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Sunday, July 31, 2016

DA wef 01 Jul 2016 is 2 %

Since 7th Pay Commission  (New Formula)
Month
All India Index
% of Increase
Jan-16
269
0.48
Feb-16
267
0.93
Mar-16
268
1.38
Apr-16
271
1.86
May-16
275
2.4
Jun-16
277
2.91

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Central Government Employees are ready to fight

NATIONAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION
4, State Entry Road, New Delhi
No.AIRF/24(C)
Dated: July 15, 2016
Dear Friends!
On the call of the National Joint Council of Action(NJCA), on hopeless recommendations of VII CPC, scrapping of National Pension System (NPS) and other long pending genuine demands of the Central Government Employees, covering lakhs and lakhs of Railwaymen, Defence (Civilian) personnel, Postal employees, working in different Central Government offices throughout the country, unitedly not only participated and contributed regularly in agitational programmes of different stages of struggle but also succeeded to reflect such an environment in the entire length and breadth of the country well before the date of commencement of nationwide “Indefinite Strike” from 11th July, 2016; that compelled the Government of India to think better than Rs.18,000 as Minimum Wage, change in the Fitment Formula and many other important heartburning aspects, like National Pension System (NPS) and to handover all such issues to the committees with a commitment to consider the same within a timeframe of four months. Considering positive attitude of the senior ministers of the Government of India, the National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) had decided to give another four months time to the government.
I am fully aware that, our Central Government Employees and the youth with full sincerity and dedication had unitedly created an unprecedented environment throughout the country, enlightening all the fellowmen about our demands in support of “Indefinite Strike” continuously, for which they deserve to be thanked a lot.
Earlier too I had drawn your attention and warned to be aware of such elements who will confuse and mislead you by various baseless arguments and try to weaken and derail our united struggle.
I know that, such negative thinking persons neither would have participated in the strike nor moved shoulder to shoulder in the movement of struggle. Negative thoughts not only weaken the individual, but also malign mental attitude of the others. Certain such persons, pouring in forcefully their polluted views on others, only try to break the broader unity of the movement. After all, it is not a new phenomena, such elements were found in all the strikes of the past. But nowadays; propaganda scenario has changed. Earlier, social media – WhatsApp, Facebook etc. were not available, so, such elements were launching propanganda campaign in the Canteens, Pan shops etc. In the present era, instead of using social media, WhatsApp, Facebook etc, in positive way for uniting co-workers, such elements unsuccessfully attempt to break the unity with their contaminated thought, reflecting the fellowmen that they are the only genius and ever alert and real friends of them, but such individuals always deceived and show their back at the climax of the struggle.
I had earlier mentioned; to be very careful of such vindictive personalities who have destructive thought during the struggle, meant to secure their own rights. It is waste to have even least hope of any contribution in any struggle from such individuals who during agitation/strike try to side-away themselves by all means.
For complete preparation of strong background in any movement, struggle/strike, role of an individual unit, branch, division, zonal and national level, strong change can never be devaluated, and such an strong united movement at all levels leaders ultimately encourages to give a clarion call of struggle at the national level. National leadership has to take care of all even-odd circumstances, lead his attitude, patience and safety of their force. Deep contemplation yields of the movement for him to cause execution to implement various strategies and timelines for the fulfillment of the objective of the obligation to go beyond such a positive approach rather than criticism for decisions on the subtleties of the churning the movement extended to the middle of your peers and get validness struggling peace succeeds.
I have full faith that, all the Central Government Employees were ready, already even today and will remain ready with the time slot to fight for their rights.
I again remind my colleagues to be aware and give befitting reply to those having negative thinking, and a strong movement only can go ahead.
I earnestly thank you all.
Comradely yours,
Sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary (Staff Side)
NC/JCM & Convener

Monday, July 18, 2016

NC/JCM’s writes to Cabinet Secretary reg. revision of pension

National Council (Staff Side)
Joint Consultative Machinery
For Central Government Employees
13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi-110001
E mail: nc.jcm.np@gmail.com
No.NC/JCM/2016
Dated: July 16,2016
Hon’ble Finance Minister,
Ministry of Finance
(Govt of India )
North Block
New Delhi
Respected Sir,
Sub: Revision of Pension
This issue of acceptance of Option-I (or) II was discussed with your good self at the residence of Hon’ble Home Minister (Government of India), Wherein Hon’ble Minister for Railways and Hon’ble MOSR were present, by the Staff Side National Council (JCM). You had categorically agreed on our demand that, no dilution would be made in the options given to the Pensioners by the VII CPC. It is unfortunate that, a rider,“subject to feasibility”, has been imposed in Option-I.
Sir, this is very unfair and we will appreciate if you kindly get the sentence “subject to feasibility” removed from that para to keep your promise also. It should be left to the Pensioners that whatsoever option they want to choose, they should be allowed to Opt. The argument of non-availability of record is misleading and should not be given any cognizance because PPOs of the Pensioners are the base record and is available with the organizations concerned.
We earnestly seek your urgent intervention in this regard to avoid unnecessary hardship to millions of Pensioners.
With Kind Regards!
Sincerely yours,
sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary (Staff Side)

Thursday, July 14, 2016

New requirements for refund of cancelled air tickets issued

The government has issued regulatory norms with regard to the minimum requirements for refund of airline tickets.
According to the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) issued by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday, these will come into effect from August 1.
The CAR document elaborated that while the government is committed to "no interference" in the commercial practices of airlines, however, the volume of the complaints have necessitated some affirmative action to safeguard the interest of passengers.
"The matter has been discussed in several meetings with the airlines with no significant improvement in the system adopted by airlines for refund of tickets," the aviation regulator said in the CAR document.
"It is, therefore, now considered necessary by government to fix some minimum bench marks, as far as the refund policy is concerned in order to stem the growing dissatisfaction among the passengers regarding the refund procedures adopted by some airlines."
The prescribed minimum requirements directs airlines to indicate the refund amount admissible on ticket cancellation.
"For this purpose, the amount and its break-up may be indicated on the ticket
itself or through separate form used for the purpose, and the policy and amount of refund shall also be displayed by the airlines on their respective websites," the CAR document said.
Further, the regulations instructs the airlines not to levy cancellation charge of more than the basic fare plus fuel surcharge, and also no additional charge to process the refund.
The regulations also states that in case of credit card payments, refund shall be made by the airlines within seven days of the cancellation to the account of credit card holder.
"In case of cash transactions, refund shall be made immediately by the airlines office from where the ticket was purchased," the document said.
"In case of purchase of ticket through travel agent, portal, onus of refund shall lie with the airlines as agents are their appointed representatives. The airlines shall ensure that the refund process is completed within 30 working days."
Besides, the airlines are required to refund all statutory taxes and user development fee (UDF), airport development fee (ADF), passenger service fee (PSF) to the passengers in case of cancellation, non-utilisation of tickets or no show by the traveler.
"This provision shall also be applicable for all types of fares offered including promos, special fares and where the basic fare is non-refundable," the document pointed out.
The regulations were released a month after the Civil Aviation Ministry had proposed a number of steps to rein-in the indiscriminate policies of some domestic airlines on flight cancellations and refunds.
At that time, Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju said that proposals, which will be finalised soon, also call for airlines to ensure that refunds on cancelled tickets are made within 15 days, even if the bookings were made through agents or portals.
"The proposal will be put up on the ministry's website for 15 days during which stakeholders are free to give their suggestions and comments. After this, the ministry will finals the proposed amendments and implement them very soon," a ministry statement had said that time.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Government to notify 7CPC early next week

There is a good news for the central government employees as reports are suggesting that notification towards implementation of the Pay Commission will be issued early next week. According to a Zee news report, "The government's flip flop in accepting the employees demand and further setting up a high level committee to look into their demands, has created confusion among central government employees whether or not the 7th Pay Commission will be implemented soon."

 "There should not be any doubt that salary for the month of July onward will be based on 7th CPC recommendations approved by the government on 29th June, 2016 with only change that, all the allowances, as admissible at present, will continue till report of various committees set up for different purposes are finalized. Gazette Notification for the same is expected today or early next week", Shiv Gopal Mishra, Convenor, of National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) was quoted as saying in the report. Recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission got the Cabinet nod on June 29 which will benefit over one crore government employees and pensioners.

 The decision to this effect was taken in a meeting which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sources said. The pay panel, in November last year, had recommended a 14.27 per cent hike in basic pay at junior levels -- the lowest in 70 years. The previous 6th Pay Commission had recommended a 20 per cent hike, which the government doubled while implementing it in 2008.

 The government in January had set up a high-powered panel under the Cabinet Secretary to process the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission that will have a bearing on remuneration of nearly 50 lakh central government employees and 58 lakh pensioners. The Commission had recommended a 23.55 per cent overall hike in salaries, allowances and pension involving an additional burden of Rs 1.02 lakh crore, or nearly 0.7 per cent of GDP.

 The entry-level pay has been recommended to be raised to Rs 18,000 per month, from the current Rs 7,000, while the maximum pay, drawn by the Cabinet Secretary, has been fixed at Rs 2.5 lakh per month from the current Rs 90,000.

Reasons for deferring Indefinite Strike – NJCA Explains

Dear Comrades,
We are in receipt of messages and emails from our grass root leaders and workers conveying their concerns over the decision of NJCA to defer the indefinite strike. Comments are circulated in other social medias like whats app etc. also. As it is not practically possible to reply to all the queries and comments, to put the record straight, we are clarifying below the common points raised by most of our comrades and well-wishers. We sincerely thank all those leaders, comrades and well-wishers, who have conveyed (and still conveying) their views, opinions, criticisms and concerns to the confederation CHQ.
1. CONVEYING THE DEFERMENT OF THE STRIKE EVEN BEFORE THE NJCA FORMALLY ANNOUNCED IT:
NJCA has taken serious note of this incident and shall take precautionary measures in future.
2. WHETHER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CABINET DECISION ON 7TH CPC RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE DELAYED FURTHER FOR FOUR MONTHS
The question of keeping in abeyance the implementation of the Cabinet decision on 29th June 2016 regarding 7th CPC recommendations, till the High Level Committee submits its report to Govt, was discussed in the NJCA meeting. It is decided that NJCA should not demand it, as the employees may be put to hardship, especially those who are in the verge of retirement. Com Shiv Gopal Misra, Convenor, NJCA has confirmed from the Finance Ministry that Govt notification on 7th CPC recommendations is under process and it will be issued shortly, payment may be made from August salary.
3. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EMPOWERED COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED EARLIER AND THE NEW HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE?
The new High Level Committee is the product of the discussion held by Group of Ministers including Home Minister, Finance Minister and Railway Minister with NJCA leaders after announcement of the Cabinet decision, in the wake of an impending indefinite strike. Govt is compelled to appoint the new Committee, as the decision taken by the Govt on the proposals submitted by the Empowered Committee headed by Cabinet Secretary (details of proposals of ECoS is not known to staff side) is not acceptable to the NJCA. Hence the new Committee shall be to reconsider the decision of the Govt. especially regarding minimum wage and fitment formula. Inspite of the assurance of the Groups of Ministers that the Committee is being constituted to reconsider the Govt. decision, if the Govt. again reject our demand, the NJCA have to reconsider its stand and deferred strike shall be revived.
4. POSITION REGARDING ALLOWANCES
All allowances including HRA, transport allowance, fixed medical allowance to pensioners etc. are referred to a committee headed by Finance Secretary. Committee shall submit its report within four months. Pending final decision based on the report of the Committee, all existing allowances to be paid as per the existing rates in existing pay structure. Govt. may try to deny arrears of revised rate of allowances by implementing it from prospective date as in the past. This issue will be further discussed by the NJCA with the proposed Committee.
5. WE WOULD HAVE GOT A BETTER SETTLEMENT IF NJCA HAS GONE AHEAD WITH THE INDEFINITE STRIKE
All of us are aware that NJCA is not a monolithic, composite organization. It is a united forum of independent organisations. Each Federation has its own identity and individuality and take decision as per the direction of the managing bodies of each organization. Hence different views may emerge in the NJCA, but final decision is taken by consensus. If each organization stick on to its own stand and others to follow it, there is no question of consensus and NJCA will not exist.
With all its inherent weakness and limitations, the NJCA has successfully challenged the NDA Govt’s stand that there is no negotiation with the staff side on the 7th CPC recommendations. Govt. thought that once the Cabinet decision is announced unilaterally, followed by unleashing of well-orchestrated media propaganda that big bonanza is given for Central Govt. Employees, the NJCA will be forced to withdraw its indefinite strike decision. But the calculation of the Govt went wrong. NJCA took a firm stand that unless and until the retrograde recommendations especially minimum wage and fitment formula is modified, there is no question of withdrawing the strike. All the Federations are firm on this demand which ultimately compelled the Hon’ble Prime Minister to intervene. (NJCA has written to Hon’ble Prime Minister for intervention even before the Cabinet decision, but the Govt. ignored the NJCA’s appeal at that time). As per the direction of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Home Minister Sri Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Sri Arun Jaitly and Railway Minister Sri Suresh Prabhu discussed the main issues raised in the Charter of demands with NJCA leaders, and assured that Govt. will appoint a High Level Committee to reconsider the decision of the Govt., especially on minimum pay and fitment formula. This assurance was given with the approval of Hon’ble Prime Minster.
Inspite of it, the NJCA has not deferred the strike and insisted written confirmation of the assurance regarding constitution of High Level Committee. Again Hon’ble Home Minister Sri Rajnath Singh called the NJCA leaders and reiterated the earlier assurances and informed that the Finance Minister will issue a press statement confirming the assurance given to NJCA. Only after receipt of the copy of the press statement issued by the Finance Ministry, NJCA has deferred the strike till the finalization of the report of High Level Committee.
As the Hon’ble Prime Minister of our country has intervened and as three Cabinet Ministers of Govt. of India discussed the demands with NJCA leaders and gave assurance that the demands, especially minimum pay and fitment formula will be reconsidered, and as the Home Minister has again reiterated the assurances to NJCA leaders and Finance Minster has issued press statement confirming the constitution of High Level Committee, the NJCA felt that before embarking upon an indefinite strike which is the last weapon in the hands of the workers, we should give time to the Govt. to implement the Minister’s assurances given as per the direction of the Prime Minister and honour its commitment given to NJCA leaders. NJCA taking a stand that we don’t believe the Ministers and their assurance and shall go ahead with the strike, may not be taken in good spirit by the general public and the media. In case the Govt. backs out from its assurances, the NJCA has got every right to revive the deferred indefinite strike.
Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra, Convenor, NJCA has made it clear in the circular issued on 7th July 2016, which reads as follows: –
“Though there is positive assurance from the Govt. of India, but all of you will not take rest and assume counseling the cadre and ground staff that they should remain in full preparedness, because if there will not be SATISFACTORY OUTCOME, we will be having no alternative except to agitate the issues again.”
6. WHAT ABOUT PARITY IN PENSION? WILL IT BE IMPLEMENTED AS THERE IS A CLAUSE IN THE GOVT DECISION THAT THE PROPOSED COMMITTEE WILL EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OPTION No I, ie PARITY IN PENSION TO PAST PENSIONERS
This issue was raised before the Group of Minister by Com. K. K. N. Kutty, who is also the Secretary General of NCCPA (National Co-ordination Committee of Pensioners Associations). It was pointed out to the Finance Minister that even though the Govt. has decided to accept 7th CPC recommendation to have two options to pensioners, it is qualified with the words “subject to feasibility.” The Finance Minister categorically assured the delegation that the Govt. has accepted the recommendations in toto and the Pension Department has only been asked to sort out the difficulties in implementation of the Option-No-I, if any.
7. WHAT ABOUT DEMANDS OF THE GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS, AS NJCA IS MORE CONCERNED WITH MINIMUM PAY FITMENT FORMULA ONLY
Any increase in the minimum pay and fitment formula for departmental employees (MTS, Postman & PA) will be extended to Gramin Dak Sevaks also proportionately as the GDS Pay Scales are decided based on the pay scales of corresponding category of departmental employees. So, the demand to increase minimum pay and fitment formula of MTS, Postman and PA is equally important for GDS also.
As regards, civil servant status the NJCA has raised this demand before the Govt and 7th CPC. Even though the 7th CPC Chairman, Retired Justice Ashok Kumar Mathur has informed the JCM staff side leaders he will not consider the GDS case as they are not included in the terms of reference of the Commission, the Chairman gave a very damaging recommendation to the Govt. that GDS are not Civil Servants but they are part – time employees and Extra-departmental agents. He further stated that all the GDS are having another main independent income from another source and GDS job is only a side-business. NJCA leaders have raised the issue of GDS before the Cabinet Secretary’s Committee and also before the Group of Ministers. We shall again raise the issue before the proposed high level committee also. Govt. has constituted a separate committee for GDS under the Chairmanship of Retired Postal Board Member Sri Kamalesh Chandra. NFPE, AIPEU-GDS and Confederation has submitted detailed memorandum before the Committee and Secretary General NFPE Com. R. N Parashar, General Secretary AIPEU-GDS Com, P. Panduranga Rao along with other leaders has given evidence before the GDS Committee demanding Civil Servant status. The GDS committee will submit its report before December 2016. Further NFPE and AIPEU-GDS has filed a case in the Supreme Court for grant of Civil Servant status. Supreme Court has transferred the case to Delhi High Court which in turn transferred it to Principal Bench of Central Administrative Tribunal, Delhi. The final argument of the case will take place on 25th July 2016. NJCA, Confederation, NFPE and AIPEU – GDS are jointly trying their level best to get justice to three lakhs Gramin Dak Sevaks of the Postal Department. If the GDS Committee report is against the GDS, then definitely NJCA and Confederation will be fully supporting the agitational programmes of NFPE & AIPEU-GDS including indefinite strike.
The main hurdle is the policy of the NDA Govt. as the Communication Minister of NDA Govt. has rejected our demand for grant of Civil Servant status to GDS.
M. KRISHNAN
Secretary General,
Confederation of Central Govt Employees & Workers
Email: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com
Mob: 09447068125

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

7th Pay Commission: Central Employees Not To Go On Strike Over ‘Pay Disparity’ From July 11

An indefinite central government employees’ strike will not begin on July 11 in protest at the “government inaction” on fulfilling their demands, including hike in minimum pay to Rs 26,000 from Rs 18,000 which was recommended by the 7th Pay Commission and was approved by the cabinet on Wednesday.
No central government office will be closed at any part of the country and the trains will also be running on July 11 and ahead as National Joint Council Action (NJCA), a confederation of 3.3 million government employees, has temporarily postponed the indefinite strike scheduled from July 11 after PM Modi formed a committee of Ministers to negotiate with union leaders on their demands.
“Since the Prime Minister has intervened and initiated the process of negotiation, we have decided to temporarily postpone the indefinite strike. The NJCA will make sure that the genuine demands of the employees are met with,” NJCA convener (South Zone) N Kanniah told The Hindu.
However, the claim that the government was giving a 14.28 per cent hike in pay was false since the calculations revealed an increase of only 11.31 per cent, which would further decline to 4.51 per cent after deductions towards provident fund and pension scheme contributions, he added.