Observance of Protest week from 12th to 19th December 2016.
The reasons for the protest week& Present status of the committees.
Dear colleagues,
You are aware FNPO and its affiliated unions have decided to observe protest week from 12th to 19th December 2016.
The reasons for the protest week:
On 30th June 2016 & 06th July 2016 Group Of Ministers called our NJCM leaders and gave assurance that a High-Level Committee will examine the 7th CPC issues, mainly the Minimum Wage and Multiplying Factor. Based on the assurance, the JCM Constituent deferred the Strike action on 06th July 2016.
Accordingly, the following committees were constituted .
1) Committee to examine the 7th CPC issues mainly the Minimum Wage and Multiplying Factor: The committee met once and the outcome of the meeting not known.
2) Allowance Committee: Met once they discussed HRA & other allowances, but no commitment from the official side. Committee chairman conducted the meeting with all Departments. On 03/11/2016, a meeting was conducted under the Chairmanship of Finance Secretary & Secretary (Expenditure) with regard to postal department. During the meeting India Post Chairman, Postal board, Member (P), DDG (Esst.), DDG (P) & Director (Esst.) were present. Secretary Generals of the three Federations represented the staff side.
The Department of Posts submitted a proposal for retaining the following allowances.
· Fixed Monetary Compensation to Postman.
· Special Allowance to PO & RMS Accountants.
· Cycle allowance to Postman.
· Cash handling and Treasury allowance.
· Headquarter allowance
· Fixed Medical allowance.
· Overtime Allowance
After a long discussion on the revision of above allowances, the Finance Secretary asked to furnish the quantum of Fund required by the Department of Post to meet the Expenditure. Our departmental officers who were present at the meeting agreed to give the required fund details. According to our information, our department has sent the details to the Finance Secretary.
Let us hope that Finance Ministry will agree to our Departments proposal.
3) Anomaly committee was constituted department vice.
4) NPS Committee: According to our information the committee is constituted but no official information.
5) Pension option committee: To examine the feasibility to implement option -1
Now four months have lapsed, we are yet to know the committees decision on the issues of Minimum Wage, Pay Fixation Formula, Allowances and National Pension system (NPS) etc. as on date . Besides these, after implementing the 7th CPC (only pay), the Government is accepting all the recommendations affecting the employees one by one such as the benchmark for MACP from “GOOD” to VERY GOOD” which has created unrest in the minds of every employee.
FNPO cannot be a mere silent spectator after reading the employees mind, therefore FNPO and its affiliated unions have decided to observe protest week from 12th to 19th December 2016.
We request all Divisional / Circle secretaries to go through the programs and make it a grand success.
FAQ on Specified Bank Notes – Emergency needs of cash then what I should do?
I have emergency needs of cash (hospitalisation, travel, life saving medicines) then what I should do?
Till the December 15, 2016, specified banknotes of only 500 denomination can be used as under:—
(a) for making payments in Government hospitals for medical treatment and pharmacies in Government hospitals for buying medicines with doctor’s prescription;
(b) at railway ticketing counters, ticket counters of Government or Public Sector Undertakings buses and airline ticketing counters at airports for purchase of tickets;
(c) for purchases at consumer cooperative stores operated under authorisation of Central or State Governments and the customers shall provide their identity proof; However, the purchase from Consumer Cooperative Stores will be limited to ₹ 5000 at a time;
(d) for purchase at milk booths operating under authorisation of the Central or State Governments;
(e) for purchase of petrol, diesel and gas at the stations operating under the authorisation of Public Sector Oil and Gas Marketing Companies;
(f) for payments at crematoria and burial grounds;
(g) for making payments in all pharmacies on production of doctor’s prescription and proof of identity;
(h) for payments on purchases LPG gas cylinders;
(i) for making payments to catering services on board, during travel by rail;
(j) for making payments for purchasing tickets for travel by suburban and metro rail services;
(k) for making payments for purchase of entry tickets for any monument maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.
(l) for making payments towards any fees, charges, taxes or penalties, payable to the Central or State Governments including Municipal and local bodies;
(m) for making payments towards utility charges for water and electricity only. -which shall be restricted to individuals or households for payment of only arrears or current charges. No advance payments shall be allowed
(n) for payments towards court fees
(o) for making payments towards purchase of seeds from the centres, units or outlets belonging to the Central or State Governments, Public Sector Undertakings, National or State Seeds Corporations, Central or State Agricultural Universities and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, on production of proof of identity: Provided that for the purposes of this clause, specified bank notes shall mean bank notes of the denominational value of five hundred rupees
(p) Payment of School fees up to ₹ 2000 per student in Central Government, State Government, Municipality and local body schools;
(q) Payment of fees in Central or State Government colleges;
(r) Payments towards pre- paid mobile top-up to a limit of ₹ 500 per top-up
(s) Toll payment at these toll plazas of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways may be made through old ₹ 500 notes from 3.12.2016 to 15.12.2016 (as they have continued the toll free arrangement up to 2.12.2016)
In Future Processing of Pension cases Mandatorily through Bhavishya
Seema Gupta, Director, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has that hereafter Processing of Pension cases must be mandatorily through Bhavishya, Retiring employees have to submit the online application w.e.f 01/01/2017.
Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare is responsible for formulation of policy and coordination of matters relating to pension policy and welfare of Central Government pensioners. It has been seen that despite detailed guidelines and instructions to the contrary a large proportion of retiring employees do not get their retirement benefits and the Pension Payment Order(PPO) in time.
It is likely that such retired employees find it difficult to get the process completed after retirement. The sanction process starts more than a year before the date of retirement and requires cooperation amongst various agencies. This department has, therefore, launched Bhavishya — an online pension sanction and payment tracking system. The system by keeping track of the progress of each case introduces transparency and accountability. Both the retiring employees as well as administrative authorities can monitor progress at each stage.
It has now been decided that all Heads of Offices will henceforth mandatorily process all pension cases only through Bhavishya. In this, where necessary, they will assist the retiring employee to submit the online application form. The Pay and Accounts Offices will process cases generated through Bhavishya through the pension module in COMPACT till the Public Financial Management System(PFMS) is made operational and integrated with Bhavishya.
It is to be noted that all authorities will strictly follow the timelines prescribed under the CCS (Pension) Rules and in no case will the pension case be delayed on account of electronic processing through Bhavishya.
These instructions take effect from 1st January, 2017.
Register Should be Maintained for depositing current legal tender notes from 29.11.2016
The counter PA should maintain a separate register for entering details of such deposit transactions.The proforma of the register is as follows:-
S.No.
Date
Name of the Account Holder
SB Account Number
Amount Deposited through current legal tender notes
Deno. of legal tender notes
Counter PA Sign.
PM/SPM/ Counter Supervisor Signature
Date and amount of withdrawal, if any
4. The depositors who are depositing current legal tender notes on or after 29.11.2016 should write the denomination of currency notes on the pay in slip.
MEAGER FINANCIAL BENEFIT OF 14% IN 7TH CPC - PARLIAMENT
Q & A
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 1755
ANSWERED ON: 25.11.2016
Meager Benefits of 7th CPC
PINAKI MISRA
Will the Minister of
FINANCE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government employees got only a meager financial benefit of 14 per cent or less after implementation of 7th CPC;
(b) if so, the details of percentage of salary they got before and after implementation of Seventh CPC and the reasons for such meager hike in their salaries; and
(c) whether the benefit given in the 7th CPC is one of the lowest in all time ever since the Government had been implementing the recommendations of CPC and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)
(a) to (c): All Government employees have got a financial benefit of at least 14.29 per cent by way of revision of salary after implementation of Seventh Central Pay Commission (7th CPC). The increase in pay as recommended by the 7th CPC is based on the detailed deliberations by the Commission keeping in view all relevant factors having a bearing upon the prevailing circumstances, which has been accepted by the Government.
RECORD NOTE OF THE DISCUSSION ON DOPT-SPECIFIC ALLOWANCES, HELD WITH THE STAFF-SIDE, NATIONAL COUNCIL (JCM) AT 3.00 P.M. ON 25.10.2016 UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF SECRETARY (P).
1 A discussion on the DoPT-specific allowances with the Staff-Side National Council (JCM) was held at3.00 p.m.on 25.10.2016 under the Chairmanship of Secretary(Personnel) in Room NO.119, North Block, Delhi in compliance with the direction contained in the minutes of the 2nd meeting of the Committee on Allowances held on 01.09.2016 that every Ministry/Department should firm up its views/comments on allowances relating to the Ministry/Department after holding discussion with their Staff Associations.
2. List of participants is at Annexure.
3. At the outset JS(JCA) welcomed all the members of the Staff side of the National Council of JCM to the discussion on department specific allowances. JS(JCA) informed that in the second meeting of the Committee on Allowances it was decided that all the department specific allowances will be discussed with the JCM. After a brief introduction it was decided to discuss the following department specific allowances on which has received the comments for Staff-Side.
Children Education Allowance (CEA)
The Staff-Side has stated that the benefit of Children’s Education Allowance should be extended to the Graduate and Post Graduate levels also. They have informed that the private institutions are charging exorbitantly. So, subject to a ceiling on tuition fees and hostel fees, the CEA should be extended to the Graduates and Post Graduates level. Staff-Side has informed that they had also represented to the Pay Commission for simplifying the procedure wherein they had suggested that reimbursement should be based on the bonafide certificates from the schools where the children are studying. This suggestion has been accepted by the Pay Commission and the Staff-Side has requested that it should be implemented.
On the issue of DOPT’s circular on e-receipt, Secretary, DoPT clarified that this circular had been issued before the government accepted the 7th pay Commission recommendation.
(Action: JS(Estt.)
Night Duty Allowance (NDA)
Staff-Side has pointed out that the Night Duty Allowance (NDA) is still being paid at the 4th CPC rate. Even though there is a Board Of Arbitration award in favour of employees that from 01.01.1996 it should be given in the 5th CPC pay scale, the government did not accept the arbitration award and even today employees are getting it at the same rate as it was prevalent during the 4th CPC period. In the Ministry Of Defencc a lot of litigation had taken place and the matter went up to the Supreme Court. Hon’ble Supreme Court directed that it should be paid on the basis of the actual pay drawn and that NDA should be revised w.e.f. 01.04.2016 at the 6th CPC pay scale which has been implemented by the government. However, the audit authorities came up with an objection that there is a ceiling for it which has been objected to by the Staff-Side.
Apart from that, the 7th pay Commission has recommended that it should be worked out with the actual pay of the employee being are criterion. However, in spite of that, except for the Ministries of Defence and Railways, employees working in other Ministries/Departments are getting it at 4th CPC rate. Thus, the absence of uniformity on this allowance across Ministries/ Departments is Very glaring which, according to the Staff-Side, is a principal source of litigation and will continue to remain so. Therefore, the Staff-Side has suggested that an early revision of the without ceiling, and on the basis of the actual basic pay, and extending it to whoever is asked to do night duty will go a long way in reducing litigations in the future.
(Action: JS(Estt.)
Over Time Allowance (OTA)
Staff-Side has pointed out that there are two types of over time duty. One is covered under the Factories Act, 1948, and the other is for the office staff. In the first case, since it is a statutory obligation, the pay Commission has not recommended anything on it. But for those Central Government employees who are not covered under the statutory provisions of the Factories Act, OTA is paid at a single rate of Rs.15.85/- Only and, that too, fot the first hour immediately after the scheduled office Closing time, it is Nil. In case of OTA there is also an arbitration award from 01.01.1996 that it should be at par with the 5th CPC pay scale. However, neither it has been implemented not have the rates been revised.
The Staff-Side has stated that if an employee is asked to word after office hours, the rate of OTA Should be as per 7th CPC Pay Scale. Staff-Side is of the opinion that overall means working after office hours, and asking an employee to work beyond office hours automatically entitles him/her to this allowance. The Over Time rates should also be above the normal level. It was pointed out by them that as per 7th CPC. an is paid @ Rs.75/hour; whereas overtime allowance is @ Rs.15.85/- only. Even an outsider employed on casual basis is being paid hourly wages which are more than OTA. The Staff-Side is strongly of the view that if government is deploying a person on overtime work then he has to be paid at least according to the rate of salary which he is getting.
(Action: JS(Estt.)
Cash Handling Allowance (CHA)
Staff-Side has informed that the 7th CPC recommendation on its abolition is based on the fact that in most of the offices today salary disbursement is not made in cash. It is credited to the individual bank accounts. But cash transactions do take place in certain offices like the Post Offices where cash handouts are made under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. PLI is also another example. Therefore, if it is stopped all of a sudden, no person will show interest in working as cashiers and take the additional responsibility of handling huge amounts of cash. Therefore, the Staff-Side has contended that till all cash transactions are ehminated, CHA should continue.
It was also pointed out by them that this allowance depends on the amount of cash transaction; when the volume of cash transaction comes down, the allowance also proportionately come down.
(Action: JS(Estt.)
Uniform related allowances subsumed in a single Dress Allowance (including shoes)
Staff-Side has informed that the 7th Pay Commission has recommended that Persons Below Officers Rank (PBOR) should be given Dress Allowance @ Rs.10,000/- per month. There are 5 Ordnance Factories under Ministry of Defence where persons are exclusively deployed to produce special high altitude dresses for the combat forces of the army. 12000 employees are working in these 5 factories. Therefore, if a uniform rate like this is maintained, it will have an adverse impact on the quality of these high altitude uniforms and will thus jeopardise the safety of the army men and the nation as a whole. Staff-Side is stated to have already made a request to M/o Defence not to implement this recommendation. Army has also taken a stand that this will result in substandard or sub quality material So this recommendation on the Dress allowance for PBOR should not be implemented.
As far as Civilian employees are concerned, it has been stated that the 7th CPC has recommended four slabs of Dress Allowances for various categories. One of the categories is called ‘others’. Whereas, in the Department of Posts there are about 75,000 postmen and Multi Tasking Staff wearing uniform. There is no mention about these postmen and multi tasking staff in any of the categories shown by the Pay Commission. If it is presumed that they come under ‘Others’, then they will be getting Rs.5,000 Whereas at present they are getting around Rs.7,000 plus washing allowance. As such a separate category should be there for postmen and MTS also and the allowance should be Rs.10,000/-.
It has also been pointed out that there are many categories like canteen employees, security staff, chowkidars which have not been mentioned and who are eligible for uniform or uniform allowances. It has to be clarified whether these categories will be covered under ‘others’. Staff-Side has stated that whosoever is getting Dress Allowance as on today should continue to get that. Staff-Side has also informed that the recommendations on Dress Allowance have created a lot of discrimination among staff working in similar circumstances.
Staff-Side has also drawn attention to the Dress Allowance with respect to the Nursing Staff. It has been stated that earlier also Nursing Staff were not given normal washing allowance or dress allowance considering the importance or the peculiar conditions prevailing in hospitals. Now they have also been bracketed in the general category. They were getting Rs.750 as Uniform Allowance and Rs.450 as Washing Allowance per month. Now there is no separate category that has been given to them. For them a different dispensation was made taking into account their special requirements because they work in such an environment where their uniforms require regular washing entailing a substantial expenditure. As these have not been accounted for in the 7th CPC, the nursing staff should have a special dispensation, as is strongly felt by the Staff-Side.
JS (JCA) has requested Staff-Side to submit a note on the justification or break-up of the amount of Rs.32,400(maximum) as suggested by them and the Staff-Side has agreed to provide the same.
Secretary, DOPT summed up the demands of the Staff-Side by observing that those who were getting Dress Allowances, their allowances should not come down. And the categories of the employees which had special dispensation in the past and have not been mentioned this time or have been clubbed together with other categories need clarification.
(Action: JS(JCA)/Staff Side)
Risk-Allowance
The Staff-Side has informed That Ministry of Defence is engaged in arms and ammunitions manufacturing etc. In the process of manufacturing them, the staff engaged for this purpose, have to handle hazardous chemicals, acids and so many Other poisonous combinations. Cabinet has approved 45 risk operations pertaining to Defence civilian employees. Apart from that, because of the technological developments taking place fast and as the requirement of the armed forces is increasing for getting modern equipments, ammunitions and explosives, new risk operations have also come into existence of which Ministry of Defence is aware and have recommended also accordingly. In spite of this, the existing Risk Allowance has been abolished by the Pay Commission. It has been pointed out by the Staff-Side that it has not been subsumed under the risk and hardship matrix. Rather it comes in the abolition list. In no matrix are the risk operations of Defcnce civilians are covered. Staff-Side has informed that they have discussed this with Defence Secretary and Defence Ministry is going to recommend in favour of its inclusion in one Of the matrix.
In response to the query of Secretary, DOPT as whether the activities which have been considered to be risky have all been identified, Staff-Side has clarified that it has been identified by a high level committee and approved by the Cabinet, 45 risk operations have been identified and approved. But within a period of 2 decades, lot of new ammunitions and new explosives have come in the arsenal, alongwith a lot of hazardous chemicals and acids. So, M/o Defence has again appointed a committee and they have identified that all these ate additional risk operations over and above the 45 identified, where Defencc Civilian employees are actively involved. But the Pay Commission has abolished Risk Allowance. So this has to be incorporated in onc of the risk matrix.
(Action: JS(Estt.)
Other Items
Staff-Side has pointed out that in the 7th CPC report it has been stated that any allowance not mentioned and hence not reported to the Commission shall cease to exist immediately. They have requested that this recommendation should be rejected. On the contrary, the administrative Ministries should come forward and recommend for their abolition or retention.
Staff-Side has also stated that 7th CPC has abolished all advances completely. Noting that we regularly celebrate a number of festivals like Diwali, Holi, Eid and keeping the general sentiment in mind, they are of the view that advances are very necessary. Moreover, these advances are required to be paid back to the government.
On Family Planning Allowance, the Staff-Side has stated that since the Government has not changed its Family Planning policy, the allowance should be continued, At least in the case of those people who were getting it they should continue to get as they have fulfilled all conditions when the allowance were granted. Otherwise be drop in their emoluments.
The Staff –Side also demanded that the 7th CPC had not revised the rate of Fixed Medical Allowance for pensioners. Therefore, the Fixed Medical Allowance for pensioners may be revised ro Rs.2000/- from existing Rs.500/-
Observance of Protest week from 12th to 19th December 2016 by FNPO affiliates.
To
All Circle/Division/Branch Secretaries of FNPO affiliates.
Dear colleagues,
FNPO affiliated unions decided to observe protest week from 12th to 19th December 2016 on the 16 points Charter of Demands.
Program of the Protest week
13/12/2016 - Demonstration at Divisional office.
15/12/2016- To submit a letter to the Prime Minister through the State Governors by the Circle Secretaries.
16/12/2016 Lunch hour Demonstration at Circle/Regional offices
19/12/2016 Lunch hour Demonstration at Directorate&submission of letter to the Prime Minister.
Our Circle/Division/Branch Secretaries of FNPO affiliated unions are requested to observe the above program in their respective places in an energetic manner.
With regards,
SG FNPO.
Circle Secretaries are requested to organise March to Raj Bhavan preferably on 15/11/2016 at all State Capitals and submit the letter to the Prime Minister through State Governor.
MODEL COPY OF LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE PRIME MINISTER.
To His/Her Excellency……………………………………… Governor of…………………………………. State Capital
Respected Sir/Madam,
Sub: Request to consider the issues of Postal employees related to 7th CPC & other related issues.
We, the Circle Secretaries of FNPO affiliated unions, submit to you the enclosed letter addressed to the Honourable Prime Minister of India with our kind requests to forward the same to the Prime Minister.
This letter to voice our grave concerns.
We also request that you may kindly use your good offices to impress upon the Central Government by conveying our genuine feelings.
We are highly thankful for your valuable time. Thanking you, Sir,
Yours Sincerely,
(Circle Secretaries)
***************************************
LETTER TO THE HONOURABLE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA BY THE FEDERATION OF NATIONAL POSTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND ITS AFFILIATED UNIONS / ASSOCIATIONS.
To
Shri Narendra Modiji,
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India,
South Block,
Raisina Hill,
New Delhi-l10011
Respected Sir,
Respected Sir,
We, the Federation of National Postal Organisation and its affiliated unions submit this letter to express our deep concern and request to honour the commitment given by the Group of Ministers in the meetings held with JCM (Staff Side) leaders on 30th June 2016 & 06th July 2016.
Subsequently an assurance was given that a High-Level Committee will examine the 7th CPC issues, mainly the Minimum Wage and Multiplying Factor. Based on the assurance, the JCM Constituent deferred the Strike action on 06th July 2016.
Though a Committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Addl. Secretary (Exp), Ministry of Finance and discussions held, the response has been disappointing.
The employees of the Postal and other Central Government employees are greatly disappointed over non-settlement of the main issues.
More so, many of the recommendations of the 7th CPC have created unrest in the minds of Central government employees in general and Postal employees in particular.
The issues raised after the implementation of 7th CPC & other long pending issues are enclosed.
We request your kind attention to the issues listed in the enclosure and action thereof at the earliest.
Thanking you, sir,
Yours Sincerely,
(Circle Secretaries)
The above letters sent by our Federation to all FNPO affiliated unions Circle secretaries through Federal sentinel (November 2016).
The issues raised after the implementation of 7th CPC & other long pending issues.
1. Request to Settle the demands raised by NJCA regarding modifications of 7th CPC recommendations as submitted in the memorandum to Cabinet Secretary on 10thDecember 2015. Honour the assurance given by the Group of Ministers to NJCA on 30th June 2016 and 6th July 2016, especially the increase in minimum wage and fitment factor. Grant revised HRA, at the existing percentage itself, i.e. 30%, 20% and 10%. Accept the proposal of the staff side regarding Transport Allowance. Settle all anomalies arising out of implementation of 7th CPC recommendations, in a time bound manner.
2. Request to Implement option-I recommended by 7th CPC and accepted by the Government regarding parity in pension of pre-2016 pensioners, without any further delay. Settle the pension related issues raised by NJCA against item 13 of its memorandum submitted to Cabinet Secretary on 10th December 2015.
3. Request to Scrap PFRDA Act and New Pension System (NPS) and grant pensions and Family Pension to all Central Government employees recruited after 01.01.2004, under CCS (Pension) Rules 1972.
4. Request to Treat Gramin Dak Sewaks of Postal department as Civil Servants, and extend all benefits like pay, pension, allowances etc. of departmental employees to GDS.
5.Request to Regularise all casual, contract, part-time, contingent and Daily rated mazdoors and grant equal pay and other benefits. Revise the wages as per 7th CPC minimum pay.
6. Request to avoid Downsizing, Privatisation, outsourcing and contractorisation of Government functions.
7. Request to Withdraw the arbitrary decision of the Government to enhance the benchmark for performance appraisal for promotion and financial upgradations under MACP from “GOOD” to VERY GOOD” and also decided to withhold annual increments in the case of those employees who are not able to meet the bench march either for MACP or for regular promotion within the first 20 years of service. Grant MACP pay fixation benefits on promotional hierarchy and not on pay-matrix hierarchy. Personnel promoted on the basis of examination should be treated as fresh entrants to the cadre for grant of the MACP.
8. Request to Withdraw the draconian FR 56 (J) and Rule 48 of CCs (Pension) Rules 1972 which is being misused as a shortcut as a purity measure to punish and victimize the employees.
9. Request to Fill up all vacant posts, including promotional posts in a time bound manner. Lift ban on creation of posts.
10. Request to remove 5% ceiling on compassionate appointments and grant appointment in all deserving cases.
11. Request for Grant five promotions in the service career to all Central Govt. Employees..
12. Request to Reject the stipulation of 7th CPC to reduce the salary to 80% for the second year of Child Care leave and retain the existing provision..
13. Request for Ensure cashless medical treatment to all Central Government employees & Pensioners in all recognized Government and Private hospitals.
14. Request to Revision of Overtime Allowance (OTA) and Outstation allowance (OSA) w.e.f 01.01.2016 based on 7th CPC pay scale.
15. Request to Revision of wages of Central Government employees in every five years.
16. Request to Revive JCM functioning at all levels.
