Children Education Allowance-DOP&T Order and Clarifications

Children Education Allowance-DOP&T Order and Clarifications
The Representatives of Staff Side- National Council insisted in the 46th meeting of National council that the Children Education Allowance should be paid to the two studying Children instead of restricting it to the eldest two children. We welcome the staff side’s view, but at the same time it’s unfortunate that it made us to feel that they are not worried about the unwanted procedure framed for claiming the Children Education Allowance.
It has been clearly stated in the first two lines of 2nd Para of OFFICE MEMORANDUM issued on 2nd September 2008 by DOP&T that ‘In order to ensure that Government servants have no difficulty in claiming reimbursement, the procedure under this Scheme is being kept simple.’
But these two guidelines, mentioned below make the above instruction meaningless.
1 “Reimbursement should henceforth be made on the submission of original receipts on the basis of self-certification by the Government servant.”
2. “Under this scheme, reimbursement can be claimed once every quarter. The amount that can be claimed in a quarter could be more than Rs.3000 and in another quarter less than Rs.3000, subject to the annual ceiling of Rs.12000 /-per child being maintained”.
Is an admission certificate from the school not enough for claiming CEA?
Why don’t we avoid needless paper work by just giving Rs.1000/-per month as CEA?
Source: GServants

Government Approves Massive Expansion of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme

Government Approves Massive Expansion of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme
To provide equitable treatment to all eligible Ex-Servicemen and their dependents under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and to enhance the scheme’s coverage, the Union Cabinet today approved Establishment of 199 new polyclinics including 17 mobile medical facilities and 15 new regional centres at a cost of Rs. 141 crores. With this, the ECHS facility will now be extended to those areas, where Ex-Servicemen population is below 2,500 by setting up polyclinics which are within reasonable distance from Ex-Servicemen concentrations.

The Cabinet also approved reorganization and strengthening the Central Organisation ECHS by suitably increasing the manpower. It has authorized additional manpower – 2263 in number on contractual basis, to man the additional 199 polyclinics. It has also authorized 315 serving personnel – 60 officers and 255 PBORs, for proposed regional centres and seven officers and 15 PBORs for Central Organisation ECHS.

Financial implications towards creation of infrastructure will be about Rs.141 crore. This will entail a capital expenditure of Rs. 118.52 crore towards cost of land, construction and medical equipment. An amount of Rs. 22.25 crore of expenditure will cover purchase of furniture etc, and IT hardware. On the recurring side, an expenditure of Rs.43 crore per annum is envisaged.

It may be recalled that the ECHS was introduced on April 01, 2003 to provide comprehensive medical coverage to Ex-Servicemen pensioners, war widows and dependents by establishing 227 polyclinics at stations with Ex-Servicemen population above 2500 throughout the country. 106 polyclinics are at military stations and 121 polyclinics are at non-military stations. Where the Ex-Servicemen population is less than 2,500, the Ex-Servicemen face hardships in reaching polyclinics because of the distance. There are over 30 lakh ECHS beneficiaries now. On an average 60,000 Servicemen retire every year and this results in a further addition of 60,000 Ex-Servicemen and 1,44,000 dependents to the list of beneficiaries each year. Over 7 lakh Ex-Servicemen, who retired prior to April 01, 2003 have not opted for the scheme primarily due to non-availability of polyclinics near their places of residence. There are also insufficient number of regional centres to monitor the polyclinics.

Following is the list of additional polyclinics planned to be established:-

Jammu & Kashmir Baramulla, Doda, Poonch, Baribrahmna (Jammu), Kargil, Nagrota (Kathua)  Himachal Pradesh
Rampur (Shimla), Nahan (Sirmaur), Shahpur (Kangra), Palampur (Kangra), Kullu, Dera Goppipur (Kangra), Jogindernagar (Mandi), Chamba, Ghumarwin (Bilaspur), Sarakaghat (Mandi), Barsar (Hamirpur), Punjab
Mohali, Ajnala (Amritsar), Tarantaran (Amritsar), Beas (Amritsar), Nawansahar, Suranassi (Jalandhar), Uchi Bassi (Hoshiarpur), Abohar (Ferozpur), Jagraon (Ludhiana), Batala (Gurdaspur), Srigovindpur (Gurdaspur), Sultanpur Lodhi (Kapurthala), Phagwara (Kapurthala), Samana (Patiala), Barnala (Sangrur), Nabha (Patiala), Doraha (Ludhiana), Samarala (Ludhiana), Mahalpur (Hoshiarpur), Talwara (Hoshiarpur) Haryana Gohana (Sonepat), Mehan (Rohtak), Sampla (Rohtak), Loharu (Bhiwani), Kosli (Jhajjar), Bahadurgarh (Jhajjar), Gurgaon, Nuh (Gurgaon), Charki Dadri (Bhiwani), Mahendragarh, Narwana (Jind), Palwal (Faridabad), Hansi (Hissar), Dharuhera (Rewari), Narayangarh (Ambala), Kharkhauda (Sonepat)

National Capital Territory of Delhi  Shakurbasti, Timarpur, Khanpur, Preetvihar Rajasthan Neem Ka Thana (Sikar), Shergarh (Jodhpur), Dausa, Sanganer (Jaipur), Bhuwana (Jhunjhunu), Bhilwara, Suratgarh (Hanumangarh), Dungarpur, Rajsamand, Rajgarh (Churu), Chirawa (Jhunjhunu), Behror (Alwar)  Uttar Pradesh Bagpat, Gonda, Basti, Jaunpur, Greater Noida (GB Nagar), Lakhimpur, Moradabad, Bijnaur, Rampur, Hardoi, Banda, Roberts Ganj (Mirzapur), Barabanki, Unnao, Hathras
Uttarakhand  Joshimath (Chamoli), Dehradun, Vikas Nagar (Dehradun), Tehri, Rudraprayag, Ranikhet, Almora, Bageshwar, Banbasa (Champavat), Rudrapur (Udham Singh nagar), Dharchula (Pithoragarh), Lansdowne (Paurigarhwal), Uttarkashi, Ramnagar (Nainital)  Bihar Bhagalpur, Kathiar, Motihari, Siwan, Samastipur, Madhubani, Buxar, Vaishali, Sasaram (Rohtas) Khagaria, Munger, Sitamarhi  Jharkhand  Deoghar, Gumla, Chaibasa (West Singhbhoom), Daltonganj (Palamu), Dhanbad
Madhya Pradesh  Satna, Ujjain, Amla (East Nimar), Pachmarhi (Hoshangabad)
Chhattisgarh  Jagdalpur (Bastar), Bilaspur, Raigarh  West Bengal Berhampore (Murshidabad), Baruipur (South 24 Pargana), Bankura, Howrah, Raiganj (North Dinajpur), Cooch Behar, Kalimpong (Darjeeling), Binaguri (Jalpaiguri)
Assam  Lanka (Naugaon), Bongaigaon, Tinsukia, Tezpur (Sonitpur), Misamari (Darrang), Dibrugarh, Goalpara, Dhubri, Lakhimpur Manipur  Chura Chandpur Nagaland  Mokokchung  Mizoram Lunglei Arunachal Pradesh Tezu (Lohit), Along (West Siang) Orissa Puri, Sambalpur, Koraput, Angul, Bhawanipatna (Kalahandi), Dhenkanal  Andhra Pradesh
Srikakulam, Anantapur, Karnool, Cuddapah, Nellore, Karimnagar, Eluru (West Godavari), Secunderabad (Rangareddy), Khammam, Mehbubnagar  Tamil Nadu  Erode, Sivagangai (Sivaganga), Kumbhkonum (Tiruvallur), Chennai, Ramanathapuram, Tambram (Kanchipuram  Kerala Mavelikara (Alleppey), Kanhangad (Kasargode), Kalpetta (Wayanad), Thodupuzha (Idukki), Thiruvananthapuram, Changanacherry (Kottayam), Moovattupuzha (Ernakulum), Iritti (Kannur), Kunnamkulum (Trichur), Kottarakara (Kollam), Ranni (Pathanamthitta), Killimanur (Thiruvananthapuram)  Karnataka
Kolar, Tumkur, Hassan, Shimoga, Bangalore, Gulbarga, Bidar, Virarajendrapet (Kodagu)  Maharastra Beed, Nanded, Karad (Satara), Wardha, Navi Mumbai (Mumbai), Pune, Khadki (Pune), Yavatmal, Dhule. GoaVasco – Da – Gama
Gujarat Gandhidham, Surat, Rajkot  Pudduchery  Pudduchery
In addition to these polyclinics 15 regional centres will also be set up at Shimla, Jalandhar, Dehradun, Ambala, Hissar, Meerut, Allahabad, Ranchi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Nagpur, Vizag, Bangalore, Coimbatore & Trivandrum.

Grant of Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) to the Central Government Pensioners residing in areas not covered under CGHS

N0.4/25/2008- P&PW (D )  GOVERNMENT OF INDIA  MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS

(DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERS/ WELFARE)

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi-110 003, Dated the 26 May 2010.

                                                                         OFFICE MEMORANDUM


Subject: Grant of Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) to the Central Government Pensioners residing in areas not covered under CGHS.

The undersigned is directed to say that in pursuance of Government's decision on the recommendations of Fifth Central Pay Commission, the Govt. had issued instruction vide this Department's O.M. No.45/57/97-P&PW(C) dated 19.12.97 for grant of Fixed Medical Allowance @ Rs.100/- per month to the Central Government pensioners/family pensioners residing in areas not covered under Central Government Health Scheme administered by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and corresponding health schemes administered by other Ministries/Departments for their retired employees for meeting expenditure on their day-to-day medical expenses that do not require hospitalization. Further clarifications were issued vide this Department's O.M. Nos. 45/57/97-P&PW(C) dated 24.8.98, 30.12.98 and 18.8.99.
2. The demand for enhancement of FMA has been under consideration of the Government for some time past. Sanction of the President is hereby conveyed for enhancement of the amount of FMA from Rs.100/- to Rs.300/- per month. The other conditions for grant of FMA shall continue to be in force.
3. These orders will take effect from 01.09.2008.
4. These orders are issued with the concurrence of the Ministry of Finance (Deptt. of Expenditure) vide their I.D. Note No 347/E.V/2010 dated 14.5.2010 and in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India vide their UO No. 36-Audit (Rules)/28-2-9 dated 26.5.2010.

MACP ANOMALIES DISCUSSED IN THE JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING ON 25/05/2010

SOME OF THE MACP RELATED ANOMALIES HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED IN THE

FIRST MEETING OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED BY THE

NATIONAL ANOMALY COMIITEE ON 25/05/2010

 

Dear Comrades - Though there are more than 30 items of anomalies submitted by the Staff Side to the consideration of the Joint Committee set up by the National Anomaly Committee to go into the MACP related anomalies, only around 8 items could be discussed in the first meeting held on 25.05.2010. Comrades Umraomal Purohit; Juman Singh;  S.K.Vyas and C.Sreekumar [Staff Side Members ] attended the meeting chaired by the Joint Secretary Establishment DOPT. 

 

The Circular released by the Secretary General Confederation communicating the issues discussed in the meeting and the results thereof is placed in the website of Confederation as well as placed hereunder for your  information. The issue of "Discounting the examination based promotions while granting MACP to protect the Promotees against deprivation of any MACP to them" was not discussed in the meeting yesterday. NFPE has discussed the issue with the President Confederation Comrade S.K.Vyas and he has assured that this item would be raised in the next meeting of the Joint Committee that may take place very soon.  

 

Circular No.12

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS.
A-2/95,Manishinath Bhawan,Rajouri Garden, New Delhi-110 027
Website:www.confederationhq.blogspot.com. Email:Confederation06@Yahoo.co.in
Tel: 011-2510 5324: Mobile: 98110 48303

Conf.No.12/2010
Dated 25th December. 2010

Dear Comrades,
A joint Committee on MACP met today under the chairmanship of Joint Secretary Establishment of DOPT. Following issues were discussed:

1. Item No:1:Provide Grade Pay of the next promotional post under MACP.
Staff Side pressed for placement in the Grade Pay of the Promotional Post instead of next higher Grade Pay in the hierarchy of revised Pay Band and Grade Pay. It was insisted because the career progression only means the promotion in the hierarchy and not to a Grade Pay which is not present in the hierarchy of the respective department.

The Staff Side also gave an alternative that first two MACPs after 10 and 20 years should be to the next promotional post as per the hierarchy of respective department as under the erstwhile ACP scheme and thereafter the third MACP in the next Grade Pay of the Revised Pay Band and Grade Pay.

2. Item No:2:Date of Effect.
It was demanded that MACP scheme may be introduced with effect from 1.1.2006. A scheme which has been recommended by the 6th CPC will be not available to those employees who have opted for revised pay scales w.e.f. 1.1.2006 but had retired or died before 1.9.2008, which is very anomalous.

3. Item No:3:Option for earlier ACP Scheme.
Staff Side pointed out that the benefit which employees were getting through two ACPs after 12 and 24 years of service is much higher than the benefit that they will get under MACP after three financial upgradations. It was therefore urged that the service conditions which were available to the existing employees cannot be adversely revised and if that happens then an option to retain the old scheme is inherent. And if the present MACP is not converted to hierarchical pattern, then at least an option may be given to retain the erstwhile scheme of ACP.

 
4. Item No:7:Grant of financial upgradation between 1.1.2006 and 31.8.2008.
In Para 9 of the DOPT OM dated 19.5.2009, it had been provided that earlier ACP scheme will continue to operate for the period from 1.1.2006 to 31.8.2008. However, this is not being allowed to officials who have opted for revised Pay Band and Grade Pay with effect from 1.1.2006. In some offices, it is being insisted that financial upgradation under the earlier ACP would be granted only in the pre-revised pay scales and they will have to opt for the revised pay scales only from the date they are granted the financial upgradation under earlier ACP. It was demanded that earlier ACP benefit may be given also to those officials who have come over to the Revised Pay Band and Grade Pay with effect from 1.1.2006.

5. Item No:8:Anomaly on introduction of MACP Scheme.
By an illustration in respect of Junior Engineer of CPWD, it has been pointed out that under earlier ACP they will go up to the revised Pay Band 3 with Grade Pay of 6600/- on completion of 24 years of service, whereas under the MACP Scheme, even after 30 years of service and getting third MACP they will get the Grade Pay of 5400/- only in PB-2. This is obviously less advantageous and therefore the demand for option to retain the old ACP scheme has been insisted.
The Official Side indicated that they will consider all these demands and in the next meeting they will indicate how far they can go.

6. Item No:4: Applicability of MACP  Scheme to Group D employees who have been placed in the Grade Pay of 1800/-.
The DOPT had already stated that all promotions and upgradations granted under ACP Scheme of 1999 in the post of four pay scales S-1, S-2, S-3 and S-4 shall be ignored for the purpose of MACP. In other words all the three MACP will be available to all the Group D employees who have since been placed in the grade pay of 1800/-. If an employee has completed 10 years of service he should be granted the GP of 1900/-; if completed 20 years of service he should be granted the GP of 2000/-; and if he has completed 30 years of service he should be placed in the GP of 2400/-. In some departments these MACP has not been granted to the Group D employees. The staff side therefore insisted an enabling clarificatory instructions may be issued. The Official Side agreed to issue such clarificatory instructions.

7. Item No:5: Counting 50% of service rendered by Temporary Status CLs for reckoning 10,20, and 30 years of service under MACP scheme.
It was pointed out that the Railways have already issued orders for counting 50% of service rendered by Temporary Status Casual labourers for reckoning 12 and 24 years of service under the old ACP scheme. It was also pointed out that Courts have also ordered that total service rendered as TS CLs may be counted for the purpose of ACP. The Official Side were of the opinion that 50% of service rendered by TS CLs has been counted only for the purpose of pension. The Staff Side pointed out that the TS CLs have been granted all the facilities admissible to a Temporary Employee in respect of leave, increment, pay scale etc and therefore this may be deemed as a regular service for the purpose of MACP also as has been done by the Railways. The Official Side wanted the order of the Railway Department regarding ACP and the Orders of the Courts for their examination.

8. Item No:6: Supervised staff placed in higher Grade Pay than that of the supervisor.
The Staff Side suggested that this item may be transferred to National Anomaly Committee item and discussed there. This has been agreed to.
There are 23 more items which have been suggested by the Staff Side leaders of Railways. It was pointed out that leaders of other departments may also suggest many other anomalies related to MACP. The Staff Side stated that as and when these additional items are received they may be included in the Agenda for discussion in the subsequent meetings. The Official Side agreed to.

NOTE: All Affiliated Unions / Associations of the Confederation may send items of anomalies of MACP to the headquarters at the earliest for enabling inclusion in the next meeting. The Official Side indicated that the next meeting of the Joint Committee will be held very soon.

Comradely Yours,
K.K.N.Kutty
Secretary General

--
P.Suresh
General Secretary
AI RMS&MMS EU Mailguards & Group 'D'

Income Tax Department needs 30,000 more employees.

Income Tax Department needs 30,000 more employees.

Shortage of staff and clamoring for additional staff is everywhere but who listens ? Here is Yahoo India News highlighting plight of Income Tax Department ?

The Income Tax Department needs to immediately add 30,000 more employees to carry out its existing operations, a senior Finance Ministry official said.
"To avoid affecting the overall revenue collection and delivery of tax payer services, the department immediately requires 22,000 additional employees apart from filling up the 8,000-odd vacant positions," the official said.
The department has 58,000 sanctioned positions and about 8,000 posts are lying vacant. He said the department needs 4,000 officers (including 2,000 assessing officers), 4,000 inspectors, 12,000 tax assistants, data entry operators and other support staff, and about 2,000 as reserves.
The matter for additional staff will be raised in the annual conference of Chief Commissioners to be held in New Delhi on June 9 and 10, the official said. "The department requires more staff to handle the massive data gathered by it through third party mechanism like Annual Information Return (AIR) and Central Information Branch (CIB)," he said. The annual information return of high value financial transactions is required to be furnished under the Income-tax Act, 1961 by 'specified persons' in respect of 'specified transactions' registered by them during the fiscal.

The registering authorities for AIR are the Reserve Bank, and registrar of properties among others. CIB collects information relating to specified transactions for which providing Permanent Account Number (PAN) is mandatory such as opening up of bank accounts, deals above Rs 50,000, property purchase of above Rs 5 lakh, and foreign travel involving expenditure of above Rs 25,000. "The expansion of workforce from the current 50,000 to 80,000 would solve the immediate concerns of the department. This will help in detecting tax evasion cases and deepen and widen the tax base," the officer said.

Source: Yahoo India News


Central Government Employees NPS gives 14.82% average returns

Central government employees who joined as a part of the contributory New Pension Scheme (NPS) have earned a weighted average return of 14.82 per cent during 2008-09, the first year when three fund managers managed a corpus of around Rs 2,000 crore.

This has outperformed any another form of Investment like PF etc. Its a Win Win situation for both Govt as well as Employees.

This is in contrast to the annual 8 per cent returns between January 2004 and March 2008 when the government had not transferred the money to the three fund managers – SBI Pension Fund, UTI Retirement Solutions and LIC Pension Fund.

The Centre moved all employees joining from January 1, 2004 to NPS, where they have to chip in with a contribution of 10 per cent of their basic salary with a matching contribution made by the government. While the money was being deducted, it was parked in a government account and earned a fixed rate of return.

While the corpus will increase this year, partly due to higher contribution and also due to the release of some of the arrears following the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations, the equity investment is also expected to go up.

At present, around 5 per cent of the corpus is invested in equities against the permissible limit of 15 per cent.

This year onwards, the fund management fee is also going to decrease to 0.0009 per cent (or 0.09 basis points), in line with the pension scheme for non-government employees, as against up to 5 basis points last year.

In addition, state governments are expected to join the scheme. While 21 states have shown their willingness to join NPS, none of them have started releasing the funds as some of them, unlike the Centre, are reluctant to bear the costs, such as those related to the record-keeping agency.

Department of posts to distribute new pension system

The Department of Posts, Government of India, has been enlisted as a Point of Presence (PoP) for distribution of the New Pension System (NPS) by Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA). The Department of Posts (DOP) would, to start with, make the NPS available at over 800 of its branches all over the country, and expand the distribution network to more branches in a phased manner in its endeavour to make NPS available to all citizens in all parts of the country. Both PFRDA and the Department of Posts see significant potential and synergy in this partnership for the development of the NPS and believe that it will significantly further and promote the Government’s initiative to provide old age income security to all citizens of India.

NPS is currently being distributed by 21 entities through nearly 800 branches spread all over the country. PFRDA is working with these institutions to bring all their branches under NPS in a time-bound manner. NPS will now be sold through over 1600 outlets of DOP and other entities.

PFRDA is also considering proposals from other entities seeking authorization to act as a PoP. PFRDA has accorded over-riding priority to expansion of NPS distribution network in its effort to make NPS available within the easy reach of all citizens.

STEP MOTHERLY TREATMENT OF GOVERNMENT TOWARDS POSTAL EMPLOYEES

STEP-MOTHERLY TREATMENT BY GOVERNMENT TO GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES BETWEEN THE RAILWAYS AND OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS
Dear Comrades,
As we read the Orders of the Department of Railways that revised the OTA of its own employees based on the recent Basic Pay, Grade Pay and other Allowances implemented by the 6th CPC, we feel that we are discrimiated and treated as the children of a Step-Mother!

No revision of OTA for employees of different departments including Postal after 5th CPC and now after 6th CPC - This is most unjust and unacceptable - Government can revise the OTA after 5th CPC and also again after 6th CPC for Railway employees but cannot do so for Postal and other employees despite an Arbitration Award in this regard after the 5th CPC - A collective action by the entirety of CG Employees in this matter is urgently called for - NFPE will raise this issue with the Confederation and Staff Side.
The orders of the Ministry of railways is reproduced below for the information of the members:


GOVERNMENT OF INDIA / MINISTRY OF RAILWAY

(RAILWAY BOARD) S.No. PC-VI/189 RBE No. 29/2010

No. PC-V/2008/A/O/3(OTA) New Delhi, dated 17.02.2010

The General Managers
All Indian Railways and
Production Units.
(as per mailing list)

Sub: Grant of Overtime Allowance to Railway employees consequent upon revision of pay scales and allowances.

Pursuant to the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission, the issue of revision of Over Time Allowance has been under consideration and in partial modification of the Board's earlier orders on the subject, it has been decided by the Board that the Railway employees who are governed by the Statutory Acts like the Factories Act, Hours of Employment Regulations or those covered under rules for Departmental Overtime and who have opted for the revised scales of pay in terms of Railway Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008, may be granted overtime allowance, on the basis of their emoluments in the revised scales of pay.

2. The emoluments, for the purpose of computation of rates of OTA will comprise the following:

a) Railway employees governed by Factories Act

• Basic Pay (Pay in Pay Band + Grade Pay)

• Dearness Allowance

• House Rent Allowance

• Transport Allowance

• Cash equivalent of the advantage accruing through the concessional sale to workers of food grains and other articles, as the worker is for the time being entitled to (excluding wages for Overtime work or Bonus)

b) Railway employees governed by HOER

• All the items as shown in (a) above except House Rent Allowance

c) Railway employees governed by rules Under Departmental Overtime

(i) Employees working in Loco Sheds and C & W Depot

• All the items as shown in (a) above except House Rent Allowance

(ii) Other Railway employees governed under Departmental Orders

• Basic Pay (Pay in Pay Band + Grade Pay)

• Dearness Allowance

3. The revised rates of Overtime Allowance shall be effective from 01-9-2008.

4. With a view to minimize instances of OTA, General Managers may take following measures:-

(i) Prepare an action plan for systematic and efficient utilization of manpower covering various aspects viz. filling up of vacancies, especially in Running staff and operational categories, proper management of sanction of leave and rational deployment of staff.

(ii) Conduct a fresh job analysis of the duties of Motor Car Drivers who are presently classified as 'Continuous' to determine their actual period of working requiring sustained attention.

(iii) Prefer hiring of vehicles for official use, if necessary.

(iv) Allow compensatory off to the staff booked on holidays due to exigencies.

(v) Direct all the RRBs to follow a uniform pattern by giving compensatory off to their staff instead of OTA.

(vi) Review payment of OTA to supervisors in the Pay Band-2 except to those who are earmarked for breakdown duties, to minimize the incidence of OTA.

5. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.


3rd FINANCIAL UPGRADATION ON COMPLETION OF 30 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 10 YEARS FROM THE LAST PROMOTION/UPGRADATION. DIRECTORATE ISSUED CLARFICATION


Department of Posts (Establishment Division) Memo No 4-7/(MACPS)/2009-PCC dated 20.5.2010

Subject : Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) for the Central Government Civilian Employees.

I am directed to refer to this Directorate Office Memorandum of even number dated 18.9.2009 on the above subject mentioned above.

2. In page No 19 of the OM, the following omission has been noticed in illustration No 5:-

(a) In example 4 in Box No 4, the text appearing as "3rd MACP to the grade pay of Rs 4200 on completion of 30 years of service" may be read as "3rd MACP to the grade pay of Rs 4200 on completion of 10 years service in the grade pay of 2800 or 30 years of service, whichever is earlier".
3. This corrigendum is based on illustration No 28B of Annexure I to the OM dated 18 Septemner 2009 which prescribes that if two promotions are earned before completion of 20 year, only 3rd financial upgradation would be admissible on completion of 10 year of service in the grade pay from the date 2nd promotion or at 30th year of service, whichever is earlier.
4. This Directorate OM dated 18 Sep 2009 may be taken as amended accordingly and this change may be brought to the notice of all concerned.

POSTAL JCA CIRCULAR ON ITS PROGRAMME OF ACTION INCLUDING INDEFINITE STRIKE

POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION

National Federation of Postal Employees

Federation of National Postal Organisations

All India Postal Extra Departmental Employees Union

National Union of Gramin Dak Sewaks

Postal JCA/1/2010 Dated 15th May 2010

Nationwide Demonstration and Strike Notice Serving on 4th June

Postcard Campaign and Meet the Public Personalities from 8th to 15th June

Black Badge Wearing and Demands Highlight Day on 29th June

Non-cooperation from 5th to 9th July

Strike Rally on 12th July

Indefinite Strike from July 13th

Dear Comrades / Colleagues,

The All India Postal Joint Council of Action consisting of NFPE and FNPO Federations and their Affiliated Unions and Associations and the All India Postal Extra Departmental Employees Union & the National Union of Gramin Dak Sewaks met on 14th May, 2010 in New Delhi.

The opening up of new attacks on the Postal Services and Staff and the highest order of unilateralism in taking various decisions against the interest of Postal Employees and the Postal Services as well as the gross violation of its own agreements by the Administration were the major points of deliberation in the JCA Meeting. Various other staff problems that are not receiving any real attention for long time also engaged the attention of the Postal JCA.

The Mckinsey Multinational Consultant has been appointed by the Department for effecting Structural Reorganisation! No interaction with the Staff Side has taken place nor is the Staff Side provided with any materials related to the terms and reference of the said MNC Consultant. It is widely believed that in the name of 'McKinsey' serious attacks on the RMS and Postal Structure are in the offing. Already the Department has unilaterally pushing ahead with its retrograde move of abolition of 'C' Class Post Offices in the urban areas all over India. It has also ordered down gradation of all GDS SOs into GDS BOs and closure of GDS BOs in the name of merger/upgradation. The direction of the Department is for the total destruction of 'RMS' wing and merger of the entire RMS with the Post Offices is already visible and the McKinsey is expected to nail the coffin soon. Some Circle Administrations are so impatient that even before the McKinsey report; they want to commence the attack on the RMS in violation of the agreement reached on 30th November 2009. Outsourcing of several Postal Operations like Mail Conveyance, Processing of Speed Post Articles, Data Entry Operations of several works have been accentuated.

On the other hand the Department is not coming forward to convene the meetings of Departmental Council JCM and Periodical Meeting with the Federations at the National level. Unilateral decisions like piecemeal cadre restructuring of Postmasters Cadre is being resorted to ignoring the comprehensive cadre restructuring of Group 'C' as like Railways and other Departments. Under the Project Arrow the employees are squeezed and exploited in violation of Rules and in the name of 100% delivery performance. Shortage of staff continues to haunt the services in spite of the removal of Screening Committee. The attack on the Postal Staff continues in the name of decentralization of PLI/RPLI work and no additional staff was granted to any Divisional Office anywhere for the additional work. Due to application of conditions in a mechanical way, the MACP is being denied to hundreds of Postal Employees. On one side the discrimination between the Drivers of Parliament Secretariat and MMS Drivers is created by the Government and on the other side no posts of Drivers are recruited and the existing Drivers are forced to work beyond human limits in MMS by the Department of Posts. The System Administrators are also forced beyond human endurance and they are treated as the middle ages slaves by the administration. Unilateral tightening of work norms and non-creation of work norms for several works performed by GDS is causing reduction of wages to GDS. The GDS are discriminated against on several issues despite many judgments of Court of Law and the justice continues to be denied to all types of Casual Labourers. We live in an environment of total suffocation and the Staff Side is fully side lined and ignored and the voice of the Staff Side is not heard at the higher level of Administration!

It is in this background,, the Postal JCA has come to the unanimous conclusion to undertake an All India Strike Campaign Tour during the months of June and July and unleash a series of Programmes to effect full mobilisation of Postal Employees for embarking upon a nationwide Non-cooperation Programme culminating in an Indefinite Strike from 13th July 2010. The Programme of Action and the Indefinite Strike will be for realisation of the following Charter of Demands:

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

1. Drop the move to outsource any function of the DoP including on the recommendations of McKinsey – Cancel the decision to close down 'C' Class Post Offices – Cancel the orders for down gradation of EDSOs into ED BOs and closure of EDBOs - Roll back steps of privatisation of speed post processing and mail conveyance and data entry work.

2. Stop violations in the Agreements on Status Quo of RMS & MMS as well as the merger of RMS with less than 10,000 mails – Create scientific norms for the work in CRC, Speed Post, Logistics and EPP – Cancel the orders for replacing the General Line HSG-I by ASPOs in Mail Offices.

3. Holding of JCM Departmental Council meetings; Periodical Meetings with Federations; Sending of the issue of discrimination of pay scales between the Telecom TBOP/BCR and Postal TBOP/BCR w.e.f. 1.1.1996 to Board of Arbitration; and Holding of GDS Committee Meetings periodically with GDS Unions.

4. Stop harassment of staff under Project Arrow – No extraction of work against Rules – No extraction of work beyond 8 Hours – No drafting of staff on duty and for Training etc on Sundays and Holidays – No harassment in the name of 100% Delivery – Withdrawal of all Punishments awarded to Postmen for minor non-delivery of articles.

5. Fill up all vacant posts: [a] Undertake reassessment of vacancies in PA/SA cadre to rectify mistaken calculation of vacancies in all circles; [b] Fill up all vacant posts in all cadres in Department of Posts [Postal, RMS, MMS, Admn, Postal Accounts, SBCO, Civil Wing etc] as on 31.12.2009; [c] Allow local recruitment as one time measure in Postal Accounts similar to 1997 at Sundernagar.

6. Comprehensive Cadre Restructuring of Group 'C' employees in PA/SA Cadre; [b] Withdrawal of unilateral orders on piecemeal cadre restructuring of Postmasters' cadre until comprehensive Cadre Restructuring of PA/SA cadre is completed; [c] Comprehensive Cadre Restructuring of LDC, Sorters & DEOs in Postal Accounts by amalgamation into a single Accounts Assistants cadre in the pay of Pb-1 with 2400 GP; [d] Comprehensive cadre Restructuring of PA/SA cadre in SBCO; and [e] Comprehensive cadre restructuring of Postmen/Mailguard/Multi Task Staff.

7. Grant of Pension, Departmental status to GDS extending the all benefits such as HRA/CCA, ACP etc, including Trade Union rights and welfare measurers – Remove discrimination on Bonus ceiling – Modify the 20,000 unilateral imposition of cash handling work points for GDS BPMs – Withdraw orders denying revised TRCA w.e.f. 1.1.2006 in respect of BPMs – Compute work norms to all types of work performed including NREGS, PLI,RPLI, Pension Payments etc to GDS – Implement enhanced Social Security to GDS like Ex-Gratia Gratuity and Severance Amount w.e.f. 1.1.2006.

8. Grant of Parity in Pay Scale [PB-1 with GP 2400/-] for MMS Drivers on par with Drivers of Parliament Secretariat – Recruitment of adequate number of Drivers – Sanction of OSA for the long distance logistics van drivers of MMS – Technology training to Work Shop staff and grant of Data Entry Operators scale of pay to Work Shop Staff.

9. Implement Supreme Court Orders for revision of wages from 1.1.2006 [6th CPC wages] to all RRR Candidates, Casual Labourers, Contingent staff, GDS Substitutes etc – Grant Temporary Status to eligible Full Time Status Casual labourers; Convert Part Time into Full Time; Absorb Full Time, Part Time, contingent in vacant GDS Posts.

10. Fill up all vacancies of Postmen and Mailguards - Roll back the unscientific scheme of Single Postman Beat System – Modify certain unscientific work norms of Postmen / MTS finalised by Work Study Unit - Enhance the Postman Double Duty Allowance as per the recommendations of 6th CPC.

11. Remove all local anomalies in MACP Scheme like application of benchmark for the period prior to introduction of MACP Scheme; Grant MACP on 'Average' benchmark like Department of Railways; Denial of MACP for acts of denial of regular promotion earlier to introduction of MACP; Denial to grant PB-2 while upgradation to Grade Pay 4200 and above to Group 'C' Officials etc.

12. Creation of System Administrators Cadre with higher pay scales and absorption of all System Administrators in the new cadre during initial composition – Uniform Norms for System Administrators including work hours, number of systems, distance factor – Financial compensation for special and extra work performed by System Administrators.

13. Early finalisation of Recruitment Rules for upgraded Group 'C' in PB-1 with 1800 GP – Ensure present system of absorption of GDS and TS CLS in Group 'D' posts into the new RR without insisting for the educational qualification – Filling up all the posts of Multi Tasking Staff without any delay.

14. Amalgamation of Group 'C' Accounts Cadres of DoP and DoT.

15. Roll back of the Decentralisation of PLI/RPLI work – Augment required staff strength in PLI branch of CO/RO/DPLI –Maintain centralized accounting system through the Office of DPLI Kolkata – Fill up the vacant posts of COs/ROs/DPLI Kolkata to manage huge shortage;

16. Parity of scale of pay of Ministerial Cadre in Postal Civil Wing on par with the Postal Assistants and upgradation of posts of Works Clerk Grade –II/Grade-I/Head Clerk – Filling up of all vacant posts of technical as well as ministerial posts – Creation of one Civil Wing Circle for each Postal Circle.

17. Regularise the HSG-I, HSG-II, LSG arrangements and grant Officiating Pay & Allowances to all Officials holding the posts.

PROGRAMME OF ACTION

Dear Comrades / Colleagues,

The patience of Postal Employees is grossly misunderstood by the Postal Administration as our weakness and a licence to impose whatever retrograde policies they could think of. Time has come to unite as one man and raise our strong voice against all kinds of humiliation. Let us mentally get prepared for a sustained struggle by accepting all sacrifices. No advancement was achieved without sacrifices and no advancement is possible without further sacrifices. We have presented a united platform of struggle and it is now the responsibility of the rank and file to get organised with all their ideological and other differences left aside in the common interest of all of us. We call upon you to undertake all measures unitedly by forgetting all local differences and stand as one Man with full determination. Our each and every programme decided by the Postal JCA has to be taken to the last employee of the department. Every programme has to be converted into a total success.

· On 4th June when the CHQ issues Notice of Indefinite Strike to Department, all levels of our Organisations shall serve the copy of Strike Notice to respective Administration by organising massive demonstrations.

· All India Strike Campaign Tour by CHQ leaders [Details soon to be circulated]

· The Postcard Campaign and Meet the Public Representatives like M.Ps/M.L.As shall be a tremendous success to put pressure on the Department. [Text of Postcard Campaign enclosed as Annexure.]The Honourable Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies may be submitted a copy of this JCA Letter seeking their kind intervention to write to Shri.A.Raja Honourable MOC&IT for settlement of our justified demands.

· Black Badge wearing and Demands Highlights Day on 29th June, 2010 to draw the attention of the Government about our determination to go on strike. [Text of Badge is supplied in the Annexure]

· The Non-cooperation Programme from July 5-9 shall show to the Government / Department that without our cooperation it will not be possible for the Department to run the show anywhere including Project Arrow Offices and Speed Post Centres etc. The Non-cooperation programme should clearly prove that if we work according to Rules then the functions and operations will come to a standstill. This Programme should be a prelude to the success of the Indefinite Strike from 13th July.

· Indefinite Strike from 06.00 Hrs on 13th July 2010.

United we win! Divided we fall! Unite to win!!

With Struggle Greetings,                             
K.RAGAVENDRAN   SECRETARY GENERAL NFPE                    K.V.SRIDHARANGENERALSECRETARY P3[NFPE]


ISHWAR SINGH DABAS GENERAL SECRETARY P4 [NFPE]     GIRI RAJ SINGH GENERAL SECRETARY R3 [NFPE]


P.SURESH GENERAL SECRETARY R4 [NFPE]      PRANAB BHATTACHARJEE  GENERAL SECRETARY ADMN [NFPE]


P.RAJANAYAGAM GENERAL SECRETARY AIPAEA [NFPE]     S.S.MAHADEVAIAH GENERASECRETARY AIPEDEU                                                                                           



D.THEAGARAJAN  SECRETARY GENERAL FNPO                    D.KISHANRAO  GENERAL SECRETARY P3 [FNPO]


T.N.RAHATE  GENERAL SECRETARY P4 [FNPO]                     D.THEAGARAJAN GENERAL SECRETARY R3 [FNPO]


A. SIDDIQUE  GENERAL SECRETARY R4 [FNPO]                      O.P.KANNA  GENERAL SECRETARY ADMN [FNPO]


P.U. MURALIDHARAN   GENERAL SECRETARY NUGDS



TEXT OF POST CARD CAMPAIGN

To

Shri.A.Raja
Honourable MOC & IT
Government of India Electronic Nikethan
CGO Complex Lodi Road,
New Delhi – 110001

Respected Sir,

POSTAL EMPLOYEES REQUEST YOUR KIND INTERVENTION TO DIRECT THE POSTAL BOARD TO DISCUSS THE CHARTER OF DEMANDS OF POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION FOR REACHING SETTLEMENT OF OUR JUSTIFIED ISSUES.

THANKING YOU SIR,


YOURS FAITHFULLY,


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


Name:


Designation:


Office:


Date:






TEXT OF BLACK BADGE


DEMANDS HIGHLIGHTS DAY


29.06.2010


WE DEMAND IMMEDIATE SETTLEMENT


OF CHARTER OF DEMANDS SUBMITTED BY


POSTAL JCA

46th Meeting of the National Council, J.C.M.

The 46th meeting of the National Council, JCM was held today at Rail Bhawan, Conference hall under the Chairmanship of Shri K.M. Chandrasekhar, Cabinet Secretary. The 45th meeting was on 14th October, 2006. The 46th meeting was thus held after two and half years, whereas the provisions of the JCM stipulate that the meetings are to be convened once in every four months. i.e. three meetings in a year

The Chairman welcomed the members and stated that there had been a long delay in convening the meeting. However, he said that the Government had been interacting with the staff side frequently and cited the meeting of the Standing Committee had with him immediately after the 6th CPC recommendations were notified; convened the Standing Committee thereafter under the Chairmanship of the Secretary, Personnel; Government issued orders on the recommendations of the 6th CPC in record time, and ensured that the Anomaly Committee is set up without much loss of time and discussions were held with the Staff side twice in the Anomaly Committee and has agreed to set up a small committee to look into the problems of the MACP. He also stated that the Government's endeavour to resolve the disputes and problems faced by its employees through mutual discussion would continue with a view to maintain cordiality. He then requested the Leader and Secretary, Staff Side to make their initial remarks before the Agenda is taken for discussion.



The Leader, Staff Side thanked the Cabinet Secretary and the Government for taking expeditious decision on the 6th CPC suggestions and expressed his gratitude for his intervention to make improvements in the recommendations of the Commission. However, he touched upon the following issues seeking a resolution;
(a) Child Care leave. The clarificatory orders issued by the government have in effect nullified the benefit extended to the Women employees by the Commission and the Cabinet. He wanted the clarificatory orders in this regard to be rescinded. He added that if the Government has any practical difficulties in implementing the orders issued in this regard, the same may be discussed with the Staff Side. He assured the Cabinet secretary that the Staff Side will take a very constructive attitude in the matter.
(b) Children Education allowances. He said that the allowance has been restricted to two eldest surviving children. He wanted the Govt. to reconsider this matter.


(c) The MACP scheme is supposed to be an improvement over the ACP which was in vogue. However in view of the promotion to the next grade pay stipulated in the new scheme, it has turned out to be less advantageous to many employees. He hoped that the Sub Committee would look into the matter and resolve the issue to the satisfaction of the employee
(d) The new concept of Pay band and Grade Pay has created a situation in which the Senior Persons would be drawing lesser pay than their juniors. This matter has been the subject matter of discussion at the Anomaly Committee meeting. Though the Railways by issuing an order have partially set right this anomaly, the issue has not been fully addressed. Since this has created resentment amongst the employees, he wanted the Govt. to look into this matter and resolve the issue.


(e) Normally after every Pay Commission Govt. used to raise the income taxable limit. This was not done this time, with the result even the low paid employees have come within the ambit of taxation
(f) The inordinate delay in convening the National Council and Departmental Councils was pointed out and requested that steps are needed to ensure that the meeting do take place within the stipulated periodicity.

The Staff Side Secretary while speaking raised the following issues for consideration and resolution.
(a) He said that the harmonious relationship could only be maintained with a continuous dialogue. The JCM was conceived with that idea. Initially the employees were against the idea of JCM but at the insistence of the then Home Minister, they had agreed and the track record has shown that it has helped in maintaining industrial peace in the Governmental sector. He therefore pleaded that the Council meetings should be convened within the stipulated period of time. He added that most of the Departmental Councils have become defunct and anomaly committee were not being set up at that level with the result all items of anomaly which are normally to be addressed at the Departmental levels were being referred to the National Council. He pleaded that the Govt. should take a serious view of this matter and ensures that the Departmental Councils of all Ministries are periodically convened and the National Council apprised of the functioning of the Departmental Councils as it used to be done in the past
(b) Arbitration Awards. Arbitration was inbuilt in the JCM scheme. Issues on which agreements could not be reached are to be referred to the Board of Arbitration. Both the Parties are supposed to abide the decision of the Arbitrator. The Govt. is vested with the power of referring the Parliamentary approval for rejection of the awards on certain specific circumstances like the expenditure on implementation of such awards would have a serious deleterious effect on the economy of the country. Of late the government had been referring every award to the Parliament for rejection. Even though it was agreed that such reference would be intimated to the Staff Side well in advance, the same had not been adhered to. He added that recently he was informed of such a rejection of an award being considered by the Parliament on 4th May, 2010. The Staff side was informed of this only on 3rd May, 2010. It was agreed at the National Council that all such awards which had been referred to the Parliament would be recalled and subjected to negotiation with the Staff Side. Two or three rounds of discussions were held with the Staff Side. But no conclusions were arrived at despite the Staff Side agreeing for the modification of these awards. He, therefore, wanted these awards to be re-subjected to further negotiations and decisions taken by mutual consen

(c) DOPT has issued recently questionnaire on the functioning of the JCM. The members of the Staff Side had given reply to the said questionnaire. In the light of that he suggested to set up a joint committee to review the scheme with a view to improve its functioning.
(d) The Grade Pay and Pay band system introduced by the 6th CPC for improving the productivity of Government Services was a revolutionary concept and the same had not been fully grasped by the employees. Therefore, all the grievances that arise from the implementation of the 6th CPC had not been catalogued and presented at one go. He requested that the Govt. should continue to consider the problems of the employees as and when it is presented.
(e) He said that the recommendation of the 6th CPC was to double all the allowances. He complained that the Government has not done this in some cases for one reason or the other. What is needed is to double this allowance and then work on alternatives. As and when the alternatives are worked, this allowance could be withdrawn. He then enquired about the delay in revising the Medical Allowance for outpatient treatment for pensioners. The Official side intervened and said that the said allowance would be revised to Rs. 300 p.m. and the orders would be issued soon. The entire Staff Side resented this decision in the light of the fact that even the Health Ministry's suggestion was to raise it to Rs. 500/-.on the basis of the per capita OPD expenses.
(f) He then referred to the orders issued by the Government to the effect that future promotion to the cadre of LDC would only be from among those who are qualified in the XII Std. Examination. He said that while this could be a stipulation for future recruitees, it cannot be applied for the existing employees as it would be impossible for them to acquire the said qualification.
(g) Even though the fast Track committee has done a commendable job in the case of Master Craftsmen, the same has not been implemented in Defence so far.
(h) He wanted the Govt. to waive the bonafide transport allowance granted to the employees of Lucknow and Jaipur which has been ordered to be recovered on the basis of the audit objection, especially in the background that in the case of those who had gone to the Court, the relief has been granted.
(i) He specifically drew the attention of the official side to the letter the Staff Side had written in the case of those Group D employees died or retired before getting the benefit of training and assignment of Grade pay of Rs. 1800. He wanted them to be treated as deemed to have been trained and benefit of Grade pay of Rs. 1800 extended to them with effect from 1.1.2006
The Chairman, responding to the points made out by the Secretary and leader stated that the same has been noted and necessary action would be taken by the Govt. and communicated. In the case of convening the Departmental Council meetings, he said that he would write to All Secretaries of the Govt. of India to immediately convene the Departmental Council meetings/Anomaly Committee meeting.

The agenda items were taken up then for discussion. We give hereunder the decisions taken on each of the items that came up for discussion.
Item No.1. Reimbursement of Ayaa charges – delegation thereon: Agreed. Orders issued.
Item No.2. Reimbursement of expenditure towards implantation of special types of stents like cipher stent etc. in case of CS(MA) beneficiaries – delegation thereon:. Orders issued delegating powers to the HODs
Item No.3. Pathological and diagnostic procedures: Diagnostic centres identified and recognized for the City of Jaipur.
Item No. 4. Grant of FMA in lieu of out door treatment facilities. The facility of extending FMA benefit to CGHS Card holders who are beyond the age of 70 would be considered. It was also stated that the Govt. would be issuing orders shortly raising the FMA from Rs. 100 to 300 for all pensioners covered under CSMA rules.

Item No.5.Relocation of one CGHS dispensary in Wadi area under the jurisdiction of Municipal Corporation Nagpur. Decision in the matter would be taken soon.
Item No. 6. Specialized consultation in PU hospital like Ispat Hospital, HEC Hospital and CCL Hospital, Ranchi. The matter is under consideration to permit the CGHS beneficiaries to avail the treatment in the above mentioned hospitals subject to an overall ceiling.
Item No. 7. Supply of free diet to employees and their dependant under treatment for TB Leprosy, Mental, Illness, Cancel and HIV/AIDS, Renal Dialysis therapy, Thalsaema. Orders issued.
Item No. 8. Sanction of incentive allowance to Central Government employees working in extremists infested areas. Not agreed.
Item No.9 Declaration of Gandhinagar as Link City of Ahmedabad. Final decision by the next meeting.
Item No. 10. Up-gradation of Jamnagar as B.2. Town with effect from 14.2.2006. The Department of Expenditure will reconsider the matter.
Item No.11. Up-gradation of Bangalore City with effect from 16.1. 2007. The Department of Expenditure will reconsider the matter.
Item No.12. Anomaly in fixation of revised pension. Not agreed.
Item No.13. Eligibility of Family pension to Widow/Divorcee Daughter/unmarried Daughter who are now eligible for payment of family pension for inclusion of names in PPOs issued much earlier. Govt. will issue a general clarification order soon.
Item No.14. Grant of family pension in case of Missing Pensioners after two months. Instead of two months, Govt. has agreed to reduce the period to 6 months.

Item No.15. Grant of half day casual leave facility for industrial employees. It was agreed that the condition imposed in the order would be removed.

Item No. 16. Relaxation of Upper age limit for departmental candidates for appointment to Group C Posts. In the light of extension of superannuation age to 60 years, the upper age ceiling for this purpose would be raised by two years.
Item No. 17. Rate of Stitching charge of liveries requires to be increased. Agreed to be considered and raised in 2011.

Item No.18. Casual labourers (Grant of Temporary Status and Regularization) scheme- on implementation of. The matter is under consideration.

Item No. 19. Restricted holidays for Industrial workers. Not agreed to.

Item No. 20. Applicability of CCS(RSA)Rules 1993 to the workers employed in Defence Establishments. The Defence Ministry will seek legal opinion and would take appropriate decision.

POSTAL JCA OPTS FOR INDEFINITE STRIKE

POSTAL JCA OF NFPE AND FNPO AND GDS UNIONS UNANIMOUSLY DECIDED FOR LAUNCHING A SERIES OF PROGRAMMES INCLUDING NON-COOPERATION CULMINATING IN AN INDEFINITE STRIKE OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES

 

NFPE - FNPO - GDS Unions came together under the

banner of Postal Joint Council of Action once again

 

Considering the mounting attacks on the Postal Services and Staff and the total unilateralism on the part of the Department of Posta on all major issues as well as non-settlement of several major issues of Postal Employees, the Postal JCA came to the conclusion that there is no alternative before the Postal Trade Union Movement than organise a sustained movement of Postal Workers

 

Indefinite Strike would commence from 13th July 2010 followed by a nationwide Non-cooperation Movement - The Programme of Action containing several stages will commence from 1st June 2010 when the Strike Notice would be served on the Department at Directorate as well as at all levels of Postal Administration.

 

Full Circular of Postal JCA containing the issues - Charter of Demands -

Programme of Action would be placed in our websites after the same is

approved by the Postal JCA within a day or two.

 

Get Ready for Action - Get organised for defending our existence - Get ready for sacrifices and advancement!


--
P.Suresh
General Secretary
AI RMS&MMS EU Mailguards & Group 'D'

POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION

Postal JCA meeting was held at the FNPO office today under the Presidentship of T.N.Rahate.Both the Secretary Generals (FNPO &NFPE) and all the General Secretaries affiliated to FNPO & NFPE attended and addressed the JCA. Various issues were discussed in the meeting. Postal JCA has decided to go on indefinite strike from 13th July onwards
Details of the charter of demands and other programmes related to strike will be hosted shortly.
Awake Arise organise strike

India Post is the official carrier of Unique Identity Numbers - MoU signed between DOP and UIADI to this effect.

India Post is the official carrier of Unique Identity Numbers and will deliver the UID communication to the citizens of India. Department of Posts has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on April 30, 2010 to this effect. The MoU has been entered into for a period of two years. The Department would use its flagship product, the Speed Post for this purpose. The Department got advantage for this project due to its vast network of 155,015 post offices of which nearly 90% numbering 139,144 are in the rural area.

India Post is also providing the comprehensive business solution of printing & pre mailing activities and last mile delivery of UID letters to the recipients of UID number. Whenever/ wherever required by UIDAI, the Department will also do biometric authentication of each UID letter delivered.

The Department is also successfully implementing the work of distribution of nearly 10,000 tonnes of Census material from 15 printing presses to nearly 12,000 taluk/ municipal level locations across the length and breadth of the country through its Logistics Post in connection with Census 2011 as its official carrier. India Post will also be undertaking the reverse logistics for collection of filled in census forms from these locations and delivery to the respective Directorates of Census Operations and scanning centers in the States. The Project started in February 2010 and will be completed in June 2011.

Source : PIB

SECURITY BOND FOR GDS

Security to be furnished by Gramin Dak Sevaks increased
The Department of Posts vide letter no 6-18/2010-PE-II dated 07-05-2010 has revised the amount of security to be furnished by Gramin Dak Sevaks as under:

1. GDS BPMs from Rs 10000/- to Rs 25000/-
2 Other GDS from Rs 5000/- to Rs 10000/-
The security will be furnished in the form of Fidelity Guarantee Bond or National Savings Certificate pledged to the Department or in the shape of Bank Guarantee from any nationalized Bank. The present periodicity of yearly renewal- of the Fidelity Guarantee Bond is revised to once in 5 years (quinquinnelly).The required premium for-5 years' block may be recovered and the Fidelity Guarantee Bond obtained for full 5 years block from the recognized Cooperative Credit Society.

JCM NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETS ON 15th MAY 2010

NATIONAL COUNCIL JCM MEETS ON 15.05.2010


NATIONAL COUNCIL STAFF SIDE MEETING WILL BE ON 14.05.2010
Dear Comrades - After a very long time the meeting of the National Council JCM is taking place - The postponed meeting of the National Council is now scheduled to meet on 15th May 2010 and a day prior to that the Staff Side will meet and discuss.
After the meeting of the National Council, we will report the developments.

Centre to dole out payouts to performing employees

Bonus Points: Centre to dole out payouts to performing employees

The Indian government is finally going the corporate way. The stage has been set for introducing performance-linked payouts which may force over five million central government employees to deliver their best.

What may make even corporate executives envious of the new bonanza for central government employees, particularly of the brass, is the proposal of a 20% hike for the best performers over and above the raise that they had received after the sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations two years ago.

Yet for the babus, it won’t be a cakewalk either, as the formula of assessing the government employees as proposed by performance management division under the cabinet secretariat, has ruled out paying even a penny to an official if his ministry scores 70 or below in a scale of 100.

But a secretary of a high performing ministry which meets 100% target will be eligible to receive Rs 2.4 lakh extra per year if the cabinet secretariat’s proposal of a 20% performance-linked payout is endorsed by the government, according to an official in cabinet secretariat.

The first round of assessment, initially for three months from January to March 2010, is over and three out of 59 central government departments have got a 100% score. There is a strong possibility that a large number of government employees would receive an extra pay once the new formula is adopted.

“We are extending the performance monitoring and evaluation system to 62 departments from the current fiscal. According to our system, a department sets a target, fixes the weightages of each target, and if it succeeds meeting all its targets, it gets a score of 100. Now, we are proposing that if a department meets all its targets, the head of the department would be given a performance bonus of 20% or more of his basic salary. And other employees too will get such bonuses,” said an official in performance management division.

He further says how the government has failed to implement performance-linked incentives for its employees for the last 20 years though such recommendations were mooted by successive pay commissions including the more recent Sixth Pay Commission.

Several countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Netherlands, Denmark, UK, US and Finland have moved away from the traditional government administrative model to a management model under which officers act like corporate managers as they get greater operational freedom, but are held accountable for results. In fact, New Zealand is considered to be the leader of the pack where performance of government agencies are weighed in by setting targets and adopting regular evaluations.

Though there were several attempts in India too to bring in performance management in an institutionalised way, the process got kickstarted only after World Bank’s senior economist Prajapati Trivedi was appointed as secretary to the government of India with the responsibility for performance management early last year. Dr Trivedi, along with cabinet secretary KM Chandrasekhar, introduced a tool called Results Framework Document (RFD) which will set targets for each ministry and will finally be the basis for yearly evaluation.

Dr SP Parashar, a former director of IIM Indore, says that the government had in the past too dealt with the subject by introducing themes such as Programming, Planning, Budgeting (PPB), Zero Base Budgeting (ZBB), and Outcome Budgeting (OB), to name a few. “You might be wondering what happened to them? They went with their champions. Lets hope that Results Framework Document (RFD) stays. The real challenge and test of any change program in our kind of democracies is its continuity...” he says.

He agrees that at concept level, Results Framework Document captures international best practices in respect of government performance management, but it misses the heart of good performance being implemented in the corporate world. “It is fixing individual responsibility in addition to departmental responsibility. The Results Framework Document as currently devised and adopted uses departmental responsibility and score as proxy for individual responsibility and score,” he says.

Yet, with 62 government ministries and departments on board with a few exceptions like PMO, home and defence, the performance of central ministries is under close watch. Though Sunday ET has learnt that only three ministries met 100% targets and some could not even meet 50%, it remains to be seen when and how the government makes those report cards public.


Source: Economic Times

REMINDER ISSUED BY DOPT TO ALL DEPARTMENTS ON INCENTIVE INCREMENTS TO SPORTS  PERSONS
DOPT HAS ISSUED AN ORDER SEEKING THE VIEWS OF ALL DEPARTMENTS ON THE QUANTUM OF INCENTIVE INVREMENTS TO BE GRANTED TO SPORTSPERSONS WHO WIN GOLD / SILVER / BRONZE IN NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
It is clear from the order itself that even such important issues on which DOPT seeks views of Ministries / Departments, several Departments do not even reply! It shows how busy the Departments are!!
For Full Text of the Orders  Click here

MINUTES OF NATIONAL ANOMALY COMMITTEE MEETING RELEASED BY DOPT

DOPT ISSUED THE OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE NATIONAL ANOMALY COMMITTEE

 HELD ON 27th MARCH 2010
 
 
As per the Minutes the Chairman of the National Anomaly Committee assured that all new schemes will be introduced only after consultations with the Staff Side. Will the spirit of this statement will be kept in mind by the Postal Authorities is highly doubtful.
 
The Chiarman assured constitution of a separate Joint Committee to look into the anomalies of MACP and the same is already constituted as we have intimated in our earlier blog.
 
Chairman assured that the question of revision of FMA [Fixed Medical Allowance] is under the consideration of the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare but he will take up with the Cabinet Secretary for early decision on this matter.
 
Grant of 1800 Grade Pay to Temporary Status Casual Labourers is under the consideration of the DOPT.
 
Date of increment on 1st July will not be postponed if an official do not have 6 months regular service from 1st January and 1st July every year; If the official has put in minimum 6 months regular service in a year his increment would be drawn on 1st July automatically - Orders to this  effect would be issued soon.
 
On important issues like grant of increment on 1.1.2006 to all officials whose increment date is between February and June, the Minutes says that this issue would be deeply considered for analysing any further anomalies and appropriate orders would be issued before the next meeting or if necessary further discussions would be held with the staff side by the Department of Expenditure.
 
Next Meeting of National Anomaly Committee will be held in last week of June 2010.
 
Full text of the Minutes can be downloaded by clicking the Link Below:
 
http://persmin.nic.in/writedata/CircularNotification/ScanDocument/11_2_2008-JCA-1.pdf

--
P.Suresh
General Secretary
AI RMS&MMS EU Mailguards & Group 'D'

MACP ANOMALIES WILL BE LOOKED INTO BY THE JOINT COMMITTEE

JOINT COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE ANOMALIES IN MACP SCHEME CONSTITUTED BY DOPT

 

As per the discussions held in the National Anomaly Committee meeting on 27.03.2010, a Joint Committee consisting of Officers from Official Side and Leaders from Staff Side has been consitituted. This Committee will go into all anomalies forwarded by the Secretary Staff Side National Council JCM and submit its report to the Chairman of National Anomaly Committee.

 

Comrades Raghavaiah Leader Staff Side; Umraomal Purohit Secretary Staff Side; S.K.Vyas President Confederation of CG Employees; and C.Srikumar General Secretary AIDEF are the members of the Joint Committee from Staff Side.

 

The full text of the orders of the DOPT on constitution of Joint Committee can be downloaded by clicking on the following Link:

 

http://persmin.nic.in/writedata/CircularNotification/ScanDocument/11_1_2010-JCA.pdf

--
P.Suresh
General Secretary
AI RMS&MMS EU Mailguards & Group 'D'

DOPT ISSUED ORDERS FOR MODEL RECRUITMENT RULES FOR MULTI SKILLED EMPLOYEES

MODEL RECRUITMENT RULES FOR MULTI-SKILLED EMPLOYEES ISSUED BY DOPT

We have been demanding early finalization of Recruitment Rules to enable recruitment of Multi-Skilled Employees in all Deprtments - Now the Model Recruitment Rules is ordered by DOPT and all Departments are asked to finalize the same for each and every Departments.

The upgraded Group 'D' posts inTO Group 'C' will hereafterwords designated as " MULTI TASKING STAFF" - This new designation is more appropriate than Multi-Skilled Employees because the latter indirectly means all other categories of staff or not multi-skilled as like these upgraded Group 'C' posts. The misnomer 'Multi-Skilled Employees' has been corrected by designating as "MULTI TASKING STAFF"

It has been clarified by the DOPT Order that the purpose of Multi Tasking Staff means that one employee performing jobs hitherto perfomed by several Group 'D' Employees.

The Minimum Educational Qualifiction required is fixed as 'Matricultion' or 'ITI' [whereever technical qualification is required].

The Model nature of Duties to be performed by the Multi Tasking Staff has been noted in t annexure - II of the above Model Recruitment Rules which are self explanatory to show that the earlier orders issued by Department of Posts entrusting the duties of DATA ENTRY WORK performed by Postal Assistants / Sorting Assistants was wrong. NFPE and the Staff Side had also demanded higher scale of pay to Multi-Skilled Employees or Postmen staff if they have to be extracted with Data Entry Work. Now the recent orders of DOPT makes the position very clear that the Multi Tasking Staff are to perform duties other than Data Entry Operations.

Full Text of DOPT Orders cana be downloaded by clicking on the Link Below:

http://persmin.nic.in/writedata/CircularNotification/ScanDocument/AB-14017_6_2009-Estt(RR).pdf


--
P.Suresh
General Secretary
AI RMS&MMS EU Mailguards & Group 'D'

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