Proposals of Enhancement of Retirement age and Merger of D.A may not materialize

Written By Admin on February 28, 2014 | Friday, February 28, 2014

 

It was learnt from the sources close to the Union Government that the proposals of Enhancement of Retirement age of Central Government Employees from 60 to 62 years and Merger of D.A to basic pay may not be materialized now before General elections. Accordingly, these two proposals have not been taken up for consideration by the union Cabinet in its meeting held on friday. But there is possibility to announce Interim Relief (I.R) before elections.

News on 50% merger of D A with basic pay

Dear Comrades,

After reproduction of the news in our blog few hours ago on merger of 50% D A with basic pay published in one of the popular media news agency, ‘Business standard saying that the “Cabinet today approved merger of 50% dearness allowance of Central government employees and pensioners with their basic pay”, we are receiving a number of telephone calls for confirmation.

For kind information of our viewers, it is to humbly submit that we have just reproduced the news published in Business Standard. News on the issue for confirmation may be awaited from Govt. sources.

B Samal

Secretary, AIPEU, Gr.-C

Bhubaneswar Division

Govt hikes dearness allowance to 100%, approves Rs.1,000 monthly pension

The decisions were taken by the Union cabinet in its meeting held in New Delhi

The government would have to provide an additional amount of around Rs.1,217 crore to ensure the minimum pension of Rs.1,000 starting 2014-15. Photo: Hemant Mishra/Mint

New Delhi: The government on Friday raised dearness allowance (DA) to 100% from 90%, benefiting its 5 million employees and 3 million pensioners.

The decision to hike DA for its employees, and to provide dearness relief for pensioners, by 10 percentage points to 100% was taken by the Union Cabinet in its meeting held in New Delhi .

The government also approved the proposal to ensure Rs.1,000 minimum monthly pension under a scheme of retirement fund body Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) that would immediately benefit 2.8 million pensioners.

Earlier this month, EPFO trustees had approved the proposal. The Central Board of Trustees, the apex decision-making body of EPFO, had met on 5 February and decided to amend the EPS-95 scheme for the purpose. The proposal was placed before the Union Cabinet for approval as the government had made funding provisions for it.

The government would have to provide an additional amount of aroundRs.1,217 crore to ensure the minimum pension of Rs.1,000 starting 2014-15. Pensioners will get the benefit with effect from 1 April. The proposal has already been approved by the finance ministry.

This increase in DA and the minimum monthly pension of Rs.1,000 by the UPA government comes ahead of the imposition of the model code of conduct by the Election Commission. The code is likely to come into force with the announcement of the schedule for the forthcoming general elections in a week or so.

Also it would be the second double-digit DA hike in a row. The government had announced a hike to 90% in September last year, effective from 1 July 2013. The new hike in DA would be effective from the 1 January this year.

According to practice, the government uses consumer price index-industrial workers data of the past 12 months to arrive at a quantum for the purpose of any DA hike. Thus, the retail inflation for industrial workers between 1 January to 31 December 2013 was used to take a final call on the matter.

According to the provisional data released by government on 31 January, retail inflation for factory workers in December was 9.13% . The revised retail inflation data for January is scheduled to be released on Friday. An official had said earlier that the preliminary assessment suggests that DA hike will not be less than 10% and would be effective from 1 January.

Source : http://www.livemint.com

7th Central Pay Commission

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval to the Terms of Reference of 7^th Central Pay Commission (CPC) as follows:-

a) To examine, review, evolve and recommend changes that are desirable and feasible regarding the principles that should govern the emoluments structure including pay, allowances and other facilities/benefits, in cash or kind, having regard to rationalization and simplification therein as well as the specialized needs of various Departments, agencies and services, in respect of the following categories of employees:-

i. Central Government employees-industrial and non-industrial;

ii. Personnel belonging to the All India Services;

iii. Personnel of the Union Territories;

iv. Officers and employees of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department;

v. Members of regulatory bodies (excluding the Reserve Bank of India) set up under Acts of Parliament; and

vi. Officers and employees of the Supreme Court.

b) To examine, review, evolve and recommend changes that are desirable and feasible regarding principles that should govern the emoluments structure, concessions and facilities/benefits, in cash or kind, as well as retirement benefits of personnel belonging to the Defence Forces, having regard to historical and traditional parities, with due emphasis on aspects unique to these personnel.

c) To work out the framework for an emoluments structure linked with the need to attract the most suitable talent to Government service, promote efficiency, accountability and responsibility in the work culture, and foster excellence in the public governance system to respond to complex challenges of modern administration and rapid political, social, economic and technological changes, with due regard to expectations of stakeholders, and to recommend appropriate training and capacity building through a competency based framework.

d) To examine the existing schemes of payment of bonus, keeping in view, among other things, its bearing upon performance and productivity and make recommendations on the general principles, financial parameters and conditions for an appropriate incentive scheme to reward excellence in productivity, performance and integrity.

e) To review the variety of existing allowances presently available to employees in addition to pay and suggest their rationalization and simplification, with a view to ensuring that the pay structure is so designed as to take these into account.

f) To examine the principles which should govern the structure of pension and other retirement benefits, including revision of pension in the case of employees who have retired prior to the date of effect of these recommendations, keeping in view that retirement benefits of all Central Government employees appointed on and after 01.01.2004 are covered by the New Pension Scheme (NPS).

g) To make recommendations on the above, keeping in view:

i. the economic conditions in the country and need for fiscal prudence;

ii. the need to ensure that adequate resources are available for developmental expenditures and welfare measures;

iii. the likely impact of the recommendations on the finances of the State Governments, which usually adopt the recommendations with some modifications;

iv. the prevailing emolument structure and retirement benefits available to employees of Central Public Sector Undertakings; and

v. the best global practices and their adaptability and relevance in Indian conditions.

h) To recommend the date of effect of its recommendations on all the above.

The Commission will make its recommendations within 18 months of the date of its constitution. It may consider, if necessary, sending interim reports on any of the matters as and when the recommendations are finalised.

The decision will result in the benefit of improved pay and allowances as well as rationalization of the pay structure in case of Central Government employees and other employees included in the scope of the 7^th Central Pay Commission.

 

Background

Central Pay Commissions are periodically constituted to go into various issues of emoluments’ structure, retirement benefits and other service conditions of Central Government employees and to make recommendations on the changes required.

Source : PIB

The statements of Confederation, CHQ and NFPE, CHQ will be published shortly after collecting full details.

 

M. Krishnan

Secretary General

Voluntary retirement under FR 56(k), etc. and amendment of Rules.

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JUDGMENT COPY OF STEPPING UP CASE FILED BY AIPAEA IN THE PR.CAT, NEW DELHI

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Country's first Post Office Savings Bank ATM opened at T Nagar HO (Chennai) on 27/2/2014

Country's first Post Office Savings Bank ATM opened at T Nagar HO (Chennai) on 27/2/2014

Country's First Post Office Savings Bank ATM inaugurated by Shri P. Chidambaram, Hon'ble Union Finance Minister, Govt. of India on Thursday the 27th February 2014 at Thyagaraya Nagar Head Post Office, Shivagnanam Road, T'Nagar, Chennai, Tamilnadu - 600017.

In order to meet the requirements and needs of the I.T modernization project, Infosys Core banking Solution (CBS) will be implemented across India covering all the Post offices.

Core Banking Solution (CBS) - FINACLE is networking all the Post offices which enable customers to operate their accounts and avail Account related services from any Post offices on CBS network regardless of where he/she maintains his/her account. The customer is no more the customer of a particular Post office. He becomes the Post office Savings Bank (POSB) customer. Thus CBS is a step towards enhancing customer convenience through “Anywhere and Anytime Banking”. As Finacle is integrated to all the banks in course of time, the customer can access any bank account through post office.

Around Rs.700 crore is earmarked for this Project. Core Banking Solution(CBS) for Post office Savings Bank is being implemented throughout India. As on date, 57 Head Post offices and 11 Sub Post offices have migrated covering 64 lakh accounts. By 31.03.2014, 700 more Post offices will be covered. All the 26,840 Post offices would be functional in CBS by 2016.

Ms. P. Gopinath, Secretary (Posts) with Hon'ble Union Finance Minister Shri P. Chidambaram

Hon'ble Union Finance Minister addressing to gathering

 

COM. UMRAOMAL PUROHIT, THE LEGENDARY LEADER PASSED AWAY

 

Com. Umraomal Purohit a legendry leader of trade union movement , Secretary Staff Side JCM National Council and the President of All India Railwaymen’s Federation expired at Mumbai in hospital at 4.15 AM on 27th February, 2014 . He was a great statesman and visionary leader of working class. NFPE conveys it’s heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and Comrades of AIRF and entire working class. NFPE pays respectful homage to the departed leader and dips it’s banner in respect of him. RED SALUTE COM. PUROHIT. COM. PUROHIT AMAR RAHEY.

 

NFPE INVITES THE MEMBERS OF DE-RECOGNISED ASSOCIATION OF POSTAL SUPERVISORS .

ALL INDIA ASSOCIATION OF POSTAL SUPERVISORS (GENERAL LINE) DE-RECOGNISED.

ALL ARE INVITED TO JOIN HANDS WITH NFPE FIGHTING FOR THE CAUSE OF THEM ALSO.

 

DIRECTORATE NOTIFICATION FOR PA/SA RECRUITMENTFOR THE YEAR 2013-2014

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Representation of SC, ST, OBC, Minorities and the Women on Selection Board/Committees.

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Advance to Government Servants- Rate of interest for purchase of conveyances during 2013-2014.

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Age relaxation in appointments to Widows / Divorced or Judicially separated Woman

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CADRE RESTRUCTURING OF GROUP ‘C’ EMPLOYEES OF DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

We are exhibiting below the proposal of the Department, regarding Cadre Restructuring along with the letter submitted by staff side to the Department, for modification of the proposal. As on date, the Department is not ready for any favourable modifications. We are continuing our effort to get it modified. Meanwhile all the Circle/Divisional Secretaries and office bearers are requested to intimate their view points on the proposal of the Department and also regarding the modifications suggested by the staff side. Department is ready to sign the agreement without any modification. In that case what should be our stand?

CADRE RESTRUCTURING – DEAPRTMENT’S PROPOSALS

The Committee constituted by the Department on cadre restructuring of Group ‘C’ employees vide No. 25-04/2012-PE I dated 23^rd Oct 2013 held its discussions on 04^th Feb 2014 at 1500 hours & on 05^th Feb 2014 at 1430 hours under the Chairmanship of Shri V. P. Singh, DDG (Personnel). The following were present: -

OFFICIAL SIDE	STAFF SIDE
1. Shri V. P. Singh, DDG (P) – Chairman 2. Shri Alok Saxena, Secretary PSB – Member 3. Ms. Trishaljit Sethi, DDG (E) – Member 4. Sh. Surender Kumar, ADG (PCC) – Member Secretary	1. General Secretary, AIPEU Group ‘C’ 2. General Secretary, NAPE Group ‘C’ 3. General Secretary, AIRMS & MMS 4. General Secretary, NU RMS & MMS Group ‘C’ 5. General Secretary, AIPEU, Postman & MTS 6. General Secretary, NUPE, Postman & Multi Tasking Employees

2. The Committee had earlier met on 27^th Nov.

3. The representatives of the Staff side informed that Postal Assistant cadre officials are getting promotions in promotional hierarchy to Grade Pay of Rs. 2800/- (PB-1) in Lower Selection Grade at a time when they are already placed in the Grade Pays’ of Rs. 4200/- (PB-2) or Rs. 4600/- (PB-2) on award of financial upgradation(s) under MACPS. At this, the official side asked Staff side to furnish copies of the orders on above lines from few Circles to corroborate the above claim. The Committee recommends that before processing these recommendations, Establishment Division may obtain the same from Staff Side. After discussions, the following recommendations in respect to the cadre restructuring of Group ‘C’employees were agreed to by the Department.

(a)  The post of SPMs in Single Handed Post Offices and Double Handed Post Offices will be placed in the Grade Pay of Rs. 2800/- in the Pay Band PB-I.

(b)   The Post of Sub Postmasters in Triple Handed Post offices and LSG Post Offices will be placed in the Grade Pay of Rs. 4200/- in the Pay Band PB-II.

(c)    The post of HSG-II Head Postmasters and Sub-Postmasters will be placed in the Grade Pay of Rs. 4600/- in the Pay Band PB-II.

(d)   After the implementation of the above restructuring, the officials in the Grade Pay of Rs. 4600/-, who have completed 4 years of regular service, will be granted the Grade Pay of Rs. 4800/- in the Pay Band-II on non-functional basis after following the usual procedure of non-functional upgradation(s)

(e)   Cadre ratio as per the agreed position mentioned at (a) to (d) above, will be worked out and the ratio so worked out will be replicated to the SA cadre of RMS, PA cadre of Circle & Administrative offices as also to the PA cadre of SBCO.

(f)     In the light of peculiar situation of Postman/mail Guard cadre where the work for bulk of the cadre continues to remain the same; as a special case the Committee recommends the ratios as worked out in pursuance of (e) above may be considered for implementation for these cadres as well and that the cadre so restructured may concurrently get the benefit of MACP also. The Committee further recommends that a proposal may be considered for submission to the 7^th CPC to have a percentage based promotion scheme for this cadre akin to the scheme of Staff Car Drivers.

CADRE RESTRUCTURING – STAFF SIDE

LETTER SUBMITTED TO DEPARTMENT ON 05.02.2014

CADRE RESTRUCTURING COMMITTEE

STAFF SIDE JCM DEPARTMENTAL COUNCIL

DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

NEW DELHI –110001

N. JCM (DC)/Cadre Review/Staff Side/2014 Dated - 05.02.2014

 

To,

Shri. V. P. Singh

DDG (P) & Chairman

Cadre Restructuring Committee for Group ‘C’

Department of Posts,

Dak Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001

                         

Sir,

 

Sub: - Cadre Review of Group ‘C’employees of Department of Posts.

 

Kindly recall the discussions we had with you in the Cadre Restructuring Committee meeting held on 27.11.2013, 04.02.2014 and 05.02.2014.

 

While appreciating the positive attitude taken on some of our proposals submitted to the Cadre Restructuring Committee, we are totally disappointed and feel let down by the way in which certain valid points raised by us has been simply brushed aside and rejected by the Administration side in a pre-decided manner, even without examining the merits or demerits of our suggestions. Outright and summary rejection seems embarrassing.

 

We are once again constrained to submit the following proposals and modifications for your judicious and dispassionate consideration and acceptance, with a fervent hope that the same will receive due consideration.

 

1.   GENERAL LINE POSTS:

While upgrading the existing LSG posts (GP 2800) to HSG-II posts (GP 4200) only the LSG posts of Sub Postmasters is taken into account. All the other posts in the LSG grade such as Asst. Postmasters in Head Post offices and above, Asst. Sub Postmasters in certain major sub post offices, etc. are avoided. This will result only in marginal increase in the number of HSG II post (GP 4200) as below:

 

(a)	Total number of triple handed Postmaster’s post to be upgraded	3732
(b)	Total number of LSG posts including Asst. Postmasters Posts	6989
(c)	Total Posts	10721
(d)	Out of this LSG posts carved out for creation of Postmasters Grade-I to be deducted	2097
(e)	Remaining Posts for upgradation to HSG II	8624
(f)	Out of this LSG Asst. Postmasters and ASPMs posts are to be deducted	4000 (Correct figure not available with staff side, it will be more than 4000)
(g)	Net posts remaining for upgradation to HSG II (GP 4200)	4624

 

Now we are having 4892 LSG Posts in General line (6989-2097 PM Cadre). Even after upgrading ‘A’ class Postmasters as HSG-II (GP 4200) the number of Posts available for upgradation to HSG-II will be less than the number available now and employees are not going to be benefited, if only those posts are upgraded. Hence our request for upgradation of all existing LSG posts (not only Postmasters posts) to GP 4200 along with Postmaster posts of ‘A’ Class offices. Similarly all posts in HSG-II (other than Postmaster Posts also) may be upgraded to 4600/-.

 

2.     PROMOTION CHANCES OF ACCOUNTANT QUALIFIED OFFICIALS:

At present PO & RMS exam qualified officials are posted as Accountants. Officials working as Asst. Postmaster (Accounts) should posses Accountant qualification. There is no separate channel of promotion for qualified Accountants above the post of APM (Accounts). As per the proposal of the Administration side those Asst. Postmaster posts will remain as LSG (GP 2800) only and further those APM (Accounts) posts which are now in HSG-II (GP 4200) will remain as HSG-II (GP 4200) without any further upgradaion. In fact there is no upgrdation for Accounts line posts and the qualified officials have to move out of their Accountant/Asst. Postmaster (Accounts) posts if they want promotional upgradation, thereby the Department will be loosing the services of qualified officials to work in Accounts Branches. Nobody will be willing to work as Accountants and Asst. Postmaster (Accounts).

 

Hence it is once again requested to upgrade all the posts of PO & RMS Accountants to LSG (GP 2800) and LSG APM Accounts posts to HSG II (GP 4200) and at least 20% of the posts in upgraded GP 4200 may be further upgraded to HSG-I APM Accounts (GP 4600). Thus Accountant qualified officials will have their own channel of promotion. Regarding promotion to GP 4800/- the conditions applicable to General line officials may be made applicable to them also.

 

3.     POSTMASTER CADRE:

At present norm based LSG Postmasters posts are upgraded as Postmaster Grade-I. When LSG Postmaster posts are upgraded to 4200 GP (HSG-II), the Postmaster Grade-I posts shall also be automatically upgraded to the Grade Pay of 4200/-. Otherwise a glaring anomaly will arise. Their counter parts working in general line LSG post offices will be in GP 4200 where as they will remain in GP 2800. The benefit of upgradation should be made equally applicable to Postmaster Grade-I, Grade-II and Grade-III officials also by suitably upgrading the posts in Postmaster Cadre.

 

4.     SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS:

In the JCM Departmental Council meeting held on 27.08.2010, JCM (DC) standing Committee dated 18.12.2012 and 23.08.2013 it was decided that the demand for creation of a separate cadre for system Administrators will be considered by the Cadre Restructuring Committee.

 

But to our dismay, surprisingly the Department informed in the JCM Departmental Council meeting held 23.08.2013 that creation of separate cadre is not feasible.

 

We are totally in disagreement with the above stand taken by the Department. it seems that the Department has already made up its mind not to create a separate Cadre. We are not repeating the unstinted yeomen service done by the existing System Administrators since the inception of computers in Postal Department by converting it from a wholly computer illiterate department to the present fully computerised status. We have already explained in detail all the points which justified a better treatment for system Administrators and also for creation of a separate cadre as a promotional cadre of qualified PA/SAs. Inspite of all our best efforts, it is quite unfortunate that the Department is taking a totally unreasonable and negative attitude towards the SAs and their claim for better treatment has been mercilessly rejected.

 

The role of existing System Administrators in total computerization and also in core banking Solutions must be recognised. They are very much frustrated and the discontentment is mounting due to the continuous exploitation of these category of officials for the last more than ten years..

 

Notwithstanding our claim for creation of a separate cadre of System Administrators (System Assistant) with GP 4200, we request the Administration side to consider the following proposal of the staff side:

(a)   At present there is no sanctioned posts of System Administrators and services of officials working in sanctioned posts of Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant (PA/SA) in various offices are utilized as System Administrators, keeping the PA/SA post vacant. The PA/SA posts already kept vacant due to deputation as System Administrators may be redeployed and converted as Posts for accommodating System Administrators (in the PA cadre itself). This is suggested as matching savings. An amount of 15% special allowance may be sanctioned to the officials who are performing the duties of System Administrators in those redeployed post.

(b)   The official working as SA may be granted eligible promotions in the general line as and when due.

 

5.     MARKETING EXECUTIVES:

Notwithstanding our demand for creation of separate posts for marketing Executives in GP 4200 we request to create separate PA Posts for marketing Executives on redeployment and grant special allowance to the officials working in those posts. (this is suggested as matching savings).

6.     CHANGE OF NOMENCLATURE:

As already explained by us the present nomenclature for supervisory post viz: - LSG, HSG-II, HSG-I does not exhibit the nature of status of the officials holding the posts to the customers and public and it require change.

 

7.     SBCO STAFF:

In the case of SBCO Staff the following proposal is submitted.

Present Designation	Proposed Designation	MACPs		Proposed Scale of Pay
PA (SBCO)	Auditor (Entry Level)	-	5200-20200	GP-2800
		MACPS-I	9300-34800	GP-4200
		MACPS-II	9300-34800	GP-4600
		MACPS-III	9300-34800	GP-4800
LSG (Supervisor	Sr. Auditor	-	9300-34800	GP-4200
HSG-II (Sr. Supervisor)	Chief Auditor	-	9300-34800	GP-4600
HSG-I (Chief Supervisor)	Executive Auditor	-	9300-3480	GP-4800
-	Chief Executive Auditor	-	9300-34800	GP-5400

 

8.    POSTMEN STAFF/MAIL GUARD:

In the case of Postmen/Mail Guard Staff as already suggested by us percentage promotion may be granted and the same may run concurrently with MACP as in the case of staff car drivers of MMS.

 

9.     MULTI TASKING STAFF:

As the nature of duties of MTS Staff in Post offices/RMS offices is entirely different from their counterparts in other departments of Government of India, we reiterate our request for bringing MTS Staff also under the purview of Cadre Review.

10.  MATCHING SAVINGS:

(a)   Even after the above cadre review proposals are implemented none of the existing officials will be benefited-financially as more number of officials are available under MACP in the Grade pay of 2800, 4200 and 4600 to work against the upgraded posts of 2800, 4200 & 4600 because of MACP-I, II & III. At present there are 26000 MACP II officials and 12000 MACP III officials in the Department of Posts. Even after upgradation as above, more number of officials will be getting MACP-I, II and III, much earlier than their normal promotion to grade pay 2800, 4200 & 4600 (LSG, HSG II and HSG-I). Hence the question of matching savings does not arise at all.

 

(b)  6% posts in operative cadre and 20% posts in supervisory cadre was reduced as a matching savings when TBOP, BCR scheme was in force. The TBOP/BCR scheme has been scrapped on introduction of MACP scheme. Directorate has issued orders for restoration of justified posts without 6% and 20% cut. But no posts are sanctioned or restored. The cut still remains. If at all any matching savings is required, the above fact may be taken into account and the posts yet to be restored may be adjusted as matching savings.

 

Once again request you to consider the above points favourably.

 

Yours faithfully,

(M. Krishnan)                               (Giri Raj Singh)                                     (R. Seethalakshmi)

General Secretary                       General Secretary                                     General Secretary

AIPEU Group‘C’              AI RMS & MMS EU Gr’ ‘C’            AIPEU, Postmen & Gr ‘D’/MTS

 

(D. Theagarajan)                             (T. N. Rahate)                                       (D. Kishan Rao)

General Secretary                       General Secretary                                    General Secretary

NU RMS & MMS, Group ‘C’ NUPE, Postmen & Gr’ ‘D’/MTS               NUPE, Group ‘C’