Saturday, February 25, 2017

Circle Union requests Chief PMG, Odisha Circle in c/w implementation of Cadre Restructuring Proposal

Circle Union requests Chief PMG, Odisha Circle for a discussion with the representatives of AIPEU, Group-C, Odisha Circle before issue of posting orders to the approved LSG officials as a part of implementation of Cadre Restructuring Proposal
No. P3NFPE – Odisha / 08 – 02 / 2017
Dated at Bhubaneswar the 23rd February, 2017

To
Dr. Santosh Ku. Kamila, IPoS
Chief Postmaster General, Odisha Circle
Bhubaneswar – 751 001

Sub : Permission to the selected representatives of AIPEU, Group-C, Odisha Circle for discussion with the Chief PMG, Odisha on implementation of Cadre Restructuring Proposal of Group-C Postal Employees in Odisha Circle - Request regarding.



Respected Sir,
Most regretfully, we would like to bring it to your kind notice that though we had requested vide our letter dated 27.01.2017 first to complete the selection process for HSG-I and HSG-II cadre and then go for LSG cadre to avoid any dislocation in managing the huge number of vacant posts under both the higher selection grades, our letter was neither acknowledged nor responded till date.

We are in doubt if our letter has been brought to the kind notice of the Chief PMG or not.

Contradictorily, the Circle Office has now completed the DPC for LSG cadre and the approved officials have been allotted region-wise vide C O Memo No. ST/26-6(1)/2017(Postal), dated 23.02.2017.

After analyzing the above memo we noticed some deficiencies as follows.

1. The names of some senior officials especially belonging to reserved category are seen omitted.

2. While 7 Divisions have been allotted with 94 surplus LSG officials, 191 such officials were found short in rest 11 Divisions in comparison to the respective Divisional sanctioned strength which may create serious dislocation while adjusting the surplus officials from one Division in another Division(s) which fall(s) short of the sanctioned strength. Now question arises as to how these vacancies will be filled in to keep the sanctioned strength constant. The Cadre Restructuring Proposal is silent about the issue and there is no guideline from the Directorate in this regard. It is also not known whether Circle Office has sought for any clarification from the Directorate.

3. The approved list contains the name of some SAs, B Es, Trainers, CPC Supervisors and PLI Group Leaders also who are now supposed to be posted as LSG SPMs in the identified S Os since the existing posts against which these employees are working are not created and have not also been identified as LSG.

Now question arises as to how these posts will be manned if they are diverted from the current jobs. There may be complete dislocation in undertaking the day to day activities with regard to system failure and software issues if the experienced S As are diverted. Alternatively, if they are retained in their posts, then the proposed LSG posts against the said officials will remain vacant and the T S P As may be forced to work without any financial benefit which will be an injustice to them.

4. In this context, our opinion is that that there will be serious dislocation in functional activities of the post offices since the posting order is being issued first for LSG cadre before filling the posts in HSG-I and HSG-II cadre under the cadre restructuring proposal. Since all the existing LSG posts have now been upgraded to HSG-II cadre, the existing LSG officials will certainly be disturbed from the present posts. Thus almost all the HSG-II posts will remain vacant till the exiting LSG officials are eligible for promotion as per the present norm.

Similar will be the position in HSG-I cadre also.
Thus, question arises as to how to manage these large number of HSG-II and HSG-I posts in the absence of eligible officials. Undoubtedly, the P As will be forced to man these posts without pay and seniority benefits and that will be a great injustice to such employees.

The above situations are just illustrative. We may come across several such deficiencies during the implementation of this Cadre Restructuring Proposal.

Under the circumstances, we would like to request you to kindly to allow some selected representatives nominated by us as follows for a cordial discussion with the Official Side Chaired by the Chief PMG, Odisha Circle on the above issues before issuing the posting orders against the approved LSG officials.

And till such time issue of posting orders to the approved LSG officials may kindly be stopped.

Sl. Name Address 

1 Sri Trilochan Parida President, AIPEU, Group - C, Odisha Circle & B E, Uditnagar HO, Sundergarh 

2 Sri Bruhaspati Samal Circle Secretary, AIPEU, Group - C, Odisha Circle & Postmaster, Ashoknagar MDG, Bhubaneswar – 751 009 

3 Sri G C Padhiary Vice-President, AIPEU, Group - C, Odisha Circle & P A, Balasore HO 

4 Sri Pradeep Ku. Satpathy Asst. Secretary, AIPEU, Group - C, Odisha Circle & P A, Burla MDG, Sambalpur 

5 Sri Bishnu Prasad Das Financial Secretary, AIPEU, Group - C, Odisha Circle & P A, Cuttack GPO 

6 Sri Basant Ku. Pathy Organizing Secretary, AIPEU, Group - C, Odisha Circle & Accountant, Aska H O 

Awaiting your kind response, Sir.

With regards.
Yours faithfully,

( BRUHASPATI SAMAL)
Circle Secretary

Two city post offices to go solar

The postal department is all set to do its bit for the environment with a few post offices likely to go solar soon. acilities in the city which have their own premises — in Anna Nagar and Besant Nagar — will be fitted with solar power units this fiscal. 



Work is on to provide solar panels for these buildings and soon, these post offices will take their first steps towards energy self-sufficiency. 

Post offices in Kalasapakkam in the Tiruvannamalai division and Gingee and Bahour in the Puducherry division were recently provided with solar power units at a total cost of ₹11 lakh. They have managed to tide over power shortage and also reduce electricity bills by up to 25%. 

Officials of the Postal Department said the move to shift to renewable energy had also improved functioning . The installation of solar power units ensured that erratic power supply did not hamper counter services in the post offices, officials said. 

A sum of ₹6 lakh had been allotted for the installation of the solar power units in the two post offices. These offices would be equipped to function exclusively on solar power, said an official. 

However, staff members in the post offices noted that large offices with many counters would need more solar power units of higher capacity to be self-sufficient. The Postal Department plans to expand the project to more post offices in a phased manner. Funds for the project would be sought from the Postal Directorate, officials said. 
Source : http://www.thehindu.com

Friday, February 24, 2017

LSG MEMO OF ODISHA CIRCLE OUT - CADRE RESTRUCTURING

After cadre restructuring,Odisha circle released the LSG memo for all the eligible staffs of PA cadre. Posting orders will be issued by the concerned region. First Circle to implement LSG after cadre restructuring. 

(N. b-last year Odisha circle became the first to release and implement the cadre restructuring memo of HSG-1(NFG) cadre)




















Happy Shivratri




IMPACT OF CONFEDERATION'S ONE DAY STRIKE ON 16.03.2017

Govt of India has acknowledged the strike notice and charter of demands submitted by Confederation of Central Govt Employees & Workers and issued directions to all concerned Ministries to take appropriate action. Letters received from Govt is given below.

M.KRISHNAN
Secretary General Confederation
Mob & WhatsApp: 09447068125.

Cadre Restructuring proposal of Group-C employees of RMS, SBCO and CO/RO Staff


Government to issue Sovereign Gold Bonds 2016 -17 – Series IV

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Finance

23-February-2017 11:15 IST

Government to issue Sovereign Gold Bonds 2016 -17 – Series IV; 
Applications for the bond to be accepted from February 27, 2017 to March 03, 2017

Government of India, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India(RBI), has decided to issue Sovereign Gold Bonds 2016-17–Series IV. Applications for the bond will be accepted from February 27, 2017 to March 03, 2017. The Bonds will be issued on March 17, 2017. The Bonds will be sold through banks, Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), designated post offices and recognised stock exchanges viz., National Stock Exchange of India Limited and Bombay Stock Exchange.

The features of the Bond are given below:

Sl. No.
Item
Details
1
Product name
Sovereign Gold Bond 2016-17 – Series IV
2
Issuance
To be issued by Reserve Bank India on behalf of the Government of India.
3
Eligibility
The Bonds will be restricted for sale to resident Indian entities including individuals, HUFs, Trusts, Universities and Charitable Institutions.
4
Denomination
The Bonds will be denominated in multiples of gram(s) of gold with a basic unit of 1 gram.
5
Tenor
The tenor of the Bond will be for a period of 8 years with exit option from 5th year to be exercised on the interest payment dates.
6
Minimum size
Minimum permissible investment will be 1 grams of gold.
7
Maximum limit
The maximum amount subscribed by an entity will not be more than 500 grams per person per fiscal year (April-March). A self-declaration to this effect will be obtained.
8
Joint holder
In case of joint holding, the investment limit of 500 grams will be applied to the first applicant only.
9
Issue price
Price of Bond will be fixed in Indian Rupees on the basis of simple average of closing price of gold of 999 purity published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Limited for the week (Monday to Friday) preceding the subscription period. The issue price of the Gold Bonds will be ` 50 per gram less than the nominal value.
10
Payment option
Payment for the Bonds will be through cash payment (upto a maximum of Rs. 20,000) or demand draft or cheque or electronic banking.
11
Issuance form
The Gold Bonds will be issued as Government of India Stocks under GS Act, 2006. The investors will be issued a Holding Certificate for the same. The Bonds are eligible for conversion into demat form.
12
Redemption price
The redemption price will be in Indian Rupees based on previous week’s (Monday-Friday) simple average of closing price of gold of 999 purity published by IBJA.
13
Sales channel
Bonds will be sold through banks, Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), designated post offices as may be notified and recognised stock exchanges viz., National Stock Exchange of India Limited and Bombay Stock Exchange, either directly or through agents.
14
Interest rate
The investors will be compensated at a fixed rate of 2.50 per cent per annum payable semi-annually on the nominal value.
15
Collateral
Bonds can be used as collateral for loans. The loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is to be set equal to ordinary gold loan mandated by the Reserve Bank from time to time.
16
KYC Documentation
Know-your-customer (KYC) norms will be the same as that for purchase of physical gold. KYC documents such as Voter ID, Aadhaar card/PAN or TAN /Passport will be required.
17
Tax treatment
The interest on Gold Bonds shall be taxable as per the provision of Income Tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961). The capital gains tax arising on redemption of SGB to an individual has been exempted. The indexation benefits will be provided to long term capital gains arising to any person on transfer of bond
18
Tradability
Bonds will be tradable on stock exchanges within a fortnight of the issuance on a date as notified by the RBI.
19
SLR eligibility
The Bonds will be eligible for Statutory Liquidity Ratio purposes.
20
Commission
Commission for distribution of the bond shall be paid at the rate of 1% of the total subscription received  by  the  receiving offices and receiving offices shall share at least 50% of the commission so received with the agents or sub agents for the business procured through them.

Monday, February 20, 2017

CONFEDERATION NATIONAL SECRETARIAT CALLS UPON ALL CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

 

Dear comrades,
We know that all of you are in the midst of hectic preparation and campaign for making the 16th March Strike action a great success.  As has been explained in the article, which we have placed on our website, the NDA Government, led by BJP has exhibited the worst anti-employee attitude in the post independent  era of our country.  This Government has treated its own employees as its worst enemy. The decision taken by the Union Cabinet on 29th June, 2016 rejecting even the recommendations made by the high level committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary was unprecedented. Even the setting up of various committees was nothing but an eye wash. Nothing will come out of that.  Even the NPS Committee on which the young comrades had pinned some hope of at least  getting a minimum guaranteed pension will produce nothing.  The discussions at the JCM fora has been converted into mostly monologues i.e. the official side simply listening and not reacting.  The Government, it appears, has made the Pension department to reject the one and only recommendation of the 7th CPC which was considered to be positive i.e. Option No.1 for pensioners on the specious ground that the same is not feasible to be implemented. The allowances committee has dilly dallied its deliberation and would now submit its report after the extended period of 6 months expires on 22.02.2017. Even if they make any positive recommendation, which is seldom expected, the NDA Government would not act upon it.  They have very successfully postponed the payment of the revised allowances for 15 months. 

         In the face of such terrible onslaught, betrayal and chicanery, which no Government in the past has ever indulged in,  it is surprising that some of our friends who has a predominant role in the movement of the Central Government employees has unfortunately chosen to wait and watch.  It appears that they have chosen to wait endlessly hurting the cause of the workers. 

         We have no hesitation to affirmatively state the obvious that we have chosen the right path, the path of struggles, which can only the choice of the working class against tyrannical attitude of the employer, howsoever, powerful they may be. We must realize that those who are  in the saddle of power today are not permanently posted there. We were witness to the abysmal downfall of persons who were arrogant personified.  It appears that the reasonableness, righteousness and patience we had exhibited have been taken as signs of cowardice. The undeniable fact is that those who fight, only can win. We, therefore, appeal to you to carry on with conviction and courage.

         Eight months will be over on 6th March, 2017, when the Group of Ministers held out the assurance of revisiting the minimum wage and multiplication factor.  It is now crystal clear that that was an act of chicanery.  No committee was set up  and no discussions were held to seriously consider the issue.  We, therefore, appeal to all of you to ensure that the day, i.e. 6thMarch, 2017 is observed as a day of betrayal and all our members are requested to wear a Black badge with the following words inscribed on it in bold letters and conduct demonstrations in front of all Central Government offices.
                                           
HONOUR THE COMMITMENT MADE ON
30TH JUNE & 6TH JULY, 2016
REVISE THE MINIMUM WAGE AND
MULTIPLICATION FACTOR

6th March 2017 must be yet another occasion to mobilize our members to ensure their participation in the 16th March, 2017 strike action and ultimately win all the demands in the charter. 
               
 We fight to win and we shall win.

                With greetings.
Yours fraternally,

(M Krishnan)
Secretary General
Confederation
Mob: 09447068125

Email: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com

Appointment of Group Leader in Odisha Circle


SIGNIFICANCE OF CONFEDERATION'S ONE DAY STRIKE ON 16-03-2017 - Com.M.Krishnan, Secretary General, CCGEW

For Circulation to all

Dated – 15.02.2017

SIGNIFICANCE OF CONFEDERATION’S 
ONE DAY STRIKE ON 16-03-2017

WHY NJCA SHOULD REVIVE THE DEFERRED INDEFINITE STRIKE
 M. Krishnan, 
Secretary General, 
Confederation

We had been patiently waiting for a meaningful discussion on the matter ever since then. Not only there had been any worthwhile or meaningful discussions thereafter, but no settlement was also brought about till today, though more than six months have been elapsed....... Incidentally we feel that it must be our responsibility to convey to you that the Central Government employees throughout the country are extremely critical of the fact that the Government had not found it possible to accept even a single issue taken up by the staff side JCM after the 7th Central Pay Commission submitted its recommendations to the Government”.

=      Excerpts from the letter written by Com. Shiv Gopal Misra, Secretary, National Council, JCM Staff Side and Convenor NJCA to Shri. Rajnath

Singh, Hon’ble Home Minister on 17-01-2017.

BJP-LED NDA GOVERNMENT SHOULD REMEMBER

You can fool some employees and pensioners for all times. 
              You can fool all employees and pensioners for some time.

But you cannot fool all employees and all pesioners for all times.

Employees and Pensioners are intelligent and they have the common sense to understand who is betraying them. History will not forgive those who are betraying the cause of 33 lakhs Central Govt. employees and 34 lakhs civilian pensioners.

1.        GOVT. MADE IT CLEAR THAT WITHDRAWL OF NPS IS NOT WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF NPS COMMITTEE. YOUNGER GENERATION EMPLOYEES CHEATED:

Withdrawal of NPS or exemption from NPS was one of the most important demand of the NJCA in the 11th July 2016 deferred indefinite strike. In the statement issued by NJCA on 06-07-2016 after deferring the indefinite strike, it stated as follows:

“The NJCA particularly notes that the Government has set up a separate committee for reviewing the New Pension Scheme, which has been a matter of concern to all employees and workers who are recruited to Government service on or after 01-01-2004”.

It is true that Government has constituted an NPS Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Pension). This created a lot of hope among the younger generation employees as they have been made to believe that the committee will consider the demand of NJCA to scrap the NPS or at least exempt Central Government employees from NPS. But to the dismay of all, in the agenda notified by NPS Committee for discussion with staff side (JCM) on 10-02-2017, the main issues such as (1) Scrapping of NPS (2) Guaranteed minimum pension to NPS subscribers ie; 50% of the last pay drawn should be guaranteed by Government as minimum pension, even if the returns from the annuity insurance scheme is less than 50% and (3) exemption of Central Government employees from the purview of NPS, are not included as agenda for discussion in the meeting. During the discussion with staff side on 10-02-2017, Additional Secretary (Pension) informed the following:

(1)       Withdrawal of NPS is not within the purview of NPS Committee.

(2)     There are three sub committees constituted on NPS (i) Committee chaired by Joint Secretary, Department of Financial Services to look into investment, benefit and taxation, (ii) Committee chaired by Joint Secretary (Expenditure), Finance Ministry, with regard to finalising the accounting, implementation procedure and grievance redressal. (iii) Committee chaired by Additional Secretary (Pension) to formulate Rules and Regulations with regard to various benefits from NPS.

Thus it is made clear without any ambiguity that NPS Committee is constituted by the Government for further strengthening NPS and not for scrapping NPS or exempting from NPS as demanded by NJCA. Everybodyknows that whether it is pay commission or NPS Committee, it cannot and will not make recommedations on any issue which are not included in the terms of reference of the Commission/Committee, specifically by the Government.


Submitting memorandum to the NPS committee demanding scrapping ofNPS or exemption from NPS may not serve any purpose, unless Government give clear mandate to the Committee to examine such a demand also. Thus, NDA Government has rejected the demand of NJCA either to scrap NPS or exempt from NPS. This is the real fact and there need not be any confusion in the mind of the employees. In order to compel the Government to accept the demand, there is no short-cut, other than reviving the indefinite strike.

Railway Federations demand also rejected:

Railway Federations have demanded exemption of Railway employees from the purview of NPS. Railway Ministers of UPA and NDA Government had forwarded the demand to the Government with their recommendations stating that Railways is second line of defence and as Military Personnel are already exempted from NPS, Railway employees should also be exempted from NPS. 

Earlier in a letter dated 15th May 2015 addressed to Railway Board, the Ministry of Finance, Department of Financial Services has informed as follows:-

“It may kindly be noted that, earlier a proposal to exempt paramilitary forces (ie. CRPF, BSF etc.) from the ambit of NPS was referred to a Group of Ministers GoM) and was finally not approved by the Government............

You will agree that moving away from the earlier defined benefit based pension system was a concious decision of the Government taken in view of the unsustainable pension liability of the Central Government....... 

In view of the above, request of the recognised Federations (AIRF & NFIR) for seeking exemption of the Railway Servants appointed on or after 01-01-2004 from the application of the NPS does not seem to be a feasible proposition.”

From the above reply, it is clear that Government is not going to exempt Railway employees or other Central Government employees from the purview of NPS, unless NJCA revive the indefinite strike and compell the Government to negotiate and settle the demand.

2.        OPTION - I FOR PRE-2016 PENSIONERS REJECTED:

In the meeting held on 30-06-2016, with Group of Ministers by JCM staff side, the Finance Minister had also clarified that Government has taken the decision to implement the recommendation of 7th CPC to bring about parity between past and present pensioners. (Vide NJCA Statement issued on 06-07-2016). 

Finance Minister categorically assured the NJCA leaders on 30-06-2016 that the Government has accepted the recommendation in toto and Pension department has only been asked to sort out the difficulties in implementation of Option-I, if any.


NJCA wrote to Finance Minister on 16-07-2016, as follows:

“The issue of acceptance of Option-I and II was discussed with your goodself at the residence of Hon’ble Home Minister (Govt. of India) wherein Hon’ble Minister for Railways and Hon’ble MoS Railways were present. You had categorically agreed our demand that no dilution would be made in the options given to the Pensioners by the 7th CPC. It is unfortunate that a rider “subject to feasibility” has been imposed on Option-I. Sir, this is very unfair and we will appreciate, if you kindly get the sentence “subject to feasibility” removed from that order, to keep your promise also”.

But, Finance Minister had gone back from his assurance to JCM Staff side leaders and he refused to withdraw the condition “subject to feasibility”. In the letter dated 17-10-2016, addressed to Chairman of the “Pension Option-I Committee”, the Secretary, JCM staff side requested as follows:

“The attempt therefore must be to explore the ways and means of implementing the said recommendation which is beneficial to a large number of pensioners, especially those retired prior to 1996. In view of this, the staff side is of the firm view that the Government issue orders for implementation of Option-I as there is no room for stating that the recommendation is impossible to be implemented for those who are benefitted by the said option”.

Finally NJCA wrote a letter to Hon’ble Home Minister Shri. Rajnath Singh on 17-01-2017, requesting intervention. The letter reads as follows:

“The Central Government Pensioners numbering presently more than the working employees are aggrieved of the fact that the one and the only recommendation of the 7th CPC which was in their favour ie; Option-I have been recommended to be rejected by the Pension Department to the Government”.

Inspite of all these, the proposal is submitted to cabinet to reject Option-I. This underlines the fact that unless NJCA revive its deferred indefinite strike, the Government will not allow Option-I to pensioners, as assured by Finance Minister.

3.        ARREARS ON ALLOWANCES INCLUDING HRA AND TRANSPORT ALLOWANCE IS GOING TO BE REJECTED:

Now it has become clear that the Government has constituted the Allowance Committee headed by Finance Secretary, mainly to delay the implementation of enhanced allowances and finally deny the arrears by implementing the revised allowance either from 01-01-2017 or from 01-04-2017. The four months time fixed for the Allowance Committee is already extended to six months upto 22-02-2017. Reserve Bank Governor, Dr. Urjit Patel had hinted to the media that the burden of payment of arrears during this financial year will not be there, meaning that Government may not give retrospective effect to the revised allowances. 

The RBI Governor, Dr. Urjit Patel made the following observations, which is published in the RBI website.

“The extension of two months given to the Ministry of Finance to receive the notification on higher allowances under the Pay Commission’s award could push its fuller effect into the next financial year rather than this financial year”.

Further, the Allowance Committee has not held any negotiation with the JCM Staff Side. It just heard the views of the staff side. The request of the JCM staff side to hold one more meeting with staff side NJCM was not favourably considered by the Finance Secretary, who is the Chairman of the Allowance Committee. 

No indication is given as to whether the percentage of HRA recommended by 7th CPC will be enhanced to 30%, 20% and 10%. The fate of other allowances are also the same. Unless NJCA take a firm stand and negotiate with the Government by reviving the indefinite strike, the employees will be placed in a desperate and helpless situation, if Government is allowed to unilaterally declare the HRA and other allowances, without retrospective effect from 01-01-2016, and also without much modification, thereby denying crores of rupees as arrears.

4.        REVISION OF MINIMUM PAY, FITMENT FORMULA - HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE NOT YET CONSTITUTED:

While deferring the indefinite strike from 11th July 2016, as per the assurance given by the Group of Ministers, the NJCA in its statement dated 06-07-2016, stated as follows:

“The committee set up to look into the matter of minimum wage and fitment formula is expected to submit their report to the Government in the given time frame of not more than four months”.

Finance Ministry’s press statement issued on 06-07-2016 also stated as follows:

“The Ministers assured the Union leaders that the issues raised by them would be considered by a High Level Committee”.

After one month, the NJCA wrote letters on 28-07-2016 to Hon’ble Home Minister, Finance Minister, Railway Minister and Cabinet Secretary in which it conveyed the following:

“It is a matter of concern that, despite elapsing of a pretty long time, nothing has been heard in this regard from the Government of India, which is leading to serious resentment amongst the Central Government employees.”

Again after two months the JCM staff side, Secretary, wrote a letter on 12-08-2016, to Shri. Arun Jaitely, Finance Minister -

“We are expecting a quick action on the part of the Government to operationalise the assurance of setting up a High Level Committee to go into the Minimum Wage, Multiplication factor etc. However, we are disappointed that even after a lapse of more than a month, no orders have been issued by the Government in this regard.
.......... we therefore appeal to you that the concerned authorities may be asked to expedite the issuance of orders setting up the committee and finalisation of the report within the available time of remaining three months.”

A group of Senior Officers invited the JCM staff side on 30-08-2016 to discuss the grievances arising out of the recommendations related to 7th CPC. No High Level Committee was constituted and no terms of reference was notified. The second meeting with Group of seniors was held on24-10-2016.

Eventhough the group of senior officers held two round of discussion with JCM staff side, surprisingly they had not come prepared to discuss increase in minimum wage and fitment formula. They made a mockery of the meeting by disclosing in the first meeting that they are not fully aware of the details of the issues to be discussed and in the second meeting they told that they came for discussing allowances (though another committee under the chairmanship of Finance Secretary is constituted for allowances) and not minimum wage and fitment formulas. The JCM staffside leaders felt humiliated.

After that meeting, the JCM staffside wrote the following letter on 26-10-2016, to Hon’ble Finance Minister.....

“We (staff side) interacted with the said committee headed by Shri. P. K. Das, Addl. Secretary (Expenditure) on 24-10-2016. It would be quite appropriate to bring to your kind notice that, we have felt, during the course of meeting, that the proceedings of the committee are extremely disappointing and are left with the impression that committee is dilly-dallying the issue.................

we are, therefore, left with no option, but to address this communication with the fervent hope that, your goodself will direct the said committee to interact with the staff side in a fruitful manner and arrive at a mutually agreeable proposal on the issue of minimum pay and fitment formula.... We have full trust and believe that, the Government would honour the decision taken in the meeting held on 30-06-2016 in your benign presence and suitable direction will be given to the committee to complete the assigned task within the stipulated time frame in a satisfactory manner.... It would be the most unfortunate development, we regret to state, if we are constrained to tread the path of struggle once again in the event of the committee not coming up with a satisfactory settlement.”

Inspite of all these, after that (ie after 24-10-2016) no meeting of the group of senior officers was held and no discussion on minimum wage and fitment formula took place. 

The four months time fixed for the High Level Committee (which is yet to constituted) expired on 30-10-2016. Government has gone back from the most important assurance given to the NJCA leaders on 30-06-2016 by the Group of Cabinet Ministers.

NJCA decided to defer the strike mainly because of this assurance of the Govt. that the Minimum pay and fitment formula will be enhanced. Now that Govt. has gone back and betrayed the entire Central Govt. employees and pensioners. NJCA has no other option but to revive the indefinite strike.

5. “VERY GOOD” BENCH MARK FOR MACP AND DENIAL OF PROMOTIONAL HEIRACHY

Eversince, the MACP scheme was introduced in 2008, confederation and the JCM staff side has been demanding promotional hierarchy instead of grade pay hierarchy. Govt, instead of considering this genuine demand, suddenly issued orders imposing “very good” bench mark condition for MACP. The JCM staffside was not even consulted. 

JCM staff side, secretary wrote a letter to cabinet secretary on 28-07-2016 as follows:

“The Govt. has accepted one of the adverse recommendations of 7th CPC without holding any consultation with the staff side. The recommendation of the 7th CPC regarding bench mark for performance appraisal for promotion and financial upgradation under MACPs, to be enhanced from “Good” to “very good”, has been accepted by the Govt. without considering the implication on the morale of the Central Government employees... We are of the firm opinion that Govt. should reconsider their decision on the above issues and we request you to kindly withdraw the same.”

Subsequently the case was discussed in the JCM standing committee meeting also on 25-10-2016, as an agenda item given by staff side. Inspite of all these, the Government is not ready to withdraw or modify the orders.

This shows the attitude of the BJP led NDA Govt. towards JCM staff side and Central Govt. employees.

6.        NATIONAL ANOMALY COMMITTEE

The National Anomaly Committee was constituted on 09-09-2016. Two meetings are held to discuss the anomaly regarding calculation of Disability Pension for Defence force personnel. As per the definition of anomaly notified by the Government no genuine “anomaly” can be termed as “anomaly”. Hence the JCM staff side has demanded to modify the definition of anomaly, as defined in earlier National Anomaly Committees constituted by Govt. at the time of previous pay commissions. But till this day, Govt. has not conceded the request of the staff side.

7.        OTHER ISSUES RAISED IN THE CHARTER OF DEMANDS SUCH AS GDS ISSUES, CASUAL-CONTRACT LABOUR’S ISSUES, UPGRADATION OF LDC PAY  SCALE,   PARITY   WITH   CENTRAL   SECRETARIAT   SERVICES,

AUTONOMOUS BODY PENSIONER’S CASE, EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK, REDUCTION OF CCL, RESTORATION OF ADVANCES ETC.

None of the above demands are discussed with the JCM staff side.

WHY INDEFINITE STRIKE SHOULD BE REVIVED BY NJCA ?

From the above it is clear that the Government has gone back from all the assurances and is not ready to take the JCM staffside seriously. All the employees and pensioners are totally disappointed and are voicing their anger and protest through various forums including social media.

It is in this background the much awaited meeting of NJCA was held on 17-01-2017. Unfortunately, no consensus decision for revival of the deferred indefinite strike could be taken in the NJCA meeting. As stated above, the revival of the indefinite strike is the only option left before the NJCA.

SIGNIFICANCE OF 16th MARCH 2017, ONE DAY STRIKE OF CONFEDERATION

The 25th National Conference of the Confederation of Central Govt. employees & Workers, held at Chennai had taken a decision to request all constituents of NJCA to revive the deferred indefinite strike, if the Government is not ready to honour its commitment before 30th October 2016, ie; before the four months timeline fixed for fulfilling the assurances given to the NJCA leaders on 30-06-2016 by none other than the senior cabinet Ministers, Shri. Rajnath Singh, Shri. Arun Jaitley and Shri. Suresh Prabhu.

The AIC further decided that, in case NJCA is not ready to revive the deferred indefinite strike, the confederation should organise independent trade union action including strike. Confederation strongly feels that, now that almost eight months are over after the “sacred” assurances given by Honourable Ministers, there is no meaning in going on waiting indefinitely. Further Govt. has already conveyed its decision that Option-I for Pensioners is rejected and withdrawal of NPS is not within the purview of NPS committee. Govt. had unilaterally imposed “adverse” conditions for grant of MACP.

Allowances are already delayed for 14 months (from the date of effect of 7th CPC) and the arrears are likely to be denied. The so called “High Level Committee” is yet to be constituted.

As no consensus decision for revival of indefinite strike could be taken in the NJCA, confederation has decided to organise one day nationwide protest strike on 16th March, 2017. Response from employees & participation in the countrywide demonstrations, Mass Dharnas and 15th December 2016 Parliament March was unprecedented and magnificent. About more than 13 lakhs Central Government employees will participate in the strike. After reviewing the participation, confederation will decide future course of action including indefinite strike, if situation warrants.

The National Secretariat of the Confederation calls upon all Central Government employees to make the one day strike a grand success by ensuring your participation in the strike.

AWAKE, ARISE, UNITE COMRADES!

RALLY ROUND CONFEDETATION!!


“UNITY FOR STRUGGLE AND STRUGGLE FOR UNITY”

“An iron-like determination is the guarantee for success of every movement, this should not be forgotten even for a moment. However ruthless may be the ruling class, they cannot change the tide of the history. It is the masses that alone can bring real change through their indomitable strength and courage. It is not the question of appealing to the sense of injustices of the Government, but the relative strength of the organised movements and the forces combating it, that is going to decide the course of history”.

= Late Com. K. G. Bose, the spark that revolutionised the Central Govt. employees movement with the message of “unity for struggle and struggle for unity”.



M.  Krishnan
Secretary General Confederation

Mob & WhatsApp : 09447068125 email: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com