kind consideration…

Shiv Gopal Mishra
Secretary

Ph: 2338226
National Council (Staff side)
Joint Cumulative Machinery
For Central Government Employees
13-C Feroz Shah Road, New Delhi – 110001
Email: nc.jcm.np@gmail.com

Letter No: NJC/2015

Date: 27.4.2015

Respected Prime Minister,
Government of India,
New Delhi

Sub: Reg. the grievances of Central Government Employees

Sir,
For the past few years, a solution hasn’t been found to the problems faced by the Central Government Employees. The National council JCM formed for the grievances of Central Government Employees has been totally disabled and the NC JCM meeting has not been held for the past five years.

The Pending demands of the Central Government, which include the merge of Dearness Allowance with Basic Pay, the enforcement of Old Pension Scheme in the place of New Pension Scheme, Interim Relief, Filling up of Vacancies, Increasing the bonus range, Promotion Opportunities, etc didn’t yield to a decision, hence the Railway, Defence (Civil Employees), Postal, other Central Government Sectors are forced to give a presentation in the Parliament under NC J.C.M. on 28th April 2015.

We Central Government Employees whether in Railways, Defence, Postal Department or other Central Government Sectors, are working with complete devotion towards service to the society and progress to the country. Being an integral part of your administration, we hope that you would provide us an opportunity to meet you as well as extend your help to solve our problems.

Yours Faithfully,

(Shiv Gopal Mishra)
Coordinator and Secretary
Employee Division
N.C. J.C.M.

Click to view the original letter in Hindi

Source: NC JCM Staff Side Website

After the implementation of OROP the pension related anomalies will be reduced – Manohar Parrikar

After the implementation of OROP the pension related anomalies will be reduced – Manohar Parrikar

Enhancing Military Capabilities is the Top Priority– Manohar Parrikar

The Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar has said that his top priority is to enhance military capabilities of the country with due focus on modernization of the armed forces. Inaugurating a two-day Controllers’ Conference of Defence Accounts Department, here today, he said, high serviceability levels of equipment and weapon systems and high morale of soldiers is also necessary which is possible with an effective and optimum resource utilisation. He stressed on working as an integrated whole with shared resources of data and information, specifically in area of pension, payments, compilation and accounting preferably on real time basis. The Defence Minister emphasized that faster and transparent decision making and focus on “Make in India” are the two pillars of our strategy for leapfrogging our economy to a higher growth. Shri Parrikar cautioned the Defence Accounts officials against any attack of hackers on their database.

Shri Parrikar also inaugurated Pension Call Centre for dealing the queries from the pensioners and their families regarding their entitlement and pension payments. The Pension call centre for Army pensioners has been established in the office of PCDA (Pension) at Allahabad and can be accessed through the toll free number 1800 180 5321. The Defence Minister also hinted that an order regarding implementation of One-Rank-One-Pension (OROP) may be issued very soon. He said after the implementation of OROP the pension related anomalies will be reduced. On this occasion a statistical hand book on defence expenditure was also released by the Defence Minister. Earlier, Director General of Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) Shri MJ Joseph presented a ISO 9001 certificate to Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) Shri Arvind Kaushal for its Delhi Defence Accounts Office.

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh, CGDA Shri Arvind Kaushal and Financial Advisor (Defence Services) Ms Vandana Srivastava were amongst the dignitaries who graced the inaugural function.

The theme of the conference is ‘Good Governance through strategic collaboration. During the conference, four business sessions concerning shared Database, E-Governance, Strengthening of IFAs System and HRD issues have been planned covering the Department’s working and emphasizing synergy with its client etc. of the defence services. Senior officer of the department as well as defence forces will lead the panel discussions on these issues and provide a road map for collaborated system improvements.

Source: PIB News

AICPIN For March 2015 – One Point Increased And Stands At 254

AICPIN For March 2015 – One Point Increased And Stands At 254

Just now Labour Bureau released the statistics of Consumer Price Index (Industrial Workers) for the month of March 2015 through its official portal.

The price index is just increased one point from its current of 253 and stands at 254.

G.I., Min. of Lab. & Emp., Labour Bureau, Press Release No.5/1/2015-CPI, dt, 30.4.2015

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – March, 2015

The All-India CPI-IW for March, 2015 increased by 1 point and pegged at 254 (two hundred and fifty four). On 1- month percentage change, it increased by (+) 0.40 per cent between February, 2015 and March, 2015 when compared with the increase of (+) 0.42 per cent between the same two months a year ago.

The maximum upward pressure to the change in current index came from Food group contributing (+) 0.57 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Wheat, Arhar Dal, Goat Meat, Fish Fresh, Milk (Buffalo & Cow), Vegetable & Fruit items, Tea (Readymade), Firewood, Doctor’s Fee, Private Tuition Fee, Petrol, Tailoring Charges, etc. are responsible for the increase in index. However, this increase was restricted by Rice, Eggs (Hen), Onion, Potato, Sugar, Electricity Charges, Flower/Flower Garlands, etc., putting downward pressure on the index.

The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 6.28 per cent for March, 2015 as compared to 6.30 per cent for the previous month and 6.70 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 6.98 per cent against 7.42 per cent of the previous month and 7.50 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.

At centre level, Goa and Ghaziabad reported the highest increase of 10 points each followed by Bhavnagar (7 points), Lucknow (5 points), Indore, Varanasi and Chhindwara (4 points each). Among others, 3 points increase was observed in 10 centres, 2 points in 4 centres and 1 point in 21 centres. On the contrary, Tiruchirapally centre recorded a maximum decrease of 12 points followed by Belgaum (4 points) and Doom Dooma Tinsukia (3 points). Among others, 2 points decrease was observed in 5 centres and 1 point in 10 centres. Rest of the 18 centres’ indices remained stationary.

The indices of 37 centres are above All India Index and other 39 centres’ indices are below national average. The index of Vishakhapathnam and Chhindwara centres remained at par with All-India index.

The next index of CPI-IW for the month of April, 2015 will be released on Friday, 29th May, 2015. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureau.gov.in.

Source: Labour Burea

Central Government Allows 5% of PF Funds to be Invested in Share Market

Central Government Allows 5% of PF Funds to be Invested in Share Market
 
The Central Government has allowed investing up to 5% of the Provident Fund capital in the stock market. As a result, Rs.5000 crore is expected to be released for investment this financial year. A circular from the Ministry of Labour has confirmed that 5% of the PF amount has been sanctioned for investing in the stock market.

The money will be invested in stock market based EDFs. Mr. Shankar Agarwal, the Secretary of Departmetn of Labour, said that announcements to this regard were made about two or three days ago. Rs.80,000 Crore was the total amount collected in the EPF in the financial year 2014-15. The amount is expected to cross Rs.1 lakh crore before the end of the current Financial Year. The number of persons qualified for EPF, and the amount raised, have increased after the salary limit was raised from Rs.6500 to Rs.15,000.

Agarwal has said that initially only 1% of the EPF reserve was going to be used for investments. This is going to be raised to 5% before the end of the financial year. The Ministry of Finance has suggested that between 5 to 15% of the funds can be invested in the markets. Agarwal added that since it was the first time, they are going to be very cautious and invest only 1% of the funds.

“The money is the sweat and blood of workers. We don’t want to carelessly invest it in the stock market. Hence, we have planned to invest only 5% of the money in the first stage,” he clarified.

He said that the plans are to invest only in EDFs. He added that no decision has been made about percentage of investment aimed at public sector companies. In the past, EPF, which has about 6 crore members, has been investing only in Central Government bonds.

Source: CG Staff News

DA Orders for CDA pattern employees of CPSEs governed by HPPC recommendation w.e.f 01.01.2015

DA Orders for CDA pattern employees of CPSEs governed by HPPC recommendation w.e.f 01.01.2015

G.I., Min. of HI & PE, Dep. of Pub. Enter., O.M.F.No.2(54)/08-DPE (WC)-GL-VII/15, dt, 17.4.2015

Subject: Payment of DA to the CDA pattern employees of CPSEs governed by HPPC recommendation w.e.f 01.01.2015.

The undersigned is directed to refer to Para No. 2 and Annexure-III to this Department’s O.M. dated 14.10.2008 wherein the rates of DA payable to the employees who are following CDA pattern pay scales had been indicated.

2. The DA payable to the employees may be enhanced from the existing rate of 107% to 113% with effect from 01.01.2015.

3. The payment of Dearness Allowance involving fractions of 50 paise and above may be rounded off to the next higher rupee and the fractions of less than 50 paise may be ignored.

4. These rates are applicable in the case of CDA employees whose pay have been revised with effect from 01.01.2006 as per DPE O.M. dated 14.10.2008.

5. All administrative Ministries/Department of Government of India are requested to bring the foregoing to the notice of the Central Public Sector Enterprises under their administrative control for action at their end.

Click to view in Hindi

Source : www.dpe.nic.in

10% Tax Proposed on PF Withdrawals

10% Tax Proposed on PF Withdrawals

The Employee Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has decided to impose a tax of 10.3% on the amount withdrawn from the EPF within five years of starting the accounts.

EPF accounts have to be created in all the concerns that employ more than 20 workers, with salaries of Rs.6,500 and Rs.15,000 per month. 12% of their salaries are deducted and are deposited into the PF account each month. The company contributes an equal amount to the account. 10.3% tax shall henceforth be imposed if the employee retires within five years of starting the account, or if he quits his employment with one company and joins another company, or if he decides to reclaim the amount in the EPF account.

If the annual EPF payment exceeds Rs.30,000, he has to produce his PAN card number. If the employee doesn’t have a PAN card or if he fails to submit the PAN details, he will not be given the amount in the account. About 90% of the EPF scheme (or nearly 8.5 crore people) do not have PAN Card details.

Those who do not have PAN cards shall have to pay the maximum taxable percentage of 35% on the amount that is due to them. Those who are reclaiming their PF money after five years won’t have to pay any taxes.

Source: CGEN.in

DA Orders for Armed Forces Officers and Personnel Below Officer Rank including NCs(E) – 113% from January 2015

DA Orders for Armed Forces Officers and Personnel Below Officer Rank including NCs(E) – 113% from January 2015

G.I., Min. of Defence, O.M.F.No.1(2)/2004/D (Pay/Services), dated 16.4.2015

Subject: Payment of Dearness Allowance to Armed Forces Officers and Personnel Below Officer Rank including NCs(E) – Revised rates effective from 1st January, 2015.

Sir,

I am directed to refer to this Ministry’s letter No.1(2)/2004/ D (Pay/Services) dated 24th September 2014, on the subject cited above and to say that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Allowance payable to Armed Forces Officers and Personnel Below Officer Rank, including Non-Combatants (Enrolled), shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 107% to 113% with effect from 1st January, 2015.

2. The provisions contained in paras 2, 4 and 5 of this Ministry’s letter No. 1(2)/2004/D (Pay/Services) dated 25th September 2008 shall continue to be applicable while regulating Dearness Allowance under these orders.

3. The additional installment of DA payable under these orders shall be paid in cash to all Armed Forces Officers/ PBORs including NCs(E).

4. This letter issues with the concurrence of Finance Division of this Ministry vide their Dy. No. 145-PA dated 16th April, 2015 based on Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) O.M. No.1/2/ 2015-E-II (B), dated 10th April, 2015.

Click to view in Hindi

Source: www.cgda.nic.in

Recommendations on Prevention of Corruption Bills

Recommendations on Prevention of Corruption Bills

The Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice presented its 69th Report on the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013 on 6th February, 2014.

The recommendations made in the aforesaid Report are under consideration of the Government. The Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha, in order to fill certain gaps in description and coverage of the offence of bribery so as to bring it in line with the current international practice and also to meet more effectively, the country’s obligations under United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

The said Bill, inter alia, proposes to address the supply side of corruption (punishment to bribe-giver), to protect honest public servants from vexatious prosecution for any bona fide omission or commission in the discharge of official duties and to lay down clear criteria & procedure for sanction of prosecution.

Having regard to the fact that the Bill contemplates an important paradigm shift in defining the offences relating to bribery, Government sought the views of the Law Commission of India on the proposals contained in the Bill. The Law Commission of India, in its 254th Report on the Bill, presented to the Government on 12th February, 2015, has suggested a number of significant improvements in the Bill which are also presently under consideration of the Government, with a view to moving necessary official amendments in the said Bill.
Government is keen to have the Bill passed by Parliament at the earliest. However, since the Bill will have to be considered and passed by both Houses of Parliament, it is not possible to indicate any timeframe for the purpose.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question by Shri B. Sriramulu, Shri D.K. Suresh and Shri Anto Antony in the Lok Sabha today.

Source: PIB News