- EDITORIAL POSTAL CRUSADER –MARCH: 2016GET READY FOR INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 11th APRIL-2016The 7th Central Pay Commission has submitted its report to Government of India. The recommendations given by the Pay Commission are most retrograde. The Chairman, Pay Commission did not consider even a single demand of unions. The demand of minimum wage as per Dr. Aykhroyid formula has been negated totally. The National Council JCM demanded minimum wage as Rs. 26000/- but the Pay Commission has recommended only Rs. 18000/-. Other demands like rate of increment as 5% , upgraded pay scales to the various cadres of Postal Department , 5 promotions , Deletion of Bench Mark in MACP, Revision of wages and other service conditions of GDS ,wage revision of Casual part time and contingent employees, cashless hassle free Medical facility , One time LTC to visit abroad, Removal of ceiling of 5% on compassionate appointments, Scrapping of New Pension Scheme , 67% of pay as pension on superannuation along with other demands have not been considered .Beside this the Pay Commission has recommended to abolish 52 existing allowances and advances like HBA, Festival Advance , TA Advance and Medical Advance. The percentage of HRA has been reduced as 24%, 16%, 8% instead of 30%, 20% & 10%.This Pay Commission is one of the worst Pay Commission ever seen. It has recommended only 14.29% increase like 2nd Pay Commission.The NJCA after detailed discussions in several Meetings with all constituents organizations of National Council JCM has submitted memorandum and Charter of demands to the Government of India with the warning that if the same is not settled , NJCA (Railway, Defence, Confederation) will be forced to go on indefinite strike from 11th April -2016 for which the notice will be served to Cabinet Secretary along with all heads of departments and at all levels on 11th March, 2016.The Government has set up implementation Cell in Finance Ministry which will work as Secretariat to Empowered Committee headed by Cabinet Secretary for processing and implementation of recommendations of 7th Pay Commission. First meeting has been taken by the Chairman implementation Cell with NJCA leaders on 19th February, 2016. NJCA leaders have very clearly told that Employees will go on indefinite strike from 11th Apeil, 2016.The Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers and national Federation of Postal Employees along with Postal JCA have endorsed the decision of NJCA.All Central leaders will address rallies in the Capital Cities to popularize the strike demands and to mobilize the employees for which campaign programme has been chalked out and circulated among all.29th March -2016 will be observed as Solidarity day throughout the country by all constituents of NJCA.We as NFPE being on the forefront of all struggles have more responsibility to carry on all agitational programmes more successfully.Keeping in view all the above mentioned facts NFPE appeals to the entirety of Postal, RMS and GDS employees to make all the agitational programmes cent per cent success and make all efforts to make the indefinite strike from 11th April-2016 a historic success to achieve the genuine and justified demands.Unity for struggle and struggle for unity.Inquilab ZindabadWorkers unity Zindabad.CASUAL LABOURERS WITH TEMPORARY STATUS-CLARIFICATION REGARDING CONTRIBUTION TO GPF AND PENSION UNDER THE OLD PENSION SCHEMETS CASUAL LABOURERS OLD PENSION IMPORTANT JUDGEMENT AND DEPARTMENT ISSUED ORDERS TO CPMG KARNATAKA CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
- Minutes of the Meeting of Joint Secretary (IC) with the Members of the Staff-Side of the Standing Committee (National Council-JCM) held on 19.02.20161.A Meeting was held under the chairmanship of Joint Secretary (Implementation Cell), Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, with the Members of the StaffSide of the Standing Committee (National Council-JCM) on 19.2.2016 to discuss the issues raised by the National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) {Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM)} in their letter No. NJC/2015/7th CPC dt. 10.12.2015, addressed to the Cabinet Secretary, regarding their Charter of Demands on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.The Secretary, Staff-Side of the Standing Committee (National Council- JCM), who is the convener of the NJCA, along with other office bearers attended the meeting. The list of the participants from the Staff-Side is attached at Annexure. 2.Welcoming the members of the Staff-Side, JS(IC) mentioned that the meeting has been convened to enable the Staff-Side to bring out their concerns on the recommendations of the 7th CPC in the light of the Charter of Demands made by them in the aforesaid letter of NJCA so that same could be examined in the Implementation Cell and submitted for consideration of the Empowered Committee of Secretaries. He informed the office bearers that before arriving at a decision, the ECoS would also hold separate discussions with the Staff Side.2. Commencing the discussions from the Side of the Members of the Staff-Side, Secretary, Staff-Side, Standing Committee (National Council-JCM), explained that they have already placed their Charter of Demands as per the letter of NJCA dated 10.12.2015. He mentioned that the reasons based on which these demands have been made have also been explained therein. He, however, highlighted that the Staff-Side is not at all happy with the recommendations of the 7th CPC and, in fact, no section of the employees is satisfied, as the Commission has recommended a minimal pay increase as compared to the previous Pay Commissions. He mentioned that the Staff-Side does not agree with the minimum pay of Rs. 18000 and the reason as to why the methodology adopted by the 7th CPC to arrive at this figure is not correct has been explained in their letter dated 10.12.2015. He stated that Staff-Side demands enhancement of the minimum pay to Rs. 26000 and the reasons in support of this have been given in their aforesaid letter. He further stated that an amicable and mutually negotiated settlement of these demands is necessary as non-acceptance would further cause resentment in the employees. He informed that Staff-Side has already made their stand clear to go on strike from 11th April, 2016 if their demands are not considered and no amicable settlement happens.3. Thereafter, the other members of the Staff-Side also expressed their arguments for acceptance of these demands and all of them emphasised that the minimum pay needs to be revised. Consequently, the fitment multiple of 2.57 would also need commensurate change. The leader of the Staff-Side explained that the office bearers who were present in the meeting represent various sections of Central Government employees including railways, defence civilians, postal employees etc., the number of which is around Rs. 32 lakhs.4. The Staff-Side brought out their concerns on all the 26 demands included in the Charter of Demands and all the points brought out by them in the letter of the NJAC dt. 10.12.2015 were reiterated. However, following issues in support of their demands were highlighted :-(i) Minimum Pay needs to be revised to Rs. 26000 p.m. and the minimum pay of Rs. 18000 p.m. as recommended by 7th CPC is not acceptable. This would require upward revision in the fitment multiple of 2.57 and change in the Pay Matrix. It was argued that if the 10% of the pay for NPS contribution and the recommended increase in the CGEIS contribution are taken into account, there would be a drop in the take-home salary of the employees at the minimum pay of Rs.18000.(ii) Central Government employees need to be excluded from the National Pension Scheme (NPS), which has been a long pending demand of the StaffSide. The Staff-Side stated that the Pension Fund which has been created under NPS to generate annuity for employees, would not ensure reasonable pension. Rather it is quite likely that it may generate negative returns because of the dismal performance of the financial market to which the fund is invested, leaving the employees without any reasonable social security benefit.(iii) The 7th CPC has recommended abolition of 52 allowances without properly appreciating the justification of these allowances. The example of break-down allowance in case of Railway employees was given, stating that this allowances is given so that the concerned employees take up the necessary follow up action in the case of breakdown on an urgent basis and therefore its withdrawal is not justified in operational interests of Railways.(iv) The withdrawal of advances, especially LTC, TA, Medical, National Calamity Advance, was not justified. It was argued that these advances are recovered from the employees and, therefore, the same should be retained.(v) In regard to enhancement of contribution under Group Insurance Scheme, it was argued that increase in the contribution from the employees was not justified and if the same is to be raised, the Government should bear the insurance premium.(vi) The post of LDC should be upgraded to UDC and as part of delayering, Grade Pays of Rs. 1900, Rs. 2400 and Rs. 4600 should be abolished and merged with the next higher Grades.(vii) The rate of increment needs to be raised from 3% to 5% because pay is revised in the Central Government after 10 years. It was mentioned that in the PSUs the pay is revised after 5 years and the rate of increment is also higher.(viii) Two increments in the feeder post may be granted as promotion benefit.(ix) Fixed medical allowance for pensioners who are not covered by CGHS and REHS needs to be increased from Rs. 500 p.m. to Rs. 2000 p.m.(x) The recommendation regarding grant of only 80% of salary for the second year of Child Care Leave need not be accepted and the existing provisions may be retained(xi) It was also demanded that though the D/o Expenditure has sought the comments of the Ministries/Department on the issues pertaining to them after consulting the Staff Associations, administrative Departments are not inviting the Staff associations for discussions.5. After detailed explanation by the Staff-Side on all the demands included in the Charter of Demands, JS(IC), while concluding the discussions, assured the Staff-Side that the concerns and demands made by them would be placed before the Empowered Committee of Secretaries for consideration after examining the same in the light of the recommendations of the Commission. He also mentioned that in cases where the comments of the administrative Ministries/ Departments would be necessary, e.g., the case of break-down allowance pertaining to Ministry of Railways, the same would be considered before the issues are placed before the E-CoS. As regards the issue raised that the administrative Departments are not inviting staff associations for discussions, JS(IC) mentioned that the Departments have to formulate the views keeping in view the representations made by the Staff Associations.6. Thereafter, the meeting ended with thanks to the chair.
Monday 29 February 2016
Friday 26 February 2016
Minutes of the Meeting of Joint Secretary (IC) with the Members of the Staff-Side of the Standing Committee (National Council-JCM) held on 19.02.2016
1.A Meeting was held under the chairmanship of Joint Secretary (Implementation Cell), Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, with the Members of the StaffSide of the Standing Committee (National Council-JCM) on 19.2.2016 to discuss the issues raised by the National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) {Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM)} in their letter No. NJC/2015/7th CPC dt. 10.12.2015, addressed to the Cabinet Secretary, regarding their Charter of Demands on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.
The Secretary, Staff-Side of the Standing Committee (National Council- JCM), who is the convener of the NJCA, along with other office bearers attended the meeting. The list of the participants from the Staff-Side is attached at Annexure. 2.
Welcoming the members of the Staff-Side, JS(IC) mentioned that the meeting has been convened to enable the Staff-Side to bring out their concerns on the recommendations of the 7th CPC in the light of the Charter of Demands made by them in the aforesaid letter of NJCA so that same could be examined in the Implementation Cell and submitted for consideration of the Empowered Committee of Secretaries. He informed the office bearers that before arriving at a decision, the ECoS would also hold separate discussions with the Staff Side.
2. Commencing the discussions from the Side of the Members of the Staff-Side, Secretary, Staff-Side, Standing Committee (National Council-JCM), explained that they have already placed their Charter of Demands as per the letter of NJCA dated 10.12.2015. He mentioned that the reasons based on which these demands have been made have also been explained therein. He, however, highlighted that the Staff-Side is not at all happy with the recommendations of the 7th CPC and, in fact, no section of the employees is satisfied, as the Commission has recommended a minimal pay increase as compared to the previous Pay Commissions. He mentioned that the Staff-Side does not agree with the minimum pay of Rs. 18000 and the reason as to why the methodology adopted by the 7th CPC to arrive at this figure is not correct has been explained in their letter dated 10.12.2015. He stated that Staff-Side demands enhancement of the minimum pay to Rs. 26000 and the reasons in support of this have been given in their aforesaid letter. He further stated that an amicable and mutually negotiated settlement of these demands is necessary as non-acceptance would further cause resentment in the employees. He informed that Staff-Side has already made their stand clear to go on strike from 11th April, 2016 if their demands are not considered and no amicable settlement happens.
3. Thereafter, the other members of the Staff-Side also expressed their arguments for acceptance of these demands and all of them emphasised that the minimum pay needs to be revised. Consequently, the fitment multiple of 2.57 would also need commensurate change. The leader of the Staff-Side explained that the office bearers who were present in the meeting represent various sections of Central Government employees including railways, defence civilians, postal employees etc., the number of which is around Rs. 32 lakhs.
4. The Staff-Side brought out their concerns on all the 26 demands included in the Charter of Demands and all the points brought out by them in the letter of the NJAC dt. 10.12.2015 were reiterated. However, following issues in support of their demands were highlighted :-
(i) Minimum Pay needs to be revised to Rs. 26000 p.m. and the minimum pay of Rs. 18000 p.m. as recommended by 7th CPC is not acceptable. This would require upward revision in the fitment multiple of 2.57 and change in the Pay Matrix. It was argued that if the 10% of the pay for NPS contribution and the recommended increase in the CGEIS contribution are taken into account, there would be a drop in the take-home salary of the employees at the minimum pay of Rs.18000.
(ii) Central Government employees need to be excluded from the National Pension Scheme (NPS), which has been a long pending demand of the StaffSide. The Staff-Side stated that the Pension Fund which has been created under NPS to generate annuity for employees, would not ensure reasonable pension. Rather it is quite likely that it may generate negative returns because of the dismal performance of the financial market to which the fund is invested, leaving the employees without any reasonable social security benefit.
(iii) The 7th CPC has recommended abolition of 52 allowances without properly appreciating the justification of these allowances. The example of break-down allowance in case of Railway employees was given, stating that this allowances is given so that the concerned employees take up the necessary follow up action in the case of breakdown on an urgent basis and therefore its withdrawal is not justified in operational interests of Railways.
(iv) The withdrawal of advances, especially LTC, TA, Medical, National Calamity Advance, was not justified. It was argued that these advances are recovered from the employees and, therefore, the same should be retained.
(v) In regard to enhancement of contribution under Group Insurance Scheme, it was argued that increase in the contribution from the employees was not justified and if the same is to be raised, the Government should bear the insurance premium.
(vi) The post of LDC should be upgraded to UDC and as part of delayering, Grade Pays of Rs. 1900, Rs. 2400 and Rs. 4600 should be abolished and merged with the next higher Grades.
(vii) The rate of increment needs to be raised from 3% to 5% because pay is revised in the Central Government after 10 years. It was mentioned that in the PSUs the pay is revised after 5 years and the rate of increment is also higher.
(viii) Two increments in the feeder post may be granted as promotion benefit.
(ix) Fixed medical allowance for pensioners who are not covered by CGHS and REHS needs to be increased from Rs. 500 p.m. to Rs. 2000 p.m.
(x) The recommendation regarding grant of only 80% of salary for the second year of Child Care Leave need not be accepted and the existing provisions may be retained
(xi) It was also demanded that though the D/o Expenditure has sought the comments of the Ministries/Department on the issues pertaining to them after consulting the Staff Associations, administrative Departments are not inviting the Staff associations for discussions.
5. After detailed explanation by the Staff-Side on all the demands included in the Charter of Demands, JS(IC), while concluding the discussions, assured the Staff-Side that the concerns and demands made by them would be placed before the Empowered Committee of Secretaries for consideration after examining the same in the light of the recommendations of the Commission. He also mentioned that in cases where the comments of the administrative Ministries/ Departments would be necessary, e.g., the case of break-down allowance pertaining to Ministry of Railways, the same would be considered before the issues are placed before the E-CoS. As regards the issue raised that the administrative Departments are not inviting staff associations for discussions, JS(IC) mentioned that the Departments have to formulate the views keeping in view the representations made by the Staff Associations.
6. Thereafter, the meeting ended with thanks to the chair.
NATIONAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION
NOTICE FOR MEETING OF THE JCM (NC) STAFF SIDE
STANDING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The meeting of Empowered Committee of Secretaries (E-CoS) under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary with Standing Committee members of JCM (NC) staff side is scheculed to be held on 1stMarch 2016 at 06:45 PM in the Committee Room, Cabinet Secretariat, Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi vide Under Secretary (IC) letter F. No. 1-2/2016-IC dated 24.02.2016.
It has therefore been decided that the preliminary Staff Side meeting of the Standing Committee members will be held on 1st march 2016 at 11.00 AM in the office of National Council (JCM), 13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi – 110001 for internal discussion.
You are requested to make it convenient to attend the said meeting on the date and time referred to above.
You are requested to make it convenient to attend the said meeting on the date and time referred to above.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully
(Shiv Gopal Mishra)
Convenor, NJCAOBSERVE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY ON 8th MARCH, 2016
For Equal Rights; Equal Opportunities for all working women
Under the right wing regime of the Modi led NDA government in the country attacks on the basic and fundamental rights of all sections including minorities, dalits, women etc. have increased. BJP ruled states like Haryana and Rajasthan are even denying the right to contest in panchayat elections on the basis of literacy, number of children and indebtedness etc. People are increasingly being attacked for not conforming to the dictates of these communal forces on their eating, dressing and other personal choices. All these are meant to deny the constitutionally guaranteed rights of equal rights and equal opportunities to all citizens of the country irrespective of their gender, caste or creed.
All state committees of Confederation and its affiliated organisations must highlight all these aspects and issues related to ‘Equal Rights and Equal Opportunities’ for women workers on this occasion. All are requested to link these up with the neoliberal policies being implemented by successive governments and the communal divisive ideology.
All State committees, District committees and affiliated organisations are requested to take proper organisational measures to ensure effective observance of International Women’s Day, wherever possible, jointly with the state coordination committees of working women. Efforts should be made for joint activities with fraternal organisations including the women’s subcommittees of fraternal trade union organisations in the planning and observance of the International Women’s Day in a befitting manner.
M. Krishnan
Secretary General
Confederation
|
Usha Bonepalli
Chairperson
Women’s Sub Committee
|
R. Seethalakshmi
Convenor
Women’s Sub Committee
|
Dated 28.1.2016
CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS DECIDE TO CONTINUE ACTION AGAINST CENTRAL AND STATE GOVTS. ANTI-LABOUR POLICIES
All India Protest Day on 10th March, 2016 on 12 point charter
New Delhi: All the Central Trade Unions met on 27th January 2016 and resolved to continue their protest action against the anti labour policies of the Central and some State Govts. Central Trade Unions decided to observe 10th March, 2016 as All India Protest Day against Govt. indifference to the 12 point charter of demands and its unwillingness to restart discussions for working out concrete steps for resolution of the issues.
The Central Trade Unions reviewed the drastically deteriorating conditions of work and life of the working people and govt. going ahead with labour law amendments, disinvestment of PSUs and allowing FDI in strategic sectors. The Govt., it appears, does not want to wait for legislating these anti worker labour law amendments, it is taking away rights of workers by way of executive orders and directing state govts to carry out such pro-management amendments. The trade unions condemned one such directive issued by the Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Govt. of India on this 12th January granting exemption to so called start up enterprises from inspection and application of 9 major labor law legislations, thereby legitimizing the violations.
The Central Trade Unions took note of and extend solidarity to the sectoral struggles of workers/employees in Banks, Defence, Coal, Port and Docks and Telecommunications sectors, the anganwadi workers on their respective demands and also the Central Govt. employees including Railways resolve to launch action against retrograde recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission. They also expressed their serious concern over extremely harsh punishment of “double life imprisonment” given by the Court to eight workers of Pricol Ltd., Coimbatore and appealed to all workers to extend help and solidarity.
The Central Trade Unions also decided to organize massive National Convention of Workers in Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi in the last week of March, 2016 to decide about the next course of united action programme.
Fight against anti labour policies will continue. The Central Trade Unions directed its constituents to prepare jointly for protest action on 10th March, 2016. They also appealed to independent employees/workers/unions and federations to participate in the protest action against the offensive of the Govt. against workers and common people.
Tuesday 23 February 2016
NCCPA Calls upon to rally all the Pensioners behind the demands for modification of 7th CPC Recommendations
NCCPA Circular Calls upon to extend total solidarity to
NJCA Programmes and organise independent Pensioners
Programmes
NCCPA has written to Joint Secretary Impelementation Cell
on important issues of Pensioners
NCCPA has called opinion about organising Pensioners
Rally in all State Capitals around the date of visit by
Comrade KKN Kutty SG NCCPA - All CHQ Office Bearers of
AIPRPA are requested to inform the CHQ about the f
easibility of Pensioners Rally at State Headquarters by the
end of March 2016!
K.Ragavendran
General Secretary AIPRPA
NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE OF PENSIONERS
Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.
13.c Feroze Shah Road,m
New Delhi. 110 001
20th Feb. 2016.
President: Com. Shiv Gopal Misra..97176 47594
Secretary General: Com. K.KN. Kutty. . 98110 48303
Dear Comrades,
The National Joint Council of Action which met on 8th had decided to call upon the constituent originations to start preparation for an indefinite strike action. In a detailed plan chalked out, there will be a massive rally at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 11th March, 2016 in which the NJCA leaders will take part and the strike notice will be served on the Cabinet Secretary. Simultaneously, all the affiliated Associations and Federations will serve the strike notice to their respective heads of Department.. The strike is to commence from 6,00AM on 11th “April, 2016. On different dates, every State capital and big industrial units will organize a massive rally of all Central Government employees in which all the NJCA members will be present and the preparation for the strike will be reviewed. The Railway and Defence Federations will complete the strike ballot by the 2nd week of February, 2016. Each Federation has been asked to chalk out their own programmes of campaign to make the strike a cent per cent success. 29th March will be observed throughout the country as Solidarity day by holding rallies and other mobilization programmes.
The NJCA met Sheri R.K. Chathurvedi, Joint Secretary, Implementation Cell, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance , on his invitation on 19th Feb. 2016. The Staff side explained the 26 demands and other issues on which the employees will be organizing the strike action in April, 2011. It is learnt that the implementation cell has not received reports on Department specific issues and the same might take time. The NJCA has pointed out to him that despite the submission of memorandum in many Departments the process of consultation with the Staff Side has not begun, barring a few. Shri Chathurvedi has agreed to expedite the process and the cell will place the list of Nodal officers on its website. It has also been agreed that the meeting with the empowered committee will be held in a fortnight’s time.
The NCCPA has written to Shri R.K. Chathurfvedi on issues pertaining to Pensioners. Our submissions are in consonance with the stand the NJCA has taken at the meeting with him on 19th Feb. 2016. The undersigned had participated in the discussions with the Joint Secretary IC. in his capacity as the member of the NJCA. We send herewith a copy of the said letter, which is self explanatory. We have included the grant of HRA for pensioners as an additional item on the basis of the discussions, the NCCPA Sectt. had on 7th Feb. 2016.
We appeal to the affiliates of NCCPA to get in touch with all organizations and branches and units and the pensioners to elicit their participation in the programmes of action chalked out by the NJCA. Once the state level meeting of NJCA is decided, we shall intimate you the itinery. Since the undersigned would be going over to most of the States, it is appropriate that we must organize a separate meeting of the Pensioners Organizations in each State Capital, the details of which will be communicated to you in our next communication. In the meantime, we propose to have a rally of Pensioners in all State capitals to project our demands separately either prior to 29th March or afterwards. The affiliates are requested to kindly intimate the undersigned their views and opinion over this proposal.
With greetings,
Yours fraternally,
K.K.N. Kutty
Secretary General
Copy of NCCPA/s letter to the Joint Secretary, Implementation Celll. New Delhi.
NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE OF PENSIONERS.
Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.
13.c Feroze Shah Road,m
New Delhi. 110 001
20th Feb. 2016.
President: Com. Shiv Gopal Misra..97176 47594
Secretary General: Com. K.KN. Kutty. . 98110 48303
Shri R.K. Chathurvedi,
Joint Secretary,
Implementation Cell,
Department of Expenditure,
Ministry of Finance,
North Block
New Delhi. 110 001.
Dear Sir,
Sub: 7thCPC recommendations on retirement benefits- Reg.
The National Co-ordinating Committee of Pensioners Association is the apex organisation of Associations/Federations of Central Government Pensioners. We had submitted a detailed memorandum to the 7th CPC on various demands, problems and grievances of the Central Government Pensioners. However, it must be sadly admitted that most of the issues, which we had projected before the Commission did not have a proper consideration, may be perhaps, due to the Commission’s perceived anxiety over the financial constrains of the Government of India. We have every reason to believe that their anxiety was not well placed, for the Government’s finances are far better presently than what it was two decades back. The memorandum submitted by the Staff Side JCM National Council had elaborately dealt with the issue concerning the relative capacity of the Government to pay its employees and pensioners in the background of accelerated growth of the economy, reduced tax burden on both business houses and the common people the reduced percentage of expenditure on wages, salary and pension with reference to the Government’s revenue resources, revenue expenditure and the GDP itself. The denial of the need based minimum wage,(in accordance wit Dy. Aykhroyd formula) in other words, the bare existence wage in the circumstance by the 7th CPC is incomprehensible. We are pointing out this aspect of the recommendations, for the successive earlier Commissions had denied the need based minimum wage on the specious plea of the inability of the Government to pay. We hope you will appreciate that the present pensioners, who were in active service in 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, did suffer immensely as they were denied even the bare existence wages. They suffered on many counts, as they could not provide a decent standard of living to their families, could not construct a residential dwelling, could not educate their children properly for sheer want of requisite finances, so on and so forth. The Pensioners’ community is presently concerned again with the minimum wage as the re-fixation of pension on account of the wage revision effected by the 7th CPC is linked to the minimum wage. We, therefore, appeal that the grievances presented by the Staff Side, National Council JCM on the determination of the quantum of minimum wage by the 7th CPC must be considered seriously and necessary corrections made.
Another important issue we would like to present before you, concerns the New Pension Scheme introduced by the Government of India, with effect from. 1.1.2014. Both the Serving employees and Pensioners organisations placed before the Commission, rather passionately, to consider their submissions made for the replacement of the newly introduced defined contributory system of pension for those who entered the Government of India Service from.1.1.2014 with the time tested defined benefit scheme of pension. As of date the Government employees, by virtue of the new contributory pension scheme are divided into two classes viz. a good number of them receive emoluments after deduction of 10% towards pension contribution whereas the other for the same job is provided with a higher rate of emoluments. It is nothing but a blatant denial of equal pay for equal work. We had pointed out to the Commission in no uncertain terms that the new scheme was conceived as an idea to allow the flow of the hard earned income of the employees to the Stock market and permit the access of those funds for the corporate houses with no guaranteed return to the contributor. We had pleaded before the Commission to recommend for the exclusion of the Government employees from the purview of the NPS, if the scrapping of the scheme is infeasible in the light of the enactment of PFRDA. The Commission, as you could see from the report, has enumerated innumerable flaws, defects, deficiencies and what not in the administrative apparatus of the NPS, which has now amassed huge funds and its coffers are swelling enormously day by day. They have still not evolved a mechanism to monitor the remittances by the concerned employers. The Commission has suggested in the light of their findings, cosmetic remedial measures which in all fairness one should admit, will not address the issue. In short, the Commission has not been emboldened to make a positive recommendation for the exclusion of the Central Government employees from its ambit, even though they have been convinced of the force of our submissions and arguments. We may also state that the Commission which was anxious of the increased financial outflow on account of the revision of wages and pension did not, rather failed to recognise the enormous outflow of tax payers money to the pension fund in the form of Governmental Contributions. Without stating the various other demerits of the New Contributory Pension Scheme, as it has been oft-repeated, we plead that the Government employees be excluded from the Contributory Pension scheme and all of them irrespective of their date of recruitment be brought within the purview of the time tested defined benefit pension system.
Besides the submissions made in the preceding paragraphs, we enumerate hereunder some specific issues concerning pensioners and request the Implementation Committee to consider the same and place it before the empowering committee for acceptance.
1. Parity between the past and present pensioners be brought about on the basis of the 7th CPC recommendations with the modification that the basis of computation be the pay level of the post/grade/scale of pay from which the employee retired, whichever is beneficial to him.
The 7th CPC has recommended the modus operandi for bringing about parity between the past and present pensioners. While issuing orders in acceptance of this recommendation, we urge upon that care may be taken to provide the benefit to the pensioners as envisaged by the Commission in its letter and spirit. Often we find when the orders are issued, the same is interpreted by the pension disbursing authority in such a manner that the envisaged benefit is denied to the deserving personnel on flimsy technical grounds. We want you to appreciate that it is not a perceived grievance but a real and genuine one. To cite a recent example:, When the orders on the question of modified parity was issued after the 6th CPOC recommendation, the benefit was denied to a large number of pensioners by such an interpretation made by the Offices of the Controller General of Accounts. The issue had to be agitated in the Central Administrative Tribunal, where the CGA’s interpretation was set aside. The Government dragged the poor pensioners upto the highest court of justice in the country, the Supreme Court, before the concerned order was amended. Even in the amended order, care was not taken to convey the benefit to certain pensioners fully on the specious plea that the words employed in the original orders speaks only of the scale of pay and not of the revised scale of pay. It is highly unethical to drag the pensioners to the Courts. They are compelled to bear the huge expenditure involved in the litigation at the level of the Supreme Court . To avoid the recurrence of such a scenario, we plead that the orders must specify in unambiguous terms, that the parity must be with reference to the level of pay of an individual employee of the post/grade/scale of pay from which he/she retired, whichever is beneficial to that individual. This is to take care of the situation where the concerned Government servant had been granted MACP, or the pay scale/pay band/grade pay/ had been revised by the Government either suo motu or on the basis of the recommendation of the Pay Commission.
2. Pension to be 60% of the last pay drawn and family pension to be 50% of the last pay drawn. Minimum pension to be 60% of the minimum wage and minimum family pension to be 50% of the Minimum wage.
In our memorandum, we had demanded that pension to be 66.6% of the last pay drawn and the minimum pension to be 66.66% of the minimum wage. The CPC has not conceded this demand. Our present request in the matter is that the pension must be fixed at 60% of the last pay drawn and the minimum pension at the rate of 60% of the minimum wage. This is on the ground that minimum wage is computed taking into account the family consisting of three units of two adults and two children ( i.e. 1+0.8+0.6+0.6=3) Since the requirement of the children can be excluded in the case of pensioners, the rational approach will be to provide 60% of the minimum wage as the minimum pension Both the pension and the minimum pension has to be at the rate of 60% of the last pay drawn (or average emoluments) and the minimum wage respectively. The present stipulation of computing the pension at the rate of 50% and the minimum pension at 50% of the minimum wage has no basis at all. Family pension is granted mostly in the case of the surviving spouse or unmarried or widowed daughter. To reduce the pension beyond 10% is to heap misery and agony on the survivors. Our suggestion in the matter is that the surviving member of the family be provided with at least 50% of the pension.
3. Enhance the pension and family pension on the basis of the increased age of the pensioner. Grant 5% rise in pension for every addition of 5 years of age, 10% after attaining the age of 80 and 20% for those beyond 90.
The decaying process of physique gets accelerated normally after 60 years of age. To keep one fit, after the age of 60, increased expenses on various counts are needed. It was in recognition of this fact that the earlier Pay Commission suggested to calibrate the pension entitlement linking to the age of the pensioner. The demand was formulated to rein in a logical methodology for such increases. Our specific suggestion is to raise the quantum by5% (i.e. 65% at the age of 65) and by 5% for every five year increase in the age of pensioner. However, the increase will have to be 10% at the age of 85 and 20% at the age of 90.
4. Restoration of Commuted value after 10 years and gratuity as per the provisions of the Gratuity Act.
It is now an admitted fact that the Government recovers the full value of the commuted portion of the pension in 10 years including the interest. However, it has refused to accede to the demand for a revision of the period of restoration when it was taken up in the National Council. There had been no reason adduced as to why this demand cannot be accepted, when the issue was subjected to discussions before the 7th CPC. Fifteen years is too long a period and the last five years in which the pensioner is denied the full pension is without justification. We request you to kindly place this fact before the Empowering Committee for a favourable decision. In the matter of gratuity our demand is that the Government must adhere to the provisions of the Gratuity Act and no distinction between the Government employees and the workers in the Public or private enterprises be made in the matter.
5. Fixed Medical Allowance.
In the case of pensioners who resides at locations not covered by the CGHS scheme has no health care benefit at all. The serving employees are entitled for CGHS benefit if they stay in any of the 26 cities where the CGHS facilities are available, and they enjoy the benefit of CVCS(MA) Rules in other places. The Pensioners staying outside the CGHS areas are to bear the health care expenses from the3oir meagre pension amount. It is in consideration of this fact, a fixed medical allowance was introduced. However, the quantum of such allowance is a paltry sum of Rs. 500 p.m. In the neo-liberalised economic system, the administered price mechanism barring in the case of a few medicines, has been dispensed with, consequent upon which is the exorbitant prices of medicines in the market. The pensioner is not able to afford the prices of medicines. Either the Government must come forward to bring in the application of CCS(MA) rules to the pensioners who are not within the ambit of CGHS or the FMA will have to be increased. We request that the FMA may atleast be raised to Rs. 2000 per month.
6. Grant of HRA for pensioners.
Gone are the days when the pensioner can expect to be looked after by their children. In most of the cases, they are unable to live with their children even if the children are willing to accommodate them. This is because of the frequent transfer of workplace and many other relevant factors. As has been pointed out elsewhere in this letter, the pensioners of date were the serving employees of 1970s,80s and 90s. They did not have a decent wage structure nor could they obtain loan facility from the banks on nominal interest (which the people of the present contemporary society enjoys), with the result they could not venture to own a house for occupation atleast after retirement. Throughout their service career they had been in the occupation of the Government accommodation, which they had to vacate after retirement. The real estate business in the country witnessed a boom in 1990s and 2000s, . The pensioners cannot compete in the real estate market either with the consumers like serving employees or business people. All these factors put together makes the pensioners to shell out a major portion of his pension income only for hiring a dwelling place. We, therefore, request the Committee may consider the demand for HRA from a humanitarian point of view.
7. Grant of an increment prior to the date of retirement.
Grant of one increment in the case of those pensioners who retired on completion of one year in service as on the date of superannuation had been the demand the staff side placed before the Government for their consideration in the National Council. The demand was rejected on the technical ground that even though they had worked for a full year the grant of increment would be possible only if they are in service on the day when it become due. The 6th CPC while recommending uniform date of increment for all Government Servants, also suggested that in the case of all employees who had completed more than six months, increment might be granted. The issue was taken up before the 7th CPC too through our memorandum. The Commission also did not recommend the acceptance of our demand. We therefore, appeal once again to the Government that this simple issue may be settled as it has very little coverage and the consequent financial implication is very meagre.
These are some of the issues, which various pensioners organisations have brought before us to take it up with you. We therefore, once again request you to kindly consider these issues in the light of the justification we have appended under each of them and recommend to the Government for a positive consideration thereof.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
K.K.N. Kutty
Secretary General
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