Thursday, October 30, 2008

GDS report brief resume.

 

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS.

Manishinath Bhawan

A/2/95 Rajouri Garden

New Delhi. 110 027.

 

Phone: 2510 5324

Dated: 30th October, 2008

Website: confederationhq.blogspot.com

E mail: confederation06@yahoo.co.in.

 

Dear Comrade,

 

Placed hereunder is a brief summary of the GDS Committee's report as is obtaining at the NFPE website.  The report is yet to be analysed in its entirety.  A glance through does not indicate any significant improvement.  The GDS  are not treated as Government employees even though they constitute the largest chunk of Postal Workers.  The sad fact is that a postal employee in whatever capacity he functions in rural post offices is to bear the brunt of a heavy workload, which is not capable of getting discharged even if he functions for <8 hours a day.  He is paid for much less than what ought to have been and the injustice has been perpetuated further.  Those who are in the trade union movement had no expectation from this Committee for  they know that the political ambience in the  era of neo liberal economy does not nurse any egalitarian pretensions. 

 

For more details we advise our comrades to visit the NFPE website.  The Confederation will hear from the NFPE leaders shortly on this issue and then formulate its reaction.

 

With greetings,

 

Yours fraternally,

 

K.K.N. Kutty

Secretary General

 

 

 

 

 

 

GDS COMMITTEE REPORT – AN ANALYSIS

 

Dear Com

rades! The GDS Committee headed by Shri.Nataraja Murthi has submitted its recommendations to the Honourable Minister of Communications & IT on 29.10.2008. The Report contains more than 450 pages. A detailed study of the whole report is being undertaken by the Federation and the GDS CHQ. It may take some time to make a complete evaluation. However here we place our immediate reaction to the GDS Committee Report. NFPE is unhappy over the denial of basic issues of Status and Statutory Pension even though a social security scheme is suggested by the GDS Committee in lieu of lump sum grant of severance amount. Comrades are requested to send comments on their opinion and analysis by clicking on the 'comments' at the end of this article.

                      

Wage increase from 1.1.2006.

 

Arrears will be paid by two instalments @ 40% this financial year and 60% next financial year.

 

1.86 times of multiplication factor as like regular government employees is not recommended but only 1.74 times. Even the 5% increased TRCA in lieu of 50% DA Merger is to be adjusted in future increments. This is a heavy blow.

 

Even Prorata wages not recommended. The minimum wage of 7000/- implemented for upgraded Group C and for other cadres not reflected in TRCA computation.

 

Allowances are with prospective date of effect only.

 

Many Allowances like HRA, Transport Allowance, SDA, Compensatory Allowances etc are virtually denied.

 

Great discrimination on DA is being recommended.

 

PLB Bonus – Discrimination against GDS is introduced.

 

Performance Related Incentives Concept is introduced like 6th CPC instead of grant of time factor to facilitate departmentalisation of GDS.

 

Despite Court Verdicts, Statutory Gratuity is rejected by GDS Committee.

 

GDS is considered as Part Time only by the GDS Committee.

 

Even the GDS Conduct and Employment Rules is recommended to be changed as GDS Conduct and Engagement Rules.

 

Some improvement on Welfare Measures recommended.

 

Group Insurance Cover very meagre increase only.

 

No improvement in Leave except 3 months maternity TRCA + DA for two child births, which is also denied if abortion or miscarriage occurs.

 

Retirement age reduced from 65 to 62.

 

Recruitment methods tightened.

 

Existing transfer rights also snatched – Only for spouse women employee and compassionate appointee to be considered for transfer.

 

Disciplinary Rules not democratised – no classification of major and minor penalties.

 

Attack on 1946 settlement of 50% PA vacancies to Postmen by reducing it to 25% and offering remaining 25% vacancies to outsider quota.

 

Trade Union rights curtailed – Monthly meetings at divisional level reduced – No right to affiliate with Federations etc. – ID Act coverage being removed -

 

 

TRCA Determination:

 

Nomenclature of TRCA will continue.

 

74% DA as on 1.1.2006 has been taken into account for arriving at the hourly rates of GDS as follows:

 

GDS BPM:     Rs.915/- per hour

GDS MD/SV: Rs.888/- per hour

GDS MC etc: Rs.765/- per hour.

 

The above per hour amount will be multiplied by the number of working hours of the respective GDS for arriving at the minimum of the TRCA.

 

BPM

 

BPM Minimum Working Hours 3 Hours

For 3 Hours the Points will be 75 = Minimum TRCA is           Rs.2745/-

For 3 Hours 30 Min. will be 87.5 Points = Minimum TRCA is Rs.3200/-

For 4 Hours the Points will be 100 = Minimum TRCA is         Rs.3660/-

For 4 Hrs 30 Min the Points will be 112.5 = Minimum TRCA is Rs.4115/-

For 5 Hours the Points will be 125 = Minimum TRCA is            Rs.4575/-

 

But for estimating the workload of BOs the present norm of Rs.1000/- = 1 Point is changed adversely into Rs.20,000 = 1 Point on ad-hoc basis. This is too high. This will affect the work load of BOs resulting in lower TRCA.

 

GDS MD:

 

GDS MD up to 3 Hours is newly introduced in the name of decreasing work load due to fall in mail traffic. This will be applicable only for future recruits.

GDS MD for 3 Hours = Minimum TRCA Rs.2665/-

GDS MD for More than 3 Hrs but upto 3 Hrs 45 Mins = TRCA Rs.2870/-

GDS MD for more than 3 Hrs 45 Mins but upto 5 Hrs = TRCA Rs.3635/-

 

ANNUAL INCREASE:

 

Not even the 3% annual increment allowed by Government for regular employees is recommended to GDS. Only an Annual Increase in TRCA for 1.74% to 1.96% is permitted as follows:

 

 

DEARNESS ALLOWANCE

 

A new consumer basket based on rural area to be worked out for payment of DA to GDS. Till such time the present All India Consumer Price Index [Industrial Workers] be continued for payment of DA. This is a negative approach to deprive the present rate of DA available to GDS on par with regular employees.

 

 

PRODUCTIVITY LINKED BONUS

 

Committee wants to reduce the Bonus Act guaranteed bonus ceiling to GDS. It has recommended to fix only 50% of the ceiling fixed to the lowest category of regular employee until a new formula is worked out as recommended by 6th CPC for Postal PLB. This is very negative in character and need to be resisted.

 

PERFORMANCE RELATED INCENTIVES

 

GDS Committee gives emphasis on performance related incentives as recommended by the 6th CPC. Recommends continuation of incentives for all type of savings and PLI/RPLI work and marginally increasing incentive percentage in some cases but refusing time factor for any such work.

 

EX-GRATIA GRATUITY

 

From 18,000/- increased to a maximum of 60,000/- or 16.5 months of basic allowance whichever is less. The minimum service is reduced from 15 to 10 years for entitlement of Gratuity. The GDS Committee discussed about the Punjab & Haryana High Court and Apex Court on the matter or Gratuity and in a callous manner rejected the statutory gratuity ordered by the Honourable Courts by stating that the matter is still open to law.

 

GROUP IINSURANCE COVER

 

The present group insurance cover of 10,000/- is increase to a paultry 50,000/- with monthly subscription of 50/-.

 

 

WELFARE SCHEMES

 

Some welfare schemes presently available to GDS are enhanced. The death while on duty by terrorists etc is doubled from 50,000 to 1 lakh and while not on duty from 10,000 to 20000. New benefit of 1,50,000 introduced for death due to enemy action like war or action against terrorism etc. Financial assistance for prolonged illness is increase from 1500/- to 5000/-. Some marginal increases are recommended in some other cases.

 

MEDICAL BENEFIT

 

Recommended to Government to consider introducing a contributory health scheme. It has also recommended to consider a contributory insurance scheme. After discharge from service the retired GDS and Spouse may be allowed benefit without any contribution from GDS.

 

LEAVE

 

EL etc are denied. The present 10 days per six months is converted into 20 days paid leave in a year instead of 10 days in six months but without permitted to carry over the leave.

 

Instead of maternity leave a financial compensation of three months TRCA and DA will be considered from the Welfare Fund for female GDS for first two child births. This will not be allowed if there is miscarriage or abortion.

 

TRADE UNION FACILITIES

 

1. A channel of correspondence to effectively address the problems of GDS at Divisional, Regional, Circle & Directorate levels needs to be ensured.

 

2. Formal meetings to discuss unresolved issues through correspondence be held once in 3 months at Divisional level, once in 4 months at Regional level and once in 6 months at Circle and Directorate level.

 

3. The cost of a substitute wherever it is necessary to engage be met from the Department upto 2 members for periodical meetings subject to the provision that the combination of the duties is not feasible.

 

4. The present periodicity of holding All India Conference may be revised to 3 years with a grace per six months.

 

5. Formal regular meetings with Recognized GDS unions once in six months at Directorate Level with Member (P), as Chairman, the participation of concerned Deputy Directors General with Directorate (SR) as the convener be conducted. The unresolved issues in six monthly meeting with Member (P) if any may be placed before Secretary, Posts for perusal and action as deemed necessary.

 

6. The Department may consider amending the existing Rule 4(d)(i) of EDAs (RSA) Rules, 1995 for the purposes of recognizing second association. The existing percentage of 15% of membership may be revised to 30,000 verifiable membership.

 

Thus it can be seen though the GDS Committee has gone way away to recommend for changing the ED[RA]Rules for recognizing second union without fulfilment of 15% minimum condition, it has on the other hand taken total negative decisions in matters of affiliation with Federations; Special leave for Conferences, Foreign Service to General Secretaries etc. Even the existing facility of monthly meetings at divisional level is being curtailed.

 

 

 

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Circular No. 18/2008

Circular No.18/2008
 

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

 EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS

Manishinath Bhawan A/2/95 Rajouri Garden

New Delhi. 110 027

Phone: 011 2510 5324

Fax: 011 2510 5324

Website:www.confederationhq.blogspot.com

Email.confederation06@yahoo.co.in,itefcentral@gmail.com

 

 

D/11/18/2008

Dated:10th  October 2008

 

Dear Comrade,

 

            Placed hereunder is a letter the Confederation has written to the Secretary, Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India on certain anomalies and problems pertaining to CCS (RP) Rules, 2008 and allowances.  The note was prepared on the basis of the representation we have received from various quarters.  You may kindly go through the same and if any other issues are to be presented, you may kindly write to us without further loss of time.

 

            With greetings,

 

Yours fraternally,

 

 

K.K.N.Kutty

Secretary General

Copy of our letter in D/16/2008 dated 10th October, 2008 on CCS(RP) Rules and allowances

 

Dear madam,

                                    Sub: Clarification and instructions sought on CCS(RP)

                                             Rules 2008 and orders on allowances.

                                                             

            We send herewith a note indicating the problems /anomalies while acting upon the CCS(RP) rules 2008 and orders issued by the Govt. on certain allowances. The note is prepared on the basis of the feed back we had from various affiliates. We request you to kindly look into these issues and do needful in the matter.

 

            Thanking you,

Yours faithfully

Sd/-

K.K.N..Kutty

Secretary General

I.                    Revised Pay Rules. 2008.

 

(i). Option.

It has been mentioned under sub rule 4 thereof that the option once exercised shall be final and should be exercised within three months from the date of notification the rule vide Sub Rule I thereof.  Since it is very difficult to comprehend and assess the implications of such option, we propose that the first option exercised within three months may not be treated as final and the employees be permitted to revise the option within six month of the date of exercising the first option.

 

(ii) Special allowance and qualification pay which are taken for fixation purposes on promotion should be doubled with effect from 1.1.2006 and not from 1.9.2008 as it cannot be construed to be an allowance.  If this is not done, senior employees will suffer loss in emoluments, in case of promotion during the period between 1.1.2006 and 1.9. 2008.

 

 (iii). Note 1(a) under Clause D of Rule 7(a) may be modified by deleting the first sentence and the word "thereafter" in the second sentence.

 

(iv) The clarification No. 6(ii) issued vide O.M.No. F.1.1.2008-IC dated 13.9.2007 is in conflict with the mode of fixation as given in illustration 4A in the explanatory memorandum to the Revised Pay Rules, 2008 referred to Note 2A to Rule 7.

 

(v) Rule 8 of the Revised pay rules. On going through the table for fixation given for new entrants and the existing employees in the same stage (especially at the minimum of the scale of pay) we find that the new entrants are fixed at a higher stage compared to the existing employees as per illustration given hereunder.

Gr.Pay                         Pay of new entrant        Pay of an existing employee at the

                                                                                    Minimum stage

            2000                            8460                            8060

            2400                            9910                            9840

            2800                            11360                          11170

            This anomaly is to be removed by appropriate revision of fitment tables.

 

            (vi) Rule 9 Date of next increment

It is seen after going through the stipulation in the above rules that a person whose increment falls on 1.1.2006 will get the increment on 1.1.2006 in the pre-revised pay scale and will get the next increment in the revised pay structure 1.7.2006.  i.e. on expiry of six months.  Similarly those, whose next increment is between 1st July, 2006 and 1st December, 2006 would also be granted next increment in the revised pay structure on 1.7.2006.  On the other hand, the persons whose increment dates fall between Ist. Feb. 06 and Ist June, 06 has to wait for  more than 12 months to get the next increment on 1. 7. 2006.  This is quite anomalous.  In the case of those who retire during the period between Ist Feb. and 30th June, they  may suffer  a loss of one increment perpetually thus affecting their pension.  It is, therefore proposed that the persons whose increment falls between Ist January to Ist June, 2006 must be given one increment on 1.1.2006 as a one time measure.

 

(vii) Tax deduction from salary:

Spread over of  the arrears of salary is permissible under Section 89(a) of the I.T. Act. No tax will thus become payable by Group D employees on account of receipt of arrears eventually.  Therefore, executive instructions may be issued not to deduct any tax from the arrear payment pertaining to the Group D employees.  In respect of others, they may be allowed to exercise option to tax the arrears either on receipt basis or accrual basis. 

 

(viii) Retired Group D employees

There may be many non-matriculate Group D employees, who retired or died from Service on or after 1.01.2006 and therefore may not be entitled for the upgraded P.B 1 with Grade Pay of Rs. 1800/ with effect  from 1.1.2006 as per the extant instructions. It is requested that in such cases they may be deemed to have been trained and assigned the  P.BI with Grade Pay of 1800/= with effect from 1.01.2006 and their pension recomputed on that basis.

 

(viii) Temporary status Casual Labourers 

 

As per existing scheme  the employee who are afforded temporary status are paid the wages computed with reference to the minimum of the corresponding scale of Pay of regular employees. In the case of Group D temporary status employees, it will become necessary that they are afforded the requisite training if they are non-matriculates.

 

Allowances

1.      Transport allowance.

 

On the issue of transport allowance, the Board of arbitration has given an award, according to which the rates are to be fixed on pay slabs and not on pay scale ( or Grade pay, as the case is  now). This apart, the transport allowance presently granted, is after subsuming the CCA, which had all among been related to Pay and not the  Pay scales.

It could be seen from the orders issued by the Government, that the transport allowance in respect  of persons in category II thereof is not only related to Grade Pay but also on basis with reference to  pay in the pay band. However, a different basis has been adopted in respect of the highest rates( i.e Rs.3200+DA or Rs. 1600+ DA). We therefore request that under mentioned Note may be inserted for category I. also

"those drawing  grade Pay below 5400/= but drawing Pay in the Pay band equal to   14,800 and above"

 

 

2.  Daily Allowance on Tour

 

The DA rates may be revised with regard to those drawing Grade pay of 4200 to 4800 and below 4200 in the following manner.

 

Rs. 4200 to 4800 – Reimbursement of hotel accommodation of upto Rs 1000/- per day;  reimbursement of travel charges upto Rs 150 per diem for travel with in city and reimbursement of food not exceeding Rs 200 per day. The reimbursement of travel and food charges may be made on self certification.

     

Below Rs. 4200 - Reimbursement of hotel accommodation of upto Rs 700/- per day; reimbursement of travel charges upto Rs 150 per diem for travel within city and reimbursement of food not exceeding Rs 200 per day. The reimbursement of travel and food charges may be made on self certification.

 

           

 

           

 

 

bonus order

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

 EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS

Manishinath Bhawan

A/2/95 Rajouri Garden

New Delhi. 110 027

Phone: 011 2510 5324 Fax: 011 2510 5324

Website: www.confederationhq.blogspot.com

E-mail.confederation06@yahoo.co.in

itefcentral@gmail.com

Confederation Circular No. 16/2008

 

Dated: 10th October 2008

 

D/11/17/2008

Dear Comrades, 

 

This is in continuation of our circular letter of date (No. 16). We have decided to cancel the programme slated for Monday the 13th inst. on Bonus issue.  The Govt. has issued the orders raising the calculation ceiling limit from Rs. 2500 to Rs. 3500.  We place hereunder the copy of the order for your ready reference.  The members may please be informed accordingly.

 

With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

 

K.K.N. Kutty

Secretary General.

 

Copy of the O.M. No. 7(23)/E.III-A/2007, GOI, Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, dated 10th October, 2008

 

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

 

Subject. Grant of PLB and adhoc bonus to Central Government employees-revision of calculation ceiling.

 

            Consequent upon recent amendment to 2(13)and Section 12 of the payment of Bonus Act 1965 enhancing the calculation ceiling effective from 1.4.2006 the question of extending similar benefit to Central Government employees has been under consideration of the Government.  The President is now pleased to decide that the calculation ceiling for payment of productivity linked bonus (PLB) and Adhoc bonus to all eligible  Central  Government employees shall be as follows w.e.f. 1.42006 i.e. from the year 2006-07 onwards:-

 

                                                Calculation ceiling

                                                Existing             Revised
                                                (emoluments per month

 

PLB in Railways                       Rs.2500/-          Rs. 3500/-

PLB in other Deptt.
Organisations.                           Rs.2500/-          Rs,.3500/-
Adhoc bonus for
employees not covered

by any PLB                              Rs, 2500/-         Rs,.3500/-

 

2. In so far as the persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Departments are  concerned, these orders are issued in consultation with the Comptroller & Auditor General of India.

 

3.                   Hindi version of this office memorandum shall follow.

 

Sd/-

(Madhulika P. Sukul)

Joint Secretary to the Government of India.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Confederation Circular No.16

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS

Manishinath Bhawan

A/2/95 Rajouri Garden

New Delhi. 110 027

Phone: 011 2510 5324 Fax: 011 2510 5324

Website: www.confederationhq.blogspot.com

E-mail.confederation06@yahoo.co.in

itefcentral@gmail.com

Confederation Circular No. 16/2008

Dated: 10th October 2008

D/11/16/2008

Dear Comrade,

Placed herewith is a letter, we have sent to the Cabinet Secretary on the question of Bonus ceiling, which is self explanatory. Our president had been in touch with the Department of Expenditure to know whether the Govt.'s decision covers the employees other than Railways. They have not been in a position to either confirm or deny in the absence of official minutes. We have been saddled with queries in this regard, obviously understandable.

All affiliates may kindly advise their Units/Branches to hold lunch hour demonstration on Monday the 13th if no orders are issued in this regard by that time to demand the extension of the benefit of the revised ceiling limit to all Central Govt. employees. The text of the telegram to be sent to the Cabinet Secretary is given here- under. The said telegram may be asked to be sent with copy to confederation CHQ.

KINDLY INTERVENE AND EXTEND THE

REVISED BONUS CEILING BENEFIT TO

ALL CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES.

With greetings

Yours fraternally,

KKN. Kutty

Secretary General

Copy of Confederation's letter D/16/2008 dated 10th October, 2008 addressed to the Cabinet Secretary, Govt. of India, New Delhi. 110 001

110 001

Dear Sir,

Sub: Raising the calculation ceiling for computation of bonus

2006-07 and 2007-08- applicability thereof to CGEs covered by

Adhoc and PLB schemes other than Railway employees.

From the Press Release of the Government of India, appearing at the Website of PIB, it is seen that the Government has taken the decision to raise the Bonus calculation ceiling limit of Rs. 2500 to Rs. 3500 in respect of Railway employees. The Railway Ministry accordingly has issued the orders whereas no such order has so far been issued by the Ministry of Finance to extend the said benefit to other section of Central Govt. employees who are covered by the adhoc and PLB Schemes, even though the Press release cited indicates of similar decision in their case too.

We shall be grateful if necessary directions are issued to the concerned to extend the benefit of the said decision to the employees covered by adhoc and PLB Schemes if such a decision has been taken by the Government. In case the said decision does not cover employees other than those in the Railways, we request you to kindly ensure that the Govt. is moved to take similar decision in respect of them also as otherwise it would be a gross injustice and untenable discrimination.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

Sd/

K.K.N. Kutty

Secretary General.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Letters

We Place hereunder the copies of our letters addressed to the priminister and and the Cabinet Secretary.

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS

CHQ: Manishinath Bhawan

A2/95 Rajouri Garden

New Delhi. 110027

Phone: 25105324 Fax : 25105324

Website:http://www.confederationhq.blogspot.com/

Email: confederation06@yahoo.co.in

Cell phone: 9811048303

D/16/2008

Dated: 6th October, 2008

To

The Cabinet Secretary

Government of India,

Rashtrapathy Bhawan Annexe

New Delhi. 110 001

Dear Sir,

Sub: 6th CPC related issues. Request for the

Reconsideration of the suggestions made by the

Staff Side JCM.

We solicit your kind reference to the discussions the Standing Committee members of the staff Side had with you on 17.5.2008 on certain issues related to the 6th Central Pay Commission's recommendation. At the end of the discussion on that day, you had been good enough to indicate that you would convene a meeting to inform us of the Government's decision on the suggestions made by the staff Side, if that had been practice in the past. The meeting was however not convened prior to the issuance of the notification.

We were disappointed to note that some of the suggestions made by the Staff Side were not found acceptable to the Government. The National Executive of the Confederation, which met on 26th August, 2008 felt that there had been no justifiable reasons for the rejection of the suggestion to effect changes in the fitment formula, financial benefit on promotion, one time dispensation for those whose increment falls before July, 2006 etc, especially when the acceptance of those would not have resulted in any significant financial outflow of the Govt. It also noted with concern that the minimum wage determined by the Government is even below what would have been, had the principle enunciated by the 5th CPC been adopted. Besides no clarification on the future recruitment of Personnel to carry out the Group D functions was issued, though promised. On the other hand, the Committee of Secretaries did address to the concerns of the Group A Officers and the grade pay in many stages in PB 3 and 4 were revised further widening the already evolved huge wage differential between the officers and employees.

The Government has now set up a committee of Secretaries to look into the grievances of a section of officers in the armed forces emanated from the acceptance of the suggestions made by the Committee of Secretaries. In the circumstances, it will only be appropriate that the Government reconsider the unjustified rejection of the demands of the employees presented before you by the Staff Side JCM. We have been directed by the meeting of the National Executive of the Confederation to convey to you the growing discontent and agitation of the employees and request that the issues may be subjected to discussions immediately to bring about a mutually acceptable settlement.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

sd/

K.K.N. Kutty

Secretary General

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS

CHQ: Manishinath Bhawan A2/95 Rajouri Garden

New Delhi. 110027

Phlone: 25105324 Fax : 25105324

Website:http://www.confederationhq.blogspot.com/

Email: confederation06@yahoo.co.in

Cell phone: 9811048303

D/16/2008

Dated: 6th October, 2008

Dr. Manmohan Singh,

Hon'ble Prime Minister.

Government of India,

South Block

New Delhi. 110 001

Dear Sir,

We may bring to your kind notice that the Staff side National Council, JCM had submitted a Note demanding certain improvement in/modifications of the recommendations of the VI Central Pay commission to the Cabinet Secretary. This Note was discussed in the meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Council held on 7th May, 2008. Later, on 17th May, 2008, the Committee of Secretaries headed by the Cabinet Secretary also had discussions with the Staff Side members of the Standing Committee. The Staff Side had requested that the Committee of Secretaries may meet them again before finalizing their report so that an agreement on the issues raised by the Staff side is reached.

The Committee of Secretaries however, did not have any second round of discussion to settle the demands. The Govt. has since decided to implement the recommendation of the 6th Central Pay Commission. Most of these demands have been rejected by the Government on the basis of the report of the Committee of Secretaries. This has generated a lot of discontent among the employees.

We take note of the welcome development of the Government setting up a Committee of Ministers to consider the anomalies in the revised pay structure of the Officers of the armed forces. We are therefore, encouraged to suggest that a Group of Ministers may be constituted to consider the demands placed by the staff Side, National Council and hold discussions with them with a view to bring about an amicable settlement, as was done in the years 1997 to discuss the issues arising from the 5th Central Pay Commission's recommendations. We enclose a list of such issues for the consideration of the Group of Ministers.

There are certain other demands which are pending in the National Council JCM for a long time without any settlement. We have listed those issues in Part II of the Charter for discussion at the level of the Group of Ministers for bringing about a settlement.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

sd/

KKN Kutty

Secretary General.

Charter of demand

Part I. 6th cpc related issues

1. Grant Rs 10000 as minimum wage as per 15 ILC Norms.

2. Grant minimum fitment benefit of 2.625 times of pre-revised basic pay to bring about uniform rise in emoluments and raise grade pay to 50% of the maximum of the pre-revised scales in respect of PB 1,2 & 3 as has been done in the case of PB 4.

3. No abolition of Gr.D. Posts and functions. Lift ban on recruitment, fill up all vacant posts and scrap screening Committee.

4. Grant 10% of pay+ Grade pay as minimum benefit on promotion or financial up gradation.

5. No outsourcing or contractorising of Govt. functions.

6. Fix the date of effect of all allowances as 1.1.2006.

7. No reduction in the commutation value and restoration of full pension after 12 years.

8. Compute the pension entitlement on the basis of notional pay as on 1.1.1996.

9. No performance related pay or bonus scheme.

10. Grant SDA to all employees in NE Region.

11. Revise the Transport and daily allowances as demanded by the staff side JCM National Council.

12. Remove the condition of 6 months for applying the uniform date of Ist July as increment dates.

13. . ACP to be on hierarchical system obtaining in each department.

14. Retain and improve CGHS and make insurance scheme optional.

15. Implement flexitime working hours for women/disabled employees as recommended by the 6 CPC.

16. Direct all the Departmental Heads to settle 6th CPC related department specific demands/problems within a stipulated time.

17. Grant civil servant status and Pension to 'Gramin Dak-Sevaks.'

Part II

Long pending Demands in the National Council JCM

1. Grant statutory defined pension scheme to the employees recruited after 1.1.2004 and withdraw the PFRDA Bill from Parliament.

2. Implement the Board of Arbitration Awards.

3. Remove the arbitrary 5% ceiling and 3 years condition on compassionate appointment and withdraw court cases and absorb all waitlisted RRR candidates.

4. Implement the revision of bonus ceiling @ 3500/- in the case of Govt. Employees: Remove adhoc bonus and replace it with the PLB and remove the 60 days ceiling.