Monday, January 30, 2017
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Income Tax Rates FY 2016-17 (AY 2017-18) - Finmin Orders
CIRCULAR
NO : 01/2017
F.No.275/192/2016-IT(B)
Government
of India
Ministry
of Finance
Department
of Revenue
Central
Board of Direct Taxes
North
Block, New Delhi
Dated
the 2nd January, 2017
SUBJECT:
INCOME-TAX DEDUCTION FROM SALARIES DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2016-17 UNDER
SECTION 192 OF THE INCOME-TAX ACT, 1961.
Reference
is invited to Circular No.20/2015 dated 02.12.2015 whereby the rates of
deduction of income-tax from the payment of income under the head
"Salaries" under Section 192 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter
‘the Act’), during the financial year 2015-16, were intimated. The present
Circular contains the rates of deduction of income-tax from the payment of
income chargeable under the head "Salaries" during the financial year
2016-17 and explains certain related provisions of the Act and Income-tax Rules,
1962 (hereinafter the Rules). The relevant Acts, Rules, Forms and Notifications
are available at the website of the Income Tax Department-
www.incometaxindia.gov.in.
2.
RATES OF INCOME-TAX AS PER FINANCE ACT, 2016:
As per
the Finance Act, 2016, income-tax is required to be deducted under Section 192
of the Act from income chargeable under the head "Salaries" for the
financial year 2016-17 (i.e. Assessment Year 2017-18) at the following rates:
2.1
Rates of tax
A.
Normal Rates of tax:
B.
Rates of tax for every individual, resident in India, who is of the age of
sixty years or more but less than eighty years at any time during the financial
year:
C. In
case of every individual being a resident in India, who is of the age of eighty
years or more at any time during the financial year:
Clarification on purchase of Air Tickets from Unauthorized Agents
To
The Secretary, OFB, ID-A, S.K. Bose Rd, Kol-01
All Sr. General Managers/All General Managers
All Sr. General Managers/All General Managers
Ordnance/ Equipments Factories.
All Group controllers & Branch AOs
All Group controllers & Branch AOs
Sub: Clarification on purchase of Air Tickets from unauthorized agents for non- entitled officials to travel by air
Kindly refer to DoP&T letter No.31011/3/2015-Estt(A.lV) dated 18/02/2016 wherein it is mentioned under points 14 & 15 that Govt employees not entitled to travel by air, may travel by any airline. However, reimbursement in such cases shall be restricted to the fare of their entitled class of train/transport or actual expense, whichever is less. In all cases whenever a Govt servant claims LTC by air, he/she is required to book the air tickets either directly through the airlines or through the approved travel agencies viz M/s Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd/ M/s Ashok Tours & Travels Ltd/ IRCTC. Booking of tickets through any other agency is not permissible.
This is for your information, guidance and necessary action please.
Dy.Controller
Accounts(Fys)
Accounts(Fys)
Authority: http://pcafys.nic.in/
Reflection of the recurrent lapses in observing financial discipline in the Annual Performance Assessment Report (APAR)
F. No. 21011/21/2015-Estt. (A-II)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, P. G. and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
North Block, New Delhi-110001
Dated: 16th/18th January, 2017
Office Memorandum
Subject: Recommendation of the Public Accounts Committee regarding reflection of the recurrent lapses in observing financial discipline in the Annual Performance Assessment Report (APAR).
The Public Accounts Committee in its Nineteenth Report (16th Lok Sabha) (PAC) on Excess over Voted Grants and Charged Appropriations (2012 -13) which was presented to Lok Sabha on 29th April, 2015 has, inter-alia, recommended in its recommendation no. 21 that:"the Department of Personnel & Training to look into that the recurrent lapses in observing financial discipline should be reflected in the Annual Performance Appraisal Report of the budget controlling authorities as well as the Financial Advisors of the Ministry/Department concerned so as to ensure strict adherence to the financial discipline thereby reducing the recurrent phenomenon of excess expenditure to the barest minimum, if not, eliminated altogether.2. The matter has been examined in this Department. There already exist various tools in the existing PAR formats to assess the attributes and performance of the officers by reporting, reviewing and accepting authorities including observance of financial discipline. Therefore, whenever instances of recurring financial lapses come to light, these may be brought to the attention of the Reporting/Reviewing/Accepting Authority so that they may include these instances in the PAR of the officer of the relevant year.
3. Hindi Version will follow.(N. Sriraman)Director (E-II)All Ministries/Departments of the Govt. India
LTC Claims for the Period from 28.11.2015 to 31.05.2016 can be allowed - Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 — Relaxation to travel by private airlines to visit Jammu & Kashmir.
No.31011/7/2014-Estt.(A-IV)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-IV Desk
North Block, New Delhi-110 001
Dated: January 13, 2017
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:- Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 — Relaxation to travel by private airlines to visit Jammu & Kashmir.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s O.M. of even no. dated 28.11.2014 on the subject noted above and to say that vide aforesaid O.M., facility to travel on LTC by private airlines to Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) under the special dispensation scheme was allowed for a period of one year. This facility ended w.e.f. 28.11.2015 and was re-introduced on 01.06.2016.
2. Many references have been received about Govt. Employees who had inadvertently travelled by private airlines to J&K during the gap period, i.e. from 28.11.2015 to 31.05.2016, under the impression that the facility was still operational and were later facing difficulties in settlement of their LTC claims.
3. The issue has been examined in consultation with the Department of Expenditure and Ministry of Civil Aviation. In relaxation to this Department’s O.M. of even no. dated 28.11.2014, it has been decided to allow the claims of those Government employees who had travelled by private airlines to Jammu & Kashmir on LTC during the gap period of 28.11.2015 – 31.05.2016. This shall be subject to the condition that tickets have been booked through the authorised modes and at LTC-80 fare or less and other conditions prescribed in DoPT’s O.M. No. 31011/7/2014-Estt.A-IV dated 28.11.2014.
(Surya Narayan Jha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Extension CGHS facilities to P&T pensioners
29th SCOVA meeting
under the chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS(PP) – Action Taken Report on the Minutes
of the 28th SCOV A meeting held under the Chairmanshipof Hon’ble MOS(PP) on
27.06.2016
Mini try of
Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Pension &
Pensioners Welfare)
Para 4(iv) of the
minutes:- Extension CGHS facilities to P&T pensioners
The representatives
of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed that the 7th CPC has
recommended that all Postal Dispensaries should be covered with CGHS. It was
decided to await the decision of the Government within a month.
(Action:- Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare)
Ministry of Health
and Family Welfare
The decision of the
Government on the recommendations of 7th CPC is still awaited.
DoPPW
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to indicate latest status during
the meeting a to where the matter is pending. The Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare has also been reminded on the same vide DoPPW OM dated 04.01.2017 to
expedite the matter.
Representation of Defence Civilian Employees’ Federations regarding misinterpretation of Revised Pay Rules 2016 leading to incorrect pay fixation of employees
Immediate
Government
of India
Ministry
of Defence
Department
of Defence
D(civ-I)
Subject: Representation
of Defence Civilian Employees’ Federations regarding misinterpretation of
Revised Pay Rules 2016 leading to incorrect pay fixation of employees – reg.
The
Defence Civilian Employees’ Federation have reported that the Accounting
Authorities in the Defence Estts. are misinterpreting the provisions of CCS(RP)
Rules, 2016 leading to anomalies pay fixation of the defence employees. The
Federations have demanded that clarification may be issued to the Defence
Estts. to enable them to issue correct pay fixation orders of the employees, on
the basis of the options exercised by them.
2. Taking
into account these reports, MoD has sent a proposal to MoD(Finance) to seek
clarification about the manner of fixation of pay through illustations prepared
by this office. The said proposal for seeking clarification has been sent to
MoD(Fiance) on 5.12.2016. A copy of this proposal is enclosed for information.
In view of the complaints of incorrect pay fixation in defence establishments,
it is requested that the clarification on this subject from Ministry of
Finance/MoD(Finance) may please be awaited so that the pay fixation of the
employees could be issued on the basis of right position. This position may
please be communicated to various Accounting Authorities under the Contral of
CGDA to avoid any inconsistencies in the matter of pay fixation.
sd/-
(Pawan
Kumar)
Under
Secretary
Friday, January 27, 2017
CLARIFICATION
REGARDING TIMELY PAYMENT OF GPF FINAL PAYMENT TO THE RETIRING GOVERNMENT
SERVANT – DOPT ORDER.
No.3/3/2016-P&PW
(F)
Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare
Desk-F
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare
Desk-F
3rd
Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market, New Delhi-110003
Dated 16th January 2017.
Khan Market, New Delhi-110003
Dated 16th January 2017.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Clarification regarding timely payment of GPF
final payment to the retiring Government servant – regarding
During
review meetings held to evaluate the status of implementation of Bhavishya with
Ministries/Departments, it was observed that GPF final payment in many cases is
not being paid to the retiring Government servants immediately on retirement
from service leading to payment of interest for the delayed period.
2. Rule 34 of General Provident Fund
(Central Service) Rules clearly provides that when the amount standing at the
credit of a subscriber in the General Provident Fund becomes payable, it shall
be the duty of the Accounts Officer to make payment. The authority for the
amount payable is to be issued at least a month before the date of
superannuation, but payable on the date of superannuation. It may be noted that
the requirement of submitting a written application by the retiring Govt.
servant for GPF final payment has been dispensed with vide this Department’s
Notification No.20(12)/94-P&PW (E) dated 15.11.1996 and notified under S.O
NO.3228 dated 23.11.19963. As per Rule 11(4) of GPF Rules, in case the GPF
balance is not paid on retirement, interest on the GPF balance is required to
be paid for the period beyond the date of retirement also. While interest for
the first six months beyond retirement can be allowed by the PAO in the normal
course, approval of Head of the accounts office is required for payment of
interest beyond six months and that of Controller of Account/Financial Adviser
beyond a period of one year.
4. To ensure timely final payment of
GPF, and to avoid unnecessary financial burden on account of interest beyond
retirement, it has now been decided that every case, in which payment of
interest on General Provident Fund becomes necessary in terms of Rules 11(4) of
GPF Rules, 1960, shall be put up for consideration to the Secretary of the
Administrative Ministry/Department. In all such cases the Secretary of the
Administrative Ministry/Department will fix responsibility at all levels to
take appropriate action against the Government servant or servants who are
found responsible for the delay in the payment of General Provident Fund.
5. This issues with the concurrence
of the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, vide their 10
NO.187/EV/2016 dated 2th September 2016.
6. Hindi version will follow.
(Seema Gupta)
Director
Director
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
****************
FILING OF
IMMOVEABLE PROPERTY RETURNS UNDER RULE 16(2) OF AIS (CONDUCT) RULES, 1968. TO VIEW, PLEASE CLICK
HERE.
"TRUST SHALL NOT BE BETRAYED"
7th Central Pay
Commission has quoted in para - 1.29 of " Foreword " , the following
observations of the Supreme Court in the case of Bhupendranath Hazarika and
another Vs State of Assam and others (reported in 2013 (2) Sec 516).
"It should always be borne
in mind that legitimate aspirations of the employees are not guillotined and a
situation is not created where hopes end in despair.......... A sense of calm
sensibility and concerned sincerity should be reflected in every step. An
atmosphere of trust has to prevail and when the employees are absolutely sure
that their trust shall not be betrayed and they shall be treated with dignified
fairness ; then only the concept of good governance can be concretized. We say
no more."
Unfortunately, the NDA Government
and the Group of Ministers consisting of Sri Rajnath Singh, Hon'ble Home
Minister, Sri Arun Jaitley, Hon'ble Finance Minister, Sri Suresh Prabhu,
Hon'ble Railway Minister who gave assurance on 30th June 2016 that Minimum wage
and Fitment formula will be increased and a High Level Committee will be
Constituted with a time - frame of four months , have given least concern for
the above observations of the Apex Court. Now seven months are almost over.
Further there is no guarantee that Allowance Committee will increase the
percentage of HRA recommended by 7th CPC. Instead there is every chance, to
deny retrospective effect from 01.01.2016 to the revised allowances and it may
be implemented prospectively from 01.01.2017 or 01.04.2017, thus denying the
eligible arrears for one year or more. It has become certain that the Option -
1 for pensioners recommended by 7th CPC, which is the one and only favourable
recommendation, stands rejected. Orders on abolition of Advances including Festival
advance and imposing "very good " condition for MACP are issued
unilaterally .
Request of the JCM National
Council Staff side Secretary to give one more opportunity to present it's case
before the Allowance Committee is not conceded by the Finance Secretary, who is
the Chairman of the Committee. The request of the JCM Staff side to modify the
Terms of Reference of Anomaly Committee is also not yet considered by the
Department of Personnel and Training. The Committee constituted for New Pension
Scheme is only for streamlining the NPS by making some cosmetic changes as
recommended by 7th CPC and not for considering the demand of the JCM Staff
side to scrap NPS. Not even a single demand of the staff side submitted to
Cabinet Secretary on 10th December 2015, requesting modifications in the
recommendations of 7th CPC is settled by the Government. The so-called group of senior officer's committee had, in fact, ridiculed and humiliated the JCM Staff Side standing committee.
The All India Conference of the
Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers held in August 2016
at Chennai had taken a decision to request all constituents of NJCA to revive
the indefinite strike , if Government is not ready to honour it's commitment
before 30th October 2016. The AIC had further decided that, in case NJCA
is not ready to revive the deferred indefinite strike, then Confederation
should organise independent trade union action including strike. Confederation
strongly feels that there in no meaning in waiting indefinittely for
Government's decision. We cannot cheat the employees like NDA Government. As no
consensus decision could be taken in NJCA, Confederation had decided to
go for one day strike and organised country wide demonstrations, mass dharnas
and massive Parliament March. Strike notice for one day strike on 15th
February 2017 was served on 28th December 2016. Due to announcement of
assembly elections in five states by Election Commission of India and 15th
February being a polling day, the strike was postponed to 16th March
2017.
Intensive campaign and
mobilisation is going on in full swing all over the country. About 13 to 15
lakhs Central Government employees will participate in the strike, with the
full support and solidarity of about 34 lakhs pensioners, Central Trade Unions,
independent Federations of State Government employees, Bank and Insurance
employees and other public sector employees.
After reviewing the participation
of employees in the one day strike, Confederation shall explore the possibility
of declaring higher form of trade union action including indefinite strike .
M. KRISHNAN
Secretary General
Confederation
Mob & WhatsApp : 09447068125
Email : mkrishnan6854@gmail.com
Monday, January 23, 2017
Postponement of the one day strike from 15th February 2017 to 16th March 2017 - Confederation writes to Cabinet Secretary, Government of India
Ref:
Confdn/Strike/2016-19 Dated – 23rd January 2017
To,
The
Cabinet Secretary
Cabinet
Secretariat
Government
of India
Rashtrapati
Bhawan
New
Delhi – 110001
Sir,
Sub:- Postponement of the one day strike from 15th
February 2017 to 16th March 2017.
Ref:- Our strike notice dated 28.12.2016.
Kindly
refer to the notice served by us on 28th December 2016, for one day
strike of Central Government employees on15th February 2017. (copy
enclosed for ready reference). This is to inform you that due to the
notification of election to five state assemblies by the Elected Commission of
India, the proposed strike on 15th February 2017 is postponed to 16th
March 2017. The Charter of demands in pursuance of which the employees will
embark upon the one-day strike action is enclosed.
Yours
faithfully,
(M.
Krishnan)
Secretary
General
Mob:
09447068125
Email:
mkrishnan6854@gmail.com
Saturday, January 21, 2017
AGAIN ASSURANCES
WE DON'T WANT ANY MORE ASSURANCES
--- WE WANT POSITIVE ACTION AND NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT -- SEVEN MONTHS ARE OVER
AFTER THE JUNE 30th ASSURANCES -- AGAIN SWEET WORDS AND
ASSURANCES BY HON'BLE HOME MINISTER AND CABINET SECRETARY -- THIS TIME NO TIME
FRAME --- PENSION COMMITTEE REPORT UNILATERALLY SUBMITTED TO CABINET WITHOUT
REACHING ANY NEGOTITED SETTLEMENT WITH STAFFSIDE -- THE ONE AND THE ONLY
POSITIVE RECOMMENDATION OPTION -1 FOR PENSIONERS IS GOING TO BE REJECTED --
FATE OF OTHER COMMITTEES MAY NOT BE DIFFERENT IF THERE IS NO NEGOTIATED
SETTLEMENT -- ALLOWANCE COMMITTEE NOT YET CONCEDED THE DEMAND OF JCM
STAFFSIDE SECRETARY FOR GIVING ANOTHER CHANCE FOR DISCUSSION -- NO NEGOTIATED
SETTLEMENT ON ANY ISSUES -- GOVT MADE JCM FORUM ONLY A TALKING SHOP -- NEIROS
ARE FIDDELING WHEN ROME IS BURNING -- CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES AND
PENSIONERS CANNOT BE FOOLED ANY MORE -- ENOUGH IS ENOUGH -- MAKE THE 16th
MARCH 2016 ONE DAY STRIKE A THUNDERING SUCCESS.
M. KRISHNAN
Secretary General
Confederation
Mob & WhatsApp: 09447068125.
Email : mkrishnan6854@gmail.com
Secretary General
Confederation
Mob & WhatsApp: 09447068125.
Email : mkrishnan6854@gmail.com
Friday, January 20, 2017
NATIONAL
FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES
ALL INDIA
POSTAL EMPLOYEES UNION GRAMIN DAK SEVAK
MAJOR
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE GDS COMMITTEE
The Committee’s major
recommendations are summarized below.
1. The old system of payment of Time Related
Continuity Allowance (TRCA) is dispensed with and replaced with a new wage
payment system. Under the new wage payment system, 11 TRCA slabs are subsumed
into 3 Wage Scales with two Levels each for BPMs and for other than BPMs One
wage scale would be common for both the categories of GDSs.
New Wage Scales
1. 10,000 - 24,470
(Other than BPM Level 1)
2. 12,000 - 29,380
(Other than BPM Level 2 & BPM Level 1)
3. 14,500 - 35,480
(BPM Level 2)
2. The minimum working hours of GDS Post offices
and GDSs is increased to 4 hours from 3 hours.
3. The new working hours for GDS Post Offices will
be 4 hours and 5 hours only.
4. The Level 1 GDS Post Offices/GDSs will have 4
hours as working hours and Level- 2 will have 5 hours as working hours.
5. The Point System for assessment of workload of
BPMs has been abolished.
6. The new wage payment system is linked to revenue
generation of GDS Post Offices. Under the new system, there will be no increase
in wages of BPMs from Level – 1 to Level – 2 on the basis of workload but the
same will be increased based on achievement of prescribed revenue norms which
is fixed at 100% for normal areas and 50% for special areas which presently
have 15% anticipated income norms.
7. The GDS Post Offices not achieving the
prescribed revenue norm within the given working hours will have to open GDS
Post Offices for minimum of additional 30 minutes beyond the prescribed working
hours.
8. The GDSs BPMs will be paid Revenue Linked
Allowance @10% beyond Level 2 wage scale if they will be successful in
achieving revenue beyond prescribed norms.
9. The GDS Post Offices has been categorized into
A, B, C and D categories based on the revenue generation norms. The GDS Post
Office in A category will achieve 100% revenue. The Committee has recommended a
set of actions for each category of GDS Post Offices.
10. The
six approved categories of GDs are subsumed into two categories only. One category
will be Branch Post Master and all other 5 categories of GDSs are subsumed into
one Multi Tasking Category.
11. The
job profile of Multi Tasking GDS is expanded to include work such as Business
Development and Marketing etc. Their jobs will no more be confined to their old
designations. The Assistant BPM will assist BPMs for increasing revenue
generation.
12. The
GDSs working in the GDS Post Offices will be known as Assistant Branch Post
Master (ABPMs) and those working in the Departmental Post Offices will be known
as Dak Sevak (DS).
13. The
minimum wage has been increased to Rs.10000/- per month and maximum to
Rs.35,480/- per month.
14. The
rate of annual increase is recommended as 3%.
15. A
Composite Allowance comprising of support for hiring accommodation for GDS Post
Offices as well as mandatory residence, office maintenance, mobile and
electricity usage charges etc. has been introduced for the first time.
16. Children
Education Allowance @ Rs.6000/- per child per annum has been introduced for
GDSs.
17. Risk
& Hardship Allowance@ Rs.500/- per month for GDSs working in the special
areas has also been introduced.
18. A
Financial upgradation has been introduced at 12 years, 24 years and 36 years of
services in form of two advance additional annual increases.
19. The
Celling of ex-gratia gratuity has been increased from Rs.60,000 to
Rs.5,00,000/-.
20. The
GDS Contribution for Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS) should be enhanced
maximum up to 10% and minimum up to 3% of the basic wage per month, whereas the
Department should contribute a fixed contribution of 3% of the basic wage of
the GDSs.
21. The
coverage of GDS Group Insurance Scheme has been enhanced from Rs.50,000/- to
Rs.5,00,000/-.
22. The
contribution of Department in Circle Welfare Fund (CWF) has been increased from
Rs.100/- per annum to Rs.300/- per annum.
23. The
scope of CWF is extended to cover immediate family members such as spouse;
daughters, sons and dependent daughters in law in the scheme.
24. The
Committee also recommended 10% hike in the prescribed limits of financial
grants and assistance in the Circle Welfare Fund.
25. The
Committee has recommended addition of Rs.10,000/- for purchase of Tablet/Mobile
from the Circle Welfare Fund in the head “Financial Assistance from Fund by way
of loans with lower rate of interest (5%)”.
26. Provision
of 26 weeks of Maternity Leave for women GDSs has been recommended.
27. The
wages for the entire period of Maternity Leave is recommended to be paid from
salary head from where wages of GDSs are paid.
28. The
Committee has also recommended one week of Paternity Leave.
29. The
Committee has recommended 5 days of emergency leave per annum.
30. Leave
accumulation and encashment facility up to 180 days has been introduced.
31. Online
system of engagement has been recommended.
32. The
maximum age limit of 50 years for Direct Recruitment of GDSs has been
abolished.
33. Minimum
one year of GDS service will now be required for GDSs for Direct Recruitment
into Department cadres such as MTS/Postman/Mail Guard.
34. Alternate
livelihood condition for engagement of GDSs has been relaxed.
35. Voluntary
Discharge Scheme has been recommended.
36. The
Discharge age has been retained at 65 years.
37. The
Limited Transfer Facility has been relaxed from 1 time to 3 times for male
GDSs. There will be no restriction on number of chances for transfer of women
GDSs. The power for transfer has been delegated to the concerned Divisional
head.
38. The
ex-gratia payment during put off period should be revised to 35% from 25% of
the wage and DA drawn immediately before put off.
39. The
Committee has recommended preferring transfer before put off duty.
40. The
Compassionate Engagement of GDSs has been relaxed to give benefits to eligible
dependents in all cases of death of GDS while in service.
Measures for streamlining the implementation
of the National Pension System for Central Government employees - reg. (Click the link below
to view)
http://document.ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D3/D03ppw/StreamliningImplementationNPS.pdf
7th
Central Pay Commission’s recommendations — revision of pay scales — amendment
of Service Rules/Recruitment Rule TO
VIEW, PLEASE CLICK
HERE.
************
7th
Central Pay Commission’s recommendations – amendment of Service
Rules/Recruitment Rules
************
Grant of
Transport Allowance at double the normal to deaf and dumb employees of Central
Government – Finmin Orders Click
to view the order
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Dated 18-01-2017
IMPORTANT
CIRCULAR
To,
1.
All National Secretariat Members
2.
Chief Executives of all Affiliated Organizations
3.
General Secretaries of all C-O-Cs
Dear Comrades,
1. NJCA MEETING - NO CONSENSUS ON REVIVAL OF DEFERRED
INDEFINITE STRIKE
Much awaited meeting of the National Joint
Council of Action (NJCA) was held on 17th January at National
Council (JCM) Staff-side office at New Delhi. Leaders of Railways, Defence,
Postal & Confederation attended. Detailed discussions were held on the
developments that took place after the deferment of the indefinite strike of 11th
July 2016 and also on the totally negative attitude of the Government towards
the 7th Pay Commission related issues of Central Govt. Employees and
Pensioners, including increase in
Minimum Pay, Fitment formula, Allowances, Pensioner’s Option-I etc.
Unfortunately, there was no consensus
regarding revival of the deferred indefinite strike. Hence no decision could be
taken. Meeting ended with an understanding to meet again after some days. In
the meantime, NJCA Chairman and Convener may try to meet the Cabinet Ministers
who have given the assurances on 30th June 2016 to NJCA leaders.
2. IMPORTANCE OF 16TH MARCH 2017
CONFEDERATION STRIKE
The clear picture that emerged from the NJCA
meeting held on 17-01-2017 is that there is no possibility of revival of
deferred indefinite strike by NJCA in
the near future. It is also a fact that Govt. may implement the recommendations
of Allowances Committee, Pension Committee etc., before or immediately after
March 2017. It has become certain that the Pension Committee has rejected
Option-I recommended by 7th CPC, the one and the only good
recommendation of 7th CPC and the Implementation Cell of the Finance
Ministry is processing the recommendation of Pension Committee for Cabinet
approval. Whether the Allowance Committee will recommend change in the
recommendations of 7th CPC (I.e., %ge of HRA etc.,) nobody can
predict. The request of the Convener of NJCA to the Chairman, Allowance
Committee, (Finance Secretary) to hold another meeting with Staff-side was also
not conceded by the Committee till date. There is every possibility that Govt.
may not implement the recommendations of the Allowance Committee
retrospectively from 01-01-2016, instead it may implement it from 01-01-2017 or
01-04-2017. After, Govt. unilaterally implementing everything, declaring strike is a futile exercise and betrayal of
the employees and Pensioners. We should strike when the iron is hot. The unilateral
decision of the Govt. to implement “very good” benchmark for MACP has cast
shadow on the future promotional prospects of a large number of employees who
are not in the good book of the Government and administration for reasons best
known to them. The NPS Committee appointed by the Govt. is not mandated to
recommend scrapping of New Pension Scheme, but it is for recommending cosmetic
changes in NPS in the name of streamlining the NPS as recommended by 7th
CPC.
Regarding increase in Minimum Pay and
Fitment Formula, no High Level Committee is constituted till date, as assured
by the Group of Senior Cabinet Ministers to NJCA leaders on 30-06-2016. A Group
of Senior Officers held two round discussion with the Staff-side, but 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 issue and in the second
meeting they told that they came for discussing Allowances (though another
Committee for Allowances is already constituted) and not Minimum Wage or
Fitment Formula!!!. The last meeting was held in October 2016 and thereafter no
meeting is notified. All anomalies arising out of implementation of 7th
CPC recommendations remain unsettled.
There is no improvement in the issues
relating to Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS), Casual, Contract Workers and Daily-rated
mazdoors. The GDS Committee Report submitted to Government on 24-11-2016, it
yet to be published. Even if it is published, it may take time for
implementation. Other demands submitted to Govt. by the NJCA strike notice
served on the 10th June 2016 and charter of demands are also
pending. The four months time fixed for Allowance Committee already extended to
six months. The four months time for increasing Minimum Wage and Fitment
Formula expired on 30-10-2016.
All the employees and Pensioners are totally
disappointed and are voicing their anger and protest through various forums and
social media. In the above circumstances everybody expected that the NJCA shall
revive the deferred indefinite strike. Inspite of our best efforts that is not
happening.
3. SOMEBODY SHOULD COME FORWARD TO PROTEST AND
CONFEDERATION IS TAKING UP THAT RESPONSIBILITY
When the three Cabinet Ministers including
Shri Rajnath Singh, Home Minister, Shri Arun Jaitely, Finance Minister, Shri
Suresh Prabhu, Railway Minister have gone back from their assurances and
betrayed 33 lakhs Central Govt Employees and 34 lakhs Pensioners, when the
Government is going ahead unilaterally without even consulting the NJCA
leaders, we cannot remain silent spectators and accept every decision of the
Government, lying down, without any protest. Somebody should come forward to
protest and if necessary to suffer and sacrifice and history has bestowed that
responsibility on Confederation and Confederation is ready to accept the
challenge and responsibility. We are not afraid of the NDA Govt. when we are
fighting for the justified demands. All employees are eagerly looking towards
Confederation and they want Confederation to lead, whether others may follow or
not. It is in this background the Diamond Jubilee year, All India Conference of
Confederation held at Chennai from 16th to 18th August
2016 has taken the historic decision to organize independent trade union action
including strike, if NJCA is not ready to revive the deferred indefinite
strike.
4. INTENSIFY MOBILIZATION CAMPAIGN – MAKE THE 2017 MARCH 16th
ONE DAY STRIKE A HISTORIC SUCCESS.
All of us should clearly understand that
more than the strike, the intensive nationwide mobilization and campaign plays
an important role in building up pressure on the Govt and settling the demands.
The success of the strike also depends upon the mobilization and campaign work
carried out by the leadership, especially the grass-root level leadership. The
date of one day strike was postponed to March 16th due to the
following reasons :
(a)Election Commission has notified election
to five State Assemblies during the month of February and first half of March
2017.
(b)15th February 2017, which was
our strike date, happens to be a polling day in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
In the campaign programme of the National
Secretariat Members, already published, if any change in date is required, the
concerned National Secretariat Members and C-O-Cs may make it in consultation
with each other.
5. INDEPENDENT CAMPAIGN BY EACH AFFILIATE AND C-O-C IS MOST
IMPORTANT
In addition to the campaign programme of
National Secretariat members, all affiliated organizations and C-O-Cs should
plan their own independent campaign programme. Office meetings, General body
meetings, Gate meetings, Conventions, Managing body meetings may be held at all
places. Posters, notices, bulletins etc, may be printed and circulated widely
among the employees. Maximum publicity may be given through print/electronic
media and social media like whatsapp, face book etc,. Intelligence Agencies of
the Govt will report each and every movement from our side and let the report
reach the Government that the entire Central Government employees and
Pensioners are totally disappointed and their resentment is growing day by day.
Please give top priority to campaign. No leader whether All India, State or
Unit level shall sit idle in the coming days and everybody should be in the
field, mobilizing the employees. Betrayal of the Cabinet Ministers of NDA
should be exposed among the employees, Pensioners and general public,
especially in the poll-bound five States.
6. SERVE STRIKE NOTICE BEFORE 10th FEBRUARY
2017, IF NOT ALREADY SERVED
All Affiliated Organizations should serve
the strike notice to their respective departmental Heads. Proforma of the strike
notice and charter of demands already published in the Confederation website www.confederationhq.blogspot.com.
If any organization has not served the strike notice to their Departmental
Head, they should serve it before 10th February 2017. Those
organizations which had already served the strike notice as 15th
February 2017, should give a letter to the authority concerned, intimating the
postponement of the strike date to 16th March 2017, due to
declaration of election to five State Assemblies (if necessary, revised strike
notice can be given). Copies of the strike notice served to the Departmental
Heads should be circulated to all lower units. Complaints are received at
Confederation CHQ that some organizations are not circulating their strike
notice to lower units which creates a lot of confusion at unit level. This
should be avoided and each organization should ensure that copy of the strike
notice is circulated to all lower units WITHOUT FAIL.
7. NAME & POSTAL ADDRESS OF WOMEN SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERS
OF CONFEDERATION
Confederation CHQ had already written
letters to the concerned Chief Executives of the affiliated organizations to
intimate the full postal address with PIN code of all newly elected Women Sub
Committee members of Confederation. It is requested that the same may be
furnished before 31st January 2017.
8. HELP CONFEDERATION TO SERVE YOU BETTER
All of you are aware that the financial
position of the Confederation CHQ is not at all sound. It is needless to
mention that without fund, no organization can function. For Parliament March
and strike mobilization etc., big amount is already be spent. We are continuously
fighting against the Government’s policies and for efficient and vibrant
functioning, funds are required. All Affiliated Organizations and C-O-Cs are
requested to collect and remit maximum quota and donations to the Confederation
immediately. The amount may be remitted to the following address:
Com. Vrigu Bhattacharjee
Financial Secretary
Confederation of Central Govt
Employees & Workers
17/C, Kalibari Marg New Delhi – 110 001
Mobile: 09868520926
E-mail: v.aicaea@gmail.com
Bank
Account details:
Bank :
Indian Overseas Bank
Branch: Goal Market, New Delhi
A/C No.084001000015586
IFSC code : IOBA0000840.
9. CONFEDERATION
TRADE UNION EDUCATION CAMP – 2017
Confederation Trade Union Education Camp –
2017 will be held on 2017 May 6th & 7th (Saturday
& Sunday) at Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala). Detailed Circular enclosed along
with this circular.
Fraternally yours,
(M. Krishnan)
Secretary General
Confederation
Mob & whatsapp: 09447068125
E-mail: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)