Guidelines on treatment of effect of penalties on promotion - role of Departmental Promotion Committee.

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Clarification on increase in certain allowances by further 25 percent as a result of enhancement of Dearness Allowances w.e.f. 1.1.2014 -

 a) The annual ceiling limit for reimbursement of Children Education Allowance shall be Rs.18,000/- per child. Accordingly, the quarterly claim could be more than Rs.4500/- in one quarter. The Hostel Subsidy shall be

Rs.4500/- per month per child;

b) The rates of Special Allowance for Child Care to women with disabilities stands revised to Rs.1500/- per month; and

c) The annual ceiling for reimbursement of Children Education Allowance for disabled children of Government employees shall be treated as revised to Rs.36,000/- per annum per child and the rates of Hostel Subsidy for disabled children of Government employees shall be treated as revised to Rs.9000/- per child per month.

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CADRE RESTRUCTURING AGREEMENT- UNIONS SIGNED TODAY

NFPE- FNPO

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES

FEDERATION OF NATIONAL POSTAL ORGANISATION

CENTRAL HEAD QUARTERS, NEWDELHI

28/04/2014

* CADRE RESTRUCTURING AGREEMENT SIGNED *

At last after several round of protracted negotiations with the administration, JCM Staff side, Departmental council ( NFPE & FNPO) has signed the cadre restructuring proposal. The staff side has tried to the best of its ability to make maximum improvement in the proposal. In spite of our hard bargaining we could not achieve 100 percent success. Our demand for separate higher pay scale for PO& RMS Accountants, Creation of separate cadre for System Administrators or grant of special pay/allowance, bringing MTS also under cadre restructuring etc is not accepted by the administration. Regarding Postmaster Cadre after much bargaining, it is agreed to examine our claim for higher pay scale after the present proposal is approved by the government.

As Govt has already appointed 7^th CPC and the Pay Commission has already published the questionnaire, any further delay in completing the cadre restructuring will adversely affect the interest of Postal employees. We will take up the remaining issues, which are not agreed by the administration in the cadre restructuring committee with the 7^thCPC in our memorandum and make one more effort to get a favourable recommendation.

Taking into consideration all the above aspects and also keeping in mind the larger interest of the employees, we have decided to sign the agreement

Copy of the agreement is published below.

The Salient features of the agreement are as follows :

1. Number of LSG posts will increase from 8 % to 22 %

2. Number of HSG II posts will increase from 2 % to 12 %

3. Number of HSG I posts will increase from 1.5 % to 4 %

4. After completion of 2 years in HSG I the official will be promoted to 4800 GP (Non-functional Basis)

5. The above proposal will be applicable to RMS, Circle Office and SBCO in the same ratio

6. Postman/Mail guard will get the same ratio of promotion.

The present proposal is to be approved by Postal Board, DoPT & Finance Ministry. We will make all out effort to get the proposal implemented at an early date.

Yours sincerely

D.Theagarajan M.Krishnan

Secretary General, FNPO Secretary General, NFPE

NFPE News

Departmentalisation of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) and inclusion of GDS under 7^TH Central Pay Commission.

First Hearing of the court case on 7th May 2014

Hon’ble Delhi High Court issued notice to the Government and Department of Posts.

As already reported the Hon’ble Delhi High Court has issued notice to Government and Department of Posts in the Writ Petition filed by NFPE & AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) in the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India which stands transferred to Delhi High Court for grant of Civil Servant status and inclusion of GDS in 7th Central Pay Commission. Next hearing of the case is posted for 7th May, 2014. In the Writ Petition filed by NFPE & AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) following are the main prayers:

(1) Give direction to the Government of India and Department of Posts to grant Civil Servant Status to GDS as per the 1977 Supreme Court Judgement and grant all the benefits of the Departmental Employees.

(2) Include GDS under the purview of 7th CPC.

(3) Quash the GDS conduct & Engagement Rules 2011.

Government of India, Department of Posts shall have to file its reply in the High Court. Now the files have started moving in the Directorate and DOP&T.

Recognised GDS Union (Mahadevaiah) has no role to play:

Recognised GDS Union (Mahadevaiah) has already signed an agreement with the Department of Posts accepting separate committee for GDS and accordingly Government has excluded GDS from the purview of the terms of reference of the 7th Central Pay Commission. NFPE & AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) is fighting both organisationally and legally for Departmentalisation and for inclusion of GDS under 7th CPC.

Shri. Mahadevaiah wrote in his journal (April 2014 Issue) and website supporting separate committee for GDS and claimed that separate committee is better than 7th Pay Commission. In his journal and website he wrote as follows:

- “One man GDS committee more independent than a judge heading a pay commission with other members” (!!!!). Thus Shri. Mahadevaiah has fully justified separate committee for GDS and he claimed that he has signed a “respectable agreement” by accepting separate one-man committee!!

Let Shri.Mahadevaiah and his Recognised GDS Union support the Government and Department of Posts, by cheating three lakhs GDS by signing their “ death warrant ” in the name of “ respectable agreement”. NFPE & AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) will not compromise with the Government and shall continue its struggle both legally and organizationally.

Shri Mahadevaiah Don’t Want the Support Of

Departmental Employees

Shri.Mahadevaiah, General Secretary of the recognised GDS Union has requested the Department of Posts NOT TO ALLOW other Federations and Unions to take up the issues relating to the Gramin Dak Sevaks. As Shri. Mahadevadevaiah has helped the Government and Department by accepting separate committee for GDS, the Department accepted the request of Shri. Mahadevaiah and issued orders. It shows that Shri Magadevaiah don’t want the support of Departmental employees who are members of NFPE & FNPO. NFPE & / AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) believes that the GDS demands can be achieved only with the full support and joint struggle of both GDS & of the Departmental employees.

This is the difference between the recognised GDS Union (Mahadevaiah) and AIPEU-GDS (NFPE). LET THE GDS employees decide which union stands for the cause of GDS.

All GDS& Departmental Employes BE ready to finish the recognised GDS union in the next Membership Verification

Recognition is not a licence to cheat the GDS employees. Recognised GDS Union has signed an agreement with the Department accepting separate committee and thus admitting that GDS are not civil servants. Thus recognized GDS Union’s role is over and it has no role to play hereafter. NFPE & AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) is challenging in the Delhi High Court the stand taken by the Department of Posts and the Recognised GDS Union (Mahadevaiah).

NFPE& AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) calls upon all GDS Departmental Employees be ready to finish the “Recognised GDS Union” in the next membership verification. We are sure that AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) shall become the number One recognised GDS union in the next membership verification with flying colours. Days are not far away.

M.KRISHNAN

SECRETARY GENERAL

NFPE

  

 

    S.C.Patra                                                  A.K.Mishra                                                                                                                                                       

PRESIDENT                                         SECRETARY

eMail: aipeup3kjr@gmail.com                  website: aipeup3kjr.blogspot.in

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       

        No: UN/AIPEU/Gr-C/KJR/2014                           Date: 22.04.2014

          

 Dear Comrade,

      You will be glad to know that our Division is going to host the ensuing Circle Council Meeting along with Circle Working Committee meeting of AIPEU Group-C, Odisha Circle branch for the second time which is scheduled to be held from 02.05.2014 to 04.05.2014 at Gujurati Samaj Bhawan, Keonjhargarh.

     We must feel proud to get the leaders of Circle Union with us on this event where all the Divisional Secretaries, Councillors of Odisha Circle are assembling to discuss on burning issues relating to employees problems.

     In order to make this occasion a grand success, I on behalf of the Divisional Union appeal you all to extend your united cooperation and financial support by contributing `200/-(Rupees two hundred only) each.

                 The amount may be remitted / paid to Com. Saroj Kumar Nayak, P/A, Keonjhargarh HO by 30^th April 2014 positively.

      Hope you will not hesitate to involve yourself intensively taking active participation for the cause of the union.

 Comradely yours,                                 

                                                                                                               (A.K.Mishra)

Divisional Secretary
AIPEU, Group-C
Keonjhar Divisional Branch

                          

CWC-cum-CC Meeting of AIPEU, Gr.-C, Odisha Circle branch to be held from 2.05.2014 to 04.05.2014 in Keonjhargarh

As per SMS received from Com. R C Mishra, Circle Secretary, notice has been issued for holding the Circle Council Meeting and Circle Working Committee Meeting of AIPEU, Group-C, Odisha Circle branch at Gujarati Samaj Bhawan, Keonjhargarh from 02.05.2014 to 04.05.2014

7th Pay Commission Questionnaire – Ratio of Minimum & Maximum Salary, Grade Pay Suggestion, Increment Date, Determination of HRA and NPS...

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

SEVENTH CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION

NEW DELHI-110001

Meena Agarwal

Secretary

D.O No. 7CPC/15/Questionnaire

9th April, 2014

Dear ………..,

As you may be aware the Seventh Central Pay Commissions has been constituted by the Government on 28 February 2014 with a view 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. The terms of reference of the Seventh Central Pay Commission are available on thehttp://7cpc.india.gov.in .

 

2. A Questionnaire seeking the considered views of all stakeholders is enclosed. The response of your Ministry to this Questionnaire is sought. I shall be grateful if the replies are furnished to the Commission on or before 10th May, 2014, so as to enable the Commission to take them into account as part of its examination of the issues that it is mandated to address. The reply may be sent to Post Box No. 4599, Hauz Khas P.O, New Delhi 110 016, and in the case of email to secy-7cpc@nic.in.

 

Encl:- As above.

With Regards,

Yours sincerely,

(Meena Agarwal)

To all Secretaries to Govt of India

7th CPC Questionnaire

 

1. Salaries

1.1 The considerations on which the minimum salary in case of the lowest Group ‘C’ functionary and the maximum salary in case of a Secretary level officer may be determined and what should be the reasonable ratio between the two.

 

1.2 What should be the considerations for determining salary for various levels of functions falling between the highest level and the lowest level functionaries?

 

2. Comparisons

2.1 Should there be any comparison/parity between pay scales and perquisites between Government and the private sector? If so, why? If not, why not?

 

2.2 Should there at all be any comparison/parity between pay scales and perquisites between Government and the public sector? If so, why? If not, why not?

 

2.3 The concept of variable pay has been introduced in Central Public Sector Enterprises by the Second Pay Revision Committee. In the case of the Government is there merit in introducing a variable component of pay? Can such variable pay be linked to performance?

 

3. Attracting Talent

3.1 Does the present compensation package attract suitable talent in the All India Services & Group A Services? What are your observations and suggestions in this regard?

 

3.2 To what extent should government compensation bestructured to attract special talent?

 

4. Pay Scales

4.1 The 6th Central Pay Commission introduced the system of Pay Bands and Grade Pay as against the system of specific pay scales attached to various posts. What has been the impact of running pay bands post implementation of 6th CPC recommendations?

 

4.2 Is there any need to bring about any change?

 

4.3 Did the pay bands recommended by the Sixth CPC help in arresting exodus and attract talent towards the Government?

 

4.4 Successive Pay Commissions have reduced the number of pay scales by merging one or two pay scales together. Is there a case for the number of pay scales/ pay band to be rationalized and if so in what manner?

 

4.5 Is the “grade pay” concept working? If not, what are your alternative suggestions?

 

5. Increment

5.1 Whether the present system of annual increment on 1st Julyof every year uniformly in case of all employees has served its purpose or not? Whether any changes are required?

 

5.2 What should be the reasonable quantum of annual increment?

 

5.3 Whether there should be a provision of variable increments at a rate higher than the normal annual increment in case of high achievers? If so, what should be transparent and objective parameters to assess high achievement, which could be uniformly applied across Central Government?

 

5.4 Under the MACP scheme three financial up-gradations are allowed on completion of 10, 20, 30 years of regular service, counted from the direct entry grade. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the scheme? Is there a perception that a scheme of this nature, in some Departments, actually incentivizes people who do not wish to take the more arduous route of qualifying departmental examinations/ or those obtaining professional degrees?

 

6. Performance

What kind of incentives would you suggest to recognize andreward good performance?

 

7. Impact on other organizations

Salary structures in the Central and State Governments are broadly similar. The recommendations of the Pay Commission are likely to lead to similar demands from employees of State Governments, municipal bodies, panchayati raj institutions & autonomous institutions. To what extent should their paying capacity be considered in devising a reasonable remuneration package for Central Govt. employees?

 

8. Defence Forces

8.1 What should be the considerations for fixing salary in case of Defence personnel and in what manner does the parity with civil services need to be evolved, keeping in view their respective job profiles?

 

8.2 In what manner should the concessions and facilities, both in cash and kind, be taken into account for determining salary structure in case of Defence Forces personnel.

 

8.3 As per the November 2008 orders of the Ministry of Defence, there are a total of 45 types of allowances for Personnel Below Officer Rank and 39 types of allowances for Officers. Does a case exist for rationalization/ streamlining of the current variety of allowances?

 

8.4 What are the options available for addressing the increasing expenditure on defence pensions?

 

8.5 As a measure of special recognition, is there a case to review the present benefits provided to war widows?

 

8.6 As a measure of special recognition, is there a case to review the present benefits provided to disabled soldiers, commensurate to the nature of their disability?

 

9. Allowances

9.1 Whether the existing allowances need to be retained or rationalized in such a manner as to ensure that salary structure takes care not only of the job profile but the situational factors as well, so that the number of allowances could be at a realistic level?

 

9.2 What should be the principles to determine payment of House Rent Allowance?

 

10. Pension

10.1 The retirement benefits of all Central Government employees appointed on or after 1.1.2004 a re covered by the New Pension Scheme (NPS). What has been the experience of the NPS in the last decade?

 

10.2 As far as pre-1.1.2004 appointees are concerned, what should be the principles that govern the structure of pension and other retirement benefits?

 

11. Strengthening the public governance system

11.1 The 6th CPC recommended upgrading the skills of the Group D employees and placing them in Group C over a period of time. What has been the experience in this regard?

 

11.2 In what way can Central Government organizations functioning be improved to make them more efficient, accountable and responsible? Please give specific suggestions with respect to:

 

a) Rationalisation of staff strength and more productive deployment of available staff;

 

b) Rationalisation of processes and reduction of paper work; and

c) Economy in expenditure.

 

12. Training/ building competence

12.1 How would you interpret the concept of “competency based framework”?

 

12.2 One of the terms of reference suggests that the Commission recommend appropriate training and capacity building through a competency based framework.

 

a) Is the present level of training at various stages of a person’s career considered adequate? Are there gaps that need to be filled, and if so, where?

 

b) Should it be made compulsory that each civil service officer should in his career span acquire a professional qualification? If so, can the nature of the study, time intervals and the Institution(s) whose qualification are acceptable, all be stipulated?

 

c) What other indicators can best measure training and capacity building for personnel in your organization? Please suggest ways through which capacity building can be further strengthened?

 

13. Outsourcing

13.1 What has been the experience of outsourcing at various levels of Government and is there a case for streamlining it?

 

13.2 Is there a clear identification of jobs that can be outsourced?

 

14. Regulatory Bodies

14.1 Kindly list out the Regulators set up unde r Acts of Parliament, related to your Ministry/ Department. The total number of personnel on rolls (Chairperson and members + support personnel) may be indicated.

 

14.2 Regulators that may not qualify in terms of being set up under Acts of Parliament but perform regulatory functions may also be listed. The scale of pay for Chairperson /Members and other personnel of such bodies may be indicated.

 

14.3 Across the Government there are a host of Regulatory bodies set up for various purposes. What are your suggestions regarding emoluments structure for Regulatory bodies?

 

15. Payment of Bonus

One of the terms of reference of the 7th Pay Commission is to examine the existing schemes of payment of bonus. What are your suggestions and observations in this regard?

Source: http://7cpc.india.gov.in/7cpc_questionnaire.pdf

Govt woman employee can get uninterrupted two-year leave for child care: SC

PRESS NEWS

The Supreme Court today held that a woman employee of central government can get uninterrupted leave for two years for child care, which also includes needs like examination and sickness.

A bench of justices S J Mukhopadhaya and V Gopala Gowda set aside the order of Calcutta High Court which had held that Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules do not permit uninterrupted CCL(Child Care Leave) for 730 days.

"On perusal of circulars and Rule 43-C, it is apparent that a woman government employee having minor children below 18 years can avail CCL for maximum period of 730 days i.e. during the entire service period for taking care of upto two children. The care of children is not for rearing the smaller child but also to look after any of their needs like examination, sickness etc," the bench said.

It said that CCL even beyond 730 days can be granted by combining other leave if due and the finding of the High Court was based neither on Rule 43-C nor on guidelines issued by the central government.

The court passed the order on a petition filed by a woman government employee Kakali Ghosh challenging government's decision not to grant her leave of 730 days for preparing her son for secondary/senior examinations.

She had first approached Central Administrative Tribunal Calcutta for getting leave. The tribunal had ordered in her favour but the High Court reversed the order after which she moved the apex court.

The apex court set aside the High Court's order.

"We set aside the impugned judgement dated September 18, 2012 passed by the Division Bench of Calcutta High Court, Circuit Bench at Port Blair and affirm the judgement and order dated April 30, 2012 passed by the Tribunal with a direction to the respondents to comply with the directions issued by the Tribunal within three months from the date of receipt/ production of this judgement," it said.

Source: http://www.financialexpress.com

Confederation's Letter demanding Increase in certain allowances by 25% as a result of enhancement of Dearness Allowance to 100% w.e.f. 01.01.2014

Click here

GDS- DA ORDERS

Happy Odia Nava Barsha & Pana Sankranti

Grant of Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners - Revised rate effective from 1.1.2014.

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HAPPY RAMA NAVAMI

CCGE&W's Circular No: 15

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS

1^st Floor, North Avenue PO Building, New Delhi – 110001

Website: www.confederationhq.blogspot.com

Email: confederationhq@gmail.com

Circular No: 15 Date: 5/4/2014

Dear Comrade,

The National Convention of Central Government employees as scheduled was held at Nagpur on 4th April, 2014. The convention was inaugurated by Com. A.K. Padmanabhan, National President, CITU and was addressed by Com. B.N.J. Sharma, President, AITUC, Nagpur District Committee .

The Draft resolution prepared by the National Secretariat was presented to the house by Com. M.S. Raja, Working President, Confederation. Com. K.K.N. Kutty, President, read out the two amendments received at the CHQ. In the deliberations that ensued thereafter 31 comrades participated. Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary General, summed up the discussion and indicated the acceptance of the suggestions made by the delegates who participated in the deliberations. A copy of the final version of the resolution as adopted by the Convention unanimously is enclosed. Before the adoption of the resolution in its final form by the house, Com. S.K. Vyas, Advisor, Com. Narasimhan, Vice President and Com. K.P. Rajagopal, Secretary, Confederation addressed the house.

The National Secretariat of the Confederation met on the same day at 7.00PM. It took the following decisions to carry out the directives of the Convention.

1.       The State Committees of the Confederation and its affiliated Federations will take steps to translate the resolution in the respective local languages immediately and ensure that the same is circulated amongst the members.

2.       Meetings will be organised in all offices to explain the contents of the resolution adopted by the National Convention.

3.       The National Secretariat members who are assigned the responsibility (as per the details in the annexure) will interact with the State Secretaries and ensure that the campaign programme of reaching out to all members is carried out in all States.

4.       The State Committees will solicit and enlist the services of the Pensioners organisations to carry out the campaign amongst the mass of the people.

All affiliates and State Committees are requested to take immediate steps to carry out the above decisions of the National Secretariat.

With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

M. Krishnan

Secretary General.

Name of the Secretariat Member: State Assigned.

1.       M. Krishnan and R.Seethalakshmi.; Karnataka and Kerala.

2.       Com . K.K.N. Kutty and Com. Duraipandian. Tamilnadu.

3.       Com. Narasimhan, Nageswara Rao and P.Suresh: Andhra Pradesh

4.       Com. R.P.Singh and Com. P. Jeyaraj. Mumbai.

5.       Coms. P.K. Das. Gupreet Singh. & Nilesh Nasre Vidharbha.

6.       Com. Yeshwant Purohit and Com.T.K.R. Pillai. Mdhya Pradesh.

7.       Com. T.N. Pstasar T. Sathyanaryana. Gujarat.

8.      Com. Suresh. Chattisgarh.

9.       Com. Vrighu Bhattacharjee and Giriraj Singh. Jhararkhand.

10.   Com. R.N. Dhall Orissa.

11.   Vrighu Bhattachary and Giriraj Singh. Bihar.

12.   Com.R.N. Parasar. U.P.

13.   Com. Somaiah, Ashok Knojia.& K.P.Rajagopal . Haryana. And Punjab,

14.   Com. M.S. Raja. H.P. and Utrakhand

15.   Com. S.K. Vyas and Com.N. Somaiah Rajasthan

16.   Com.R.N. Parasar, Vrigu Bjattacjarya, A.K. Kanojia & Giriraj Singh. Delhi.

******

RESOLUTION adopted at the National Convention of Central Government employees

on 4^th April, 2014 at Nagpur.

1. The National Secretariat of the Confederation places on record its appreciation over the massive and magnificent participation of the largest number of our members in the 48 hour strike on 12^thand 13th Feb. 2014. It was a great manifestation of the confidence the members had reposed in the organization and their determination to win the demands through struggles. The reports, the Confederation CHQ received both from the affiliates and the State Committee indicate the massive participation of the employees in the strike action throughout the county. In some of the affiliates, the participation had been cent percent. This must embolden the Confederation to pursue the issue with determination and organize further action programmes to ensure that the demands are got settled.

2. The Secretariat has noted that the Government had pretended to ignore the massive action of the employees. There had been no response from them so far. In the wake of the strike action, it announced the composition of the 7^th CPC disregarding the united demand raised by the Staff side of the JCM National Council for the inclusion of a labour representative. The Government also chose not to convene the meeting the staff side to discuss the draft terms of reference submitted. It did not make any announcement on the question of merger of DA, Interim Relief, and inclusion of GDA within the ambit of the Commission and rejected the demand for making the recommendation of the Commission effective from 1.1.2014.

3. On every issue, which is included in the 15 point Charter of demands, the Govt. continued with its nugatory attitude. In the last session of the Parliament, they ensured that the PFRDA bill becomes an Act despite the strongest objection and resistance of the employees by eliciting and receiving the support and patronage of the dominant opposition party, the BJP. Even on an issue like compassionate appointments, no positive response emerged. The period witnessed increased outsourcing of governmental functions. Almost a third of the workforce is presently casual and contract workers with abysmally poor wages taking advantage of the acute unemployment situation in the country. There had been no settlement of any issue raised by the Staff Side in the National Council JCM. The JCM scheme has been made ineffective as not a single meeting of the Council was held in the last three years and even the decision taken at the National Anomaly Committee was thwarted through political intervention.

4. The plight of the three lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks of the Postal Department is highly deplorable. They constitute almost half of the Postal work force. But for them, the functioning of the Postal system will come to a grinding halt. Their service conditions are presently worse off than even a causal/daily rated worker. Despite the Supreme Court’s decisions that they are holders of Civil Post and consequently are entitled to the benefits and privileges of a civil servant, there had been no improvement in their service conditions worth mentioning. In spite of repeated presentation of their case both inside and outside the Parliament by people from all walks of life irrespective of party affiliation, the Government had been silent to the pleading for bringing them within the ambit of the Pay Commissions. Confederation is duty bound and determined to change the situation and to bring them within the purview of the 7^th CPC.

5. During its five year tenure the UPA II was in power, it intensified the neo-liberal reforms; phased out all welfare measures; accentuated the unemployment situation; divested the PSUs; allowed unbridled entry of Foreign capital to subjugate the Indian people; ruined the indigenous industry; destroyed the livelihood of the farmers and agricultural labourers; allowed the prices of all essential food items to soar; privatised education and health care services; ensured that each of its decision was to favour the rich; granted huge tax concessions to the corporate; indulged in large scale corruption; squandered away the national wealth; siphoned off the poor man’s earning into the hands of a few rich in the country; sided with the entrepreneurs in all labour disputes; took each and every political decision to sub-serve the interest of the imperialist powers especially the USA. The pursuance of the neo liberal policies at the behest of the advanced capitalist countries drove the majority of Indian population to be below the poverty levels. In the comity of nations, India became the poorest and the last ranking in all fields. Indian youth were driven to be beggars at the doors of transnational corporations and developed countries.

6. Those who were responsible in driving our country men to unprecedented deprivation have to now seek mandate, for their tenure is to end shortly. No different is the approach of the major opposition party, BJP. There is nothing to choose from these two political dispensations. They were hand in glove together to demolish the sovereignty of the country; pauperisation of the people and supported every legislation to intensify the neo liberal exploitation of the common man. They supported to the hilt the corporate houses. But for the support extended by the BJP, the PFRDA bill would never have been made into a law. The Act now provides for the extension of the new contributory pension scheme to those who were recruited prior to 1.1.2004 and the existing pensioners. Despite the refusal of the Government to accept their suggestion to guarantee minimum pension, the BJP unashamedly supported the Bill, for they were the proponents of the neo liberal economic policies. They supported this Government to increase the FDI and FII in all sectors of economy and announced that they would intensify the reform process if elected to power. The conglomeration of Corporates in the country has now appointed the leader of that party to be the next CEO to run the country. They have no use for the discredited UPA howsoever subservient it could be. They know in a democratic system demagogy can play a vital role. They are certain that BJP and its allies if elected to power will be much more pliant and compliant.

7. The Corporate controlled media has created an illusion to the effect that there exists a consensus across the political spectrum in the country that the neo liberal policies will spur economic growth and the only point to be clinched in the forthcoming election is as to which political combination, whether the UPA led by Rahul Gandhi or the NDA of Narendra Modi is more efficient in pursuing the IMF dictated economic policies vigorously. Economic growth is not akin to development. In the initial years of the introduction of the LPG, no doubt, the economy grew phenomenally, but the large majority of Indian people suffered. It permanently halted the bringing up of an egalitarian society. It only enlarged the scope for maximisation of profit of the corporate giants; opened up larger and bigger avenues for corruption at the top of administration, whereby the ruling party and its leaders could amass wealth. The scams unearthed by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India during the last five years of UPA II Rule speak volumes of the cancerous growth of corruption in our country. The 2G spectrum involving Rs. 1.76 lakh crores, the Coalgate of the dimension of Rs. 1.86 lakh crores, the corruption involved in the commonwealth games, the Rs. 40,000 cr deal in the Delhi Airport Privatisation scheme, The KG Basin related Gas price deal with Reliance, topping with Rs 48 lakh crores are a few that surfaced during this period.

8. As part of the economic policy, concerted and continuous efforts were made to the job killing process in all sectors, through contractorisation, casualisation, outsourcing, privatisation etc. Contract workers now constitute 80% of the total work force in the private sector. After the implementation of the 6^th CPC recommendations about 35% of the workforce in the Governmental sector is either contract or casual workers. They are paid quarter of or even less the wages of the regular workers.

9. This election is not only to decide who should govern this country but more so to determine for whom the governance is. UPA having been totally discredited in the eyes of the common man has no chance whatsoever. NDA must not have a chance once again for it is bound to pursue the neo liberal policies more vigorously than even the UPA. That is the one and only reason why the Indian corporate houses and the corporate controlled media solidly back the BJP and the BJP led NDA. The Political combination outside the NDA and UPA has a predominant presence in the 15^th Lok Sabha. They are capable of being the largest segment in the 16^th Lok Sabha too.

10. It is in this background that the workers must assess the political situation. In the forthcoming electoral battle, every worker must discharge his salutary responsibility. Since the present state of affairs is the product of the neo- liberal policies and since both the UPA and the NDA are the proponents of those policies, one must have clear vision and exercise the franchise effectively to ensure that a pro-worker, pro-people combination of parties is in governance. In the forthcoming election to the 16^th Lok Sabha, the Central Government employees must become a vehicle for change in the interest of the common people; rise above the divisive ideologies and misleading propaganda; identify their friends especially in the Left parties; and ensure the success of those who stood with them and fought for the cause of the workers and common people.

11. The Secretariat came to the inescapable conclusion that the settlement of the demands in the charter will only be possible through intensification of the struggles. It recognised the need for larger unity. It will strive for bringing about such a united platform for joint action. The inevitability of an indefinite strike action has to be emphasised. The Confederation and its affiliates must prepare its members for such an eventual and unavoidable action, if the proposed 7^th CPC is to really revise the wages. It is needed to ensure the withdrawal of the pernicious contributory pension scheme. It only will ensure that there are no casual or contract system of employment in Government service. The Government employees must be bestowed with democratic rights and above all must enjoy the facility for collective bargaining and right to strike. The Gramin Dak Sevak system is a colonial legacy and no civilised country must endure such brutal exploitation. All is possible through united and sustained action. The Confederation has proved beyond any iota of doubt that it has built up an organisation capable of carrying out such an action.

12. To ensure that the Indian people have food security, the farmers are not driven to commit suicide, the workers do have decent job environment and emoluments, the prices of essential commodities do not soar, there is universal public distribution of essential food articles; India has an independent foreign policy, this great Nation is not enslaved by western imperial powers once again, all communities and people of different faiths are allowed to live in peace and harmony; no communal violence erupts; all able bodied people have jobs and livelihood, there must be a Government which exist for the sake of the poor inhabitants of this country. Central Government employees must take an active role in the ensuing General election and strive with their best to bring about such a Government.

13. This convention calls upon every worker of the Confederation to fan out and reach out to the rank and file of its membership, explain the stupendous task ahead; to work in consonance with the understanding depicted in this resolution and ensure that they become instruments for a great political change in our country.

14.   The Convention authorises the National Secretariat to review the political situation emerging after the election and take appropriate decision to mobilise the rank and file of the workers for an eventual industrial action to seek settlement of the 15 point charter of demands.

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