25/10/2016
It is unfortunate that the government has not taken care of our demands which were kept to them almost three months ago
New Delhi, October 24: The second meeting of senior government officials with central government employees unions leader has already started in New Delhi over the hike in their minimum wage. The meeting started at 4:00 pm and will end in few hours after which a major announcement is expected today. Most of the central government employees believe that the in spite of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley promise, the government had not done enough for them and the government has not cared to make any attempt to hike minimum pay till date. The high-level meeting between the Additional Secretary (Expenditure), Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance and the Standing Committee of National Council (Staff Side) NJCA, was earlier postponed and it was held today at 4:00 PM.
In the meeting, the NJCA Secretary Shiv Gopal Mishra is also present along with senior other officials. Earlier there was a similar meeting held in which senior officers failed to arrive at any decision for hiking the minimum pay of central government employees. Shiv Gopal Mishra was earlier reported saying that, the government has assured us they will act in minimum pay, but so far nothing had happened. After the 7thPay Commission recommendations made by the panel was accepted by the Narendra Modi government, Shiv Gopal Mishra and his fellow union leaders had threatened to carry out indefinite strike across India. The government which took seriously the threat then promised to hike the minimum pay of central government employees beyond Rs 18,000. The meeting took place at Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s house a day after the cabinet cleared 7th Pay Commission award when he met with representatives of central government employees unions’ leaders.  One of the central government employees who didn’t wish to be named said, “It is unfortunate that the government has not taken care of our demands which were kept to them almost three months ago”.
According to the consensus, the central government employees unions had demanded a hike of Rs 18,000 to Rs 26,000 and also asked to raise the fitment factor 3.68 times from 2.57 times. The government had also formed a 22-member high-powered committee headed by Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) in September to look at the anomalies coming out of the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission’s recommendations. The Narendra Modi government has accepted most of the recommendations made by the panel on of the 7th Pay Commission, which has been implemented from January 1, 2016
Source:- India.com

Commutation of Pension as per 7th CPC - DPPW issued orders on 24.10.2016

Implementation of the recommendation of the 7th CPC - Option regarding commutation of additional amount of pension

F.No.42/14/2016-P&PW(G)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan
khan Market, New Delhi-110003
Date:- 24th Oct, 2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Implementation of the recommendation of the 7th CPC - Option regarding commutation of additional amount of pension.

The undersigned is directed to state that in pursuance of Government’s decision on recommendation of 7th Central Pay Commission, orders have been issued for revision of provisions regulating pension/gratuity/commutation of pension etc. vide this Department’s OM 38/37/2016-P&PW(A) dated 04.08.2016. In para of the said OM, it has been mentioned that there will be no change in the provisions relating to commutation values, the limit upto which the pension can be commuted or the period after which the commuted pension is to be restored.

2. As per Rule 10 of CCS (Commutation of Pension) Rules, 1981, an applicant who has commuted a percentage of his final pension and after commutation his pension has been revised and enhanced retrospectively as a result of Government’s decision, the applicant shall be paid the difference between the commuted value determined with reference to enhanced pension and the commuted value already authorised. For the payment of difference, the applicant shall not be required to apply afresh.

3. References have been received in this Department that many pensioners who retired after 01.01.2016 and have drawn pension/commuted value of pension based on their pre-revised pay/pension do not wish to commute the pension which has become additionally commutable on revision of pay/pension on implementation of recommendations of 7th CPC. the matter has been examined in consultation with Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure), It has been decided that those pensioners who retired from 01.01.2016 till 04.08.2016 i.e. the date of issue of orders for revised pay/pension based on the recommendations of the 7th CPC may be given an option, in relaxation of Rule 10 of CCS (Commutation of Pension) Rules, 1981, not to commute the pension which has become additionally commutable on revision of pay/pension on implementation of recommendations of the 7th CPC. The Cases where the additional pension after 7th CPC has already been commuted will not be re-opened.

4. In their application to the employees of Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issue in consultation with Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

5. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure ID No.192/E.V/2016, dated 30.09.2016.

sd/-
(Suiasha Choudhury)
Director(Pension)

Click to view the order

Authority: http://www.pensionersportal.gov.in/

24/10/2016

Outcome of the meeting between Govt. of India and NC JCM Staff Side to discuss the recommendations of the 7th CPC

Brief of the meeting held today with Addl. Secretary (Exp.), Deptt. of Exp., MoF(Govt. of India) to discuss the recommendations of the 7th CPC

Shiva Gopal Mishra
Secretary

Ph.: 23382286
National Council (Staff Side)
Joint Consultative Machinery
Central Government Employees
13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi – 110001
E Mail : nc.jcm.np@gmail.com

No.NC/JCM/2016

Dated: October 24, 2016

All Constituents of NC/JCM

Dear Comrades!

Sub: Brief of the meeting held today with Addl. Secretary (Exp.), Deptt. of Exp., MoF(Govt. of India) to discuss the recommendations of the 7th CPC

A meeting was held today between the Addl. Secretary (Exp.), Deptt. of Exp., MoF(Govt. of India) and Staff Side, National Council(JCM), to discuss the issues of Minimum Wage and Multiplying Factor.

The Staff Side explained in detail about the amendments required in Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula.

The Official Side mentioned that, they are trying to find out some solution to resolve the issues of Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula raised by the Staff Side.

Comradely yours,

sd/-

(Shiva Gopal Mishra

24/10/2016
Allowance Committee Meeting has finalized a proposal on HRA

Sources said that the Allowance Committee Meeting has finalized a proposal on HRA. It will be finalized in the Meeting held on 25th October 2016. It is said that the proposed Meeting under the Chairmanship of DOPT Secretary (P) with the Secretary Staff Side, NC (JCM) is to firm up the view on various allowances pertaining to Department of Personnel & Training. This Meeting is conducted as per the decision of Allowance Committee Meeting held on 1-9-2016. The meeting to finalize the allowances pertaining to DOPT has been scheduled to be held on 25th October 2016. The Reliable Sources said that the Official Side are in the view of increasing HRA by 1 Stage to reach 30% , 20% and 10% .
The pay Commission recommended HRA at the rates initially from 24%, 16%, and 8 % and whenever DA reaches 50% it will be increased to 27%, 18% and 9% and Finally, after DA reaches 100% the HRA will be revised to 30% , 20% and 10% for X,Y and Z cities respectively.
The NCJCM has demanded in its Memorandum submitted to the 7th Pay Commission that 60%, 40% and 20% HRA to be recommended for X,Y and Z cities.
The Pay Commission totally ignored this demand and recommended a reduction of rates from Sixth CPC. CO Since it is related with DA, it will be increased after two stages to 30%, 20% and 10% after DA reaches 50% and 100%.

The sources said that now it is proposed to start the HRA rates initially from 27%, 18% and 9%, and after DA reaches 50% the House Rent Allowance will be revised to 30%, 20% and 10% for X,Y and Z cities respectively.
2nd Phase of   GDS program in AP& Chennai.

23/10/2016

UNI Forum addresses crucial questions posed by rapid growth of E-Commerce

At the UNI E-Commerce Forum hosted by the CWU in Dublin, trade unionists from all over the world addressed some of the crucial questions emerging from the dramatic growth of E-Commerce. E-Commerce is one of the fastest growing and most hierarchical markets in the international economy. In many ways, the shift towards a digital economy has meant that there is a smaller market for traditional commerce and post and logistics companies.

Later this week, UNI Global Union will hold its World Post and Logistics Conference in Dublin at the Croke Park Conference Centre. Over 260 delegates from 50 countries, representing over 2 million postal and logistics workers, will assemble to examine the impacts of e-commerce on the post and logistics sector.

E-Commerce is driving a huge and irreversible shift in how businesses and consumers interact. This presents major challenges to the business models of national postal service providers and to traditional shopping trends. The forum examined the implications of these changes for the trade union movement, and how postal and logistic, commerce and ICTS sector unions represent and protect the pay and working conditions of workers.

General Secretary of CWU Ireland Steve Fitzpatrick said, “It’s important now that we have a collaborative, cross-sectoral approach to this market. We can no longer talk about encroaching on other sectors - we must work together across the Postal, Commerce and ICTS sectors to organise.”

“The conversations that we have here are fundamental for the future,” said Stephen DeMatteo, Head of UNI Post and Logistics. “There is no way to stop the evolution of e-commerce and its subsequent effect on the world of work. We must therefore adapt.”

“The fundamental goal of this forum is to prepare for the future with our affiliates, and to try and answer some of the questions posed by the growth of e-commerce.”

“We need a cross-sectoral, integrated approach to tackle the emerging issues posed by a rapidly changing e-commerce market,” said Alke Boessiger, the newly appointed Head of ICTS (former Head of Commerce.

“UNI will continue to improve international solidarity between unions. With international unity, we can fight for better wages and working conditions for workers at companies like Amazon.”

The forum featured the presentation of a new report from Peterloo Research. Focused on the growth of e-commerce and what it means for the traditional “brick and mortar” businesses, the report raises some crucial questions facing the labour movement. Does the growth of e-commerce mean the death of the high street? How do you collectively bargain with a website? How do we interact with workers who are internationally disparate?

According to research, although this technological has a different face to previous ones, the fundamentals remain the same. These “digisharks”, such as Amazon, Alibaba and others exploit the workforce by subcontracting, outsourcing and lowering labour costs through unscrutinised legal loopholes. Workers at e-commerce giants such as Amazon are subject to difficult working conditions with practices such as “dataveillance” contributing to long term health deterioration and safety issues.

The forum also saw detailed presentations from affiliates on the situations in their countries and how e-commerce had changed the game in their sectors and regions.

22/10/2016

3rd Phase of programme

Postal JCA decided to continue its struggle programme in connection with the demands viz., Grant of revised ceiling of Bonus @Rs.7000- to GDS w.e.f 2014-15 and Payment of arrears to Casual/Part-Time/Contingent employees from 01-01-2006.: 

*******************
Indefinite hunger fast in front of Dak Bhawan, New Delhi from 3rd November 2016 by all Secretaries General, General Secretaries of NFPE & FNPO.

9th & 10th November 2016 -- Two days strike

Nationwide Postal Strike will be organized by 

NFPE - FNPO & AIPEU-GDS - NUGDS

FNPO affiliated unions  CHQ office bearers, Circle Secretaries, Branch / Divisional Secretaries of NUGDS are requested to mobilize the cadre by conducting regional meetings / conventions, Circulate the information through pamphlets, SMS & all other sources etc., and make all sincere efforts to success the Postal JCA agitations on our justified demands.

21/10/2016
MINUTES COPY OF THE MEETING ON RULE 38 TRANSFERS  IN TAMIL NADU CIRCLE 

21/10/2016
A Short note: Meeting on allowances
Click the above link to view.
Request to implement cadre restructuring of MMS - Our Federation sent letter to Chairman Postal Board.

FEDERATIONOFNATIONALPOSTALORGANISATIONS

T-24,Atul Grove Road, New Delhi - 110 001. Phone : 011-23321378

E-mail: theagarajannachi@hotmail.com.

Ref:9/MMS/2016                                                                                            20/10/2016                                                                                                                                     To,                 

 Shri.B.V.Sudhakar,

 The Secretary,

  Department of Posts,

  Dak Bhawan ,

  New Delhi-110 001.

Sub: –Request to implement cadre restructuring of MMS -   

                        

You are aware that the Ms. T.K. Sandhya Rani committee submitted report on cadre restructuring of MMS in the year 2014 this was not processed by the Department for a long time after you assuming charge as Chairman Postal Board the proposal was sent to DOP&T for approval. Now DOP&T raised doubts on the proposal, in the 19/10/2016 meeting it was assured by the DDG (Estt) that the doubts will be clarified and file will be send to DOP&T for further approval .

In this connection my Federation wishes to submit that the Government of India order the Department to constitute anomaly committee accordingly committee also going to be constituted by the Department shortly.  Now the staff side unable to notify anomaly committee subjects on MMS when the most of the issues pending in the cadre restructuring proposal.  Hence it is requested necessary action   may kindly be taken to implement the proposal after due formalities.

Your early action is requested.

Yours Sincerely,

D.Thegarajan.

Secretary General.

An employee can accumulate his / her leave 300 days also, rules Punjab and Haryana High Court.

 “If an employee is entitled to leave encashment for a maximum limit of 300 days that does not mean that the accumulated unutilized leave is to be reduced to 300 days if it exceeds the limit. The earned leave will continue to accumulate till the retirement of the petitioners and the petitioners are to be granted the maximum benefit of 300 days, as stated in the rules.”[Source: The Tribune, dated 15.10.2016] 

Click for Judgment: 19-10-2016-haryana-high-court-order-on-accummulation-of-leave

                              

20/10/2016
Outcome of the meeting with Chairman Postal Board & Member (P) on 19/10/2016 from the staff side President FNPO, SG FNPO, President NFPE &S.G NFPE participated.
1) GDS Bonus latest position: Minister of Communications& IT sent request a letter to Minster of Finance to enhance the Bonus ceiling to GDS on par with regular employees’ yester day.(19/10/2016)
2)  Allowances: Chairman Postal Board agreed to retain existing allowance to Department employees with enhanced rates.
3) Cadre restructuring for RMS/Circle office& SBCO Staff: Minister of Communications& IT raised some objections.  Chairman Postal Board assured to the staff side that he will meet Minster personally and clarify the doubts.
4)  Cadre restructuring for MMS: Doubts raised by the DOP&T clarified by the Department now file again sent to DOP&T for approval after approval it will sent to Ministry of Fiance for further approval.

20/10/2016
Secretary, NC JCM writes to Secretary DoE for grant of D A w.e.f. 01.07.2016

 

20/10/2016
NC JCM writes to Secretary, DoE for raising the bonus ceiling for casual workers to Rs.7000/

20/10/2016
 Office Memorandum for Duties of Secretary (Posts), Director General Postal Services and Additional Director General(Co-ordination) in the Department of Posts

19/10/2016

Today Directorate called for meeting with staff side to discuss on Allowances. Note submitted by PJCA is furnished below 

NOTE ON ALLOWANCES

POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES

FEDERATION OF NATIONAL POSTAL ORGANISATIONS 

PF-No.PF-PJCA/2016                                                               Dated:16^th September, 2016

To

          The Secretary,

          Department of Post,

          Sansad Marg,

          Dak Bhawan,

          New Delhi-110 001

NOTE ON ALLOWANCES

1.   The recommendation of the 7^th CPC that Tough Location Allowance will not be admissible alongiwth Special Duty Allowance (SDA) should not be accepted by Government.

In para 8.10.62 of the 7^th CPC the following recommendation is made –

Para 8.10.62 -  There are some “Special Compensatory” Allowances that are based on geographical location and are meant to compensate for hardship faced by employees posted in such places. It is proposed to subsume these allowances under the umbrella of “Tough Location Allowance”.

In Para 8.10.63 the Commission made the following recommendations –

“The Tough Location Allowance will, however, not be admissible along with Special Duty Allowance”.

At present, special allowances are paid in the following places along with Special Duty Allowance.

(a)  Assam and North Easter Region – Special Compensatory allowance paid alongwith Special Duty Allowance.

(b) Andaman & Nicobar Islands – Special Compensatory Allowance paid alongwith Island Special Duty Allowance.

(c)  Tripura Special Compensatory Remote Locality Allowance paid along with Special Duty Allowance.

Demand of the staff side:       In all the above cases “Tough Location Allowance” may be paid alongwith Special Duty Allowance. Withdrawal of any of the above allowances, will result in substantial financial loss to the employees. An existing benefit should not be withdrawn, under the pretext of 7^th CPC’s unjustified recommendation.

2.   Special Duty Allowance in N. E. Region should be uniform for all at 30%.

In Para 8.17.115 the 7^th CPC made the following observation –

“Special Duty Allowance (SDA) is granted to attract civilian employees to seek posting in North Eastern and Ladhak Regions, in view of the risk and hardship prevailing in these areas. Currently the rate of SDA is 37.5% of Basic Pay for AIS officers and 12.5% of Basic Pay for other employees.

In para 8.17.118 the Commission made the following recommendation –

“Accordingly in line with our general approach of rationalizing the percentage based allowance by a factor of 0.8, SDA for AIS officers should be paid at the rate of 30% of Basic Pay and for other civilian employees at the rate of 10% of their basic pay.

Demand of the staff side:  The discrimination between AIS officers and other civilian employees in payment of SDA should not be there and all may be paid at the same rate i.e. at the rate of 30% recommended by the pay commission for AIS officers.

3.   Allowances which are not reported to 7^th CPC by the concerned departments.

In para 8.2.5 of the report, the 7^th CPC made the following recommendation.

“We have considered all allowances reported to us, in this chapter. Any allowances, not mentioned here (And hence not reported to the commission) shall cease to exist immediately. In case there is any demand or requirement for continuation of an existing allowance which has not been deliberated upon or covered in this report, it should be re-notified by the ministry concerned after obtaining due approval of Ministry of Finance and should be put in the public domain”.

Demand of the Staff Side: The above recommendation should not be accepted, as it amounts to penalizing employees for the fault of the departmental heads. The following allowance which are not reported to the commission should be retained and enhanced.

(a)  PO & RMS Accountants’ Special allowance

Postal Assistants and Sorting Assistants of Postal department are posted as PO & RMS Accountant after passing a qualifying examination. Taking into consideration their work which require much skill, application of mind, and knowledge of all rulings, Special allowance is granted to them. This allowance may beretained and enhanced.

4.   Savings Bank Allowance in Post offices:

In Department of Posts, Savings Bank Allowance is granted to Postal Assistant working in Post Office Savings Bank (POSB) for shouldering strenuous and complicated nature of Savings Bank work. Postal Assistants need to qualify an aptitude test to get this allowance. The current rates are Rs.300/- per month for fully engaged staff and Rs.150/- per month for partially engaged staff.

In para 8.10.80 of the report, the Commission recommended as follows:

“Savings Bank Allowance be abolished as the justification provided by the concerned ministry for the grant of this allowance is not sufficient for their continuance”.

Demand of staff side:        Savings Bank Allowance should be retained and enhanced in view of the justification given above.

5.   Special Compensatory (Hill area) Allowance

In para 8.10.50 of the report, the 7^th CPC made the following recommendation – “There is hardly any hardship involved at altitude of 1000 meters (more than 3000 feets) above sea level. Hence, it is recommended that the allowance should be abolished.

Demand of the staff side:            The above observation of the commission is not based on ground realities but based on presumption. Hence the above allowance should be retained and enhanced.

6.   Family Planning Allowance

In para 8.17.50 of the report, the 7^th CPC made the following recommendations – “The commission recognizes the fact that most of the benefit related to children viz. children Education Allowance, maternity Leave, LTC etc. are available for two children only. Moreover, the level of awareness regarding appropriate family size has also gone up among Government servants. Hence, a separate allowance aimed towards population control is not required. Accordingly, it is recommended that family planning allowance should be abolished.

Demand of the staff side:  The above allowance may be retained. In any case, the Family Planning Allowance already granted should not be withdrawn.

7.   Fixed Medical Allowance

In Para 8.17.51 of the report the 7^th CPC observed as follows –

It is granted to pensioners for meeting expenditure on day to day medical expenses that do not require hospitalization, presently payable at the rate of Rs.500/- p.m. Demands have been received to increase the rate of this allowance to Rs.2000/-.

In para 8.17.52 the Commission made the following recommendation-

The Commission notes that the allowance was enhanced from Rs.300/- to Rs.500/- p.m from 19.11.2014. As such, further enhancement of this allowance is not recommended.

Demand of the staff side:   in the memorandum submitted to 7^th CPC, the staff side had elaborately explained the justification for enhancing the FMA to Rs.2000/-. As everybody knows, old age persons are suffering from many deceases and as the cost of medicines has increased manifold the expenditure on outdoor medical treatment has also gone up like anything. With Rs.500/- p.m no pensioner can meet the medical expenses. The commission has not conducted any scientific and realistic study, but simply rejected the demand stating that it is enhanced recently. It is once again requested that the FMA for pensioners may be enhanced to Rs.2000/- p.m as in the case of EPF pensioners.

8.   Cash handling Allowance

In para 8.10.9 of the report, the 7^th CPC observed as follows: -

It is paid to cashiers working in Central Government departments, for handling of cash. The current rates are –

Average amount of monthly cash disbursed	Rate per month
Below Rs. 50000	230
Over Rs. 50000 upto 200000	450
Over 200000 upto 500000	600
Over 500000 upto 1000000	750
Above 1000000	900

Again in Para 8.10.57 the commission observed as follows: -

Treasury Allowance – This allowance is granted in Department of Posts to Treasurers and Assistant Treasurers working in Head Post offices and large Sub Post offices for handling cash. The present rate is Rs.360/- p.m for handling cash upto Rs.2 lakhs and Rs.480/- p.m. for handling cash more than Rs.2 lakhs.

In para 8.10.80 the commission made the following recommendation

Assistant cashier Allowance, Cash handling allowance and Treasury Allowance –

With technological advances and growing emphasis on banking, these allowances have lost their relevance. Hence it is recommended that not only all salary be paid through banks, but Ministries/departments should work out plans to first minimize and then eliminate all sorts of cash transactions.

Demand of the staff Side:  The recommendation of the Commission is not realistic. Till that time the cash transactions are eliminated the Cash handling allowance and Treasury allowance should be retained and enhanced.

9.   Cycle Allowance

In para 8.15.10 of the report the 7^th CPC made the following observation.

“It is paid where the duties attached to the post require extensive use of bicycle and the official concerned has to use and maintain his own cycle for official journeys. The existing rate is Rs.90 p.m.

In para 15.11 the commission made the following recommendation –

“The Commission is of the view that amount of this allowance is megre and the allowance itself is outdated. Hence it should be abolished.

Demand of the staff side:            This allowance is at present given to more than 40000 Postmen staff and about 50000 GraminDakSevaks of the Postal Department. When the commission itself observed that an official using his own bicycle for official duties has to incur expenditure for maintenance of the cycle. When the maintenance work is done for performing official duties, the amount should be reimbursed to the official, whether the amount is megre or not – Hence this allowance should be retained and enhanced.

10.  Overtime Allowance

In para 8.17.97 of the report the 7^th CPC made the following recommendations -

Hence while this commission shares the sentiments of the predecessors that Government offices need to increase productivity and efficiency and recommended that OTA should be abolished (except for operational staff and industrial employees who are governed by statutory provisions) at the same time it is also recommended that in case the Government decides to continue with OTA for these categories of staff for which it is not statutory requirement, then the rate of OTA for such staff should be increased by 50% from their current levels.

Demand of the staff side:            OTA rates are revised in the year 1987. For the last 30 years no revision has taken place. Eventhough an arbitration award for enhancement is given, the same is also pending implementation for the last 20 years. After 7^th CPC revision, one hour wage of an MTS is Rs. 75/- where as rate for one hour OTA is Rs.15.85 only!!! Hence it is requested that overtime allowance wherever sanctioned must be based upon the actual basic pay of the entitled employee.

11.    Dress Allowance

(a)  Para 08.16.14 may be referred. The 7^th CPC recommended four slabs of Dress allowance per year for various categories of employees. In the Department of Posts there are about 75000 Postmen and Multi-Tasking staff wearing uniform. Their name is not mentioned in the category of employees shown in the table. Even if it is included in the other categories of staff, then the Dress Allowance per year will be Rs.5000/- only. At present the Postmen/MTS staff of Postal department are getting more than Rs.5000/- for uniform plus washing allowance. Hence it should be made clear under which category the Postmen and MTS staff of Postal department are to be included, in the dress allowance table recommended by the 7^th CPC. These official may be granted Rs.10000/- as dress allowance.

(b) It is further demanded that the Dress Allowance ceiling to be raised to Rs.32400 per annum.

     (c) If cloth for dress is provided stitching charges should be revised reasonably.

     (d) Washing allowance should be increased from Rs.90/- to 150/- Rupees per month.

Yours faithfully

                                                                               

(D. Theagarajan)                                                                           (R.N. Parashar)

Secretary General  FNPO                                                     Secretary General NFPE.